EX-13 11 dex13.htm 2001 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- 2001 ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
Exhibit 13
 
ABOUT THE COMPANY
 
DSG International Limited is a global company specialized in manufacturing and distribution of disposable baby diapers, adult incontinence and training pants products. The Company now has ten manufacturing plants established in Hong Kong, the United States, Australia, England, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. The Company’s products are marketed and distributed throughout Asia, Australia, North America and Europe. Its principal brand names are “FITTI®”, “PET PET®”, “COSIES®”, “COSIFITS®”, “BABY LOVE®”, “BABYJOY®”, “LULLABY®”, “CARES®”, “CUDDLES®”, “SUPER FAN-NIES®”, “DISPO 123”, “HANDY”, “CERTAINTY®”, “MERIT®” and “DRYPERS®”. These brands are synonymous with high quality and superior value, characteristics that the Company is dedicated to maintaining.
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
    
Year Ended December 31,

    
2001

    
2000

  
1999

  
1998

  
1997

    
(In US$ million except per share amounts)
Net sales
  
$
299.8
 
  
$
214.7
  
$
205.8
  
$
207.9
  
$
230.9
Net (loss) income
  
$
(27.6
)
  
$
3.0
  
$
4.4
  
$
1.6
  
$
1.0
Shareholders’ equity
  
$
39.0
 
  
$
63.4
  
$
70.3
  
$
68.0
  
$
64.8
(Losses) earnings per share
  
$
(4.10
)
  
$
0.44
  
$
0.66
  
$
0.24
  
$
0.15

1


 
CONTENTS
 
  
3
Executive and Non-Executive Directors of DSG
    
  
4
Report on the highlights of 2001 and the outlook for 2002
    
by Brandon Wang, Chairman
    
  
6
Report of DSG’s operations world-wide in 2001
    
  
9
  
23
  
24
by Edmund J Schwartz, Chief Financial Officer
    
  
25
by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Hong Kong
    
  
26
  
27
  
29
  
31
  
43
  
51
  
52
DSG Corporate addresses world-wide
    

2


 
 
DSG EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
 
DSG OFFICERS
Brandon S L Wang
 
Edmund J Schwartz
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
Chief Financial Officer
Philip K C Leung
 
George Jackson
Member of Executive Cabinet
 
Chief Executive of USA
(Deceased on March 25, 2002)
   
   
Patrick Wong
Johnny S L Tsui
 
Chief Operating Officer—South East Asia
Member of Executive Cabinet, Chief Operating
   
Officer of China & Hong Kong and
 
Colin Lamond
Company Secretary
 
Chief Operating Officer—Australia
Patrick K Y Tsang
   
Member of Executive Cabinet and
   
Chief Operating Officer of Europe
   
Terence Y F Leung
   
Member of Executive Cabinet
   
Peter Chang
   
Member of Executive Cabinet and Chairman of
   
North American operations
   
DSG NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
   
Anil Thadani
   
Chairman of Schroder Capital Partners (Asia)
   
Limited, Hong Kong
   
Owen Price
   
Formerly Managing Director of Dairy Farm
   
International Holdings, Hong Kong
   
(retired in 1993)
   
Allister McLeish
   
Formerly Finance Director of Yule Catto
   
& Co. Plc., U.K.
   
(retired in 2000)
   

3


 
 
The year 2001 marked another year of progress towards the long-term goals of DSG International Limited. Unfortunately in 2001, the Company produced less than acceptable financial performance. Despite the unfavorable financial performance, 2001 represented a year in which the Company integrated a major acquisition and accomplished overall sales growth in most of its markets. We believe that 2001 established a foundation on which the Company will begin to solidify its prominence in the marketplace and improve its financial performance. In 2002, the Company is positioned to capitalize on an integrated North American business and should begin to realize the anticipated cost saving synergies of its 2001 acquisition of Drypers. This activity, coupled with the Company’s strong Asian sales growth and an anticipated recovery in its Australian operations should result in improved performance in 2002.
 
Financial Review
 
Sales increased in 2001 over 2000 by 39.7% to $299.8 million. In 2001 the Company recorded a net loss of $27.6 million, or a $4.10 loss per share. The loss resulted primarily from about $14.0 million in restructuring charges along with non-recurring expenses related to inefficiencies resulting from excess plant capacity acquired in the Drypers acquisition, write down of assets held for sale, write off of discontinued inventory, redundancy payments and office closure in the U.S. In addition, the Company recorded $4.6 million in costs associated with the settlement of two lawsuits.
 
During 2001 the Company repaid a $15.0 million Term Loan related to the Drypers acquisition. Share purchase warrants at a price of $0.01 per share were attached to this debt. Upon repayment of the debt, the Company was required to issue 314,510 Ordinary Shares to the lender of the Term Note. The fair value of the share warrants of $1.4 million was treated as interest expense in 2001.
 
Operations
 
North America
 
The most important development for our North American operations was the acquisition during the first quarter 2001 of Drypers North America, which was combined with Associated Hygienic Products (“AHP”), our North American business unit. This strategic acquisition will accomplish several key goals for AHP. First of all, once the Drypers operations are fully integrated into AHP, our North American revenue run rate should more than double from the $92.2 million in net sales last year. This will translate to significant growth for DSG International Limited as well. Secondly, the two Drypers plants acquired in the transaction will provide additional capacity and improved productivity for North American operations. And finally, the Drypers acquisition will provide the synergies to consolidate and grow our current position as the second largest supplier of private label disposable diapers and training pants in our North American markets.
 
Australia
 
We further expanded our strong presence in Australia through market share gains during 2001 and remain the second largest manufacturer of baby diapers in this market. Net sales increased 1.3% to $45.3 million (by 13.6% in local currency terms), as we increased our penetration of the grocery sector and grew export sales, particularly to New Zealand. We also gained market share in the adult incontinence market.

4


 
Asia
 
Our greatest growth story occurred in the Asian region, where net sales increased to $70.9 million in 2001, a gain of 16.5% over 2000. We had a strong showing across the region, including Malaysia, the PRC, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Singapore. While we had the benefit of strong local economies, the results were also due to aggressive, competitive and tailored marketing strategies in the various locales of the region. For instance, we have introduced economy brands in certain markets to capture new consumers and have varied our brands and packaging in other markets to react to competition and local market conditions. We believe our early entry in these emerging disposable diaper markets will position us well for continued penetration and growth.
 
Europe
 
In Europe, we continue to face strong competition in the United Kingdom. The U.K. operation now concentrates on both branded and private label disposable diapers for the U.K. market.
 
Outlook
 
The year 2001 brought with it many challenges. The Drypers acquisition proved to be more demanding than anticipated requiring a larger dedication of the Company’s resources. In addition, the Company was forced to respond to competitive pressures in the marketplace that squeezed profit margins. Given all of these challenges, the Company made significant operational progress. The measurement of the success of our progress should translate to improved future financial performance. We will strive to accomplish that goal and adopt the most effective business model in each of the economic regions in which we operate. We are committed to improving our competitive standing in the marketplace by offering our customers the best possible service, product quality and value for the products we supply. Our marketplace will continue to present challenges and demands in the coming year. However we remain optimistic about the future for DSG International Limited.
 
We appreciate the support of our shareholders and look forward to providing a favorable outcome of our efforts in the future.
 
Brandon Wang
Chairman

5


 
 
DSG International Limited and its subsidiaries, firstly established in Hong Kong in 1973, is one of the world leading companies specialized in manufacturing disposable baby diapers, adult incontinence and training pants products in this industry. The Company now operates ten manufacturing facilities in North America, Australia, Asia and Europe with extensive distribution activities around the world.
 
The principal raw materials for the Company’s disposable products are fluff wood pulp and super absorbent polymer. Other raw materials include polyethylene backsheets, cloth-like breathable backsheets, polypropylene non-woven liners, adhesive closure tapes, mechanical closure tapes, hot melt adhesive, elastic, aloe vera and tissue.
 
There are different marketing and distribution strategies for each geographic segment of the Company, however, the Company’s fundamental strategies are:
 
 
 
Producing high quality and value-added products for consumers.
 
 
 
Providing healthy profit margins to distributors and retailers.
 
 
 
Manufacturing in a highly flexible and efficient way.
 
 
 
Responding intelligently to change in the marketplace.
 
NORTH AMERICA
 
During the year, the Company continued its effort to further strengthen the North American operation. All the programs, systems and other measures put in place to improve the productivity and efficiency have shown significant positive results. However, the improvement was negated by the impact of unutilized manufacturing capacity caused by the Drypers acquisition in the first quarter of 2001. The Company has taken steps to reduce this over capacity and should see positive improvement in 2002.
 
The net sales for the year 2001 were $177.3 million compared with $92.2 million in 2000. The increase in 2001 sales was attributable to the Company’s first quarter acquisition of Drypers North America. Operating income decreased by $19.6 million in year 2001 versus 2000. Excess manufacturing capacity, additional selling, general and administrative costs related to the Drypers acquisition and provision of bad and doubtful debts for Ames Department Stores caused this decrease.
 
The Company continued to expand its branded and private label diaper business. On the branded side, the Company had introduced Mega packs for FITTI® brand, Jumbo packs for FITTI® brand training pants as well as the roll out on FITTI® brand size 6 Super Toddler. On the DRYPERS® brand, the Company launched new Super Mega packs. On the private label side, the Company continued to strengthen its existing private label partnerships with major retailers like Walgreens, Pathmark, A&P, Uniprix Drug, Topco etc. With the acquisition of Drypers North America, the Company gained additional private label business with key retailers including Wal-Mart, Kroger, Giant Eagle, Shoprite, Aldi and many others. The Company continued to add new products in both areas of disposable baby products and disposable adult incontinence. Included was the launch of new Koala Kare Mat, disposable changing pads. This new product has already been accepted and put into retail distribution with Walgreens drug and Kroger. The Company will continue to target other major retailers to establish new profitable private label partnerships in all of its product categories.
 
In March 2001, the Company acquired the Drypers’s North American operations and the DRYPERS®

6


brand name. The combination of the Company’s North American operations and Drypers will provide a new level of service to our branded and private label customers in the U.S. markets and gain entry to the major supermarket chains and mass merchandisers such as Walmart and Kroger. Once the Drypers operations are fully integrated into the Company’s North American operations, the revenue growth should more than double the net sales of $92.2 million in 2000.
 
In the adult incontinence area, the Company continued to pursue the strategy to have the capability to provide key retailers, institutions and consumers with product technology that is superior to what other manufacturers can currently provide. The “value” tier fitted briefs introduced by the Company in 1999 for the private label retailers has been well embraced by the consumers. As the result of this success, the Company currently is putting on major efforts to bring the programs to more retailers.
 
In line with the Company’s global fundamental marketing strategies, the Company’s North American operations provide its customers high quality products and superior service with satisfactory profit margin.
 
The Company’s principal brand names in North America are DRYPERS®, FITTI®, CUDDLES® for disposable baby diapers and CERTAINTY® for adult incontinence.
 
AUSTRALIA
 
The Company’s net sales in 2001 were $45.3 million, representing an increase of 1.3% compared with sales of $44.8 million in 2000. In local currency terms, the increase in net sales from 2000 to 2001 was 13.6%. Net sales increased due to growth in the grocery class of trade, expansion of export sales and continued market share gains in adult incontinence products. Operating income fell to $2.3 million in 2001, from $3.9 million in 2000, due mainly to poor manufacturing efficiencies. The currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar in 2001 dropped by 11% compared with 2000 which also impacted negatively on the operating results.
 
The Company further strengthened its position as the second largest manufacturer of disposable baby diapers in Australia. The Company’s major brands in Australia, BABY LOVE® and LULLABY®, continue to penetrate the grocery and variety sector, while COSIFITS® and COSIES® grew market share in a declining independent pharmacy sector. In addition, the Company is also the leading supplier of private label diapers to major grocery and variety retailers. The Company’s reliable service, high quality products and competitive prices have resulted in it maintaining its position in the private label sector despite the closure of a major private label retailer.
 
The Company also grew sales of the VLESI® range of adult incontinence products into the Australian market.
 
ASIA
 
The Company’s net sales in Asia grew by 16.5% to $70.9 million in 2001 compared to $60.8 million in 2000. The major sales growth contributors were from the Malaysia, PRC, Thailand and Indonesia markets. The Company is striving to maintain market growth in pace with the economic recovery by its localization of production and its direct selling strategy. Operating income of $5.1 million in 2001, increased by 11.1% over last year.
 
The Company’s major brands for disposable baby diapers are FITTI®, PET PET®, COSIFITS®, FITTI®

7


Basic, BABY LOVE® and BABYJOY®. The Company produces and distributes adult incontinence products in Asia under the brand names DISPO 123 and HANDY.
 
