UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

ý

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006

 

Or

 

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

For the transition period from                  to                

 

Commission files number 1-8681

 


 

RUSS BERRIE AND COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

New Jersey

 

22-1815337

(State of or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

incorporation or organization)

 

 

 

 

 

111 Bauer Drive, Oakland, New Jersey

 

07436

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(201) 337-9000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý      No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o             Accelerated filer ý            Non-accelerated filer o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o             No ý

 

The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of May 15, 2006 was as follows:

 

CLASS

 

OUTSTANDING
At May 15, 2006

 

Common Stock, $0.10 stated value

 

20,835,972

 

 

 



 

RUSS BERRIE AND COMPANY, INC.

 

INDEX

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

a)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

b)

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

 

c)

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005

 

 

 

 

 

d)

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

2



 

PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

RUSS BERRIE AND COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

March 31, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

Assets (Note 5)

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

11,161

 

$

28,667

 

Accounts receivable, trade, less allowances of $2,188 in 2006 and $1,943 in 2005

 

62,007

 

53,444

 

Inventories, net

 

50,202

 

56,346

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

11,180

 

12,152

 

Income tax receivable

 

2,753

 

2,979

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,255

 

2,274

 

Total current assets

 

139,558

 

155,862

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

16,633

 

17,856

 

Goodwill

 

89,242

 

89,242

 

Intangible assets

 

61,592

 

61,599

 

Restricted cash

 

741

 

750

 

Other assets

 

5,579

 

5,283

 

Total assets

 

$

313,345

 

$

330,592

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

9,000

 

$

2,600

 

Short-term debt

 

16,750

 

31,924

 

Accounts payable

 

8,959

 

18,494

 

Accrued expenses

 

26,528

 

27,530

 

Accrued income taxes

 

3,817

 

4,203

 

Total current liabilities

 

65,054

 

84,751

 

Deferred income taxes

 

5,564

 

6,358

 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

 

50,250

 

41,993

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

3,530

 

3,636

 

Total liabilities

 

124,398

 

136,738

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock: $0.10 per share stated value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 26,472,256 shares at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively

 

2,649

 

2,649

 

Additional paid in capital

 

88,784

 

88,751

 

Retained earnings

 

195,764

 

200,756

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

11,900

 

11,848

 

Treasury stock, at cost, 5,636,284 shares at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively

 

(110,150

)

(110,150

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

188,947

 

193,854

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

313,345

 

$

330,592

 

 

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

 

3



 

RUSS BERRIE AND COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net sales

 

$

77,359

 

$

70,740

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

45,513

 

39,344

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

31,846

 

31,396

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

31,778

 

30,685

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

68

 

711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (expense)/income:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, including amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs

 

(5,795

)

(3,492

)

Interest and investment income

 

103

 

302

 

Other, net

 

365

 

(261

)

 

 

(5,327

)

(3,451

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income tax benefit

 

(5,259

)

(2,740

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax benefit

 

(267

)

(1,018

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(4,992

)

$

(1,722

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.24

)

$

(0.08

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.24

)

$

(0.08

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

20,836,000

 

20,824,000

 

Diluted

 

20,836,000

 

20,824,000

 

 

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

 

4



 

RUSS BERRIE AND COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)
(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(4,992

)

$

(1,722

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,395

 

1,898

 

Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs

 

2,688

 

416

 

Provision for accounts receivable

 

349

 

96

 

Provision for inventory reserve

 

716

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(775

)

 

Other

 

(310

)

90

 

Change in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

9

 

4,548

 

Accounts receivable

 

(8,929

)

11,428

 

Income tax receivable

 

226

 

 

Inventories

 

5,428

 

6,065

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

1,123

 

(139

)

Other assets

 

38

 

(129

)

Accounts payable

 

(9,536

)

(5,515

)

Accrued expenses

 

(1,972

)

(8,873

)

Accrued income taxes

 

(386

)

(1,064

)

Total adjustments

 

(9,936

)

8,821

 

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

 

(14,928

)

7,099

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

26

 

8,761

 

Capital expenditures

 

(121

)

(320

)

Other

 

 

(31

)

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

 

(95

)

8,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

33

 

 

Issuance of long-term debt

 

59,250

 

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(76,516

)

(20,000

)

Net borrowing on revolving credit facility

 

16,750

 

 

Payment of deferred financing costs

 

(2,052

)

(788

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(2,535

)

(20,788

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

52

 

(1,174

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(17,506

)

(6,453

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

28,667

 

48,099

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

11,161

 

$

41,646

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

1,796

 

$

3,077

 

Income taxes

 

$

518

 

$

405

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

5



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 - INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial reporting and the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared under generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such principles and regulations.  The information furnished reflects all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  Results for interim periods are not necessarily an indication of results to be expected for the year.

 

The Company operates in two segments: (i) the Company’s gift business and (ii) the Company’s infant and juvenile business, which includes the Company’s July 26, 2002 acquisition of Sassy, Inc. and the Company’s December 15, 2004 acquisition of Kids Line, LLC. This segmentation of the Company’s operations reflects how the Company’s Chief Executive Officer currently views the results of operations. There are no inter-segment revenues to eliminate. Corporate assets and overhead expenses are included in the gift segment. The Company has entered into separate credit facilities with respect to each of its segments (see Note 5).

 

The Company’s gift business designs, manufactures through third parties and markets a wide variety of gift products to retail stores throughout the United States and throughout the world via the Company’s international wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company’s infant and juvenile businesses design and market products in a number of baby categories including, among others, infant bedding and accessories, bath toys and accessories, developmental toys, feeding items and baby comforting products. These products are sold to consumers, primarily in the United States, through mass merchandisers, toy specialty, food, drug and independent retailers, apparel stores and military post exchanges.

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentation.

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2006 should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as amended on April 20, 2006 and May 1, 2006 (the “2005 10-K”).

 

NOTE 2 - ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK OPTIONS

 

The Company currently maintains the 2004 Stock Option, Restricted and Non-Restricted Stock Plan (the “2004 Option Plan”) and the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (collectively, the “2004 Stock Plans”).  As of December 31, 2005 there were 1,507,844 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2004 Stock Plans.  The Company also continues to have options outstanding under the 1999 and 1994 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plans, the 1999 and 1994 Stock Option Plans and the 1999 and 1994 Stock Option Plans for Outside Directors, (collectively, the “Predecessor Plans”).  No awards could be made after December 31, 2003 with respect to the 1999 Predecessor Plans and after December 31, 1998 with respect to the 1994 Predecessor Plans.  (Refer to Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters - Equity Compensation Plan Information”, and Note 19, “Stock Plans”, of the 2005 10-K for further details with respect to option plans.)

 

The exercise price for options issued under the 2004 Option Plan and the Predecessor Plans is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock as of the date the option is granted, except for the options granted in 2000 which were repriced to the closing price of the Company’s stock effective February 29, 2000 and at $2.00 above the closing price of the Company’s stock price effective February 29, 2000 for the Company’s 1999 Stock Plan for Outside Directors. Generally, stock options under the 2004 Option Plan and the Predecessor Plans vest between one and five years from the grant date unless otherwise stated by the specific grant. Options generally expire 10 years from the date of grant.

 

Historically, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation under the recognition and measurement principles of Account Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”), and related interpretations. No compensation expense related to stock option plans was reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations as all options had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), established accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans. As permitted by SFAS 123, the Company elected to continue to apply the intrinsic-value-based method of APB 25 described above, and adopted only the disclosure requirements of SFAS 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.”

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”), which establishes standards for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. This statement is a replacement of SFAS 123 and supersedes APB 25. SFAS 123(R) requires companies to recognize an expense for compensation cost related to share-based payment arrangements, including stock options and employee stock purchase plans, based on the grant-date fair value of the award. This standard applies to all awards unvested or granted as of the required effective date and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date.

 

The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006 using the “modified prospective” transition method. The “modified prospective” transition method requires compensation cost to be recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS 123(R) for all share-based payments

 

6



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date. In accordance with this method, prior periods were not restated to reflect the impact of adopting the new standard.

 

Effective December 28, 2005, the Company amended all outstanding stock option agreements which pertained to options with exercise prices in excess of the market price for the Company’s common stock at the close of business on December 28, 2005 (“Underwater Options”) which, at that time, had remaining vesting requirements. As a result of these amendments, all Underwater Options, which represented all outstanding options (to purchase approximately 1.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock) which had not yet fully-vested, became fully vested and immediately exercisable at the close of business on December 28, 2005.  Of the options accelerated, approximately 120,000 options are held by non-employee directors, approximately 868,000 are held by officers of the Company and the balance are held by other employees of the Company as of March 31, 2006.  Because these options were priced above the then current market price on December 28, 2005, the acceleration of vesting of these options did not result in any expense being recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The purpose of the accelerated vesting of stock options was to enable the Company to avoid recognizing compensation expense associated with these options in future periods as required by SFAS 123(R), estimated at the date of acceleration to be $1.6 million (pre-tax) in 2006 and in subsequent years through 2010 of approximately $3.7 million (pre-tax).

 

As noted above, prior to January 1, 2006, in accordance with APB 25, no compensation cost had been recognized for options granted by the Company with an initial exercise price equal to the fair value of the common stock, except for the application of Financial Accounting Interpretation No. 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation”, which resulted in non-cash income of $8,600 during the three months ended March 31, 2005, due to options granted during 2000 that were repriced as of February 29, 2000 upon approval of the Board of Directors and the Company’s shareholders. Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock grants been determined based upon the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123 at the grant date, the Company’s pro-forma net loss and loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2005 would have been as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

Net loss-as reported

 

$

(1,722,000

)

Deduction for stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value method net of tax-pro forma

 

118,000

 

Net loss pro forma

 

(1,840,000

)

Loss per share (basic) - as reported

 

(0.08

)

Loss per share (basic) – pro forma

 

(0.09

)

Loss per share (diluted) – as reported

 

(0.08

)

Loss per share (diluted) – pro forma

 

(0.09

)

 

The fair value of each option granted by the Company was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions used for the grants:

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

Dividend yield

 

5.04

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.12

%

Volatility

 

29.42

%

Expected life (years)

 

4.2

 

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year

 

$

3.93

 

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the quarter ended March 31, 2006:

 

 

 

Options

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (in years)

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (in
thousands)

 

Outstanding and vested at December 31, 2005

 

1,769,238

 

$

17.16

 

8.49

 

 

Expired

 

2,216

 

$

33.44

 

 

 

Outstanding and vested at March 31, 2006

 

1,767,022

 

$

17.14

 

8.49

 

$

2,394

 

 

There were no options granted or exercised in the first quarter of 2006. The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax value of the in-the-money options, which value is determined by aggregating the spread between each of the in-the-money options and the exercise prices thereof, assuming that all shareholders exercised their options on March 31, 2006.

