EX-99.1 3 dex991.htm THE AUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS OF THE HOLMES GROUP, INC. The audited consolidated balance sheets of The Holmes Group, Inc.

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

The Holmes Group, Inc.

Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Index

December 31, 2004

 

     Page(s)

Report of Independent Auditors

   1

Consolidated Financial Statements

    

Balance Sheets

   2

Statements of Operations

   3

Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

   4

Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

   5

Statements of Cash Flows

   6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   7-32


Report of Independent Auditors

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

The Holmes Group, Inc.

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Holmes Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 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 of these statements 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and changed its method of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets as of January 1, 2002.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

March 15, 2005

 

1


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2004 and 2003

 

(in thousands except share and per share amounts)

 

   2004

    2003

 

Assets

                

Current assets

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,347     $ 6,080  

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $4,923 in 2004 and $7,043 in 2003

     127,404       119,631  

Inventories

     131,500       110,957  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     6,673       4,864  

Deferred income taxes

     23,220       12,317  
    


 


Total current assets

     302,144       253,849  

Property and equipment, net

     48,015       44,805  

Deposits and other assets

     1,866       3,097  

Debt issuance costs, net

     8,134       5,885  

Deferred income taxes

     4,526       3,927  
    


 


     $ 364,685     $ 311,563  
    


 


Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

                

Current liabilities

                

Accounts payable

   $ 69,361     $ 49,634  

Current portion of Credit Facility

     2,500       6,594  

Accrued income taxes

     14,547       6,206  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     44,575       51,471  

Current portion of pension obligation

     939       2,299  

Deferred income taxes

     566       820  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     132,488       117,024  

Long-term portion of Credit Facility

     330,865       98,565  

Senior subordinated notes

     —         99,632  

Long-term portion of pension obligation

     4,684       4,191  

Other liabilities

     3,843       8,587  

Deferred income taxes

     2,891       2,124  

Commitments and contingencies

                

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

                

Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized - 28,500,000 shares; Issued - 22,420,014 shares (20,331,566 shares at December 31, 2003); outstanding - 21,609,166 shares (20,330,686 at December 31, 2003)

     22       20  

Additional paid in capital

     1,375       68,874  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (546 )     (3,453 )

Treasury stock, at cost - 810,848 shares (880 shares at December 31, 2003)

     (67,948 )     (62,076 )

Retained earnings (deficit)

     (42,989 )     (21,925 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     (110,086 )     (18,560 )
    


 


     $ 364,685     $ 311,563  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

2


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Net sales

   $ 694,600     $ 623,756     $ 608,554  

Cost of sales

     498,420       432,657       444,577  
    


 


 


Gross profit

     196,180       191,099       163,977  

Selling and administrative expenses

     119,749       115,618       120,566  

Restructuring costs (income)

     (195 )     1,899       28,006  
    


 


 


Operating income

     76,626       73,582       15,405  

Other income and expense

                        

Interest expense

     24,589       25,389       29,615  

Loss (gain) on retirement of debt

     9,233       —         (22,388 )

Gain on sale of business

     —         —         (9,488 )

Other, net

     (2,513 )     489       (1,130 )
    


 


 


       31,309       25,878       (3,391 )
    


 


 


Income before income taxes, equity in earnings from joint venture and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     45,317       47,704       18,796  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     3,170       (1,926 )     (148 )

Equity in earnings from joint venture

     (2,353 )     (2,548 )     (2,990 )
    


 


 


Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     44,500       52,178       21,934  

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     —         —         (79,838 )
    


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 44,500     $ 52,178     $ (57,904 )
    


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

3


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

   2003

   2002

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 44,500    $ 52,178    $ (57,904 )

Other comprehensive income (loss)

                      

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     1,877      1,149      (187 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment, net

     1,030      2,629      (7,042 )
    

  

  


Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 47,407    $ 55,956    $ (65,133 )
    

  

  


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(in thousands)

 

   Common Stock
$.001 Par Value


   Additional
Paid-In
Capital


    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)


    Treasury
Stock


    Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)


    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
(Deficit)


 
   Shares

   Par

          

Balance at December 31, 2001

   20,332    $ 20    $ 68,874     $ (2 )   $ (62,076 )   $ (16,199 )   $ (9,383 )

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   —        —        —         (187 )     —         —         (187 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment

   —        —        —         (7,042 )     —         —         (7,042 )

Net loss

   —        —        —         —         —         (57,904 )     (57,904 )
    
  

  


 


 


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2002

   20,332      20      68,874       (7,231 )     (62,076 )     (74,103 )     (74,516 )

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   —        —        —         1,149       —         —         1,149  

Minimum pension liability adjustment

   —        —        —         2,629       —         —         2,629  

Net income

   —        —        —         —         —         52,178       52,178  
    
  

  


 


 


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2003

   20,332      20      68,874       (3,453 )     (62,076 )     (21,925 )     (18,560 )

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   —        —        —         1,877       —         —         1,877  

Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefits of $1,820

   —        —        —         1,030       —         —         1,030  

Issuance of common stock

   2,088      2      9,129       —         —         —         9,131  

Stock option compensation expense

   —        —        475       —         —         —         475  

Income tax benefits resulting from exercise of stock options

   —        —        551       —         —         —         551  

Repurchase of common stock

   —        —        —         —         (5,872 )     —         (5,872 )

Cash dividends on common stock

   —        —        (77,654 )     —         —         (65,564 )     (143,218 )

Net income

   —        —        —         —         —         44,500       44,500  
    
  

  


 


 


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2004

   22,420    $ 22    $ 1,375     $ (546 )   $ (67,948 )   $ (42,989 )   $ (110,086 )
    
  

  


 


 


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Cash flows from operating activities

                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 44,500     $ 52,178     $ (57,904 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

                        

Depreciation and amortization

     10,638       10,747       13,989  

Amortization of debt related costs and other non-cash interest

     4,162       6,902       7,010  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     (329 )     236       6,134  

Equity in earnings of joint venture

     (2,353 )     (2,548 )     (2,990 )

Compensation expense and tax benefits related to stock options

     1,026       —         —    

Loss on disposal of assets

     147       33       884  

Gain on sale of business

     —         —         (9,488 )

Loss (gain) on retirement of debt

     9,233       —         (22,388 )

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     —         —         79,838  

Deferred income taxes

     (9,179 )     (3,814 )     790  

Restructuring and other asset impairment charges

     —         1,122       21,090  

Pension plan settlement charge, net

     —         1,581       —    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

                        

Accounts receivable

     (5,840 )     8,397       7,604  

Inventories

     (19,343 )     (721 )     (11,539 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (2,007 )     (1,169 )     500  

Deposits and other assets

     (1,310 )     (5,414 )     1,094  

Accounts payable

     19,628       5,367       7,524  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     (10,245 )     (1,753 )     7,761  

Accrued income taxes

     6,696       (1,116 )     948  
    


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     45,424       70,028       50,857  

Cash flows from investing activities

                        

Proceeds from sale of business and assets held for sale

     —         6,883       15,100  

Distribution of earnings from joint venture

     2,092       2,693       2,472  

Purchases of property and equipment

     (14,309 )     (12,917 )     (14,554 )

Cash received from joint venture partner

     —         293       —    
    


 


 


Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     (12,217 )     (3,048 )     3,018  

Cash flows from financing activities

                        

Repayments of expiring Credit Facility

     (105,159 )     (70,475 )     (42,248 )

Borrowings under new Credit Facility, net

     333,325       —         —    

Repayment of senior subordinated notes

     (104,082 )     —         (11,550 )

Debt issuance costs

     (8,963 )     —         (1,579 )

Issuance of common stock

     9,131       —         —    

Repurchase of common stock

     (5,872 )     —         —    

Cash dividends paid

     (143,218 )     —         —    
    


 


 


Net cash used for financing activities

     (24,838 )     (70,475 )     (55,377 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (1,102 )     1,149       (187 )
    


 


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     7,267       (2,346 )     (1,689 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     6,080       8,426       10,115  
    


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 13,347     $ 6,080     $ 8,426  
    


 


 


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

                        

Cash paid for interest

   $ 20,552     $ 18,809     $ 23,252  

Cash paid for (refund of) income taxes

     2,882       3,782       (2,716 )

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

6


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

1. Nature of Business

 

The Holmes Group, Inc. (the “Company” or “THG”), along with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, imports and sells consumer durable goods, including fans, heaters, humidifiers, air purifiers, small kitchen electric appliances and lighting products under the Holmes®, Rival®, Bionaire®, Crock-Pot®, Patton®, Family Care®, Seal-a-Meal® and White Mountain® brands to retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Holmes Products (Far East) Limited (HPFEL) and its subsidiaries manufacture, source and sell consumer durable goods, mainly to THG and its subsidiaries. HPFEL and its subsidiaries operate facilities in China and Taiwan.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements.

