As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 1994
                                                   Registration No. 33-____August 16, 2002
                                                          REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FormFORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                 ---------------

                               THE SCOTTS COMPANY
                       THE O.M. SCOTT & SONS COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrantsRegistrant as specified in their charters)
                                              
          Delaware                          31-1199481its charter)

                                 ---------------

             OHIO                                              31-1414921
(State or other jurisdiction                                (I.R.S. employerEmployer
of incorporation or organization)                         identification number)Identification Number)

          14111 Scottslawn Road, Marysville, OhioSCOTTSLAWN ROAD, MARYSVILLE, OHIO 43041, (513)(937) 644-0011

              (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
        including area code, of registrants'Registrant's principal executive offices)

                                 Craig D. Walley
               Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
                            The Scotts Company---------------

                               DAVID M. ARONOWITZ
                              14111 Scottslawn Road, Marysville, OhioSCOTTSLAWN ROAD
                             MARYSVILLE, OHIO 43041
                                 (513)(937) 644-0011
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)

                                   Copies to:
                              G. Robert Lucas II                  George H. White
     Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease     Sullivan & CromwellRONALD A. ROBINS, JR.
                       VORYS, SATER, SEYMOUR AND PEASE LLP
                               52 East Gay Street                  125 Broad Street
     P.O. Box 1008                       New York, New York 10004
     Columbus, Ohio 43216-1008           (212) 558-4000EAST GAY STREET
                              COLUMBUS, OHIO 43215
                                 (614) 464-5691                           

     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the
public:  from464-6400
                              (614) 719-4926 (FAX)

   APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement becomes effective as the Registrants shall determine.determined by
market conditions.

     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. ____[ ]
     If any of the securities being registered on this formForm are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. X[X]
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]



                                                  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
=================================================================================================================================== Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum Title of Each Class of Securities to Amounts to be Aggregate Price Per Aggregate Offering Amount of Registration be Registered Registered(1)(2) Security(2) Price(1)(2) Fee (2)(3) - ---------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------------------ ----------------------- ------------------------ Debt Securities......................... Preferred Shares, without par value(4).. Common Shares, without par value(5)..... Warrants................................ Stock Purchase Contracts................ Stock Purchase Units.................... Total.............................. $350,000,000 100% $350,000,000 $32,200 Common Shares, without par value(6)..... 1,600,000 shares $76,832,000(7) $ 76,832,000(7) $7,069 ===================================================================================================================================
(1) The initial public offering price of any debt securities denominated in any foreign currencies or currency units shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent thereof based on the prevailing exchange rates at the respective times such securities are first offered. For debt securities issued with an original issue discount, the amount to be registered is the amount as shall result in aggregate gross proceeds of up to $350,000,000. (continued on following page) (2) Pursuant to General Instruction II.D to Form S-3, the Amounts to be Registered, Debt Securities Amount to be Registered(1) $100,000,000 Proposed Maximum OfferingAggregate Price Per Unit(2) 100%Security and Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(2) $100,000,000 AmountPrice have been omitted for each class of Registration Fee $34,483 (1) Such amount shall be increased, if any Debt Securitiessecurities that are issued at an original issue discount, by an amount such thatregistered hereby other than the net proceedsspecified Common Shares to be receivedsold by selling shareholders. See note 6. (3) The registration fee for the Registrants shall be equal to the above Amount to be Registered. Any offering of Debt Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars shall be treated as the equivalent in U.S. dollars based on the applicable exchange rate at the time of offering. (2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee. The Registrantsunallocated securities registered hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effectivehas been calculated in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED JUNE 1, 1994 [Scotts Logo] $100,000,000 The Scotts Company The O.M. Scott & Sons Company Debt Securities The Scotts Company ("Scotts") and The O.M. Scott & Sons Company ("OMS," and, together with Scotts, the "Issuers"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Scotts, may offer from time to time their unsecured senior or subordinated debt securities consisting of notes, debt securities or other evidences of indebtedness (the "Debt Securities") at an initial offering price (or net proceeds, in the case of Debt Securities issued at an original issue discount) not to exceed $100,000,000, or its equivalent in such other currency or in composite currencies or currency units as may be designated by the Issuers at the time of offering. The Debt Securities may be offered in one or more series in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in a Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements. Scotts is a holding company, and all of Scotts' operations are conducted through OMS and OMS' subsidiaries. The Debt Securities will be the joint and several obligations of the Issuers. The terms of each series of Debt Securities, including, where applicable, the specific designation, rank, aggregate principal amount, authorized denominations, maturities, rate or rates and time or times of payment of any interest, any terms for optional or mandatory redemption or payment of additional amounts or any sinking fund provisions, any initial public offering price, the proceeds to the Issuers and any other specific terms in connection with the offering and sale of such series (the "Offered Debt Securities") will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus Supplements. The Debt Securities may be sold directly by the Issuers, through agents designated from time to time or through underwriters or dealers. See "Plan of Distribution." If any agents of the Issuers or any underwriters are involved in the sale of any Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement. __________________ THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. The date of this Prospectus is , 1994. Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State. AVAILABLE INFORMATION Scotts is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices located at Northwestern Atrium, 500 West Madison, 14th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Issuers have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, the "Registration Statement")Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This Prospectus does not contain allamended, and reflects the maximum offering price of securities that may be issued rather than the principal amount of any securities that may be issued at a discount. (4) An indeterminate number of shares of Preferred Shares of the Registrant are covered by this Registration Statement. Shares of preferred shares may be issued (a) separately or (b) upon the conversion of debt securities which are registered hereby. (5) An indeterminate amount of Common Shares of the Registrant are covered by this Registration Statement. Common Shares may be issued (a) separately or (b) upon the conversion of either the debt securities or the shares of Preferred Shares, each of which are registered hereby. Common Shares issued upon conversion of the debt securities and the Preferred Shares will be issued without the payment of additional consideration. (6) Represents Common Shares to be sold by certain selling shareholders identified herein. (7) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee and calculated in accordance with Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act on the basis of the last reported price of the Registrant's Common Shares on August 13, 2002, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange. THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE. ================================================================================ The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the prospectus is delivered in final form. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 16, 2002 PROSPECTUS [SCOTTS LOGO] $350,000,000 THE SCOTTS COMPANY Debt Securities, Preferred Shares, Common Shares, Warrants, Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units -------------- 1,600,000 Common Shares -------------- We may from time to time issue - debt securities; - preferred shares; - common shares; - warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred shares or common shares; - stock purchase contracts; or - stock purchase units having an aggregate offering price of up to $350,000,000 (or the equivalent in foreign denominated currency or units based on or related to currencies). The debt securities may be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. In addition to the common shares that we may offer from time to time, up to 1,600,000 common shares may be sold by certain of our shareholders who are set forth in this prospectus under the Registration Statement, certain partssection entitled "Selling Shareholders." Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SMG." We will provide specific terms of which are omittedthese securities in accordance withsupplements to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the rulesadditional information described under "Where You Can Find More Information" carefully before you invest in our securities. THIS INVESTMENT INVOLVES RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 AND ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT BEFORE YOU INVEST IN ANY OF OUR SECURITIES. -------------- Neither the Securities and regulationsExchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the Commission. For further information, reference is madeaccuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the Registration Statement and the exhibits filed as part thereof. Statements contained herein concerning provisions of any document filed as an exhibit are not necessarily complete and, in each instance, referencecontrary is made to the copy of each document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE Scotts' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993; Scotts' Current Report on Form 8-K, dated December 30, 1993; Scotts' Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended January 1, 1994 and April 2, 1994, respectively; Scotts' Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated February 28, 1994; and all other documents filed by Scotts pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to thea criminal offense. -------------- The date of this Prospectusprospectus is _________, 2002. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ---- Forward-Looking Statements.................................................. i Summary..................................................................... 1 Risk Factors................................................................ 3 The Scotts Company.......................................................... 7 Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and priorEarnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Share Dividends.......................................... 7 Use of Proceeds............................................................. 7 Dividend Policy............................................................. 8 Description of Debt Securities.............................................. 8 Description of Capital Stock................................................ 15 Description of Warrants..................................................... 17 Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units............ 18 Selling Shareholders........................................................ 19 Plan of Distribution........................................................ 20 Legal Matters............................................................... 21 Experts..................................................................... 21 Incorporation by Reference.................................................. 21 Where You Can Find More Information......................................... 22 ---------- Unless the termination ofcontext requires otherwise, the offering of the Debt Securities, which documents are filed with the Commission (File No. 0-19768) pursuant to the Exchange Act, are incorporated herein by reference. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. Scotts will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the request of any such person, a copy of all of the documents which are incorporated herein by reference, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Requests should be directedterms "we," "us," and "our" refer to The Scotts Company, 14111 Scottslawn Road, Marysville,an Ohio 43041, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, telephone (513) 644-0011. PROSPECTUS SUMMARY The following summary information is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed information and financial statements (including the notes thereto) contained elsewhere in this Prospectus or incorporated by reference herein. As used in this Prospectus, unless the context indicates otherwise, the "Issuers" mean The Scotts Company ("Scotts") and its wholly owned subsidiary, The O.M. Scott & Sons Company ("OMS"), and the "Company" means the Issuers and OMS' direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Hyponex Corporation ("Hyponex"), acquired in November 1988, Republic Tool & Manufacturing Corp. ("Republic"), acquired in November 1992, and Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company ("Sierra"), acquired in December 1993. Sales and market share data given for the Company in this Prospectus do not include Sierra unless otherwise indicated. The Company The Company is one of the oldest and most widely recognized manufacturers of products used to grow and maintain landscape: lawns, gardens and golf courses. In both the consumer and professional market segments, the Company, through its brands -- Scotts(Registered) and Turf Builder(Registered) (for consumer lawn care), ProTurf(Registered) (for professional turf care) and Osmocote(Registered) and Peters(Registered) (for commercial horticulture) -- commands market-leading shares more than double those of the next ranked competitors. The Company's long history of technical innovation, its reputation for quality and service and its effective marketing tailored to the needs of do-it- yourselfers and professionals have enabled the Company to maintain leadership in its markets while delivering consistent growth in sales and operating income and stable operating margins. Do-it-yourselfers and professionals purchase through different distribution channels and have different information and product needs. Accordingly, the Company has two business groups, Consumer and Professional, to serve these markets. Consumer Business Group The Consumer Business Group (which accounted for approximately 80% of fiscal 1993 net sales) develops and markets the products consumers need to grow and maintain beautiful lawns and gardens: fertilizers, weed and insect controls, grass seed, organic products and lawn spreaders. The Company estimates that its lawn fertilizer and fertilizer/control combination products, sold under the Scotts and Turf Builder brand names, have a 46% share of the U.S. consumer lawn care chemicals market. The organic product line of topsoils, potting soils, composted manures and mulches are sold under the Hyponex(Registered) brand and other labels. The Company has broadened and strengthened its organic product line as a result of its recent acquisition of Sierra, which manufactures Peters Professional(Registered) potting soil (see "-Recent Developments"). Management estimates that the Company has the leading market share in the total branded organic products market and over a 50% share of the retail potting soil segment. The Company provides a high level of service for consumers. It backs its promise of satisfaction with an unconditional "No Quibble" guarantee for its Scotts products and maintains a toll- free hotline for lawn care advice. The Company's consumer products are sold in the United States through mass merchandisers and independent retailers, and internationally in Canada, Japan and Europe through various distribution channels. Professional Business Group The Professional Business Group (which accounted for approximately 20% of fiscal 1993 net sales) develops and markets products for professional users: golf courses, commercial nurseries, sports fields, lawn care service companies and landscapers. Scotts professional products provide these users with a wide array of technically sophisticated controlled-release and water-soluble fertilizers, controls, application devices and growing media under such well-known labels as Scotts ProTurf (for golf course and other turf applications), Osmocote and Sierra(Registered) (for commercial horticulture), ProGrow(Registered) (for the landscape market) and Peters and MetroMix(Registered) (for greenhouses and commercial nurseries). Depending on the market segment, these products are sold through distributors, directly through the Company's agronomically- trained technical representatives ("tech reps"), or through Company-operated stores. Management estimates that Scotts ProTurf fertilizer and control products have the leading share of the non-commodity golf course turf care market. In 1993, ProTurf products were used on 81 of the GOLF DIGEST top 100 courses and approximately 55% of the over 14,500 golf courses in the United States. The Company's strong research and development capabilities and agronomically- trained sales force have enabled the Company to introduce innovative new products and technologies and thereby maintain its leading position in these targeted professional turf markets. With the acquisition of Sierra, the Company has become the leading supplier of controlled-release and water-soluble fertilizers to the commercial horticulture segment, with an estimated combined market share of over 50% in the United States. Sierra's commercial horticultural products also have significant market positions in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Rim. A recently formed unit within the Professional Business Group, under the ProGrow name, will concentrate on marketing products to professional turf and landscape customers other than golf courses and sports fields, such as lawn care service companies. Business Strategy The Company's business strategy is to be the premier global manufacturer and marketer of products used in landscape growth and maintenance. The major elements of the Company's strategy are to: Develop Innovative and Technologically Advanced Products. The Company's proven ability to develop and market new products has been instrumental in establishing its leading market shares. The Company is fully committed to continuing this tradition. For example, it is introducing Turf Builder for Shady Lawns(Registered) in 1994 utilizing proprietary technology to answer the most often expressed needs of its do-it-yourself consumers. In its professional markets, the technical expertise of its sales force, combined with the Company's strong research and development efforts, have resulted in new products introduced since 1988 accounting for 66% of the Professional Business Group's net sales in fiscal 1993. These new professional products often have consumer applications. With the addition of Sierra's research and development expertise and facilities, new product development is expected to continue and expand. Strengthen Relationships with Mass Merchandisers and Independent Retailers. As the only nationwide supplier of a full line of lawn and garden products, the Company has strong relationships with mass merchandisers and major home center retailers such as Kmart, Home Depot and Wal-Mart. Sales to this fastest growing segment of retailers increased approximately 28% from fiscal 1992 to fiscal 1993 and accounted for 40% of the Consumer Business Group's net sales in fiscal 1993. Through customized marketing programs and product offerings, the Company intends to further strengthen its relationship with mass merchandisers, while continuing to support its independent retailers. Accelerate Growth Through Cross-Selling. The Company intends to continue its efforts to cross-sell a wider range of its brand name products to retailers by capitalizing on its position as the only nationwide supplier of a full line of landscape growth and maintenance products. The Company also expects to improve its distribution of Scotts products internationally using the sales distribution and manufacturing network of the recently-acquired Sierra. Management also plans to use the leading position of the Scotts brand name in the golf course segment to increase sales of Sierra products and to take advantage of Sierra's strong commercial horticulture presence both in the United States and abroad to increase sales of various Scotts professional products. Expand Through Selective Strategic Acquisitions. Since 1988, the Company has completed three strategic acquisitions of companies in the lawn and garden industry. These acquisitions have provided the Company with the opportunity to expand its product offerings while building upon the Company's existing strengths in distribution, technology and brand marketing. The Company believes its most recent acquisition of Sierra, a leading manufacturer and marketer to the commercial horticulture markets in the United States and abroad, will further improve the Company's global competitiveness. Sierra Acquisition On December 16, 1993, the Company acquired Sierra from W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn., and other investors, for approximately $120 million in cash. Sierra, a leading manufacturer and marketer of specialty fertilizers, pesticides and premium growing media used in commercial horticulture, golf course and consumer applications, had net sales of approximately $108.7 million for the period from January 1, 1993, through December 16, 1993. Its products are manufactured in six plants located in the United States and one in the Netherlands. Sierra markets its products in the United States and internationally under brand names including Peters, Osmocote, Once(Registered) and Terra-Lite(Registered). Through Sierra's overseas subsidiaries, products are distributed in numerous foreign markets, including, among others, Australia, Europe and the Pacific Rim. Approximately 25% of Sierra's 1993 net sales were abroad. For the Company's fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, the Company had net sales of $466.0 million and net income before extraordinary items and accounting changes of $21.0 million, representing increases of 12.7% and 39.6%, respectively, over fiscal 1992. Net sales and net income before cumulative effect of accounting changes for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, on a pro forma basis giving effect to the Sierra acquisition were $585.3 million and $20.3 million, respectively. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data." SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA The following summary historical financial data should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto as of September 30, 1992 and 1993 and for the three years ended September 30, 1993 included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 1989(1) 1990 1991 1992 1993(2) (dollars in thousands, except ratios) Statement of Operations Data(3): Net sales . . . . $328,368 $350,441 $388,120 $413,558 $466,043 Gross profit. . . 148,183 163,638 180,164 200,425 221,825 Total operating expenses . 118,634 132,988 142,777 158,260 177,344 Income from operations . . 29,549 30,650 37,387 42,165 44,481 Interest and other expenses . . . . 28,638 37,411 32,932 15,962 9,114 Income (loss) before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting changes. . . 911 (6,761) 4,455 26,203 35,367 Income taxes . . 1,750 143 2,720 11,124 14,320 Extraordinary items: Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of tax. . . -- -- -- (4,186) -- Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards . . . 1,670 -- 2,581 4,699 -- Cumulative effect of changes in accounting for post- retirement benefits, net of tax and income taxes . . . . . -- -- -- -- (13,157) Net income (loss) 831 (6,904) 4,316 15,592 7,890 Other Historical Data: Depreciation and amortization $19,621 $20,474 $17,785 $15,848 $18,144 Capital expenditures . . . 6,722 8,494 8,818 19,896 15,158 EBITDA(4) . . . . 47,300 49,080 53,269 56,771 61,598 Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense . . . . 1.46x 1.42x 1.72x 3.56x 7.29x Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(5). . . 1.03x ___(6) 1.14x 2.40x 4.08x
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 1989(1) 1990 1991 1992 1993(2) (dollars in thousands, except for ratios) Balance Sheet Data (end of period): Working capital. . . . . $ 10,363 $18,230 $21,260 $54,795 $78,891 Total assets . . . . . . 276,253 270,429 260,729 268,021 321,590 Long-term debt, including current portion. . . . 201,203 192,915 182,954 35,897 92,524 Total stockholders' equity (deficit) . . . 2,555 (12,677) (9,961) 175,929 143,013 (1) Includes Hyponex from November 11, 1988. (2) Includes Republic from November 19, 1992. (3) Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to 1993 presentation; these changes did not impact net income. (4) As used herein, EBITDA is defined as income from operations plus depreciation and amortization included therein. Deferred financing costs which have been incurred and capitalized in connection with financing the Company's operations and acquisitions are being amortized and reported as a portion of interest expense and therefore have been excluded from the calculation of depreciation and amortization used in the calculation of EBITDA. The Company believes that EBITDA is generally recognized as an indicator of a company's ability to service its debt and capital expenditure requirements. However, EBITDA is not intended to be a performance measure that should be regarded as an alternative either to income from operations or net income or as an indicator of operating performance or cash flows as a measure of liquidity, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (5) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing (a) the sum of (i) income from operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes and (ii) fixed charges by (b) fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on all indebtedness (including amortization of deferred financing costs), capitalized interest and the estimated interest component of operating leases (assumed to be one-third of total rental expense). (6) Reflects a deficiency of earnings to fixed charges of $6.8 million.
SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA The following summary unaudited pro forma financial data of the Company has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited pro forma financial information included elsewhere in this Prospectus under "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data." The Pro Forma Statement of Operations Data give effect to the acquisition of Sierra, which occurred on December 16, 1993, as if it had occurred on October 1, 1992. The Pro Forma Balance Sheet Data gives effect to the acquisition of Sierra as if it had occurred on September 30, 1993.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 1993 (dollars in thousands, except ratios) Pro Forma Statement of Operations Data: Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . $585,318 Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . 273,716 Total operating expenses . . . . 217,727 Income from operations. . . . . . 55,989 Interest and other expenses . . . 19,914 Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting changes . . . . . . . . . . . . 36,075 Income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . 15,801 Cumulative effect of accounting changes . . . . . . . . . . . . (13,157) Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . 7,117 Other Pro Forma Data: Depreciation and amortization . . $25,246 Capital expenditures. . . . . . . 16,760 EBITDA(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . 75,647 Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense. . . . . 4.89x Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(2). . . . . . . . . . . 2.81x September 30, 1993 Pro Forma Balance Sheet Data: Working capital . . . . . . . . . $ 92,240 Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . 470,205 Long-term debt, including current portion . . . . . . . . 215,754 Total stockholders' equity. . . . 143,013 (1) See note (3) to Summary Historical Financial Data. (2) See note (4) to Summary Historical Financial Data.
INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS Prospective purchasers of any Debt Securities should consider carefully, in addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus, the following factors. Seasonality; Weather Conditions The Company's business is highly seasonal, with approximately 70% of net sales occurring in the second and third fiscal quarters. Unexpected production or transportation difficulties occurring at a time of peak production or sales could cause sales losses which could not readily be recovered in the current year. In addition, the Company's consumer business may be adversely affected by the weather. Poor weekend weather during the Spring tends to adversely affect consumer purchases of do-it- yourself lawn care products. Historically, the Company has attempted to lessen the impact of possible adverse weather by offering promotional programs at the retailer and consumer level to encourage consumer purchases in the early Spring. Management believes this strategy and the international scope of the Company's business reduces, but does not eliminate, the Company's vulnerability to poor Spring weekend weather. Environmental Regulation Many of the components of the Company's products and the harvesting of certain of Hyponex's organic products are subject to regulation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA"), other federal agencies and departments, and similar foreign, state and local agencies. Such regulations may affect the Company by restricting or prohibiting the use of these components or such harvesting. The EPA and similar state agencies may also affect the Company's business by regulating the disposal of waste generated in the conduct of the business. Significant Customers Kmart Corporation, including its Builders' Square unit ("Kmart"), and Home Depot accounted for approximately 21.5% and 8.8%, respectively, of the Company's net sales in fiscal 1993, which reflects their significant position in the retail lawn and garden market. Although the Company considers its relations with Kmart and Home Depot to be good, the loss of either of these customers or a substantial decrease in the amount of their purchases could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. Restrictions Imposed by Lenders The discretion of the management of the Company with respect to certain business matters is limited by covenants contained in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated April 7, 1992, as amended (the "Bank Agreement"), among Scotts, OMS, Chemical Bank, as agent, and the lenders named therein. Among other things, these covenants limit or prohibit the Company from incurring additional indebtedness, creating liens, entering into mergers, acquisitions or divestitures, making distributions with respect to capital stock, making capital expenditures and making investments and loans, and require the Company to maintain certain ratios or amounts related to interest expense coverage, current assets, operating profit and net worth. See "Description of the Bank Agreement" for additional information concerning the Bank Agreement. THE COMPANY The Company is one of the oldest and most widely recognized manufacturers of products used to grow and maintain landscape: lawns, gardens and golf courses. In both the consumer and professional market segments, the Company, through its brands -- Scotts and Turf Builder (for consumer lawn care), ProTurf (for professional turf care) and Osmocote and Peters (for commercial horticulture) -- commands market-leading shares more than double those of the next ranked competitors. The Company's long history of technical innovation, its reputation for quality and service and its effective marketing tailored to the needs of do-it- yourselfers and professionals have enabled the Company to maintain leadership in its markets while delivering consistent growth in sales and operating income and stable operating margins. Do-it-yourselfers and professionals purchase through different distribution channels and have different information and product needs. Accordingly, the Company has two business groups, Consumer and Professional, to serve these markets. Consumer Business Group The Consumer Business Group (which accounted for approximately 80% of fiscal 1993 net sales) develops and markets the products consumers need to grow and maintain beautiful lawns and gardens: fertilizers, weed and insect controls, grass seed, organic products and lawn spreaders. The Company estimates that its lawn fertilizer and fertilizer/control combination products, sold under the Scotts and Turf Builder brand names, have a 46% share of the U.S. consumer lawn care chemicals market. The organic product line of topsoils, potting soils, composted manures and mulches are sold under the Hyponex brand and other labels. The Company has broadened and strengthened its organic product line as a result of its recent acquisition of Sierra, which manufactures Peters Professional potting soil (see "-Recent Developments"). Management estimates that the Company has the leading market share in the total branded organic products market and over a 50% share of the retail potting soil segment. The Company provides a high level of service for consumers. It backs its promise of satisfaction with an unconditional "No Quibble" guarantee for its Scotts products and maintains a toll- free hotline for lawn care advice. The Company's consumer products are sold in the United States through both mass merchandisers and independent retailers, and internationally in Canada, Japan and Europe through various distribution channels. Professional Business Group The Professional Business Group (which accounted for approximately 20% of fiscal 1993 net sales) develops and markets products for professional users: golf courses, commercial nurseries, sports fields, lawn care service companies and landscapers. Scotts professional products provide these users with a wide array of technically sophisticated controlled-release and water-soluble fertilizers, controls, application devices and growing media under such well-known labels as Scotts ProTurf (for golf course and other turf applications), Osmocote and Sierra (for commercial horticulture), ProGrow (for the landscape market) and Peters and MetroMix (for greenhouses and commercial nurseries). Depending on the market segment, these products are sold through distributors, directly through the Company's agronomically-trained technical representatives, or through Company-operated stores. Management estimates that Scotts ProTurf fertilizer and control products have the leading share of the non-commodity golf course turf care market. In 1993, ProTurf products were used on 81 of the Golf Digest top 100 courses and approximately 55% of the over 14,500 golf courses in the Untied States. The Company's strong research and development capabilities and agronomically- trained sales force have enabled the Company to introduce innovative new products and technologies and thereby maintain its leading position in these targeted professional turf markets. With the acquisition of Sierra, the Company has become the leading supplier of controlled-release and water-soluble fertilizers to the commercial horticulture segment, with an estimated combined market share of over 50% in the United States. Sierra's commercial horticultural products also have significant positions in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Rim. A recently formed unit within the Professional Business Group, under the ProGrow name, will concentrate on marketing Scotts products to professional turf and landscape customers other than golf courses and sports fields, such as lawn care service companies. Business Strategy The Company's business strategy is to be the premier global manufacturer and marketer of products used in landscape growth and maintenance. The major elements of the Company's strategy are to: Develop Innovative and Technologically Advanced Products. The Company's proven ability to develop and market new products has been instrumental in establishing its leading market shares. The Company is fully committed to continuing this tradition. For example, it is introducing Turf Builder for Shady Lawns in 1994 utilizing proprietary technology to answer the most often expressed needs of its do-it-yourself consumers. In its professional markets, the technical expertise of its sales force, combined with the Company's strong research and development efforts, have resulted in new products introduced since 1988 accounting for 66% of the Professional Business Group's net sales in fiscal 1993. These new professional products often have consumer applications. With the addition of Sierra's research and development expertise and facilities, new product development is expected to continue and expand. Strengthen Relationships with Mass Merchandisers and Independent Retailers. As the only nationwide supplier of a full line of lawn and garden products, the Company has strong relationships with mass merchandisers and major home center retailers such as Kmart, Home Depot and Wal-Mart. Sales to this fastest growing segment of retailers increased approximately 28% from fiscal 1992 to fiscal 1993 and accounted for 40% of the Consumer Business Group's net sales in fiscal 1993. Through customized marketing programs and product offerings, the Company intends to further strengthen its relationship with mass merchandisers, while continuing to support its independent retailers. Accelerate Growth Through Cross-Selling. The Company intends to continue its efforts to cross-sell a wider range of its brand name products to retailers by capitalizing on its position as the only nationwide supplier of a full line of landscape growth and maintenance products. The Company also expects to improve its distribution of Scotts products internationally using the sales distribution and manufacturing network of the recently-acquired Sierra. Management also plans to use the leading position of the Scotts brand name in the golf course segment to increase sales of Sierra products and to take advantage of Sierra's strong commercial horticulture presence both in the United States and abroad to increase sales of various Scotts professional products. Expand Through Selective Strategic Acquisitions. Since 1988, the Company has completed three strategic acquisitions of companies in the lawn and garden industry. These acquisitions have provided the Company with the opportunity to expand its product offerings while building upon the Company's existing strengths in distribution, technology and brand marketing. The Company believes its most recent acquisition of Sierra, a leading manufacturer and marketer to the commercial horticulture markets in the United States and abroad, will further improve the Company's global competitiveness. Sierra Acquisition On December 16, 1993, the Company acquired Sierra from W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn., and other investors, for approximately $120 million in cash. Sierra, a leading manufacturer and marketer of specialty fertilizers, pesticides and premium growing media used in commercial horticulture, golf course and consumer applications, had net sales of approximately $108.7 million for the period from January 1,1993, through December 16, 1993. Its products are manufactured in six plants located in the United States and one in The Netherlands. Sierra markets its products in the United States and internationally under brand names including Peters, Osmocote, Once and Terra-Lite. Through Sierra's overseas subsidiaries, products are distributed in numerous foreign markets, including, among others, Australia, Europe and the Pacific Rim. Approximately 25% of Sierra's 1993 net sales were abroad. For the Company's fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, the Company had net sales of $466.0 million and net income before extraordinary items and accounting changes of $21.0 million, representing increases of 12.7% and 39.6%, respectively, over fiscal 1992. Net sales and net income before cumulative effect of accounting changes for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, on a pro forma basis giving effect to the Sierra acquisition were $585.3 million and $20.3 million, respectively. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data." History The Company traces its roots back to the seed business founded in 1870 by Orlando McLean Scott in Marysville, Ohio. In 1986, OMS was purchased by Clayton & Dubilier (now Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc.), a private investment firm, members of management and other investors from ITT Corporation in a leveraged transaction. The Company acquired the lawn and garden business of Hyponex in November 1988 through a series of mergers for approximately $112 million. In February 1992, the Company completed the initial public offering of its common stock and received net proceeds of approximately $157 million, which were used to redeem certain notes and debentures issued in 1986 in connection with the leveraged transaction and to reduce other outstanding indebtedness. The Company acquired Republic, a garden tool and lawn spreader manufacturer, in November 1992 for approximately $16 million. In February 1993, the Company repurchased all 2.4 million shares of its Class A Common Stock owned by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. for approximately $41.4 million. The Company acquired Sierra, then known as Grace- Sierra Horticultural Products Company, on December 16, 1993 for approximately $120 million. The Company'scorporation. Our principal executive offices are located at 14111 Scottslawn Road, Marysville, Ohio 43041, and itsour telephone number at that address is (513)(937) 644-0011. USE OF PROCEEDSOur website address is http://www.scotts.com. The Company's Bank Agreement currently providesinformation on our website is not part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. Roundup(R)is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC (an affiliate of Monsanto Company, now known as Pharmacia Corporation). Unless otherwise indicated, all other trademarks, service marks or brand names appearing in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement are the property of Scotts. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. Neither we nor the selling shareholders have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. Neither we nor the selling shareholders are making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the net proceedsinformation contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of these documents. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This prospectus includes, and incorporates by reference, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, in particular, the statements about our plans, strategies and prospects. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to the Companydiffer materially from the offeringforward-looking statements we make in, or incorporate by reference into, this prospectus include those discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement and elsewhere in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference herein. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by those cautionary statements. i SUMMARY The following summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other terms of the securities being offered. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To understand the terms of our securities, you should carefully read this document with the applicable prospectus supplement. Together these documents will give the specific terms of the securities we are offering. You should also read the documents we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a "shelf" registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer from time to time up to an aggregate of $350,000,000 of any of the Debt Securities,following securities: - debt securities; - preferred shares; - common shares; - warrants; - stock purchase contracts; and - stock purchase units. In addition, certain selling shareholders may offer and sell from time to time up to an aggregate of 1,600,000 common shares owned by them and covered by the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. DEBT SECURITIES We may offer unsecured general obligations, which may be either senior or subordinated, and may be convertible into common shares or preferred shares. In this prospectus, we refer to our senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities together as our "debt securities." The senior debt securities will have the same rank as all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be entitled to payment only after payment of any offering expensesour senior debt, including amounts under current or future senior credit facilities. Our debt securities will be issued under one of two indentures between us and underwriting discounts or commissions, be used to repay term loansa trustee. We have summarized general features of our debt securities under the Bank Agreement. Such term loans mature semi- annually through final maturitysection entitled "Description of Debt Securities" contained in this prospectus. We encourage you to read the indentures, the form of each of which is an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. PREFERRED SHARES We may issue preferred shares, without par value, in one or more series. Subject to the terms of our governing documents and applicable Ohio law, our board of directors will determine the dividend, voting, conversion and other rights and preferences of the series of preferred shares being offered. COMMON SHARES We may issue common shares, without par value. Holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividends when declared by our board of directors, subject to the rights of holders of our preferred shares. Each holder of common shares is entitled to one vote per share. The holders of common shares have no preemptive or cumulative voting rights. In addition to the common shares that we may offer, certain selling shareholders may offer and sell from time to time up to an aggregate of 1,600,000 common shares under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. 1 WARRANTS We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred shares or common shares either independently or together with other securities. Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the principal amount of our debt securities, or the number of preferred shares or common shares, at the exercise price set forth in, or calculable as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS We may issue stock purchase contracts representing contracts obligating holders to purchase from us and obligating us to sell to the holders a specified number of common shares or preferred shares at a future date or dates. The price per share of common shares or preferred shares may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units, often referred to as stock purchase units, consisting of a stock purchase contract and either of the following: - debt securities of our company; or - debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder's obligations to purchase our common shares or preferred shares under the stock purchase contracts. 2 RISK FACTORS Investing in our securities involves risks, including the risks described in this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement and in the other documents that are incorporated herein by reference. You should carefully consider the risks factors together with all of the other information and data included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents that are incorporated herein by reference before you decide to acquire any securities. OUR SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL HEALTH AND PREVENT US FROM FULFILLING OUR OBLIGATIONS. We have a significant amount of debt. Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences for you. For example, it could: - make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations under our outstanding indebtedness and otherwise; - increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; - require us to dedicate a substantial portion of cash flows from operations to payments on September 30, 2000,our indebtedness, which would reduce the cash flows available to fund working capital, capital expenditures, research and as of September 30, 1993, boredevelopment efforts and other general corporate requirements; - limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; - place us at a weighted averagecompetitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; - limit our ability to borrow additional funds; and - expose us to risks inherent in interest rate fluctuations because some of 5.5%. See "Description of Bank Agreement." SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA The following table sets forth selected historical financial data of the Company on a consolidated basis. The statement of operations data for the fiscal years ended September 30, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993, and the balance sheet data as of September 30, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 were derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company. The selected historical financial data should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" appearing elsewhere herein.