 

7



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

This amount will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock. The Company’s policy is to issue shares from authorized shares to fulfill stock option exercises.

 

During the first quarter of 2006, no compensation expense was recorded because the Company did not grant any options during the quarter and all of the options outstanding at the date of adoption of SFAS 123(R) were fully vested.

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

Under the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, eligible employees are provided the opportunity to purchase the Company’s common stock at a discount. Pursuant to this plan, options are granted to participants as of the first trading day of each plan year, which is the calendar year, and may be exercised as of the last trading day of each plan year, to purchase from the Company the number of shares of common stock that may be purchased at the relevant purchase price with the aggregate amount contributed by each participant. In each plan year, an eligible employee may elect to participate in the plan by filing a payroll deduction authorization form for up to 10% (in whole percentages) of his or her compensation. No employee shall have the right to purchase the Company’s common stock under the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan which has a fair market value in excess of $25,000 in any plan year. The purchase price is the lesser of 85% of the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on either the first trading day or the last trading day of the plan year. If an employee does not elect to exercise his or her option, the total amount credited to his or her account during that plan year is returned to such employee, and his or her option expires. As of March 31, 2006, the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan had 131,722 shares reserved for future issuance.

 

The fair value of each option granted under the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Dividend yield

 

 

1.33

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.38

%

2.79

%

Volatility

 

50.40

%

41.70

%

Expected life (years)

 

1

 

1

 

 

The Company estimates expected stock price volatility based on actual historical changes in the market value of the Company’s stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield with a term that is consistent with the expected life of the stock options. The expected life of stock options under the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan is one year, or the equivalent of the annual plan year. The impact of SFAS 123(R) for the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase plan for the first quarter of 2006 was immaterial to the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE 3 - WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

 

A reconciliation of weighted average common shares outstanding to weighted average common shares outstanding assuming dilution is as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

20,836,000

 

20,824,000

 

Dilutive effect of common shares issuable under outstanding stock options

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding assuming dilution

 

20,836,000

 

20,824,000

 

 

The average number of diluted shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 exclude shares relating to stock options because there was a net loss and such shares would have been anti-dilutive. Stock options to purchase approximately 1.8 million and 0.6 million shares were outstanding at March 31, 2006 and 2005, respecitvely.

 

8



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 4 – CONTINGENCY

 

As previously disclosed, the Company purchased all of the outstanding equity interests and warrants in Kids Line, LLC (the “Purchase”), in accordance with the terms and provisions of a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) in December 2004. At closing, the Company paid approximately $130.5 million, which represented the portion of the purchase price due at closing plus various transaction costs, which was subsequently adjusted to $130.6 million. The aggregate purchase price under the Purchase Agreement includes the potential payment of contingent consideration (the “Earnout Consideration”). The Earnout Consideration shall equal 11.724% of the Agreed Enterprise Value (described below) of Kids Line as of the last day of the Measurement Period (the three year period ended November 30, 2007), and shall be paid at the times described in the Purchase Agreement (approximately the third anniversary of the closing date). The Agreed Enterprise Value shall be the product of (i) Kids Line’s EBITDA during the twelve (12) months ending on the last day of the Measurement Period and (ii) the applicable multiple (ranging from zero to eight) as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. The amount of the Earnout Consideration will be charged to goodwill when and if it is earned.

 

NOTE 5 – DEBT

 

In connection with the purchase of Kids Line in December 2004, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a financing agreement (the “Financing Agreement”). The Financing Agreement consisted of a term loan in the original principal amount of $125.0 million which was scheduled to mature on November 14, 2007 (the “2004 Term Loan”).  The Company used the proceeds of the 2004 Term Loan to substantially finance the Purchase and pay fees and expenses related thereto.  The 2004 Term Loan was repaid in full and the Financing Agreement was terminated in connection with the execution of the 2005 Credit Agreement, discussed below, as of June 28, 2005.  There were no fees paid as a result of the early termination of the Financing Agreement.  However, in conjunction therewith, the Company wrote off the remaining unamortized balance of approximately $4.8 million in deferred financing costs.

 

In order to reduce overall interest expense and gain increased flexibility with respect to the financial covenant structure of the Company’s senior financing, on March 14, 2006, the 2005 Credit Agreement (described below) was terminated and the obligations thereunder were refinanced (the “LaSalle Refinancing”). In connection with the LaSalle Refinancing, all outstanding obligations under the 2005 Credit Agreement (approximately $76.5 million) were repaid using proceeds from the Infantline Credit Agreement (defined below), which is part of the LaSalle Refinancing. The Company paid a fee of approximately $1.3 million in connection with the early termination of the 2005 Credit Agreement, which was scheduled to mature on June 28, 2010. In addition, the Company wrote off, in the first quarter of 2006, approximately $2.5 million in deferred financing costs in connection with the LaSalle Refinancing.

 

As part of the LaSalle Refinancing, the Company formed a wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary, Russ Berrie U.S. Gift, Inc. (“Newco”), to which it assigned (the “Assignment”) substantially all of its assets and liabilities which pertain primarily to its gift business, such that separate loan facilities could be made directly available to each of the Company’s domestic gift business and infant and juvenile business, respectively. The Assignment transaction reinforces the operation of the Company as two separate segments, and the credit facilities that have been extended to each segment are separate and distinct. There are no cross-default provisions between the new Infantline Credit Agreement and Giftline Credit Agreement (described below).

 

Long-term debt at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 consists of the following:

 

 

 

March 31, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

Term Loan A (2005 Credit Agreement)

 

$

 

$

4,593,000

 

Term Loan B (2005 Credit Agreement)

 

 

40,000,000

 

Term Loan (2006 Infantline Credit Agreement)

 

59,250,000

 

 

 

 

59,250,000

 

44,593,000

 

Less current portion

 

9,000,000

 

2,600,000

 

Long-term debt

 

$

50,250,000

 

$

41,993,000

 

 

9



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.             The LaSalle Refinancing – Effective March 14, 2006

 

A. The Infantline Credit Agreement

 

On March 14, 2006 (the “Closing Date”), Kids Line, LLC (“KL”) and Sassy, Inc. (“Sassy”, and together with KL, the “Infantline Borrowers”) entered into a credit agreement as borrowers, on a joint and several basis, with LaSalle Bank National Association as administrative agent and arranger (the “Agent”), the lenders from time to time party thereto, the Company as loan party representative, Sovereign Bank as syndication agent, and Bank of America, N.A. as documentation agent (the “Infantline Credit Agreement”). Unless otherwise specified herein, capitalized terms used but undefined in this Note 5 Section 1.A shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Infantline Credit Agreement.

 

The commitments under the Infantline Credit Agreement (the “Infantline Commitments”) consist of (a) a $35.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Loan”), with a subfacility for letters of credit in an amount not to exceed $5.0 million, and (b) a $60.0 million term loan facility (the “Term Loan”). The Infantline Borrowers drew down approximately $79.7 million on the Infantline Credit Agreement on the Closing Date, including the full amount of the Term Loan, which reflects the payoff of all amounts outstanding under the 2005 Credit Agreement and certain fees and expenses associated with the LaSalle Refinancing.

 

The principal of the Term Loan will be repaid in installments as follows: (a) $0.75 million on the last day of each calendar month for the period commencing March 2006 through and including February 2008, (b) $1.0 million on the last day of each calendar month for the period commencing March 2008 through and including February 2009 and $1.25 million on the last day of each calendar month for the period commencing March 2009 through and including February 2011. A final installment in the aggregate amount of the unpaid principal balance of the Term Loan (in addition to all outstanding amounts under the Revolving Loan) is due and payable on March 14, 2011, in each case subject to customary early termination provisions in accordance with the terms of the Infantline Credit Agreement.

 

The Infantline Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate (for Base Rate Loans) or the LIBOR Rate (for LIBOR Loans), at the Company’s option, plus an applicable margin, in accordance with a pricing grid based on the most recent quarter-end Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio, which applicable margin shall range from 1.75% - 2.50% for LIBOR Loans and from 0.25% - 1.00% for Base Rate Loans; provided, however, that from the closing date under the Infantline Credit Agreement until delivery of the financial statements and compliance certificate with respect to each of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2006 (the “Initial Period”), the applicable interest rate margins shall be as follows:  2.25% for LIBOR Loans and 0.75% for Base Rate Loans.

 

Interest is due and payable (i) with respect to Base Rate Loans, monthly in arrears on the last day of each calendar month, upon a prepayment and at maturity and (ii) with respect to LIBOR Loans, on the last day of each Interest Period, upon a prepayment (and if the Interest Period is in excess of three months, on the three-month anniversary of the first day of such Interest Period), and at maturity.

 

In connection with the execution of the Infantline Credit Agreement, the Infantline Borrowers paid aggregate closing fees of $1.4 million and an aggregate agency fee of $25,000. An aggregate agency fee of $25,000 will be payable on each anniversary of the Closing Date. The Revolving Loan is subject to an annual non-use fee (payable monthly, in arrears, and upon termination of the relevant obligations) of 0.50% for unused amounts under the Revolving Loan, an annual letter of credit fee (payable monthly, in arrears, and upon termination of the relevant obligations) for undrawn amounts with respect to each letter of credit based on the most recent quarter-end Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio ranging from 1.75% - 2.50% and other customary letter of credit administration fees. In addition, if the credit facility is terminated for any reason prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, the Infantline Borrowers shall pay an aggregate early termination fee of approximately $1.0 million.

 

The Infantline Borrowers are required to make prepayments of the Term Loan upon the occurrence of certain transactions, including most asset sales or debt or equity issuances, and, commencing with fiscal year 2007, annual mandatory prepayments of the Term Loan shall be required in an amount equal to 50% of Excess Cash Flow for each fiscal year unless the Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio for such fiscal year was equal to or less than 2.00:1.00.

 

The Infantline Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, as well as the following financial covenants (the “Infantline Financial Covenants”):  (i) a minimum EBITDA test, (ii) a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, (iii) a maximum Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio and (iv) an annual capital expenditure limitation. As of March 31, 2006, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Infantline Credit Agreement.

 

10



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Infantline Credit Agreement contains significant limitations on the ability of the Infantline Borrowers to distribute cash to Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. (“RB”), a corporate holding company, for the purpose of paying dividends to the shareholders of the Company or for the purpose of paying RB’s corporate overhead expenses, including a cap (subject to certain exceptions) of $2.0 million per year on the amount that can be provided to RB to pay corporate overhead expenses.