 

The most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements include estimates used in the determination of liabilities and valuation allowances related to product recall and warranty activity, taxation and restructuring allowances, collectiblity of accounts receivable, inventory valuations and certain benefits provided to current employees. Various assumptions and other factors underlie the determination of these significant estimates. The process of determining significant estimates is fact specific and takes into account factors such as historical experience, current and expected economic conditions, product mix, and in some cases, actuarial techniques. The Company constantly reevaluates these significant factors and, where facts and circumstances dictate, revises the accounting estimates.

 

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statement is as follows:

 

Basis of Consolidation

 

The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of THG and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts in the prior years’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Translation of Foreign Currencies

 

Assets and liabilities of foreign entities, where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Stockholders’ equity (deficit) is translated at historical exchange rates and income, expense and cash flow items are translated at average exchange rates, which approximate actual rates, in the period in which the transactions occurred. Adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are recorded as an adjustment to the accumulated other comprehensive income component of stockholders’

 

7


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

equity (deficit). Gains and losses resulting from remeasurement of balances or transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, totaling a net gain of $1,297,000 in 2004, a net loss of $910,000 in 2003, and a net gain of $62,000 in 2002, are included in other income and expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

All highly liquid debt instruments, which primarily consist of cash and money market accounts, including overnight repurchase instruments, with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash overdrafts are classified as accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in our existing accounts receivable. We determine the allowance based on historical write-off experience and specific analysis of our customers’ financial condition. We review our allowance for doubtful accounts at least on a quarterly basis. Past due balances over 90 days and over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectibility. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when we feel it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. We do not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to our customers.

 

Business and Credit Concentrations

 

The Company sells its products to retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe. Two customers accounted for approximately 31% ($188.6 million) and 12% ($73.0 million) in 2002, 31% ($199.4 million) and 13% ($81.1 million) in 2003 and 32% ($222.3 million) and 12% ($83.4 million) of consolidated sales in 2004. Accounts receivable due from the two largest customers amounted to 39% and 43% of total accounts receivable at December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

Certain of the Company’s retail customers have filed for bankruptcy protection during the last three years. Management monitors and evaluates the credit status of its customers, and adjusts sales terms and, where necessary, allowances for doubtful accounts as appropriate. The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses based on management’s estimates of the creditworthiness of its customers. Should conditions warrant, the Company may need to increase these reserves, which may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s earnings. Management does not believe that the Company is subject to any other unusual risks beyond the normal credit risk attendant to operating its business.

 

On January 22, 2002, Kmart Corporation, a significant customer of the Company in 2001, filed a petition for voluntary bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. With respect to the accounts receivable balances due from Kmart Corporation at December 31, 2001, management estimated and recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $14.1 million in 2001 and increased the allowance by $700,000 during 2002, based on an updated assessment of the fair value of the receivables. During 2003, the Company recorded a bad debt recovery of $743,000 upon the sale of the Company’s remaining Kmart claims to a financial institution.

 

Kmart Corporation emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2003. In April 2003, the Company entered into an agreement with a financial institution covering the sale of accounts receivable from certain customers, including Kmart. This arrangement has been treated as a sale of financial assets in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board No. 140,

 

8


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. Accordingly, the receivables have been removed from the consolidated balance sheet as of the date of sale. These arrangements are strictly for the purpose of insuring selected receivables. The Company pays fees based upon a percentage of the gross amount of each receivable purchased by the financial institution. Other income and expense in the 2003 and 2004 consolidated statements of operations includes costs of $953,000 and $884,000, respectively, related to this arrangement. During 2003, the Company was obligated to repurchase the accounts receivable from the financial institution in certain circumstances if the balance remained unpaid for a period of 60 days beyond the due date of the receivable. However, if within 90 days of the repurchase transaction, the customer filed a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy petition or publicly declared a general moratorium on payment of trade vendor obligations, the financial institution was required to repurchase the unpaid receivable from the Company. In February 2004, the agreement was amended retroactively to remove the 60-day repurchase obligation. The Company terminated this arrangement effective January 1, 2005 after evaluating the improved financial condition of Kmart Holdings, including its planned merger transaction with Sears, Roebuck and Co. The financial institution held $3.5 million at December 31, 2003 and $6.4 million at December 31, 2004 of accounts receivable which had been purchased for cash from the Company.

 

Inventories

 

All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, except that the cost for certain domestically manufactured inventories at December 31, 2003 and 2004, which represented approximately 6% and 0%, respectively, of total inventory, was determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment of Disposal of Long-Lived Assets in 2002. The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated, undiscounted cash flows are less than recorded value of the asset. If impairment is determined to exist, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value as determined using an appraisal or a valuation using discounted cash flows.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Effective at the beginning of 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (FAS 142), which established financial accounting and reporting standards for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets. The Company completed the transitional and annual impairment test in 2002 and concluded its goodwill was impaired (see Note 3). Deposits and other assets at December 31, 2003 and 2004 include $1,778,000 and $1,445,000, respectively, related to patent license rights acquired during 2003, which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over a six-year period. There are no indefinite-lived intangible assets recorded as of December 31, 2003 or 2004.

 

9


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition”. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of title and risk of loss, which generally occurs upon shipment, or for certain shipments, upon delivery to the customer.

 

Upon the recognition of revenue, the Company estimates and records, as a component of net sales, provisions for anticipated sales returns and other customer sales incentives such as volume rebates, co-operative advertising programs, warranty programs and other trade allowances. These provisions are estimated based on historical experience and negotiated arrangements with certain customers.

 

Revenues for shipping and handling are recorded as net sales, while the associated costs are recorded in selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Selling and administrative expenses include freight costs of approximately $12.6 million, $14.0 million and $14.5 million in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

Product Development

 

Research, engineering and product development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling and administrative expenses. These expenses totaled $9.0 million, $9.8 million and $10.8 million in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

Advertising

 

Advertising costs, which are expensed as incurred and included in selling and administrative expenses in the accompanying statements of operations, totaled $1.7 million, $3.1 million and $1.8 million in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. The Company also offers co-operative advertising arrangements to its retail customers. In November 2001, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus on Issue No. 01-9, Accounting for Consideration Given to a Customer or a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products. EITF No. 01-9 addresses the recognition, measurement and income statement classification of consideration from a vendor to a customer in connection with the customer’s purchase or promotion of the vendor’s products. The consensus affects revenue and expense classifications and does not change reported net income. The Company adopted the required accounting as of January 1, 2002, and classifies co-operative advertising expenses as deductions from net sales.

 

In conjunction with shipments of inventory to a third party in 1998, the Company received trade credits totaling $2.3 million to be used for the purchase of advertising media, merchandise or services, subject to certain limitations and cash co-payments. In 2002, the Company recorded a noncash impairment charge of $1.2 million to adjust the value of the credits to the amount expected to be utilized in a consumer advertising campaign planned for fiscal 2003. In the second quarter of 2003, the Company recorded an additional impairment charge of $1.1 million based on a reevaluation of its plan to use these credits. While the Company may evaluate other alternatives to use the remaining trade credits before they expire in 2006, no value has been assigned to the credits as of December 31, 2003 and 2004.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, as set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FAS 109 requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

 

 

10


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

Pension Obligations

 

The Company recognizes obligations associated with its defined benefit pension plan in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, Employers Accounting for Pensions (FAS 87).

