10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

or

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 0-19254

 

 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   11-2682486

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1000 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York, 11530

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(516) 683-6000

(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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

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

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of November 8, 2013 was 12,737,557.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

INDEX

 

         Page No.  

Part I.

 

Financial Information

  

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

  
 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) – September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012

     2   
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) – Three and Nine Months Ended September  30, 2013 and 2012

     3   
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

     4   
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) – Nine Months Ended September  30, 2013 and 2012

     5   
 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     6   
 

Review Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     18   

Item 2.

 

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

     19   

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     30   

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

     30   

Part II.

 

Other Information

  

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

     31   

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

     31   

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     31   

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

     32   

Signatures

     34   


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,603      $ 1,871   

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $4,777 at September 30, 2013 and $3,996 at December 31, 2012

     93,177        97,369   

Inventory (Note A)

     133,052        104,584   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     7,113        5,393   

Deferred income taxes (Note G)

     3,384        3,542   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     239,329        212,759   

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

     28,670        31,646   

INVESTMENTS (Note B)

     36,163        43,685   

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net (Note C)

     55,822        57,842   

OTHER ASSETS

     2,557        2,865   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 362,541      $ 348,797   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Revolving Credit Facility (Note D)

   $ 7,000      $ 7,000   

Current portion of Senior Secured Term Loan (Note D)

     3,500        4,375   

Accounts payable

     33,968        18,555   

Accrued expenses

     39,599        33,354   

Income taxes payable (Note G)

     —          3,615   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     84,067        66,899   

DEFERRED RENT & OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

     19,192        21,565   

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES (Note G)

     2,365        3,510   

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY (Note D)

     58,103        53,968   

SENIOR SECURED TERM LOAN (Note D)

     28,000        30,625   

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, shares authorized: 100 shares of Series A and 2,000,000 shares of Series B; none issued and outstanding

     —          —     

Common stock, $.01 par value, shares authorized: 25,000,000; shares issued and outstanding: 12,737,557 at September 30, 2013 and 12,754,467 at December 31, 2012

     127        128   

Paid-in capital

     145,563        142,489   

Retained earnings

     29,314        33,849   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (4,190     (4,236
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     170,814        172,230   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 362,541      $ 348,797   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm review report and notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Net sales

   $ 142,229      $ 128,050      $ 337,862      $ 332,030   

Cost of sales

     90,952        83,141        213,917        211,287   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     51,277        44,909        123,945        120,743   

Distribution expenses

     10,564        10,536        31,489        31,943   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     28,941        25,893        80,499        74,935   

Restructuring expenses

     79        —          367     

Intangible asset impairment (Note C)

     —          1,069        —          1,069   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     11,693        7,411        11,590        12,796   

Interest expense (Note D)

     (1,280     (1,271     (3,591     (4,644

Loss on early retirement of debt

     —          (1,015     —          (1,363
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses)

     10,413        5,125        7,999        6,789   

Income tax provision (Note G)

     (3,869     (1,930     (2,993     (2,612

Equity in earnings (losses), net of taxes (Note B)

     (5,451     695        (5,113     1,616   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

   $ 1,093      $ 3,890      $ (107   $ 5,793   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BASIC INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (NOTE F)

   $ 0.09      $ 0.31      $ (0.01   $ 0.46   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE (NOTE F)

   $ 0.08      $ 0.30      $ (0.01   $ 0.45   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.03125      $ 0.025      $ 0.09375      $ 0.10   

See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm review report and notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,093      $ 3,890      $ (107   $ 5,793   

Other comprehensive income, net of taxes:

        

Translation adjustment

     200        1,246        (190     1,453   

Derivative fair value adjustment (Note A)

     (48     (258     196        (258

Effect of retirement benefit obligations

     14        11        40        (677
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of taxes:

     166        999        46        518   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 1,259      $ 4,889      $ (61   $ 6,311   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm review report and notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (107   $ 5,793   

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Provision for doubtful accounts

     17        —     

Depreciation and amortization

     7,707        6,878   

Deferred rent

     (721     (421

Deferred income taxes (Note G)

     26        (687

Stock compensation expense (Note E)

     2,131        2,131   

Undistributed equity losses (earnings) (Note B)

     5,686        (1,201

Loss on early retirement of debt

     —          1,363   

Intangible asset impairment (Note C)

     —          1,069   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities (excluding the effects of business acquisitions)

    

Accounts receivable

     4,177        (13,170

Inventory (Note A)

     (28,469     (18,617

Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets

     (994     (883

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

     20,266        10,642   

Income taxes payable (Note G)

     (3,885     (758
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     5,834        (7,861
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (2,772     (3,371

Net proceeds from sale of property

     7        15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (2,765     (3,356
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from Revolving Credit Facility, net of repayments (Note D)

     4,135        16,039   

Proceeds (repayments) of Senior Secured Term Loan (Note D)

     (3,500     35,000   

Repayment of Term Loan

     —          (40,000

Payments for stock repurchase

     (3,229     —     

Proceeds from exercise of stock options (Note E)

     943        380   

Cash dividend paid (Note J)

     (1,117     (935
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     (2,768     10,484   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of foreign exchange on cash

     431        (490

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     732        (1,223

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,871        2,972   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 2,603      $ 1,749   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying independent registered public accounting firm review report and notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

NOTE A BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization and business

Lifetime Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) designs, sources and sells branded kitchenware, tableware and other products used in the home and markets its products under a number of brand names and trademarks, which are either owned or licensed by the Company or through retailers’ private labels. The Company markets and sells its products principally on a wholesale basis to retailers. The Company also markets and sells a limited selection of its products directly to consumers through its Pfaltzgraff®, Mikasa®, Housewares Deals® and Lifetime Sterling® Internet websites.

Basis of presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.

The Company’s business and working capital needs are highly seasonal, with a majority of sales occurring in the third and fourth quarters. In 2012 and 2011, net sales for the third and fourth quarters accounted for 58% and 59% of total annual net sales, respectively. In anticipation of the pre-holiday shipping season, inventory levels increase primarily in the June through October time period.

Revenue recognition

The Company sells products wholesale, to retailers and distributors, and retail, directly to consumers. Wholesale sales and retail sales are recognized when title passes to the customer, which is primarily at the shipping point for wholesale sales and upon delivery to the customer for retail sales. Shipping and handling fees that are billed to customers in sales transactions are included in net sales and amounted to $266,000 and $281,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $918,000 and $868,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net sales exclude taxes that are collected from customers and remitted to the taxing authorities.

