1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1999 REGISTRATION NO. 333-81987 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------------ AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE FORM S-4 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ------------------------ SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) NEW JERSEY 2500 22-3341313 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NO.) SLEEPMASTER FINANCE CORPORATION (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER) DELAWARE 2500 22-3652420 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NO.) 2001 LOWER ROAD LINDEN, NEW JERSEY 07036 (732) 381-5000 (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) ------------------------ C/O JAMES P. KOSCICA EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY 2001 LOWER ROAD LINDEN, NEW JERSEY 07036 (732) 381-5000 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) ------------------------ COPY TO: LANCE C. BALK KIRKLAND & ELLIS 153 EAST 53RD STREET NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022-4675 TELEPHONE: (212) 446-4800 ------------------------ APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective. If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ] ------------------------ THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON ANY DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON THE DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 PALM BEACH BEDDING COMPANY (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER) FLORIDA 2500 59-0833393 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NO.) HERR MANUFACTURING COMPANY (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER) PENNSYLVANIA 2500 28-1414913 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NO.) LOWER ROAD ASSOCIATES, LLC (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER) NEW JERSEY 2500 22-3578078 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL (I.R.S. EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER) IDENTIFICATION NO.) 3 PROSPECTUS SEPTEMBER , 1999 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SLEEPMASTER FINANCE CORPORATION OFFER FOR ALL OUTSTANDING 11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2009 IN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $115,000,000 IN EXCHANGE FOR 11% SERIES B SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2009 THIS EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME ON [ ,] 1999 UNLESS EXTENDED. TERMS OF EXCHANGE NOTES MATURITY: - - May 15, 2009. REDEMPTION: - - We may redeem the exchange notes at any time on or after May 15, 2004. - - Before May 15, 2002, we may be able to redeem up to 35% of the exchange notes with the proceeds of public offerings of equity in Sleepmaster L.L.C. MANDATORY OFFER TO REPURCHASE: - - If we sell all or substantially all of our assets or experience specific kinds of changes in control, we may be required to repurchase the exchange notes. SECURITY: - - The exchange notes and the guarantees by our guarantor subsidiaries are unsecured. GUARANTEES: - - If we cannot make payments on the exchange notes when due, our guarantor subsidiaries must make them instead. RANKING: - - These exchange notes and the subsidiary guarantees rank: 1. behind all of our and our guarantor subsidiaries' current and future senior indebtedness; 2. equal with all of our and our guarantor subsidiaries' other current and future senior subordinated indebtedness; and 3. ahead of all of our and our guarantor subsidiaries' other current and future indebtedness that expressly provides that it is not senior to these exchange notes and the subsidiary guarantees. INTEREST: - - Fixed annual rate of 11%. - - Paid every six months on May 15 and November 15. THIS INVESTMENT INVOLVES RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 9. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the exchange notes or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE ---- Prospectus Summary.......................................... 1 Risk Factors................................................ 9 Use of Proceeds............................................. 17 Capitalization.............................................. 18 Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data............. 19 Selected Historical Financial and Other Data................ 24 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations................................. 26 Business.................................................... 35 Management.................................................. 48 Security Ownership.......................................... 52 Relationships and Related Transactions...................... 54 Description of Indebtedness................................. 58 Description of the Notes.................................... 62 Exchange Offer.............................................. 109 United States Federal Income Tax Considerations............. 116 Plan of Distribution........................................ 117 Legal Matters............................................... 118 Experts..................................................... 118 Available Information....................................... 118 Index to Financial Statements............................... F-1 ------------------------ 5 PROSPECTUS SUMMARY The following summary contains basic information about this exchange offer and highlights the most important features of this exchange offer. For a more complete understanding of this exchange offer, we encourage you to read this entire document and the documents we have referred you to. In addition, our management has estimated the market share percentages provided in this prospectus. We believe these estimates to be reliable, but these numbers have not been verified by an independent source. THE OLD NOTE OFFERING Old Notes.................. We sold the old notes to Merrill Lynch & Co. and First Union Capital Markets, the initial purchasers, on May 18, 1999. Merrill Lynch & Co. and First Union Capital Markets subsequently resold the old notes to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement......... We, Merrill Lynch & Co. and First Union Capital Markets entered into a registration rights agreement on May 18, 1999. The registration rights agreement granted Merrill Lynch & Co. and First Union Capital Markets and any subsequent holders of the old notes exchange and registration rights. We intend that the exchange offer satisfy those exchange and registration rights. The exchange and registration rights we granted will terminate upon the consummation of our exchange offer. THE EXCHANGE OFFER Securities Offered......... Up to $115,000,000 of 11% series B senior subordinated notes due 2009. The terms of the exchange notes and old notes are identical in all material respects, except for transfer restrictions and registration rights relating to the old notes. The Exchange Offer......... We are offering to exchange the old notes for a principal amount equal to the principal amount of exchange notes. Old notes may be exchanged only in integral principal multiples of $1,000. Expiration Date; Withdrawal of Tender.................. Our exchange offer will expire 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on [ ], 1999, or a later date and time if we choose to extend this exchange offer. You may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time prior to the expiration date. We will return any old notes not accepted by us for exchange for any reason at our expense as promptly as possible after the expiration or termination of our exchange offer. Conditions to the Exchange Offer........... Based on an interpretation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that you may offer for resale, resell or otherwise transfer the exchange notes without complying with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, provided that: - the exchange notes are acquired in the ordinary course of your business, 1 6 - you do not intend to participate and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the exchange notes and - you are not our "affiliate" within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933. Our obligation to accept for exchange, or to issue the exchange notes in exchange for, any old notes is subject to: - customary conditions relating to compliance with any applicable law, - any applicable interpretation by any staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or - any order of any governmental agency or court of law. We currently expect that each of the conditions will be satisfied and that no waivers will be necessary. See "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions." Procedures for Tendering Old Notes................ Each holder of old notes wishing to accept the exchange offer must complete, sign and date the Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile. The holder must mail or otherwise deliver the Letter of Transmittal, or facsimile, together with the old notes and any other required documentation, to the exchange agent at the address in the section "The Exchange Offer" under the heading "Procedures for Tendering Old Notes." Use of Proceeds............ We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange of notes according to the terms of our exchange offer. Exchange Agent............. United States Trust Company of New York is serving as the exchange agent in connection with our exchange offer. Federal Income Tax Consequences............. Sleepmaster has received an opinion from Kirkland & Ellis that exchange of old notes in accordance with the terms of this exchange offer will not be a taxable event to you for federal income tax purposes. See "United States Federal Income Tax Considerations." 2 7 THE EXCHANGE NOTES The following is a brief summary of the terms of the exchange notes. The terms of the exchange notes are identical to the terms of the old notes, except that the old notes offered differed with respect to their transfer restrictions and their registration rights. For a more complete description of the terms of the exchange notes, see "Description of the Notes" in this prospectus. Issuers....................... Sleepmaster L.L.C. and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation Total Amount of Exchange Notes Offered..................... Up to $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of 11% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009. Maturity...................... May 15, 2009. Interest...................... Annual rate -- 11% Payment Frequency -- every six months on May 15 and November 15 First payment -- November 15, 1999. Guarantees.................... Each of our domestic subsidiaries will fully and unconditionally guarantee the exchange notes on a senior subordinated basis. We wholly own each guarantor subsidiary. Future domestic subsidiaries also will be required to guarantee the exchange notes if those subsidiaries guarantee any of our debt. If we cannot make payments on the exchange notes when they are due, the guarantor subsidiaries must make them instead. The guarantor subsidiaries are also guarantors of our new credit facility and are liable with us on a senior basis for obligations incurred under the new credit facility. We pledged all of the capital stock of Sleepmaster, our guarantor subsidiaries and 65% of the capital stock of our non-guarantor subsidiary to secure the obligations under our new credit facility. We and the guarantor subsidiaries also granted security interests in, or liens on, substantially all other tangible and intangible assets of Sleepmaster and our guarantor subsidiaries. These exchange notes will be, and the subsidiary guarantees are senior subordinated debts, ranking: - behind all of our and our guarantor subsidiaries' current and future senior debt; - equal with all of our and our guarantor subsidiaries' other senior subordinated debt; and - ahead of all of our and our guarantor subsidiaries' other current and future subordinated debt. Ranking....................... In addition, the exchange notes effectively will rank junior to all liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries. Because the exchange notes are junior in right of payment to senior debt, in the event of bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution, holders of the exchange notes will not receive any payment until holders of senior debt and guarantor senior debt have been paid in full. 3 8 As of June 30, 1999, after giving effect to this offering of exchange notes and our use of the net proceeds from the old note offering and borrowings related to the acquisitions of Herr and Star and related costs, - we had outstanding $6.4 million of senior debt (consisting of our guarantee of guarantor senior debt), - the guarantors had outstanding $6.4 million of guarantor senior debt and - our nonguarantor subsidiary had no debt. As of June 30, 1999, the amount of additional senior debt and additional total debt that we and the guarantors may incur is $30.9 million. Optional Redemption........... We may redeem some or all of the exchange notes at any time on or after May 15, 2004, at the redemption prices in the Section "Description of Notes" under the heading "Optional Redemption." Public Equity Offering Optional Redemption......... Before May 15, 2002, we may redeem up to 35% of the exchange notes with the net proceeds of a public equity offering at the redemption price described in the Section "Description of Notes" under the heading "Optional Redemption," if at least 65% of the exchange notes issued remain outstanding after the redemption. Transfer Restrictions......... The exchange notes are new securities, and there is currently no established market for them. We do not intend to list the exchange notes on any securities exchange. Change of Control Optional Redemption.................. Upon change of control events described in the Section "Description of Notes" under the heading "Optional Redemption" under the sub-heading "Change of Control Call," we may elect to redeem all, but not some, of the exchange notes at par, together with accrued interest, plus an applicable premium based on a discount rate calculated using the interest rate of a Treasury security maturing on the first redemption date plus 50 basis points; provided, however, that the redemption price shall be no less than 105.5%. Change of Control............. Upon change of control events described in the Section "Description of Notes" under the heading "Purchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control," each holder of exchange notes may require us to repurchase some or all of its exchange notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest. Basic Covenants of the Indenture..................... We will issue the exchange notes under an indenture with United States Trust Company of New York, as trustee. The indenture governing the exchange notes contains covenants that, among other things, place limits on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to: - borrow money, - pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase our capital stock, 4 9 - make restricted payments and investments, - issue or sell capital stock of restricted subsidiaries, - use assets as security in other transactions, - in the case of our restricted subsidiaries, prohibit the payment of dividends or other payments to us, - guarantee debt, - engage in transactions with affiliates, - create unrestricted subsidiaries, and - sell assets in excess of specified amounts or merge with or into other companies. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications, which are described under the heading "Description of the Notes" in this prospectus. RISK FACTORS See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 9 and the other information in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in the exchange notes. 5 10 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. OVERVIEW We are a leading manufacturer and distributor of a full line of conventional bedding, mattresses and box springs marketed under the well-known brand names of Serta, Serta Perfect Sleeper, Sertapedic and Masterpiece. Serta, Inc., through its licensees, is the second largest manufacturer of conventional bedding products in the United States, with a domestic market share of approximately 17% in 1998. We are the second largest Serta licensee in North America with approximately a 22% market share in our domestic licensed territories on a pro forma basis in 1998. Our licensed territories consist of: - the metropolitan New York area, including Fairfield County in Connecticut, and southern New York State, - the State of New Jersey, - eastern Pennsylvania, including the metropolitan Philadelphia area, - the metropolitan Wilmington, Delaware area, including Cecil County in Maryland, - the State of Florida, except for seven counties in the Florida panhandle, and - substantially all of Ontario, Canada. We distribute our products through a variety of channels, including bedding chains, furniture retailers, department stores, wholesale buying clubs and contract customers. We operate from manufacturing facilities located in Linden, New Jersey, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Riviera Beach, Florida and Concord, Ontario, Canada. RECENT ACQUISITIONS We recently completed a number of acquisitions, including: - Palm Beach Bedding Company, which owns the license to manufacture Serta products in Florida except for seven counties in the Florida panhandle, on March 3, 1998, - Herr Manufacturing Company, which owns the license to manufacture Serta products in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New York, on February 26, 1999, and - Star Bedding Products Limited, which owns the license to manufacture and sell Serta products in substantially all of Ontario, Canada, on May 18, 1999. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS On May 18, 1999, Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation issued $115,000,000 of 11% senior subordinated notes due 2009. Sleepmaster used a portion of the proceeds of the old note offering to prepay the existing credit facility, redeem the series A and series B senior subordinated notes due 2007, and acquire substantially all of the assets of Star. Also, on May 18, 1999, we entered into a new $25.0 million, six-year revolving senior credit facility. The new credit facility is secured by substantially all of our domestic assets and is guaranteed by all of our domestic restricted subsidiaries. We intend to use borrowings under this new credit facility for working capital, general corporate purposes and permitted acquisitions. ------------------------ Sleepmaster Finance Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sleepmaster L.L.C. formed solely for the purpose of acting as co-issuer of the notes. Sleepmaster Finance Corporation has no material assets or operations. The address of Sleepmaster L.L.C., Lower Road Associates, LLC and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation is 2001 Lower Road, Linden, New Jersey 07036, and our telephone number is (732) 381-5000. Herr Manufacturing Company is located at 18 Prestige Lane, Lancaster, PA 17603. Herr can be reached by telephone at (717) 392-4168. Star Bedding Products Limited is located at 53 Courtland Avenue, Concord, Ontario, LYK 3T2, Canada. Star can be reached by telephone at (905) 761-1343. Palm Beach Bedding Company is located at 3774 Interstate Park Road North, Riviera Beach, FL 33404. Palm Beach can be reached by telephone at (561) 840-8491. 6 11 SUMMARY CONDENSED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA The following table presents our summary condensed consolidated financial data. The condensed financial data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998, December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996 has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the audited consolidated financial statements of Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries. The condensed financial data for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 is unaudited but, in our opinion, includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of this information. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The following table also presents certain summary unaudited pro forma financial data of Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries. The unaudited pro forma financial data for the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the six months ended June 30, 1999 has been derived from the unaudited pro forma financial data and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary unaudited pro forma financial data should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements of Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries and accompanying notes thereto, "Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." The summary unaudited pro forma financial data is provided for informational purposes only and does not purport to be indicative of the financial position or results of operations that would have actually been obtained had the acquisitions of Palm Beach, Herr and Star and the old note offering, including the application of the net proceeds therefrom, been completed on the dates indicated or to project Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries' results of operations for any future date or period. SIX MONTHS ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, ------------------------------- ----------------- 1996 1997 1998 1998 1999 -------- -------- --------- ------- ------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA: Net sales................................. $59,763 $67,472 $110,251 $47,503 $73,987 Gross profit.............................. 22,265 25,024 41,263 17,495 27,917 Selling, general and administrative expenses............................... 14,130 15,044 25,794 11,108 18,208 Amortization of intangibles............... 644 644 1,223 559 836 Operating income.......................... 7,491 9,336 14,246 5,828 8,873 Interest expense, net (a)................. 2,578 4,663 7,096 3,424 4,876 Other (income) expense, net............... 216 (97) (18) (8) (36) Income before income taxes and extraordinary items.................... 4,697 4,770 7,168 2,412 4,033 Net income (loss)......................... 4,606 2,757 4,148 1,390 (851) OTHER DATA: Gross margin.............................. 37.3% 37.1% 37.4% 36.8% 37.7% Adjusted EBITDA(b)........................ $ 8,534 $10,429 $ 16,335 $ 6,774 $10,365 Adjusted EBITDA margin.................... 14.3% 15.5% 14.8% 14.3% 14.0% Depreciation and amortization............. $ 1,043 $ 1,093 $ 2,089 $ 946 $ 1,492 Capital expenditures...................... $ 167 $ 572 $ 1,095 $ 559 $ 1,971 FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, SIX MONTHS ENDED 1998 JUNE 30, 1999 ----------------- ------------------ (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA: Net sales................................................. $151,702 $82,464 Gross profit.............................................. $ 57,670 $31,192 Gross margin.............................................. 38.0% 37.8% Adjusted EBITDA(b)........................................ $ 23,146 $11,852 Adjusted EBITDA margin.................................... 15.3% 14.4% Depreciation and amortization............................. $ 3,642 $ 1,908 Capital expenditures...................................... $ 2,061 $ 1,973 Ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to cash interest expense......... 1.79x 1.82x (continued on following page) 7 12 (a) Interest expense, net includes the amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $391, $170 and $281 for the years ended 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, and $211 and $291 for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999, respectively. (b) Adjusted EBITDA represents, for any period, net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other non-operating income/expense. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because it is a widely accepted financial indicator of a company's ability to service and/or incur indebtedness. We believe that presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may be helpful to investors. However, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income as a measure of Sleepmaster's operating results or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. In addition, although the Adjusted EBITDA measure of performance is not recognized under generally accepted accounting principles, it is widely used by industrial companies as a general measure of a company's operating performance because it assists in comparing performance on a relatively consistent basis across companies without regard to depreciation and amortization, which can vary significantly depending on accounting methods (particularly where acquisitions are involved) or non-operating factors such as historical cost bases. Because Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated identically by all companies, the presentation in this prospectus may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. 8 13 RISK FACTORS You should carefully consider the following risk factors in addition to the other information in this prospectus before you decide to purchase these notes. SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE -- WE WILL HAVE SUBSTANTIAL DEBT FOLLOWING THIS OFFERING AND, WE MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT CASH FROM CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS AND AVAILABLE BORROWINGS UNDER OUR NEW CREDIT FACILITY IN ORDER TO PAY INTEREST ON OUR DEBT WHICH COULD PREVENT US FROM FULFILLING OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE EXCHANGE NOTES. We will be highly leveraged after this offering. The following chart presents (1) our debt senior to the exchange notes, our total debt, our total debt as a percentage of capitalization as of June 30, 1999 and (2) our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 1998 and the six months ended June 30, 1999 after giving pro forma effect to the acquisition of Herr and Star and the old note offering, including the application of the net proceeds therefrom. AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 --------------------- (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS) Senior debt........................................... $ 6.4 Total debt............................................ $ 121.4 Total debt as a percentage of capitalization.......... 100.6% FOR THE FOR THE YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 JUNE 30, 1999 ----------------- ------------------ Pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges.......... 1.42x 1.46x We may incur additional debt in the future as described in the Section entitled "Description of the Notes" under the subheading "Limitation on Indebtedness", including secured debt, although the amount we can incur will be limited by our existing and future debt agreements. Our high level of debt could have important consequences to noteholders, including: - limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund our growth strategy, working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements or other purposes, - limiting our ability to use operating cash flow in other areas of our business because we must dedicate a substantial portion of these funds to make principal payments and fund debt service, - increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions, particularly compared to competitors who may be less leveraged than we are, and - increasing our vulnerability to interest rate increases because borrowings under our bank credit facilities are at variable interest rates. Our ability to pay interest on the exchange notes and to satisfy our other debt obligations will depend upon, among other things, our future operating performance and our ability to refinance debt when necessary. Each of these factors is to a large extent dependent on economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. If, in the future, we cannot generate sufficient cash from operations to make scheduled payments on the exchange notes or to meet our other obligations, we will need to restructure or refinance our debt, obtain additional debt or equity financing, reduce or delay capital expenditures or sell assets. We cannot assure you that our business will generate cash flow, or that we will be able to obtain funding, sufficient to satisfy our debt service requirements, including our payments on these exchange notes. 9 14 SUBORDINATION -- YOUR RIGHT TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS ON THESE EXCHANGE NOTES IS JUNIOR TO ALL OF OUR EXISTING AND FUTURE SENIOR DEBT AND POSSIBLY ALL OF OUR FUTURE BORROWINGS. FURTHER, THE GUARANTEES OF THESE EXCHANGE NOTES ARE JUNIOR TO ALL OUR GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES EXISTING AND FUTURE SENIOR DEBT AND POSSIBLY ALL THEIR FUTURE BORROWINGS. The exchange notes will rank behind and be subordinate to all of our existing and future senior debt and the guarantees will rank behind and be subordinate to guarantor senior debt. In addition, the exchange notes effectively will rank behind all liabilities of our nonguarantor subsidiaries. If we become bankrupt, liquidate or dissolve, our assets would be available to pay obligations on the exchange notes only after all payments had been made on our senior debt. Similarly, if one of our subsidiary guarantors becomes bankrupt, liquidates or dissolves, that subsidiary's assets would be available to pay obligations on its guarantee only after payments have been made on its guarantor senior debt. Because our senior debt must be paid first, you may receive less than holders of senior debt in any bankruptcy proceeding, liquidation or dissolution. In any of these cases, we cannot assure you that sufficient assets will remain to make any payments on the exchange notes. See "Description of the Notes -- Ranking." If a payment default occurs with respect to our designated senior debt, we cannot make payments on the exchange notes unless we cure the default or the holder of the senior debt waives the default. Moreover, if any non-payment default exists under our designated senior debt, we cannot make any cash payments on the exchange notes for a period of up to 179 days in any 365 day period, unless we cure the default, the holder of the senior debt waives the default or rescinds acceleration of the debt, or we repay the debt in full. See "Description of the Notes -- Ranking." RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE NEW CREDIT FACILITY AND THE INDENTURE -- THE NEW CREDIT FACILITY AND THE INDENTURE IMPOSE SIGNIFICANT OPERATING RESTRICTIONS ON OUR BUSINESS. The new credit facility restricts our ability to, among other things: - incur additional debt, - pay dividends and make distributions, - create liens, - guarantee other debt, - merge or consolidate with third parties, - prepay subordinated debt, - enter into transactions with affiliates, - make capital expenditures, - repurchase stock, - enter into sale and leaseback transactions, and - transfer and sell assets. The indenture restricts our ability to, among other things: - incur additional debt, - pay dividends and make distributions, - create liens, - guarantee other debt, - merge or consolidate with third parties, - enter into transactions with affiliates, - repurchase stock and - transfer and sell assets. 10 15 For information regarding our fixed charge coverage ratio under the notes which we must meet in order to incur additional debt under the indenture, please turn to the section entitled "Description of the Notes" and look under the heading "Covenants" and the subheading "Limitation on Indebtedness" on page 70. For information regarding various ratios we are required to meet under the new credit facility, please turn to the Section entitled "Description of Indebtedness" look under the heading "The New Credit Facility" and the subheading "Affirmative, Negative and Financial Covenants" on page 59. SECURITY -- THE EXCHANGE NOTES WILL NOT BE SECURED BY ANY OF OUR ASSETS AND THE NEW CREDIT FACILITY WILL BE SECURED BY SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF OUR ASSETS. The exchange notes will not be secured by any of our assets. However, the new credit facility will be secured by substantially all of the assets of Sleepmaster and its domestic subsidiaries. Additionally, the terms of the indenture and the instruments governing Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries' other debt permit Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries to incur additional secured debt. If we become insolvent or are liquidated, or if payment under any of the instruments governing our secured debt is accelerated, the lenders under those instruments would be entitled to exercise the remedies available to a secured lender under applicable law and pursuant to instruments governing the debt. Accordingly, the lenders will have a prior claim on our assets. In any event, because the exchange notes will not be secured by any of our assets, it is possible that there would be no assets remaining from which claims of the holders of the notes could be satisfied or, if any assets remained, the assets might be insufficient to satisfy the claims in full. INTEGRATION OF THE RECENT ACQUISITIONS -- WE MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO INTEGRATE AND CONSOLIDATE THE RECENTLY ACQUIRED SUBSIDIARIES AND ANY FUTURE ACQUISITIONS, AND WE MAY BE UNABLE TO OPERATE PROFITABLY OUR CONSOLIDATED COMPANY. We acquired Palm Beach on March 3, 1998, Herr on February 26, 1999 and Star on May 18, 1999. The integration and consolidation of the recently acquired companies and any future acquisitions have required and will continue to require substantial management and financial resources. The diversion of these resources and the increased size of Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries may make it more difficult for us to operate our business as we have in the past. While we believe that our financial and management resources are sufficient to accomplish any integration of the recently acquired companies, we may not have sufficient funds and management may not have the time to accomplish this integration and any attempt to integrate the recently acquired companies may reduce our focus on Sleepmaster's New Jersey-based business and thus affect the New Jersey business operations. In addition, the increased size of our consolidated company following our recent acquisitions may pose different and greater operational challenges than we have experienced in the past. We had net sales of $67.5 million in fiscal year 1997 compared to pro forma net sales of $151.7 million in fiscal year 1998. We believe that the recently acquired subsidiaries will enhance our competitive position and the business prospects of Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries. However, due to our increased size and entry into new markets about which we are less familiar we cannot assure you that competitive advantages will be realized, that the combination of Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries and the recently acquired companies will be successful or that management will be able to profitably operate Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries following any integration. Any future acquisitions may result in significant transaction expenses and risks associated with entering new markets in addition to the integration and consolidation risks described above. As was the case with our newly acquired subsidiaries, we may not have sufficient management and financial resources to integrate any future acquisitions and we may be unable to profitably operate Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries. FUTURE ACQUISITIONS -- WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY IDENTIFY AND CLOSE FUTURE ACQUISITIONS. We may not be able to successfully identify and close future acquisitions. We engage in evaluations of potential acquisitions continuously and are in various stages of discussion regarding these possible acquisitions. Currently, there are no executed agreements or letters of intent with respect to any material acquisition. 11 16 Although other potential acquisition candidates fit our acquisition criteria, we may not be able to complete any acquisitions in the future or identify those candidates that would result in the most successful combinations. In addition, we may not be able to complete future acquisitions at acceptable prices and terms, and increased competition for acquisition candidates could result in fewer acquisition opportunities and higher acquisition prices. Also, in order to acquire any Serta licensee, we would need the approval of the Serta board of directors and/or shareholders depending on the structure of the acquisition. The magnitude, timing and nature of future acquisitions will depend upon various factors, including: - availability of suitable acquisition candidates, - competition with other bedding manufacturers for suitable acquisitions, - the negotiation of acceptable terms, - our financial capabilities, - the availability of skilled employees to manage and operate the acquired companies, - our ability to obtain the approval of the Serta board of directors or shareholders regarding the acquisition of any Serta licensee, and - general economic and business conditions. We expect to finance acquisitions with cash on hand, through issuance of debt or equity securities, including the exchange notes, and through borrowings under credit arrangements, including pursuant to the new credit facility. However, we may not be able to obtain additional financing in order to finance future acquisitions. The ability to obtain debt or equity financing is subject to market conditions. Using cash to complete acquisitions could substantially limit our operating or financial flexibility. If we are unable to obtain financing on acceptable terms, we may be required to reduce significantly the scope of our presently anticipated expansion, which could have a significant negative affect on our profitability. INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND ACCOUNTING PERSONNEL -- ANY FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT OUR NEW MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND HIRE ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE EFFECT ON OUR ABILITY TO RUN OUR BUSINESS. As a result of our recent growth we will need to upgrade our management information systems. We intend to invest up to approximately $2.0 million in total to replace and upgrade our domestic computer system software and hardware during fiscals 1999 and 2000. Implementation of these new systems is expected to be completed at our Linden, New Jersey facility in the third quarter of fiscal 1999 and will later be expanded to our other facilities. Moreover, given our growth we may need to hire additional accounting personnel and upgrade our accounting reporting systems to that required of a public company. Any failure to fully implement our new systems could harm us by preventing us from meeting our customers' requirements for electronic data interchange, which could cause us to lose business and make it more difficult to get new business. Any failure to hire additional accounting personnel could result in current personnel not having adequate time to fulfill all of the duties Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries require. Any failure to upgrade our accounting reporting systems could result in delays in the completion of our financial statements, which could make it difficult for us to meet our reporting obligations. DEPENDENCE ON KEY SALES PERSONNEL -- LOSS OF KEY SALES PERSONNEL AND OR FAILURE TO IDENTIFY AND RECRUIT HIGHLY QUALIFIED MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL COULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO GENERATE CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS AND SERVICE OUR DEBT. Our success depends in large part on the services of our senior management team. The loss of any of our key sales executives, including Charles Schweitzer and Michael Reilly, could harm many of our client relationships, and thus our sales. The employment agreements of most of our key executives expire on November 1, 2001. However, employment agreements with key officers of our recently acquired subsidiaries expire in February 2001, May 2002 and February 2004. We do not maintain key person life insurance policies on any of our executive officers. 12 17 Our ability to manage our anticipated growth will also depend on our ability to identify, hire and retain additional qualified management personnel. In addition, as is typical in our industry, from time to time we experience difficulty in finding employees to work in our factories. We may be unsuccessful in attracting and retaining such personnel and failure could harm our manufacturing ability and thus our sales. COMPETITION -- THE HIGH LEVEL OF COMPETITION IN THE BEDDING INDUSTRY COULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR US TO GENERATE SUFFICIENT CASH FLOW TO SERVICE OUR DEBT. The bedding industry is highly competitive, and we encounter competition from several manufacturers in the domestic market. Three manufacturers, including Serta, account for 54% of domestic wholesale mattress and box spring shipments. The remaining 46% consists of six second tier companies and approximately 800 independent and local regional manufacturers. Sealy and Simmons are larger, have greater financial resources and spend more on advertising than we do and may be better able to withstand a change in market conditions within the bedding industry. In addition, their size and resources enable them to target our markets through extensive advertising to gain market share. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain or improve our competitive position in the markets in which we compete. CONCENTRATION OF CUSTOMERS -- A REDUCTION OR TERMINATION OF PURCHASES BY OUR TOP TEN CUSTOMERS, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR NET SALES, COULD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE OUR ABILITY TO GENERATE SUFFICIENT CASH FLOW TO PAY INTEREST ON THE EXCHANGE NOTES WHEN DUE. We depend upon a decreasing number of significant customers for a large percentage of our sales. The customer base of Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries is concentrated. Specifically, - sales to our largest customer (Sleepy's) accounted for approximately 10% of sales in 1998 on a pro forma basis; and - sales to our top ten customers accounted for approximately 46% of our net shipments in 1998 on a pro forma basis. We have recently experienced a substantial decline in sales to one of our customers, Dial-a-Mattress. Dial-a-Mattress has informed us that it has reduced purchases of our mattresses because of our unwillingness to sell them Masterpiece mattresses. While we believe that Dial-a-Mattress will reconsider its decision, we cannot assure you that this will be the case. Our business also depends upon the financial viability of our customers, who operate mainly within the retail industry. In recent years, the retail bedding industry has experienced (1) an increase in market share by larger retailers and (2) a trend toward consolidation. As a result, our retail customer base is decreasing and more of our retail sales volume is becoming concentrated in these larger, consolidated retailers. In addition, some of our customers have operated, and two customers currently operate, under the protection of the federal bankruptcy laws. In the future, retailers in the United States may consolidate, undergo restructurings or reorganizations, or realign their affiliations, any of which could decrease the number of stores that carry our products or increase the ownership concentration within the retail industry. Some of these retailers may decide to carry only one brand of mattress products which significantly reduce our customer base and decrease our profitability. In addition, a significant decrease or interruption in business from any of our significant retail customers could result in write-offs or in the loss of future business and could significantly reduce our profitability. 13 18 DEPENDENCE ON LEGGETT & PLATT -- WE DEPEND HEAVILY UPON LEGGETT & PLATT FOR INNER SPRING UNITS. Leggett & Platt is our primary vendor, supplying us with approximately 43% of our raw materials in 1998, including inner spring units which are necessary components in 85% of our mattresses. We do not have a contract with Leggett & Platt. Although we attempt to reduce the risks of dependence on a single external source, if Leggett & Platt were to discontinue or delay supplying our inner spring units for any reason, the discontinuance or delay would impair our ability to manufacture mattresses and box springs. FLUCTUATIONS IN THE COST OF RAW MATERIALS -- FLUCTUATIONS IN THE COST OF RAW MATERIALS COULD HARM US. Possible fluctuations in the cost of raw materials could also adversely affect our company. The major raw materials that we purchase for our production process are innersprings, insulator pads, fabrics and roll goods consisting of foam, fiber and non-wovens. The price and availability of these raw materials are subject to market conditions affecting supply and demand. Our profitability may be significantly negatively affected by increases in raw material costs to the extent we are unable to pass on these higher costs to our customers. DEPENDENCE ON SERTA -- WE DEPEND SIGNIFICANTLY ON CERTAIN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY THAT WE LICENSE FROM SERTA. We license several trademarks from Serta, Inc., including the names Serta and Perfect Sleeper, for use on mattresses and box springs. The loss or any limitation on our right to use these names would significantly negatively affect our ability to compete effectively with other companies. There can be no assurance that the actions taken by us and Serta to establish and protect the Serta trademarks will be adequate to protect their value or to prevent imitation by others. Moreover, others may assert rights in, or claim ownership of, the Serta trademarks and we may not be able to successfully resolve those conflicts. Negative publicity related to the Serta trademarks or our products or Serta products of other Serta licensees could have a significant negative impact on our profitability, cash flow and ability to service our debt. Serta has the ability to terminate any of our licenses if we: - fail to comply with Serta's by-laws, including the requirement to pay royalties to Serta, - fail to meet product specifications, or - attempt to assign the license without the approval of the Serta board of directors or, if board approval is not obtained or if the board takes no action, the Serta shareholders. Under the license agreements, an assignment is deemed to occur upon a change of control (including through public equity offerings which result in a sale of more than 50% of our equity) or upon the occurrence of bankruptcy events. Although none of our licenses have been terminated in the past, and although we have no reason to believe that any of our licenses will be terminated in the future, there can be no assurance that a termination will not occur. Any termination would have a significant negative impact on our profitability cash flow and ability to service our debt. EMPLOYEE MATTERS -- THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT COVERING EMPLOYEES AT OUR LINDEN, NEW JERSEY FACILITY EXPIRES ON APRIL 30, 2000 AND STAR'S COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT COVERING EMPLOYEES AT OUR CONCORD, ONTARIO, CANADA FACILITY EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31, 1999. THE EXPIRATION OF THESE AGREEMENTS AND ANY EMPLOYEE WORK STOPPAGES OR STRIKES COULD IMPAIR OUR BUSINESS. We could be adversely affected by employee work stoppages or strikes. As of June 30, 1999, we had 795 full-time employees. We employ approximately 365 employees pursuant to collective bargaining agreements with the United Steel Workers Union. Union contracts typically have a three-year term and we are periodically in negotiation with this union. Although we believe our overall relations with our union employees to be generally satisfactory, we may at some point be subject to work stoppages and possibly 14 19 strikes by some of our employees. Any work stoppages or strikes could decrease our cash flow and ability to service our debt. CONTROLLING SHAREHOLDERS -- THE INTERESTS OF OUR CONTROLLING INTEREST HOLDERS MAY BE IN CONFLICT WITH YOUR INTERESTS AS A HOLDER OF EXCHANGE NOTES. THIS COULD RESULT IN CORPORATE DECISION MAKING THAT INVOLVES DISPROPORTIONATE RISKS TO THE HOLDERS OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES, INCLUDING OUR ABILITY TO SERVICE OUR INDEBTEDNESS OR PAY THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OUR INDEBTEDNESS WHEN DUE. The interests of our controlling interest holders may be in conflict with your interests as a holder of exchange notes. We are over 99.9% owned by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. in turn is owned 74% by Sleep Investor L.L.C. and 26% by our senior executives on a fully diluted basis. Sleep Investor L.L.C. in turn is owned in part by Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd., CCT Partners IV, L.P., an affiliate of Citicorp Venture Capital, PMI Mezzanine Fund, L.P. and other Citicorp Venture Capital investors. As a result, Citicorp Venture Capital, CCT and the other Citicorp Venture Capital investors own approximately 44% of our membership interests on a fully diluted basis. Circumstances may occur in which the interests of Citicorp Venture Capital and these other investors, as members of Sleepmaster Holdings and Sleep Investor and as holders of exchange notes that rank behind these exchange notes, could be in conflict with the interests of the holders of the exchange notes. In addition, Citicorp Venture Capital and these other investors may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures or other transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance their equity investment, even though these transactions might involve disproportionate risks to the holders of the exchange notes. YEAR 2000 ISSUE -- IF WE, OR THIRD PARTIES WITH WHICH WE DO BUSINESS, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH YEAR 2000 REMEDIATION REQUIREMENTS, SLEEPMASTER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES COULD HAVE OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES THAT COULD INCREASE OUR COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS, DECREASE OUR CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATIONS AND MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO SERVICE OUR DEBT. The "Year 2000 Issue" refers generally to the problems that some software may have in determining the correct century for the year. For example, software with date-sensitive functions that is not year 2000 compliant may not be able to distinguish whether "00" means 1900 or 2000, which may result in failures or the creation of erroneous results. Currently, many computer systems and software products are coded to accept only two-digit entries in the date code field. These date code fields will need to accept four digit entries to distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates. As a result, many companies' software and computer systems may need to be upgraded or replaced in order to comply with the "Year 2000" requirements. If we, or third parties with which we do business, fail to make each of our software systems Year 2000 compliant in a timely manner, our cost of doing business could increase while our cash flow from operations decreases. For a detailed discussion of our Year-2000 compliance effort and the possible harm we could suffer, please see the section entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and look under the heading "Impact of the Year 2000 Issue" on page 34. FINANCING CHANGE OF CONTROL OFFER -- WE MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO RAISE THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO FINANCE THE REPURCHASE OPTION CONTAINED IN THE INDENTURE. Upon the occurrence of specific kinds of change of control events described in the Section entitled "Description of the Notes" under the heading "Purchase Notes Upon a Change of Control," we will be required to offer to repurchase all outstanding exchange notes. However, we may not have sufficient funds at the time of the change of control to make the required repurchase of exchange notes and restrictions in the new credit facility may not allow the repurchases. As of June 30, 1999, our total debt was $121.4 million. In addition, corporate events, such as a leveraged recapitalization that would increase the level of our debt, would not constitute a change of control event under the indenture. The following highly 15 20 leveraged transactions may not constitute a change of control but may adversely affect holders of exchange notes: (1) a reorganization, (2) a restructuring, or (3) a merger or similar transaction, including an acquisition of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation by management or affiliates, involving Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation. A transaction with management would not be a change of control so long as no party other than management or Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. and its affiliates acquired more than 50% of Sleepmaster's voting stock in the transaction. FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE MATTERS -- FEDERAL AND STATE STATUTES ALLOW COURTS, UNDER SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, TO VOID GUARANTEES, SUBORDINATE CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES AND REQUIRE EXCHANGE NOTEHOLDERS TO RETURN PAYMENTS RECEIVED FROM GUARANTORS. Federal and state statutes allow courts, under specific circumstances, to void guarantees, subordinate claims in respect of the exchange notes and require noteholders to return payments received from guarantors. Under the federal bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, the guarantees of our subsidiary guarantors could be voided or claims in respect of the exchange notes or the subsidiary guarantees could be junior to all of our other debts or all other debts of our guarantor subsidiaries if, among other things: - we incurred the debt with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding then-existing or future creditors, - we received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for incurring the debt and, at the time of the incurrence of the debt, we: - were insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the incurrence, or - were engaged in a business or transaction for which the assets remaining with Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries constituted unreasonably small capital, or - intended to incur, or believed that we would incur, debts beyond our ability to pay as they would mature, or - were a defendant in an action for money damages, or had a judgment for money damages rendered against us, which after final judgment was unsatisfied, or - any subsidiary guarantor received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of the subsidiary guarantee and, at the time it incurred the debt evidenced by its subsidiary guarantee, any subsidiary guarantor: - was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the incurrence, or - was engaged in a business or transaction for which the guarantor's remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital, or - intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay the debts as they mature. In addition, any payment made by us or that subsidiary guarantor pursuant to its subsidiary guarantee could be voided and required to be returned to us or the subsidiary guarantor or to a fund for the benefit of our creditors or the creditors of the subsidiary guarantor. 16 21 The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, however, a subsidiary guarantor would be considered insolvent if: - the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, were greater than the fair saleable value of its assets, or - the present fair saleable value of its assets were less than the amount that would be required in order to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature, or - it could not pay its debts as they become due. On the basis of historical financial information, recent operating history and other factors, we believe that we and each subsidiary guarantor, after giving effect to its guarantee of these exchange notes, will not be insolvent, will not have unreasonably small capital for the business in which it is engaged and will not have incurred debts beyond its ability to pay the debts as they mature. There can be no assurance, however, as to what standard a court would apply in making those determinations or that a court would agree with our conclusions in this regard. NO PRIOR MARKET FOR EXCHANGE NOTES -- YOU CANNOT BE SURE THAT AN ACTIVE TRADING MARKET WILL DEVELOP FOR THESE EXCHANGE NOTES WHICH COULD LIMIT THE LIQUIDITY OF YOUR EXCHANGE NOTES. Prior to this offering, there was no public market for these exchange notes. We have been informed by the initial purchasers that they intend to make a market in these exchange notes after this offering is completed. However, the initial purchasers may cease their market-making at any time. In addition, the liquidity of the trading market in these exchange notes, and the market price quoted for these exchange notes, may be decreased by changes in the overall market for high yield securities and by changes in our financial performance or prospects or in the prospects for companies in our industry generally. ------------------------ This prospectus includes forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries include, among other things, statements regarding: - our anticipated growth strategies and pursuit of potential acquisition opportunities; - our intention to introduce new products; - anticipated trends in our businesses; - our ability to integrate acquired businesses; - future expenditures for capital projects, including our new management information systems; - our ability to continue to control costs and maintain quality; and - our ability to implement our year 2000 compliance modifications. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These forward-looking statements may be materially impacted by the factors listed under "Risk Factors." In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this prospectus might not occur. USE OF PROCEEDS Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation will not receive any proceeds from this exchange offer. 17 22 CAPITALIZATION The following table sets forth the capitalization of Sleepmaster at June 30, 1999. This table should be read in conjunction with "Use of Proceeds," "Selected Historical Financial and Other Data," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. AS OF JUNE 30, 1999 ---------------------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Total debt, including current portion: Industrial revenue bonds(a)............................... $ 6,415 Notes offered hereby...................................... 115,000 -------- Total debt........................................ 121,415 -------- Redeemable cumulative preferred interests, 9,999.96 units outstanding(b)............................................ 19,378 Members' deficit: Common interests Class A, 8,000 units outstanding....................... 1,640 Class B, no units outstanding.......................... -- Accumulated deficit....................................... (21,773) -------- Total members' deficit............................ (20,133) -------- Total capitalization......................... $120,660 ======== - --------------- (a) We are financially obligated under Palm Beach's variable rate industrial revenue bonds due 2016. The industrial revenue bonds are collateralized by land and buildings of Palm Beach and an irrevocable letter of credit up to $7.0 million. (b) The redeemable cumulative preferred interests accrue dividends at a compounded annual rate of 12.0%. In connection with the closing of the old note offering, the parties to the Sleepmaster LLC operating agreement amended the agreement to extend the redemption date of the redeemable cumulative preferred interests to November 14, 2009. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions -- Sleepmaster LLC Operating Agreement." 18 23 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA The following unaudited consolidated pro forma financial information of Sleepmaster has been prepared to give effect to the acquisitions of Palm Beach, Herr and Star and the old note offering, including the application of the net proceeds therefrom. The pro forma adjustments presented are based upon available information and certain assumptions that Sleepmaster believes are reasonable. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income of Sleepmaster for the year ended December 31, 1998 and the six months ended June 30, 1999 give effect to the acquisitions of Palm Beach, Herr and Star and the old note offering, including the application of the net proceeds therefrom, as if the transactions had occurred as of January 1, 1998. The pro forma financial data should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements of Sleepmaster, Palm Beach, Herr and Star and accompanying notes thereto, "Use of Proceeds," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus. Sleepmaster believes that the assumptions used in the following financial statements provide a reasonable basis on which to present the unaudited pro forma data. The pro forma financial data and related notes are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the financial position or results of operations that would have actually been obtained had the acquisitions of Palm Beach, Herr and Star and the old note offering been completed on the dates indicated, or to project Sleepmaster's results of operations for any future date or period. 19 24 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) PRO FORMA PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS AS ADJUSTED HISTORICAL FOR PALM BEACH, FOR PALM BEACH, HISTORICAL PALM HISTORICAL HERR AND HERR AND HISTORICAL SLEEPMASTER BEACH(B) HERR(D) OLD NOTE OFFERING OLD NOTE OFFERING STAR(M) ----------- ------------- ------------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------- Net sales...................... $110,251 $ 7,056 $19,385 $ (226)(e) $136,466 $15,236 Cost of sales.................. 68,988 4,338 11,587 (226)(e) 84,586 9,446 (101)(f) -------- ------- ------- -------- ------- Gross profit................. 41,263 2,718 7,798 51,880 5,790 -------- ------- ------- -------- ------- Selling, general & administrative expenses...... 25,794 1,739 6,545 76(g) 32,699 3,237 (1,455)(h) Amortization of intangibles.... 1,223 -- 16 606(i) 1,845 -- -------- ------- ------- -------- ------- Operating income............. 14,246 979 1,237 17,336 2,553 Interest expense, net(a)....... 7,096 49 27 6,264(j) 13,436 17 Other (income) expense, net.... (18) (2,318) (150) 2,780(k) 294 -- -------- ------- ------- -------- ------- Income before income taxes and extraordinary items.... 7,168 3,248 1,360 3,606 2,536 Provision for income taxes..... 3,020 1,366(c) 532 (3,431)(l) 1,487 935 -------- ------- ------- -------- ------- Income before extraordinary items........................ $ 4,148 $ 1,882 $ 828 $ 2,119 $ 1,601 ======== ======= ======= ======== ======= PRO FORMA PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS AS FOR STAR ADJUSTED ----------- --------- Net sales...................... $151,702 Cost of sales.................. 94,032 -------- Gross profit................. 57,670 -------- Selling, general & administrative expenses...... 35,936 Amortization of intangibles.... 385(n) 2,230 -------- Operating income............. 19,504 Interest expense, net(a)....... (17)(o) 13,436 Other (income) expense, net.... 294 -------- Income before income taxes and extraordinary items.... 5,774 Provision for income taxes..... (155)(p) 2,267 -------- Income before extraordinary items........................ $ 3,507 ======== 20 25 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) PRO FORMA PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS AS ADJUSTED PRO FORMA HISTORICAL HISTORICAL FOR HERR AND FOR HERR AND HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA SLEEPMASTER HERR(B) OLD NOTE OFFERING OLD NOTE OFFERING STAR(M) FOR STAR AS ADJUSTED ----------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- Net sales............ $73,987 $2,748 $ (24)(e) $76,711 $5,753 $82,464 Cost of sales........ 46,070 1,697 (24)(e) 47,739 3,533 51,272 (4)(f) ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- Gross profit......... 27,917 1,051 28,972 2,220 31,192 ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- Selling general & administrative expenses........... 18,208 739 18,947 1,188 20,135 Amortization of intangibles........ 836 3 82(i) 921 -- 192(n) 1,113 ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- Operating income..... 8,873 309 9,104 1,032 9,944 ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- Interest expense, net(a)............. 4,876 2 1,886(j) 6,764 9 (9)(o) 6,764 Other (income) expense, net....... (36) (16) (52) (9) (61) ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- Income before income taxes and extraordinary items.............. 4,033 323 2,392 1,032 3,241 ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- Provision for income taxes.............. 1,717 126 (825)(l) 1,018 351 (77)(p) 1,292 ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- Income before extraordinary items.............. $ 2,316 $ 197 $ 1,374 $ 681 $ 1,949 ======= ====== ======= ====== ======= 21 26 NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) The pro forma consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 1998 and the six months ended June 30, 1999 give effect to the following pro forma adjustments: (a) Interest expense, net includes the amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $517 and $259 for the year ended December 31, 1998 and the six months ended June 30, 1999, respectively. (b) For the year ended December 31, 1998 -- represents the results of operations of Palm Beach prior to its acquisition for the period from January 1, 1998 through March 2, 1998. For the six months ended June 30, 1999 -- represents the results of operations of Herr prior to its acquisition for the period from January 1, 1999 to February 25, 1999. (c) Represents an adjustment to income tax expense (42.0% effective rate) as a result of including the results of operations of Palm Beach indicated in adjustment (b). Prior to the acquisition, Palm Beach was taxed as a small business corporation whereby profits and losses were passed directly to the shareholders for inclusion in their personal income tax returns. (d) Derived from the audited financial statements of Herr for the year ended December 31, 1998, included elsewhere in this prospectus. (e) SIX MONTHS YEAR ENDED ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 JUNE 30, 1999 ----------------- ------------- Elimination of intercompany sales transactions $226 $24 (f) SIX MONTHS YEAR ENDED ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 JUNE 30, 1999 ----------------- -------------- Decreased depreciation expense of Herr's factory $101 $4 machinery and equipment based upon the application of the straight-line method of depreciation, in conformity with Sleepmaster's accounting policy, compared with an accelerated method used in the historical financial statements of Herr (g) Represents legal expenses associated with the debt incurred in connection with the acquisition of Herr. (h) Represents the elimination of costs incurred by Herr that Sleepmaster has not assumed: Interest expense associated with deferred compensation arrangements with certain officers and stockholders....... $ 125 Compensation for certain officers/stockholders of Herr to reflect new contractual arrangements for officers' compensation. This adjustment is solely as a result of changed circumstances that will exist after the acquisition. The duties and responsibilities of the officers will not be diminished or cause other costs to be incurred to offset the pro forma adjustment to compensation expense...................................... 1,330 ------ Total............................................. $1,455 ------ (i) Represents the amortization over 40 years of the excess of purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired of Palm Beach and Herr as follows. YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 ----------------- Palm Beach for the period from January 1, 1998 through March 2, 1998, and Herr for the year ended December 31, 1998................................................... $606 22 27 SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 -------------- Herr for the period from January 1, 1999 through February 25, 1999............................................... $82 (j) Represents adjustments to interest expense: YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 JUNE 30, 1999 ----------------- ---------------- Interest expense on the notes....................... $12,650 $ 4,779 Amortization of issuance costs associated with the old note offering over the life of the notes...... 517 214 Elimination of interest expense as a result of the repayment of certain indebtedness with the proceeds from the old note offering. Pro forma interest expense associated with debt incurred in connection with the acquisitions of Palm Beach and Herr has not been included herein since the acquisition debt is assumed to be repaid from the proceeds from the old note offering............... (6,622) (2,860) Elimination of amortization expense of debt issuance costs as a result of the write-off thereby due to early repayment of certain indebtedness. Pro forma amortization of debt issuance costs associated with incremental debt incurred in connection with the acquisition of Herr, except for legal fees associated with the incremental borrowing which have been charged to selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 1998 (adjustment (g)), has not been included herein since the debt issuance costs are assumed to be written off when the associated debt is repaid from the proceeds from the old note offering.......................................... (281) (247) ------- ------- Total..................................... $ 6,264 $ 1,886 ======= ======= (k) Represents an adjustment to eliminate a gain recorded by Palm Beach from the sale of a building prior to the acquisition. The building was sold to an unrelated third party. (l) Represents an adjustment to income tax expense for the effects of the aforementioned adjustments (e) through (k) (42.0% effective rate for the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the six months ended June 30, 1999). (m) Derived from the audited financial statements of Star for the year ended December 31, 1998 included elsewhere in this prospectus and from the unaudited financial statements of Star for the period from January 1, 1999 through May 18, 1999. (n) YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 JUNE 30, 1999 ----------------- ---------------- Amortization over 40 years of the excess of purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired of Star................... $385 $192 (o) YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 JUNE 30, 1999 ----------------- ---------------- Elimination of interest expense associated with debt of Star not assumed by Sleepmaster........... $17 $9 (p) Represents an adjustment to income tax expense for the effects of the aforementioned adjustments (n) and (o) (42.0% effective rate for the year ended December 31, 1998 and for the six months ended June 30, 1999). 23 28 SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA The following table sets forth our historical selected consolidated financial and other data. The historical consolidated financial information for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998, December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996 has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the audited consolidated financial statements of Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries. The financial information as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994 has been derived from our internal financial records and is unaudited but, in the opinion of our management, includes all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of our financial condition and results of operations for those periods and as of those dates. The condensed financial data for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 is unaudited but, in our opinion, includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of the information. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements of Sleepmaster and accompanying notes thereto, "Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained elsewhere in this prospectus. SIX MONTHS ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, ------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1998 1999 ------- -------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA: Net sales............................ $47,575 $ 55,044 $ 59,763 $67,472 $110,251 $ 47,503 $ 73,987 Gross profit......................... 16,565 20,347 22,265 25,024 41,263 17,495 27,917 Selling, general and administrative expenses........................... 12,561 13,965 14,130 15,044 25,794 11,108 18,208 Amortization of intangibles.......... 423 676 644 644 1,223 559 836 Operating income..................... 3,582 5,707 7,491 9,336 14,246 5,828 8,873 Interest expense, net(a)............. 308 2,304 2,578 4,663 7,096 3,424 4,876 Other (income) expense, net.......... (114) 188 216 (97) (18) (8) (36) Income before income taxes and extraordinary items................ 3,389 3,214 4,697 4,770 7,168 2,412 4,033 Net income (loss).................... 3,389 3,214 4,606 2,757 4,148 1,390 (851) BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD): Net working capital(b)............... $ 1,160 $ (553) $ 736 $ 309 $ 2,749 $ 3,079 $ 7,647 Total assets......................... 14,704 29,813 48,634 47,339 89,540 90,180 142,869 Total debt........................... 3,900 17,989 44,031 39,102 70,696 76,454 121,415 Redeemable cumulative preferred interests.......................... -- -- 14,221 15,927 18,267 17,257 19,378 Members' equity (deficit)............ 4,240 2,717 (21,116) (20,092) (17,517) (19,268) (20,133) OTHER DATA: Gross margin......................... 34.8% 37.0% 37.3% 37.1% 37.4% 36.8% 37.7% Adjusted EBITDA (c).................. $ 4,348 $ 6,793 $ 8,534 $10,429 $ 16,335 $ 6,774 $ 10,365 Adjusted EBITDA margin............... 9.1% 12.3% 14.3% 15.5% 14.8% 14.3% 14.0% Depreciation and amortization........ $ 766 $ 1,086 $ 1,043 $ 1,093 $ 2,089 $ 946 $ 1,492 Capital expenditures................. $ 1,380 $ 292 $ 167 $ 572 $ 1,095 $ 559 $ 1,971 Cash flows from operating activities......................... $ 2,860 $ 6,612 $ 5,583 $ 6,036 $ 8,874 $ 2,485 $ 4,159 Cash flows from investing activities......................... $(1,293) $(25,235) $ (167) $ (505) $(33,851) $(33,361) $(43,430) Cash flows from financing activities......................... $(1,249) $ 18,880 $ (6,129) $(4,955) $ 24,548 $ 30,431 $ 40,540 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(d)......................... 7.20x 2.25x 2.64x 1.97x 1.96x 1.67x 1.79x - --------------- (a) Interest expense, net includes the amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $15, $60, $391, $170 and $281 for the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively, and $211 and $291 for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999, respectively. (b) Represents total current assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents, less total current liabilities, excluding current portion of long-term debt. (c) Adjusted EBITDA represents, for any period, net income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other non-operating income/expense. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because it is a 24 29 widely accepted financial indicator of a company's ability to service and/or incur indebtedness. We believe that presentation of Adjusted EBITDA may be helpful to investors. However, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income as a measure of Sleepmaster's operating results or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. In addition, although the Adjusted EBITDA measure of performance is not recognized under generally accepted accounting principles, it is widely used by industrial companies as a general measure of a company's operating performance because it assists in comparing performance on a relatively consistent basis across companies without regard to depreciation and amortization, which can vary significantly depending on accounting methods, particularly where acquisitions are involved, or non-operating factors such as historical cost bases. Because Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated identically by all companies, the presentation in this prospectus may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. The following is a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA: SIX MONTHS ENDED FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, ------------------------------------------------ ----------------- 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1998 1999 ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------ ------- Net income before extraordinary items............................ $3,389 $3,214 $4,606 $ 2,757 $ 4,148 $1,390 $ 2,316 Interest expense................... 308 2,304 2,578 4,663 7,096 3,424 4,876 Provision for income taxes......... -- -- 91 2,013 3,020 1,022 1,717 Depreciation....................... 342 411 399 449 866 387 656 Amortization....................... 423 676 644 644 1,223 559 836 ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------ ------- EBITDA............................. 4,462 6,605 8,318 10,526 16,353 6,782 10,401 ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------ ------- Commissions earned on sales to other Serta licensee customers... (56) (32) (33) (30) (33) (23) (71) Distributions to former shareholder...................... -- 285 189 -- -- -- -- Other, net......................... (58) (65) 60 (67) 15 15 35 ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------ ------- Other (income) expense............. (114) 188 216 (97) (18) (8) (36) ------ ------ ------ ------- ------- ------ ------- Adjusted EBITDA.................... $4,348 $6,793 $8,534 $10,429 $16,335 $6,774 $10,365 ====== ====== ====== ======= ======= ====== ======= (d) In calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of income before taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense and amortization of issuance costs, whether capitalized or expensed, plus one-third of rental expense under operating leases, the portion that has been deemed by Sleepmaster and its Subsidiaries to be representative of an interest factor. 25 30 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" AND "RISK FACTORS," AS WELL AS THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION IN THE HISTORICAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA, INCLUDING THE RELATED NOTES, APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. ALL REFERENCES TO YEARS RELATE TO THE FISCAL YEAR THAT ENDED ON DECEMBER 31 OF THAT YEAR. GENERAL We are a leading manufacturer and distributor of a full line of conventional bedding, mattresses and box springs marketed under the well-known brand names of Serta, Serta Perfect Sleeper, Sertapedic and Masterpiece. Serta, Inc., through its licensees, is the second largest manufacturer of conventional bedding products in the United States, with a domestic market share of approximately 17% in 1998. We are the second largest Serta licensee in North America with approximately a 22% market share in our domestic licensed territories in 1998. Sleepmaster was founded in Newark, New Jersey in 1910 and became a Serta licensee for the metropolitan New York area, including Fairfield County in Connecticut, and northern New Jersey in 1966. Prior to November 14, 1996, Sleepmaster was a limited liability company primarily owned by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., a holding company then owned by management of Sleepmaster and an investor group. On November 14, 1996, Sleepmaster entered into a recapitalization agreement with a new group of investors led by Citicorp Venture Capital and PMI Mezzanine Fund, LLP, pursuant to which the new investor group, Sleep Investor L.L.C., paid cash and issued promissory notes to effect a leveraged recapitalization of Sleepmaster. As a result of the recapitalization, Sleep Investor acquired a 72.0% interest in Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., in turn, holds over 99.9% of Sleepmaster. In connection with the recapitalization, Sleepmaster received funding in the form of equity invested by Sleep Investor and current management, proceeds from the issuance of senior subordinated notes and borrowings under a credit facility. Since the recapitalization, we have acquired the stock of Palm Beach on March 3, 1998, the stock of Herr on February 26, 1999 and substantially all of the assets of Star on May 18, 1999. The aggregate consideration for these three acquisitions totaled approximately $80 million. In connection with these transactions, we entered into employment contracts with the executive management of Palm Beach, Herr and Star so that the existing management would continue to operate their respective facilities and licensed territories. Star is a leading manufacturer and distributor of the full line of Serta brand mattresses and box springs and owns the rights to manufacture and sell Serta products in substantially all of Ontario, Canada. Similar to Palm Beach and Herr, Star distributes its products primarily through leading retailers including furniture stores, sleep specialists, local retail outlets, department stores and other institutional customers. Star has captured approximately an 11% market share of bedding products sold in the Ontario region, approximately a 28% increase over its market share in 1997. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, Star's net sales were $15.2 million and its EBITDA was $2.7 million. For the first quarter of 1999, Star's net sales were $3.8 million and its EBITDA was $0.7 million. 26 31 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth certain operating data of Sleepmaster as a percentage of net sales for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 and for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1999. PERCENTAGE OF NET SALES --------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE SIX FOR THE FISCAL YEARS FOR THE QUARTER MONTHS ENDED ENDED DECEMBER 31, ENDED JUNE 30, JUNE 30, --------------------- --------------- ------------- 1996 1997 1998 1998 1999 1998 1999 ----- ----- ----- ------ ------ ----- ----- Net sales................................. 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of sales............................. 62.7 62.9 62.6 62.7 62.4 63.2 62.3 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Gross profit.............................. 37.3 37.1 37.4 37.3 37.6 36.8 37.7 Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses................................ 23.6 22.3 23.4 23.4 24.7 23.4 24.6 Amortization of intangibles............... 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.1 1.2 1.1 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Total operating expenses.................. 24.7 23.3 24.5 24.7 25.8 24.6 25.7 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Operating income.......................... 12.6 13.8 12.9 12.6 11.8 12.2 12.0 Interest expense, net..................... 4.3 6.9 6.4 7.2 7.2 7.2 6.6 Other (income) expense, net............... 0.4 (0.1) -- -- 0.1 -- -- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Income before income taxes and extraordinary items..................... 7.9 7.1 6.5 5.4 4.5 5.0 5.4 Provision for income taxes................ 