The Company provides consumers with a different range of products with price differentiation to maintain its competitiveness against other local brands. The Company also has flexibility in tailoring packaging, brand and product differentiation and advertising and promotional activities to cope with different demands in various markets in the region. Although competition and pricing pressure has become more intense in the region, the Company believes that there is great potential for sales growth due to projected population growth figures and anticipated favorable currency rates. As a pioneer in the region, the Company has an advantage in entering and expanding in these markets by encouraging disposable diaper usage and establishing its brands at an early stage through strategic advertising and promotional activities.
 
EUROPE
 
The Company’s net sales in Europe were $6.3 million in 2001 compared to $16.8 million in 2000. The Company sold the Swiss adult incontinence operation during the year 2000 and the Company’s U.K. operation in 2001 continued with branded and private label disposable baby diapers. The Company also closed down its trading company in Belgium. Operating loss for the year 2001 was $1.4 million compared with an operating loss of $2.4 million in 2000.
 
The Company’s brands in Europe for baby diapers are FITTI®, COSIFITS® and CARES®. The Company believes that the presence of its branded and private label disposable baby diapers in the United Kingdom can be maintained although it will be difficult to penetrate the market share of Procter & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark.

8


 
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Selected Consolidated Financial Data and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes which appear elsewhere in this Annual Report.
 
General
 
The Company’s revenues are primarily derived from the manufacture and sale of disposable baby diapers, adult incontinence and training pants products in North America, Australia, Asia and Europe, both under its own brands and private label brands of major retailers.
 
The Company is not taxed in the British Virgin Islands where it is incorporated. The Company’s subsidiaries are subject to taxation in the jurisdictions in which they operate.
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company are prepared in U.S. dollars, and the majority of its revenues are received and expenses are disbursed in U.S. dollars. Because certain of the Company’s subsidiaries account for their transactions in currencies other than U.S. dollars, the Consolidated Balance Sheets contain foreign currency translation adjustments and the Consolidated Statements of Operations contain realized exchange gains and losses due to exchange rate fluctuations.
 
Industry Trends
 
The Company believes that the most significant industry trends are :
 
 
 
fluff wood pulp costs and other raw material costs decreased moderately in 2001, however, it is expected that fluff wood pulp costs will increase moderately in 2002;
 
 
 
increasing demand for cloth-like breathable backsheet and mechanical closure tape products, which the Company is meeting through modifications to its machinery;
 
 
 
the domination of industry leaders in most of the markets putting pressure on retailers’ margins, which the Company is finding difficult to respond to by providing retailers with higher profit margins in the current highly competitive market conditions.
 
The Company is unable to predict whether the industry trends noted above would have a material effect on its future financial condition or results of operations and, if so, whether such an effect will be positive or negative.
 
Forward-looking Statements
 
The Company continues to expand its markets in the South East Asian and PRC region and the Company expects that its market share in the regions will increase. The cost of raw materials, primarily fluff wood pulp costs will increase moderately in 2002.

9


 
From time to time, the Company may make certain statements that contain “forward-looking” information (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project”, “expect”, “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be made by management orally or in writing, including, but not limited to, in press releases, as part of this Operating and Financial Review and Prospects and as part of other sections of this Annual Report on Form 20-F and the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Risk Factors
 
Among the factors that have a direct effect on the results of operations and financial condition of DSG International Limited (the “Company”) are the following:
 
1.    Raw Material Cost
 
The overall raw material costs have decreased moderately during year 2001 and the Company’s operating results may be adversely affected by any increases in raw material costs in the future, specifically the cost of the main raw material, fluff wood pulp, which increased moderately in 2000 and may increase moderately in 2002.
 
2.    Branded Product Innovation
 
Patents and other intellectual property rights are an important competitive factor in the disposable diaper market, mostly because of the industry emphasis in product innovations. Patents held by the main competitors could severely limit the Company’s ability to keep up with branded product innovations, by prohibiting the Company from marketing product with comparable features.
 
3.    Pricing and Volumes
 
The market position of the Company’s main competitors, The Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”) and Kimberly-Clark Corporation (“KC”), relative to the Company varies from one geographic area to another; but due to their substantial financial, technical and marketing resources, both of these major manufacturers have the ability to exert significant influence in price and volumes, and gain substantial market share in any of their marketing areas. They have heavily promoted diapers in the multi-pack configuration. These packages offer a lower unit price to the retailer and consumer. It is possible that as a consequence of this strategy, in those geographic markets in which the main competitors have adopted it, the Company may realize lower selling prices and/or lower sales volumes.

10


 
4.    Increased Cost
 
On May 21, 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with P&G to settle any potential liability of the Company which may have existed with respect to any past infringement on P&G patents prior to January 1, 2001 and to agree on royalty payments relating to sales on certain of the Company’s products in the Asian Pacific and Australian region after December 31, 2000. A similar agreement with P&G was entered into in 1998 relating to the North American region that provides for payments of royalty fees based on a percentage of certain products sold after December 31, 1997 within the North American region.
 
The Company believes that the royalty being charged by P&G under its respective license agreements is approximately the same royalty that will be paid by its major competitors for similar patent rights. However, these royalties will continue to have an adverse impact on the Company’s future financial condition and results of operations as compared to pre-settlement.
 
5.    Increased Financial Leverage
 
As a result of the acquisition of the North American assets of Drypers Corporation, the Company has short and long term debt of $47.9 million, bearing various interest rates as of December 31, 2001.
 
As a consequence of the incurrence of the Company’s new debt, its principal and interest obligations have increased substantially. The increase in the Company’s financial leverage as described above, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, acquisitions or other purposes and could make the Company more vulnerable to economic crisis in the different geographical markets and to competitive pressures from its main competitors.
 
As a substantial portion of the Company’s available cash from operations will have to be applied to meet debt service requirements, the Company’s liquidity could be affected as well as its ability to fund capital expenditures. Notwithstanding, the Company believes that its cash flow from operations and other sources of liquidity will be adequate to meet its requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, interest payment and scheduled principal payment for the foreseeable future. However, if the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future, it may be required to refinance all or a portion of its existing debt or obtain additional financing. There is no assurance that this additional financing could be obtained in favorable terms for the Company.
 
6.    Litigation Risk
 
As the Company operates in an industry in which patents are numerous and are enforced vigorously, the Company and its subsidiaries are from time to time involved in legal matters.

11


 
In February 1995, the Company and its U.S. subsidiary were named as defendants in Action No. 95-19-2-ALB-AMER (WLS) brought by the Plaintiffs John M. Tharpe, Robert E. Herrin and R & L Engineering, Inc., a Georgia corporation, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. The complaint alleged that the Company, its U.S. subsidiary and certain European suppliers of disposable diaper manufacturing equipment (the “Defendants”) have infringed U.S. Patent No. 5,308,345 which relates to a certain process for elasticizing the waistband of disposable diapers; that the Company and its U.S. subsidiary breached a confidentiality agreement with the Plaintiffs by using certain information relating to the waistband applicator disclosed to them in confidence by the Plaintiffs; and theft by the Defendants of the Plaintiffs’ trade secrets concerning the waistband applicator. On March 20, 2002 the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia entered a $4.0 million judgment in favor of the Plaintiffs. On March 29, 2002 an amended final order and judgment was entered by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia awarding the Plaintiffs $10.4 million in actual and increased damages for patent infringement and prejudgment interest on the patent claim. Subsequent to the entering of this final order and judgment, the Company began to negotiate a settlement with the Plaintiffs. On April 9, 2002 the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Plaintiffs. The terms of this Settlement Agreement required the Company to make a lump sum payment of $4.2 million to the Plaintiffs no later than April 18, 2002 to settle all asserted claims in the original lawsuit. The $4.2 million lump sum payment was made to the Plaintiffs on April 17, 2002. On April 18, 2002, the Company along with the Plaintiffs filed a “Stipulated Final Order of Dismissal” dismissing with prejudice both the judgment dated March 20, 2002 and the amended final order and judgment dated March 29, 2002. Effective with the filing of the “Stipulated Final Order of Dismissal”, the R&L lawsuit has been settled and the judgments of March 20th and March 29th have been vacated. The Company has recorded the $4.2 million settlement as a loss on settlement of legal cases in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2001.

12


 
Results of Operations
 
1.    Overall
 
The following table sets forth the percentage of net sales represented by the specified components of income and expense for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999:
 
    
Year Ended December 31,

 
    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
Net sales
  
100.0
%
  
100.0
%
  
100.0
%
Cost of sales
  
69.3
 
  
67.8
 
  
67.1
 
    

  

  

Gross profit
  
30.7
 
  
32.2
 
  
32.9
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
  
(33.0
)
  
(29.3
)
  
(29.8
)
(Loss) gain on disposals of property, plant and equipment
  
(0.1
)
  
0.1
 
  
0.5
 
Restructuring costs
  
(2.1
)
  
—  
 
  
—  
 
    

  

  

Operating (loss) income
  
(4.5
)
  
3.0
 
  
3.6
 
Interest expense
  
(1.6
)
  
(0.7
)
  
(1.1
)
Interest income
  
0.2
 
  
0.4
 
  
0.4
 
Exchange loss
  
(0.9
)
  
(0.6
)
  
(0.5
)
Settlement of legal cases
  
(1.5
)
  
—  
 
  
—  
 
Loss on divestiture
  
(0.2
)
  
—  
 
  
—  
 
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries
  
—  
 
  
0.1
 
  
—  
 
Other (expense) income
  
(0.2
)
  
—  
 
  
0.3
 
    

  

  

(Loss) income before income taxes
  
(8.7
)
  
2.2
 
  
2.7
 
Provision for income taxes
  
(0.4
)
  
(0.7
)
  
(0.5
)
Minority interest
  
(0.1
)
  
(0.1
)
  
(0.1
)
    

  

  

Net (loss) income
  
(9.2
)%
  
1.4
%
  
2.1
%
    

  

  

 
2.    Comparison of 2001, 2000 and 1999
 
Net sales of the Company in 2001 increased by 39.7% to $299.8 million compared with $214.7 million in 2000. The growth was significantly contributed to by the acquisition of Drypers and the sales growth in the Asian Pacific and Australian regions, offset in part by the effects of the divestiture of an investment in the European region.

13


 
 
The Company’s gross profit margin was 30.7% in 2001, which declined by 1.5% compared to 2000. The lower cost of raw materials was offset by a $6.7 million one-time expense related to manufacturing inefficiencies experienced with assimilating the Drypers manufacturing operations and the write off of Drypers inventory of $1.0 million to its net realizable value. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 33.0% in 2001 compared to 29.3% in 2000, primarily due to a higher selling and administrative expenses associated with the newly acquired Drypers operation and provision of bad and doubtful debts of $0.8 million for Ames Department Stores which filed for Chapter 11 involuntary bankruptcy in 2001. Restructuring cost of $6.4 million was incurred in 2001 due to the assimilation of Drypers into the Company’s U.S. operation. The Company also provided $4.6 million for settlement of the legal cases in North America (see Note 5 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company’s interest expense increased to $4.7 million in 2001 compared to $1.6 million in 2000 as a result of the increased financial leverage resulting from additional borrowings related to the purchase of Drypers. The Company issued warrants to purchase 314,510 Ordinary Shares at a fair value of $1.4 million and recorded these warrants as interest expense in 2001. The Company also experienced an increase in foreign exchange losses of $1.4 million to $2.8 million in 2001, primarily due to unfavorable currency fluctuation of Australian currencies against U.S. dollar. On the other hand, the Company continued to divest its investment in Europe and recorded a loss of $672,000 in the write off of this investment, and the recording of redundancy and liquidation costs.
 
The Company’s net sales in 2000 increased by 4.3% to $214.7 million compared with $205.8 million in 1999. The Company’s sales in Asia Pacific grew more than 30% and by 5% in Australia despite the 10% devaluation of Australian dollars against U.S. dollars during the year. The Company’s sales in North America in 2000 were marginally lower than in 1999. The Company sold its Swiss adult incontinence operation during the year which was the main contributor to the reduction in the Company’s sales in Europe.
 
Gross profit margin for the year 2000 was 32.2% compared with 32.9% in 1999. The raw material costs in 2000 were higher than the costs in 1999 due to higher fluff wood pulp cost. Also a high proportion of the volume growth in Asia came from lower margin value brands. The Company was able to alleviate the negative impact on raw material costs and lower margin by higher sales volume and increased productivity of the Company’s operations in Asia and Australia. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $1.6 million to $62.9 million due to higher spending on advertising and promotion activities in Asia and Australia. The Company also recorded a $0.3 million charge relating to a patent agreement with the Procter & Gamble Company (see Note 17 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company’s interest expense decreased to $1.6 million in 2000 compared to $2.2 million in 1999, primarily due to full repayment of Swiss Franc denominated mortgage loans in 2000. The Company also had an exchange loss of $1.4 million in 2000 versus $1.0 million in 1999. The increase was due to the unfavorable currency fluctuation of Swiss Franc against U.S. dollar.
 
