-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, N+60rA6uVNVUVMV0MRks0yFUSjeXNj80/GXBeRTwallze5d5lcURwEaAePsD6GO0 W32ZxllaIRcLtzm6rKC3Bg== 0000950135-00-005563.txt : 20010101 0000950135-00-005563.hdr.sgml : 20010101 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950135-00-005563 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20001018 ITEM INFORMATION: FILED AS OF DATE: 20001229 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: COTT CORP /CN/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000884713 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: BOTTLED & CANNED SOFT DRINKS CARBONATED WATERS [2086] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 0125 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K/A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-19914 FILM NUMBER: 797814 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 207 QUEENS QUAY W STREET 2: SUITE 340 CITY: TORONTO ONTARIO CANA STATE: A6 BUSINESS PHONE: 4162033898 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 207 QUEENS QUAY W STREET 2: SUITE 340 CITY: TORONTO ONTARIO STATE: A6 8-K/A 1 b37710cce8-ka.txt COTT CORPORATION 1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K/A CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of report: December 29, 2000 Amending Report Filed October 31, 2000 (Date of earliest reported event) October 18, 2000 Commission File Number 000-19914 COTT CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) CANADA None (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification incorporation or organization) Number) 207 Queen's Quay W, Suite 340 Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7 (Address of principal executive offices) (Postal Code) (416) 203-3898 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 1 2 Effective October 18, 2000, Cott Corporation (the "Company"), through a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary, completed the acquisition of the assets and assumed certain obligations of the private label carbonated and the "Vintage" brand beverage businesses (the "Assets") of Concord Beverage Company, a Pennsylvania corporation. The details of this transaction were filed on Form 8-K on October 31, 2000. The undersigned Registrant hereby amends the financial statements and exhibits of the Form 8-K filed October 31, 2000. The combined financial statements of Concord Beverage Company and the Vintage Beverage Segments of its Affiliates and the accountant's report thereon required by Item 7(a) and the pro forma financial information required by Item 7(b) are provided herein. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS (a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUSINESS The audited combined balance sheets for the Concord Beverage Company and the Vintage Beverage Segments of its Affiliates ("Concord") as of January 1, 2000 and January 2, 1999 and the combined statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended January 1, 2000, January 2, 1999 and January 3, 1998 have been attached as Exhibit 2.3. The unaudited combined balance sheet for Concord as of September 30, 2000 and the unaudited combined statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 have been attached as Exhibit 2.4. (b) PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION The unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended January 1, 2000 and the nine months ended September 30, 2000 have been prepared by management and present the consolidated results of the continuing operations of the Company, as if the acquisition of Concord had occurred as of January 3, 1999. The pro forma consolidated statements of income for the year ended January 1, 2000 and the nine months ended September 30, 2000 have been prepared, respectively, from the audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements of Cott Corporation and Concord. The unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2000 has been prepared by management based on the unaudited balance sheet of Cott Corporation and the unaudited combined balance sheet of Concord as of this date and has been adjusted to reflect the acquisition as of September 30, 2000. This unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and notes thereto of Cott Corporation and Concord. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial information presented is for information only and may not be indicative of what the financial position and results of operations would have been had the acquisition been completed on January 3, 1999, nor is it intended to be indicative of the future results of operations or financial position of the Company. 2 3 COTT CORPORATION Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Income For the Year Ended January 1, 2000 (in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) Unaudited
COTT PRO FORMA PRO FORMA CORPORATION CONCORD ADJUSTMENTS NOTES CONSOLIDATED ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SALES $ 990.8 $ 84.9 $ (2.1) a $ 1,073.6 Cost of sales 846.7 61.0 (1.6) a 917.5 0.4 b 1.7 c 9.3 d ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- GROSS PROFIT 144.1 23.9 (11.9) 156.1 Selling, general and 99.1 15.8 (0.2) a 105.3 administrative expenses (0.1) b 1.5 c (9.3) d (1.5) e Unusual items (1.2) -- -- (1.2) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING INCOME 46.2 8.1 (2.3) 52.0 Other expenses (income), net (5.1) (0.2) 0.2 f (5.1) Interest expense, net 34.6 0.1 (0.1) g 40.7 1.3 h 4.8 i ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY INCOME 16.7 8.2 (8.5) 16.4 Income taxes 3.8 (3.9) 4.0 j 3.9 Equity income 0.9 -- -- 0.9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ 21.4 $ 4.3 $ (4.5) $ 21.2 ============================================================================ INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS PER SHARE Basic $ 0.35 $ 0.35 Diluted $ 0.32 $ 0.32 WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES Basic 59,837 59,837 Diluted 66,205 66,205
