the assets of 1 store were sold to the joint venture partner. While the operations of these stores have been reflected in our consolidated financial statements since the inception of the joint venture as a result of our 75% majority ownership, the stores have not been previously included in our store count due to the fact that the stores were independently managed.
Total booked orders, which include wholesale orders and written business of Ethan Allen-owned retail stores, increased 4.4% from the prior year. Year-over-year, wholesale orders increased 3.2% while Ethan Allen-owned store orders increased 7.7% and comparable store written business increased 2.6%. These increases are indicative of the continued expansion and strategic re-positioning of our retail segment, an increase in consumer confidence and a period of sustained economic improvement for most of the last twelve months.
Gross profit for fiscal 2004 increased $11.7 million, or 2.6%, to $461.0 million from $449.3 million in fiscal 2003. The increase in gross profit was primarily attributable to a higher proportionate share of retail sales to total sales (61% in fiscal 2004 compared to 59% in fiscal 2003), and an overall increase in sales volume as a result of our servicing the increased level of backlog noted throughout much of the past year. These favorable variances were partially offset by increased costs associated with unabsorbed overhead at our manufacturing facilities resulting, primarily, from excess capacity, particularly during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2003, and, to a lesser extent, a modest decline in retail gross profit as a result of the sell-off of floor inventory necessary to make room for new product introductions. Consolidated gross margin decreased to 48.3% for the year ended June 30, 2004 from 49.5% in the prior year as a result, primarily, of the factors identified previously.
We recorded pre-tax restructuring and impairment charges of $12.8 million and $13.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 and the third quarter of fiscal 2003, respectively, relating to the consolidation of certain manufacturing facilities. The fiscal 2004 consolidation involved the closure of two case good manufacturing facilities, which resulted in a headcount reduction totaling approximately 460 employees: 270 employees effective June 25, 2004, and 190 employees throughout the first quarter of fiscal 2005. The fiscal 2003 consolidation involved the closure of three smaller manufacturing facilities, two of which were case good plants. Closure of these facilities resulted in a headcount reduction totaling approximately 580 employees: 340 employees effective April 21, 2003, and 240 employees throughout the last quarter of fiscal 2003 and the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The costs incurred in closing these facilities consisted, primarily, of employee severance and benefits and other plant exit costs, as well as fixed asset impairment charges, primarily for real property and machinery and equipment associated with the closed facilities. Adjustments totaling $0.2 million were recorded during fiscal 2004 to reverse certain accruals previously established in connection with the fiscal 2003 consolidation plan which were no longer required.
Including restructuring and impairment charges, net of $12.5 million and $13.1 million in fiscal 2004 and 2003, respectively, operating expenses increased to $334.6 million, or 35.0% of net sales, for the year ended June 30, 2004 from $329.9 million, or 36.4% of net sales, for the year ended June 30, 2003. This increase is primarily attributable to the continued growth of the retail segment and the higher proportionate share of retail sales to total sales in fiscal 2004. Such expansion has resulted in higher costs associated with occupancy, designer salaries and commissions, and delivery and warehousing. These increases were partially offset by a decline in selling expenses within the wholesale division as a result of a continued company-wide focus on cost containment, particularly within national television advertising, as well as initiatives undertaken in recent periods to streamline our U.S. manufacturing operations and increase production efficiencies.
Including restructuring and impairment charges, net of $12.5 million and $13.1 million in fiscal 2004 and 2003, respectively, operating income was $126.4 million, or 13.2% of net sales, for the year
ended June 30, 2004 compared to $119.5 million, or 13.2% of net sales, for the year ended June 30, 2003. This represents an increase of $6.9 million, or 5.8%, which is primarily attributable to an increase in gross profit during the period, and lower operating expenses within the wholesale division, partially offset by increased costs related to continued expansion of the retail division.
Including restructuring and impairment charges, net of $12.5 million and $13.1 million in fiscal 2004 and 2003, respectively, total wholesale operating income was $108.0 million, or 16.0% of wholesale net sales, for the year ended June 30, 2004 compared to $109.3 million, or 16.5% of wholesale net sales, for the year ended June 30, 2003. The decrease of $1.3 million, or 1.2%, is primarily attributable to increased costs associated with unabsorbed overhead at our manufacturing facilities resulting, primarily, from excess capacity, particularly during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2003, partially offset by decreased operating expenses within the division and increased wholesale sales volume.
Operating income for the retail segment decreased $1.7 million, or 12.7%, to $11.7 million, or 2.0% of net retail sales, for fiscal 2004, as compared to $13.4 million, or 2.5% of net retail sales, in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in retail operating income generated by Ethan Allen-owned stores is primarily attributable to higher operating expenses related to the continued expansion of our retail store network, reduced sales volume resulting from closed stores, and a modest decline in gross margin resulting from the sell-off of floor inventory necessary to make room for new product introductions, partially offset by increased sales volume associated with newly-opened (including relocations) or acquired stores and an increase in comparable store sales.
Interest and other miscellaneous income increased $2.1 million to $3.3 million in fiscal 2004 from $1.2 million in fiscal 2003. The increase is due, primarily, to (i) higher gains recorded in the current year in connection with the sale of real estate, (ii) a favorable judgment in the case of an outstanding legal matter, and (iii) increased interest income associated with higher cash balances during the period.
Income tax expense totaled $49.6 million for the year ended June 30, 2004 as compared to $45.4 million for the year ended June 30, 2003. Our effective tax rate was 38.5% for June 2004 as compared to 37.8% for June 2003. The higher effective tax rate is a result of recently-enacted changes within certain state tax legislation, and increased state income tax liability arising in connection with the operation of a greater number of company-owned stores, some of which are located in new jurisdictions.
For fiscal 2004, we recorded net income of $79.5 million, an increase of 6.5%, as compared to $74.6 million in fiscal 2003. Earnings per diluted share for fiscal year 2004 amounted to $2.08, an increase of $0.15 per diluted share, or 7.8%, from $1.93 per diluted share in the prior year.
Financial condition and liquidity
Our principal sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations, and borrowing capacity under a $200.0 million revolving credit facility. In addition to the $200.0 million revolving credit component, the credit facility includes an accordion feature which provides for an additional $100.0 million of liquidity, if needed, as well as sub-facilities for trade and standby letters of credit of $100.0 million and swingline loans of $5.0 million.
The credit facility contains various covenants which limit our ability to: incur debt, engage in mergers and consolidations, make restricted payments, sell certain assets, make investments, and issue stock. We are also required to meet certain financial covenants including a fixed charge coverage ratio, which shall not be less than 3.00 to 1 for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on or after June 30, 2005, and a leverage ratio, which shall not be greater than 3.00 to 1 at any time. As of December 31, 2005, we had satisfactorily complied with these covenants.
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On September 27, 2005, we completed a private offering of $200.0 million in ten-year senior unsecured notes due 2015 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes were offered by Global and have an annual coupon rate of 5.375%. We intend to utilize the net proceeds of $198.4 million to expand our retail network, invest in our manufacturing and logistics operations, and for other general corporate purposes.
In connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, Global, in July and August 2005, entered into 6 separate forward contracts to hedge the risk-free interest rate associated with $108.0 million of the related debt in order to minimize the negative impact of interest rate fluctuations on earnings, cash flows and equity. The forward contracts were entered into with a major banking institution thereby mitigating the risk of credit loss. Upon issuance of the Senior Notes and settlement of the related forward contracts, losses totaling $0.9 million were incurred representing the change in the fair value of the forward contracts since their respective trade dates. In accordance with FAS No. 133,Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, as amended, it was determined that a portion of the related losses was the result of hedge ineffectiveness and, as such, $0.1 million of the losses was included, within interest and other related financing costs, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three month period ended September 30, 2005. The balance of the losses, $0.8 million, has, as of December 31, 2005, been included (on a net-of-tax basis) in the Consolidated Balance Sheet within accumulated other comprehensive income and will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the Senior Notes.
As of December 31, 2005 we maintained cash and short-term investments totaling $175.0 million and outstanding debt and capital lease obligations totaling $202.9 million. The current and long-term portions of our outstanding debt and capital lease obligations totaled $0.2 million and $202.7 million, respectively, at that date. We had no revolving loans outstanding under the credit facility as of December 31, 2005, and standby letters of credit outstanding under the facility at that date totaled $16.1 million. Remaining available borrowing capacity under the facility was $183.9 million at December 31, 2005.
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $66.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 2006 as compared to $66.8 million for the first six months of fiscal 2005. The period-over-period decrease of $0.7 million was principally the result of changes in (i) inventories ($18.5 million effect) which, net of acquired inventory, increased $4.4 million in the current period as compared to a decline of $14.1 million in the prior year period, (ii) accrued expenses ($5.8 million effect) as a result of normal business activity, (iii) deferred income taxes ($5.0 million effect), and (iv) customer deposits ($2.7 million effect) reflecting the period-to-period change in the level of written and delivered sales. These unfavorable variances were partially offset by favorable variances related to (i) changes in accounts payable ($16.0 million effect) due, primarily, to increased payables associated with income taxes, advertising-related expenditures, imported products, and other items arising in the ordinary course of business, (ii) changes in prepaid and other current assets ($4.7 million effect), (iii) restructuring and impairment charges ($4.4 million effect), (iv) changes in the gain/loss on disposal of certain property, plant and equipment ($3.0 million effect), (v) an increase in net income ($1.4 million effect), and (vi) compensation expense related to stock option grants and restricted stock awards ($1.2 million effect) as a result of our adoption of FAS 123 (R) on July 1, 2005.
The increase in inventory levels from June 2005 was the result, primarily, of an increase in in-transit imported product and, within the retail segment, the higher volume of wholesale shipments occurring during the period. In addition, upholstery raw material inventories increased as a result of (i) anticipated future production needs, and (ii) recent price increases, most notably for foam. These increases were partially offset by an increase in delivered sales and better Company-wide management of inventories.
Net cash used in investing activities totaled $21.3 million for the first six months of fiscal 2006 compared to $15.6 million in the prior year period. The period-over-period increase of $5.7 million was due, primarily, to (i) an increase in cash utilized for
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capital expenditures, exclusive of acquisitions, of $5.7 million, (ii) a decrease in proceeds from the disposal of certain property, plant and equipment of $2.5 million, (iii) a decrease in proceeds from the sale of retail stores of $2.0 million, (iv) an increase in cash utilized to fund acquisition activity of $0.9 million, and (v) cash payments on hedging contracts of $0.9 million. These factors were partially offset by a $6.0 million net decrease in cash utilized to fund short-term investment activity. The current level of capital spending is principally attributable to (i) new store development and renovation, (ii) Company-wide technology initiatives, and (iii) improvements within our remaining manufacturing facilities. We anticipate that cash from operations will be sufficient to fund future capital expenditures.
Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $126.4 million for the six months ended December 2005 as compared to cash used of $51.9 million in the prior year period. The period-over-period increase of $178.3 million was the result, primarily, of (i) the receipt of the net proceeds ($198.4 million) associated with the issuance of the Senior Notes during the current period, and (ii) the use of $4.6 million in the prior year period for the repayment of debt. These favorable variances were partially offset by unfavorable variances related to (i) an increase in payments related to the acquisition of treasury stock ($12.0 million), (ii) net borrowing activity on our revolving credit facility ($8.0 million), (iii) an increase in cash utilized in the payment of deferred financing costs ($2.1 million), and (iv) an increase in cash utilized in the payment of dividends ($2.2 million).
On November 15, 2005, we declared a dividend of $0.18 per common share, payable on January 25, 2006 to shareholders of record as of January 10, 2006. Additionally, on January 24, 2006, we declared a dividend of $0.18 per common share, payable on April 25, 2006 to shareholders of record as of April 10, 2006. We expect to continue to declare quarterly dividends for the foreseeable future.
In addition to using available cash to fund changes in working capital, necessary capital expenditures, acquisition activity, the repayment of debt, and the payment of dividends, we have been authorized by our Board of Directors to repurchase our common stock, from time to time, either directly or through agents, in the open market at prices and on terms satisfactory to us. All of our common stock repurchases and retirements are recorded as treasury stock and result in a reduction of shareholders’ equity.