Geographic Segment Information
 
As the results of the Company’s operations differ significantly from one market to another, the following discussion considers the Company’s results in each of the geographic regions in which it operates. The tables below set forth the Company’s net sales and operating income in each geographic region in 2001, 2000 and 1999, and the percentage change over the preceding period:

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1.    North America
 
    
Year Ended December 31,

  
Increase/(Decrease)

 
    
2001

    
2000

  
1999

  
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
    
(Dollars in thousands)
      
Net sales
  
$
177,323
 
  
$
92,229
  
$
93,479
  
92.3
%
  
(1.3
)%
  
4.0
%
Operating income (loss)
  
 
(14,275
)
  
 
5,301
  
 
5,001
  
—  
 
  
6.0
 
  
333.0
 
 
Comparison of 2001, 2000 and 1999.
 
The Company’s net sales were $177.3 million in 2001 compared with $92.2 million in 2000. The increase in sales was attributable to the acquisition of Drypers North America in the first quarter of 2001. Gross profit margin was at 27.7% in 2001 compared with 28.6% in 2000. Lower cost of raw material was offset by manufacturing labor costs and over capacity caused by the purchase of the Drypers North American business. The addition of this over capacity from the Marion, Ohio and Vancouver, Washington operations contributed significantly to a lower gross margin than the prior year. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales in 2001 increased to 32.2% from 22.5% a year ago. This increase was attributable to certain costs associated with integrating the Drypers business into AHP, additional costs associated with the promotion of future sales of the “DRYPERS®” brand and a provision established for bad and doubtful debts for Ames Department Stores which filed for Chapter 11 involuntary bankruptcy in 2001. Operating income for the year 2001 decreased by $19.6 million from the previous year to an operating loss of $14.3 million.
 
The Company’s net sales were $92.2 million in 2000 compared with $93.5 million in 1999. The slight decrease in sales was mostly attributed to the Company’s decision to revise its credit policy resulting in the loss of some customers. Gross profit margin was at 28.6% in 2000 compared with 29.5% in 1999. Although the Company achieved greater productivity gains during the year, the higher cost of raw materials and labor contributed to a lower gross margin than the prior year. Selling, general and administrative expenses in 2000 declined to 22.5% from 24.1% in 1999. This improvement was primarily attributed to a continued effort to trim promotional expenditures and other cost control measures. Operating income for the year 2000 improved by 6.0% from the previous year to $5.3 million.
 
2.    Australia
 
    
Year Ended December 31,

  
Increase/(Decrease)

 
    
2001

  
2000

  
1999

  
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
    
(Dollars in thousands)
      
Net sales
  
$
45,322
  
$
44,753
  
$
42,676
  
1.3
%
  
4.9
%
  
5.4
%
Operating income
  
 
2,298
  
 
3,919
  
 
4,823
  
(41.4
)
  
(18.7
)
  
(2.5
)

15


 
Comparison of 2001, 2000 and 1999.
 
The Company’s 2001 net sales in Australia grew by 1.3% to $45.3 million over 2000. The actual growth was over 13.6% when the net sales are compared in the domestic currency. The Australian dollar devalued by over 10% against the U.S. dollar during 2001. Gross profit margin declined by 4.3% due mostly to poor manufacturing efficiencies. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 0.5% lower as a percentage of net sales. As a result, operating income as a percentage of net sales in 2001 decreased by 3.7% to 5.1%.
 
The outlook for 2002 is for continued strong growth in sales and a recovery of profitability as manufacturing improvements are made. Gains in manufacturing efficiency were realized in the fourth quarter of 2001 and these improvements are continuing into the first quarter of 2002.
 
The Company’s net sales in Australia were $44.8 million and grew by 4.9% over 1999. The actual growth was over 16.0% when the net sales were compared in the domestic currency. The Australian dollar had devalued by over 10.0% against U.S. dollars during 2000. Gross profit margin dropped by 2.5% from 39.2% in 1999 to 37.7% primarily due to higher fluff wood pulp cost in 2000. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 1.0% to 28.9% in 2000 due to higher advertising and promotional expenditure. As a result, operating income, as a percentage of net sales, in 2000 decreased by 2.5% to 8.8% on net sales.
 
3.    Asia
 
    
Year Ended December 31,

  
Increase/(Decrease)

 
    
2001

  
2000

  
1999

  
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
    
(Dollars in thousands)
      
Net sales
  
$
70,850
  
$
60,835
  
$
45,715
  
16.5
%
  
33.1
%
  
3.4
%
Operating income
  
 
5,119
  
 
4,609
  
 
3,839
  
11.1
 
  
20.1
 
  
35.1
 
 
Comparison of 2001, 2000 and 1999.
 
The Company’s net sales in Asia increased by 16.5% to $70.9 million in 2001 compared to $60.8 million in 2000. The major sales growth contributors were from the Malaysian, PRC, Thailand and Indonesian markets. The Company’s gross profit margin in 2001 was 37.7%, which increased by 0.5% over the prior year. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales in 2001 were 30.5% compared to 29.6% in 2000. The moderate increase was due to higher spending on promotion programs in the PRC and Malaysian markets. Operating income was $5.1 million in 2001, which increased by 11.1% over the prior year.
 
The Company’s net sales in Asia increased by 33.1% to $60.8 million in 2000 from $45.7 million in 1999. The Company recorded sales growth in all the markets and high double-digit growth in the markets in Malaysia, the PRC and Indonesia. The Company’s gross profit increased by 20.9% to $22.6 million in 2000 from $18.7 million in 1999, although the gross profit margin declined by 3.6% to 37.2% in 2000 from 1999 primarily due to higher fluff wood pulp cost and lower margin on several economy brands. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales dropped by 2.6% to 29.6% in 2000 from 32.2% in 1999 primarily due to the economies of higher sales volume. Operating income was $4.6 million in 2000, increased by 20.1% over the operating income in 1999.
 
4.    Europe
 
    
Year Ended December 31,

    
Increase/(Decrease)

 
    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
    
(Dollars in thousands)
        
Net sales
  
$
6,282
 
  
$
16,844
 
  
$
23,972
 
  
(62.7
)%
  
(29.7
)%
  
(28.1
)%
Operating loss
  
 
(1,361
)
  
 
(2,371
)
  
 
(1,667
)
  
(42.6
)
  
42.2
 
  
(42.6
)

16


 
Comparison of 2001, 2000 and 1999.
 
The Company’s net sales in Europe were $6.3 million in 2001 compared with $16.8 million in 2000. The decrease in sales in 2001 was the result of the disposal of the Company’s Swiss adult incontinence operation in 2000. The operating loss in 2001 declined by $1.0 million to $1.4 million compared to 2000.
 
The Company’s net sales in Europe were $16.8 million in 2000 compared with $24.0 million in 1999. The decrease in sales was the result of the sale of the Company’s Swiss baby diaper operation in 1999 and the sale of the Company’s Swiss adult incontinence operation in 2000. The operating results in 2000 were impacted by higher fluff wood pulp cost and disappointing operating results of the adult incontinence operation prior to it being sold. The operating loss in 2000 increased by $0.7 million compared to a loss of $1.7 million in 1999 due to a lower gross profit margin, offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses in 2000.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
The Company has cash and cash equivalents of $9.4 million at the year ended 2001, a decrease of $0.9 million from $10.3 million in 2000. The cash and cash equivalents were held by individual operations of the Company in their local currencies and were from time to time invested in interest bearing deposit accounts. The Company did not use any financial instruments for hedging.
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $18.6 million. As a result of the restructuring of the Company’s North American operations, a non-cash write off of assets of $2.5 million was recorded in 2001. During the year 2001, the Company issued 314,510 Ordinary Shares at a fair value of $1.4 million and recorded the amount as additional interest expense in 2001. The net decrease in working capital requirements of $28.6 million consisted of an increase in net cash inflow from accounts receivable, other receivable and inventories of $2.3 million, $3.0 million and $4.2 million respectively, primarily due to the assets purchased in the Drypers acquisition. The Company also obtained more favorable credit terms by the extension of payment periods with suppliers and thereby improved cash flow by $12.5 million. In addition, the Company also recorded accruals for restructuring, divestiture and settlement of legal cases of $1.1 million, $0.6 million and $4.6 million in 2001, respectively.
 
Net cash used for investing activities was $45.4 million, of which $35.9 million was associated with the acquisition of the North American assets of Drypers Corporation. The Company invested $9.8 million in capital expenditures for additions and modifications to property, machinery and equipment in the Company’s various operations. The increase in other assets of $1.4 million was primarily due to deposits paid on land, machinery and equipment. The Company made advances of $3.0 million to a shareholder and the shareholder made repayment of $3.9 million to the Company during 2001. Additional information on the advances to shareholder is provided in Note 16 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

17


 
The Company utilized $28.7 million in short-term bank credit lines out of total available credit facilities of $37.0 million as of December 31, 2001. The utilization of short-term bank credit increased by $15.6 million in 2001 compared with the utilization of $4.9 million in 2000. The increase in total short-term borrowings and long-term debt in 2001 was $47.5 million. The Company repaid $21.6 million of its debts during 2001. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings at the year ended 2001 was 4.43%. Additional information on short-term borrowings and long-term debt is set out in Notes 14 and 15 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In February 1995, the Company and its U.S. subsidiary were named as defendants in Action No. 95-19-2-ALB-AMER (WLS) brought by the Plaintiffs John M. Tharpe, Robert E. Herrin and R & L Engineering, Inc., a Georgia corporation, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. The complaint alleged that the Company, its U.S. subsidiary and certain European suppliers of disposable diaper manufacturing equipment (the “Defendants”) have infringed U.S. Patent No. 5,308,345 which relates to a certain process for elasticizing the waistband of disposable diapers; that the Company and its U.S. subsidiary breached a confidentiality agreement with the Plaintiffs by using certain information relating to the waistband applicator disclosed to them in confidence by the Plaintiffs; and theft by the Defendants of the Plaintiffs’ trade secrets concerning the waistband applicator. On March 20, 2002 the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia entered a $4.0 million judgment in favor of the Plaintiffs. On March 29, 2002 an amended final order and judgment was entered by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia awarding the Plaintiffs $10.4 million in actual and increased damages for patent infringement and prejudgment interest on the patent claim. Subsequent to the entering of this final order and judgment, the Company began to negotiate a settlement with the Plaintiffs. On April 9, 2002 the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Plaintiffs. The terms of this Settlement Agreement required the Company to make a lump sum payment of $4.2 million to the Plaintiffs no later than April 18, 2002 to settle all asserted claims in the original lawsuit. The $4.2 million lump sum payment was made to the Plaintiffs on April 17, 2002. On April 18, 2002, the Company along with the Plaintiffs filed a “Stipulated Final Order of Dismissal” dismissing with prejudice both the judgment dated March 20, 2002 and the amended final order and judgment dated March 29, 2002. Effective with the filing of the “Stipulated Final Order of Dismissal”, the R&L lawsuit has been settled and the judgments of March 20th and March 29th have been vacated. The Company has recorded the $4.2 million settlement as a loss on settlement of legal cases in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2001.
 
A claim was made by Ms. Rhonda Tracy, the owner of U.S. Patent No. 5,797,824 for disposable diapers with a padded waistband and leg holes, asserting that the Company has been manufacturing and/or selling diapers which infringe her patent. No lawsuit has been filed against the Company to date. The Company, however, had filed a lawsuit against Ms. Tracy in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia for a declaration that her patent is invalid and/or not infringed. The Company settled this claim with Rhonda Tracy on March 15, 2002 for $375,000. The Company has recorded the $375,000 as a loss on settlement of legal cases in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2001.
 
The Company issued 314,510 shares at par value of $0.01 per share in 2001.
 
The Company did not repurchase any shares or pay a dividend during 2001.

18


 
New accounting standard adopted—The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) has issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Derivative Working Capital and Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This statement, as amended, requires companies to record derivatives on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities, measured at fair value. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the values of those derivatives are accounted within the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) depending on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 133 on January 1, 2001 did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
 
New accounting standards not yet adopted—In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. This statement provides that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives not be amortized, but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002, as required. Management is assessing, but has not yet determined, the impact that SFAS No. 142 will have on its financial position and results of operations.
 
