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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended November 30, 2000
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: 0-18926
INNOVO GROUP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 11-2928178
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
2633 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (865) 546-1110
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act: NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: Common Stock,
$.10 par value per share
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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]
As of February 28, 2001, 13,721,264 shares of common stock were outstanding.
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant was approximately $6.0 million at the close of business on
February 28, 2001.
Documents incorporated by reference: None
INNOVO GROUP INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I Page
Item 1. Business 3
Item 2. Properties 9
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 9
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 9
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Company's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters 10
Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data 13
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 13
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market
Risk 19
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 19
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosures 19
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 19
Item 11. Executive Compensation 21
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management 22
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 24
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on
Form 8-K 26
SIGNATURES 31
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Introduction
The Company's continuing operations are currently conducted primarily through
its wholly owned subsidiary Innovo, Inc. ("Innovo"). Innovo designs, sources
and markets various fashion, sports licensed, and craft products such as tote
bags, insulated coolers and lunchbags, backpacks, beach totes, travel bags, and
a line of gourmet and craft aprons for children and adults for the retail
and premium and advertising specialty market sector. Under licensing
agreements, the Company's sports lines feature the designs of the National
Football League, Major League Baseball and numerous collegiate teams as
well as the animated character "Garfield." Innovo also has certain exclusive
and non-exclusive manufacturing and distribution rights for NASCAR licensed
products. The Company's customers include such retailers as Wal-Mart,
K-Mart, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Dollar General, Goody's and Joanne's. The
Company's operations are classified into the industry segment, "Canvas and Nylon
Consumer Products".
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 2633 Kingston
Pike, Suite 100, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919. Its telephone number is
(865) 546-1110.
Principal Operating Subsidiary
The Company's operations are currently conducted primarily through its wholly
owned subsidiary Innovo, Inc. Innovo designs, imports, markets and distributes
cut and sewn canvas and nylon consumer products for the utility, craft, sports
licensed and advertising specialty markets. Innovo's products are sourced
primarily out of Mexico and the Orient and distributed out of a distribution
center located in Los Angeles, CA.
During the second and third quarter of 2000, the Company ceased conducting
operations through its subsidiary NASCO Products International, Inc. ("NP
International"). NP International marketed and distributed overseas, principally
in Europe, products similar to some of those marketed domestically by Innovo, as
well as licensed sports bags and backpacks, which the Company generally obtained
from foreign suppliers. Its line of products consisted of a variety of
insulated soft lunch bags and coolers, backpacks and sport, gym, equipment and
duffel bags. NP International's products were generally imprinted or
embroidered with logos licensed from the four major professional sports leagues,
colleges and the characters licensed from Walt Disney and Warner Bros. Sales to
foreign customers, principally in Europe, accounted for 1.4%, 6.3%, and 21.2% of
net sales in fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998 respectively. The Company ceased
operations due to a decrease in NP International's sales and the Company's
desire to focus its resources on the domestic market.
Products
Domestic Product Lines. The following are the principal products that Innovo
manufactures and distributes in the United States to the fashion, craft and
licensed product markets:
Fashion Craft Licensed
tote bags tote bags travel and tote bags
beach bags adult and children's aprons waist packs
duffle bags Christmas stockings duffle bags
coolers stadium totes/cushions
gourmet/BBQ aprons insulated lunch bags
backpacks soft coolers
pencil cases
waist packs
preteen purses and planners
Product Design. Innovo develops the designs and artwork for all products
in-house. Innovo markets its craft products, without artwork, to be sold for
finishing by retail craft customers. Innovo's licensed products are produced
with the logos or other designs licensed from the major professional sports
leagues and colleges. Beginning in September 1998, the Company added a licensed
NASCAR driver product line and during the second quarter of 1999, the Company
added a license for Garfield. See "Licensing Agreements" below.
Premium Sales Market. Innovo also markets each of its products through a
sales rep force to its nonretail customers. Those products include the
customer's logo, design or slogan for use in connection with a customer or
employee promotion or as a premium sale item.
Licensing Agreements
The Company's sports-licensed products display logos, insignias, names,
slogans or cartoon characters licensed from the various licensors. Innovo holds
licenses for the use of the logos and names of the teams of the National
Football League, Major League Baseball, and over 130 colleges for various
products. For the year ended November 30, 2000, the sale of licensed products
represented 27.1% of the Company's net sales.
During September 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with Fan
Fueler a division of Action Performance Companies, Inc. ("AP") providing the
Company with exclusive manufacturing and non-exclusive distribution rights with
respect to seat cushions, soft lunch bags and coolers, waist packs, tote bags
and backpacks bearing motorsports-related trademarks and copyrights under AP's
control. Among the NASCAR drivers represented by AP are Dale Earnhardt, Dale
Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace and Dale Jarrett.
During 1999, the Company obtained a license from Paws, Inc to produce
backpacks, sportsbags and other items with the image of Garfield.
The Company has or had international licensing agreement for certain product
styles with Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros. Studios, Looney Tunes, National
Football League Europe, the National Basketball Association, Major League
Baseball and the National Hockey League. Pursuant to NP International ceasing
operations, the Company has terminated or not renewed its international
licensing agreements. The Company has accrued approximately $104,000 for the
potential expense and obligations associated with the ceasing of its
international business.
The following sets forth certain information concerning the license agreements
currently held by the Company.
Licensor Types of Products Geographical Areas
Major League Baseball Tote, lunch, shoe and laundry bags, United States
stadium seat, cushions,
sport bags and backpacks.
National Football League Tote, lunch, shoe and laundry bags United States
stadium seat cushions,
sports bags and backpacks.
Colleges/logos of Tote, lunch, shoe and laundry bags, United States
approximately 130 stadium seat cushions, sports
colleges bags and backpacks.
Fan FuelerTM Seat cushions, soft lunch bags and United States
coolers waist packs, tote bags and
backpacks.
Paws, Inc (Garfield) Backpacks, sports bags, tote bags, United States
lunch bags, seat cushions and waist
packs.
Each license agreement grants the Company either an exclusive or non-exclusive
license for use in connection with specific products and/or specific
territories. The license agreements with the major professional sports
licensing organizations are generally non-exclusive. The Company's experience
has been that while the licenses are non-exclusive, the licensing entities
generally limit the number of licenses they grant for any particular line
of products. Thus, direct competition is limited by the availability of
licenses.
Typically, a license agreement is for a one or two-year term for the use of
particular characters or designs of the licensor on some or all of the Company's
products. A royalty is paid to the licensor that is usually a percentage of net
sales, with a minimum annual guarantee for the license period. The royalty rates
range from 7% to 17% and the minimum annual guarantees range from $5,000 to
$40,000. Some license agreements grant the licensor broad termination rights,
and most of the license agreements grant the licensor the right to terminate the
license in the event minimum sales targets are not reached, if the Company does
not diligently market the licensed products, or for the breach of any material
term of the license agreement by the Company. The Company believes that it is
in substantial compliance with the terms of all material licenses, excluding
those licenses held for international markets. In the event the Company cannot
successfully negotiate a reasonable settlement with certain international
licensors, the Company has accrued for what it deems to be the reasonable
expense or obligation associated with these licensing agreements.
The expiration dates of most of the current license agreements range from 2001
to 2002. Generally, the renewal provisions of the license agreements provide
that the licensee may, at its option, renew the license for an additional one-
or two-year term, provided certain conditions are satisfied. Historically,
licenses have been terminated by the Company due to decreased sales or
popularity, rather than by the licensors, and to date the Company has generally
been able to obtain the renewal of licenses it wished to continue. The Company
believes that it will continue to be able to obtain the renewal of all material
licenses; however, there can be no assurance that competition for an expiring
license from another entity, or other factors will not result in the non-renewal
of a license.
Summary of Significant 2000 Developments
During fiscal 2000, the Company issued 7,422,232 shares of the Company's
Common Stock in exchange for a total of $7,300,000, consisting of $5,300,000 in
cash and $2,000,000 in conversion of debt to equity. The funds were used to
fund operations and reduce outstanding debt owed by the Company.
In July 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq announced
revised standards for listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market that required that a
company's listed securities trade for not less than $1.00 per share and that the
company have net tangible assets (total assets, excluding goodwill, minus total
liabilities) of at least $2,000,000. The change became effective in February
1998.
Due to continued losses, the Company did not meet the required net tangible
asset level as of May 31, 2000. On July 19, 2000, the Company was granted a
temporary exception from this standard subject to Innovo meeting certain
conditions. The conditions required the Company to obtain a minimum net tangible
asset level of $4 million on or before August 11, 2000 ("Phase I") and a minimum
net tangible asset level of $5 million on or before October 31, 2000
("Phase II").
The Company met the Phase I net tangible asset level of $4 million on
August 11, 2000 by issuing 1,363,637 shares of Common Stock ("Phase I Shares")
to Commerce Investment Group, LLC ("Commerce" for $1.5 million in cash (a price
of $1.10 per share), with the proceeds being used by the Company to purchase
finished goods and services from Commerce and its affiliates (collectively, the
"Commerce Group"). As required by the Commerce Group as a condition to making
its Phase I investment in the Company, the Company also increased its net
tangible assets by issuing Common Stock and warrants to Sam and Jay Furrow (the
"Furrow Group"). The Furrow Group assumed $1 million of outstanding Company debt
owed to third parties and converted $500,000 of Company debt that was owed to
the Furrow Group (the "Furrow Debt Conversion") in exchange for 1,363,637 shares
of Common Stock at $1.10 per share, and warrants to purchase 1,500,000 shares of
Common Stock that have a three-year term and an exercise price of $2.10 per
share (the "Furrow Warrants"). The Furrows agreed to make the issuance of the
Furrow Warrants subject to stockholder approval.
The Company met the Phase II net tangible asset level of $5 million on October
31, 2000 by selling an additional 1.5 million shares of Common Stock ("Phase II
Shares") and warrants to purchase an additional 3.3 million shares to the
Commerce Group (the "Purchase Warrants") for $1,500,000. The Purchase Warrants
have an exercise price of $2.10 per share. Three million of the Purchase
Warrants have a term of three years and the remaining 300,000 vest over two
years and expire 3 years from the last vesting. The proceeds have been used by
the Company to purchase additional finished goods and services from the Commerce
Group and its affiliates. Additionally, in order to meet the Phase II
requirements, the Company issued in private placements 1,062,500 shares of
Common Stock and 850,000 warrants with a strike price of $2.00 and a three year
term to JAML, LLC, Innovation, LLC and Third Millennium Properties, Inc. in
exchange for $850,000. The Company issued an additional 1,062,500 shares of
Common Stock and 850,000 warrants with a strike price of $2.00 and a three year
term to JAML, LLC, Innovation, LLC and Third Millennium Properties, Inc. in
exchange for $850,000 received on November 30, 2000. The Company is
currently traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the ticker symbol INNO.
In October 2000, the Company closed its domestic manufacturing and
distribution operations and facilities and moved its remaining operations into
an office building located near downtown Knoxville, TN. The Company has entered
into a supply and distribution agreement with the Commerce Group to provide the
Company with specific goods previously manufactured by the Company domestically
and distribution services for all of the Company's products. The Company
recorded certain charges in the amount of $515,000 in association with the
discontinuation of its domestic manufacturing and distribution facilities, which
included a $99,000 loss on disposal of fixed assets, a $116,000 charge related
to shut down expense and the write-off of $300,000 of inventory that was
liquidated prior to the relocation of the distribution center.
Growth Strategy and Product Development
The Company believes that growth in its business can be accomplished through
the increase in sales of its existing craft and accessory products and through
its expansion into the apparel market. The Company believes that it can
increase sales of its craft product due to an increase in quality and a
decrease in price as a result of the Company's new supply agreement with the
Commerce Group. The Company's growth of its accessory product lines will be
based on the Company's ability to increase the quality of design of the products
and the Company's ability to meet the financial and distribution demands
associated with increased sales. Additionally, with the entry into the apparel
market with the obtaining of the Joe's Jeans license, as further described
below, the Company intends to continue to expand its presence in the apparel
market.
The Company also continually evaluates the market potential for the sale of
products bearing licensed logos, characters or artwork. Those evaluations
involve both situations where a license has been offered to the Company, and
where the Company itself identifies a logo or character that may have market
potential. Where such an evaluation indicates a sufficient likelihood of market
acceptance, the Company attempts to negotiate and obtain a license from the
owner of the logo or character. In general, a period of from four to six months
is required, once a license is obtained, to develop and obtain the approval for
the art and the products for the new license, to produce samples and to begin
marketing. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
obtain other new licenses or renew existing licenses on favorable terms in the
future.
Another critical part of the Company's growth strategy/product development, is
the addition of brand named lines to the product offering. These lines have
been designed to meet the demands of channels of distribution and age markets
that are currently a small portion of the Company's customer base but have a
great potential in the market place. See "Intellectual Property" below.
The newest branded lines for 2000 provided the Company with the opportunity to
present more products to department stores and specialty retailers. The designs
are fashion oriented, fill nitch markets such as female "teens", and have the
potential for added sales opportunities during the holiday season. The Company
believes the addition of these in-house-designed, branded lines will help
diversify a product base that relies heavily on licensed products.
As noted above the Company intends to continue to expand its product line into
the apparel market. In an effort to further such growth, in February 2001, the
Company acquired from JD Design, LLC, the licensing rights to Joe's Jeans, a
high-end women's apparel line of denim jeans and knit shirts. In addition to
the licensing rights to the Joe's Jeans label, the Company also acquired the
rights to market the current product line and assumed the current book
of business as of the time of the obtaining the licensing rights in exchange for
500,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock and, if certain sales objectives
are reached, a warrant , with a 4 year term, granting JD the right to purchase
250,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock priced at $1.00 per share.
Additionally, Joe Dahan, the designer of the Joe's line, has been employed by
Innovo and has received an option to purchase 250,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock at $1.00 per share with the option vesting monthly over 24 months.
The option granted to Joe Dahan shall have a term of 4 years.
Marketing and Customers
During fiscal 2000, the Company's Innovo operations sold products to a mix of
mass merchandisers (such as K-Mart and Wal-Mart), department stores, sporting
goods stores, grocery stores, craft and drug store chains, mail order retailers
and other retail accounts. The Company estimates that its products are carried
in over 8,000 retail outlets in the United States. Generally the Company's
accounts were serviced by the Company's sales personnel working with marketing
organizations that have sales representatives which are compensated on a
commission basis.
In marketing its products the Company attempts to emphasize the competitive
pricing and quality of its products, its ability to assist customers in
designing marketing programs, its short lead times, and the high sell-through
its products have historically achieved. To assist customers in achieving a
higher sell-through of its sports team (professional and college) logoed
products, the Company tracks the retail sales by team logo for various
geographic areas. The Company then uses this information to assist customers in
selecting the optimum mix of team logos for their market. Additionally, the
Company has an electronic data interchange system that allows certain larger
customers to place orders directly.
The Company also continues to solicit customers whose buying seasons are
contrary to the Company's existing seasonality. See "Seasonality."
For fiscal 2000, three customers accounted for aggregate sales in excess of
63% of gross sales: Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Michael's accounted for 41%, 11% and
10%, respectively. Wal-Mart has continued to be a major customer for the
Company and the loss of Wal-Mart as a customer would have a material adverse
effect on the Company.
Backlog
Although the Company may at any given time have significant business booked in
advance of purchase orders, customers' purchase orders are typically filled and
shipped within two to six weeks. As of November 30, 2000, there were no
significant backlogs.
Seasonality
The Company's business is seasonal. The majority of the marketing and sales
activities take place from late fall to early spring. The greatest volume of
shipments and sales are generally made from late spring through the summer,
which coincides with the Company's second and third fiscal quarters and the
Company's cash flow is strongest in its third and fourth fiscal quarters.
See "Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations - Seasonality."
Sourcing
Innovo's products are purchased from the Commerce Group, which manufactures the
Company's products primarily in Mexico, or the Company obtains certain products
from overseas suppliers through manufacturing agreements. The Company is
obligated, as defined in the supply agreement with the Commerce Group, to
purchase all of its craft products from the Commerce Group for a two-year
period. The principal materials used in Innovo's products include denim,
canvas, plain and printed rolls of nylon, polyester and cotton, mesh and
webbing. The sport bags, backpacks and other nylon products marketed by
Innovo are generally obtained from overseas manufacturers in order to reduce the
cost of these labor intensive products. The independent overseas contractors
that manufacture these products are responsible for obtaining the necessary
supply of raw materials and for manufacturing the products to the Company's
specifications. The Company generally uses one independent overseas contractor
to fulfill all of its requirements in order to maximize its control over
production quality and scheduling. Although the Company uses this, and other
methods, to reduce the risk that the independent contractor will fail to
meet the Company's requirements, the use of independent overseas contractors
does reduce the Company's control over production and delivery and exposes
the Company to the other usual risks of sourcing products abroad. The Company
does not have any long-term supply agreements with independent overseas
contractors, but believes that there are a number of contractors that
could fulfill the Company's requirements.
The Company has generally utilized overseas contractors that employ production
facilities located in China. As a result, the products manufactured for the
Company are subject to export quotas and other restrictions imposed by the
Chinese government. To date the Company has not been adversely affected by such
restrictions; however, there can be no assurance that future changes in such
restrictions by the Chinese government would not adversely affect the Company,
even if only temporarily while the Company shifted production to other countries
or regions such as Mexico, Korea, Taiwan or Latin America. It is anticipated
that in fiscal 2001 more than 50% of the Company's domestic sales will be
imported products which are subject to United States import quotas, inspection
or duties.
Competition
The industries in which the Company operates are fragmented and highly
competitive. The Company competes against a large number of baggage
manufacturers and importers, and other generally small companies that distribute
products similar to Innovo's. The Company's sports-licensed products also
compete with those of sporting goods manufacturers, such as Reebok, Nike and
Adidas, that produce or license the manufacture of sports bags bearing their
names and logos. The Company does not hold a dominant competitive position, and
its ability to sell its products is dependent upon the anticipated popularity of
its designs, the logos or characters its products bear, the price and quality of
its products and its ability to meet its customers' delivery schedules.
The Company believes that it is competitive in each of the above-described
areas with companies producing goods of like quality and pricing, and that new
product development, product identity through marketing, promotions and low
price points will allow it to maintain its competitive position. However, some
of the Company's competitors possess substantially greater financial, technical
and other resources than the Company, including the ability to implement more
extensive marketing campaigns.
Intellectual Property
Innovo's fashion line includes tote bags imprinted with the E.A.R.T.H. ("EVERY
AMERICAN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP") BAG trademark. E.A.R.T.H. Bags are marketed
as a reusable bag that represents an environmentally conscious alternative to
paper or plastic bags. Sales of E.A.R.T.H. Bags, while significant in Innovo's
early years, have not been significant in the last five years. The Company
still considers the trademark to be a valuable asset, and has registered it with
the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
The Company has also applied for a trademark for its product lines known as
"Friendship", "Clear Gear" and "Toteworks". The Company anticipates that these
trademarks will be registered during 2001.
Employees
As of November 30, 2000, the Company employed 14 full-time personnel at the
Knoxville, Tennessee facility, comprised of 2 persons in management, 4 persons
in general administration and 8 persons in and sales and marketing. The
Company has significantly reduced its number of employees as a result of the
closing of its manufacturing and distribution facilities.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company's sales and marketing headquarters is located in approximately
5,000 square feet of office spaces located near downtown Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Company pays $3,500 per month, triple net for the office space. The space
being leased in Knoxville is owned by an entity that is controlled by the
Company's Chairman.
The Company's previous headquarters and manufacturing facilities were located
in Springfield, Tennessee. The Springfield facilities are currently owned by
Leasall Management, Inc. ("Leaseall"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Innovo
Group, Inc. The main Springfield complex is situated on seven acres of land
with approximately 220,000 square feet of usable space, including 30,000 square
feet of office space and 35,000 square feet of cooled manufacturing area. A
warehouse annex contained 30,000 square feet. First Independent Bank of
Gallatin, Tennessee holds a First Deed of Trust on the Springfield real
property. The Springfield facilities are currently held for lease or sale, and
approximately 25% of the facilities had been leased as of November 30, 2000.
The Company acquired a Florida retail property with approximately 32,000
square feet of rentable space, operated as the "Good Deal Mall," in fiscal 1995.
Through August 1997 the Company was engaged in readying the property to operate
as an indoor multiple vendor open space mall in which retailers operate from
permanent booths. The property was initially opened in August 31, 1997 with
approximately 24% of its available space leased. After several lease
terminations the Company closed the facility in November 1997. The property is
currently held for lease and/or sale.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is a party to lawsuits and other contingencies in the ordinary
course of its business. The Company does not believe that it is probable that
the outcome of any individual action will have a material adverse effect, or
that it is likely that adverse outcomes of individually insignificant actions
will be sufficient enough, in number or magnitude, to have a material adverse
effect in the aggregate.
In December 1999, the American Apparel Contractors Association Workers'
Compensation Fund filed suit against the Company's Thimble Square subsidiary for
approximately $13,000 plus interest of 1.5% per month from the due date
(American Apparel Contractors Association Workers' Compensation Self-Insured
Fund v. Thimble Square and Innovo Group). This amount represents the allocation
to Thimble Square of the excess workers' compensation claims paid under the
plan. The Company has not accrued for the disputed funds in this case and does
not believe that Company has any liability associated with the claim.
In December 1991, a former employee filed suit against the Company, Patricia
Anderson-Lasko and others alleging breach of an employment agreement and
conversion of his interest in certain property rights (Michael J. Tedesco v.
Innovo, Inc., et al., Case No. 91-64033, District Court of Harris County,
Texas, 164th Judicial Circuit). Following an appeal and a second trial, a final
judgment was rendered against Innovo for $194,045 on August 17, 1998.
Thereafter, 20,000 shares of Common Stock that had been held in the registry of
the court, as security during the appeal and subsequent trial, were released to
the plaintiff. If the sale of that stock does not generate sufficient net
proceeds to pay the judgment, then Innovo will be liable for any shortfall. As
of November 30, 2000, the Company had accrued $206,374 for any potential
shortfall.
In March 2001, the Company received notice from Z-Tex, a former vendor of the
Company, claiming that the Company owes Z-Tex $36,054 based on a payment
arrangement the two parties entered into in May of 1998. The Company has
previously submitted evidence to Z-Tex's representation that it believed
sufficient to prove that the Company does not have an outstanding balance with
Z-Tex. The Company believes that it has meritorious legal defenses to Z-Tex's
claims.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
(a) The Company held its annual shareholder meeting on October 20, 2000.
(b) At the annual shareholders meeting, the shareholders elected Dr. John
Looney, Sam Furrow, Pat Anderson, Jay Furrow, Dan Page and Marc Crossman
to serve as directors of the Company for a one year term and until their
successors are elected and qualified.
(c) Additionally, the shareholders approved the following resolutions:
(1) an amendment of Article Fourth of the Company's Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized
shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share from
15,000,000 to 40,000,000. As to the amendment to the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized
shares of Common Stock to 40,000,000, of the shares properly
authorized to vote, 8,085,330 shares voted for adoption of the
proposal, 178,985 shares voted against such election proposal, and
104,910 shares abstained;
(2) the issuance to certain affiliates of the Company and of Commerce
Investment Group, LLC of (i) 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock, par
value $0.10 per share, at a purchase price of $1.00 per share and
(ii) warrants to purchase 4,800,000 shares of Common Stock at a
purchase price of $2.10 per shares. As to the issuance of 1.5
million shares and 4.8 million warrants, of the shares properly
authorized to vote, 5,437,357 shares were voted for adoption of the
89,396 shares were voted against such election proposal, and 10,942
shares abstained;
(3) the issuance to Joseph Mizrahi and certain affiliates of Joseph
Mizrachi of (i) $1,700,000 worth of shares of Common Stock with a
purchase price equal to the lesser of (a) a 20% discount to the
average of the closing bid prices of the Company's common stock for
the 10 days prior to the date of the closing or (b) $1.00 per share,
and (ii) warrants to purchase 1,700,000 shares of Common Stock at a
purchase price of $2.00 per share. As to the issuance of shares and
warrants to Joseph Mizrachi, of shares properly authorized to vote,
5,512,221 were voted for adoption of the proposal, 109,388 shares
were voted against such election proposal, and 16,083 shares
abstained;
(4) the approval of the Company's 2000 Employee Stock Incentive Plan. As
to the approval of the Company's 2000 Employee Stock Incentive, of
the shares properly voted at the meeting, 5,247,311 shares voted for
adoption of the proposal, 215,689 shares voted against such election
proposal, and 174,692 shares abstained.
(5) the approval of the Company's 2000 Director Stock Incentive Plan. As
to the approval of the Company's 2000 Board Stock Incentive Plan, of
shares properly voted at the meeting, 5,097,609 shares were voted for
adoption of the proposal, 364,498 shares were voted against such
election proposal, and 175,585 shares abstained;
(6) the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company's independent
auditor for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2000. As to the
ratification of the appointment of BDO Seidman LLP, of the shares
properly voted at the meeting, 8,308,624 shares were voted for
adoption of the proposal, 53,779 shares were voted against such
election proposal, and 6,812 shares abstained;
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The common stock is currently traded under the symbol "INNO" on the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market maintained by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc ("Nasdaq"). The
following sets forth the high and low bid quotations for the common stock in
such market for the periods indicated. This information reflects inter-dealer
prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions, and may not
necessarily represent actual transactions. No representation is made by the
Company that the following quotations necessarily reflect an established public
trading market in the Common Stock. The following information (as all other
information herein) is adjusted to reflect a reverse stock split in which one-
share of new Common Stock with a par value of $.10 per share was exchanged for
every ten shares of old common stock having a par value of $.01 per share (the
"Reverse Split"). The Reverse Stock Split was completed effective September 11,
1998.
Fiscal 2000 High Low
- ----------- ---- ---
First Quarter $1.59 $1.03
Second Quarter 2.12 0.87
Third Quarter 1.43 0.81
Fourth Quarter 1.18 0.78
Fiscal 1999 High Low
- ----------- ---- ---
First Quarter $3.94 $1.09
Second Quarter 2.56 1.31
Third Quarter 2.75 1.09
Fourth Quarter 3.00 1.50
Fiscal 1998 High Low
- ----------- ---- ---
First Quarter $6.87 $5.63
Second Quarter 6.25 4.06
Third Quarter 4.37 1.88
Fourth Quarter 2.81 1.16
As of February 28, 2001, there were approximately 924 record holders
of the Common Stock.
The Company has never declared or paid a cash dividend and does not anticipate
paying cash dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future. In
deciding whether to pay dividends on the Common Stock in the future, the
Company's Board of Directors will consider factors it deems relevant, including
the Company's earnings and financial condition and its capital expenditure
requirements.
In July 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq announced
revised standards for listing on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market that required that a
company's listed securities trade for not less than $1.00 per share and that the
company have net tangible assets (total assets, excluding goodwill, minus total
liabilities) of at least $2,000,000. The change became effective in February
1998.
Due to continued losses, the Company did not meet th e required net tangible
asset level as of May 31, 2000. On July 19, 2000, the Company was granted a
temporary exception from this standard subject to Innovo meeting certain
conditions. The conditions required the Company to obtain a minimum net tangible
asset level of $4 million on or before August 11, 2000 ("Phase I") and a
minimum net tangible asset level of $5 million on or before October 31, 2000
("Phase II").
The Company met the Phase I net tangible asset level of $4 million on
August 11, 2000 by issuing 1,363,637 shares of Common Stock ("Phase I Shares")
to Commerce Investment Group, LLC ("Commerce" for $1.5 million in cash (a price
of $1.10 per share), with the proceeds being used by the Company to purchase
finished goods and services from Commerce and its affiliates (collectively, the
"Commerce Group"). As required by the Commerce Group as a condition to making
its Phase I investment in the Company, the Company also increased its net
tangible assets by issuing Common Stock and warrants to Sam and Jay Furrow (the
"Furrow Group"). The Furrow Group assumed $1 million of outstanding Company debt
owed to third parties and converted $500,000 of Company debt that was owed to
the Furrow Group (the "Furrow Debt Conversion") in exchange for 1,363,637 shares
of Common Stock at $1.10 per share, and warrants to purchase 1,500,000 shares of
Common Stock that have a three-year term and an exercise price of $2.10 per
share (the "Furrow Warrants"). The Furrows agreed to make the issuance of the
Furrow Warrants subject to stockholder approval.
The Company met the Phase II net tangible asset level of $5 million on October
31, 2000 by selling an additional 1.5 million shares of Common Stock ("Phase II
Shares") and warrants to purchase an additional 3.3 million shares to the
Commerce Group (the "Purchase Warrants") for $1,500,000. The Purchase Warrants
have an exercise price of $2.10 per share. Three million of the Purchase
Warrants have a term of three years and the remaining 300,000 vest over two
years and expire 3 years from the last vesting. The proceeds have been used by
the Company to purchase additional finished goods and services from the Commerce
Group and its affiliates. Additionally, in order to meet the Phase II
requirements, the Company issued in private placements 1,062,500 shares of
Common Stock and 850,000 warrants with a strike price of $2.00 and a three year
term to JAML, LLC, Innovation, LLC and Third Millennium Properties, Inc. in
exchange for $850,000. The Company issued an additional 1,062,500 shares of
Common Stock and 850,000 warrants with a strike price of $2.00 and a three year
term to JAML, LLC, Innovation, LLC and Third Millennium Properties, Inc. in
exchange for $850,000 received on November 30, 2000. As a result of these
transaction and the increase in the Company's net tangible asset level, Nasdaq
has closed the review of the Company's Nasdaq file.
Although the Company will continually use its best efforts to maintain its
Nasdaq SmallCap listing, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do
so. If in the future, the Company is unable to satisfy the Nasdaq criteria for
maintaining listing, its securities would be subject to delisting, and trading,
if any, the Company's securities would thereafter be conducted in the over-the-
counter market, in the so-called "pink sheets" or on the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") "Electronic Bulletin Board." As a consequence
of any such delisting, a stockholder would likely find it more difficult to
dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the prices, of the Common
Stock.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The table below (includes the notes hereto) sets forth a summary of selected
consolidated financial data. The selected consolidated financial data should be
read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto.
Years Ended
11/30/00 11/30/99 11/30/98 11/30/97 11/30/96
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(000's except per share data)
Net Sales $ 5,767 $ 10,837 $ 6,790 $ 7,901 $ 6,023
Costs of Goods Sold 5,195 6,252 4,493 5,303 3,981
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Gross Profit 572 4,585 2,297 2,598 2,042
Operating Expenses (3) and (4) 5,113 5,688 4,203 4,007 4,008
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Loss from Operations (4,541) (1,103) (1,906) (1,409) (1,966)
Interest Expense (446) (517) (503) (657) (870)
Other Income (Expense) (69) 280 142 337 (147)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Loss Before Income Taxes (5,056) (1,340) (2,267) (1,729) (2,983)
Income Taxes -- -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Loss from Continuing
Operations (5,056) (1,340) (2,267) (1,729) (2,983)
-------- -------- --------- -------- --------
Discontinued Operations(1) -- (1) (1,747) (110) (105)
Extraordinary Item (2) (1,095) -- -- 524 --
-------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Net Loss $ (6,151) $ (1,341) $ (4,014) $ (1,315) $ (3,088)
-------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
-------- -------- --------- -------- ---------
Loss per share from Continuing
Operations (basic and diluted) $(0.62) $(0.22) $(0.49) $(0.50) $(2.19)
-------- ------- -------- ------- ---------
-------- ------- -------- ------- ---------
Weighted Average Shares
Outstanding 8,163 5,984 4,618 3,438 1,361
-------- ------- -------- ------- ---------
-------- ------- -------- ------- ---------
Balance Sheet Data:
Total Assets $ 7,416 $ 6,222 $ 7,232 $ 9,168 $ 9,433
Long-Term Debt 1,340 2,054 2,604 2,065 3,303
Stockholders' Equity 3,758 1,730 1,722 3,791 2,275
(1) The amounts for 1998, 1997 and 1996 represent the operations of Thimble
Square. Thimble Square's operations were discontinued during the fourth fiscal
quarter of 1998.
(2) Represents gains from the early extinguishment of debt in 1997 and the loss
from the early extinguishments of debt in 2000.
(3) Amount includes a $300,000 write down of long-term assets in 1998 and a
$145,000 write down of long-term assets in 1999 as well as $293,000 for the
termination of a capital lease and $100,000 for the settlement of a lawsuit in
1999, and a $600,000 write down of long-term assets in 2000.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Historically, the Company's operating losses have resulted from inadequate
sales, limited production capacity, high internal production costs and
inadequate working capital. Management has been addressing these issues in an
attempt to make the Company profitable. The Company has made significant changes
in the operational and financial structure of the Company and believes that the
changes discussed below will significantly improve the Company's ability to
obtain profitability.
The Company has attempted to lower its expenses through a reduction in
headcount, the ceasing of operations of non-performing subsidiaries, the closing
of its manufacturing and distribution facility and relocating to an office
complex, improved financial relationships with lenders and general management of
the daily operations of the Company. The Company did not incur any significant
costs for severance or related matters in connection with the closing of its
manufacturing and distribution facility, however, the Company did incur
significant charges aggregating $515,000, for the write down of inventory that
was not moved to the new distribution center, shut down costs and for the write
down of the carrying value of certain equipment and leasehold improvements
that were sold or abandoned. With a reduction in expenses and an increase in
the availability of capital resources, management believes that the Company will
be able increase revenues and improve the overall performance of the Company.
While the Company's sales have been inconsistent, the customer base of the
Company has remained strong. The inconsistency can largely be attributed to the
Company's poor financial condition, its inability to produce a profitable
product at a competitive price, the inability to generate sufficient revenue to
cover fixed costs and the Company's limited production capacity.
In effort to address these problems, the Company has outsourced its
manufacturing and distribution requirements and has entered into transactions
that has allowed the Company to significantly improve its production issues
and overall financial health.
In August of 2000, the Company entered into a supply and distribution
agreement with the Commerce Group. Under the terms of the agreement, the
Company will purchase from the Commerce Group all of the products the Company
previously manufactured domestically and the Commerce Group will distribute all
of the Company's products.
This group of transactions is significant because a large number of the
historical problems of the Company can be attributed to the limited production
capabilities of the Company's manufacturing operations, the overhead associated
therewith and the lack of competitive pricing due to the fact that the Company's
products were being manufactured domestically. The Commerce Group transactions
has allowed the Company to close its costly and inefficient manufacturing and
distribution facility and eliminate its fixed costs, increase its production
capacity due to the Commerce Group's large manufacturing capabilities and
provide its customer's with improved products because of the use of higher
quality materials used in the manufacturing process.
Additionally, during 2000 the Company entered into various equity transactions
which have allowed the Company to meet its existing and foreseeable financial
demands. As a result of these transactions, the Company has been able to reduce
its debt load and interest expense, decrease payables and increase its cash on
hand. The Company believes that these equity transactions will provide the
Company with the necessary working capital to fund operations as it grows
towards profitability and increased shareholder value.