 

As a result of the LaSalle Refinancing, the obligation to pay the Earnout Consideration pursuant to the Kids Line acquisition (see Note 4) is no longer the obligation of RB, but the joint and several obligation of the Infantline Borrowers. With respect to the Earnout Consideration, the Infantline Borrowers will be permitted to pay all or a portion of the Earnout Consideration to the extent that, before and after giving effect to such payment, (i) Excess Revolving Loan Availability will equal or exceed $3.0 million and (ii) no violation of the Infantline Financial Covenants would then exist, or would, on a pro forma basis, result therefrom.

 

In order to secure the obligations of the Infantline Borrowers, (i) the Infantline Borrowers have pledged and have granted security interests to the Agent in substantially all of their existing and future personal property, (ii) each Infantline Borrower has guaranteed the performance of the other Infantline Borrower, (iii) Sassy granted a mortgage for the benefit of the Agent and the lenders on its real property located at 2305 Breton Industrial Park Drive, S.E., Kentwood, Michigan and (iv) the Company pledged 100% of the equity interests of each of the Infantline Borrowers to the Agent (the “Infantline Pledge Agreement”). Pursuant to the Infantline Pledge Agreement, RB has agreed that it will function solely as a holding company and will not, without the prior written consent of the Agent, engage in any business or activity except for specified activities, including those relating to its investments in its subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date, the maintenance of its existence and compliance with law, the performance of obligations under specified contracts and other specified ordinary course activities.

 

The Infantline Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate (for Base Rate Loans) or the LIBOR Rate (for LIBOR Loans) plus an applicable margin, in accordance with a pricing grid based on the most recent quarter-end Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio.  The weighted average interest rates for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were as follows:

 

 

 

LIBOR loans

 

Base rate loans

 

Infantline Revolver

 

7.16

%

8.50

%

Infantline Term Loan

 

7.28

%

8.50

%

 

Interest is due and payable (i) with respect to Base Rate Loans, monthly in arrears on the last day of each calendar month, upon a prepayment and at maturity and (ii) with respect to LIBOR Loans, on the last day of each Interest Period, upon a prepayment (and if the Interest Period is in excess of three months, on the three-month anniversary of the first day of such Interest Period), and at maturity.

 

B. The Giftline Credit Agreement

 

On March 14, 2006 as amended on April 11, 2006 (to clarify the application of a financial covenant), Russ Berrie U.S. Gift, Inc. (“Newco”) and other specified wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries of the Company (collectively, the Giftline Borrowers”), entered into a credit agreement as borrowers, on a joint and several basis, with LaSalle Bank National Association, as issuing bank (the “Issuing Bank”), LaSalle Business Credit, LLC as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), the lenders from time to time party thereto, and the Company, as loan party representative (as amended, the “Giftline Credit Agreement” and, together with the Infantline Credit Agreement, the “2006 Credit Agreements”). Unless otherwise specified herein, capitalized terms used but undefined in this Note 5 Section 1.B shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Giftline Credit Agreement.

 

The Giftline Credit Agreement contemplates the potential inclusion of additional lenders subsequent to the initial closing, which as of May 31, 2006 has not occurred, and a simultaneous increase in the commitment, and the facility consists of a revolving credit loan commitment (a) before such commitment is increased, if at all, in an amount equal to the Borrowing Base minus amounts outstanding under the Canadian Credit Agreement (as defined below) and (b) after such commitment is increased, if at all, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $25.0 million and (ii) the then-current Borrowing Base, in each case minus amounts outstanding under the Canadian Credit Agreement (the “Giftline Revolver”), with a sub facility for letters of credit to be issued by the Issuing Bank in an amount not to exceed $8.0 million. The Borrowing Base is primarily a function of a percentage of eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory and, as of March 31, 2006, the Borrowing Base, inclusive of the Borrowing Base provided under the Canadian Credit Agreement, was approximately $19.1 million. The Giftline Borrowers did not draw down on the Giftline Revolver on the Closing Date and, as of March 31, 2006, there are no amounts outstanding under the Giftline Revolver.

 

11



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

All outstanding amounts under the Giftline Revolver are due and payable on March 14, 2011, subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Giftline Credit Agreement.

 

The Giftline Revolver bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate (for Base Rate Loans) or the LIBOR Rate (for LIBOR Loans), at the Company’s option, plus a margin of 2.75% for LIBOR Loans and 1.25% for Base Rate Loans. Interest is due and payable in the same manner as with respect to the Infantline Loans.

 

In connection with the execution of the Giftline Credit Agreement, the Infantline Borrowers paid (on behalf of the Giftline Borrowers) aggregate closing fees of $0.15 million and an aggregate agency fee of $20,000. Aggregate agency fees of $20,000 will be payable by the Giftline Borrowers on each anniversary of the Closing Date. The Giftline Revolver is subject to an annual non-use fee (payable monthly, in arrears, and upon termination of the relevant obligations) of 0.50% for unused amounts under the Giftline Revolver, and other fees as described with respect to the Giftline Revolver. If the commitment under the Giftline Credit Agreement is increased, an additional fee equal to 1.0% of the increase will be required. In addition, if the Termination Date (which includes customary termination events) occurs prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, the Giftline Borrowers shall pay a termination fee equal to 1.0% of the highest Maximum Revolving Commitment that had been in effect at any time prior to such termination.

 

All accounts of the Giftline Borrowers are required to be with the Administrative Agent or its affiliates, and cash in such accounts will be swept on a daily basis to pay down outstanding amounts under the Giftline Revolver.

 

The Giftline Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants substantially similar to those applicable to the Infantline Credit Agreement. In addition, the Giftline Credit Agreement contains the following financial covenants (the “Giftline Financial Covenants”):  (i) a minimum EBITDA test, (ii) a minimum Excess Revolving Loan Availability requirement of $5.0 million, (iii) an annual capital expenditure limitation and (iv) a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (for quarters commencing with the quarter ended March 31, 2008). In addition, at any time after December 31, 2007 in respect of which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Computation Period ending as of the fiscal quarter end most recently preceding such date was less than 1.00:1.00, the aggregate amounts outstanding under the Giftline Credit Agreement and the Canadian Loan Agreement may not exceed $10.0 million. As of March 31, 2006, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Giftline Credit Agreement.

 

The Giftline Credit Agreement contains significant limitations on the ability of the Giftline Borrowers to distribute cash to RB for the purpose of paying dividends to the shareholders of the Company or for the purpose of paying the RB’s corporate overhead expenses, including a cap (subject to certain exceptions) on the amount that can be provided to RB to pay corporate overhead expenses equal to $4.5 million per year for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007, and $5.0 million for each fiscal year thereafter.

 

In order to secure the obligations of the Giftline Borrowers, the Giftline Borrowers pledged and have granted security interests to the Administrative Agent in substantially all of their existing and future personal property, and each Giftline Borrower guaranteed the performance of the other Giftline Borrowers under the Giftline Credit Agreement. In addition, RB provided a limited recourse guaranty of the obligations of the Giftline Borrowers under the Giftline Credit Agreement. This guarantee is secured by a lien on the assets intended to be assigned to Newco pursuant to the Assignment. RB also pledged 100% of the equity interests of each of the Giftline Borrowers and 65% of its equity interests in certain of its First Tier Foreign Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent (the “Giftline Pledge Agreement”). The Giftline Pledge Agreement contains substantially similar limitations on the activities of RB as is set forth in the Infantline Pledge Agreement.

 

The Company’s ability to maintain compliance with the financial covenants under the 2006 Credit Agreements is dependent, particularly in the case of the Giftline Credit Agreement, upon the successful implementation of the Company’s restructuring plan and the Profit Improvement Plan (described in Note 8 herein) and current operational plans. Based on these plans and management’s current projections, management believes that the Company will remain in compliance with the financial covenants in the 2006 Credit Agreements at least through March 31, 2007. However, in the event that the Company is unable to successfully implement the key elements of the Profit Improvement Plan, there can be no assurance that the Company will remain in compliance with the financial covenants in the 2006 Credit Agreements.

 

The Commitments bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate (for Base Rate Loans) or the LIBOR Rate (for LIBOR Loans) plus an applicable margin.  Interest rates as of March 31, 2006 were as follows: 

 

12



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

LIBOR loans

 

Base rate loans

 

Giftline Revolver

 

 

9.00

%

 

Interest is due and payable (i) with respect to Base Rate Loans, monthly in arrears on the last day of each calendar month, upon a prepayment and at maturity and (ii) with respect to LIBOR Loans, on the last day of each Interest Period, upon a prepayment (and if the Interest Period was in excess of three months, on the three-month anniversary of the first day of such Interest Period), and at maturity.

 

C.            Canadian Credit Agreement

 

As contemplated by the 2005 Credit Agreement on June 28, 2005, the Company’s Canadian subsidiary, Amram’s Distributing Ltd. (“Amrams”), executed a separate Credit Agreement (acknowledged by the Company) with the financial institutions party thereto and LaSalle Business Credit, a division of ABN AMRO Bank, N.V., Canada Branch, a Canadian branch of a Netherlands bank, as issuing bank and administrative agent (the “Canadian Credit Agreement”), and related loan documents with respect to a maximum U.S. $10.0 million revolving loan (the “Canadian Revolving Loan”). RB executed an unsecured Guarantee (the “Canadian Guarantee”) to guarantee the obligations of Amrams under the Canadian Credit Agreement. In connection with the LaSalle Refinancing, the Canadian Credit Agreement was amended to (i) replace references to the LaSalle Credit Agreement with the Giftline Credit Agreement (such that, among other conforming changes, a default under the Giftline Credit Agreement will be a default under the Canadian Credit Agreement), (ii) release RB from the Canadian Guaranty and (iii) provide for a maximum U.S. $5.0 million revolving loan. In connection with the release of the Company from the Canadian Guaranty, Newco executed an unsecured Guarantee (the “Newco Guarantee”) to guarantee the obligations of Amrams under the Canadian Credit Agreement. A default under the Infantline Credit Agreement will not constitute a default under the Canadian Credit Agreement.

 

D.            Economic Development Authority (“EDA”) Loan Agreement

 

Since 1983, the Company had been a guarantor of the EDA Loan Agreement, pursuant to which the EDA issued the EDA Bonds in the principal amount of $7.0 million to finance the construction of the South Brunswick, New Jersey facility now leased by the Company from the Estate of Mr. Russell Berrie. Mr. Berrie (and after his death, his Estate) was the primary obligor with respect to the EDA Bonds. In connection therewith, the Company, in 1983, caused the issuance of a letter of credit in an amount of approximately $7.4 million to secure the payment obligations with respect to the EDA Bonds and had granted a security interest on accounts receivable and inventory of the Company up to $2.0 million to secure its obligations under its guarantee and the Amended and Restated Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement (“L/C RA”) executed in connection therewith.