See notes to the Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income 3 4 COTT CORPORATION Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Income For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000 (in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) Unaudited
COTT PRO FORMA PRO FORMA CORPORATION CONCORD ADJUSTMENTS NOTES CONSOLIDATED ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SALES $ 763.5 $ 66.1 $ (1.5) a $ 828.1 Cost of sales 639.6 47.0 (1.1) a 696.2 0.1 b 1.3 c 9.3 d ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ GROSS PROFIT 123.9 19.1 (11.1) 131.9 Selling, general and 69.4 13.6 (0.2) a 74.6 administrative expenses (0.1) b 1.2 c (9.3) d ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OPERATING INCOME 54.5 5.5 (2.7) 57.3 Other expenses (income), net (0.7) (0.2) 0.2 f (0.7) Interest expense, net 23.0 - 1.3 h 28.7 4.4 i ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 32.2 5.7 (8.6) 29.3 Income taxes (13.4) (3.7) 4.8 j (12.3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ 18.8 $ 2.0 $ (3.8) $ 17.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS PER SHARE Basic $ 0.31 $ 0.28 Diluted $ 0.28 $ 0.25 WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES Basic 59,848 59,848 Diluted 66,483 66,483
See notes to the Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income 4 5 COTT CORPORATION Notes to the Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income Unaudited The pro forma income statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and the year ended January 1, 2000 do not include benefits from the anticipated synergies resulting from the acquisition. The pro forma information incorporates the following adjustments: (a) Eliminate sales and the related costs associated with certain customers of Concord not purchased under the agreement; (b) Eliminate historic depreciation expense on the acquired Property, Plant and Equipment and record new depreciation expense on the fair value of the Property, Plant and Equipment based on the purchase price equation; (c) Record amortization expense on the $18 million of trademarks, the $25 million customer list and $15 million goodwill acquired using the straight-line method over 15 years, 15 years and 40 years, respectively; (d) Reclassify Concord warehousing, transportation and production costs from Selling, General and Administrative expenses to Cost of Sales to conform to the Company's financial statement presentation; (e) Eliminate historic amortization of Concord Deferred Charges & Other Costs and expense upfront payments made to customers during the 9-month period ended September 30, 2000; (f) Eliminate interest and other investment income earned on cash & cash equivalents and marketable securities that were not acquired by the Company; (g) Eliminate interest expense on the notes payable of Concord which were repaid prior to the acquisition; (h) Record interest at 7% per annum on the $17.9 million of Notes Payable issued to the vendor for partial payment of the purchase price. The notes are due one year after the deemed acquisition date. As a result, the adjustment assumes the notes were repaid as of January 3, 2000 along with the related interest and refinanced through short-term borrowings; (i) Record interest expense on the reduction in net cash relating to the payment of the purchase price of $53.7 million at the Company's short-term borrowing rate; and (j) Adjust Concord's income tax expense to reflect the Company's U.S. effective tax rate and adjust income tax expense to reflect the pro forma adjustments. 5 6 COTT CORPORATION Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet As of September 30, 2000 (in millions of U.S. dollars) Unaudited
COTT PRO FORMA PRO FORMA CORPORATION CONCORD ADJUSTMENTS NOTES CONSOLIDATED --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 61.7 $ 5.6 $ (5.6) a $ 27.8 (33.2) b (0.7) c Marketable securities - 1.5 (1.5) a - Accounts receivable 105.3 9.8 (3.8) b 111.3 Inventories 64.4 8.4 (2.4) b 70.4 Prepaid expenses 2.0 - - 2.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 233.4 25.3 (47.2) 211.5 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 238.6 6.5 8.5 b 248.9 (4.7) d GOODWILL 100.1 - 14.7 c 114.8 INVESTMENT AND OTHER ASSETS 36.8 5.8 (1.3) a 79.8 38.5 b --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 608.9 $ 37.6 $ 8.5 $ 655.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Short-term borrowings $ 0.9 $ - $ 38.4 b $ 39.3 Current maturities of long-term debt 9.7 - - 9.7 Accounts payable and accrued 119.3 9.6 (2.5) b 127.0 liabilities 0.6 c Discontinued operations 0.7 - - 0.7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 130.6 9.6 36.5 176.7 LONG-TERM DEBT 305.1 - - 305.1 OTHER LIABILITIES 23.2 - - 23.2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 458.9 9.6 36.5 505.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY 150.0 28.0 (8.4) a 150.0 (28.3) b 13.4 c (4.7) d --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 608.9 $ 37.6 $ 8.5 $ 655.0 =================================================================================