 

Liabilities and expenses are calculated by accredited independent actuaries. As required by FAS 87, the Company makes certain assumptions to value liabilities and to estimate the components of pension costs. These assumptions are evaluated annually, or whenever otherwise required by FAS 87, based on reviews of current plan information and current market information. The selection of assumptions requires a high degree of judgment and may materially change from period to period. The Company does not offer other defined benefits associated with post-retirement benefit plans other than pensions.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

As permitted under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (FAS 123), the Company accounts for its stock-based compensation plans using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (APB 25) and FASB Interpretation No. 44, Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation – an interpretation of APB 25 (FIN 44). All awards were granted with an exercise price equal to fair value of the Company’s stock. Accordingly, no stock compensation expense has been recognized in the consolidated statement of operations in 2002 or 2003. In 2004, the Company recorded $475,000 of stock compensation expense in connection with changes made to a stock option award to a former employee.

 

FAS 123 requires the presentation of certain pro forma information as if the Company has accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method. For purposes of this disclosure, the fair value of the fixed option grants was estimated using the Black Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted average fair value of the Company’s option grants for 2002, 2003 and 2004 was $0.84, $0.70 and $0.72, respectively, calculated utilizing the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     2004

    2003

    2002

 

Risk free interest rate

   3.66 %   3.12 %   4.62 %

Weighted average expected life (years)

   6.0     6.0     6.0  

 

11


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

If compensation expense for the Company’s option grants was determined in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123, the Company’s net income (loss) for the three years ended December 31, 2004 would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Reported net income (loss)

   $ 44,500     $ 52,178     $ (57,904 )

Stock-based employee compensation included in net income (loss)

     287       —         —    

Stock-based employee compensation determined under the fair value method for all awards

     (514 )     (650 )     (1,164 )
    


 


 


Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ 44,273     $ 51,528     $ (59,068 )
    


 


 


 

In 2003 and 2004, the pro forma adjustment is net of tax benefits of $415,000 and $152,000, respectively. No tax benefits were assumed in calculating the pro forma net loss in 2002 as a valuation allowance would have been recorded against these benefits.

 

Joint Venture

 

The Company holds a 49% interest in a limited liability corporation engaged in the manufacturing, sales and distribution of motors. The Company sells motors manufactured by HPFEL to the joint venture at fair market prices. In August 2004, General Electric Company sold its interest in the joint venture to Regal-Beloit Corporation resulting in the restructuring of certain agreements related to the joint venture. Regal Holmes Industries (RHI), formerly GE Holmes Industries (GEHI), had sales of $28.1 million, $30.9 million and $37.3 million during 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively, resulting in pre-tax earnings of $6.0 million in 2002, $5.1 million in 2003, and $4.6 million in 2004. The Company’s investment in the joint venture is accounted for in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting, which requires that the Company’s share of the joint venture’s income or loss be included in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company’s portion of the joint venture earnings, which are distributed in cash on a quarterly basis, and the gross profit earned by HPFEL were as follows for the three years ended December 31, 2004 (in thousands):

 

     Recorded as
HPFEL
Gross Profit


   Recorded as
Equity Earnings
from Joint Venture


   Total

2004

   $ 2,283    $ 2,353    $ 4,636

2003

     2,219      2,548      4,767

2002

     1,939      2,990      4,929

 

At December 31, 2003 and 2004, accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheet included $3.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively, representing amounts due from the joint venture. The Company’s sales of motors to the joint venture were approximately $17.6 million, $21.1 million, and $21.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

12


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

The Company accounts for comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income (FAS 130). As it relates to the Company, comprehensive income (loss) is defined as net income (loss) plus the change in currency translation adjustments and the minimum pension liability adjustment.

 

Financial Instruments

 

The Company enters into various types of financial instruments in the normal course of business. Fair values are estimated based on assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows and assumed discount rates reflecting varying degrees of perceived risk. Accordingly, the fair values may not represent actual values of the financial instruments that could have been realized as of year end or that will be realized in the future.

 

Fair values for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued income taxes approximate their carrying values at December 31, 2003 and 2004, due to their relatively short maturity. The fair values of the Company’s Credit Facility approximate its carrying values at December 31, 2003 and 2004 because the interest rates on these borrowings approximate current market rates. The fair value of the Company’s Senior Subordinated Notes, which were redeemed during 2004, was approximately 103% of their carrying value at December 31, 2003.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

On December 23, 2003 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB or the Board) released revised FASB Statement No. 132 (FAS 132), Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits. The revised standard provides required disclosures for pensions and other postretirement benefit plans and is designed to improve disclosure transparency in financial statements. The revised standard replaces existing pension disclosure requirements. The requirements of the standard are effective for the Company as of December 31, 2003. These revised disclosures have been incorporated into the 2003 and 2004 consolidated financial statements.

 

In 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46, (FIN 46), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. FIN 46 was intended to provide guidance in determining (1) whether consolidation is required under the “controlling financial interest” model of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (ARB 51), “Consolidated Financial Statements” (or other existing authoritative guidance) or, alternatively, (2) whether the variable interest model under FIN 46 should be used to account for existing and new entities. In December 2003, the FASB released a revised version of FIN 46 (FIN 46R) clarifying certain aspects of FIN 46 and providing certain entities with exemptions from the requirements of FIN 46. The variable interest model looks to identify the “primary beneficiary” (PB) of a variable interest entity (VIE). The PB is the party that is exposed to the majority of the risk or stands to benefit the most from the VIE’s activities. A VIE would be required to be consolidated if certain specified conditions are met. While FIN 46R only slightly modified the variable interest model from that contained in FIN 46, it did change guidance in many other areas. Some of the differences between FIN 46 and FIN 46R include, among others, (i) the addition of a scope exception for certain entities that meet the definition of a business provided that specified criteria are met, (ii) the addition of a scope exception in situations whereby an enterprise is unable to obtain certain information pertaining to the entity to comply with FIN 46R and (iii) the addition of a list of events that require reconsideration of whether an entity is a VIE and whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, rather than stating a general principle with examples as had been previously provided. Additionally, FIN 46R incorporates the guidance found in the

 

13


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

eight final FASB Staff Positions (FSPs) that were issued as of the release of FIN 46R. For entities that exist prior to December 31, 2003, FIN 46R must be adopted no later than the beginning of the first interim period of Fiscal 2005 and the provisions of FIN 46 are not required to be adopted. For new entities created after December 31, 2003, the Company will apply FIN 46R from the first date the Company becomes involved in the potential variable interest entity. The adoption of this statement did not have any impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment. This statement is a revision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and supersedes APB opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. The provisions of this statement are effective for interim or annual periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of this revision to determine the method of transition and the impact on its consolidated financial statements. It is, however, expected to have a negative effect on consolidated net income.

 

3. Change in Accounting Principle

 

In June 2001, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Under FAS 142, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are no longer amortized, but are reviewed annually at a minimum for potential impairment by comparing the carrying value to the fair value of the reporting unit to which they are assigned. The provisions of FAS 142 were effective for the Company’s 2002 fiscal year and, accordingly, the Company adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2002. The Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2001 included goodwill with a net book value of $79.8 million as a result of the acquisition of The Rival Company in 1999. There were no other finite or infinite lived intangible assets recorded as a result of this acquisition. In accordance with the new standard, the Company ceased goodwill amortization as of the beginning of fiscal 2002. FAS 142 requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at adoption utilizing a two-step methodology. The initial step of the process requires the Company to determine the fair value of each reporting unit and compare it to the carrying value, including the goodwill of such unit. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no impairment loss would be recognized. However, if the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the corresponding fair value, the goodwill of the unit may be impaired. The amount, if any, of the impairment would then be evaluated in the second step of the impairment testing which places the value of the goodwill balance to that which would be accounted for under purchase accounting.