In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”. This statement addressed the diverse accounting practices for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. The Company will be required to adopt this standard on January 1, 2003. Management has determined that the adoption of SFAS No. 143 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
The FASB also recently issued SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, that is applicable to financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The FASB’s new rules on asset impairment supersede SFAS No. 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of”, and portions of APB Opinion No. 30, “Reporting the Results of Operations”. The statement requires a single accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of and significantly changes the criteria that would have to be met to classify an asset as held-for-sale. Classification as held-for-sale is an important distinction since such assets are not depreciated and are stated at the lower of fair value and carrying amount. The statement also requires expected future operating losses from discontinued operations to be recorded in the period(s) in which the losses are incurred, rather than as of the measurement date as previously required. Management has determined that the adoption of SFAS No. 144 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

19


 
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
 
As of the year ended December 31, 2001, the Company’s contractual obligations and commitments were summarized as follows:
 
         
Payment due by year

    
Total

  
2002

  
2003

  
2004

  
2005

  
2006 and thereafter

    
(Dollars in thousands)
Short-term borrowings
  
$
28,675
  
$
28,675
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
Long-term debt
  
 
19,256
  
 
6,038
  
 
3,899
  
 
3,550
  
 
3,393
  
 
2,376
Operating leases
  
 
6,542
  
 
3,163
  
 
2,090
  
 
634
  
 
240
  
 
415
Purchase of license use right
  
 
2,000
  
 
1,500
  
 
500
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
Capital expenditures
  
 
2,731
  
 
1,200
  
 
613
  
 
613
  
 
305
  
 
—  
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total
  
$
59,204
  
$
40,576
  
$
7,102
  
$
4,797
  
$
3,938
  
$
2,791
    

  

  

  

  

  

 
Over the last few years, the Company’s cash requirements have been primarily provided by internally generated funds and bank borrowings. In the opinion of the Company, the cash on hand of $9.4 million plus expected cash flow from operating activities is sufficient to fund its liquidity, contractual obligations and commitments needs for the next twelve months. However, the Company may require additional borrowings in order to finance expansion, capital expenditure, other investments or other business requirements. Additional information on short-term borrowings, long-term debt and commitments and contingencies is set out in Notes 14, 15 and 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to bad and doubtful debts, inventories, income taxes, impairment of assets, intangible assets and litigation. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that the Company believes are reasonable. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
The following critical accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Bad and doubtful debts—The Company maintains allowances for its bad and doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of its customers changed, changes to these allowances may be required, which would impact the Company’s future operating results.

20


 
Inventories—Inventories, consisting of finished goods, raw materials and packaging materials, are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost determined using the first-in, first-out method. The Company makes certain obsolescence and other assumptions to adjust inventory based on historical experience and current information. The Company writes down inventory for estimated obsolete or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the costs of inventory and estimated market value, based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. These assumptions, although consistently applied, can have a significant impact on current and future operating results and financial position.
 
Income taxes—The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that the Company believes is more likely than not to be realized. In the event the Company was to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.
 
Impairment of assets—The Company reviews all assets on a regular basis to ensure that there is no impairment in the carrying value. If the Company determines that there has been a permanent decline in, or the Company has become unable to recover the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge will be recorded, which will have an adverse effect upon the Company’s future operating results.
 
Intangible assets—The Company makes assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of intangible assets. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record an impairment charge if the estimated fair value of intangible assets are less than their recorded amount. Through December 31, 2001, the Company has not recorded an impairment charge for intangible assets. Beginning January 1, 2002, the Company will be required to adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, and will be required to analyze goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment issues during the year 2002, and on a periodic basis thereafter.
 
Litigation—The Company records contingent liabilities relating to litigation or other loss contingencies when it believes that the likelihood of loss is probable and the amount of the loss can reasonably be estimated. Changes in judgments of outcome and estimated losses are recorded, as necessary, in the period such changes are determined or become known. Any changes in estimates would impact its future operating results. Significant contingent liabilities, which the Company believes are at least possible, are disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

21


 
Restructuring Program
 
As a result of the Drypers acquisition, the Company consolidated its operations in the U.S. and recorded restructuring costs of $6,356 during 2001. The components of these costs were as follows:
 
    
US$’000

Write down of assets held for sale
  
$2,514
Write off of discontinued inventory
  
1,547
Redundancy payment costs
  
1,137
Office closure and other costs
  
1,158
    
Total
  
$6,356
    
 
Redundancy payment, office closure and other costs were recorded and related principally to the closure of the manufacturing facility located in Duluth, Georgia; a liability totaling $2,295 was recorded by the Company during 2001 relating to these costs. The carrying values of the manufacturing plant in Duluth along with certain equipment located therein, which are held for sale, were adjusted to their estimated fair value. In addition, in conjunction with these activities, management discontinued certain product offerings resulting in the write off of inventories on hand related to these discontinued lines.
 
The redundancy payments related principally to the termination of approximately 326 employees at the Duluth facility; these employees were terminated in the first quarter of 2002. Office closure and other costs are expected to be incurred in the first quarter of 2002. Approximately $1,137 and $1,158 of redundancy costs, and office closure and other costs recorded in 2001 and not yet incurred were recorded as accrued restructuring costs in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2001. Through December 31, 2001, no assets held for sale have been sold; accordingly, these assets are recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance sheet as assets held-for-sale.

22


 
 
    
Year Ended December 31,

 
    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

    
1998

    
1997

 
    
(in thousands except per share amounts)
 
Statement of Operations Data
                                            
Net sales
  
$
299,777
 
  
$
214,661
 
  
$
205,842
 
  
$
207,925
 
  
$
230,930
 
Cost of sales
  
 
(207,780
)
  
 
(145,532
)
  
 
(138,120
)
  
 
(147,997
)
  
 
(153,929
)
    


  


  


  


  


Gross profit
  
 
91,997
 
  
 
69,129
 
  
 
67,722
 
  
 
59,928
 
  
 
77,001
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
  
 
(98,911
)
  
 
(62,898
)
  
 
(61,322
)
  
 
(55,318
)
  
 
(71,912
)
(Loss) gain on disposals of property, plant and equipment
  
 
(193
)
  
 
244
 
  
 
1,034
 
  
 
42
 
  
 
(122
)
Restructuring costs
  
 
(6,356
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(897
)
  
 
(1,389
)
    


  


  


  


  


Operating (loss) income
  
 
(13,463
)
  
 
6,475
 
  
 
7,434
 
  
 
3,755
 
  
 
3,578
 
Interest expense
  
 
(4,653
)
  
 
(1,594
)
  
 
(2,208
)
  
 
(2,511
)
  
 
(2,833
)
Interest income
  
 
711
 
  
 
868
 
  
 
792
 
  
 
790
 
  
 
1,451
 
Exchange loss
  
 
(2,796
)
  
 
(1,356
)
  
 
(997
)
  
 
(311
)
  
 
(610
)
Settlement of legal cases
  
 
(4,575
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Loss on divestiture
  
 
(672
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries
  
 
—  
 
  
 
214
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Other (expense) income
  
 
(547
)
  
 
54
 
  
 
522
 
  
 
155
 
  
 
(169
)
    


  


  


  


  


(Loss) income before income taxes
  
 
(25,995
)
  
 
4,661
 
  
 
5,543
 
  
 
1,878
 
  
 
1,417
 
Provision for income taxes
  
 
(1,144
)
  
 
(1,557
)
  
 
(987
)
  
 
(253
)
  
 
(443
)
Minority interest
  
 
(424
)
  
 
(141
)
  
 
(121
)
  
 
(3
)
  
 
—  
 
    


  


  


  


  


Net (loss) income
  
$
(27,563
)
  
$
2,963
 
  
$
4,435
 
  
$
1,622
 
  
$
974
 
    


  


  


  


  


 
Basic earnings per share:
                                            
Net (loss) income
  
$
(4.10
)
  
$
0.44
 
  
$
0.66
 
  
$
0.24
 
  
$
0.15
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
  
 
6,721
 
  
 
6,675
 
  
 
6,675
 
  
 
6,675
 
  
 
6,675
 
 
The Company has not declared any dividend during the above periods.
 
    
December 31,

    
2001

  
2000

  
1999

  
1998

  
1997

Balance Sheet Data
                                  
Working capital
  
$
3,144
  
$
32,423
  
$
36,000
  
$
30,091
  
$
30,823
Total assets
  
 
138,648
  
 
111,409
  
 
120,945
  
 
133,909
  
 
130,273
Long-term debt
  
 
13,218
  
 
5,577
  
 
11,894
  
 
20,957
  
 
21,281
Shareholders’ equity
  
 
38,981
  
 
63,447
  
 
70,302
  
 
68,013
  
 
64,778

23


 
 
To the Shareholders of DSG International Limited
 
The financial statements of the Company published in this report were prepared by the Company’s management, which is responsible for their integrity and objectivity. The statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, applying certain estimates and judgments as required. The financial information elsewhere in this report is consistent with the financial statements.
 
The Company maintains a system of internal controls adequate to provide reasonable assurance that its transactions are appropriately recorded and reported, its assets are protected and its established policies are followed. This system is maintained by the establishment and communication of policies and a qualified financial staff.
 
Our independent auditors, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, provide an objective independent audit of the Company’s financial statements and issuance of a report thereon. Their audit is conducted in accordance with United States generally accepted auditing standards.
 
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, comprised solely of outside directors, meets with the independent auditors and representatives from management to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the audit functions, control systems and quality of our financial accounting and reporting.
 
LOGO

Edmund J Schwartz
Chief Financial Officer
 
June 4, 2002

24


 
 
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of
DSG International Limited
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of DSG International Limited and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. 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 the 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, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of DSG International Limited and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
LOGO

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Hong Kong
 
June 4, 2002

25


 
(in thousands except per share amounts)
 
    
Year Ended December 31,

 
    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
Net sales
  
$
299,777
 
  
$
214,661
 
  
$
205,842
 
Cost of sales
  
 
(207,780
)
  
 
(145,532
)
  
 
(138,120
)
    


  


  


Gross profit
  
 
91,997
 
  
 
69,129
 
  
 
67,722
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
  
 
(98,911
)
  
 
(62,898
)
  
 
(61,322
)
(Loss) gain on disposals of property, plant and equipment (Note 3)
  
 
(193
)
  
 
244
 
  
 
1,034
 
Restructuring costs (Note 4)
  
 
(6,356
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
    


  


  


Operating (loss) income
  
 
(13,463
)
  
 
6,475
 
  
 
7,434
 
Interest expense
  
 
(4,653
)
  
 
(1,594
)
  
 
(2,208
)
Interest income
  
 
711
 
  
 
868
 
  
 
792
 
Exchange loss
  
 
(2,796
)
  
 
(1,356
)
  
 
(997
)
Settlement of legal cases (Note 5)
  
 
(4,575
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Loss on divestiture (Note 6)
  
 
(672
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries (Note 7)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
214
 
  
 
—  
 
Other (expense) income, net
  
 
(547
)
  
 
54
 
  
 
522
 
    


  


  


(Loss) income before income taxes
  
 
(25,995
)
  
 
4,661
 
  
 
5,543
 
Provision for income taxes (Note 8)
  
 
(1,144
)
  
 
(1,557
)
  
 
(987
)
Minority interest
  
 
(424
)
  
 
(141
)
  
 
(121
)
    


  


  


Net (loss) income
  
$
(27,563
)
  
$
2,963
 
  
$
4,435
 
    


  


  


Basic (loss) earnings per share
  
$
(4.10
)
  
$
0.44
 
  
$
0.66
 
    


  


  


Weighted average number of shares outstanding
  
 
6,721
 
  
 
6,675
 
  
 
6,675
 
    


  


  


 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)
 
    
Year Ended December 31,

    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

Net (loss) income
  
$
(27,563
)
  
$
2,963
 
  
$
4,435
Other comprehensive income (expense) Foreign currency translation adjustments
  
 
854
 
  
 
(1,017
)
  
 
665
    


  


  

Comprehensive (loss) income
  
$
(26,709
)
  
$
1,946
 
  
$
5,100
    


  


  

 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

26


 
(in thousands)
 
    
December 31,

    
2001

  
2000

ASSETS
             
Current assets:
             
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
9,364
  
$
10,327
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,621 in 2001 and $897 in 2000
  
 
38,970
  
 
33,468
Other receivables
  
 
3,342
  
 
2,472
Inventories (Note 9)
  
 
33,840
  
 
26,556
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  
 
1,710
  
 
571
Income taxes receivable
  
 
855
  
 
219
    

  

Total current assets
  
 
88,081
  
 
73,613
    

  

Property, plant and equipment—at cost: (Note 10)
             
Land
  
 
2,519
  
 
3,551
Buildings
  
 
9,366
  
 
13,049
Machinery and equipment
  
 
73,826
  
 
74,977
Furniture and fixtures
  
 
2,645
  
 
2,357
Motor vehicles
  
 
1,433
  
 
1,670
Leasehold improvements
  
 
1,139
  
 
2,017
Construction in progress
  
 
—  
  
 
1,545
    

  

Total
  
 
90,928
  
 
99,166
Less:    accumulated depreciation and amortization
  
 
55,814
  
 
62,685
    

  