0.2 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.1 2.0 2.3 ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Income before extraordinary items......... 7.7 4.1 3.8 3.1 2.4 3.0 3.1 Extraordinary items....................... -- -- -- -- (8.0) -- (4.3) ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- Net income (loss)......................... 7.7% 4.1% 3.8% 3.1% (5.6)% 3.0% (1.2)% ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== Depreciation expense...................... 0.7% 0.7% 0.8% 0.8% 0.9% 0.8% 0.9% Adjusted EBITDA........................... 14.3% 15.5% 14.8% 14.7% 13.8% 14.3% 14.0% THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AS COMPARED TO THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 NET SALES Net sales increased by 46.9%, or $12.7 million, to $39.8 million in the three months (second quarter) ended June 30, 1999 from $27.1 million in the second quarter of 1998 and rose 55.8%, or $26.5 million, to $74.0 million in the six months (first half) ended June 30, 1999 from $47.5 million in the first half of 1998. A significant portion of the increase in both the second quarter and first half of 1999 was due to the contributions of net sales from Herr, acquired on February 26, 1999, and Star, acquired on May 18, 1999. Herr contributed $6.0 million and $7.9 million of net sales in the second quarter and first half of 1999, respectively, and Star contributed $2.3 million of net sales in the second quarter and first half of 1999. Excluding the acquisitions of Herr and Star, net sales increased by 16.3%, or $4.4 million, in the second quarter of 1999 and by 34.2%, or $16.3 million, in the first half of 1999. This increase was due to higher unit sales volumes and higher average unit selling prices due to shifts in product sales mix towards higher priced products and also the introduction of the new Masterpiece line of bedding products in 1999. Strong competitive pressures impacted sales growth in the Northeastern United States (which increased 8.5% in the second quarter and 6.9% in the first half) but this was more than offset by substantial sales gains in the Florida market. COST OF SALES Cost of sales increased by 46.1%, or $7.8 million, to $24.8 million in the second quarter of 1999 from $17.0 million in the second quarter of 1998 and by 53.5%, or $16.1 million, to $46.1 million in the first 27 32 half of 1999 from $30.0 million in the first half of 1998. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 62.4% in the second quarter of 1999 from 62.7% in the second quarter of 1998 and decreased to 62.3% in the first half of 1999 from 63.2% in the first half of 1998. The reduction of cost of sales as a percentage of net sales in both the second quarter and first half of 1999 was primarily due to the impact of higher margin business generated by Palm Beach and Herr. These higher margins were offset by an increase in Sleepmaster's manufacturing costs associated with the development and introduction of the Masterpiece line of bedding products in the first quarter of 1999 which continued into the second quarter of 1999. Sleepmaster was successful in obtaining volume-related cost savings from vendors as a result of the acquisitions of Palm Beach, Herr and Star which serve to reduce purchase costs and hence reduce the ratio of cost of sales to net sales. The Company's ongoing gross profit and pricing strategy is to focus product sales mix towards higher priced and higher margin units and to continue to leverage purchase volumes to drive volume-related purchase discounts, thereby reducing cost of sales as a percentage of net sales and increasing margins. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 54.9%, or $3.5 million, to $9.8 million in the second quarter of 1999 from $6.3 million in the second quarter of 1998 and by 63.9%, or $7.1 million, to $18.2 million in the first half of 1999 from $11.1 million in the first half of 1998. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 24.7% in the second quarter of 1999 from 23.4% in the second quarter of 1998 and to 24.6% in the first half of 1999 from 23.4% in the first half of 1998. Several factors contributed to the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales: (1) Palm Beach and Herr have higher fixed cost bases than Sleepmaster and the second quarter of 1999 includes the full impact of Herr's fixed cost base on the consolidated results; (2) Herr, included in the Company's consolidated results for the full second quarter, and Palm Beach have higher delivery expenses as a percentage of net sale due to the large geographical territories they service compared with that of Sleepmaster. These costs were offset by Sleepmaster's ability to leverage its fixed delivery costs per unit with higher average unit selling prices at its Linden facility; and (3) Palm Beach has certain contractual employment arrangements scheduled to expire in March 2000 that contributed to the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales. Management's ongoing objective is to reduce this expense ratio by leveraging its fixed expense base. AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES Amortization of intangibles increased by $0.1 million to $0.4 million in the second quarter of 1999 from $0.3 million in the second quarter of 1998 and by $0.2 million to $0.8 million in the first half of 1999 from $0.6 million in the first half of 1998. These increases were due to the acquisitions of Palm Beach on March 3, 1998, Herr on February 26, 1999 and Star on May 18, 1999. OPERATING INCOME Operating income increased by 37.3%, or $1.3 million, to $4.7 million in the second quarter of 1999 from $3.4 million in the second quarter of 1998 and by 52.3%, or $3.1 million, to $8.9 million in the first half of 1999 from $5.8 million in the first half of 1998. As a result of the above factors, operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased to 11.8% in the second quarter of 1999 from 12.6% in the second quarter of 1998 and to 12.0% in the first half of 1999 from 12.2% in the first half of 1998. INTEREST EXPENSE, NET Interest expense increased by 46.3%, or $0.9 million, to $2.8 million in the second quarter of 1999 from $1.9 million in the second quarter of 1998 and by 42.4%, or $1.5 million, to $4.9 million in the first half of 1999 from $3.4 million in the first half of 1998. This increase was due to the cost of additional debt financing incurred for the acquisitions of Palm Beach and Herr and the issuance of senior subordinated notes on May 18, 1999. See "-- Liquidity and Capital Resources". On the basis of current plans, management expects interest expense for the remaining quarters of 1999 to be higher than the prior periods. 28 33 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes increased by $0.2 million, to $0.8 million, in the second quarter of 1999 from $0.6 million in the second quarter of 1998 and by $0.7 million, to $1.7 million, in the first half of 1999 from $1.0 million in the first half of 1998. The provision for income taxes resulted in an effective tax rate of 47.0% and 42.6% in the second quarter and first half of 1999, respectively, compared with 42.0% and 42.4% for the corresponding periods in the prior year. The increase in the effective tax rate in the second quarter of 1999 is primarily due to the acquisition of Herr. The goodwill associated with the acquisition of Herr is not deductible for tax purposes since the Company acquired the capital stock of Herr, thereby increasing the effective tax rate. EXTRAORDINARY ITEMS The extraordinary items recorded in the second quarter of 1999 consisted of the payment of $3.6 million in premiums on the redemption of $20 million in aggregate principal amount of Series A and Series B 12% Senior Subordinated Notes and the repayment of $69.2 million of borrowings under the Company's former credit facility, together with the write-off of $1.9 million of unamortized debt issuance costs relating to such redemption and repayment on May 18, 1999. See "-- Liquidity and Capital Resources". There were no extraordinary items incurred during 1998. NET INCOME (LOSS) As a result of the above factors, the Company recorded a net loss of $2.2 million for the second quarter of 1999 compared with net income of $0.9 million for the second quarter of 1998 and a net loss of $0.9 million for the first half of 1999 compared with net income of $1.4 million for the first half of 1998. FISCAL 1998 AS COMPARED TO FISCAL 1997 NET SALES Net sales increased by 63.4%, or $42.8 million, to $110.3 million in 1998 from $67.5 million in 1997. This increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Palm Beach which contributed ten months of sales totaling $37.1 million. Excluding the acquisition of Palm Beach, net sales increased by 8.4%, or $5.7 million, to $73.2 million in 1998 from $67.5 million in 1997. This increase was primarily attributable to higher unit volumes in 1998. There was also an increase in average unit selling prices due to a change in product sales mix to higher priced products. COST OF SALES Cost of sales increased by 62.7%, or $26.6 million, to $69.0 million in 1998 from $42.4 million in 1997. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 62.6% in 1998 from 62.9% in 1997. This improvement was primarily due to higher margin business generated by Palm Beach. These higher margins, which serve to reduce cost of sales as a percentage of net sales, were partially offset by an increase in Sleepmaster's manufacturing costs in 1998. As a result of the Palm Beach acquisition, Sleepmaster was also able to realize cost savings on raw material purchases as a result of obtaining additional volume-related purchase discounts from vendors. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 72.0%, or $10.8 million, to $25.8 million in 1998 from $15.0 million in 1997. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 23.4% in 1998 from 22.3% in 1997. Several factors contributed to this increase. First, Palm Beach has a higher fixed cost base as a percentage of net sales than Sleepmaster's base business and has a greater number of smaller customers than Sleepmaster. Second, Palm Beach has higher delivery expenses as a percentage of net sales due to its large geographical licensed territory. Such expenses were offset by increases in average unit selling prices and generally fixed delivery costs per unit at our Linden, New Jersey facility. Finally, certain of Palm Beach's contractual employment arrangements, scheduled to expire in March 2000, contributed to the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales. Management's ongoing objective is to reduce this expense ratio by leveraging its fixed expense base. 29 34 AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES Amortization of intangibles increased by $0.6 million, to $1.2 million in 1998 from $0.6 million in 1997. This increase was due to the acquisition of Palm Beach in March 1998. OPERATING INCOME Operating income increased by 52.6%, or $4.9 million, to $14.2 million in 1998 from $9.3 million in 1997. As a result of the above factors, operating income as a percentage of net sales decreased to 12.9% in 1998 from 13.8% in 1997. INTEREST EXPENSE, NET Interest expense increased by 52.2%, or $2.4 million, to $7.1 million in 1998 from $4.7 million in 1997. This increase was due to the cost of additional debt financing on debt incurred and assumed resulting from the acquisition of Palm Beach. See "-- Liquidity and Capital Resources." Based on current plans and as a result of this offering, management expects interest expense to increase in 1999. PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes increased by 50%, or $1.0 million, to $3.0 million in 1998 from $2.0 million in 1997. The provision for income taxes resulted in an effective rate of 42.1% in 1998 and 42.2% in 1997. NET INCOME As a result of the above factors net income for 1998 was $4.1 million compared to $2.8 million in 1997. FISCAL 1997 AS COMPARED TO FISCAL 1996 NET SALES Net sales increased by 12.9%, or $7.7 million, to $67.5 million in 1997 from $59.8 million in 1996. This increase was primarily due to increases in unit sales volume in 1997 of 9.5% and an increase in average unit selling prices of 3.0%. COST OF SALES Cost of sales increased by 13.2%, or $4.9 million, to $42.4 million in 1997 from $37.5 million in 1996. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased slightly to 62.9% in 1997 from 62.7% in 1996. This increase was attributable to higher costs of raw materials and labor in 1997, partially offset by a reduction in manufacturing costs in the same period. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 6.5%, or $0.9 million, to $15.0 million in 1997 from $14.1 million in 1996. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of net sales to 22.3% in 1997 from 23.6% in 1996. This decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in salaries and commissions as a percentage of net sales, a decrease in Serta licensing fees as a percentage of net sales, and higher professional fees incurred in 1996 in connection with Sleepmaster's leveraged recapitalization which did not recur in 1997. AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES Amortization of intangibles remained constant at $0.6 million in 1997 and 1996. OPERATING INCOME Operating income increased by 24.6%, or $1.8 million, to $9.3 million in 1997 from $7.5 million in 1996. The above factors resulted in an increase in operating income as a percentage of net sales to 13.8% in 1997 from 12.5% in 1996. 30 35 INTEREST EXPENSE, NET Interest expense increased by 80.9%, or $2.1 million, to $4.7 million in 1997 from $2.6 million in 1996. This was due to the cost of increased debt financing incurred as a result of Sleepmaster's leveraged recapitalization in November 1996. See "-- Liquidity and Capital Resources." PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes in 1997 was $2.0 million compared to $0.1 million in 1996. The provision for income taxes resulted in an effective rate of 42.2% in 1997 and 1.9% in 1996. Until Sleepmaster's leveraged recapitalization, which was effected on November 14, 1996, Sleepmaster was taxed as a partnership. No provision was made for income taxes during the period from January 1, 1996 through November 13, 1996 since income or loss arising during this period was included in the income tax returns of the members of Sleepmaster. NET INCOME As a result of the above factors net income for 1997 was $2.8 million compared to $4.6 million in 1996. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Our principal source of cash to fund liquidity needs is net cash provided by operating activities and availability under our existing credit facility. Our principal use of funds consists of (1) payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness and (2) capital expenditures. OPERATING ACTIVITIES Sleepmaster's operating activities generated cash of $8.9 million in 1998 compared to $6.0 million in 1997 and $5.6 million in 1996. The increase in cash flows in 1998 was primarily due to the acquisition of Palm Beach. Sleepmaster's operating activities generated cash of $4.2 million in the first half of 1999 compared to $2.5 million in the first half of 1998. This increase in cash flows in the first half of 1999 was primarily due to increased net income from operations and the acquisitions of Herr and Star. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES Sleepmaster's capital expenditures were $1.1 million in 1998, $0.6 million in 1997 and $0.2 million in 1996. Capital expenditures were $2.0 million in the first half of 1999, as compared to $0.6 million in the first half of 1998. These capital expenditures consisted primarily of normal recurring expenditures for machinery and equipment, leasehold and office furniture and fixtures. Sleepmaster has historically funded its capital expenditures with cash generated from operations. Based on current plans, management expects that capital expenditures at all of our facilities will be approximately $3.9 million in 1999. The increase in capital expenditures is primarily attributable to a $2.0 million investment to replace and upgrade our domestic computer system software and hardware and the full year effect of planned capital expenditures for Palm Beach, Herr and Star. The balance of the increase in capital expenditures is for machinery and equipment. We anticipate future capital expenditures to be $1.9 million per year for the existing factories. Management believes that annual capital expenditure limitations under the new credit facility will not significantly inhibit Sleepmaster from meeting its capital needs. FINANCING ACTIVITIES Sleepmaster generated $24.5 million of cash inflows from financing activities in 1998, principally arising from borrowings under an increased credit facility to acquire Palm Beach, compared with cash outflows of $5.0 million in 1997 and $6.1 million in 1996. Financing cash outflows arose primarily from repayments of borrowings under our revolving credit facility in 1997 and arose principally from distributions to members in 1996. Sleepmaster generated $40.5 million of cash inflows from financing 31 36 activities in the first half of 1999, principally arising from net proceeds from the issuance on May 18, 1999 of $115.0 million of 11% senior subordinated notes due 2009, as compared to $30.4 million of cash inflows from financing activities in the first half of 1998. Cash inflows in the first half of 1998 arose principally from borrowings under an increased credit facility to acquire Palm Beach. In connection with the acquisition of Palm Beach on March 3, 1998, Sleepmaster amended and restated its credit facility to provide for an aggregate amount of borrowings of up to $66.3 million, a portion of which was used to finance the acquisition of Palm Beach. See note 10 to the 1998 consolidated financial statements of Sleepmaster included elsewhere in this prospectus. On February 26, 1999, Sleepmaster purchased all of the capital stock of Herr. In connection with the acquisition, Sleepmaster amended and restated its credit facility to provide for an aggregate amount of borrowings of up to $86.0 million, a portion of which was used to finance the acquisition of Herr. On May 18, 1999, Sleepmaster purchased substantially all the assets of Star, the Serta licensee located in Concord, Ontario, Canada. Star is a leading producer and distributor of the full line of Serta brand mattresses and box springs and owns the rights to manufacture and sell Serta products in substantially all of Ontario, Canada. The acquisition was primarily funded with the net proceeds of the old note offering. DEBT On May 18, 1999, we and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation issued $115.0 million of 11% senior subordinated notes due 2009. Sleepmaster used a portion of the proceeds of the old note offering to prepay the existing credit facility, redeem the series A and series B senior subordinated notes due 2007, and acquire substantially all of the assets of Star. Also on May 18, 1999, Sleepmaster entered into a new credit facility with First Union National Bank. The new credit facility provides revolving credit facilities with aggregate availability of $25.0 million. The revolving credit facility matures six years after closing and includes a sublimit of $8.0 million for letters of credit currently consisting of: (a) a letter of credit to back the industrial revenue bonds currently outstanding of $6.4 million and (b) a $720,000 letter of credit for deposit on the Linden, New Jersey facility. In addition, our lender has agreed to use its best efforts to arrange a $50.0 million acquisition facility. Borrowings under the new credit facility bear interest at floating rates that are based on LIBOR or on the applicable alternate base rate, and accordingly Sleepmaster's financial condition and performance will be affected by changes in interest rates. The new credit facility also imposes certain restrictions on Sleepmaster and requires Sleepmaster to comply with financial ratios and tests described in the section entitled, "Description of Certain Indebtedness" under the heading "The New Credit Facility." Sleepmaster, through its subsidiary Palm Beach, is obligated to the County of Palm Beach, Florida pursuant to revenue bonds issued on behalf of Palm Beach. On April 1, 1996, the County of Palm Beach Florida issued Variable Rate Demand Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Palm Beach Bedding Company Project, Series 1996 in the aggregate principal amount of $7.7 million to finance the construction of a 235,000 square foot manufacturing facility for Palm Beach. As of June 30, 1999, $6.4 million of the bonds were outstanding. The bonds mature in April 2016 and bear interest at a variable rate that was 3.9% at June 30, 1999. In connection with the recapitalization of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. on November 14, 1996, Sleepmaster issued $15.0 million of series A 12% senior subordinated notes due 2006 to PMI. In connection with the acquisition of Palm Beach on March 3, 1998, Sleepmaster issued $5.0 million of series B 12% senior subordinated notes due 2007 to PMI and amended the terms of the series A senior subordinated notes to extend the maturity date to 2007. On May 18, 1999, we used a portion of the net proceeds from the old note offering to prepay the senior subordinated notes. In connection with the recapitalization of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. on November 14, 1996, Sleep Investor issued $7.0 million of junior subordinated promissory notes and paid cash to the then existing members of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., including current members of our management. In exchange for the notes, the then-existing members of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. delivered common and preferred 32 37 interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., as well as notes issued by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., to Sleep Investor. Interest payments received by Sleep Investor on the notes issued by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. correspond to Sleep Investor's obligation to make interest payments on the promissory notes. The promissory notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 7.02% per annum and mature on November 14, 2008. The interest on the promissory notes is pay-in-kind except that an amount equal to the current tax liability for interest payments received on the promissory notes is paid in cash. The maturity date of the promissory notes was extended in connection with the acquisition of Palm Beach from November 14, 2007 to November 14, 2008. In connection with the completion of the offering of the old notes, and the prepayment of the senior subordinated notes, the promissory notes were amended to retroactively bear interest at a fixed rate of 12.0% per annum and to mature on November 14, 2007. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness -- The Sleep Investor Promissory Notes." In conjunction with the purchase of substantially all the assets of Star on May 18, 1999, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. issued a junior subordinated note to the seller in the initial aggregate principal amount of $0.68 million as a portion of the purchase price. The junior subordinated note bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% per annum, which interest shall be paid in kind, and will mature on the third anniversary of the closing. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness -- The Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. Junior Subordinated Note." Sleepmaster has no obligations or commitments to Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. or Sleep Investor either under the promissory notes or the junior subordinated note. The new credit facility will allow Sleepmaster to fund interest payments on the promissory notes and the junior subordinated note. Distributions, dividends and loans of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. for that purpose are restricted by the terms of the indenture governing the notes. See "Description of the Notes -- Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments." We believe that the cash flows from operations, together with available borrowings under the new senior credit facility, will be adequate to fund Sleepmaster's currently anticipated working capital, capital spending and debt service requirements for at least the next several years. However, we are highly leveraged and may be able to incur additional debt following this offering. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that anticipated revenue growth and operating improvements will be realized or that future borrowings will be available under the new credit facility in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our indebtedness, including the notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. If our business does not generate sufficient cash flow, we may not be able to effect any refinancing of our existing indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. See "Risk Factors." SEASONALITY OF BUSINESS Sleepmaster's net sales and net income are generally consistent throughout the fiscal year, except for slight increases in the third quarter. However, seasonal variations in net sales and net income affect each of Sleepmaster's four facilities. Palm Beach's net sales and net income increase during the first and fourth quarters of the fiscal year. In contrast, net sales and net income increase during the third quarter of the fiscal year at our Linden, New Jersey, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Concord, Ontario, Canada facilities. Since Palm Beach's sales cycle does not coincide with the sales cycles at the other facilities, seasonal variations of Sleepmaster are reduced. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In February 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Accounting Standards Executive Committee ("AcSEC") issued statement of position No. 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 requires costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software to be capitalized and other costs to be expensed. In March 1998, AcSEC issued SOP No. 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities." SOP 98-5 provides guidance on the financial reporting of start-up costs and organization costs and requires 33 38 that costs be expensed as incurred. The effect of adopting SOP 98-5 will be reported as a change in accounting principle. We adopted these standards effective January 1, 1999. The impact of adopting SOP 98-1 was to increase pre-tax income for the first six months of 1999 by $1.0 million. The adoption of SOP 98-5 had an immaterial impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations for the first half of 1999. IMPACT OF THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE As of June 14, 1999, we completed a formal review of the computer hardware systems and software programs located at all of our facilities. This review included analysis of potentially affected business and process systems and replacement or correction of all non-compliant critical business and process systems we will need in the new millennium. Currently, we believe that our systems are year 2000 compliant in all material respects. We utilize non-information technology systems including telephones, voicemail, heating/air conditioning, electricity and security systems supplied by third-parties. We completed formal communications, through questionnaires, with critical suppliers of the non-information technology systems and have been assured that the products and services they provide are year 2000 compliant. If any of the non-information technology systems provided by these suppliers are not in fact year 2000 compliant, our business or operations could be materially adversely affected. We also utilize manufacturing processes that involve computer controlled equipment using embedded micro-processor technology. As of May 30, 1999, we completed a formal review of this equipment located at all of our facilities. Currently, we believe that our systems are year 2000 compliant. We estimate that the cost of achieving year 2000 compliance with our information technology and non-information technology systems is approximately $600,000. These costs have all been incurred during the first quarter of 1999. As of August 20, 1999, we believe we have substantially addressed our year 2000 compliance issues. While failure of any critical technology components to operate properly in the year 2000 could affect our operations, we believe that resolution of the year 2000 issue will not require significant additional costs and will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. We rely on transmissions from Serta's computer system for orders from national accounts to our factories. We have been informed by Serta that this computer system is currently year 2000 compliant. In addition to reviewing our internal systems and contacting Serta, we have polled our significant suppliers and customers to determine whether they are year 2000 compliant and, if not, the extent to which our operations may be adversely affected as a result of their failure to be year 2000 compliant. All of our significant suppliers and customers have responded to our queries, either that they are currently, or that they are in the process of becoming, year 2000 compliant. We have not developed contingency plans for manual or delayed information processing since we believe that our efforts to address the year 2000 issue have been substantially completed consistent with our timetable. We will periodically reassess our progress and efforts and may develop such contingency plans in the future. While we currently expect no material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows due to year 2000 issues, our beliefs and expectations are based on certain assumptions that ultimately may prove to be inaccurate. We believe that the most reasonable worst case scenario in the event of a year 2000-related failure would be delays in the receipt of payments from our customers and delays in receiving shipments of raw materials from our suppliers. 34 39 BUSINESS We are a leading manufacturer and distributor of a full line of conventional bedding, mattresses and box springs marketed under the well-known brand names of Serta, Serta Perfect Sleeper, Sertapedic and Masterpiece. Serta, Inc., through its licensees, is the second largest manufacturer of conventional bedding products in the United States, with a domestic market share of approximately 17% in 1998. We are the second largest Serta licensee in North America with approximately a 22% market share in our domestic licensed territories on a pro forma basis in 1998. The license and geographic structure of Serta has enabled us to capitalize on the combination of a strong nationally advertised brand with high consumer awareness, along with the ability to provide localized marketing and customer support in our licensed territories. Serta is a national organization that is owned by and operated for the benefit of its licensees. The organization consists of 12 domestic licensed mattress manufacturers, covering 34 licensing territories and operating out of 27 domestic manufacturing facilities. Serta also has 30 international licensees in Canada, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South America and the Caribbean. Since 1993, the domestic market share of Serta brand products has increased by 32.3%, compared to a 7.7% increase for its next closest competitor. In 1998, domestic net shipments of Serta brand products by Serta licensees were approximately $640 million, of which our share on a pro forma basis was approximately 21.3%. We are one of Serta's 12 domestic licensed mattress producers, covering licensing territories consisting of: - the metropolitan New York area, including Fairfield County in Connecticut, and southern New York State, - the State of New Jersey, - eastern Pennsylvania, including the metropolitan Philadelphia area, - the metropolitan Wilmington, Delaware area, including Cecil County in Maryland, - the State of Florida, except for seven counties in the Florida panhandle, and - substantially all of Ontario, Canada. We distribute our products through a variety of channels, including bedding chains, furniture retailers, department stores, wholesale buying clubs and contract customers. We operate from manufacturing facilities located in Linden, New Jersey, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Riviera Beach, Florida and Concord, Ontario, Canada. For the six months ended June 30, 1999, on a pro forma basis, we generated net sales of $82.5 million and EBITDA of $11.9 million. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW The United States conventional bedding industry is mature and stable. Over the past 20 years, the industry has enjoyed an increase in revenues at a compounded annual growth rate of 6.7%. Sales in the bedding industry declined only once during the period, 1.9% in 1982. For the year ended December 31, 1998, wholesale shipments were $3.9 billion. Since 1993, the combined market share of the top three bedding manufacturers has increased from 49% to 54%. 35 40 The following chart illustrates the growth in the domestic bedding industry: [Domestic Wholesale Mattress & Foundation Shipment Bar Graph] DOMESTIC WHOLESALE MATRESS AND FOUNDATION SHIPMENTS ----------------------------------------- '1978' 1062 1213 '1980' 1326 1395 '1982' 1369 1593 '1984' 1700 1796 '1986' 1929 2095 '1988' 2261 2309 '1990' 2319 2382 '1992' 2564 2762 '1994' 3018 3181 '1996' 3347 3621 '1998' 3900 - --------------- Source: International Sleep Products Association INDUSTRY GROWTH The steady growth in shipments in the domestic bedding industry is attributable to several factors. These factors include: - increases in housing starts and replacement sales, - population growth, - increases in new family formations, - increased individual and family mobility, - increased divorce rates, - growth in gross domestic product, and - more disposable personal income. Unit sales have also increased due to trends towards more beds per home and more frequent replacement of bedding products. In addition, the average unit selling price has increased as a result of the increase in sales of larger size beds, greater emphasis on marketing to older consumers who spend more per unit on average than younger consumers spend, a focus on retailers' efforts to sell better quality bedding and the industry's continued public relations efforts related to health benefits of more supportive bedding. Growth in the bedding industry is also attributable to the high profit margins available to bedding retailers. Studies conducted by the National Home Furnishings Association have consistently shown that bedding is one of the most profitable items on their retailers' floor. In particular, the studies indicate that bedding sales: - provide the most profit in terms of gross margin return on investment, - result in the highest inventory turnover, - constitute one of the highest sales per square foot of selling area, and - exhibit growth at a compounded annual rate 50% greater than that of domestic furniture. 36 41 The profitability of bedding sales has prompted stores without bedding departments to begin selling bedding products and influenced stores that currently sell bedding products to expand their existing bedding departments. INDUSTRY STABILITY The bedding industry has been consistently stable and somewhat shielded from economic downturns. The bedding industry's relative insulation from cyclical swings has enabled the industry to suffer only a single year of decreasing sales in the past 20 years. The industry has remained stable largely as a result of the following characteristics: - replacement sales, which account for approximately 70% of conventional bedding sales, contribute to the market's relative stability, as management believes that the average household purchases a new mattress set every seven to eight years, - bedding manufacturers fund a substantial portion of cooperative advertising which enables retailers to continue to advertise bedding products even in a weak economic environment, - a significant portion of costs in manufacturing mattresses, especially cost of goods sold expenses, are variable, which limits the impact of economic downturn on margins and allows industry participants to continue to invest in necessary sales promotion and research and development, and - because mattresses are generally manufactured to order, manufacturers and retailers maintain low inventory levels which mitigate variations in working capital requirements experienced by the furniture and appliance industries. In addition, the domestic bedding industry is relatively insulated from foreign competition due to - the size and bulk of bedding products, - retailers' desire for just-in-time delivery of bedding products, - labor costs' small percentage of manufacturing expense, and - the lack of a foreign brand name. While a few foreign competitors have entered the bedding industry, they have done so by acquiring or building United States-based companies and/or manufacturing facilities. DEMAND FOR A FULLY MERCHANDISED BRANDED PROGRAM Retailers have recognized that a broad product line with identifiable value gradations is an effective way to market bedding to consumers. We believe that a strong brand name and a favorable opinion of the product's quality by the retail floor sales staff are crucial to the sales process. As a result, manufacturers and retailers typically emphasize brand names and focus on popular price points. To this end, most major manufacturers produce a mattress which will sell at a retail price of $399 per queen-size set, which includes both the mattress and the box spring, in an effort to generate store traffic. However, once consumers are in the store, retailers are often able to motivate consumers to make purchases at higher retail price points of $599, $699, $799 and above per queen-size set. This strategy requires a manufacturer to supply retailers with a broad product line which in turn results in increased sales of incrementally higher margin products for retailers and increased market share for the manufacturer. COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS We attribute our leadership position to the following competitive strengths: STRONG MARKET POSITION AND HIGH BRAND AWARENESS Serta, through its licensees, is the second largest manufacturer of conventional bedding products in the United States. Our market share on a pro forma basis in 1998 was approximately 22% in our domestic 37 42 licensed territories compared to Serta's 17% overall domestic market share. Our well-known brand names such as Serta, Serta Perfect Sleeper and Sertapedic have contributed to our consistently strong market share. In addition, the Serta brand is recognized as one of the leading brands in the home furnishing industry. In 1998, Serta's national advertising investment was $17.5 million compared with $14.4 million and $4.4 million by its two largest competitors. We believe Serta's investment in national advertising coupled with advertising by Serta licensees which is matched by local dealers totaled approximately $130.0 million in 1998 and has created strong brand recognition in the bedding industry. We also believe our strong brand names create consumer preference, which leads to higher average unit selling prices, higher retailer profitability and additional retail floor space allocations. NATIONAL BRAND WITH LOCAL MARKETING EFFORTS We combine a strong nationally advertised brand that has wide consumer awareness with localized marketing efforts tailored to meet the specific needs of our customers. Our sales and marketing efforts are decentralized so that we can more readily identify local market opportunities and quickly take advantage of them. The Serta license structure allows us to determine the product, display, advertising and service needs of our customers, while giving localized sales persons the flexibility to work with our customers to fulfill their specific needs. EXTENSIVE PRODUCT OFFERINGS We offer an extensive selection of well-known conventional bedding products designed to appeal to multiple segments of the consumer base and retail market. Our broad product offerings at various price points enable retailers to merchandise their programs to maximize step-up sales and profitability. Our product line ranges from higher-margin, higher-priced bedding, sold under the Perfect Night by Serta, Serta Perfect Sleeper Nightstar, Serta Perfect Sleeper Showcase, Serta Perfect Sleeper and Masterpiece names, to lower-priced promotional products as Sertapedic, private label and contract bedding products. PROPRIETARY PRODUCTS Serta has been a leader in developing proprietary features designed to distinguish our mattresses from competitive products. Serta has built a "mini-factory" at its corporate headquarters to test and develop new and better components and to provide Serta licensees with proprietary features. These features include a continuous wire innerspring unit, patented ModuCoil steel elements, patented Triple Beam box springs and patented Contour Comfort Quilt. In addition, Serta has developed and designed the new Masterpiece Collection which contains features such as Double Micro-Offset Coils, Master Weld Torsion System and Ultimate Edge Support. EFFICIENT MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION CAPABILITIES Our current manufacturing space spans 629,000 square feet in our four factories. All of our facilities were opened within the last five years and contain advanced technology and production equipment. As a result, we have enhanced production, improved operating efficiencies and increased production capacities. Our efficiency in production and our dedication to customer service have enabled us to respond to our retailers' needs for just-in-time deliveries of quality products. COMMITMENT TO RETAILERS We understand that the critical link in selling our products to the consumer is our customer, the retailer. We provide our retailers with the necessary products, services and information to assist them in achieving their sales and profit objectives. These include proper sales training support, advertising ideas to attract consumers to the stores, just-in-time deliveries, quality products and extensive product assortments that allow effective retail merchandising to achieve more profitable step-up sales. 