During the six months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, we repurchased and/or retired the following shares of our common stock:
| Six Months Ended December 31, |
---|
| 2005
| 2004(1)
|
---|
Common shares repurchased | | | | 1,606,900 | | | 1,101,500 | |
Cost to repurchase common shares | | | $ | 51,136,909 | | $ | 38,356,567 | |
Average price per share | | | $ | 31.82 | | $ | 34.82 | |
| (1) | The cost to repurchase shares during the first six months of fiscal year 2005 excludes $745,735 in treasury stock purchases with a June 2004 trade date and a July 2004 settlement date. |
For each of the periods presented above, we funded our purchases of treasury stock with existing cash on hand and cash generated through current period operations. On November 15, 2005, the Board of Directors increased the share purchase authorization to 2.5 million shares. As of December 31, 2005, the full Board authorization of 2.5 million shares remained.
As of December 31, 2005, aggregate scheduled maturities of long-term debt, including capital lease obligations, for each of the next five fiscal years are: $0.2 million in fiscal 2006; and less than $0.1 million in each of fiscal 2007, fiscal 2008, fiscal 2009, and fiscal 2010. The balance of our long-term debt and capital lease obligations ($202.5 million) matures in fiscal years 2011 and thereafter. We believe that our cash flow from operations, together with our other available sources of liquidity, will be adequate to make all required payments of principal and interest on our debt, to permit anticipated capital expenditures and to fund working capital and other cash
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requirements. As of December 31, 2005, we had working capital of $291.4 million and a current ratio of 3.03 to 1.
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Further discussion of our contractual obligations associated with outstanding debt and lease arrangements can be found in Notes 7 and 8, respectively, to the consolidated financial statements included under Item 8 of the Annual Report incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Off-balance sheet arrangements and other commitments, contingencies and contractual obligations
Except as indicated below, we do not utilize or employ any off-balance sheet arrangements, including special-purpose entities, in operating our business. As such, we do not maintain any (i) retained or contingent interests, (ii) derivative instruments (other than as specified below), or (iii) variable interests
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that could serve as a source of potential risk to our future liquidity, capital resources and results of operations.
In connection with the issuance of the Initial Notes, we entered into six separate forward contracts to hedge the risk-free interest rate associated with $108.0 million of the related debt in order to minimize the negative impact of interest rate fluctuations on our earnings, cash flows and equity. The forward contracts were entered into with a major banking institution, thereby minimizing the risk of credit loss. Upon issuance of the Senior Notes in September 2005, the related forward contracts were settled. At the present time, we have no current plans to engage in further hedging activities.
We, or our consolidated subsidiaries, may, from time to time in the ordinary course of business, provide guarantees on behalf of selected affiliated entities or become contractually obligated to perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of certain business agreements. The nature and extent of these guarantees and obligations may vary based on the underlying relationship of the benefiting party to us and the business purpose for which the guarantee or obligation is being provided. Details of those arrangements for which we, or any of our consolidated subsidiaries, act as guarantor or obligor are provided below.
Retailer-related guarantees
Ethan Allen Inc. (now known as, Ethan Allen Retail, Inc.) has obligated itself, on behalf of one of its independent retailers, with respect to a $1.5 million credit facility (the “retailer line of credit ”) comprised of a $1.1 million revolving line of credit and a $0.4 million term loan. This obligation requires us, in the event of the retailer’s default under the retailer credit facility, to repurchase the retailer’s inventory, applying such purchase price to the retailer’s outstanding indebtedness under the retailer credit facility. Our obligation remains in effect for the life of the term loan which expires in April 2008. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that we could be required to make under this obligation is limited to the amount outstanding under the retailer credit facility at the time of default (subject to pre-determined lending limits based on the value of the underlying inventory) and, as such, is not an estimate of future cash flows. No specific recourse or collateral provisions exist that would enable recovery of any portion of amounts paid under this obligation, except to the extent that we maintain the right to take title to the repurchased inventory. Management anticipates that the repurchased inventory could subsequently be sold through our retail store network. As of December 31, 2005, the amount outstanding under the retailer credit facility totaled approximately $1.0 million, of which $0.9 million was outstanding under the revolving credit line. Management expects that, based on the underlying creditworthiness of the respective retailer, this obligation will expire without requiring funding by us. However, in accordance with the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 45,Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, a liability has been established to reflect our non-contingent obligation under this arrangement as a result of modifications made to the retailer credit facility subsequent to January 1, 2003. As of December 31, 2005, the carrying amount of such liability is less than $50,000.
Indemnification agreement
In connection with our joint venture arrangement with United Kingdom-based MFI Furniture Group Plc, Ethan Allen Inc. (now known as, Ethan Allen Retail, Inc.) has entered into a tax cross-indemnification agreement with the joint venture partner. The indemnification agreement stipulates that both parties agree to pay 50% of the amount of any tax liability arising as a result of (i) an adverse tax judgment or (ii) the imposition of additional taxes against either partner, and attributable to the operations of the joint venture. The indemnification agreement is effective until such time that the joint venture is
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terminated. In December 2005, both parties mutually agreed to terminate the joint venture. It is anticipated that such termination will be completed by June 30, 2006.
The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that we could be required to make under this indemnification agreement is indeterminable as no such tax liability currently exists. Further, the nature, extent and magnitude of any such tax liability arising in the future as a result of an adverse tax judgment or change in applicable tax law cannot be estimated with any reasonable certainty. It should be further noted that no recourse or collateral provisions exist that would enable recovery of any portion of amounts paid under this indemnification agreement. Management expects, based on its current understanding of the applicable tax laws and the existing legal structure of the joint venture, subject to future changes in applicable laws and regulations, this cross-indemnity agreement will expire without requiring funding by us. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2005, the carrying amount of the liability related to this indemnification agreement is zero.
Product warranties
Our products, including our case goods, upholstery and home accents, generally carry explicit product warranties that extend from three to five years and are provided based on terms that are generally accepted in the industry. All of our domestic independent retailers are required to enter into, and perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of, a warranty service agreement. We record provisions for estimated warranty and other related costs at time of sale based on historical warranty loss experience and make periodic adjustments to those provisions to reflect actual experience. On rare occasion, certain warranty and other related claims involve matters of dispute that ultimately are resolved by negotiation, arbitration or litigation. In certain cases, a material warranty issue may arise that is beyond the scope of our historical experience. We provide for such warranty issues as they become known and are deemed to be both probable and estimable. It is reasonably possible that, from time to time, additional warranty and other related claims could arise from disputes or other matters beyond the scope of our historical experience. As of December 31, 2005, our recorded product warranty liability totaled $1.4 million.
Impact of inflation
We do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our profitability during the last three fiscal years. In the past, we generally have been able to increase prices or seek lower cost alternatives in order to offset increases in operating costs and effectively manage our working capital.
Business outlook
After experiencing inconsistent business activity for much of the past year, we have, in recent months, noted some encouraging signs with respect to the incoming order rate. While our management cannot reasonably predict whether a recent improvement in order trends will prove to be sustainable, we believe that we are well-positioned for the next phase of economic growth as a result of (i) our established brand, (ii) our comprehensive complement of home decorating solutions, and (iii) our vertically-integrated business model.
As macro-economic factors change, however, it is also possible that our costs associated with production (including raw materials and labor), distribution (including freight and fuel charges), and retail operations (including compensation, delivery and warehousing, occupancy and advertising expenses) may increase. Our management cannot reasonably predict when, or to what extent, such events may occur or what effect, if any, such events may have on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Several industry participants have recently expressed concern with respect to potential shortages of petroleum-based raw materials (specifically foam and fiber), and/or significant price increases associated with such raw materials, as a result of hurricane activity noted throughout the Gulf region during the months of August and September. At this time, while we have experienced notable increases in foam prices, we have not encountered any significant difficulties in procuring the necessary raw materials used in our manufacturing activities.
The industry remains extremely competitive with domestic manufacturers facing continued pricing pressure as a result of the manufacturing capabilities developed during recent years in other countries, specifically within Asia. In response to these pressures, a large number of U. S. furniture manufacturers and retailers, including Ethan Allen, have increased their overseas sourcing activities in an attempt to maintain a competitive advantage and retain market share. At the present time, we domestically manufacture and/or assemble approximately 65-70% of our products. Our management continues to believe that a balanced approach to product sourcing, which includes the domestic manufacture of certain product offerings coupled with the import of other selected products, provides the greatest degree of flexibility and is the most effective approach to ensuring that acceptable levels of quality, service and value are attained.
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See “Business” for a further discussion of the specific issues facing the home furnishings industry.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In November 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 123(R)-3,Transition Election Related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Award Payments (“FSP 123(R)-3”). The provisions of FSP 123(R)-3 set forth an alternative method of calculating the excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies recognized subsequent to the adoption of FAS No. 123(R). The Company, which is currently evaluating its available transition alternatives, has until November 2006 to make its one-time election.
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Business
Mission statement
Our primary business objective is to be a leader in style, providing our customers with a convenient, full-service, one-stop shopping alternative for their home decorating needs. In order to meet our stated objective, we have developed, and adhere to, a focused and comprehensive business strategy. The elements of this strategy, each of which represent specific home decorating solutions, include (i) our vertically-integrated operating structure, (ii) our products and related marketing initiatives, (iii) our retail store network, (iv) our people and (v) our numerous customer service offerings.
Operating segments
Our operating segments represent strategic business areas which, although they operate separately, both offer our complete line of home furnishings through their own distinctive services. Our operations are classified into two such segments: wholesale and retail. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements included under Item 8 of our Annual Report incorporated by reference in this prospectus for certain financial information regarding our operating segments.
The wholesale segment is principally involved in the development of the Ethan Allen brand, which encompasses the design, manufacture, domestic and off-shore sourcing, sale and distribution of a full range of home furnishings to a network of independently-owned and company-owned stores as well as related marketing and brand awareness efforts. Wholesale profitability includes the wholesale gross margin, which is earned on wholesale sales to all retail stores, including company-owned stores.
The retail segment sells home furnishings to consumers through a network of company-owned stores. Retail profitability includes the retail gross margin, which represents the difference between retail sales price and the cost of goods purchased from the wholesale segment.
While the manner in which our home furnishings are marketed and sold is consistent, the nature of the underlying recorded sales (i.e., wholesale versus retail) and the specific services that each operating segment provides (i.e., wholesale manufacture and distribution versus retail sales) are different. Within the wholesale segment, we maintain revenue information according to each respective product line (i.e., case goods, upholstery, or home accessories and other). Sales of case good items include, but are not limited to, beds, dressers, armoires, night tables, dining room chairs and tables, buffets, sideboards, coffee tables, entertainment units, bathroom vanities and home office furniture. Sales of upholstery home furnishing items include sleepers, recliners, chairs, sofas, loveseats, cut fabrics and leather. Skilled craftsmen cut, sew and upholster custom-designed upholstery items which are available in a variety of frame and fabric options. Home accessory and other items include window treatments, wall décor, lighting, clocks, wood accents, bedspreads, decorative accessories, area rugs, bedding, and home and garden furnishings.
Revenue information by product line is not readily available within the retail segment as it is not practicable. However, because wholesale production and sales are matched, for the most part, to incoming orders, we believe that the allocation of retail sales would be similar to that of the wholesale segment.
We evaluate performance of the respective segments based upon revenues and operating income. Inter-segment eliminations result, primarily, from the wholesale sale of inventory to the retail segment, including the related profit margin. Inter-segment eliminations also include items not allocated to reportable segments.
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The wholesale segment:
For fiscal years 2005, 2004 and 2003, the wholesale segment recorded net sales of $663.2 million, $673.8 million and $661.0 million, respectively. A breakdown of wholesale sales by product line for each of the last three fiscal years is provided below:
| Fiscal Year Ended June 30, |
---|
| 2005
| 2004
| 2003
|
---|
| | | |
---|
Case Goods | | | | 49 | % | | 52 | % | | 53 | % |
Upholstered Products | | | | 36 | | | 34 | | | 33 | |
Home Accessories and Other | | | | 15 | | | 14 | | | 14 | |
|
| |
| |
| |
| | | | 100 | % | | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
|
| |
| |
| |
We have 11 manufacturing facilities which consist of 5 case good plants (2 of which include separate sawmill operations), 5 upholstery plants and one home accent plant, all located in the United States. We also source selected case good, upholstery, and home accessory items from third-party vendors located both abroad and domestically. See Note (1) to “Selected Financial Data” for a discussion of certain plant closures and consolidations. In addition, on September 7, 2005, we announced a plan to convert one of our existing manufacturing facilities into a regional distribution center.