See notes to the Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet 6 7 COTT CORPORATION Notes to the Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet Unaudited The pro forma adjustments as of September 30, 2000 are made to reflect the following: (a) Eliminate cash & cash equivalents, marketable securities and related accumulated other comprehensive income, certain other working capital items in excess of $5 million and other assets which were not acquired in the transaction; (b) Adjust to fair value the net assets acquired of Concord as of the acquisition date, including the property, plant and equipment, deferred charges and other costs, customer list and trademarks and record the cash payment of the purchase price, including portions paid with cash-on-hand and increased borrowings on the Company's credit facilities and through the notes payable of $17.9 million issued to the vendor; (c) Record goodwill for the excess of the $73 million acquisition cost, including estimated transaction costs, over the fair value of net assets acquired. Approximately $0.6 million in estimated costs are included in accrued liabilities as of September 30, 2000; and (d) Eliminate property, plant and equipment relating to the Elizabeth plant that was not purchased. 7 8 (c) EXHIBITS 2.3 Audited combined balance sheets of Concord Beverage Company and the Vintage Beverage Segments of its Affiliates as of January 1, 2000 and January 2, 1999 and the statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended January 1, 2000, January 2, 1999 and January 3, 1998. 2.4 Unaudited combined interim balance sheet of Concord Beverage Company and the Vintage Beverage Segments of its Affiliates as of September 30, 2000 and the statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the nine-month period then ended. 8 9 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. COTT CORPORATION (Registrant) Date: December 28, 2000 /s/ Raymond P. Silcock ----------------------- Raymond P. Silcock Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer 9 10 EXHIBIT INDEX 2.3 Audited combined balance sheets of Concord Beverage Company and the Vintage Beverage Segments of its Affiliates as of January 1, 2000 and January 2, 1999 and the statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended January 1, 2000, January 2, 1999 and January 3, 1998. 2.4 Unaudited combined interim balance sheet of Concord Beverage Company and the Vintage Beverage Segments of its Affiliates as of September 30, 2000 and the statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the nine-month period then ended. 9
EX-2.3 2 b37710ccex2-3.txt COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS 1 Exhibit 2.3 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED JANUARY 1, 2000, JANUARY 2, 1999 AND JANUARY 3, 1998 2 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES CONTENTS REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Combined Balance Sheets 2 Combined Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income 3 Combined Statements of Stockholders' Equity 4 Combined Statements of Cash Flows 5 Notes to Combined Financial Statements 6 - 13
3 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS Board of Directors Concord Beverage Company and the Vintage Beverage Segments of its Affiliates Concordville, Pennsylvania We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Concord Beverage Company and the Vintage Beverage segments of its affiliates as of January 1, 2000 and January 2, 1999, and the related combined statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 1, 2000. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the combined financial position of Concord Beverage Company and the Vintage Beverage segments of its affiliates as of January 1, 2000 and January 2, 1999, and the combined results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 1, 2000, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ Margolin, Winer & Evens LLP December 11, 2000 4 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES (NOTE 1) COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
JANUARY 1, January 2, 2000 1999 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents (Note 2) $ 2,179,095 $ 1,862,901 Marketable securities (Note 3) 1,740,691 780,652 Accounts receivable (Notes 1, 10, 11 and 13): Trade, net 6,130,038 5,831,649 Affiliates 3,645,137 2,090,182 Other 634,717 619,254 Inventories (Notes 2 and 4) 7,248,606 5,779,045 Prepaid expenses 453,640 474,281 ----------- ----------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 22,031,924 17,437,964 ----------- ----------- PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET (NOTES 2 AND 5) 7,752,543 9,059,256 ----------- ----------- OTHER ASSETS: Deferred charges and other costs, net of accumulated amortization of $8,788,043 for 1999 and $7,275,644 for 1998 (Notes 2 and 6) 4,361,957 5,874,356 Construction-in-progress 16,201 16,334 Pallets 793,515 582,615 Security deposits and other assets 190,269 87,107 ----------- ----------- TOTAL OTHER ASSETS 5,361,942 6,560,412 ----------- ----------- TOTAL ASSETS $35,146,409 $33,057,632 =========== =========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Current portion of notes payable (Note 7) $ -- $ 2,125,231 Accounts payable: Trade 4,368,212 3,842,242 Affiliates (Note 10) 579,937 987,518 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 3,700,961 3,398,994 Income taxes payable 90,197 127,346 ----------- ----------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 8,739,307 10,481,331 ----------- ----------- COMMITMENTS (NOTES 6 AND 8) -- -- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Common stock: Class A, $10 par value, voting, Authorized - 10,000 shares Issued and outstanding - 5,759 shares 57,590 