The Company offers various sales incentives and promotional programs to its customers from time to time in the normal course of business. These incentives and promotions typically include arrangements such as cooperative advertising, buydowns, volume rebates and discounts. These arrangements and an estimate of sales returns are reflected as reductions in net sales in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales consist primarily of costs associated with the production and procurement of product, inbound freight costs, purchasing costs, royalties and other product procurement related charges.

Distribution expenses

Distribution expenses consist primarily of warehousing expenses and freight-out expenses.

 

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

 

NOTE A BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

Inventory

Inventory consists principally of finished goods sourced from third-party suppliers. Inventory also includes finished goods, work in process and raw materials related to the Company’s manufacture of sterling silver products. Inventory is priced using the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market method. The Company estimates the selling price of its inventory on a product by product basis based on the current selling environment. If the estimated selling price is lower than the inventory’s cost, the Company reduces the value of the inventory to its net realizable value.

The components of inventory are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2013
     December 31,
2012
 
     (in thousands)  

Finished goods

     127,413       $ 101,021   

Work in process

     2,742         2,046   

Raw materials

     2,897         1,517   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 133,052       $ 104,584   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value of financial instruments

The Company determined the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of their short-term nature. The Company determined that the carrying amounts of borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility and senior secured term loan approximate fair value since such borrowings bear interest at variable market rates.

Derivatives

The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with ASC Topic No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging. ASC Topic No. 815 requires that all derivative instruments be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value as either an asset or liability. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that qualify as hedges and have been designated as part of a hedging relationship for accounting purposes have no net impact on earnings to the extent the derivative is considered highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows attributable to the risk being hedged, until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. If the derivative which is designated as part of a hedging relationship is considered ineffective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows attributable to the risk being hedged, the changes in fair value are recorded in operations. For derivatives that do not qualify or are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes, changes in fair value are recorded in operations.

The Company is a party to an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $30.6 million to manage interest rate exposure in connection with its variable interest rate borrowings. The hedge period in the agreement commenced in March 2013 and expires in June 2018 and the notional amount amortizes over this period. The interest rate swap agreement was designated as a cash flow hedge under ASC Topic No. 815. The effective portion of the fair value gain or loss on this agreement is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The effect of recording this derivative at fair value resulted in an unrealized loss of $48,000, net of taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and an unrealized gain of $196,000, net of taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. No amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss are expected to be reclassified to interest expense in the next twelve months.

 

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

 

NOTE A BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

 

The fair value of the derivative has been obtained from the counterparty to the agreement and was based on Level 2 observable inputs using proprietary models and estimates about relevant future market conditions. The aggregate fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments was a liability of $127,000 at September 30, 2013 and is included in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities.

Employee Healthcare

The Company self-insures certain portions of its health insurance plan. The Company maintains an accrual for unpaid claims and estimated claims incurred but not yet reported (“IBNR”). Although management believes that it uses the best information available to estimate IBNR, actual claims may vary significantly from estimated claims.

Restructuring Expenses

Costs associated with restructuring activities are recorded at fair value when a liability has been incurred. A liability has been incurred at the point of closure for any remaining operating lease obligations and at the communication date for severance.

In April 2013, the Company commenced a plan to close the Fred® & Friends distribution center and eliminate certain employee positions in conjunction with the closure. The Company recorded $79,000 of restructuring expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and $367,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to the execution of this plan. The Company does not expect to incur any further restructuring expenses related to this closure.

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income (e.g., net periodic pension benefit cost), an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. In connection with the adoption of this standard, the Company added additional disclosure about the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income to Note J of its financial statements.

 

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

 

NOTE B — INVESTMENTS

The Company owns approximately a 30% interest in Grupo Vasconia S.A.B. (“Vasconia”), an integrated manufacturer of aluminum products and one of Mexico’s largest housewares companies. Shares of Vasconia’s capital stock are traded on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, the Mexican Stock Exchange (www.bmv.com.mx). The Quotation Key is VASCONI. The Company accounts for its investment in Vasconia using the equity method of accounting and records its proportionate share of Vasconia’s net income in the Company’s statement of operations. Accordingly, the Company has recorded its proportionate share of Vasconia’s net income (loss) (reduced for amortization expense related to the customer relationships acquired) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The value of the Company’s investment balance has been translated from Mexican Pesos (“MXN”) to U.S. Dollars (“USD”) using the spot rate of MXN 13.15 and MXN 12.97 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The Company’s proportionate share of Vasconia’s net income (loss) has been translated from MXN to USD using the average exchange rate of MXN 12.90 and MXN 13.15 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and MXN 12.41 to MXN 12.77 and MXN 13.21 to MXN 13.24 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The effect of the translation of the Company’s investment resulted in a decrease to the investment of $0.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and an increase to the investment of $1.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (also see Note J). These translation effects are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are amounts due from Vasconia of $73,000 and $71,000, respectively. Included in accrued expenses at September 30, 2013 are amounts due to Vasconia of $98,000.

Summarized statement of income (loss) information for Vasconia in USD and MXN is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  
     USD     MXN     USD      MXN  

Net Sales

   $   37,306      $    481,222      $   48,377       $    636,347   

Gross Profit

     6,215        80,167        9,913         130,391   

Income (loss) from operations

     (131     (1,686     3,754         49,384   

Net Income (Loss)

     (853     (11,003     2,702         35,545   

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  
     USD     MXN     USD      MXN  

Net Sales

   $ 116,117      $ 1,472,703      $ 117,259       $ 1,552,020   

Gross Profit

     20,085        254,861        26,745         353,536   

Income from operations

     1,423        18,172        10,220         134,999   

Net Income

     1,794        22,273        6,918         91,482   

 

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

 

NOTE B INVESTMENTS (continued)

 

The Company recorded equity in losses of Vasconia, net of taxes, of $5.3 million (including a charge of $5.0 million, net of tax, for the reduction in its fair value, as discussed in the following paragraph) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and equity in earnings of Vasconia, net of taxes, of $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, and equity in losses of Vasconia, net of taxes, of $4.7 million and equity in earnings of Vasconia, net of taxes, of $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

As a result of a decline in the quoted stock price and the 2013 quarterly decline in the operating results of Vasconia, the carrying amount of the Company’s investment in Vasconia exceeded its fair value and, therefore, the Company reduced its investment value by $5.0 million, net of tax, to its fair value. As of September 30, 2013, the fair value (based upon the quoted stock price) and carrying value of the Company’s investment in Vasconia was $29.6 million.