 

Consummation of the Assignment, however, resulted in a covenant default under the documents governing the EDA Bonds and a default under the L/C RA and, as a result, among other things, would have permitted the EDA Standby L/C Issuer to demand cash collateral in respect of the EDA Standby L/C. In consideration for the agreement of the EDA Standby L/C Issuer to refrain for a specified time period from demanding such cash collateral or additional collateral, the Administrative Agent had agreed to issue, on behalf of the Giftline Borrowers, a letter of credit in an approximate amount of $7.4 million (the “Back-Stop L/C”) that could have been drawn upon by the EDA Standby L/C Issuer under specified circumstances, including any draw on the EDA Standby L/C or the failure of the EDA Bonds to be redeemed by August 15, 2006. In consideration for the establishment of the Back-Stop L/C, the EDA Standby L/C Issuer granted to the Administrative Agent a 100% participation in all rights of the EDA Standby L/C Issuer under L/C RA, including the EDA Standby L/C.

 

On April 3, 2006, the Estate (with funds provided by Ms. Berrie) redeemed the EDA Bonds. As a result, the Company’s obligations under the guarantee discussed above (as well as the L/C RA, all letters of credit and related security interests) are in the process of being terminated.

 

E.            Earnout Security Documents

 

All capitalized terms used but undefined in this Note 5, Section 1.E “Earnout Security Documents” section shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the “Giftline Credit Agreement”.

 

As has been previously reported, the Company was obligated to pay the Earnout Consideration under the Kids Line Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement between the Infantline Borrowers and California KL Holdings, Inc., and the other parties thereto (the “Letter Agreement”), the Infantline Borrowers have agreed, on a joint and several basis, to assume sole responsibility to pay the Earnout Consideration in the place of the Company. In connection therewith, the Earnout Security Documents have been amended to effect the partial release of the

 

13



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Company as obligor and the full release of the security interests granted thereunder by any Giftline Borrowers. To secure the obligations of the Infantline Borrowers to pay the Earnout Consideration, the Infantline Borrowers have granted a subordinated lien on substantially all of their assets, on a joint and several basis, and RB has granted a subordinated lien on the equity interests of each of the Infantline Borrowers to the Earnout Sellers Agent. All such security interests and liens are subordinated to the senior indebtedness of the Infantline Borrowers arising under the Infantline Credit Agreement. The Earnout Consideration is not secured by the Giftline Borrowers or their assets or equity interests.

 

2.             2005 Credit Agreement – Effective June 28, 2005 through March 13, 2006

 

The Company and certain of its domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries party thereto (the “Specified Subsidiaries”), entered into a $105.0 million credit agreement dated as of June 28, 2005, and amended as of August 4 and October 11, 2005 (the “2005 Credit Agreement”), with the financial institutions parties thereto as Facility A Lenders, the financial institutions parties thereto as Facility B Lenders, LaSalle Bank National Association, in its capacity as “Issuing Bank” thereunder, LaSalle Business Credit, LLC (in its individual capacity, “LaSalle”), as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the lenders and the Issuing Bank, and those lenders, if any, designated therein as the “Documentation Agent” or “Syndication Agent”.  On October 11, 2005, the Company and its lenders amended provisions of the 2005 Credit Agreement unrelated to the Financial Covenants.  Unless otherwise specified herein, capitalized terms used but undefined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the 2005 Credit Agreement.  Amounts available under the 2005 Credit Agreement were used for working capital requirements and general corporate purposes.

 

The obligations under the 2005 Credit Agreement (the “Commitments”) consisted of Facility A Obligations and Facility B Obligations.  The Facility A Obligations were comprised of: (a) a $52.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Loan”), with a sub-facility for letters of credit to be issued by the Issuing Bank in an amount not to exceed $10.0 million; and (b) a $13.0 million term loan facility (“Term Loan A”).  The Facility B Obligations consisted of a $40.0 million term loan facility (“Term Loan B”).  Assuming no default or event of default, on the terms and conditions set forth in the 2005 Credit Agreement, and subject to the payment of applicable fees, the Revolving Loan could have been increased to a maximum of $75.0 million.  As of December 31, 2005, the Company had $31.9 million outstanding under the Revolving Loan.

 

The principal of Term Loan A was due in equal monthly installments of approximately $0.2 million (subject to reduction by prepayments), to be made on the last day of each month (commencing July 31, 2005).  A final installment in the aggregate amount of the unpaid principal balance of Term Loan A (in addition to all outstanding amounts under the Revolving Loan) was due and payable on June 28, 2010, and the principal of Term Loan B was due and payable on December 28, 2010, in each case subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the 2005 Credit Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company was required to repay Term Loan B in full upon a full redemption of the Facility A Obligations.

 

Interest was due and payable (i) with respect to Base Rate Loans, monthly in arrears on the last day of each calendar month, upon a prepayment and at maturity and (ii) with respect to LIBOR Loans, on the last day of each Interest Period, upon a prepayment (and if the Interest Period was in excess of three months, on the three-month anniversary of the first day of such Interest Period), and at maturity.

 

In connection with the execution of the 2005 Credit Agreement and the Canadian Credit Agreement, the Company recorded approximately $2.3 million of deferred financing costs which were included in “other assets” at December 31, 2005 and were being amortized over the five-year period of the Commitments. The unamortized balance of these deferred financing costs were written off in the first quarter of 2006 as a result of the LaSalle Refinancing in March 2006. The Revolving Loan was subject to an annual non-use fee (payable monthly, in arrears, and upon termination of the relevant obligations) based on the most recent quarter-end Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio ranging from 0.375% - 0.50% for unused amounts under the Revolving Loan, an annual letter of credit fee (payable monthly, in arrears, and upon termination of the relevant obligations) for undrawn amounts with respect to each letter of credit based on the most recent quarter-end Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio ranging from 1.50% - 2.25% (subject to increase by 2.0% at any time an event of default exists), customary letter of credit administration fees and a letter of credit fronting fee in amounts agreed to by the Company and the Issuing Bank.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Initial Period, the non-use fee was equal to 0.375% and the letter of credit fee was equal to 1.75%.

 

The 2005 Credit Agreement contained the following financial covenants (the “Financial Covenants”):  (i) a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, (ii) a maximum Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio and (iii) a minimum Excess Revolving Loan Availability requirement of $2.5 million.  Excess Revolving Loan Availability at December 31, 2005 was approximately $15.725 million.  With respect to dividends, the Company was permitted to pay a dividend

 

14



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

so long as before and after giving effect to the payment of such dividends, Excess Revolving Loan Availability would equal or exceed $15.0 million and no violation of the Financial Covenants would then exist, or would, on a pro forma basis, result therefrom.  Any such dividends could be declared no more frequently than quarterly and were required to take the form of regular cash dividends.  With respect to the Earnout Consideration, the Company was permitted to pay all or a portion of the Earnout Consideration to the extent that, before and after giving effect to such payment, Excess Revolving Loan Availability would equal or exceed $15.0 million and no violation of the Financial Covenants would then exist, or would, on a pro forma basis, result there from.  As of December 31, 2005, the Company was not in compliance with the “Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio” covenant in the 2005 Credit Agreement. However, because the Company completed the LaSalle Refinancing on March 14, 2006, the long-term debt at December 31, 2005 was classified as long-term.

 

As contemplated by the 2005 Credit Agreement, the Company’s Canadian subsidiary, Amram’s Distributing Ltd. (“Amrams”), entered into on June 30, 2005, as of June 28, 2005, and amended as of August 4 and October 11, 2005, a separate credit agreement with the financial institutions party thereto and LaSalle Business Credit, a division of ABN AMRO Bank, N.V., Canada Branch, a Canadian branch of a Netherlands bank (the “Canadian Credit Agreement”) with respect to a maximum U.S. $10.0 million revolving loan (the “Canadian Revolving Loan”), with a sub-facility for letters of credit in an amount not to exceed U.S. $2.0 million.  If there was no default or event of default occurring under the Canadian Credit Agreement, upon the terms and conditions set forth therein, and subject to the payment of applicable fees, the Canadian Revolving Loan could have been increased to a maximum commitment of U.S. $15.0 million.  All outstanding amounts under the Canadian Revolving Loan were to be due and payable on June 28, 2010, subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Canadian Credit Agreement.

 

The Canadian Revolving Loan would bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (x)(i) the Base Rate or the Canadian Base Rate (as defined in the Canadian Credit Agreement), at the option of Amrams (for Base Rate Loans) or (ii) the LIBOR Rate (for LIBOR Loans) plus (y) an applicable margin, in accordance with a pricing grid based on the most recent quarter-end Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio.  The interest rate as of December 31, 2005 was 7.25%.  The Canadian Credit Agreement is described in further detail in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2005. The Canadian Credit Agreement was amended in connection with the execution of the 2006 Credit Agreement, as described above.

 

In order to secure its obligations under the Canadian Credit Agreement, Amrams has granted security interests to the administrative agent thereunder in substantially all of its real and personal property.  In addition, the Company has executed an unsecured Guarantee (the “Canadian Guaranty”) to guarantee the obligations of Amrams under the Canadian Credit Agreement, which guaranty was released in connection with the 2006 Credit Agreement. All amounts outstanding under the 2005 Credit Agreement were paid in full in connection with the LaSalle Refinancing.

 

3.             2004 Term Loan – Effective December 14, 2004 through June 28, 2005

 

As noted above, the Financing Agreement consisted of the 2004 Term Loan in the original principal amount of $125 million and was scheduled to mature on November 14, 2007.  The 2004 Term Loan bore interest at an annual rate equal to a base rate (which was subject to a minimum rate of 4.75% per annum) plus a spread of 4.25%, or a LIBOR rate (which was subject to a minimum rate of 1.75% per annum) plus a spread of 7.0%. The spreads were adjusted to 5.25% and 8.0%, respectively, pursuant to a March 2005 amendment, subject to further adjustment downward if certain EBITDA milestones were met. Pursuant to the amendment, the Company also prepaid $18.25 million of the 2004 Term Loan.