57,590 Class B, $10 par value, nonvoting, Authorized - 10,000 shares Issued - 4,701 shares 47,010 47,010 Additional paid-in capital 10,303,203 10,303,203 Retained earnings 18,640,186 14,745,129 Equity in affiliated Vintage Beverage segments of business 490,395 689,691 Accumulated other comprehensive income - unrealized gains on securities 744,739 609,699 ----------- ----------- 30,283,123 26,452,322 Less treasury stock, at cost, 3,351.8 Class B shares 3,876,021 3,876,021 ----------- ----------- TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 26,407,102 22,576,301 ----------- ----------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $35,146,409 $33,057,632 =========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 2 5 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES (NOTE 1) COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
JANUARY 1, January 2, January 3, Years Ended 2000 1999 1998 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (52 WEEKS) (52 Weeks) (53 Weeks) NET SALES (NOTES 10 AND 11) $84,915,848 $87,525,252 $99,061,871 COST OF SALES (NOTE 10) 60,980,849 62,740,573 71,063,899 ----------- ----------- ----------- GROSS PROFIT 23,934,999 24,784,679 27,997,972 OPERATING EXPENSES, INCLUDING INTEREST EXPENSE OF $65,629, $459,001 AND $721,757 (NOTES 1 AND 7) 15,871,513 18,495,242 21,787,882 ----------- ----------- ----------- INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 8,063,486 6,289,437 6,210,090 OTHER INCOME, NET (NOTE 12) 151,011 163,979 187,978 ----------- ----------- ----------- INCOME BEFORE ITEMS BELOW 8,214,497 6,453,416 6,398,068 PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF CORPORATE INCOME TAXES (NOTES 2 AND 10) 3,651,608 1,211,899 119,175 ----------- ----------- ----------- INCOME BEFORE STATE AND LOCAL TAXES 4,562,889 5,241,517 6,278,893 STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES (NOTE 2) 221,282 127,346 -- ----------- ----------- ----------- NET INCOME 4,341,607 5,114,171 6,278,893 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - UNREALIZED GAINS ON SECURITIES (NOTES 2 AND 3) 135,040 332,469 137,853 ----------- ----------- ----------- COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (NOTE 2) $ 4,476,647 $ 5,446,640 $ 6,416,746 =========== =========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 3 6 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES (NOTE 1) COMBINED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years Ended January 1, 2000, January 2, 1999 and January 3, 1998 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Common Common Additional Stock - Stock - Paid-In Class A Class B Capital ------- ------- ----------- BALANCE - DECEMBER 29, 1996 $57,590 $47,010 $10,303,203 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (53 WEEKS): Net income -- -- -- Other comprehensive income -- -- -- DISTRIBUTIONS TO AFFILIATES (NOTE 1) -- -- -- ------- ------- ----------- BALANCE - JANUARY 3, 1998 57,590 47,010 10,303,203 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (52 WEEKS): Net income -- -- -- Other comprehensive income -- -- -- DISTRIBUTIONS TO AFFILIATES (NOTE 1) -- -- -- ------- ------- ----------- BALANCE - JANUARY 2, 1999 57,590 47,010 10,303,203 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (52 WEEKS): Net income -- -- -- Other comprehensive income -- -- -- DISTRIBUTIONS TO AFFILIATES (NOTE 1) -- -- -- ------- ------- ----------- BALANCE - JANUARY 1, 2000 $57,590 $47,010 $10,303,203 ======= ======= ===========
Years Ended January 1, 2000, January 2, 1999 and January 3, 1998 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equity in Affiliated Accumulated Vintage Beverage Other Total Retained Segments of Comprehensive Treasury Stockholders' Earnings Business Income Stock Equity ----------- -------------------- ------------- ----------- ------------- BALANCE - DECEMBER 29, 1996 $ 3,775,283 $ 797,545 $139,377 $(3,876,021) $ 11,243,987 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (53 WEEKS): Net income 6,097,121 181,772 -- -- 6,278,893 Other comprehensive income -- -- 137,853 -- 137,853 DISTRIBUTIONS TO AFFILIATES (NOTE 1) -- (251,516) -- -- (251,516) ----------- --------- -------- ----------- ------------ BALANCE - JANUARY 3, 1998 9,872,404 727,801 277,230 (3,876,021) 17,409,217 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (52 WEEKS): Net income 4,872,725 241,446 -- -- 5,114,171 Other comprehensive income -- -- 332,469 -- 332,469 DISTRIBUTIONS TO AFFILIATES (NOTE 1) -- (279,556) -- -- (279,556) ----------- --------- -------- ----------- ------------ BALANCE - JANUARY 2, 1999 14,745,129 689,691 609,699 (3,876,021) 22,576,301 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (52 WEEKS): Net income 3,895,057 446,550 -- -- 4,341,607 Other comprehensive income -- -- 135,040 -- 135,040 DISTRIBUTIONS TO AFFILIATES (NOTE 1) -- (645,846) -- -- (645,846) ----------- --------- -------- ----------- ------------ BALANCE - JANUARY 1, 2000 $18,640,186 $ 490,395 $744,739 $(3,876,021) $ 26,407,102 =========== ========= ======== =========== ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 4 7 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES (NOTE 1) COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