The equity transactions referred to above may represent a change in control
for income tax purposes which would have the effect of substantially limiting
the availability and utilization of the Company's net operating losses for
income tax purposes.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth the certain statement of operations data for
the years indicated:
Years Ended
11/30/00 11/30/99 11/30/98
-------- -------- --------
Net Sales $ 5,767 $ 10,837 $ 6,790
Costs of Goods Sold 5,195 6,252 4,493
-------- -------- --------
Gross Profit 572 4,585 2,297
Selling, General & Administrative 4,147 4,963 3,638
Write down of long-term assets 600 145 300
Termination of a Capital Lease -- 293 --
Other 116 -- --
Depreciation & Amortization 250 287 265
-------- -------- --------
Loss from Operations (4,451) (1,103) (1,906)
Interest Expense (446) (517) (503)
Other Income (expense) (69) 280 142
-------- -------- --------
Loss Before Income Taxes (5,056) (1,340) (2,267)
Income Taxes -- -- --
-------- -------- --------
Loss from continuing operations (5,056) (1,340) (2,267)
-------- -------- --------
Discontinued Operations -- (1) (1,747)
Extraordinary Item (1,095) -- --
-------- -------- --------
Net Loss $ (6,151) $ (1,341) $ (4,014)
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 2000 to Fiscal Year Ended
November 30, 1999
Net sales for the year ended November 30, 2000 decreased $5,070,000 or 46.8%
from $10,837,000 in 1999 to $5,767,000 in 2000. The decrease in sales can
largely be attributed to the Company's inability to meet customer demand as
a result of labor and production shortages, a large premium order of $2.5
million placed in 1999 but not repeated in 2000, a decrease in the sales of
clear backpacks and sports bags in 2000 compared to 1999, non-competitive
pricing, an increase in customer discounts and allowances and the reduction in
sales and marketing staff in an attempt to reduce costs and focus the
Company's sales and marketing efforts on its core products and key customers.
Customer discounts and allowances recorded as a reduction of net sales
increased by $590,000 during 2000. The increase is substantially due to the
Company recording advertising and other allowances that are based on a
percentage of a customer's sales as a reduction of net sales whereas in prior
periods such amounts were recorded as selling expenses. The 1999 and 1998
statements of operations have not been adjusted to reflect the 2000 presentation
of sales allowances as the information for those periods was not tracked by the
Company in a manner that would allow for an accurate reclassification of prior
period amounts and in any event management believes that such amounts were not
material to the 1999 and 1998 statements of operations.
The Company's gross margin percentage decreased 32.4% from 42.3% in 1999 to
9.9% in 2000. The reduction is attributable to a decrease in the sales of high
margin imported products in 2000 compared to 1999 and the high cost of goods
manufactured and distributed domestically during the first 10 months of 2000.
Additionally, with the closure of the Company's domestic manufacturing and
distribution operations in October of 2000, the Company concluded that it was
more cost effective to liquidate certain inventories as opposed to incurring the
costs associated with shipping the products to the Company's new distribution
center in Los Angeles, CA. Consequently, the Company took a $300,000 inventory
adjustment for liquidated inventory thus increasing the cost of goods sold. The
Company's cost of goods sold, as a result of closing its manufacturing and
distribution operations, further increased in 2000 by $250,000 due to the write
off of capitalized overhead that was associated with its production facility and
the manufacturing process. In addition, during 2000, the Company recorded
approximately $250,000 of expenses related to advertising allowances granted to
its customers as a reduction of sales, as the allowances were based on a
percentage of the customers' purchases.
Selling, General and Administrative expenses decreased in 2000 by 16.4% from
$4,963,000 in 1999 to $4,147,000 in 2000. The change in Selling, General and
Administrative expense resulted primarily from decreases in both fixed and
variable costs as the Company downsized due to a lack of working capital
as well as expense savings realized as a result of the closing of the
Company's manufacturing facilities. In addition, as discussed above the
Company's Selling, General and Administrative expenses decreased by
approximately $250,000 as a result of the reclassification of advertising
allowances as a reduction of sales and not as a component of Selling, General
and Administrative expenses. As a result of closing its manufacturing and
distribution facilities in 2000, the Company incurred $116,000 of expenses
associated with the factory shutdown.
Under the guidelines of SFAS 121 the Company recorded a $600,000 impairment
loss representing a valuation adjustment on a building and parcel of real
estate the Company owns. The property and improvements are currently listed for
sale and the Company is currently in negotiations with multiple buyers who are
interested in purchasing the property. Due to the fact the Company ceased
manufacturing and no longer used certain manufacturing equipment, the Company
incurred $99,000 of other expense upon the disposal of the manufacturing
machinery and equipment in 2000.
Depreciation and Amortization expenses were not significantly different from
1999 to 2000 due to the lack of significant purchases of fixed assets and
intangible assets during 1998.
Interest expense for the year ended November 30, 2000 decreased by $71,000 to
$446,000 as a result of decreased borrowing from the factor due to decreased
sales and lower average outstanding indebtedness due to the conversion of
$2,000,000 of debt to equity.
Other Income (expense) was expense of $69,000 in 2000 compared to income
of $280,000 in 1999. The decrease can largely be attributed to the fact that in
1999 the Company received income under a warehousing agreement between the
Company and Z. Metro, Inc., an unrelated company. Other expense in 2000 is
comprised of the income derived from tenants in the Company's former
headquarters in Springfield, TN and royalties paid to the Company pursuant to a
licensing arrangement with the Accessory Network Group, offset by a $99,000 loss
on the sale and/or disposal of the equipment resulting from the closure of the
Company's manufacturing facility. The Company does not expect to receive
royalties from the Accessory Network Group in 2001 due to the decrease in sales
by the Accessory Network Group of the licensed products subject to the licensing
agreement. In addition, the Company incurred $99,000 of other expense in 2000
related to the disposal of fixed assets.
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 1999 to Fiscal Year Ended
November 30, 1998
Net Sales for the year ended November 30 increased $4 million or 59.6% from
$6.8 million in 1998 to $10.8 million in 1999. This increase in sales was
primarily the result of a $2,500,000 promotional order from a national car
rental company and the increased demand of the company's clear backpacks and
sports bags. The Company does not expect the promotional order to reoccur in
fiscal 2000.
The company's clear line of backpacks and sports bags added approximately
$1,700,000 in revenue during the third quarter of 1999.
The gross margin percentage increased 8.5 basis points from 33.8% in 1998 to
42.3% in 1999 due to improved material pricing (obtained from competitive
bidding on import contracts) and a reduction in production costs. The Company
anticipates a further improvement in gross margin in its import business in
2000 due to further reductions in material costs from favorable pricing on
imported items.
Selling, General and Administrative costs increased $1,325,000 or 36.4% from
1998 to 1999 due primarily to increased royalties ($384,000 increase) and
commissions ($223,000 increase) from the increased sales and temporary labor
($286,000 increase) hired during the Company's back to school shipping season.
In addition, rent expensed increased by approximately $190,000 due to the
relocation of the Company's operations to the Knoxville facility.
Under the guidelines of SFAS 121 the Company recorded a $145,000 impairment
loss representing a valuation adjustment on a facility that the Company owns.
The Company is currently offering parcels of this facility out for lease. The
Company will continue to market this building for lease or for sale.
The Company terminated the lease on a facility in Baxley Georgia. This
facility was utilized by the Thimble Square subsidiary until that line of
business was discontinued during 1998. This facility was subleased for
a portion of 1999, but this facility was left vacant afte r the sublessee was
forced to move out due to a loss of business. The lessor agreed to terminate
both the lease agreement and sublease agreement without penalty. This
termination necessitated the write off of the remaining net book value of the
capitalized lease (asset) and the removal of the remaining capitalized lease
obligation (liability) resulting in a net charge to operations of $293,000.
Depreciation and Amortization expenses were not significantly different from
1998 to 1999 due to the lack of significant purchases of fixed assets and
intangible assets during 1998 and 1999.
Interest expense for the year ended November 30 was largely unchanged from
1998 to 1999 due to a lack of significant changes to the debt structure of the
Company and relatively constant interest rates.
Other Income increased $138,000 from the year ended November 30, 1998 to 1999.
This increase is primarily the result of income under a warehousing agreement
between the Company and Z. Metro, Inc., an unrelated company.
Seasonality
The Company's business is seasonal. The majority of the marketing and sales
activities take place from late fall to early spring. The greatest volume of
shipments and sales are generally made from late spring through the summer,
which coincides with the Company's second and third fiscal quarters and the
Company's fiscal year. Cash flow is strongest in the Company's third and fourth
fiscal quarters. During the first half of the calendar year, the Company incurs
the expenses of maintaining corporate offices, administrative, sales employees,
and developing the marketing programs and designs for the majority of its sales
campaigns. Inventory levels also increase during the first half of the year
in anticipation of sales during the third and fourth quarters. Consequently,
during the first half of each calendar year, corresponding to the Company's
first and second fiscal quarters, the Company utilizes substantial working
capital and its cash flows are diminished, whereas the second half of the
calendar year, corresponding to the Company's third and fourth fiscal quarters,
generally provides increased cash flows and the build-up of working capital.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Innovo Group is a holding company and its principal assets are the common
stock of the operating subsidiaries. As a result, to satisfy its obligations
Innovo Group is dependent on cash obtained from the operating subsidiaries,
either as loans, repayments of loans made by Innovo Group to the subsidiary, or
distributions, or on the proceeds from the issuance of debt or equity
securities by Innovo Group. The subsidiaries primary sources of liquidity are
cash flows from operations, including credit from vendors and borrowings from
the factoring of accounts receivables and cash obtained from the sale of the
Company's Common Stock.
Cash used in operating activities was $4,598,000 for the year ended November
30, 2000. The use of cash primarily resulted from the Company's net loss, an
increase in inventory of $1,375,000 offset by decreases in accounts receivables
$566,000 and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $390,000.
The Company relied on six primary sources to fund operations during fiscal
2000:
1. An accounts receivable factoring agreement with KBK Financial ("KBK")
2. An accounts receivable factoring agreement with First American National
Bank ("First American") (recently acquired by Amsouth Bank)
3. An accounts receivable factoring agreement with Riviera Finance ("Riviera")
4. Trade credit with its domestic and international suppliers
5. Borrowings from management and shareholders
6. Equity financing through private placements
The Company's principal credit facility for working capital is its accounts
receivable factoring arrangements. In July of 2000, the Company's accounts
receivable factoring facility with First American was terminated due to First
American's decision to cease its factoring operations. In July, the Company
entered into a factoring facility with KBK. This agreement was signed to
provide financing for invoices not factored by the Company's existing factoring
arrangement with Riviera Finance. The agreement with KBK provides for factoring
on 85% of the qualified receivables up to $5,000,000. The agreement calls for a
2% fee on every invoice funded in addition to a per annum rate equal to KBK's
base rate in effect on the date of the purchase of the invoice plus 2% per
annum. The agreement may be terminated by either party by delivery of written
notice of termination of the agreement to the other party specifying the date of
termination, which shall be at least 30 days after the date such notice is
given. At the present, the Company is funding its working capital needs through
its cash on hand. The Company is currently seeking a new factoring agreement
with its current factorers and others in an attempt to reduce the expense
associated with factoring its receivables.
Previously, the Company has been successful in negotiating extended trade
credit with its largest vendors. In 1998, the Company entered into an agreement
with Sunwaki Industrial Company, Ltd. of Hong Kong to produce the Company's
licensed products for both domestic and international distribution. Sunwaki has
the capability to meet a substantial portion of the Company's need for such
products. In 1999, Sunwaki extended trade credit to Innovo in excess of $1
million. The Company has been successful in obtaining similar credit terms with
Sunwaki in 2000, and believes, if necessary, will be able to obtain similar
credit terms in 2001.
During 2000, the Company utilized commitments from certain members of
management to provide working capital funding. Effective March 1, 2000, the
Company's Chairman and CEO committed to provide additional cash funding, as may
be required from time to time, of up to $500,000. These funds were available
to the Company through November 30, 2000 to satisfy any short-term working
capital needs. Any funds borrowed under this arrangement were secured with a
promissory note were interest bearing and typically mature within nine months
from issuance. As of November 7, 2000, the Company repaid all amounts owed under
this arrangement.
The Company believes that the recently completed equity transactions and
the Company's existing factoring relationships should provide sufficient working
capital to fund operations and required debt reductions during fiscal 2001.
However, due to the seasonality of the Company's business and negative cash
flow during certain periods during the year, the Company may be required to
obtain additional capital through debt or equity financing. The Company
believes that any additional capital, to the extent needed, could be obtained
from the sale of equity securities or short-term working capital loans. However,
there can be no assurance that this or other financing will be available if
needed. The inability of the Company to be able to fulfill any interim working
capital requirements would force the Company to constrict its operations.
New Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,"
as amended, is effective for all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000.
This statement requires recognition of all derivative contracts as either assets
or liabilities in the balance sheet and the measurement of them at fair value.
If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as a
hedge, the objective of which is to match the timing of any gains or losses on
the hedge with the recognition of (i) the changes in the fair value of the
hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk or (ii) the
earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transaction. For a derivative not
designated as a hedging instrument, the gain or loss is recognized in income in
the period of change. Historically, the Company has not entered into derivative
contracts either to hedge existing risks or for speculative purposes. The
adoption of the new standard on December 1, 2000 will not affect the Company's
financial statements.
SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"
Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133 was issued and
effective in June 1999. SFAS No. 137 extends the effective date of SFAS No. 133
to fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. SFAS No. 137
also amends the manner in which entities recognize embedded derivative
instruments.
In March 2000, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 44, "Accounting for Certain
Transactions Involving Stock Compensation, Interpretation of APB Opinion
No. 25." Interpretation No. 44 clarifies the application of Accounting Principle
Board Opinion No. 25 to certain issues including: (1) the definition of employee
for purposes of applying APB Opinion No. 25, (2) the criteria for determining
whether a plan qualifies as a noncompensatory plan, (3) the accounting
consequences of various modifications to the terms of a previously fixed stock
option or award, and (4) the accounting for an exchange of stock compensation
awards in business combinations. The adoption of Interpretation No. 44 did not
have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of
operations.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company believes its exposure to market risk is relatively low. The
Company has no investments in derivative instruments. Transactions with foreign
customers and suppliers are made in U.S. currency. The Company's primary
exposure to market risk relates to outstanding borrowings with variable interest
rate terms associated with the factoring of the Company's receivables. At
November 30, 2000 total borrowings with variable interest rates amount to
$479,000.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
See "Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K"
for the Company's financial statements and notes thereto, and the financial
statement schedule filed on part of this report.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
On December 27, 2000, the Company dismissed BDO Seidman, LLP as its
independent accountants. The Company's Audit Committee participated in and
approved the decision to change independent accountants. The reports of BDO
Seidman, LLP on the financial statements for the past two fiscal years contained
no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified
as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle. In connection with its
audits for the two most recent fiscal years and through December 27, 2000, there
were no disagreements with BDO Seidman, LLP on any matter of accounting
principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or
procedure, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of BDO
Seidman, LLP would have caused them to make reference there to in their report
on the financial statements for such years. During the two most recent fiscal
years and through December 27, 2000, there were no reportable events (as defined
in Regulation S-K 304(a)1(v)). The Company has requested that BDO Seidman, LLP
furnish it with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether or not it agrees
with the above statements. A copy of such letter, dated December 29, 2000, is
filed as on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2000.
The Company engaged Ernst & Young LLP as its new independent accountants as of
December 28, 2000. During the two most recent fiscal years and through December
28, 2000, the Company has not consulted with Ernst & Young LLP regarding either
(i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either
completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on
the Company's financial statements, and either a written report was provided to
the Company or oral advice was provided that Ernst & Young LLP concluded was an
important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the
accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was
either the subject of a disagreement, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)
(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation
S-K, or a reportable event, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of
Regulation S-K.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive
officers and directors of the Company as of November 30, 2000.
Name Age Position with the Company
Samuel J. (Sam) Furrow Sr. 59 Chairman of the Board
and Director
Patricia Anderson-Lasko 41 Chief Executive Officer
and Director
Samuel J. (Jay) Furrow, Jr. 27 President, Director and
Acting Chief Financial
Officer
Daniel A. (Dan) Page (1)(2) 51 Director
Marc B. Crossman (1)(2) 29 Director
John G. Looney, MD (1)(2) 58 Director
Donna Drewrey 27 Secretary
____________________
(1) Member of the audit committee of the Board of Directors.
(2) Member of the executive compensation committee of the Board of Directors.
Following is information with respect to the business experience for at least
the last five years and certain other information regarding each of the
Company's executive officers and directors.
Samuel J. (Sam) Furrow became a Director in April 1998 and the Company's
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in October 1998. Mr. Furrow has also been
the Chairman of Furrow Auction Company (a real estate and equipment sales
company) since April 1968, Chairman of Furrow-Justice Machinery Corporation (a
six-branch industrial and construction equipment dealer) since September 1983,
Owner of Knoxville Motor Company - Mercedes Benz since December 1980 and of Land
Rover of Knoxville since July 1997. Mr. Furrow has been a Director of
Southeastern Advertising Inc. (an advertising agency) since April 1968, a
Director of First American National Bank since September 1993, and of Goody's
Family Clothing, Inc, a publicly traded retail clothing store chain, since 1995.
Sam Furrow is Jay Furrow's father. Sam Furrow is currently the Chairman of the
Board of the Company.
Patricia Anderson-Lasko has been President and a Director of the Company since
August 1990 and President of the Company's Innovo, Inc. subsidiary since she
founded that company in 1987. From August 1990 until August 1997, Ms. Anderson-
Lasko was also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In
December of 2000, Ms. Anderson-Lasko was elected Chief Executive Officer of the
Company.
Daniel A. Page was the chief operating officer of the Company from August 1997
through April 1999, has been self-employed since, and has been a Director of the
Company since August 1997. From June 1993 until August 1997, Mr. Page was the
principal operating and executive officer of Southeast Mat Company, a privately
held manufacturer of automobile floor mats. Prior thereto Mr. Page was the
president of Tennessee Properties Company, a privately held real estate
development company.
Samuel J. (Jay) Furrow, Jr. became the Company's Vice President for Corporate
Development and In-House Counsel in July 1998 and a Director in January 1999.
He has also served as the Company's Chief Operating Officer since April 1999 and
its Acting Chief Financial Officer since August 2000. Mr. Furrow is an attorney.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Furrow graduated from the Southern Methodist
University School of Law with a J.D. in May 1998. Mr. Furrow attended
Vanderbilt University beginning in 1991 and graduating with a BS degree in
Political Science and Business in 1995. Jay Furrow is Sam Furrow's son, and the
President of StanRo Development, a real estate development company. In December
of 2000, Jay Furrow was elected President of the Company.
Marc B. Crossman has been a Director since January 1999. Mr. Crossman has
also been a Vice President and Equity Analyst with J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.,
New York, New York, since January 1999, and was previously a Vice President and
Equity Analyst with CIBC Oppenheimer Corp. from September 1997 through January
1999 and an Associate and Equity Analyst with Dain Rauscher Wessels from
November 1994 through September 1997.
John G. Looney, MD has been a Director since August 1999. Dr. Looney is a
psychiatrist employed by the Duke Medical Center since 1986. Dr. Looney is also
currently working with Carolinas' Medical Center pursuant to a contract between
the Duke Medical Center and Carolinas' Medical Center. He also participates in
a variety of venture capital, investments independent of Duke, Carolinas' and
the Company.
Each of the Company's Directors is elected at the annual meeting of
stockholders and serves until the next annual meeting and until a successor has
been elected and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal.
Vacancies in the Board of Directors are filled by a majority vote of the
remaining members of the Board of Directors.
Executive officers of the Company are elected on an annual basis and serve at
the discretion of the Board of Directors.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table. The following table sets forth the compensation
paid to the Chief Executive Officers of the Company during 2000 and to the other
executive officer of the Company who received annual compensation in excess of
$100,000 (the "Named Executive Officers") during fiscal years 2000, 1999 and
1998.
Summary Compensation Table
Annual Compensation(1) Long-term Compensation
Name and Other Annual Options/
Prinicpal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation(3) SARs
- ------------------ ---- ------ ------ --------------- --------
Samuel J. Furrow, 2000 $ -- $ -- $ -- --
Chariman and CEO(2) 1999 -- -- -- 100,000
Patricia Anderson-Lasko, 2000 $200,000 $ -- $ 509 --
President 1999 157,500 15,750 -- --
1998 188,493 -- -- --
Jay Furrow, 2000 $100,000 -- -- --
COO
(1) No executive officers received or held restricted stock awards during fiscal
2000, 1999 or 1998.
(2) Mr. Sam Furrow's employment by the Company began in October 1998 with no
salary. Mr. Furrow received a grant of nonqualified stock options to purchase
100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.75 per share upon
becoming a Director in March 1998. The options vest and become exercisable at
the rate of 2,083 per month through 2002.
(3) During fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998 Ms. Anderson-Lasko received life insurance
benefits in the aggregate amounts of $0, $509 and $0, respectively.
Option Grants. None of the Named Executive Officers received option grants
during 2000.
Option Exercises and Fiscal Year-End Values. The following table sets forth
information with respect to the Named Executive Officers concerning the number
of securities underlying unexercised options at 2000 year-end and the year-end
value of all unexercised in-the-money options held by such individuals. None of
the Named Executive Officers exercised any options during the fiscal year ended
November 30, 2000.
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercised in 2000 and Year-end Option/SAR Values
Shares Number of Unexercised Value of Unexercised
Acquired Options/SARs at FY-End In-the-Money Options/SARs
on Value (#) Exercisable/ ($) Exercisable/
Name Exercise Realized Unexercisable Unexercisable
- ------ -------- -------- ------------- -------------
Samuel J. Furrow 0 0 68,750 / 100,000 Not applicable(1)
Jay Furrow 0 0 68,750 / 125,000 Not applicable(1)
(1) Based on a closing price per share of $1.594 for the Common Stock on
November 30, 2000 as reported by the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table provides information as of February 28, 2001 concerning
beneficial ownership of Common Stock by (1) each person or entity known by the
Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, (2)
each Directo r of the Company, (3) each Named Executive Officer, and (4) all
Directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. The information as
to beneficial ownership has been furnished by the respective stockholders,
Directors and executive officers of the Company, and, unless otherwise
indicated, each of the stockholders has sole voting and investment power with
respect to the shares beneficially owned.
Name and Shares Beneficially Owned (1)
Offices Number Percent
- ------- ------ -------
Samuel J. (Sam) Furrow 3,514,744(2) 25.6%
Chairman and Director
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
Hubert Guez 6,163,637(3) 44.9%
5804 East Slauson Avenue
Commerce, California 90040
Patricia Anderson-Lasko 283,146(4) 2.1%
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Daniel A. (Dan) Page 463,833(5) 3.4%
Director
Samuel J. (Jay) Furrow, Jr. 1,450,057(6) 10.6%
President; Acting Chief Financial
Officer and Director
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
Marc B. Crossman 58,499(7) *
Director
John G. Looney, MD 133,570 1.0%
Director
Joseph Mizrachi 2,738,500(8) 20.0%
2338 NW 64th Street
Boca Raton, Florida 33496
All Executive Officers 5,903,849(2)(4)(5)(6)(7) 42.9%
and Directors as a Group
(6 persons)
_________________
* Less than 1%.
(1) Pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, certain
shares of the Company's common stock that a beneficial owner set forth in this
table has a right to acquire within 60 days of the date hereof pursuant to the
exercise of options or warrants for the purchase of shares of common stock are
deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership
of that owner but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing
percentage ownership of any other beneficial owner shown in the table.
Percentages are calculated based on 13,721,264 shares outstanding as of February
15, 2001.
(2) Includes 100,000 shares subject to currently exercisable options and 750,000
shares subject to currently exercisable warrants with a 3-year term expiring
October 2003 and an exercise price of $2.10 per share.
(3) Includes 500,000 shares held of record by SHD Investments, LLC, of which
Mr. Guez's brother is the Manager, 250,000 shares held of record by each to two
trusts for Mr. Guez's sons and of which Mr. Guez's mother is trustee, and
1,863,637 held of record by Commerce Investment Group, LLC, of which Mr. Guez is
the Manager (collectively, the "Commerce Group"). Mr. Guez disclaims beneficial
ownership the shares held by SHD Investments, LLC, and the trusts for his sons.
Also includes 3,000,000 shares subject to immediately exercisable warrants with
a purchase price of $2.10 per share and 300,000 shares subject to warrants with
a purchase price of $2.10 per share that become exercisable over two years.
(4) Includes 250,000 shares purchased by Ms. Anderson-Lasko pursuant to the 1997
Stock Purchase Right Award, awarded to her in February 1997. Under the terms of
the 1997 Stock Purchase Right Award, Ms. Anderson-Lasko was permitted to, and
elected to, pay for the purchase of the 250,000 shares (the "1997 Award Shares")
by the execution of a non-recourse note (the "Note") to the Company for the
exercise price of $2.8125 per share ($703,125) in the aggregate). The Note is
due, without interest, on April 30, 2002, and is collateralized by the 1997
Award Shares purchased therewith. Ms. Anderson-Lasko may pay or prepay (without
penalty) all or any part of the Note by (i) the payment of cash, or (ii) the
delivery to the Company of other shares of Common Stock (other than the 1997
Award Shares) that Ms. Anderson-Lasko has owned for a period of at least six
months, which shares would be credited against the Note on the basis of the
closing bid price for the Common Stock on the date of delivery. The 1997 Award
Shares will be forfeited and returned (at the rate of one shares per $2.8125) to
the Company to the extent the Note is not paid on or before its maturity;
accordingly, the number of shares owned by Ms. Anderson-Lasko could decrease in
the future.
(5) Includes 120,000 shares currently exercisable options expiring August 2002
with an exercise price of $3.315 per share.
(6) Includes 125,000 shares subject to currently exercisable options and 750,000
shares subject to currently exercisable warrants with a 3-year term expiring
October 2003 and an exercise price of $2.10 per share.
(7) Includes 49,999 shares subject to currently exercisable options expiring
February 2004 with an exercise price of $4.75 per share.
(8) Includes 10,000 shares of common stock owned by the wife of Joseph Mizrachi,
Cheryl Mizrachi through CJ Rahm, LP and includes 1,241,000 warrants to purchase
shares of common stock (includes 16,000 warrants owned by the wife of Joseph
Mizrachi, Cheryl Mizrachi through CJ Rahm, LP.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Company has adopted a policy requiring that any material transactions
between the Company and persons or entities affiliated with officers, Directors
or principal stockholders of the Company be on terms no less favorable to the
Company than reasonably could have been obtained in arms' length transactions
with independent third parties.
Anderson Stock Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the 1997 Stock Purchase Right
Award awarded to her in February 1997, Ms. Anderson-Lasko purchased 250,000
shares of Common Stock (the "1997 Award Shares") with payment made by the
execution of a non-recourse note (the "Note") to the Company for the exercise
price of $2.8125 per share ($703,125 in the aggregate). The Note is due, without
interest, on April 30, 2002, and is collateralized by the 1997 Award Shares.
Ms. Anderson-Lasko may pay or prepay (without penalty) all or any part of the
Note by (i) the payment of cash, or (ii) the delivery to the Company of other
shares of Common Stock (other than the 1997 Award Shares) that Ms. Anderson-
Lasko has owned for a period of at least six months, which shares would be
credited against the Note on the basis of the closing bid price for the Common
Stock on the date of delivery.
Sam Furrow and Affiliate Loans. During the period from January 1999 to June
2000, Sam Furrow and affiliated companies made a total 24 loans in an aggregate
amount of $1,933,000 to the Company primarily to finance the Company's import of
product from the Orient and general operations. Each of the loans was unsecured
and provided for interest compounding annually at a rate of from 8.5% to 10.0%.
Most of the loans provided for a six-month term. The Board of Directors
determined in each instance that the loans were made on fair terms and
conditions that were more favorable to the Company than could be obtained from
third parties.
Of the amounts loaned by Sam Furrow and his affiliates, a total of $1,200,000
has been exchanged for Common Stock as described below under "Debt to Equity
Conversions." As of December 15, 2000, all amounts owed by the Company to Sam
Furrow and affiliated companies has been paid off in its entirety.
Dan Page Loans. During the period from February 1999 to March 1999, Dan Page
made a total five loans in an aggregate amount of $200,000 to the Company
primarily to finance the Company's import of product from the Orient and general
operations. Each of the loans was unsecured and provided for interest
compounding annually at a rate of from 10.0%. The loans provided for a six-month
term. The Board of Directors determined in each instance that the loans were
made on fair terms and conditions that were more favorable to the Company than
could be obtained from third parties.
All of the $200,000 loaned Dan Page to the Company has been exchanged for
Common Stock as described below under "Debt to Equity Conversions."
Debt to Equity Conversions. On February 26, 1999, Sam Furrow and Dan Page each
exchanged $150,000 of the indebtedness owed by the Company to him for 75,000
restricted shares of common stock, or a price of $2.00 per share. On the date
that the Company's Board of Directors approved the debt exchanges, the average
closing sale price for the Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq for the prior 30
days was $2.00.
Jay Furrow acquired $50,000 of the indebtedness owed by the Company to Sam
Furrow on April 26, 1999 and exchanged that amount for restricted Common Stock
at a price of $1.00 per share on that date. On the same date, a third party
acquired $50,000 of the indebtedness owed by the Company to Dan Page and
exchanged that amount for restricted Common Stock at a price of $1.00 per share.
On the date that the Company's Board of Directors approved those debt exchanges,
the average closing sale price for the Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq for
the prior 15 days was $1.43.
On February 28, 2000, Sam Furrow exchanged $500,000 of the indebtedness owed
by the Company to him for 423,729 restricted shares of common stock, or a price
of $1.18 per share. On the date that the Company's Board of Directors approved
the debt exchange, the closing sale price for the Common Stock as reported by
Nasdaq was $1.15.
On August 11, 2000, Sam and Jay Furrow converted $1 million of outstanding
Company debt owed to third parties that it had previously assumed and an
additional $500,000 of Company debt that was previously owed to the Furrows for
1,363,637 shares of common stock, or $1.10 per share, and warrants to purchase
1,500,000 shares of Common Stock that have a three-year term and an exercise
price of $2.10 per share. The debt conversion to equity had been required by
the Commerce Group as a condition to making their Phase I investment in the
Company. The Furrows have also agreed to make the issuance of the purchased
warrants subject to stockholder approval.
The $1.0 million of converted debt that had been assumed by the Furrows and
that had previously been guaranteed by him consisted of $650,000 owed to
Commerce Capital, Inc., a Nashville, Tennessee based finance company unrelated
to the Commerce Group, and $350,000 owed to First Independent Bank of Gallatin.
With respect to each of the debt to equity conversions discussed above, the
Board of Directors determined that the purchases of Common Stock were made on
fair terms and conditions and were in the Company's best interests in order to
increase the Company's net tangible assets for Nasdaq listing compliance
purposes and considering recent trading prices and a reasonable discount due to
the restricted nature of the issued shares. All of the shares issued pursuant to
the debt conversions were subject to registration rights, and resales of all of
such shares are now subject to effective registration statements.
Facility Lease Arrangements. On October 7, 1998, the Company entered into a
Warehouse Lease Agreement with Furrow-Holrob Development II, LLC pursuant to
which the Company has leased the 78,900 square foot plant that now houses the
Company's executive offices and its manufacturing, administrative and shipping
facilities. The "triple net" lease provides for an annual base rental rate of
$2.00 per square foot, or $157,800 annually, plus a pro rata share of real
estate taxes, insurance premiums and common area expenses, with an initial five-
year term and two Company five-year renewal options (subject to agreement on any
change in the base rental rate). The Board of Directors, with Mr. Furrow
excusing himself from deliberations and not voting, unanimously approved the
Warehouse Lease Agreement. As required by the terms of the Phase I financing,
the Warehouse Lease Agreement was terminated on July 1, 2000. The Company
currently occupies the same facilities rent free pending arrangements for new
space.
New Facility Lease Arrangements. The Company has entered into a new lease for
space with a company owned by Sam Furrow. The space is approximately 5,000
square feet consisting of the first floor of a two-story building located in
downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, with a monthly rental of $3,500 triple net.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Financial Statements and Schedules. Reference is made to the Index to
Financial Statements and Schedule on page F-1 for a list of financial statements
and the financial statement schedule filed as part of this report. All other
schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required
information is shown in the Company's financial statements or the related notes
thereto.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
On December 29, 2000, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K reporting
a change in its independent accountants.
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit Reference
Number Description No.
3.1 Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of Registrant. 10.73
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant.* 4.2(5)
4.1 Article Four of the Registrant's Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation (included
in Exhibit 3.1)*
10.1 Registrant's 1991 Stock Option Plan.* 10.5(2)
10.3 Note executed by NASCO, Inc. and payable to
First Independent Bank, Gallatin, Tennessee
in the principal amount of $950,000 dated
August 6, 1992.* 10.21(2)
10.4 Deed of Trust between NASCO, Inc. and First
Independent Bank, Gallatin, Tennessee dated
August 6, 1992.* 10.22(2)
10.5 Authorization and Loan Agreement from the
U.S. Small Business Administration, Nashville,
Tennessee dated July 21, 1992.* 10.23(2)
10.6 Indemnity Agreement between NASCO, Inc. and
First Independent Bank, Gallatin, Tennessee.* 10.24(2)
10.7 Compliance Agreement between NASCO, Inc. and
First Independent Bank, Gallatin, Tennessee
dated August 6, 1992.* 10.25(2)
10.8 Assignment of Life Insurance Policy issued
by Hawkeye National Life Insurance Company
upon the life of Patricia Anderson-Lasko to
First Independent Bank, Gallatin, Tennessee
dated July 31, 1992.* 10.26(2)
10.9 Guaranty of Patricia Anderson-Lasko on behalf
of NASCO, Inc. in favor of First Independent
Bank, Gallatin, Tennessee dated August 6, 1992.* 10.27(2)
10.10 Guaranty of Innovo Group Inc. on behalf of
NASCO, Inc. in favor of First Independent Bank,
Gallatin, Tennessee dated August 6, 1992.* 10.28(2)
10.11 Guaranty of Innovo, Inc. on behalf of NASCO,
Inc. in favor of First Independent Bank,
Gallatin, Tennessee dated August 6, 1992.* 10.29(2)
10.12 Guaranty of NASCO Products, Inc. on behalf of
NASCO, Inc. in favor of First Independent Bank,
Gallatin, Tennessee dated August 6, 1992.* 10.30(2)
10.22 Form of Common Stock Put Option.* 10.61(6)
10.28 License Agreement dated January 24, 1994
between NFL Properties Europe B.V. and NASCO
Marketing, Inc.* 10.66(9)
10.29 License Agreement dated July 7, 1997 between
National Football League Properties, Inc. and
Innovo Group Inc.