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 1989(1) 1990 1991 1992 1993(2) (dollars in thousands, except for share data and ratios) Statement of Operations Data (3) Net sales . . . $ 328,368 $ 350,441 $ 388,120 $ 413,558 $ 466,043 Cost of sales . 180,185 186,803 207,956 213,133 244,218 Gross profit. . 148,183 163,638 180,164 200,425 221,825 Operating expenses: Marketing . . 50,222 48,681 57,489 66,245 74,579 Distribution. 39,377 55,628 57,056 61,051 67,377 General and administrative . . . . . . . . 24,405 23,965 22,985 24,759 27,688 Research and development . . . . 4,630 4,714 5,247 6,205 7,700 Total operating expenses . . . . 118,634 132,988 142,777 158,260 177,344 Income from operations . . . . . . 29,549 30,650 37,387 42,165 44,481 Interest and other expenses. . . . 28,638 37,411 32,932 15,962 9,114 Income (loss) before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting changes . . . . . 911 (6,761) 4,455 26,203 35,367 Income taxes . 1,750 143 2,720 11,124 14,320 Income (loss) before extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting changes . . . . . . . (839) (6,904) 1,735 15,079 21,047 Extraordinary items: Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of tax. . . . . . . - - - (4,186) - Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards . . . . . . . 1,670 - 2,581 4,699 - Cumulative effect of changes in accounting for postretirement benefits, net of tax and income taxes . . . . . . . . - - - - (13,157) Net income (loss). . . . . . . . . $831 $(6,904) $4,316 $15,592 $ 7,890 Net income (loss) per common share: (4) Income (loss) before extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting changes . . . . . . . $ (0.07) $ (0.58) $ 0.15 $ 0.84 $ 1.07 Extraordinary items: Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of tax. . - - - (0.23) - Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards . . . . . . . . . 0.14 - 0.21 0.26 - Cumulative effect of changes in accounting postretirement benefits, net of tax and income taxes . . . . - - - - (0.67) Net income (loss). . . . . . . .$ 0.07 $ (0.58) $ 0.36 $ 0.87 $ 0.40 Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. . . . . . . . 11,511,278 11,976,733 11,832,651 18,014,151 19,687,013 Other Historical Data: Depreciation and amortization $19,621 $20,474 $17,785 $15,848 $ 18,144 Capital expenditures . . . . . . . 6,722 8,494 8,818 19,896 15,158 EBITDA(5) . . . 47,300 49,080 53,269 56,771 61,598 Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense . . . 1.46x 1.42x 1.72x 3.56x 7.29x Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(6). . 1.03x -- (7) 1.14x 2.40x 4.08x Balance Sheet Data (end of period)(3) Working capital $10,363 $18,230 $21,260 $54,795 $78,891 Property, plant and equipment, net . . . . . . . . . 85,976 83,384 79,903 89,070 98,791 Total assets. . 276,253 270,429 260,729 268,021 321,590 Long-term debt, including current portion. . . . . . . . . 201,203 192,915 182,954 35,897 92,524 Total stockholders' equity (deficit) . . . . . . . . 2,555 (12,677) (9,961) 175,929 143,013 (1) Includes Hyponex from November 11, 1988. (2) Includes Republic from November 19, 1992. (3) Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to 1993 presentation; these changes did not impact net income. (4) Net income (loss) per share for fiscal 1991 and 1990 has been restated to eliminate the effect of accretion to redemption value of redeemable common stock to be comparable with fiscal 1992. All per share amounts for fiscal 1988 through 1991 have been adjusted for the January 1992 reverse stock split, in which every 2.2 shares of old Class A Common Stock were exchanged for one share of new Class A Common Stock. (5) As used herein, EBITDA is defined as income from operations plus depreciation and amortization included therein. Deferred financing costs which have been incurred and capitalized in connection with financing the Company's operations and acquisitions are being amortized and reported as a portion of interest expense and therefore have been excluded from the calculation of depreciation and amortization used in the calculation of EBITDA. The Company believes that EBITDA is generally recognized as an indicator of a Company's ability to service its debt and capital expenditure requirements. However, EBITDA is not intended to be a performance measure that should be regarded as an alternative either to income from operations or net income or as an indicator of operating performance or cash flows as a measure of liquidity, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (6) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing (a) the sum of (i) income from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and the cumulative effect of accounting changes and (ii) fixed charges by (b) fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest on all indebtedness (including amortization of deferred financing costs), capitalized interest and the estimated interest component of operating leases (assumed to be one-third of total rental expense). (7) Reflects a deficiency of earnings to fixed charges of $6.8 million.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA The following unaudited pro forma financial information of the Company has been derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the Consolidated Financial Statements of Sierra. The Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations gives effect to the acquisition of Sierra, which occurred on December 16, 1993, as if it had occurred on October 1, 1992. THE PRO FORMA INFORMATION AND ACCOMPANYING NOTES SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO APPEARING ELSEWHERE HEREIN AND WITH SIERRA'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN. THE PRO FORMA INFORMATION DOES NOT PURPORT TO REPRESENT WHAT THE COMPANY'S RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ACTUALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN HAD THE ACQUISITION OF SIERRA OCCURRED ON OCTOBER 1, 1992 OR TO PROJECT THE COMPANY'S RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR ANY FUTURE PERIOD. THE PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS BASED ON ESTIMATES OF FINANCIAL EFFECTS THAT MAY NOT PROVE TO BE ACCURATE OVER TIME. Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations For the Year Ended September 30, 1993 (Unaudited)
The Scotts Sierra Company Historical Pro Forma Historical (1) Adjustments Pro Forma (dollar in thousands, except per share data and ratios) Net sales . . . . . . . . $ 466,043 $ 119,275 $ - $ 585,318 Cost of sales . . . . . . 244,218 66,135 1,249 (2) 311,602 Gross profit. . . . . . 221,825 53,140 (1,249) 273,716 Operating expenses: Marketing . . . . . . . 74,579 23,243 - 97,822 Distribution. . . . . . 67,377 4,025 - 71,402 General and administrative . .27,688 8,837 164 (3) 36,689 Research and development . . . 7,700 4,114 - 11,814 Total operating expenses . 177,344 40,219 164 217,727 Income from operations. . 44,481 12,921 (1,413) 55,989 Interest expense. . . . . 8,454 7,514 (507) (4) 15,461 Other expense, net. . . . 660 1,030 2,763 (5) 4,453 Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting changes. . . 35,367 4,377 (3,669) 36,075 Income taxes. . . . . . . 14,320 1,727 (246) (6) 15,801 Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes . . . . . . . . $ 21,047 $ 2,650 $(3,423) $ 20,274 Earnings per common share before cumulative effect of accounting changes . $ 1.07 $ 1.03 Weighted average common shares outstanding. . . 19,687,013 19,687,013 Other Pro Forma Data: Depreciation and amortization. . . . . $18,144 $3,840 $3,262 $25,246 EBITDA (7). . . . . . . 60,938 15,623 (914) 75,647 Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense. . . 7.21x 2.08x - 4.89x Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (8) . . 4.08x 1.49x - 2.81x ________________ (1) Certain reclassifications have been made to Sierra's historical statement of operations to conform to The Scotts Company classifications. To conform Sierra's fiscal year of December 31, 1993 to the Company's fiscal year of September 30, 1993, Sierra's results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 1993 have been excluded and their results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 1992 have been included in the pro forma presentation. Net sales and net income for these respective three month periods were:
Three Months Ended December 31, 1993 1992 (dollars in thousands) Net sales $25,705 $27,798 Net (loss) income (784) 485
(2)This adjustment reflects the following: (in thousands) $ 1,140 manufacturing profit in acquired inventories 209 depreciation of the step-up of tangible assets acquired 42 amortization of patents acquired (142) reduction in expenses related to assumed facilities leases $ 1,249 (3)To amortize $164,000 of organizational costs associated with the acquisition. (4) This adjustment reflects the following: (in thousands) $ 6,781 interest on acquisition indebtedness 326 amortization of deferred financing costs (7,514) eliminationour borrowings are at variable rates of interest, on Sierra's retired indebtedness (100) elimination of Sierra's deferred financing costs $ (507) (5) To amortize non-compete agreements ($1.2 million) and goodwill ($1.6 million). (6) To reflect domestic income taxes not previously recorded by Sierra due to its net operating loss position, as well as the tax effects of pro forma adjustments towhich could result in higher interest expense patent amortization, adjusted lease expense and amortization of non-compete agreements and goodwill at statutory federal and state income tax rates. (7) See note 3 to "Selected Historical Financial Data." (8) See note 4 to "Selected Historical Financial Data." MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and the Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data and respective notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. General The increasing share of consumer business attributable to mass merchandisers, as well as the December 1993 acquisition of Sierra, have affected and will continue to affect the Company in several ways. Based on its experience in the past several years, management anticipates that a greater proportionevent of the Company's consumer productsincreases in interest rates. Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures and research and development efforts will be sold through the mass merchandiser distribution channel. Increased salesdepend on our ability to mass merchandisers makes the Company's sales more seasonal, as the inventory controls and just-in-time ordering which mass merchandisers utilize tend to concentrate the Company's sales "in season" (i.e., during the second and third fiscal quarters). In addition, local regulatory efforts to decrease the amount of fertilizers and control products stored at golf courses have resulted in increasing reluctance by golf course customers to purchase productsgenerate cash in the late Fall for Spring use.future. This, reluctance has increased, and likely will continue to increase, the seasonality of the Company's business. The acquisition of Sierra should have an important impact on the Company. At the time of the acquisition, Sierra's business was primarily professional. On a pro forma basis, Sierra would have added approximately $100 million in net sales to the Company's Professional Business Group and approximately $15 million to the Company's Consumer Business Group for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993. Management believes that Sierra's sales should offset to some extent, the increasing seasonality of the Company's sales discussed above both because the Professional Business Group's customers tendis subject to purchase the Company's products during a greater part of the fiscal yeargeneral economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and because Sierra has substantial sales outside of the United States, where seasons and usage patternsother factors that are different. The Company believesbeyond our control. We cannot assure you that the acquisition of Sierraour business will also benefit the Company by providing fertilizer manufacturing facilities in a number of locations outside of Ohio, including one in The Netherlands, which, over the long term, should help ameliorate the Company's current manufacturing capacity limitations and help to control distribution costs while increasing customer service. Results of Operations Fiscal 1993 Compared with Fiscal 1992 Net sales of $466.0 million increased by $52.5 million, or 12.7%. The majority of the increase resulted from increased sales volume of consumer products. Consumer Business Group sales of $370.2 million increased by $47.6 million, or 14.8%. The growth was principally derived from increased sales volume to major retailers and from sales for Republic, acquired in November 1992, which accounted for approximately 37.5% of the increase in Consumer Business Group sales. Professional Business Group sales of $93.7 million increased by $3.6 million, or 4.0%. The majority of the increase was due to increased sales volume. Cost of sales of $244.2 million (52.4% of net sales) compared with $213.1 million (51.5% of net sales) in fiscal 1992. The increase was primarily caused by lower gross profit margins on Republic's products in fiscal 1993. Cost savings from the implementation of new controlled-release fertilizer technology, which exceeded start-up costs incurred early in fiscal 1993, partly offset the increase. Operating expenses of $177.3 million increased by $19.1 million, or 12.1%. The increase was caused by increased investment in advertising and consumer rebates in fiscal 1993. higher distribution costs related to increased sales, and the inclusion of operating expenses for Republic which amounted to approximately $3.0 million from November through the end of the fiscal year. Income from operations of $44.5 million increased by $2.3 million or 5.5%, which resulted from increased sales, partially offset by increased operating expenses. The increase was also offset, in part, by additional pretax charges of $2.4 million, in fiscal 1993, resulting from the implementation of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement of Accounting Standards No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions" ("SFAS 106"). Interest expense of $8.5 million decreased by $7.5 million or 47.0%. The decrease resulted from reduced borrowings and lower interest rates in fiscal 1993 including the effect of early redemption of subordinated notes and debentures. Reduced borrowings resulted from the application of the net proceeds of Scotts' January 1992 initial public offering andgenerate sufficient cash flow from operations partly offset byor that currently anticipated cost savings and operating improvements will be realized on schedule or at all. We also cannot assure you that future borrowings will be available to us under our credit facility in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD ADVERSELY IMPACT FINANCIAL RESULTS. Weather conditions in North America and Europe have a significant impact on the usetiming of capital resources for the Republic acquisition, the purchase of Scotts' Class A Common Stock from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. and capital investment in 1993. Income before extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting changes increased by approximately $6.0 million, or 39.6%, primarily due to increased operating income and lower interest expense. The increase was partially offset by a $1.4 million charge, net of tax, related to adoption of SFAS 106 in 1993. Net income of $7.9 million decreased by $7.7 million, or 49.4%. The decrease was attributable to current expense from the implementation of SFAS 106 and a non-recurring charge for the cumulative effect of the change in accountingsales in the amountspring selling season and overall annual sales. Periods of $14.9 million, netwet weather can slow fertilizer sales, while periods of tax. Thedry, hot weather can decrease was partially offset by a non-recurring benefit of $1.8 million, related to implementation of FASB Statement of Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". Fiscal 1992 Compared to Fiscal 1991 Netpesticide sales. In addition, an abnormally cold spring throughout North America and/or Europe could adversely affect both fertilizer and pesticide sales for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1992 of $413.6 million increased by $25.4 million, or 6.6%. Consumer Business Group sales of $322.6 million increased by $19.4 million, or 6.4%. This growth was derived from increased sales to major retailers, while geographical diversification offset the effect of locally unfavorable weather conditions and the soft economy. Professional Business Group sales of $90.1 million increased by $5.1 million, or 6.0%,therefore our financial results. OUR HISTORICAL SEASONALITY COULD IMPAIR OUR ABILITY TO PAY OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE IN ADDITION TO OUR OPERATING EXPENSES. Because our products are used primarily due to sales of new Poly-S(Registered) fertilizer products and improved selling programs. Through its patented Poly-S technology, the Company produces nutrient particles with an inner coating of sulfur and an outer polymer coating. Cost of sales of $213.1 million (51.5% of net sales) for fiscal 1992 compared with $208.0 million (53.6% of net sales) for fiscal 1991. The decrease was partly attributable to favorable product costs, and, in part, to non-recurring costs in fiscal 1991 resulting from the contamination of certain of the Company's professional products with atrazine, a herbicide, and the resulting damage to the greens of a number of golf courses in the United Statesspring and Canada. These non-recurring costs totaled $2.2 million in fiscal 1991. Marketing expense of $66.2 million (16.0% of net sales) for fiscal 1992 compared with $57.5 million (14.8% of net sales) for fiscal 1991. The increase was primarily attributable to the cost of expanding geographic coverage of Scott's Early Bird rebate promotion and the addition of an on-bag rebate for selected Hyponex soil and bark products. Distribution expense of $61.1 million for fiscal 1992 compares with $57.1 million for fiscal 1991 reflecting higher freight costs in 1992 on increased sales. Distribution expense in both fiscal 1992 and fiscal 1991 represented approximately 14.7% of net sales. General and administrative expense of $24.8 million (6.0% of net sales) for fiscal 1992 compared with $23.0 million (5.9% of net sales) for fiscal 1991. The increase was partly caused by an increase in the cost of medical and pension benefits provided by the Company and partly by a general increase in costs in fiscal 1992. Other expense (net) of $.02 million for fiscal 1992 compares with other expense (net) of $2.0 million in fiscal 1991. The decrease was partly attributable to royalty income received in fiscal 1992 by OMS under a licensing agreement permitting the use of Scott's name on certain lawnmowers manufactured and distributed by a licensee. The decrease was also attributable to non-recurring charges recorded in fiscal 1991 offset by foreign currency transaction losses recognized in 1992. Liquidity and Capital Resources Capital expenditures totaled $15.2 million and $19.9 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 1993 and 1992, respectively, and are expected to total approximately $31.5 million in fiscal 1994. Capital expenditures planned for fiscal 1994 include a substantial addition to the Company's Marysville, Ohio production facilities estimated to be $13 million. The most significant project planned is a new production building to manufacture products using Scott's new patented controlled- release fertilizer Poly-S(Registered) technology. The facility will provide additional production capacity in response to customer demand for Poly-S(Registered) products. The Bank Agreement, as amended on December 16, 1993, restricts the amount the Company may spend on future capital expenditures to $35 million per year in fiscal 1994 and thereafter. These expenditures will be financed with cash provided by operations and utilization of available credit facilities. Effective November 19, 1992, OMS acquired Republic for a purchase price of approximately $16.4 million. A description of the Republic acquisition is found in Note 2 on page F-9 of this Prospectus. On February 23, 1993, Scotts purchased all of the shares of its Class A Common Stock held by a fund managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. A total of 2,414,895 shares of Class A Common Stock were purchased for approximately $41.4 million which was financed through the use of term loans under the Bank Agreement which is described below. Effective December 16, 1993, OMS completed the acquisition of Sierra for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $123.3 million, including estimated transaction costs of $3.3 million. The acquisition was financed through the use of term loans under the Bank Agreement. Chemical Bank serves as agent for the participating banks. Primarily as the result of the inclusion of Republic's current assets, current assets increased from $115.5 million on September 30, 1992 to $143.7 million on September 30, 1993. Higher inventories of the Company's products at September 30, 1993 also contributed to the increase. Total liabilities of $178.6 million, at September 30, 1993, increased by $86.5 million. The increase was principally due to the addition of term loans for the purchase of Class A Common Stock mentioned above and a long-term liability related to the adoption of SFAS 106 effective October 1, 1992. Total shareholders' equity decreased from $175.9 million on September 30, 1992 to $143.0 million on September 30, 1993, primarily due to a reduction in total shareholders' equity for treasury stock representing the Class A Common Stock purchased in February 1993. The major sources of liquidity for Company operations and expansion are funds generated internally and borrowings under the Bank Agreement. The Bank Agreement was amended in November 1992 to permit the acquisition of Republic, amended in February 1993 to provide financing for and permission to purchase the Class A Common Stock mentioned above and amended again in December 1993 to provide financing for and permit the acquisition of Sierra. As amended, the Bank Agreement provides a revolving credit commitment of $150.0 million through March 31, 1996 and $195.0 million of term loans with scheduled maturities commencing on April 30, 1994 and extending through September 30, 2000. The loans are provided by Chemical Bank, as agent, and thirteen other participating banks. The increased credit availability provided adequate capital for the acquisition of Republic and Sierra and their estimated future working capital needs. See "Description of Bank Agreement." Among other requirements, the financial covenants in the Bank Agreement require maintenance of Adjusted Operating Profit, Consolidated Net Worth and Interest Coverage (each as defined therein) and require the Company to reduce revolving borrowings under the Bank Agreement to $30.0 million for thirty consecutive days each year. The Company met all the requirements of the financial covenants during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1993. The Company'ssummer, our business is highly seasonal with approximately 69%seasonal. For the past two fiscal years, more than 75% of our net sales occurringhave occurred in the second and third fiscal quarters ending March and June, respectively. Seasonality is reflected incombined. Our working capital requirements. Working capital needs and our borrowings peak near the middle of our second fiscal quarter because we are greatest from November through May,generating fewer revenues while incurring expenditures in preparation for the peak production periods, andspring selling season. If cash on hand is insufficient to pay our obligations as they come due, including interest payments on our indebtedness, or our operating expenses, at a time when we are highest in March. Working capital needs are relatively low in the summer months. In addition, the Company's consumer business may be adversely affected by the weather. Poor weekend weather during the Spring tendsunable to adversely affect consumer purchases of the Company's do-it-yourself products. Historically, the Company has attempted to lessen the impact of possibledraw on our credit facility, this seasonality could have a material adverse weather by promotional programs at the retail and consumer levels to encourage consumer purchases in the early Spring. Management believes that cash flow and capital resources will be sufficient to meet future debt service requirements and working capital needs. Inflation The Company is subject to the effects of changing prices. The Company has, however, generally been able to pass along inflationary increases in its costs by increasing the prices of its products. In addition, the application of purchase accounting in connection with the Company's acquisition by a company formed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice and the Hyponex acquisition mitigates the effects of changing costs on the financial statements because assets and liabilities were adjusted to fair values on the acquisition dates and cost of sales and depreciation have therefore been adjusted accordingly. Accounting Issues The Company adopted SFAS 106 and SFAS 109 effective October 1, 1992. The effect on 1993 net incomeour ability to conduct our business. Adverse weather conditions could heighten this risk. 3 PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS THAT THE PRODUCTS WE PRODUCE AND MARKET ARE NOT SAFE COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT US. We manufacture and market a number of adopting SFAS 106 was an after-tax charge of $1.4 million for fiscal 1993 and a non-recurring charge of $14.9 million net of tax, for the cumulative effect of the change in accounting. The cumulative effect of adopting SFAS 109 was a non-recurring benefit of $1.8 million. The adoption of SFAS 109 also resulted in a deferred tax asset. A valuation reserve was not established because the Company expects sufficient future taxable income to realize the benefit of the deferred tax asset. In November 1992, FASB issued Statement Financial Accounting Standards No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits" ("SFAS 112") which changes the prevalent method of accounting for benefits provided after employment but before retirement. Scotts must adopt SFAS 112 no later than the first quarter of fiscal 1995. Management is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 112 and, at this time, the effect of adopting SFAS 112 has not been determined. BUSINESS The Company is one of the oldest and most widely recognized manufacturers of products used to grow and maintain landscape: lawns, gardens and golf courses. In both the consumer and professional market segments, the Company, through its brands -- Scotts and Turf Builder (for consumer lawn care), ProTurf (for professional turf care) and Osmocote and Peters (for commercial horticulture) -- commands market-leading shares more than double those of the next ranked competitors. The Company's long history of technical innovation, its reputation for quality and service and its effective marketing tailored to the needs of do-it- yourselfers and professionals have enabled the Company to maintain leadership in its markets while delivering consistent growth in sales and operating income and stable operating margins. Do-it-yourselfers and professionals purchase through different distribution channels and have different information and product needs. Accordingly, the Company has two business groups, Consumer and Professional, to serve these markets. Consumer Business Group Products The Company's consumer products include lawn fertilizers, fertilizer/control combination products, potting soils and other organic products, grass seed, lawn spreaders, indoor and outdoor plant care products and garden tools. The following table sets forth information concerning sales of the Company's consumer products in fiscal 1991, 1992 and 1993: Consumer Products Sales (in millions) Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
1991 1992 1993 Fertilizers and Combination Products . . . . $132.4 $134.2 $154.4 Organic Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133.4 143.2 150.3 Grass Seed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.3 23.7 25.4 Lawn Spreaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.2 10.2 28.2 Garden Products, Tools and Indoor Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.5 5.7 5.0 International. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.4 5.6 6.9 Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $303.2 $322.6 $370.2