 

In connection with adopting this standard, the Company, assisted by independent valuation consultants, completed the transitional testing of goodwill using a measurement date of January 1, 2002. The results of the transitional impairment testing indicated that the carrying values of the goodwill asset for both the Home Environment and Kitchen reporting units exceeded the estimated fair value of the units. The Company’s policy is to value goodwill and other intangible assets using a discounted cash flow and comparative market analysis. Accordingly, a noncash impairment charge has been recognized as a change in accounting principle as of the beginning of 2002. This impairment charge, which relates to the Company’s Consumer Durables segment, was $79.8 million on a before and after-tax basis.

 

14


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

4. Inventories

 

Inventories in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

 

     December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

   2003

 

Finished goods

   $ 113,572    $ 97,799  

Raw materials

     15,964      10,627  

Work-in-process

     1,964      2,594  
    

  


       131,500      111,020  

LIFO allowance

     —        (63 )
    

  


     $ 131,500    $ 110,957  
    

  


 

5. Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

  

Depreciable

Lives


   December 31,

 
      2004

    2003

 

Mold costs and tooling

   1 1/2-5 years    $ 41,958     $ 38,837  

Machinery and equipment

   7-10 years      32,196       32,623  

Buildings and leasehold improvements

   Life of lease - 40 years      17,800       17,250  

Computer equipment and software

   3-7 years      11,073       13,203  

Furniture and fixtures

   5-10 years      1,865       2,857  

Land

   Not applicable      1,427       1,418  

Motor vehicles

   4-5 years      465       490  
         


 


            106,784       106,678  

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

          (58,769 )     (61,873 )
         


 


          $ 48,015     $ 44,805  
         


 


 

15


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

6. Accrued Expenses

 

Accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets consist of the following:

 

     December 31,

(in thousands)

 

   2004

   2003

Sales returns and allowances

   $ 8,831    $ 6,525

Payroll and incentive compensation

     6,110      6,240

Co-operative advertisting allowances

     5,648      7,139

Interest

     1,877      2,014

Product recalls

     2,289      —  

Restructuring costs

     660      1,504

Guarantee fee due related party

     —        7,854

Other

     19,160      20,195
    

  

     $ 44,575    $ 51,471
    

  

 

During 2003, the Company received communications from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) requesting information concerning a limited number of Crock-Pot® slow cooker models. In August 2004, the Company and the CPSC announced a voluntary recall of five slow cooker models involving approximately 1.8 million units which were manufactured by an independent supplier prior to May 2002. After discussions with the CPSC, in February 2005, the Company proposed an expansion of the recall to cover all units of the five slow cooker models. This proposed expansion would involve the recall of approximately 2.7 million additional slow cooker units. Accrued expenses at December 31, 2004 includes $1,424,000 related to this initial recall and the proposed expansion, net of a reimbursement received from the manufacturer, as management views this future action to be probable.

 

During 2004 the Company also announced two additional recall actions involving approximately 18,000 slow cookers sold in the United Kingdom and approximately 15,000 heaters sold through a consumer response retailer in the United States. Accrued expenses at December 31, 2004 includes $865,000 related to these additional recall actions.

 

7. Restructuring Charges and Other Business Divestitures

 

Subsequent to the acquisition of the Rival business in 1999, the Company initiated certain restructuring actions, in addition to those actions contemplated as part of the acquisition, to further integrate and consolidate Rival’s operations and to reduce operating costs. In January 2002, the Company announced the closing of its Sedalia, Missouri distribution center. The activities of this facility were moved to other existing distribution centers. In connection with this facility closure, the Company recorded restructuring charges totaling $4,898,000 in 2002, which included $4,220,000 of asset write-downs of redundant property and equipment to their estimated net realizable value, facility exit costs of $612,000 and $66,000 in severance payments for employees who elected not to transfer to other facilities.

 

16


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

In December 2002, the Company announced the closure of its remaining US manufacturing operations, effective January 31, 2003, in an effort to enhance efficiencies and to reduce operating costs. The production activities of the facilities in Flowood, Mississippi, Sweet Springs, Missouri and Clinton, Missouri were shifted to the Company’s expanded manufacturing complex in southern China and to other independent suppliers in the Far East. As part of this restructuring action, the Company also announced the closure of an administrative office in Kansas City, Missouri and the phase out of two distribution and service centers in Clinton, Missouri and Worcester, Massachusetts during 2003. As a result of these changes, the Company recorded restructuring charges totaling $23,108,000 during the fourth quarter of 2002. The charges included $3,935,000 for severance payments to 706 employees, $15,670,000 of noncash asset write-downs of redundant property and equipment to their estimated net realizable value, $1,531,000 of liabilities related to outstanding lease obligations and facility exit costs of $1,972,000. Approximately 698 employees were terminated during 2003 and 2004, with the remaining expected to be severed during 2005. In addition, cost of sales in 2002 included $7,625,000 of inventory losses related to the restructuring actions as the Company disposed of certain products at selling prices below cost as part of the facility closures. A reconciliation of the restructuring reserve activity for the three years ended December 31, 2004 is as follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

   Employee
Severance and
Relocation Costs


    Facility
Exit and
Other Costs


    Total
Accrued
Restructuring


 

Balance at December 31, 2001

   $ 396     $ 50     $ 446  

Restructuring charges

     4,001       4,115       8,116  

Cash payments

     (766 )     (713 )     (1,479 )
    


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2002

     3,631       3,452       7,083  

Cash payments

     (3,241 )     (1,827 )     (5,068 )

Adjustments

     124       (635 )     (511 )
    


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2003

     514       990       1,504  

Cash payments

     (85 )     (564 )     (649 )

Adjustments

     (34 )     (161 )     (195 )
    


 


 


Balance at December 31, 2004

   $ 395     $ 265     $ 660  
    


 


 


 

The Company expects to make the remaining payments with respect to accrued restructuring costs during the year ending December 31, 2005. During 2003, the Company incurred $1,899,000 of expenses associated with the 2002 restructuring actions which were not accrued at December 31, 2002 in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3. The restructuring charges in 2003 are net of $511,000 in adjustments as actual facility exit costs were lower than the amounts accrued at December 31, 2002. The restructuring expenses in 2003 also include a non-cash charge of $1,581,000 related to the Company’s pension plan for employees at the closed facilities. This charge, which was accrued in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board No. 88, Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits (FAS 88), includes a partial plan settlement of $1,911,000 due to lump sum benefits paid to terminated employees at the closed facilities, partially offset by a pension plan curtailment gain of $330,000. In addition, cost of sales in 2003 included $1,109,000 of unfavorable manufacturing variances incurred during the shutdown of the domestic facilities and $223,000 of freight costs associated with the transfer of distribution activities from Missouri to a new facility in California.