JANUARY 1, January 2, January 3 Years Ended 2000 1999 1998 (52 WEEKS) (52 Weeks) (53 Weeks) ----------- ----------- ------------ CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 4,341,607 $ 5,114,171 $ 6,278,893 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 3,385,411 3,777,217 3,937,409 Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment (1,533) (5,221) (21,109) Payment of license fees -- (1,450,000) (4,400,000) Equity in undistributed earnings of affiliates -- -- (18,446) Net change in operating assets and liabilities: (Increase) decrease in: Accounts receivable (1,868,807) 1,731,558 7,374,909 Inventories (1,469,561) 53,407 1,443,300 Prepaid expenses 20,641 (160,347) (108,502) Pallets (210,900) (111,508) 179,176 Security deposits and other assets (103,162) 1,821 950 Increase (decrease) in: Accounts payable 118,389 (252,235) (11,313,913) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 301,967 (1,005,100) 2,196,792 Income taxes payable (37,149) 127,346 -- ----------- ----------- ------------ Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 4,476,903 7,821,109 5,549,459 ----------- ----------- ------------ CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures (568,807) (1,367,219) (1,718,789) Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment 4,175 30,683 23,394 Proceeds from payments on notes receivable -- 180,954 22,620 Distribution from affiliates -- 385,414 156,097 Distributions to affiliates (Note 1) (645,846) (279,556) (251,516) Purchase of marketable securities (825,000) -- -- ----------- ----------- ------------ Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (2,035,478) (1,049,724) (1,768,194) ----------- ----------- ------------ CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES - Repayments of notes payable - affiliates (2,125,231) (5,677,588) (3,302,733) ----------- ----------- ------------ Net Cash Used in Financing Activities (2,125,231) (5,677,588) (3,302,733) ----------- ----------- ------------ NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS $ 316,194 $ 1,093,797 $ 478,532 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF YEAR 1,862,901 769,104 290,572 ----------- ----------- ------------ CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF YEAR $ 2,179,095 $ 1,862,901 $ 769,104 =========== =========== ============ SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid for interest $ 65,629 $ 459,001 $ 721,757 Cash paid for income taxes 266,800 -- --
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 5 8 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. DESCRIPTION OF DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS - Concord Beverage BUSINESS AND BASIS OF Company (Concord) bottles and distributes soft PRESENTATION drinks from its two locations in Concordville, Pennsylvania and Elizabeth, New Jersey. Concord distributes various house and private label products to supermarket chains and other retail outlets located in the eastern part of the United States. In addition, certain of Concord's affiliates (as defined below) bottle and distribute the Vintage Beverage brand to similar type customers. The Company grants credit to substantially all of its customers. BASIS OF PRESENTATION - The accompanying combined financial statements include the accounts of Concord, Vintage Beverage Corporation and the Vintage Beverage brand segments of Concord's affiliates, Beverage Capital Corporation ("Beverage Capital") and Canada Dry Bottling Company of New York ("Canada Dry") (the "Affiliates"), all of which are under common control. As Beverage Capital and Canada Dry do not prepare stand-alone financial statements for their Vintage Beverage segments, the financial statements of the segments were derived from the books and records of the respective entities and include the revenue earned from the sale of Vintage Brand products and direct expenses incurred by the segments and an allocation of expenses, which benefited the segments but were not directly charged to the segments. These financial statements do not purport to represent the combined financial position, results of operations and cash flows that would have resulted if the segments operated on a stand-alone basis or if they were owned by Concord. Concord together with the above noted affiliates are referred to as the "Company". All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Distributions to affiliates represent the difference between the net income earned by Vintage Beverage Corporation, and the Vintage Beverage brand segments of Beverage Capital and Canada Dry and the net assets retained in each of the segments as of the end of each of the respective reporting periods. 2. SUMMARY OF INVENTORIES - Inventories are stated at the SIGNIFICANT lower of cost (determined by the first-in, ACCOUNTING POLICIES first-out method) or market. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided by use of straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets which 6 9 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS range from three years to thirty-nine and a half years. DEFERRED CHARGES AND AMORTIZATION - Deferred charges include license fees which are being amortized based on cases sold pursuant to the terms of the license agreements. INCOME TAXES - Concord and its stockholders have elected to have Concord taxed as an S corporation for Federal and Pennsylvania income tax reporting purposes. Accordingly, there is no provision for Federal and Pennsylvania income taxes since income earned as an S corporation will be taxed at the individual stockholder level. Concord is subject to New Jersey corporate taxes. One of the affiliates is subject to New York corporate taxes. The state and local income tax (benefit) is included in the tax expense related to the income (loss) from this segment. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents for purposes of the statements of cash flows. The Company maintains cash balances with financial institutions in amounts that exceed the Federal Government's deposit insurance. ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company considers the allocation of expenses related to sales of the Vintage Beverage brand by certain of its affiliates to be a significant estimate used in the preparation of these combined financial statements (See Note 1.) FISCAL YEAR END - The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest December 31. The years ended January 1, 2000 and January 2, 1999 contained fifty-two weeks, respectively, and the year ended January 3, 1998 contained fifty-three weeks. PENSION PLAN - The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension plan in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions." 7 10 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - During 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," issued in June 1997 by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general-purpose financial statements. Comprehensive income includes net income and other comprehensive income. Comprehensive income is defined as the change in net assets of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. The 1997 financial statements have been restated to reflect the adoption of this accounting standard. 3. MARKETABLE SECURITIES The Company accounts for its marketable securities in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 115, the Company's marketable securities (consisting solely of equity securities) were classified as available for sale and are reported at their approximate fair value. For 1999, 1998 and 1997, there were no sales of investments classified as available for sale. As of January 1, 2000 and January 2, 1999, unrealized gains were $744,739 and $609,699, respectively. There were no unrealized losses as of January 1, 2000 and January 2, 1999. 4. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following:
January 1, January 2, 2000 1999 ---------- ---------- Finished goods $3,367,362 $2,824,313 Raw materials 3,881,244 2,954,732 ---------- ---------- $7,248,606 $5,779,045 ========== ==========
8 11 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND Property, plant and equipment consist of the EQUIPMENT following:
January 1, January 2, 2000 1999 ----------- ---------- Land $ 648,179 $ 648,179 Buildings and improvements 7,915,100 7,915,100 Machinery and equipment 20,557,913 20,144,068 Transportation equipment 1,289,115 1,239,267 Furniture and fixtures 1,479,732 1,389,775 ----------- ----------- 31,890,039 31,336,389 Less accumulated depreciation 24,137,496 22,277,133 ----------- ----------- $ 7,752,543 $ 9,059,256 =========== ===========
Depreciation expense for 1999, 1998 and 1997 amounted to $1,872,826, $2,140,495 and $2,137,801, respectively. 6. DEFERRED CHARGES During 1998, the Company paid $500,000 to a AND OTHER COSTS customer to manufacture and supply beverages to that customer. The agreement with the customer expires the later of September 30, 2002 or the date on which the customer purchases and pays for 6,000,000 cases. The Company is not required to make any additional payments for purchases in excess of 6,000,000 cases. During 1997, the Company paid $2,000,000 ("1997 Agreement") to a second customer to extend a license that the Company has to manufacture and supply beverages for the customer. The 1997 Agreement expires on the later of September 1, 2001 or the date by which the second customer purchases and pays for 24,000,000 cases. During 1997, the Company paid $950,000 for a license to manufacture and supply beverages to a third customer. The agreement with the third customer, which expires on December 31, 2000, requires that the Company make a $950,000 annual payment at the beginning of each year. In accordance with this agreement, the Company is required to annually supply the lesser of all of the third customer's requirement or 4,000,000 cases. If the third customer has not purchased 16,000,000 9 12 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS cases at the end of the contract, the third customer can either extend the agreement until 16,000,000 cases are purchased or pay the Company for the difference based on a price specified in the agreement. The 1999 and 1998 payments were made in December 1998 and December 1997, respectively. In addition, the Company is required to pay a specified amount per case for the cases purchased annually by the third customer in excess of 4,000,000 cases. The 1999 and 1998 cases purchased did not exceed this amount. In addition, during 1997, the Company paid $500,000 for a license to manufacture and supply beverages to a fourth customer. The agreement with the fourth customer expires on the later of July 31, 2001 or the date on which the customer purchases and pays for 2,200,000 cases. At the end of the agreement, the Company is required to pay the fourth customer a specified amount per case for any cases purchased in excess of 2,200,000 cases. During 1996, the Company paid $300,000 to a fifth customer to manufacture and supply beverages. The agreement with the fifth customer expires on the later of October 2001 or the date by which the fifth customer purchases and pays for 3,375,000 cases. During the agreement term, the fifth customer is obligated to purchase 3,375,000 cases, including a minimum of 675,000 cases each year. 7. NOTES PAYABLE During 1995, the Company entered into a note payable to an affiliated company. The note was payable in monthly installments of $205,320, including interest at 7% per annum through 1999. The Company made additional principal payments of $1,921,764 during 1998. The remaining balance of $2,125,231 was repaid during 1999. During 1996, the Company entered into a second note payable for $3,000,000 with the affiliated company. The second note bore interest at 7% per annum and was paid in full during 1998. 8. COMMITMENTS LEASES - The Company leases warehouse and office space under long-term operating leases. The minimum annual rentals under the leases are as follows: 2000 $ 1,238,828 2001 527,476 2002 404,544 ---------------- $ 2,170,848 ================