Lawn Fertilizers and Combination Products. The Company's most important consumer products are lawn fertilizers, such as Turf Builder(Registered), and combination fertilizer/controlcomplex chemical products, such as Turf Builder Plus 2(Registered) (which is usedfertilizers, growing media, herbicides and pesticides, bearing one of our brands. On occasion, customers and some current or former employees have alleged that some products have failed to eliminate dandelions and other broadleaf weeds) and Turf Builder Plus Halts(Registered) (to prevent crabgrass and other weeds). Typically, these are patented, homogeneous, controlled- release products which provide complete controlled feeding for consumers' lawns forperform up to two months without the risk ofexpectations or have caused damage or injury to the lawn presented by less expensive non-controlled-release products. A number of the Company'sindividuals or property. Public perception that our products are specially formulated for geographical differences and some, such as Bonus(Registered) S (to control weeds in Southern grasses) are distributed to limited areas. Most of the Company's fertilizer and combination products are sold in dry, granular form, although the Company also sells a small amount of liquid lawn care products. Consumer products that utilize Sierra's technology include Peters(Registered) Professional(Registered) all-soluble fertilizers and Once(Registered) controlled-release lawn fertilizer, which can provide up to three months of feeding from one application. Management estimates that in fiscal 1993 the Company's share of the consumer lawn chemicals products market was approximately 46%, more than double that of the second leading brand. Organic Products. The Company sells a broad line of organic products under the Hyponex and other labels, including retail potting soils, topsoil, peat, manures and mulches. Management estimates that the Company's fiscal 1993 market share was approximately 50% in potting soils, more than double that of the next leading brand, and approximately 39% in other consumer organic products. Grass Seed. High quality seed was the Company's first product. Today, the Company sells numerous varieties and blends of grass seed, many of them proprietary, designed for different uses and geographies. Management estimates that the Company's share of the consumer grass seed market was approximately 28% in fiscal 1993. Lawn Spreaders. Because Scott's granular lawn care products perform best when applied evenly and accurately, the Company sells a line of spreaders specifically developed for use with Scotts products. This line includes the SpeedyGreen(Registered) and EasyGreen(Registered) rotary spreaders, the PrecisionGreen(Registered) and AccuGreen(Registered) drop spreaders, and the HandyGreen(Registered) hand-held rotary spreader. In November 1992, the Company acquired Republic, a manufacturer of spreaders and other lawn and garden equipment. Republic had fiscal 1993 sales of approximately $17.8 million. The Company intends to continue marketing both its line of Scotts spreaders and Republic's EZ(Registered) line of spreaders in 1994 and is integrating the manufacture of its spreaders through Republic. Management estimates that the Company's share of the market for lawn spreaders was approximately 33% in fiscal 1993, more than double that of the next leading manufacturer. Garden Products, Tools and Indoor Products. The Company produces and sells a line of boxed Scotts Plant Foods, garden and landscape fertilizers. The Company has a licensing agreement with Union Tools, Inc. ("Union") under which Union, in return for the payment of royalties, is granted the right to produce and market a line of garden tools bearing the Scotts trademark and has agreed to undertake the marketing of a line of Scotts tools produced in Germany which were formerly marketed by the Company. The Company also has a license agreement with NOMA Industries, licensing that company in return for royalty payments to produce and sell a line of power lawnmowers under the Scotts name. The Company sells a line of indoor plant care products. In management's estimation, the Company did not have a material share of the markets for these products in fiscal 1993. International. The Company produces and sells consumer lawn and garden care products, under various labels, internationally, principally in Canada, Japan and Europe. In 1991, the Company established a subsidiary and a network of sales representatives in the United Kingdom to enter the consumer lawn and garden market in Great Britain. Sierra has a manufacturing facility in The Netherlands and sells its fertilizer products throughout Europe, and in Australia and New Zealand, but primarily for professional use. Business Strategy The Company believes that it achieved its leading position in the do-it-yourself lawn care market on the basis of its sophisticated technology, the superior quality and value of its products and the service it provides consumers. The Company seeks to maintain and expand its market position by emphasizing these qualities and taking advantage of the Scotts name and reputation. Since its acquisition of Hyponex, the Company has also focused on increasing sales of its higher margin organic items such as potting soils. With the acquisition of Republic in 1992, the Company was able to begin integrating the manufacture of its important lawn spreader product line. The more recent acquisition of Sierra should provide the Company with numerous strategic opportunities, including expanding the distribution of Scotts products internationally, by using the Sierra facilities and personnel in Europe and elsewhere. The Company also expects to increase sales of water-soluble fertilizers manufactured by Sierra in the consumer market and to test certain bioinsecticides for which Sierra has licenses. Drawing upon its strong research and development capabilities, the Company intends to continue to develop and introduce new and innovative lawn and garden products. The Company believes that its ability to introduce successful new consumer products has been a key element in Scotts' growth. New consumer products in recent years include the HandyGreen(Registered) hand-held spreader (1991), an improved Hyponex Professional Mix Potting Soil (1991), PatchMaster(Registered) (1992), a unique lawn repair product containing seed, Starter(Registered) fertilizer and mulch, and 3- Step Scotts Lawn Care System consisting of three products in one easy-to-carry box (1993). For fiscal 1994, the Company has introduced premium planting and potting soils under the Scotts brand name, a proprietary fertilizer product, Turf Builder for Shady Areas, and a line of grass seed coated with a fungicide to improve germination. The Company also seeks to capitalize upon the competitive advantages stemming from its position as the leading nationwide supplier of a full line of consumer lawn and garden products. The Company believes that this gives it an important edge in selling to larger retailers, such as mass merchandisers and home centers, who value the efficiency of dealing with a limited number of suppliers. Finally, the Company has developed a program to take advantage of Hyponex's composting expertise and the increasing concern about landfill capacity by entering into agreements with municipalities and waste haulers to compost yard waste. A pilot program was started in 1991 on Company-owned land in Marysville when the Company entered into a five-year contract with Franklin County, Ohio, to compost a minimum of 50,000 tons of yard waste per year for a fee of $20 per ton. During 1992, the Company entered into agreements for composting yard waste in Greensboro, North Carolina; Waukesha County, Wisconsin; Spokane, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The Company now has twelve compost facilities. In addition to service fees, the Company plans to substitute the resulting compost for a portion of the raw materials in Hyponex and other Company products. Revenues in fiscal 1993 and 1992 from composting services were $2.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Marketing and Promotion The Company employs a 93 person direct sales force for its consumer products to cover approximately 24,000 retail outlets and headquarters of national, regional and local chains. Most salespeople have college degrees and prior sales experience. Sierra's sales force is composed primarily of distributors, supported by a technically trained field force of six. In recent years, the percentage of sales to mass merchandisers and large buying groups has increased. The top ten accounts represented 58% of the Consumer Business Group sales in fiscal 1993 versus 47% in 1990. See "-Matters Relating to the Company Generally-Significant Customers." At the same time, the Company continues to support its independent retailers. Most importantly, the Company developed a special line of products, marketed under the Lawn Pro(Registered) name, which are sold exclusively by independent retailers. These products include the 4-Step(Trademark) program, introduced in 1984, which encourages consumers to purchase four products at one time (fertilizer plus crabgrass preventer, fertilizer plus weed control, fertilizer plus insect control and a special fertilizer for Fall application). The Company promotes the 4-Step program as providing consumers with all their annual lawn care needs for less than half of what a lawn care service would cost. The Company believes that the Lawn Pro line has helped maintain the loyalty of the independent retailers in the face of increasing competition from mass merchandisers. During 1993, the Company reintroduced its Lawn Care(Registered) magazine as part of the direct mail promotion for the Lawn Pro 4-Step program. The Company supports its sales efforts with extensive advertising and promotional programs. Because of the importance of the Spring sales season in the marketing of consumer lawn and garden products, the Company focuses its promotional efforts on this period. Through advertising, consumer rebates, retailer allowances and other promotional efforts, the Company seeks to encourage customers to make the bulk of their lawn and garden purchases in the early Spring. The Company believes that its early season promotions substantially moderate the risk to its consumer sales posed by bad weekend weather. An important part of the Company's sales effort is Scotts' national toll-free consumer hotline, on which Scott's "lawn consultants" answer questions about the Company's products and give general lawn care advice to consumers. The Company's lawn consultants responded to over 240,000 telephone and written inquiries in fiscal 1993 and have handled over 2,000,000 calls since the inception of the consumer hotline in 1972. Backing up the Company's marketing effort is its well-known "No Quibble" guarantee, instituted in 1958, which promises consumers a full refund if for any reason they aresafe, whether justified or not, satisfied with the results after using Scotts products. Refunds under this guarantee have consistently amounted to less than 0.3% of net sales on an annual basis. Competition The consumer lawn and garden market is highly competitive. The most significant competitors for the consumer lawn care business are lawn care service companies. At least one of these, Tru Green Company, which also owns the ChemLawn(Registered) lawn care service business, operates nationally and is significantly larger than the Company. In the do-it-yourself segment, the Company's products compete primarily against regional products and private label products produced by various suppliers and sold by such companies as Kmart. These products compete across the entire range of the Company's product line. In addition, certain of the Company's products compete against branded fertilizers, pesticides and combination products produced by such companies as Monsanto Company (Ortho(Registered) and Greensweep(Registered)), Lebanon Chemical Corp. (Greenview(Registered)) and Stern's Miracle-Gro Products, Inc. Most competitors, with the exception of lawn care service companies, sell their products at prices lower than those of the Company. The Company competes primarily on the basis of its strong brand names, quality, value, service and technological innovation. The Company's competitive position is also supported by its national sales force, advertising campaigns and its unconditional guarantee. There can be no assurance, however, that additional competition from new or existing competitors will not erode the Company's share of the consumer market or its profit margins. Backlog The major portion of annual consumer product orders (other than organic products which are normally ordered in season on an "as needed" basis) are received from retailers during the months of October through January and are filled during the months of January through March. As of April 30, 1994, orders on hand for retail customers (excluding orders for Sierra products and Republic's EZ brand spreaders) totaled approximately $16.8 million compared to approximately $14.7 million on the same date in 1993. All such orders are expected to be filled in fiscal 1994. Professional Business Group The Market The Company sells its professional products to golf courses, sports fields, nurseries, lawn and landscape service companies and growers of specialty agricultural crops. Among the purchasers of the Company's products in fiscal 1993 were such golf courses as Augusta National (Georgia), Cypress Point, Spyglass and Pebble Beach (California), Muirfield Village (Ohio), The Country Club (Massachusetts), Colonial Country Club (Texas) and Butler National (Illinois), and such sports complexes as Fenway Park, Camden Yard, Wrigley Field and the Rose Bowl. The following table sets forth the amount of Company sales to its professional markets in fiscal 1991, 1992 and 1993: Professional Products Sales (in millions) Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
1991 1992 1993 Golf Courses (North America) . . . . . . . . . $58.2 $62.6 $68.6 Nurseries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.0 7.3 7.7 Lawn/Landscape Services . . . . . . . . . . . 8.9 10.6 9.0 Specialty Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.3 3.1 1.2 Sports Fields/Parks/Schools. . . . . . . . . . 2.4 3.0 2.9 International (other than Canada) . . . . . . 3.2 3.5 4.3 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $85.0 $90.1 $93.7
Golf courses are the most important of the Company's professional markets, accounting for over 70% of the Company's Professional Business Group's net sales in fiscal 1993. In fiscal 1993, the Company sold products to approximately 55% of the over 14,500 golf courses in the United States, including 81 of Golf Digest's top 100 U.S courses. Management estimates, based upon an independent biannual market survey and other information available to the Company, that the Company's share of the $200 million golf course turf care segment (not including commodity products) was approximately 25% in fiscal 1993. In addition, Sierra had sales of approximately $9 million to the golf course turf care segment in calendar 1993. According to the National Golf Foundation, approximately 200 new golf courses have been constructed annually for the last two years. Management believes that this increase in the number of courses, and the trend toward more highly-maintained golf courses, contributes to an annual sales growth rate in Scott's targeted golf course segment of approximately 7%. The commercial nursery and the sports field segments, management estimates, are growing at 4-5% annually. Sierra sells both controlled-release and water-soluble fertilizers as well as a line of pesticides (primarily fungicides) to the commercial horticultural segment both in the United States and abroad with calendar 1993 sales of approximately $55 million in the United States and $31 million abroad. The Company estimates that, in calendar 1993, Sierra had approximately a 33% share of the U.S. commercial ornamental growth category overall, and over a 50% share of the U.S. commercial ornamental fertilizer segment in the United States, more than double the share of next leading manufacturer. Products The Company's professional turf products, marketed primarily under the ProTurf(Registered) name, include a broad line of sophisticated fertilizers, control products, growth regulators, grass seed and application devices. The products are sold to golf courses, lawn/landscape service companies, athletic field managers and apartment and office complexes. Most ProTurf products are designed for specialized applications. For example, various fertilizers are sold for use on particular areas (e.g., some for golf course greens, others for fairways) and for particular purposes (such as high phosphorous fertilizers and fertilizer containing micronutrients to correct nutrient deficiencies). Similarly, the Company markets a line of fungicides primarily for use on highly maintained areas such as bentgrass greens. A patented technology introduced in 1987, TGR(Registered), combines a turf growth regulator and a fertilizer to control poa annua, a serious weed problem on golf courses. The TGR product line has since been expanded to include other uses, including the reduction of clippings, color enhancement and the improvement of turf density. Although ProTurf products are primarily granular, the Company also markets a line of liquid turf products, now numbering 15, which some turf managers prefer for their cost effectiveness and ease-of- application over large areas. In 1992, the Company's patented Poly-S(Registered) fertilizer technology replaced the Company's sulfur-coated turf fertilizer line, and has gained rapid acceptance. Additional line extensions utilizing Poly-S technology were introduced in 1993 in North America, Europe, Australia, the Pacific Rim and Japan. The company's patented Triaform(Trademark) controlled-release fertilizer technology was introduced in 1993 in 12 new formulations. In 1993, the Company also successfully launched its first natural control product, Turplex(Registered) BioInsecticide, for the professional market. Scott's horticulture products are sold primarily to professional nurseries. The horticulture line includes fertilizers and pesticides particularly formulated for container- grown ornamental plants. For example, the Company markets a proprietary fertilizer designed to meet the requirements of commercial nursery growers who demand dependable, long-lasting and safe controlled-release fertilizers to incorporate in their growing media. Controlled-release fertilizer products utilizing Poly-S technology were also introduced in 1992, and extended in 1993, into the nursery and specialty agriculture markets. A new patented polymer coating technology, ScottKote(Registered), was introduced late in fiscal 1993, and several new products utilizing this technology will be added during 1994. Sierra's products for professional users include its Osmocote line of controlled-release fertilizers. These are sold in various formulations for different crops and can be produced in versions having a release period of up to 12 months. The greenhouse segment uses water-soluble fertilizers such as Peters Professional. Soilless growing media, under such trademarks as Metro-Mix(Registered) and Terra-Lite(Registered) are also sold to commercial growers. Finally, Sierra also sells a line of proprietary pesticide products for horticultural and turf professionals. Business Strategy The Company's Professional Business Group focuses its sales efforts on the middle and high end of the professional market and generally does not compete against sellers of commodity products. Demand for the Company's professional products is primarily driven by product quality, performance and technical support. The Company seeks to meet these needs with a range of sophisticated, specialized products and a professional, agronomically-trained sales force. A primary focus of the Professional Business Group's strategy is to provide a continuing flow of innovative new products to its professional customers. Products introduced since 1988 accounted for 63% of the Professional Business Group's net sales in fiscal 1993. The Company intends to use its strong position in the golf course segment to increase sales of Sierra products to those users, and, conversely, to expand the distribution of its ProGrow line in the commercial horticultural segment in which Sierra has a strong position. The Professional Business Group also works to increase market coverage by focusing on various professional market niches. In 1965, the Company established its first specialized professional sales force, focusing on golf courses. Since 1985, it has established separate sales forces and/or sales managers for lawn and landscape services, sports fields, golf course architects and construction companies, and international segments of the professional market. In 1992, the Company introduced a fairway application service for golf courses. This service has been expanded and is now available in the Carolinas, Georgia, Texas and Southern California. Additional service markets are planned for 1994. In 1993, two new Professional Service Centers were tested in the Washington, D.C. market. These new Company- operated service centers offer convenient, one-stop shopping for smaller lawn and landscape service customers. Plans are to expand this test in 1994. Marketing and Promotion The Professional Business Group's sales force consists of 97 technical representatives ("tech reps") who cover approximately 11,600 accounts. Many tech reps are experienced former golf course superintendents or nursery managers and most have degrees in agronomy, horticulture or similar disciplines. Tech reps work closely with golf course and sports field superintendents, turf and nursery managers, and other landscape professionals. In addition to marketing the Company's products, Scott's tech reps provide consultation, testing services, and advice regarding maintenance practices, including individualized comprehensive programs incorporating various products for use at specified times throughout the year. Sierra sells to the professional user primarily through an extensive network of distributors backed up by over 100 field sales representatives worldwide, most with substantial experience in the horticulture market. To reach potential purchasers, the Company uses trade advertising and direct mail, publishes newsletters, and sponsors seminars throughout the country. In addition, the Company maintains a special toll-free hotline for its professional customers. The professional customer service department responded to over 40,000 telephone inquiries in fiscal 1993. Competition In the professional turf and nursery market the Company faces a broad range of competition from numerous companies ranging in size from multi-national chemical and fertilizer companies such as DuPont and Dow-Elanco Company, to smaller specialized companies such as Lesco, Inc. and Lebanon Chemical Corp., to local fertilizer manufacturers and blenders. Portions of this market, such as fairway and rough fertilizers for golf courses, are sometimes served by large agricultural fertilizer companies, while other segments, such as fertilizers and pest controls for golf course greens and high value nursery crops, are served by specialized, research-oriented companies. In certain areas of the country, particularly Florida, a number of companies have begun to offer turf care services, including product application, to golf courses. In addition, the higher margins available for sophisticated products to treat high value crops continue to attract large and small chemical producers and formulators, some of which have larger research departments and budgets than the Company. While the Company believes that itscould impair our reputation, expertise in product development, and professional sales force will enable it to continue to maintain and build its share of the professional market, there can be no assurance that the Company's market share or margins will not be eroded in the future by new or existing competitors. Backlog The major portion of professional product orders are received during the months of August through November and are filled during the months of September through November. As of April 30, 1994, orders on hand from professional customers (excluding orders for Sierra products) totaled approximately $5.8 million compared with $5.5 million on the same date in 1993. All such orders are expected to be filled in fiscal 1994. Matters Relating to the Company Generally Patents, Trademarks and Licenses The "Scotts" and "Hyponex"damage our brand names and logos, as well as a numbermaterially adversely affect our business. BECAUSE OF THE CONCENTRATION OF OUR SALES TO A SMALL NUMBER OF RETAIL CUSTOMERS, THE LOSS OF ONE OR MORE OF OUR TOP CUSTOMERS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS. Our top 10 North American retail customers together accounted for more than 70% of product trademarks, including "Turf Builder," "Lawn Pro," "Osmocote"our total net sales and "Peters" are federally registered and are considered material to the Company's business. In 1989, the Company assigned all its rights to certain Hyponex trademarks in the Far East to a Japanese company. As35% of December 31, 1993, the Company held over 100 patents on processes, compositions, grasses, and mechanical spreaders and has several additional patent applications pending. Overour total outstanding accounts receivable for the past two years, the Company has been granted a numbercouple of patents covering key new process and product technologies. This new patent protection will extend well into the next decade. The Company also holds exclusive and non-exclusive patent licenses from certain chemical suppliers permitting the use and sale of patented pesticides. Research and Development The Company has a long history of innovation, and its research and development successes can be measured in terms of sales of new products and by the Company's patents. Products introduced since 1987 accounted for over $160 million (34%) of the Company's fiscal 1993 net sales. Virtually all of the Company's fertilizer products, many of its grasses and many of its mechanical devices are covered by one or more of over 100 U.S. and foreign patents owned by the Company. The Company's research and development department is headquartered in the Dwight G. Scott Research Center in Marysville, Ohio. The Company also operates three research field stations in Florida, Texas and Oregon. In addition, the Company funds research at universities across the United States and conducts cooperative projects with key professional customers. Research to develop new and improved application devices is conducted at Republic's manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, California. Investment in research is directed toward developing new technology and products to increase manufacturing efficiency, reduce product cost, improve performance, solve specific problems, improve packaging and simplify lawn, turf and horticultural plant care. Since its introduction of the first home lawn fertilizer in 1928, the Company has used its research and development strengths to build the do-it-yourself market. In 1947, it introduced the first fertilizer/control combination product; in 1950, the first pre-emergent crabgrass control; in 1957, the first lightweight, controlled-release fertilizer and, in 1964, the first patented bluegrass ("Windsor"). Technology continues to be a Company hallmark. Its introduction of the TGR line in 1987 to control poa annua on golf courses is an example. In 1992, the Company introduced Poly-S, a proprietary controlled-release fertilizer technology. In 1993, ScottKote(Registered), another controlled- release technology primarily for the nursery market, was introduced. In addition, the Company has modified its Marysville facility to utilize a new, patented production process which is expected to reduce costs and improve product quality, while increasing production capacity. (See "-Production Facilities.") Since the Hyponex acquisition, the Company's research and development department has worked to improve the quality and reduce the production cost of branded organic products, in particular potting soils. One of the results of this effort is the introduction, in 1994, of a line of value-added, premium quality potting soils and planting mixes under the Scotts brand. Research has also been focused on durability, precision, and reduced production costs of the Republic-produced spreaders. Recently, Republic completely redesigned the major products within the Company's consumer spreader line that can be distributed and displayed using innovative packaging. Sierra pioneered the use of controlled-release fertilizers for the horticultural markets with the introduction of "Osmocote" in the 1960s. This polymer-encapsulated technology has achieved a large share of the horticultural markets due to its ability to meet the strict performance requirements of professional growers. Research and development is currently focused on product improvement and cost reductions. A new, multi-coated controlled- release technology has been developed by Sierra researchers. A new production line is currently under construction at Sierra's Charleston, South Carolina plant to commercialize this high performance product. In the years prior to its acquisition by the Company in 1993, Sierra's research group developed an improved, patented line of soluble fertilizers under the "Excel" brand and introduced reformulated potting soils and planting mixes in both the consumer and professional markets. Expenditures for research and development were approximately $5.2 million (1.4% of net sales), $6.2 million (1.5% of net sales) and $7.7 million (1.7% of net sales) in fiscal 1991, 1992, and 1993 respectively. Approximately 14% of research and development resources are allocated to advanced technology, 37% to product and process development, and 49% to regulatory compliance and other technical activities. The Company plans a comparable level of spending for the next several years. Production Facilities The manufacturing plants for Scotts' consumer and professional fertilizer-based products are located in Marysville, Ohio, adjacent to the Company's corporate headquarters and Dwight G. Scott Research Center. The Company's Taylor Seed Packaging Plant is located on a separate site in Marysville. Hyponex organic products are harvested and packaged in 20 locations throughout the United States. The Company's best selling consumer lawn spreaders are produced at the Republic facility in Carlsbad, California. Some granular and mechanical products and all liquid products, constituting an aggregate of approximately 16% of the Company's cost of sales in fiscal 1993, are produced for the Company by other manufacturers. Sierra has manufacturing sites in the United States and one located in The Netherlands. Sierra's controlled-release fertilizers are produced in Charleston, South Carolina, Milpitas, California, and at Heerlen, The Netherlands. Water-soluble fertilizers are produced in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the potting soils are produced in Travelers Rest, South Carolina and in Hope, Arkansas. Management believes that each of its facilities is well- maintained and suitable for its purpose. Substantially all the Company's owned properties is mortgaged to secure the Company's indebtedness under the Bank Agreement. The Company's fertilizer processing and packaging facilities currently operate, on average, five days per week for three shifts. Because of the seasonal nature of the demand for the Company's products, these facilities operate less in the Summer and more, usually every other weekend, during the Fall and Winter. The Company's Marysville facilities were substantially modified during fiscal 1992 and 1993. The Company replaced one of the existing fertilizer production lines with a line utilizing a new, patented process which it developed. In addition, the Company erected a new physical-blend facility and added equipment to apply polymer coating to fertilizer materials. Capital Expenditures Capital expenditures totaled $19.9 million and $15.2 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 1992 and 1993, respectively. The Company expects that capital expenditures during fiscal 1994 will total approximately $31.5 million, of which approximately $13 million is attributable to construction of a new Poly-S production facility to meet strong forecasted demand. Further, approximately $4 million is for Sierra's capital needs, including construction of a new processing line at its Charleston, South Carolina facility to produce a technologically advanced fertilizer. Purchasing The key ingredients in the Company's fertilizer and control products are various commodity and specialty chemicals including vermiculite, phosphates, urea, potash, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. Sierra purchases granulates, homogeneous fertilizer substrates to be coated, and the resins for coating. These resins are primarily supplied domestically by Sierra SunPol Resins, a 97%-owned subsidiary of Sierra. The Company obtains its raw materials from various sources, which the Company presently considers to be adequate. No one source is considered to be essential to either of the Company's Consumer or Professional Business Groups, or to its business as a whole. The Company has never experienced a significant interruption of supply. Sphagum peat, peat humus, vermiculite manure and bark constitute Hyponex's most significant raw materials. At current production levels, the Company estimates Hyponex's peat reserves to be sufficient for its near-term needs in all locations except the Northeast. Regulatory activities by the Army Corps of Engineers have prevented production at one peat harvesting facility located in Lafayette, New Jersey. See "Environmental and Regulatory Considerations." To meet the demand previously filled by this facility, the Company has been purchasing peat from other nearby producers. Bark products are obtained from sawmills and other wood residue producers and manure is obtained from a variety of sources, such as feed lots, race tracks and mushroom growers. The Company is currently substituting composted yard waste for some organic raw materials and is planning to expand this practice. Raw materials for Republic manufacturing include various engineered resins and metals, all of which are available from a variety of vendors. Distribution The primary distribution center for the Company's products is also located at the Company's headquarters in Marysville, Ohio. The Company's products are shipped from Marysville by rail and truck. While the majority of truck shipments are made by contract carriers, a portion is made by Scotts' own fleet of leased trucks. Inventories are also maintained in field warehouses located in major markets. Most of Hyponex's organic products have low sales value per unit of weight, making freight costs significant to profitability. Hyponex therefore has located approximately twenty distribution locations near large metropolitan areas in order to minimize shipping costs. Hyponex uses its own fleet of approximately 70 trucks as well as contract haulers to transport its products from distribution points to retail customers. Sierra's products are produced at three fertilizer and two organic manufacturing facilities located in the United States. The majority of shipments are via common carriers to distributors' warehouses. A small private trucking fleet is maintained at the organic facilities for direct shipment of custom orders to customers. Inventories are also maintained in field warehouses. Republic-produced, Scotts branded spreaders are shipped via common carrier to regional warehouses serving the Company's retail network. Republic's E-Z spreader line and its private label lines are sold freight-on-board (FOB) Carlsbad with transportation arranged by the customer. Significant Customers Kmart andOur top four customers, Home Depot, represented approximately 21.5%Wal-Mart, Lowe's and 8.8%, respectively, of the Company's sales in fiscal 1993, which reflects theirKmart, hold significant positionpositions in the retail lawn and garden market. The loss of, either of these customers or a substantial decreasereduction in the amount of their purchasesorders from, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Kmart or any other significant customer could have a material adverse effect on our business and our financial results, as could customer disputes regarding shipments, fees, merchandise condition or related matters. Our inability to collect accounts receivable from any of these customers could also have a material adverse affect. We do not have long-term sales agreements or other contractual assurances as to future sales to any of our major retail customers. In addition, continued consolidation in the Company's business. Employeesretail industry has resulted in an increasingly concentrated retail base. To the extent such concentration continues to occur, our net sales and operating income may be increasingly sensitive to a deterioration in the financial condition of, or other adverse developments involving our relationship with, one or more customers. As a result of consolidation in the retail industry, our customers are able to exert increasing pressure on us with respect to pricing and payment terms. Kmart, one of our top customers, filed for bankruptcy relief under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code on January 22, 2002. Following such filing, we recommenced shipping products to Kmart, and we intend to continue shipping products to Kmart for the foreseeable future. If Kmart does not successfully emerge from its bankruptcy reorganization, our business could be adversely affected. IF MONSANTO WERE TO TERMINATE THE MARKETING AGREEMENT FOR CONSUMER ROUNDUP(R) PRODUCTS WITHOUT BEING REQUIRED TO PAY ANY TERMINATION FEE, WE WOULD LOSE A SUBSTANTIAL SOURCE OF FUTURE EARNINGS. If we were to commit a serious default under the marketing agreement with Monsanto for consumer Roundup(R) products, Monsanto may have the right to terminate the agreement. If Monsanto were to terminate the marketing agreement rightfully, we would not be entitled to any termination fee, and we would lose all, or a significant portion, of the significant source of earnings we believe the marketing agreement provides. Monsanto may also be able to terminate the marketing agreement within a given region, including North America, without paying us a termination fee if sales to consumers in that region decline: - over a cumulative three fiscal year period; or - by more than 5% for each of two consecutive fiscal years. THE EXPIRATION OF PATENTS RELATING TO ROUNDUP(R) AND THE SCOTTS TURF BUILDER(R) LINE OF PRODUCTS COULD SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE OUR COMPETITION IN THE UNITED STATES. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup(R), was subject to a patent in the United States that expired in September 2000. We cannot predict the success of Roundup(R) now that glyphosate is no longer patented. Substantial new competition in the United States could adversely affect us. Glyphosate is no longer subject to patent in Europe and is not subject to patent in Canada. While sales of Roundup(R) in such countries have continued to increase despite the lack of patent protection, sales in the United States may decline as a result of increased competition. Any such decline in sales would adversely affect our financial results through the reduction of commissions as calculated under the Roundup(R) marketing agreement. We are aware that Spectrum Brands produced glyphosate one-gallon products for Home Depot and Lowe's to be sold under the Real-Kill(R) and No-Pest(R) brand names, respectively, in fiscal year 2001. Additional competitive products have been introduced in fiscal year 2002. It is too early to determine whether these product introductions will have a material adverse effect on our sales of Roundup(R). 4 Our methylene-urea product composition patent, which covered Scotts Turf Builder(R), Scotts Turf Builder(R) Plus 2(R) with Weed Control and Scotts Turf Builder(R) with Halts(R) Crabgrass Preventer, expired in July 2001. This could also result in increased competition. Any decline in sales of Turf Builder(R) products after the expiration of the methylene-urea product composition patent could adversely affect our financial results. THE HAGEDORN PARTNERSHIP L.P. BENEFICIALLY OWNS APPROXIMATELY 40% OF OUR OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES ON A FULLY DILUTED BASIS. The Company's corporate culture emphasizes employee participation in management, comprehensive employee benefitsHagedorn Partnership L.P. beneficially owns approximately 40% of our outstanding common shares on a fully diluted basis and programshas sufficient voting power to significantly influence the election of directors and profit sharing plans. Asthe approval of April 30, 1994,other actions requiring the Company employed approximately 2,500 full-time, year-round workersapproval of our shareholders. COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH REGULATIONS COULD INCREASE OUR COST OF DOING BUSINESS. Local, state, federal and an additional five part-time or temporary workers. Full-time workers average approximately 10 years employment with the Company or its predecessors. During peak production periods, the Company engages as many as 750 temporary employees. The Company's employees are not unionized, except that twenty-one of Sierra's employees at its Milpitas facility are represented by the International Chemical Workers Union. Environmental and Regulatory Considerations Federal, state and localforeign laws and regulations relating to environmental matters affect the Companyus in several ways. AllIn the United States, all products containing pesticides must be registered with the U.S.United States Environmental Protection Agency (and("U.S. EPA") and, in many cases, similar state agencies)agencies before they can be sold. The inability to obtain or the cancellation of any such registration could have an adverse effect on the Company'sour business. The severity of the effect would depend on which products were involved, whether another product could be substituted and whether the Company'sour competitors were similarly affected. The Company attemptsWe attempt to anticipate regulatory developments and maintain registrations of, and access to, substitute chemicals, but there can be no assurance that it will continue tochemicals. We may not always be able to avoid or minimize these risks. FertilizerThe Food Quality Protection Act, enacted by the U.S. Congress in August 1996, establishes a standard for food-use pesticides: that a reasonable certainty of no harm will result from the cumulative effect of pesticide exposures. Under this act, the U.S. EPA is evaluating the cumulative risks from dietary and organicnon-dietary exposures to pesticides. The pesticides in our products, (including manures) arecertain of which may be used on crops processed into various food products, continue to be evaluated by the U.S. EPA as part of this exposure risk assessment. It is possible that the U.S. EPA or a third party active ingredient registrant may decide that a pesticide we use in our products will be limited or made unavailable to us. For example, in June 2000, DowAgroSciences, an active ingredient registrant, voluntarily agreed to a gradual phase-out of residential uses of chlorpyrifos, an active ingredient used in our lawn and garden products. In December 2000, the U.S. EPA reached agreement with various parties, including manufacturers of the active ingredient diazinon, regarding a phased withdrawal from retailers by December 2004 of residential uses of products containing diazinon, used also subject to state labeling regulations. In addition,in our lawn and garden products. We cannot predict the outcome or the severity of the effect of the U.S. EPA's continuing evaluations of active ingredients used in our products. The use of certain pesticide and fertilizer products is regulated by various local, state, federal and federalforeign environmental and public health agencies. These restrictionsRegulations regarding the use of some pesticide and fertilizer products may include requirements that only certified or professional users apply the product, or that certainthe products be used only onin specified locations or that certain types of locations (such as "not for use on sod farms or golf courses"),ingredients not be used. Users may require usersbe required to post notices on properties to which products have been or will be applied and may require notification ofbe required to notify individuals in the vicinity that products will be applied in the future or may ban the use of certain ingredients. Compliancefuture. Even if we are able to comply with all such regulations and the obtaining ofobtain all necessary registrations, does notwe cannot assure however,you that the Company'sour products, particularly pesticide products, will not cause injury to the environment or to people under all circumstances. StateThe costs of compliance, remediation or products liability have adversely affected operating results in the past and federal authorities generallycould materially affect future quarterly or annual operating results. The harvesting of peat for our growing media business has come under increasing regulatory and environmental scrutiny. In the United States, state regulations frequently require Hyponex to obtain permits (sometimes on an annual basis) in order to harvest peat and to discharge water run-off or water pumped from peat deposits. The state permits typically specify the condition in which the property will be left after the peat is fully harvested, with the residual use typically being natural wetland habitats combined with open water areas. Hyponex is generally required by these permitsus to limit itsour harvesting and to restore the property consistent with the intended residual use.to an agreed-upon condition. In some locations, Hyponex haswe have been required to create water retention ponds to control the sediment content of discharged water. In July 1990, the Philadelphia districtUnited Kingdom, our peat extraction efforts are also the subject of legislation. In addition to the Army Corps of Engineers directed that peat harvesting operations be discontinued at Hyponex's Lafayette, New Jersey facility, and the Company complied. In May 1992, the Department of Justice filed suit seeking a permanent injunction against such harvesting at that facility and civil penalties. The Philadelphia district of the Corps has taken the position that peat harvesting activities there require a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. If the Corps' position is upheld, it is possible that further harvesting of peat from this facility would be prohibited. The Company is defending this suit and is asserting a right to recover its economic losses resulting from the government's actions. Management does not believe that the outcome of this case will have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations or its financial condition. See "Legal Proceedings." Finally,regulations already described, local, state, federal and localforeign agencies regulate the disposal, handling and storage of waste, and air and water discharges from Companyour facilities. During fiscal 1993,In June 1997, the Company hadOhio Environmental Protection Agency ("Ohio EPA") initiated an enforcement action against us with respect to alleged surface water violations and inadequate treatment capabilities at our Marysville facility and is seeking corrective action under the Resource Conservation Recovery Act. We have met with the Ohio EPA and the Ohio Attorney General's office to negotiate an amicable resolution of these issues. On December 3, 2001, an agreed judicial Consent Order was submitted to the Union County Common Pleas Court and was entered by the court on January 25, 2002. 5 For the nine months ended June 29, 2002, we made approximately $234,000$1.9 million in environmental expenditures, compared with approximately $0.6 million in environmental capital expenditures and $266,600$2.1 million in other environmental expenses compared with approximately $32,000 infor the entire fiscal year 2001. Management anticipates that environmental capital expenditures and $209,000 inother environmental expenses for the remainder of fiscal year 2002 will not differ significantly from those incurred in fiscal 1992.year 2001. The Company has budgeted $1,061,500adequacy of these anticipated future expenditures is based on our operating in substantial compliance with applicable environmental and public health laws and regulations and several significant assumptions: - that we have identified all of the significant sites that must be remediated; - that there are no significant conditions of potential contamination that are unknown to us; and - that with respect to the agreed judicial Consent Order in Ohio, that potentially contaminated soil can be remediated in place rather than having to be removed and only specific stream segments will require remediation as opposed to the entire stream. If there is a significant change in the facts and circumstances surrounding these assumptions or if we are found not to be in substantial compliance with applicable environmental and public health laws and regulations, it could have a material impact on future environmental capital expenditures and $341,000 inother environmental expenses for fiscal 1994. The Company has been identified byand our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. OUR SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS MAKE US SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLUCTUATIONS IN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES AND TO THE COSTS OF INTERNATIONAL REGULATION. We currently operate manufacturing, sales and service facilities outside of North America, particularly in the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (the "Ohio EPA") as a Potentially Responsible Party ("PRP") with respect to a site in Union County, Ohio (the "Hershberger site") that has allegedly been contaminated by hazardous substances whose transportation, treatment or disposal the Company allegedly arranged. Pursuant to a consent orderUnited Kingdom, Germany and France. Our international operations have increased with the Ohio EPA,acquisitions of Levington, Miracle Garden Care Limited, Ortho and Rhone-Poulenc Jardin and with the Company, togethermarketing agreement for consumer Roundup(R) products. In fiscal year 2001, international sales accounted for approximately 20% of our total sales. Accordingly, we are subject to risks associated with fouroperations in foreign countries, including: - fluctuations in currency exchange rates; - limitations on the conversion of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars; - limitations on the remittance of dividends and other PRPs identified to date, is investigating the extentpayments by foreign subsidiaries; - additional costs of contaminationcompliance with local regulations; and - historically, higher rates of inflation than in the site and developing a remediation program. Sierra is a potentially responsible party in connection with the Lorentz Barrel and Drum Superfund Site in California, as a result of its predecessor having shipped barrels to Lorentz for reconditioning or sale between 1967 and 1972. Although many other companies are participating in the remediation of this site, issues relating to the allocation of the costs have not yet been resolved.United States. In addition, Sierra is a defendant in a private cost-recovery action relating toour operations outside the Novak Sanitary Landfill, located near Allentown, Pennsylvania. By agreement with W. R. Grace-Conn., Sierra's liability is limited to a maximum of $200,000 with respect to this site. The Company's management does not believe that the outcome of these proceedings will in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations. Legal Proceedings In addition to the matters described in "-Environmental and Regulatory Considerations," the Company is involved in other lawsuits and claims which arise in the normal course of its business. In the opinion of management, these claims, as well as those mentioned above individually and in the aggregate are not expected to result in an adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. MANAGEMENT Executive Officers and Directors of Scotts and OMS The executive officers of Scotts and the directors of Scotts and OMS and, as of May 2, 1994, their positions, their ages and years with the Company (and its predecessors) are set forth below. Years with the Positions(s) Company (and its Name Age Held Predecessors) Tadd C. Seitz 52 Chairman of the Board; 21 Chief Executive Officer Theodore J. Host 48 Director; President; 2 Chief Operating Officer Paul D. Yeager 55 Executive Vice President; 19 Chief Financial Officer Richard B. Stahl 58 Senior Vice President 26 J. Blaine McKinney 50 Senior Vice President, 1 Consumer Business Group Bernard R. Ford 50 Vice President, Strategy 15 and Business Development Michael P. Kelty 43 Vice President, Technology 14 and Operations Kenneth W. Holbrook 54 Senior Vice President and General Manager - Professional Business Group - Lawrence M. McCartney 53 Vice President, 19 Information Systems Wim Pieters 52 Vice President and Managing Director, Europe and Related Markets - Lisle J. Smith 37 Vice President, Administration and Planning - Robert A. Stern 51 Vice President, 11 Human Resources Craig D. Walley 50 Vice President, General 9 Counsel, Secretary Robert M. Webb 51 Vice President, 18 Manufacturing and Logistics James B. Beard 56 Director 4 John S. Chamberlin 63 Director 4 Alberto Cribiore 48 Director 7 Joseph P. Flannery 59 Director 7 Donald A. Sherman 40 Director 10 John M. Sullivan 58 Director - L. Jack Van Fossen 56 Director - Executive Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors (and in the case of Mr. Host, pursuant to an employment agreement). The business experience of each of the persons listed above during the past five years is as follows: Mr. Seitz has been the Chief Executive Officer of OMS since 1983 (and of Scotts since 1986) and Chairman of the Board of Scotts and OMS since 1986. He was also President of the Company from 1983 until 1991. Previously, Mr. Seitz served as the Company's Director of Marketing and as General Manager of Burpee. Mr. Seitz is a director of Holophane Corporation. Mr. Host has been President and Chief Operating Officer of OMS since October 1991 and a director of Scotts and OMS since December 1991. From May 1990 to October 1991, he was Senior Vice President, Marketing for Coca-Cola USA. He previously was President of the Boyle-Midway Household Products division of American Home Products, Inc. Mr. Yeager has been an Executive Vice President of OMS since 1991 and a Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer since 1980. He was first Assistant Comptroller and then Comptroller of OMS from 1974 to 1980. Mr. Yeager is also Vice President and Treasurer of Scotts. Mr. Stahl was Vice President and General Manager of the Company's Professional Business Group from December 1987 to December 1993. He was named Senior Vice President in December 1993. Mr. Stahl joined OMS in 1967 as a technical representative in the golf course division. Mr. McKinney was named Senior Vice President, Consumer Business Group, in June 1992. From January 1990 to June 1992, he was in marketing and sales management as Vice President of Marketing and Sales of Salov, N.A., a manufacturer of consumer products. From July 1989 to January 1990 he was Director of Sales of Rickett & Colman, Ltd., a consumer products company. Between 1965 and July 1989, he was employed by American Home Products, Inc., becoming Vice President-Director of Sales in the Boyle Midway Household Products Division. Mr. Ford has been Vice President, Strategy and Business Development of OMS since December 1987. Other positions at OMS that Mr. Ford has held include Director of Market Development, Director of Export Marketing Services and Director of Marketing. Mr. Holbrook was named Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Company's Professional Business Group in 1994. From 1991 through December 1993, Mr. Holbrook was President of Grace-Sierra Horticultural Products Company. From 1980 to 1991, he was President of Koch Materials Company, a division of Koch Industries. Mr. Kelty has been a Vice President of OMS since December 1988. He has served as Director of Research and Development of OMS since August 1988. Prior to that, he was the Company's Director of Advanced Technology Research, and from 1983 to 1987 he was Director, Chemical Technology Development for OMS. Mr. McCartney has been a Vice President of OMS since 1989. He jointed OMS in 1974 as Systems and Programming Manager, and was Director, Information Systems from 1976 until 1989. Mr. Pieters was named a Vice President of OMS in 1994. From January 1993 through December 1993, Mr. Pieters was a Vice President of Grace-Sierra Horticultural Products Company, in charge of its international business. Prior to 1993, he was Director of Technology and Development of the Fabrics and Fiber Division of Amoco, Europe. Mr. Smith was named a Vice President of OMS in 1994. From 1991 to December 1993, Mr. Smith was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Grace-Sierra Horticultural Products Company, and from 1987 to 1991 he was Comptroller. Mr. Stern has been Vice President, Human Resources of OMS since 1984. Mr. Walley has been Vice President and General Counsel of OMS since 1985. Since 1986, Mr. Walley has also been Vice President and Secretary of Scotts. Mr. Webb has been a Vice President of OMS since 1988. He was Vice President-Operations of Hyponex Corporation from 1980 until 1988. Dr. Beard became a director of Scotts and OMS in 1989. He is a Professor of Turfgrass Physiology and Ecology at Texas A&M University and was the first president of the International Turfgrass Society. Dr. Beard is the author of numerous books and articles on turfgrass science and is an active lecturer and consultant. Mr. Chamberlin became a director of Scotts and OMS in 1989. He has held a number of positions at General Electric Company including Vice President and General Manager of its Housewares and Audio Business Division. From 1976 until 1985, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Lenox, Inc., and in 1985 joined Avon Products, Inc. as President and Chief Operating Officer. Since leaving Avon in 1988, he has served as advisor for investment firms. He is also a director of The Travelers Insurance Company. Mr. Cribiore became a director of Scotts and OMS in 1986. He is Vice President and a director of Clayton & Dubilier, which he joined in 1985. From 1982 to 1985, Mr. Cribiore was a Senior Vice-President of Warner Communications. Mr. Cribiore is a general partner of Clayton & Dubilier Associates II Limited Partnership ("Associates"), a general partner of the general partners of other Clayton & Dubilier managed investment partnerships. Mr. Cribiore is also a director of other corporations in which investment partnerships managed by Clayton & Dubilier have invested, including CDK Holding Corporation and its subsidiary, The Kendall Company. Mr. Flannery became a director of Scotts and OMS in 1986. He was a consultant to Clayton & Dubilier from September, 1988 to December 1990. Mr. Flannery was President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uniroyal, Inc. from 1982 to 1986. Mr. Flannery has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uniroyal Holding, Inc. since 1986. Mr. Flannery is also a director of Ingersoll-Rand Company, Kmart Corporation, Newmont Mining Company and Arvin Industries, Inc., as well as other corporations in which investment partnerships managed by Clayton & Dubilier have invested, including CDK Holding Corporation and its subsidiary, The Kendall Company and APS Holding Corporation and various of its subsidiaries. Mr. Sherman became a director of Scotts and OMS in 1988. Mr. Sherman served as President of Hyponex Corporation from 1985 until November 1988, and as Vice President -- Finance and Treasurer of Hyponex Corporation from 1983 to 1985. He has been President of Waterfield Mortgage Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana since 1989. Mr. Sullivan became a director of Scotts and OMS on January 18, 1994. Mr. Sullivan was Chairman of the Board from 1987 to 1993, and President and Chief Executive Officer from 1984 to 1993 of Prince Holdings, Inc., a corporation which, through its subsidiaries, manufactures sporting goods. Since his retirement from Prince Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries in 1993, Mr. Sullivan has served as an independent director for various corporations, none of which, other than the Company,United States are subject to the Exchange Act. Mr. Van Fossenrisk of new and different legal and regulatory requirements in local jurisdictions, potential difficulties in staffing and managing local operations and potentially adverse tax consequences. The costs related to our international operations could adversely affect our operations and financial results in the future. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT US. Our credit facility and the indenture governing our outstanding senior subordinated notes contain restrictive covenants that require us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy other financial condition tests. Our ability to meet those financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet those tests. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our credit facility and/or our outstanding senior subordinated notes. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our credit facility and/or the senior subordinated notes, the lenders and/or noteholders could elect to declare all of our outstanding indebtedness to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. We cannot be sure that our lenders or the noteholders would waive a default or that we could pay the indebtedness in full if it were accelerated. 6 THE SCOTTS COMPANY The Scotts Company, an Ohio corporation, traces its heritage back to a company founded by O.M. Scott in Marysville, Ohio in 1868. In the mid 1900's, we became a directorwidely known for the development of Scottsquality lawn fertilizers and OMS in 1993. Mr. Van Fossen has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Red Roof Inns, Inc., an owner and operator of motels, since 1991. From 1988 to 1991, Mr. Van Fossen was self-employed as an independent business consultant. Prior to 1988, Mr. Van Fossen was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chemlawn Corporation. Mr. Van Fossen also serves as a director of Cardinal Health, Inc. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK The following table furnishes certain information as of January 7, 1994, asgrass seeds that led to the sharescreation of Common Stock beneficially owned by each directora new industry -- consumer lawn care. Today, the Scotts(R) Turf Builder(R), Miracle-Gro(R), Ortho(R) and executive officer ofRoundup(R) brands make us the Company includedmost widely recognized company in lawn care in the Summary Compensation Table includedUnited States. In the 1990's, we significantly expanded our product offering by acquiring two additional leading brands in the Company's Proxy Statement,U.S. home lawn and garden industry. In 1995, through a merger, we acquired the Miracle-Gro(R) brand, the industry leader in water-soluble garden plant foods. In fiscal 1999, we acquired the Ortho(R) brand and exclusive rights to market the consumer Roundup(R) brand, thereby adding industry-leading pesticides and herbicides to our portfolio. We are among the most widely recognized marketers and manufacturers of products for lawns, gardens and professional horticulture, and we are rapidly expanding into the lawn care service industry through our Scotts LawnService(R) business. We believe that our market leadership is driven by all directorsour leading brands, consumer-focused advertising, product performance and executive officers of the Company as a group, and, to the Company's knowledge, by the only persons owning beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of such class.
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Percent Beneficial Owner Ownership(1) Of Class(2) Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd. 1,060,600(3) 5.68%(3) 250 North Bridge Road #33-00 Raffles City Tower Singapore 0617 Thorsell, Parker Partners Incorporated 215 Main Street Westport, CT 06880 997,100(4) 5.34%(4) James B. Beard 20,727 (5) John S. Chamberlin 26,727 (5) Alberto Cribiore -- -- Joseph P. Flannery 29,454 (5) Theodore J. Host(6)(7) 217,593 1.16% Tadd C. Seitz(6) 519,720 2.78% Donald S. Sherman 26,727 (5) John M. Sullivan -- -- L. Jack Van Fossen 1,200 (5) J. Blaine McKinney (6) 18,742 (5) Richard B. Stahl (6) 112,344(8) (5) Paul D. Yeager (6) 153,507(9) (5) All directors and executive 1,624,042(10) 8.55% officers as a group (19 persons) ____________________ (1) Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power as to all of the shares of Class A Common Stock reflected in the table. (2) The percent of class is based upon the sum of 18,658,535 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding on January 7, 1994, and the number of shares of Class A Common Stock as to which the named person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of January 7, 1994. (3) Based on information contained in a Schedule 13D dated October 18, 1993 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd, an agency of the Singapore government and an investment manager, shares voting and investment power with respect to 749,400 shares of Class A Common Stock with the Government of Singapore and shares voting and investment power with respect to 311,200 shares of Class A Common Stock with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. (4) Based on information provided to the Company by Thorsell, Parker Partners Incorporated ("Thorsell, Parker"), Thorsell, Parker, a registered investment advisor, is deemed to have beneficial ownership of 997,100 shares of Class A Common Stock as of December 31, 1993, all of which shares are held in portfolios of clients for which Thorsell, Parker serves as investment manager with investment discretion. Thorsell, Parker also exercises sole voting power with respect to 747,825 of such shares. (5) Represents ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding Class A Common Stock of the Company. (6) Executive officer of the Company named in the Summary Compensation Table included in the Company's Proxy Statement for 1994 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. (7) Includes 45,454 shares of Class A Common Stock which were issued to Mr. Host at the time of his employment by the Company and which are pledged to Bank One, N.A. (8) Includes 25,000 shares of Class A Common Stock held in the Richard B. Stahl and Nancy E. Stahl 1992 Charitable Remainder Trust. In his capacity as trustee of said Trust, Mr. Stahl exercises sole voting and investment power with respect to such Common Shares. Also includes 1,000 shares of Class A Common Stock held by the son of Mr. Stahl who shares his home. (9) Includes 100 shares of Class A Common Stock held by each of Mr. Yeager's wife and his two daughters who share his home. (10) See Notes (7), (8) and (9) above. Also includes Class A Common Stock held by the respective spouses of executive officers of the Company and by their children who reside with them.