 

17


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

As a result of the restructuring actions in 2002, assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet totaled $6,466,000 at December 31, 2002. During 2003, the Company sold four facilities in Missouri and Mississippi and certain manufacturing equipment for cash proceeds of $6.9 million, resulting in an immaterial gain, net of transaction closing costs. In addition, the Company divested certain noncore business units, including its Pollenex® business, which were acquired as part of the Rival transaction. In January 2002, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of the Pollenex® division, which marketed personal care products, for approximately $15.1 million. The cash proceeds received in this transaction exceeded the net assets of the business, which consisted primarily of inventory and equipment, by approximately $9.5 million, resulting in a gain which has been recorded as other income in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

8. Long-Term Debt

 

Long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets consists of the following:

 

     December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

    2003

 

Revolving Credit Facility

   $ —       $ 28,209  

First lien term loan

     248,750       —    

Second lien term loan

     84,615       —    

Term loans A and B

     —         76,950  
    


 


Total Credit Facility

     333,365       105,159  

9.875% senior subordinated notes, net of unamortized discount, due November 15, 2007

     —         99,632  
    


 


Total debt

     333,365       204,791  

Less: current maturities of Credit Facility

     (2,500 )     (6,594 )
    


 


     $ 330,865     $ 198,197  
    


 


 

The aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows as of December 31, 2004:

 

(in thousands)

 

    

2006

   $ 2,500

2007

     2,500

2008

     2,500

2009

     2,500

Thereafter

     320,865
    

Total long-term debt

   $ 330,865
    

 

Credit Facility

 

In May 2004, the Company entered into a new Credit Facility, refinancing all of its outstanding debt obligations. The new facility consists of a $340 million First Lien Senior Secured Credit Facility, which includes a Revolving Credit Facility of $90 million and a First Lien Term Loan of $250 million, and a Second Lien Senior Secured Credit Facility totaling $85 million. Subject to availability, the Company may also request the issuance of letters of credit under the Revolving

 

18


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

Credit Facility, with the aggregate amount outstanding not to exceed $35 million. Borrowings under the revolving credit portion of the Facility are available through May 2009 with the final payment on the First and Second Lien Term Loans due in November 2010 and May 2011, respectively. Actual availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base formula based on accounts receivable and inventory levels. The Company used the proceeds from the new Credit Facility to repay all outstanding borrowings under the prior facility, to retire its Senior Subordinated Notes and to pay $143.2 million in cash dividends to the Company’s stockholders (Note 9).

 

The May 2004 Credit Facility is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s domestic assets and the common stock of its foreign subsidiaries. The First and Second Lien Senior Secured Credit Facilites include certain financial and operating covenants, which, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens, make investments and take certain other actions. The ability of the Company to meet its debt service obligations is dependent upon the future performance of the Company, which will be impacted by general economic conditions and other factors.

 

Under the Fifth Amendment to the Company’s prior Credit Facility, the lenders committed to a Revolving Credit Loan A of $131 million and a Revolving Credit Loan B of $40 million. Revolving Credit Loan B was supported by the guarantee of Berkshire Partners, the Company’s majority shareholder. In December 2003, the Company and its Bank Group agreed to a Sixth Amendment to the Credit Facility which extended the maturity dates of Revolving Credit Loans A and B to January 3, 2005 and January 4, 2005, respectively. The maturity dates of Term Loans A and B remained February 5, 2005 and February 5, 2007, respectively. As part of the May 2004 refinancing, the Company repaid all outstanding borrowings under this Credit Facility and paid Berkshire Partners $9.9 million in accrued guarantee fees related to Revolving Credit Loan B.

 

The weighted average borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit portion of the credit facilities totaled $85.0 million, $63.7 million and $21.4 million during 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. As of December 31, 2003 and 2004, the Company’s availability was $115.1 million and $78.1 million, respectively, net of outstanding letters of credit totaling $7.3 million and $11.9 million, respectively. The First Lien and Second Lien portions of the new Credit Facility bear interest at variable rates based on either the prime rate or Eurodollar rate at the Company’s option, plus a margin. The weighted average interest rate of borrowings under the Credit Facility was 6.7% at December 31, 2004 (5.4% at December 31, 2003).

 

Effective July 1, 2004, the Company entered into an interest rate cap agreement with a financial institution. The agreement, which expires on July 1, 2006, limits interest expense with respect to $167.5 million of the Company’s debt obligations if the LIBOR rate exceeds the cap rate of 6.0%. The Company paid a one-time premium of $217,000 related to this transaction, which is being amortized to interest expense over the two-year term of the agreement. Other income in 2004 includes $6,200 to adjust the amortized cost of this transaction to the derivative’s fair value of $169,000 at December 31, 2004.

 

19


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

Senior Subordinated Notes

 

The Company’s Senior Subordinated Notes were issued as part of a recapitalization transaction in 1997 ($105 million) and to partially finance the Rival acquisition in 1999 ($31.3 million). As part of the refinancing transaction in May 2004, the Company redeemed its outstanding Senior Subordinated Notes, which had an aggregate principal amount of $100.1 million, through a tender offer dated March 30, 2004. Under the terms of the Note Indenture, the Company redeemed the outstanding Notes at 104.115% of par value plus accrued and unpaid interest. Other expense in 2004 includes a loss on the retirement of debt totaling $9,223,000, which is comprised of costs of $4,007,000 related to the redemption of the Notes and the write-off of $5,226,000 in unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts related to the Notes and the Company’s prior Credit Facility.

 

In 2002, the Company repurchased from two Berkshire Partners’ investment funds an aggregate principal amount of approximately $36.2 million of the Senior Subordinated Notes. The purchase price of the Notes, representing Berkshire Partners’ cost, was $11.5 million plus accrued interest. The repurchase was funded with proceeds of the Credit Facility and the Notes repurchased were retired and cancelled. This transaction resulted in a gain on the early retirement of debt totaling $22.4 million, which has been reflected in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2002. The gain is net of approximately $1.9 million of debt issuance costs and $0.3 million of debt issuance discount written off as part of the transaction and $0.1 million of transaction fees. A provision for income taxes was not recorded in connection with this transaction as the Company offset the gain with available net operating loss carry forwards.

 

9. Stockholders’ Equity

 

In conjunction with the refinancing of the Company’s debt obligations in May 2004, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $6.6582 per share. Dividends totaling $143.2 million were paid on May 7, 2004 to all shareholders of record as of May 4, 2004, including the Company’s majority shareholder, Berkshire Partners.

 

As part of the Fourth Amendment to its Credit Facility in May 2001, the Company issued warrants to its lenders to acquire up to 5% of THG’s common stock on a fully diluted basis at a price of $5.04 per share. In May 2004, the holders of the warrants elected to exercise their right to purchase 1,183,207 shares of the Company’s common stock. Under a cashless exercise option provided for in the Warrant Agreement, the Company repurchased 809,968 of these shares at $7.25 per share, which represented the fair market value of THG common stock as determined by the Board of Directors, in lieu of receiving cash from the lenders. These repurchased shares were added to treasury stock as a result of the transaction.

 

All of the holders of the Company’s outstanding stock are subject to stockholders’ agreements. These agreements provide the Company with a right of first refusal on any proposed sales of stock to outside parties. Additionally, THG has certain rights to repurchase shares of Common Stock and options from employees upon their termination of employment.

 

20


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

10. Stock Options

 

The Company’s 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”) provides for the grant of incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options to employees, officers, directors, and consultants of the Company. Under the Plan, incentive stock options may not be issued to consultants or non-employee directors. A total of 5,960,978 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance under the Plan, as amended. The exercise price and period over which options become exercisable is determined by the Board of Directors. However, the exercise price of incentive stock options is equal to at least 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant (110% for individuals holding more than 10% of common stock). Options expire no later than ten years after date of grant (five years for individuals holding more than 10% of the Company’s common stock). The Plan expires in November 2006. The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Plan for the three years ended December 31, 2004:

 

     Shares

   

Exercise
Price

Range


   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


Outstanding as of December 31, 2001

   5,641,996     $3.50   -   $5.04    $ 4.26

Granted

   219,000     3.50      3.50

Forfeited

   (406,780 )   3.50   -   5.04      4.50
    

              

Outstanding as of December 31, 2002

   5,454,216     3.50   -   5.04      4.21

Granted

   492,300     3.50   -   5.04      4.26

Forfeited

   (486,820 )   3.50   -   5.04      4.20
    

              

Outstanding as of December 31, 2003

   5,459,696     3.50   -   5.04      4.20

Granted

   153,100             5.26      5.26

Exercised

   (905,241 )           3.50      3.50

Forfeited

   (754,388 )   3.50   -   5.04      3.99
    

 
     
  

Outstanding as of December 31, 2004

   3,953,167     $ 3.50       $5.26    $ 4.44
    

 
     
  

 

As of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, exercisable options and options available for future grants are as follows:

 

     Exercisable
Options


   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


   Options
Available
for Future
Grant


2002

   2,924,166    $ 4.31    506,762

2003

   3,616,511      4.27    501,282

2004

   3,189,311      4.47    1,102,570

 