The Company has a 40% equity interest in GS Internacional S/A (“GSI”), a leading wholesale distributor of branded housewares products in Brazil, which the Company acquired in December 2011. The Company recorded equity in losses of GSI of $132,000 and $45,000, net of taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $398,000 and $217,000, net of taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

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LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

 

NOTE C — INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30, 2013      December 31, 2012  
     Gross      Accumulated
Amortization
    Net      Gross      Accumulated
Amortization
    Net  

Goodwill

   $ 5,085         $ 5,085       $ 5,085         $ 5,085   

Indefinite-lived intangible assets:

               

Trade names

     18,364           18,364         18,364           18,364   

Finite-lived intangible assets:

               

Licenses

     15,847         (7,437     8,410         15,847         (7,096     8,751   

Trade names

     10,056         (2,458     7,598         10,056         (1,800     8,256   

Customer relationships

     18,406         (2,405     16,001         18,406         (1,409     16,997   

Patents

     584         (220     364         584         (195     389   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 68,342       $ (12,520   $ 55,822       $ 68,342       $ (10,500   $ 57,842   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company performed its 2013 annual impairment test for its indefinite-lived intangible assets as of October 1, 2013. The test, which is required to be performed annually, involved the assessment of the fair market value of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets based on Level 2 observable inputs, using a discounted cash flow approach, assuming a discount rate of 12.5%-14.0% and an average annual growth rate of 2.0%-3.5%. The result of the assessment of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangibles indicated that the fair values exceeded the carrying values as of October 1, 2013. In addition, the Company assessed the carrying value of its goodwill and determined based on qualitative factors that no impairment existed.

In the third quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.1 million in its statement of operations which reduced the book value of its Elements® trade name as of September 30, 2012.

NOTE D — DEBT

Revolving Credit Facility

The Company has a $175.0 million secured credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), maturing on July 27, 2017, with a bank group led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at one of the following rates: (i) the Alternate Base Rate, defined as the greater of the Prime Rate, Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.0%, plus a margin of 1.0% to 1.75%, or (ii) the Eurodollar Rate, defined as the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus a margin of 2.0% to 2.75%. The respective margins are based upon availability. Interest rates on outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2013 ranged from 2.4375% to 4.50%. In addition, the Company pays a commitment fee of 0.375% to 0.50% on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility.

At September 30, 2013, borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility were $65.1 million and open letters of credit were $1.1 million. Availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $102.2 million, or 58.4% of the total loan commitment at September 30, 2013.

 

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Table of Contents

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

 

NOTE D — DEBT (continued)

 

The Company classifies a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility as a current liability if the Company’s intent and ability is to repay the loan from cash flows from operations which are expected to occur within the next 12 months. Repayments and borrowings under the facility can vary significantly from planned levels based on cash flow needs and general economic conditions. The Company expects that it will continue to borrow and repay funds, subject to availability, under the facility based on working capital and other corporate needs.

Senior Secured Term Loan

The Company has a second lien credit agreement (the “Senior Secured Term Loan”), which matures on July 27, 2018, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. At September 30, 2013, the Senior Secured Term Loan balance was $31.5 million.

The Senior Secured Term Loan bears interest, at the Company’s option, at the Alternate Base Rate (as defined) plus 4.00%, or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (as defined) plus 5.00%. The Company is a party to an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $30.6 million to manage interest rate exposure in connection with its variable interest rate borrowings. The hedge period in the agreement commenced in March 2013 and expires in June 2018, and the notional amount amortizes over this period. The hedge provides for a fixed payment of interest at an annual rate of 1.05% in exchange for the Adjusted LIBOR Rate. In March 2013, based on the interest rate swap agreement, the Company commenced the payment of interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.05%.

The Senior Secured Term Loan provides that for any four consecutive fiscal quarters, (x) if EBITDA (as defined) is less than $34.0 million but equal to or greater than $30.0 million, the ratio of Indebtedness (as defined) to EBITDA shall not exceed 3.0 to 1.0 and (y) EBITDA shall not be less than $30.0 million. Capital expenditures are limited and for the year ended December 31, 2013, such limit is $9.0 million.

The Revolving Credit Facility and Senior Secured Term Loan provide for other customary restrictions and events of default. Restrictions include limitations on additional indebtedness, acquisitions, investments and payment of dividends, among others. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of the Senior Secured Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2013.

NOTE E STOCK COMPENSATION

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:

 

     Options     Weighted-
average
exercise price
     Weighted-
average
remaining
contractual
life (years)
     Aggregate
intrinsic
value
 

Options outstanding, January 1, 2013

     2,528,177      $ 13.06         

Grants

     390,800        12.26         

Exercises

     (207,977     4.54         

Cancellations

     (45,000     19.37         

Expirations

     (231,500     22.46         
  

 

 

         

Options outstanding, September 30, 2013

     2,434,500        12.65         6.48         10,484,325   
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

Options exercisable, September 30, 2013

     1,524,450        13.02         5.59         7,517,920   
  

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

 

NOTE E STOCK COMPENSATION (continued)

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their stock options on September 30, 2013. The intrinsic value is calculated for each in-the-money stock option as the difference between the closing price of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2013 and the exercise price.

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $1.7 million and $963,000, respectively. The intrinsic value of a stock option that is exercised is calculated at the date of exercise.

The Company recognized stock option compensation expense of $740,000 and $678,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

Total unrecognized stock option compensation expense at September 30, 2013, before the effect of income taxes, was $4.4 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.53 years.

At September 30, 2013, there were 621,844 shares available for awards that could be granted under the company’s 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

NOTE F — INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

Basic income (loss) per common share has been computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding. Diluted income (loss) per common share adjusts net income (loss) and basic income (loss) per common share for the effect of all potentially dilutive shares of the Company’s common stock. The calculations of basic and diluted income (loss) per common share for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013      2012      2013     2012  
     (in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Net income (loss) – basic and diluted

   $ 1,093       $ 3,890         (107   $ 5,793   

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

     12,707         12,546         12,758        12,482   

Effect of dilutive securities:

          

Stock options

     339         254         —          298   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding – diluted

     13,046         12,800         12,758        12,780   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic income (loss) per common share

   $ 0.09       $ 0.31       $ (0.01   $ 0.46   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted income (loss) per common share

   $ 0.08       $ 0.30       $ (0.01   $ 0.45   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The computation of diluted income (loss) per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 excludes options to purchase 336,500 shares and options to purchase 1,158,000 shares, respectively. The computation of diluted income (loss) per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 excludes options to purchase 2,476,500 shares and options to purchase 1,328,350 shares, respectively. The above shares were excluded due to their antidilutive effects.