DESCRIPTION OF BANK AGREEMENT Scotts and OMS are co-obligors under the Company's Bank Agreement. As amended on December 16, 1993,close relationships with major U.S. retailers in connectionour categories. In 1997, our presence in Europe expanded with the acquisition of Sierra,several established brands. We now have a strong presence in the Bank Agreement provides forconsumer garden business in the United Kingdom, France and Germany, and expect to increase our share in these markets through consumer-focused marketing, a revolving credit facility of $150 million, which terminates on March 31, 1996 and which includes swing-line and letter of credit subfacilities, and term loans of $195 million. Scheduled maturities formodel we have successfully followed in the term loans are as follows: $15 million due on October 31, 1994; $10 million due semi-annuallyUnited States. We also have a presence in 1995; $17.5 million due semi-annually in 1996 and $15 million due semi- annually thereafter through final maturity on September 30, 2000. The Bank Agreement generally requires that the Company apply the Net Cash Proceeds (as defined therein) from the offering of Debt Securities to the prepayment of the term loans as follows: 15% to the installments due in 1994; 15% to the installments due in 1995; 20% to the installments due in 1996; 15% to the installments due in 1997; 15% to the installments due in 1998; 10% to the installments due in 1999 and the balance to the remaining installmentscountries in Europe, Australia, the inverse orderFar East, Latin America and South America. RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SHARE DIVIDENDS The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of their stated maturity. The Bank Agreement is guaranteed by mostearnings to fixed charges and of the Company's subsidiariesearnings to combined fixed charges and is secured by substantially all the assets of the Company, as well as by the pledge of 100% of the capital stock ofpreferred share dividends for each of the Company's wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and 65%periods shown:
NINE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 29, -------------------------------------------- -------- 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Ratio of earnings to fixed charges......... 3.3x 2.6x 2.3x 2.1x 1.3x 3.7x Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred share dividends.. 2.1x 1.8x 2.0x 1.9x 1.3x 3.7x
For the purposes of the Company's wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries. Borrowings undertable above, earnings include income before provision for income taxes and the Bank Agreement bearcumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, adjusted for income or loss of equity investors and fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest at the Company's option, aton all indebtedness, amortization of debt issuance costs and discount or premium relating to any indebtedness, capitalized interest and a rate equalportion of rental charges considered to either (i) the higherbe representative of the agent bank's referenceinterest component in the particular case. Preferred share dividends are the pre-tax equivalent, at our effective tax rate, and 1/2% aboveof dividends earned on 195,000 shares of Class A Convertible Preferred Stock that were converted into common shares as of October 1, 1999. USE OF PROCEEDS Unless otherwise stated in the "Federal Funds" rateapplicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use all or (ii) the LIBO Rate (as defined therein) plus 1 1/4%. The Bank Agreement contains a number of affirmative and negative covenants and customary events of default. The agreement also contains financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain certain levels of Adjusted Operating Profit, Consolidated Net Worth and Interest Coverage (each as defined therein) and requiring the Company to reduce, or "clean-down," non-term borrowings under the Bank Agreement to $30 million or less for thirty consecutive days each year. An offering of Debt Securities may require an amendmentportion of the Bank Agreement. Loans undernet proceeds from the Bank Agreementsale of the securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, the purchase of our common shares, capital expenditures, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic investments. We have not made specific allocations of the proceeds for such purposes at this time. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily or applied to repay short term or revolving debt until they are providedused for their stated purposes. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of common shares by Chemical Bank, as a lending bankthe selling shareholders, if any. 7 DIVIDEND POLICY We have not paid dividends on our common shares in the past and as agent fordo not presently plan to pay dividends on our common shares. Other than dividends to be paid on outstanding preferred shares issued after the thirteendate of this prospectus, we presently anticipate that earnings will be retained and reinvested to support the growth of our business. The payment of any future dividends on our common shares or preferred shares will be determined by our board of directors in light of conditions then existing, including our earnings, financial condition and capital requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business conditions and other participating banks. Chemical Bank is an affiliate of Chemical Securities Inc. In addition, Chemical Bank is the trustee under the Indentures. See "Description of Debt Securities -- The Trustee." factors. DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES The following description sets forth certaindiscusses the general terms and provisions of the Debt Securitiesdebt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. The debt securities may be issued as senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The indebtedness represented by the senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The indebtedness represented by the subordinated debt securities will rank junior and be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of our senior debt, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement for the securities. The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities will be issued under separate indentures between us and one or more U.S. banking institutions (each, a "Trustee"). The Trustee for each series of our debt securities will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may refer to the indenture covering the senior debt securities as the "Senior Indenture" and the indenture covering the subordinated debt securities as the "Subordinated Indenture." Together the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are called "Indentures." The forms of the Indentures are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The Indentures are subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, and may be supplemented or amended from time to time following their execution. We have not yet selected a Trustee for either of the Indentures, and we have not yet executed either Indenture. Prior to issuing any Prospectus Supplement may relate.debt securities, we will be required to select a Trustee for the applicable Indenture or Indentures, to qualify the Trustee or Trustees under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and to execute the applicable Indenture or Indentures. The form of each Indenture gives us broad authority to set the particular terms of each series of debt securities, including the right to modify certain of the terms contained in the Indenture. The particular terms of the Debt Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplementa series of debt securities and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may not apply to the Debt Securities so offeredparticular terms of the issue modify the terms of the applicable form of Indenture will be described in the Prospectus Supplementprospectus supplement relating to such Debt Securities. The Senior Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture to be dated as of June 1, 1994 (the "Senior Indenture") among Scotts, OMS and Chemical Bank, as trustee. The Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued under a separate Indenture to be dated as of June 1, 1994 (the "Subordinated Indenture"), also among Scotts, OMS and Chemical Bank, as trustee. The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Indentures." Copies of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenturedebt securities. We have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. Chemical Bank is hereinafter referred to as the "Trustee." The following summaries of certainsummarized selected provisions of the Senior Debt Securities,Indentures below. Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the Subordinated Debt Securities anddebt securities or the Indentures do not pur- port to be complete and areapplicable Indenture. This summary is subject to, and are qualified in theirits entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the applicable Indenture, including definitions of terms used in the applicable Indenture, which we urge you to a particular series of Debt Securities (the "Applicable Indenture"), includingread. Whenever we refer in this prospectus or in the definitions therein of certain terms. Wherever particular Sections, Articles orprospectus supplement to defined terms of the Indentures, are referred to, it is intended that such Sections, Articles orthose defined terms shall beare incorporated by reference herein by reference. Article and Section referencesor therein, as applicable. Capitalized terms used herein are references to the Applicable Indenture. Capital- ized terms not otherwise defined herein shallin this summary have the meaning given in the Applicable Indenture. General The Debt Securities will be joint and several obligations of the Issuers. The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued thereunder and each Indenture provides that Debt Securities may be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more series. Unless otherwisemeanings specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Debt Securities when issuedIndentures. GENERAL The debt securities will be our direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuers andgeneral obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally and ratably with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Issuers.indebtedness. The Subordinated Debt Securities when issuedsubordinated debt securities will be unsecured obligations of the Issuers subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of allour Senior Debt (as defined) of each Issuer,Indebtedness (including any senior debt securities) as described under "Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities""-- Subordination" below and in the Prospectus Supplement applicable prospectus supplement. The Indentures provide that we will be able to issue an offeringunlimited aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Debt Securities. Reference is madedebt securities under each Indenture, in one or more series, and in any currency or currency units. We need not issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of that series, for issuances of additional debt securities of that series. Prior to the Prospectus Supplement relatingissuance of each series of debt securities, the terms of the particular securities will be specified in a supplemental indenture or a resolution of our board of directors or in one or more officer's certificates pursuant to a board resolution. 8 A prospectus supplement will include the terms of any debt securities being offered. We refer you to the particular Debt Securities offered thereby (the "Offered Debt Securities") which shall set forth whether the Offered Debt Securities shall be Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities, and shall further set forthapplicable prospectus supplement for a description of the following terms of the series of offered debt securities ("Offered Debt Securities: (1)Securities"): - the title of the Offered Debt Securities; (2)- whether the Offered Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securitiessenior debt securities or Subordinated Debt Securities; (3) any limit onsubordinated debt securities; - the aggregate principal amount of the Offered Debt Securities; (4) the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which the Offered Debt Securities will be issued; (5) the Person to whom any interest on the Offered Debt Securities will be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Offered Debt Securities (or one or more Predecessor Securities) are registered on any Regular Record Date; (6)- the date or dates on which principal will be payable or how to determine the principaldates; - the rate or rates or method of determination of interest; the date from which interest will accrue; the dates on which interest will be payable and any record dates for the interest payable on the interest payment dates; - the place of payment on the Offered Debt Securities; - any obligation or option we have to redeem, purchase or repay the Offered Debt Securities, will be payable; (7)or any option of the rateregistered holder to require us to redeem or rates per annum (which may be fixed, floating or adjustable) at which therepurchase Offered Debt Securities, will bear interest, if any, or the formula pur- suant to which such rate or rates shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest will accrue and the dates on which such interest, if any, will be payable and the Regular Record Dates for such interest payment dates; (8) the place or places where principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Offered Debt Securities will be payable; (9) if applicable, the price at which, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the Offered Debt Securities may be redeemed at the option of the Issuers, pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise; (10) if applicable, any obligation of the Issuers to redeem or purchase Offered Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Offered Debt Securities will be redeemed, purchased or purchased, in whole or in part; (11) if applicable, the terms of any right to convert or exchange the Offered Debt Securities into other securities or property of either or both of the Issuers or otherwise; (12) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Offered Debt Securities will be issuable; (13)repaid; - the currency or currencies, including composite currencies or currency units, in which payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any of the Offered Debt Securities will be payable if other than the currency of the United States of America; (14) if- any index, formula or other method used to determine the amount of payments of principal, of (or premium, if any)any, or interest, if any,interest; - the terms and conditions upon which payment on the Offered Debt Securities may be determined with reference to one or more indices, the manner in which such amounts will be determined; (15) if the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any ofchange; - whether the Offered Debt Securi- ties of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Issuers or a Holder thereof, in one or more currencies, including composite currencies, or currency units other than that or those in which the Securities are stateddefeasible; - any addition to be payable,or change in the currency, currencies, including composite currencies,Events of Default; - any addition to or currency unitschange in which payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on Securities of such series as to which such election is made will be payable, andcovenants in the periods within which andapplicable Indenture; - the terms of any right to convert the Offered Debt Securities into other securities or other property; and conditions upon which such election is to be made; (16) the portion of the principal amount- any other terms of the Offered Debt Securities if other than the principal amount thereof, payable upon acceleration of maturity thereof; (17) whether all or any part of the Offered Debt Securities will be issued in the form of a permanent Global Security or Securities and, if so, the depositary for, and other terms relating to, such permanent Global Security or Securities; (18) any event or events of default applicable with respect to the Offered Debt Securities in addition to those provided in the Indentures; (19) any other covenant or warranty included for the benefit of the Offered Debt Securities in addition to (and not inconsistent with) those included in the Indentures for the benefit of Debt Securities of all series, or any other covenant or warranty included for the benefit of the Offered Debt Securities in lieu of any covenant or warranty included in the Indentures for the benefit of Offered Debt Securities, or any combination of such covenants, warranties or provisions; (20) if the Debt Securities are Subordinated Debt Securities, whetherwith the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture described underapplicable Indenture. If the caption "Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities" or other subordination provisions will be applicable to such Subordinated Debt Securities; (21) any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Offered Debt Securities; (22) if applicable, that such Offered Debt Securities, in whole or any specified part, are defeasible pursuant to the provisions of the Indentures described under "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance"; (23) any authenticating or paying agents, registrars, conversion agents or any other agents with respect to the Offered Debt Securities; and (24) any other terms or provi- sions of the Offered debt Securities not inconsistent with the Indentures. (Sections 301 and 901) Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the Offered Debt Securities are to be issued as registered securities without coupons in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000. (Section 302). No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of such Offered Debt Securities, but the Issuers or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. (Section 305) The Indentures also provide that the Debt Securities of any series, if so specified with respect to a particular series, may be issued in permanent global form. See "Permanent Global Securities". Debt Securities may be issued as Original Issue Discount Debt Securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Special Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. "Original Issue Discount Debt Security" means any security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon the declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default. (Section 101) If the Debt Securities are denominated in whole or in part in any currency other than United StatesU.S. dollars, if the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Offered Debt Securities are to be payable at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies other than that in which such Debt Securitiesthe debt securities are to be payable, or if any index is used to determineddetermine the amount of payments orof principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any series of the Debt Securities,debt securities, special FederalU.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Since eachapplicable prospectus supplement. If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue our debt securities at a discount below their principal amount and pay less than the entire principal amount of the Issuers is a holding company, the rightsour debt securities upon declaration of each Issuer,acceleration of their maturity ("Original Issue Discount Securities"). The applicable prospectus supplement will describe all material U.S. federal income tax, accounting and hence the right of creditors of each Issuer (including the Holders of Debt Securities), to participate in any distribution of the assets of any Subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subjectother considerations applicable to the prior claimsOriginal Issue Discount Securities. The general provisions of creditors of the Subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of an Issuer itself as a creditor of the Subsidiary may be recognized. The Indentures do not contain any provisions that would providelimit our ability or the ability of our subsidiaries to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of our debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged or similar transaction involving us or any of our subsidiaries. Please refer to Holdersthe applicable prospectus supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions, if any, to the Events of Default described below that are applicable to the Offered Debt Securities against a sudden and dramatic decline in credit quality of the Company resulting fromor any takeover, recapitalizationcovenants or other provisions providing event risk or similar restructuring. Payment and Paying Agentsprotection. PAYMENT Unless otherwise indicated differently in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment ofprospectus supplement, we will pay interest on a Debt Securitydebt security on any Interest Payment Date will be madeeach interest payment date to the Personperson in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt Securities)the debt security is registered atas of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for suchregular record date relating to the interest payment. (Section 307)payment date. Unless otherwise indicatedwe indicate differently in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,prospectus supplement, we will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securitiesdebt securities at stated maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, upon presentation of a particular series will be payablethe debt securities at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the Issuers may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at the option of the Issuers payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Security Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the corporate trust office of the Trustee, in The City of New York will beas our paying agent, or at other designated as the Issuers' sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Debt Securities of each series.places. Any other Paying Agentspaying agent initially designated by the Issuers for the Debt Securitiesdebt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.prospectus supplement. 9 FORM, TRANSFERS AND EXCHANGES The Issuers may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designationdebt securities of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that the Issuerseach series will be required to maintain a Paying Agentissued only in each place of payment for the Debt Securities of a particular series. (Section 1002) All moneys paid by the Issuers to a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of or any premium orfully registered form, without interest on any Debt Security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to the Issuers, and the Holder of such Debt Security thereafter may look only to the Issuers for payment thereof. (Section 1003) Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the following provisions will apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities. The payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt, including the Senior Debt Securities. Upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors upon any liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment of the benefit of creditors, marshalling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency, debt restructuring or similar proceedings of an Issuer, the holders of all Senior Debt will first be entitled to receive payment in full of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, due or to become due on such Senior Debt before the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be entitled to receive or retain any payment in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 1402) By reason of such subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency, creditors of an Issuer who are not holders of Senior Debt or Subordinated Debt Securities may recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior Debt and may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities. In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any Subordinated Debt Securities, the holders of all Senior Debt outstanding at the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon before the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be entitled to receive any payment upon the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 1403) No payments on account of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities may be made if there shall have occurred and be continuing a default in any payment with respect to Senior Debt, or any event of default with respect to any Senior Debt resulting in the acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if any judicial proceeding shall be pending with respect to any such default. (Section 1404). For purposes of the subordination provisions, the payment, issuance and delivery of cash, property or securities upon conversion of a Subordinated Debt Security will be deemed to constitute payment on account of the principal of such Subordinated Debt Security.coupons. Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relatingapplicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 each or multiples thereof. Subject to the particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities offered thereby, "Debt" means (without duplication and without regard to any portion of principal amount that has not accrued and to any interest component thereof (whether accrued or imputed) that is not due and payable) with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a portionterms of the assets of such Personapplicable Indenture and whetherthe limitations applicable to global securities, you may exchange or not contingent, (i) every obligation of such Person for money borrowed; (ii) every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses; (iii) every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for the account of such Person; (iv) every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business); (v) every capital lease obligation of such Person; (vi) the maximum fixed redemption or repurchase price of redeemable stock of such Persontransfer debt securities at the time of determination; and (vii) every obligationcorporate trust office of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of another Person and all dividends of another PersonTrustee or at any other office or agency maintained by us for that purpose, without the payment of which,any service charge, except for any tax or governmental charge. GLOBAL SECURITIES The debt securities of any series may be issued, in either case, such Personwhole or in part, by one or more global certificates that will be deposited with the depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for the debt securities registered in the name of any person other than the depositary for that global security or any nominee of that depositary unless: - the depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary; - an Event of Default has guaranteedoccurred and is continuing; or is responsible- as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise stated in any prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, or liable, directly or indirectly,DTC, will act as obligor or otherwise. (Section 101depositary. Beneficial interests in global certificates will be shown on, and transfers of the Subordinated Indenture)global certificates will be affected only through records maintained by DTC and its participants. EVENTS OF DEFAULT Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplementapplicable prospectus supplement, an event of default ("Event of Default") occurs with respect to debt securities of any series if: - we do not pay any interest on any debt securities of the applicable series within 30 days of the due date (following any deferral allowed under the terms of the debt securities and elected by us); - we do not pay principal or premium, if any, on any debt securities of the applicable series at maturity; - we do not deposit any sinking fund payment when due by the terms of the applicable debt securities; - we default in the performance, or are in breach, of a covenant or warranty of the applicable Indenture, other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere specifically dealt with or which expressly has been included in the applicable Indenture solely for the benefit of debt securities other than that series, and such default or breach continues for a period of 60 days after there has been given by registered or certified mail, to us by the applicable Trustee or to us and the applicable Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of debt securities of the affected series, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied; - certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or reorganization with respect to us occur; or - any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series occurs. No Event of Default with respect to a series of debt securities necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of any other series issued under the Indentures. Each Indenture requires us to file annually with the applicable Trustee an officers' certificate as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under the applicable Indenture. Each Indenture provides that the applicable Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of a series of debt securities of any default, except payment defaults on those debt securities, if it considers such withholding to be in the interest of the Holders of that series of debt securities. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, then either the applicable Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount, or, if any debt securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, that portion of the principal amount of those Original Issue Discount Securities as may be specified in the terms of those Original Issue Discount Securities, of all of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a 10 notice in writing to us, and to the applicable Trustee if given by the Holders, and upon any such declaration that principal amount, or specified amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, and premium, if any, will become immediately due and payable. Upon payment of that amount in the currency in which the debt securities are denominated (except as otherwise provided in the applicable Indenture or specified in the applicable prospectus supplement), all of our obligations in respect of the payment of principal of the debt securities of that series will terminate. After a declaration of acceleration has been made and before the Trustee has obtained a judgment or decree for payment of the money due on any series of debt securities, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by written notice to us and the applicable Trustee, may rescind and annul the declaration and its consequences, subject to any terms or conditions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If an Event of Default results from bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of all the debt securities of a series, or that portion of the principal amount of such debt securities as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, will automatically become immediately due and payable. Subject to the provisions of each Indenture relating to the particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities offered thereby, "Senior Debt" means (a) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to an Issuer to the extent that such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) on Debt, whether incurred on or prior to the dateduties of the Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created, assumed or incurred, unless,applicable Trustee, in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuantcase an Event of Default with respect to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities or to other Debt which is pari passu with, or subordinated to the Subordinated Debt Securities and (b) any deferrals, renewals or extensions of such Senior Debt; provided, however, that Senior Debt shall be deemed to include (i) Debt existing under the Bank Agreement and (ii) Debt existing under the Senior Indenture; provided further, however, that Senior Debt shall not be deemed to include (i) the Subordinated Debt Securities or (ii) the Debt referred to in clause (vi) of the definition of Debt. (Section 101 of the Subordinated Indenture) The Subordinated Indenture does not limit or prohibit the incurrence of additional Senior Debt by either Issuer, which may include Debt that is senior to the Subordinated Debt Securities, but subordinate to other obligations of one or both of the Issuers. The Senior Debt Securities, when issued, will constitute Senior Debt. The Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, applicable to the subordination of the Subordinated Debt Securitiesour debt securities of a particular series. At April 2, 1994series occurs and is continuing, the combined totalapplicable Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under that Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of debt securities of that series, unless the Holders have offered to the applicable Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction. Subject to the provisions for the indemnification of the applicable Trustee, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of indebtedness of the Issuers that would constitute Senior Debt was $329.6 million. Conversion Rights The terms on which Debt Securities of any series may be convertible into common stock or otherour outstanding debt securities of an Issuer or otherwisethat series will be set forth inhave the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Such terms shall include provisions asright to whether conversion is mandatory, atdirect the optiontime, method and place of the holder or at the option of the Issuers, and may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of common stock or other securities of an Issuer or otherwise to be received by the holders of Debt Securities would be calculated accordingconducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the market price of common stockapplicable Trustee under the applicable Indenture, or such other securities as of a time stated in the Prospectus Supplement. Covenants Limitations on Certain Asset Dispositions Neither of the Issuers may, and neither may permitexercising any Subsidiary to, make any Asset Disposition in onetrust or more related transactions unless: (i) the Issuer or the Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration for such disposition at least equal to the fair market value for the assets sold or disposed of as determined by the Board of Directors of Scotts in good faith and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of Scotts filed with the Trustee; (ii) at least 85% of the consideration for such disposition consists of cash or readily marketable cash equivalents or the assumption of Debt of an Issuer (other than Debt that is subordinated, either expressly or structurally, to the Debt Securities) relating to such assets and release from all liabilitypower conferred on the Debt assumed, without recourse to either Issuer or their retained assets; and (iii) all Net Available Proceeds, less any amounts invested within 180 days of such disposition in assets related to the business of the Issuers, are applied within 180 days of such disposition (1) first, to the permanent repayment or reduction of Debt then outstanding under the Bank Agreement, or any renewal or replacement thereof, to the extent permitted thereunder, (2) second, to the extent of remaining Net Available Proceeds, to make an Offer to Purchase outstanding Senior Debt Securities at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the date of purchase, (3) third, to the extent of any remaining Net Available Proceeds, to make an Offer to Purchase outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the date of purchase, (4) fourth, to the extent of any remaining Net Available Proceeds following the completion of the Offer to Purchase, to the repayment of other Debt of an Issuer or Debt of a Subsidiary of an Issuer, to the extent permitted under the terms thereof and (5) fifth, to the extent of any remaining Net Available Proceeds, to any other use as determined by the Issuers which is not otherwise prohibited by the Indentures. (Section 1008) Change of Control Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuers will be required to make an Offer to Purchase all outstanding Debt Securities at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the date of purchase. A "Change of Control" will be deemed to have occurred in the event that either (a) any Person or any Persons acting together that would constitute a group (for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor provision thereto) (a "Group"), together with any Affiliates or Related Persons thereof shall beneficially own (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor provision thereto) at least 30% of the aggregate voting power of all classes of Capital Stock of either Issuer entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or (b) any Person or Group, together with any Affiliates or Related Persons thereof, shall succeed in having a sufficient number of its nominees elected to the Board of Directors of either Issuer such that such nominees, when added to any existing director remaining on the Board of Directors of such Issuer after such election who is an Affiliated or Related Person of such Group, will constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of such Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing,applicable Trustee with respect to OMS, Scotts shall be deemedour debt securities of that series. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION Each Indenture provides that we may not to constitute such a Person or Group for the purposes of clauses (a) and (b) above. (Section 1009) In the event that the Issuers make an Offer to Purchase Debt Securities, the Issuers intend to comply with any applicable securities laws and regulations, including any applicable requirements of Section 14(e) of, and Rule 14e-1 under, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets Neither of the Issuers may, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge or wind up into any other Personentity, whether or not we are the surviving corporation, and that we may not sell, assign, convey, transfer or lease or otherwise transfer its propertyour properties and assets as, or substantially as an entirety to any Person, unless: - the corporation formed by the consolidation or into which we are merged, or the Person which acquires us or which leases our properties and neither may permit any Person to merge into or consolidate with such Issuer unless (i) either (A) such Issuer will be the resulting or survivingassets substantially as an entirety, is an entity or (B) any successor or purchaser is a corporation, partnership or trust organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, and any such successor or purchaser expressly assumes, such Issuer's obligationsby supplemental indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal, premium and interest on all the Debt Securitiesoutstanding debt securities and the performance of all of our covenants under a supplemental Indenture, (ii)the applicable Indenture; - immediately after giving effect to thesuch transaction, no Event of Default under the applicable Indenture, and no event which after notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, shall have occurredhas happened and be continuing,is continuing; and (iii) certain- all other conditions are met. (Section 801). Upon any consolidation or merger into any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of an Issuer's assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, an Issuer under the Indentures, and such Issuer, except in the case of a lease, shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under the Indentures and the Debt Securities to the extent it was the predecessor Person. (Section 802) Events of Default and Notice Thereof Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relatingapplicable prospectus supplement are met. MODIFICATION OR WAIVER Without prior notice to a particularor the consent of any Holders, we and the applicable Trustee may modify the applicable Indenture for any of the following purposes: - to evidence the succession of another entity to us and the assumption by that successor of our covenants and obligations under the applicable Indenture and under our debt securities issued thereunder in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture; - to add one or more covenants or other provisions for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities, the following eventsdebt securities, and if those covenants are defined in the Indentures as "Events of Default" with respect to Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay principal (including any sinking fund payment) of (or premium, if any, on) any Debt Security of that series when due (in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, whether or not payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions); (b) failure to pay any interest on any Debt Security of that series when due, continued for 30 days (in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, whether or not payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions); (c) default in the payment of principal and interest on Debt Securities of that series required to be purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase as described under "Changefor the benefit of Control" and "Limitation on Certain Asset Dispositions" when due and payable (in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, whether or not payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions); (d) failure to perform or comply with the provisions described under "Merger, Consolidation and Sales of Assets"; (e) failure to perform any other covenant or agreement of the Issuers under the Indentures (otherless than a covenantall series, stating that those covenants are expressly being included in the Indentures solely for the benefit of athat series, or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us; - to add any additional Events of Default for all or any series of Debt Securities otherdebt securities, and if those Events of Default are to be applicable to less than all series, stating that series) continued for 60 days after written noticethose Events of Default are expressly being included solely to be applicable to that series; 11 - to change or eliminate any provision of the applicable Indenture or to add any new provision to the Issuersapplicable Indenture that does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders; - to provide security for the debt securities of any series or to provide that any of our obligations under the debt securities or the applicable Indenture shall be guaranteed and the terms and conditions for the release or substitution of the security or guarantee; - to supplement any of the provisions of the applicable Indenture to the extent necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities, provided that any such action will not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of debt securities of that series or any other series of debt securities issued under the applicable Indenture in any material respect; - to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted by the applicable Indenture; - to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment of a separate or successor Trustee with respect to one or Holdersmore series of at least 25% in aggregate principal amountdebt securities and to add to or change any of outstanding Debt Securitiesthe provisions of that series; (f) default underthe applicable Indenture as is necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one Trustee; or - to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; to eliminate any conflict between the terms of the applicable Indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder and the Trust Indenture Act or to modify any instrument evidencing or securing Debt for money borrowed, including Debt Securities of another series, by an Issuer or any Subsidiary having an outstanding principal amount of $5 million individually or in the aggregate which default results in the acceleration of the payment of such indebtedness or constitutes the failure to pay such indebtedness when due; (g) the rendering of a final judgment or judgments (not subject to appeal) against an Issuer or any Subsidiary in an amount in excess of $5 million which remains undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days after the date on which the right to appeal has expired; and (h) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting an Issuer or any Subsidiary. (Section 501) Except as defined in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto and except as specified in clause (f) of the preceding paragraph, no Event of Defaultother provisions with respect to Debt Securitiesmatters or questions arising under the applicable Indenture that will not be inconsistent with any provision of a particular series shall necessarily constitute an Eventthe applicable Indenture; provided those other provisions do not adversely affect the interests of Default with respect to Debt Securitiesthe Holders of any other series. If an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securitiesour outstanding debt securities of any series atcreated thereunder prior to such modification in any material respect. We and the time outstanding shall occur and be continuing, eitherapplicable Trustee may, with some exceptions, amend or modify any Indenture with the Trustee orconsent of the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately; provided, however, that under certain circumstances the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of that series may rescind or annul such declaration and its consequences. (Section 502). If an Event of Default specified in clause (h) of the preceding paragraph occurs, the outstanding Debt Securities will ipso facto become immediately payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. (Section 502) Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to any series of Offered Debt Securities which are Original Issue Discount Securities for the particular provisions relating to the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities due on acceleration upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and the continuation thereof. The Issuers will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement by certain officers of the Issuers as to compliance with all conditions and covenants of the Indentures. (Section 1004) The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series affected will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and to waive certain defaults. (Sections 512 and 513) The Indentures provide that, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default that shall be continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of its rights and powers under the Indentures, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. (Section 601). Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indentures at the request of any of the Holders of Debt Securities unless they shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request. (Section 603) No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indentures or for any remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default and unless also the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of the same series shall have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity to the Trustee, to institute such proceeding as trustee, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securitiesoutstanding debt securities of all series affected by the amendment or modification. However, no amendment or modification may, without the consent of the same series a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days. (Section 507). However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Debt Security for enforcement of paymenteach outstanding debt security affected thereby: - change the stated maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest ifon any on such Debt Security ondebt security (other than pursuant to the terms of the debt security), or afterreduce the respective due dates expressedprincipal amount, interest or premium payable or change the currency in such Debt Security,which any debt security is payable, or impair the right to bring suit to enforce any payment; - reduce the percentages of Holders whose consent is required for any modification or waiver or reduce the requirements for quorum and voting under the applicable Indenture; - modify certain of the provisions in the applicable Indenture relating to supplemental indentures and waivers of certain covenants and past defaults; or - make any change that adversely affects the right to convert such Debt Security in accordance withany convertible debt security or decrease the conversion rate or increase the conversion price of any convertible debt security. A modification which changes or eliminates any provision of an Indenture expressly included solely for the benefit of Holders of debt securities of one or more particular series or modifies the Holders' rights will be deemed not to affect the rights under the Indenture of the registered holders of debt securities of any other series. Each of the Indentures (if applicable). (Section 508) Modification and Waiver Modifications and amendments of each Indenture may be made by the Issuer and the Trustee, with the consent ofprovides that the Holders of not less than a majority ofin aggregate principal amount of eachthe then outstanding debt securities of any series, by notice to the relevant Trustee, may on behalf of the outstanding Debt Securities issuedHolders of the debt securities of that series waive any default or Event of Default and its consequences under the applicable Indenture, except: - a continuing default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of, any such debt security held by a non-consenting Holder; or - a default in respect of a covenant or provision of the Indenture which is affected by the modificationcannot be modified or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may,amended without the consent of each Holder of such Debt Security affected thereby: (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any instalment of principal or interest, if any, on any such Debt Security; (2) reduce the principal amount of (or premium, if any) or the interest rate, if any, on any such Debt Security or the principal amount due upon acceleration of an Original Issue Discount Security; (3) adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any such Debt Security; (4) reduce the amounteach outstanding debt security of or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation; (5) change the place or currency of payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or the interest, if any, on any such Debt Security; (6) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on oreach series affected. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE The applicable Indenture with respect to any such Debt Security on or after the Stated Maturity (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date); (7) adversely change the right to convert or exchange, including decreasing the conversion rate or increasing the conversion price of, such Debt Security (if applicable); (8) reduce the percentage of the principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securitiesdebt securities of any series may be discharged, subject to the consent of the Holders of which is necessary to modify or amend the Applicable Indenture; (9)terms and conditions as specified in the caseapplicable prospectus supplement when either: - all debt securities, with the exceptions provided for in the applicable Indenture, of that series have been delivered to the Subordinatedapplicable Trustee for cancellation; 12 - all debt securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the applicable Trustee for cancellation: - have become due and payable; - will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year; or - are to be called for redemption within one year; or - certain events or conditions occur as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, each series of debt securities may provide additional or different terms or conditions for the discharge or defeasance of some or all of our obligations as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If provision is made for the defeasance of debt securities of a series, and if the debt securities of that series are registered securities and denominated and payable only in U.S. dollars, then the provisions of each Indenture modifyrelating to defeasance will be applicable except as otherwise specified in the subordinationapplicable prospectus supplement for debt securities of that series. Defeasance provisions, if any, for debt securities denominated in a manner adverseforeign currency or currencies may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. At our option, either (1) we will be deemed to have been discharged from our obligations with respect to debt securities of any series, i.e., the holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities; (10) modify the foregoing requirements"legal defeasance option," or reduce the percentage of outstanding Debt Securities necessary(2) we will cease to waive compliancebe under any obligation to comply with certain provisions of the Applicableapplicable Indenture or for waiver ofwith respect to certain defaults or (11) following the mailing ofcovenants, if any, Offer to Purchase, modify any Offer to Purchase required under "Limitation on Certain Asset Dispositions" and the "Change in Control" Covenants containedspecified in the Indentures in a manner materially adverseapplicable prospectus supplement with respect to the holders thereof. (Section 902) The Subordinated Indenture also prohibits any modification of amendment of the subordination provisions thereof in a manner adverse to the holders of Senior Debt, without such holders' consent. (Subordinated Indenture Section 902) The holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securitiesdebt securities of any series, i.e., the "covenant defeasance option," at any time after the conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement have been satisfied. SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES The senior debt securities will be unsecured senior obligations and will rank equally with all other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The senior debt securities will, however, be subordinated in right of payment to all of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness. Except as provided in the Senior Indenture or specified in any authorizing resolution or supplemental indenture relating to a series of senior debt securities to be issued, no Senior Indenture will limit the amount of additional indebtedness that may rank equally with the senior debt securities or the amount of indebtedness, secured or otherwise, that may be incurred or preferred shares that may be issued by any of our subsidiaries. SUBORDINATION If our assets are distributed upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on behalfany subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment, to the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture and the applicable prospectus supplement, to the prior payment in full of all HoldersSenior Indebtedness, including senior debt securities. However, our obligation to pay principal of, that series, waive compliance byand premium, if any, or interest on the Issuers with certain restrictive provisionssubordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, no payment on account of principal, premium, if any, sinking fund or interest may be made on the Indentures and waivesubordinated debt securities at any past default under the Indentures, excepttime when there is a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, sinking fund, interest or certain other obligations on Senior Indebtedness. In addition, the prospectus supplement for any series of subordinated debt securities may provide that payments on account of principal, premium, if any, or interest in respect of the subordinated debt securities may be delayed or not paid under specified circumstances and periods. If, while we are in default on Senior Indebtedness, any payment is received by the performanceTrustee under the Subordinated Indenture or the Holders of certain covenants. (Sections 1011 and 513) Each Indenture provides thatany of the subordinated debt securities before we have paid all Senior Indebtedness in determining whetherfull, the payment or distribution must be paid over to the Holders of the requisite principalunpaid Senior Indebtedness or applied to the repayment of the unpaid Senior Indebtedness. Subject to paying the Senior Indebtedness in full, the Holders of the subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent that payments are made to the holders of Senior Indebtedness out of the distributive share of the subordinated debt securities. Due to the subordination, if our assets are distributed upon insolvency, some or all of our general creditors may recover more, ratably, than Holders of subordinated debt securities. The Subordinated Indenture or applicable supplemental indenture may state that its subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the satisfaction and discharge and the legal defeasance provisions of the Subordinated Indenture. If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a series of subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the information incorporated by reference in it will set forth the approximate 13 amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities orSenior Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date. "Senior Indebtedness" with respect to any series of subordinated debt securities will have giventhe meaning specified in the applicable prospectus supplement for that series. CONVERSION RIGHTS The terms and conditions of any debt securities being offered that are convertible into our common shares will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. These terms will include the conversion price, the conversion period, provisions as to whether conversion will be mandatory, or takenat the option of the holder or us, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion price and provisions affecting conversion in the event that the debt securities are redeemed. CORPORATE EXISTENCE Subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture, we will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect our corporate existence, charter and statutory rights and franchises; provided, however, that we will not be required to preserve any direction,right or franchise if we determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of our business. GOVERNING LAW The Indentures and our debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York. 14 DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK In this section, we describe the material features and rights of our capital stock. This summary does not purport to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by reference to applicable Ohio law and our amended and restated articles of incorporation and code of regulations, each of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. OUR AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 common shares, without par value, and 195,000 preferred shares, without par value. As of August 13, 2002, there were (1) 29,744,790 common shares issued and outstanding, held by approximately 300 holders of record; and (2) no preferred shares issued and outstanding. In addition, the Hagedorn Partnership L.P. and certain other selling shareholders hold currently exercisable warrants to purchase up to 3,000,000 common shares exercisable in three 1,000,000 share tranches at exercise prices of $21, $25 and $29 per share, respectively. COMMON SHARES Holders of our common shares are entitled to: - one vote for each share held; - receive dividends when and if declared by the board of directors from funds legally available therefor, subject to the rights of holders of our preferred shares, if any, and to restrictions contained in our long-term indebtedness; and - share ratably in our net assets, legally available to our shareholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after provision for distribution to the holders of any preferred shares. Holders of our common shares have no preemptive, subscription, redemption, conversion or cumulative voting rights. Our outstanding common shares are, and the shares that may be issued upon any conversion will be, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SMG." PREFERRED SHARES Our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to issue, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, subject to certain limitations prescribed by Ohio law and the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange, up to an aggregate of 195,000 preferred shares in one or more classes or series. With respect to any classes or series, our board of directors may determine the designation and the number of shares, preferences, limitations and special rights, including dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and liquidation preferences. Absent a determination by the board of directors to establish different voting rights, holders of preferred shares are entitled to one vote per share on matters to be voted upon by the holders of common shares and preferred shares voting together as a single class. Ohio law also entitles the holders of preferred shares to exercise a class vote on certain matters. ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, CODE OF REGULATIONS AND THE OHIO GENERAL CORPORATION LAW There are provisions in our amended and restated articles of incorporation and code of regulations, and the Ohio Revised Code that could discourage potential takeover attempts and make attempts by shareholders to change management more difficult. These provisions could adversely affect the market price of our shares. 15 Classified Board of Directors Our board of directors is divided into three classes, with three-year staggered terms. This classification system increases the difficulty of replacing a majority of the directors at any one time and may tend to discourage a third-party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to gain control of us. It also may maintain the incumbency of our board of directors. Under a recent revision to the Ohio General Corporation Law, shareholders may not remove any directors on a classified board of directors without cause. Limited Shareholder Action by Written Consent The Ohio General Corporation Law requires that an action by written consent of the shareholders in lieu of a meeting be unanimous, except that the code of regulations may be amended by an action by written consent of holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of the voting power of the corporation or, if the articles of incorporation or code of regulations otherwise provide, such greater or lesser amount, but not less than a majority. This provision may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a tender offer or takeover attempt that a shareholder might consider to be in its best interest. Control Share Acquisition Act The Ohio General Corporation Law provides that certain notice consent, waiverand informational filings, and special shareholder meeting and voting procedures, must occur prior to any person's acquisition of an issuer's shares that would entitle the acquirer to exercise or direct the voting power of the issuer in the election of directors within any of the following ranges: - one-fifth or more but less than one-third of such voting power; - one-third or more but less than a majority of such voting power; - a majority or more of such voting power. The Control Share Acquisition Act does not apply to a corporation if its articles of incorporation or code of regulations so provide. We have not opted out of the application of the Control Share Acquisition Act. Merger Moratorium Statute Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code generally addresses a wide range of business combinations and other transactions (including mergers, consolidations, asset sales, loans, disproportionate distributions of property and disproportionate issuances or transfers of shares or rights to acquire shares) between an Ohio corporation and an "Interested Shareholder" who, alone or with others, may exercise or direct the exercise of at least 10% of the voting power of the corporation. The Merger Moratorium Statute prohibits such transactions between the corporation and the Interested Shareholder for a period of three years after a person becomes an Interested Shareholder, unless, prior to such date, the directors approved either the business combination or other actiontransaction or approved the acquisition that caused the person to become an Interested Shareholder. Following the three-year moratorium period, the corporation may engage in the covered transaction with the Interested Shareholder only if: - the transaction receives the approval of the holders of two-thirds of all the voting shares and the approval of the holders of a majority of the voting shares held by persons other than an Interested Shareholder; or - the remaining shareholders receive an amount for their shares equal to the higher of the highest amount paid in the past by the Interested Shareholder for the corporation's shares or the amount that would be due to the shareholders if the corporation were to dissolve. 16 DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred shares or common shares. We may issue warrants independently or together with any other securities we offer pursuant to a prospectus supplement and the warrants may be attached to or separate from the securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. We will set forth additional terms of the Applicable Indenture as of any date, (i)warrants and the applicable warrant agreements in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that will be deemed to be Outstanding will bedebt securities or the amountnumber of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date, (ii) if, as of such date, the principal amount payablepreferred shares or common shares at the Stated Maturity of a Debt Security is not determinable (for example, because it is based on an index), the principal amount of such Debt Security deemed to be Outstandingexercise price set forth in, or calculable as of such date will be an amount determinedset forth in, the manner prescribed for such Debt Security and (iii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units that willapplicable prospectus supplement. The exercise price may be deemed to be Outstanding will be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security (or, in the case of a Debt Security described in clause (i) or (ii) above, of the amount described in such clause). Certain Debt Securities, including those for whose payment or redemption money has been deposited or set aside in trust for the Holders and those that have been fully defeased pursuant to Section 1302, will not be deemed to be Outstanding. (Section 101) Except in certain limited circumstances, the Issuers will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the Applicable Indenture, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in such Applicable Indenture. In certain limited circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by Holders of a particular series, such action may be taken only by persons who are Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of that series on the record date. To be effective, such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of such Debt Securities within a specified period following the record date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such shorter period as may be specified by the Issuers (or the Trustee, if it set the record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days) from time to time. (Section 104) Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance The Indentures provide, if such provision is made applicable to the Debt Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301 of the Applicable Indenture (which will be indicated in the Prospectus Supplement applicable thereto), that the Issuers may elect either (A) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such Debt Securities then outstanding (including, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, the provisions described under "Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities" herein and except for the obligations to exchange or register the transfer of such Debt Securities, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, to maintain an office or agency in respect of the Debt Securities, and to hold monies for payments in trust)("defeasance"), or (B) to be released from its obliga- tions with respect to such Debt Securities concerning the restrictions described under "Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" and any other covenants applicable to such Debt Securities (including, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, the provisions described under "Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities" herein) which are subject to covenant defeasance ("covenant defeasance"), andadjustment upon the occurrence of an event described and notice thereof in clauses (e) and (f) under "Events of Default and Notice Thereof" (with respect to covenants determined, pursuant to Section 301 of the Applicable Indenture, to be subject to covenant defeasance) shall no longer be an Event of Default, in each case, upon the irrevocable deposit with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee), in trust for such purpose, of money, and/or U.S. Government Obligations (as definedcertain events, as set forth in the Indentures) (or Foreign Government Obligations (as defined in the Indentures) in the case of Debt Securities denominated in foreign currencies) which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient without reinvestment to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon, on the scheduled due dates therefor. Such a trust may only be established if, among other things, (i) the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel (as specified in the Applicable Indenture) to the effect that the Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred, (ii) no Event of Default or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default under the Applicable Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, (iii) in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, (x) no default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Senior Debt beyond any applicable grace period shall have occurred and be continuing, or (y) no other default with respect to any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be continuing and shall have resulted in the acceleration of such Senior Debt and (iv) certain other customary conditions precedent are satisfied. In the case of defeasance under clause (A) above, the opinion of counsel referred to in clause (i) above must refer to an be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service issued to the Company or published as a revenue ruling or on a change in applicable Federal income tax law, in each case after the date of the Applicable Indenture. (Article Thirteen) Under current Federal income tax law, defeasance would likely be treated as a taxable exchange of such Debt Securities for interests in the defeasance trust. As a consequence a Holder would recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the Holder's cost or other tax basis for such Debt Securities and the value of the Holder's proportionate interest in the defeasance trust, and thereafter would be required to include in income a proportionate share of the income, gain and loss of the defeasance trust. Under current Federal income tax law, covenant defeasance would ordinarily not be treated as a taxable exchange of such Debt Securities. Purchasers of such Debt Securities should consult their own advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of such defeasance and covenant defeasance, including the applicability and effect of tax laws other than the Federal income tax law. The Issuers may exercise the defeasance option with respect to such Debt Securities notwithstanding its prior exercise of the covenant defeasance option. If the Issuers exercise the defeasance option, payment of such Debt Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuers exercise the covenant defeasance option, payment of such Debt Securities may not be accelerated by reference to the covenants noted under clause (B) above. In the event the Issuers omit to comply with the remaining obligations with respect to such Debt Securities under the Applicable Indenture after exercising its covenant defeasance option and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations (or Foreign Government Obligations in the case of Debt Securities denominated in foreign currencies) on deposit with the Trustee may be insufficient to pay amounts due on the Debt Securities of such series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such Event of Default, because the required deposit in the defeasance trust is based upon scheduled cash flows, rather than market values, which will vary depending on prevailing interest rates and other factors. However, the Issuers will remain liable in respect of such payments. (Arti- cle Thirteen) The Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, applicable to defeasance with respect to the Debt Securities of a particular series. Certain Definitions Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the Indentures. Reference is made to the Applicable Indenture with respect to any particular series of Debt Securities for the full definition of all such terms, as well as any other terms used herein for which no definition is provided. (Section 101) "Affiliate" of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. "Asset Disposition" by any Person means any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries (including a consolidation or merger or other sale of any such Subsidiary with, into or to another Person in a transaction in which such Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary, but excluding a disposition by a Subsidiary of such Person to such Person or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person or by such Person to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person) of (i) shares of Capital Stock (other than directors' qualifying shares) of or other ownership interests in a Subsidiary of such Person, (ii) substantially all of the assets of such Person, or any of its Subsidiaries, representing a division or line of business or (iii) other assets or rights of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries outside of the ordinary course of business, provided in each case that the aggregate consideration for such transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition is equal to $1 million or more. "Bank Agreement" means the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 7, 1992, among the Issuers, Chemical Bank (as successor to Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company), as Agent, and the lenders identified therein (the "Banks"), as amended by the First Amendment thereto, dated as of November 19, 1992, the Second Amendment thereto, dated as of February 23, 1993, and the Third Amended thereto, dated as of December 15, 1993, as such agreement may be amended, extended, restated or otherwise modified. "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests, participation or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock of such Person. "Net Available Proceeds" from any Asset Disposition by any Person means cash or readily marketable cash equivalents received (including by way of sale or discounting of a note, instalment receivable or other receivable, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiree of Debt or other obligations relating to such properties or assets) therefrom by such Person, net of (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses Incurred and all federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability as a consequence of such Asset Disposition, (ii) all payments made by such Person or its Subsidiaries on any Debt which is secured by such assets in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or with respect to such assets or which must by the terms of such Lien, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposi- tion or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition, (iii) all distributions and other payments made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries of such Person or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposi- tion and (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided by such Person or any Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, as a reserve in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles against any liabilities associated with such assets and retained by such Person or any Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, after such Asset Disposition, including, without limitation, liabilities under any indemnification obligations and severance and other employee termination costs associated with such Asset Disposition, in each case as determined by the Board of Directors of Scotts, in its reasonable good faith judgment evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of Scotts filed with the Trustee; provided, however, that any reduction in such reserve within twelve months following the consummation of such Asset Disposition will be treated for all purposes of the Indentures and the Debt Securities as a new Asset Disposition at the time of such reduction with Net Available Proceeds equal to the amount of such reduction. "Offer to Purchase" means a written offer (the "Offer") sent by the Issuers by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder at its address appearing in the Debt Security Register on the date of the Offer offering to purchase up to the principal amount of Debt Securities specified in such Offer at the purchase price specified in such Offer (as determined pursuant to the Applicable Indenture). Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Offer shall specify an expiration date (the "Expiration Date") of the Offer to Purchase which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 30 days or more than 60 days after the date of such Offer and a settlement date (the "Purchase Date") for purchase of Debt Securities within five Business Days after the Expiration Date. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee at least 15 Business Days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the mailing of the Offer of the Issuers' obligation to make an Offer to Purchase, and the Offer shall be mailed by the Issuers or, at the Issuers' request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers. The Offer shall contain information concerning the business of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries which the Issuers in good faith believe will enable such Holders to make an informed decision with respect to the Offer to Purchase (which at a minimum will include (i) the most recent annual and quarterly financial statements and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in the documents required to be filed with the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture (which requirements may be satisfied by delivery of such documents together with the Offer), (ii) a description of material developments in the Issuers' business subsequent to the date of the latest of such financial statements referred to in clause (i) (including a description of the events requiring the Issuers to make the Offer to Purchase), (iii) if applicable, appropriate pro forma financial information concerning the Offer to Purchase and the events requiring the Issuers to make the Offer to Purchase and (iv) any other information required by applicable law to be included therein. The Offer shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Debt Securities pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. The Offer shall also state: (1) the Section of the Applicable Indenture or Indentures pursuant to which the Offer to Purchase is being made; (2) the Expiration Date and the Purchase Date; (3) the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities offered to be purchased by the Issuers pursuant to the Offer to Purchase (including, if less than 100%, the manner by which such has been determined pursuant to the Section of the Indentures requiring the Offer to Purchase) (the "Purchase Amount"); (4) the purchase price to be paid by the Issuers for each $1,000 aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities accepted for payment (as specified pursuant to the Applicable Indenture or Indentures) (the "Purchase Price"); (5) that the Holder may tender all or any portion of the Debt Securities registered in the name of such Holder and that any portion of a Debt Security tendered must be tendered in an integral multiple of $1,000 principal amount; (6) the place or places where Debt Securities are to be surrendered for tender pursuant to the Offer to Purchase; (7) that interest on any Debt Security not tendered or tendered but not purchased by the Issuers pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will continue to accrue; (8) that on the Purchase Date the Purchase Price will become due and payable upon each Debt Security being accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after the Purchase Date; (9) that each Holder electing to tender a Debt Security pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender such Debt Security at the place or places specified in the Offer prior toprospectus supplement. After the close of business on the Expiration Date (such Debt Security being, ifexpiration date of the Issuerswarrant, unexercised warrants will become void. The place or the Trustee so requires, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to Scottsplaces where, and the Trustee duly executed by,manner in which, warrants may be exercised shall be specified in the Holder thereofapplicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms, where applicable, of the warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered. - the title of the warrants; - the aggregate number of the warrants; - the price or his attorney duly authorizedprices at which the warrants will be issued; - the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants; - the designation and terms of any related securities with which the warrants will be issued, and the number of warrants that will be issued with each security; - the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the related debt securities will be separately transferable; - the price at which the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants may be purchased; - the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence, and the date on which the right will expire; - the maximum or minimum number of warrants which may be exercised at any time; - a discussion of the certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants; and - any other terms of the warrants and terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exercise of the warrants. Holders may exchange warrant certificates for new warrant certificates of different denominations, and may exercise warrants at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in writing); (10) that Holdersthe applicable prospectus supplement. Prior to the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon the exercise and will not be entitled to withdraw allpayments of principal, premium or any portion of Debt Securities tendered if the Issuers (or their Paying Agent) receive, not later than the close of businessinterest on the Expiration Date,securities purchasable upon the exercise. 17 DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS We may issue stock purchase contacts representing contacts obligating holders to purchase from us and obligating us to sell to the holders a telegram, telex, facsimile transmissionspecified number of common shares or letter settingpreferred shares at a future date or dates. The price per share of common shares or preferred shares may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the namestock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of units, often known as stock purchase units, consisting of a stock purchase contract and either of the Holder,following: - debt securities of our company, or - debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the principal amountholder's obligations to purchase our common shares or preferred shares under the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the Debt Securities the Holder tendered, the certificate number of the Debt Security the Holder tenderedstock purchase units or vise versa, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing all or a portion of its tender; (11) that (a) if Debt Securities in an aggregate principal amount less than or equal to the Purchase Amount are duly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Issuers shall purchase all such Debt Securities and (b) if Debt Securities in an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Purchase Amount are tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Issuers shall purchase Debt Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the Purchase Amount on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments aspayments may be deemed appropriate so that only Debt Securitiesunsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations in denominationsa specified manner and in certain circumstances we may deliver newly issued prepaid stock purchase contracts, often known as prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of $1,000any collateral securing each holder's obligations under the original stock purchase contract. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any stock purchase contracts or integral multiples thereof shall be purchased);stock purchase units and, (12) thatif applicable, prepaid securities. The description in the case of any Holder whose Debt Security is purchased only in part, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unpurchased portion of the Debt Security so tendered. Any Offer to Purchase shall be governed by and effected in accordance with the Offer for such Offer to Purchase. "Subsidiary" of any Person means (i) a corporation more than 50% of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries thereof or (ii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, or one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries thereof, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority ownership and power to direct the policies, management and affairs thereof. "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Personapplicable prospectus supplement will not contain all of the outstanding Capital Stockinformation that you may find useful. For more information, you should review the stock purchase contracts, the collateral arrangements and the depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such stock purchase contracts or other ownership interests ofstock purchase units and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the document pursuant to which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person. Permanent Global Securities The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more permanent Global Securities that will be deposited with a Depositary or its nominee. In such a case, one or more Global Securitiesprepaid securities will be issued, in a denominationwhich will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission promptly after the offering of such stock purchase contracts or aggregate denominations equal tostock purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid securities. 18 SELLING SHAREHOLDERS The following table sets forth the portionnumber of shares beneficially owned by each of the aggregate principal amountselling shareholders as of Outstanding Debt SecuritiesAugust 13, 2002. Each of the series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities. The Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Debt Securities will describe the circumstances, if any, under which beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent Global Security may exchange such interests for Debt Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount in any authorized form and denomination. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in definitive registered form, a permanent Global Security may not be registered for transfer or exchange except in the circumstances described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Sections 204 and 305) The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a series of Debt Securities to be represented by a permanent Global Security and a description of the Depositary will be contained in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Trustee Each Indenture contains limitations on the right of the Trustee, as a creditor of the Issuers, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. In the case of an Event of Default under the Subordinated Indenture, the Trustee, as trustee under the Senior Indenture,selling shareholders may be deemed to have a conflicting interest andbe an affiliate of Scotts. No estimate can be given as to the amount of our common shares that will be beneficially owned by the selling shareholders after completion of an offering because the selling shareholders may be required to resign as Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture. In addition, the Trustee may be deemed to have a conflicting interest and may be required to resign as Trustee if at the time of a default under the Applicable Indenture it is a creditoroffer all, some or none of the Issuers. The Trustee or its affiliates act as depositary for funds of, makes loans to and performs other services for, or may be a customer of, the Issuers in the ordinary course of business. An affiliate of the Trustee is a lender and the lender's agent under the Bank Agreement. Governing Law The Indentures and the Debt Securities are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Issuers may sell Debt Securities to one or more underwriters for public offering and salecommon shares beneficially owned by them or that may sell Debt Securities to investors or other persons directly or through agents.hereafter be acquired by them upon the exercise of stock options. The Issuers may sell Debt Securities as soon as practicable after effectiveness of the Registration Statement, provided that favorable market conditions exist. Any such underwriter or agent involvedshares described in the offer and sale of the Debt Securities will be named in an applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters may offer and sell the Debt Securities at a fixed price or prices, whichthis prospectus may be changed, or at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The Issuers also may,offered from time to time authorize firms actingby the selling shareholders named below. NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BEFORE THE OFFERING(1) ------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES SHARES TO BE ACQUIRABLE BENEFICIALLY OWNED UPON EXERCISE OF MAXIMUM AFTER THE SALE OF THE COMMON SHARES OPTIONS/ PERCENT NUMBER OF MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PERCENT BENEFICIALLY WARRANTS OF COMMON SHARES COMMON SHARES OF NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED WITHIN 60 DAYS TOTAL CLASS(2) TO BE SOLD NUMBER CLASS - ------------------------ ----- -------------- ----- -------- ---------- ------ ----- John Kenlon................ 135,000 118,142(3) 253,142 * 6,642 246,500 * Kenlon family members c/o John Kenlon........ -- 60,000(3) 60,000 * 60,000 -- -- Hagedorn Partnership, L.P. 9,712,021(4) 3,000,000(4) 12,712,021 38.82% 1,533,358 11,178,663 34.14% - -------------