21


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options under the 1997 plan which were outstanding at December 31, 2004:

 

    Options Outstanding

  Options Exercisable

Range of
Exercise
Prices


  Number
Outstanding at
December 31,
2004


  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)


  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


  Number
Exercisable at
December 31,
2004


  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price


$ 3.50   1,368,863   5.4   $ 3.50   1,134,987   $ 3.50
  4.25   374,500   8.2     4.25   74,900     4.25
  5.04   2,056,704   4.4     5.04   1,979,424     5.04
  5.26   153,100   9.9     5.26   —       5.26
     
     

 
 

      3,953,167       $ 4.44   3,189,311   $ 4.47
     
     

 
 

 

11. Income Taxes

 

Pre-tax income (loss) is summarized as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

   2003

   2002

 

Domestic

   $ 9,160    $ 23,783    $ (4,741 )

Foreign

     36,157      23,921      23,537  
    

  

  


     $ 45,317    $ 47,704    $ 18,796  
    

  

  


 

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Current

                        

Federal

   $ 5,479     $ 602     $ (4,937 )

State

     152       630       700  

Foreign

     6,718       656       3,299  
    


 


 


Total current

     12,349       1,888       (938 )
    


 


 


Deferred

                        

Federal

     (7,862 )     (3,231 )     —    

State

     (1,617 )     (563 )     —    

Foreign

     300       (20 )     790  
    


 


 


Total deferred

     (9,179 )     (3,814 )     790  
    


 


 


     $ 3,170     $ (1,926 )   $ (148 )
    


 


 


 

 

22


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

A reconciliation between the Company’s actual income tax expense (benefit) and amounts determined using the statutory U.S. federal tax rate of 35% is as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Statutory U.S. federal tax

   $ 15,861     $ 16,696     $ 6,579  

State tax expense, net of federal tax benefit

     1,345       44       455  

Utilization of available NOL carryback

     (9,950 )     (6,428 )     (7,837 )

Federal tax refund due to NOL carryback

     —         —         (5,123 )

Foreign earnings taxed at different rates

     (3,437 )     (7,738 )     (4,149 )

Tax on foreign distributions

     5,479       —         —    

Change in valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

     (9,801 )     (5,573 )     9,732  

Tax on joint venture income

     824       892       1,046  

Other

     2,849       181       (851 )
    


 


 


Actual income tax expense (benefit)

   $ 3,170     $ (1,926 )   $ (148 )
    


 


 


 

Deferred income taxes reflect the tax impact of temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as measured by tax laws and regulations. Under FAS 109, the benefits associated with future deductible temporary differences and operating loss or credit carryforwards is recognized if it is more likely than not that a benefit will be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following at December 31, 2003 and 2004:

 

     December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

    2003

 

Deferred tax assets

                

Net operating loss

   $ 1,606     $ 13,589  

Contribution carryover

     91       78  

Accrued expenses

     6,410       5,148  

Inventory

     5,467       4,487  

Intangibles

     3,497       3,893  

Employee pension plan

     1,653       3,087  

Accounts receivable

     10,447       10,595  
    


 


Gross deferred tax assets

     29,171       40,877  

Deferred tax liabilities

                

Inventory

     (566 )     (820 )

Property and equipment

     (2,891 )     (2,124 )
    


 


Gross deferred tax liabilities

     (3,457 )     (2,944 )
    


 


Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance

     25,714       37,933  

Valuation allowance

     (1,425 )     (24,633 )
    


 


Net deferred tax assets

   $ 24,289     $ 13,300  
    


 


 

 

23


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

During 2002, the Company received a cash refund of $5.1 million related to additional net operating loss carrybacks which were made possible by recent tax law changes. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of approximately $31.3 million, expiring between 2005 and 2008.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2003 and 2004, after considering all available positive and negative evidence, including the improved profitability of the Company’s current year operations, projections of future taxable income and the expiration dates of available net operating loss carryforward benefits, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that net deferred tax assets of approximately $13.3 million and $24.3 million, respectively, will be realized. As a result, the Company’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance was reduced from $40.2 million at December 31, 2002 to $24.6 million at December 31, 2003 and was further reduced to $1.4 million at December 31, 2004.

 

The Company does not provide for U.S. income tax liabilities on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries as it is management’s intention that these earnings will continue to be reinvested. Total undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 are approximately $160.5 million.

 

On October 22, 2004, the President signed the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”). The Act creates a temporary incentive for U.S. corporations to repatriate accumulated income earned abroad by providing an 85% dividends received deduction for certain dividends from controlled foreign corporations. The deduction is subject to a number of limitations and, as of today, uncertainty remains as to how to interpret numerous provisions in the Act. As such, we are not yet in a position to decide on whether, and to what extent, we might repatriate foreign earnings that have not yet been remitted to the U.S.

 

12. Leases

 

The Company has various noncancelable operating leases for facilities, vehicles and office equipment that expire at various dates through 2015. Certain of these leases contain options for renewal or purchase of the underlying asset. Upon expiration of a lease in January 2005, the Company elected to exercise a purchase option of $2.6 million with respect to a portion of its manufacturing complex in China. This amount will be included in capital expenditures in 2005. Rent expense was approximately $10,003,000, $12,114,000 and $12,515,000 in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. At December 31, 2004, future minimum rental payments under noncancellable lease arrangements are as follows:

 

(in thousands)

 

   Operating
Leases


2005

   $ 8,183

2006

     7,024

2007

     6,537

2008

     5,467

2009 and thereafter

     23,102
    

     $ 50,313
    

 

24


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

13. Employee Benefit Plans

 

The Company provides its employees with a defined contribution retirement plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Holmes Group Savings and Investment Plan is for all salaried, hourly and clerical workers not working in the manufacturing facilities. Employees are eligible to contribute up to 25% of their compensation, which is then invested in one or more investment funds. The Company does not provide a matching contribution under this plan. With the closing of the Company’s domestic manufacturing facilities in 2003, The Holmes Group 401-K Plan – Plant Employees, which included provisions allowing for Company matching contributions, was merged into the Savings and Investment Plan, effective October 1, 2004. In addition, HPFEL provides its Hong Kong based employees with a defined contribution retirement plan. All Hong Kong based employees of HPFEL and Esteem Industries Ltd. may contribute 5% of their compensation, with the Company contributing an additional 5% to 7.5% of an employee’s compensation. The Company’s contributions to these plans approximated $298,000, $216,000 and $323,000 in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. In addition, the Company contributes to a national retirement fund sponsored by the Chinese government for its factory workers. Contributions to the retirement fund amounted to $201,000 in 2002, $364,000 in 2003 and $481,000 in 2004.

 

As part of the Rival transaction in 1999, the Company acquired three defined benefit pension plans. Under these plans, pension benefits for plant employees were primarily based on years of service. Sales, administrative and clerical employees received a retirement benefit based on final pay at retirement and years of service. During fiscal 2000, one of the Rival plans was amended and restated to allow the vesting of benefits for certain plan participants under a cash balance plan formula. All employees who were aged 50 with 5 years of credited service on February 28, 2000 were grandfathered under the old plan formula. The new plan was renamed The Holmes Group Retirement Benefit Accumulation Plan and the other two Rival plans were merged into the Plan, with participants of the merged plans retaining their respective benefit formulas. All benefits under the Plan are noncontributory. The Company’s funding policy is consistent with the funding requirements under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.

 

The measurement date used to determine pension benefits is December 31 of each fiscal period. Pension expense, including the amortization of prior service costs over the remaining service periods of active employees and the remaining lives of vested and retired employees, consists of the following for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Service cost

   $ 1,017     $ 1,026     $ 1,151  

Interest cost

     940       1,056       1,089  

Expected return on plan assets

     (687 )     (767 )     (1,312 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     (20 )     (20 )     (49 )

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     260       403       147  
    


 


 


Net periodic pension cost

   $ 1,510     $ 1,698     $ 1,026  
    


 


 


FAS 88 expense

   $ —       $ 1,581     $ —    
    


 


 


 

As a result of the facility closings in January 2003, the Company recognized $1,581,000 in pension expense in accordance with FAS 88. This amount included a partial plan settlement charge of $1,911,000 due to lump-sum benefits paid to terminated employees at the closed facilities, partially offset by a pension plan curtailment gain of $330,000.