 

Under the Financing Agreement, as amended, the Company was required to make prepayments of the 2004 Term Loan in an amount equal to $1.75 million per quarter with the balance due at maturity. In addition, beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005, the Company would have been required to make annual mandatory prepayments of the Term Loan, with specified percentages of excess cash flow and the proceeds of certain asset sales, debt issuances, equity issuances, tax refunds, insurance and other extraordinary receipts.

 

To secure the 2004 Term Loan, Ableco Finance LLC, as agent, had a lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company, and California KL Holdings, Inc., as agent, had a subordinated lien on these assets. The Company also pledged the equity interests of certain of its subsidiaries to the agent and provided an evergreen irrevocable letter of credit in an amount of $10.0 million, which the agent could draw upon if there was an event of default or other events specified under the Financing Agreement occurred.  In addition, the Company’s domestic subsidiaries provided certain guarantees and security interests to the agent in order to secure the Company’s obligations.

 

The Financing Agreement, as originally executed, contained, among other things, various monthly and quarterly financial covenants to which the Company and its subsidiaries were subject, including a Funded Debt Ratio, a Fixed

 

15



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Charge Coverage Ratio, a Consolidated EBITDA covenant, an Infant Line EBITDA covenant and a Minimum Qualified Cash covenant. The amendment referred to above was executed because the Company believed that it would not be in compliance, as of March 31, 2005, with the Consolidated EBITDA Covenant and the Funded Debt Ratio set forth in the Financing Agreement as originally executed, and had substantial concerns over whether the Company would be in compliance with such covenants for the remainder of 2005.

 

The Financing Agreement was paid in full using the proceeds from the 2005 Credit Agreement.

 

NOTE 6 – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

 

 

Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period

 

March 31,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

MAM distribution agreement and relationship

 

Indefinite life

 

$

10,400,000

 

$

10,400,000

 

Sassy trade name

 

Indefinite life

 

7,100,000

 

7,100,000

 

Applause trade name

 

Indefinite life

 

7,646,000

 

7,646,000

 

Kids Line customer relationships

 

Indefinite life

 

31,100,000

 

31,100,000

 

Kids Line trade name

 

Indefinite life

 

5,300,000

 

5,300,000

 

Other intangible assets

 

0.3 years

 

46,000

 

53,000

 

 

 

 

 

$

61,592,000

 

$

61,599,000

 

 

Other intangible assets as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, include Kids Line and Sassy non-compete agreements which are being amortized over four and five years, respectively. Amortization expense was $7,000 and $0.3 million for the first three months of 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

All of the Company’s goodwill is in the infant and juvenile segment. There were no changes to the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

 

NOTE 7 - DIVIDENDS

 

No cash dividends were paid during the three months ending March 31, 2006 and 2005. See Note 5 for a discussion of dividend restrictions imposed by the Company’s senior bank facilities.

 

NOTE 8 – COST ASSOCIATED WITH DISPOSAL ACTIVITY

 

In November 2005, the Company continued its prior restructuring of its domestic gift business to reduce expenses, right-size the infrastructure consistent with current business levels and re-align domestic gift operations to better meet the needs of different distribution channels.  The restructuring included the immediate elimination of approximately 50 positions, which resulted in a pre-tax restructuring charge of approximately $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, primarily related to employee severance costs. Additional restructuring charges of approximately $1.5 million were incurred in 2005 primarily as a result of right-sizing the Company’s Eastern Asian and European gift operations. As part of the restructuring, the Company also commenced a plan to reduce its facilities expenses by rationalizing certain warehouse and distribution activities in 2006.

 

During the first quarter of 2006, in accordance with its November 2005 restructuring plan, the Company recorded a $0.6 million restructuring charge related to severance costs of employees at its Petaluma, California distribution center which is scheduled for closure in the second quarter of 2006, and reduced sales staffing in its U.S. gift segment. The Company recorded an additional restructuring charge of $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2006 attributable to the downsizing of its operations in Europe under its Profit Improvement Program, primarily related to employee severance costs.

 

16



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

The Company reassesses the reserve requirements under the restructuring efforts at the end of each reporting period. A rollforward of the restructuring accrual is set forth below: 

 

 

 

Employee

 

Facility

 

 

 

 

 

Separation

 

Exit Costs

 

Total

 

Balance @ 12/31/05

 

$

1,731,000

 

$

131,000

 

$

1,862,000

 

2006 Provision

 

2,650,000

 

 

2,650,000

 

Less Payments

 

1,500,000

 

8,000

 

1,508,000

 

Balance @ 3/31/06

 

$

2,881,000

 

$

123,000

 

$

3,004,000

 

 

NOTE 9 – SEGMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND RELATED INFORMATION

 

The Company operates in two segments: (i) the Company’s gift business and (ii) the Company’s infant and juvenile business, which includes the Company’s July 26, 2002 acquisition of Sassy, Inc. and the Company’s December 15, 2004 acquisition of Kids Line, LLC. This segmentation of the Company’s operations reflects how the Company’s Chief Executive Officer currently views the results of operations. There are no inter-segment revenues to eliminate. Corporate assets and overhead expenses are included in the gift segment.

 

The Company’s gift business designs, manufactures through third parties and markets a wide variety of gift products to retail stores throughout the United States and throughout the world via the Company’s international wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company’s infant and juvenile businesses design and market products in a number of baby categories including, among others, infant bedding and accessories, bath toys and accessories, developmental toys, feeding items and baby comforting products. These products are sold to consumers, primarily in the United States, through mass merchandisers, toy specialty, food, drug and independent retailers, apparel stores and military post exchanges.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2006

 

2005

 

Gift:

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

40,031

 

$

37,905

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (a)

 

27,025

 

25,911

 

Operating loss

 

(11,081

)

(7,676

)

Other income

 

247

 

27

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,188

 

1,435

 

Loss before income taxes

 

$

(10,834

)

$

(7,649

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Infant and juvenile:

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

37,328

 

$

32,835

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

4,753

 

4,774

 

Operating income

 

11,149

 

8,387

 

Other expense (b)

 

(5,574

)

(3,478

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

207

 

463

 

Income before income taxes

 

$

5,575

 

$

4,909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated:

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

77,359

 

$

70,740

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

31,778

 

30,685

 

Operating income

 

68

 

711

 

Other expense

 

(5,327

)

(3,451

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,395

 

1,898

 

Loss before income taxes

 

$

(5,259

)

$

(2,740

)

 


(a)   Included in the gift segment selling, general and administrative expense in the first quarter of 2006 was $2.7 million in charges associated with restructuring activities in the U.S. and European gift divisions and $1.3 million of consulting costs incurred in connection with the development of the PIP.

 

(b)   Included in the infant and juvenile segment other expense in the first quarter of 2006 was the write-off of $2.5 million in deferred financing costs and a prepayment penalty of $1.3 million associated with the Company’s new debt facility.

 

17



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Total assets of each segment were as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

March 31, 2006

 

December 31, 2005*

 

Gift

 

$

113,269

 

$

131,352

 

Infant and juvenile

 

200,076

 

199,240

 

Total

 

$

313,345

 

$

330,592

 

 


*December 31, 2005 balances have been reclassified to conform to the March 31, 2006 presentation.

 

Concentration of Risk

 

Approximately 89% of purchases are attributable to manufacturers in the People’s Republic of China. The supplier accounting for the greatest dollar volume of purchases accounted for approximately 16% and the five largest suppliers accounted for approximately 40% in the aggregate.  The Company utilizes approximately 130 manufacturers in Eastern Asia and believes that there are many alternative manufacturers for the Company’s products and sources of raw materials.  As a result, the Company does not believe there is a concentration of risk associated with any significant relationship.

 

In addition, Toys “R” Us, Inc. and Babies “R” Us, Inc. in the aggregate accounted for 20.8% of the Company’s consolidated net sales during the three month period ended March 31, 2006.

 

NOTE 10 - FOREIGN CURRENCY FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

 

Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries periodically enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge inventory purchases, both anticipated and firm commitments, denominated in the United States dollar. These contracts reduce foreign currency risk caused by changes in exchange rates and are used to offset the currency impact of these inventory purchases, generally for periods up to 13 months. At March 31, 2006, the Company’s forward contracts have expiration dates which range from one to seven months.

 

The Company accounts for its forward exchange contracts as an economic hedge, with subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2006, unrealized gains of $0.13 million relating to forward contracts are included in other current assets and as of December 31, 2005, unrealized losses of $0.16 million are included in accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

The Company has forward contracts to exchange British pounds sterling, Canadian dollars and Australian dollars for United States dollars with notional amounts of $3.6 million and $3.3 million as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The Company has forward contracts to exchange United States dollars to Euros with notional amounts of $5.0 million and $6.4 million as of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The Company does not anticipate any material adverse impact on its results of operations or financial position from these contracts.

 

18



 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 11 - COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME

 

Comprehensive (Loss)/Income, representing all changes in Shareholders’ Equity during the period other than changes resulting from the issuance or repurchase of the Company’s common stock and payment of dividends, is reconciled to net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net loss

 

$

(4,992,000

)

$

(1,722,000

)

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

51,000

 

(1,448,000

)

Net unrealized gain on foreign currency forward exchange contracts and other

 

 

79,000

 

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

 

51,000

 

(1,369,000

)

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(4,941,000

)

$

(3,091,000

)

 

NOTE 12 – LITIGATION AND COMMITMENTS

 

In the ordinary course of its business, the Company is party to various copyright, patent and trademark infringement, unfair competition, breach of contract, customs, employment and other legal actions incidental to its business, as plaintiff or defendant. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially adversely affect the consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows of the Company.

 

In connection with the Company’s purchase of Kids Line LLC, the aggregate purchase price includes a potential payment of Earnout Consideration as more fully described in Note 4. The amount of Earnout Consideration, if any, is not currently determinable.

 

The Company enters into various license agreements relating to trademarks, copyrights, designs, and products which enable the Company to market items compatible with its product line. All license agreements other than the agreement with MAM Babyartikel GmbH (which has a remaining term of five years), are for three year terms with extensions agreed to by both parties. Some of these license agreements include prepayments and minimum guarantee royalty payments. The amount of guaranteed royalty payments with respect to all license agreements over the next three years aggregates $5.5 million. At December 31, 2005, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $2.3 million against these royalty guarantees. The Company’s royalty expense for the first three months of 2006 and 2005 were $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

 

NOTE 13 – RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”), which establishes standards for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. This statement is a revision to SFAS 123 and supersedes APB 25. SFAS 123(R) requires companies to recognize an expense for compensation cost related to share-based payment arrangements, including stock options and employee stock purchase plans, based on the grant-date fair value of the award. This standard applies to all awards unvested or granted as of the required effective date and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after that date. SFAS 123(R) became effective for the Company beginning with the first quarter of 2006 and was adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2006  See Note 2 for further discussion of the impact of SFAS 123(R), as well as the valuation methodology and assumptions utilized.