10.32 Form of Amendment to Common Stock Put Option.* 10.72(9)
10.33 Agreement dated July 31, 1995 between NASCO
Products, Inc. and Accessory Network
Group, Inc.* 10.1(11)
10.36 License Agreement dated August 9, 1995 between
Innovo, Inc. and NHL Enterprises, Inc.* 10.49(12)
10.37 License Agreement dated August 9, 1995 between
NASCO Products International, Inc. and NHL
Enterprises, B.V.* 10.50(12)
10.38 License Agreement dated December 15, 1995
between Major League Baseball Properties, Inc.
and Innovo Group Inc.* 10.51(12)
10.39 License Agreement dated October 6, 1995
between Major League Baseball Properties
and NASCO Products International, Inc.* 10.52(12)
10.40 Omitted
10.41 Omitted
10.42 Merger Agreement dated April 12, 1996 between
Innovo Group Inc. and TS Acquisition, Inc.
and Thimble Square, Inc. and the Stockholders
of Thimble Square, Inc.* 10.1(13)
10.43 Property Acquisition Agreement dated
April 12, 1996 between Innovo Group Inc.,
TS Acquisition, Inc. and Philip Schwartz
and Lee Schwartz.* 10.2(13)
10.45 License Agreement between Innovo Group Inc.
and Warner Bros. dated June 25, 1996.* 10.45(15)
10.46 License Agreement between Innovo Group Inc.
and Walt Disney dated September 12, 1996.* 10.46(15)
10.47 Indenture of Lease dated October 12, 1993
between Thimble Square, Inc. and Development
Authority of Appling County, Georgia* 10.47(15)
10.48 Lease dated October 1, 1996 between Innovo,
Inc. and John F. Wilson, Terry Hale, and
William Dulworth* 10.48(15)
10.49 Incentive Stock Option between Samuel J. Furrow,
Jr. and Innovo Group Inc.* 10.49(16)
10.50 Incentive Stock Option between Samuel J. Furrow
and Innovo Group Inc.* 10.50(16)
10.51 Incentive Stock Option between Robert S. Talbott
and Innovo Group Inc.* 10.51(16)
10.53 Manufacturing and Distribution Agreement between
Nasco Products International and Action
Performance Companies, Inc.* 10.53(16)
10.56 Sale Agreement of property in Pembroke, GA
between Thimble Square and H.N. Properties,
L.L.C.* 10.56(16)
10.57 Lease Agreement between Furrow-Holrob
Development, L.L.C. and Innovo Group, Inc.* 10.57(16)
10.59 Promissory Note dated October 29, 1999
between Innovo Group Inc. and
Samuel J. Furrow* 10.59(17)
10.60 Promissory Note dated November 22, 1999 between
Innovo Group Inc and Samuel J. Furrow* 10.60(17)
10.61 License Agreement with Roundhouse* 10.61(17)
10.62 License Agreement with Paws, Inc.* 10.62(17)
10.63 Commerce Investment Group, LLC Common Stock
and Warrant Purchase Agreement* 10.63(18)
10.64 Commerce Investment Group, LLC Purchase
Warrant Agreement* 10.64(18)
10.65 Investor Rights Agreement pertaining to the
Commerce Investment Group, LLC Common Stock
and Warrant Purchase Agreement* 10.65(18)
10.66 Commerce Investment Group, LLC Purchase
Warrant Agreement* 10.66(18)
10.67 Legal Opinion of Sims, Moss, Kline & Davis,
LLP* 10.67(18)
10.68 Business Plan* 10.68(18)
10.69 Transfer Instructions pertaining to the delivery
of the Common Stock and Warrants purchased by
Commerce Investment Group, LLC* 10.69(18)
10.70 Disclosure Schedule* 10.70(18)
10.71 Samuel Furrow, Jr. Stock Purchase Agreement* 10.71(18)
10.72 Samuel Furrow, Sr. Stock Purchase Agreement* 10.72(18)
10.73 Fifth Amended and REstated Certificate
of Incorporation of Registrant 10.73
10.74 Mizrachi Group Stock Purchase Agreement 10.74
10.75 Mizrachi Group Investor Rights Agreement 10.75
10.76 Mizrachi Group Warrant Agreement A 10.76
10.77 Mizrachi Group Warrant Agreement B 10.77
10.78 Mizrachi Group Transaction Disclosure Schedule 10.78
21 Subsidiaries of Registrant* 21(13)
23.1 Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP
23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young, LLP
_________________________
* Certain of the exhibits to this Report, indicated by an asterisk, are
incorporated by reference to other documents on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission with which they were physically filed, to be part hereof
as of their respective dates. Documents to which reference is made are as
follows:
(1) Amendment No. 4 Registration Statement on Form S-18 (No. 33-25912-NY) of
ELORAC Corporation filed October 4, 1990.
(2) Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-51724)
of Innovo Group Inc. filed November 12, 1992.
(3) Annual Report on Form 10-K of Innovo Group Inc. (file no. 0-18926) for the
year ended October 31, 1993.
(4) Current Report on Form 8-K of Innovo Group Inc. (file no. 0-18926) dated
May 10, 1993 filed May 25, 1993.
(5) Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-71576) of Innovo Group Inc.
filed November 12, 1993.
(6) Annual Report on Form 10-K of Innovo Group Inc. (file 0-18926) for the
year ended October 31, 1993.
(7) Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-77984)
of Innovo Group Inc. filed July 25, 1994.
(8) Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-77984)
of Innovo Group Inc. filed August 18, 1994.
(9) Annual Report on Form 10-K of Innovo Group Inc. (file 0-18926) for the
year ended October 31, 1994.
(10) Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-94880) of Innovo Group Inc.
filed July 21, 1995.
(11) Current Report on Form 8-K of Innovo Group Inc. (file 0-18926) dated July
31, 1995 filed September 13, 1995.
(12) Annual Report on Form 10-K of Innovo Group Inc. (file 0-18926) for the
year ended October 31, 1995.
(13) Current Report on Form 8-K of Innovo Group Inc. (file 0-18926) dated
April 12, 1996, filed April 29, 1996.
(14) Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-03119) of Innovo Group Inc.,
as amended June 28, 1996.
(15) Annual Report on Form 10-K of Innovo Group Inc. (file 0-18926) for the
year ended November 30, 1996.
(16) Annual REport on Form 10-K of Innovo Group Inc. (file 0-18926) for the
year ended November 30, 1998.
(17) Annual Report on Form 10-K of Innovo Group Inc. (file 0-18926) for the
year ended November 30, 1999.
(18) Current Report on Form 8-K/A of Innovo Group Inc. (file 0-18926) dated
September 15, 2000.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
INNOVO GROUP INC.
By: /s/ Patricia Anderson
----------------------
Pat Anderson
Chief Executive Officer
March 15, 2001
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
Report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature and Title Date
/s/ Patricia Anderson March 15,2001
- ---------------------
Patricia Anderson
Chief Executive Officer
and Director
/s/ Samuel J. Furrow, Sr. March 15,2001
- -------------------------
Samuel J. Furrow, Sr.
Chairman of the Board and Director
/s/ Samuel J. Furrow, Jr. March 15,2001
- -------------------------
Samuel J. Furrow, Jr.
President, Acting CFO and Director
/s/ Marc B. Crossman March 15,2001
- --------------------
Marc B. Crossman
Director
/s/ Daniel Page March 15,2001
- ---------------
Daniel Page
Director
/s/ Dr. John Looney March 15, 2001
- -------------------
Dr. John Looney
Director
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Audited Financial Statements: Page
Report of Independent Auditors - Ernst & Young LLP F-2
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants -
BDO Seidman, LLP F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets at November 30, 2000 and 1999 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years
ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 F-9
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-11
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts F-37
Report of Independent Auditors
Board of Directors
Innovo Group Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Innovo Group Inc.
and subsidiaries as of November 30, 2000, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then
ended. Our audit also included the financial statement schedule listed in the
index at Item 14(a). These financial statements and schedule are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements and schedule based on our
audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the
financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for
our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Innovo
Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of November 30, 2000, and the consolidated
results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered
in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly,
in all material respects the information set forth therein.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
---------------------
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Los Angeles, California
March 7, 2001
Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants
Board of Directors
Innovo Group Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Innovo Group
Inc. and subsidiaries as of November 30, 1999 and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the
years ended November 30, 1999 and 1998. We have also audited the accompanying
schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts as of and for each of the years
ended November 30, 1999 and 1998. These financial statements and schedule
are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and schedule based
on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and schedule are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and
schedule. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the financial statements and schedule. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Innovo
Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of November 30, 1999 and the consolidated results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years ended
November 30, 1999 and 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Also, in our opinion the supplemental schedule presents fairly the information
set forth therein.
/s/ BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
- --------------------
BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
January 13, 2000, except for Notes 8 and 11,
as to which the date is March 8, 2000
Innovo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except per share data)
November 30
2000 1999
---- ----
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,179 $ --
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
uncollectible accounts of $36 (2000) and
$153 (1999) (Note 5) 712 1,161
Inventories (Note 3) 3,343 1,968
Prepaid expenses and other assets 94 3
------ ------
Total current assets 5,328 3,132
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 4) 56 3,042
Assets held for sale (Note 4) 2,028 --
Other assets 4 48
------ ------
Total assets $ 7,416 $ 6,222
------ ------
------ ------
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 1,869 $ 1,479
Notes payable (Note 5) 449 959
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 6) 94 75
------ ------
Total current liabilities 2,412 2,513
Long-term debt, less current maturities (Note 6) 1,246 1,979
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholders' equity (Note 8):
Common stock, $0.10 par value:
Authorized shares - 40,000 (2000) and
15,000 (1999)
Issued and outstanding shares - 13,721 (2000)
and 6,299 (1999) 1,371 629
Additional paid-in capital 38,977 31,540
Accumulated deficit (33,461) (27,310)
Promissory note - officer (Note 11) (703) (703)
Treasury stock (2,426) (2,426)
------ ------
Total stockholders' equity 3,758 1,730
------ ------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 7,416 $ 6,222
------ ------
------ ------
See accompanying notes.
Innovo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
Year ended November 30
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
Net sales $ 5,767 $10,837 $ 6,790
Cost of goods sold (Note 1) 5,195 6,252 4,493
------ ------ ------
Gross profit 572 4,585 2,297
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative 4,147 4,963 3,638
Restructuring and other charges (Note 1):
Asset impairment (Note 4) 600 145 300
Termination of capital lease (Note 4) -- 293 --
Other 116 -- --
Depreciation and amortization 250 287 265
------ ------ ------
5,113 5,688 4,203
------ ------ ------
Loss from operations (4,541) (1,103) (1,906)
Interest expense (446) (517) (503)
Other income (expense), net (69) 280 142
------ ------ ------
Loss before income taxes (5,056) (1,340) (2,267)
Income taxes -- -- --
------ ------ ------
Loss from continuing operations (5,056) (1,340) (2,267)
Discontinued operations (Note 10)
Results from Thimble Square operations -- (1) (346)
Loss on disposal of Thimble Square (Note 4) -- -- (1,401)
------ ------ ------
-- (1) (1,747)
------ ------ ------
Loss before extraordinary item (5,056) (1,341) (4,014)
Loss on early extinguishments of debt
(Notes 8 and 11) (1,095) -- --
------ ------ ------
Net loss $(6,151) $(1,341) $(4,014)
------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------
Innovo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations (continued)
(In thousands, except per share data)
Year ended November 30
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
Loss per share - basic and diluted:
Continuing operations $(0.62) $(0.22) $(0.49)
Discontinued operations -- -- (0.38)
Extraordinary item (0.13) -- --
----- ----- -----
Net loss $(0.75) $(0.22) $(0.87)
----- ----- -----
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
and diluted 8,163 5,984 4,618
----- ----- -----
----- ----- -----
See accompanying notes.
Innovo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(In thousands, except number of shares)
Additional Promissory Total
Common Stock Paid-in Accumulated Note Treasury Stockholders'
Shares Par Value Capital Deficit Officer Stock Equity
------ --------- ------- ------- ------- ----- ------
Balance, December 1, 1997 4,459,613 $ 446 $ 28,429 $(21,955) $ (703) $ (2,426) $ 3,791
Issuance of common stock:
Furrow-Holrob Development
purchase 899,000 89 1,709 -- -- -- 1,798
Issuance for compensation 16,450 2 98 -- -- -- 100
Issuance for debt service 8,550 1 53 -- -- -- 54
Exercise of warrants and
options 3,500 -- 9 -- -- -- 9
Costs of issuance -- -- (16) -- -- -- (16)
Net loss -- -- -- (4,014) -- -- (4,014)
--------- ------- ------- ------- ------ ------- --------
Balance, November 30, 1998 5,387,113 538 30,282 (25,969) (703) (2,426) 1,722
Issuance of common stock:
Issuance for compensation 45,919 5 59 -- -- -- 64
Issuance for debt service 45,000 4 89 -- -- -- 93
Issuance for debt
conversion 250,000 25 375 -- -- -- 400
Issuance for cash 571,000 57 735 -- -- -- 792
Net loss -- -- -- (1,341) -- -- (1,341)
--------- ------- ------- -------- ------ ------- --------
Balance, November 30, 1999 6,299,032 629 31,540 (27,310) (703) (2,426) 1,730
Issuance of common stock
for debt conversion 1,787,365 179 1,821 -- -- -- 2,000
Sale of common stock, net
of offering expenses of
$216 5,634,867 563 4,521 -- -- -- 5,084
Issuance of warrants -- -- 1,095 -- -- -- 1,095
Net loss -- -- -- (6,151) -- -- (6,151)
--------- ------- ------- -------- ------ ------- --------
Balance, November 30, 2000 13,721,264 $ 1,371 $ 38,977 $ (33,461) $ (703) $ (2,426) $ 3,758
See accompanying notes.
Innovo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Year ended November 30
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
Operating activities
Net loss $(6,151) $(1,341) $(4,014)
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to
cash used in operating activities
from continuing operations:
Loss from discontinued operations -- 1 1,747
Loss on early extinguishments of debt 1,095 -- --
Stock issuances for services and
compensation -- 64 100
Loss on disposal of fixed assets 99 -- --
Depreciation and amortization 250 287 265
Asset impairment 600 145 300
Change in allowance for bad debts (117) 86 39
Termination of capital lease -- 293 --
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 566 (539) 148
Inventories (1,375) (867) 137
Prepaid expenses and other 45 264 176
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 390 (473) (136)
Other -- (44) --
------- ------ ------
Cash used in operating activities of
continuing operations (4,598) (2,124) (1,238)
Cash used in operating activities of
discontinued operations -- (11) (202)
------- ------ ------
Net cash used in operating activities (4,598) (2,135) (1,440)
Investing activities
Capital expenditures (76) (161) (18)
Disposal of fixed assets 43 246 --
------- ------ ------
Cash (used in) provided by investing
activities (33) 85 (18)
Financing activities
Additional borrowings 1,420 710 8,515
Repayments of notes payable and
long-term debt (644) (530) (8,239)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net 5,034 792 1,791
------- ------ ------
Net cash provided by financing activities 5,810 972 2,067
------- ------ ------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 1,179 (1,078) 609
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of year -- 1,078 469
------- ------ ------
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year $ 1,179 $ -- $ 1,078
------- ------ ------
------- ------ ------
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
information:
Cash paid for interest $ 415 $ 493 $ 555
See accompanying notes.
Innovo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
November 30, 2000
1. Business Description
Innovo Group Inc. (the Company) is a holding company, the principal assets of
which are its wholly owned operating subsidiary, Innovo, Inc. (Innovo). The
Company also operated two other subsidiaries, NASCO Products International, Inc.
(NP International) and Thimble Square, Inc. (Thimble Square), which ceased
operations in 2000 and 1998, respectively.
Innovo designs, markets, sources and distributes fashion and sports licensed
nylon and canvas bags and products, for the retail, premium and advertising
specialty markets. Under licensing agreements, the C ompany's sports lines
feature the designs of major sports leagues, collegiate teams and certain
cartoon characters. Innovo also has certain exclusive and non-exclusive
manufacturing and distribution rights for NASCAR licensed products. The
Company's primary customers include major retailers such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart,
Michael's, Hobby Lobby, Dollar General, Goody's and Joanne's.
The Company operates in two business segments (see Note 10). Sales to the top
two customers in the domestic segment accounted for 41%, 11% and 10%, of
the Company's gross sales in fiscal 2000; and sales to the Company's top two
customers accounted for 27% and 27%, respectively, in fiscal 1999. Sales to
one customer accounted for 37% of the Company's gross sales in fiscal 1998.
Restructuring of Operations
During fiscal 2000, the Company restructured its operations to focus on its core
product categories with the highest volume and profit margin. The Company also
raised additional working capital and converted certain indebtedness to equity
(see Note 11). The restructuring was undertaken as a condition to the equity
investment by Commerce Investment Group, LLC (Commerce), a strategic investment
partner (see Note 8). In an effort to reduce product costs and increase gross
profit, the Company has shifted manufacturing to third-party foreign
manufacturers and has outsourced the distribution function to Commerce to
increase the effectiveness of the distribution network and reduce freight costs.
In September 2000, the Company completed the closure of its Knoxville,
Tennessee, manufacturing and distribution operations and realigned these
functions in accordance with terms under certain supply and distribution
agreements with Commerce.
These agreements provide for Commerce or its designated affiliates to
manufacture and supply specified products to the Company at agreed upon prices.
In addition, Commerce will provide distribution services to the Company for an
agreed upon fee, including warehousing, shipping and receiving, storage, order
processing, billing, customer service, information systems, maintenance of
inventory records, and all direct labor and management services. These
agreements, which expire in two years, may be renewed for consecutive two-year
terms unless terminated by either party with 90 days notice. Purchases of goods
and services during the initial term are subject to a minimum of $3,000,000 (see
Note 11). No minimum obligation is required for the renewal periods. Purchase
prices for goods and services for subsequent periods will be renegotiated in
good faith at the time of renewal based on increases in material and labor
costs.
Pursuant to the Commerce transaction and related agreements, the Company is in
the process of relocating its finance, accounting and distribution operations to
Los Angeles, California, and transitioned its manufacturing needs to Mexican
production facilities operated by an affiliate of Commerce. The Company
continues to maintain a small sales staff in Knoxville.
In addition to the forgoing, the Company also terminated the operations of NP
International during fiscal 2000, which have not been profitable and approved a
plan to dispose of certain real properties which are not central to the
Company's ongoing operations (see Note 4).
In connection with these restructuring activities, the Company incurred certain
one-time charges. These charges include loss on disposal of fixed assets,
salaries and other costs to exit the Knoxville operations, relocation costs,
loss on inventory liquidation and impairment charges related to real properties
held for disposal. Inventory liquidation losses totaling $300,000 are included
in cost of goods sold and the loss on sale of fixed assets of $99,000 is
included as a component of other expense in the accompanying consolidated
statements of operations. The remaining charges have been included in
Restructuring and other charges in the accompanying consolidated statements of
operations.
Operating Losses and Liquidity Issues
The Company has experienced recurring operating losses and negative cash flows
from operations in recent years. It is dependent on credit arrangements with
suppliers and factoring agreements for working capital needs. From time to time,
the Company has also obtained short-term working capital loans from senior
members of the management and the Board of Directors, and conducted equity
financing through private placements (see Notes 8 and 11).
The Company's Common Stock is traded on the SmallCap Market of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASDAQ). In March 2000, The Company
received notification from NASDAQ that it was out of compliance with the
marketplace listing requirements which, among others, require minimum net
tangible assets of $2,000,000 and a minimum bid price of $1 for the Common
Stock. The Company submitted a plan to NASDAQ for achieving compliance and
received a temporary exception from this standard in May 2000, subject to
certain conditions. These conditions required Innovo Group, Inc. to obtain
minimum tangible assets of $4,000,000 by August 11, 2000 and $5,000,000 before
October 31, 2000. These conditions were accomplished through the investments
from Commerce and the Mizrachi Group and by the conversion of certain
outstanding debt to equity (see Notes 8 and 11). At November 30, 2000, the
Company has met to the $2,000,000 minimum requirement.
Based on the foregoing and the investments by Commerce and other investors (see
Note 8), the Company believes that existing working capital is sufficient to
fund operations and required debt reductions during fiscal 2001. Management also
believes that any additional capital, to the extent needed, could be obtained
from the sale of equity securities or short-term working capital loans. In
addition to the restructuring activities discussed above, management is
currently taking steps to improve profitability and liquidity by reducing the
work force, introducing new products lines, and by endeavoring to control and
minimize fixed costs.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The
most significant estimates affect the evaluation of contingencies, and the
determination of allowances for accounts receivable and inventories. Actual
results could differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recorded on the accrual basis of accounting when the Company
ships products to its customers. Sales returns must be approved by the Company
and are typically only allowed for damaged goods. Such returns have historically
not been material.
During the year ended November 30, 2000, allowances for co-op and other
advertising programs when calculated as a percentage of sales to a customer have
been recorded as a reduction of gross sales. During the year ended November 30,
2000, these allowances approximated $350,000. In prior years all advertising
allowances were recorded as a components of selling, general and administrative
expenses. The 1999 and 1998 statements of operations have not been adjusted to
reflect the 2000 presentation of sales allowances as the information for those
periods was not tracked by the Company in a manner that would allow for an
accurate reclassification of prior period amounts and in any event management
believes that such amounts were not material to the 1999 and 1998 statements of
operations.
Loss Per Share
Loss per share is computed using weighted averag e common shares and dilutive
common equivalent shares outstanding. Potentially dilutive securities consist of
outstanding options and warrants. Potentially dilutive securities have been
excluded from the calculation of the diluted loss per share for the three years
ended November 30, 2000 as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
On September 13, 1998, the Company declared a reverse stock split of which one
share of new Common Stock was exchanged for ten shares of old Common Stock.
All share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the effect of the
reverse stock split.
Financial Instruments
The fair values of the Company's financial instruments (consisting of cash,
accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable, long-term debt and notes
payable) do not differ materially from their recorded amounts because of the
relatively short period of time between origination of the instruments and their
expected realization.
The Company neither holds, nor is obligated under, financial instruments that
possess off-balance sheet credit or market risk.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles are reviewed for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to
be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset
to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets
are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by
the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of
the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying
amount or fair value less costs to sell. During the years ended November 30,
2000, 1999 and 1998, the Company recorded impairment charges of $600,000,
$145,000 and $300,000, respectively, related to certain real and personal
properties (see Note 3).
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments hat are both readily
convertible into known amounts of cash and mature within 90 days from their
date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant
concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and accounts
receivable. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various
financial institutions. Its policy is designed to limit exposure to any one
institution. The Company performs periodic valuations of the relative credit
rating of those financial institutions that are considered in the Company's
investment strategy.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited
due to the number of customers comprising the Company's customer base. However,
at November 30, 2000, $621,000 of total accounts receivables, net (or 83%) were
due from three customers. The Company does not require collateral for trade
accounts receivable, and, therefore, can be at risk for up to $621,000 if these
customers fail to pay. The Company provides an allowance for estimated losses to
be incurred in the collection of accounts receivable. Such losses have been
within management's expectations.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed on a
straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets and includes
capital lease amortization. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lives
of the respective leases or the estimated service lives of the improvements,
whichever is shorter. Routine maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as
incurred. On sale or retirement, the asset cost and related accumulated
depreciation or amortization are removed from the accounts, and any related gain
or loss is included in the determination of income.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended, is effective for all
fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. This statement establishes
accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities.
All derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are
required to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is
designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the
derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized
in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective
portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other
comprehensive income (OCI) and are recognized in the income statement when
the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair
value of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings. Historically, the Company
has not entered into derivative contracts either to hedge existing risks or for
speculative purposes. The adoption of the statement will not affect the
Company's financial statements.
3. Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, as determined by the first-in,
first-out method, or market. Inventories consisted of the following at November
30 (in thousands):
2000 1999
---- ----
Finished goods $1,071 $1,510
Work-in-process -- 28
Raw materials 2,350 534
----- -----
3,421 2,072
Less allowance for obsolescence
and slow moving items (78) (104)
----- -----
$3,343 $1,968
----- -----
----- -----
4. Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at November 30 (in
thousands):
Useful
Lives
(Years) 2000 1999
----- ---- ----
Building, land and improvements 8-38 $ -- $3,105
Machinery and equipment 5-10 -- 1,628
Furniture and fixtures 3-8 83 463
Transportation equipment 5 13 64
Leasehold improvements 5-8 -- 62
---- -----
96 5,322
Less accumulated depreciation and
amortization (40) (2,280)
---- -----
Net property, plant and equipment $ 56 $3,042
---- -----
---- -----
Assets held for sale consisted of the following at November 30 (in thousands):
2000 1999
---- ----
Building, land and improvements $2,500 $ --
Less accumulated depreciation (472) --
----- ----
Net assets held for sale $2,028 $ --
----- ----
----- ----
During fiscal 2000, the Company approved a plan to dispose of a retail property
in Lake Worth, Florida, and its former headquarters and manufacturing facility
in Springfield, Tennessee, via a third party sale. At present, the Florida
property is vacant and the Springfield property has been partially subleased to
tenants under operating leases of various terms while both properties are held
for sale. The Company continues to evaluate its options with respect to selling
the properties or leasing all or a portion of the properties.
In connection with the plan of disposal, the Company recorded a charge of
$600,000 in fiscal 2000 to reduce the carrying value of the Florida property to
its estimated market value less costs to sell. This was in addition to a
$300,000 charge recorded in 1998 to reduce the then carrying value of the
Florida property to its fair value in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No.
121.
At November 30, 2000, the carrying value of the Springfield facility
approximates the estimated market value, less selling expenses. The carrying
value was net of a $145,000 charge recorded in 1999 to reduce the then carrying
value of the property to its fair value in accordance with the provisions of
SFAS No. 121.
During fiscal 1999, the Company terminated a capital lease on a building in
Baxley, Georgia, related to the Thimble Square operations. The Company wrote
off the remaining net book value of the capitalized lease (asset) and removed
the remaining capitalized lease obligation (liability) resulting in a net charge
to operations of $293,000.
In December 1998, the Company sold a Thimble Square facility in Pembroke,
Georgia, for approximately $122,000, net of selling expenses. This sale resulted
in a $278,000 loss on disposal. This charge was included in loss on disposal of
Thimble Square in the 1998 consolidated statements of operations.
5. Notes Payable
Notes payable at November 30 consisted of the following (in thousands):
2000 1999
---- ----
Accounts receivable factoring facilities $ 411 $ 510
Bank credit facility -- 349
Borrowings from Director -- 100
Other 38 --
---- ----
$ 449 $ 959
The Company's principal credit facility for working capital is its accounts
receivable factoring arrangements. The Company factors the accounts receivable
of one specific customer with recourse with Riviera Finance (Riviera) under an
agreement effective July 1999. Under this agreement, Riviera advances the
Company 75% of the face value of each approved invoice, with 24% placed in a
reserve account (for potential returns and uncollectible amounts) and 1%
retained by Riviera as a fee. In addition to the 1% factoring fee, the Company
pays a monthly fee of 0.5% of the maximum account or $5,000. This agreement has
a maximum credit limit of $1,000,000 and is secured by the Company's tangible
and intangible assets. At November 30, 2000, $353,000 was outstanding under the
Riviera agreement.
The Company also had another factoring facility with First American, which was
terminated in July 2000. This agreement was replaced by a factoring facility
with ING/KBK Acceptance Corporation (KBK), to provide financing for invoices not
factored under the Riviera arrangement. The KBK agreement provides for factoring
on 85% of the qualified receivables up to $5,000,000 on a non-recourse basis.
The Company is charged a 2% fee on every invoice funded in addition to a per
annum rate equal to KBK's base rate in effect on the date of the purchase of the
invoice plus 2%. At November 30, 2000, the effective interest rate was 11.5%.
The outstanding balance of $58,000 under the KBK agreement is secured by the
factored receivables.
These agreements can be terminated by either party with at least 30 days written
notice. The Company anticipates continued reliance on the accounts receivable
factoring agreements with KBK and Riviera or other factoring companies to
finance the majority of its short-term working capital needs.
In December 1997 the Company entered into a revolving line of credit with a bank
for $350,000 at a fixed rate of 9.5%. The line was secured by equipment and the
personal guarantees of certain members of management. In December 1998, the
Company renewed the line of credit through February 27, 2000 at an interest rate
of 10.75%. During August 2000, the note was assumed by the Furrow Group (a group
consisting of the Company's Chairman and President) in exchange for the issuance
of the Company's Common Stock and warrants (see Note 11).
The weighted average interest rate on outstanding short-term borrowings was 10%
and 11.4% at November 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
6. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt at November 30 consisted of the following (in thousands):
2000 1999
---- ----
First mortgage loan $ 673 $ 714
Non-recourse first mortgage on Florida property 667 690
Bank promissory note secured by receivable from
an officer of the Company -- 650
---- ----
Total long-term debt 1,340 2,054
Less current maturities 94 75
----- -----
$1,246 $1,979
----- -----
----- -----
The first mortgage loan is collateralized by a first deed of trust on real
property in Springfield, Tennessee (with a carrying value of $944,000 at
November 30, 2000), and by an assignment of key-man life insurance on the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company in the amount of $950,000. The loan bears
interest at 2.75% over the lender's prime rate per annum (which was 9.50%
and 8.50% at November 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively) and requires monthly
principal and interest payments of $9,900 through February 2010. The loan is
also guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA). In exchange for
the SBA guarantee, the Company, Innovo, NP International, and the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company have also agreed to act as guarantors for the
obligations under the loan agreement.
In November 1995 the Company acquired a facility in Lake Worth, Florida, which
it developed as an indoor retail outlet featuring antique and flea market shops.
The $1,500,000 purchase price was paid by the issuance to the seller of (i)
warrants to purchase 1 million shares of the Company's common stock, exercisable
at $.01 per share (the warrant was exercised in March 1996) and (ii) an $800,000
first lien non-recourse mortgage secured by the property (with a carrying value
of $1,084,000 at November 30, 2000). The mortgage is payable in quarterly
installments of $25,500. All unpaid principal and interest (which accrues at the
rate of 9.5% per annum) is due January 2006.
In April 1998, the Company entered into a secured note with a bank (Commerce
Capital, Inc.) for $650,000 at a rate of 13.5% per annum. In August 2000, the
note was assumed by the Furrow Group, in exchange for the issuance of the
Company's Common Stock and warrants (see Notes 8 and 11).
Principal maturities of long-term debt as of November 30, 2000 are as follows
(in thousands):
2001 $ 94
2002 94
2003 105
2004 116
Thereafter 931
-----
Total $1,340
-----
-----
7. Income Taxes
No provision for income tax has been provided for the last three fiscal years,
as income tax benefits arising from net operating losses are offset by
corresponding increases in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance.
Net deferred tax assets result from the following temporary differences between
the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities at November 30 (in thousands):
2000 1999
---- ----
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 5 $ 52
Inventory reserves 25 35
Benefit of net operating loss
carryforwards 6,002 4,180
----- -----
Gross deferred tax assets 6,032 4,267
Valuation allowance (6,032) (4,267)
----- -----
Net deferred tax assets $ -- $ --
----- -----
----- -----
The reconciliation of the effective income tax rate to the federal statutory
rate for years ended November 30 is as follows (in thousands):
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
Computed tax benefit at the
statutory rate (34)% (34)% (34)%
State income tax -- -- --
Change in valuation allowance 34% 34% 34%
---- ---- ----
-- -- --
---- ---- ----
---- ---- ----
The Company has consolidated net operating loss carryforwards of approximately
$36.2 million expiring through 2014. However, as the result of "changes in
control" as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, a significant
portion of such carryforwards may be subject to an annual limitation. Such
limitation would have the effect of limiting to the future taxable income which
the Company may offset through the year 2014 through the application of its net
operating loss carryforwards.
8. Stockholders' Equity
Common and Preferred Stock
On September 13, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved a reverse
one for ten stock split. All references to the number of shares and price per
share have been adjusted to reflect the reverse split. In 1999, the Company's
shareholders approved the authorization of an additional 8,000,000 shares of
Common Stock (which increased the total authorized shares to 15,000,000) and
5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock ($.10 par value). In 2000, authorized
Common Stock was increased to 40,000,000 shares. None of the authorized
Preferred Stock has been issued.
Private Placements and Stock Issuance
During fiscal 2000, the Company issued 1,787,365 shares of Common Stock and
warrants to purchase an additional 1,500,000 shares of common stock at $2.10 per
share to the Furrow Group in exchange for the Furrow Group's assumption of
$1,000,000 of the Company's debt and the cancellation of $1,000,000 of
indebtedness owed to members of the Furrow Group. The issuance of the shares
of common stock and warrants resulted in a $1,095,000 charge for the
extinguishment of debt (see Note 11).
During fiscal 2000, the Company issued 592,040 shares of its Common Stock
(including 200,000 shares issued through March 8, 2000) and warrants to
purchase an additional 102,040 shares at $1.75 per share to private investors
for $600,000. In August and October 2000, the Company issued 2,863,637 shares of
Common Stock to Commerce for $3,000,000 in cash. In addition, Commerce received
warrants to purchase an additional 3,300,000 shares of Common Stock with
warrants for 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable over a three-year
period at $2.10 per share. The remaining warrants for 300,000 shares of Common
Stock are subject to a two-year vesting period and can be exercised over a five-
year period, once vested at $2.10 per share. The proceeds have been used to
purchase inventory and services from Commerce and its affiliates and to repay
certain outstanding debt (see Note 11).In October and November 2000, the Company
issued 2,125,000 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase an additional
1,700,000 shares of Common Stock in private placements to JAML, LLC, Innovation,
LLC and Third Millennium Properties, Inc. (the Mizrachi Group) for $1,700,000 in
cash. The warrants expire in three years and are exercisable at $2 per share.
During fiscal 1999, the Company issued an aggregate of 250,000 shares of Common
Stock to certain officers to extinguish $400,000 in outstanding debt and issued
45,000 shares of Common Stock to certain vendors as payment for payables in the
amount of $91,564.The carrying value of the debt and trade payables approximated
the fair value of the shares exchanged. During fiscal 1999, the Company also
issued 571,000 shares of Common Stock to several individual investors in a
private placement for consideration of $792,000.
On October 8, 1998, the Company sold 899,000 shares of Common Stock in a
private placement to Furrow-Holrob Development II, L.L.C. for $1,798,000.
Warrants
The Company has issued warrants in conjunction with various private placements
of its Common Stock and debt to equity conversions. All warrants are currently
exercisable except for 300,000 warrants issued to Commerce in October 2000 which
vest over 24 months. At November 30, 2000, outstanding common stock purchase
warrants are as follows:
Exercise
Price Shares Issued Expiration
- ---------- ------ ------ ----------
$5.20 77,576 September 1996 August 2001
$1.80 7,407 September 1996 March 2002
$1.75 102,040 July 2000 August 2003
$2.10 4,800,000 October 2000 October 2003
$2.00 1,700,000 October 2000 October 2003
All grants were made in connection with private placements of the Company's
Common Stock except for warrants to purchase 1,500,000 shares at $2.10 per share
issued in October 2000. These warrants were issued in connection with the
extinguishment of the Company's indebtedness and were valued at $.73 per share
using the Black-Scholes model on the date of grant (see Note 11).
Stock Based Compensation
The Company adopted a Stock Option Plan (the 1991 Plan) in December 1991
(amended in April 1992) under which 10,000 shares of its Common Stock have been
reserved for issuance to officers, directors, consultants and employees. The
1991 Plan will expire on December 10, 2001.
In March 2000, the Company adopted the 2000 Employee Stock Option Plan (2000
Employee Plan). Incentive and nonqualified options for up to 1,000,000 shares of
Common Stock may be granted to employees, officers, directors and consultants.