38 43 BUSINESS STRATEGY Our objectives are to continue to grow sales, increase profitability and gain market share by pursuing the following strategies: SELECTIVELY PURSUE CONSOLIDATION OPPORTUNITIES Since 1993, we have purchased and integrated four Serta licensees. We are continuously involved in discussions relating to potential acquisitions of Serta licensees in North America. In addition, we will explore the possibility of acquiring independent/regional bedding manufacturing operations that would allow us to capitalize on existing joint marketing, manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Through our acquisitions, we have been able to realize cash flow benefits and cost savings associated with materials purchasing, working capital improvements, productivity improvements and the adoption of "best practices" methodologies among all of our facilities. Our strategy is to leverage our superior manufacturing, distribution and marketing capabilities in order to generate incremental revenue and EBITDA. BUILD INVESTMENT IN THE SERTA BRAND Since consumers cannot closely examine the inner construction of a mattress, perceptions of quality and value are strongly influenced by the brand name and sales efforts by local retailers. We believe Serta's investment in national advertising coupled with advertising by Serta licensees which is matched by local dealers totaled approximately $130.0 million in 1998. These expenditures further increase awareness of our brands and strengthen our relationships with customers. EXPAND OUR PRODUCT OFFERINGS We constantly seek ways to expand our product offerings. Within the past year, we introduced a new, high-end addition to the Perfect Sleeper line, the Nightstar. In addition, we have recently begun to manufacture and distribute a new upscale product called Masterpiece with minimum advertised prices ranging from $700 to $5,000. The Masterpiece collection was designed to meet customer demands for upscale bedding. This collection provides us and retailers with a top-of-the-line product to maximize step-up sales, which results in higher average unit selling prices and gross margins. Leading retailers as Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Burdine's are currently selling this collection. CAPITALIZE ON EXPERIENCED AND COMMITTED MANAGEMENT TEAM We have assembled one of the industry's strongest management teams with a demonstrated track record of increasing sales and profitability. This senior management team has an average tenure of 20 years in the bedding industry and has a 26% equity interest on a fully diluted basis in our parent company. The management team has been involved in: - the acquisition of other Serta licensees and the integration of these acquisitions into Sleepmaster, - strategic planning to develop programs and products that have significantly increased sales and profitability, - the development of close retailer relationships, and - providing Serta with direction and guidance through the participation of one of our officers as a member of Serta's board of directors and by other key executives' participation as members of Serta's manufacturing, sales and finance committees. In addition, upon completion of our acquisitions, we have sought to retain successful management teams in order to capitalize on their experience and local market expertise. THE SERTA NATIONAL ORGANIZATION Serta is a national organization that is owned by and operated for the benefit of the Serta licensees. The Serta organization consists of 12 domestic licensed mattress producers which cover 34 licensing 39 44 territories and operate out of 27 domestic manufacturing facilities. Serta also has 30 international licensees in Canada, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, South America and the Caribbean. Serta owns the rights to the Serta trademark and licenses companies to manufacture and sell mattresses under the Serta brand name. The licensing agreements prohibit each licensee from manufacturing outside of its licensing territories. The Serta organization generated total domestic revenues of $640 million in the year ending December 31, 1998. The Serta organization is headed by Serta's president, who reports to a board of directors which consists of representatives of six licensees, two outside directors and the president of Serta, Inc. Charles Schweitzer, Chief Executive Officer of Sleepmaster, has been a member of the board of directors since 1995. Serta cannot own its licenses and does not have a "right-of-first-refusal" if any are to be sold. Strategic decisions for Serta are made by the board of directors and passed through to the Serta licensees. Although all Serta national advertising budgets are voted on and approved by the Serta board of directors, Serta licensees control their own marketing, merchandising, manufacturing and administrative functions and thus have the ability to tailor their businesses to the needs of local customers. Serta focuses on the following programs and services for the licensing group: conducting national advertising campaigns; issuing guidelines for Serta products; supervising quality control programs; handling sales programs for national accounts; protecting Serta trademarks; and conducting product research and development. We paid approximately 3.0% of our 1998 gross sales on a pro forma basis as a royalty to the Serta organization. PRODUCTS OVERVIEW Our product line consists of conventional bedding and box springs sold primarily under the Serta brand which varies in price, design, material and size. Retail prices for our Serta brand products range from under $200 for a twin size promotional set to approximately $2,400 for a king size luxury set. Retail prices of the newly introduced Masterpiece line range from approximately $700 for twin size to $5,000 for king size. We offer retailers a full line of products, allowing retailers to develop their own product assortment to facilitate step-up sales and to meet various consumer comfort and support preferences. 40 45 SERTA PERFECT SLEEPER The Serta Perfect Sleeper line up consists of five levels of quality, Perfect Night, Night Star, Showcase, Ultra Premium and Super Premium, and retails in a range from approximately $399 to $2,199 per queen-sized set. The following chart illustrates the differences between each of the levels: [RETAIL PRICE STEP-UP FEATURES GRAPHIC] In addition, each of the Serta Perfect Sleeper's five levels of quality has step-up features as follows: - PERFECT NIGHT The highest end product within the Serta Perfect Sleeper line, the Perfect Night retails from approximately $1,599 to $2,199 in queen size. The innerspring unit contains 752 Posture Spirals, with Dual Posture Edge, Triple Beam 108 ModuCoil support elements, Contour Comfort Quilt with Body Loft, Perimeter Edge Foam and temperature sensitive Body Pillow foam. - NIGHTSTAR The newest introduction in the Perfect Sleeper line, the Nightstar, retails from approximately $1,099 to $1,499 in queen size. The innerspring contains 720 Posture Spirals with Dual Posture Edge, Triple Beam 108 ModuCoil support elements, Contour Comfort Quilt with Body Loft and Posture Edge Foam. 41 46 - SHOWCASE Providing the step-up bridge from Ultra Premium to Nightstar, the Showcase retails from approximately $899 to $1,099 in queen size. The innerspring contains 704 posture spirals over the patented Triple Beam 96 ModuCoil foundation system plus resilient down-like Pillo-Fill quilted to high-density zoned convoluted foam. - ULTRA PREMIUM The Ultra Premium provides superior value at popular upper retail price points ranging from approximately $699 to $999 in queen size and utilizes a 704 Posture Spiral continuous wire innerspring unit over a Triple Beam box spring with additional support from specially zoned convoluted foam and ultra firm Perimeter Edge foam. - SUPER PREMIUM Our best selling category, the Super Premium provides support and comfort at popular retail price points ranging from $399 to $799 in queen size, while containing all of the components of a Perfect Sleeper so that the consumer benefits from comfort and firmness at lower prices. All Perfect Sleepers include the Perfect Sleeper Spiral Support System and the Perfect Sleeper Triple Beam Foundation System described as follows: - The Perfect Sleeper Posture Spiral Support System contains continuous steel spirals to provide a superior level of surface support and comfort, a unique lacing configuration of head-to-toe helical wire to provide stability, additional posture spirals in the center third of the mattress to deliver additional support, and a clipped border rod to provide extra edge support. - The Perfect Sleeper Triple Beam Foundation System has ModuCoil steel elements to uniquely combine the resilience of a coil with the strength of a module, a self-locking grid system to provide surface consistency and long-lasting firmness, and an exclusive triple beam frame that provides additional strength, uniform support and maximum stability. MASTERPIECE Introduced in 1999, Masterpiece was developed with a blend of old world craftsmanship and modern technology, and represents an upscale collection of mattresses and box springs. The Masterpiece line targets the growing upscale market and reflects a distinct marketing philosophy that is structured to protect and enhance its upscale brand image. A driving force behind the growth of the upscale market has been an increase in the disposable income of the baby boom generation, the population's dominant buying segment, as well as the demographic changes which have evolved, including the graduation and self support of that generation's children. Masterpiece has many exclusive features as Double Micro-Offset Coils, Ultimate Edge, Master Weld Torsion System, Contour Comfort Quilt and Posture Pad. We expect this product line to complement and strengthen our assortment offered to retailers without decreasing sales of Serta products. This collection provides us and retailers with a top-of-the-line product to maximize step-up sales, which results in higher average unit selling prices and gross margins. SERTAPEDIC PROMOTIONAL AND OTHER Our Sertapedic branded promotional lines are value-oriented products sold at retail prices from approximately $200 in twin size to $600 in queen size. These lower priced beds help attract consumers into stores and provide the retailer with a program necessary to create merchandising steps to achieve step-up sales. 42 47 CONTRACT We sell a wide range of quality bedding products to institutions in the hospitality, healthcare, military and dormitory markets. These products are sold both under the Serta and Serta Perfect Sleeper labels, as well as non-Serta brand private labels. PRIVATE LABEL We offer a collection of private label products at lower price points to compete with non-branded products supplied by smaller non-branded competitors. Our private label products help our retailers consolidate vendor structures by enabling them to purchase through one source. CUSTOMERS We manufacture and supply products to a broad and stable customer base consisting of over 1,730 retail outlets representing more than 710 customers from channels of distribution such as: - major bedding chains including Sleepy's, Rockaway, Mattress Giant, Bedding Barn and Sleep Country, - major furniture retailers including Rooms To Go, Seaman's, Baer, Kanes and The Brick, - major department stores including Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Burdine's, Stern's, Boscov's, Sears and Eaton's, - wholesale buying clubs such as Sam's, - direct marketing firms such as Dial-A-Mattress, and - contract customers such as Prime Hospitality. Our ten largest accounts accounted for approximately 46% of net shipments in 1998 on a pro forma basis. Sleepy's accounted for approximately 10% of sales on a pro forma basis in 1998. We have recently experienced a substantial decline in sales to one of our customers, Dial-a-Mattress. Dial-a-Mattress has informed us that it has reduced purchases of our mattresses because of our unwillingness to sell them Masterpiece mattresses. While we believe that Dial-a-Mattress will reconsider its decision, we cannot assure you that this will be the case. SALES, MARKETING AND ADVERTISING Our marketing and advertising focus on local markets as well as the national market. We exclusively employ a sales organization of approximately 44 people to target local retailers and to sell our products to authorized retailers in local markets. We provide our sales force with ongoing, extensive training in advertising, merchandising and salesmanship so that our sales force can successfully target retailers and work closely with retailers to assist them in implementing and improving their sales techniques. In addition, Serta has formed an organization to sell Serta products on a national level and to administer programs for national accounts such as Sears and Sam's Club. The combination of our local sales efforts and Serta's national marketing efforts allows us to better analyze the needs of our retailers and to customize our sales and marketing efforts to specific competitive environments. Our marketing strategy focuses on two areas: (1) total retailer support programs -- including cooperative advertising programs designed to meet individual retailer needs and to complement individual retailers' marketing programs and (2) a continuation of the substantial investment in national advertising that has established and will continue to build brand awareness. 43 48 Our retailer support program assists retailers in increasing sales by providing them with the following: - advertising and retail incentive packages tailored to the needs of our retailers, - point of sale materials that enable retail sales people to demonstrate the unique features of our product and explain step-up features to increase average unit selling prices, - retail sales education programs conducted at retail sites and at our factory showrooms, and - merchandised product assortments to meet the needs of retailers and help achieve step-up sales. We believe this program differentiates us from most of our competitors. Serta invests in building the Serta brand name through national advertising, and has been recognized as one of the leading brands in the home furnishing industry. Serta advertises throughout the year on prime network and cable programs, as well as on selected daytime and syndicated programs. Serta advertising is featured on shows such as ER, Touched by an Angel, Law & Order, Oprah Winfrey and the Annual Academy Awards. Serta's year-long magazine schedule includes such publications as House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, House and Garden and Travel and Leisure. In addition, Serta sponsors highly successful radio programs on the acclaimed National Public Radio Network. COMPETITION Serta is the second largest conventional bedding manufacturer in the United States and primarily competes with two national companies: Sealy and Simmons. Of the top three bedding manufacturers, Serta is the only one comprised solely of licensees. The license structure gives Serta and its licensees the advantage of having a strong national organization combined with localized marketing and sales efforts to maximize opportunities in local markets. Serta, Simmons and Sealy together accounted for approximately 54% of domestic wholesale mattress and box spring shipments in 1998. In 1998, the market shares of the top three manufacturers were as follows: MARKET SHARE ------ Serta 16.7% Sealy (Includes the Stearns and Foster brand) 21.7% Simmons 15.7% Other 45.9% - --------------- Source: Company estimates derived from data from the International Sleep Products Association, Furniture/Today and public filings. 44 49 Since 1993, market shares of the top three mattress manufacturers have changed as follows: [MARKET SHARE COMPARISON BAR CHART] SEALY (INCLUDES THE STEARNS & FOSTER BRAND) SIMMONS SERTA --------------------------- ------- ----- '1993-98' -4 9.80 34.70 - --------------- Source: Company estimates derived from data from the International Sleep Products Association, Furniture/Today and public filings. The remaining 46% of the domestic bedding market is highly fragmented and consists of (1) six second tier companies: Spring Air, Restonic, Springwall, Thera-Pedic, Basset and Englander and (2) approximately 800 independent and local regional manufacturers which mainly manufacture lower quality products for sale at lower price points. While we primarily manufacture higher margin, differentiated bedding products, we also manufacture lower priced, lower margin promotional and private label bedding to compete with smaller manufacturers and to enable retailers to provide a full breadth of products to consumers. MANUFACTURING FACILITIES AND DISTRIBUTION We operate three bedding manufacturing facilities in the United States and one manufacturing facility in Concord, Ontario, Canada. Of our three current facilities, one operates a single shift and the others operate two shifts daily. We anticipate that all four facilities will operate two shifts daily by December 31, 2000. We have found that the movement to two shifts has dramatically increased unit production levels. We believe that through the utilization of extra shifts, we will be able to meet the growing demand for our products without incurring significant capital expenditures. Our facilities are strategically located to service one or more major metropolitan areas. We have approximately 629,000 square feet of space, most of which is devoted to production. We have instituted just-in-time delivery from our major suppliers. We do not maintain a supply of finished inventory. Instead we produce all products on a made-to-order basis, enabling us to supply our broad selection of products in an efficient manner to our retailers and minimizing our inventory carrying costs. As a result, our average inventory turn is 13 times per year. We adjust production levels to meet demand and as a result we have no material backlog of orders. Our Linden, New Jersey facility is held pursuant to a lease which terminates on February 1, 2004 but provides us with two five-year options to extend the lease. The Star facility in Concord, Ontario, Canada is held pursuant to a lease which terminates on December 31, 2000 but provides us with a five year option to 45 50 renew. We own our other facilities. The following table sets forth certain information regarding our manufacturing and distribution facilities at December 31, 1998: APPROXIMATE SQUARE LOCATION FOOTAGE OWNED/LEASED - -------- ----------- ------------ Linden, New Jersey................................. 240,000 Leased Riviera Beach, Florida............................. 235,000 Owned Lancaster, Pennsylvania............................ 100,000 Owned Concord, Ontario................................... 54,000 Leased We consider our present facilities to be well maintained, in sound operating condition and adequate for our needs. We have the necessary, as well as some excess, capacity available in our facilities, and we have the necessary equipment, as owner or lessee, to carry on and grow our business. We have entered into various distribution arrangements at each facility based upon our needs and the circumstances at each location. In some locations, we have contracted with independent third parties to distribute all or a portion of our products and in other locations we own trailers and distribute the products ourselves. The flexibility of our distribution program allows us to distribute products using the most cost effective method. On August 24, 1999 we provided notice to terminate our agreement with our exclusive distributor for our Linden facility due to the distributor's failure to provide an adequate number of trucks for our shipments, among other reasons. During the ninety-day notice period, we are obligated to use the distributor's trucks to the extent of their capacity. We will be using a new distributor with a national presence for additional shipments and have entered into a letter of intent with the new distributor to enter into a five-year exclusive agreement by October 15, 1999. We anticipate that distribution costs at our Linden facility will increase by approximately 8% as a result of the new proposed arrangement. SUPPLIERS We have cultivated numerous long-standing relationships with a broad range of raw material suppliers. Major raw material categories include innersprings, box spring modules, lumber, foam and ticking. Our largest suppliers include Leggett & Platt, Burlington Industries, Blumenthal Print Works, Foamex, Flexible Foam and General Foam. Approximately 43% of our raw materials were purchased from Leggett & Platt in 1998. We take advantage of all trade discounts and do not enter into written supply contracts with any of our suppliers. We maintain several alternative-source suppliers for most of our raw materials. However, inner spring units can only be purchased from Leggett & Platt. We have never suffered a significant production loss from insufficient raw material supplies. Raw materials are periodically inspected to confirm specifications from suppliers. At the finished goods stage, two inspectors review each mattress and/or box spring before they are packed and sent to shipping. If a quality problem exists, the unit is removed from the line and sent for repair. Management estimates that only a small amount of total production is removed for reasons of deficient production quality. Management also employs a quality control supervisor who works full-time reviewing processes and finished goods in order to maintain a high-quality, Serta-specified construction standard. The supervisor is responsible for training workers on Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries quality inspection methods. WARRANTIES; PRODUCT RETURNS Our conventional bedding products generally offer limited warranties of ten years against manufacturing defects, with promotional products carrying warranties of one year. Our management believes that our warranty terms are generally consistent with those of our primary national competitors. Our historical costs of honoring warranty claims have been immaterial. 46 51 ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS We are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to pollution, environmental protection and occupational health and safety. In addition, our conventional bedding and other product lines are subject to various federal and state laws and regulations relating to flammability, sanitation and consumer protection standards. We believe that we are in material compliance with these requirements. We are not aware of any pending federal environmental legislation that we expect to have a material impact on our company. We do not expect to make any material capital expenditures for environmental controls during the next two fiscal years. Our principal wastes are nonhazardous materials such as wood, cardboard, scrap foam and packaging materials. As is the case with manufacturers in general, if a release of hazardous substances occurs on or from our properties or any associated off-site disposal location, or if contamination from prior activities is discovered at any of our properties, we may be held liable and the amount of the liability could be material. We also dispose, primarily by recycling, of small amounts of used oil. EMPLOYEES As of June 30, 1999, we employed 795 full-time employees, of whom approximately 365 were represented by the United Steel Worker's Union. The collective bargaining agreement covering the employees at the Linden, New Jersey facility terminates on April 30, 2000 and the collective bargaining agreement covering employees at the Concord, Ontario, Canada facility expires on December 31, 1999. We are not a party to any master labor agreement covering production employees at more than a single manufacturing facility. We believe that our employee relations are generally satisfactory. We have not experienced any work stoppages or slowdowns as a result of labor difficulties during the last ten years. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS From time to time, we are involved in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect that these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on Sleepmaster's or its subsidiaries' business, financial condition or results of operations. We are not currently involved in any material legal proceedings. 47 52 MANAGEMENT ADVISORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The following table sets forth the names, ages and a brief account of the business experience of each person who is an advisor or executive officer of Sleepmaster L.L.C. and Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. NAME AGE POSITION - ---- --- -------- Charles Schweitzer................... 55 President and Chief Executive Officer, Advisor, and Managing Member James Koscica........................ 39 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Advisor Michael Reilly....................... 50 Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Timothy Dupont....................... 50 Vice President of Manufacturing Michael Bubis........................ 44 President of Palm Beach and Advisor David Thomas......................... 49 Advisor John Weber........................... 34 Advisor Michael Bradley...................... 33 Advisor Robert Bartholomew................... 52 Advisor Charles Schweitzer has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sleepmaster since April 1993, after joining Sleepmaster as Senior Vice President in April 1986. Prior to joining Sleepmaster, he served as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Classic Corporation, one of the world's largest waterbed manufacturers. Before his tenure at Classic Corporation, Mr. Schweitzer served as Vice President, Marketing for Sealy Mattress Company of Connecticut/New York. Mr. Schweitzer has a B.A. in Economics and an MBA in Marketing from City College of New York. James Koscica has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sleepmaster since January 1995 and served as Vice President of Finance and Administration since April 1993, after joining Sleepmaster as controller in November 1989. Before he joined Sleepmaster, he served as controller for a Budget Rent-A-Car Corporation franchise. Prior to his work at Budget, Mr. Koscica served in management in systems development at AT&T. Mr. Koscica has a B.A. in Accounting from Rutgers University and is a licensed CPA in New Jersey. Michael Reilly has served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing since January 1995 and Vice President of Sales from April 1993, after joining Sleepmaster as Key Account Executive in February 1978. Before joining Sleepmaster, Mr. Reilly served as Marketing Representative for Simmons Company. Mr. Reilly has a B.A. in Business Administration from Catholic University. Timothy Dupont has served as Vice President of Manufacturing since April 1993, after joining Sleepmaster as Manufacturing Manager in January 1985. Before joining Sleepmaster, he served as General Manager for Guilden Development Company. Mr. Dupont has a B.A. in Business Administration from Chapman College. Michael Bubis is an advisor of Sleepmaster. Mr. Bubis has worked at Palm Beach since 1969 and has been President of Palm Beach since 1991. Mr. Bubis served as a member of the board of directors of Serta from 1995 through 1998. David Thomas is an advisor of Sleepmaster. Mr. Thomas has been a Managing Director of Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. for over five years. Mr. Thomas is a director of Lifestyle Furnishings International Ltd., Galey & Lord, Inc., Anvil Knitwear, Inc., Plainwell, Inc., Stage Stores, Inc. and American Commercial Lines LLC. John Weber is an advisor of Sleepmaster. Mr. Weber has been a Vice President at Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. since 1994. Previously, Mr. Weber worked at Putnam Investments from 1992 through 1994. 48 53 Mr. Weber is a director of Anvil Knitwear, Inc., Electrocal Designs, Inc., FFC Holding, Inc., Graphic Design Technologies, Marine Optical, Inc., Gerber Childrenswear, Inc., Plainwell, Inc. and Smith Alarm. Michael Bradley is an advisor of Sleepmaster. Mr. Bradley joined Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. in 1996. Prior to joining Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd., Mr. Bradley worked at Merrill Lynch and Selected Equity Research. Mr. Bradley received his B.A. from the University of Virginia, his J.D. from the University of Virginia and his MBA from Columbia Business School. Mr. Bradley serves on the board of directors of Hayden Corporation, MinCorp, Galey & Lord, Inc. and HL Holdings. Robert Bartholomew is an advisor of Sleepmaster. Mr. Bartholomew co-founded Pacific Mezzanine Investors in 1990. Previously, Mr. Bartholomew worked at Pacific Mutual from 1986 through 1989. Mr. Bartholomew received his B.A. in Economics and an MBA in Finance from Rutgers University. COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The following table sets forth information concerning the annual and long-term compensation for services in all capacities to our company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, of those persons who served as (1) the chief executive officer during fiscal year 1998 and (2) the other four most highly compensated executive officers of our company for fiscal year 1998 (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"). SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE ANNUAL COMPENSATION -------------------- ALL OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION(A) - --------------------------- ---- --------- -------- --------------- Charles Schweitzer.................................... 1998 $320,250 $73,658 $56,006 President and Chief Executive Officer James Koscica......................................... 1998 233,221 48,510 47,924 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Michael Bubis......................................... 1998 241,660 59,257 23,010 President of Palm Beach Michael Reilly........................................ 1998 179,550 39,501 40,942 Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Timothy Dupont........................................ 1998 116,550 47,786 34,273 Vice President of Manufacturing - --------------- (a) Represents amounts paid on behalf of each of the Named Executive Officers for (1) premiums for health, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance and for long-term disability benefits; (2) contributions to Sleepmaster's defined contribution plans; and (3) automobile allowances. 49 54 No stock options were exercised by any of the Named Executive Officers during 1998. The following table sets forth the number of securities underlying unexercised options held by each of the Named Executive Officers and the value of the options at the end of 1998: FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES ---------------------------------------------------------- NUMBERS OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END At Fiscal Year-End (a) NAME (#) EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE - ---- ----------------------------- ------------------------- Charles Schweitzer............ 0/212 $0/$515,584 James Koscica................. 0/106 0/$257,792 Michael Reilly................ 0/106 0/$257,792 Timothy Dupont................ 0/106 0/$257,792 - --------------- (a) Value of unexercised options at fiscal year-end represents the difference between the exercise price of any outstanding-in-the-money options and the fair market value of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C.'s class A common membership interests on December 31, 1998. EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS In 1996, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster and Sleep Investor entered into employment and option agreements with Charles Schweitzer, James Koscica, Michael Reilly and Timothy Dupont dated as of November 14, 1996. These agreements provide for, among other things: - terms of employment until November 1, 2001, - base salaries of $305,000 (Mr. Schweitzer), $210,000 (Mr. Koscica), $171,000 (Mr. Reilly) and $111,000 (Mr. Dupont), - early termination by reason of the officer's death or disability, by resolution of Sleepmaster's board of advisors, or upon the officer's voluntary resignation with or without a good reason event, - a severance payment in the case of early termination by Sleepmaster for other than cause or a voluntary resignation for good reason, payable in regular installments of the base salary through the period ending on the earlier of (1) November 1, 2001 and (2) the later of (a) January 2, 2000 and (b) the second anniversary of the date of termination plus a bonus payment pro rated based on the number of days worked during the year of termination, - a base salary plus a bonus to be calculated based upon EBITDA performance, - benefits, including medical, life and disability insurance, - confidentiality of information obtained during employment, non-competition and non-solicitation, and - an option vesting schedule for employees to acquire membership interests in Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., which Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. or Sleepmaster, if Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. does not elect to purchase all such interests, may repurchase if the employee is terminated for any reason. 50 55 On March 3, 1998, Palm Beach (joined by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. and Sleepmaster) entered into an employment agreement with Michael Bubis. The terms of this agreement are substantially similar to the terms described above with the following differences: - a base salary of $267,904, - term of employment until March 3, 2001, - election to the Board of Advisors of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. during the employment term, - a severance payment in the case of early termination by Palm Beach without cause or a voluntary resignation for good reason, payable in a lump sum, of the base salary from the date of termination through March 3, 2001 plus a specified sum in satisfaction on any bonus payment due or to become due under the employment agreement. STOCK OPTION PLANS On November 14, 1996 we entered into stock option agreements with Charles Schweitzer, James Koscica, Michael Reilly and Timothy Dupont. These nonqualified options entitle the executives to purchase an aggregate amount of 530 units of class A common interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. at an exercise price of $100 per unit. Options granted under the agreements vest in whole or in part on December 31, 1999 and December 31, 2001 based on Sleepmaster's achievement of EBITDA targets as long as the executive remains employed by Sleepmaster. Additionally, applicable portions of the options shall vest upon a sale of Sleepmaster if: - the sale occurs prior to December 31, 1999 and - the aggregate cash consideration received by the holders of Sleepmaster's common interests equals or exceeds either the target for December 31, 1999 or for December 31, 2001. Fifty percent of the options shall vest upon a sale of Sleepmaster if: - the sale occurs after December 31, 1999 but before December 31, 2001 and - the aggregate cash consideration received by holders of Sleepmaster's common interests equals or exceeds the target for December 31, 2001. If as of December 31, 2001 any portion of the options have not vested, Sleepmaster may automatically transfer any portion of the unvested options and re-grant the unvested options without payment of any consideration to the executives. The option agreements may be amended by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C.'s board of advisors. COMPENSATION OF ADVISORS Our advisors are not compensated for the services they render on the board of advisors, and they are not reimbursed for expenses incurred as a result of board membership. 51 56 SECURITY OWNERSHIP The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the common equity interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. owns over 99.9% of the common equity interests of Sleepmaster. NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE OF COMMON COMMON MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP NAME AND ADDRESS INTERESTS INTERESTS - ---------------- ---------- ------------- Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. ............................. 3,852.3 38.6% 399 Park Avenue New York, NY 10043 CCT Partners IV, L.P. ...................................... 677.5 6.8 399 Park Avenue New York, NY 10043 PMI Mezzanine Fund L.P.(a) ................................. 3,403.0 34.1 610 Newport Center Drive Suite 1100 Newport Beach, CA 92660 Charles Schweitzer.......................................... 677.7 6.8 2001 Lower Road Linden, NJ 07036-6520 James Koscica............................................... 360.0 3.6 2001 Lower Road Linden, NJ 07036-6520 Michael Reilly.............................................. 360.0 3.6 2001 Lower Road Linden, NJ 07036-6520 Timothy Dupont.............................................. 360.0 3.6 2001 Lower Road Linden, NJ 07036-6520 Michael Bubis............................................... 466.0 4.7 3774 Interstate Park Road North Riviera Beach, FL 33404 David Thomas(b)............................................. 4,716.3 47.3 399 Park Avenue New York, NY 10043 John Weber(b)............................................... 4,578.3 45.9 399 Park Avenue New York, NY 10043 Michael Bradley(c).......................................... 4,529.9 45.4 399 Park Avenue New York, NY 10043 Robert Bartholomew(d)....................................... 3,403.0 34.1 610 Newport Center Drive Suite 1100 Newport Beach, CA 92660 All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons).................................................. 10,354.7 94.3 - --------------- (a) Consists of 1,000 class A common membership interests and warrants currently exercisable for 2,403 common membership interests. 52 57 (b) Includes 4,529.76 common membership interests held by Citicorp Venture Capital and CCT Partners IV. Messrs. Thomas and Weber each disclaim beneficial ownership of these common membership interests. (c) Includes 3,852.3 common membership interests held by Citicorp Venture Capital. Mr. Bradley disclaims beneficial ownership of these common membership interests. (d) Includes 1,000 common membership interests held by PMI and warrants held by PMI currently exercisable for 2,403 common membership interests. Mr. Bartholomew disclaims beneficial ownership of these common membership interests and warrants. 53 58 RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS Each of the following descriptions is a summary of the documents listed below. Therefore, each summary does not restate the document described in its entirety. We urge you to read each document because it will provide more information concerning the points highlighted below. A copy of any document described below can be obtained by writing to Sleepmaster at the address located in the section entitled "Prospectus Summary." SLEEPMASTER HOLDINGS L.L.C. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT In 1996, Sleep Investor, Charles Schweitzer, James Koscica, Timothy Dupont and Michael Reilly entered into the Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. second amended and restated limited liability company operating agreement. Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. was formed under the New Jersey Limited Liability Company Act. The business and affairs of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. are managed by the managing member, Charles Schweitzer, subject to the direction of a board of advisors having duties comparable to a corporate board of directors. Currently, the board of advisors is composed of seven advisors. The number of advisors can be increased by a vote of at least 80% of the advisors. The Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. limited liability company agreement calls for the existence of four senior officers as follows: (1) Chief Executive Officer and President, (2) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, (3) Vice President of Sales and (4) Vice President of Production. MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS The board of advisors is authorized to issue or sell any of the following: (1) additional membership interests or other interests in Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., (2) obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible into or exchangeable for membership interests or other interests in Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. and (3) warrants, options, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire membership interests or other interests in Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. The class A members are entitled to one vote per class A common unit. Except as specifically required by law, the class B members and the preferred members have no right to vote on any matters to be voted on by the members of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., except in the case of mergers, consolidations, recapitalizations, or reorganizations. Each class B member is entitled at any time to convert any or all of the class B common units held by the class B member into the same number of class A common units and members holding a majority of the class B common units can cause a conversion of 100% of the class B common units into the same number of class A common units. DISTRIBUTIONS The board of advisors has sole discretion regarding the amounts and timing of distributions to members of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., subject to the retention and establishment of reserves of, or payments to third parties of, the funds as it deems necessary with respect to the reasonable business needs of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. Distributions are to be made in the following order and priority: (1) first, to the members in proportion to and to the extent of their unpaid preferred return (as defined in the Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. limited liability company agreement), (2) second, to the members in proportion to and to the extent of their unreturned preferred capital (as defined in the Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. limited liability company agreement), and (3) third, to the members in proportion to their common units. 