* Less than 1%. (1) Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owner has sole voting and dispositive power as agentsto all common shares reflected in the table. All fractional common shares have been rounded to the nearest whole common share. (2) The "Percent of Class" computation is based upon the Issuerssum of (i) 29,744,790 common shares outstanding on August 13, 2002, and (ii) the number of common shares as to offerwhich the named person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership upon the exercise of options or warrants exercisable within 60 days after August 13, 2002. (3) Mr. Kenlon owns warrants to purchase 6,642 common shares. The Hagedorn Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, has the right to vote, and sella right of first refusal with respect to, our securities received by Mr. Kenlon and his children in connection with the Debt Securities upon such termsMiracle-Gro merger in 1995 (135,000 common shares presently held by Mr. Kenlon and conditions as shall be set forthwarrants to purchase an aggregate of 66,642 common shares, of which warrants to purchase 60,000 common shares are held by Mr. Kenlon's children). The Hagedorn Partnership has waived its right of first refusal in any Prospectus Supplement. In connection with the sale of Debt Securities,common shares contemplated by this prospectus. Mr. Kenlon also holds currently exercisable options to purchase 111,500 common shares. (4) The Hagedorn Partnership owns 9,577,021 common shares and warrants to purchase 2,933,358 common shares, and has the right to vote, and a right of first refusal with respect to, Scotts' securities received by Mr. Kenlon and his children. See note (3) above. Mr. James Hagedorn, Ms. Katherine Hagedorn Littlefield, Mr. Paul Hagedorn, Mr. Peter Hagedorn, Mr. Robert Hagedorn and Ms. Susan Hagedorn are siblings, general partners of the Hagedorn Partnership and former shareholders of Stern's Miracle-Gro Products, Inc. The general partners share voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities held by the Hagedorn Partnership and those subject to the right to vote and right of first refusal in favor of the Hagedorn Partnership. Mr. James Hagedorn and Ms. Katherine Hagedorn Littlefield are directors of Scotts, and Mr. James Hagedorn is our President and Chief Executive Officer. Community Funds, Inc., a New York not-for-profit corporation, is a limited partner of the Hagedorn Partnership. Does not include 27,700 common shares held by Mr. James Hagedorn directly and 9,215 common share units that are allocated to his account and held by the trustee under our Retirement Savings Plan. Also does not include 2,232 common share equivalents that are attributable to Mr. James Hagedorn's account relating to common share units under The Scotts Company Executive Retirement Plan and currently exercisable options to purchase 320,000 common shares. Also excludes currently exercisable options to purchase 11,500 common shares held by Ms. Littlefield. 19 PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The debt securities, preferred shares, common shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units may be sold: - to or through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters; - through one or more underwriters without a syndicate for them to offer and sell to the public; - through dealers or agents; or - to investors directly in negotiated sales or in competitively bid transactions. The prospectus supplement for each series of securities we or the selling shareholders sell will describe that offering, including: - the name or names of any underwriters; - the purchase price and the proceeds to us or the selling shareholders from that sale; - any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters' compensation; - any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and - any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed. UNDERWRITERS If underwriters are used in the sale, we and the selling shareholders, as applicable, will execute an underwriting agreement with those underwriters relating to the securities that we or the selling shareholders will offer. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase these securities will be subject to conditions. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if any are purchased. The securities subject to the underwriting agreement will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold by them from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us or the Issuersselling shareholders, as the case may be, in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from the purchasers of Debt Securitiesthe offered securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell Debt Securitiesthe offered securities to or through dealers, and suchdealers. These dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions (which may be changed from time to time) from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. Any underwriting compensationinitial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid byto dealers may be changed from time to time. We also may sell the Issuers to underwriters or agentssecurities in connection with the offering of Debt Securities, and any discounts, concessionsa remarketing upon their purchase, in connection with a redemption or commissions allowedrepayment, by underwriters to participating dealers, will be set forth in an applicable Prospectus Supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the Debt Securitiesa remarketing firm acting as principal for its own account or as our agent. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities that they remarket. We may authorize underwriters to solicit offers by institutions to purchase the securities subject to the underwriting agreement from us, at the public offering price stated in the prospectus supplement under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and any discountsdelivery on a specified date in the future. If we sell securities under delayed delivery contracts, the prospectus supplement will state that as well as the conditions to which these delayed delivery contracts will be subject and the commissions received by thempayable for that solicitation. AGENTS We and the selling shareholders may also sell any profit realized by them on resale of the Debt Securitiessecurities through agents designated by us and/or the selling shareholders, as the case may be, deemedfrom time to be underwriting discounts and commissions undertime. We and/or the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agentsselling shareholders, as the case may be, entitled, under agreements withwill name any agent involved in the Issuers,offer or sale of the securities and will list commissions payable by us and/or the selling shareholders, as the case may be, to indemnificationthese agents in the applicable prospectus supplement. These agents will be acting on a best efforts basis to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment, unless we and/or the selling shareholders, as the case may be, state otherwise in the prospectus supplement. 20 DIRECT SALES We and the selling shareholders may sell any of the securities directly to purchasers. In this case, we and/or the selling shareholders, as the case may be, will not engage underwriters or agents in the offer and sale of these securities. INDEMNIFICATION We and the selling shareholders may indemnify underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the distribution of securities against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, and agree to reimbursement by the Issuers for certain expenses. Underwriters,contribute to payments which these underwriters, dealers andor agents may engagebe required to make. NO ASSURANCE OF LIQUIDITY The securities offered hereby may be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters that purchase securities from us may make a market in transactions with, or perform services for, orthese securities. The underwriters will not be customersobligated, however, to make a market and may discontinue market-making at any time without notice to holders of the Issuers in the ordinary course of business. The Debt Securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange or a foreign securities exchange. No assurances can be givensecurities. We cannot assure you that there will be aliquidity in the trading market for the Debt Securities. VALIDITY OF THE DEBT SECURITIESany securities of any series. LEGAL MATTERS The validity of the Debt Securitiessecurities offered hereby will be passed upon for the Issuersus by Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, Columbus, Ohio. EXPERTS The consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of September 30, 1992 and 1993, and the consolidatedfinancial statements of income, changes in shareholder's equity (deficit) and cash flows for each ofThe Scotts Company incorporated into this prospectus by reference to the three years in the period ended September 30, 1993, included in this Prospectus have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand, independent accountants, as stated in their report appearing in this Prospectus, and are included in reliance upon the report, which includes an explanatory paragraph on changes in accounting for income taxes and postretirement benefits other than pensions, of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The consolidated balance sheet of Grace-Sierra Horticultural Products Company ("Grace-Sierra") as of December 16, 1993, and the consolidated statement of operations, changes in common shareholder's deficit and cash flows for the period from January 1, 1993 to December 16, 1993, included in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A8-K dated February 28, 1994,June 24, 2002, have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand, independent accountants, and areso incorporated herein by reference in reliance uponon the report of suchPricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm given upon their authority as experts in accountingauditing and auditing.accounting. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE We are "incorporating" certain documents into this prospectus by reference, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring to documents that contain such information. The consolidated balance sheetinformation incorporated by reference is an important part of Grace-Sierra as ofthis prospectus, and information we file later with the consolidated statement of operations, changesSEC will automatically update and supersede the information in common shareholder's deficit and cash flowsthis prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC: - our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001 (including information specifically incorporated by reference into our Form 10-K from our 2001 Annual Report to Shareholders and proxy statement for our 2002 annual meeting of shareholders); - our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A dated June 5, 2002, for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1992, included in29, 2001; - our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Company'sfiscal quarter ended March 30, 2002; - our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 29, 2002; - our Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated February 28, 1994, have been audited8-K filed with the SEC on January 30, 2002; - our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 24, 2002, which amends certain items in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2001, to reflect retroactively the disclosures and presentations required by Price Waterhouse, independent accountants,accounting pronouncements initially adopted by Scotts in our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2001; and - our proxy statement for our 2002 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on December 20, 2001. Later information that we file with the SEC will update and/or supersede this information. We are also incorporating by reference all documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the debt securities, preferred shares, common shares, warrants, stock purchase contracts and/or stock purchase units. Information furnished under Item 9 of any of our Current Reports on Form 8-K is not incorporated herein by reference in reliancethis prospectus and registration statement. We furnished information under Item 9 of our Current Report on Form 8-K to the SEC on August 9, 2002. 21 WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION We are required to comply with the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and must file annual, quarterly and other reports with the SEC. We are also subject to the proxy solicitation requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, accordingly, will furnish audited financial statements to our shareholders in connection with our annual meetings of shareholders. Any statements made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document constitute summaries of the material terms thereof and are not necessarily complete summaries of all of the terms. Some of these documents have been filed as exhibits to our periodic filings with the SEC. Our periodic reports and other information filed with the SEC may be inspected without charge at the Public Reference Section of the SEC at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also obtain copies of filed documents by mail from the public reference section of the SEC at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Filed documents are also available to the public on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, we post our filed documents on our website at http://www.scotts.com, and they are available to be downloaded or printed free of charge. The information on our website is not part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. Copies of documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference or other documents referred to in this prospectus may be obtained upon oral or written request without charge by contacting The Scotts Company, 14111 Scottslawn Road, Marysville, Ohio 43041, Attention: Treasurer, (937) 644-0011. 22 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION* The following table sets forth the reportestimated (except for the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees) fees and expenses payable by the Company in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities registered hereby other than underwriting discounts and commissions: Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees $ 39,269 Printing and engraving costs 50,000 Legal fees and expenses 125,000 Accountants' fees and expenses 25,000 Blue sky qualification fees and expenses 10,000 Transfer agent fees 10,000 Trustee fees and expenses 25,000 Miscellaneous 15,731 -------- Total $300,000 ======== The selling shareholders will not bear any costs, expenses or fees in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities registered hereby other than any applicable discounts or commissions. * Except for the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee, all fees and expenses are estimated. All of the above fees and expenses will be borne by the Registrant. ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Division (E) of Section 1701.13 of the Ohio Revised Code governs indemnification by a corporation and provides as follows: (E)(1) A corporation may indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorney's fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. (2) A corporation may indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorney's fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the II-1 defense or settlement of such action or suit, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any of the following: (a) Any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person is adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless, and only to the extent that, the court of common pleas or the court in which such action or suit was brought determines, upon application, that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court of common pleas or such other court shall deem proper; (b) Any action or suit in which the only liability asserted against a director is pursuant to section 1701.95 of the Revised Code. (3) To the extent that a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorney's fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding. (4) Any indemnification under division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, unless ordered by a court, shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case, upon a determination that indemnification of the director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section. Such determination shall be made as follows: (a) By a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors of the indemnifying corporation who were not and are not parties to or threatened with the action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section; (b) If the quorum described in division (E)(4)(a) of this section is not obtainable or if a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, in a written opinion by independent legal counsel other than an attorney, or a firm givenhaving associated with it an attorney, who has been retained by or who has performed services for the corporation or any person to be indemnified within the past five years; (c) By the shareholders; (d) By the court of common pleas or the court in which such action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section was brought. Any determination made by the disinterested directors under division (E)(4)(a) or by independent legal counsel under division (E)(4)(b) of this section shall be promptly communicated to the person who threatened or brought the action or suit by or in the right of the corporation under division (E)(2) of this section, and, within ten days after receipt of such notification, such person shall have the right to petition the court of common pleas or the court in which such action or suit was brought to review the reasonableness of such determination. (5)(a) Unless at the time of a director's act or omission that is the subject of an action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, the articles or the regulations of a corporation state, by specific reference to this division, that the provisions of this division do not apply to the corporation and unless the only liability asserted against a director in an action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section is pursuant to section 1701.95 of the Revised Code, expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by a director in defending the action, suit, or proceeding shall be paid by II-2 the corporation as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director in which he agrees to both of the following: (i) Repay such amount if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence in a court of competent jurisdiction that his action or failure to act involved an act or omission undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to the corporation or undertaken with reckless disregard for the best interests of the corporation; (ii) Reasonably cooperate with the corporation concerning the action, suit, or proceeding. (b) Expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent in defending any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, may be paid by the corporation as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, as authorized by the directors in the specific case, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent to repay such amount, if it ultimately is determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. (6) The indemnification authorized by this section shall not be exclusive of, and shall be in addition to, any other rights granted to those seeking indemnification under the articles, the regulations, any agreement, a vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacities and as to action in another capacity while holding their offices or positions, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person. (7) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection, including, but not limited to, trust funds, letters of credit, or self-insurance, on behalf of or for any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under this section. Insurance may be purchased from or maintained with a person in which the corporation has a financial interest. (8) The authority of a corporation to indemnify persons pursuant to division (E)(1) or (2) of this section does not limit the payment of expenses as expertsthey are incurred, indemnification, insurance, or other protection that may be provided pursuant to divisions (E)(5), (6), and (7) of this section. Divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section do not create any obligation to repay or return payments made by the corporation pursuant to division (E)(5), (6), or (7). (9) As used in accountingdivision (E) of this section, "corporation" includes all constituent entities in a consolidation or merger and auditing. THE SCOTTS COMPANY INDEX TO CONSOLIDATEDthe new or surviving corporation, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, trustee, member, manager, or agent of such a constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the new or surviving corporation as he would if he had served the new or surviving corporation in the same capacity. II-3 Section 5.01 of the Registrant's Code of Regulations governs indemnification by Registrant and provides as follows: SECTION 5.01. Mandatory Indemnification. The corporation shall indemnify any officer or director of the corporation who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including, without limitation, any action threatened or instituted by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager or agent of another corporation (domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit), limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, filing fees, court reporters' fees and transcript costs), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. A person claiming indemnification under this Section 5.01 shall be presumed, in respect of any act or omission giving rise to such claim for indemnification, to have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal matter, to have had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, and the termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, rebut such presumption. In addition, the Registrant currently provides insurance coverage to its directors and officers against certain liabilities which might be incurred by them in such capacity. II-4 ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Consolidated Financial StatementsSTATEMENT SCHEDULES (a) EXHIBITS Exhibit No. Description - ------- ----------- 1.1* Form of Underwriting Agreement related to Debt Securities 1.2* Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to securities other than Debt Securities 3.1 Certificate of Amendment by Shareholders to Articles of The Scotts Company and Subsidiaries: Reportreflecting adoption of Independent Accountants F-1 Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 1992 and 1993 F-2 Consolidated Statementsamendment to Article FOURTH of IncomeAmended Articles of Incorporation by the shareholders of The Scotts Company on January 18, 2001, as filed with Ohio Secretary of State on January 18, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 3(a)(1) to Scotts' Form 10-Q for the yearsfiscal quarter ended SeptemberDecember 30, 1991, 19922000 and 1993 F-3 Consolidated Statementsincorporated by reference) 3.2 Certificate of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) forAmendment by Directors of The Scotts Company reflecting adoption of Restated Articles of Incorporation by the years ended September 30, 1991, 1992 and 1993 F-4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 1991, 1992 and 1993 F-5 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-6 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of The Scotts Company, We have auditedas filed with Ohio Secretary of State on January 29, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 3(a)(2) to Scotts' Form 10-Q for the accompanying consolidated balance sheetsfiscal quarter ended December 30, 2000 and incorporated by reference) 3.3 Certificate regarding Adoption of Amendments to the Code of Regulations of The Scotts Company by the Shareholders on January 18, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 3(b)(1) to Scotts' Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2000 and Subsidiaries asincorporated by reference) 3.4 Code of September 30, 1992 and 1993, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 1993. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial positionRegulations of The Scotts Company (reflecting amendments through January 18, 2001) [for SEC reporting compliance purposes only] (filed as Exhibit 3(b)(2) to Scotts' Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2000 and Subsidiariesincorporated by reference) 4.1 Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities 4.2 Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities 4.3 Form of share certificate (filed as Exhibit 1.1 to Scotts' Registration Statement on Form 8-A File No. 001-11593 and incorporated by reference) 4.4* Form of Preferred Share certificate 4.5* Form of Warrant Agreement 4.6* Form of Purchase Contract Agreement relating to stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units 4.7* Form of Pledge Agreement for stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units 5.1 Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP 12.1 Statements re. Computation of Earnings 23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants 23.2 Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) 24.1 Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages) 25.1** Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 of Trustee under the Senior Indenture 25.2** Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 of Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture II-5 - --------- * To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K. ** To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or by post-effective amendment in connection with the offer of our debt securities. (b) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES None ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS. (1) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement. (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (c) To remove from registration by means of post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (2) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the bona fide offering thereof. II-6 (3) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by a controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. (4) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act. (5) The undersigned hereby undertakes that: (a) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of September 30, 1992 and 1993,the time it was declared effective. (b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the consolidated resultsoffering of their operations and their cash flows for eachsuch securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. II-7 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the three yearsSecurities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the period ended September 30, 1993, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. As discussed in Notes 3City of Marysville, State of Ohio, on August 15, 2002. THE SCOTTS COMPANY By: /s/ JAMES HAGEDORN ------------------------------------------ JAMES HAGEDORN President and 6 toChief Executive Officer POWER OF ATTORNEY We, the consolidated financial statements, effective the beginningundersigned directors and officers of fiscal 1993 the Company changed its method of accounting for postretirement benefits other than pensions and income taxes. Coopers & Lybrand Columbus, Ohio November 19, 1993, except as to Note 12, which is as of December 16, 1993. F-1
THE SCOTTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 1992 and 1993 (in thousands except share amounts) ASSETS 1992 1993 Current Assets: Cash $ 880 $ 2,323 Accounts receivable, less allowance of $2,110 in 1992 and $2,511 in 1993 51,580 60,848 Inventories 59,697 76,654 Prepaid and other assets 3,376 3,917 Total current assets 115,533 143,742 Property, plant and equipment, at cost: Land and land improvements 18,537 19,817 Buildings 31,307 36,300 Machinery and equipment 62,082 87,250 Furniture and fixtures 5,561 5,952 Construction in progress 16,914 4,687 134,401 154,006 Less accumulated depreciation 45,331 55,215 89,070 98,791 Patents and other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $17,932 in 1992 and $21,053 in 1993 20,272 19,972 Deferred financing and organizational costs, net of accumulated amortization of $6,673 in 1992 and $7,770 in 1993 3,708 3,530 Excess of costs over underlying value of net assets acquired (goodwill), net of accumulated amortization of $4,119 in 1992 and $5,123 in 1993 36,030 41,340 Other assets 3,408 14,215 Total Assets $268,021 $321,590 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Revolving credit $ 4,000 $ - Current portion of term debt 543 5,444 Bank line of credit 1,658 705 Accounts payable, trade 29,313 28,279 Accrued liabilities 7,315 9,135 Accrued payroll and fringe benefits 10,293 12,035 Accrued taxes 7,616 9,253 Total current liabilities 60,738 64,851 Long-term debt, less current portions 31,354 87,080 Postretirement benefits other than pensions - 26,646 Total Liabilities 92,092 178,577 Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders' Equity: Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares; none issued - - Class A Common stock, voting, par value $.01 per share; authorized 35,000,000 shares; 21,073,430 issued in 1992 and 1993 211 211 Class B Common stock, non-voting, par value $.01 per share; authorized 35,000,000 shares; none issued - - Capital in excess of par value 192,604 193,263 Deficit (16,886) (9,020) Treasury stock 2,414,895 shares in 1993, at cost - (41,441) Total Shareholders' Equity 175,929 143,013 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $268,021 $321,590 The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
F-2
THE SCOTTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended September 30, 1991, 1992 and 1993 (in thousands except share amounts) 1991 1992 1993 Net sales $388,120 $413,558 $466,043 Cost of sales 207,956 213,133 244,218 Gross profit 180,164 200,425 221,825 Operating expenses: Marketing 57,489 66,245 74,579 Distribution 57,056 61,051 67,377 General and administrative 22,985 24,759 27,688 Research and development 5,247 6,205 7,700 Total operating expenses 142,777 158,260 177,344 Income from operations 37,387 42,165 44,481 Other expenses, net, including interest expense of $30,932 in 1991, $15,942 in 1992 and $8,454 in 1993 32,932 15,962 9,114 Income before income taxes, extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting changes 4,455 26,203 35,367 Income taxes 2,720 11,124 14,320 Income before extraordinary items and cumulative effect of accounting changes 1,735 15,079 21,047 Extraordinary items: Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of tax - (4,186) - Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards 2,581 4,699 - Cumulative effect of changes in accounting for post- retirement benefits, net of tax and income taxes - - (13,157) Net income $ 4,316 $ 15,592 $ 7,890 Net income per common share: Income before extraordinary items and accounting changes $ .15 $ .84 $ 1.07 Extraordinary items: Loss on early extinguishment of debt, net of tax - (.23) - Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards .21 .26 - Cumulative effect of changes in accounting for postretirement benefits, net of tax and income taxes - - (.67) Net income $ .36* $ .87 $ .40 Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period 11,832,651 18,014,151 19,687,013 * - Net income per share for fiscal 1991 has been restated to eliminate the effect of accretion to redemption value of redeemable common stock to be comparable with fiscal 1992 and 1993. The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
F-3
THE SCOTTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) for the years ended September 30, 1991, 1992 and 1993 (in thousands except share amounts) Capital in Total Shareholders' Class A Common Stock excess of Treasury Stock Equity(Deficit) Shares Amount Par Value (Deficit) Shares Amount Balance, September 30, 1990 9,500,000 $ 95 $ 19,264 $(32,036) - - $(12,677) Purchase of redeemable common stock 235,227 2 733 235,227 $(710) 25 Issuance of redeemable common stock (118,182) (1) (289) (118,182) 290 - Net income 4,316 4,316 Accretion to redemption value of redeemable common stock (1,625) (1,625) Balance, September 30, 1991 9,617,045 96 18,083 (27,720) 117,045 (420) (9,961) Adjustment for redeemable common stock 2,162,500 22 9,826 9,848 Issuance of common stock held in treasury 310 (112,499) 407 717 Exchange of warrants for common stock 325,454 3 4,754 (4,770) (4,546) 13 - Issuance of common stock 8,968,750 90 159,430 159,520 Net income 15,592 15,592 Amortization of unearned compensation 24 24 Options outstanding 177 177 Foreign currency translation adjustment 12 12 Adjustment for fractional shares (319) - Balance, September 30, 1992 21,073,430 211 192,604 (16,886) - - 175,929 Net income 7,890 7,890 Amortization of unearned compensation 24 24 Options outstanding 635 635 Foreign currency translation adjustment (24) (24) Purchase of common stock (2,414,895) (41,441) (41,441) Balance, September 30, 1993 21,073,430 $ 211 $193,263 $ (9,020) (2,414,895) $(41,441) $143,013 The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
F-4
THE SCOTTS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 1991, 1992 and 1993 (in thousands) 1991 1992 1993 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 4,316 $ 15,592 $ 7,890 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 10,670 10,206 12,278 Amortization 7,115 5,642 5,866 Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt - 4,186 - Cumulative effect of change in accounting for postretirement benefits - - 24,280 Postretirement benefits - - 2,366 Deferred income taxes - 1,588 (12,740) Loss on sale of equipment 1,414 392 94 Provision for losses on accounts receivable 1,068 990 1,409 Other - 204 748 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (1,514) (5,476) (10,002) Inventories 1,735 (3,291) (11,147) Prepaid and other current assets 1,216 (268) (393) Accounts payable 1,826 (654) (2,390) Accrued liabilities (4,750) (5,351) 1,630 Other assets and liabilities 3,542 3,682 4,784 Net cash provided by operating activities 26,638 27,442 24,673 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Investment in plant and equipment (8,818) (19,896) (15,158) Acquisition of Republic, net of cash acquired - - (16,366) Proceeds from sale of equipment 215 131 194 Net cash used in investing activities (8,603) (19,765) (31,330) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Borrowings under term debt 941 - 70,000 Payments on term and other debt (11,008) (58,307) (640) Net payments under revolving credit (6,000) (36,500) (18,238) Net borrowings (payments) under bank line of credit 58 349 (953) Redemption of senior subordinated notes - (53,223) - Redemption of subordinated debentures - (21,132) - Deferred financing cost incurred - (1,117) (628) Net proceeds from issuance of Class A Common Stock - 160,237 - Purchase of Class A Common Stock - - (41,441) Net purchase of redeemable Class A Common Stock (241) - - Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (16,250) (9,693) 8,100 Net increase (decrease) in cash 1,785 (2,016) 1,443 Cash, beginning of period 1,111 2,896 880 Cash, end of period $ 2,896 $ 880 $ 2,323 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Interest (net of amount capitalized) $ 29,592 $ 16,240 $ 6,169 Income taxes paid 72 1,189 11,500 The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
F-5 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Organization and Basis of Presentation The Scotts Company ("Scotts") through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The O. M. Scott & Sons Company ("OMS"), Hyponex Corporation ("Hyponex") and Republic Tool and Manufacturing Corp. ("Republic"), collectively, the(the "Company"), is engagedand each of us, do hereby constitute and appoint Patrick J. Norton and David M. Aronowitz, or either of them, our true and lawful attorneys and agents, each with full power of substitution, to do any and all acts and things in our name and on our behalf in our capacities as directors and officers of the Company and to execute any and all instruments for us and in our names in the manufacture and salecapacities indicated below, which said attorneys or agents, or any of lawn care and garden products. Substantially all of the assets currently held by Scotts consist of the capital stock of OMS and advancesthem, may deem necessary or advisable to OMS. The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Scotts and OMS. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Shareholders' equity, shares outstanding and per share amounts for all periods have been adjusted for the January 1992 reverse stock split, in which every 2.2 shares of old Class A Common Stock were exchanged for one share of new Class A Common Stock. Inventories Inventories are principally stated at the lower of cost or market determined by the FIFO method; certain inventories of Hyponex primarily organic products) are accounted for by the LIFO method. At September 30, 1992 and 1993, approximately 28% and 24% of inventories, respectively, are valued at the lower of LIFO cost or market. Inventories include the cost of raw materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. The Company makes provisions for obsolete or slow-moving inventories as necessary to properly reflect inventory value. Inventories as of September 30, 1992 and 1993, net of such provisions, consisted of:
1992 1993 Finished Goods $34,605,000 $44,735,000 Raw Materials 26,063,000 31,905,000 FIFO Cost 60,668,000 76,640,000 LIFO Reserve (971,000) 14,000 $59,697,000 $76,654,000
Advertising and Consumer Guarantee The Company has a cooperative advertising program with customer dealers whereby the Company reimburses dealers for the qualifying portion of dealer advertising costs. Such advertising allowances are based on the timing of dealer orders and deliveries. The Company provides for the cost of this program in the period the sales to dealers are recorded. F-6 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Company accrues amounts for product non-performance claims by consumers under the Company's product guarantee program. The provision is determined by applying an experience rate to sales in the period the related products are shipped to dealers. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment, including significant improvements, are stated at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. When properties are retired, or otherwise disposed of, the cost of the asset and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts. Depletion of applicable land is computed on the units-of-production method. Depreciation of other property, plant and equipment is provided on the straight-line method and is based on the estimated useful economic lives of the assets as follows: Land improvements 10-25 years Buildings 10-40 years Machinery and equipment 3-15 years Furniture and fixtures 6-10 years Property subject to capital leases in the amount of $1,951,000 and $1,484,000 (net of accumulated amortization of $1,128,000 in 1992 and $1,560,000 in 1993) has been included in machinery and equipment at September 30, 1992 and 1993, respectively. The Company capitalized interest costs of $380,000 in fiscal 1992 as part of the cost of major asset construction projects. Research and Development Significant costs are incurred each year in connection with researchand development programs that are expected to contribute profits to operations of future years. All costs associated with research and development are charged to expense as incurred. Intangible Assets Goodwill is being amortized over 40 years on a straight-line basis. Financing costs incurred in obtaining long-term debt are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective-interest method. Other intangible assets consist primarily of patents and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful economic lives varying from 7 to 24 years. Foreign Currency The Company has operations located in the United Kingdom where the local currency is the functional currency. Foreign currency financial statements of these operations are translated using exchange rates in effect at period end for assets and liabilities F-7 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS and average exchange rates during the period for results of operations. Related foreign currency translation adjustments of $12,000 and ($12,000) are reported as a component of shareholders' equity as of September 30, 1992 and 1993, respectively. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in other expenses, net. In fiscal 1991, 1992 and 1993, the Company recorded foreign exchange losses of $141,000, $324,000 and $196,000, respectively. Income Taxes Effective October 1, 1992, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes", which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of the assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. Prior to fiscal 1993, the Company's deferred income tax provision was based on differences between financial reporting and taxable income. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years' financial statements to conform to fiscal 1993 classifications. 2. ACQUISITION Effective November 19, 1992, the Company acquired Republic headquartered in Carlsbad, California. Republic designs, develops, manufactures and markets lawn and garden equipment with the substantial majority of its revenue derived from the sale of its products to mass merchandisers, home centers and garden outlets in the United States. The purchase price of approximately $16,366,000 was financed under the Company's revolving credit agreement. The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated among the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired ("goodwill") of approximately $6,400,000 is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years. F-8 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following represents the pro forma results of operations assuming the acquisition had occurred effective October 1, 1991 after giving effect to certain adjustments, including depreciation and amortization on tangible and intangible property, increased interest on acquisition debt and related income tax effects. Republic's results of operations have been included in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Income since November 19, 1992. As such, the Company's fiscal 1993 pro forma results of operations are not materially different from actual results and are therefore not presented.
Year Ended September 30, 1992 (unaudited) Net sales $ 427,706,000 Income before extraordinary items $ 13,968,000 Net income $ 14,481,000 Earnings per common share on income before extraordinary items $ .77 Earnings per common share $ .80
The pro forma information provided does not purport to be indicative of actual results of operations if the acquisition had occurred asof October 1, 1991, and is not intended to be indicative of future results or trends. 3. ASSOCIATE BENEFITS OMS has a defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all full-time associates who have completed one year of eligible service or reached the age of 21, whichever is later. Benefits are based on years of service and the associates' average final compensation and are adjusted for Social Security Benefits as defined in the plan. The Company's funding policy is to contribute an amount that can be deducted for Federal income tax purposes subject to Employee Retirement Income Security Act limitations. F-9 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following table sets forth the plan's funded status and the related amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 1992 and 1993.