The 2000 Employee Plan limits the number of shares that can be granted to any
employee in one year and the total market value of Common Stock which becomes
exercisable for the first time by any grantee during a calendar year. Exercise
price for incentive options may not be less than the fair market value of the
Company's Common Stock on the date of grant and the exercise period may not
exceed ten years. Vesting periods and option terms are determined by the Board
of Directors. The 2000 Employee Plan will expire in March 2010.
In September 2000, the Company adopted the 2000 Director Stock Incentive Plan
(2000 Director Plan), under which nonqualified options for up to 500,000 shares
of Common Stock may be granted. Upon appointment to the board and annually
thereafter during their term, each director will receive options for Common
Stock with aggregate fair value of $10,000. These options are exercisable
beginning one year from the date of grant and expire in ten years. Exercise
price is set at 50% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of
grant. The discount is in lieu of cash director fees. The 2000 Director Plan
will expire in September 2010.
During 1999 and 1998, the Company issued options to purchase 457,500 shares of
its Common Stock to employees, officers and board members. No options were
granted in 2000. Exercise price is at or above the fair value of the Common
Stock on the date of grant and ranges from $2 to $4.75 per share. Options
are subject to vesting periods of six to 48 months. In addition, during April
1998, an option to purchase 25,000 shares was granted to an employee of Commerce
Capital, Inc. as additional collateral for the $650,000 loan to the Company.
This option expires in 2003.
The Company follows the guidance set forth in APB No. 25 as it pertains to the
recording of expenses from the issuance of incentive stock options. The Company
has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123. Accordingly, no
compensation expense has been recorded in conjunction with options issued to
employees. Had compensation cost been determined based on the fair value of the
options at the grant date and amortized over the option's vesting period,
consistent with the method prescribed by SFAS No. 123, the Company's net loss
would have been increased to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands
except per share information):
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
Net loss - as reported $(6,151) $(1,341) $(4,014)
Net loss - pro forma (6,241) (1,687) (4,325)
Net loss per common share -
as reported (0.75) (0.22) (0.87)
Net loss per common share -
pro forma (0.76) (0.28) (0.94)
The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using
the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions used for
grants in 1999 and 1998; expected volatility of 35%; risk-free interest rate of
6.17%; expected lives from one to four years and expected dividends of 0%. The
Black-Scholes model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded
options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In
addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective
assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's
employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those
of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can
materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing
models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of
its employee stock options.
Stock option activity during the periods indicated is as follows:
November 30
2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ----
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Exercise Exercise Exercise
Options Price Options Price Options Price
------- ----- -------- ----- ------- -----
Outstanding at
beginning of year 685,417 $ 3.89 542,500 $ 3.68 292,500 $ 3.32
Granted -- -- 207,500 4.64 250,000 4.14
Exercised -- -- -- -- -- --
Forfeited -- -- (64,583) (4.75) -- --
------- ----- ------- ----- ------- -----
Outstanding at end of
year 685,417 $ 3.89 685,417 $ 3.89 542,500 $ 3.68
------- ----- ------- ----- ------- -----
------- ----- ------- ----- ------- -----
Exercisable at end of
year 541,667 462,917 255,722
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
Weighted average per
option fair value of
options granted
during the year $ -- $ 1.70 $ 1.54
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Company leases certain property, buildings and equipment. Rental expense
for the years ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 was approximately $160,000,
$182,000 and $40,000, respectively. During September 2000, the Company entered
into a lease agreement with a related party (Mabry Partner Partnership) to lease
office space. The lease rate is $3,500 per month for approximately 5,000 square
feet of office space, has a ten year term and is cancelable with six months
written notice (see Note 11).
The future minimum rental commitments under noncancellable operating leases
as of November 30, 2000 are as follows:
2001 $ 42,000
2002 42,000
2003 42,000
2004 and thereafter 276,000
-------
Total future minimum lease payments $402,000
-------
-------
License Agreements
The Company displays characters, names and logos on its products under license
agreements that require royalties ranging from 7% to 17% of sales. The
agreements expire through December 2001 and require annual advance payments
(included in prepaid expenses) and certain annual minimum payments. Royalty
expense was $373,000, $742,000 and $346,000 for the periods ending November 30,
2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Litigation
The Company is involved from time to time in routine legal matters incidental to
its business. In the opinion of the Company's management, resolution of such
matters will not have a material effect on its financial position or results of
operations.
10. Segment Disclosures
Current Operating Segments
The Company has two reportable segments based on the business activities from
which they earn revenues or incur expenses. The revenue-generating operations
are segregated into the domestic and i nternational segments based on the
geographic markets in which the Company's products are sold. These reportable
segments are each managed separately because they have different customers and
distribution processes or have different business activities.
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on gross
profits, and profit or loss from operations before interest and income taxes.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those
described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
Information for each reportable segment during the three years ended
November 30, 2000, are as follows (in thousands):
2000
(A)
Domestic International Total
-------- ------------- -----
Revenues, net $ 5,686 $ 81 $ 5,767
Gross profit 558 14 572
Depreciation 250 -- 250
Interest expense 446 -- 446
Extinguishment of debt 1,095 -- 1,095
Segment assets 7,413 3 7,416
Expenditures for segment assets 76 -- 76
(A) Segment operating results include $600,000 charge for impairment of long-
lived assets held for sale related to the Lake Worth, Florida, retail property.
1999
(B)
Domestic International Total
-------- ------------- -----
Revenues, net $ 10,138 $ 699 $ 10,837
Gross profit 4,438 147 4,585
Depreciation 287 -- 287
Interest expense 517 -- 517
Segment assets 6,065 157 6,222
Expenditures for segment assets 126 -- 126
(B) Segment operating results include a charge for impairment of long-lived
assets held for use related to the Springfield, Tennessee, property ($145) and
loss from the termination of a capital lease on the Baxley, Georgia, facility
($293).
1998
(C)
Domestic International Total
-------- ------------- -----
Revenues, net $ 5,353 $ 1,437 $ 6,790
Gross profit 1,742 555 2,297
Depreciation 265 -- 265
Interest expense 503 -- 503
Segment assets 7,232 -- 7,232
Expenditures for segment assets 81 -- 81
(C) Segment operating results include a charge for impairment of long-lived
assets held for use related to the Lake Worth, Florida, retail property ($300)
and impairment of long-lived assets held for disposal related to the Pembroke,
Georgia, facility of Thimble Square ($278).
Sale of Thimble Square (Discontinued Operations)
On September 13, 1998 Thimble Square entered into a sale agreement with
Confident Colors, LLC. (Confident Colors). Under the terms of the agreement,
Confident Colors leased the Baxley, Georgia, facility and equipment for $3,000
monthly and assumed the operations of Thimble Square. Thimble Square ceased
all operations following the lease to Confident Colors. The Pembroke, Georgia,
facility was sold on December 10, 1998 to H.N. Properties L.L.C. for $122,354
net of selling expenses. As a result of the cessation of the Thimble Square
business and the sale of the Pembroke, Georgia, building to H.N. Properties,
L.L.C., the Company recorded a loss totaling $1,401,000 including the write-off
of unamortized goodwill and adjustment of property and equipment and assets
under capital lease to their estimated net realizable values. Thimble Square's
operations for the years ending November 30, 1998 have been classified as
discontinued operations on the statement of operations. In conjunction with the
disposition of assets of Thimble Square, the Company paid off, in December 1998,
an aggregate of approximately $306,000 of debt collateralized by Thimble Square
assets. The net assets of Thimble Square as of November 30, 1998 are as follows
(in thousands):
Inventory $ 12
Property, plant and equipment 1,020
Accumulated depreciation (241)
Current debt (327)
Accounts payable (19)
Accrued expenses (55)
Long-term debt (173)
-------
$ 217
-------
-------
11. Related Party Transactions
The Company has adopted a policy requiring that any material transactions
between the Company and persons or entities affiliated with officers, Directors
or principal stockholders of the Company be on terms no less favorable to the
Company than reasonably could have been obtained in arms' length transactions
with independent third parties.
Pursuant to a Stock Purchase Right Award granted in February 1997, the Company's
Chief Executive Officer purchased 250,000 shares of Common Stock (the Award
Shares) with payment made by the execution of a non-recourse note (the Note) for
the exercise price of $2.81 per share ($703,125 in the aggregate). The Note is
due, without interest, on April 30, 2002, and is collateralized by the 1997
Award Shares. The Note may be paid or prepaid (without penalty) by (i) cash, or
(ii) the delivery of the Company's Common Stock (other than the Award Shares)
held for a period of at least six months, which shares would be credited against
the Note on the basis of the closing bid price for the Common Stock on the date
of delivery. At November 30, 2000, $703,125 remains outstanding under this
promissory note.
Sam Furrow and Affiliate Loans
During the period from January 1999 to June 2000, Sam Furrow (Chairman of the
Board of Directors) and affiliated companies made a total of 24 loans in an
aggregate amount of $1,933,000 to the Company, primarily to finance the import
of products from the Orient and general operations. Each of the loans was
unsecured and provided for interest compounding annually at a rate of from 8.5%
to 10.0%. Most of the loans provided for a six-month term. Of the amounts loaned
by Sam Furrow and his affiliates, $1,200,000 has been exchanged for Common Stock
in 2000 and 1999 as described below under "Debt to Equity Conversions." As of
November 30, 2000, all amounts owed by the Company to Sam Furrow and affiliated
companies have been repaid.
Dan Page Loans
During the period from February 1999 to March 1999, Dan Page (a director of the
Company) made a total of five loans in an aggregate amount of $200,000 to the
Company primarily to finance the import of product from the Orient and general
operations. Each of the loans was unsecured, had a term of six months and
provided for interest compounding annually at a rate of 10%. All of the $200,000
has been exchanged for Common Stock as described below under "Debt to Equity
Conversions" below.
Debt to Equity Conversions
On February 28, 2000, notes payable to Sam F urrow totaling $500,000 were
converted to 423,729 shares of Common Stock at $1.18 per share, which
approximated its fair value on the date of conversion. Sam and Jay Furrow
(collectively the Furrow Group) also assumed $1,000,000 of the Company's
outstanding debt previously guaranteed by Sam Furrow. The debt consisted of
$650,000 owed to Commerce Capital, Inc. (a Nashville, Tennessee, based finance
company) and $350,000 owed to First Independent Bank of Gallatin. On August 11,
2000, the Furrow Group converted the $1,000,000 of assumed indebtedness and
$500,000 of notes payable to Sam Furrow for 1,363,637 shares of Common Stock at
$1.10 per share (its approximate fair value) and warrants to purchase an
additional 1,500,000 shares. The warrants are exercisable over three years at
$2.10 per share. The fair value of the warrants totaling $1,095,000 was recorded
as a charge for the extinguishment of debt and a corresponding increase in
additional paid-in capital. The conversion of the debt to equity was required
by Commerce as a condition to its investment in the Company.
On February 26, 1999, Sam Furrow and Dan Page each exchanged $150,000 of
the indebtedness owed by the Company for 75,000 shares of Common Stock, at a
price of $2.00 per share. On April 26, 1999, Jay Furrow acquired $50,000 of the
indebtedness owed by the Company to Sam Furrow and exchanged that amount for
Common Stock at a price of $1.00 per share. On the same date, a third party
acquired $50,000 of the indebtedness owed by the Company to Dan Page and
exchanged that amount for Common Stock at a price of $1.00 per share.
With respect to each of the debt to equity conversions discussed above, the
Board of Directors determined that the purchases of Common Stock were made on
fair terms and conditions and were in the Company's best interests in order to
increase the Company's net tangible assets for NASDAQ listing compliance
purposes. The per share price approximated recent trading prices with a
reasonable discount due to the restricted nature of the issued shares. All of
the shares issued pursuant to the debt conversions are restricted and are
subject to registration rights.
Purchases of Goods and Services
As required under the terms of the Commerce investment, the Company purchased
$3,108,000 in goods and $196,000 in distribution services from Commerce during
fiscal 2000. Accounts payable at November 30, 2000, includes $108,000 due to
Commerce for these purchases.
Facility Lease Arrangements
On October 7, 1998, the Company entered into a Warehouse Lease Agreement with
Furrow-Holrob Development II, LLC (a shareholder) to lease a 78,900-square-foot
plant that housed the Company's executive offices and manufacturing,
administrative and shipping facilities. The "triple net" lease provides for an
annual base rental rate of $2.00 per square foot, or $157,800 annually, plus a
pro rata share of real estate taxes, insurance premiums and common area
expenses, with an initial five-year term and two five-year renewal options
(subject to agreement on any change in the base rental rate). As required by the
terms of the Commerce investment, the Warehouse Lease Agreement was terminated
on July 1, 2000.
After the termination of the Warehouse Lease Agreement, the Company entered into
a new office lease with a company owned by Sam Furrow. The "triple net" lease
covers a 5,000-square-foot facility in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, for $3,500
per month.
12. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the three
years ended November 30 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
2000
Quarter ended
February 29 May 31 August 31 November 30
----------- ------ --------- -----------
Net sales $ 812 $ 1,101 $ 3,579 $ 275
Gross profit 286 302 1,138 (1,154)
Loss before
extraordinary item (823) (740) (288) (3,205)
Extraordinary item -- -- -- (1,095)
Net loss (823) (740) (288) (4,300)
Per share (basic and
diluted):
Loss before
extraordinary
item $ (0.13) $ (0.10) $ (0.04) $ (0.35)
Net loss (0.13) (0.10) (0.04) (0.48)
1999
Quarter ended
February 28 May 31 August 31 November 30
----------- ------ --------- -----------
Net sales $ 1,065 $ 1,026 $ 7,389 $ 1,357
Gross profit 326 450 3,259 550
Net income (loss) (632) (427) 1,042 (1,324)
Per share (basic and
diluted) $ (0.12) $ (0.07) $ (0.17) $ (0.20)
1998
Quarter ended
February 28 May 31 August 31 November 30
----------- ------ --------- -----------
Net sales $ 1,960 $ 1,568 $ 2,294 $ 968
Gross profit 770 562 948 17
Net loss (415) (580) (1,437) 1,582
Per share (basic and
diluted) $ (0.09) $ (0.13) $ (0.32) $ (0.33)
(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company modified its
accounting for sales discounts related to advertising allowances calculated as
a percent of sales to a customer, resulting in the reclassification of
approximately $250,000 previously reported as a component of selling, general
and administrative expenses to reduce net sales. In addition, the Company
recorded charges in the fourth quarter of $250,000 in cost of sales to write-off
previously capitalized manufacturing overhead, $600,000 related to the write-
down of land and buildings held for sale $99,000 related to the loss on disposal
of fixed assets related to the closure of the Company's manufacturing facility,
$1,095,000 in connection with the issuance of common stock and warrants in
exchange for the assumption and conversion of debt facilities, $300,000 in cost
of sales related to the write down of inventory disposed of prior to the
relocation of the Company's distribution facility and approximately $350,000 as
a reduction of net sales in connection with other sales, returns and allowances.
Innovo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Schedule II
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Additions Charged to
Balance at Charged to Other Balance at
Beginning of Costs of Accounts- Deductions- End of
Description Period Expense Describe Describe Period
- ----------- ------ ------- -------- -------- ------
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year ended November 30, 2000 $ 153,000 $ 99,000 $ -- $ 216,000(A) $ 36,000
Year ended November 30, 1999 67,000 86,000 -- 1,000(A) 153,000
Year ended November 30, 1998 106,000 39,000 -- 171,000(A) 67,000
Allowance for inventories:
Year ended November 30, 2000 104,000 60,000 -- 86,000 78,000
Year ended November 30, 1999 36,000 68,000 -- -- 104,000
Year ended November 30, 1998 36,000 -- -- -- 36,000
Allowance for deferred taxes:
Year ended November 30, 2000 4,267,000 1,765,000 -- -- 6,032,000
Year ended November 30, 1999 3,808,000 459,000 -- -- 4,267,000
Year ended November 30, 1998 3,860,000 -- -- 52,000 3,808,000
Note A - Uncollected receivables written off, net of recoveries.
Exhibit 10.73
FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
INNOVO GROUP INC.
It is hereby certified that :
1. (a) The present name of the corporation is Innovo Group Inc. (the
"Corporation").
(b) The name under which the Corporation was originally incorporated is Elorac
Corporation and the date of filing the original Certificate of Incorporation of
the Corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware is December
18, 1987.
2. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended by
striking out Article Fourth thereto and by substituting in lieu thereof a new
Article Fourth, which is set forth in the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation hereinafter provided for.
3. The provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as
heretofore amended and/or supplemented, and as herein amended, are hereby
restated and integrated into the single instrument which is hereinafter set
forth, and which is entitled Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of Innovo Group Inc. without any further amendment other than the amendments
herein certified and without any discrepancy between the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation as previously amended and supplemented and the
provisions of the said single instrument hereinafter set forth.
4. The amendments and the restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation
herein certified have been duly adopted in writing by the stockholders in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
5. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and
restated herein, shall read as follows:
FIRST: The name of the corporation is INNOVO GROUP INC. (the "Corporation").
SECOND: The address, including street, number, city and county, of the
registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville
Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19805, County of New Castle. The name of
the registered agent of the Corporation at such address is The Prentice-Hall
Corporation System, Inc.
THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity
for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.
FOURTH: (a) The total number of shares of capital stock that the Corporation
shall be authorized to issue is 45,000,000 divided into two classes as follows:
(i) fifteen million (40,000,000) shares of common stock having a par value of
$.10 per share ("Common Stock"), and (ii) five million (5,000,000) shares of
serial preferred stock in series having a par value of $.10 per share (the
"Preferred Stock").
(b) The Common Stock shall be subject to all of the rights, privileges,
preferences and priorities of the Preferred Stock as set forth herein and in
the certificate of designations filed to establish the respective series of
Preferred Stock. Each share of Common Stock shall have the same relative rights
as and be identical in all respects to all the other shares of Common Stock.
Whenever there shall have been paid, or declared and set aside for the Common
Stock as to the payment of dividends, the full amount of dividends and of
sinking fund or retirement payments, if any, to which such holders are
respectively entitled in preference to the Common Stock, then dividends may be
paid on the Common Stock and on any class or series of stock entitled to
participate therewith as to dividends, out of any assets legally available for
the payment of dividends thereon, but only when and as declared by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation. In the event of any dissolution, liquidation, or
winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of
the Common Stock, and holders of any class or series of stock entitled to
participate therewith, in whole or in part, as to the distribution of assets in
such event, shall become entitled to participate in the distribution of any
assets of the Corporation remaining after the Corporation shall have paid, or
provided for payment of, all debts and liabilities of the Corporation and after
the Corporation shall have paid, or set aside for payment, to the holders of any
class of stock having preference over the Common Stock in the event of
dissolution, liquidation or winding up the full preferential amounts (if any)
to which they are entitled. Each holder of shares of Common Stock shall be
entitled to attend all special and annual meetings of the stockholders of the
Corporation and, share for share and without regard to class, together with the
holders of all other classes of stock entitled to attend such meetings and to
vote (except any class or series of stock having special voting rights), to
cast one vote for each outstanding share of Common Stock so held upon any matter
or thing (including, without limitation, the election of one or more directors)
properly considered and acted upon by the stockholders.
(c) The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed
by the Delaware General Corporation Law and the provisions of this Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to provide by resolution or resolutions
from time to time and filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable provision
of the Delaware General Corporation Law, for the issuance of the shares of
Preferred Stock in series, to establish from time to time the number of shares
to be included in each such series, to fix the powers, designation, preferences,
relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each
such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof.
FIFTH: The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
SIXTH: Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this
Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this
Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable
jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary
way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the
application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under
the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of Delaware Code order a meeting of
the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of
stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such
manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-
fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the
stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may be,
agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of this
Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said
compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by
the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the
creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of
stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be, and also on this
Corporation.
SEVENTH: For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs
of the Corporation, and in further definition, limitation, and regulation of the
powers of the Corporation and of its directors and of its stockholders or any
class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided:
(a) The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the
Corporation shall be vested in its Board of Directors. The number of directors
shall be fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the Bylaws. The phrase "whole
Board" and the phrase "total number of directors" shall be deemed to have the
same meaning, to wit, the total number of directors which the Corporation would
have if there were no vacancies. No election of directors need be by written
ballot.
(b) The power to adopt, amend, or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation
may be exercised by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, provided,
however, that the Board of Directors may not amend the Bylaws to take any
action that is reserved exclusively by the Shareholders pursuant to the
Delaware General Corporation Law.
(c) Whenever the Corporation shall be authorized to issue only one class of
stock, each outstanding share shall entitle the holder thereof to notice of,
and the right to vote at, any meeting of stockholders. Whenever the Corporation
shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock, no outstanding share
of any class of stock which is denied voting power under the provisions of this
Certificate of Incorporation shall entitle the holder thereof to the right to
vote at any meeting of stockholders except as the provisions of paragraph (2)
of subsection (b) of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware shall otherwise require; provided, that no share of any such class
which is otherwise denied voting power shall entitle the holder thereof to
vote upon the increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof
outstanding) in the number of authorized shares of said class.
EIGHTH: The personal liability of the directors of the Corporation is hereby
eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by paragraph (7) of subsection (b)
of Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the
same may be amended and supplemented.
NINTH: (a) The Corporation shall, in the manner and to the full extent
permitted by Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware, as the same may be amended and supplemented, indemnify any officer
or director (or the estate of any such person) who was or is a party to, or is
threatened, to be made a party to, any threatened, pending or complete action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or
otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or
officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee or employee of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (an
"indemnitee"). To the full extent permitted by law, the indemnification and
advances provided for herein shall include expenses (including attorneys' fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Corporation shall not indemnify any such indemnitee (1) in any proceeding by
the Corporation against such indemnitee; (2) in the event the Board of Directors
determines that indemnification is not available under the circumstances because
the officer or director has not met the standard of conduct set forth in
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or (3) if a judgment or
other final adjudication adverse to the indemnitee establishes his liability
(i) for any breach of the duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its
shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, or (iii) under Section
174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
(b) The right to indemnification conferred in Section (a) of this Article
NINTH shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses
(including attorneys' fees) incurred in defending any such proceeding in
advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an "advancement of expenses");
provided, however, that if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, any
advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a
director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is
rendered by such indemnitee, including without limitation, service to an
employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of
an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so
advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from
which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled
to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section (b) or otherwise. The
rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in
Sections (a) and (b) of this Article NINTH shall be contract rights and such
rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or
officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee's heirs, executors
and administrators.
(c) The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred
in this Article NINTH shall not be exclusive of any other right which any
indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the Corporation's
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such
indemnitee's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office.
(d) The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself
and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any
expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power
to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the
Delaware General Corporation Law.
(e) The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the
Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of
expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of
the provisions of this Article NINTH with respect to the indemnification and
advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.
TENTH: No amendment to or repeal of Article EIGHTH or NINTH of this Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall apply to or have any effect on
the rights of any individual referred to in Article EIGHTH or NINTH for or with
respect to acts or omissions of such individual occurring prior to such
amendment or repeal.
ELEVENTH: From time to time any of the provisions of this Certificate of
Incorporation may be amended, altered or repealed, and other provisions
authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force may be
added or inserted in the manner and at the time prescribed by said laws, and
all rights at any time conferred upon the stockholders of the Corporation by
this Certificate of Incorporation are granted subject to the provisions of
this Article ELEVENTH.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has
been executed by its President and attested by its Secretary, this 27th
day of October, 2000.
INNOVO GROUP INC.
By: /s/ Patricia Anderson-Lasko
---------------------------
Patricia Anderson-Lasko, President
ATTEST:
By: /s/ Samuel J. Furrow, Jr.
-------------------------
Samuel J. Furrow, Jr., Secretary
Exhibit 10.74
COMMON STOCK AND WARRANT
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Among
Innovo Group Inc.
Third Millennium Properties, Inc.
JAML, LLC
and
Innovation, LLC
THIS COMMON STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of October 31, 2000 by and among, Innovo Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), Third Millennium Properties, Inc. ("Third
Millennium"), JAML, LLC ("JAML"), and Innovation, LLC ("Innovation") ("Third
Millennium," "JAML" and "Innovation" are collectively referred to as the
"Investor Group.")
R E C I T A L S
A. The parties desire that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
contained herein, the Company shall issue and sell to the Investor Group, and
the Investor Group shall purchase in the aggregate: (i) 2,125,000 shares of
newly authorized Common Stock, $0.80 per share, for an aggregate purchase price
of $1.7 million; and (ii) a Warrant to purchase up to 1,700,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock, at a purchase price of $2.00 per share.
B. Such investments will be made in reliance upon the provisions of Section
4(2) ("Section 4(2)") and/or 4(6) of the United States Securities Act and/or
Regulation D ("Regulation D") and the other rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder (the "Securities Act"), and/or upon such other exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act as may be available with respect
to any or all of the investments in securities to be made hereunder.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual
promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Certain Definitions
1.1 "Capital Shares" shall mean the Common Stock and any shares of any other
class of common stock whether now or hereafter authorized, having the right to
participate in the distribution of earnings and assets of the Company.
1.2 "Capital Shares Equivalents" shall mean any securities, rights, or
obligations that are convertible into or exchangeable for or give any right to
subscribe for any Capital Shares of the Company or any Warrants, options or
other rights to subscribe for or purchase Capital Shares or any such convertible
or exchangeable securities.
1.3 "Closing" shall mean the closing of the purchase and sale of the Common
Stock and Warrants pursuant to Section 2.
1.4 "Closing Date" shall mean the date on which all conditions to the
Closing have been satisfied (as defined in Section 2.3 hereto) and the Closing
shall have occurred.
1.5 "Common Stock" shall mean the Company's common stock, $0.10 par value
per share.
1.6 "Damages" shall mean any loss, claim, damage, judgment, penalty,
deficiency, liability, costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorney's fees and disbursements and reasonable costs and expenses
of expert witnesses and investigation).
1.7 "Effective Date" shall mean the date on which the SEC first declares
effective a Registration Statement registering the resale of the Registrable
Securities.
1.8 "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
1.9 "Investor Rights Agreement" shall mean the Investor Rights Agreement in
substantially the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.
1.10 "Legend" shall mean the legend set forth in Section 9.1.
1.11 "Market Price" on any given date shall mean the average of any fifteen (15)
closing bid prices on the Principal Market (as reported by Bloomberg L.P.) of
the Common Stock selected by the Investor Group during the thirty (30) Trading
Day period ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date for which the
Market Price is to be determined.
1.12 "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any effect on the business,
operations, properties, prospects, stock price or financial condition of the
Company that is material and adverse to the Company and its subsidiaries and
affiliates, taken as a whole, and/or any condition, circumstance, or situation
that would prohibit or otherwise interfere with the ability of the Company to
enter into and perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or any
Related Agreement, in any material respect.
1.13 "Member" shall mean each of Third Millennium, JAML and Innovation.
1.14 "NASD Listing Rules" shall mean the rules and regulations promulgated by
the National Association of Securities Dealers applicable to the Common Stock.
1.15 "Outstanding" when used with reference to shares of Common Stock or Capital
Shares (collectively the "Shares"), shall mean, at any date as of which the
number of such Shares is to be determined, all issued and outstanding Shares,
and shall include all such Shares issuable in respect of outstanding scrip or
any certificates representing fractional interests in such Shares; provided,
however, that "Outstanding" shall not mean any such Shares then directly or
indirectly owned or held by or for the account of the Company.
1.16 "Person" shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited
liability company, an association, a trust or other entity or organization,
including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality
thereof.
1.17 "Principal Market" shall mean the American Stock Exchange, the New York
Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ National Market, or the NASDAQ SmallCap Market,
whichever is at the time the principal trading exchange or market for the Common
Stock, based upon share volume.
1.18 "Purchase Price" shall mean the Shares Purchase Price and the Purchase
Warrant Purchase Price.
1.19 "Purchase Warrant A" shall mean the Warrant to be issued to The Investor
Group substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.
1.20 "Purchase Warrant B" shall mean the Warrant to be issued to The Investor
Group substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto.
1.21 "Purchased Common Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.1(a) below.
1.22 "Purchased Shares" shall mean the Purchased Common Shares.
1.23 "Registrable Securities" shall mean the Purchased Shares until (i) the
Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, and all Purchased
Shares have been disposed of pursuant to the Registration Statement, (ii) all
Purchased Shares have been sold under circumstances under which all of the
applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in force) under
the Securities Act ("Rule 144") are met, (iii) all Purchased Shares have been
otherwise transferred to holders who may trade such shares without restriction
under the Securities Act, and the Company has delivered a new certificate or
other evidence of ownership for such securities not bearing a restrictive legend
or (iv) such time as, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, all Purchased
Shares may be sold without any time, volume or manner limitations pursuant to
Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act.
1.24 "Registration Statement" shall mean a registration statement on Form S-3,
SB-2 or S-1 (if use of such forms are then available to the Company pursuant to
the rules of the SEC and, if not, on such other form promulgated by the SEC for
which the Company then qualifies and which counsel for the Company shall deem
appropriate, and which form shall be available for the resale by Third
Millennium, JAML and Innovation of the Registrable Securities to be registered
thereunder in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Investor
Rights Agreement and in accordance with the intended method of distribution of
such securities), for the registration of the resale by Third Millennium, JAML
and Innovation of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act.
1.25 "Regulation D" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this
Agreement.
1.26 "Related Agreements" shall mean the Investor Rights Agreement and the
Warrants.
1.27 "SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.28 "Section 4(2)" and "Section 4(6)" shall have the meanings set forth in the
recitals of this Agreement.
1.29 "Securities Act" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this
Agreement.
1.30 "SEC Documents" shall mean the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended November 30, 1999 and each report, proxy statement or
registration statement filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to the
Exchange Act or the Securities Act since the filing of such Annual Report
through the date hereof, and shall include each Company press release which is
specifically identified in the Disclosure Schedule referenced in the preamble to
Article IV.
1.31 "Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in 1.22.
1.32 "Share Purchase Price" shall be the lowest of a 20% discount of the
bid price (the "Bid Price") or $1.00 per share. The Bid Price shall be defined
as the 10 day average closing bid price of the Company's common stock prior to
the date ofthe Closing on the first issuance of shares and Purchase Warrant A.
1.33 "Warrants" shall mean the Purchase Warrant A and Purchase Warrant B.
1.34 "Warrant Shares" shall mean all shares of Common Stock or other securities
issued or issuable pursuant to exercise of the Warrants.
ARTICLE II
Purchase and Sale of Common Stock and Warrants Purchase of Common Stock
and Warrants.
2.1 Purchase of Common Stock and Warrants
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, at the
Closing, the Company agrees to sell, and the Investor Group agrees to purchase,
the following:
(i) 2,125,000 shares of the Common Stock of the Company (the "Purchased Common
Shares") for a purchase price of $0.80 per share (or $1.7 million in the
aggregate) (the "Shares Purchase Price");
(ii) One-half ($850,000) of the Shares Purchase Price shall be paid upon
Closing in exchange for 1,062,500 shares of Company Common Stock and the
remaining one-half ($850,000) shall be due 30 days from the Closing in exchange
for 1,062,500 shares of Company Common Stock;
(iii) a warrant to purchase 850,000 shares of Common Stock at $2.00 per share
(the "Purchase Warrant A") which shall be issued at Closing and a warrant to
purchase an additional 850,000 shares of Common Stock at $2.00 per share (the
"Purchase Warrant B") to be issued upon the payment of the remaining Share
Purchase Price for an aggregate purchase price of $1.00 ("Purchase Warrant
Purchase Price"); and
2.2 Delivery. At the Closing and subsequently thereafter, the Company shall
take the following actions:
(a) issue and deliver to the Investor Group, one-half of the Purchased Common
Shares or irrevocable instructions, in the form attached as Exhibit D, to its
Transfer Agent to issue one-half of the Purchased Common Shares and the Purchase
Warrant A duly executed by the Company and registered in the name of the
Investor Group against payment by the Investor Group of the one-half of the
Purchase Price thereof or by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account which has been designated in writing by the Company; and
(b) 30 days following the Closing, issue and deliver to the Investor Group,
the remaining one-half of the Purchased Common Shares or irrevocable
instructions, in the form attached as Exhibit D, to its Transfer Agent to
issue the remaining Purchased Common Shares and the Purchase Warrant B duly
executed by the Company and registered in the name of the Investor Group against
payment by the Investor Group of the remainder of the Purchase Price thereof or
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account which has been
designated in writing by the Company.
2.3 Closing. The Closing under this Agreement shall take place at the offices
of Innovo Group Inc., 2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100Knoxville, TN, 37919 October
31, 2000, or at such other place and date as the parties may agree in writing
(the "Closing").
2.4 Liquidated Damages.
(a) The Company understands that a delay in the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement beyond 90 calendar days following the Closing (the
"Registration Deadline") could result in economic loss to the Investor Group.
As compensation to the Investor Group for such loss, the Company agrees to pay
late payments (the "Liquidated Damages") to the Investor Group of $50,000 if the
Registration Statement is not effective within 90 days from receipt of the
second $850,000 payment and an additional $100,000 if the Registration Statement
is not effective within 120 days from the receipt of the second $850,000
payment. The Company shall not be deemed to have fulfilled this obligation
unless all of the shares purchased by the Investor Group are registered on the
Registration Statement within the 90 and 120 day periods.
(b) The Company shall pay any payments incurred under this Section in Company
Common Stock valued at $1.00 per share. Nothing herein shall limit the Investor
Group's right to pursue injunctive relief and/or actual damages for the
Company's failure to effect timely registration of the Purchased Shares.
(c) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the sums payable pursuant to
the foregoing paragraph and pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement shall
constitute liquidated damages and not penalties. The parties further
acknowledge that (a) the amount of loss or damages likely to be incurred is
incapable or is difficult to precisely estimate, (b) the amounts specified in
such Sections bear a reasonable proportion and are not plainly or grossly
disproportionate to the probable loss likely to be incurred by the Investor
Group in connection with the failure by the Company to timely cause the
registration of the Registrable Securities and (c) the parties are sophisticated
business parties and have been represented by sophisticated and able legal and
financial counsel and negotiated this Agreement at arm's length.
ARTICLE III
Conditions to Closing
3.1 Conditions to Closing by each Member. The obligations of each of the
Members to purchase the Purchased Shares and Warrants at the Closing is subject,
at its option, to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing of each of the
following conditions:
(a) Accuracy of Representations and Warrants. The representations and
warranties of the Company contained herein shall remain true and correct as of
the Closing Date and the Disclosure Schedule shall reveal no Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) Qualifications. The Company shall have obtained all permits and
qualifications required by any state for the offer and sale of the Purchased
Shares and the Warrants or shall have the availability of exemptions therefrom.
(c) Due Diligence. The Investor Group shall have completed, to its absolute
satisfaction, its due diligence examination of the Company and the documents
made available by the Company subject to Section 7.2.
(d) Registration Statement. The Company shall prepare a fully executed
Form S-3, S-1 or SB-2 registration statement registering all of the Purchased
Shares and the Purchased Warrant Shares for resale by the Members (the "Initial
Registration Statement"), including all required accountants consents, in a form
deemed by counsel to the Investor Group to be in compliance with the applicable
SEC filing requirements.