54 59 REDEMPTION Except as extensions are provided for, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. shall make a distribution to each preferred member on November 14, 2008 in an amount equal to the full amount of the preferred member's unpaid preferred return and unreturned preferred capital as of the scheduled redemption date. In connection with the closing of the old note offering on May 18, 1999, the parties to the Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. limited liability company agreement amended the agreement to extend the redemption date of the preferred membership interests to November 14, 2009. SLEEPMASTER LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OPERATING AGREEMENT Sleep Investor and Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. entered into the Sleepmaster amended and restated limited liability company operating agreement. Sleepmaster was formed under the New Jersey Limited Liability Company Act. The business and affairs of Sleepmaster are managed by the managing member, Charles Schweitzer, subject to the direction of a board of advisors having duties comparable to a corporate board of directors. Currently, the Sleepmaster board of advisors is composed of seven advisors. The number of advisors can be increased by a vote of at least 80% of the advisors. The Sleepmaster limited liability company agreement calls for the existence of four senior officers as follows: (1) Chief Executive Officer and President, (2) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, (3) Vice President of Sales and (4) Vice President of Production. MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS Sleepmaster's board of advisors is authorized to issue or sell any of the following: (1) additional membership interests or other interests in Sleepmaster, (2) obligations, evidences of indebtedness or other securities or interests convertible into or exchangeable for membership interests or other interests in Sleepmaster, and (3) warrants, options, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire membership interests or other interests in Sleepmaster. The class A members are entitled to one vote per class A common unit. Except as specifically provided or required by law, the class B members and the preferred members have no right to vote on any matters to be voted on by the members of Sleepmaster, except in the case of mergers, consolidations, recapitalizations, or reorganizations. Each class B member is entitled at any time to convert any or all of the class B common units held by the class B member into the same number of class A common units and members holding a majority of the class B common units can cause a conversion of 100% of the class B common units into the same number of class A common units. Currently, 7,999 class A membership interests are held by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. and one is held by Sleep Investor. Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. also holds 9,999.96 preferred membership interests. DISTRIBUTIONS Sleepmaster's board of advisors has sole discretion regarding the amounts and timing of distributions to members of Sleepmaster, subject to the retention and establishment of reserves of, or payments to third parties of, the funds as it deems necessary with respect to the reasonable business needs of Sleepmaster. Distributions are to be made in the following order and priority: (1) first, to the members in proportion to and to the extent of their Unpaid Preferred Return, as defined in the Sleepmaster limited liability company agreement, (2) second, to the members in proportion to and to the extent of their Unreturned Preferred Capital, as defined in the Sleepmaster limited liability company agreement, and (3) third, to the members in proportion to their common units. 55 60 REDEMPTION Except as extensions are provided for, Sleepmaster shall make a distribution to each preferred member on November 14, 2008 in an amount equal to the full amount of such preferred member's unpaid preferred return and unreturned preferred capital as of the scheduled redemption date. In connection with the closing of the old note offering, the parties to the Sleepmaster LLC agreement amended the agreement to extend the redemption date of the preferred membership interests to November 14, 2009. SLEEPMASTER HOLDINGS L.L.C. SECURITYHOLDERS AGREEMENT In 1998, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleep Investor, PMI, key executives of Holdings and two other investors entered into an amended and restated securityholders agreement dated as of March 3, 1998. The amended and restated securityholders agreement requires that Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleep Investor, PMI and those executives of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. vote their membership interests and take all other actions within their control so that the board of advisors of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. will be comprised of four advisors designated by Sleep Investor and three advisors representative of management, Schweitzer, Koscica and Bubis. The board of advisors, or similar governing bodies of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C.'s subsidiaries must have the same composition. In addition, the securityholders agreement: (1) restricts the transfer of membership interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C.; (2) grants tag-along rights on transfers of membership interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C.; (3) grants first offer rights on transfers of membership interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C.; (4) requires each securityholder to consent to a sale of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. if the sale is approved by the board of advisors of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. and the holders of a majority of the membership interests issued to Sleep Investor and its affiliates; and (5) grants limited preemptive rights on issuances of membership interests of Holdings. The tag-along and first offer rights with respect to each securityholder's interests will terminate upon the consummation of a sale of the interests to the public pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or to the public effected through a broker-dealer or market-maker pursuant to Rule 144. SLEEPMASTER HOLDINGS L.L.C. REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT In 1998, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleep Investor, PMI, certain executives of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. and two other investors entered into an amended and restated registration rights agreement dated as of March 3, 1998. Under the amended and restated registration rights agreement, the holders of a majority of the membership interests issued to Sleep Investor or its affiliates have the right, subject to certain conditions, to require Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. to consummate a registered offering of equity securities of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. or a successor corporate entity. In addition, all holders of registrable securities are entitled to request the inclusion, subject to the terms and conditions of the registration rights agreement, of any of their common interests in any registration statement, other than registration statements on forms S-8 or S-4 or any similar form in connection with a registration to primarily register debt securities, at Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C.'s expense whenever Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. proposes to register any of its common interests under the Securities Act of 1933. In connection with all the registrations, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. has agreed to indemnify all holders of registrable securities against liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. 56 61 THE RECAPITALIZATION AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS RECAPITALIZATION AGREEMENT In November 1996, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster, Sleep Investor, Brown/Schweitzer Holdings Inc. and each of the then existing members of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. entered into a recapitalization agreement. Pursuant to the recapitalization agreement, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. redeemed all of the membership interests of its members, except for four members who are current members of management, and then sold the membership interests to Sleep Investor. In addition, Sleep Investor purchased 8,714 units of redeemable preferred interests and 6,099 units of common interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. for approximately $12.9 million plus issuance of notes to the then existing members of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. totaling $7.0 million. The remaining preferred and common interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. were allocated to the four members of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. who are currently members of our management. As a result of the recapitalization, Sleep Investor acquired 72% of the outstanding interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. and Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. management retained 28%. SLEEP INVESTOR PROMISSORY NOTES In conjunction with the recapitalization of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. in 1996, Sleep Investor issued $7.0 million of junior subordinated notes and paid cash to the then-existing members of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., including current members of our management. In exchange for the notes, the then-existing members of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. delivered common and preferred interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., as well as notes issued by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., to Sleep Investor. As of March 31, 1999, $8.0 million of the promissory notes were outstanding. In connection with the old note offering and the redemption of the senior subordinated notes, the promissory notes were amended to provide for a 12.0% interest rate and a maturity date of November 14, 2007. SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES In November 1996 Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. and PMI entered into a securities purchase agreement. Pursuant to this agreement, Sleepmaster sold $15.0 million series A senior subordinated notes due 2007 to PMI. These senior subordinated notes held by PMI were redeemed with a portion of the net proceeds of the old note offering. In addition, in March 1998 Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. and PMI entered into a securities purchase agreement. Pursuant to this agreement, Sleepmaster sold $5.0 million series B senior subordinated notes due 2007 to PMI. These senior subordinated notes held by PMI were redeemed with a portion of the proceeds of the old note offering. WARRANTS In connection with the sale of senior subordinated notes by Sleepmaster to PMI in 1996 and 1998, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. issued to PMI 2000 warrants and 403 warrants, respectively, to purchase class A common units of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. The warrants are currently exercisable at any time until March 3, 2010 at exercise price of $0.01 per unit, subject to adjustment. The holders of a majority of the outstanding warrants, during a specified window period each year from November 14, 2003 to November 14, 2009, have the right to require Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. to purchase all of the warrants or common units into which the warrants are exercisable. If this right is exercised, the purchase price on a per unit basis would be an amount equal to the value of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. divided by the number of outstanding units of common interests. The value of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. would be the greater of a multiple of EBITDA and the aggregate current market price of the units of common interests on a fully diluted basis. The put option is subject to the availability of financing. The put option shall terminate upon: (1) an approved sale or (2) the consummation of an underwritten public offering of units of common interests. 57 62 DESCRIPTION OF INDEBTEDNESS THE NEW CREDIT FACILITY The following is a summary of the material terms of the new credit facility that Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Palm Beach, Herr, Lower Road Associates, LLC, and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, the lenders parties thereto and First Union National Bank, as a lender and as an administrative agent entered into on May 18, 1999. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the new credit facility, copies of which will be made available to holders of the exchange notes upon request. STRUCTURE The new credit facility provides revolving credit facilities with aggregate availability of $25.0 million. The revolving credit facility will mature on May 18, 2005 and includes a sublimit of $8.0 million which covers letters of credit currently consisting of (a) a letter of credit to back the industrial revenue bonds currently outstanding of $6.6 million and (b) a $720,000 letter of credit issued to the landlord for deposit on the Linden, New Jersey facility. In addition, First Union National Bank has also agreed to use its best efforts to arrange an acquisition facility with an aggregate availability of $50.0 million. AVAILABILITY Availability under the new credit facility is subject to various conditions precedent typical of bank loans. Amounts under the revolving credit facility are available on a revolving basis. Amounts under the acquisition facility are available until November 18, 2001. INTEREST Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the acquisition facility bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus - the applicable margin to be determined on the basis of Sleepmaster's ratio of total funded debt, including any earnout payments capitalized on Sleepmaster's balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, to EBITDA or - the alternate base rate, which is equal to the higher of (1) the First Union prime rate and (2) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50%, plus the applicable margin. FEES Sleepmaster has agreed to pay certain fees with respect to the new credit facility, including: - a revolving credit facility commitment fee on a per annum basis at a rate of 0.50% on the average daily commitment; - an acquisition facility commitment fee on a per annum basis during the draw down period on the average unused portion of the acquiring facility; - letter of credit fees calculated on the aggregate face amount for each letter of credit equal to (1) the applicable margin for LIBOR loans on a per annum basis plus (2) a fronting fee of 0.125% per annum and customary amendment, drawing and transfer fees to be paid to the issuing bank. SECURITY The obligations of Sleepmaster under the new credit facility are secured, jointly and severally, by - a first priority lien on 100% of the membership interests in Sleepmaster, - a first priority lien on 100%, 65% for foreign subsidiaries of the equity or other ownership interests of Sleepmaster's currently owned or hereafter acquired direct and indirect subsidiaries, and - a first priority lien on and security interest in all assets of Sleepmaster and its direct and indirect United States subsidiaries. 58 63 GUARANTEES The obligations of Sleepmaster are guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each of our domestic subsidiaries. COMMITMENT REDUCTIONS AND REPAYMENTS Sleepmaster will be required to make mandatory prepayments upon receipt of proceeds of insurance awards, asset sales or equity sale proceeds, debt issuance proceeds, and 50% of annual excess cash flow. These proceeds will first reduce any remaining amortization payments on the acquisition facility and then be applied to reduce the revolving credit facility. AFFIRMATIVE, NEGATIVE AND FINANCIAL COVENANTS The new credit facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries to: - incur additional indebtedness, - pay dividends and make distributions, - issue common and preferred stock of subsidiaries, - make certain investments, - repurchase stock, - create liens, - enter into transactions with affiliates. - enter into sale and leaseback transactions, - merge or consolidate with third parties, and - transfer and sell assets. In addition, the new credit facility requires Sleepmaster to comply with specified financial ratios, including a maximum leverage ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio and a fixed charge coverage ratio. The maximum leverage ratio requires that Sleepmaster Holdings, L.L.C., together with its subsidiaries, have a ratio of total debt to EBITDA of no more than 5.75 to 1.0 until September 30, 1999. Thereafter, the required ratio will decline by .25 each year until January 1, 2004 and thereafter, where the required ratio will be no greater than 3.75 to 1.0. The minimum interest coverage ratio requires that Sleepmaster Holdings, L.L.C., together with its subsidiaries, have a ratio of EBITDA to interest expense of no less than 1.5 to 1.0 until December 31, 1999. Thereafter, the required ratio will increase by .25 each year until January 1, 2004 and thereafter, where the required ratio will be no less than 2.75 to 1.0. The fixed charge coverage ratio requires that Sleepmaster Holdings, L.L.C., together with its subsidiaries, have a ratio of EBITDA minus capital expenditures to interest expense plus taxes, dividend payments and scheduled payments on funded debt of no less than 1.0 to 1.0 until September 30, 1999. Thereafter, the required ratio will increase to 1.15 to 1.10 for the period from October 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999 and will increase to 1.25 to 1.0 thereafter. EVENTS OF DEFAULT Affirmative, Negative and Financial Covenants. The new credit facility contains customary events of default, including: - non-payment of principal, interest or fees, - violation of covenants after customary cure periods, - inaccuracy of representations and warranties, - cross-default to other material agreements and indebtedness, - bankruptcy, 59 64 - material judgments, - ERISA matters, - invalidity of loan documentation or security interest, and - change of control. INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS Sleepmaster, through its subsidiary Palm Beach, is financially obligated to the County of Palm Beach, Florida pursuant to revenue bonds issued on behalf of Palm Beach. On April 1, 1996, the County of Palm Beach Florida issued the Variable Rate Demand Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, Palm Beach Bedding Company Project, Series 1996 in the aggregate principal amount of $7.7 million to finance the construction of a 235,000 square foot manufacturing facility for Palm Beach. The bonds mature in April 2016. As of June 30, 1999, $6.4 million principal amount of the bonds were outstanding. INTEREST RATES The bonds bear interest at a variable rate determined weekly by the First Union National Bank of North Carolina. The variable rate will be based upon prevailing market conditions and will be the minimum rate necessary, in the judgement of the First Union National Bank of North Carolina, to enable it to arrange the sale of the bonds at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest. The variable rate is capped at (1) the maximum rate permitted by applicable law or (2) 12.0% per annum determined weekly. On a one-time basis, Palm Beach has the option to convert the interest rate payable on the bonds from a variable rate to a fixed rate. The interest fixed rate will be determined by First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as placement agent, in its sole judgment based upon prevailing market conditions on the date of the conversion. Palm Beach has not exercised its right to convert the interest rate payable to a fixed rate. At June 30, 1999, the interest rate on the bonds was 3.9%. REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE While the bonds bear interest at the variable rate, the County of Palm Beach, Florida may redeem the bonds in whole or in part on: (1) interest payment dates and (2) on the date the interest rate is converted to a fixed rate, upon the written request from Palm Beach with the consent of First Union National Bank of Florida. The owners of the bonds also have the right to demand the purchase of the bonds at a purchase price equal to the principal amount of the bond, plus accrued interest to the date of purchase if notice provisions are met. Once the interest rate on the bonds is converted to a fixed interest rate, they are subject to mandatory tender and purchase by Palm Beach on the date of the conversion unless the owners have irrevocably elected to hold the bonds bearing a fixed rate. SECURITY The bonds are collateralized by a letter of credit issued by First Union National Bank of Florida and backed up by La Salle National Bank for the benefit of the trustee under the indenture relating to the bonds on the Palm Beach manufacturing facilities and a pledge of Palm Beach's interest in the bonds. THE SLEEP INVESTOR PROMISSORY NOTES In conjunction with the recapitalization of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. in 1996, Sleep Investor issued $7.0 million of junior subordinated notes and paid cash to the then-existing members of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., including current members of our management. In exchange for the notes, the then-existing members of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. delivered common and preferred interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., as well as notes issued by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., to Sleep Investor. Interest payments received by Sleep Investor on the notes issued by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. 60 65 correspond to Sleep Investor's obligation to make interest payments on the promissory notes. The promissory notes may be prepaid at Sleep Investor's option and any prepayments must be made pro rata among all holders of the promissory notes. The promissory notes initially matured on November 14, 2007 and bore interest at a fixed rate of 7.02% per annum, which interest was paid in kind except that an amount equal to the current tax liability for the interest received on the promissory notes was paid in cash. The maturity date was extended to November 14, 2008 from November 14, 2007 in connection with the acquisition of Palm Beach as required by the terms of the senior subordinated notes. AMENDMENT In connection with the old note offering and the prepayment of the senior subordinated notes, the promissory notes were amended to retroactively bear interest at a fixed rate of 12.0% per annum and to mature on November 14, 2007. The holders of the promissory notes received the retroactive interest payment in the form of a cash payment which was meant to satisfy the tax obligations of the holders with respect to the retroactive interest payment and a pay-in-kind note for the balance. Future interest will be paid semi-annually. An amount of interest shall be paid in cash that allows the holders to satisfy their income tax obligations with respect to the interest accrual on the promissory notes. The cash interest payment portion will rise or fall as income tax rates rise or fall. The balance of the interest will be paid in the form of a promissory note; provided that if Sleepmaster's ratio of EBITDA to interest expense is greater than or equal to 2:1, the entire 12.0% interest shall be paid in cash. As of June 30, 1999, $8.5 million principal amount of promissory notes were outstanding. PREPAYMENT A mandatory prepayment of the promissory notes will be triggered upon a change of control which is defined as: (1) prior to an initial public offering, the failure of Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. and its affiliates and employees to own 40% of the common interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C.; and (2) after an initial public offering, the failure of Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. and its affiliates and employees to own 25% of the common interests of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. Sleepmaster has no obligations or commitments to Sleep Investor under the promissory notes. The new credit facility allows Sleepmaster to fund interest payments on the promissory notes. THE SLEEPMASTER HOLDINGS L.L.C. JUNIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE In conjunction with the purchase of substantially all the assets of Star on May 18, 1999, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. issued a junior subordinated note to the seller in the initial aggregate principal amount of $0.68 million as a portion of the purchase price. The junior subordinated note bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.0% per annum, which is pay-in-kind, unless and until the occurrence of: - a mandatory prepayment of the entire outstanding principal amount of the junior subordinated note, plus all accrued and unpaid interest, within 15 days after the consummation of a sale of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. or Star or - an optional prepayment of all or a portion of the unpaid principal amount of the junior subordinated note, together with accrued and unpaid interest on the portion of the principal amount which it is prepaying, provided that such prepayment is not forbidden by the terms of the senior debt. The junior subordinated note matures on May 18, 2002. Sleepmaster has no obligations or commitments to Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. under the junior subordinated note. The new credit facility allows Sleepmaster to fund interest payments on the junior subordinated note. 61 66 DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES GENERAL You can find the definitions of some of the terms used in this description under the subheading "Definitions." For purposes of this section, reference to Sleepmaster L.L.C. does not include its subsidiaries. We will issue the exchange notes under the terms of the indenture dated as of May 18, 1999 between Sleepmaster L.L.C., as the issuer, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, as a co-obligor, the guarantor subsidiaries and United States Trust Company of New York, as trustee. The terms of the exchange notes include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. The form and terms of the series B senior subordinated notes due 2009 are the same as the form and terms of the old notes except that (1) the exchange notes will have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and thus will not bear restrictive legends restricting their transfer under the Securities Act of 1933 and (2) holders of exchange notes will not be entitled to rights of holders of the old notes under the registration rights agreement which terminate upon the consummation of the exchange offer. The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the indenture. It does not restate that agreement in its entirety. We urge you to read the indenture and the registration rights agreement because they, and not this description, define your rights as holders of these exchange notes. Copies of the of the indenture and the registration rights agreement may be obtained by contacting us at the address and telephone number at the end of the section entitled "Prospectus Summary." BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES THE NOTES These exchange notes: - are general unsecured obligations of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation; - are subordinated in right of payment to all of our and our guarantor subsidiaries' current and future senior debt; - are equal in right of payment to all of our and our guarantor subsidiaries' existing and future senior subordinated debt; and - are ahead of all our and our guarantor subsidiaries' other current and future debt that expressly provides that it is subordinated to these exchange notes and the subsidiary guarantees. PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST The exchange notes will be unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation and will mature on May 15, 2009. Each exchange note will bear interest at the rate of 11% from May 18, 1999 or from the most recent interest payment date on which interest has been paid, payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 in each year, commencing November 15, 1999. The exchange notes which may be issued under the indenture will be limited to $165.0 million aggregate principal amount, of which $115.0 million will be issued in this offering. Up to $50 million of additional notes having identical terms and conditions to the notes offered in this offering may be issued from time to time after the date of this prospectus under the indenture, subject to the provisions of the indenture, including those described under the caption "-- Covenants -- Limitation on Indebtedness." The exchange notes issued in this offering and any additional notes subsequently issued under the indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. The issuers will pay interest to the Person in whose name the exchange note, or any predecessor exchange note, is registered at the close of business on the May 1 or November 1 immediately preceding 62 67 the relevant interest payment date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. (Sections 202, 301 and 309) METHODS OF RECEIVING PAYMENTS ON THE EXCHANGE NOTES Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the exchange notes will be payable, and the exchange notes will be exchangeable and transferable, at the office or agency of the issuers in The City of New York maintained for such purposes, which initially will be the corporate trust office of the trustee. Payment of interest also may be made at the option of the issuers by check mailed to the Person entitled thereto as shown on the security register. (Sections 301, 305 and 1002) The exchange notes will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer, exchange or redemption of exchange notes, except in circumstances for any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with the exchange notes. (Sections 302 and 305) Settlement for the exchange notes will be made in same day funds. All payments of principal and interest will be made by Sleepmaster in same day funds. The exchange notes will trade in the Same-Day Funds Settlement System of The Depository Trust Company until maturity, and secondary market trading activity for the exchange notes will therefore settle in same day funds. GUARANTEES Payment of the exchange notes is guaranteed by the guarantors jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally, on a senior subordinated basis. - The guarantors are comprised of all of the domestic Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of Sleepmaster. - In addition, if any domestic Restricted Subsidiary of Sleepmaster becomes a guarantor or obligor in respect of any other Indebtedness of Sleepmaster or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, Sleepmaster shall cause such Restricted Subsidiary to enter into a supplemental indenture. Under the supplemental indenture, the Restricted Subsidiary shall agree to guarantee Sleepmaster's obligations under the exchange notes. If the issuers default in payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the exchange notes, each of the guarantors will be unconditionally, jointly and severally obligated to duly and punctually pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the exchange notes. The obligations of each guarantor under its guarantee are limited to the maximum amount which: (1) after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such guarantor, and (2) after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other guarantor under its guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under the indenture, will result in the obligations of such guarantor under its guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law. Each guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under its guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from any other guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each guarantor determined in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in circumstances such as those described in the Section "Covenants" under the heading "Limitation on Issuance of Guarantees and Pledges for Indebtedness" in subsection (c), a guarantee of a guarantor may be released from their obligation. Sleepmaster also may, at any time, cause a Restricted Subsidiary to become a guarantor by executing and delivering a supplemental indenture providing for the guarantee of payment of the exchange notes by such Restricted Subsidiary on the basis provided in the indenture. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION After May 15, 2004, we may redeem all or a portion of the exchange notes, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice, in amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. The exchange 63 68 notes will be redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15 of the years indicated below at the redemption prices expressed as percentages of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest described below: REDEMPTION YEAR PRICE - ---- ---------- 2004.............................................. 105.500% 2005.............................................. 103.667% 2006.............................................. 101.833% 2007 and thereafter............................... 100.000% In each case, we will also pay accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, subject to the rights of holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an interest payment date. PUBLIC EQUITY OFFERING REDEMPTION At any time prior to May 15, 2002, we may on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the exchange notes originally issued under the indenture with the proceeds of one or more public equity offerings. This 35% includes the principal amount of any additional notes which may be issued under the indenture. The redemption price will be 111% of the principal amount of the exchange notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, provided that: (1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of exchange notes, including any additional notes which may be issued under the indenture, remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption; (2) we mail notice of the redemption no later than 20 days after the closing of the related public equity offering; and (3) the redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of such public equity offering. CHANGE OF CONTROL CALL The exchange notes may be redeemed at any time prior to May 15, 2004, at the option of the issuers, in whole and not in part, within 60 days after a change in control event. The issuers must give notice to each holder of exchange notes not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior to the scheduled redemption. Exchange notes may be redeemed in amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000. The redemption price will be equal to the sum of (1) 100% of the principal amount thereof plus (2) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, subject to the right of holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an interest payment date, plus (3) the Applicable Premium, if any. In no event will the redemption price of the exchange notes be less than 105.5%, the redemption price for the exchange notes on May 15, 2004, of the principal amount of the exchange notes, plus accrued interest to the applicable redemption date. Applicable Premium means, with respect to an exchange note to be redeemed at any redemption date, the excess of (A) the present value at such time of (1) the redemption price of such exchange note at May 15, 2004, plus (2) all required interest payments, excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the date of redemption, due on such exchange note through May 15, 2004, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) the then outstanding principal amount of such exchange note. 64 69 PROCEDURES If less than all of the exchange notes are to be redeemed, the trustee shall select the exchange notes to be redeemed in compliance with the requirements of the principal national security exchange, if any, on which the exchange notes are listed. If the exchange notes are not listed on a national security exchange, the trustee shall redeem the exchange notes on a pro rata basis, by lot or by any other method the trustee shall deem fair and reasonable. Exchange notes redeemed in part must be redeemed only in integral multiples of $1,000. Redemption pursuant to the provisions relating to a public equity offering must be made on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata basis as practicable, subject to the procedures of The Depositary Trust Company or any other depositary. (Sections 203, 1101, 1105 and 1107) SINKING FUND The exchange notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. PURCHASE OF NOTES UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL If a change of control event occurs, each holder of exchange notes will have the right to require that the issuers purchase all or any part, in integral multiples of $1,000, of such holder's exchange notes under a change of control offer. Neither the board of directors of Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation nor the trustee may waive a holder's right to redeem its exchange notes upon a change of control. In the change of control offer, the issuers will offer to purchase all of the exchange notes at a purchase price in cash in an amount equal to 101% of the principal amount of such exchange notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. The repurchase is subject to the rights of holders of record on relevant record dates to receive interest due on an interest payment date. Within 30 days of any change of control, the issuers must notify the trustee and give written notice of the change of control to each holder of exchange notes, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at its address appearing in the security register. The notice must state, among other things, - that a change of control has occurred and the date of such event; - the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such change of control, including information with respect to pro forma historical income, cash flow and capitalization after giving effect to such change of control; - the purchase price and the purchase date which shall be fixed by the issuers on a business day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date the notice is mailed, or such later date as is necessary to comply with requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; - that any exchange note not tendered will continue to accrue interest; - that, unless the issuers default in the payment of the change of control purchase price, any exchange notes accepted for payment pursuant to the change of control offer shall cease to accrue interest after the change of control purchase date; and - other procedures that a holder of exchange notes must follow to accept a change of control offer or to withdraw acceptance of the change of control offer. (Section 1015) In addition, prior to any change of control, but after it is publicly announced, the issuers, at their option, may notify the trustee and give written notice of the proposed change of control to each holder of the exchange notes, offering to purchase all of the exchange notes at the change of control purchase price, which notice and offer shall be sufficient to constitute a change of control offer. If a change of control offer is made, the issuers may not have available funds sufficient to pay the change of control purchase price for all of the exchange notes that might be delivered by holders of the exchange notes seeking to accept the change of control offer. As of June 30, 1999, Sleepmaster had $6.4 million of senior debt outstanding. The failure of Sleepmaster to make or consummate the change of control offer or pay the change of control purchase price when due will give the trustee and the holders of the exchange notes the rights described under "-- Events of Default." Under the credit facility, a change of control, as defined in the credit facility, constitutes an event of default. Upon acceleration, all Indebtedness thereunder would become due and payable. 