 

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Table of Contents

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

 

NOTE G — INCOME TAXES

On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates its tax positions and revises its estimates accordingly. There were no material changes to the Company’s tax positions during the quarter. The Company believes that $204,000 of its tax positions will be resolved within the next twelve months.

The Company has identified the following jurisdictions as “major” tax jurisdictions: U.S. Federal, California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and the United Kingdom. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal income tax examinations for the years prior to 2011. At September 30, 2013, the periods subject to examination for the Company’s major state jurisdictions are the years ended 2008 through 2012.

The Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties is to record such items as a component of income taxes. Interest and penalties were not material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

NOTE H – BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company operates in two reportable business segments: the Wholesale segment, the Company’s primary business segment, in which the Company designs, markets and distributes products to retailers and distributors, and the Retail Direct segment, in which the Company markets and sells a limited selection of its products directly to consumers through its Pfaltzgraff®, Mikasa®, Housewares Deals® and Lifetime Sterling® Internet websites. The operating results of Fred® & Friends since December 20, 2012, the date of the acquisition, are included in the Wholesale segment.

The Company has segmented its operations to reflect the manner in which management reviews and evaluates the results of its operations. While both segments distribute similar products, the segments have been distinct due to the different methods the Company uses to sell, market and distribute the products. Management evaluates the performance of the Wholesale and Retail Direct segments based on net sales and income from operations. Such measures give recognition to specifically identifiable operating costs such as cost of sales, distribution expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. Certain general and administrative expenses, such as senior executive salaries and benefits, stock compensation, director fees and accounting, legal and consulting fees, are not allocated to the specific segments and are reflected as unallocated corporate expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

 

NOTE H — BUSINESS SEGMENTS (continued)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Net sales

        

Wholesale

   $ 138,503      $ 123,792      $ 324,890      $ 318,292   

Retail Direct

     3,726        4,258        12,972        13,738   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net sales

   $ 142,229      $ 128,050      $ 337,862      $ 332,030   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

        

Wholesale

   $ 15,507      $ 10,856      $ 21,486      $ 22,394   

Retail Direct

     (267     (230     (533     (516

Unallocated corporate expenses

     (3,547     (3,215     (9,363     (9,082
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income from operations

   $ 11,693      $ 7,411      $ 11,590      $ 12,796   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

        

Wholesale

   $ (2,451   $ (2,342   $ (7,510   $ (6,694

Retail Direct

     (66     (67     (197     (184
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total depreciation and amortization

   $ (2,517   $ (2,409   $ (7,707   $ (6,878
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE I — CONTINGENCIES

Wallace Silversmiths de Puerto Rico, Ltd. (“Wallace de Puerto Rico”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, operates a manufacturing facility in San Germán, Puerto Rico that is leased from the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (“PRIDCO”). In March 2008, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) announced that the San Germán Ground Water Contamination site in Puerto Rico (the “Site”) had been added to the Superfund National Priorities List due to contamination present in the local drinking water supply.

In May 2008, Wallace de Puerto Rico received from the EPA a Notice of Potential Liability and Request for Information Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sections 9607(a) and 9604(e) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act. The Company responded to the EPA’s Request for Information on behalf of Wallace de Puerto Rico. In July 2011, Wallace de Puerto Rico received a letter from the EPA requesting access to the property that it leases from PRIDCO, and the Company granted such access. In February 2013, the EPA requested access to conduct further environmental investigation at the property. The Company granted such access and further EPA investigation is pending.

The Company is not aware of any determination by the EPA that any remedial action is required for the Site, and, accordingly, is not able to estimate the extent of any possible liability.

The Company is, from time to time, involved in other legal proceedings. The Company believes that other current litigation is routine in nature and incidental to the conduct of the Company’s business and that none of this litigation, individually or collectively, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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Table of Contents

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

 

NOTE J OTHER

Cash dividends

Dividends declared in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

Dividend per share      Date declared    Date of record    Payment date
$ 0.03125       March 12, 2013    May 1, 2013    May 15, 2013
$ 0.03125       June 13, 2013    August 1, 2013    August 15, 2013
$ 0.03125       August 2, 2013    November 1, 2013    November 15, 2013

On February 15, 2013, May 15, 2013 and August 15, 2013, the Company paid cash dividends of $319,000, $401,000 and $397,000, respectively, which reduced retained earnings. In the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company reduced retained earnings for the accrual of $398,000 relating to the dividend payable on November 15, 2013. On October 31, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.0375 per share payable on February 14, 2014 to shareholders of record on January 31, 2014.

Dividends declared in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 are as follows:

 

Dividend per share      Date declared    Date of record    Payment date
$ 0.025       January 11, 2012    February 1, 2012    February 15, 2012
$ 0.025       March 6, 2012    May 1, 2012    May 15, 2012
$ 0.025       June 13, 2012    August 1, 2012    August 15, 2012
$ 0.025       July 31, 2012    November 1, 2012    November 15, 2012

Stock repurchase program

On April 30, 2013, Lifetime’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The repurchase authorization permits the Company to effect the repurchases from time to time through open market purchases and privately negotiated transactions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company repurchased 245,575 shares under the April 2013 authorization for a total cost of $3.2 million and thereafter retired the shares.

Supplemental cash flow information

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013      2012  
     (in thousands)  

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

     

Cash paid for interest

     2,742       $ 4,373   

Cash paid for taxes

     4,891         3,301   

Non-cash investing activities:

     

Translation adjustment

     190       $ (1,453

 

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Table of Contents

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2013

(unaudited)

 

NOTE J OTHER (continued)

 

Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Accumulated translation adjustment:

        

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (3,194   $ (5,674   $ (2,804   $ (5,881

Translation gain (loss) during period

     200        1,246        (190     1,453   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ (2,994   $ (4,428   $ (2,994   $ (4,428
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated deferred losses on cash flow hedges:

        

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (28   $ —        $ (272   $ —     

Derivative fair value adjustment, net of taxes of $32 and $172 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $131 and $172 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively

     (48     (258     196        (258
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ (76   $ (258   $ (76   $ (258
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated effect of retirement benefit obligations:

        

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (1,134   $ (688   $ (1,160   $ —     

Net loss arising from retirement benefit obligations, net of taxes of $474 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012

     —          —          —          (711

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss:

        

Amortization of actuarial losses, net of taxes of $8 and $27 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively

     14        11        40        34   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ (1,120   $ (677   $ (1,120   $ (677
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period

   $ (4,190   $ (5,363   $ (4,190   $ (5,363
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    

Statement of Operations
line item

     2013     2012      2013     2012       
     (in thousands)       

Effect of retirement benefit obligations:

            

Actuarial losses before taxes

   $ 22      $ 11       $ 67      $ 34      

Tax benefit

     (8     —           (27     —        
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Actuarial losses net of taxes

   $ 14      $ 11       $ 40      $ 34      

Selling, general and

administrative expenses

  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

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Table of Contents

Review Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Lifetime Brands, Inc:

We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of Lifetime Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2013, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2012 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein) and we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements in our report dated March 15, 2013. The consolidated balance sheet of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries (a corporation in which the Company has a 30% interest) as of December 31, 2012 and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein) were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 28, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements, and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included for Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B and Subsidiaries, is based solely on the report of the other auditors. In the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s investment in Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries is stated at $36.4 million at December 31, 2012 and the Company’s equity in the net income of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. and Subsidiaries is stated at $6.9 million for the year then ended. In our opinion, the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Lifetime Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Jericho, New York

November 8, 2013

 

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Table of Contents
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include information concerning Lifetime Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries’ (the “Company’s”) plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues, performance, capital expenditures, financing needs and other information that is not historical information. Many of these statements appear, in particular, in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the words “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” and “believes” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the Company’s examination of historical operating trends, are based upon the Company’s current expectations and various assumptions. The Company believes there is a reasonable basis for its expectations and assumptions, but there can be no assurance that the Company will realize its expectations or that the Company’s assumptions will prove correct.

There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report. Important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed as forward-looking statements are set forth in the Company’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K in Part I, Item 1A under the heading Risk Factors. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others, risks related to:

 

    General economic factors and political conditions, including risks related to recent acquisitions and investments;

 

    Liquidity;

 

    Interest;

 

    Competition;

 

    Customers;

 

    Supply chain;

 

    Intellectual property;

 

    Regulatory matters;

 

    Technology;

 

    Personnel; and

 

    Business interruptions.

There may be other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

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Table of Contents

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The Company designs, sources and sells branded kitchenware, tableware and other products used in the home. The Company’s product categories include two categories of products that people use to prepare, serve and consume foods, Kitchenware (kitchen tools and gadgets, cutlery, cutting boards, cookware, bakeware and novelty housewares) and Tableware (dinnerware, flatware and glassware); and one category, Home Solutions, which comprises other products used in the home (food storage, pantryware, spices and home décor). In 2012, Kitchenware products and Tableware products accounted for approximately 80% of the Company’s wholesale net sales and 76% of its consolidated net sales.

The Company markets several product lines within each of its product categories and under most of the Company’s brands, primarily targeting moderate to premium price points through every major level of trade. The Company believes it possesses certain competitive advantages based on its brands, its emphasis on innovation and new product development and its sourcing capabilities. The Company owns or licenses a number of the leading brands in its industry including KitchenAid®, Farberware®, Mikasa®, Pfaltzgraff®, Fred®, Kamenstein®, Towle®, Elements®, Melannco® and V&A®. Historically, the Company’s sales growth has come from expanding product offerings within its product categories, by developing existing brands, acquiring new brands and establishing new product categories. Key factors in the Company’s growth strategy have been the selective use and management of the Company’s brands and the Company’s ability to provide a stream of new products and designs. A significant element of this strategy is the Company’s in-house design and development teams that create new products, packaging and merchandising concepts.

BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company operates in two reportable business segments: the Wholesale segment, which is the Company’s primary business that designs, markets and distributes its products to retailers and distributors, and the Retail Direct segment, in which the Company markets and sells a limited selection of its products to consumers through its Pfaltzgraff®, Mikasa®, Housewares Deals® and Lifetime Sterling® Internet websites. The operating results of Fred® & Friends are included in the Wholesale segment from December 20, 2012, the date it was acquired by the Company.

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

The Company owns approximately 30% of the outstanding capital stock of Grupo Vasconia, S.A.B. (“Vasconia”), an integrated manufacturer of aluminum products and one of Mexico’s largest housewares companies. Shares of Vasconia’s capital stock are traded on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, the Mexican Stock Exchange (www.bmv.com.mx). The Quotation Key is VASCONI.

The Company accounts for its investment in Vasconia using the equity method of accounting and has recorded its proportionate share of Vasconia’s net income (loss), net of taxes, as equity in earnings (losses) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Pursuant to a Shares Subscription Agreement (the “Agreement”), the Company may designate four persons to be nominated as members of Vasconia’s Board of Directors. As of September 30, 2013, Vasconia’s Board of Directors is comprised of ten members of which the Company has designated three members.

The Company owns approximately 40% of the outstanding capital stock of GS Internacional S/A (“GSI”). GSI is a leading wholesale distributor of branded housewares products in Brazil. The Company accounts for its investment in GSI using the equity method of accounting and has recorded its proportionate share of GSI’s net income, net of taxes, as equity in earnings (losses) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Pursuant to a Shareholders’ Agreement, the Company has the right to designate three persons (including one independent person, as defined) to be nominated as members of GSI’s Board of Directors which shall be comprised of a maximum of seven members. As of September 30, 2013, GSI’s Board of Directors is comprised of six members (including two independent members) of which the Company has designated three members (including one of the two independent members).

 

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SEASONALITY

The Company’s business and working capital needs are highly seasonal, with a majority of sales occurring in the third and fourth quarters. In 2012 and 2011 net sales for the third and fourth quarters accounted for 58% and 59% of total annual net sales, respectively. In anticipation of the pre-holiday shipping season, inventory levels increase primarily in the June through October time period.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates discussed in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth statements of operations data of the Company as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013     2012     2013     2012  

Net sales

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Cost of sales

     64.0       64.9       63.3       63.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross margin

     36.0        35.1       36.7        36.4  

Distribution expenses

     7.5       8.2       9.3       9.6  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     20.2       20.2       23.8       22.6  

Restructuring Expense

     0.1       —          0.1       —     

Intangible asset impairment

     —          0.9       —          0.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     8.2       5.8       3.5       3.8  

Interest expense

     (0.9 )     (1.0 )     (1.1 )     (1.4 )

Loss on early retirement of debt

     —          (0.8 )     —          (0.4 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses)

     7.3       4.0       2.4       2.0  

Income tax provision

     (2.6 )     (1.5 )     (1.0 )     (0.8 )

Equity in earnings (losses), net of taxes

     (3.9 )     0.5       (1.5 )     0.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     0.8     3.0     (0.1 )%      1.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AS COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $142.2 million, an increase of $14.1 million, or 11.0%, as compared to net sales of $128.1 million for the corresponding period in 2012.