Net property and equipment
  
 
35,114
  
 
36,481
Loan receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $300 in 2001 and nil in 2000 (Note 11)
  
 
254
  
 
554
Deferred income taxes
  
 
499
  
 
299
Other assets (Note 12)
  
 
9,961
  
 
203
Intangible assets (Note 13)
  
 
4,739
  
 
259
    

  

Total long-term assets
  
 
50,567
  
 
37,796
    

  

Total assets
  
$
138,648
  
$
111,409
    

  

 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

27


 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS—(Continued)
(in thousands except shares and per share amounts)
 
    
December 31,

 
    
2001

    
2000

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                 
Current liabilities:
                 
Short-term borrowings (Note 14)
  
$
28,675
 
  
$
13,235
 
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 15)
  
 
6,038
 
  
 
3,421
 
Accounts payable
  
 
27,207
 
  
 
14,992
 
Accrued advertising and promotion
  
 
5,212
 
  
 
2,404
 
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
  
 
4,006
 
  
 
1,863
 
Other accrued expenses
  
 
5,271
 
  
 
4,855
 
Accruals for settlement of legal cases
  
 
4,575
 
  
 
—  
 
Accrued restructuring costs
  
 
2,295
 
  
 
—  
 
Accruals for divestiture
  
 
591
 
  
 
—  
 
Income taxes payable (Note 8)
  
 
1,011
 
  
 
418
 
Deferred income taxes (Note 8)
  
 
56
 
  
 
2
 
    


  


Total current liabilities
  
 
84,937
 
  
 
41,190
 
    


  


Long-term debt (Note 15)
  
 
13,218
 
  
 
5,577
 
Minority interest
  
 
1,512
 
  
 
1,195
 
    


  


Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
                 
Shareholders’ equity:
                 
Ordinary shares, $0.01 par value—authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 6,989,116 shares in 2001 and 6,674,606 shares in 2000
  
 
70
 
  
 
67
 
Additional paid-in capital
  
 
19,673
 
  
 
18,301
 
Retained earnings
  
 
38,101
 
  
 
65,664
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  
 
(8,119
)
  
 
(8,973
)
Less:    Receivable from shareholder (Note 16)
  
 
(10,744
)
  
 
(11,612
)
    


  


Total shareholders’ equity
  
 
38,981
 
  
 
63,447
 
    


  


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  
$
138,648
 
  
$
111,409
 
    


  


 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

28


 
(in thousands)
 
    
Year Ended December 31,

 
    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
Cash flows from operating activities
                          
Net (loss) income
  
$
(27,563
)
  
$
2,963
 
  
$
4,435
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                          
Depreciation and amortization
  
 
10,368
 
  
 
9,464
 
  
 
9,662
 
Provision for doubtful debts
  
 
2,024
 
  
 
173
 
  
 
65
 
Assets impairment
  
 
2,514
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Loss (gain) on disposals of property, plant and equipment
  
 
193
 
  
 
(244
)
  
 
(1,034
)
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(214
)
  
 
—  
 
Deferred income taxes
  
 
(134
)
  
 
(354
)
  
 
(798
)
Minority interest
  
 
424
 
  
 
141
 
  
 
121
 
Warrant interest
  
 
1,372
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Other
  
 
850
 
  
 
109
 
  
 
903
 
Net change in working capital components
  
 
28,583
 
  
 
(10,363
)
  
 
(1,529
)
    


  


  


Net cash provided by operating activities
  
 
18,631
 
  
 
1,675
 
  
 
11,825
 
    


  


  


Cash flows from investing activities
                          
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
  
 
(9,847
)
  
 
(5,947
)
  
 
(6,097
)
Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
  
 
871
 
  
 
1,276
 
  
 
4,237
 
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries, net of cash forfeited
  
 
—  
 
  
 
4,842
 
  
 
—  
 
Receipt of restricted bank deposit
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
6,000
 
Advances to a shareholder
  
 
(3,046
)
  
 
(10,744
)
  
 
(1,879
)
Repayments by a shareholder
  
 
3,914
 
  
 
1,943
 
  
 
2,540
 
Cost of acquisition, net of cash acquired
  
 
(35,878
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Increase in other assets
  
 
(1,396
)
  
 
(39
)
  
 
(6
)
    


  


  


Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
  
 
(45,382
)
  
 
(8,669
)
  
 
4,795
 
    


  


  


Cash flows from financing activities
                          
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
  
 
15,641
 
  
 
4,858
 
  
 
(295
)
Increase in long-term debt
  
 
31,876
 
  
 
6,554
 
  
 
148
 
Repayment of long-term debt
  
 
(21,575
)
  
 
(7,956
)
  
 
(10,582
)
Issue of ordinary shares
  
 
3
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Repayment to minority shareholder
  
 
(107
)
  
 
(255
)
  
 
(15
)
    


  


  


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  
 
25,838
 
  
 
3,201
 
  
 
(10,744
)
    


  


  


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
  
 
(50
)
  
 
(232
)
  
 
(74
)
    


  


  


(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
  
 
(963
)
  
 
(4,025
)
  
 
5,802
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
  
 
10,327
 
  
 
14,352
 
  
 
8,550
 
    


  


  


Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  
$
9,364
 
  
$
10,327
 
  
$
14,352
 
    


  


  


 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

29


 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)
(in thousands)
 
    
Year Ended December 31,

 
    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
Schedule of changes in working capital components net of effects from sale of subsidiaries and acquisition of business
                          
Accounts receivable
  
$
2,313
 
  
$
(7,427
)
  
$
2,288
 
Other receivables
  
 
2,959
 
  
 
98
 
  
 
(470
)
Inventories
  
 
4,243
 
  
 
(4,974
)
  
 
(966
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
  
 
(1,160
)
  
 
58
 
  
 
106
 
Accounts payable
  
 
12,480
 
  
 
3,207
 
  
 
(2,492
)
Accrued expenses
  
 
7,794
 
  
 
571
 
  
 
(1,256
)
Income taxes payable
  
 
(46
)
  
 
(1,896
)
  
 
1,261
 
    


  


  


Net change in working capital components
  
$
28,583
 
  
$
(10,363
)
  
$
(1,529
)
    


  


  


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
                          
Cash paid during the year for:
                          
Interest
  
$
2,054
 
  
$
1,579
 
  
$
2,208
 
Income taxes
  
 
1,258
 
  
 
3,600
 
  
 
403
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

30


 
(in thousands)
 
    
Ordinary shares

  
Additional
paid-in
capital

  
Retained
earnings

    
Accumulated
other
comprehensive income (loss)

    
Receivable
from
shareholder (Note 16)

    
Total
shareholders’
equity

 
    
Shares

  
Amount

              
Balance at January1, 1999
  
6,674
  
$
67
  
$
18,301
  
$
58,266
 
  
$
(8,621
)
  
$
—  
 
  
$
68,013
 
Net income
  
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
4,435
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
4,435
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
 
  
 
665
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
665
 
Transfer of balance of net receivable from shareholder
                                       
 
(2,811
)
  
 
(2,811
)
    
  

  

  


  


  


  


Balance at December 31, 1999
  
6,674
  
 
67
  
 
18,301
  
 
62,701
 
  
 
(7,956
)
  
 
(2,811
)
  
 
70,302
 
Net income
  
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
2,963
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
2,963
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(1,017
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(1,017
)
Transfer of balance of net receivable from shareholder
  
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(8,801
)
  
 
(8,801
)
    
  

  

  


  


  


  


Balance at December 31, 2000
  
6,674
  
 
67
  
 
18,301
  
 
65,664
 
  
 
(8,973
)
  
 
(11,612
)
  
 
63,447
 
Issuing of shares
  
315
  
 
3
  
 
1,372
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
1,375
 
Net loss
  
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
(27,563
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(27,563
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
 
  
 
854
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
854
 
Net repayment of receivable from shareholder
  
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
868
 
  
 
868
 
    
  

  

  


  


  


  


Balance at December 31, 2001
  
6,989
  
$
70
  
$
19,673
  
$
38,101
 
  
$
(8,119
)
  
$
(10,744
)
  
$
38,981
 
    
  

  

  


  


  


  


 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

31


 
DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands)
 
1.    ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
DSG International Limited (the “Company”) is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. It operates through subsidiary companies located in North America, Australia, Asia and Europe which manufacture and distribute disposable baby diapers, adult incontinence and training pants products.
 
In March 2001, the Company acquired the North American assets of Drypers Corporation. The acquisition was accounted for as purchase and their operating results are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations from the date of acquisition (see Note 24).
 
The financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) which differ from those used in the statutory accounts of its subsidiaries. There are no material differences between the U.S. GAAP amounts and the amounts used in the statutory accounts of the subsidiaries.
 
2.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Principles of consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of all subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
 
Cash and cash equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash accounts, interest bearing savings accounts, commercial paper and time certificates of deposit with a maturity of three months or less when purchased.
 
Inventories—Inventories are stated at the lower of cost determined by the first-in, first-out method, or value determined by the market. Finished goods inventories consist of raw materials, direct labor, and overhead associated with the manufacturing process.
 
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment—Depreciation is provided on the straight line method at rates based upon the estimated useful lives of the property, generally three to ten years except for buildings which are 40 years. Costs of leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the related asset or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter.
 
Revenue recognition—The Company recognizes revenue at the time shipments of product are made to customers at which time, title and the risk of loss transfers to the customer. Provision for discounts and rebates to customers, and returns and other adjustments are provided for in the same period the related sales are recorded.
 
Income taxes—Income taxes are provided based on an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes. Deferred income tax liabilities or benefits are recorded to reflect the tax consequences in future years of differences between tax basis of assets and liabilities and the financial reporting amounts and operating loss carryforwards. A valuation allowance is recorded if it is more likely than not that some portion of, or all of, a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

32


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Valuation of long-lived assets—The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, including goodwill and other intangible assets, when events and circumstances warrant such a review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the anticipated undiscounted cash flow from such asset is separately identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair market value of the long-lived asset. Fair market value is determined primarily using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar manner, except that fair market values are reduced for the cost to dispose.
 
Foreign currency translation—The Company uses the United States dollar as its reporting currency. Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at year end exchange rates, while revenues and expenses are translated at average currency exchange rates during the year. Adjustments resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Gains or losses from foreign currency transactions are included in net income.
 
Postretirement and postemployment benefits—The Company does not provide postretirement benefits, and postemployment benefits, if any, are not significant.
 
Earnings per share—Earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are not presented in 2001 as the effect of the warrants outstanding during the year were antidilutive. There were no common stock equivalents outstanding during 2000 and 1999.
 
Concentration of credit risk—The Company sells to distributors and retailers located in each of the countries in which it operates. The Company grants credit to all qualified customers on an unsecured basis but does not believe it is exposed to any undue concentration of credit risk to any significant degree.
 
Comprehensive income—Comprehensive income is defined to include all changes in equity except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.
 
Intangible assets—Costs incurred in the acquisition of trademark licenses, patents and other intangible assets are capitalized and amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the shorter of license period or 7 to 10 years. Goodwill is amortized on a straight-line basis over periods estimated to be benefited, generally over 5 years.
 
New accounting standard adopted—The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) has issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Derivative Working Capital and Instruments and Hedging Activities”. This statement, as amended, requires companies to record derivatives on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities, measured at fair value. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the values of those derivatives are accounted within the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) depending on the use of the derivative and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 133 on January 1, 2001 did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

33


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

New accounting standards not yet adopted—In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. This statement provides that goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives not be amortized, but will be tested for impairment on an annual basis. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002, as required. Management is assessing, but has not yet determined, the impact that SFAS No. 142 will have on its financial position and results of operations.
 
In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”. This statement addressed the diverse accounting practices for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. The Company will be required to adopt this standard on January 1, 2003. Management has determined that the adoption of SFAS No. 143 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
The FASB also recently issued SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, that is applicable to financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The FASB’s new rules on asset impairment supersede SFAS No. 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of”, and portions of APB Opinion No. 30, “Reporting the Results of Operations”. The statement requires a single accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of and significantly changes the criteria that would have to be met to classify an asset as held-for-sale. Classification as held-for-sale is an important distinction since such assets are not depreciated and are stated at the lower of fair value and carrying amount. The statement also requires expected future operating losses from discontinued operations to be recorded in the period(s) in which the losses are incurred, rather than as of the measurement date as previously required. Management has determined that the adoption of SFAS No. 144 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
Use of estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Reclassifications—Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-period amounts to conform with the 2001 presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the results of operations or financial position for any year presented.
 
3.    DISPOSALS OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
In 2001, the Company scrapped machinery in one of its plants in the U.K., resulting in a loss of $196.
 
In 2000, the Company sold machinery in one of its plants in the U.S. for a total consideration of $1,200 resulting in a gain of $153.
 