1992 1993 Actuarial present value of benefit obligations: Accumulated benefit obligation: Vested benefits $(26,112,000) $(28,904,000) Nonvested benefits (1,649,000) (1,875,000) Additional obligation for projected compensation increases (6,028,000) (5,530,000) Projected benefit obligation for service rendered to date (33,789,000) (36,309,000) Plan assets at fair value, primarily corporate bonds, U.S. bonds and cash equivalents 30,890,000 33,214,000 Plan assets less than projected benefit obligations (2,899,000) (3,095,000) Unrecognized net asset being recognized over 11 1/2 years (757,000) (626,000) Unrecognized net loss 5,323,000 4,609,000 Prepaid pension costs $ 1,667,000 $ 888,000
Pension cost includes the following components: Year Ended September 30, 1991 1992 1993 Service cost $ 1,172,000 $ 1,571,000 $ 1,571,000 Interest cost 2,172,000 2,438,000 2,628,000 Actual return on plan assets (2,450,000) (2,602,000) (2,774,000) Net amortization and deferral (132,000) (133,000) (18,000) Net pension cost $ 762,000 $ 1,274,000 $ 1,407,000
The weighted average settlement rate used in determining the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation was 9%, 8% and 8% as of September 30, 1991, 1992 and 1993, respectively. Future compensation is assumed to increase 5% annually for fiscal 1991 and 1992, and 4% annually for fiscal 1993. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 10% in fiscal 1991 and 1992, and 9% in fiscal 1993. The Company provides comprehensive major medical benefits to some of its retired associates and their dependents. Substantially all of the Company's associates become eligible for these benefits if they retire at age 55 or older with more than ten years of service. The plan requires certain minimum contributions from retired associates and includes provisions to limit the overall cost increases the Company is required to cover. The Company funds its portion of retiree medical benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis. F-10 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Effective October 1, 1992, the Company changed its method of accounting for postretirement benefit costs other than pensions by adopting SFAS No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions." The Company elected to immediately recognize the cumulative effect of the change in accounting which resulted in a charge of $14,932,000, net of income taxes of $9,348,000, or $.76 per share. In addition to the cumulative effect, the Company's retiree medical costs applying the new accounting method increased $1,437,000, net of income taxes of $929,000, or $.07 per share, during fiscal 1993 as a result of the change in accounting. Net periodic postretirement benefit cost for fiscal 1993 included the following components: Service cost - benefits attributed to associate service during the year $ 930,000 Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 2,038,000 Net periodic postretirement benefit cost $ 2,968,000 The following table sets forth the retiree medical plan status reconciled to the amount included in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 1993. Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation: Retirees $ 6,738,000 Fully eligible active plan participants 314,000 Other active plan participants 8,305,000 Total accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 15,357,000 Unrecognized prior service cost 9,494,000 Unrecognized gains from changes in assumptions 1,795,000 Accrued postretirement benefit cost $26,646,000 The discount rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 8.5%. For measurement purposes, a 14% annual rate of increase in per capita cost of covered retiree medical benefits was assumed for fiscal 1994; the rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5.5% through the year 2051 and remain at that level thereafter. A 1% increase in the health care cost trend rate assumptions would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of September 30, 1993 by $875,000. Both OMS and Hyponex have defined contribution profit sharing plans. Both plans provide for associates to become participants following one year of service. The Hyponex plan also requires associates to have reached the age of 21 for participation. The plans provide for annual contributions which are entirely at the F-11 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS discretion of the Board of Directors. Contributions are allocated among the participants employed as of the last day of the calendar year, based upon participants' earnings. Each participant's share of the annual contributions vest according to the provisions of the plans. The Company has provided a profit sharing provision for the plans of $1,750,000, $1,750,000 and $1,993,000 for fiscal 1991, 1992 and 1993, respectively. The Company's policy is to deposit the contributions with the trustee in the following year. The Company is self-insured for certain health benefits up to $125,000 per occurrence per individual. The cost of such benefits is recognized as expense in the period the claim occurred. This cost was $5,293,000, $6,439,000 and $6,662,000 in 1991, 1992 and 1993, respectively. The Company is self-insured for State of Ohio workers compensation up to $500,000 per claim. The cost for workers compensation was $139,000, $127,000 and $268,000 in 1991, 1992 and 1993, respectively. Claims in excess of stated limits of liability and claims for workers compensation outside of the State of Ohio are insured with commercial carriers. The Company had an accrued vacation liability of $3,404,000 and $3,612,000 at September 30, 1992 and 1993, respectively. In November 1992, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits", which changes the prevalent method of accounting for benefits provided after employment but before retirement. The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 112 no later than the first quarter of fiscal 1995. Management is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS No. 112 and, at this time, the effect of adopting SFAS No. 112 has not been determined. 4. LONG-TERM DEBT
September 30, 1992 1993 Revolving Credit Loan $ 34,000,000 $ 21,000,000 Term Loan - 70,000,000 Capital lease obligations and other 1,897,000 1,524,000 35,897,000 92,524,000 Less current portions 4,543,000 5,444,000 $ 31,354,000 $ 87,080,000
Maturities of term debt in 1994 through 1996 are $5,000,000 in each year; 1997 and 1998 maturities are $10,000,000 in each year; and aggregate maturities thereafter are $35,000,000. On February 23, 1993, the Company entered into an amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Agreement") with Chemical Bank ("Chemical") and various participating banks. This F-12 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS amendment to the Agreement provides the Company with $70,000,000 of term loans with scheduled maturities commencing on March 31, 1994 and extending through September 30, 2000. The Agreement continues to provide a revolving credit commitment of $150,000,000 through the scheduled termination date of March 31, 1996. The Agreement permits up to $75,000,000 of the revolving credit commitment to be utilized in support of commercial paper and up to $15,000,000 to be utilized for letters of credit. The facility contains a requirement limiting the maximum amount borrowed under the revolving credit commitment to $30,000,000 for a minimum of 30 consecutive days each fiscal year. For both term and revolving credit borrowings under the Agreement, the Company can elect to borrow domestic funds at the reference rate ("prime") of Chemical or Eurodollars at 1 1/4% in excess of the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). Interest on Chemical rate loans is payable quarterly and interest on Eurodollar loans is payable at three month intervals from the date of each Eurodollar contract. Applicable rates for Chemical and Eurodollar loans were 6.0% and 4.5%, respectively, at September 30, 1993. A commitment fee of 3/8 of 1% is charged on the average daily unused portion of the available commitment. An additional 1/4 of 1% is charged on the average daily aggregate principal amount of commercial paper obligations outstanding. Loans under the Agreement are collateralized by substantially all of the Company's tangible and intangible assets. The Agreement contains certain financial and operating covenants, the most restrictive of which requiresenable the Company to maintain earnings before interest, taxes, profit sharing, certain depreciation charges and the effect of certain accounting changes, as defined, to meet specified requirements. The Company was in compliance with all required covenants at September 30, 1993. At September 30, 1993, the Company had available an unsecured $2,000,000 line of credit with a bank, which is renewable annually, of which $1,658,000 and $705,000 was outstanding at September 30, 1992 and 1993, respectively. During fiscal 1992, the Company recorded an extraordinary charge of $4,186,000, net of income taxes of $2,157,000, related to the early extinguishment of 13% Senior Subordinated Notes and 13.5% Subordinated Debentures. 5. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY The Class A and Class B Common Stock are identical in all respects except for voting rights and the right of the holder of non-voting Class B stock to convert into an equal number of shares of voting Class A stock and the right of the holder of voting Class A stock to convert into an equal number of shares of non-voting Class B stock. In January 1992, every 2.2 shares of old Scotts Class A Common Stock were exchanged for one share of new Scotts Class A Common Stock ("Shares"). On February 7, 1992, the Company closed the initial public offering of its Shares pursuant to which Scotts sold 8,968,750 newly issued Shares and certain non-management shareholders of Scotts sold an aggregate of 5,406,250 Shares. The Scotts Class A Common Stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol "SCTT." F-13 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS On February 23, 1993, the Company purchased all of the shares of Class A Common Stock held by a fund managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc. In aggregate, 2,414,895 shares of Class A Common Stock were purchased for approximately $41,441,000, including transaction costs. As a result of this transaction, 18,658,535 shares of Class A Common Stock were outstanding as of September 30, 1993. In accordancecomply with the provisionsSecurities Act of certain of the Management Stock Subscription Agreements ("MSS Agreements") under which certain Shares were sold to management investors ("Purchaser") during periods prior to the initial public offering, under specified conditions Purchasers could require the Company to purchase all of the Shares held by the Purchaser at a formula price based on book value. Pursuant to1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Shares issued by the Company under the MSS Agreements were considered redeemable Shares, excluded from shareholders' equity and were subject to accretion to the current redemption value of the Shares. Upon closing of the initial public offering, the obligation of the Company to purchase Shares terminated. Accordingly, Shares previously classified as redeemable common stock were reclassified to shareholders' equity. During the year ended September 30, 1991, activity in redeemable Shares consisted of 235,227 Shares being redeemed for $710,100 and 118,182 Shares being issued for $469,550. Accretion totalled $1,625,000 for fiscal 1991. On November 4, 1992, the Company adopted The Scotts Company 1992 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan was accepted by the shareholders at Scotts' annual meeting on February 25, 1993. Under the Plan stock options, stock appreciation rights and performance share awards may be granted to officers and other key employees of the Company. The Plan also provides for Board members, who are neither employees of the Company nor associated with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc., to receive stock options. The maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan is 1,700,000, plus the number of shares surrendered to exercise options (other than director options) granted under the Plan, up to a maximum of 1,000,000 surrendered shares. In addition, pursuant to various employment agreements, the Company granted 136,364 and 300,000 stock options in fiscal 1992 and 1993, respectively. Aggregate stock option activity consists of the following:
Year Ended September 30, 1992 1993 Options outstanding at October 1 - 136,364 Options granted 136,364 449,925 Options exercised - - Options cancelled - - Options outstanding at September 30 136,364 586,289 Options exercisable at September 30 45,455 90,910 Option prices per share: Granted $ 9.90 $16.25-$18.75
F-14 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS During fiscal 1993, 128,880 performance share awards were granted. These awards entitle the grantee to receive shares or, at the grantees election, the equivalent value in cash or stock options, subject to stock ownership requirements. These awards are conditioned on the attainment of certain performance and other objectives established by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. Compensation for certain stock options results from the difference between the grant price and market price at the date of grant, and is recognized over the vesting period of the options. Compensation for performance share awards is initially measured at the grant date based upon the current market value of the common stock, with adjustments made quarterly for market price fluctuations. The Company recognized compensation expense for stock options and performance share awards of $177,000 and $635,000 in fiscal 1992 and 1993, respectively. In October 1991, an officer of Scotts purchased 22,727 Shares and three other Scotts associates purchased an aggregate of 44,318 Shares at a purchase price of $3.98 per share. Pursuant to an employment agreement, an officer of Scotts purchased 45,454 Shares at a purchase price of $9.90 per share in January 1992. The Company has recognized $118,000 of unearned compensation equivalent to the difference between the fair market value and the purchase price of the Shares as a charge to capital in excess of par value. This unearned compensation is being amortized on a straight line basis over the period of the employment agreement. A significant portion of the price paid by certain officers and management associates is financed by a major bank. The Company has guaranteed the full and prompt payment of debt outstanding by management investors to purchase stock of approximately $1,729,000 and $230,000 at September 30, 1992 and 1993, respectively. In connection with the 1988 acquisitionfiling of the lawnthis Registration Statement on Form S-3, including specifically but without limitation, power and garden businessauthority to sign for us or any of Hyponex, the Company entered into a warrant purchase agreement with the prior majority shareholder of Hyponex. In January 1992, the warrants were exchanged for 330,000 Shares. The repurchase and retirement of the warrants was valued at the estimated value of the Shares at the date of the exchange less the original consideration received. F-15 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 6. INCOME TAXES The Company adopted SFAS No. 109 effective October 1, 1992, resultingus in a benefit of $1,775,000 being reported as a cumulative effect of accounting changeour names in the fiscal 1993 Consolidated Statement of Income. Assets recorded in prior business combinations net-of-tax were adjusted to pre-tax amounts, resulting in recognition of $1,501,000 of deferred tax liabilities at the date of adoption. Prior to fiscal 1993 the Company accounted for income taxes under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 11. The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
Year Ended September 30, 1991 1992 1993 Currently Payable: Federal $ 139,000 $ 1,802,000 $14,537,000 State - 878,000 1,400,000 Deferred: Federal - 1,588,000 (11,694,000) State - - (1,046,000) Income Tax Expense $ 139,000 $ 4,268,000 $ 3,197,000 Income tax expense is included in the financial statements as follows: Operations $ 2,720,000 $11,124,000 $14,320,000 Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles - - (11,123,000) Extraordinary items (2,581,000) (6,856,000) - Income Tax Expense $ 139,000 $ 4,268,000 $ 3,197,000
Deferred income taxes for fiscal 1993 reflect the impact of "temporary differences" between the amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as determined by tax regulations. These temporary differences are determined in accordance with SFAS No. 109 and are more inclusive in nature than "timing differences" as determined under previously applicable accounting principles. F-16 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The components of the net deferred tax asset (liability) are as follows:
September 30, 1993 Assets Accounts receivable $ 687,000 Inventory 2,359,000 Accrued expenses 6,589,000 Postretirement benefits 10,458,000 Other 652,000 Gross deferred tax assets $ 20,745,000 Liabilities Property and equipment (9,913,000) Safe harbor leases (1,181,000) Gross deferred tax liabilities (11,094,000) Net asset $ 9,651,000
The net current and non-current components of deferred income taxes recognized in the balance sheet at September 30, 1993 are: Net current liability $ (57,000) Net non-current asset 9,708,000 Net asset $ 9,651,000
A reconciliation of the Federal corporate income tax rate and the effective tax rate on income before income taxes is summarized below:
Year Ended September 30, 1991 1992 1993 Statutory income tax rate 34.0% 34.0% 35.0% Pension amortization 5.8 0.3 0.7 Goodwill amortization and other permanent differences resulting from purchase accounting 25.4 4.0 4.7 State taxes, net of federal benefit - 2.2 3.4 Other (4.1) 2.0 (3.3) Effective income tax rate 61.1% 42.5% 40.5%
In fiscal 1991 and 1992, for financial reporting purposes the Company utilized $8,000,000 and $13,800,000 of net operating loss carryforwards and reflected the related tax benefits of $2,581,000 and $4,699,000, respectively, as extraordinary items. At September 30, 1992, the Company fully utilized its financial F-17 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS reporting net operating loss carryforwards. For tax purposes, the Company has remaining net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $5,000,000 which will be utilized on the fiscal 1993 Federal income tax return. The variance between the operating loss carryforwards on a tax basis and a financial reporting basis is principally due to excess tax depreciation, uniform capitalization rules, nondeductible reserves, capitalization and amortization of package and design costs, and various accrued liabilities that are not deductible for tax purposes until paid. Deferred taxes were not recorded during fiscal 1991 as the Company was in a net operating loss carryforward position at the end of that year. During 1992, the Company recognized $1,588,000 of deferred taxes previously offset by net operating loss carryforwards. During fiscal 1991 and 1992, the Company was subject to the alternative minimum tax ("AMT") for financial reporting purposes resulting in AMT expense of $139,000 and $1,200,000, respectively. The net operating loss carryforwards for AMT purposes were approximately $18,500,000 and $18,600,000 for financial reporting and income tax purposes, respectively, at September 30, 1991. During fiscal 1992, the Company fully utilized its AMT net operating loss carryforwards. AMT paid results in a tax credit carryforward which can be used in subsequent years to offset regular income tax to the extent it exceeds AMT tax in those years. At September 30, 1992, the Company had $1,480,000 of AMT credit carryforwards which will be utilized on the fiscal 1993 Federal income tax return. 7. LEASES The Company leases buildings, land and equipment under various noncancellable lease agreements for periods of two to six years. The lease agreements generally provide that the Company pay taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses related to the leased assets. Certain lease agreements contain purchase options. At September 30, 1993, future minimum lease payments were as follows:
Year Ending Capital Operating September 30, Leases Leases Total 1994 $ 566,000 $ 5,775,000 $ 6,341,000 1995 508,000 4,054,000 4,562,000 1996 367,000 3,068,000 3,435,000 1997 54,000 2,204,000 2,258,000 1998 - 860,000 860,000 1999 and thereafter - 159,000 159,000 Total minimum lease payments 1,495,000 $ 16,120,000 $ 17,615,000 Less: Amount representing interest 223,000 Present value of net minimum lease payments $ 1,272,000
F-18 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Company also leases transportation and production equipment under various one-year operating leases, which providecapacities indicated below for the extension of the initial term on a monthly or annual basis. Total rental expense for operating leases was $6,003,000, $7,281,000 and $9,125,000 for fiscal 1991, 1992 and 1993, respectively. 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Seed production agreements obligate the Company, to make future purchases. Seed purchases under production agreements for fiscal 1991, 1992 and 1993 were approximately $5,124,000, $9,281,000 and $4,692,000, respectively. At September 30, 1993, estimated annual seed purchase commitments were as follows: Year Ending September 30, 1994 $ 10,670,000 1995 5,463,000 1996 3,037,000 1997 692,000 The Company is involved in various lawsuits and claims which arise in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, these claims individually and in the aggregate are not expected to result in a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations, however, there can be no assurance that future quarterly or annual operating results will not be materially affected by final resolution of these matters. The following details the more significant of these matters. The Company has been involved in studying a landfill to which it is believed some of the Company's solid waste had been hauled in the 1970's. In September 1991, the Company was named by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency ("Ohio EPA") as a Potentially Responsible Party ("PRP") with respect to this landfill. Pursuant to a consent order with the Ohio EPA, the Company, together with four other PRP's identified to date, is investigating the extent of contamination at the landfill and developing a remediation program. In July 1990, the Company was directed by the Army Corps of Engineers (the "Corps") to cease peat harvesting operations at its New Jersey facility. The Corps' has alleged that the peat harvesting operations were in violation of the Clean Water Act ("CWA"). The United States Department of Justice has commenced a legal action to seek a permanent injunction against peat harvesting at this facility and to recover civil penalties under the CWA. This action had been suspended while the parties engaged in discussion to resolve the dispute. Those discussions have not resulted in a settlement and accordingly the action has been reinstated. The Company intends to defend the action vigorously but if the Corps' position is upheld the Company could be prohibited from further F-19 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS harvesting of peat at this location and penalties could be assessed against the Company. In the opinion of management, the outcome of this action will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. Furthermore, management believes the Company has sufficient raw material supplies available such that service to customers will not be adversely affected by continued closure of this peat harvesting operation. 9. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of trade accounts receivable. The Company sells its consumer products to a wide variety of retailers, including mass merchandisers, home centers, independent hardware stores, nurseries, garden outlets, warehouse clubs and local and regional chains. Professional products are sold to golf courses, sportsfields, nurseries, lawn care service companies and growers of specialty agricultural crops. One customer accounted for 16.6% of consolidated net sales in fiscal 1991; in 1992 and 1993 two customers accounted for 15.3% and 7.5%, and 18.0% and 9.3% of consolidated net sales, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of consolidated net sales. As of September 30, 1993, two accounts comprised 9.2% and 7.9% of trade accounts receivable, respectively. The Company performs a credit review before extending credit to a customer. The Company establishes its allowance for doubtful accounts based on factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. F-20 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 10. QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations for fiscal 1992 and 1993 (in thousands except share data):
Fiscal Quarter Ended, Fiscal 1992 December 28 March 28 June 27 September 30 Full Year Net sales $ 61,638 $150,780 $130,219 $ 70,921 $41,558 Gross profit 28,960 73,919 63,271 34,275 200,425 Income (loss) before extraordinary items (2,677) 9,266 7,277 (1) 1,213 15,079 Net income (loss) (2,677) 13,965 3,091 1,213 15,592 Net income (loss) per common share: Income (loss) before extraordinary items (.23) .52 .34 (1) .06 .84 Net income (loss) (.23) .79 .15 .06 .87 Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period 11,815,642 17,690,462 21,117,117 21,123,574 18,014,151 Fiscal 1993 January 2 April 3 July 3 September 30 Full Year Net sales $ 67,757 $161,102 $156,327 $ 80,857 $466,043 Gross profit 30,703 78,621 74,814 37,687 221,825 Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting changes (2) (471) 10,847 7,986 2,685 21,047 Net income (loss) (3) (13,628) 10,847 7,986 2,685 7,890 Net income (loss) per common share: Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting changes (2) (.02) .54 .43 .14 1.07 Net income (loss) (3) (.65) .54 .43 .14 .40 Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period 21,128,564 20,138,585 18,743,752 18,737,150 19,687,013 (1) Income before extraordinary items for the quarter ended June 27, 1992 has been restated from that previously reported as a result of a change in the estimated effective tax rate attributable to the loss on early retirement of debt reported in that quarter. This change did not impact net income for the quarter. (2) Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting changes for each of the first three quarters of fiscal 1993 has been restated to reflect the ongoing charge resulting from the adoption of SFAS 106 effective October 1, 1992. The net of tax charge was $462 or $.02 per share for the quarter ended January 2, 1993 and $325 or $.02 per share for each of the subsequent two quarters. (3) The net loss for the quarter ended January 2, 1993 has been restated to reflect the cumulative effect of accounting for postretirement benefits (a net of tax charge of $14,932 or $.71 per share) and income taxes (a benefit of $1,775 or $.08 per share). F-21 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 11. RELATED PARTIES Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Inc., a private investment firm in which a director of the Company is an owner, was paid $300,000 in fiscal 1991 and 1992, and $125,000 in 1993 by the Company for financial advisory and management consulting services. These services ceased effective with the Class A Common Stock purchase described in Note 5. 12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Effective December 16, 1993, the Company completed the acquisition of Grace-Sierra Horticultural Products Company ("Grace-Sierra") for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $123,300,000, including estimated transaction costs of $3,300,000. Grace-Sierra, based in Milpitas, California, is a leading international manufacturer and marketer of specialty fertilizers and related products for the nursery, golf course, greenhouse and consumer markets with calendar 1992 worldwide net sales of approximately $107,000,000. In connection with the acquisition of Grace-Sierra, the Company amended its Agreement with Chemical, whereby term debt commitments available thereunder were increased to $195,000,000 to enable the Company to consummate the acquisition. F-22 No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this Prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which it relates or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy such securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Company since the date hereof or that the information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to its date. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Available Information 2 Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference 2 Prospectus Summary 4 Investment Considerations 12 The CompanY 14 Use of Proceeds 19 Selected Historical Financial Data 19 Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data 22 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 29 Business 35 Management 52 Beneficial Ownership of Class A Common Stock 56 Description of Bank Agreement 59 Description of the Debt Securities 60 Validity of the Debt Securities 81 Experts 82 Index to Financial Statements The Scotts Company The O.M. Scott & Sons Company Debt Securities [Scotts Logo] PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. The following table sets forth the estimated (except for the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. filing fee) fees and expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) in connection with the Offering described in this Registration Statement: Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $34,483 National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. filing fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,500 Transfer Agent and Registrar fees. . . . . . . . . . . * Blue Sky filing and counsel fees and expenses. . . . . * Printing and engraving costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . * Legal fees and expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * Accounting fees and expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . * Miscellaneous expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ * Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ * *To be filed by amendment Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers General Article Sixth of Scotts' Certificate of Incorporation eliminates the personal liability of directors to Scotts or its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty as directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Article Sixth of Scotts' By-laws defines the rights of certain individuals, including directors and officers, to indemnification by Scotts in the event of personal liability or expenses incurred by them as a result of certain litigation against them. Elimination of Liability in Certain Circumstances Article Sixth of the Certificate of Incorporation and Article VI of the By-laws of Scotts protects Scotts' directors against personal liability for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty of care, except as set forth below. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"), absent such provisions, directors could be held liable for gross negligence in the performance of their duty of care but not for simple negligence. Article Sixth of the Certificate of Incorporation absolves directors of liability for negligence in the performance of their duties, including gross negligence. Directors remain liable for breaches of their duty of loyalty to Scotts and its stockholders, as well as acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law and transactions from which a director derives improper personal benefit. Article Sixth of the Certificate of Incorporation also does not absolve directors of liability under Section 174 of the DGCL, which makes directors personally liable for unlawful dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions and expressly sets forth a negligence standard with respect to such liability. Indemnification Under the DGCL, directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals may be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in connection with specified actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation -- a "derivative action"), if they acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of Scotts and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. A similar standard of care is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that indemnification only extends to expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with defense or settlement of such an action and the DGCL requires court approval before there can be any indemnification of expenses where the person seeking indemnification has been found liable to Scotts. Article VI of Scotts' By-laws provides that each person who was or is made a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of Scotts (or is or was or has agreed to serve at the request of the Company as a director or officer, employee or agent for another entity) while serving in such capacity shall be indemnified and held harmless by Scotts to the full extent authorized by the DGCL, as in effect (or, to the extent indemnification is broadened, as it may be amended) against all expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf. Pursuant to Article VI of its By-laws, Scotts is required to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of such directors and officers, provided that such insurance is available on acceptable terms as determined by the Board of Directors. Item 16. Exhibits. Exhibit No. Exhibits 1* Form of Underwriting Agreement 4(a)* Form of Senior Indenture dated as of June 1, 1994 between Scotts, OMS and Chemical Bank, as Trustee 4(b)* Form of Subordinated Indenture dated as of June 1, 1994 between Scotts, OMS and Chemical Bank, as Trustee 5* Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease 12 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 23(a) Consents of Coopers & Lybrand, Independent Accountants 23(b) Consent of Price Waterhouse, Independent Accountants 23(c) Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease 24 Powers of Attorney (included on signature page) 25* Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 on Form T-1 (bound separately) *To be filed by amendment. Item 17. Undertakings. (1) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake: (a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post- effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement; (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is no Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post- effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrants pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. (b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (c) To remove from registration by means of a post- effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (2) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants' annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 maybe permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against the registrants by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. (4) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that: (a) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. (b) For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrants certify that they have reasonable grounds to believe that they meet all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and have duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Marysville, State of Ohio, on June 1, 1994. THE SCOTTS COMPANY THE O.M. SCOTT & SONS COMPANY By /s/Tadd C. Seitz Tadd C. Seitz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer POWER OF ATTORNEY We, the undersigned directors and officers of The Scotts Company ("Scotts") and The O.M. Scott & Sons Company ("OMS"), and each of us, do hereby constitute and appoint Tadd C. Seitz, Theodore J. Host and Paul D. Yeager, or any of them, our true and lawful attorneys and agents, each with power of substitution, to do any and all acts and things in our name and on our behalf in our capacities as directors and officers and to execute any and all instruments for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys or agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable Scotts and OMS to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with the filing of this Registration Statement on Form S-3, including specifically but without limitation, power and authority to sign for us or any of us in our names in the capacities indicated below for each of Scotts and OMS, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to such Registration Statement; and we do hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date --------- ----- ---- /s/James B. Beard Director June 1, 1994 James B. Beard CHARLES M. BERGER Chairman of the Board August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ CHARLES M. BERGER /s/John S. Chamberlin Director June 1, 1994 John S. Chamberlin ______________________ Director June 1, 1994 Alberto Cribiore /s/Joseph P. Flannery Director June 1, 1994 Joseph P. Flannery /s/Theodore J. Host Director/President/ June 1, 1994 Theodore J. Host JAMES HAGEDORN President, Chief Operating Officer /s/Tadd C. Seitz Chairman/Chief June 1, 1994 Tadd C. Seitz Executive Officer /s/Donald A. ShermanAugust 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ and Director June 1, 1994 Donald A. Sherman(Principal Executive Officer) JAMES HAGEDORN /s/John M. Sullivan Director June 1, 1994 John M. Sullivan /s/L. Jack Van Fossen Director June 1, 1994 L. Jack Van Fossen /s/Paul D. Yeager PATRICK J. NORTON Executive Vice June 1, 1994 Paul D. Yeager President/ChiefPresident, CFO and August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ Director (Principal Financial Officer/ PrincipalOfficer) PATRICK J. NORTON /s/ CHRISTOPHER L. NAGEL Senior Vice President of Finance, August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ Corporate North America (Principal CHRISTOPHER L. NAGEL Accounting OfficerOfficer)
Signature Title Date --------- ----- ---- /s/ ARNOLD W. DONALD Director August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ ARNOLD W. DONALD /s/ JOSEPH P. FLANNERY Director August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ JOSEPH P. FLANNERY /s/ ALBERT E. HARRIS Director August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ ALBERT E. HARRIS /s/ JOHN KENLON Director August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ JOHN KENLON /s/ KATHERINE HAGEDORN LITTLEFIELD Director August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ KATHERINE HAGEDORN LITTLEFIELD /s/ KAREN G. MILLS Director August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ KAREN G. MILLS /s/ JOHN M. SULLIVAN Director August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ JOHN M. SULLIVAN /s/ L. JACK VAN FOSSEN Director August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ L. JACK VAN FOSSEN /s/ JOHN WALKER, PH.D. Director August 15, 2002 - ------------------------------------ JOHN WALKER, PH.D.
INDEX OF EXHIBITS Exhibit No. Description - ------- ----------- 1.1* Form of Underwriting Agreement related to Debt Securities 1.2* Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to securities other than Debt Securities 3.1 Certificate of Amendment by Shareholders to Articles of The Scotts Company reflecting adoption of amendment to Article FOURTH of Amended Articles of Incorporation by the shareholders of The Scotts Company on January 18, 2001, as filed with Ohio Secretary of State on January 18, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 3(a)(1) to Scotts' Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2000 and incorporated by reference) 3.2 Certificate of Amendment by Directors of The Scotts Company reflecting adoption of Restated Articles of Incorporation by the Board of Directors of The Scotts Company, as filed with Ohio Secretary of State on January 29, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 3(a)(2) to Scotts' Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2000 and incorporated by reference) 3.3 Certificate regarding Adoption of Amendments to the Code of Regulations of The Scotts Company by the Shareholders on January 18, 2001 (filed as Exhibit 3(b)(1) to Scotts' Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2000 and incorporated by reference) 3.4 Code of Regulations of The Scotts Company (reflecting amendments through January 18, 2001) [for SEC reporting compliance purposes only] (filed as Exhibit 3(b)(2) to Scotts' Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2000 and incorporated by reference) 4.1 Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities 4.2 Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities 4.3 Form of share certificate (filed as Exhibit 1.1 to Scotts' Registration Statement on Form 8-A File No. 001-11953 and incorporated by reference) 4.4* Form of Preferred Share certificate 4.5* Form of Warrant Agreement 4.6* Form of Purchase Contract Agreement relating to stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units 4.7* Form of Pledge Agreement for stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units 5.1 Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP 12.1 Statements re. Computation of Earnings 23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants 23.2 Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) 24.1 Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages) 25.1** Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 of Trustee under the Senior Indenture 25.2** Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 of Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture - ---------- * To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K. ** To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or by post-effective amendment in connection with the offer of our debt securities.