 

19



 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The financial and business analysis below provides information which the Company believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the Company’s consolidated financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. This financial and business analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I, Financial Information, Item 1, “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as amended (the “2005 10-K”).

 

OVERVIEW

 

The Company is a leader in the gift industry. The Company’s gift business designs, manufactures through third parties and markets a wide variety of gift products to retail stores throughout the world. The Company’s infant and juvenile businesses design, manufacture through third parties and market products in a number of baby categories, including infant bedding and accessories, bath toys and accessories, developmental toys, feeding items and baby comforting products. These products are sold to consumers, primarily in the United States, through mass merchandisers, toy, specialty, food, drug and independent retailers, apparel stores, military post exchanges and other venues.

 

The Company’s revenues are primarily derived from sales of its products, a significant portion of which are attributable to its gift segment. Sales and operating profits in the Company’s gift segment began to decline during 2003 as a result of several factors including: (i) retailer consolidation and a declining number of independent retail outlets, which in turn had a negative impact on sales from such outlets; (ii) increased competition from other entities, both wholesalers and retailers, which offered lower pricing and achieved greater customer acceptance of their products; and (iii) changing buying habits of consumers, marked by a shift from independent retailers to mass market retailers. Commencing in the third quarter of 2003, the Company began to implement a multi-pronged approach to address these trends, which consists of: (i) focusing on categorizing and rationalizing its product range; (ii) segmenting its selling efforts to address customer requirements and shifting channels of distribution; (iii) increasing its focus on national accounts, in order to build and strengthen the Company’s presence in the mass market through the use if its APPLAUSE® trademark as the mass market brand platform; (iv) focusing on growing its international business and infant and juvenile segments; (v) selectively increasing its use of licensing to differentiate its products from its competitors;  (vi) implementing a three tiered “good”, “better”, “best” branding strategy within its gift segment to differentiate products sold into the mass market, the Company’s traditional specialty retail market and the upscale department store market; and (vii) ”right-sizing” its operations in order to reduce overhead expenses through headcount reductions and the closure of certain domestic showrooms and warehouses.

 

The Company has continued to address the challenges in its gift business through the multi-pronged approach discussed above, which has enabled the Company to reduce significantly its operating expenses. However, the Company achieved only limited success in reversing the challenges facing its gift business and the industry in general. As a result, in November 2005, the Company commenced the implementation of a further restructuring of its domestic gift business designed to “right size” the infrastructure consistent with existing business levels and re-align domestic gift operations to better meet the needs of different distribution channels. The restructuring included the immediate elimination of approximately 50 positions, which resulted in a pre-tax restructuring charge of approximately $1.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2005, primarily related to employee severance costs. As part of the November 2005 restructuring, the Company also commenced a plan to reduce its facilities expenses by rationalizing certain warehouse and distribution activities, as further described below. In addition, in connection with the November 2005 restructuring, the Company conducted another comprehensive review of its gift product line to identify product categories and individual items that did not fit into its future sales and marketing plans. As a result of product line decisions made in the fourth quarter of 2005, an additional inventory write-down of $4.2 million (pre-tax) was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005. The Company is selling substantially all of this inventory through other than its normal sales channels. The Company expects to incur additional restructuring costs as it continues to implement the November 2005 restructuring plan and expects to incur further restructuring costs as it implements the Profit Improvement Program currently under development, as described below.

 

Management believes that future operating expenses will be reduced by approximately $15.0 million on an annualized basis as a result of the restructuring commenced in November 2005. A portion of these expense savings related to employee expenses were reflected in the Company’s results of operations for the fourth quarter of 2005, and the remaining cost reductions are expected to be achieved during 2006. Severance payments to employees impacted by the November 2005 restructuring will continue through the end of 2006, although such payments will not impact the Company’s results of operations, as they were reflected in the restructuring charge recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005.

 

20



 

During the first quarter of 2006, in accordance with its November 2005 restructuring plan, the Company recorded a $0.6 million restructuring charge related to severance costs of employees at its Petaluma, California distribution center which is scheduled for closure during the second quarter of 2006 and reduced sales staffing in its U.S. gift segment.  In addition to these restructuring costs, the Company incurred $0.2 million related to moving inventory from the Petaluma, California warehouse facility to Cranbury, New Jersey.  The Company recorded an additional restructuring charge of $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2006 attributable to the downsizing of its operations in Europe under its Profit Improvement Program, primarily related to employee severance costs.

 

As an expansion of its November 2005 restructuring and ongoing analysis, in 2006, the Company commenced the development and phased implementation of a Profit Improvement Program (“PIP”) with respect to its global gift business. The Company has retained the services of an independent advisor to assist in the development of the PIP and during the first quarter of 2006, the Company incurred consulting expense of approximately $1.3 million in connection with service provided by such advisor. The PIP involves an analysis and, in some instances, re-evaluation of key operational aspects of the Company’s gift business and will, when completed, be designed to help enable the Company to return its gift business to a sustainable level of profitability. The PIP is expected to involve reengineering the manner in which the gift segment operates, and will likely involve reducing the size of the gift business by focusing on the most profitable products, customers and territories as a means of providing a platform for potential profitable growth in the future. The scope of the PIP is intended to be broad and significant and may cause losses to our business that we cannot predict, including a loss of gift segment sales. Although the Company has not yet completed the development of the PIP, its implementation (portions of which are already underway in phases) will result in the recognition of certain restructuring charges and the incurrence of related severance obligations. The Company may also be required to make certain investments to generate the efficiencies and focus on profitable operations that the PIP will be designed to achieve. Because the PIP is still being developed, the anticipated completion of its implementation and estimates of the total charges to be incurred as well as any investments or other expenditures required, cannot be determined at this time, although the Company believes that it will have the resources available to implement the PIP plan. The Company anticipates that it will complete the development of the PIP by the beginning of the third quarter 2006.

 

As part of the PIP, the Company has evaluated the need to maintain direct sales and distribution efforts in several European countries. To date, the Company has determined to terminate its direct sales and distribution operations in France, Germany, Belgium and Holland, and has restructured certain of its sales and related operations in the U.K. As a result of these actions, the Company has reduced headcount by an aggregate of 48 positions and has recorded a restructuring charge of an aggregate of approximately $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2006 primarily related to severance costs. Management believes that future operating expenses, predominantly through reduced employee costs, will be reduced by an aggregate of approximately $4.2 million on an annualized basis as a result of these reductions. The Company anticipates that it will establish alternative means of reaching certain customers in the affected countries, including through the use of independent sales representatives or distributors, although the Company expects that its aggregate sales from France, Germany, Belgium and Holland will be reduced by approximately $6.0 million on an annualized basis as a result of these actions, at least for the near term. See Item 1A under the captions, “Risk Factors” and “– Liquidity and Capital Resources” in the Company’s 2005 10-K.

 

Effective December 28, 2005, the Company amended all outstanding stock option agreements which pertained to options with exercise prices in excess of the market price for the Company’s Common Stock at the close of business on December 28, 2005 (“Underwater Options”) which had remaining vesting requirements. As a result of these amendments, all Underwater Options, which represented all outstanding options (to purchase approximately 1.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock) which had not yet fully-vested, became fully vested and immediately exercisable at the close of business on December 28, 2005.  Of the options accelerated, approximately 120,000 options are held by non-employee directors, approximately 868,000 are held by officers of the Company and the balance are held by other employees of the Company as of March 31, 2006.  Because the Company has accounted for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in APB 25, and because these options were priced above the then current market price, the acceleration of vesting of these options did not require accounting recognition in the Company’s financial statements. The options were accelerated to reduce the financial statement expense impact in 2006 and beyond of a new accounting standard (SFAS No. 123(R), “Share Based Payment”) for stock based compensation (described in Note 2 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements).  Management determined that accelerating the vesting of these options prior to the adoption of the new accounting standard would result in the Company not being required to recognize compensation expense in 2006 in the amount of approximately $1.6 million (pre-tax) and in subsequent years through 2010 of approximately $3.7 million (pre-tax).

 

21



 

SEGMENTS

 

The Company currently operates in two segments:  (i) its gift business and (ii) its infant and juvenile business.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006 AND 2005

 

The Company’s consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2006 increased 9.4% to $77.4 million compared to $70.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 as a result of sales growth in both its infant and juvenile and gift business segments.

 

The Company’s gift segment net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2006 increased 5.6% to $40.0 million compared to $37.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, primarily as a result of improved product availability during the 2006 period. Net sales in the Company’s gift segment were negatively impacted by foreign exchange rates by approximately $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006.  The Company’s infant and juvenile segment’s net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2006 increased 13.7% to $37.3 million compared to $32.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. This increase is primarily attributable to sales growth in the Company’s Kids Line subsidiary.

 

Consolidated gross profit was 41.2% of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2006 as compared to 44.4% of consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2005.  The decline in the consolidated gross profit percentage is primarily due to competitive pricing pressure and sales channel mix in the gift segment. Gross profit for the Company’s gift segment was 39.8% of net sales for such segment for the three months ended March 31, 2006 as compared to 48.1% of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2005.  Gross profit for the Company’s infant and juvenile segment was 42.6% of net sales for such segment for the three months ended March 31, 2006 as compared to 40.1% of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2005, principally as the result of a higher gross profit margin at Kids Line.

 

Consolidated selling, general and administrative expense was $31.8 million, or 41.1% of consolidated net sales, for the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to $30.7 million, or 43.4% of consolidated net sales, for the three months ended March 31, 2005.  Selling, general and administrative expense in the Company’s gift segment increased by $1.1 million to $27.0 million in the first quarter of 2006 from $25.9 million in the prior year period. Included in the gift segment selling, general and administrative expense in the first quarter of 2006 was $2.7 million in charges associated with the restructuring activities in the U.S. and European gift divisions and $1.3 million of consulting costs incurred in connection with the development of the PIP. These charges were partially offset by ongoing expense reductions in the gift segment as a result of 2005 and 2006 restructuring activities. Selling, general and administrative expense in the Company’s infant and juvenile segment was essentially unchanged from prior year.

 

Consolidated other expense was $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005, an increase of $1.8 million. Other income in the Company’s gift segment for the three months ended March 31, 2006 increased $0.2 million compared to the prior year primarily as a result of foreign exchange gains in 2006. Other expense in the Company’s infant and juvenile segment increased by $2.1 million compared to prior year. Included in the infant and juvenile other expense in the first quarter of 2006 was the write-off of $2.5 million in deferred financing costs and a prepayment penalty of $1.3 million associated with the termination of the 2005 Credit Agreement. This was partially offset by lower interest expense as a result of lower borrowings and a lower interest rate compared to the first quarter of 2005.