10 13 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Total rental expense for warehouse and office space, trucks, trailers, forklifts and office equipment was approximately $1,889,000, $2,097,000 and $2,230,000 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Rent expense includes short-term leases. OTHER - In connection with the sale of certain assets by an affiliate to a non-related third party, the Company agreed to purchase all of its plastic bottles from the third party for a five-year period effective July 1997. 9. BENEFIT PLANS The Company maintains a defined benefit pension plan covering those employees who are included in a collective bargaining agreement. The benefits are based on a fixed monthly benefit for each year of service. The amount charged to expense for the union defined benefit pension plan was approximately $155,000, $192,000 and $289,000 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The following sets forth the Plan's funded status and related amounts recognized in the Company's financial statements as of January 1, 2000 and January 2, 1999:
January 1, January 2, 2000 1999 ----------- ----------- Benefit obligation $(4,756,032) $(4,637,367) Fair value of plan assets 5,726,024 5,384,470 ----------- ----------- Funded status $ 969,992 $ 747,103 =========== =========== Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost recognized in the balance sheet $ (11,413) $ 143,291
The benefit cost charged to operations as well as employer contributions and benefits paid for each of the three years included in the period ended January 1, 2000 are as follows: 11 14 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1999 1998 1997 -------- -------- -------- Benefit cost $154,704 $192,432 $289,232 Employer contributions -- 456,812 229,674 Benefits paid 112,521 175,202 65,285
The weighted average discount rate used in determining the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation was 7.50%, 6.75% and 7.25% in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The expected long-term rate of return on assets was 9% in all three years. The Company maintains a noncontributory profit-sharing plan covering those employees not included in a collective bargaining agreement. The Company also maintains a 401(k) Plan covering all eligible employees. Contributions under both plans are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Contributions under both plans were $315,887, $341,975 and $257,319 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. 10. TRANSACTIONS WITH The Company's purchases from related parties, RELATED PARTIES primarily for raw materials, were approximately $2,768,000, $3,742,000 and $18,445,000 in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Net sales and cost reimbursements (which reimbursements are accounted for as reductions of cost of sales) to related parties were approximately $13,773,060, $13,482,000 and $11,139,000 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Concord and one of its affiliates have a contractual obligation with its stockholders to pay directly to taxing authorities an amount equal to the income tax liability resulting from Taxable Income. The income tax liability is computed by applying the stockholders' marginal tax rate to Taxable Income. Payments are made on dates coincidental with the estimated tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. Payments in lieu of corporate income taxes relating to Concord's Taxable Income reported for 1998 do not include the payments of stockholders' fourth quarter estimated tax requirements of approximately $1,144,000, which were paid in 1999. The stockholders agreed to defer the State payments of approximately $168,000 in lieu of corporate income taxes for 1997 until April 1998. The Company has determined that it has no federal liability under the agreement at December 31, 1997 inasmuch as the income tax benefit to 12 15 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS the stockholders from the loss incurred by the Company in prior years substantially eliminates the stockholders' income tax liability attributable to the Company's 1997 Taxable Income. 11. MAJOR CUSTOMERS Approximately 67%, 71% and 65%, respectively, of the Company's 1999, 1998 and 1997 net sales were to four major customers. Net trade accounts receivable as of January 1, 2000 and January 2, 1999 from these major customers were approximately $3,939,000, and $3,496,000, respectively. 12. OTHER INCOME, NET Other income, net, consists of the following for 1999, 1998 and 1997:
1999 1998 1997 -------- -------- -------- Interest and dividend income $149,478 $158,758 $148,423 Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment 1,533 5,221 21,109 Equity in undistributed earnings of affiliates -- -- 18,446 -------- -------- -------- $151,011 $163,979 $187,978 ======== ======== ========
13. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - Trade are net of an TRADE, NET allowance for uncollectible accounts of $135,800 and $70,780 at January 1, 2000 and January 2, 1999, respectively. 14. SUBSEQUENT EVENT On October 18, 2000, substantially all of the assets subject to certain liabilities and the business of Concord as well as the Vintage Beverage brand segments of certain of its affiliates were sold to a third party. The Company received $53,747,823 in cash plus two promissory notes in the principal amounts of $7,166,376 and $10,749,564. The promissory notes are due in one year. 13