65 70 The definition of change of control includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of "all or substantially all" of the assets of the issuers. The term "all or substantially all" as used in the definition of "change of control" has not been interpreted under New York law, which is the governing law of the indenture, to represent a specific quantitative test. Therefore, if holders of the exchange notes elected to exercise their rights under the indenture and Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation elected to contest such election, it is not clear how a court interpreting New York law would interpret the phrase. A disposition of all of the assets of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, however, may still not constitute a change of control. The existence of a holder's right to require the issuers to repurchase the holder's exchange notes upon a change of control may deter a third party from acquiring Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation in a transaction which constitutes a change of control. The provisions of the indenture will not afford holders of the exchange notes the right to require the issuers to repurchase the exchange notes in the event of a highly leveraged transaction or certain transactions with Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation management or Affiliates if the transaction is not defined as a change of control. The following highly leveraged transactions may not constitute a change of control but may adversely affect holders of exchange notes: (1) a reorganization, (2) a restructuring, or (3) a merger or similar transaction, including an acquisition of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation by management or affiliates, involving Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation. A transaction with management would not be a change of control so long as no party other than management or Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd. and its affiliates acquired more than 50% of Sleepmaster's voting stock in the transaction. Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation will comply with the applicable tender offer rules, including Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act, and any other applicable securities laws or regulations in connection with a change of control offer. Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation will not be required to make a change of control offer upon a change of control if (1) a third party makes the change of control offer (2) the change of control offer is made in the manner and at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements described in the indenture applicable to a change of control offer made by Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation and (3) the third party purchases all exchange notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under the change of control offer. RANKING The Indebtedness evidenced by the exchange notes will be unsecured senior subordinated indebtedness of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation. The payment of the principal of any premiums and interest on the exchange notes (1) is subordinate in right of payment, as described in the indenture, to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, (2) will rank equal in right of payment with all existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, and (3) will be senior in right of payment to all existing and future subordinated obligations of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation. The exchange notes will also be effectively subordinated to any Secured Indebtedness of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. However, payment from the money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in any 66 71 defeasance trust described under "Defeasance" below is not subordinated to any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the restrictions in the indenture. GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES The indebtedness evidenced by a subsidiary guaranty will be unsecured senior subordinated indebtedness of the guarantor subsidiary issuing such subsidiary guaranty. The payment of a subsidiary guaranty (1) is subordinate in right of payment, as described in the indenture, to all existing and future senior indebtedness of such guarantor subsidiary, (2) will rank equal in right of payment with the existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor subsidiary and (3) will be senior in right of payment to all existing and future subordinated obligations of such guarantor subsidiary. Each subsidiary guaranty will also be effectively subordinated to any Secured Indebtedness of the guarantor subsidiary to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. EVENT OF DEFAULT Upon the occurrence of any default in the payment of any Designated Senior Indebtedness beyond any applicable grace period and after the receipt by the trustee from a representative of holders of any Designated Senior Indebtedness, collectively, a "Senior Representative", of written notice of such default, payments on the exchange notes will be restricted. Specifically, no payment (other than payments previously made pursuant to the provisions described under "-- Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of Indenture") or distribution of any assets of Sleepmaster of any kind or character (excluding permitted equity interests or subordinated securities) may be made on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the exchange notes or on account of the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition of or in respect of, the exchange notes unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist or such Designated Senior Indebtedness shall have been discharged or paid in full. After the default is cured or waived, Sleepmaster shall resume making any and all required payments in respect of the exchange notes, including any missed payments. BLOCKAGE PERIOD Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any non-payment default Sleepmaster may not pay the exchange notes for a period. This restriction applies to any Designated Senior Indebtedness with maturity that may be accelerated immediately. This period will commence upon the receipt by the trustee and Sleepmaster from a Senior Representative of written notice of such non-payment default. After the trustee and Sleepmaster receive notice, no payment (other than payments previously made pursuant to the provisions described under "-- Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of Indenture") or distribution of any assets of Sleepmaster of any kind or character (excluding permitted equity interests or subordinated securities) may be made by Sleepmaster on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the exchange notes. In addition, no payments may be made on account of the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition of, or in respect of, the exchange notes for the period specified below. The payment blockage period shall commence upon the receipt of notice of the non-payment default by the trustee and Sleepmaster from a Senior Representative and shall end on the earliest of (1) the 179th day after such commencement, (2) the date on which such non-payment default, and all other non-payment defaults as to which notice is given after such payment blockage period is initiated, is cured, waived or ceases to exist or on which such Designated Senior Indebtedness is discharged or paid in full or (3) the date on which such payment blockage period, and all non-payment defaults as to which notice is given after such payment blockage period is initiated, shall have been terminated by 67 72 written notice to Sleepmaster or the trustee from the Senior Representative initiating such payment blockage period. When the payment blockage period ends, Sleepmaster will promptly resume making any and all required payments in respect of the exchange notes, including any missed payments. In no event will a payment blockage period extend beyond 179 days from the date of the receipt by Sleepmaster or the trustee of the notice initiating such payment blockage period. Any number of notices of non-payment defaults may be given during this first 179 day period. However, during any period of 365 consecutive days only one payment blockage period, during which payment of principal of, or interest on, the exchange notes may not be made, may commence. The duration of such payment blockage period may not exceed 179 days and there must be a 186 consecutive day period in any 365 day period during which no payment blockage period is in effect. No non-payment default with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness that existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any payment blockage period will be, or can be, made the basis for the commencement of a second payment blockage period, whether or not within a period of 365 consecutive days, unless such default has been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days subsequent to the commencement of such initial Payment Blockage Period. (Section 1203) DEFAULT If Sleepmaster fails to make any payment on the exchange notes when due or within any applicable grace period, whether or not on account of the payment blockage provisions referred to above, such failure would constitute an event of default under the indenture and would enable the holders of the exchange notes to accelerate the maturity thereof. See "-- Events of Default." The indenture will provide that in the event of (1) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding, relative to Sleepmaster or its assets, (2) or any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of Sleepmaster, whether voluntary or involuntary, or (3) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or other marshalling of assets or liabilities of Sleepmaster (except in connection with the consolidation or merger of Sleepmaster or its liquidation or dissolution following the conveyance, transfer or lease of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety upon the terms and conditions described under "-- Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets"), all Senior Indebtedness must be paid in full before any payment or distribution (excluding distributions of permitted equity interests or subordinated securities) is made on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the exchange notes or on account of the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition of or in respect of the exchange notes (other than payments previously made pursuant to the provisions described under "-- Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of Indenture"). By reason of such subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency, creditors of Sleepmaster who are holders of Senior Indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the exchange notes. Funds which would be otherwise payable to the holders of the exchange notes will be paid to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent necessary to pay the Senior Indebtedness in full and Sleepmaster may be unable to meet its obligations fully with respect to the exchange notes. FUTURE DEBT The indenture will limit, but not prohibit, the incurrence by Sleepmaster and its Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness. Additionally, the indenture will prohibit the incurrence by Sleepmaster of Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to any Senior Indebtedness of Sleepmaster and senior in right of payment to the exchange notes. As of June 30, 1999, the amount of indebtedness that Sleepmaster can incur which out ranks the exchange notes was $30.9 million. 68 73 Each guarantee of a guarantor will be an unsecured senior subordinated obligation of such guarantor, ranking senior in right of payment to all other existing and future Indebtedness of such guarantor that is expressly subordinated to Senior Guarantor Indebtedness. The Indebtedness evidenced by the guarantees will be subordinated to Senior Guarantor Indebtedness to substantially the same extent as the exchange notes are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness. During any period when payment on the exchange notes is blocked by Designated Senior Indebtedness, payment on the guarantees will be similarly blocked. CURRENT OUTSTANDING DEBT As of June 30, 1999, (1) the aggregate amount of Senior Indebtedness outstanding was approximately $6.4 million, consisting of our guarantee of Senior Guarantor Indebtedness, (2) the aggregate amount of Senior Guarantor Indebtedness was $6.4 million, (3) our non-guarantor Restricted Subsidiary had no Indebtedness outstanding and (4) no Subordinated Indebtedness or Pari Passu Indebtedness was outstanding. See "Risk Factors -- We will have substantial debt following this offering and will need to generate significant cash flow in order to pay interest on our debt" and "Capitalization." SLEEPMASTER FINANCE CORPORATION Sleepmaster Finance Corporation is a joint and several co-obligor of the exchange notes. Sleepmaster Finance Corporation is a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of Sleepmaster and has no material assets. The indenture provides that the exchange notes are senior subordinated obligations of Sleepmaster Finance Corporation to the same extent as the obligations are senior subordinated obligations of Sleepmaster. As of June 30, 1999, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation had no Indebtedness outstanding, other than the exchange notes. Sleepmaster Finance Corporation is prohibited from incurring any indebtedness other than the notes and the exchange notes. "SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness of Sleepmaster (other than as otherwise provided in this definition), whether outstanding on the date of the indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, and whether at any time owing, actually or contingent, unless, in the case of any particular Indebtedness, the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the exchange notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, "Senior Indebtedness" shall not include (1) Indebtedness evidenced by the exchange notes or any additional notes, (2) Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of Sleepmaster, (3) Indebtedness which when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of Title 11 United States Code, is without recourse to Sleepmaster, (4) Indebtedness which is represented by Redeemable Capital Stock, (5) any liability for foreign, federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by Sleepmaster to the extent such liability constitutes Indebtedness, (6) Indebtedness of Sleepmaster to a Subsidiary or any other Affiliate of Sleepmaster or any of such Affiliate's Subsidiaries, (7) to the extent it might constitute Indebtedness, amounts owing for goods, materials or services purchased in the ordinary course of business or consisting of trade accounts payable owed or owing by Sleepmaster, and amounts owed by Sleepmaster for compensation to employees or services rendered to Sleepmaster, (8) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of issuance is issued in violation of the indenture and 69 74 (9) Indebtedness evidenced by any guarantee of any Subordinated Indebtedness or Pari Passu Indebtedness. "DESIGNATED SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means (1) all Senior Indebtedness under the credit facility and (2) any other Senior Indebtedness which at the time of determination has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least $20 million and which is specifically designated in the instrument evidencing such Senior Indebtedness or the agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness arises as "Designated Senior Indebtedness" by Sleepmaster. "SENIOR GUARANTOR INDEBTEDNESS" means the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness of any guarantor, other than as otherwise provided in this definition. This includes indebtedness outstanding on the date of the indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, and whether at any time owing, actually or contingent. Senior Guarantor Indebtedness will not include Indebtedness if the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding expressly provides that such Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to any guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, "Senior Guarantor Indebtedness" shall not include (1) Indebtedness evidenced by the guarantees or any guarantee by a guarantor of additional notes, (2) Indebtedness that is subordinated or junior in right of payment to any Indebtedness of any guarantor, (3) Indebtedness which when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of Title 11 United States Code, is without recourse to any guarantor, (4) Indebtedness which is represented by Redeemable Capital Stock, (5) any liability for foreign, federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by any guarantor to the extent such liability constitutes Indebtedness, (6) Indebtedness of any guarantor to a Subsidiary or any other Affiliate of Sleepmaster or any of such Affiliate's Subsidiaries, (7) to the extent it might constitute Indebtedness, amounts owing for goods, materials or services purchased in the ordinary course of business or consisting of trade accounts payable owed or owing by such guarantor, and amounts owed by such guarantor for compensation to employees or services rendered to such guarantor, (8) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of issuance is issued in violation of the indenture and (9) Indebtedness evidenced by any guarantee of any Subordinated Indebtedness or Pari Passu Indebtedness. COVENANTS The indenture contains, among others, the following covenants: LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS. Sleepmaster will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to incur Indebtedness. Incurring Indebtedness includes creating, issuing, incurring, assuming, guaranteeing or otherwise in any manner becoming directly or indirectly liable for the payment of or otherwise incurring, contingently or otherwise, any Indebtedness, including any Acquired Indebtedness, unless (1) such Indebtedness is incurred by Sleepmaster or a guarantor or constitutes Acquired Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary and, (2) in each case, Sleepmaster's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the most recent four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available immediately preceding the incurrence of such Indebtedness taken as one period is at least equal to or greater than 2:1. (Section 1008) 70 75 Notwithstanding the foregoing, Sleepmaster and, to the extent specifically detailed below, the Restricted Subsidiaries may incur each and all of the following which constitute Permitted Indebtedness: (1) Indebtedness of Sleepmaster, and guarantees thereof by the guarantors, under the credit facility in an aggregate principal amount then classified as having been incurred in reliance on this clause (1) at any one time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (a) $25 million under the revolving credit facility thereof and in respect of letters of credit thereunder minus the amount by which any commitments thereunder are permanently reduced and minus the aggregate amount of Net Cash Proceeds of Asset Sales applied to permanently reduce the commitments with respect to such Indebtedness pursuant to the "Restriction on Asset Sales" covenant; and (b) the sum of (1) 80% of the consolidated net book value of the accounts receivable and (2) 60% of the net book value of the inventory, in each case of Sleepmaster and its Restricted Subsidiaries as described on the latest available consolidated balance sheet of Sleepmaster determined in accordance with GAAP; (2) Indebtedness of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation pursuant to the exchange notes, other than any additional notes, and Indebtedness of any guarantor pursuant to a guarantee of the exchange notes, other than any additional notes; (3) Indebtedness of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the date of the indenture, (4) Indebtedness of Sleepmaster owing to a Restricted Subsidiary; - provided that any Indebtedness of Sleepmaster owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a guarantor is made pursuant to an intercompany note in the form attached to the indenture and is unsecured and is subordinated in right of payment from and after such time as the exchange notes shall become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, acceleration or otherwise, to the payment and performance of Sleepmaster's obligations under the exchange notes; - provided, further, that any disposition, pledge or transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person (other than a disposition, pledge or transfer to a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness by Sleepmaster or other obligor not permitted by this clause (4); (5) Indebtedness of a Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary owing to Sleepmaster or another Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary; - provided that any Indebtedness is made pursuant to an intercompany note in the form attached to the indenture; - provided, further, that (a) any disposition, pledge or transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person, other than a disposition, pledge or transfer to Sleepmaster or a Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary, shall be deemed to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the obligor not permitted by this clause (5), and (b) any transaction pursuant to which any Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary, which has Indebtedness owing to Sleepmaster or any other Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, ceases to be a Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be the incurrence of Indebtedness by such Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary that is not permitted by this clause (5); (6) guarantees of any Restricted Subsidiary made in accordance with the provisions of "-- Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees of and Pledges for Indebtedness;" (7) obligations of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary entered into in the ordinary course of business 71 76 (a) pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements designed to protect Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary against fluctuations in interest rates in respect of Indebtedness of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary as long as such obligations do not exceed the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness then outstanding or (b) under any Currency Hedging Agreements, relating to (1) Indebtedness of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary and/or (2) obligations to purchase or sell assets or properties, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Currency Hedging Agreements do not increase the Indebtedness or other obligations of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding other than as a result of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or by reason of fees, indemnities and compensation payable thereunder; (8) Indebtedness of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary represented by Capital Lease Obligations or Purchase Money Obligations or other Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or development of real or personal, movable or immovable, property in each case incurred for the purpose of financing or refinancing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, including common stock, used in the business of Sleepmaster, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time pursuant to this clause (8) not to exceed the greater of $7.5 million or 10% of Sleepmaster's Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; provided that the principal amount of any Indebtedness permitted under this clause (8) did not in each case at the time of incurrence exceed the Fair Market Value, as determined by Sleepmaster in good faith, of the acquired or constructed asset or improvement so financed; (9) Acquired Indebtedness, Indebtedness incurred to finance acquisitions, or Indebtedness incurred to refinance Acquired Indebtedness or Indebtedness incurred to finance acquisitions, in any such case of Sleepmaster or any guarantor, provided that after giving pro forma effect thereto (a) Sleepmaster's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is less than 2.0:1 but greater than or equal to 1.75:1 and (b) Sleepmaster's Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio increases as a consequence of such incurrence and related acquisition; (10) any renewals, extensions, substitutions, refundings, refinancings or replacements (collectively, a "refinancing") of any Indebtedness described in clauses (2), (3) or (9) of this definition of "Permitted Indebtedness," including any successive refinancings so long as the borrower under such refinancing is Sleepmaster. If not, the same as the borrower of the Indebtedness being refinanced and the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness represented thereby, or if such Indebtedness provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, the original issue price of such Indebtedness plus any accreted value attributable thereto since the original issuance of such Indebtedness, is not increased by such refinancing plus the lesser of (a)the stated amount of any premium or other payment required to be paid in connection with such a refinancing pursuant to the terms of the Indebtedness being refinanced or (b)the amount of premium or other payment actually paid at such time to refinance the Indebtedness, plus, in either case, the amount of expenses of Sleepmaster incurred in connection with such refinancing and (1) in the case of any refinancing of Indebtedness that is Subordinated Indebtedness, such new Indebtedness is made subordinated to the exchange notes at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced and 72 77 (2) in the case of Pari Passu Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness, as the case may be, such refinancing does not reduce the Average Life to Stated Maturity or the Stated Maturity of such Indebtedness; (11) any guarantee by Sleepmaster or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of Sleepmaster or a Restricted Subsidiary of Sleepmaster that was not prohibited from being incurred pursuant to any of the terms of the indenture; (12) Indebtedness incurred by Sleepmaster or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business, including without limitation to letters of credit in respect to workers' compensation claims or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers' compensation claims; provided, however, that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence; (13) Indebtedness arising from agreements of Sleepmaster or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, asset or Restricted Subsidiary, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; provided that (x) such Indebtedness is not reflected on the balance sheet of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary, contingent obligations referred to in a footnote or footnotes to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (x), and (y) the maximum assumable liability in respect of such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross cash proceeds actually received by Sleepmaster and/or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such disposition; (14) obligations in respect of performance and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; and (15) Indebtedness of Sleepmaster in addition to that described in clauses (1) through (14) above, and any renewals, extensions, substitutions, refinancings or replacements of such Indebtedness, so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness shall not exceed $10 million outstanding at any one time in the aggregate. For purposes of determining compliance with this "Limitation on Indebtedness" covenant, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness permitted by this covenant, Sleepmaster in its sole discretion shall classify such item of Indebtedness and only be required to include the amount of such Indebtedness as one of such types. In addition, Sleepmaster may, at any time, change the classification of an item of Indebtedness, or any portion thereof, to any other clause or to the first paragraph hereof provided that Sleepmaster would be permitted to incur such item of Indebtedness, or portion thereof, pursuant to such other clause or the first paragraph hereof, as the case may be, at such time of reclassification, except for Redeemable Capital Stock outstanding on the date of the indenture. LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. (a) Sleepmaster will not, and will not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly: (1) declare or pay any dividend on, or make any distribution on account of, any shares of Sleepmaster's Capital Stock, other than dividends or distributions payable solely in shares of 73 78 its Qualified Capital Stock or in options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of such Qualified Capital Stock; (2) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, directly or indirectly, Sleepmaster's Capital Stock, any Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of Sleepmaster (other than Capital Stock of any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary if as a result of such purchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement, such Restricted Subsidiary becomes a Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary), any Capital Stock of any entity that owns, directly or indirectly, a majority of the Capital Stock of Sleepmaster, or options, warrants or other rights to acquire any of the aforementioned Capital Stock; (3) make any principal payment on, or repurchase, redeem, defease, retire or otherwise acquire for value, prior to any required or mandatory principal payment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness; (4) declare or pay any dividend or distribution on any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person other than (a) to Sleepmaster or any of its Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) dividends or distributions made by a Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata basis to all stockholders of such Restricted Subsidiary; or (5) make any Investment in any Person other than any Permitted Investments (any of the foregoing actions described in clauses (1) through (5) above, other than any such action that is a Permitted Payment, as defined below, collectively, "Restricted Payments") (the amount of any such Restricted Payment, if other than cash, shall be the Fair Market Value of the assets proposed to be transferred, as determined by the board of directors of Sleepmaster, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a board resolution), unless (1) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such proposed Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and such Restricted Payment shall not be an event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both, would be, an "event of default" under the terms of any Indebtedness of Sleepmaster or its Restricted Subsidiaries; (2) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, Sleepmaster could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness, other than Permitted Indebtedness, under the provisions described under "-- Limitation on Indebtedness;" and (3) after giving effect to the proposed Restricted Payment, the aggregate amount of all such Restricted Payments declared or made after the date of the indenture and all Designation Amounts does not exceed the sum of: (A) 50% of the aggregate Consolidated Net Income of Sleepmaster accrued on a cumulative basis during the period beginning on the first day of Sleepmaster's fiscal quarter beginning after the date of the indenture and ending on the last day of Sleepmaster's last fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of the Restricted Payment, or, if such aggregate cumulative Consolidated Net Income shall be a loss, minus 100% of such loss; (B) the aggregate net cash proceeds received after the date of the indenture by Sleepmaster either (1) as capital contributions in the form of common equity to Sleepmaster or (2) from the issuance or sale, other than to any of its Subsidiaries, of Qualified Capital Stock of Sleepmaster or any options, warrants or rights to purchase such Qualified Capital Stock of Sleepmaster to the extent, however, that the proceeds are used to purchase, redeem or otherwise retire Capital Stock or Subordinated Indebtedness as 74 79 described below in clause (2) or (3) of paragraph (b) below. The proceeds will not be included in aggregate net cash proceeds. The Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance of Qualified Capital Stock financed, directly or indirectly, using funds borrowed from Sleepmaster or any Subsidiary until and to the extent such borrowing is repaid will also be excluded. Finally, in determining aggregate net cash proceeds, the fair market value of property other than cash will be included. The fair market value of property will be determined by the board of directors of Sleepmaster in good faith and evidenced by a board resolution in an officer's certificate delivered to the trustee. If the fair market value is in excess of $5 million, an opinion as to the value thereof issued by an investment banking firm of national standing, which opinion shall provide a specific value which, or a range of values the lowest point of which, is not lower than the value in the board resolution, will be provided. The property must also be related, ancillary or complementary to any business of Sleepmaster and its Restricted Subsidiaries. (C) the aggregate net cash proceeds received after the date of the indenture by Sleepmaster, other than from any of its Subsidiaries, upon the exercise of any options, warrants or rights to purchase Qualified Capital Stock of Sleepmaster. In determining aggregate net cash proceeds, the fair market value of property other than cash will be included. The fair market value of the property will be determined by the board of directors of Sleepmaster in good faith and evidenced by a board resolution in an officer's certificate delivered to the trustee. If the fair market value is in excess of $5 million, an opinion as to the value thereof issued by an investment banking firm of national standing, a copy of which shall be delivered to the trustee, which opinion shall provide a specific value which, or a range of values the lowest point of which, is not lower than the value set forth in the board resolution will be provided. The property must also be related, ancillary or complementary to any business of Sleepmaster and its Restricted Subsidiaries to be included in the calculation. Also, the net cash proceeds from the exercise of any options, warrants or rights to purchase Qualified Capital Stock financed, directly or indirectly, using funds borrowed from Sleepmaster or any Subsidiary will be excluded from the calculation until and to the extent such borrowing is repaid; (D) the aggregate net cash proceeds received after the date of the indenture by Sleepmaster from the conversion or exchange, if any, of debt securities or Redeemable Capital Stock of Sleepmaster or its Restricted Subsidiaries into or for Qualified Capital Stock of Sleepmaster plus, to the extent the debt securities or Redeemable Capital Stock were issued after the date of the indenture, the aggregate of net cash proceeds from their original issuance. The net cash proceeds from the conversion or exchange of debt securities or Redeemable Capital Stock financed, directly or indirectly, using funds borrowed from Sleepmaster or any Subsidiary will be excluded from the determination of aggregate net cash proceeds until and to the extent such borrowing is repaid); and (E) (a) in the case of the disposition or repayment of any investment constituting a Restricted Payment made after the date of the indenture, an amount, to the extent not included in Consolidated Net Income, equal to the lesser of the return of capital with respect to such Investment and the initial amount of such Investment, in either case, less the cost of the disposition of such Investment and net of taxes, and (b) in the case of the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, as long as the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary was deemed a Restricted Payment, the Fair Market Value of Sleepmaster's interest in such Subsidiary provided that such amount shall not in any case exceed the amount of the Restricted Payment deemed made at the time the Subsidiary was designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and in the case of clauses (2) through (11) below, so long as no Default or Event of Default is continuing or would arise therefrom, the foregoing provisions shall 75 80 not prohibit the following actions (each of clauses (1) through (4) being referred to as a "Permitted Payment"): (1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at such date of declaration such payment was permitted by the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section and such payment shall have been deemed to have been paid on such date of declaration and shall not have been deemed a "Permitted Payment" for purposes of the calculation required by paragraph (a) of this section; (2) the repurchase, redemption, or other acquisition or retirement for value of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of Sleepmaster in exchange for, including any such exchange pursuant to the exercise of a conversion right or privilege in connection with which cash is paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares or scrip, or out of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent issuance and sale for cash, other than to a Subsidiary, of, other shares of Qualified Capital Stock of Sleepmaster; provided that the net cash proceeds from the issuance of such shares of Qualified Capital Stock are excluded from clause (3)(B) of paragraph (a) of this section; (3) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or acquisition for value or payment of principal of any Subordinated Indebtedness in exchange for, or in an amount not in excess of the Net Cash Proceeds of, a substantially concurrent issuance and sale for cash, other than to any Subsidiary of Sleepmaster, of any Qualified Capital Stock of Sleepmaster, provided that the Net Cash Proceeds from the issuance of such shares of Qualified Capital Stock are excluded from clause (3)(B) of paragraph (a) of this section; and (4) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement, refinancing, acquisition for value or payment of principal of any Subordinated Indebtedness (other than Redeemable Capital Stock) (a "refinancing") through the substantially concurrent issuance of new Subordinated Indebtedness of Sleepmaster, provided that any such new Subordinated Indebtedness (a) shall be in a principal amount that does not exceed the principal amount so refinanced, or, if such Subordinated Indebtedness provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof, then such lesser amount as of the date of determination, plus the lesser of (1) the stated amount of any premium or other payment required to be paid in connection with such a refinancing pursuant to the terms of the Indebtedness being refinanced or (2) the amount of premium or other payment actually paid at such time to refinance the Indebtedness, plus, in either case, the amount of expenses of Sleepmaster incurred in connection with such refinancing; (b) has an Average Life to Stated Maturity greater than the remaining Average Life to Stated Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being refinanced; and (c) is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the exchange notes at least to the same extent as the Subordinated Indebtedness to be refinanced; (5) the purchase or redemption of shares of Special Preferred Stock issued subsequent to the Issue Date, provided that immediately following such purchase or redemption the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Sleepmaster is not less than 2.0:1; (6) the declaration or payment of dividends or other distributions, or the making of loans, to Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. for (a) reasonable and customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers, employees and consultants of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. consistent with past practice, 76 81 (b) reasonable fees and expenses paid to members of the Board of Directors of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. consistent with past practice, (c) general corporate overhead expenses of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (d) management, consulting or advisory fees paid to Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. to permit Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. to pay management, consulting or advisory fees, in each case, not to exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year, and (e) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. or Sleepmaster held by any member or former member of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C.'s or Sleepmaster's, or any of Sleepmaster's Restricted Subsidiaries', management pursuant to any management equity subscription agreement, stockholders agreement or stock option agreement, in each case as in effect as of the date of the indenture; provided, however, (A) with respect to clauses (a) through (c) above in the aggregate, the aggregate amount paid does not exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year and (B) with respect to clause (e) above, the aggregate price paid shall not exceed (x) $2 million in any calendar year (with unused amounts in any one calendar year being carried over to the immediately succeeding calendar year subject to a maximum (without giving effect to clause (y)) of $5 million in any calendar year), plus (y) the net cash proceeds contributed to Sleepmaster by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. from any issuance or reissuance of Capital Stock by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. to members of management of Sleepmaster and its Restricted Subsidiaries (provided that the net cash proceeds contributed to Sleepmaster from the issuance of such shares of Capital Stock are excluded from clause (3)(B) of paragraph (a) of this section to the extent used pursuant to this clause (6)(e) of paragraph (b) of this section) and the proceeds to Sleepmaster of any "key-man" life insurance policies; provided that the