(e) No Adverse Developments. The Investor Group shall be satisfied that
the sale and issuance of the Purchased Shares and the Warrants hereunder, and
the proposed issuance by the Company to the Investor Group of the Purchased
Shares and the Warrants upon the exercise thereof shall be legally permitted by
all laws and regulations to which the Investor Group and the Company are subject
and there shall be no ruling, judgment or writ of any court prohibiting the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(f) Tax Liability. The Investor Group shall be satisfied, in its sole
discretion, concerning the IRS's audit of the Company's 1991 Federal Tax Return.
(g) Anti-takeover Protections. The Investor Group shall be satisfied, in its
sole discretion, that it shall not be restricted from increasing its ownership
interest in the Company by any anti-takeover limitations in either the Company's
organization documents or in any applicable state law.
(h) Investor Rights Agreement. At the Closing, the Company, Sam Furrow, Jay
Furrow, and Pat Anderson shall each have executed and delivered to the Members
the Investor Rights Agreement.
(i) Good Standing Certificate. At the Closing, the Investor Group shall have
received a good standing certificate for the Company from the Secretary of State
of Delaware dated as of a date not earlier than ten (10) days prior to the
Closing.
(j) Successful Appeal to the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel. Confirmation
from Nasdaq in such a manner as is customary for Nasdaq to issue representing
that Nasdaq has no present intention to proceed with any other de-listing
proceeding.
3.2 Conditions to Closing by the Company. The obligation of the Company to
issue and sell the Purchased Shares and Warrants to the Members at the Closing
is subject, at its option, to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing of each
of the following conditions:
(a) Accuracy of Representations and Warrants. The representations and
warranties of each Member contained herein shall remain true and correct as of
the Closing Date.
(b) Investor Rights Agreement. At the Closing, the Company, Sam Furrow, Jay
Furrow, Pat Anderson and each Member shall have executed and delivered to the
Company the Investor Rights Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
Representations and Warranties of Members
Each Member severally represents and warrants to the Company that:
4.1 Intent. The Member is entering into this Agreement for its own account and
not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution of the
Purchased Shares. The Member has no present arrangement (whether or not legally
binding) at any time to sell the Purchased Shares or the Warrants, to or through
any person or entity except in compliance with the Securities Act or an
exemption therefrom; provided, however, that by making the representations
herein, the Member does not agree to hold such securities for any minimum or
other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of the Purchased Shares
or Warrant at any time in accordance with federal and state securities laws
applicable to such disposition.
4.2 Sophisticated Investor. The Member is a sophisticated investor (as
described in Rule 506(b)(2)(ii) of Regulation D) and an accredited investor
(as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D), and the Member has such experience
in business and financial matters that it has the capacity to protect its own
interests in connection with this transaction and is capable of evaluating the
merits and risks of an investment in the Purchased Shares and the Warrants.
The Member acknowledges that an investment in the Purchased Shares and the
Warrants is speculative and involves a high degree of risk.
4.3 Authority. This Agreement and each Related Agreement which is required to
be executed by the Member has been duly authorized and validly executed and
delivered by the Member and is a valid and binding agreement of the Member
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the
enforcement of, creditors' rights and remedies or by other equitable principles
of general application.
4.4 Not an Affiliate. The Member is not an officer, director or "affiliate" (as
that term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) of the Company.
4.5 Absence of Conflicts. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and each
Related Agreement and executed by the Member in connection herewith, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and compliance
with the requirements hereof and thereof by the Member, will not violate any
law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or award
binding on the Member or (a) violate any provision of any indenture, instrument
or agreement to which the Member is a party or is subject, or by which the
Member or any of its assets is bound; (b) conflict with or constitute a material
default thereunder; (c) result in the creation or imposition of any lien
pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, instrument or agreement, or
constitute a breach of any fiduciary duty owed by the Member to any third party;
or (d) require the approval of any third-party (which has not been obtained)
pursuant to any material contract, agreement, instrument, relationship or legal
obligation to which the Member is subject or to which any of its assets,
operations or management may be subject.
4.6 Manner of Sale. At no time was the Member presented with or solicited by or
through any leaflet, public promotional meeting, television advertisement or any
other form of general solicitation or advertising.
4.7 No Brokers. The Member has not employed any investment banker, broker,
finder, or intermediary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Related Agreements who will seek a fee from the Company. The
Member agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company from and against any
and all liabilities to any person claiming brokerage commissions or finder's
fees on account of services purported to have been rendered on behalf of the
Member in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.
ARTICLE V
Representations and Warranties of the Company
The Company represents and warrants to each Member that, except as set forth in
a Disclosure Schedule attached as Schedule I (which Disclosure Schedule makes
reference to the particular representation or warranty as to which exception is
taken) (the "Disclosure Schedule"):
5.1 Organization of the Company. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated
and existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
all requisite corporate authority to own its properties and to carry on its
business as now being conducted. The Company does not have any subsidiaries
and does not own more that fifty percent (50%) of or control any other business
entity except as set forth in the SEC Documents. The Company is duly qualified
and is in good standing as a foreign corporation to do business in every
jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned
by it makes such qualification necessary, other than those in which the failure
so to qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.2 Authority. (i) The Company has the requisite corporate power and corporate
authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, each
of the Related Agreements and to issue the Purchased Shares and the Warrants
pursuant to their respective terms, (ii) the execution, issuance and delivery of
this Agreement, each Related Agreement, the Purchased Shares certificates and
the Warrants by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action and no further consent or authorization of the Company or its
Board of Directors or stockholders is required, and (iii) this Agreement, each
Related Agreement, the Purchased Shares certificates and the Warrants have been
duly executed and delivered by the Company and at the Closing shall constitute
valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws relating to, or affecting
generally the enforcement of, creditors' rights and remedies or by other
equitable principles of general application. The Company has duly and validly
authorized and reserved for issuance shares of Common Stock sufficient in number
for the exercise of the Warrants. The Company further acknowledges that its
obligation to issue Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrants in accordance
with this Agreement and the Restated Certificate of Incorporation is absolute
and unconditional regardless of the dilutive effect that such issuance may have
on the ownership interests of other stockholders of the Company and
notwithstanding the commencement of any case under 11 U.S.C. 101 et seq. (the
"Bankruptcy Code"). The Company shall not seek judicial relief from its
obligations hereunder except pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code. In the event the
Company is a debtor under the Bankruptcy Code, the Company hereby waives to the
fullest extent permitted any rights to relief it may have under 11 U.S.C. 362
in respect of the exercise of the Warrants. The Company agrees, without cost or
expense to the Investor Group, to take or consent to any and all action
necessary to effectuate relief under 11 U.S.C. 362.
5.3 Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 40
million shares of Common Stock, $0.10 par value per share, of which 11,596,265
shares are issued and outstanding as of October 27, 2000 and 5,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, $0.10 par value per share of which no shares are issued and
outstanding as of October 27, 2000. Except for (i) outstanding options and
warrants as set forth in the SEC Documents and (ii) as set forth in the
Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding Capital Shares Equivalents nor any
agreements or understandings pursuant to which any Capital Shares Equivalents
may become outstanding. The Company is not a party to any agreement granting
registration or anti-dilution rights to any person with respect to any of its
equity or debt securities. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable.
5.4 Common Stock. Except the requirement to file the Registration Statement set
forth in Section 3.1 (d) hereof, the Company has registered its Common Stock
pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g) of the Exchange Act and is in full compliance
with all reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and the Company is in
compliance with all requirements for the continued listing or quotation of its
Common Stock, and such Common Stock is currently listed or quoted on, the
Principal Market. As of the date hereof, the Principal Market is the NASDAQ
SmallCap Market and the Company has not received any notice regarding, and to
its knowledge there is no threat, of the termination or discontinuance of the
eligibility of the Common Stock for such listing.
5.5 SEC Documents. The Company has made available to the Investor Group true
and complete copies of the SEC Documents. The Company has not provided to the
Investor Group any information that, according to applicable law, rule or
regulation, should have been disclosed publicly prior to the date hereof by the
Company, but which has not been so disclosed. As of their respective dates, the
SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the
Exchange Act, and rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder and
the SEC Documents did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of the Company
included in the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with applicable
accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC or
other applicable rules and regulations with respect thereto at the time of such
inclusion. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during
the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such financial
statements or the notes thereto or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim
statements, to the extent they exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary
statements) and fairly present in all material respects the financial position
of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash
flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited interim
statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). Neither the Company nor any
of its subsidiaries has any material indebtedness, obligations or liabilities of
any kind (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or
to become due) that would have been required to be reflected in, reserved
against or otherwise described in the financial statements or in the notes
thereto in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which was
not fully reflected in, reserved against or otherwise described in the financial
statements or the notes thereto included in the SEC Documents or was not
incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with the Company's past
practices since the last date of such financial statements.
5.6 Exemption from Registration; Valid Issuances. Subject to the accuracy of
the representations in Article IV, the sale of the Purchased Shares and the
Warrants will not require registration under the Securities Act and/or any
applicable state securities law. When issued and paid for in accordance with
the Warrants, the Warrant Shares will be duly and validly issued, fully paid,
and non-assessable. Neither the sales of the Purchased Shares or the Warrants
pursuant to, nor the Company's performance of its obligations under, this
Agreement, any Related Agreement, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or
the Warrants will (i) result in the creation or imposition by the Company of any
liens, charges, claims or other encumbrances upon the Purchased Shares or the
Warrants or, except as contemplated herein, any of the assets of the Company,
or (ii) entitle the holders of Outstanding Capital Shares to preemptive or other
rights to subscribe for or acquire the Capital Shares or other securities of the
Company. The Purchased Shares and the Warrants shall not subject any Member to
personal liability to the Company or its creditors by reason of the possession
thereof.
5.7 No General Solicitation or Advertising in Regard to this Transaction.
Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates nor, to the knowledge of the
Company, any person acting on its or their behalf (i) has conducted or will
conduct any general solicitation (as that term is used in Rule 502(c) of
Regulation D) or general advertising with respect to the sale of the Purchased
Shares or the Warrants, or (ii) made any offers or sales of any security or
solicited any offers to buy any security under any circumstances that would
require registration of the Purchased Shares or the Warrants under the
Securities Act.
5.8 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by
the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby, including without limitation the issuance of and payment of dividends
upon the Purchased Shares and the Warrants do not and will not (i) result in a
violation of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws or
(ii) conflict with, or constitute a material default (or an event that with
notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others
any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any
material agreement, indenture or instrument, or any "lock-up" or similar
provision of any underwriting or similar agreement to which the Company is a
party, or (iii) result in a violation of any federal, state or local law, rule,
regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities
laws and regulations) applicable to the Company or by which any material
property or asset of the Company is bound or affected, nor is the Company
otherwise in violation of, conflict with or default under any of the foregoing
(except in each case for such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments,
accelerations, cancellations and violations as would not have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect). The business of the Company is not
being conducted in violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of any
governmental entity, except for possible violations that either singly or in the
aggregate would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not required
under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent,
authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or
governmental agency in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement or issue and sell the Purchased Shares or the
Warrants in accordance with the terms hereof (other than any SEC, Principal
Market or state securities filings that may be required to be made by the
Company subsequent to the Closing, any registration statement that may be filed
pursuant hereto, and any shareholder approval required by the rules applicable
to companies whose common stock trades on the Principal Market); provided that,
for purposes of the representation made in this sentence, the Company is
assuming and relying upon the accuracy of the relevant representations and
agreements of the Investor Group herein.
5.9 No Material Adverse Change. Since November 30, 1999, no Material Adverse
Effect has occurred or exists with respect to the Company, except as disclosed
in the SEC Documents.
5.10 No Undisclosed Events or Circumstances. Since November 30, 1999, no
material event or circumstance has occurred or exists with respect to the
Company or its businesses, properties, prospects, operations or financial
condition, which has not been publicly announced or disclosed in the SEC
Documents.
5.11 No Integrated Offering. Other than pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, or pursuant to the issuance or exercise of
employee stock options, or pursuant to its discussion with the Investor Group in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, the Company has not
issued, offered or sold any shares of Common Stock or Warrants (including for
this purpose any securities of the same or a similar class as the Purchased
Shares or the Warrants, or any securities Convertible into or exercisable for
the Common Stock or any such other securities) within the six-month period next
preceding the date hereof, and the Company shall not permit any of its
directors, officers or affiliates directly or indirectly to take, any action
(including, without limitation, any offering or sale to any Person of Common
Stock or Warrants), so as to make unavailable the exemption from Securities Act
registration being relied upon by the Company for the offer and sale to each
Member of the Purchased Shares or the Warrants as contemplated by this Agreement
and each Related Agreement.
5.12 Litigation and Other Proceedings. Except as disclosed in the SEC
Documents, there are no lawsuits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of
the Company, threatened, against the Company or any subsidiary, nor has the
Company received any written or oral notice of any such action, suit, proceeding
or investigation, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, no judgment, order, writ,
injunction or decree or award has been issued by or, to the knowledge of the
Company, requested of any court, arbitrator or governmental agency which could
result in a Material Adverse Effect.
5.13 No Misleading or Untrue Communication. The Company and, to the knowledge
of the Company, any person representing the Company, or any other person selling
or offering to sell the Purchased Shares or the Warrants in connection with the
transaction contemplated by this Agreement, have not made, at any time, any oral
communication in connection with the offer or sale of the same which contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
necessary in order to make the statements, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
5.14 Material Non-Public Information. The Company has not disclosed to the
Investor Group any non-public information it believes to be material that (i)
if disclosed, would reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the
trading price of the Common Stock and (ii) according to applicable law, rule or
regulation, should have been disclosed publicly by the Company prior to the date
hereof but which has not been so disclosed.
5.15 Insurance. The Company and each subsidiary maintains property and
casualty, general liability, workers' compensation, environmental hazard,
personal injury and other similar types of insurance with financially sound and
reputable insurers that is adequate, consistent with industry standards and the
Company's historical claims experience. The Company has not received notice
from, and has no knowledge of any threat by, any insurer (that has issued any
insurance policy to the Company) that such insurer intends to deny coverage
under or cancel, discontinue or not renew any insurance policy presently in
force.
5.16 Tax Matters.
(a) The Company and each subsidiary has filed all Tax Returns which it is
required to file under applicable laws; all such Tax Returns are true and
accurate and has been prepared in compliance with all applicable laws; the
Company has paid all Taxes due and owing by it or any subsidiary (whether or
not such Taxes are required to be shown on a Tax Return) and have withheld and
paid over to the appropriate taxing authorities all Taxes which it is required
to withhold from amounts paid or owing to any employee, stockholder, creditor
or other third parties; and since December 31, 1998, the charges, accruals and
reserves for Taxes with respect to the Company (including any provisions for
deferred income taxes) reflected on the books of the Company are adequate to
cover any Tax liabilities of the Company if its current tax year were treated
as ending on the date hereof.
(b) No claim has been made by a taxing authority in a jurisdiction where the
Company does not file tax returns that the Company or any subsidiary is or may
be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. There are no foreign, federal,
state or local tax audits or administrative or judicial proceedings pending or
being conducted with respect to the Company or any subsidiary; no information
related to Tax matters has been requested by any foreign, federal, state or
local taxing authority; and, except as disclosed above, no written notice
indicating an intent to open an audit or other review has been received by the
Company or any subsidiary from any foreign, federal, state or local taxing
authority. There are no material unresolved questions or claims concerning
the Company's Tax liability. The Company (A) has not executed or entered into
a closing agreement pursuant to 7121 of the Internal Revenue Code or any
predecessor provision thereof or any similar provision of state, local or
foreign law; or (B) has not agreed to or is required to make any adjustments
pursuant to 481 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code or any similar provision of
state, local or foreign law by reason of a change in accounting method initiated
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has any knowledge that the IRS has
proposed any such adjustment or change in accounting method, or has any
application pending with any taxing authority requesting permission for any
changes in accounting methods that relate to the business or operations of the
Company. The Company has not been a United States real property holding
corporation within the meaning of 897(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code
during the applicable period specified in 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
(c) The Company has not made an election under 341(f) of the Internal Revenue
Code. The Company is not liable for the Taxes of another person that is not a
subsidiary of the Company under (A) Treas. Reg. 1.1502-6 (or comparable
provisions of state, local or foreign law), (B) as a transferee or successor,
(C) by contract or indemnity or (D) otherwise. The Company is not a party to
any tax sharing agreement. The Company has not made any payments, is obligated
to make payments or is a party to an agreement that could obligate it to make
any payments that would not be deductible under 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code.
(d) For purposes of this Section 5.16: "IRS" means the United States Internal
Revenue Service. "Tax" or "Taxes" means federal, state, county, local, foreign,
or other income, gross receipts, ad valorem, franchise, profits, sales or use,
transfer, registration, excise, utility, environmental, communications, real or
personal property, capital stock, license, payroll, wage or other withholding,
employment, social security, severance, stamp, occupation, alternative or add-on
minimum, estimated and other taxes of any kind whatsoever (including, without
limitation, deficiencies, penalties, additions to tax, and interest attributable
thereto) whether disputed or not. "Tax Return" means any return, information
report or filing with respect to Taxes, including any schedules attached thereto
and including any amendment thereof.
5.17 Property. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has good and marketable
title to all real and personal property owned by it, free and clear of all
liens, encumbrances and defects except such as do not materially affect the
value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and
proposed to be made of such property by the Company; and to the Company's
knowledge any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company as
tenant are held by it under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such
exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and
intended to be made of such property and buildings by the Company.
5.18 Intellectual Property. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries owns or
possesses adequate and enforceable rights to use all patents, patent
applications, trademarks, trademark applications, trade names, service marks,
copyrights, copyright applications, licenses, know-how (including trade secrets
and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential
information, systems or procedures) and other similar rights and proprietary
knowledge (collectively, "Intangibles") necessary for the conduct of its
business as now being conducted. To the Company's knowledge, except as
disclosed in the SEC Documents neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
is infringing upon or in conflict with any right of any other person with
respect to any Intangibles. Except as disclosed in the SEC Documents, no
adverse claims have been asserted by any person to the ownership or use of any
Intangibles and the Company has no knowledge of any basis for such claim.
5.19 Internal Controls and Procedures. The Company maintains books and records
and internal accounting controls which provide reasonable assurance that (i) all
transactions to which the Company or any subsidiary is a party or by which its
properties are bound are executed with management's authorization; (ii) the
recorded accounting of the Company's consolidated assets is compared with
existing assets at regular intervals; (iii) access to the Company's consolidated
assets is permitted only in accordance with management's authorization; and (iv)
all transactions to which the Company or any subsidiary is a party or by which
its properties are bound are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the
financial statements of the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles.
5.20 Payments and Contributions. Neither the Company, any subsidiary, nor any
of its directors, officers or, to its knowledge, other employees has (i) used
any Company funds for any unlawful contribution, endorsement, gift,
entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii)
made any direct or indirect unlawful payment of Company funds to any foreign
or domestic government official or employee; (iii) violated or is in violation
of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended; or
(iv) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other
similar payment to any person with respect to Company matters.
5.21 No Misrepresentation. The representations and warranties of the Company
contained in this Agreement, any schedule, annex or exhibit hereto, do not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
5.22 Environmental Matters. There are no Hazardous Materials used or present at
any location used by the Company in the conduct of its business, except for any
Hazardous Materials constituting normal office supplies. To the knowledge of
Company, no location currently or previously used by the Company is contaminated
by any Hazardous Material. There are no environmental materials or conditions,
including on-site or off-site disposal or releases of Hazardous Materials that
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the
knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred and no activity has been or is
being conducted by the Company or any other Person which has resulted or could
reasonably result in contamination of any location currently or previously used
by the Company by any Hazardous Material. The Company has not received any
written communication from any Governmental Agency alleging that the Company or
any premises currently or previously occupied by the Company is contaminated by
any Hazardous Materials or in violation of any Environmental Requirement. To
the knowledge of the Company, no Government Agency has commenced any
investigation or proceeding with respect to the contamination of any location
currently or previously used by the Company by any Hazardous Material. For
purposes of this Section 5.22, "Hazardous Material" means: all or any of the
following: (i) any substance the presence of which requires investigation or
remediation under any applicable law or regulation; (ii) substances that are
defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws
or regulations as "hazardous substances," hazardous materials," hazardous
wastes," toxic substances," or any other formulation intended to define, list or
classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability,
corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity or "EP
toxicity;" (iii) any petroleum products, explosives or radioactive materials;
and (iv) asbestos in any form or electrical equipment which contains any oil or
dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of
fifty parts per million.
5.23 Employment and Benefit Matters; Contractors.
(a) The Disclosure Schedule lists all of the Company's employment contracts,
arrangements, plans with any agent, employee, officer, director or shareholder,
and contracts or arrangements providing for bonuses, profit sharing payments,
deferred compensation, stock options, stock purchase rights, retainer,
consulting, incentive, severance pay or retirement benefits, life, medical or
other insurance or any other employee benefits or any other payments, "fringe
benefits" or perquisites ("Benefit Plan") which are not terminable at will
without liability to the Company or which are subject to ERISA.
(b) Neither the Company nor, to the Company's knowledge, any of its ERISA
Affiliates, has any union contracts, collective bargaining agreements or similar
agreements with employee organizations or groups, nor, to the Company's
knowledge, has the Company or any ERISA affiliate ever participated in or
contributed to any single employer defined benefit plan or multi-employer plan
with in the meaning of ERISA Section 3(37), nor is the Company currently engaged
in any labor negotiations, excepting minor grievances, nor is the Company the
subject of any union organization effort. There is no labor dispute, strike, or
work stoppage pending against any the Company's business.
(c) True and correct copies of each plan listed in the Disclosure Schedule that
is subject to ERISA (a "ERISA Plan") and related trust agreements, insurance
contracts, summary descriptions, have been delivered or made available to the
Members by the Company. The Company has also delivered or made available to the
Members a copy of the two most recently filed IRS Forms 5500, attached financial
statement and accountant's opinion, if applicable, for each ERISA Plan. The
Company has also delivered or made available to the Members a copy of, in the
case of each ERISA Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code,
the most recent Internal Revenue Service letter as to its qualification under
Section 401(a) of the Code. To the Company's knowledge, nothing has occurred
prior to or since the issuance of such letters to cause the loss of
qualification under the Code of any of such plans.
(d) To the Company's knowledge, none of the ERISA Plans has participated in,
engaged in or been a party to any prohibited transaction as defined in ERISA or
the Code, and there are no material claims, pending (with service or other
notice) or ovetly threatened, involving any plan listed in the Disclosure
Schedule. To the Company's knowledge, there have been no violations of any
reporting or disclosure requirements with respect to any ERISA Plan that would
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(e) To the Company's knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its ERISA
Affiliates has any material liability for any excise tax imposed by Section
4971, 4972, 4974, 4975, 4976, 4977, 4978, 4978B, 4979, 4979A, 4980 or 4980B of
the Code.
(f) Neither the Company nor, to the Company's knowledge, any of its ERISA
Affiliates maintains any plans providing benefits within the meaning of Section
3(1) of ERISA (other than group health plan continuation coverage under 601 of
ERISA and 4980B(f) of the Code) to former employees or retirees.
5.24 Customers and Suppliers. The Disclosure Schedule sets forth (i) the top
five customers of the Company, based on the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999
sales, and the net sales for the year for each, and (ii) the top five suppliers
of the Company, based on the fiscal year ended November 30, 1999 purchases, and
the volume purchased for the year from each.
ARTICLE VI
Affirmative Covenant of Members
6.1 Compliance With Securities Laws. Each Member covenants with the Company
that its trading activities with respect to Purchased Shares or Warrants, as
the case may be, will be in compliance with all applicable state and federal
securities laws, rules and regulations and rules and regulations of the
Principal Market on which the Company's Common Stock is listed.
ARTICLE VII
Covenants of the Company
7.1 Due Diligence Review. Subject to Section 7.3, the Company shall make
available for inspection and review by each Member, advisors to and
representatives of each Member (who may or may not be affiliated with each
Member and who are reasonably acceptable to the Company), any underwriter
participating in any disposition of the Registrable Securities on behalf of
each Member pursuant to the Registration Statement, any such registration
statement or amendment or supplement thereto or any blue sky, NASDAQ or other
filing, all SEC Documents and other filings with the SEC, and all other publicly
available corporate documents and properties of the Company as may be reasonably
necessary for the purpose of such review, and cause the Company's officers,
directors and employees to supply all such publicly available information
reasonably requested by each Member or any such representative, advisor or
underwriter in connection with such Registration Statement (including, without
limitation, in response to all questions and other inquiries reasonably made or
submitted by any of them), prior to and from time to time after the filing and
effectiveness of the
Registration Statement for the sole purpose of enabling each Member and such
representatives, advisors and underwriters and their respective accountants and
attorneys to conduct initial and ongoing due diligence with respect to the
Company and the accuracy of the Registration Statement.
7.2 Non-Disclosure of Non-Public Information.
(a) The Company shall not disclose non-public information it believes to be
material to any Member, advisors to or representatives of any member unless
prior to disclosure of such information the Company identifies such information
as being non-public information and provides the affected Member, such advisors
and representatives with the opportunity to accept or refuse to accept such non-
public information for review. Other than disclosure of any comment letters
received from the SEC staff with respect to the Registration Statement, the
Company may, as a condition to disclosing any non-public information hereunder,
require each Member's advisors and representatives to enter into a
confidentiality agreement in form and content reasonably satisfactory to the
Company and the Members.
Nothing herein shall require the Company to disclose material non-public
information to the Members or their advisors or representatives, provided,
however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will,
as hereinabove provided, promptly notify the advisors and representatives of the
Members and, if any, underwriters, of any event or the existence of any
circumstance (without any obligation to disclose the specific event or
circumstance) of which it becomes aware, constituting material non-public
information (whether or not requested of the Company specifically or generally
during the course of due diligence by such persons or entities), which, if not
disclosed in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement would cause
such prospectus to include a material misstatement or to omit a material fact
required to be stated therein in order to make the statements, therein in light
of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading. Nothing contained
in this Section 7.3 shall be construed to mean that such persons or entities
other than the Members (without the written consent of the Members prior to
disclosure of such information as set forth in Section 7.3(a)) may not obtain
non-public information in the course of conducting due diligence in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement and nothing herein shall prevent any such
persons or entities from notifying the Company of their opinion that based on
such due diligence by such persons or entities, that the Registration Statement
contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits a material fact
required to be stated in the Registration Statement or necessary to make the
statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were
made, not misleading.
7.3 Filing of Initial S-3. Within 5 business days of the receipt of the second
$850,000 payment, the Initial Registration Statement shall be filed with the SEC
by the Company.
ARTICLE VIII
Survival; Indemnification
8.1 Survival. The representations and warranties and covenants made by the
Company and each Member in this Agreement, the annexes, schedules and exhibits
hereto and in each instrument, agreement and certificate entered into and
delivered by them pursuant to this Agreement and each of the Related Agreements,
shall survive the Closing and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement or any Related
Agreement. In the event of a breach or violation of any of such
representations, warranties or covenants, the party to whom such
representations, warranties or covenants have been made shall have all rights
and remedies for such breach or violation available to it under the provisions
of this Agreement and each Related Agreement, irrespective of any investigation
made by or on behalf of such party on or prior to the Closing Date.
8.2 Indemnity.
(a)The Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Member, each
of their respective Affiliates and their respective officers, directors,
partners and members (collectively, the "Purchaser Indemnitees"), from and
against any and all Damages, and agrees to reimburse Purchaser Indemnitees for
all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees and
expenses of legal counsel), in each case promptly as incurred by any Purchaser
Indemnitee and to the extent arising out of or in connection with:
(i) any misrepresentation, omission of fact or breach of any of the Company's
representations or warranties contained in this Agreement, any Related
Agreement, the annexes, schedules or exhibits hereto or any instrument,
agreement or certificate entered into or delivered by the Company pursuant to
this Agreement or pursuant to any Related Agreement; or
(ii) any failure by the Company to perform in any material respect any of its
covenants, agreements, undertakings or obligations set forth in this Agreement,
any Related Agreement, the annexes, schedules or exhibits hereto or any instru-
ment, agreement or certificate entered into or delivered by the Company pursuant
to this Agreement or pursuant to any Related agreement; or
(iii) any action instituted against a Purchaser Indemnitee, or any of them, by
any stockholder of the Company who is not an Affiliate of a Purchaser
Indemnitee, any creditor, contract party, employee, director, supplier or
customer of the Company with respect to any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or any Related Agreement.
(b) The Investor Group, hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, its Affiliates and its officers, directors, partners and members
(collectively, the "Company Indemnitees"), from and against any and all Damages,
and agrees to reimburse the Company Indemnitees for reasonable all out-of-pocket
expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel), in each
case promptly as incurred by the Company Indemnitees and to the extent arising
out of or in connection with any misrepresentation, omission of fact, or breach
of any of a Purchaser Indemnitee's representations or warranties contained in
this Agreement, any Related Agreement, the annexes, schedules or exhibits hereto
or thereto or any instrument, agreement or certificate entered into or delivered
by a Purchaser Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement or any Related Agreement.
(c) If, as a result of the indemnification provisions of Section 8, there
arises any liability to a Purchaser Indemnitee, that Purchaser Indemnitee or
its affiliates will have the right to set off such liability against any
amounts payable under any of the Related Agreements.
8.3 Notice. Promptly after receipt by either party hereto seeking
indemnification pursuant to Section 8.2 (an "Indemnified Party") of written
notice of any investigation, claim, proceeding or other action in respect of
which indemnification is being sought (each, a "Claim"), the Indemnified Party
promptly shall notify the party from whom indemnification pursuant to Section
8.2 is being sought (the "Indemnifying Party") of the commencement thereof; but
the omission to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve it from any
liability that it otherwise may have to the Indemnified Party, except to the
extent that the Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such omission or
delay. In connection with any Claim as to which both the Indemnifying Party and
the Indemnified Party are parties, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof. Notwithstanding the assumption of the defense of
any Claim by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party shall have the right
to employ separate legal counsel and to participate in the defense of such
Claim, and the Indemnifying Party shall bear the reasonable fees, out-of-pocket
costs and expenses of such separate legal counsel to the Indemnified Party if
(and only if): (x) the Indemnifying Party shall have agreed to pay such fees,
out-of-pocket costs and expenses, (y) the Indemnified Party reasonably shall
have concluded that representation of the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying
Party by the same legal counsel would not be appropriate due to actual or, as
reasonably determined by legal counsel to the Indemnified Party, potentially
differing interests between such parties in the conduct of the defense of such
Claim, or if there may be legal defenses available to the Indemnified Party that
are in addition to or disparate from those available to the Indemnifying Party,
or (z) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed to employ legal counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party within a reasonable period of
time after notice of the commencement of such Claim. If the Indemnified Party
employs separate legal counsel in circumstances other than as described in
clauses (x), (y) or (z) above, the fees, costs and expenses of such legal
counsel shall be borne exclusively by the Indemnified Party. Except as provided
above, the Indemnifying Party shall not, in connection with any Claim in the
same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one firm of
legal counsel for the Indemnified Party (together with appropriate local
counsel). The Indemnifying Party shall not, without the prior written consent
of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld),
settle or compromise any Claim or consent to the entry of any judgment that does
not include an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from all
liabilities with respect to such Claim or judgment.
8.4 Direct Claims. In the event one party hereunder should have a claim for
indemnification that does not involve a claim or demand being asserted by a
third party, the Indemnified Party promptly shall deliver notice of such claim
to the Indemnifying Party, specifying the nature of the claim.
ARTICLE IX
Legends; Transfer Agent Instructions
9.1 Legends. Unless otherwise provided below, each certificate representing
Registrable Securities will bear the following legend or equivalent (the
"Legend"):
THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY OTHER
APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS AND HAVE BEEN ISSUED IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION
FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH OTHER
SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN
MAY BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED
OF, EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OR PURSUANT TO A TRANSACTION THAT IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.
9.2 Transfer Agent Instructions. Upon the execution and delivery hereof, in the
event the Company is unable to deliver a stock certificate representing the
Purchased Shares, the Company shall issue to its transfer agent for its Common
Stock (and to any substitute or replacement transfer agent for its Common Stock
upon the Company's appointment of any such substitute or replacement transfer
agent) instructions substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto. Such
instructions shall be irrevocable by the Company from and after the date hereof
or from and after the issuance thereof to any such substitute or replacement
transfer agent, as the case may be.
ARTICLE X
Termination
10.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the
Closing:
(a) by written mutual agreement of the parties upon the authorization of their
respective Boards of Directors, notwithstanding approval of this Agreement by
their shareholders or partners, as the case may be;
(b) (i) by either party if there shall have been a material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant, condition or agreement set forth in this
Agreement on the part of the other, which breach shall not have been cured
within five (5) calendar days following receipt by the breaching party of notice
of such breach, or (ii) by either party if any permanent injunction or other
Order of a court of other competent authority preventing the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby shall have become final and nonappealable; or
(c) by any party if the Closing shall not have been consummated on or before
November 30, 2000, provided that the initiating party is not in material default
of its obligations under this Agreement.
In the event of a termination of this Agreement by either party as provided in
subsections (a)-(c) above, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and there
shall be no liability or obligation on the part of the parties or their
respective officers, directors or partners, except with respect to willful
material breach of any provision of this Agreement prior to such termination and
except that Section 7.3 (Non-Disclosure) and Section 13.7 (Expenses) hereof
shall continue in effect.
ARTICLE XI
Assignment
11.1 Assignment. This Agreement and any rights of the Investor Group or the
Company hereunder may be assigned by any party to any other person. This
Agreement shall be binding and (a) the provisions of this Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, any permitted transferee of any of the
Purchased Shares, or Warrants purchased or acquired by any Member hereunder with
respect to the Purchased Shares or Warrants held by such person, and each of the
Investor Group's interest in this Agreement may be assigned at any time, in
whole or in part, to any other person or entity (including any Affiliate of the
Investor Group, ) who agrees to make the representations and warranties
contained in Article V and who agrees to be bound by the terms of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE XII
Notices
12.1 Notices. All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals, and other
communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and, unless
otherwise specified herein, shall be (i) hand delivered, (ii) deposited in the
mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii)
delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid, or (iv)
transmitted by facsimile, addressed as set forth below or to such other address
as such party shall have specified most recently by written notice. Any notice
or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be
deemed effective (a) upon hand delivery or delivery by facsimile, with accurate
confirmation generated by the transmitting facsimile machine, at the address or
number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business
hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following
such delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business
hours where such notice is to be received) or (b) on the first business day
following the date of sending by reputable courier service, fully prepaid,
addressed to such address, or (c) upon actual receipt of such mailing, if
mailed. The addresses for such communications shall be:
If to the Company: Innovo Group, Inc.
1800 North Cherry Street
Knoxville, TN 37917
Attention: Jay Furrow
Telephone: (865) 546-1110
Facsimile: (865) 546-1630
with a copy to: Sims, Moss, Kline & Davis
Suite 310,
400 North Park Town Center
1000 Abernathy Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30328-5613
Telephone: (770) 481-7200
Facsimile: (770) 481-7210
If to the Investor Group:
with a copy to:
Either party hereto may from time to time change its address or facsimile number
for notices under this Section 12.1 by giving written notice of such changed
address or facsimile number to the other party hereto as provided in this
Section 12.1.
ARTICLE XIII
Miscellaneous
13.1 Governing Law/Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Each party (a) agrees to
file all legal actions relating to this Agreement and transactions contemplated
hereby in a federal or state court in the State of New York; (b) to submit to
the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York; and (c) to refrain from
attempting to change the venue of any action filed by the other party in the
State of New York.