Net sales for the Wholesale segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $138.5 million, an increase of $14.7 million, or 11.9%, as compared to net sales of $123.8 million for the corresponding period in 2012. Net sales for the Company’s Kitchenware product category were $81.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $13.0 million, or 19.1%, as compared to $68.2 million for the corresponding period in 2012. Net sales for the Company’s Kitchenware product category included $4.8 million of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from Fred® & Friends, which was acquired by the Company in December 2012. The increase in the Company’s Kitchenware product category was primarily attributable to successful new kitchen tools and gadgets programs during the third quarter of 2013. Net sales for the Company’s Tableware product category were $41.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $1.2 million, or 2.8%, as compared to $42.9 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The Tableware product category sales decrease was attributable to a decline in sales of luxury tableware related products and a decline in sales at Creative Tops. Net sales for the Company’s Home Solutions product category were $15.6 million, an increase of $2.9 million, or 22.8%, as compared to $12.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. The Home Solutions product category sales increase was the result of larger seasonal programs related to wall décor and lighting products in the 2013 quarter.

Net sales for the Retail Direct segment for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $3.7 million, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 14.0%, as compared to $4.3 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The decrease in Retail Direct sales resulted from reduced promotional activity in the current period.

Gross margin

Gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $51.3 million, or 36.0%, as compared to $44.9 million, or 35.1%, for the corresponding period in 2012.

Gross margin for the Wholesale segment was 35.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 33.9% for the corresponding period in 2012. The increase in gross margin primarily reflects the inclusion of Fred® & Friends which was acquired in December 2012 and a change in product mix.

Gross margin for the Retail Direct segment was 70.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 67.8% for the corresponding period in 2012. Gross margin increased for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as a result of reduced discounting of dinnerware in 2013 principally from the elimination of the use of multiple coupons for one transaction.

Distribution expenses

Distribution expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $10.6 million as compared to $10.5 million for the corresponding period in 2012. Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales were 7.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 8.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

As a percentage of sales shipped from the Company’s warehouses, distribution expenses for the Wholesale segment were 8.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 9.1% for the corresponding period in 2012. The decrease primarily reflects favorable absorption of fixed expenses due to the closure of the Fred® & Friends distribution center and corresponding distribution of the Fred® & Friends products through the Company’s existing warehouses and other expense efficiencies.

Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales for the Retail Direct segment were approximately 29.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 29.4% for the corresponding period in 2012.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $28.9 million, an increase of $3.0 million, or 11.6%, as compared to $25.9 million for the corresponding period in 2012.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 for the Wholesale segment were $23.6 million, an increase of $2.8 million, or 13.5%, from $20.8 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The increase was due to the inclusion of Fred® & Friends and an increase in selling expenses, employee related expenses and trade show expenses. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 17.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to 16.8% for the corresponding period in 2012.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the Retail Direct segment were $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to $1.9 for the corresponding period in 2012.

Unallocated corporate expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $3.5 million as compared to $3.2 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in professional fees and employee related expenses.

Restructuring expenses

Restructuring expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013 were $0.1 million. The expenses resulted from the planned closure of the Fred® & Friends distribution center which included the elimination of certain employee positions in the third quarter.

Intangible asset impairment

In 2012, the Company’s home décor products category experienced a significant decline in sales and profit. The Company believed the most significant factor was the reduction in retail space allocated to the category which also contributed to pricing pressure. While the Company believed this market condition was not permanent, following a strategic review of the business, it decided to re-brand a portion of the home décor products under the Mikasa® and Pfaltzgraff® trade names. As a result of these factors, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.1 million in its statement of operations in the third quarter of 2012 which reduced the book value of its Elements® trade name.

Interest expense

Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013.

Loss on early retirement of debt

In July 2012, the Company repaid the remaining $30.0 million of the Term Loan. In connection therewith, the Company wrote off debt issuance costs of $1.0 million.

Income tax provision

The income tax provision for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $3.9 million as compared to $1.9 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was 37.2% as compared to 37.7% for the 2012 period. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 reflects the benefit of a reduced tax rate in the United Kingdom and certain favorable adjustments resulting from state tax return filings in the United States.

 

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Equity in earnings (losses)

Equity in losses of Vasconia, net of taxes, was $5.3 million (including a charge of $5.0 million, net of tax for the reduction in the fair value of the Company’s investment in Vasconia) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to equity in earnings of $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The reduction in the fair value was based upon a decline in the quoted stock price of Vasconia and the 2013 quarterly decline in the operating results of Vasconia. Vasconia reported a loss from operations of $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared income from operations of $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Vasconia reported a net loss of $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to net income of $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The net loss in the third quarter is the result of a decline in kitchenware and aluminum sales and reduced margins on aluminum sales. Equity in losses of GSI was $132,000 and $45,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AS COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Net Sales

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $337.9 million, an increase of $5.9 million, or 1.8%, as compared to net sales of $332.0 million for the corresponding period in 2012.

Net sales for the Wholesale segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $324.9 million, an increase of $6.6 million, or 2.1%, as compared to net sales of $318.3 million for the corresponding period in 2012. Net sales for the Company’s Kitchenware product category were $189.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $17.6 million, or 10.2%, as compared to $171.8 million for the corresponding period in 2012. Net sales for the Company’s Kitchenware product category included $12.1 million of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from Fred® & Friends, which was acquired by the Company in December 2012. The increase in the Company’s Kitchenware product category was primarily attributable to successful new cutlery programs in the first half of the year and new kitchen tools and gadgets programs during the third quarter of 2013. Net sales for the Company’s Tableware product category were $99.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, a decrease of $12.0 million, or 10.8%, as compared to $111.4 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The Tableware product category sales decrease reflects a decline in luxury tableware sales and a $4.7 million decrease in net sales at Creative Tops due to weakness in the economy in the United Kingdom and the impact of higher duties on ceramic products imposed by the European Union. Net sales for the Company’s Home Solutions product category were $36.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $1.0 million, or 2.8%, as compared to $35.1 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The increase in sales for the Company’s Home Solutions product category was primarily due to larger seasonal programs related to wall décor and lighting products in the third quarter of 2013, which offset reduced sales in the first half of the year resulting from a decline in close out activity and lower volume at a major warehouse club in the first quarter.

Net sales for the Retail Direct segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $13.0 million, a decrease of $0.7 million, or 5.1%, as compared to $13.7 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The decrease in Retail Direct sales resulted from reduced promotional activity in the current period.

Gross margin

Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $123.9 million, or 36.7%, as compared to $120.7 million, or 36.4%, for the corresponding period in 2012.