In 1999, the Company sold its property in Singapore and machinery and equipment in one of its plants in Switzerland for a total consideration of $3,318, resulting in a gain of $871.

34


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

4.    RESTRUCTURING COSTS
 
As a result of the Drypers acquisition, the Company consolidated its operations in the U.S. and recorded restructuring cost of $6,356 during 2001. The components of these costs were as follows :
 
Write down of assets held for sale
  
$2,514
Write off of discontinued inventory
  
1,547
Redundancy payment costs
  
1,137
Office closure and other costs
  
1,158
    
Total
  
$6,356
    
 
Redundancy payment, office closure and other costs were recorded and related principally to the closure of the manufacturing facility located in Duluth, Georgia; a liability totaling $2,295 was recorded by the Company during 2001 relating to these costs. The carrying values of the manufacturing plant in Duluth along with certain equipment located therein, which are held for sale, were adjusted to their estimated fair value. In addition, in conjunction with these activities, management discontinued certain product offerings resulting in the write off of inventories on hand related to these discontinued lines.
 
The redundancy payments related principally to the termination of approximately 326 employees at the Duluth facility; these employees were terminated in the first quarter of 2002. Office closure and other costs are expected to be incurred in the first quarter of 2002. Approximately $1,137 and $1,158 of redundancy costs, and office closure and other costs recorded in 2001 and not yet incurred were recorded as accrued restructuring costs in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2001. Through December 31, 2001, no assets held for sale have been sold; accordingly, these assets are recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance sheet as assets held-for-sale.
 
5.    SETTLEMENT OF LEGAL CASES
 
In February 1995, the Company and its U.S. subsidiary were named as defendants in Action No. 95-19-2-ALB-AMER (WLS) brought by the Plaintiffs John M. Tharpe, Robert E. Herrin and R & L Engineering, Inc., a Georgia corporation, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. The complaint alleged that the Company, its U.S. subsidiary and certain European suppliers of disposable diaper manufacturing equipment (the “Defendants”) have infringed U.S. Patent No. 5,308,345 which relates to a certain process for elasticizing the waistband of disposable diapers; that the Company and its U.S. subsidiary breached a confidentiality agreement with the Plaintiffs by using certain information relating to the waistband applicator disclosed to them in confidence by the Plaintiffs; and theft by the Defendants of the Plaintiffs’ trade secrets concerning the waistband applicator. On March 20, 2002 the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia entered a $4,000 judgment in favor of the Plaintiffs. On March 29, 2002 an amended final order and judgment was entered by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia awarding the Plaintiffs $10,400 in actual and increased damages for patent infringement and prejudgment interest on the patent claim. Subsequent to the entering of this final order and judgment, the Company began to negotiate a settlement with the Plaintiffs. On April 9, 2002 the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Plaintiffs. The terms of this Settlement Agreement required the Company to make a lump sum payment of $4,200 to the Plaintiffs no later than April 18, 2002 to settle all asserted claims in the original lawsuit. The $4,200 lump sum payment was made to the Plaintiffs on April 17, 2002. On April 18, 2002, the Company along with the Plaintiffs filed a “Stipulated Final Order of Dismissal” dismissing with prejudice both the judgment dated March 20, 2002 and the amended final order and judgment dated March 29, 2002. Effective with the filing of the “Stipulated Final Order of Dismissal”, the R&L lawsuit has been settled and the judgments of March 20th and March 29th have been vacated. The Company has recorded the $4,200 settlement as a loss on settlement of legal cases in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2001.

35


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
A claim was made by Ms. Rhonda Tracy, the owner of U.S. Patent No. 5,797,824 for disposable diapers with a padded waistband and leg holes, asserting that the Company has been manufacturing and/or selling diapers which infringe her patent. No lawsuit has been filed against the Company to date. The Company, however, had filed a lawsuit against Ms. Tracy in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia for a declaration that her patent is invalid and/or not infringed. The Company settled this claim with Rhonda Tracy on March 15, 2002 for $375. The Company has recorded the $375 as a loss on settlement of legal cases in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2001.
 
6.    LOSS ON DIVESTITURE
 
Due to the decision made in 2001 to liquidate a business in Europe, the Company recorded a loss of $672 relating to the write off of assets, recording of closure and liquidation costs. The operations of this business were not significant.
 
7.    GAIN ON DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARIES
 
In October 2000, the Company sold its investment in the adult incontinence manufacturing operation in Switzerland and a distribution office in Germany for a cash consideration of $4,963, resulting in a gain of $214.
 
8.    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
Income is subject to taxation in the various countries in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate. The Company is not taxed in the British Virgin Islands where it is incorporated.
 
The components of income before income taxes are as follows:
 
    
2001

    
2000

  
1999

U.S.
  
$
(21,078
)
  
$
4,446
  
$
2,235
Foreign
  
 
(4,917
)
  
 
215
  
 
3,308
    


  

  

    
$
(25,995
)
  
$
4,661
  
$
5,543
    


  

  

36


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
 
    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
Current
                          
U.S. Federal
  
$
29
 
  
$
554
 
  
$
440
 
U.S. State
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
—  
 
Foreign
  
 
1,985
 
  
 
1,452
 
  
 
2,404
 
Benefit of loss carryforwards
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(95
)
  
 
—  
 
Benefit of loss carryback
  
 
(736
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(1,059
)
Deferred taxes
  
 
(134
)
  
 
(354
)
  
 
(798
)
    


  


  


    
$
1,144
 
  
$
1,557
 
  
$
987
 
    


  


  


 
A reconciliation between the provision for income taxes computed by applying the United States Federal statutory tax rate to income before taxes and the actual provision for income taxes is as follows:
 
    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
Provision for income taxes at statutory rate on (loss) income for the year
  
(35.0
)%
  
35.0
%
  
35.0
%
Effect of different tax rates applicable to foreign earnings
  
(25.8
)
  
(20.5
)
  
14.8
 
Foreign losses which are not deductible
  
13.6
 
  
18.0
 
  
—  
 
Foreign profits which are not taxable
  
32.8
 
  
(35.0
)
  
—  
 
Change in valuation allowance
  
20.7
 
  
29.6
 
  
(32.5
)
Withholding tax on interest and royalty income
  
(1.9
)
  
5.7
 
  
3.9
 
Tax exemption under tax holiday
  
—  
 
  
(0.2
)
  
(2.3
)
Other
  
—  
 
  
0.8
 
  
(1.1
)
    

  

  

Effective rate
  
4.4
%
  
33.4
%
  
17.8
%
    

  

  

 
The Company’s subsidiary incorporated in the PRC is entitled to a two-year exemption from state and local income taxes commencing from the first profitable year of operations, which was 1998, followed by a 50% reduction in tax rates for the next three years. The year ended December 31, 2000 was the first year for the subsidiary to be under a 50% reduction in the prevailing tax rate. Had this tax holiday not been available, income tax expense would have been higher by $11 in 1999. Earnings per share would have been the same in 2001 and 2000 and was lower by $0.02 in 1999.

37


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
Certain subsidiaries have operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes which may be applied to reduce future taxable income. The loss carrybackwards and carryforwards are available on a country by country basis and are not available for use except in the country in which the loss occurred. At December 31, 2001 the tax loss carrybackwards and carryforwards by country and their future expiration dates are as follows:
 
    
Total

  
2000 and
prior years

  
2001

  
2002

  
2003

  
2004

  
2005

  
2010-  
2021

  
Indefinite

United Kingdom
  
$
92,654
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
92,654
U.S.A—Federal
  
 
13,916
  
 
4,483
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
9,433
  
 
—  
U.S.A—State
  
 
18,882
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
—  
  
 
18,882
  
 
—  
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

    
$
125,452
  
$
4,483
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
—  
  
$
28,315
  
$
92,654
    

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 
Included in United Kingdom operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes is approximately $74,242 relating to tax losses at the date of acquisition of a company acquired in 1993. Utilization of these losses will result in a reduction in future tax expense and is dependent on both the earning of sufficient otherwise taxable income in the relevant countries and the satisfaction of technical requirements of applicable law. In the case of the United Kingdom, this includes the requirement that there not be a “major change” in business activities.
 
In March 2002, the United States amended its regulations allowing the losses of 2001 to be carried back five years instead of its normal two year carryback period. As a result, the Company will carry back $4,483 of its losses resulting in an additional benefit of $1,524. This benefit will be recorded during the three months period ended March 31, 2002, the period in which the change was enacted.
 
Deferred income tax balances at December 31 are related to :
 
    
2001

    
2000

 
    
Assets

    
Liabilities

    
Assets

    
Liabilities

 
Inventories
  
$
3
 
  
$
—  
 
  
$
1
 
  
$
—  
 
Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses
  
 
153
 
  
 
(9
)
  
 
19
 
  
 
(44
)
Property, plant and equipment
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(263
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(493
)
Other
  
 
771
 
  
 
(212
)
  
 
939
 
  
 
(125
)
Tax loss carryforwards
  
 
37,761
 
  
 
—  
 
  
 
32,387
 
  
 
—  
 
Valuation allowances
  
 
(37,761
)
  
 
—  
 
  
 
(32,387
)
  
 
—  
 
    


  


  


  


Total
  
$
927
 
  
$
(484
)
  
$
959
 
  
$
(662
)
    


  


  


  


38


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
9.    INVENTORIES
 
Inventories by major categories are summarized as follows:
 
    
2001

  
2000

Raw materials
  
$
14,000
  
$
13,636
Finished goods
  
 
19,840
  
 
12,920
    

  

    
$
33,840
  
$
26,556
    

  

 
10.    PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
Included in property, plant and equipment are assets acquired under capital leases with the following net book values:
 
    
2001

    
2000

 
At cost:
                 
Machinery and equipment
  
$
12,659
 
  
$
5,982
 
Motor vehicles
  
 
145
 
  
 
122
 
    


  


    
 
12,804
 
  
 
6,104
 
Less: Accumulated amortization
  
 
(3,531
)
  
 
(2,426
)
    


  


Net book value
  
$
9,273
 
  
$
3,678
 
    


  


 
11.    LOAN RECEIVABLE
 
The loan which is made to a minority shareholder of a subsidiary, is non-interest bearing and will not be received within twelve months from the balance sheet date and, accordingly, the amount is classified as a non-current asset in the accompanying balance sheets.
 
12.    OTHER ASSETS
 
Other assets consist of the following:
 
    
2001

  
2000

Assets held-for-sale
  
$
7,776
  
$
203
Prepayment of long-term loan fee
  
 
777
  
 
—  
Deposit for a license use right (See Note 17)
  
 
500
  
 
—  
Deposit for a land in PRC (See Note 17)
  
 
121
  
 
—  
Deposit for new machinery
  
 
787
  
 
—  
    

  

    
$
9,961
  
$
203
    

  

39


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
13.    INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
Intangible assets consists of the following:
 
    
2001

    
2000

 
Drypers trademark
  
$
2,068
 
  
$
—  
 
Patents
  
 
1,990
 
  
 
—  
 
Private label customer relationship
  
 
1,150
 
  
 
—  
 
Goodwill
  
 
558
 
  
 
542
 
    


  


    
 
5,766
 
  
 
542
 
Less: Accumulated amortizations
  
 
(1,027
)
  
 
(283
)
    


  


Net book value
  
$
4,739
 
  
$
259
 
    


  


 
Amortization expense charged to income from operations for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 was $744 and $206 respectively.
 
14.    SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
 
These include borrowings in the form of trade acceptances, loans and overdrafts with various banks:
 
    
2001

    
2000

 
Credit facilities granted
  
$
37,008
 
  
$
14,850
 
    


  


Utilized
  
$
28,675
 
  
$
13,235
 
    


  


Weighted average interest rate on borrowings at end of year
  
 
4.43
%
  
 
8.91
%
    


  


 
The Company maintains short-term bank credit lines in each of the countries in which it operates. Interest rates are generally based on the banks’ prime lending rates and cost of funds and the credit lines are normally subject to annual review. The amount outstanding above includes $11,900 relating to the revolving credit facility provided by the Senior Lender discussed in Note 15. The credit facilities utilized and granted, excluding the revolving credit facility provided by the Senior Lender, was $16,775 and $22,008 respectively, at December 31, 2001. At December 31, 2001, amounts available for additional borrowings, excluding those available under the revolving credit facility provided by the Senior Lender discussed in Note 15, totaled $5,233. At December 31, 2001, borrowings of $15,760 are collateralized by the pledge of accounts receivable and inventory of a subsidiary with a book value of $35,396. In addition, borrowings of $7,323 are collateralized by the pledge of land and buildings with a net book value of $5,096.

40


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
15.
 
LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Long-term debt consists of:
 
    
2001

  
2000

Term loans bearing interest at London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 4.25% per annum (6.68% per annum at December 31, 2001) principal payable in monthly installments of $183.3 plus accrued interest
  
$
8,712
  
$
3,628
Loan from finance companies at rates ranging from 5.50% to 7.00% per annum at December 31, 2001, secured by the building and equipment of the Company’s Wisconsin facilities
  
 
1,917
  
 
2,455
Mortgage loan bearing interest at LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum (3.4375% per annum at December 31, 2001), interest payable quarterly with entire principal due in November 2006
  
 
2,087
  
 
—  
Capital leases bearing interest rates ranging from 4.50% to 12.00% per annum at December 31, 2001
  
 
6,540
  
 
2,915
    

  

Total
  
 
19,256
  
 
8,998
Current portion of long-term debt
  
 
6,038
  
 
3,421
    

  

Long-term debt, less current portion
  
$
13,218
  
$
5,577
    

  

 
Maturities of long-term debt as at December 31, 2001 are as follows :
 
    
Loans

  
Capital
Leases

  
Total

Year ending December 31,
                    
2002
  
$
2,707
  
$
3,331
  
$
6,038
2003
  
 
2,700
  
 
1,199
  
 
3,899
2004
  
 
2,700
  
 
850
  
 
3,550
2005
  
 
2,529
  
 
864
  
 
3,393
2006
  
 
2,080
  
 
296
  
 
2,376
    

  

  

Total
  
$
12,716
  
$
6,540
  
$
19,256
    

  

  

 
The capital lease commitments amounts above exclude interest implicit in the leases. The total amount of implicit interest payable under the capital leases was $485 from the years ending December 31, 2002 to 2006. The interest payments will be $249, $119, $77, $37 and $3 in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

41


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
In March 2001, one of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary”) entered into an amended financing agreement with the existing financial institution (the “Senior Lender”) under which the Subsidiary received a Term Loan of $11,000 (the “Term Loan”), a capital expenditure line of up to $5,000, and a revolving credit facility (based on the lesser of a percentage of eligible accounts receivable and inventory or $15,000). Such financing was entered into in connection with the Subsidiary’s purchase of certain assets of the North American operations of Drypers Corporation as discussed in Note 24. The full amount of the $11,000 Term Loan was borrowed, with interest payable at the LIBOR plus 4.25% or prime plus 2.75% per year at the election of the borrower, and the outstanding balance of an existing term note was repaid. The financing agreement was amended in December 2001, at which date the remaining principal balance on the Term Loan was $8,712, which was then divided into three separate term loans in the amount of $2,781, $2,934 and $2,997. These loans are repayable in monthly installments of principal in the amount of $183 plus interest and is collateralized by the Subsidiary’s assets. In addition, the Subsidiary had outstanding borrowings of approximately $11,900 of the $15,000 revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2001. These amounts were recorded as a component of short-term borrowings in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 14). Among other things, the agreement contains certain restrictive covenants, including the maintenance of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) and tangible net worth, and places limitations on acquisitions, dispositions, capital expenditures, and additional indebtedness. At December 31, 2001, the Company was not in compliance with the EBITDA covenant due to the legal settlement as discussed in Note 5 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The existing covenant violations were waived by the Senior Lender on April 17, 2002.
 
In connection with the waiver of these covenant violations, the Senior Lender and the Company amended the revolving credit facility to allow for additional advances of up to $1,450 for the legal settlement, increased the capital expenditure line to $6,975 and revised certain covenants including capital expenditures, payments and prepayments, and additional indebtedness. The Company had not borrowed any facility out of the capital expenditure line. As a result, the Company had approximately $2,300 and $6,975 available for additional borrowings under the Term Loan and capital expenditure line, respectively, at December 31, 2001.
 
In addition in March 2001, the Company borrowed $15,000 under a term loan (the “$15 million Term Loan”) from an overseas financial institution. One of the Company’s non-executive directors holds a seat on the Board of Directors of this company. The loan bears annual interest at a rate of 14.5% increasing to 17.5% if any amounts payable under the loan are not repaid when due. Interest is payable monthly while principal is due in March 2002. The Company had the option to repay all or a portion of the loan after the six-month anniversary of the initial borrowing. The loan was secured by the Company’s ownership interest in its Australian subsidiaries. In addition, the loan agreement contains certain restrictive covenants, including minimum tangible net worth and EBITDA of the Australian subsidiaries. The borrowings were guaranteed by the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Company repaid the $15 million Term Loan in September 2001.

42


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 

 
In conjunction with the $15 million Term Loan, the Company committed to issue share purchase warrants to the lender. The warrants allowed the lender to purchase Ordinary Shares of the Company at a price of $0.01 per share. The number of warrants issued equaled 0.75% of the Company’s diluted Ordinary Shares outstanding for each month the principal balance of the loan was outstanding. Due to the repayment of the $15 million Term Loan after the six-month anniversary of the initial borrowing, the Company issued 4.5% of the Company’s diluted Ordinary Shares, equivalent to 314,510 shares. The fair value of the warrants of $1,372 was treated as interest expense in 2001. The fair value of the warrants was estimated using the Black-Scholes Model. The assumptions used in the model included : fair value of ordinary shares of $4.81 per share, volatility rate of 80%, a discount rate of 3.41% and an estimated life of one year.
 
16.    RECEIVABLE FROM SHAREHOLDER
 
In 2001, 2000 and 1999 the Company advanced $3,046, $10,744 and $1,879, respectively, to Brandon Wang, the founder, substantial shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and to a trust of which he is a beneficiary. These advances were made under a loan and security agreement in which the Company agreed to make loans to Brandon Wang from time to time, subject to any limit on such loans which may be imposed by the Board of Directors. The loans were repayable on demand evidenced by promissory notes (the “Notes”) bearing interest at a rate equal to 1.5% over LIBOR or such other rate that the Board of Directors and the borrower shall agree in writing. In January 2000, the Company’s U.S. subsidiary borrowed amounts under a term loan facility which was used to repay the balance of a loan payable by Brandon Wang to a bank, amounting to $5,250. This amount has been aggregated with the receivable from Brandon Wang under the Notes, which amounted to $2,811 at December 31, 1999, and is repayable on demand and carries the same interest terms as those of the Notes. Brandon Wang is required to provide as collateral shares of the Company held by him. The security agreement with Mr. Wang requires that the total amounts due from him should not exceed 80% of the fair market value of the pledged shares. Subsequent to December 31, 2001, the loan balance exceeded 80% of the fair value of the shares pledged as collateral as a result of a decline in the quoted market price of such shares. The Board of Directors of the Company has approved a plan whereby Mr. Wang has committed to make payments such that the outstanding balance decreases by $1,000 each year beginning in 2002. The Board of Directors of the Company also has decided not to take any further action on this matter at this time, including any available to it as a result of the decrease in the fair value of the shares pledged as collateral during 2002. At December 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company has classified the balances owed by Brandon Wang as a reduction from shareholders’ equity. During 2001, 2000 and 1999, Brandon Wang and a trust controlled by him repaid $3,914, $1,943 and $2,540, respectively, to the Company. In addition, in April 2002, Mr. Wang repaid $750. Interest of $445, $470 and $243 was charged on these advances in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
 
17.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
The Company and its subsidiaries lease land, facilities and equipment under operating leases, many of which contain renewal options and escalation clauses. Rental expense under operating leases was $3,582 in 2001, $1,650 in 2000 and $1,787 in 1999.

43


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
17.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES—continued
 
At December 31, 2001, the Company and its subsidiaries were obligated under operating leases requiring minimum rentals as follows :
 
Year ending December 31,
    
2002
  
$    3,163
2003
  
2,090
2004
  
634
2005
  
240
2006
  
196
2007 and thereafter
  
219
    
Total
  
$    6,542
    
 
In August 2001, the Company signed a license agreement to purchase a license use right for $2,500 for the manufacture and sale of disposable baby, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene products in certain territories. As of December 31, 2001, the Company paid a $500 deposit for the use of license right and recorded this amount as other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2001. In addition, the Company must pay a royalty fee ranging from 3%—5% of certain product sales. Through December 31, 2001, no products related to the license agreement were sold.
 
In November 2001, the Company signed a letter of intent to purchase a land use right in Waigaoqiao, Shanghai, PRC for its own facility expansion. The Company paid $121 as an initial deposit in December 2001 and recorded this amount as other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2001. The Company has a total capital commitment of $2,731 for the purchase of land in PRC, and the acquisition of machinery and equipment as of the year ended December 31, 2001.
 
The Company and its subsidiaries are, from time to time, involved in routine legal matters incidental to their business. On May 21, 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with The Procter & Gamble Company (“P&G”) to settle any potential liability of the Company which may have existed with respect to any past infringement on P&G patents prior to January 1, 2001 and to agree on royalty payments relating to sales on certain of the Company’s products in the Asian Pacific and Australian region after December 31, 2000. The agreement encompasses fixed payments totaling $300 relating to the period prior to January 1, 2001 and payment of royalties based on a percentage of sales of certain products in the Asian Pacific region beginning January 1, 2001. The amount of $300 relating to periods prior to January 1, 2001 was recorded in the statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2000 as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. As discussed in Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company settled the R&L lawsuit and the Rhonda Tracy claim for $4,200 and $375 in April and March 2002, respectively.

44


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
18.    NON CASH TRANSACTIONS
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment during the year ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 amounting to $7,263, $303 and $187, respectively, were financed by new capital leases.
 
19.    EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
The Company’s United States subsidiary has established a 401(k) plan under which the Company matches employee contributions up to 5% of employees’ base compensation. The Company’s other international subsidiaries have defined contribution plans, covering substantially all employees, which are determined by the boards of directors of the subsidiaries. These plans provide for annual contributions by the Company from 2% to 22.5% of eligible compensation of employees based on length of service.
 
Total expense related to the above plans was $1,662 in 2001, $1,075 in 2000 and $1,081 in 1999.
 
20.    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
 
Valuation and qualifying accounts:
 
    
Balance at beginning of year

  
Disposal
of a subsidiary

    
Charged to cost and expenses

  
Deductions

    
Balance at end
of year

Year ended December 31, 2001
                                      
Allowances for doubtful accounts
  
$
897
  
$
—  
 
  
$
2,802
  
$
(778
)
  
$
2,921
Provision for inventory obsolescence
  
 
490
  
 
—  
 
  
 
1,414
  
 
(194
)
  
 
1,710
    

  


  

  


  

    
$
1,387
  
$
—  
 
  
$
4,216
  
$
(972
)
  
$
4,631
    

  


  

  


  

Year ended December 31, 2000
                                      
Allowances for doubtful accounts
  
$
724
  
$
(41
)
  
$
256
  
$
(42
)
  
$
897
Provision for inventory obsolescence
  
 
376
  
 
(76
)
  
 
457
  
 
(267
)
  
 
490
    

  


  

  


  

    
$
1,100
  
$
(117
)
  
$
713
  
$
(309
)
  
$
1,387
    

  


  

  


  

Year ended December 31, 1999
                                      
Allowances for doubtful accounts
  
$
659
  
$
—  
 
  
$
931
  
$
(866
)
  
$
724
Provision for inventory obsolescence
  
 
840
  
 
—  
 
  
 
569
  
 
(1,033
)
  
 
376
    

  


  

  


  

    
$
1,499
  
$
—  
 
  
$
1,500
  
$
(1,899
)
  
$
1,100
    

  


  

  


  

 
Deductions relate to write-offs of accounts receivable as bad debts and disposals of inventories.

45


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
21.    FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. The estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables, loan receivable, receivable from shareholder, accounts payable, short-term borrowings, and long-term debt are reasonable estimates of their fair value. The interest rate on the Company’s long-term debt approximates that which would have been available at December 31, 2001 for debt of the same remaining maturities.
 
22.    SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
The Company is engaged in one industry segment, the manufacturing and marketing of disposable hygienic products. However, the Company has four principal geographic segments for operating management purposes. The principal measures of operating performance are operating income (loss) and income (loss) before income taxes.
 
Within these industry segments, the Company derived its revenues from the following product lines for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999:
 
    
2001

  
2000

  
1999

Products
                    
Disposable baby diapers
  
$
244,216
  
$
160,417
  
$
147,615
Adult incontinence products
  
 
35,317
  
 
44,230
  
 
42,784
Training pants, youth pants and sanitary napkins
  
 
20,244
  
 
10,014
  
 
15,443
    

  

  

Total net sales
  
$
299,777
  
$
214,661
  
$
205,842
    

  

  

 
Intersegment sales were not significant.
 
Certain financial information by geographic area and by products are as follows:
 
    
2001

  
2000

  
1999

Net sales
                    
North America (principally the U.S.)
  