 

 

25


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets, the funded status and various information with respect to actuarial assumptions, investment strategies and future cash flows related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plan:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

    2003

 
Change in Benefit Obligation                 

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 15,712     $ 18,117  

Service cost

     1,017       1,026  

Interest cost

     940       1,057  

Amendments

     —         51  

Actuarial loss

     496       1,221  

Curtailment

     —         (505 )

Benefits and lump sums paid

     (1,558 )     (5,255 )

Administrative expenses paid

     (284 )     —    
    


 


Benefit obligation at end of year

   $ 16,323     $ 15,712  
    


 


Change in Plan Assets                 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

   $ 7,960     $ 11,592  

Actual return on plan assets

     535       1,623  

Employer contributions

     3,166       —    

Benefits and lump sums paid

     (1,558 )     (5,255 )
    


 


Fair value of plan assets at end of year

   $ 10,103     $ 7,960  
    


 


Funded Status                 

Difference between benefit obligations and plan assets

   $ (6,220 )   $ (7,752 )

Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)

     (184 )     (204 )

Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain)

     5,983       5,879  
    


 


Net amount recognized

   $ (421 )   $ (2,077 )
    


 


Amounts Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position                 

Accrued benefit liability

   $ (5,624 )   $ (6,490 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     5,203       4,413  
    


 


Net amount recognized

   $ (421 )   $ (2,077 )
    


 


Weighted-Average Assumptions to Determine Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic Pension Cost

                

Discount rate

                

Benefit obligations

     6.00%       6.25%  

Pension cost

     6.25%       6.50%/6.00%  

Expected return on plan assets

     8.00%       8.00%  

Rate of compensation increase

                

Benefit obligations

     4.25%       4.50%  

Pension cost

     4.50%       4.50%  

 

 

26


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

The discount rate, which is used to value our pension obligations, was reduced to 6.0% during 2004 to reflect the decrease in high quality bond yields over the past year. The expected long-term rate of return for fiscal 2004 was maintained at 8.0%, the same rate used in 2003. The expected long-term rate of return on our plan assets was developed by examining historical return rates based on the pension plan’s asset allocation and considering such factors as return differentials for active investment management.

 

The Company’s pension plan weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2003 and 2004 are as follows:

 

     2004

    2003

 

Equity Securities

   55 %   59 %

Fixed Income Securities

   44 %   39 %

Cash

   1 %   2 %
    

 

     100 %   100 %
    

 

 

The Company’s pension plan investment guidelines are based on a targeted asset allocation of 50% equities and 50% fixed income securities. The equity allocation, which focuses on large capitalization common stocks, has a minimum asset allocation of 25% and a maximum allocation of 60%. The range of the fixed income asset allocation calls for a minimum allocation of 25% and a maximum allocation of 75%. The Company has established investment diversification policies such that no one equity security or corporate debt issuer will account for more than 5% of the pension plan’s assets.

 

As the accumulated benefit obligation ($15,726,000 in 2004 and $14,450,000 in 2003) exceeded the fair value of plan assets, the Company recorded a minimum pension liability of $4,413,000 at December 31, 2003 and $3,383,000 at December 31, 2004. The 2004 amount is net of a tax benefit of $1,820,000. No tax benefit was recorded in 2003 as the benefit would have been offset by a valuation reserve. No cash contributions were made to the Plan in 2002 or 2003. The Company made cash contributions to the Plan of $3,166,000 in 2004 and expects to contribute $939,000 to the Plan during fiscal 2005.

 

The following table summarizes future expected benefit payments related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plan as of December 31, 2004 (in thousands):

 

2005

   $ 982

2006

     1,039

2007

     1,237

2008

     1,245

2009

     1,277

2010-2014

     8,450

 

27


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

14. Business Segments

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, established standards for reporting information about business segments in annual financial statements. It also established standards for related disclosures about products and services, major customers and geographic areas. Business segments are defined as components of a business about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The business segments are managed separately because each segment represents a strategic business unit whose main business is entirely different.

 

The Company currently manages its operations through three business segments: Consumer Durables, International and Far East. The Consumer Durables segment sells products including fans, heaters, humidifiers, air purifiers, lighting, Crock-Pot® slow cookers, roasters, skillets, vacuum food sealers, ice cream freezers, and other kitchen electric products and is considered one business segment due to the similar customer base, distribution channels and economic characteristics. The International segment sells the Company’s products outside the U.S. The Far East segment constitutes the Company’s manufacturing and sourcing operations, which are located primarily at HPFEL in China.

 

Segment information is as follows for the three years ended December 31, 2004 (in thousands):

 

          Consumer
Durables


   Far East

    International

    Eliminations

    Consolidated
Total


Net sales to customers

   2004
2003
2002
   $
 
 
574,785
521,552
523,922
   $
 
 
27,662
26,465
20,475
 
 
 
  $
 
 
92,153
75,739
64,157
 
 
 
  $
 
 
—  
—  
—  
 
 
 
  $
 
 
694,600
623,756
608,554

Intersegment net sales

   2004
2003
2002
    
 
 
2,567
3,654
7,021
    
 
 
427,108
347,192
309,736
 
 
 
   
 
 
33
556
186
 
 
 
   
 
 
(429,708
(351,402
(316,943
)
)
)
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  

Depreciation and amortization

   2004
2003
2002
    
 
 
2,948
2,644
5,828
    
 
 
7,529
7,804
7,926
 
 
 
   
 
 
161
299
235
 
 
 
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
 
 
 
   
 
 
10,638
10,747
13,989

Net interest expense (income)

   2004
2003
2002
    
 
 
24,619
25,384
29,545
    
 
 
(11
(2
(12
)
)
)
   
 
 
(19
7
82
)
 
 
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
 
 
 
   
 
 
24,589
25,389
29,615

Other costs

   2004
2003
2002
    
 
 
534,400
468,951
492,590
    
 
 
422,193
345,781
305,557
 
 
 
   
 
 
87,107
72,622
61,238
 
 
 
   
 
 
(428,827
(351,912
(316,369
)
)
)
   
 
 
614,873
535,442
543,016

Segment income (loss)

   2004
2003
2002
    
 
 
15,385
28,227
2,980
    
 
 
25,059
20,074
16,740
 
 
 
   
 
 
4,937
3,367
2,788
 
 
 
   
 
 
(881
510
(574
)
 
)
   
 
 
44,500
52,178
21,934

Segment assets

   2004
2003
    
 
244,488
530,742
    
 
218,941
172,358
 
 
   
 
62,434
55,935
 
 
   
 
(161,178
(447,472
)
)
   
 
364,685
311,563

Segment capital expenditures

   2004
2003
2002
    
 
 
1,050
1,779
5,333
    
 
 
13,125
10,726
9,024
 
 
 
   
 
 
134
412
197
 
 
 
   
 
 
—  
—  
—  
 
 
 
   
 
 
14,309
12,917
14,554

 

 

28


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 2 to consolidated financial statements. The results are disaggregated using a management approach, which is consistent with the manner in which the Company’s management internally disaggregates financial information for the purposes of assisting in making internal operational decisions. Other operating costs include: cost of sales, operating expenses, other income and expense, equity in earnings from joint venture and income taxes. Operating costs in the Consumer Durables segment include restructuring costs (income) of $28,006,000, $1,899,000 and ($195,000) for 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. In 2002, the Consumer Durables income excludes goodwill impairment charges of $79,838,000 related to the adoption of FAS 142, effective January 1, 2002, but includes the gain of $22,388,000 related to the repurchase of the Company’s Senior Subordinated Notes (see Note 8). In 2004, operating costs for the Consumer Durables segment include a loss of $9,233,000 on retirement of debt related to the May 2004 refinancing.