Gross margin for the Wholesale segment was 35.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 35.0% for the corresponding period in 2012. The increase in gross margin primarily reflects the inclusion of Fred® & Friends which was acquired in December 2012.

Gross margin for the Retail Direct segment was 70.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 68.4% for the corresponding period in 2012. Gross margin increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as a result of reduced discounting of dinnerware in 2013 principally from the elimination of the use of multiple coupons for one transaction.

Distribution expenses

Distribution expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $31.5 million as compared to $31.9 million for the corresponding period in 2012. Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales were 9.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 9.6% for the corresponding period in 2012.

Distribution expenses as a percentage of sales shipped from the Company’s warehouses for the Wholesale segment were 9.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 10.0% for the corresponding period in 2012. The decrease primarily reflects favorable absorption of fixed expenses due to the closure of the Fred® & Friends distribution center and corresponding distribution of Fred® & Friends products through the Company’s existing warehouses.

Distribution expenses as a percentage of net sales for the Retail Direct segment were approximately 29.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to 29.9% for the corresponding period in 2012.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $80.5 million, an increase of $5.6 million, or 7.5%, as compared to $74.9 million for the corresponding period in 2012.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 for the Wholesale segment were $65.4 million, an increase of $5.4 million, or 9.0%, as compared to $60.0 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The increase was due to the inclusion of Fred® & Friends and an increase in trade show expenses, selling expenses and employee related expenses. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 20.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to 18.9% for the corresponding period in 2012.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 for the Retail Direct segment were $5.7 million and $5.8 million, respectively.

Unallocated corporate expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were $9.4 million and $9.1 million. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in professional fees.

Restructuring expenses

Restructuring expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $0.4 million. The expenses resulted from the planned closure of the Fred® & Friends distribution center which included the elimination of certain employee positions.

Intangible asset impairment

In 2012, the Company’s home décor products category experienced a significant decline in sales and profit. The Company believed the most significant factor was the reduction in retail space allocated to the category which also contributed to pricing pressure. While the Company believed this market condition was not permanent, following a strategic review of the business, it decided to re-brand a portion of the home décor products under the Mikasa® and Pfaltzgraff® trade names. As a result of these factors, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.1 million in its statement of operations in the third quarter of 2012 which reduced the book value of its Elements® trade name.

Interest expense

Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $3.6 million as compared to $4.6 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The decrease in interest expense was attributable to lower average interest rates and lower average borrowings in 2013 as compared to 2012.

Loss on early retirement of debt

In June and July 2012, the Company repaid its Term Loan. In connection therewith, the Company wrote off debt issuance costs of $1.4 million.

Income tax provision

The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $3.0 million as compared to an income tax provision of $2.6 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 37.4% as compared to 38.5% for the 2012 period. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily reflects the benefit of a reduced tax rate in the United Kingdom.

 

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Equity in earnings (losses)

Equity in losses of Vasconia, net of taxes, was $4.7 million (including a charge of $5.0 million, net of tax, for the reduction in the fair value of the Company’s investment in Vasconia) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to equity in earnings of $1.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The reduction in the fair value was based upon a decline in the quoted stock price of Vasconia and the 2013 quarterly decline in the operating results of Vasconia. Vasconia reported income from operations of $1.4 million and $10.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and net income of $1.8 million and $6.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The reduction of net income is the result of a decline in kitchenware sales and reduced margins on aluminum sales, which was partially offset by a recovery of value-added taxes (including interest thereon). This recovery resulted in an increase of $0.7 million in the equity in earnings of Vasconia for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Equity in losses of GSI was $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company’s principal sources of cash to fund liquidity needs are: (i) cash provided by operating activities and (ii) borrowings available under its revolving credit facility. The Company’s primary uses of funds consist of working capital requirements, capital expenditures and payments of principal and interest on its debt.

Revolving Credit Facility

The Company has a $175.0 million secured credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), maturing on July 27, 2017, with a bank group led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

At September 30, 2013, borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility were $65.1 million and open letters of credit were $1.1 million. Availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $102.2 million, or 58.4% of the total loan commitment at September 30, 2013.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at one of the following rates: (i) the Alternate Base Rate, defined as the greater of the Prime Rate, Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% or the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 1.0%, plus a margin of 1.0% to 1.75%, or (ii) the Eurodollar Rate, defined as the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus a margin of 2.0% to 2.75%. The respective margins are based upon availability. Interest rates on outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2013 ranged from 2.4375% to 4.50%. In addition, the Company pays a commitment fee of 0.375% to 0.50% on the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility provides for customary restrictions and events of default. Restrictions include limitations on additional indebtedness, acquisitions, investments and payment of dividends, among others.

The Company classifies a portion of the Revolving Credit Facility as a current liability if the Company’s intent and ability is to repay the loan from cash flows from operations which are expected to occur within the year. Repayments and borrowings under the facility can vary significantly from planned levels based on cash flow needs and general economic conditions. The Company expects that it will continue to borrow and repay funds, subject to availability, under the facility based on working capital and other corporate needs.

Senior Secured Term Loan

The Company has a second lien credit agreement (the “Senior Secured Term Loan”), which matures on July 27, 2018, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. At September 30, 2013, the Senior Secured Term Loan balance was $31.5 million.

The Senior Secured Term Loan bears interest, at the Company’s option, at the Alternate Base Rate (as defined) plus 4.00%, or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (as defined) plus 5.00%. The Company is a party to an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $30.6 million to manage interest rate exposure in connection with its variable interest rate borrowings. The hedge period in the agreement commenced in March 2013 and expires in June 2018, and the notional amount amortizes over this period. The hedge provides for a fixed payment of interest at an annual rate of 1.05% in exchange for the Adjusted LIBOR Rate. In March 2013, based on the interest rate swap agreement, the Company commenced payment of interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.05%.

The Senior Secured Term Loan provides that for any four consecutive fiscal quarters, (x) if EBITDA (as defined) is less than $34.0 million but equal to or greater than $30.0 million, the ratio of Indebtedness (as defined) to EBITDA shall not exceed 3.0 to 1.0 and (y) EBITDA shall not be less than $30.0 million. Capital expenditures are limited and for the year ended December 31, 2013, such limit is $9.0 million. The Senior Secured Term Loan provides for other customary restrictions and events of default. Restrictions include limitations on additional indebtedness, acquisitions, investments and payment of dividends, among others. Further, the Senior Secured Term Loan provides that the Company shall maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10 to 1.00 for any four consecutive fiscal quarters. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of the Senior Secured Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility at September 30, 2013.