Product sourcing activities
We are one of the largest manufacturers of home furnishings in the United States, currently manufacturing and/or assembling approximately 65% to 70% of our products within our 11 manufacturing facilities. The balance of our production is outsourced through third-party vendors, most of which are located abroad. Our case good facilities are located close to sources of raw materials and skilled craftsmen, predominantly in the Northeast and Southeast regions of the country. Upholstery facilities are located across the country in order to reduce shipping costs to stores and are situated where skilled craftsmen are available. We believe that continued investment in our manufacturing facilities, combined with an appropriate level of outsourcing through both foreign and domestic vendors, will accommodate future sales growth and allow us to maintain a greater degree of control over cost, quality and service to our customers.
Raw materials and other suppliers
The most important raw materials we use in furniture manufacturing are lumber, veneers, plywood, hardware, glue, finishing materials, glass, mirrored glass, laminates, fabrics, foam, and filling material. The various types of wood used in our products include cherry, ash, oak, maple, prima vera, mahogany, birch and pine, substantially all of which are purchased domestically.
Fabrics and other raw materials are purchased both abroad and domestically. We have no significant long-term supply contracts and have experienced no significant problems in supplying our operations. We maintain a number of sources for our raw materials which, we believe, contributes to our ability to obtain competitive pricing. Lumber prices fluctuate over time based on factors such as weather and demand, which, in turn, impact availability. Upward trends in prices could have an adverse effect on margins.
Appropriate amounts of lumber and fabric inventory are typically stocked so as to maintain adequate production levels. We believe that our sources of supply for these materials are sufficient and that we are not dependent on any one supplier.
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We enter into standard purchase agreements with certain foreign and domestic vendors to source selected case good, upholstery, and home accessory items. The terms of these arrangements are customary for the industry and do not contain any long-term contractual obligations on our behalf. We believe that we maintain good relationships with our vendors.
Distribution and logistics
Within the wholesale segment, we distribute our products primarily through a national network of seven owned and five leased distribution centers strategically located throughout the United States. These distribution centers hold finished product received from our manufacturing facilities, as well as our domestic and off-shore vendors, for shipment to our retail stores or retail service centers. We stock case goods and accessories to provide for quick delivery of in-stock items and to allow for more efficient production runs.
Approximately one-third of all shipments are made to and from the distribution and retail service centers by our fleet of trucks and trailers. The remaining shipments are subcontracted to independent carriers. Approximately 45% of our fleet (trucks and trailers) is leased for terms of two to seven years.
Our policy is to sell our products at the same delivered cost to all company-owned and independently-owned stores nationwide, regardless of their shipping point. The adoption of this policy has created credibility by offering product at one suggested national retail price and eliminated the need for our retailers to carry significant amounts of inventory in their own warehouses. As a result, we obtain more accurate information regarding sales in order to better plan production runs and manage inventory levels.
Backlog and net orders booked
As of June 30, 2005, we had a wholesale backlog of $49.3 million, compared to a backlog of $51.4 million as of June 30, 2004. Backlog at any point in time is primarily a result of net orders booked in prior periods, manufacturing schedules and the timing of product shipments. Net orders booked at the wholesale level from our stores (including independently-owned and company-owned stores) for the twelve months ended June 30, 2005 were $666.1 million as compared to $686.5 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2004. Net orders booked in any period are recorded based on wholesale prices and do not reflect the additional retail margins produced by company-owned stores.
Advertising
We have developed a highly coordinated, national advertising campaign designed to (i) capitalize on our existing brand equity, and (ii) maintain top-of-mind awareness of the breadth of our product and service offerings. Our in-house staff, working with a leading advertising firm, has developed and implemented what we believe is the most coordinated national advertising campaign in the home furnishings industry. This campaign is designed to communicate our position as a leader in style and a full-service provider of home furnishing solutions, and to increase the flow of traffic into stores.
In support of ourFurnishing Solutions by Ethan Allen campaign, launched nationally in fiscal 2004, we continue to utilize television, direct mail, newspaper, magazines and radio to market our products and services. We believe that coordinating our advertising efforts for all Ethan Allen branded stores provides a competitive advantage over other home furnishing manufacturers and retailers. With an exclusive network of more than 300 retail stores adhering to a uniform marketing approach and “speaking with one voice,” we believe that we are better positioned to fulfill our brand promise on a consistent basis.
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Our direct mail magazine, which features our home furnishing collections in lifestyle settings and communicates our breadth of services, is one of our most important marketing tools. Approximately 57 million copies of the magazine were distributed to consumers during fiscal 2005, representing a 45% increase from the prior fiscal year. We publish and sell the magazines to retailers of both company-owned and independently-owned stores, who, with demographic information collected through independent market research, are able to target potential customers.
Our television advertising and direct mail efforts are supported by strong print and radio campaigns in various markets, and in leading home fashion magazines using advertisements and public relations efforts. We coordinate significant advertisements in major newspapers in major markets. During fiscal 2005, we also distributed a publication entitledSolutions for Living. This 288-page book, which includes a complete catalogue of our home furnishing collections, helps customers identify their own personal style using our product offerings. We believe these publications represent one of the most comprehensive and effective home decorating resources in the home furnishings industry.
Internet
We are located on the worldwide web atwww.ethanallen.com. Our primary goal for the website is to drive additional business into the retail network through lead generation and information sourcing. Customers may access our website to review home furnishing collections or to purchase selected home accessories. On average, over 18,000 daily users logged onto our website during fiscal 2005.
We have also developed an extranet website which links the retail stores with consumer information captured on-line such as customer requests for design assistance and copies of our catalogue. Our extranet has become the primary source of communications between us and our retail network providing a variety of information, including a company-wide daily news flash, downloads of current advertising materials, prototype store display floor plans and detailed product information.
The retail segment:
For fiscal years 2005, 2004, and 2003, the retail segment recorded net sales of $586.2 million, $576.2 million, and $526.4 million, respectively.
We sell our products through an exclusive network of 313 retail stores. As of December 31, 2005, we owned and operated 132 stores (as compared to 126 at the end of the 2005 fiscal year) and independent retailers owned and operated 181 stores. The geographic distribution of all retail store locations is included under Item 2 of our Annual Report, incorporated by reference in this prospectus. During fiscal 2005, we acquired six stores from, and sold four stores to, independent retailers, opened seven new stores (of which five were relocations), and closed five stores. In the past five fiscal years, we and our independent retailers have opened 78 new stores, approximately 40% of which were relocations.
In fiscal 2005, wholesale sales to independent retailers and retail sales of company-owned stores accounted for approximately 38% and 62%, respectively, of our total net sales. The ten largest independent retailers own a total of 36 stores, which, based on net orders booked, accounted for approximately 13% of total net sales in fiscal 2005.
We pursue further expansion of the company-owned retail business by opening new stores, relocating existing stores and, when appropriate, acquiring stores from independent retailers. In addition, we continue to promote the development and growth of our independent retailers. All retailers are required to enter into license agreements with us which (i) authorize the use of certain of our service marks and trademarks and (ii) require adherence to certain standards of operation, including the exclusive
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sale of our products and a requirement to fulfill related warranty service agreements. We are not subject to any territorial or exclusive retailer agreements in the United States.
In October 2001, we formed a joint venture with MFI Furniture Group Plc to open a network of retail stores in the United Kingdom. The initial phase of the agreement, which calls for the two companies to collaborate on the development of a retail store format that will market their respective retail concepts, involves up to five stores with approximately 8,000 to 15,000 square feet per store. The first of these stores, located in the London suburb of Kingston, opened in May 2002. The second, located in the suburb of Bromley, opened in December 2002. Both retail locations were included as independently-owned stores in compiling our store count as of June 30, 2005. In December 2005, both parties mutually agreed to terminate the joint venture. It is anticipated that such termination will be completed by June 30, 2006.
Products
Our product strategy has been to position our brand as a preferred brand with superior quality and value while, at the same time, providing consumers with a comprehensive, one-stop shopping solution for their home furnishing needs. In carrying out our strategy, we continue to expand our reach to a broader consumer base through a diverse selection of attractively priced product lines, many of which have been designed to effectively complement one another, reflecting the recent trend toward more eclectic home decorating. In recent years, this effort is best evidenced by the introduction of collections such asTownhouse,Tuscany,Newport,New Country by Ethan Allen, and, most recently,Tango. These collections, as well as increased styles and fabric selections within our custom upholstery line, new finishes within theHorizons by Ethan Allen line, the redesign of theAmerican Impressions line and relaunch asNew Impressions, and expanded product offerings to accommodate today’s home theater trends, are serving to redefine us, positioning us as a leader in style. These product lines, each of which broadens our consumer reach, are reflective of our continuing efforts to offer well-valued, stylish home furnishings that appeal to a variety of customers and lifestyles.
We believe that the two most important lifestyle categories in home furnishings are theClassic and theCasual. As such, our collections are designed to reflect unique elements applicable to each lifestyle category. To accomplish this, our collections consist of case goods, coordinated upholstered products and home accessories, each styled with its own distinct design characteristics. Home accessories play an important role in our marketing program as they enable us to offer the consumer the convenience of one-stop shopping by creating a comprehensive home furnishing solution. Our store interiors are designed to facilitate display of our product offerings in complete room settings which utilize the related collections to project the lifestyle category.
We continuously monitor consumer demand through internal marketing research and communication with our retailers and store design consultants who provide valuable input on consumer trends. As a result, we believe that we are able to react quickly to changing consumer tastes. For example, since 2002, over 70% of our current product line is new, with the balance refined and enhanced through product redesign, additions, deletions, or finish changes. Such undertakings are indicative of our ability to adapt to the recent consumer trend toward more casual and eclectic lifestyles while, at the same time, maintaining a classic appeal.
During the past year, we also introduced our innovativeeveryday best pricing program, eliminating periodic sale events in lieu of aneveryday best price on all of our product offerings. We believe that this initiative demonstrates our commitment to differentiating ourself through strategies focused on customer credibility and excellence in service. In addition,everyday best pricing provides us
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the opportunity to critically examine all facets of our business, making substantive changes, where necessary, in order to more effectively carry out our solutions-based approach to home decorating.
Retail store network
Our interior and exterior store design is dependent on each store’s location and size. Ethan Allen stores are located in busy urban settings as freestanding destination stores or as part of suburban strip malls, depending upon the real estate opportunities in a particular market. Currently, stores range in size from approximately 6,000 square feet to 35,000 square feet, with the average size of a store being approximately 15,000 square feet.
We maximize uniformity of store presentation throughout the retail network through a comprehensive set of operating standards. These operating standards assist each store in presenting the same high quality image and offer retail customers consistent levels of product selection and service. A uniform store image is conveyed through our ongoing program to model our retail stores with similar and consistent exterior facades and interior layouts. This program is carried out by all stores, including independently-owned stores.
We provide display planning assistance to all company-owned stores and independent retailers to support them in updating the interior projection of their stores and to maintain a consistent image. Several years ago, we developed a standard interior design format for our retail stores which, through the use of focused lifestyle settings to display our products and information throughout the stores to educate consumers, has positioned us as a specialist inClassic andCasual lifestyles and decorative accessory retailing.
People
At June 30, 2005, we had approximately 6,400 employees. Approximately 5% of those employees are represented by unions under collective bargaining agreements, most of which expire at various times throughout the three years ending June 30, 2008. We expect no significant changes in our relations with these unions and believe that we maintain good relationships with our employees.
The retail network, which includes both company-owned and independently-owned stores, is staffed with a sales force of over 3,000 design consultants and professionals who provide customers with an effective home decorating solution at no additional charge. These employees receive training with respect to the distinctive design and quality features inherent in each of our products, allowing them to more effectively communicate the elements of style and value that serve to differentiate us. As such, we believe our design consultants, and the complimentary service they provide, create a distinct competitive advantage over other home furnishing retailers.
We recognize the importance of our retail store network to our long-term success. Accordingly, we believe that we have established strong management teams within company-owned stores while, at the same time, maintaining effective relationships with independent retailers. With this in mind, we make available our services to all stores in support of their marketing efforts, including coordinated national advertising, merchandising and display programs, and extensive training seminars and educational materials. We believe that the development of design consultants, project managers, service and delivery personnel, and retailers is important for the growth of our business. As a result, we have committed to make available a comprehensive training program that will help to develop retail managers/owners, design consultants and service and delivery personnel to their fullest potential.
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Customer service offerings
We offer numerous customer service programs, each of which has been developed and introduced to consumers in an effort to make their shopping experience easier and more enjoyable.
Gift card
This program allows customers to purchase, through our website or at any participating retail store, gift cards that can be redeemed for any of our products or services.
Wedding registry
The primary objectives of the wedding registry program are to increase customer traffic in our network of retail stores (and on-line), capture consumers in the early stage of their lifecycle, capitalize on the growing trend for non-traditional registries and promote our complimentary design service. We believe this program further strengthens our competitive advantage by enhancing our current complement of service offerings with a national gift registry.