 

The income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $0.3 million as compared to an income tax benefit of $1.0 million for the first three months of 2005. The consolidated benefit for income taxes as a percent of income before taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was 5.0% compared to a 37.2% benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2005.  The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily the result of the Company not providing a tax benefit on the losses of its European subsidiaries in the first quarter of 2006, as it determined that it is more likely than not that these benefits will not be realized.

 

As a result of the foregoing, consolidated net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $5.0 million or $0.24 per diluted share compared to consolidated net loss of $1.7 million or $0.08 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2005, representing a decrease of $3.3 million and a decrease of $0.16 per diluted share.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company’s principal sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, funds from operations, and availability under its bank facilities. The Company believes that it will able to fund its capital requirements for 2006 from such sources. In addition, subject to the discussion below under “Kids Line and Related Financing” with respect to the Earnout Consideration and the Company’s continued compliance with the financial covenants included in its 2006

 

22



 

Credit Agreements (defined below), the Company believes that cash flows from operations and future borrowings will be sufficient to fund its operating needs for at least the next 12 months.

 

As of March 31, 2006, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $11.2 million compared to $28.7 million at December 31, 2005. This reduction of $17.5 million was primarily related to the payment of debt, reduced accounts payable and increased accounts receivable, partially offset by lower inventory levels. The increase in accounts receivable was due primarily to the timing of customer payments. The reduction in inventory reflects the Company’s historical procurement pattern. As of March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, working capital was $74.5 million and $71.1 million, respectively. This increase of $2.6 million was primarily the result of increased accounts receivable, reduced accounts payable and lower cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by lower inventory levels.

 

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $17.5 million during the three months ending March 31, 2006 compared to a decrease of $6.5 million during the three months ending March 31, 2005. The decrease during the three months ending March 31, 2006 was primarily a result of the factors described in the preceding paragraph. The decrease during the three months ending March 31, 2005 was primarily due to the payment of long-term debt. Net cash used by operating activities was approximately $14.9 million during the three months ending March 31, 2006 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of approximately $7.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2005. The decrease of $22.0 million was due primarily to a higher net loss in the first quarter of 2006 compared to 2005, and an increase in accounts receivable during the first quarter 2006 compared to a reduction in accounts receivable during the first quarter 2005. Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to net cash provided of approximately $8.4 million for the three months ending March 31, 2005. The reduction of $8.5 million was due primarily to proceeds from the sale of assets in the first quarter of 2005. Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $2.5 million for the three months ending March 31, 2006 compared to $20.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The reduction of $18.3 million was due primarily to higher debt repayment in the first quarter of 2005, which included required prepayments of the 2004 Term Loan (defined below) in the amount of $20.0 million.

 

During the three months ending March 31, 2006, the Company paid approximately $0.5 million for income taxes. The Company currently expects that its cash flows will exceed any income tax payments during 2006.

 

Kids Line and Related Financing

 

Overview of Debt at March 31, 2006. On March 14, 2006, the Company refinanced its credit facility and entered into separate Credit Agreements for each of its operating segments. All of the prior debt outstanding on March 14, 2006, together with fees and expenses associated with the transaction, was refinanced by drawing down approximately $79.7 million under the Infantline Credit Agreement (described below), including the full amount of the $60.0 million Term Loan and $19.7 million of the Infantline Revolver. At March 31, 2006, the Company had $76.0 million outstanding under the new facility, reflecting repayments of the Infantline Revolver and the Term Loan in the amounts of $2.92 million and $0.75 million, respectively.

 

Background. The Company purchased all of the outstanding equity interests and warrants in Kids Line (the “Purchase”) in accordance with the terms and provisions of a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) executed as of December 15, 2004. At closing, the Company paid approximately $130.5 million, which represented the portion of the purchase price due at closing plus various transaction costs. The aggregate purchase price under the Purchase Agreement, however, also includes the potential payment of the Earnout Consideration, which is defined as 11.724% of the Agreed Enterprise Value of Kids Line as of the last day of the three year period ending November 30, 2007 (the “Measurement Period”). The Earnout Consideration shall be paid as provided in the Purchase Agreement (approximately the third anniversary of the Closing Date). The “Agreed Enterprise Value” shall be the product of (i) Kids Line’s EBITDA during the twelve (12) months ending on the last day of the Measurement Period and (ii) the applicable multiple (ranging from zero to eight) as set forth in the Purchase Agreement. The amount of the Earnout Consideration will be charged to goodwill if and when it is earned. Because the amount payable with respect to the Earnout Consideration, if any, and the Company’s financial condition at the time any such payment is due are not currently determinable, the Company cannot assure that payment of the Earnout Consideration will not have a material impact on the Company’s liquidity.

 

The Kids Line acquisition was financed with the proceeds of a term loan (the “Financing Agreement”), which is described in further detail in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the SEC on December 22, 2004. The Financing Agreement was subsequently replaced by the 2005 Credit Agreement and the 2005 Canadian Credit Agreement (as defined below), which are described in further detail in Note 5 above and in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the SEC on July 5, 2005.

 

In order to reduce overall interest expense and gain increased flexibility with respect to the financial covenant structure of the Company’s senior bank financing, on March 14, 2006, the 2005 Credit Agreement was terminated and the obligations thereunder were refinanced (the “LaSalle Refinancing”). For a detailed description of the 2006 Credit Agreements, which are defined and summarized below, see Note 5 above and the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 17, 2006. On March 14, 2006, in connection with the LaSalle

 

23



 

Refinancing, all outstanding obligations under the 2005 Credit Agreement (approximately $76.3 million) were repaid using proceeds from the Infantline Credit Agreement (defined below). The Company paid a fee of approximately $1.3 million in connection with the early termination of the 2005 Credit Agreement, which had been scheduled to mature on June 28, 2010. In addition, the Company wrote-off, in the first quarter of 2006, approximately $2.5 million in deferred financing costs in connection with the LaSalle Refinancing.

 

As part of the LaSalle Refinancing, the Company formed a wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary, Russ Berrie U.S. Gift, Inc. (“Newco”), to which it assigned (the “Assignment”) substantially all of its assets and liabilities which pertain primarily to its domestic gift business, such that separate loan facilities could be made directly available to each of the Company’s domestic gift business and infant and juvenile business, respectively. The Assignment transaction reinforces the operation of the Company as two separate segments, and the credit facilities that have been extended to each segment are separate and distinct. There are no cross-default provisions between the new Infantline Credit Agreement and Giftline Credit Agreement (described below).

 

Infantline Credit Agreement. On March 14, 2006, Kids Line and Sassy (the “Infantline Borrowers”), entered into a credit agreement as borrowers, on a joint and several basis, with LaSalle Bank National Association as administrative agent and arranger (the “Agent”), the lenders from time to time party thereto, the Company as loan party representative, Sovereign Bank as syndication agent, and Bank of America, N.A. as documentation agent (the “Infantline Credit Agreement”). The commitments under the Infantline Credit Agreement consist of (a) a $35.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Loan”), with a subfacility for letters of credit in an amount not to exceed $5.0 million, and (b) a $60.0 million term loan facility (the “Term Loan”). The Infantline Borrowers drew down approximately $79.7 million under the Infantline Credit Agreement on the Closing Date, including the full amount of the Term Loan, which reflects the payoff of all amounts outstanding under the 2005 Credit Agreement and certain fees and expenses associated with the LaSalle Refinancing. The Infantline loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate (for Base Rate Loans) or the LIBOR Rate (for LIBOR Loans), at the Company’s option, plus an applicable margin, in accordance with a pricing grid based on the most recent quarter-end Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio, which applicable margin shall range from 1.75% - 2.50% for LIBOR Loans and from 0.25% - 1.00% for Base Rate Loans.

 

The principal of the Term Loan under the Infantline Credit Agreement must be repaid in installments as follows: (a) $0.75 million on the last day of each calendar month for the period commencing March 2006 through and including February 2008, (b) $1.0 million on the last day of each calendar month for the period commencing March 2008 through and including February 2009, (c) $1.25 million on the last day of each calendar month for the period commencing March 2009 through and including February 2011. A final installment in the aggregate amount of the unpaid principal balance of the Term Loan (in addition to all outstanding amounts under the Revolving Loan) is due and payable on March 14, 2011, in each case subject to earlier termination in accordance with the terms of the Infantline Credit Agreement.

 

The Infantline Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, as well as the following financial covenants:  (i) a minimum EBITDA test, (ii) a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, (iii) a maximum Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio and (iv) an annual capital expenditure limitation.

 

Giftline Credit Agreement. Also on March 14, 2006 (as amended on April 11, 2006 to clarify the application of a financial covenant), Newco and other specified wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries of the Company (collectively, the Giftline Borrowers”), entered into a credit agreement as borrowers, on a joint and several basis, with LaSalle Bank National Association, as issuing bank (the “Issuing Bank”), LaSalle Business Credit, LLC as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), the lenders from time to time party thereto, and the Company, as loan party representative (as amended, the “Giftline Credit Agreement” and, together with the Infantline Credit Agreement, the “2006 Credit Agreements”). The Giftline Credit Agreement contemplates the potential inclusion of additional lenders subsequent to the initial closing, and a simultaneous increase in the commitment, and the facility consists of a revolving credit loan commitment (a) before such commitment is increased, if at all, in an amount equal to the Borrowing Base minus amounts outstanding under the Canadian Credit Agreement (as defined below) and (b) after such commitment is increased, if at all, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $25.0 million and (ii) the then-current Borrowing Base, in each case minus amounts outstanding under the Canadian Credit Agreement (the “Giftline Revolver”), with a subfacility for letters of credit to be issued by the Issuing Bank in an amount not to exceed $8.0 million. The Borrowing Base is primarily a function of a percentage of eligible accounts receivable and eligible inventory and, as of March 31, 2006, the Borrowing Base, inclusive of the Borrowing Base provided under the Canadian Credit Agreement, was approximately $19.1 million. The Giftline Borrowers did not draw down on the Giftline Revolver on the Closing Date. The Giftline Revolver will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Base Rate (for Base Rate Loans) or the LIBOR Rate (for LIBOR Loans), at the Company’s option, plus a margin of 2.75% for LIBOR Loans and 1.25% for Base Rate Loans.