cancellation of Indebtedness owing to Sleepmaster from members of management of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such repurchase of Capital Stock will not be deemed to be a Restricted Payment; (7) distributions to Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. of Tax Amounts with respect to a calendar year, which distributions or payments may be made from time to time with respect to such calendar year, based on reasonable estimates of such Tax Amounts, as are necessary in order for Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. to make estimated and final payments of income tax with respect to the Taxable Income of Sleepmaster with respect to such calendar year; provided that in the event that the amounts which were actually distributed under this clause (7) with respect to the calendar year exceed the required Tax Amounts with respect to the calendar year as determined by Sleepmaster's accountants, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. shall promptly pay to Sleepmaster the excess; and provided further that all the distributions or payments in respect of a calendar year are made no later than 120 days after the end of the calendar year; (8) the declaration and payment of dividends on Redeemable Capital Stock issued after the date of the indenture, the incurrence of which satisfied the covenant in the first paragraph of "-- Limitation on Indebtedness" above; (9) repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof; 77 82 (10) loans, advances, dividends or distributions from Sleepmaster to Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. in an amount equal to the current cash interest payments then due on the Sleep Investor Promissory Notes as in effect on the Issue Date; provided that with respect to any such loans, advances, dividends or distributions and after giving effect thereto, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Sleepmaster is not less than 2.0:1; and (11) additional Restricted Payments, other than those listed above, not to exceed $5 million in the aggregate while the exchange notes are outstanding. (Section 1009) LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Sleepmaster will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into any transaction or series of related transactions (including, without limitation, the sale, purchase, exchange or lease of assets, property or services) with or for the benefit of any Affiliate of Sleepmaster (other than Sleepmaster or a Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary) unless such transaction or series of related transactions is entered into in good faith and in writing and (1) (a) such transaction or series of related transactions is on terms that are no less favorable to Sleepmaster or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that would be available in a comparable transaction in arm's-length dealings with an unrelated third party, and (b) Sleepmaster delivers an officers' certificate to the trustee certifying that such transaction or series of related transactions complies with clause (1)(a) of this Section, (2) with respect to any transaction or series of related transactions involving aggregate value in excess of $5 million, such transaction or series of related transactions has been approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors of the board of directors of Sleepmaster, or in the event there is only one Disinterested Director, by such Disinterested Director, and (3) with respect to any transaction or series of related transactions involving aggregate value in excess of $10 million, Sleepmaster delivers to the trustee a written opinion of an investment banking firm of national standing or other recognized independent expert with experience appraising the terms and conditions of the type of transaction or series of related transactions for which an opinion is required stating that the transaction or series of related transactions is fair to Sleepmaster or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view; However, this provision shall not apply to (1) employment agreements and employee benefit arrangements with any officer or director of Sleepmaster, including under any stock option or stock incentive plans, entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the past practices of Sleepmaster or such Restricted Subsidiary, (2) transactions pursuant to agreements in effect on the date of the indenture, including amendments thereto entered into after that date, provided that the terms of any such amendment are not less favorable to Sleepmaster or such Restricted Subsidiary than the terms of such agreement prior to such amendment or (3) any Permitted Payment or Restricted Payment which is permitted to be made under "-- Limitation on Restricted Payments." (Section 1010) LIMITATION ON LIENS. Sleepmaster will not, and will not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur or affirm any Lien of any kind securing any Pari Passu Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness, including any assumption, guarantee or other liability with respect thereto by any Restricted Subsidiary, upon any property or assets, including any intercompany notes, of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary owned on the date of the indenture or acquired after the date of the indenture, or assign or convey any right to receive any income or profits therefrom, unless the exchange notes, or a guarantee in the case of Liens of a guarantor, are directly secured equally and ratably with, or, in the case of Subordinated Indebtedness, prior or senior thereto, with the same relative priority as the 78 83 exchange notes shall have with respect to such Subordinated Indebtedness, the obligation or liability secured by such Lien except for Liens (A) securing Acquired Indebtedness which was created prior to, and not created in connection with, or in contemplation of, the incurrence of such Pari Passu Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness, including any assumption, guarantee or other liability with respect thereto by any Restricted Subsidiary, and which Indebtedness is permitted under the provisions of "-- Limitation on Indebtedness," provided, however, that in the case of this clause (A), any such Lien only extends to the assets that were subject to such Lien securing such Indebtedness prior to the related acquisition by Sleepmaster or its Restricted Subsidiaries, (B) securing any Indebtedness incurred in connection with any refinancing, renewal, substitutions or replacements of any such Indebtedness described in clause (A), so long as the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness represented thereby, or if such Indebtedness provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, the original issue price of such Indebtedness plus any accreted value attributable thereto since the original issuance of such Indebtedness, is not increased by such refinancing by an amount greater than the lesser of (1) the stated amount of any premium or other payment required to be paid in connection with such a refinancing pursuant to the terms of the Indebtedness being refinanced or (2) the amount of premium or other payment actually paid at such time to refinance the Indebtedness, plus, in either case, the amount of expenses of Sleepmaster incurred in connection with such refinancing, provided, however, that in the case of this clause (B), any such Lien only extends to the assets that were subject to such Lien securing such Indebtedness prior to the related acquisition by Sleepmaster or its Restricted Subsidiaries, (C) Liens in favor of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary, (D) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary of Sleepmaster, provided such Liens were not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition, (E) Liens existing on the date of the indenture, and (F) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (10) of the second paragraph of "-- Limitation on Indebtedness" where the Liens securing the Indebtedness being refinanced were permitted under the indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Lien securing the exchange notes granted pursuant to this covenant shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release by the holders of the Pari Passu Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness described above of their Lien on the property or assets of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness, at such time as the holders of all such Pari Passu Indebtedness or Subordinated Indebtedness also release their Lien on the property or assets of Sleepmaster or such Restricted Subsidiary, or upon any sale, exchange or transfer to any Person not an Affiliate of Sleepmaster of the property or assets secured by such Lien, or of all of the Capital Stock held by Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary in, or all or substantially all the assets of, any Restricted Subsidiary creating such Lien. (Section 1011) LIMITATION ON SALE OF ASSETS. (a) Sleepmaster will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, consummate an Asset Sale unless (1) at least 75% of the consideration from such Asset Sale is received in cash or Temporary Cash Investments and 79 84 (2) Sleepmaster or the Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares or assets subject to the Asset Sale, as determined by the board of directors of Sleepmaster and evidenced in a board resolution; provided that the amount of (x) any liabilities, as shown on Sleepmaster's or such Restricted Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet, of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities, liabilities that are subordinated to or rank equally with the exchange notes or any guarantee thereof and liabilities that are incurred in connection with or in contemplation of the related Asset Sale) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that fully and unconditionally releases Sleepmaster or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability and (y) any securities, notes or other obligations received by Sleepmaster or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are promptly converted by Sleepmaster or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Temporary Cash Investments, to the extent of the cash received, shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this provision; and provided, further, that the 75% limitation referred to in clause (2) above will not apply to any Asset Sale in which the cash or Temporary Cash Investments portion of the consideration received therefrom, determined in accordance with the foregoing proviso, is equal to or greater than what the after-tax proceeds would have been had such Asset Sale complied with the aforementioned 75% limitation. (b) If all or a portion of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Asset Sale are not required to be applied to repay permanently any Senior Indebtedness or Senior Guarantor Indebtedness then outstanding as required by the terms thereof, or Sleepmaster determines not to apply such Net Cash Proceeds to the permanent prepayment of such Senior Indebtedness or Senior Guarantor Indebtedness, or if no such Senior Indebtedness or Senior Guarantor Indebtedness is then outstanding, then Sleepmaster or a Restricted Subsidiary may within 365 days of the Asset Sale invest the Net Cash Proceeds in properties and other assets that, as determined by the board of directors of Sleepmaster, replace the properties and assets that were the subject of the Asset Sale or in properties and assets that will be used in the businesses of Sleepmaster or its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the date of the Indenture or in businesses reasonably related thereto. The amount of such Net Cash Proceeds not used or invested within 365 days of the Asset Sale as described in this paragraph constitutes "Excess Proceeds." (c) When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $5 million or more, Sleepmaster will apply the Excess Proceeds to the repayment of the exchange notes and any other Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding with similar provisions requiring Sleepmaster to make an offer to purchase such Indebtedness with the proceeds from any Asset Sale as follows: (A) Sleepmaster will make an offer to purchase (an "Offer") from all holders of the exchange notes in accordance with the procedures in the indenture in the maximum principal amount, expressed as a multiple of $1,000, of exchange notes that may be purchased out of an amount equal to the product of such Excess Proceeds multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the outstanding principal amount of the exchange notes, and the denominator of which is the sum of the outstanding principal amount, or accreted value in the case of Indebtedness issued with original issue discount, of the exchange notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness, subject to proration in the event such amount is less than the aggregate Offered Price as defined herein of all exchange notes tendered, and (B) to the extent required by such Pari Passu Indebtedness to permanently reduce the principal amount of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, or accreted value in the case of Indebtedness issued with original issue discount, Sleepmaster will make an offer to purchase or otherwise repurchase or redeem Pari Passu Indebtedness, a "Pari Passu Offer" in an amount, the "Pari Passu Debt Amount", equal to the excess of the Excess Proceeds over the Note 80 85 Amount; provided that in no event will Sleepmaster be required to make a Pari Passu Offer in a Pari Passu Debt Amount exceeding the principal amount, or accreted value, of such Pari Passu Indebtedness plus the amount of any premium required to be paid to repurchase such Pari Passu Indebtedness. The offer price for the exchange notes will be payable in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the exchange notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date, the "Offer Date", such offer is consummated, the "Offered Price", in accordance with the procedures in the indenture. To the extent that the aggregate Offered Price of the exchange notes tendered pursuant to the offer is less than the exchange note amount relating thereto or the aggregate amount of Pari Passu Indebtedness that is purchased in a Pari Passu Offer is less than the Pari Passu Debt Amount, Sleepmaster may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes. If the aggregate principal amount of exchange notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the trustee shall select the exchange notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon the completion of the purchase of all the exchange notes tendered pursuant to an offer and the completion of a Pari Passu Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds, if any, shall be reset at zero. (d) If Sleepmaster becomes obligated to make an offer pursuant to clause (c) above, the exchange notes and the Pari Passu Indebtedness shall be purchased by Sleepmaster, at the option of the holders thereof, in whole or in part in integral multiples of $1,000, on a date that is not earlier than 30 days and not later than 60 days from the date the notice of the offer is given to holders, or such later date as may be necessary for Sleepmaster to comply with the requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (e) The indenture will provide that Sleepmaster will comply with the applicable tender offer rules, including Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any other applicable securities laws or regulations in connection with an offer. (Section 1012) LIMITATION ON ISSUANCES OF GUARANTEES OF AND PLEDGES FOR INDEBTEDNESS. (a) Sleepmaster will not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary, other than a guarantor, directly or indirectly, to secure the payment of any Senior Indebtedness of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, pledge any intercompany notes representing obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary, other than a guarantor, to secure the payment of any Senior Indebtedness unless in each case such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to the indenture providing for a guarantee of payment of the exchange notes by such Restricted Subsidiary, which guarantee shall be on the same terms as the guarantee of the Senior Indebtedness, if a guarantee of Senior Indebtedness is granted by any such Restricted Subsidiary, except that the guarantee of the exchange notes need not be secured and shall be subordinated to the claims against such Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Senior Indebtedness to the same extent as the exchange notes are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of Sleepmaster under the indenture. (b) Sleepmaster will not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary, which is not a guarantor, directly or indirectly, to guarantee, assume or in any other manner become liable with respect to any Indebtedness of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary unless such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to the indenture providing for a guarantee of the exchange notes on the same terms as the guarantee of such Indebtedness except that (A) such guarantee need not be secured unless required pursuant to "-- Limitation on Liens," (B) if such Indebtedness is by its terms Senior Indebtedness, any such assumption, guarantee or other liability of such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be senior to such Restricted Subsidiary's guarantee of the exchange notes to the same extent as such Senior Indebtedness is senior to the exchange notes and 81 86 (C) if such Indebtedness is by its terms expressly subordinated to the exchange notes, any such assumption, guarantee or other liability of such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to such Restricted Subsidiary's guarantee of the exchange notes at least to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the exchange notes. (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary of the exchange notes shall provide by its terms that it, and all Liens securing the same, shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon (1) any sale, exchange or transfer, to any Person not an Affiliate of Sleepmaster, of all of Sleepmaster's Capital Stock in, or all or substantially all the assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary, which transaction is in compliance with the terms of the indenture and such Restricted Subsidiary is released from all guarantees, if any, by it of other Indebtedness of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiaries and (2) with respect to any guarantees created after the date of the indenture, the release by the holders of the Indebtedness of Sleepmaster described in clauses (a) and (b) above of their security interest or their guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness, at such time as (A) no other Indebtedness of Sleepmaster has been secured or guaranteed by such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, or (B) the holders of all such other Indebtedness which is secured or guaranteed by such Restricted Subsidiary also release their security interest in or guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, including any deemed release upon payment in full of all obligations under such Indebtedness. (Section 1013) LIMITATION ON SENIOR SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS. Each of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation will not, and will not permit or cause any guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise in any manner become directly or indirectly liable for or with respect to or otherwise permit to exist any Indebtedness that is subordinate in right of payment to any Indebtedness of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or such guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Indebtedness is also pari passu with the exchange notes or the guarantee of such guarantor or subordinated in right of payment to the exchange notes or such guarantee at least to the same extent as the exchange notes or such guarantee are subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness or Senior Indebtedness of such guarantor, as the case may be, as described in the indenture. (Section 1014) LIMITATION ON SUBSIDIARY CAPITAL STOCK. (a) Sleepmaster will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of Sleepmaster to issue, sell or transfer any Capital Stock, except (1) if after giving effect to such issuance, sale or transfer of Capital Stock such Restricted Subsidiary would be a Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary, (2) for Capital Stock issued or sold to, held by or transferred to Sleepmaster or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, and (3) for Capital Stock issued by a Person prior to the time (A) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) such Person merges with or into a Restricted Subsidiary or (C) a Restricted Subsidiary merges with or into such Person; provided that such Capital Stock was not issued or incurred by such Person in anticipation of the type of transaction contemplated by subclause (A), (B) or (C). This clause (a) shall not 82 87 apply upon the acquisition of all the outstanding Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of the indenture. (b) Sleepmaster will not permit any Person (other than Sleepmaster or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary) to acquire Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary from Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary except (1) upon the acquisition of all the outstanding Capital Stock of such Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of the indenture or (2) if after giving effect to such acquisition such Restricted Subsidiary would be a Majority Owned Subsidiary. (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this covenant shall not prohibit any issuance or sale of the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary if immediately after giving effect to such issuance or sale, any Investment in such Person remaining after giving effect to such issuance or sale would have been permitted to be made under the "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant if made on the date of such issuance or sale. Any such Investment shall be deemed a Restricted Payment. (Section 1016) LIMITATION ON DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIARIES. Sleepmaster will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (A) pay dividends or make any other distribution on its Capital Stock or any other interest or participation in or measured by its profits, (B) pay any Indebtedness owed to Sleepmaster or any other Restricted Subsidiary, (C) make any Investment in Sleepmaster or any other Restricted Subsidiary or (D) transfer any of its properties or assets to Sleepmaster or any other Restricted Subsidiary. However, this covenant will not prohibit any encumbrance or restriction (1) pursuant to an agreement in effect on the date of the indenture; (2) with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of Sleepmaster on the date of the indenture, in existence at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of Sleepmaster and not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such encumbrances and restrictions are not applicable to Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary or the properties or assets of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary other than such Subsidiary which is becoming a Restricted Subsidiary; (3) under the Credit Facility as in effect on the date of the indenture, and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not more restrictive in the aggregate, as determined in the good faith judgment of Sleepmaster's board of directors, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the Credit Facility as in effect on the date of the indenture; (4) under the indenture and the exchange notes, including the additional exchange notes; (5) under any applicable law, rule, regulation or order; (6) by reason of customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, (7) under purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of the nature described in clause (D) above on the property so acquired; (8) under contracts for the sale of assets, including without limitation customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or 83 88 disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary; and (9) under any agreement that extends, renews, refinances or replaces the agreements containing the encumbrances or restrictions in the foregoing clauses (1) through (8), or in this clause (9), provided that the terms and conditions of any such encumbrances or restrictions are no more restrictive in any material respect than those under or pursuant to the agreement evidencing the Indebtedness so extended, renewed, refinanced or replaced. (Section 1017) LIMITATION ON UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES. Sleepmaster may designate after the Issue Date any Subsidiary, other than a guarantor, as an "Unrestricted Subsidiary" under the indenture (a "Designation") only if: (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such Designation; (b) Sleepmaster would be permitted to make an Investment, other than a Permitted Investment, at the time of Designation, assuming the effectiveness of such Designation, pursuant to the first paragraph of "-- Limitation on Restricted Payments" above in an amount, the "Designation Amount", equal to the greater of (1) the net book value of Sleepmaster's interest in such Subsidiary calculated in accordance with GAAP or (2) the Fair Market Value of Sleepmaster's interest in such Subsidiary as determined in good faith by Sleepmaster's board of directors; (c) such Unrestricted Subsidiary does not own any Capital Stock in any Restricted Subsidiary of Sleepmaster which is not simultaneously being designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; (d) such Unrestricted Subsidiary is not liable, directly or indirectly, with respect to any Indebtedness other than Unrestricted Subsidiary Indebtedness, provided that an Unrestricted Subsidiary may provide a guarantee for the exchange notes; and (e) such Unrestricted Subsidiary is not a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding at such time with Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to Sleepmaster or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of Sleepmaster or, in the event such condition is not satisfied, the value of such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding to such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed a Restricted Payment. In the event of any such Designation, Sleepmaster shall be deemed to have made an Investment constituting a Restricted Payment pursuant to the "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant for all purposes of the indenture equal to the Designation Amount. The indenture will also provide that Sleepmaster shall not and shall not cause or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to at any time (a) provide credit support for, guarantee or subject any of its property or assets, other than the Capital Stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, to the satisfaction of, any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such Indebtedness, other than Permitted Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries, or (b) be directly or indirectly liable for any Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary. For purposes of the foregoing, the Designation of a Subsidiary of Sleepmaster as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be the Designation of all of the Subsidiaries of such Subsidiary as Unrestricted Subsidiaries. 84 89 Sleepmaster may revoke any Designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, a "Revocation", if: (a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of and after giving effect to such Revocation; (b) all Liens and Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding immediately following such Revocation would, if incurred at such time, have been permitted to be incurred for all purposes of the indenture; and (c) unless such redesignated Subsidiary shall not have any Indebtedness outstanding, other than Indebtedness that would be Permitted Indebtedness, immediately after giving effect to such proposed Revocation, and after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of any such Indebtedness of such redesignated Subsidiary as if such Indebtedness was incurred on the date of the Revocation, Sleepmaster could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness, other than Permitted Indebtedness, pursuant to the covenant described under "-- Limitation on Indebtedness." All Designations and Revocations must be evidenced by a resolution of the board of directors of Sleepmaster delivered to the trustee certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions. (Section 1018) LIMITATION ON ACTIVITIES OF SLEEPMASTER FINANCE CORPORATION. Sleepmaster Finance Corporation shall have no material assets and shall not engage in any activities other than in connection with the indenture and the exchange notes. (Section 1019) PROVISION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. After May 18, 1999, whether or not Sleepmaster is subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Sleepmaster and any guarantor will, to the extent permitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, file with the Securities and Exchange Commission the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which Sleepmaster and such guarantor would have been required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) if Sleepmaster or such guarantor were so subject, such documents to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or prior to the date, the "Required Filing Date", by which Sleepmaster and such guarantor would have been required so to file such documents if Sleepmaster and such guarantor were so subject. Sleepmaster and any guarantor will also in any event, whether or not required to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (a) within 15 days of each Required Filing Date (1) transmit by mail to all holders, as their names and addresses appear in the security register, without cost to such holders and (2) file with the trustee copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which Sleepmaster and such guarantor would have been required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 if Sleepmaster and such guarantor were subject to either of such sections and (b) if filing such documents by Sleepmaster and such guarantor with the Securities and Exchange Commission is not permitted under the Exchange Act of 1934, promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, supply copies of such documents to any prospective holder at Sleepmaster's cost. If any guarantor's financial statements would be required to be included in the financial statements filed or delivered pursuant to the indenture if Sleepmaster were subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Sleepmaster shall include such guarantor's financial statements in any filing or delivery pursuant to the indenture. The indenture also provides that, so long as any of the exchange notes remain outstanding, Sleepmaster will make available to any prospective purchaser of exchange notes or beneficial owner of 85 90 exchange notes in connection with any sale thereof the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933, until such time as Sleepmaster has either exchanged the exchange notes for securities identical in all material respects which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or until such time as the holders thereof have disposed of such exchange notes pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. (Section 1020) ADDITIONAL COVENANTS. The indenture also contains covenants with respect to the following matters: (1) payment of principal, premium and interest; (2) maintenance of an office or agency in The City of New York; (3) arrangements regarding the handling of money held in trust; (4) maintenance of corporate existence; (5) payment of taxes and other claims; (6) maintenance of properties; and (7) maintenance of insurance. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS Sleepmaster will not, in a single transaction or through a series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person or group of Persons, or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to enter into any such transaction or series of transactions, if such transaction or series of transactions, in the aggregate, would result in a sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of Sleepmaster and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis to any other Person or group of Persons, unless at the time and after giving effect thereto (1) either (a) Sleepmaster will be the continuing corporation or limited liability company or (b) the Person, if other than Sleepmaster, formed by such consolidation or into which Sleepmaster is merged or the Person which acquires by sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition all or substantially all of the properties and assets of Sleepmaster and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, the "Surviving Entity", will be a corporation or limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and such Person expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, all the obligations of Sleepmaster under the exchange notes and the indenture and the registration rights agreement, as the case may be, and the exchange notes and the indenture and the registration rights agreement will remain in full force and effect as so supplemented, and any guarantees will be confirmed as applying to such Surviving Entity's obligations; (2) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis (and treating any Indebtedness not previously an obligation of Sleepmaster or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which becomes the obligation of Sleepmaster or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been incurred at the time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing; (3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, on the assumption that the transaction occurred on the first day of the four-quarter period for which financial statements are available ending immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction with the 86 91 appropriate adjustments with respect to the transaction being included in such pro forma calculation, either (a) Sleepmaster, or the Surviving Entity if Sleepmaster is not the continuing obligor under the indenture, could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness, other than Permitted Indebtedness, under the provisions of "-- Covenants -- Limitation on Indebtedness;" or (b) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Sleepmaster, or the Surviving Entity if Sleepmaster is not the continuing obligor under the indenture, immediately following such transaction is at least 1.75 to 1.0 and such Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is higher than the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio immediately prior to such transaction; provided that nothing in this clause (3) shall prohibit a merger between Sleepmaster and an Affiliate of Sleepmaster incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporation of Sleepmaster in another state of the United States or for conversion of Sleepmaster from a limited liability company to a corporation; (4) at the time of each transaction each of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, unless it is the other party to the transaction described above, will have by supplemental indenture confirmed that it is an issuer under the indenture and the exchange notes; (5) at the time of the transaction each guarantor, if any, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, will have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its guarantee shall apply to such Person's obligations under the indenture and the exchange notes; and (6) at the time of the transaction Sleepmaster or the Surviving Entity will have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each to the effect that such consolidation, merger, transfer, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other transaction and the supplemental indenture in respect thereof comply with the indenture and that all conditions precedent therein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with. (Section 801) Each guarantor will not, and Sleepmaster will not permit a guarantor to, in a single transaction or through a series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person, other than Sleepmaster or any guarantor, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person or group of Persons, other than Sleepmaster or any guarantor, or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to enter into any such transaction or series of transactions if such transaction or series of transactions, in the aggregate, would result in a sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the guarantor and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis to any other Person or group of Persons, other than Sleepmaster or any guarantor, unless at the time and after giving effect thereto (1) either (a) the guarantor will be the continuing entity in the case of a consolidation or merger involving the guarantor or (b) the Person, if other than the guarantor, formed by such consolidation or into which such guarantor is merged or the Person which acquires by sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the guarantor and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, the "Surviving Guarantor Entity", will be duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and such Person expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, all the obligations of such guarantor under its guarantee of the exchange notes and the indenture and the registration rights agreement and such guarantee, indenture and registration rights agreement will remain in full force and effect; 87 92 (2) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, no Default or Event of Default will have occurred and be continuing; and (3) at the time of the transaction such guarantor or the Surviving Guarantor Entity will have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each to the effect that such consolidation, merger, transfer, sale, assignment, conveyance, lease or other transaction and the supplemental indenture in respect thereof comply with the indenture and that all conditions precedent therein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not apply to any guarantor whose guarantee of the exchange notes is unconditionally released and discharged in accordance with paragraph (c) under the provisions of "-- Covenants -- Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees of and Pledges for Indebtedness." (Section 801) In the event of any transaction, other than a lease, described in and complying with the conditions listed in the three immediately preceding paragraphs in which Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any guarantor, as the case may be, is not the successor Person, the successor Person formed or remaining or to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or such guarantor, as the case may be, and Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any guarantor, as the case may be, would be discharged (other than in a transaction that results in the transfer of assets constituting or accounting for less than 95% of the Consolidated assets (as of the last balance sheet date available to Sleepmaster) of Sleepmaster or the Consolidated revenue of Sleepmaster (as of the last 12-month period for which financial statements are available)) from all obligations and covenants under the indenture and the exchange notes or its guarantee, as the case may be, and the registration rights agreement. (Section 802) EVENTS OF DEFAULT An Event of Default will occur under the indenture if: (1) there shall be a default in the payment of any interest on any exchange note when it becomes due and payable, and such default shall continue for a period of 30 days, whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of the indenture; (2) there shall be a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on any exchange note at its Maturity, upon acceleration, optional or mandatory redemption, if any, required repurchase or otherwise, whether or not prohibited by the subordination provisions of the indenture; (3) (a) there shall be a default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, or any guarantor under the indenture or any guarantee, other than a default in the performance, or breach, of a covenant or agreement which is specifically dealt with in clause (1), (2) or in clause (b), (c) or (d) of this clause (3), and such default or breach shall continue for a period of 30 days after written notice has been given, by certified mail, (1) to Sleepmaster by the trustee or (2) to Sleepmaster and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding exchange notes; (b) there shall be a default in the performance or breach of the provisions described in "-- Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets;" (c) Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation shall have failed to make or consummate an offer in accordance with the provisions of "-- Sleepmaster Covenants -- Limitation on Sale of Assets;" or 88 93 (d) Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation shall have failed to make or consummate a Change of Control Offer in accordance with the provisions of "-- Purchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control;" (4) one or more defaults shall have occurred under any of the agreements, indentures or instruments under which Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary then has outstanding Indebtedness in excess of $5 million, individually or in the aggregate, and either (a) such default results from the failure to pay such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity or (b) such default or defaults have resulted in the acceleration of the maturity of such Indebtedness; (5) any guarantee shall for any reason cease to be, or shall for any reason be asserted in writing by any guarantor, Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation not to be, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent contemplated by the indenture and any such guarantee, or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation shall for any reason cease to be, or shall for any reason be asserted in writing by Sleepmaster, any guarantor or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation not to be, a co-obligor pursuant to the exchange notes, except to the extent contemplated by the indenture; (6) one or more judgments, orders or decrees of any court or regulatory or administrative agency for the payment of money in excess of $5 million, either individually or in the aggregate, shall be rendered against Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their respective properties and shall not be discharged and either (a) any creditor shall have commenced an enforcement proceeding upon such judgment, order or decree or (b) there shall have been a period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of an appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; (7) there shall have been the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of (a) a decree or order for relief in respect of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Bankruptcy Law or (b) a decree or order adjudging Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary under any applicable federal or state law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator, or other similar official, of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary or of any substantial part of their respective properties, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of their affairs, and any such decree or order for relief shall continue to be in effect, or any such other decree or order shall be unstayed and in effect, for a period of 60 consecutive days; or (8) (a) Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Bankruptcy Law or any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent, (b) Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary consents to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of Sleepmaster, such guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Bankruptcy Law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, 89 94 (c) Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary files a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, (d) Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary (1) consents to the filing of such petition or the appointment of, or taking possession by, a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary or of any substantial part of their respective properties, (2) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or (3) admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due or (e) Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary takes any corporate action in furtherance of any such actions in this paragraph (8). (Section 501) If an Event of Default, other than as specified in clauses (7) and (8) of the prior paragraph, shall occur and be continuing with respect to the indenture, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the exchange notes then outstanding may, and the trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on all exchange notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to Sleepmaster and to Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, and to the trustee if given by the holders of the exchange notes, and upon any such declaration, such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (7) or (8) of the prior paragraph occurs and is continuing, then all the exchange notes shall ipso facto become and be due and payable immediately in an amount equal to the principal amount of the exchange notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date the exchange notes become due and payable, without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder. Thereupon, the trustee may, at its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights of the holders of exchange notes by appropriate judicial proceedings. After a declaration of acceleration, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of exchange notes outstanding by written notice to Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation and the trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (a) Sleepmaster has paid or deposited with the trustee a sum sufficient to pay (1) all sums paid or advanced by the trustee under the indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the trustee, its agents and counsel, (2) all overdue interest on all exchange notes then outstanding, (3) the principal of, and premium, if any, on any exchange notes then outstanding which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate borne by the exchange notes and (4) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate borne by the exchange notes; (b) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and (c) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the exchange notes which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. 