$
177,323
  
$
92,229
  
$
93,479
Australia
  
 
45,322
  
 
44,753
  
 
42,676
Asia
  
 
70,850
  
 
60,835
  
 
45,715
Europe
  
 
6,282
  
 
16,844
  
 
23,972
    

  

  

    
$
299,777
  
$
214,661
  
$
205,842
    

  

  

46


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
 
    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
Operating (loss) income
                          
North America (principally the U.S.)
  
$
(14,275
)
  
$
5,301
 
  
$
5,001
 
Australia
  
 
2,298
 
  
 
3,919
 
  
 
4,823
 
Asia
  
 
5,119
 
  
 
4,609
 
  
 
3,839
 
Europe
  
 
(1,361
)
  
 
(2,371
)
  
 
(1,667
)
Corporate
  
 
(5,244
)
  
 
(4,983
)
  
 
(4,562
)
    


  


  


    
$
(13,463
)
  
$
6,475
 
  
$
7,434
 
    


  


  


(Loss) income before income taxes
                          
North America (principally the U.S.)
  
$
(24,592
)
  
$
2,722
 
  
$
1,695
 
Australia
  
 
57
 
  
 
1,954
 
  
 
2,743
 
Asia
  
 
3,233
 
  
 
2,592
 
  
 
3,352
 
Europe
  
 
(2,043
)
  
 
(2,497
)
  
 
(2,747
)
Corporate
  
 
(2,650
)
  
 
(110
)
  
 
500
 
    


  


  


    
$
(25,995
)
  
$
4,661
 
  
$
5,543
 
    


  


  


 
The gain on disposal of subsidiaries, interest expense and exchange loss were recorded as a component of corporate expenses in the tables above. The loss before income taxes in 2001 included the restructuring costs of $6,356, provision of bad and doubtful debts for Ames Department Stores of $800, and settlement of legal cases of $4,575 of the North American operation and loss on divestiture of the European operation of $672, respectively.
 
    
2001

  
2000

  
1999

Interest expenses
                    
North America (principally the U.S.)
  
$
1,455
  
$
882
  
$
1,510
Australia
  
 
254
  
 
123
  
 
126
Asia
  
 
340
  
 
285
  
 
160
Europe
  
 
11
  
 
145
  
 
190
Corporate
  
 
2,593
  
 
159
  
 
222
    

  

  

    
$
4,653
  
$
1,594
  
$
2,208
    

  

  

 
The fair value of the warrants interest of $1,372 was recorded as a component of corporate expense in the table above.

47


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
    
2001

    
2000

    
1999

 
Interest income
                          
North America (principally the U.S.)
  
$
136
 
  
$
204
 
  
$
397
 
Australia
  
 
34
 
  
 
53
 
  
 
41
 
Asia
  
 
35
 
  
 
34
 
  
 
41
 
Europe
  
 
3
 
  
 
63
 
  
 
44
 
Corporate
  
 
503
 
  
 
514
 
  
 
269
 
    


  


  


    
$
711
 
  
$
868
 
  
$
792
 
    


  


  


Assets, at end of year
                          
North America (principally the U.S.)
  
$
79,742
 
  
$
46,599
 
  
$
44,479
 
Australia
  
 
17,165
 
  
 
19,359
 
  
 
19,725
 
Asia
  
 
35,281
 
  
 
39,194
 
  
 
35,903
 
Europe
  
 
1,648
 
  
 
2,876
 
  
 
13,123
 
Corporate assets
  
 
4,812
 
  
 
3,381
 
  
 
7,715
 
    


  


  


    
$
138,648
 
  
$
111,409
 
  
$
120,945
 
    


  


  


Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
                          
North America (principally the U.S.)
  
$
8,024
 
  
$
2,645
 
  
$
2,443
 
Australia
  
 
989
 
  
 
1,497
 
  
 
728
 
Asia
  
 
775
 
  
 
1,528
 
  
 
2,407
 
Europe
  
 
59
 
  
 
197
 
  
 
517
 
Corporate assets
  
 
—  
 
  
 
80
 
  
 
2
 
    


  


  


    
 
9,847
 
  
 
5,947
 
  
 
6,097
 
Less: non cash capital expenditure (Note 18)
  
 
(7,263
)
  
 
(303
)
  
 
(187
)
    


  


  


    
$
2,584
 
  
$
5,644
 
  
$
5,910
 
    


  


  


Depreciation and amortization
                          
North America (principally the U.S.)
  
$
5,731
 
  
$
3,875
 
  
$
3,218
 
Australia
  
 
1,298
 
  
 
1,642
 
  
 
1,899
 
Asia
  
 
2,933
 
  
 
2,901
 
  
 
2,418
 
Europe
  
 
320
 
  
 
978
 
  
 
2,061
 
Corporate assets
  
 
86
 
  
 
68
 
  
 
66
 
    


  


  


    
$
10,368
 
  
$
9,464
 
  
$
9,662
 
    


  


  


48


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
 
    
2001

  
2000

  
1999

Property, plant and equipment, end of year
                    
North America (principally the U.S.)
  
$
21,600
  
$
19,431
  
$
21,671
Australia
  
 
5,747
  
 
6,586
  
 
7,840
Asia
  
 
7,254
  
 
9,776
  
 
11,945
Europe
  
 
—  
  
 
166
  
 
6,061
Corporate assets
  
 
513
  
 
522
  
 
464
    

  

  

    
$
35,114
  
$
36,481
  
$
47,981
    

  

  

 
No single customer accounted for 10% or more of the total revenues.
 
23.    QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
    
1st Quarter

    
2nd Quarter

    
3rd Quarter

    
4th Quarter

 
2001
                                   
Net sales
  
$
59,804
 
  
$
82,310
 
  
$
79,683
 
  
$
77,980
 
Gross profit
  
 
18,246
 
  
 
24,687
 
  
 
23,815
 
  
 
25,249
 
Net income (loss)(1)
  
 
(108
)
  
 
(5,092
)
  
 
(11,767
)
  
 
(10,596
)
Loss per share
  
 
(0.02
)
  
 
(0.76
)
  
 
(1.76
)
  
 
(1.54
)
 
2000
                                   
Net sales
  
$
55,868
 
  
$
51,270
 
  
$
54,191
 
  
$
53,332
 
Gross profit
  
 
18,635
 
  
 
16,451
 
  
 
17,723
 
  
 
16,320
 
Net income (loss)
  
 
1,603
 
  
 
700
 
  
 
831
 
  
 
(171
)(2)
Earnings (loss) per share
  
 
0.24
 
  
 
0.10
 
  
 
0.12
 
  
 
(0.02
)
 
1999
                                   
Net sales
  
$
53,591
 
  
$
48,732
 
  
$
50,282
 
  
$
53,237
 
Gross profit
  
 
17,273
 
  
 
15,784
 
  
 
16,904
 
  
 
17,761
 
Net income
  
 
1,556
 
  
 
316
 
  
 
747
 
  
 
1,816
 
Earnings per share
  
 
0.23
 
  
 
0.05
 
  
 
0.11
 
  
 
0.27
 

(1)
 
Includes restructuring cost of $256, $4,610 and $1,490 from second to fourth quarter, provision of bad and doubtful debts relating to Ames Department Stores of $800 in second quarter, and loss on divestiture and settlement of legal cases of $672 and $4,575, respectively, in the fourth quarter.
(2)
 
Includes $300 charge relating to an agreement with P&G (see Note 17).

49


DSG INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 
24.    BUSINESS ACQUISITION
 
In March 2001, one of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries acquired the North American assets of Drypers Corporation pursuant to the order of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court based in Houston, Texas for approximately $39,625, including acquisition costs, less working capital adjustments of $3,747. The assets are located in Marion, Ohio; Vancouver, Washington and Houston, Texas and relate to the manufacture and sale of disposable baby diapers and training pants. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion 16, “Business Combinations”, and the purchase price was allocated based on the relative fair values of the assets acquired.
 
The fair value of assets acquired and consideration paid were as follows:
 
        
Fair value of tangible assets acquired
  
$
30,670
Fair value of Drypers trademarks, patents and customer relationship
  
 
5,208
    

    
$
35,878
    

 
The operating results of the Drypers assets acquired have been included in the accompanying 2001 Consolidated Statements of Operations from March 14, 2001, the acquisition date. The unaudited pro forma results of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, assuming the acquisition occurred at the beginning of each period are as follows:
 
    
2001

  
2000

Net sales
  
$
324,133
  
$
410,437
    

  

Net loss
  
$
27,151
  
$
4,565
    

  

Losses per share
  
$
4.04
  
$
0.68
    

  

 
The acquisition was financed by existing cash balances of the Company, proceeds from term loans and a revolving credit line (see Notes 14 and 15).
 
25.    EQUITY PARTICIPATION PLAN
 
During March 2002, the Company established an equity participation plan (“the Plan”) for certain employees, directors and independent contractors of the Company to award the Company’s Ordinary Shares at the sole discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors or its delegate committee or plan administrator. Subject to adjustment under the Plan, 1,500,000 Ordinary Shares are available for awards under the Plan and no more than 375,000 Ordinary Shares may be granted or awarded to a participant during a calendar year.

50


 
 
Annual Meeting
 
The next annual meeting of shareholders will be held in Hong Kong on October 23, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. local time. Notice of the meeting and proxy statement will be mailed to shareholders before the meeting.
 
Market Information
 
The Company’s shares are traded on the NASDAQ National Market System under the Symbol DSGIF.
 
Stock Transfer Agent
 
Mellon Investor Services LLC
P.O. Box 3315
South Hackensack
New Jersey 07606
U.S.A.
Tel.:          (1) 800-356 2017
website:    www.melloninvestor.com
 
Independent Auditors
 
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
26th Floor, Wing On Centre
111, Connaught Road, Central
Hong Kong
 
Principal Executive Office
 
DSG International Limited
17th Floor, Watson Centre
16-22 Kung Yip Street
Kwai Chung
Hong Kong
Tel:    (852) 2484-4820
 
Form 20-F
 
The Company’s 2001 report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 20-F provides additional details about the Company’s business as well as other financial information not included in this annual report. A copy of this report is available to shareholders upon written request to the Company’s Principal Executive Office.

51


 
 
Asia
 
Australia
Disposable Soft Goods Limited
 
DSG Pty Limited
17/F Watson Centre
 
(trading as Australian Pacific Paper Products)
16-22 Kung Yip Street
 
3 Lake Drive
Kwai Chung, N T
 
Dingley
Hong Kong
 
Victoria 3172
Telephone:    (852) 2427 6951
 
Australia
Facsimile:    (852) 2480 4491
 
Telephone:    (61) 3-9552 1222
   
Facsimile:    (61) 3-9558 1056
Disposable Soft Goods (S) Pte Limited
   
No. 1, Joo Koon Crescent
 
North America
4th Floor, Yeow Heng Industrial Building
   
Singapore 629087
 
Associated Hygienic Products LLC
Telephone:    (65) 6861 9155
 
4455 River Green Parkway
Facsimile:    (65) 6861 9313
 
Duluth, GA 30096
   
U.S.A.
Disposable Soft Goods (Zhongshan) Limited
 
Telephone:    (1) 770-497 9800
Jin Chang Road
 
Facsimile:    (1) 770-623 8887
Jin Sha Industrial Zone
   
Shalang, Zhongshan, Guangdong
 
Associated Hygienic Products Inc.
People’s Republic of China
 
205 E. Highland Drive
Postal Code : 528411
 
Oconto Falls, WI 54154
Telephone:    (86) 760-855 9866
 
U.S.A.
Facsimile:    (86) 760-855 8794
 
Telephone:    (1) 920-846 8444
   
Facsimile:    (1) 920-846 3026
DSG International (Thailand) Limited
   
835 Moo 4 Prakasa
 
Europe
Muang
   
Samutprakarn 10280
 
Disposable Soft Goods (UK) Plc
Thailand
 
Boythorpe Works
Telephone:    (66) 2-709 4153
 
Derbyshire
Facsimile:    (66) 2-709 3884
 
Chesterfield, S40 2PH
   
U.K.
PT DSG Surya Mas Indonesia
 
Telephone:    (44) 1246-221 228
Jl. Pancatama Raya Kav. 18
 
Facsimile:    (44) 1246-274 773
Desa Leuwilimus, Cikande
   
Serang, Jawa Barat
   
Indonesia
   
Telephone:    (62) 254-400 934
   
Facsimile:    (62) 254-400 939
   
Disposable Soft Goods (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
   
Lot 542, Jalan Subang 2
   
Sg Penaga Industrial Park
   
47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan
   
Malaysia
   
Telephone:    (60) 3-8023 1833
   
Facsimile:    (60) 3-8024 9033
   

52


 
 
 
 
DSG International Limited
 
Principal Executive Office
17/F Watson Centre
16-22 Kung Yip Street
Kwai Chung, N T
Hong Kong
Telephone:    (852) 2484 4820
Facsimile:    (852) 2480 4491

53