 

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The following is the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for the four quarters ended September 30, 2013:

 

     Consolidated EBITDA  
     (in thousands)  

Three months ended September 30, 2013

   $ 15,067   

Three months ended June 30, 2013

     4,321   

Three months ended March 31, 2013

     3,079   

Three months ended December 31, 2012

     17,868   
  

 

 

 

Total for the four quarters(1)

   $ 40,335   
  

 

 

 

Note:

 

(1) The Company’s Revolving Credit Facility and Senior Secured Term Loan provide that EBITDA shall be calculated to include certain permitted adjustments. The Consolidated EBITDA inclusive of such permitted adjustments amounted to $42.9 million for the four quarters ended September 30, 2013.

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were $2.8 million.

Non-GAAP financial measure

Consolidated EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The following is a reconciliation of the net income as reported to Consolidated EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2013      2012     2013     2012  
     (in thousands)  

Net income (loss) as reported

   $ 1,093       $ 3,890      $ (107   $ 5,793   

Subtract out:

         

Undistributed equity (earnings) losses, net

     5,452         (695     5,686        (1,201

Add back:

         

Income tax provision

     3,869         1,930        2,993        2,612   

Interest expense

     1,280         1,271        3,591        4,644   

Loss on early retirement of debt

     —           1,015        —          1,363   

Intangible asset impairment

     —           1,069        —          1,069   

Depreciation and amortization

     2,517         2,409        7,707        6,878   

Stock compensation expense

     738         679        2,131        2,131   

Permitted acquisition related expenses

     39         —          99        85   

Restructuring Expenses

     79         —          367        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated EBITDA

   $ 15,067       $ 11,568      $ 22,467      $ 23,374   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Operating activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to cash used of $7.9 million for the corresponding period in 2012. The increase was primarily attributable to the collection of more accounts receivable in the 2013 period as compared to the 2012 period and fewer payments of accounts payable and accrued expenses in the 2013 period as compared to the 2012 period.

Investing activities

Cash used in investing activities was $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to $3.4 million for the 2012 period.

Financing activities

Cash used in financing activities was $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $10.5 million for the 2012 period. The Company provided cash flows from operations from net proceeds from borrowings of $0.6 million of debt in the 2013 period as compared to net proceeds from borrowings of $11.0 million in the 2012 period. In addition, the Company repurchased $3.2 million of the Company’s common stock during the 2013 period.

Stock repurchase program

On April 30, 2013, Lifetime’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The repurchase authorization permits the Company to effect the repurchases from time to time through open market purchases and privately negotiated transactions. During the nine months ended June 30, 2013, the Company repurchased 245,575 shares under the April 2013 authorization for a total cost of $3.2 million and thereafter retired the shares.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. The Company is exposed to market risk associated with changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company’s Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan bear interest at variable rates and, therefore, the Company is subject to increases and decreases in interest expense resulting from fluctuations in interest rates. The Company has foreign operations through its acquisitions and equity investments from which the Company is subject to increases and decreases in its income resulting from the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluation as of September 30, 2013, that the Company’s controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed by it under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Wallace Silversmiths de Puerto Rico, Ltd. (“Wallace de Puerto Rico”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, operates a manufacturing facility in San Germán, Puerto Rico that is leased from the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (“PRIDCO”). In March 2008, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) announced that the San Germán Ground Water Contamination site in Puerto Rico (the “Site”) had been added to the Superfund National Priorities List due to contamination present in the local drinking water supply.

In May 2008, Wallace de Puerto Rico received from the EPA a Notice of Potential Liability and Request for Information Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Sections 9607(a) and 9604(e) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act. The Company responded to the EPA’s Request for Information on behalf of Wallace de Puerto Rico. In July 2011, Wallace de Puerto Rico received a letter from the EPA requesting access to the property that it leases from PRIDCO, and the Company granted such access. In February 2013, the EPA requested access to conduct further environmental investigation at the property during September 2013. The Company granted such access and further EPA investigation is pending.

The Company is not aware of any determination by the EPA that any remedial action is required for the Site and, accordingly, is not able to estimate the extent of any possible liability.

The Company is, from time to time, involved in other legal proceedings. The Company believes that such other current litigation is routine in nature and incidental to the conduct of the Company’s business and that none of this litigation, individually or collectively, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in the Company’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On April 30, 2013, Lifetime’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The repurchase authorization permits the Company to effect the repurchases from time to time through open market purchases and privately negotiated transactions. No shares were purchased during the three months ended September 30, 2013.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.

 

  3.1    Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005)**
  3.2    Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K dated June 13, 2013)**
10.1    Amendment No. 2 to Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of June 21, 2013, among Lifetime Brands, Inc., as Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors Party thereto, the financial institutions party thereto as Lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K date June 27, 2013)**
10.2    Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 21, 2013, by and among Lifetime Brands, Inc., as the Company, the financial institutions party thereto as Lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K date June 27, 2013)**
10.3    Credit Agreement, dated as of June 9, 2010, among Lifetime Brands, Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and a co-collateral agent, and HSBC Business Credit (USA) Inc., as syndication agent and a co-collateral agent, with exhibits***
10.4    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2011, by and among Lifetime Brands, Inc., the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers parties thereto, the Other Loan Parties hereto, the Lenders party hereto JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and a Co-Collateral Agent, and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Syndication Agent and a Co-Collateral Agent***
10.5    Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2012, by and among Lifetime Brands, Inc., the financial institutions party hereto as Lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent***
10.6    Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2012, among Lifetime Brands, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Lenders and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent***
18.1    Letter from Ernst & Young LLP stating an acceptable change in accounting method for the impairment of goodwill dated October 28, 2008 (incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q dated September, 30 2008)**
31.1    Certification by Jeffrey Siegel, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002***
31.2    Certification by Laurence Winoker, Senior Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002***
32.1    Certification by Jeffrey Siegel, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Laurence Winoker, Senior Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002****
101    Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T. The following materials from Lifetime Brands, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited), (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited), (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (unaudited), (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited), and (v) Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements***

 

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Notes to exhibits:

The Company will furnish a copy of any of the exhibits listed above upon payment of $5.00 per exhibit to cover the cost of the Company furnishing the exhibit.

 

** Incorporated by reference.
*** Filed herewith.
**** This exhibit is being “furnished” pursuant to Item 601(b)(32) of SEC Regulation S-K and is not deemed “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not incorporated by reference in any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

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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.

 

Lifetime Brands, Inc.    

/s/ Jeffrey Siegel

    November 8, 2013
Jeffrey Siegel    
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors    
(Principal Executive Officer)    

/s/ Laurence Winoker

    November 8, 2013
Laurence Winoker    
Senior Vice President – Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer    
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    

 

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