On-line room planning
We offer, via our website, an interactive on-line room planning resource which serves to further assist consumers with their home decorating needs. Through the use of this web-based tool, customers can determine which Ethan Allen product offerings best fit their particular needs based on their own individual home floor plan.
Ethan Allen consumer credit programs
The EA Finance Plus program offers consumers two financing options through the use of just one account. Consumers can choose between (i) the “Simple Finance Plan” which consists of fixed monthly payments ranging from 12 to 60 months at an interest rate of 9.99% per annum, and (ii) the revolving credit line which carries a variable interest rate currently ranging from 21.00% to 23.75% per annum. Both programs provide credit lines from $1,000 to $50,000. Financing offered through both programs is administered by a third-party financial institution and is granted on a non-recourse basis to us. Consumers may apply for an EA Finance Plus card at any participating retail store.
Competition
In recent years, the home furnishings industry, already highly competitive and fragmented, has faced additional challenges. Globalization, which represents the most notable change within the industry landscape, has led to increased competitive pressures brought about by the increasing volume of imported finished goods and components, particularly for case good products, and the development of manufacturing capabilities in other countries, specifically within Asia. The increase in overseas production capacity in recent years has created over-capacity for many U.S. manufacturers, including us, which has led to industry-wide plant consolidation. In addition, because many foreign manufacturers are able to maintain substantially lower production costs, including the cost of labor and overhead, imported product may be sold at a lower price to consumers which, in turn, has led to some measure of industry-wide price deflation. We believe that the aforementioned factors have contributed to the recent trend toward product commoditization, which is exacerbated by the overwhelming and wide-spread use of highly-promotional pricing policies and marketing strategies focused on “no money down” and “no interest.”
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During the last three years, as the industry has slowly been overcome by a greater degree of “sameness,” we have, instead, used that time to further differentiate ourself as a “preferred” brand by adhering to a business strategy focused on providing (i) high-quality products at good value, including the marketing of our products at aneveryday best price, (ii) a comprehensive complement of home decorating solutions, including our complimentary design service, and (iii) excellence in customer service. We consider our vertical integration a significant competitive advantage in the current environment as it allows us to design, manufacture, source, distribute, market, and sell our products through the industry’s largest single-source retail store network. With respect to the issue of price deflation, we saw a foreign, low-cost supply of labor as an opportunity to introduce selected products to consumers at prices that, until recently, were not practical. As such, we continue to adhere to a blended strategy, establishing relationships with certain manufacturers, both abroad and domestically, to source selected case goods, upholstery, and home accessory items. We intend to continue to balance our domestic production with opportunities to source from foreign and domestic manufacturers, as appropriate, in order to maintain our competitive advantage.
Although we are currently among the ten largest domestic furniture manufacturers in the United States, the recent emergence of the foreign manufacturers referred to above has served to broaden the competitive landscape. Some of these competitors may produce furniture types not manufactured by Ethan Allen and may have greater financial and other resources than we do.
We sell our products through an exclusive network of Ethan Allen-owned and independently-owned retail stores. Our objective is to continue to develop and strengthen our retail network by expanding the Ethan Allen-owned retail business through the opening of new stores, relocating existing stores and, when appropriate, acquiring stores from, or selling stores to, independent retailers. We will continue to promote the growth and development of our independent retailers by encouraging the relocation and expansion of their stores. Independent retailers, pursuant to license agreements, are authorized to use certain Ethan Allen service marks or trademarks and are required to adhere to certain standards of operations.
The home furnishings industry competes primarily on the basis of product styling and quality, personal service, prompt delivery, product availability and price. We believe that we effectively compete on the basis of each of these factors and that, more specifically, our store format and complimentary design service create a distinct competitive advantage, further supporting our mission of providing consumers with a complete home decorating solution.
Trademarks
We currently hold, or have registration applications pending for, numerous trademarks, service marks and design patents for the Ethan Allen name, logos and designs in a broad range of classes for both products and services in the United States and in many foreign countries. In addition, we have registered, or have applications pending for, many of our major collection names as well as certain of our slogans utilized in connection with promoting brand awareness, retail sales and other services. We view such trademarks and service marks as valuable assets and have an ongoing program to diligently monitor and defend, through appropriate action, against their unauthorized use.
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Management
The following table sets forth certain information concerning Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.’s executive officers and directors, including their ages, as of February 2, 2006.
Name | Age | Position | | | |
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|
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M. Farooq Kathwari | | | | 61 | | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | | |
Pamela A. Banks | | | | 41 | | Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | | |
Jeffrey Hoyt | | | | 36 | | Vice President, Finance and Treasurer | | |
Nora Murphy | | | | 46 | | Vice President, Style | | |
Craig W. Stout | | | | 55 | | Vice President, Case Goods Merchandising | | |
Edward Teplitz | | | | 44 | | Vice President, Retail Division | | |
Corey Whitely | | | | 45 | | Vice President, Operations | | |
Clinton A. Clark | | | | 63 | | Director | | |
Kristin Gamble | | | | 60 | | Director | | |
Horace G. McDonell | | | | 76 | | Director | | |
Edward H. Meyer | | | | 79 | | Director | | |
Richard A. Sandberg | | | | 63 | | Director | | |
Frank G. Wisner | | | | 67 | | Director | | |
Executive Officers
M. Farooq Kathwari was elected as a director in 1981, was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer in 1985 and was appointed to the additional positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in September 1988. In 1973, Mr. Kathwari formed a joint venture with Ethan Allen Inc., KEA International, Inc., the objective of which was to develop home furnishings product programs such as lighting, floor coverings, decorative accessories and other related programs. In 1980, Mr. Kathwari joined us as a Vice President responsible for merchandising and international operations. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in 1981, to Executive Vice President in 1983, and to President in 1985. From 1968 to 1973, he was Vice President of Rothschild, Inc. Mr. Kathwari is a director of several non-profit organizations, including the American Furniture Manufacturer’s Association and the National Retail Federation.
Pamela A. Banks has served as General Counsel and Secretary since April 2002 and became Vice President in November 2003. Ms. Banks joined us in September 1998 as Legal Counsel responsible for real estate and business development.
Jeffrey Hoyt has served as Vice President, Finance since May 2003, becoming Treasurer in April 2005. Mr. Hoyt joined us in August 2002 as Director, Corporate Accounting and Financial Reporting. Prior to joining us, Mr. Hoyt worked for KPMG LLP for ten years holding various positions.
Nora Murphy has served as Vice President, Style, since October 2001 and is responsible for coordinating the style, presentation and design of our products. Prior to joining us, Ms. Murphy owned an interior design firm which performed consulting services on our behalf.
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Craig W. Stout has served as Vice President, Design and Product Development since August 1995. He is responsible for the design and development of our case goods products. Mr. Stout joined us in 1972 and has held various marketing, merchandising and product development positions.
Edward Teplitz has served as Vice President, Retail Division, since May 2003 and became Executive Vice President of Ethan Allen Retail, Inc. in August 2005 and has been with us since 2001. He is responsible for oversight and operation of our retail division. In 2001, Mr. Teplitz joined us as Vice President, Finance, later becoming Chief Financial Officer and, then, in May 2003, Vice President and General Manager, Retail Division. Prior to joining us, he was a licensee of ours in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Cleveland, Ohio. Prior to that, Mr. Teplitz worked in the corporate finance department of E.F. Hutton & Company and FLIC (USA), Inc. Mr. Teplitz holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School and a B.S. in Accounting from Wharton School of Finance.
Corey Whitely has served as Vice President, Operations since November 2003 and became Executive Vice President of Ethan Allen Operations, Inc. in August 2005. He has been associated with us since 1988. He started his association with us in 1988 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as a General Manager and has taken on management responsibility in our retail and manufacturing operations.
Directors
Clinton A. Clark was elected as a director on June 30, 1989. He is the President and sole shareholder of CAC Investments, Inc. (“CAC”), a private investment company he founded in January 1986. Prior to founding CAC, Mr. Clark was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Long John Silver’s Restaurants, Inc. from 1990 through September 1993 and President and Chief Executive Officer of The Children’s Place, a retail children’s apparel chain he founded in 1968. Mr. Clark is also an investor and director of several private companies. He is Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit Committee.
Kristin Gamble was elected as a director on July 28, 1992. Since 1984, she has been President of Flood, Gamble Associates, Inc., an investment counseling firm. Ms. Gamble was Senior Vice President responsible for equity strategy and economic research with Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company from 1981 to 1984. Prior to that, she held various management positions with Manufacturers Hanover (1977-1981), Foley, Warendorf & Co., a brokerage firm (1976-1977), Rothschild, Inc. (1971-1976) and Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith (1968-1971). Since May 1995, she has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Federal Realty Investment Trust. She is a member of the Compensation Committee and the Nominations/Corporate Governance Committee.
Edward H. Meyer was elected as a director on May 30, 1991. He is President, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer of Grey Global Group Inc. (“Grey Global”). Mr. Meyer joined Grey Global in 1956 and, in 1964, was appointed Executive Vice President for Account Services. He was thereafter elected President in 1968 and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman in 1970. Grey Global performs advertising services for Ethan Allen. Mr. Meyer is a director of a number of outside business and financial organizations, including Harman International Industries, Inc.
Horace G. McDonell was elected as a director on May 30, 1991. He retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Perkin-Elmer Corporation in November 1990, where he served in a number of marketing and executive positions. He was elected President in 1980, Chief Executive Officer in 1984, and Chairman in 1985. He is a past Chairman of the American Electronics Association and a past director of Danbury Health Systems, Hubbell Incorporated, Uniroyal Incorporated, Silicon Valley Group Incorporated and ETEC Incorporated. He is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee and the Nominations/Corporate Governance Committee.
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Richard A. Sandberg was elected as a director on November 17, 2003. He is Chief Financial Officer of Matritech, Inc., a publicly traded developer and manufacturer of cancer diagnostic test products. In addition, he serves as manager and Chief Financial Officer of Battery Asset Management, LLC, a firm engaged in foreign currency transactions. Prior to his current positions, Mr. Sandberg held financial and operating positions at Dianon Systems, Inc., a company he founded in 1983, including Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and at private healthcare companies engaged in DNA testing and pharmaceutical development. He is a member of the Audit Committee.
Frank G. Wisner was elected as a director on July 23, 2001. He is Vice Chairman, External Affairs, of American International Group (“AIG”), the leading United States-based mixed financial services and international insurance organization. Mr. Wisner is also on the board of directors of EOG Resources. Prior to joining AIG, he was the United States Ambassador to India from July 1994 through July 1997. He retired from the United States Government with the rank of Career Ambassador, the highest grade in the Foreign Service. Mr. Wisner joined the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer in 1961 and served in a variety of overseas and Washington positions during his 36-year career. Among his other positions, Mr. Wisner served successively as United States Ambassador to Zambia, Egypt and the Philippines. Before being named United States Ambassador to India, his most recent assignment was as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. Prior to that, he was Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs. He is Chairman of the Nominations/Corporate Governance Committee.
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Description of the Notes
Ethan Allen Global issued the Initial Notes and will issue the Exchange Notes under an indenture dated as of September 27, 2005, among itself, Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., Ethan Allen Operations, Inc., Ethan Allen Realty, LLC, Ethan Allen Retail, Inc., Lake Avenue Associates, Inc., and Manor House, Inc., as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as trustee. The terms of the Notes include those expressly set forth in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
This description of the Notes is intended to be a useful overview of the material provisions of the Notes, the guarantees and the indenture. Because this description is only a summary, you should refer to the indenture for a complete description of our obligations and your rights. A copy of the indenture is available for inspection during normal business hours at the offices of the trustee.
Certain terms used in this description of the Notes are set forth under “— Definition of Certain Terms.”
General
The form and terms of the Exchange Notes are the same as the form and terms of the Initial Notes, except that the Exchange Notes will have been registered and therefore will not bear legends restricting the transfer thereof.