13.2 Counterparts/Facsimile/Amendments. This Agreement may be executed in
multiple counterparts, each of which may be executed by less than all of the
parties and shall be deemed to be an original instrument which shall be
enforceable against the parties actually executing such counterparts and all
of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Except as
otherwise stated herein, in lieu of the original documents, a facsimile
transmission or copy of the original documents shall be as effective and
enforceable as the original. This Agreement may be amended only by a writing
executed by all parties.
13.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the agreements attached as Exhibits
hereto, which include, but are not limited to the and the Related Agreements,
set forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements,
negotiations and understandings between the parties, both oral and written
relating to the subject matter hereof. The terms and conditions of all Exhibits
to this Agreement are incorporated herein by this reference and shall constitute
part of this Agreement as is fully set forth herein.
13.4 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement becomes or
is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or
void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said
provision; provided that such severability shall be ineffective if it materially
changes the economic benefit of this Agreement to any party.
13.5 Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are used for convenience
only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
13.6 Reporting Entity for the Common Stock. The reporting entity relied upon
for the determination of the trading price or trading volume of the Common Stock
on any given Trading Day for the purposes of this Agreement shall be Bloomberg,
L.P. or any successor thereto. The written mutual consent of the Investor Group
and the Company shall be required to employ any other reporting entity.
13.7 Replacement of Certificates. Upon (i) receipt of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a
certificate representing the Purchased Shares or Warrants, and (ii) in the case
of any such loss, theft or destruction of such certificate, upon delivery of an
indemnity agreement or security reasonably satisfactory in form to the Company
(which shall not exceed that customarily charged by the Company's transfer
agent), or (iii) in the case of any such mutilation, on surrender and
cancellation of such certificate, the Company at its expense will execute and
deliver, in lieu thereof, a new certificate of like tenor.
13.8 Fees and Expenses. The Company, shall pay the Investor Group's, fees and
expenses and shall also pay the Members' $17,000.00 at Closing as a placement
fee which payment shall be made from the Purchase Price to be delivered to the
Company at the Closing, with an additional $17,000 payable to the Members upon
completion of the second $850,000 investment. If (a) the Closing shall not have
occurred and the Investor Group are prepared to close, but the Company is not,
or (b) the Investor Group elects not to close due to the discovery prior to
Closing of a material omission or misstatement in the Company's disclosure to
the Investor Group the Company shall pay or reimburse, as the case may be, all
of the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel to the Investor Group,
incurred by the Members in connection with the negotiations, drafting, diligence
and related services provided by counsel in connection with this transaction,
together with the Members' reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection herewith. The Company will also pay the reasonable fees and expenses
of counsel to the Members in connection with (a) any follow-on work related to
the sale of equity securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity of the
Company, and (b) any amendment, modification or waiver of the terms of this
Agreement, any Related Agreement, Exhibits hereto or thereto, or any agreement
or document executed in connection with the transaction contemplated pursuant to
this Agreement or any Related Agreement.
13.9 Publicity. The Company and each Member agrees that, subject to obligations
under the federal securities laws, neither party will issue any press release or
other public announcement of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
any Related Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party.
13.10 Attorney Fees. In the event that any dispute among the parties results in
litigation, the prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover
from the other party all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of enforcing any
right of the prevailing party, including without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses; provided, however, that in the case of any
negotiated settlement of any litigation or arbitration between the parties,
there shall be no "prevailing party" for purposes of this Section 13.10. As
used herein, the term "attorneys' fees" shall be deemed to mean the full and
actual cost of any legal services actually performed in connection with the
matters involved, calculated on the basis of usual fees charged by the attorneys
performing such services.
13.11 Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any
right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver.
13.12 Equitable Relief. The parties agree and declare that legal remedies may
be used to enforce the provisions of this Agreement and that equitable relief,
including specific performance and injunctive relief, may be used to enforce
provisions of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Purchase Agreement to be
executed by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first set
forth above.
INNOVO GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Samuel J. Furrow, Jr.
-------------------------
Samuel J. Furrow, Jr., COO
THIRD MILLENNIUM PROPERTIES, INC.
By: /s/ Joseph Mizrachi
--------------------
Joseph Mizrachi, President
JAML, LLC
By: /s/ Joseph Mizrachi
-------------------
Joseph Mizrachi, Managing Member
INNOVATION, LLC
By: /s/ Joseph Mizrachi
--------------------
Joseph Mizrachi, Managing Member
EXHIBIT LIST
Exhibit A Investor Rights Agreement
Exhibit B Purchase Warrant A
Exhibit C Purchase Warrant B
Exhibit D Transfer Instructions (omitted)
Schedule I Disclosure Schedule
Exhibit 10.75
INVESTORS RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS INVESTORS RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of October 31, 2000, by and among Innovo Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), Sam Furrow, Jay Furrow, Pat Anderson (collectively, the "Furrow
Group"), Dr. John Looney, Marc B. Crossman, and Dan Page (collectively, the
"Board Members") and Third Millennium Properties, Inc., JAML, LLC and
Innovation, LLC (the "Investors").
RECITALS
A. Each Member of the Furrow Group currently owns shares of the Company's Common
Stock (the "Common Stock").
B. The Investors shall purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company and
Warrants to purchase additional shares of Common Stock (collectively, the
"Purchased Shares") pursuant to that certain Common Stock and Warrant Purchase
Agreements of even date hereof by and among the Company and the Investors (the
"Purchase Agreement").
C. The Purchase Agreement provides that, as a condition to the Investors'
purchase thereunder, the Company and the Investors enter into this Agreement.
Terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Purchase
Agreement.
D. By this Agreement, the Company, the Furrow Group and the Investors desire to
provide for certain registration and other rights as set forth herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual
promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
1.1 Definitions. For purposes of this Section 1:
(a) [Omitted]
(b) Holder. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Holder" or "Holders"
means any person or persons owning of record Registrable Securities that have
not been sold to the public or pursuant to Rule 144 or any assignee of record
of such Registrable Securities to whom rights under this Agreement have been
duly assigned in accordance with this Agreement; provided, however, that for
purposes of this Agreement, a record holder of a warrant to purchase.
Registrable Securities shall be deemed to be the Holder of such Registrable
Securities; provided further, that a holder of Excluded Shares shall not be a
Holder with respect to such Excluded Shares for purposes of Sections 1.3 or 1.4
of this Agreement.
(c) Potential Material Event means any of the following: (a) the possession
by the Company of material information not ripe for disclosure in a registration
statement, as determined in good faith by the Chief Executive Officer or the
Board of Directors of the Company, including approval by the Investors Directors
(as defined Section 7.1) that disclosure of such information in a Registration
Statement would be detrimental to the business and affairs of the Company; or
(b) any material engagement or activity by the Company which would, in the good
faith determination of the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors of
the Company, including approval by the Investors Directors (as defined in
Section 7.1) be adversely affected by disclosure in a Registration Statement at
such time.
(d) Registrable Securities. The term "Registrable Securities" means (i) any
shares of Common Stock of the Company held by the Investors; (ii) the Common
Stock, issuable upon the exercise of t he Warrants held by the Investors; (iii)
any Common Stock issued as (or issuable upon conversion or exercise of any
warrant, right or other security which is issued as) a dividend or other
distribution with respect to, in exchange for or in replacement of, all such
shares of Common Stock described in clause (i) or (ii) of this subsection, and
(iv) any Common Stock of the Company issued to the Investors by way of a stock
split of the shares referred to in (i), (ii) or (iii) above; excluding any
Registrable Securities sold to the public or sold pursuant to Rule 144 ("Rule
144") promulgated under the Securities Act ("Excluded Shares").
(e) Registrable Securities Then Outstanding. The number of shares of
"Registrable Securities then outstanding" shall mean the number of shares of
Common Stock which are Registrable Securities and (1) are then issued and
outstanding or (2) are then issuable pursuant to the exercise or conversion of
then outstanding and then exercisable options, warrants or convertible
securities.
(f) Registration. The terms "register," "registered," and "registration"
refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration
statement in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such
registration statement by the SEC (as defined below).
(g) SEC. The term "SEC" or "Commission" means the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission.
1.2 Registration Rights With Respect to the Securities.
(a) Filing. The Company agrees that it will prepare and file with the SEC,
within five business days after the receipt of the second $850,000 payment, a
Registration Statement under the Securities Act, at the sole expense of the
Company (except as provided in Section (d) hereof), in respect of the Investors,
so as to permit a public offering and resale of the Registrable Securities under
the Act by the Investors as a selling stockholder and not as an underwriter.
(b) Effectiveness. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause such
Registration Statement to become effective within 90 days from the receipt of
the second $850,000 payment or, if earlier, within five (5) days of SEC
clearance to request acceleration of effectiveness. The Registration Statement
shall include appropriate language regarding reliance upon Rule 416 to the
extent permitted by the Commission. The Company will notify the Investors of
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement within one Trading Day of such
event.
(c) Effectiveness Period. The Company will maintain the Registration Statement
or post-effective amendment filed under this Section 1.2 effective under the
Securities Act until for a period of three years from the date on which it
became effective (the "Effectiveness Period").
(d) Expenses. All fees, disbursements and out-of-pocket expenses and costs
incurred by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the
Registration Statement under Section 1.2(a) and in complying with applicable
Federal and State securities and Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation,
all attorneys' fees of the Company) shall be borne by the Company. The
Investors shall bear the cost of underwriting and/or brokerage discounts, fees
and commissions, if any, applicable to the Securities being registered and the
fees and expenses of their counsel. The Investors and its counsel shall have a
reasonable period, not to exceed five (5) Trading Days, to review any amendment
to the Registration Statement previously provided to the Investors pursuant to
the Purchase Agreement thereto, prior to filing with the Commission, and the
Company shall provide the Investors with copies of any comment letters received
from the Commission with respect thereto within two (2) Trading Days of receipt
thereof. The Company shall qualify any of the Securities for sale in such
states as the Investors reasonably designates and shall furnish indemnification
in the manner provided in Section 1.8 hereof. However, the Company shall not be
required to qualify in any state which will require an escrow or other
restriction relating to the Company and/or the sellers, or which will require
the Company to qualify to do business in such state or require the Company to
file therein any general consent to service of process. The Company at its
expense will supply the Investors with copies of the applicable Registration
Statement and the prospectus included therein and other related documents in
such quantities as may be reasonably requested by the Investors.
(e) Liquidated Damages. The Company understands that a delay in the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement beyond 90 calendar days from the
receipt of the second $850,000 payment (each, a "Registration Deadline") could
result in economic loss to the Investors. As compensation to the Investors for
such loss, the Company agrees to pay late payments (the "Liquidated Damages") to
the Investors of $50,000 if the Registration Statement is not effective within
90 days from the receipt of the second $850,000 payment and an additional
$100,000 if the Registration Statement is not effective within 120 days from
the receipt of the second $850,000 payment. The Company shall not be deemed to
have fulfilled this obligation unless all of the shares purchased by the
Investor Group are registered on the Registration Statement within the 90 and
120 day periods. The Company shall pay any payments incurred under this Section
in Company Common Stock valued at $1.00 per share. Nothing herein shall limit
the Investor Group's right to pursue injunctive relief and/or actual damages for
the Company's failure to effect timely registration of the Purchased Shares.
(i) The Company shall pay any payments incurred under this Section in Company
Common Stock valued at $1.00 per share. Nothing herein shall limit the Investor
Group's right to pursue injunctive relief and/or actual damages for the
Company's failure to effect timely registration of the Purchased Shares.
(ii) The Company shall pay any payments incurred under this Section in
immediately available funds upon demand. Nothing herein shall limit the
Investor's right to pursue injunctive relief and/or actual damages for the
Company's failure to effect timely registration of the Purchased Shares.
(iii) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the sums payable pursuant
to the foregoing paragraph shall constitute liquidated damages and not
penalties. The parties further acknowledge that (a) the amount of loss or
damages likely to be incurred is incapable or is difficult to precisely
estimate, (b) the amounts specified in such Sections bear a reasonable
proportion and are not plainly or grossly disproportionate to the probable
loss likely to be incurred by the Investors in connection with the failure by
the Company to timely cause the registration of the Registrable Securities and
(c) the parties are sophisticated business parties and have been represented by
sophisticated and able legal and financial counsel and negotiated this Agreement
at arm's length.
(f) Collection Costs. If the Company does not remit the payment to the
Investors as set forth above, the Company will pay the Investors reasonable
costs of collection, including attorneys' fees, in addition to the liquidated
damages. The registration of the securities pursuant to this provision shall
not affect or limit the Investor's other rights or remedies as set forth in
this Agreement or in the Purchase Agreement.
(g) Blackout Period. If at any time or from time to time after the effective
date of any Registration Statement, the Company notifies the Investors in
writing of the existence of a Potential Material Event (as defined in Section
1.1(c) below), the Investors agree not to offer or sell any securities or engage
in any other transaction involving or relating to securities, from the time of
the giving of notice with respect to a Potential Material Event until the
Investors receive written notice from the Company that such Potential Material
Event either has been disclosed to the public or no longer constitutes a
Potential Material Event; provided, however, that the Company may not so
suspend the right to such holders of securities for more than 30 days in the
aggregate (90 days in the case of an acquisition requiring the filing of audited
financial statements of the acquired business under Form 8-K) during any twelve
month period, during the period the Registration Statement is required to be in
effect, and if such period is exceeded, such event shall be a Registration
Default. If a Potential Material Event shall occur prior to the date a
Registration Statement is required to be filed, then the Company's obligation
to file such Registration Statement shall be delayed without penalty for not
more than 20 days, and such delay or delays shall not constitute a Registration
Default. The Company must, if lawful, give the Investors notice in writing at
least two Trading Days prior to the first day of the blackout period.
1.3 Piggyback Registrations. The Company shall notify all Holders of
Registrable Securities in writing at least 30 days prior to filing any
registration statement under the Securities Act for purposes of effecting a
public offering of securities of the Company (including, but not limited to,
registration statements relating to secondary offerings of securities of the
Company, but excluding Form S-4 or S-8 registration statements, and will
afford each such Holder an opportunity to include in such registration statement
all or any part of the Registrable Securities then held by such Holder. Each
Holder desiring to include in any such registration statement all or any part
of the Registrable Securities held by such Holder shall, within 20 days after
receipt of the above-described notice from the Company, so notify the Company
in writing, and in such notice shall inform the Company of the number of
Registrable Securities such Holder wishes to include in such registration
statement. If a Holder decides not to include all of its Registrable Securities
in any registration statement thereafter filed by the Company, such Holder shall
nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in
any subsequent registration statement or registration statements as may be filed
by the Company with respect to offerings of its securities, all upon the terms
and conditions set forth herein.
(a) Underwriting. If a registration statement under which the Company gives
notice under this Section 1.3 is for an underwritten offering, then the Company
shall so advise the Holders of Registrable Securities. In such event, the right
of any such Holder's Registrable Securities to be included in a registration
pursuant to this Section 1.3 shall be conditioned upon such Holder's
participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder's
Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All
Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such
underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with
the managing underwriter or underwriter(s) selected for such underwriting.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the managing
underwriter(s) determine(s) in good faith that marketing factors require a
limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, then the managing
underwriter(s) may exclude shares (including Registrable Securities) from the
registration and the underwriting, and the number of shares that may be included
in the registration and the underwriting shall be allocated, first, to the
Company, and second, to each of the Holders requesting inclusion of their
Registrable Securities in such registration statement on a pro rata basis based
on the total number of Registrable Securities then held by each such Holder. If
any Holder disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such Holder may
elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the
underwriter, delivered at least ten (10) business days prior to the effective
date of the registration statement. Any Registrable Securities excluded or
withdrawn from such underwriting shall be excluded and withdrawn from the
registration. For any Holder which is a partnership or corporation, the
partners, retired partners, shareholders and members of such Holder, or the
estates and family members of any such partners and retired partners and any
trusts for the benefit of any of the foregoing persons shall be deemed to be a
single "Holder," and any pro rata reduction with respect to such "Holder" shall
be based upon the aggregate amount of shares carrying registration rights owned
by all entities and individuals included in such "Holder", as defined in this
sentence.
(b) Expenses. The Company shall pay all expenses incurred in connection with
a registration pursuant to this Section 1.3 (excluding underwriters' or brokers'
discounts and commissions and the fees and disbursements of special counsel for
the Selling Holder or Holders), including, without limitation all federal and
"blue sky" registration and qualification fees, printers' and accounting fees,
and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company.
1.4 Registration. If the Company receives from the Holder or Holders of
Registrable Securities a written request or requests that the Company effect
a registration and any related qualification or compliance with respect to all
or a part of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders, then
the Company will: promptly give written notice of the proposed registration and
the Holder's or Holders' request therefor, and any related qualification or
compliance, to all other Holders of Registrable Securities; and as soon as
practicable, effect such registration and all such qualifications and
compliances as may be so requested and as would permit or facilitate the sale
and distribution of all or such portion of such Holder's or Holders' Registrable
Securities as are specified in such request, together with all or such portion
of the Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders joining in such
request as are specified in a written request given within 20 days after receipt
of such written notice from the Company; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be obligated to effect any such registration, qualification or
compliance pursuant to this Section 1.4:
(i) if Form S-3 is not available for such offering by the Holders;
(ii) if the Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed by the
President or Chief Executive Officer of the Company stating that, in the good
faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be seriously
detrimental to the Company and its shareholders for such Form S-3 to be effected
at such time,in which event the Company shall have the right to defer the filing
of the Form S-3 registration statement no more than once during any 12 month
period for a period of not more than 90 days after receipt of the request of
the Holders under this Section 1.4; provided, however, that the Company shall
not utilize this right; or
(iii) in any particular jurisdiction in which the Company would be required
to qualify to do business or to execute a general consent to service of process
in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance, unless the Company
is already subject to service of process in such jurisdiction.
(c) Expenses. The Company shall pay all expenses incurred in connection with
each registration requested pursuant to this Section 1.4, (excluding
underwriters' or brokers' discounts and commissions and the fees and
disbursements of special counsel for the selling Holder or Holders), including
without limitation all filing, registration and qualification, printers' and
accounting fees and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company (the
"Registration Expenses").
1.5 Obligations of the Company. Whenever required to effect the registration of
any Registrable Securities under this Agreement, the Company shall, as
expeditiously as reasonably possible:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with respect to
such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause
such registration statement to become effective, and, upon the request of the
Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, keep
such registration statement effective for up to 20 days;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such
registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such
registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such
registration statement;
(c) furnish to the Holders such number of copies of a prospectus, including a
preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities
Act, and such other documents as they may reasonably request in order to
facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by them that are
included in such registration;
(d) use all reasonable efforts to register and qualify the securities covered
by such registration statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of
such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders, provided
that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of
process in any such states or jurisdictions;
(e) in the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform
its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form,
with the managing underwriter(s) of such offering;
(f) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration
statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of
which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect,
includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing, and at the
request of any such Holder prepare and file an amendment to any such prospectus
as may be necessary;
(g) furnish, at the request of any Holder requesting registration of
Registrable Securities, on the date that such Registrable Securities are
delivered to the underwriters for sale, if such securities are being sold
through underwriters, an opinion, dated as of such date, of the counsel
representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and
substance as is given to the underwriters in the underwritten public offering
and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the Holders requesting
registration, addressed to the underwriters and to the Holders requesting
registration of Registrable Securities;
(h) furnish, at the request of any Holder requesting registration of
Registrable Securities, on the date that such Registrable Securities are
delivered to the underwriters for sale, if such securities are being sold
through underwriters, or, if such securities are not being sold through
underwriters, on the date that the registration statement with respect to
such securities becomes effective, a "comfort" letter dated as of such date,
from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and
substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants
to underwriters in an underwritten public offering and reasonably satisfactory
to a majority in interest of the Holders requesting registration, addressed to
the underwriters, if any, and to the Holders requesting registration of
Registrable Securities;
(i) cause all Registrable Securities registered pursuant hereunder to be listed
on each securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company
are then listed; and
(j) cause the Company's officers, directors and independent certified public
accountants to provide all information reasonably requested by a representative
of any Holder of Registrable Securities and any attorney or accountant retained
by such Holder, in connection with such registration.
1.6 Furnish Information. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations
of the Company to take any action pursuant to Section 1 that the selling Holders
shall furnish to the Company such information regarding themselves, the
Registrable Securities held by them and the intended method of disposition of
such securities, as shall be required to timely effect the registration of their
Registrable Securities.
1.7 Delay of Registration. No Holder shall have any right to obtain or seek an
injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any such registration as the result
of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or
implementation of this Section 1.
1.8 Indemnification. In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a
registration statement under Section 1:
(a) By the Company. To the extent permitted by law, the Company will
indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, the partners, officers, directors and
members of each Holder, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for
such Holder and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter
within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, (the "Exchange Act"), against any losses, claims, damages, or
liabilities (joint or several) to which they may become subject under the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise
out of or are based upon any of the following statements, omissions or
violations (collectively a "Violation"):
(i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in such registration statement, including any preliminary prospectus
or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto;
(ii) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; or
(iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act, any federal or state securities law or any rule or
regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any
federal or state securities law in connection with the offering covered by
such registration statement;
and the Company will reimburse each such Holder, partner, officer or director,
underwriter or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by them, as incurred, in connection with investigating or defending any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the
indemnity agreement contained in this subsection 1.8(a) shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be liable in any such
case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action to the extent that it
arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished expressly for use in connection
with such registration by such Holder, partner, officer, director, underwriter
or controlling person of such Holder.
(b) By Selling Holders. To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder
will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its
officers who have signed the registration statement, each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, any underwriter
and any other Holder selling securities under such registration statement or any
of such other Holder's partners, directors or officers or any person who
controls such Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (joint or several) to
which the Company or any such director, officer, controlling person, underwriter
or other such Holder, partner or director, officer or controlling person of such
other Holder may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or
other federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any
Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such
Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished by such Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration;
and each such Holder will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by the Company or any such director, officer, controlling person,
underwriter or other Holder, partner, officer, director or controlling person of
such other Holder in connection with investigating or defending any such loss,
claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the indemnity
agreement contained in this subsection 1.8(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in
settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such
settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld; and provided further, that the total amounts
payable in indemnity by a Holder under this Section 1.8(b) in respect of any
Violation shall not exceed the net proceeds received by such Holder in the
registered offering out of which such Violation arises.
(c) Notice. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
1.8 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental
action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against any indemnifying party under this Section 1.8, deliver to the
indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the
indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent
the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually
satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party shall
have the right to retain its own counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid
by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the
counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual
or potential conflict of interests between such indemnified party and any other
party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The failure to deliver
written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the
commencement of any such action, if prejudicial to its ability to defend such
action, shall relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
indemnified party under this Section 1.8, but the omission so to deliver
written notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability
that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 1.8.
(d) Defect Eliminated in Final Prospectus. The foregoing indemnity agreements
of the Company and Holders are subject to the condition that, insofar as they
relate to any Violation made in a preliminary prospectus but eliminated or
remedied in the amended prospectus on file with the SEC at the time the
registration statement in question becomes effective or the amended prospectus
filed with the SEC pursuant to SEC Rule 424(b) (the "Final Prospectus"), such
indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of any person if a copy of
the Final Prospectus was furnished to the indemnified party and was not
furnished to the person asserting the loss, liability, claim or damage at or
prior to the time such action is required by the Securities Act.
(e) Survival. The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section
1.8 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a
registration statement, and otherwise, and the termination of this Agreement.
(f) Settlement. No indemnified party, in the defense of any such claim or
litigation, shall, except with the consent of each indemnified party, consent to
entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an
unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such
indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or
litigation.
1.9 "Market Stand-Off" Agreement. Each Holder hereby agrees that in connection
with any underwritten public offering by the Company of its equity securities
pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act,
Holder shall not sell, make any short sale of, loan, hypothecate, pledge, grant
any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose or transfer for value or
otherwise agree to engage in any of the foregoing transactions with respect to
any of the Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the
Company or its underwriters, for such period of time from and after the
effective date of such registration statement as may be reasonably requested by
the Company or such underwriters.
1.10 Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available the benefits of
certain rules and regulations of the Commission which may at any time permit
the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration,
after such time as a public market exists for the Common Stock of the Company,
the Company agrees to:
(a) make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood
and defined in Rule 144, at all times after the effective date of the first
registration under the Securities Act filed by the Company for an offering of
its securities to the general public;
(b) use its commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission in a
timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to
such reporting requirements); and
(c) as long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, to furnish to the
Holder forthwith upon request a written statement by the Company as to its
compliance with the reporting requirements of said Rule 144 (at any time after
90 days after the effective date of the first registration statement filed by
the Company for an offering of its securities to the general public), and of
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become
subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act), a copy of the most
recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and
documents of the Company as a Holder may reasonably request in availing itself
of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing a Holder to sell any such
securities without registration (at any time after the Company has become
subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act).
1.11 Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights. From and after the date of
this Agreement, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the
holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities, enter into any
agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company
that would allow such holder or prospective holder a priority over a Holder with
respect to (a) including such securities in any registration or (b) to demand
registration of their securities.
2. PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS
2.1 Definitions: For purposes of this Section 2:
(a) New Securities. "New Securities" means any Common Stock or Preferred Stock
of the Company, whether now authorized or not, and rights, options or warrants
to purchase such Common Stock or Preferred Stock, and securities of any type
whatsoever that are, or may become, convertible or exchangeable into such Common
Stock or Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the term "New Securities" does
not include:
(i) shares of the Company's Common Stock (and/or options therefor) issued or
issuable to employees, officers, directors, contractors or consultants of the
Company and its subsidiaries pursuant to stock grant, stock purchase and/or
stock option plans or other stock incentive program, arrangement or agreement
which have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on or before
August 11, 2000;
(ii) any shares of Common Stock or Warrants issued under the Purchase
Agreement, as such agreement may be amended;
(iii) any securities issuable upon exercise of any options, warrants or rights
to purchase any securities of the Company outstanding on the date of this
Agreement ("Warrant Securities") and any securities issuable upon the conversion
of any Warrant Securities;
(iv) shares of the Company's Common Stock or Preferred Stock issued in
connection with any stock split or stock dividend;
(v) securities offered by the Company to the public pursuant to a registration
statement filed under the Securities Act;
(b) Eligible Investors. The term "Eligible Investors" means the Investors and
any party holding at least 250,000 shares of Registrable Securities to whom an
Eligible Investor's rights under this Section 2 have been duly assigned.
(c) Pro Rata Share. The term "Pro Rata Share" means the ratio of (a) the
number of Registrable Securities as to which such Eligible Investors is the
Holder (and/or is deemed to be the Holder under Section 1.1(b)), to (b) a number
of shares of Common Stock of the Company equal to the sum of (i) the total
number of shares of Common Stock of the Company then outstanding plus (ii)
the total number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which all then
outstanding Warrants outstanding shares of the Company are then exercisable plus
(iii) the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company reserved for issuance
under outstanding options of the Company.
2.2 General. Each Eligible Investor has the right of first refusal to purchase
such Eligible Investor's Pro Rata Share of all (or any part) of any New
Securities that the Company may from time to time issue after the date of this
Agreement.
2.3 Procedures. In the event that the Company proposes to undertake an issuance
of New Securities, it shall give to each Eligible Investor written notice of its
intention to issue New Securities ("Notice"), describing the type of New
Securities and the price and the general terms upon which the Company proposes
to issue such New Securities. Each Eligible Investor shall have fifteen (15)
days from the date of mailing of any such Notice to agree in writing to purchase
such Eligible Investor's Pro Rata Share of such New Securities for the price and
upon the general terms specified in the Notice by giving written notice to the
Company and stating therein the quantity of New Securities to be purchased (not
to exceed such Eligible Investor's Pro Rata Share). If any Eligible Investor
fails to so agree in writing within such fifteen (15) day period to purchase
such Eligible Investor's full Pro Rata Share of an offering of New Securities (a
"Nonpurchasing Holder"), then such Nonpurchasing Holder shall forfeit the right
hereunder to purchase that part of his Pro Rata Share of such New Securities
that he did not so agree to purchase and the Company shall promptly give each
Eligible Investor who has timely agreed to purchase his full Pro Rata Share of
such offering of New Securities (a "Purchasing Holder") written notice of the
failure of any Nonpurchasing Holder to purchase such Nonpurchasing Eligible
Investor's full Pro Rata Share of such offering of New Securities (the
"Overallotment Notice"). Each Purchasing Holder shall have a right of
overallotment such that such Purchasing Holder may agree to purchase a portion
of the Nonpurchasing Holder's unpurchased Pro Rata Shares of such offering on a
pro rata basis according to the relative Pro Rata Shares of the Purchasing
Eligible Investor, at any time within five (5) days after receiving the
Overallotment Notice.
2.4 Failure to Exercise. To the extent that the Eligible Investors fail to
exercise the participation right within such ten (10) plus five (5) day period,
then the Company shall have 90 days thereafter to sell the New Securities with
respect to which the Eligible Investors' rights of first refusal hereunder were
not exercised, at a price and upon general terms not materially more favorable
to the purchasers thereof than specified in the Company's Notice to the Eligible
Investors. In the event that the Company has not issued and sold the New
Securities within such 90 day period, it shall not issue and sell such
securities without again first offering such New Securities to the Eligible
Investors pursuant to this Section 2.
3. REPRESENTATIONS OF THE COMPANY. The Company hereby represents that it has
done each of the following:
(a) closed its manufacturing and distribution facilities in Knoxville;
(b) canceled the lease for the Knoxville premises and received a full and
complete release of both present and past due obligations from its landlord,
provided that the Company has paid its monthly rent (including unpaid past due
rent without penalty) until July 1, 2000;
(c) realigned all of its production and distribution needs in accordance with
the Supply Agreement and the Distribution Agreement entered into with Commerce
Group, LLC; and
(d) with the exception of sales, begun to relocate all of the Company's
operations, including finance and accounting, to Los Angeles.
4. SUPERMAJORITY BYLAW PROVISIONS. The Company has adopted an amendment to its
Bylaws in the form attached as Appendix A.
5. OTHER COVENANTS.
5.1 Sales by Sam Furrow. Sam Furrow hereby covenants and agrees that for the
three year period commencing from the date hereof, he shall not Transfer (as
defined in Section 6.1(h)) any securities of the Company owned by him directly
or indirectly by family members or affiliates, other than sales permitted by
Rule 144 regardless of whether or not such sales would be required to be made
in accordance with the limitations of Rule 144.
5.2 Short Sales. The Investors and each member of the Furrow Group hereby
covenants and agrees that for the six month period commencing from the date
hereof, such person or entity shall not effect a "short sale" of shares of
Common Stock owned by such holder. For purposes of this Agreement, a "short
sale" shall be as defined in Rule 3b-3 of the Exchange Act.
6. TRANSFERS. This Section 6 shall terminate at such time as the Investors, its
affiliates and members of their families no longer own beneficially at least 25%
of the Purchased Shares.
6.1 Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
have the following meanings:
(a) "Offeree's Share" means with respect to each Offeree as to the Right of Co-
Sale, an amount determined (i) by multiplying the number of shares of Offered
Stock (as defined below) by (ii) the ratio determined by dividing (A) the number
of shares of Stock (as defined below) held by such Offeree by (B) the aggregate
number of shares of Stock held by all Offerees exercising their Right of Co-Sale
plus the number of shares of Stock held by the member of the Furrow Group
selling such Offered Stock.
(b) "Offered Stock" means all Stock proposed to be Transferred under Section
6.3 by a member of the Furrow Group or a member of the Board of Directors of
the Company.
(c) "Right of Co-Sale" means the right of co-sale in Section 6.4 of this
Agreement.
(d) "Right of First Refusal" means the right of first refusal in Section 6.3 of
this Agreement.
(e) "Stock" means and includes all shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding at the relevant time plus (i) all shares of Common Stock that may
be issued upon exercise or conversion of any options, warrants, convertible
securities and other rights of any kind that are then outstanding and (ii)
all shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon conversion of any convertible
securities issuable upon exercise of options, warrants or other rights that are
then outstanding.
(f) "Transfer" means and includes any sale, assignment, encumbrance,
hypothecation, pledge, conveyance in trust, gift, transfer by bequest, devise
or descent, or other transfer or disposition of any kind, including but not
limited to transfers to receivers, levying creditors, trustees or receivers
in bankruptcy proceedings or general assignees for the benefit of creditors,
whether voluntary or by operation of law, directly or indirectly, except:
(i) any transfers of Stock by a member of the Furrow Group to a his spouse,
lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister of a Founder,
the adopted child or adopted grandchild of a the Furrow Group, or the spouse of
any child, adopted child, grandchild or adopted grandchild of a member of the
Furrow Group, or to a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of a member of
the Furrow Group or his family members as described in this Section, or
transfers of Stock by a member of the Furrow Group by devise or descent, in
all cases if the transferee or other recipient executes a counterpart copy of
this Agreement and becomes bound thereby in the same manner as the member of
the Furrow Group;
(ii) any transfer of Stock by the Furrow Group and approved by the Investors
made: (A) pursuant to a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into
another corporation or corporations; (B) pursuant to the winding up and
dissolution of the Company; (C) to the Offerees pursuant to this Agreement;
or (D) to the Company;
(iii) any bona fide gift to a not-for-profit organization as defined in
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; or
(iv) any bona-fide open market sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities
Act.
6.2 Notice Of Proposed Transfer. Before any member of the Furrow Group or
member of the Board of Directors may effect any Transfer of any Stock ("Selling
Stockholder"), such Selling Stockholder must give at the same time (a) to the
Company, and (b) to the Investors, a written notice signed by the Selling
Stockholder (the "Seller's Notice") stating (a) the Selling Stockholder's bona
fide intention to Transfer such Offered Stock; (b) the number of shares of the
Offered Stock; (c) the name, address and relationship, if any, to the Selling
Stockholder of each proposed purchaser or other transferee; and (d) the bona
fide cash price or, in reasonable detail, other consideration, per share for
which the Selling Stockholder proposes to transfer such Offered Stock (the
"Offered Price"). Upon the request of the Company or the Investors, the Selling
Stockholder will promptly furnish such information to the Company and to the
Investors as may be reasonably requested to establish that the offer and
proposed transferee are bona fide.
6.3 Right Of First Refusal.
(a) The Investors's Right. The Investors and its assignees shall be referred
to collectively as the "Offerees." With respect to any Transfer by a Selling
Stockholder, the Offerees shall have the Right of First Refusal to purchase all
or any part of the Offered Stock, exercisable as set forth in Subsections (b)
and (c) hereof.
(b) Exercise of the Offeree's Right of First Refusal. The Offeree's Right of
First Refusal may be exercised as follows:
(i) Each Offeree shall have the opportunity to purchase its Pro Rata Share of
the Offered Stock. For purposes of this Section 6.3 only, an Offeree's "Pro
Rata Share" shall be determined by dividing the number of Stock held by the
Offeree by the total number of shares of Stock held by all Offerees.