EX-2.4 3 b37710ccex2-4.txt UNAUDITED COMBINED INTERIM BALANCE SHEET 1 Exhibit 2.4 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES Combined Financial Statements Nine months ended September 30, 2000 2 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES COMBINED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME For the nine months ended September 30, 2000 Net sales $66,096,429 Cost of sales 46,988,369 ----------- GROSS PROFIT 19,108,060 Operating expenses 13,610,841 ----------- INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 5,497,219 Other income, net 171,729 ----------- INCOME BEFORE ITEMS BELOW 5,668,948 Payments in lieu of taxes 3,540,546 ----------- INCOME BEFORE STATE & LOCAL TAXES 2,128,402 State & local taxes 152,710 ----------- NET INCOME 1,975,691 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - UNREALIZED LOSSES ON SECURITIES (252,605) ------------ COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 1,723,086 ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 3 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES COMBINED BALANCE SHEET As of September 30, 2000 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,590,938 Marketable securities 1,463,085 Accounts receivable Trade, net 6,337,921 Affiliates 1,156,403 Other 2,272,448 Inventories (Note 2) 8,409,318 Prepaid expenses 56,175 ----------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 25,286,288 ----------- PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET (NOTE 3) 6,471,579 ----------- OTHER ASSETS: Deferred charges and other costs, net of accumulated amortization of $8,788,043 for 1999 and $7,275,644 for 1998 4,509,031 Construction-in-progress 525,723 Pallets 841,761 Security deposits and other assets 34,448 ----------- TOTAL OTHER ASSETS 5,910,963 ----------- TOTAL ASSETS $37,668,830 ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 4 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES COMBINED BALANCE SHEET As of September 30, 2000 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Current portion of notes payable $ -- Accounts payable: Trade 4,677,789 Affiliates 443,698 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 4,527,502 Income taxes payable ----------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 9,648,989 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Common stock: Class A, $10 par value, voting, Authorized - 10,000 shares Issued and outstanding - 5,759 shares 57,590 Class B, $10 par value, nonvoting, Authorized - 10,000 shares Issued - 4,701 shares 47,010 Additional paid-in capital 10,303,203 Retained earnings 20,536,529 Accumulated other comprehensive income - -- unrealized gains on securities 492,134 Equity in affiliated Vintage Beverage segments of business 459,396 ----------- 31,895,861 Less treasury stock, at cost, 3,351.8 Class B shares 3,876,021 ----------- TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 28,019,840 ----------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $37,668,830 ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 5 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2000 09/30/00 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 1,975,691 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 2,435,398 Proceeds from sale of marketable securities 25,000 Net change in operating assets and liabilities: (Increase) decrease in: Accounts receivable 643,120 Inventories (1,160,712) Prepaid expenses 397,465 Pallets (557,768) Security deposits and other assets (27,404) Increase (decrease) in: Accounts payable 173,338 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 826,541 Income taxes payable (90,197) ----------- Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 4,640,472 ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures (118,280) Distribution to affiliates (110,349) Purchase of franchise contracts (1,000,000) ----------- Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (1,228,629) ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: 0 ----------- NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 3,411,843 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF YEAR 2,179,095 ----------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF YEAR $ 5,590,938 =========== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ -- Income taxes 248,000
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. 6 CONCORD BEVERAGE COMPANY AND THE VINTAGE BEVERAGE SEGMENTS OF ITS AFFILIATES NOTES TO THE COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the nine months ended September 30, 2000 NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION The unaudited combined financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all information and notes presented in the annual consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of management, the statements reflect all adjustments that are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. NOTE 2 - INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following: Finished goods $ 4,614,982 Raw materials 3,386,533 Other 408,803 ------------ $ 8,409,318 ============
NOTE 3 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Cost $31,846,320 Accumulated depreciation (25,374,741) ------------ $ 6,471,579 ============
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----