The Exchange Notes:
| o | will be issued under the indenture and will be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000; |
| o | will mature on October 1, 2015; |
| o | will not be convertible into any other security or have the benefit of any sinking fund; |
| o | will rank equally in right of payment with all of Ethan Allen Global’s other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness; |
| o | will be fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by each guarantor, which guarantees will rank equally in right of payment with all other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and obligations of such guarantor; |
| o | will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000; and |
| o | will be represented by one or more registered notes in global form, but in certain limited circumstances may be represented by notes in definitive form. See “Book-entry; Delivery and form.” |
Interest on the Exchange Notes will:
| o | accrue at a rate of 5.375% per annum; |
| o | accrue from the date of issuance or the most recent interest payment date; |
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| o | be payable in cash semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on April 1, 2006; |
| o | be payable to the holders of record on the March 15 and September 15 immediately preceding the relevant interest payment date; and |
| o | be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. |
Payment and Transfer
Principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Exchange Notes will be payable, and the Exchange Notes may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or agency maintained by us for such purpose, which initially will be the office of the trustee, U.S. Bank National Association, c/o U.S. Bank Trust New York, 100 Wall Street, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10005. Payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on Notes in global form registered in the name of or held by the depositary or its nominee will be made in immediately available funds to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global note. If any of the Notes are no longer represented by global notes, payment of interest on the Notes in definitive form may, at our option, be made by check mailed directly to holders at their registered addresses.
A holder may transfer or exchange Notes in definitive form at the same location given in the preceding paragraph. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith. We are not required to register the transfer of, or exchange of, any Note for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes or in the 15 days prior to an interest payment date.
Optional Redemption
The Notes may be redeemed in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:
| o | 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, and |
| o | the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed (not including any portion of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable treasury rate plus 20 basis points, |
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to the redemption date.
The “treasury rate” means, with respect to any redemption date:
| o | the yield, under the heading that represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(519)” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the comparable treasury issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the remaining life (as defined below), yields for the two published |
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| maturities most closely corresponding to the comparable treasury issue will be determined and the treasury rate will be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight line basis, rounding to the nearest month); or |
| o | if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the comparable treasury issue, calculated using a price for the comparable treasury issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the comparable treasury price for such redemption date. |
We will calculate the treasury rate on the third business day preceding the date fixed for redemption.
The “comparable treasury issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an independent investment banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term (“remaining life”) of the Notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Notes.
The “comparable treasury price” means (1) the average of five reference treasury dealer quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest reference treasury dealer quotations, or (2) if the independent investment banker obtains fewer than five such reference treasury dealer quotations, the average of all such quotations.
The “independent investment banker” means J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to select the comparable treasury issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by us.
A “reference treasury dealer” means (1) J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and its successors, provided, however, that if the foregoing shall cease to be a primary U.S. government securities dealer in New York City (a “primary treasury dealer”), we will substitute therefor another primary treasury dealer and (2) any four other primary treasury dealers selected by us after consultation with the independent investment banker.
The “reference treasury dealer quotations” means, with respect to each reference treasury dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the independent investment banker, of the bid and asked prices for the comparable treasury issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the independent investment banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.
We will mail a notice of redemption to each holder of Notes to be redeemed by first-class mail at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Unless we default on payment of the redemption price on the date fixed for redemption, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on such date. If fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the trustee will select, not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, the particular Notes or portions thereof for redemption from the outstanding Notes not previously called by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate.
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Guarantees
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. and each of the subsidiary guarantors will fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee to each holder and the trustee the full and prompt payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, when and as the same become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, including any additional amounts required to be paid in connection with certain taxes. Any obligation of any of the guarantors to make a payment may be satisfied by causing us to make such payment.
Ranking
The Exchange Notes will be the unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Ethan Allen Global and will rank equal in right of payment with all of its other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Exchange Notes will effectively rank junior in right of payment to any secured indebtedness incurred by Ethan Allen Global to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness and to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.
The guarantees of the Exchange Notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of each guarantor and will rank equally in right of payment with all other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness and obligations of such guarantor. Such guarantees will effectively rank junior in right of payment to any secured indebtedness of the guarantors to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness and to all indebtedness and other liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.
Covenants
The indenture contains, among other things, the following covenants:
Limitation on liens
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. will not, and will not permit any restricted subsidiary to, create, assume, allow to exist or allow to be created or assumed any lien on any principal property to secure any indebtedness, unless it also secures the Notes and the guarantees, if applicable, by a lien equally and ratably with such other indebtedness for so long as such other indebtedness shall be so secured. The indenture contains the following exceptions to that prohibition:
(1) liens on property of corporations or other entities existing when they become our subsidiaries;
(2) liens on property existing on the date of the indenture;
(3) liens existing on property when the property was acquired or incurred to finance the purchase price, construction or improvement of the property, including liens incurred pursuant to capital leases that are entered into for the purpose of financing the purchase, construction or improvement of the property subject to such capital lease;
(4) certain liens in favor of government entities or required by contracts with governmental entities;
(5) any lien that would not otherwise be permitted by clauses (1) through (4) above, inclusive;provided that after giving effect to the lien, the sum of, without duplication,
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| o | the aggregate outstanding principal amount of debt secured by such liens otherwise prohibited by the indenture, and |
| o | the aggregate amount of all attributable debt with respect to outstanding sale and leaseback transactions otherwise prohibited by the indenture |
does not exceed 20% of our consolidated net tangible assets.
Restriction on Sale-Leasebacks
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. will not, and will not permit any restricted subsidiary to, enter into any sale and leaseback transactions on any principal property except:
(1) leases in a sale and leaseback transaction incurred when Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. or such restricted subsidiary could incur a lien on such principal property securing debt in an amount equal to the value of such sale and leaseback transaction under the covenant described in “—Limitation on liens” above without equally and ratably securing the Notes and guarantees, if applicable; or
(2) if Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. or such restricted subsidiary applies, during the six months following the effective date of the sale and leaseback transaction, an amount equal to the value of the sale and leaseback transaction to the voluntary retirement of long-term indebtedness or to the acquisition of principal property.
Consolidation, Merger, Amalgamation and Sale of Assets
The indenture provides that neither Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. nor any “significant subsidiary” under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act may merge into or consolidate with any other person, or permit any other person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), including any capital stock of any subsidiary, unless:
(1) after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default has occurred or is continuing;
(2) the successor corporation assumes all of the previous company’s obligations, if any, under the indenture (including the related guarantees); and
(3) certain other conditions described in the indenture are met.
Under recent Delaware case law, the sale of substantially all of the corporation’s assets involves the sale of assets that are quantitatively vital to the operation of the corporation and is out of the ordinary and substantially affects the existence and purpose of the corporation.
Definition of Certain Terms
The following are the meanings of terms that are important in understanding the covenants previously described:
| o | “consolidated net tangible assets” means the total assets less current liabilities and intangible assets of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries; |
| o | “guarantors” means Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. and each of the subsidiary guarantors, but does not include Riverside Water Works, Inc.; |
| o | “principal property” means any building, structure, manufacturing facility or other facility owned or leased by Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. or a restricted subsidiary located within the |
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| United States of America, but not including any such property determined by a board resolution of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. not to be of material importance to the respective businesses conducted by Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. or such restricted subsidiary effective as of the date such resolution is adopted; |
| o | “restricted subsidiary” means (a) Ethan Allen Global, (b) each subsidiary guarantor and (c) any subsidiary that is a “significant subsidiary” under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act; |
| o | “sale and leaseback transaction” means any arrangement with any person providing for the leasing by Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. or any restricted subsidiary of any principal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. or such restricted subsidiary to such person;provided, that “sale and leaseback transactions” does not include (1) temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee of not more than three years, (2) leases among Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. or a restricted subsidiary, (3) leases of principal property executed by the time of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation of the principal property, and (4) arrangements pursuant to any provision of law with an effect similar to the former Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; |
| o | “subsidiary” means any corporation, limited liability company or other business entity of which the requisite number of shares of stock or other equity interests having ordinary voting power (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to elect a majority of the directors, managers or trustees thereof, or any partnership of which more than 50% of the partners’ equity interests (considering all partners’ equity interests as a single class) is, in each case, at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., one or more of its subsidiaries, or a combination thereof; and |
| o | “subsidiary guarantors” means (a) Ethan Allen Operations, Inc., (b) Ethan Allen Realty, LLC, (c) Ethan Allen Retail, Inc., (d) Lake Avenue Associates, Inc., (e) Manor House, Inc., and (f) every subsidiary other than Riverside Water Works, Inc. that becomes a guarantor under our credit agreement,provided, that, to the extent any subsidiary ceases to be a guarantor under the credit agreement, such subsidiary shall cease to be a subsidiary guarantor under the indenture. |
Events of Default
Each of the following is an event of default under the indenture:
(1) the default by Ethan Allen Global in any payment of interest or additional interest (as required by the registration rights agreement) on any Note when due, continued for 30 days;
(2) the default by Ethan Allen Global in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on any Note when due at its stated maturity, upon optional redemption, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;
(3) the failure by Ethan Allen Global, Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. or any subsidiary guarantor to comply with its covenants under the indenture for 60 days after written notice from the trustee or the holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes thereunder;
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(4) the failure of Ethan Allen Global, Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. or any of their subsidiaries to (a) pay the principal of any indebtedness for borrowed money, including obligations evidenced by any mortgage, indenture, bond, debenture, note, guarantee or other similar instruments, on the scheduled or original date due, (b) pay interest on any such indebtedness beyond any provided grace period or (c) observe or perform any agreement or condition relating to such indebtedness, that has caused such indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity, and such acceleration has not been cured within 15 days after notice of acceleration;provided, however, that an event described in subclause (a), (b) or (c) above will not constitute an event of default unless, at such time, one or more events of the type described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) have occurred or are continuing with respect to such indebtedness in an amount exceeding $20,000,000; or
(5) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of (a) Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., (b) Ethan Allen Global or (c) any other subsidiary that is a “significant subsidiary” under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.
If an event of default (other than an event of default described in clause (5) above) occurs and is continuing, the trustee by written notice to us, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by written notice to us and the trustee, may, and the trustee at the request of such holders, shall, declare the principal of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately. If an event of default described in clause (5) above occurs and is continuing, the principal of and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may waive certain past defaults (except with respect to nonpayment of principal, premium or interest) and rescind any such acceleration with respect to all Notes and its consequences if rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and all existing events of default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.
Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the Notes unless:
| o | such holder has previously given the trustee written notice that an event of default under the indenture is continuing; |
| o | holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested in writing that the trustee pursue the remedy; |
| o | such holders have offered the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense; |
| o | the trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and |
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| o | the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. |
Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture or that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the interest of any other holder or that would involve the trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indenture, the trustee will be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
The indenture provides that, if a default occurs and is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee must mail to each holder notice of the default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of and premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the trustee may withhold notice if the trustee determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders. In addition, we are required to deliver to the trustee, within 10 days after becoming aware of the occurrence of any default, notice of such default and, in any event within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any default that occurred during the previous year.
Amendments and Waivers
The indenture contains provisions permitting us and the trustee, without the consent of the holders, to modify or amend the indenture to, among other things, (1) cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, (2) provide for successor guarantors, (3) provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in the place of certificated Notes, (4) add additional guarantees, (5) secure the Notes, (6) add to the covenants for the benefit of the holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon us or the guarantors, (7) make any change that does not adversely affect the interest of any holder, (8) provide for the issuance of the Exchange Notes, and (9) comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The indenture also permits us and the trustee to amend other provisions of the indenture with the consent of holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Note affected, no amendment may:
| o | reduce the amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment of the indenture or the Notes; |
| o | reduce the stated rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any Note; |
| o | reduce the principal of or change the stated maturity of any Note; |
| o | reduce the amount payable upon the redemption of any Note; |
| o | make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Note; |
| o | impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes; |
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| o | make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions; or |
| o | release any of the guarantors or modify the guarantees other than in accordance with the indenture. |
The consent of the holders is not necessary under the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, we are required to mail to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, on behalf of all holders of Notes, may waive compliance with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. Subject to certain rights of the trustee as provided in the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, on behalf of all holders, may waive any past default under the indenture (including any such waiver obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes), except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest or a default in respect of a provision that under the indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each Note that is affected.
Defeasance
At our option, we may be discharged, subject to certain terms and conditions, from any and all obligations in respect of the Notes (except for certain obligations, including obligations relating to the defeasance trust, registering the transfer or exchange of Notes, replacing mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and maintaining a registrar and paying agent in respect of the Notes) or need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the indenture if we:
(1) irrevocably deposit in trust with the trustee money or U.S. government obligations for the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be; and
(2) comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the trustee of an opinion of counsel (subject to customary exceptions and exclusions) to the effect that holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred.
Concerning the Trustee
U.S. Bank National Association is the trustee under the indenture and has been appointed by us as Registrar, Exchange Agent and Paying Agent with regard to the Notes.