 

The Giftline Credit Agreement contains the following financial covenants:  (i) a minimum EBITDA test, (ii) a minimum Excess Revolving Loan Availability requirement of $5.0 million, (iii) an annual capital expenditure limitation and (iv) a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (for quarters commencing with the quarter ending

 

24



 

March 31, 2008). In addition, at any time after December 31, 2007 in respect of which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Computation Period ending as of the Fiscal Quarter end most recently preceding such date was less than 1.00:1.00, the aggregate amounts outstanding under the Giftline Agreement and the Canadian Loan Agreement may not exceed $10.0 million.

 

As contemplated by the 2005 Credit Agreement, on June 28, 2005, the Company’s Canadian subsidiary, Amram’s Distributing Ltd. (“Amrams”), executed a separate Credit Agreement (acknowledged by the Company) with the financial institutions party thereto and LaSalle Business Credit, a division of ABN AMRO Bank, N.V., Canada Branch, a Canadian branch of a Netherlands bank, as issuing bank and administrative agent (the “Canadian Credit Agreement”), and related loan documents with respect to a maximum U.S. $10.0 million revolving loan (the “Canadian Revolving Loan”). Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. (“RB”), a corporate holding company, executed an unsecured Guarantee (the “Canadian Guarantee”) to guarantee the obligations of Amrams under the Canadian Credit Agreement. In connection with the LaSalle Refinancing, on March 14, 2006, the Canadian Credit Agreement was amended to (i) replace references to the 2005 Credit Agreement with the Giftline Credit Agreement (such that, among other conforming changes, a default under the Giftline Credit Agreement will be a default under the Canadian Credit Agreement), (ii) release the Company from the Canadian Guaranty and (iii) provide for a maximum U.S. $5.0 million revolving loan. In connection with the release of the Company from the Canadian Guaranty, Newco executed an unsecured Guarantee (the “Newco Guarantee”) to guarantee the obligations of Amrams under the Canadian Credit Agreement. A default under the Infantline Credit Agreement will not constitute a default under the Canadian Credit Agreement.

 

The Company believes that the lower interest rates that were extended to the Company’s subsidiaries in connection with the LaSalle Refinancing will enable the Company to reduce its aggregate interest expense, on a comparable basis, by approximately $2.0 million per year. However, because the 2006 Credit Agreements are extended directly to RB’s domestic subsidiaries, RB is dependent upon its operating subsidiaries to provide the cash necessary to enable the Company to fund its corporate overhead and other expenses.

 

The 2006 Credit Agreements restrict the ability of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries to distribute cash to RB for the purpose of paying dividends to the shareholders of the Company or for the purpose of satisfying the Company’s corporate overhead expenses. Subject to certain exceptions, the aggregate maximum amount that can be distributed by the Company’s domestic subsidiaries to RB to enable RB to pay corporate overhead expenses is $6.5 million for each of 2006 and 2007, and $7.0 million annually thereafter, with only $2.0 million of this amount permitted to be distributed by the Infantline Borrowers on an annualized basis. The Company believes that the amounts permitted to be distributed to it by its subsidiaries will be sufficient to fund its corporate overhead expenses, although there can be no assurance that such expenses will not exceed current estimates. There are no restrictions in the 2006 Credit Agreements on the ability of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries to distribute cash to the Company.

 

As a result of the LaSalle Refinancing, the obligation to pay the Earnout Consideration is no longer the obligation of RB, but the joint and several obligations of the Infantline Borrowers. With respect to the Earnout Consideration, the Infantline Borrowers will be permitted to pay all or a portion of the Earnout Consideration to the extent that, before and after giving effect to such payment, (i) Excess Revolving Loan Availability will equal or exceed $3.0 million and (ii) no violation of the Infantline Financial Covenants would then exist, or would, on a pro forma basis, result therefrom.

 

The Company’s ability to maintain compliance with the financial covenants under the 2006 Credit Agreements is dependent, particularly in the case of the Giftline Credit Agreement, upon the successful implementation of the PIP described under “Overview” above and current operational plans. Based on these plans and management’s current projections, the Company anticipates that it will remain in compliance with the financial covenants in the 2006 Credit Agreements at least through March 31, 2007. However, in the event that the Company is unable to successfully implement the key elements of the PIP, there can be no assurance that the Company will remain in compliance with such financial covenants, particularly the financial covenants in the Giftline Credit Agreement.

 

Other Events and Circumstances Pertaining to Liquidity

 

Although the Company has not yet completed the development of the PIP, the implementation of the PIP (portions of which are already underway in phases) will result in the recognition of certain significant restructuring charges and the incurrence of related severance obligations. See “Overview” above for a more detailed description of the PIP and the restructuring activities undertaken in 2005 and 2006.

 

The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts, principally to manage the economic currency risks associated with the purchase of inventory by its European, Canadian and Australian subsidiaries in the gift segment and by Sassy Inc. in the infant and juvenile segment.

 

25



 

The Company is dependent upon information technology systems in many aspects of its business. In 2002, the Company commenced a global implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system for its gift businesses. During 2003 and continuing into 2004, certain of the Company’s international gift subsidiaries began to phase-in aspects of the new ERP system. In late 2005, the Company began to explore alternative global information technology systems for its gift business that could provide greater efficiencies, lower costs and greater reporting capabilities than those provided by the current ERP system. As a result of this review, all remaining international implementations were placed on hold pending a decision on whether or not to replace the current ERP system. The Company expects to make a decision on whether to replace its current ERP system in the first half of 2006.

 

In March 1990, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase an aggregate of up to 7.0 million shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2005, 5.6 million shares have been repurchased since the beginning of the Company’s stock repurchase program. The Company did not repurchase any shares pursuant to this program or otherwise during fiscal 2005 or through the first quarter ending March 31, 2006. The 2006 Credit Agreements impose certain limitations on the ability of the Company to repurchase shares.

 

The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of its business that the Company believes will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Consistent with its past practices and in the normal course of its business, the Company regularly reviews acquisition opportunities of varying sizes. The Company may consider the use of debt or equity financing to fund potential acquisitions.  The 2006 Credit Agreements impose restrictions on the Company that could limit its ability to respond to market conditions or to take advantage of acquisitions or other business opportunities.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table summaries the Company’s significant known contractual obligations as of March 31, 2006 and the future periods in which such obligations are expected to be settled in cash (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Total

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

Thereafter

 

Operating Lease Obligations

 

$

62,780

 

$

6,194

 

$

7,223

 

$

6,541

 

$

6,017

 

$

5,338

 

$

31,467

 

Purchase Obligations(1)

 

$

28,948

 

$

28,948

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Debt Repayment Obligations(2)

 

$

76,000

 

$

23,500

 

$

9,000

 

$

11,500

 

$

14,500

 

$

15,000

 

$

2,500

 

Royalty Obligations

 

$

3,139

 

$

1,724

 

$

1,345

 

$

70

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Total Contractual Obligations

 

$

170,867

 

$

60,366

 

$

17,568

 

$

18,111

 

$

20,517

 

$

20,338

 

$

33,967

 

 


(1)    The Company’s purchase obligations consist of purchase orders for inventory.

 

(2)    Reflects repayment obligations under the 2006 Credit Agreements effective on March 14, 2006. See Note 5 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the 2006 Credit Agreements, including provisions that create, increase and/or accelerate obligations thereunder.

 

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of March 31, 2006, there have been no material changes in the information provided under the caption “Off Balance Sheet Arrangements” of Item 7 of the 2005 10-K.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The SEC has issued disclosure advice regarding “critical accounting policies”, defined as accounting policies that management believes are both most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results and require application of management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain.

 

Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of its consolidated financial statements that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and revisions made as determined to be necessary by management. There have been no material changes to the Company’s significant accounting estimates and assumptions or the judgments affecting the application of such estimates and assumptions during the period covered by this report from those described in the Company’s 2005 10-K, except as described below.

 

Historically, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation under the recognition and measurement principles of APB 25 and related interpretations. Accordingly, no compensation expense was reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations as all options granted had an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. In accordance with the disclosure provision of SFAS 123, previously issued financial statements included pro forma disclosures of the effect on net income and net income per share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, to share-based compensation.

 

The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006 using the “modified prospective” transition method. The “modified prospective” transition method requires compensation cost to be recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date. In accordance with this method, prior periods were not restated to reflect the impact of adopting the new standard.

 

See Note 2 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the impact of the Company’s adoption of SFAS 123(R), as well as the valuation methodology and assumptions utilized.

 

Also see Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the 2005 10-K for a summary of the significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

See Note 13 of the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of recently issued accounting standards including the respective dates of adoption and effects on results of operations and financial condition.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements.  Additional written and oral forward-looking statements may be made by the Company from time to time in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings and otherwise.  The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe-harbor for forward-looking statements.  These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases including, but not limited to, “anticipate”, “project”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “planned”, “potential”, “should”, “will” or “would”.  The Company cautions readers that results predicted by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those relating to the Company’s future business prospects, revenues, working capital, liquidity, capital needs, interest costs and income are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.  Specific risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, of the 2005 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

As of March 31, 2006, there have been no material changes in the Company’s market risks associated with marketable securities and foreign currency exchange rates, as described in Item 7A of the Company’s 2005 10-K. The market risk associated with long-term debt has changed as a result of the termination of the 2005 Credit Agreement and the execution of the 2006 Credit Agreements, as is more fully described in Note 5 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. The interest applicable to the 2006 Credit Agreements is based upon (i) the LIBOR Rate and (ii) the Base Rate (each as defined in the 2006 Credit Agreements), plus an applicable margin. At March 31, 2006, a sensitivity analysis to measure potential changes in applicable interest rate indicates that a one percentage point increase in interest rates would increase the Company’s interest expense by approximately $0.8 million annually, based upon the current level of debt at March 31, 2006. See Note 5 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the interest rates applicable to the loans under the 2006 Credit Agreements.

 

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 13d-15(e) as of March 31, 2006. Based upon our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of such date due to the fact that the material weakness described in the 2005 Form 10-K had not been remediated as of March 31, 2006, although steps have been taken toward remediation during the first quarter of 2006.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, of the Company’s 2005 10-K.

 

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS 

 

 

 

Exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

 

 

 

 

31.1   Certification of CEO required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

31.2   Certification of CFO required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

32.1   Certification of CEO required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

32.2   Certification of CFO required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

 

Items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are not applicable and have been omitted.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 

 

 

RUSS BERRIE AND COMPANY, INC.

 

 

                           (Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ John D. Wille

 

Date:

May 31, 2006

 

 

John D. Wille

 

 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

31.1   Certification of CEO required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2   Certification of CFO required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1   Certification of CEO required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.2   Certification of CFO required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31