(ii) If an Offeree desires to purchase Offered Stock (a "Participating
Offeree"), the Participating Offeree must, within the 15 day period (the
"Offeree Refusal Period") commencing on the date of the Seller's Notice, give
written notice to the Selling Stockholder of the participating Offeree's
election to purchase its Pro Rata Share of the Offered Stock. In the event
that any Offeree elects not to purchase its Pro Rata Share of the Offered
Shares, such Offeree shall, within five (5) days after expiration of the Offeree
Refusal Period, give written notice ("Offeree's Expiration Notice") to the
Selling Stockholder and to the Company specifying that such Offeree is waiving
its right to purchase any of the Offered Stock. Notwithstanding any failure by
an Offeree to deliver the Offeree's Expiration Notice, a failure by the Offeree
to exercise its Right of First Refusal within the Offeree Refusal Period shall
be deemed a waiver of such right. In the event that an Offeree does not wish to
purchase its Pro Rata Share, then any Participating Offeree who has elected to
purchase its full Pro Rata Share shall have the right to purchase, on a pro rata
basis with any other Participating Offeree who so elects, any Offered Stock not
purchased.
(c) Purchase Price. The purchase price for the Offered Stock to be purchased
by the Offerees exercising its Right of First Refusal under this Agreement will
be the Offered Price, but will be payable as set forth in Section 6.3(d) hereof.
If the Offered Price includes consideration other than cash, the cash equivalent
value of the non-cash consideration will be determined by the Board of Directors
of the Company in good faith, including approval by the Investors Directors,
which determination will be binding upon the Offerees, the Company and the
Furrow Group absent fraud or error.
(d) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for the Offered Stock purchased by
an Offeree exercising its Right of First Refusal will be made within the 60th
day after the Seller's Notice. Payment of the purchase price will be made by
an Offeree (i) in cash or by wire transfer of immediately available funds, (ii)
by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the
Selling Stockholder to an Offeree, as applicable, or (iii) by any combination of
the foregoing.
(e) Rights as a Shareholder. If the Offeree(s) exercise its Right of First
Refusal to purchase the Offered Stock, then, upon consummation of such purchase,
the Selling Stockholder will have no further rights as a holder of the Offered
Stock except the right to receive payment for the Offered Stock from the
Investors(s) or the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
and the Selling Stockholder will forthwith cause all certificate(s) evidencing
such Offered Stock to be surrendered to the Company for transfer to the
Offeree(s) or to the Company.
(f) Selling Stockholder's Right to Transfer. If the Offeree(s) has not elected
to purchase all or part of the Offered Stock, then, subject to the Right of Co-
Sale set forth in Section 6.4 below, the Selling Stockholder may transfer that
portion of the Offered Stock permitted to be sold by the Selling Stockholder, to
any person named as a purchaser or other transferee in the Seller's Notice, at
the Offered Price or at a higher price, provided that such transfer (i) is
consummated within 60 days after the date of the Notice and (ii) is in
accordance with all the terms of this Agreement. If the Offered Stock is not so
transferred during such 60 day period, then the Selling Stockholder may not
transfer any of such Offered Stock without complying again in full with the
provisions of this Agreement.
6.4 Right of Co-Sale.
(a) Right of Co-Sale. For the three year period commencing on the date hereof,
to the extent (i) Offered Stock is held by a member of the Furrow Group ("Furrow
Seller"), (ii) the Offerees have waived or failed to timely exercise their Right
of First Refusal as to the Offered Stock, each Offeree may transfer to the
transferee proposed in the Seller's Notice such Offeree's Share of the Offered
Stock on the same terms and conditions set forth in the Seller's Notice (except
that an Offeree need only represent, warrant or indemnify as to title of any
Stock to be transferred by it), by giving written notice to the Seller within
ten (10) days after the date of the Offeree's Expiration Notice of such Offeree
specifying the number of shares and type of Stock that such Offeree desires to
transfer to the transferee.
(b) Consummation of Co-Sale. Each Offeree may exercise its Right of Co-Sale by
delivering to the Furrow Seller at the closing of the transfer of Offered Stock
to such transferee (the "Closing") one or more certificates, properly endorsed
for Transfer, representing such stock to be transferred by such Offeree. At the
Closing, such certificates or other instruments will be transferred and
delivered to the transferee set forth in the Furrow Seller's Notice in
consummation of the transfer of the Offered Stock pursuant to the terms and
conditions specified in such notice, and the Furrow Seller will remit, or will
cause to be remitted, to such Offeree within three (3) business days after such
Closing that portion of the proceeds of the Transfer to which such Offeree is
entitled by reason of such Offeree's participation in such transfer pursuant to
the Right of Co-Sale.
6.5 Multiple Series, Class or Type of Stock. If the Offered Stock consists of
more than one series or class or type of Stock, the Offerees have the right to
purchase or transfer hereunder, as the case may be, each such series, class or
type; provided, however, that if, as to the Right of Co-Sale, an Offeree does
not hold any of such series, class, or type, and the proposed transferee is not
willing, at the Closing, to purchase some other series, class or type of Stock
from such Offeree, or is unwilling to purchase any Stock from such Offeree, then
such Offeree will have the put right (the "Put Right") set forth in Section 6.6
hereof.
6.6 Refusal to Transfer; Put Right.
(a) Refusal to Transfer. Any attempt by a Selling Stockholder to transfer any
Stock in violation of any provision of this Agreement will be void. The Company
will not be required (i) to transfer on its books any Stock that has been sold,
gifted or otherwise transferred in violation of this Agreement or (ii) to treat
as owner of such Stock, or to accord the right to vote or pay dividends to any
purchaser, donee or other transferee to whom such Stock may have been so
transferred.
(b) Put Right. If a member of the Furrow Group transfers any Stock in
contravention of an Offeree's Right of Co-Sale under this Agreement (a
"Prohibited Transfer"), or if the proposed transferee of Offered Stock desires
to purchase only the class, series or type of stock offered by a member of the
Furrow Group or is unwilling to purchase any Stock from an Offeree and the
provisions of Section 6.4 hereof apply, such Offeree may, by delivery of written
notice to the Selling Stockholder (a "Put Notice") within ten (10) days after
(i) the Closing as defined in Section 6.4(b) above or (ii) the date on which
such Offeree becomes aware of the Prohibited Transfer or the terms thereof,
require the Selling Stockholder to purchase from such Offeree for cash or such
other consideration as the Selling Stockholder received in the Prohibited
Transfer or at the Closing that number of shares of Stock (of the same class,
series or type as transferred in the Prohibited Transfer or at the Closing if
such Offeree then owns Stock of such class, series or type; otherwise of Common
Stock) having a purchase price equal to the aggregate purchase price such
Offeree would have received in the closing of such Prohibited Transfer if such
Offeree had elected to exercise its right of Co-Sale with respect thereto or in
the Closing if the proposed transferee had been willing to purchase the Stock of
such Offeree. The closing of such sale to the Selling Stockholder will occur
within seven (7) days after the date of the Put Notice to the Selling
Stockholder.
(c) Stop Transfer Instructions. The members of the Furrow Group agree, to
ensure compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, that the Company
may issue appropriate "stop transfer" certificates or instructions and that,
if the Company transfers its own securities, it may make appropriate notations
to the same effect in its records.
7. BOARD MEETING. Except to the extent that any of the following provisions is
either (i) determined by Nasdaq to violate Nasdaq corporate governance rules or
(ii) is determined by Company counsel in a written opinion to violate the
fiduciary duty of a member of the Board of Directors under Delaware law, the
Company hereby covenants and agrees that:
7.1 Members of the Board of Directors. The Investors shall be entitled to
designate two members of the Board of Directors of the Company and one member
of each subsidiary and one member of each Committee thereof (the "Investors
Directors"). From and after the date of this Agreement and until the provisions
of this Section 7 cease to be effective, each member of the Furrow Group shall
each vote all shares of Common Stock of the Company over which he has voting
control, and will take all other necessary or desirable actions within his
control and the Company will take all necessary and desirable actions within
its control, in order to cause (A) the election to the Board of Directors of
the Company of nominees designated by the Investors (the "Investors Nominees"),
and (B) the election of Joseph Mizrachi as one of the Investors Directors. The
members of the Furrow Group further agree to vote or cause to be voted all of
their shares of Common Stock to elect the Investors Nominees.
7.2 Subsidiaries and Committees. Each of the Investors Nominees shall serve on
the Board of Directors of any subsidiary formed by the Company and on any
committees of the Board of Directors of the Company and each subsidiary.
7.3 Expenses. The Company shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by each director in connection with attending the meetings of the
Board of Directors and any committee thereof and in connection with any projects
assigned to such director by the Board of Directors and any committee thereof.
7.4 Legends on Stock Certificates. The certificates representing shares held by
the Furrow Group and the Investors shall bear the following legend:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN VOTING
LIMITATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN A INVESTOR'S RIGHTS AGREEMENT AMONG
THE COMPANY, THE HOLDER HEREOF AND CERTAIN OTHER SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY, A
COPY OF WHICH AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICES OF THE COMPANY.
7.5 Application of Agreement to After-Acquired-Shares. All of the provisions of
this Section 7 shall apply to all of the shares of Common Stock of the Company,
whether issued before or after the Closing Date, and all securities issued as a
replacement for the shares or with respect to the shares as a result of any
stock dividend, stock split or other similar event.
7.6 Term of the Voting Agreement. This voting agreement shall terminate on the
earliest to occur of (i) the sale of the Company (through a merger,
consolidation, reorganization, refinancing or recapitalization in which the
holders of stock of the Company prior to such transaction do not hold over 51%
of the voting stock of the surviving entity, or the sale of all or substantially
all of the assets or stock of the Company), (ii) the effective time of the
liquidation of the Company, or (iii) three years from the date of this
Agreement.
7.7 Binding Effect on Transferees. This Section 7 and all of the terms,
covenants and conditions herein contained shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of all of the parties hereto and their respective transferees,
successors, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. A condition precedent
to the transfer of any of the Common Stock of the Company to any third party by
any member of the Furrow Group or the Investors is that the transferee shall
become a party to this voting agreement and shall execute any and all
instruments, and take all other actions, necessary to carry out the purposes
of this voting agreement.
7.8 Termination And Waiver.
(a) Termination. The Right of First Refusal and the Right of Co-Sale will
terminate upon ten (3) years from the date hereof.
(b) Waiver. The application of the Right of First Refusal and/or Right of Co-
Sale as to any proposed Transfer by any member of the Furrow Group of any Common
Stock may be waived in advance of or after such transfer by the written
agreement of Common Stock. The Investors will have the absolute right to
exercise or refrain from exercising any right or rights that such party may have
by reason of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right to
purchase or participate in the sale of Offered Stock, and the Investors will not
incur any liability to any other party hereto with respect to exercising or
refraining from exercising any such right or rights. Any waiver by a party of
its rights hereunder will be effective only if evidenced by a written instrument
executed by such party or its authorized representative.
8. AMENDMENT.
8.1 Any provision of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof
may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company
and the Investors (and/or any of their permitted successors or assigns) holding
shares of Common Stock and/or Warrant Shares representing and/or exercisable
into at least a majority of all the Investors's Shares (as defined below).
Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 8.1 shall be
binding upon the Investors, each Holder, each permitted successor or assignee
of such Investors or Holder and the Company.
9. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
9.1 Notices. All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals, and other
communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and, unless
otherwise specified herein, shall be (i) hand delivered, (ii) deposited in the
mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii)
delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid, or (iv)
transmitted by facsimile, addressed as set forth below or to such other address
as such party shall have specified most recently by written notice. Any notice
or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be
deemed effective (a) upon hand delivery or delivery by facsimile, with accurate
confirmation generated by the transmitting facsimile machine, at the address or
number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business
hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following
such delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business
hours where such notice is to be received) or (b) on the first business day
following the date of sending by reputable courier service, fully prepaid,
addressed to such address, or (c) upon actual receipt of such mailing, if
mailed. The addresses for such communications shall be:
If to the Company: Innovo Group, Inc.
1800 North Cherry Street
Knoxville, TN 37917
Attention:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
with a copy to: Jerry L. Sims, Esq.
Sims Moss Kline & Davis LLP
400 Northpark Town Center
1000 Abernathy Rd.
Suite 310
Atlanta, Georgia, 30328
Telephone: (770) 481-7207 Direct
Facsimile: (770) 481-7210
If to the Investor
Group:
Attention:.
Telephone:
Facsimile:
with a copy to:
Telephone: 310-728-3233
Facsimile: 310-728-2233
If to the Furrow Group or to the Board Members, in care of the Company, or at
such other address as such Holder or permitted assignee shall have furnished to
the Company in writing. The parties hereto may from time to time change their
address or facsimile number for notices under this Section 9.1 by giving written
notice of such changed address or facsimile number to the other parties hereto
as provided in this Section 9.1.
9.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, together with
all the Exhibits hereto and thereto, constitute and contain the entire agreement
and understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes any and all prior negotiations, correspondence, agreements,
understandings, duties or obligations between the parties respecting the subject
matter hereof.
9.3 Governing Law/Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
exclusively in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York. Each
party (a) agrees to file all legal actions relating to this Agreement and
transactions contemplated hereby in a federal or state court in the State of New
York; (b) to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware;
and (c) to refrain from attempting to change the venue of any action filed by
the other party in the State of Delaware.
9.4 Severability. If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held to be
unenforceable under applicable law, then such provision(s) shall be excluded
from this Agreement and the balance of this Agreement shall be interpreted as if
such provision(s) were so excluded and shall be enforceable in accordance with
its terms.
9.5 Survival. The representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements made
herein shall survive any investigation made by any Holder and the closing of the
transactions contemplated hereby. All statements as to factual matters
contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of
the Company pursuant hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be deemed to be representations and warranties by the Company
hereunder solely as of the date of such certificate or instrument.
9.6 Delays or Omissions. It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise any
right, power, or remedy accruing to any Holder, upon any breach, default or
noncompliance of the Company under this Agreement shall impair any such right,
power, or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach,
default or noncompliance, or any acquiescence therein, or of any similar breach,
default or noncompliance thereafter occurring. It is further agreed that any
waiver, permit, consent, or approval of any kind or character of any Holder's
part of any breach, default or noncompliance under the Agreement or any waiver
on such Holder's part of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement must be
in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in
such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement, by law, or otherwise
afforded to Holders, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
9.7 Successors And Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the successors and permitted assigns of
the parties hereto.
9.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and
the same instrument.
9.9 Costs And Attorneys' Fees. In the event that any dispute among the parties
results in litigation, the prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to
recover from the other party all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of
enforcing any right of the prevailing party, including without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses; provided, however, that in the case of
any negotiated settlement of any litigation or arbitration between the parties,
there shall be no "prevailing party" for purposes of this Section 9.10. As used
herein, the term "attorneys' fees" shall be deemed to mean the full and actual
cost of any legal services actually performed in connection with the matters
involved, calculated on the basis of usual fees charged by the attorneys
performing such services.
9.10 Adjustments for Stock Splits and Certain Other Changes. Wherever in this
Agreement there is a reference to a specific number of shares of Common Stock of
the Company of any class or series, then, upon the occurrence of any
subdivision, combination or stock dividend of such class or series of stock, the
specific number of shares so referenced in this Agreement shall automatically be
proportionally adjusted to reflect the affect on the outstanding shares of such
class or series of stock by such subdivision, combination or stock dividend.
9.11 Aggregation of Stock. All shares held or acquired by affiliated entities
or persons shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the
availability of any rights under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
date and year first above written.
INNOVO GROUP, INC.
By: /s/Samuel J. Furrow, Jr.
------------------------
Samuel J. Furrow, Jr., COO
THIRD MILLENIUM PROPERTIES, INC.
By: /s/ Joseph Mizrachi
-------------------
Joseph Mizrachi, President
JAML, LLC
By: /s/ Joseph Mizrachi
-------------------
Joseph Mizrachi, Managing Member
INNOVATION, LLC
By: /s/ Joseph Mizrachi
-------------------
Joseph Mizrachi, Managing Member
/s/ SAM FURROW
- --------------
SAM FURROW
/s/ JAY FURROW
- --------------
JAY FURROW (re Co-Sale and Right of First Refusal)
/s/ PAT ANDERSON
- ----------------
PAT ANDERSON (re Co-Sale and Right of First Refusal)
/s/ DR. JOHN LOONEY
- -------------------
DR. JOHN LOONEY (re Right of First Refusal)
/s/ MARC B. CROSSMAN
- --------------------
MARC B. CROSSMAN (re Right of First Refusal)
/s/ DAN PAGE
- ------------
DAN PAGE (re Right of First Refusal)
Appendix A
Section 4.18. Supermajority Requirements. (a) Except to the extent that any
of the following provisions of this Section 4.18 are determined by Nasdaq to
violate Nasdaq corporate governance rules: until November 1, 2000, the number
of members of the Board of Directors shall be set at between three and seven,
with the exact number to be designated by the Board of Directors, and the
actions specified in subsection 4.18(b) hereof shall require the unanimous
approval of all of the members of the Board of Directors; and from November 2,
2000 until November 1, 2003, the number of members of the Board of Directors
shall be set at between three and twelve, with the exact number to be designated
by the Board of Directors, and the actions specified in subsection 4.18(b)
hereof shall require the approval of a number of directors equal to the number
of members of the Board of Directors at the time the action is being considered,
minus two.
(b) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall, without the
approval of the Board of Directors as specified in subsection 4.18(a) above, do
or commit to do any of the following:
(1) other than the sale of the Corporation's NASCO Products International, Inc.
subsidiary, sell all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation,
merge or consolidate the Corporation or otherwise effect the transfer of
ownership of the Corporation (other than (i) where the holders of voting
securities of the Corporation immediately prior to such merger or consolidation
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, a majority of the combined voting
power of the surviving entity resulting from such merger or consolidation, or
(ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation,
merger or consolidation of the Corporation or other transfer of ownership of the
Corporation) or effect any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
Corporation;
(2) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of $500,000, or grant,
create or permit the imposition of any lien, charge, security interest or other
encumbrance upon any of the assets or properties of the Corporation or any
subsidiary, other than ordinary course trade payables, accounts receivable
factoring and financings of budgeted capital expenditures reflected in annual
budgets approved by the Board of Directors;
(3) amend or modify (A) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or (B) documentation relating to
indebtedness for borrowed money of the Corporation or any subsidiary, other
than indebtedness permitted under 4.18.(b)(2) above;
(4) enter into any transaction between or among the Corporation and/or any
subsidiary, on the one hand, and any of their respective equity owners,
directors, officers, employees or affiliates, on the other hand on terms less
favorable to the Corporation than it could otherwise receive in an arms length
transaction;
(5) make any payment on account of, or set aside any assets for a sinking or
other analogous fund for, the purchase redemption, defeasance, retirement or
other acquisition of any equity interest or the Corporation or any subsidiary;
(6) voluntarily liquidate, wind-up, dissolve or commence any bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, debt arrangement or other case or proceeding under
any bankruptcy or insolvency law or make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors;
(7) make any investment in one or more entities; or
(8) adopt any equity based or phantom incentive plan or program for the
Corporation or any subsidiary;
(9) prior to December 31, 2000, issue any form of Corporation equity except as
agreed in writing on or before August 11, 2000 and, until December 31, 2002,
issue any Corporation equity at or below market price. For purposes of this
paragraph 9, "market price" shall be defined as the closing average price of the
Common Stock for the 30 calendar days preceding the date of a proposed issuance;
or
(10) amend this Section 4.18.
Exhibit 10.76
NEITHER THIS WARRANT NOR THE SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF HAVE BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT")
OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH OTHER SECURITIES LAWS.
NEITHER THIS WARRANT NOR THE SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF MAY BE SOLD,
PLEDGED, TRANSFERRED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR IN A TRANSACTION
WHICH IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT A
To Purchase 850,000 Shares of Common Stock of
INNOVO GROUP, INC.
THIS CERTIFIES that, for value received, ____________________________(the
"Holder"), is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter
set forth, on or prior to the close of business on October 31, 2003 (the
"Termination Date") but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from
Innovo Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), up to eight-hundred
and fifty thousand (850,000) shares (the "Warrant Shares") of Common Stock, $.10
par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock"). The purchase price of one share
of Common Stock (the "Exercise Price") under this Warrant shall be $2.00, as
provided for in that certain Common Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated
as of October 31, 2000 pursuant to which this Warrant has been issued (the
"Purchase Agreement"). The Exercise Price and the number of shares for which the
Warrant is exercisable shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein. In the
event of any conflict between the terms of this Warrant and the Purchase
Agreement, the Purchase Agreement shall control. Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth for such terms in the
Purchase Agreement.
1. Title to Warrant. Prior to the Termination Date and subject to compliance
with applicable laws and the terms of this Warrant, this Warrant and all rights
hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, at the office or agency of the
Company by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this Warrant together with the Assignment Form annexed hereto
properly endorsed.
2. Authorization of Shares. The Company covenants that all shares of Common
Stock which may be issued upon the exercise of rights represented by this
Warrant will, upon exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant, be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all
taxes, liens and charges in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in
respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
3. Exercise of Warrant. Except as provided in Section 5 herein, exercise of the
purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made at any time or times
pursuant to the Vesting Schedule, and before the close of business on the
Termination Date by the surrender of this Warrant and the Notice of Exercise
Form annexed hereto duly executed, at the office of the Company (or such other
office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the
registered holder hereof at the address of such holder appearing on the books of
the Company) and upon payment of the Exercise Price of the shares thereby
purchased by wire transfer or cashier's check drawn on a United States bank, the
holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the number
of shares of Common Stock so purchased. Certificates for shares purchased
hereunder shall be delivered to the holder hereof within five (5) Trading Days
after the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as aforesaid.
This Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised and such certificate or
certificates shall be deemed to have been issued, and Holder or any other person
so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become a holder of
record of such shares for all purposes, as of the date the Holder faxes a Notice
of Exercise to the Company, provided that such fax notice is followed by
delivery of the original notice and payment to the Company of the Exercise Price
and all taxes required to be paid by Holder, if any, pursuant to Section 6 prior
to the issuance of such shares, have been paid within three (3) Trading Days of
such fax notice. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company
shall, at the time of delivery of the certificate or certificates representing
Warrant Shares, deliver to Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of Holder
to purchase the unpurchased shares of Common Stock called for by this Warrant,
which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant. If
there is no registration in effect permitting the resale by the Holder of the
Warrant Shares at any time from and after one year from the issuance date of
this Warrant, then the Holder shall have the right to a "cashless exercise" in
which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the number of
shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A) = the average of the high and low trading prices per share of Common Stock
on the Trading Day preceding the date of such election;
(B) = the Exercise Price of the Warrant; and
(X) = the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant in accordance
with the terms of this Warrant.
4. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing
fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any
fraction of a share which Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon
such exercise, the Company shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final
fraction in an amount equal to the Exercise Price.
5. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of certificates for shares of Common
Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to the
holder hereof for any issue or federal or state transfer tax or other incidental
expense in respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and
expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be issued in
the name of the holder of this Warrant or in such name or names as may be
directed by the holder of this Warrant; provided, however, that in the event
certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than
the name of the holder of this Warrant, this Warrant when surrendered for
exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly
executed by the holder hereof; and the Company may require, as a condition
thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax
incidental thereto.
6. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its shareholder books or
records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant.
7. Transfer, Division and Combination. (a) the Holder (and its transferees and
assigns), by acceptance of this Warrant, covenants and agrees that it is
acquiring the Warrants evidenced hereby, and, upon exercise hereof, the Warrant
Shares, for its own account as an investment and not with a view to
distribution thereof. The Warrant Shares have not been registered under the
Securities Act or any state securities laws and no transfer of any Warrant
Shares shall be permitted unless the Company has received notice of such
transfer, at the address of its principal office set forth in the Purchase
Agreement, in the form of assignment attached hereto, accompanied by an opinion
of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company that an exemption from
registration of such Warrants or Warrant Shares under the Securities Act is
available for such transfer, except that no such opinion shall be required after
the registration for resale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares, as contemplated
by the Investor Rights Agreement. Upon any exercise of the Warrants,
certificates representing the Warrant Shares shall bear a restrictive legend
substantially identical to that set forth on the face of this Warrant
certificate. Any purported transfer of any Warrant or Warrant Shares not in
compliance with the provisions of this section shall be null and void.
(b) This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon
presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a
written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are
to be issued, signed by Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance
with Section 8(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or
combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in
exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance
with such notice.
(c) The Company shall prepare, issue and deliver at its own
expense (other than transfer taxes) the new Warrant or Warrants under this
Section 8.
(d) The Company agrees to maintain, at its aforesaid office,
books for the registration and the registration of transfer of the Warrants.
8. No Rights as Shareholder until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle the
holder hereof to any voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the
Company prior to the exercise hereof. Upon the surrender of this Warrant and
the payment of the aggregate Exercise Price, the Warrant Shares so purchased
shall be and be deemed to be issued to such holder as the record owner of such
shares as of the close of business on the later of the date of such surrender or
payment.
9. Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants
that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of
the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant certificate or any
stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which shall
not exceed that customarily charged by the Company's transfer agent), and upon
surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated,
the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like
tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock
certificate.
10. Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the
taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein
shall be a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, then such action may be taken or
such right may be exercised on the next succeeding day not a Saturday, Sunday or
legal holiday.
11. Adjustments of Exercise Price and Number of Warrant Shares. Stock Splits,
etc. The number and kind of securities purchasable upon the exercise of this
Warrant and the Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time
upon the happening of any of the following. In case the Company shall (i) pay
a dividend in shares of Common Stock or make a distribution in shares of Common
Stock to holders of its outstanding Common Stock, (ii) subdivide its outstanding
shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock, (iii)
combine its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares
of Common Stock or (iv) issue any shares of its capital stock in a
reclassification of the Common Stock, then the number of Warrant Shares
purchasable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately prior thereto shall be
adjusted so that the holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive the
kind and number of Warrant Shares or other securities of the Company which he
would have been entitled to receive had such Warrant been exercised in advance
thereof. Upon each such adjustment of the kind and number of Warrant Shares or
other securities of the Company which are purchasable hereunder, the holder of
this Warrant shall thereafter be entitled to purchase the number of Warrant
Shares or other securities resulting from such adjustment at an Exercise Price
per Warrant Share or other security obtained by multiplying the Exercise Price
in effect immediately prior to such adjustment by the number of Warrant Shares
purchasable pursuant hereto immediately prior to such adjustment and dividing by
the number of Warrant Shares or other securities of the Company resulting from
such adjustment. An adjustment made pursuant to this paragraph shall become
effective immediately after the effective date of such event retroactive to
the record date, if any, for such event.
12. Reorganization, Reclassification, Merger, Consolidation or Disposition of
Assets. In case the Company shall reorganize its capital, reclassify its
capital stock, consolidate or merge with or into another corporation (where the
Company is not the surviving corporation or where there is a change in or
distribution with respect to the Common Stock of the Company), or sell, transfer
or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its property, assets or
business to another corporation and, pursuant to the terms of such
reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or disposition of
assets, shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation, or any
cash, shares of stock or other securities or property of any nature whatsoever
(including warrants or other subscription or purchase rights) in addition to or
in lieu of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation ("Other
Property"), are to be received by or distributed to the holders of Common Stock
of the Company, then Holder shall have the right thereafter to receive, upon
exercise of this Warrant, the number of shares of common stock of the successor
or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation,
and Other Property receivable upon or as a result of such reorganization,
reclassification, merger, consolidation or disposition of assets by a holder of
the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable
immediately prior to such event. In case of any such reorganization,
reclassification, merger, consolidation or disposition of assets, the successor
or acquiring corporation (if other than the Company) shall expressly assume the
due and punctual observance and performance of each and every covenant and
condition of this Warrant to be performed and observed by the Company and all
the obligations and liabilities hereunder, subject to such modifications as may
be deemed appropriate (as determined in good faith by resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Company) in order to provide for adjustments of shares of
Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable which shall be as nearly
equivalent as practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Section 13.
For purposes of this Section 13, "common stock of the successor or acquiring
corporation" shall include stock of such corporation of any class which is not
preferred as to dividends or assets over any other class of stock of such
corporation and which is not subject to redemption and shall also include any
evidences of indebtedness, shares of stock or other securities which are
convertible into or exchangeable for any such stock, either immediately or upon
the arrival of a specified date or the happening of a specified event and any
warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any such stock. The
foregoing provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive
reorganizations, reclassifications, mergers, consolidations or disposition of
assets.
13. Voluntary Adjustment by the Company. The Company may at any time during the
term of this Warrant, reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and
for any period of time deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of the
Company.
14. Notice of Adjustment. Whenever the number of Warrant Shares or number or
kind of securities or other property purchasable upon the exercise of this
Warrant or the Exercise Price is adjusted, as herein provided, the Company
shall promptly mail by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
to the holder of this Warrant notice of such adjustment or adjustments setting
forth the number of Warrant Shares (and other securities or property)
purchasable upon the exercise of this Warrant and the Exercise Price of such
Warrant Shares (and other securities or property) after such adjustment,
setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment and
setting forth the computation by which such adjustment was made. Such notice,
in the absence of manifest error, shall be conclusive evidence of the
correctness of such adjustment.
15. Notice of Corporate Action. If at any time:
(a) the Company shall take a record of the holders of its
Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or other
distribution, or any right to subscribe for or purchase any evidences of its
indebtedness, any shares of stock of any class or any other securities or
property, or to receive any other right, or
(b) there shall be any capital reorganization of the
Company, any reclassification or recapitalization of the capital stock of the
Company or any consolidation or merger of the Company with, or any sale,
transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all the property, assets
or business of the Company to, another corporation or,
(c) there shall be a voluntary or involuntary dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the Company;
then, in any one or more of such cases, the Company shall give to Holder (i) at
least 10 days' prior written notice of the record date for such dividend,
distribution or right or for determining rights to vote in respect of any such
reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, sale, transfer,
disposition, liquidation or winding up, and (ii) in the case of any such
reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, sale, transfer,
disposition, dissolution, liquidation or winding up, at least 10 days' prior
written notice of the date when the same shall take place. Such notice in
accordance with the foregoing clause also shall specify (i) the date on which
any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or
right, the date on which the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to any
such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character thereof, and
(ii) the date on which any such reorganization, reclassification, merger,
consolidation, sale, transfer, disposition, dissolution, liquidation or winding
up is to take place and the time, if any such time is to be fixed, as of which
the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common
Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such disposition,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Each such written notice shall be
sufficiently given if addressed to Holder at the last address of Holder
appearing on the books of the Company and delivered in accordance with Section
18(d).
16. Authorized Shares. The Company covenants that during the period the Warrant
is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a
sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares
upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company
further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full
authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock
certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for the Warrant
Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company
will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such
Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any
applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Principal Market
upon which the Common Stock may be listed.
The Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending
its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of
assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any
other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of
any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in
the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may
be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder against impairment.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (a) not
increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the
exercise of this Warrant above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise
immediately prior to such increase in par value, (b) take all such action as
may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and
legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon the
exercise of this Warrant, and (c) use its best efforts to obtain all such
authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having
jurisdiction thereof as may be necessary to enable the Company to perform its
obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing the current
Exercise Price below the then par value, if any, of the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, the Company shall take any corporate
action which may be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally
issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of such Common Stock at such adjusted
Exercise Price.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of
shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise
Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof,
or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or
bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
17. Miscellaneous.
(a) Jurisdiction. This Warrant shall be binding upon any successors or assigns
of the Company. This Warrant shall constitute a contract under the laws of New
York without regard to its conflict of law, principles or rules.
(b) Restrictions. The holder hereof acknowledges that the Warrant Shares
acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, will have
restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
(c) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to
exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of
such right or otherwise prejudice Holder's rights, powers or remedies,
notwithstanding all rights hereunder terminate on the Termination Date. If the
Company fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, the Company shall
pay to Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and
expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees, including
those of appellate proceedings, incurred by Holder in collecting any amounts due
pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies
hereunder.
(d) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be
given or delivered to the holder hereof by the Company shall be delivered in
accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
(e) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of affirmative
action by Holder to purchase shares of Common Stock, and no enumeration herein
of the rights or privileges of Holder hereof, shall give rise to any liability
of Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the
Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of
the Company.
(f) Remedies. Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights
granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific
performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary
damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a
breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive the
defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be
adequate.
(g) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this
Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors of the Company and the successors
and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to
be for the benefit of all Holders from time to time of this Warrant and shall be
enforceable by any such Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
(h) Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Holder
from and against any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, attorneys' fees, expenses and
disbursements of any kind which may be imposed upon, incurred by or asserted
against Holder in any manner relating to or arising out of any failure by the
Company to perform or observe in any material respect any of its covenants,
agreements, undertakings or obligations set forth in this Warrant; provided,
however, that the Company will not be liable hereunder to the extent that any
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits, claims, costs, attorneys' fees, expenses or disbursements are found in
a final non-appealable judgment by a court to have resulted from Holder's
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.
(i) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions
hereof waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
(j) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under
applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such
prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions
or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
(k) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of
reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its
officer thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: October 31, 2000
INNOVO GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Samuel J. Furrow, Jr.
-------------------------
Samuel J. Furrow, Jr., COO
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
To: Innovo Group, Inc.
The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ shares of Common Stock
(the "Common Stock"), of Innovo Group, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the
attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full,
together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of Common
Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified
below:
_______________________________
(Name)
_______________________________
(Address)
_______________________________
Dated:
______________________________
Signature
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing warrant, execute
this form and supply required information.
Do not use this form to exercise the warrant.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are
hereby assigned to
_______________________________________________ whose address is
_______________________________________________________________.
_______________________________________________________________
Dated: ______________, _______
Holder's Signature: _____________________________
Holder's Address: _____________________________
_____________________________
Signature Guaranteed: ___________________________________________
NOTE: The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name as it
appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or any
change whatsoever, and must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company. Officers
of corporations and those acting in an fiduciary or other representative
capacity should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing
Warrant.
Exhibit 10.77
NEITHER THIS WARRANT NOR THE SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF
HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
(THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS IN
RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF
THE SECURITIES ACT AND SUCH OTHER SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS
WARRANT NOR THE SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF MAY BE SOLD,
PLEDGED, TRANSFERRED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT
PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OR IN A TRANSACTION WHICH IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION
UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT B
To Purchase 850,000 Shares of Common Stock of
INNOVO GROUP, INC.
THIS CERTIFIES that, for value received, ____________________________(the
"Holder"), is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter
set forth, on or prior to the close of business on October 31, 2003 (the
"Termination Date") but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from
Innovo Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), up to eight-hundred
and fifty thousand (850,000) shares (the "Warrant Shares") of Common Stock, $.10
par value, of the Company (the "Common Stock"). The purchase price of one share
of Common Stock (the "Exercise Price") under this Warrant shall be $2.00, as
provided for in that certain Common Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated
as of October 31, 2000 pursuant to which this Warrant has been issued (the
"Purchase Agreement"). The Exercise Price and the number of shares for which
the Warrant is exercisable shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.
In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Warrant and the Purchase
Agreement, the Purchase Agreement shall control. Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth for such terms in the
Purchase Agreement.
1. Title to Warrant. Prior to the Termination Date and subject to compliance
with applicable laws and the terms of this Warrant, this Warrant and all rights
hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, at the office or agency of the
Company by the holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this Warrant together with the Assignment Form annexed hereto
properly endorsed.