Governing Law
The Exchange Notes, the guarantee and the indenture will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
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Book-Entry; Delivery and Form
Except as set forth below, the Exchange Notes initially will be issued in one or more global certificates in definitive, fully registered form (each a “Global Note”). Upon issuance, each Global Note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking, SA (“Clearstream”), in the case of Initial Notes sold in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act, or The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (“DTC”) and registered in the name of a nominee of Euroclear, Clearstream or DTC.
If a holder tendering Initial Notes so requests, such holder’s Exchange Notes will be issued as described below under “Certificated Securities” in registered form without coupons (each, a “Certificated Security”).
Global Note
The Company expects that, pursuant to procedures established by DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream Banking: (i) upon the issuance of a Global Note, DTC, Euroclear, Clearstream Banking or a custodian thereof will credit, on its internal system, the principal amount of the individual beneficial interests in the Exchange Notes represented by such Global Note to the respective accounts of persons who have accounts with such depository and (ii) ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Note will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by Euroclear, Clearstream or DTC or their nominees (with respect to interests of participants) and the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). Ownership of beneficial interests in the Global Note will be limited to persons who have accounts with Euroclear, Clearstream or DTC (“participants”) or persons who hold interests through participants.
The descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream Banking set forth below are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of these settlement systems and are subject to change by them from time to time. None of us or the Initial Purchaser takes any responsibility for these operations or procedures, and investors are urged to contact the relevant system or its participants directly to discuss these matters.
DTC has advised us that it is:
| o | a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York; |
| o | a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law; |
| o | a member of the Federal Reserve System; |
| o | a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code, as amended; and |
| o | a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
DTC was created to hold securities for its participants (including Euroclear and Clearstream Banking) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants, which eliminates the need for physical transfer and delivery of certificates. DTC’s participants include: securities brokers and dealers, including the Initial Purchaser; banks and trust companies; clearing corporations; and certain other organizations. Indirect
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access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies; these indirect participants clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant in DTC, either directly or indirectly. Investors who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through participants or indirect participants in DTC.
We expect that, pursuant to procedures established by DTC:
| o | upon deposit of each Global Note with DTC, DTC will credit the principal amount of the Note represented by the Global Note on its book-entry registration and transfer system to the accounts of participants in DTC designated by the Initial Purchaser; and |
| o | ownership of the Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of the Notes will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC, with respect to the interests of participants in DTC, and the records of participants and indirect participants, with respect to the interests of persons other than participants in DTC. |
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of the securities in definitive form. Accordingly, the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the Notes represented by a Global Note to these persons will be limited to that extent. In addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having a beneficial interest in Notes represented by a Global Note to pledge or transfer that interest to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC’s system, or to otherwise take actions in respect of that interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interest.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner and holder of a Global Note, DTC or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Notes represented by the Global Note for all purposes under the indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note:
| o | will not be entitled to have Notes represented by the Global Note registered in their names; |
| o | will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes in definitive form; and |
| o | will not be considered the owners or holders of the Notes under the indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee under the indenture. |
Accordingly, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a Global Note must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if the holder is not a participant or an indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which the holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of Notes under the indenture or the Global Note. We understand that, under existing industry practice, if we request any action of holders of Notes, or a holder that is an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Note desires to take any action that DTC, as the holder of the Global Note, is entitled to take, then DTC would authorize its participants to take the action and the participants would authorize holders owning through participants to take the action or would otherwise act upon the instruction of such holders.
Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of Notes by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to the Notes or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and its
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participants or the relationship between such participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes owning through such participants.
Payments in respect of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest (including additional interest, if any) on any Notes represented by a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee on the applicable record date will be payable by the trustee to or at the direction of DTC or its nominee in its capacity as the registered holder of the Global Note representing those Notes under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, we and the trustee may treat the persons in whose names the Notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the Notes for the purpose of receiving payment on the Notes and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Accordingly, neither we nor the trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note, including principal, premium, if any, and interest. We believe, however, that it is currently the policy of DTC to credit the accounts of the relevant participants with such payments, in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the participants and the indirect participants in DTC to the owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note will be governed by standing instructions and customary industry practice and will be the responsibility of the participants or the indirect participants and DTC.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear or Clearstream Banking will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.
Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Notes, cross-market transfers between the participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream Banking participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream Banking, as the case may be, by its respective depositary. These cross-market transactions will, however, require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream Banking, as the case may be, by the counterparty in that system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines, Brussels time, of that system. If the transaction meets its settlement requirements, Euroclear or Clearstream Banking, as the case may be, will deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant Global Notes in DTC and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream Banking participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries for Euroclear or Clearstream Banking.
Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream Banking participant purchasing an interest in a Global Note from a participant in DTC will be credited, and any crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream Banking participant, during the securities settlement processing day, which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream Banking, immediately following the settlement date of DTC. DTC has advised us that cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream Banking as a result of sales of interests in a Global Note by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream Banking participant to a participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream Banking cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream Banking following DTC’s settlement date.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream Banking have agreed to the above procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream Banking, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform the procedures, and the procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream Banking or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.
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Certificated Notes
If:
| o | DTC notifies us that it is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary or DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of such notice or cessation; |
| o | we, at our option, notify the trustee in writing that we elect to cause the issuance of Notes in definitive form under the indenture; or |
| o | upon the occurrence of some other events as provided in the indenture; |
then, upon surrender by DTC of the Global Notes, certificated Notes will be issued to each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of the Notes represented by the Global Notes. Upon the issuance of certificated Notes, the trustee is required to register the certificated Notes in the name of that person or persons, or the nominee thereof, and cause the certificated Notes to be delivered thereto.
Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any participant or indirect participant in DTC in identifying the beneficial owners of the related Notes and each of those persons may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from DTC for all purposes, including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Notes to be issued.
Exchange Offer; Registration Rights
Ethan Allen Global, the guarantors and the Initial Purchaser entered into a registration rights agreement concurrently with the issuance of the Notes. This description is intended to be an overview of the material provisions of the registration rights agreement. Because this description is only a summary, you should refer to the registration rights agreement for a complete description of our obligations and your rights. A copy of the registration rights agreement is available for inspection during normal business hours at the offices of the trustee.
Exchange offer
Under the registration rights agreement, we and the guarantors agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to:
| o | cause to be filed with the SEC this registration statement on an appropriate form under the Securities Act which is referred to as the “exchange offer registration statement,” relating to this registered exchange offer for the Notes and the guarantee under the Securities Act; |
| o | commence this exchange offer promptly after the exchange offer registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC, and complete this exchange offer within 60 days thereafter; and |
| o | have the exchange offer registration statement of which this prospectus is a part remain effective under the Securities Act until 180 days after the closing of this exchange offer. |
As soon as practicable after the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, we and the guarantors will offer to the holders of registrable securities (as defined below) who or which are not prohibited by any law or policy of the SEC from participating in this exchange
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offer, the opportunity to exchange their registrable securities for an issue of a new series of notes, which are referred to in this registration statement as the “Exchange Notes,” that are identical in all material respects to the Initial Notes, except that the Exchange Notes will not contain transfer restrictions, will be registered under the Securities Act and will not be eligible for any increase in the interest rate as discussed under “—Additional interest.” We and the guarantors have agreed to keep this exchange offer open for not less than 20 business days after the date on which notice of this exchange offer is transmitted to the holders of the Initial Notes.
Shelf registration
If:
| o | we and the guarantors are not permitted to effect the exchange offer as contemplated by this prospectus because it would violate any applicable law, rule, regulation, order or applicable interpretations of the law by the staff of the SEC; |
| o | for any other reason this exchange offer is not consummated within 180 days after the date of issuance of the Initial Notes; or |
| o | upon the request of the Initial Purchaser with respect to registrable securities held by the Initial Purchaser that are not eligible to be exchanged for exchange securities in the exchange offer and held by it following consummation of this exchange offer; |
then we and the guarantors will use our commercially reasonable efforts to file as promptly as practicable with the SEC, which date is referred to as the “shelf filing date,” a shelf registration statement to cover resales of registrable securities by those holders who satisfy various conditions relating to the provision of information in connection with the shelf registration statement.
For purposes hereof, “registrable securities” means each Note, until the earliest to occur of:
| o | the date on which that Note has been registered, exchanged or disposed of pursuant to a registration statement; |
| o | the date on which that Note is eligible to be transferred or sold pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144A under the Securities Act; or |
| o | the date on which that Note ceases to be outstanding. |
We and the guarantors will use our commercially reasonable efforts to have the shelf registration statement declared effective by the SEC as promptly as practicable after it is filed. We and the guarantors will use our commercially reasonable efforts to keep the shelf registration statement continuously effective until the expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144(k) of the Securities Act, or the date all registrable securities have been sold under the shelf registration statement.
Additional interest
In the event that either this exchange offer is not completed or the shelf registration statement, if required, is not declared effective within the earlier of March 27, 2006 and 90 days after a request by the Initial Purchaser as described in “—Shelf registration” above, the interest rate on the registrable securities will be increased by 0.50% per annum for the initial 90-day period following such default, and another 0.50% per annum (for a total of 1.00% per annum) following such initial 90-day period following such
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default, until the exchange offer is completed, the shelf registration statement, if required, is declared effective by the SEC or the registrable securities become freely tradable under the Securities Act.
If the shelf registration statement has been declared effective and thereafter either ceases to be effective or the prospectus contained therein ceases to be usable at any time before the expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144(k) of the Securities Act, or the date all registrable securities have been sold under the shelf registration statement, whichever is earlier, and such failure to remain effective or usable exists for more than 30 days (whether or not consecutive) in any 12-month period, then the interest rate on the registrable securities will be increased by 1.00% per annum commencing on the 31st day in such 12-month period and ending on such date that the shelf registration statement has again been declared effective or the prospectus again becomes usable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may, by notice to the holders of registrable notes, suspend the availability of a shelf registration statement and the use of the related prospectus, if:
| o | such action is required by the SEC or a state securities authority; |
| o | any event happens that requires us to make changes in the shelf registration statement or the related prospectus in order to ensure that such documents do not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; or |
| o | we determine in our reasonable judgment that it is in the best interests of us and the guarantors not to disclose a possible acquisition or business combination or other transaction, business development or event involving us or the guarantors that might otherwise require disclosure in the registration statement, or if obtaining any financial statements relating to an acquisition or business combination required to be included in the registration statement would be impracticable. |
The period for which we are obligated to keep the shelf registration statement continuously effective will be extended by the period of such suspension. Each holder of registrable notes will be required to discontinue disposition of registrable notes pursuant to the shelf registration statement upon receipt from us of notice of any events described in the preceding paragraph or certain other events specified in the registration rights agreement.
The registration rights agreement also provides that we and the guarantors will:
| o | if requested by the Initial Purchaser or one or more participating broker-dealers, for a period of at least 180 days after the consummation of the exchange offer, use commercially reasonable efforts to amend or supplement this prospectus, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any exchange securities by participating broker-dealers; |
| o | pay expenses incident to this exchange offer, but not including underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of registrable securities pursuant to the shelf registration statement; and |
| o | indemnify certain holders of the Notes, including any broker-dealer participating in a distribution of registrable securities to the public, against some liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. |
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A broker-dealer that delivers a prospectus to purchasers in connection with resales of the exchange securities will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the Securities Act and will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement, including indemnification rights and obligations.
Each holder of Initial Notes who wishes to exchange its Initial Notes for Exchange Notes in this exchange offer will be required to make representations, including representations that:
| o | any Exchange Notes to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business; |
| o | it has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, and is not engaged in and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of the Exchange Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act; |
| o | it is not an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of us or any guarantor (or if it is an affiliate, it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable); and |
| o | if such holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for registrable securities that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, then such holder will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. |
Holders of the Initial Notes will also be required to deliver information to be used in connection with the shelf registration statement in order to have their Initial Notes included in the shelf registration statement. A holder who sells Initial Notes pursuant to the shelf registration statement generally will be required to be named as a selling noteholder in the related prospectus and to deliver a prospectus to purchasers, will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with these sales and will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement that are applicable to such a holder, including indemnification obligations.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following description summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of exchanging the Initial Notes for Exchange Notes and owning and disposing of the Exchange Notes. This summary applies to you only if you were an initial holder of the Initial Notes and you acquired the Initial Notes for cash at a price equal to the issue price of the Initial Notes. The issue price of the Initial Notes is the first price at which a substantial amount of the Initial Notes were sold other than to bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers.