 

The following information (in thousands) is summarized by geographic area. Net sales are grouped based on the geographic origin of the transaction.

 

     United
States


   Far East

   Canada,
Europe and
Mexico


   Consolidated
Total


Net sales

                           

Year ended December 31, 2004

   $ 574,785    $ 27,662    $ 92,153    $ 694,600

Year ended December 31, 2003

     521,552      26,465      75,739      623,756

Year ended December 31, 2002

     523,922      20,475      64,157      608,554

Long-lived assets

                           

December 31, 2004

     8,513      40,676      691      49,880

December 31, 2003

     10,697      36,515      690      47,902

 

The Company’s manufacturing entities in the Far East sell completed products to THG’s U.S. and international subsidiaries at intercompany transfer prices which reflect management’s estimate of amounts which would be charged by an unrelated third party. These sales are excluded from the above table and are eliminated in consolidation. The remaining Far East sales are to the Regal Holmes Industries joint venture and unrelated third parties.

 

15. Commitments and Contingencies

 

At December 31, 2004, the Company had commitments outstanding for capital expenditures under purchase orders and contracts of approximately $5.5 million.

 

The Company entered into employment and non-competition agreements with certain of its senior executives in November 1997, the original terms of which expired on December 31, 2001, but which are automatically renewable for additional annual periods. These agreements provide that if employment is terminated without cause, the employees will receive severance payments of their respective salaries for 12 months. In January 2004, the Company entered into agreements with certain additional senior executives providing for the continuance of their respective salaries for a period not to exceed 12 months if employment is terminated under certain circumstances.

 

29


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

Effective February 1, 2002, the Company entered into an amended employment and non-competition agreement with Jordan A. Kahn for a term expiring on January 31, 2003. The agreement was subsequently amended and the term was extended to April 30, 2005. Under this agreement, the Company agreed to accelerate the vesting of Mr. Kahn’s stock options upon a termination of employment and to extend the post-termination exercise period for the full duration of the option term. The agreement provides that upon termination without cause, non-renewal of the agreement, death or disability, Mr. Kahn will receive a lump-sum severance of $500,000, as well as a prorated bonus payment and certain other benefits.

 

The Company issues warranties to consumers for certain of its home environment and kitchen appliances. Warranty costs, representing the value of replacement goods sent to consumers making warranty claims, are expensed as incurred. The Company maintains a warranty reserve for consumer claims in process at year-end. A reconciliation of the warranty reserve for the three years ended December 31, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

    2003

    2002

 

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 536     $ 375     $ 373  

Accruals for warranties issued during period

     266       417       47  

Settlements made during period

     (264 )     (256 )     (45 )
    


 


 


Balance at end of period

   $ 538     $ 536     $ 375  
    


 


 


 

The Company also faces exposure to voluntary or mandatory product recalls in the event that our products are alleged to present a “substantial product hazard” under applicable law. The Company does not maintain product recall insurance. During 2003, the Company received communications from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”), requesting information concerning a limited number of Crock-Pot® slow cooker models. After assessing the situation, in particular, whether the models identified presented a substantial product hazard and whether corrective action, such as a recall, was warranted, Company representatives met with the CPSC in March 2004 to discuss the situation further. No accrual of costs related to this matter was made in the 2003 consolidated financial statements as the Company was unable to determine whether, and if so to what extent, corrective action, in the form of a product recall or otherwise, would be necessary and/or taken.

 

The Company continued to discuss this matter with the CPSC during the second quarter of 2004. In August 2004, the Company and the CPSC announced a voluntary recall of five slow cooker models, involving 1.8 million units which were manufactured by an independent supplier prior to May 2002. The Company continues to discuss this matter with the CPSC to evaluate whether the corrective actions taken to date are sufficient to address the concerns of the CPSC. In February 2005, the Company proposed that the recall be expanded to cover all units of the five slow cooker models which were manufactured by the independent supplier. This proposed expansion would involve the recall of approximately 2.7 million additional slow cooker units. The Company expects that the expanded recall will commence during the second quarter of 2005. The Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004 include appropriate provisions for the recall action, including the proposed expansion, as management views this future action to be probable.

 

30


The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

16. Related Party Transactions

 

The Company has retained Jordan Kahn Co., Inc. (“JKC”), a corporation owned principally by Jordan A. Kahn, a director and stockholder of the Company, to serve as a sales representative for the Company in the northeastern United States. Pursuant to a representation agreement between the Company and JKC, the Company has agreed to pay to JKC commissions on net sales to JKC’s customers in its territory, which fees are similar to the fees paid by the Company to other unaffiliated sales representative organizations representing the Company in other territories throughout the United States. Pursuant to this arrangement, the Company paid a total of $235,000, $189,000 and $123,000 to JKC for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

In addition, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Berkshire Partners LLC, its majority stockholder, to provide management, financial, advisory and strategic support and analysis. The agreement expires in November 2005, or earlier if the stockholder’s ownership percentage declines to less than 40% or less than the percentage owned by management of the Company, taken as a group. Selling and administrative expenses for 2002, 2003 and 2004 include annual fees under this agreement of $500,000.

 

In May 2001, THG agreed to pay the Company’s majority stockholder a guarantee fee of $1.1 million as consideration for Berkshire’s guarantee of up to $43.5 million of the obligations under its Credit Facility. The guarantee fee arrangement was amended in March 2002 to provide for payment of a fee of 2.25% per annum, compounded annually, on the $40 million Revolving Credit Loan B commitment, less the portion of this facility designated as subordinated debt funding loans (which portion is subordinated to the other obligations under the Credit Facility), on which portion such fee is 20% per annum, compounded annually. As part of the refinancing of its Credit Facility in May 2004, the guarantee arrangement was terminated and the Company paid $9.9 million of accrued guarantee fees to Berkshire Partners LLC. The guarantee fee was accrued and expensed, as interest expense, over the guarantee period.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2001, the Company’s majority stockholder purchased $36.2 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007 on the open market. The Company repurchased these notes from the majority stockholder at the majority stockholder’s cost plus accrued interest as part of the Fifth Amendment to the Credit Facility as fully described in Note 8.

 

17. Distribution of Profit

 

Amounts that can be distributed by HPFEL’s subsidiaries in China are based on the financial regulations of China, which differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. HPFEL’s three Chinese operating subsidiaries, Dongguan Huixun Electrical Products Company, Ltd., Dongguan Raider Motor Corp. Ltd. and Dongguan Holmes Electrical Products Company, Ltd., are deemed to be wholly-owned foreign enterprises and, as such, Chinese laws and regulations require these companies to transfer a certain portion of after-tax profit each year to a reserve fund and an employee bonus and welfare fund. The amount transferred to the reserve fund must be at least 10% of the after-tax profit each year, determined in accordance with the financial regulations of China, up to a cumulative maximum of 50% of the entity’s registered capital stock. As the Company had contributed the statutory maximum to the reserve fund, no contribution was paid in 2002. The Company’s contributions to the reserve fund totaled $186,000 in 2003 and $335,000 in 2004. Transfers to the staff welfare fund are voluntary and are determined by the Company’s management. No transfers were made to the employee staff welfare fund in the three years ended December 31, 2004.

 

 

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The Holmes Group, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

 

The retained earnings (deficit) of the three Chinese operating subsidiaries, on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, are as follows at December 31, 2003 and 2004 (in thousands):

 

(in thousands)

 

   2004

    2003

 

Dongguan Raider Motor Corp. Ltd.

   $ 12,738     $ 12,297  

Dongguan Huixun Electrical Products Company, Ltd.

     29,315       22,527  

Dongguan Holmes Electrical Products Company, Ltd.

     (395 )     (254 )

 

The currency of China, the renminbi, is not freely convertible and the ability of these subsidiaries to remit retained earnings to the parent company is dependent on their ability to generate foreign currency denominated earnings or to obtain government approval for the purchase of foreign currency.

 

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