2. Authorization of Shares. The Company covenants that all shares of
Common Stock which may be issued upon the exercise of rights represented by this
Warrant will, upon exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant, be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all
taxes, liens and charges in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in
respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
3. Exercise of Warrant. Except as provided in Section 5 herein, exercise of
the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made at any time or times
pursuant to the Vesting Schedule, and before the close of business on the
Termination Date by the surrender of this Warrant and the Notice of Exercise
Form annexed hereto duly executed, at the office of the Company (or such other
office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to the
registered holder hereof at the address of such holder appearing on the books of
the Company) and upon payment of the Exercise Price of the shares thereby
purchased by wire transfer or cashier's check drawn on a United States bank,
the holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the
number of shares of Common Stock so purchased. Certificates for shares purchased
hereunder shall be delivered to the holder hereof within five (5) Trading Days
after the date on which this Warrant shall have been exercised as aforesaid.
This Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised and such certificate or
certificates shall be deemed to have been issued, and Holder or any other person
so designated to be named therein shall be deemed to have become a holder of
record of such shares for all purposes, as of the date the Holder faxes a Notice
of Exercise to the Company, provided that such fax notice is followed
by delivery of the original notice and payment to the Company of the Exercise
Price and all taxes required to be paid by Holder, if any, pursuant to Section 6
prior to the issuance of such shares, have been paid within three (3) Trading
Days of such fax notice. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part,
the Company shall, at the time of delivery of the certificate or certificates
representing Warrant Shares, deliver to Holder a new Warrant evidencing the
rights of Holder to purchase the unpurchased shares of Common Stock called for
by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with
this Warrant. If there is no registration in effect permitting the resale by the
Holder of the Warrant Shares at any time from and after one year from the
issuance date of this Warrant, then the Holder shall have the right to a
"cashless exercise" in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a
certificate for the number of shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing
[(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:
(A) = the average of the high and low trading prices per share of Common Stock
on the Trading Day preceding the date of such election;
(B) = the Exercise Price of the Warrant; and
(X) = the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant in accordance
with the terms of this Warrant.
4. No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing
fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any
fraction of a share which Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon
such exercise, the Company shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final
fraction in an amount equal to the Exercise Price.
5. Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of certificates for shares of
Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be made without charge to
the holder hereof for any issue or federal or state transfer tax or other
incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such certificate, all of which
taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such certificates shall be
issued in the name of the holder of this Warrant or in such name or names as may
be directed by the holder of this Warrant; provided, however, that in the event
certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than
the name of the holder of this Warrant, this Warrant when surrendered for
exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly
executed by the holder hereof; and the Company may require, as a condition
thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer
tax incidental thereto.
6. Closing of Books. The Company will not close its shareholder books or
records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant.
7. Transfer, Division and Combination. (a) the Holder (and its
transferees and assigns), by acceptance of this Warrant, covenants and agrees
that it is acquiring the Warrants evidenced hereby, and, upon exercise hereof,
the Warrant Shares, for its own account as an investment and not with a view
to distribution thereof. The Warrant Shares have not been registered under the
Securities Act or any state securities laws and no transfer of any Warrant
Shares shall be permitted unless the Company has received notice of such
transfer, at the address of its principal office set forth in the Purchase
Agreement, in the form of assignment attached hereto, accompanied by an opinion
of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company that an exemption from
registration of such Warrants or Warrant Shares under the Securities Act
is available for such transfer, except that no such opinion shall be required
after the registration for resale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares, as
contemplated by the Investor Rights Agreement. Upon any exercise of the
Warrants, certificates representing the Warrant Shares shall bear a restrictive
legend substantially identical to that set forth on the face of this Warrant
certificate. Any purported transfer of any Warrant or Warrant Shares not in
compliance with the provisions of this section shall be null and void.
(b) This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon
presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a
written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants
are to be issued, signed by Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to
compliance with Section 8(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such
division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or
Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in
accordance with such notice.
(c) The Company shall prepare, issue and deliver at its own expense
(other than transfer taxes) the new Warrant or Warrants under this Section 8.
(d) The Company agrees to maintain, at its aforesaid office, books for
the registration and the registration of transfer of the Warrants.
8. No Rights as Shareholder until Exercise. This Warrant does not entitle
the holder hereof to any voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the
Company prior to the exercise hereof. Upon the surrender of this Warrant and
the payment of the aggregate Exercise Price, the Warrant Shares so purchased
shall be and be deemed to be issued to such holder as the record owner of such
shares as of the close of business on the later of the date of such surrender
or payment.
9. Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants
that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of
the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant certificate or any
stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft
or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which
shall not exceed that customarily charged by the Company's transfer agent), and
upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if
mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate
of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or
stock certificate.
10. Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the
taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein
shall be a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday, then such action may be taken or
such right may be exercised on the next succeeding day not a Saturday, Sunday or
legal holiday.
11. Adjustments of Exercise Price and Number of Warrant Shares. Stock
Splits, etc. The number and kind of securities purchasable upon the exercise of
this Warrant and the Exercise Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to
time upon the happening of any of the following. In case the Company shall (i)
pay a dividend in shares of Common Stock or make a distribution in shares of
Common Stock to holders of its outstanding Common Stock, (ii) subdivide its
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common
Stock, (iii) combine its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller
number of shares of Common Stock or (iv) issue any shares of its capital stock
in a reclassification of the Common Stock, then the number of Warrant Shares
purchasable upon exercise of this Warrant immediately prior thereto shall be
adjusted so that the holder of this Warrant shall be entitled to receive the
kind and number of Warrant Shares or other securities of the Company which he
would have been entitled to receive had such Warrant been exercised in advance
thereof. Upon each such adjustment of the kind and number of Warrant Shares or
other securities of the Company which are purchasable hereunder, the holder of
this Warrant shall thereafter be entitled to purchase the number of Warrant
Shares or other securities resulting from such adjustment at an Exercise
Price per Warrant Share or other security obtained by multiplying the Exercise
Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment by the number of Warrant
Shares purchasable pursuant hereto immediately prior to such adjustment and
dividing by the number of Warrant Shares or other securities of the Company
resulting from such adjustment. An adjustment made pursuant to this paragraph
shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such event
retroactive to the record date, if any, for such event.
12. Reorganization, Reclassification, Merger, Consolidation or Disposition of
Assets. In case the Company shall reorganize its capital, reclassify its
capital stock, consolidate or merge with or into another corporation (where
the Company is not the surviving corporation or where there is a change in or
distribution with respect to the Common Stock of the Company), or sell, transfer
or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its property, assets or
business to another corporation and, pursuant to the terms of such
reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or disposition of
assets, shares of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation, or
any cash, shares of stock or other securities or property of any nature
whatsoever (including warrants or other subscription or purchase rights) in
addition to or in lieu of common stock of the successor or acquiring corporation
("Other Property"), are to be received by or distributed to the holders of
Common Stock of the Company, then Holder shall have the right thereafter to
receive, upon exercise of this Warrant, the number of shares of common stock
of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the
surviving corporation, and Other Property receivable upon or as a result of
such reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or disposition of
assets by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this
Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such event. In case of any such
reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or disposition of
assets, the successor or acquiring corporation (if other than the Company) shall
expressly assume the due and punctual observance and performance of each and
every covenant and condition of this Warrant to be performed and observed by
the Company and all the obligations and liabilities hereunder, subject to such
modifications as may be deemed appropriate (as determined in good faith by
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company) in order to provide for
adjustments of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable
which shall be as nearly equivalent as practicable to the adjustments provided
for in this Section 13. For purposes of this Section 13, "common stock of the
successor or acquiring corporation" shall include stock of such corporation of
any class which is not preferred as to dividends or assets over any other class
of stock of such corporation and which is not subject to redemption and shall
also include any evidences of indebtedness, shares of stock or other securities
which are convertible into or exchangeable for any such stock, either
immediately or upon the arrival of a specified date or the happening of a
specified event and any warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase
any such stock. The foregoing provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly
apply to successive reorganizations, reclassifications, mergers, consolidations
or disposition of assets.
13. Voluntary Adjustment by the Company. The Company may at any time
during the term of this Warrant, reduce the then current Exercise Price to any
amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors
of the Company.
14. Notice of Adjustment. Whenever the number of Warrant Shares or
number or kind of securities or other property purchasable upon the exercise of
this Warrant or the Exercise Price is adjusted, as herein provided, the Company
shall promptly mail by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
to the holder of this Warrant notice of such adjustment or adjustments setting
forth the number of Warrant Shares (and other securities or property)
purchasable upon the exercise of this Warrant and the Exercise Price of such
Warrant Shares (and other securities or property) after such adjustment, setting
forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment and setting forth
the computation by which such adjustment was made. Such notice, in the absence
of manifest error, shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of such
adjustment.
15. Notice of Corporate Action. If at any time:
(a) the Company shall take a record of the holders of its
Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or other
distribution, or any right to subscribe for or purchase any evidences of its
indebtedness, any shares of stock of any class or any other securities or
property, or to receive any other right, or
(b) there shall be any capital reorganization of the Company, any
reclassification or recapitalization of the capital stock of the Company or any
consolidation or merger of the Company with, or any sale, transfer or other
disposition of all or substantially all the property, assets or business of
the Company to, another corporation or,
(c) there shall be a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding up of the Company;
then, in any one or more of such cases, the Company shall give to Holder (i) at
least 10 days' prior written notice of the record date for such dividend,
distribution or right or for determining rights to vote in respect of any such
reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, sale, transfer,
disposition, liquidation or winding up, and (ii) in the case of any
such reorganization, reclassification, merger, consolidation, sale, transfer,
disposition, dissolution, liquidation or winding up, at least 10 days' prior
written notice of the date when the same shall take place. Such notice in
accordance with the foregoing clause also shall specify (i) the date on which
any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution
or right, the date on which the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to
any such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character thereof,
and (ii) the date on which any such reorganization, reclassification, merger,
consolidation, sale, transfer, disposition, dissolution, liquidation or winding
up is to take place and the time, if any such time is to be fixed, as of which
the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common
Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such disposition,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Each such written notice shall be
sufficiently given if addressed to Holder at the last address of Holder
appearing on the books of the Company and delivered in accordance with Section
18(d).
16. Authorized Shares. The Company covenants that during the period the
Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common
Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant
Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company
further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full
authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of executing stock
certificates to execute and issue the necessary certificates for the Warrant
Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company
will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such
Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any
applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Principal Market
upon which the Common Stock may be listed.
The Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation,
amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization,
transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of
securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance
or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in
good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of
all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of
Holder against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Company will (a) not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock
receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant above the amount payable therefor
upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (b)
take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the
Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of
Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant, and (c) use its best efforts
to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public
regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof as may be necessary to enable
the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.
Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing the
current Exercise Price below the then par value, if any, of the shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, the Company shall take any
corporate action which may be necessary in order that the Company may validly
and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of such Common Stock at
such adjusted Exercise Price.
Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the
number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the
Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions
thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory
body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.
17. Miscellaneous.
(a) Jurisdiction. This Warrant shall be binding upon any successors or
assigns of the Company. This Warrant shall constitute a contract under the laws
of New York without regard to its conflict of law, principles or rules.
(b) Restrictions. The holder hereof acknowledges that the Warrant Shares
acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, will have
restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.
(c) Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to
exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a
waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice Holder's rights, powers or remedies,
notwithstanding all rights hereunder terminate on the Termination Date. If the
Company fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, the Company shall
pay to Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and
expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees, including
those of appellate proceedings, incurred by Holder in collecting any amounts
due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or
remedies hereunder.
(d) Notices. Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be
given or delivered to the holder hereof by the Company shall be delivered in
accordance with the notice provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
(e) Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of
affirmative action by Holder to purchase shares of Common Stock, and no
enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of Holder hereof, shall give
rise to any liability of Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or
as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the
Company or by creditors of the Company.
(f) Remedies. Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all
rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to
specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees
that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred
by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees
to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at
law would be adequate.
(g) Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this
Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors of the Company and the successors
and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to
be for the benefit of all Holders from time to time of this Warrant and shall be
enforceable by any such Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.
(h) Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Holder
from and against any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, claims, costs, attorneys' fees, expenses and
disbursements of any kind which may be imposed upon, incurred by or asserted
against Holder in any manner relating to or arising out of any failure by the
Company to perform or observe in any material respect any of its covenants,
agreements, undertakings or obligations set forth in this Warrant; provided,
however, that the Company will not be liable hereunder to the extent that any
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
claims, costs, attorneys' fees, expenses or disbursements are found in a final
non-appealable judgment by a court to have resulted from Holder's negligence,
bad faith or willful misconduct.
(i) Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof
waived with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.
(j) Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law,
but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under
applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such
prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions
or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.
(k) Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of
reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed
by its officer thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: October 31, 2000
INNOVO GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Samuel J. Furrow, Jr.
-------------------------
Samuel J. Furrow, Jr.
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
To: Innovo Group, Inc.
(1) The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ shares of Common
Stock (the "Common Stock"), of Innovo Group, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the
attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full,
together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
(2) Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of
Common Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is
specified below:
_______________________________
(Name)
_______________________________
(Address)
_______________________________
Dated:
______________________________
Signature
ASSIGNMENT FORM
(To assign the foregoing warrant, execute
this form and supply required information.
Do not use this form to exercise the warrant.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are
hereby assigned to
_______________________________________________ whose address is
_______________________________________________________________.
_______________________________________________________________
Dated: ______________, _______
Holder's Signature: _____________________________
Holder's Address: _____________________________
_____________________________
Signature Guaranteed: ___________________________________________
NOTE: The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name as it
appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or any
change whatsoever, and must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company. Officers
of corporations and those acting in an fiduciary or other representative
capacity should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing
Warrant.
Exhibit 10.78
INNOVO GROUP INC.
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
5.2 Capitalization, Registration Rights
Certain individuals and entities who have purchased the Company's stock and/or
warrants in private placements as required under this transaction do have demand
and piggy-back registration rights. These shareholders will be registering
their shares on the S-3 or other registration statement filed following the
closing of this transaction.
5.3 Common Stock, Compliance with Exchange Act Requirements
The Company has been deemed to be out of compliance with the SEC filing
requirement due to the fact the Company failed to deliver proxy statements with
the requisite Officer and Director compensation disclosure schedule within the
60 days following the filing of its 10-K. The Company has since filed an
amended 10-K. The SEC has granted the Company a 60 day waiver in regards to the
filing of an S-3 but such extension has expired. The Company is resubmitting a
request to the SEC for an additional extension. The Company, as of October 24,
2000, has not been granted an extension from the SEC. If the Company is not
allowed to use the Form S-3, the Company will then effect the registration of
the purchased shares using Form S-1 or SB-2.
5.3 Common Stock, Outstanding Shares
Prior to the Mizrachi and Commerce transactions, the Company has
10,091,261 shares of common stock outstanding.
5.3 Capitalization, Options
The Board of Directors approved and option package for Pat Anderson and
Jay Furrow. The options have not been issued due to the fact that the Company
was bringing in new investors. The Company does have verbal commitments to
issue options to certain employees who have assisted the Company in closing its
facilities and moving its manufacturing operations to Mexico.
5.4 Common Stock, Nasdaq Non-Compliance Letter
The Company has received a letter from NASDAQ dated March 15, 2000 regarding its
continued listing on the SmallCap Market. The letter noted that the Company is
out of compliance with the marketplace rules and that the Company must submit to
NASDAQ its plan for achieving compliance with the rules. On March 24, 2000 the
Company sent Nasdaq a plan to bring the Company back into compliance with the
NASDAQ listing requirements. On May 22, 2000, the Company was informed that the
Nasdaq Staff would not accept the Company's plan. The Company appeared before
the Nasdaq listing qualifications panel on June 22, 2000 and was notified on
July 19, 2000 that an extension had been granted which will result in the
Company remaining listed on the Nadaq SmallCap Market in the event the Company
is able to comply with the requirements set forth by Nasdaq.
As noted in the May 22 letter from Nasdaq, the company was required to file a
document with the SEC reflecting a net tangible asset level of $4 million prior
to August 11, 2000. The Company filed such document and was deemed to have
complied with the phase I requirements as set forth by Nasdaq. Nasdaq's
proposal requires that the Company file a document with the SEC prior to October
31, 2000 reflecting a net tangible asset level of $5 million. The Company
believes that it will be able to meet the $5 million net tangible asset level
required by Nasdaq upon the completion of this transaction and the transactions
with Commerce Investment Group, LLC. Included as Exhibit A is the notification
from Nasdaq that the Company has met the Phase I requirements.
5.9 Material Adverse Change, NPII
Due to continued faltering financial performance, the Company has determined to
shut down the Nasco Products International, Inc ("NPII") subsidiary. The
current orders in process will be completed and samples will be sold. Based on a
review of NPII's licenses, $131,500 is owed to various professional leagues for
guaranteed royalties. The Company believes that only $80,000 of those
guarantees will be paid after negotiations with the leagues. An $80,000 expense
has been recorded in the fiscal 2000 budget for the guarantees. The Company
also owes approximately $65,000 in past due earned royalties that have been
recorded in previous periods that will need to be paid at the closure of NPII.
The Company believes that no other accruals or expenses will be incurred in
connection with closing of NPII.
Innovo Group Inc. is a guarantor on the NHL international license. The Company
has negotiated a $10,000 payment and a donation of bags costing $4,000 to
satisfy the royalty guarantee under the NHL license. These amounts are included
in the $80,000 expense noted above. No other obligations of NPII are guaranteed
by Innovo Group Inc.
5.9 Material Adverse Change, Inventory
The Company maintains an inventory of licensed finished goods at its Knoxville,
TN warehouse. The Company anticipates liquidating this inventory during the
third and fourth quarter of 2000. Due to the closing of the Knoxville facility,
additional write downs on the Company's inventory and leasehold improvements may
be necessary.
Furthermore, the Company anticipates using its current inventory of raw
materials in the Company's future production processes. If the Company is
unable to effectively integrate the usage of these raw materials, the Company
could be required decrease the book value of these raw materials.
5.9 Material Adverse Change, GE Capital and Springfield Facility
A tenant at the Company's Springfield location has a month to month lease and
has informed the Company of its intent to vacate the facility as of June 1,
2000. It is anticipated that the Company will be able to find a new tenant
within a reasonable period of time.
While the Company is continuing to lease the facility located in Springfield,
currently the rental income derived from the tenants does not cover the expenses
associated with the facility. The Company does, however, have a party that is
interested in purchasing the facility.
5.9 Material Adverse Change, Numerous Outstanding Operational Debts
The Company has historically had insufficient cash flow to satisfy all of its
outstanding trade debts. Due to the inadequate cash flow, the Company has
accumulated significant amounts of payables to its current suppliers that are
more than sixty days past due. In some cases, the Company's vendors have turned
accounts over to collection agencies. The Company feels that through the use of
long-term payout periods and negotiation, litigation can be avoided on most, if
not all, of these accounts. Future operational cash flows should be sufficient
to meet these payment plans.
Listed below, as of October 24, 2000, are the vendors with material balances
with whom the Company has been able to negotiate long term payment plans.
Outstanding Periodic Payment
Vendor Amount Payment Cycle
- ------ ------ ------- -----
Sunwaki Industrial $200,000 asap Weekly
Claredon Textiles $ 17,261 $ 1,400 Weekly
BDO Seidman $ 54,486 $ 3,000 Weekly
Sims, Moss, Kline and Davis $ 54,623 $ 3,000 Weekly
Brainard Communications $ 11,150 $ 1,000 Weekly
5.9 Material Adverse Change, Equipment from Red Boiling Springs
During the third quarter of 1999, a facility that the Company leased in Red
Boiling Springs, Tennessee was destroyed by a fire. The company's insurance
covered the building, but due to the deductible on the policy, no claim was made
for the equipment that was housed in the facility. The Company did not own the
equipment and may be liable to the owners for its loss. The estimated
replacement cost of the destroyed equipment is approximately $40,000. The
Company may be able to reduce its potential liability by providing the owners of
the equipment with replacements from the Company's excess equipment.
5.9 Material Adverse Change, Potential Write-downs
Due to the restructuring of the Company's operations and the issuance of
warrants to Commerce and the Furrow Group, the Company could incur significant
write-downs in the fourth quarter of 2000.
5.9 Material Adverse Change, Debt owed to Sam Furrow
As of October 24, 2000, the Company owes Sam Furrow, its Chairman and CEO,
$202,000 from loans provided to the Company for operational and importing needs.
The Company will be paying back Mr. Furrow out of the proceeds of the Mizrachi
transaction.
5.9 Material Adverse Change, KBK Financial
The Company factors its receivables with KBK Financial and Riviera Financing.
The Company entered into a factoring relationship with KBK in July of 2000 due
to the fact that the Company's former factoring agent, Amsouth Bank, ceased its
factoring operations. During the transition to KBK from Amsouth, KBK made an
error and overextended the Company approximately $260,000. The Company has
confirmed the error and the balance and is now repaying the balance through its
purchased receivables and collected reserve. KBK is requesting that any balance
still outstanding as of the time of the closing of the Mizrachi transaction be
paid off from the proceeds.
5.9 Material Adverse Change, Potential Breaches of Covenants
The Company has entered into several contracts that have covenants regarding a
change of control or a change in management. Due to the fact that the proposed
transaction will likely result in a change in control, the Company believes it
is noteworthy to include a list of the contracts which it believes could
potentially be violated. Those contracts are as follows:
MLB Domestic license
NHL Domestic license
UCLA license
UC Berkley license
USC license
Action Performance production agreement and license
The license agreements are attached as Exhibit B.
5.12 Litigation, Thimble Square
The Company's (Innovo, Inc. and its Thimble Square subsidiary) is currently
being sued by the American Apparel Contractors Association Workers' Compensation
Self-Insured Fund for $13,452.84 in assessed charges from 1997 and 1998.
Attached as Exhibit C is a copy of the claim against the Company.
5.12 Litigation, Wayne Copelin
During October 1999, the Company received notice of an unfavorable ruling in a
case with a former employee. The Court ruled that the Company must pay the
plaintiff, Wayne Copelin, $100,000 plus accrued interest. The entire liability
to Mr. Copelin was approximately $156,000 which has been accrued for on the
Company's books. The Company entered into talks with Mr. Copelin in order to
determine a payment schedule and both parties agreed to a weekly payment of
$10,000 in order to satisfy the debt. The Company has paid the amounts owed in
full.
5.12 Litigation, Tom Jackson
On December, 2 1997, prior management entered into a service agreement with Tom
Jackson & Associates, Inc whereas Tom Jackson was to provide investor relation
and marketing services to the Company. On February 9, 1998, the Company
canceled the contract between the two parties as a result of Tom Jackson's non-
performance. According to the terms of the contract, the Company was to issue
$5,000 and an option to purchase 100,000 (10,000 post 10-for-1 reverse) shares
of Company common stock at $.31 ($3.10 post 10-for-1 reverse) per share. The
Company also was supposed to pay for the services rendered each month via the
issuance of 15,000 (1,500 post 10-for-1 reverse) shares per month.
The Company made the $5,000 payment and issued the option for 100,000. The
Company did not however issue 15,000 shares per month due to the fact that Tom
Jackson was not rendering services that the Company believed were adequate.
Tom Jackson claimed that their damages were not expected to exceed $300,000,
however, the Company has discussed the issue with principals of Tom Jackson and
have reached an agreement to settle the claim for $30,362. The Company has
remitted to Tom Jackson the settlement amount and has received a release from
Tom Jackson. Attached as Exhibit D is release documentation in regards to the
issue.
5.12 Litigation, Dismissal of Bill Moore
The Company released its V.P. of Retail Sales, Bill Moore. In the Spring of
2000, the Company was informed by a third party that Mr. Moore contacted an
attorney located in Knoxville about the possibility of filing a lawsuit against
the Company. The third party further informed the Company that the attorney
contacted by Mr. Moore did not believe that he had a legitimate case.
The Company does not and did not have a written contract with Mr. Moore. Mr.
Moore was an employee-at-will. He was entitled to an option to buy 1000 shares
of the Company's stock at $1.25 for every month he worked for the Company. Mr.
Moore worked for the Company for three months and the Company has issued him an
option to purchase 3000 shares at $1.25. As of October 9, 2000, Mr. Moore has
not signed the option contract. The Company has also paid Mr. Moore all monies
owed to him as an employee and all out-of pocket-expensed owed to Mr. Moore. In
the event that Mr. Moore does file a lawsuit against the Company, the Company
does not believe that he has any grounds on which to bring a successful claim.
5.12 Litigation, Michael Tedesco
In December 1991, a former employee filed suit against the Company, Patricia
Anderson-Lasko and others alleging breach of an employment agreement and
conversion of his interest in certain property rights (Michael J. Tedesco v.
Innovo, Inc.., et al., Case No. 91-64033, District Court of Harris County,
Texas, 164th Judicial Circuit). Following an appeal and a second trial, a final
judgment was rendered against Innovo for $194,045.62 on August 17, 1998.
Thereafter, 20,000 shares of Common Stock which has been held in the registry of
the court, as security during the appeal and subsequent trial, were released to
the plaintiff. The Company does not know whether the stock has been sold. If
the sale of that stock does not generate sufficient net proceeds to pay the
judgment, then Innovo will be liable for any shortfall.
5.12 Litigation, Stella Pace Potential Litigation
The Company entered into a distribution agreement with and a letter of intent
for the acquisition of Zoe Metro, Inc. (d.b.a. Stella Pace), a fashion
accessories company located in New York City. Upon the mutual agreement of the
parties, the companies did not close the transaction. Innovo has performed
under the terms of a distribution agreement executed in connection with that
transaction and returned all goods to Stella Pace. The distribution agreement
expired on June 30, 2000. According to the terms of the distribution agreement,
the Company believes that the Company will be required to reimburse Stella Pace
approximately $25,000 or less. Stella Pace, however, has informed the Company
through a written letter from their attorney that they believe the Company owes
them $50,000. In the event an agreement cannot be reached, the potential for
litigation does exist. The distribution agreement is attached as Exhibit E.
5.12 Litigation, R-Five, Z-Tex
During 1997 through 1999, the Company used R-Five, Z-Tex (Z-Tex) as a
significant supplier of fabric material. During that period of time, the
Company became behind in their payments. During litigation over the outstanding
amount that was in excess of $100,000, the Company agreed to pay Z-Tex up front
for all new orders plus an additional 10% of the order to be applied to the old
balance. In addition to the 10%, the Company was to pay Z-Tex $10,000 per month
on the outstanding balance. At the end of 1999, the outstanding balance was
paid-off.
During the first quarter of 2000, the Company was contacted by a collection
agency hired by Z-Tex to collect approximately $36,000 in outstanding invoices.
The Company was able to produce evidence that all outstanding monies had been
paid to Z-Tex. Based on the information presented to them, the collection
agency stopped collection activity. On July 28, 2000 the Company received a
letter from Z-Tex's corporate attorney requesting payment of the $36,000. The
Company has contacted Z-Tex's attorney and provided them information that the
Company believes will show that no liability exists. As of October 24, 2000,
the Company has not been contacted from the Z-tex's counsel in regards to the
issue.
(a) 1999 IRS Taxes
The Company field for an extension in regards to its 1999 federal income taxes.
On July 29, 2000, the Company filed its Federal income tax return for 1999.
5.16(a) Tennessee Tax Audit
The Company has been notified that on November 14, 2000, the Company and
its subsidiaries will be audited for Tennessee Sales and Use Tax for 1/1/97 thru
6/30/00, Franchise and Excise Tax for 10/1/94 thru 9/30/99 and Business Tax for
1/1/96 thru 12/31/99.
5.16(a) Springfield Property Taxes
The Company has not paid real and personal property taxes on its facility in
Springfield, TN since 1991. The total estimated liability for the back taxes as
of the end of fiscal 2000 is approximately $300,000. $209,000 was accrued on
the November 30, 1999 financial statements and the Company will have accrued a
total of $300,000 as of the end of fiscal 2000. In March, 2000, the Company met
with the County Property Assessor in an attempt to have the assessed value of
the property reduced. The County agreed to reduce the real estate appraised
value to approximately $975,000 for 1999. This agreement has not received final
County approval but the Company believes that the reduction in assessed value
will be approved.
As of the end of fiscal 2000, the Company will have allocated approximately
$50,000 of the $300,000 property tax accrual for personal property taxes. The
personal property tax status is inactive in Robertson County as of the end of
1998. The Company met with the County trustee in the fall of 1998, and the
trustee verbally informed the Company that Robertson County would not pursue the
collection of these taxes. The Company is currently filing personal property
tax returns in Knox County, Tennessee.
5.16(a) 1996 W-2's
In November 1999, the Company received a notice from the IRS that the Company
had been assessed a civil penalty totaling approximately $273,000 for failure to
file W-2's with the IRS for the tax year ended 12/31/96. Based on discussions
with the IRS, the Company was informed that the penalty would be waived if the
W-2's were submitted. The Company located the W-2's for 1996 and sent them to
the IRS. The Company received confirmation on March 6, 2000 that the W-2's had
been received. Attached as Exhibit F is a letter from the IRS stating that the
penalty has been removed.
5.16(a) 1998 Form 940 for Thimble Square
During March 2000, the Company received a notice from the IRS for taxes due on
the 1998 form 940 for Thimble Square. The Company contacted the IRS and
learned that this amount was charged due to understatement of taxes noted on the
Form 940 for 1998. Upon review of the 1998 Form 940, the Company determined
that an error had been made on the Form that overstated our tax liability. The
Form 940 was amended and sent to the IRS during March 2000. Attached as Exhibit
G is a copy of the relevant 940 forms.
5.16(b) 1991 Federal Tax Audit
In November, 1999, the Company received a notice from the Internal Revenue
Service ("IRS") asserting deficiencies in federal corporate income taxes for the
Company's 1991 tax year. The total tax proposed by the IRS amounted to
approximately $5.5 million plus interest. The Company has met with the IRS in
an attempt to resolve the issues in question. Pursuant to the meeting, the
Company agreed to an adjustment of approximately $2,000,000 to its 1991 taxable
income with the Company's 1992 NOL's being offset against this adjustment. The
Company agreed to this due to the fact that the IRS informed the Company that
there would be "no cash impact" to the Company.
Around June 8, 2000, the Company was informed by the IRS that the Company may
be responsible for the interest associated with this adjustment and this amount
should total approximately $105,000. The Company has since been informed from
the IRS that the interest component should be approximately $70,000, however,
the IRS now asserting that there is an alternative minimum tax of approximately
$80,000 that the Company will be responsible for.
The Company informed the IRS that it will not agree to this charge because the
Company agreed to the adjustment based on the representations by the IRS that
their would be "no cash impact" to the Company and because the Company believes
that it has meritorious legal defenses to the $2,000,000 adjustment. If the IRS
will not agree to a zero adjustment or if they will not agree to waive the
interest component, the Company will appeal the $2,000,000 adjustment. This
would be the only issue brought before the appeals panel due to the fact the
other proposed adjustments totaling approximately $14,000,000 have been resolved
with the IRS. The Company believes that the ultimate resolution of this matter
will not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. Attached
as Exhibit H is a BDO memorandum for additional discussion in regards to the
issue.
5.16(b) Federal Tax Returns
In the spring of 2000, the Company filed its federal tax returns for
1992-1998. While the consolidated returns show a loss in every year, the IRS
has erroneously processed each subsidiary of the Company individually. In so
doing, some of the subsidiaries are showing a profit and thus tax liability.
BDO Seidman has written a letter to the IRS explaining that the returns should
be processed as a consolidated return and not individually for each subsidiary.
As of October 9, 2000, the IRS has not responded to the Company's letter.
5.17 Property, Status of Good Deal Mall
The Company's Good Deal Mall facility located south of West Palm Beach, Florida,
is currently not leased. The Company entered into a lease in the 4th quarter of
1999, but the tenant has since gone out of business. The facility currently is
being occupied by an individual who is monitoring the facility and serving food
out of the restaurant portion of the building. The Company has informed the
individual that the Company will be taking over possession of the building on
October 31, 2000 and that the individual shall vacate the premises by such date
if the facility has not started to generate revenues for the Company.
5.17 Property, Condition of Real Property
The properties that are located in Springfield, Tennessee and Lake Worth,
Florida will require continuing maintenance as those facilities are prepared for
lease. The Springfield facility will need to be cleaned and have roof repairs
performed. The Lake Worth facility will require roofing and air conditioner
repair.
5.18 Property, Outstanding Rent and Utitlities
The Company canceled the lease for its Knoxville premises as of July 1, 2000.
The Company shall not be responsible for rent after July 1, 2000, however, the
Company shall be responsible for past utility bills.
5.18 Intellectual Property, Licenses (Domestic and International)
The Company is currently reviewing each of the licenses that it maintains and
the business generated and the royalties paid with respect to each license.
Based on the result of this review significant changes could be made in the near
future in the number of licenses that the Company maintains as well as the
royalties paid under each license.
5.19 Internal Controls and Procedures, Computer System
The Company installed new hardware and software during the fourth quarter of
1999 in an effort to solve the potential computer problems posed by the date
rollover to the year 2000. The conversion was not completed in its entirety and
the Company has been forced to manage its computer needs through alternative
measures. The Company has implemented a computer system which it believes to be
effective and accurate.
The Company has taken steps to maintain its business and accounting records, but
the failure to date and the status of the software conversion could potentially
cause errors in the financial records of the Company. The Company is currently
addressing its accounts receivable and inventory evaluations in an attempt to
verify the accuracy of the information. Due to the conversion complications,
the Company can not guarantee the accuracy of its accounts receivable and
inventory levels.
5.23(a) Employment and Benefit Matters, Employment Agreements
The Company currently owes monies to two former employees, Dan Page and Kirk
Miller, pursuant to the terms of their former employment agreements. The
Company owes Page $23,750 and Miller $22,585. The amount owed to Miller has
been accrued on the Company's financial records but the amount owed to Page has
not been accrued.
Customers and Suppliers
Top Five Customers for the fiscal year ending November 30, 1999:
National Car Rental $2,950,093.50
Wal-Mart $2,799,652.07
Kmart $987,514.50
Michaels $745,352.61
Jo-Annes Stores $491,054.92
Top Five Vendors for year ended November 30, 1999:
Schott International Inc. $419,066.33
Rochelle Fabrics $213,609.76
International Dry Goods $137,163.28
Claredon Textiles $123,064.48
Dunn Manufacturing $102,938.79
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Certified Public Accountants
Board of Directors
Innovo Group Inc.
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-3 No. 333-44330, No. 333-79505 and No. 333-35981 of our
report dated January 13, 2000, except for Notes 8 and 11, as to which the
date is March 8, 2000, relating to the 1999 and 1998 consoldiated financial
statements and schedule of Innovo Group Inc. appearing in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2000.
/s/ BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
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BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
March 12, 2001
Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Independent Auditors
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements Form
S-3 No. 333-44330, No. 333-79505 and No. 333-35981 of Innovo Group, Inc. and
Subsidiaries and in the related Prospectus of our report dated March 7, 2001,
with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Innovo
Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries included in this Form 10-K for the year ended
November 30, 2000.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
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ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Los Angeles, California
March 12, 2001