This summary deals only with Exchange Notes held as capital assets (generally, investment property) and does not deal with special tax rules applicable to certain holders of Exchange Notes such as:
| o | dealers in securities or currencies; |
| o | certain traders in securities; |
| o | U.S. holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
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| o | persons holding Exchange Notes as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion or other integrated transaction; |
| o | certain U.S. expatriates; |
| o | real estate investment trusts; |
| o | regulated investment companies; |
| o | entities that are tax-exempt for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
This summary does not discuss all of the aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxation that may be relevant to you in light of your particular investment or other circumstances. In addition, this summary does not discuss any U.S. state or local income or foreign income or other tax consequences. This summary is based on U.S. federal income tax law, including the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations, administrative rulings and judicial authority, all as in effect as of the date of this prospectus. No ruling has been or will be sought from the Internal Revenue Service regarding any matter discussed herein. No assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to those described in this summary. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a material effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of Notes as set forth in this summary.Before you exchange Initial Notes for Exchange Notes, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the particular U.S. federal, state and local and foreign income and other tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of the Exchange Notes that may be applicable to you.
Exchange of Initial Notes for Exchange Notes
The exchange of Initial Notes for Exchange Notes pursuant to the exchange offer will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a holder of Initial Notes whose Initial Notes are accepted in the exchange offer will not recognize gain on the exchange. A tendering holder’s tax basis in the Exchange Notes will be the same as such holder’s tax basis in its Initial Notes. A tendering holder’s holding period for the Exchange Notes received pursuant to the exchange offer will include its holding period for the Initial Notes surrendered therefor. Because, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, each Exchange Note is a continuation of the corresponding Initial Note, the remainder of this discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences generally refers only to “Notes.”
U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders
As used in this summary, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of a Note or Notes who or which is for U.S. federal income tax purposes: an individual citizen or resident of the United States; a corporation (or other entity classified as a corporation for these purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision of the United States, including any state; an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of the source of that income; or a trust, if, in general, a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more
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U.S. persons (within the meaning of the Code) has the authority to control all of the trust’s substantial decisions.
If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Notes, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding Notes, you should consult your tax advisor.
As used in this summary, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of the Notes that is not a U.S. holder.
U.S. holders
Payments of interest. The Initial Notes were issued withde minimisoriginal issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, interest on your Notes will be taxed as ordinary interest income at the time it is received or accrued, depending on your method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Sale or other disposition of Notes. Your tax basis in your Notes generally will be their cost, subject to certain adjustments. You will recognize taxable gain or loss on the sale, redemption, retirement at maturity or other disposition of your Notes equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized on the sale, redemption, retirement at maturity or other disposition (less any amount attributable to accrued interest, which will be taxable in the manner described under “U.S. holders — Payments of Interest”) and your tax basis in the Notes.
Your gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. This capital gain or loss will be long term capital gain or loss if at the time of the sale, redemption, retirement at maturity or other disposition you have held the Notes for more than one year. Subject to limited exceptions, your capital losses cannot be used to offset your ordinary income. If you are a non-corporate U.S. holder, your long term capital gain generally will be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%.
Information reporting and backup withholding. Payments of principal and interest on a Note, and the proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of a Note held by a U.S. holder, generally will be subject to information reporting. In addition, such amounts may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28%, if a U.S. holder fails to provide its correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications or has been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that it is subject to backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is provided to the Internal Revenue Service.
Mandatory and optional redemptions. We may redeem the Notes or may become obligated to offer to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at certain times and under certain circumstances described elsewhere herein. The Treasury Regulations issued under the provisions of the Code relating to original issue discount contain rules for determining the yield and maturity of debt instruments that are subject to certain options or other contingent payments. Pursuant to those regulations, we believe that neither we nor any holders of Notes should be deemed to exercise any of the options to redeem described in this prospectus, and thus, the existence of these options to redeem should not affect the calculation of the yield and maturity of the Notes.
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Non-U.S. holders
U.S. federal withholding tax. Under current U.S. federal income tax laws, and subject to the discussion below, U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to payments by us or our paying agent (in its capacity as such) of principal of and interest on your Notes under the “portfolio interest” exemption of the Code, provided that in the case of interest:
| o | you do not, directly or indirectly, actually or constructively, own 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock entitled to vote within the meaning of section 871(h)(3) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder; |
| o | you are not a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is related, directly or indirectly, to us through sufficient stock ownership (as provided in the Code); and |
| o | either (i) you provide a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN, certifying that you are not a U.S. person within the meaning of the Code and providing your name and address to us or our paying agent, or (ii) the financial institution holding the Notes on your behalf, under penalties of perjury, provides us with a statement certifying that it has received a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN from you, together with a copy of the IRS Form W-8BEN. |
Each non-U.S. holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding any applicable income tax treaty that may provide for an exemption from or reduction in U.S. withholding tax and for rules different from those described above.
If you are a non-U.S. holder that does not qualify for the “portfolio interest” exemption, interest paid on a Note to you will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless you provide us (or our paying agent) with a properly completed:
| o | IRS Form W-8BEN claiming an exemption from (or reduction to) withholding under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty; or |
| o | IRS Form W-8ECI stating that the interest paid on the Note is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If, however, the interest is effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, the interest will be subject to U.S. federal income tax imposed on a net income basis in the same manner as applicable to U.S. persons and, in the case of a corporate non-U.S. holder, potentially also a 30% branch profits tax. |
If you are a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, special rules apply and you should consult your own tax advisor regarding your status under these rules and the certification requirements applicable to you.
U.S. federal income tax. Except for the possible application of U.S. withholding tax (see “Non-U.S. holders — U.S. Federal Withholding Tax” above) and backup withholding tax (see “Non-U.S. holders — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” below), you generally will not have to pay U.S. federal income tax on payments of principal and interest on your Notes, or on any gain or income realized from the sale, redemption, retirement at maturity or other disposition of your Notes (however, in the case of proceeds representing accrued interest, U.S. withholding tax may apply unless the conditions described in “Non-U.S. holders — U.S. Federal Withholding Tax” are met) unless:
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| o | in the case of gain, you are an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale or other disposition of your Notes, and specific other conditions are met; |
| o | the gain or income is effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business, and, if an income tax treaty applies, is generally attributable to a U.S. “permanent establishment” maintained by you; or |
| o | you are subject to tax pursuant to the provisions of U.S. tax law applicable to certain U.S. expatriates. |
If you are engaged in a trade or business in the United States and interest or gain in respect of your Notes is effectively connected with the conduct of your U.S. trade or business, and, if an income tax treaty applies, you maintain a U.S. “permanent establishment” to which the interest or gain is generally attributable, you may be subject to U.S. income tax on a net basis on the interest or gain or income (although interest is not subject to the withholding tax discussed in the preceding paragraphs provided that you provide a properly executed applicable Internal Revenue Service form on or before any payment date).
In addition, if you are a foreign corporation, you may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of your earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively connected to your U.S. trade or business, as adjusted for certain items, unless a lower rate applies to you under a U.S. income tax treaty with your country of residence. For this purpose, you must include interest, gain or income on your Notes in the earnings and profits subject to the branch tax if these amounts are effectively connected with the conduct of your U.S. trade or business.
Backup withholding and information reporting. Under current Treasury Regulations, backup withholding will not apply to payments made by us or our paying agent (in its capacity as such) to you if you have provided the required certification that you are a non-U.S. holder as described in “Non-U.S. holders — U.S. Federal Withholding Tax” above, and provided that neither we nor our paying agent has actual knowledge that you are a U.S. person. We or our paying agent may, however, be subject to information reporting requirements with respect to certain payments on the Notes.
The gross proceeds from the disposition of your Notes may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of 28%. If you sell your Notes outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are paid to you outside the United States, then the U.S. backup withholding and information reporting requirements generally will not apply to that payment. If you receive payments of the proceeds of a sale of your Notes to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment is subject to both U.S. backup withholding and information reporting unless you provide a Form W-8BEN certifying that you are a non-U.S. person or you otherwise establish an exemption. U.S. information reporting, but not backup withholding, may apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the United States, if you sell your Notes through a U.S. or U.S.-related broker or financial institution unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that you are a non-U.S. person and certain other conditions are met or you otherwise establish an exemption.
You should consult your own tax advisor regarding application of backup withholding in your particular circumstance and the availability of and procedure for obtaining an exemption from backup withholding under current Treasury Regulations. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to you will be allowed as a refund or credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
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Notice pursuant to I.R.S. Circular 230.This disclosure and our conclusions set forth above are not intended or written by us to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer under U.S. tax law. This disclosure was written to support the promotion or marketing of the Notes. Each taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor concerning the potential tax consequences of an investment in the Notes.
Plan of Distribution
Reference is made to “The exchange offer” for a description of this exchange offer, including the purpose of this exchange offer, the basis upon which the Exchange Notes are offered and expenses incurred in connection with this exchange offer.
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to this exchange offer in exchange for Initial Notes acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market making or other trading activities may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and, therefore, must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with this exchange offer. Accordingly, each such broker-dealer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Initial Notes where such Initial Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, starting on the consummation of this exchange offer and ending on the close of business 180 days after the consummation of this exchange offer, we will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.
Neither we nor any of our affiliates has entered into any arrangement or understanding with any broker-dealer to distribute the Exchange Notes and we will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Notes by any broker-dealer or any other person. Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to this exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Exchange Notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of the resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through broker-dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchaser of any such Exchange Notes. Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to this exchange offer and any broker-dealer that participates in a distribution of such Exchange Notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of Exchange Notes and any commissions or concessions received by any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.
For a period of 180 days after the consummation of this exchange offer, we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the Letter of Transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incidental to this exchange offer other than commissions or concessions of any broker-dealer and expenses of counsel for the underwriters or holders of the Exchange Notes.
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Legal Matters
Certain legal matters relating to the Notes will be passed upon for us by Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, New York, New York and Stamford, Connecticut.
Experts
The consolidated financial statements and related financial statement schedule of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. and Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2005 and 2004, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 2005, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2005, have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus and registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
We “incorporate by reference” certain information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until this offering is completed:
| o | annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2005, except for Item 8 therein; |
| o | quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2005; |
| o | proxy statement on Schedule 14A, dated October 21, 2005; and |
| o | current reports on Form 8-K filed on July 27, 2005, September 7, 2005, September 21, 2005, September 22, 2005, September 30, 2005, November 7, 2005 and February 3, 2006. |
Any statement contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference in this prospectus is modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus is modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Only the modified or superseded statement shall constitute a part of this prospectus. If Ethan Allen ceases to be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act, we will make available to you and any prospective purchaser of your Exchange Notes the information necessary to permit compliance with Rule 144A in connection with the resale of your Exchange Notes.
We make available, free of charge, on or through our web site, copies of our proxy statements, our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with or furnish them to the SEC.
You may request a copy of these filings, other than their exhibits, at no cost, by oral or written request to: Ethan Allen, Ethan Allen Drive, Danbury, Connecticut 06811, Attention: Investor Relations, (203) 743-8000. You may request a copy of the indenture, Registration Rights Agreement and other
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agreements referred to in this prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the above address.
Where You Can Find More Information
We are required to file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information relating to our business, financial statements and other matters with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site athttp: //www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as at the regional offices of the SEC located at 233 Broadway, New York, New York 10279 and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1300, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms and their copy charges. Our reports and proxy statements and other information relating to us can also be inspected at the NYSE located at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information that will be contained in the registration statement because we are omitting parts of the registration statement in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Please refer to the exchange offer registration statement for any information in the registration statement that is not contained in this prospectus. The exchange offer registration statement will be available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site described above and will be able to be read and copied at the locations described above.
Each statement made in this prospectus concerning a document filed as an exhibit to another document is qualified in its entirety by reference to that exhibit for a complete description of its provisions.
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Dealer prospectus delivery obligation
Until , 2006, all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification Of Directors And Officers
Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. maintains a director’s and officer’s liability insurance policy that indemnifies directors and officers for certain losses arising from claims by reason of a wrongful act, as defined therein, under certain circumstances. Directors and officers indemnified under the policy include directors and officers of subsidiaries of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.
In addition, in response to this Item 20, the following information is incorporated by reference: the information included in the description of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.’s capital stock contained in Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.’s registration statement on Form 8-A dated January 27, 1993, as updated by any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; the information included in the description of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.’s preferred stock purchase rights contained in Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated July 3, 1996, as updated by any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; Article X of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3(c) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed on March 16, 1993, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation as of August 5, 1997, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c)-2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed on May 13, 1999, the Second Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation as of March 27, 1998, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c)-3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed on May 13, 1999 and the Third Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation as of April 28, 1999, incorporated by reference to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed on May 13, 1999; and Article V of the Amended and Restated By-Laws of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3(d) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed on March 16, 1993 (“Ethan Allen’s By-Laws”). The charter and by-laws of the other Registrants contain comparable provisions. Ethan Allen’s By-Laws also cover directors and officers of subsidiaries of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Law”) provides as follows:
“(a) A corporation shall have power 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 the person 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, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, 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 which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.
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(b) A corporation shall have power 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 the person 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, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine 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 which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) 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 present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.
(e) Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of 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, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by
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such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section.
(h) For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.
(i) For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section.
(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees).”
Section 102(b) (7) of the Law provides as follows:
“(b) In addition to the matters required to be set forth in the certificate of incorporation by subsection (a) of this section, the certificate of incorporation may also contain any or all of the following matters: … (7) A provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director: (i) For any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under §174 of this title; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective. All references in this paragraph to a director shall also be deemed to refer (x) to a member of the governing body of a corporation which is not authorized to issue capital stock, and (y) to such other person or persons, if any, who, pursuant to a provision of the certificate of incorporation in accordance with §141(a) of this title, exercise or perform any of the powers or duties otherwise conferred or imposed upon the board of directors by this title.”
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Item 21. Exhibits And Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Exhibits.
| Exhibit Number | Description of Exhibit |
| 3(a)(1) | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. |
| 3(a)-1(2) | Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. as of August 5, 1997 |
| 3(a)-2(3) | Second Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. as of March 27, 1998 |
| 3(a)-3(4) | Third Certificate of Amendment to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. as of April 28, 1999 |
| 3(b)(5) | Certificate of Designation of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. relating to the New Convertible Preferred Stock |
| 3(c)(6) | Certificate of Designation of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. relating to the Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock |
| 3(c)-1(7) | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designation of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. of Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock |
| 3(d)(8) | Amended and Restated By-laws of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. |
| 3(e)** | Certificate of Incorporation of Ethan Allen Global, Inc. |
| 3(f)** | By-laws of Ethan Allen Global, Inc. |
| 3(g)** | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ethan Allen Inc. (now known as, Ethan Allen Retail, Inc.) |
| 3(g)-1** | Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ethan Allen Inc. (now known as, Ethan Allen Retail, Inc.) as of June 29, 2005 |
| 3(h)** | Amended and Restated By-laws of Ethan Allen Inc. (now known as, Ethan Allen Retail, Inc.) |
| 3(i)** | Certificate of Incorporation of Ethan Allen Manufacturing Corporation (now known as, Ethan Allen Operations, Inc.) |
| 3(i)-1** | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Ethan Allen Manufacturing Corporation (now known as, Ethan Allen Operations, Inc.) as of June 29, 2005 |
| 3(j)** | By-laws of Ethan Allen Manufacturing Corporation (now known as, Ethan Allen Operations, Inc.) |
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| 3(k)** | Certificate of Formation of Ethan Allen Realty, LLC |
| 3(l)** | Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Ethan Allen Realty, LLC |
| 3(l)-1** | Amendment No. 1 to Operating Agreement of Ethan Allen Realty, LLC as of June 30, 2005 |
| 3(m)** | Certificate of Incorporation of Lake Avenue Associates, Inc. |
| 3(n)** | By-laws of Lake Avenue Associates, Inc. |
| 3(o)** | Certificate of Incorporation of Manor House, Inc. |
| 3(p)** | Restated By-laws of Manor House, Inc. |
| 4(a)(9) | Rights Agreement, dated July 26, 1996, between Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. and Harris Trust and Savings Bank |
| 4(a)-1(10) | Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement, dated as of December 23, 2004 between Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. and Harris Trust Savings Bank and Computershare Investor Services, LLC |
| 4(b)(11) | Form of outstanding 5.375% Senior Note due 2015 pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act |
| 4(c)(12) | Indenture dated September 27, 2005, by and among Ethan Allen Global, Inc., the Guarantors named therein, and the Initial Purchaser named therein, relating to the Notes |
| 4(d)** | Form of Exchange Note |
| 5(a)** | Opinion of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP |
| 10(a)(13) | Restated Directors Indemnification Agreement dated March 1993, among the Company and Ethan Allen and their Directors |
| 10(b)(14) | The Ethan Allen Retirement Savings Plan as Amended and Restated, effective January 1, 2001 |
| 10(b)-1(15) | First Amendment of The Ethan Allen Retirement Savings Plan as Amended and Restated |
| 10(b)-2(16) | Second Amendment of The Ethan Allen Retirement Savings Plan as Amended and Restated |
| 10(b)-3(17) | Third Amendment of The Ethan Allen Retirement Savings Plan as Amended and Restated |
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| 10(b)-4(18) | Fourth Amendment of The Ethan Allen Retirement Savings Plan as Amended and Restated |
| 10(b)-5(19) | Fifth Amendment of The Ethan Allen Retirement Savings Plan as Amended and Restated |
| 10(b)-6(20) | Sixth Amendment of The Ethan Allen Retirement Savings Plan as Amended and Restated |
| 10(c)(21) | General Electric Capital Corporation Credit Card Program Agreement dated August 25, 1995 |
| 10(c)-1(22) | First Amendment to Credit Card Program Agreement dated February 22, 2000 |
| 10(d)(23) | Sales Finance Agreement, dated June 25, 1999, between the Company and MBNA America Bank, N.A. |
| 10(e)(24) | Amended and Restated Consumer Credit Card Program Agreement, dated February 22, 2000, by and among Ethan Allen Inc. (now known as Ethan Allen Retail, Inc.) and Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia |
| 10(e)-1(25) | Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Consumer Credit Card Program Agreement, dated February 1, 2002, by and among Ethan Allen Inc. (now known as Ethan Allen Retail, Inc.), and Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia (confidential treatment requested under Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as to certain portions, which have been omitted and filed separately with the Commission) |
| 10(e)-2(26) | Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Consumer Credit Card Program Agreement, dated July 26, 2002, by and among Ethan Allen Inc. (now known as Ethan Allen Retail, Inc.), and Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia |
| 10(f)(27) | Employment Agreement, dated August 1, 2002, between Mr. Kathwari and Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. |
| 10(f)-1(28) | First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated August 1, 2002, between Mr. Kathwari and Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. |
| 10(g)(29) | Credit Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2005, by and among Ethan Allen Global, Inc., Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., the J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citizens Bank of Massachusetts, Wachovia Bank, N.A. and certain other lenders (confidential treatment requested under Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as to certain portions, which have been omitted and filed separately with the Commission) |
| 10(h)(30) | Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan |
| 10(h)-1(31) | First Amendment to Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan |
| 10(h)-2(32) | Second Amendment to Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan |
| 10(h)-3(33) | Third Amendment to Amended and Restated 1992 Stock Option Plan |
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| 10(h)-4(34) | Form of Option Agreement for Grants to Independent Directors |
| 10(h)-5(35) | Form of Option Agreement for Grants to Employees |
| 10(i)(36) | Purchase Agreement dated September 22, 2005, by and between Ethan Allen Global, Inc., the Guarantors named therein, and the Initial Purchaser named therein, relating to the Initial Notes |
| 10(j)(37) | Registration Rights Agreement dated September 27, 2005, by and among Ethan Allen Global, Inc., the Guarantors named therein, and the Initial Purchaser named therein, relating to the Notes |
| 12(a)** | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |
| 21(38) | List of Subsidiaries of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. |
| 23(a)* | Consent of KPMG LLP |
| 23(b)** | Consent of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5(a)) |
| 24** | Powers of Attorney for each director, principal executive officer and principal financial officer of each Registrant |
| 25** | Statement of Eligibility of U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 |
| 99(a)** | Letter of Transmittal |
| 99(b)** | Notice of Guaranteed Delivery |
(1) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on March 16, 1993 |
(2) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c)-2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on May 13, 1999 |
(3) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c)-3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on May 13, 1999 |
(4) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c)-4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on May 13, 1999 |
(5) | Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on March 16, 1993 |
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(6) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Form 8-A of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on July 3, 1996 |
(7) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c)-1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(8) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on March 16, 1993 |
(9) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on July 3, 1996 |
(10) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)-1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(11) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 30, 2005 |
(12) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 30, 2005 |
(13) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on March 16, 1993 |
(14) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(15) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(16) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(17) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-3 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(18) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-4 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(19) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-5 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(20) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)-6 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(21) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 21, 1995 |
(22) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h)-1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2000 |
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(23) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(j) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2000 |
(24) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2000 |
(25) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k)-2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on May 13, 2002) (confidential treatment requested under Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as to certain portions, which have been omitted and filed separately with the Commission) |
(26) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k)-3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on November 12, 2002 |
(27) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(l) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 30, 2002 |
(28) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(l)-1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on May 15, 2003 |
(29) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 (confidential treatment requested under Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for portions of this exhibit, which have been omitted and filed separately with the Commission). |
(30) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)-2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on November 14, 1997 |
(31) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)-3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on February 12, 1999 |
(32) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)-4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on February 14, 2000 |
(33) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h)-3 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(34) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h)-4 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(35) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h)-5 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
(36) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 30, 2005 |
(37) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 30, 2005 |
(38) | Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. filed with the SEC on September 13, 2005 |
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Item 22. Undertakings
(a) Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes:
| (1) 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 20% 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. |
| (2) 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 initialbona fide offering thereof. |
| (3) 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. |
| (4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use. |
| (5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrants under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, each of the undersigned Registrants undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, such undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
| (i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of such undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
| (ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of such undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned Registrant; |
| (iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about such undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of such undersigned Registrant; and |
| (iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by such undersigned Registrant to the purchaser. |
| (b) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement. |
| (c) The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request. |
| (d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of any of the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each of the Registrants has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by any of the Registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such 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, such Registrant 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
| (e) Each of the undersigned Registrants 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. |
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| (f) Each of the undersigned Registrants hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of an annual report by any of the Registrants pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by an employee benefit plan of any of the Registrants) that is incorporated by reference in this 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 initialbona fide offering thereof. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Danbury, State of Connecticut, on the 3rd day of March, 2006.
| | ETHAN ALLEN INTERIORS INC. |
| | By:/s/ M. FAROOQ KATHWARI
|
| | M. Farooq Kathwari Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 3rd day of March, 2006.
*/s/ M. FAROOQ KATHWARI M. Farooq Kathwari | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
/s/ JEFFREY HOYT Jeffrey Hoyt | Vice President, Finance and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
* Clinton A. Clark | Director |
* Horace G. McDonell | Director |
* Richard A. Sandberg | Director |
*/s/ JEFFREY HOYT Jeffrey Hoyt Attorney-in-Fact | |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Danbury, State of Connecticut, on the 3rd day of March, 2006.
| | By:/s/ M. FAROOQ KATHWARI
|
| | M. Farooq Kathwari Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 3rd day of March, 2006.
/s/ M. FAROOQ KATHWARI M. Farooq Kathwari | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
/s/ JEFFREY HOYT Jeffrey Hoyt | Vice President, Finance and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
* Clinton A. Clark | Director |
* Horace G. McDonell | Director |
* Richard A. Sandberg | Director |
*/s/ JEFFREY HOYT Jeffrey Hoyt Attorney-in-Fact | |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Danbury, State of Connecticut, on the 3rd day of March, 2006.
| | ETHAN ALLEN RETAIL, INC. ETHAN ALLEN OPERATIONS, INC. LAKE AVENUE ASSOCIATES, INC. MANOR HOUSE, INC. |
| | By:/s/ M. FAROOQ KATHWARI
|
| | M. Farooq Kathwari Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 3rd day of March, 2006.
/s/ M. FAROOQ KATHWARI M. Farooq Kathwari | President, Chief Executive Officer and Sole Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
/s/ JEFFREY HOYT Jeffrey Hoyt | Vice President, Finance and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Danbury, State of Connecticut, on the 3rd day of March, 2006.
| | By:/s/ M. FAROOQ KATHWARI
|
| | M. Farooq Kathwari Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 3rd day of March, 2006.
/s/ M. FAROOQ KATHWARI M. Farooq Kathwari | President, Chief Executive Officer and Manager (Principal Executive Officer) |
* Pamela A. Banks | Manager, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
/s/ JEFFREY HOYT Jeffrey Hoyt | Manager, Vice President, Finance and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
*/s/ JEFFREY HOYT Jeffrey Hoyt Attorney-in-Fact | |
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INDEX OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number | | Description |
---|
| | |
---|
|
---|
| 23(a) | | | | | Consent of KPMG LLP | | |
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