90 95 No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon. (Section 502) The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the exchange notes outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all outstanding exchange notes waive any past default under the indenture and its consequences, except a default (1) in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any exchange note, which may only be waived with the consent of each holder of exchange notes affected, or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision which under the indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each exchange note affected by such modification or amendment. (Section 513) No holder of any of the exchange notes has any right to institute any proceedings with respect to the indenture or any remedy thereunder, unless the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding exchange notes have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee under the exchange notes and the indenture, the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding within 15 days after receipt of such notice and the trustee, within such 15-day period, has not received directions inconsistent with such written request by holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding exchange notes. Such limitations do not, however, apply to a suit instituted by a holder of a exchange note for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such exchange note on or after the respective due dates expressed in such exchange note. (Sections 507, 508) Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation are required to notify the trustee within five business days of the occurrence of any Default. Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation are required to deliver to the trustee, on or before a date not more than 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter and not more than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement as to compliance with the indenture, including whether or not any Default has occurred. (Section 1021) The trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the exchange notes unless such holders offer to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby. (Section 603) The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 contains limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any guarantor, if any, to obtain payment of claims or to realize on property received by it in respect of any such claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions, but if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or else resign. DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE OF INDENTURE Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation may, at their option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor and any other obligor upon the exchange notes discharged with respect to the outstanding exchange notes. Such defeasance means that Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any such guarantor and any other obligor under the indenture shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding exchange notes, except for (1) the rights of holders of such outstanding exchange notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such exchange notes when such payments are due, (2) Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation's obligations with respect to the exchange notes concerning issuing temporary exchange notes, registration of exchange notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen exchange notes, and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust, 91 96 (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee and (4) the defeasance provisions of the indenture. In addition, Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation may, at their option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation and any guarantor released, with respect to covenants described in the indenture, and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the exchange notes. In the event covenant defeasance occurs, some events described under "Events of Default", not including non-payment, bankruptcy and insolvency events, will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the exchange notes. (Sections 401, 402 and 403) In order to exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance, (a) Sleepmaster must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the exchange notes cash in United States dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, as defined in the indenture, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or a nationally recognized investment banking firm, to pay and discharge the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding exchange notes on the Stated Maturity, or on any date after May 15, 2004, such date being referred to as the "Defeasance Redemption Date", if at or prior to electing either defeasance or covenant defeasance, Sleepmaster has delivered to the trustee an irrevocable notice to redeem all of the outstanding exchange notes on the Defeasance Redemption Date; (b) in the case of defeasance, Sleepmaster shall have delivered to the trustee an opinion of independent counsel in the United States stating that (A) Sleepmaster has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of independent counsel in the United States shall confirm that, the holders of the outstanding exchange notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred; (c) in the case of covenant defeasance, Sleepmaster shall have delivered to the trustee an opinion of independent counsel in the United States to the effect that the holders of the outstanding exchange notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred; (d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or insofar as clauses (7) or (8) under the first paragraph under "-- Events of Default" are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit; (e) such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not cause the trustee for the exchange notes to have a conflicting interest as defined in the Indenture and for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with respect to any securities of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any guarantor; (f) such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a Default under, the indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which 92 97 Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound; (g) such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless such trust shall be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or exempt from registration thereunder; (h) Sleepmaster will have delivered to the trustee an opinion of independent counsel in the United States to the effect that after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally; (i) Sleepmaster shall have delivered to the trustee an officers' certificate stating that the deposit was not made by Sleepmaster with the intent of preferring the holders of the exchange notes or any guarantee over the other creditors of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any guarantor with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or others; (j) no event or condition shall exist that would prevent Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation from making payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the exchange notes on the date of such deposit or at any time ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit; and (k) Sleepmaster will have delivered to the trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion of independent counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent, other than conditions which cannot be satisfied for 91 days, provided for relating to either the defeasance or the covenant defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with. (Section 404) SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect, except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the exchange notes as expressly provided for in the indenture, as to all outstanding exchange notes under the indenture when (a) either (1) all such exchange notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed exchange notes which have been replaced or paid or exchange notes whose payment has been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by Sleepmaster and thereafter repaid to Sleepmaster or discharged from such trust as provided for in the indenture, have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (2) all exchange notes not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation (a) have become due and payable, (b) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or (c) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in the name, and at the expense, of Sleepmaster; (b) Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust an amount in United States dollars sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the exchange notes not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation, including principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest at such Maturity, Stated Maturity or redemption date; 93 98 (c) Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable under the indenture by Sleepmaster and any guarantor; and (d) Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation have delivered to the trustee an officers' certificate and an opinion of independent counsel each stating that (1) all conditions precedent under the indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such indenture have been complied with and (2) such satisfaction and discharge will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Subsidiary is a party or by which Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any Subsidiary is bound. (Section 1301) MODIFICATIONS AND AMENDMENTS Modifications and amendments of the indenture may be made by Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, each guarantor, if any, and the trustee with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the exchange notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for exchange notes); provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding exchange note affected thereby: (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, or change to an earlier date any redemption date of, or waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any such exchange note or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or change the coin or currency in which the principal of any such exchange note or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date); (2) amend, change or modify the obligation of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation to make and consummate an offer with respect to any Asset Sale or Asset Sales in accordance with "-- Covenants -- Limitation on Sale of Assets" or the obligation of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation to make and consummate a change of control offer in the event of a change of control in accordance with "-- Purchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control," including, in each case, amending, changing or modifying any definitions related thereto; (3) reduce the percentage in principal amount of such outstanding exchange notes, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver or compliance with provisions of the indenture; (4) modify any of the provisions relating to supplemental indentures requiring the consent of holders or relating to the waiver of past defaults or relating to the waiver of covenants, except to increase the percentage of such outstanding exchange notes required for such actions or to provide that other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each such exchange note affected thereby; (5) except as otherwise permitted under "-- Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets," consent to the assignment or transfer by Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any guarantor of any of its rights and obligations under the indenture; or (6) amend or modify any of the provisions of the indenture relating to the subordination of the exchange notes or any guarantee in any manner adverse to the holders of the exchange notes or any guarantee. (Section 902) 94 99 Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holders of the exchange notes, Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor, any other obligor under the exchange notes and the trustee may modify or amend the indenture: (1) to evidence the succession of another Person to Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or a guarantor, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or such guarantor in the indenture and in the exchange notes and in any guarantee in accordance with "-- Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets;" (2) to add to the covenants of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any guarantor or any other obligor upon the exchange notes for the benefit of the holders of the exchange notes or to surrender any right or power conferred upon Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any guarantor or any other obligor upon the exchange notes, as applicable, in the indenture, in the exchange notes or in any guarantee; (3) to cure any ambiguity, or to correct or supplement any provision in the indenture, the exchange notes or any guarantee which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in the indenture, the exchange notes or any guarantee or make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture, the exchange notes or any guarantee; provided that, in each case, such provisions shall not adversely affect the interest of the holders of the exchange notes; (4) to comply with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939; (5) to add a guarantor under the indenture; (6) to evidence and provide the acceptance of the appointment of a successor trustee under the indenture; or (7) to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in favor of the trustee for the benefit of the holders of the exchange notes as additional security for the payment and performance of Sleepmaster's and any guarantor's obligations under the indenture, in any property, or assets, including any of which are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or in which a security interest is required to be granted to the trustee pursuant to the indenture or otherwise. (Section 901) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the exchange notes outstanding may waive compliance with restrictive covenants and provisions of the indenture. (Section 1021) GOVERNING LAW The indenture, the exchange notes and any Guarantee will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE The indenture contains limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, to obtain payment of claims in cases, or to realize on property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Securities and Exchange Commission for permission to continue as trustee with such conflict or resign as trustee. (Sections 608 and 613) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding exchange notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee, subject to exceptions. The indenture provides that in case an Event of Default 95 100 occurs (which has not been cured), the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of exchange notes unless such holder shall have offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. (Section 512, 601, 603) DEFINITIONS "ACQUIRED INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness of a Person (1) existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (2) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case, other than Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such acquisition, as the case may be. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to be incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be. "AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any specified Person: (1) any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person; (2) any other Person that owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of any class or series of such specified Person's (or any of such Person's direct or indirect parent's) Capital Stock or any officer or director of any such specified Person or other Person or, with respect to any natural Person, any person having a relationship with such Person by blood, marriage or adoption not more remote than first cousin; or (3) any other Person 10% or more of the Voting Stock of which is beneficially owned or held directly or indirectly by such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. "ASSET SALE" means any sale, issuance, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition (including, without limitation, by way of merger, consolidation or sale and leaseback transaction) (collectively, a "transfer"), directly or indirectly, in one or a series of related transactions, of: (1) any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary; (2) all or substantially all of the properties and assets of any division or line of business of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary; or (3) any other properties or assets of Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary other than in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of this definition, the term "Asset Sale" shall not include any transfer of properties and assets (A) that is governed by the provisions described under "Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets," (B) that is by Sleepmaster to any Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary, or by any Restricted Subsidiary to Sleepmaster or any Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of the indenture, (C) to an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent permitted by the terms of "-- Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments," 96 101 (D) that is of obsolete equipment in the ordinary course of business, or (E) the Fair Market Value of which in the aggregate does not exceed $500,000 in any transaction or series of related transactions. "AVERAGE LIFE TO STATED MATURITY" means, as of the date of determination with respect to any Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of (a) the number of years from the date of determination to the date or dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness multiplied by (b) the amount of each such principal payment by (2) the sum of all such principal payments. "BANKRUPTCY LAW" means Title 11, United States Bankruptcy Code of 1978, or any similar United States federal or state law or foreign law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors or any amendment to, succession to or change in any such law. "CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATION" of any Person means any obligation of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis under any capital lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) real or personal property which, in accordance with GAAP, is required to be recorded as a capitalized lease obligation. "CAPITAL STOCK" of any Person means any and all shares, interests, participations, rights in or other equivalents (however designated) of such Person's capital stock, other equity interests whether now outstanding or issued after the date of the indenture, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited), limited liability company interests, any other interest or participation that confers on a Person that right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, including any Preferred Stock, and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into Capital Stock), warrants or options exchangeable for or convertible into such Capital Stock. "CASH EQUIVALENT" means (1) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support thereof) in each case maturing within one year after the closing of the offering, (2) time deposits and certificates of deposit and commercial paper issued by the parent corporation of any domestic commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million and commercial paper issued by others rated at least A-2 or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or at least P-2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and in each case maturing within one year after the closing of the offering and (3) investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets comprise securities of the types described in clauses (1) and (2) above. "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means the occurrence of any of the following events: (1) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), other than Permitted Holders, is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all shares that such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), 97 102 directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total outstanding Voting Stock of Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation; (2) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who (a) at the beginning of such period constituted the board of directors of Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation (together with any new directors whose election to such board or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of such board of directors then in office or (b) were designated by the Permitted Holders cease for any reason to constitute a majority of such board of directors then in office; (3) Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation consolidates with or merges with or into any Person or sells, assigns, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, or any Person consolidates with or merges into or with Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Voting Stock of Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where (A) the outstanding Voting Stock of Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation is changed into or exchanged for (1) Voting Stock of the surviving corporation which is not Redeemable Capital Stock or (2) cash, securities and other property (other than Capital Stock of the surviving corporation) in an amount which could be paid by Sleepmaster as a Restricted Payment as described under "-- Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments" (and such amount shall be treated as a Restricted Payment subject to the provisions in the indenture described under "-- Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted Payments") and (B) immediately after such transaction, no "person" or "group," other than Permitted Holders, is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total outstanding Voting Stock of the surviving corporation; or (4) Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation is liquidated or dissolved or adopts a plan of liquidation or dissolution other than in a transaction which complies with the provisions described under " -- Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets." For purposes of this definition, any transfer of an equity interest of an entity that was formed for the purpose of acquiring voting stock of Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation will be deemed to be a transfer of such portion of such voting stock as corresponds to the portion of the equity of such entity that has been so transferred. "COMPARABLE TREASURY ISSUE" means the United States Treasury Security selected by an Independent Investment Banker, having a maturity comparable to the first redemption date of the exchange notes, 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 a comparable maturity to the first redemption date of such exchange notes. "Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the trustee after consultation with Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation. 98 103 "COMPARABLE TREASURY PRICE" means, with respect to any redemption date, (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations. "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the trustee, 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 trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date. "CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" of any Person means, for any period, the ratio of (a) the sum of: (1) Consolidated Net Income (Loss), and in each case to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (Loss) for such period, (2) Consolidated Interest Expense, (3) Consolidated Income Tax Expense and (4) Consolidated Non-cash Charges for such period, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, all determined in accordance with GAAP, less (1) all noncash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period and (2) all cash payments during such period relating to noncash charges that were added back to Consolidated Net Income in determining the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio in any prior period to (b) the sum of Consolidated Interest Expense for such period and cash plus noncash dividends (except for dividends on Qualified Capital Stock paid in shares of Qualified Capital Stock) paid on any Preferred Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis during such period, in each case after giving pro forma effect (as calculated in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933 as in effect on the date of the Indenture) to (1) the incurrence of the Indebtedness giving rise to the need to make such calculation and (if applicable) the application of the net proceeds therefrom, including to refinance other Indebtedness, as if such Indebtedness was incurred, and the application of such proceeds occurred, on the first day of such period; (2) the incurrence, repayment or retirement of any other Indebtedness by Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation and their Restricted Subsidiaries since the first day of such period as if such Indebtedness was incurred, repaid or retired at the beginning of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such period); (3) in the case of Acquired Indebtedness or any acquisition occurring at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the related acquisition, assuming such acquisition had been consummated on the first day of such period; and (4) any acquisition or disposition by Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation and their Restricted Subsidiaries of any company or any business or any assets out of the ordinary course of business, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale or asset purchase or sale, or any related 99 104 repayment of Indebtedness, in each case since the first day of such period, assuming such acquisition or disposition had been consummated on the first day of such period; provided that (1) in making such computation, the Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to interest on any Indebtedness computed on a pro forma basis and (A) bearing a floating interest rate shall be computed as if the rate in effect on the date of computation had been the applicable rate for the entire period and (B) which was not outstanding during the period for which the computation is being made but which bears, at the option of such Person, a fixed or floating rate of interest, shall be computed by applying at the option of such Person either the fixed or floating rate and (2) in making such computation, the Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person attributable to interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. "CONSOLIDATED INCOME TAX EXPENSE" of any Person means, for any period, the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes of such Person and its Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP. "CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE" of any Person means, without duplication, for any period, the sum of (a) the interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a Consolidated basis, including, without limitation, (1) amortization of debt discount, (2) the net costs associated with Interest Rate Agreements and Currency Hedging Agreements (including amortization of discounts), (3) the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation, (4) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptance financing and (5) accrued interest, plus (b) (1) the interest component of the Capital Lease Obligations paid, accrued and/or scheduled to be paid or accrued by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period and (2) all capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus (c) the interest expense under any Guaranteed Debt of such Person and any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent not included under clause (a)(4) above, whether or not paid by such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries, less (d) for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, amortization of deferred financing costs incurred in connection with the offering of the exchange notes (other than any additional exchange notes), entering into of the credit facility as in effect on the date of the indenture and the transactions related thereto and any other deferred financing costs incurred prior to the date of the indenture. "CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (LOSS)" of any Person means, for any period, the Consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a Consolidated basis as determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such net income (or loss), by excluding, without duplication, (1) all extraordinary gains or losses net of taxes (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), 100 105 (2) the portion of net income (or loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis allocable to minority interests in unconsolidated Persons or Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the extent that cash dividends or distributions have not actually been received by such Person or one of its Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, (3) net income (or loss) of any Person combined with such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on a "pooling of interests" basis attributable to any period prior to the date of combination, (4) any gain or loss, net of taxes, realized upon the termination of any employee pension benefit plan, (5) gains or losses, net of taxes (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), in respect of dispositions of assets other than in the ordinary course of business, (6) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, (7) any restoration to net income of any contingency reserve, except to the extent provision for such reserve was made out of income accrued at any time following the date of the indenture, or (8) any net gain arising from the acquisition of any securities or extinguishment, under GAAP, of any Indebtedness of such Person. "CONSOLIDATED NET TANGIBLE ASSETS" of any Person means as of any date of determination, the total assets, less goodwill, patents, trade names, trade marks, copyrights, franchises and other intangible assets, and less deferred tax assets, if any, in each case as shown on the balance sheet of Sleepmaster and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. "CONSOLIDATED NON-CASH CHARGES" of any Person means, for any period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding any non-cash charge which requires an accrual or reserve for cash charges for any future period). "CONSOLIDATION" means, with respect to any Person, the consolidation of the accounts of such Person and each of its subsidiaries if and to the extent the accounts of such Person and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries would normally be consolidated with those of such Person, all in accordance with GAAP. The term "Consolidated" shall have a similar meaning. "CURRENCY HEDGING AGREEMENTS" means one or more of the following agreements which shall be entered into by one or more financial institutions: foreign exchange contracts, currency swap agreements or other similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against the fluctuations in currency values. "DEFAULT" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default. "DISINTERESTED DIRECTOR" means, with respect to any transaction or series of related transactions, a member of the board of directors of Sleepmaster who does not have any material direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such transaction or series of related transactions. "ESCROW AGREEMENT" means the Escrow Agreement, dated as of the date of the indenture, among Sleepmaster, Finance Corporation and the trustee. "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, with respect to any asset or property, the sale value that would be obtained in an arm's-length free market transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy. Fair Market Value 101 106 shall be determined by the board of directors of Sleepmaster acting in good faith and shall be evidenced by a resolution of the board of directors. "GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES" or "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, which are in effect on the date of the indenture. "GUARANTEE" means the guarantee by any guarantor of Sleepmaster's and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation's Indenture Obligations. "GUARANTEED DEBT" of any Person means, without duplication, all Indebtedness of any other Person referred to in the definition of Indebtedness below guaranteed directly or indirectly in any manner by such Person, or in effect guaranteed directly or indirectly by such Person through an agreement (1) to pay or purchase such Indebtedness or to advance or supply funds for the payment or purchase of such Indebtedness, (2) to purchase, sell or lease (as lessee or lessor) property, or to purchase or sell services, primarily for the purpose of enabling the debtor to make payment of such Indebtedness or to assure the holder of such Indebtedness against loss, (3) to supply funds to, or in any other manner invest in, the debtor (including any agreement to pay for property or services without requiring that such property be received or such services be rendered), (4) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the debtor, or otherwise to maintain the net worth, solvency or other financial condition of the debtor or to cause such debtor to achieve levels of financial performance or (5) otherwise to assure a creditor against loss; provided that the term "guarantee" shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit, in either case in the ordinary course of business. "INDEBTEDNESS" means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (1) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services, excluding any trade payables and other accrued current liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business, but including, without limitation, all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in connection with any letters of credit issued under letter of credit facilities, acceptance facilities or other similar facilities, (2) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or other similar instruments, (3) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person (even if the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), but excluding trade payables arising in the ordinary course of business, (4) all obligations under Interest Rate Agreements or Currency Hedging Agreements of such Person, (5) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (6) all Indebtedness referred to in clauses (1) through (5) above of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons, the payment of which is secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien, upon or with respect to property (including, without limitation, accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness, 102 107 (7) all Guaranteed Debt of such Person, (8) all Redeemable Capital Stock issued by such Person valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary maximum fixed repurchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends, (9) Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of Sleepmaster or any guarantor and (10) any amendment, supplement, modification, deferral, renewal, extension, refunding or refinancing of any liability of the types referred to in clauses (1) through (9) above. For purposes hereof, the "maximum fixed repurchase price" of any Redeemable Capital Stock which does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Redeemable Capital Stock as if such Redeemable Capital Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to the indenture, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the Fair Market Value of such Redeemable Capital Stock, such Fair Market Value to be determined in good faith by the board of directors of the issuer of such Redeemable Capital Stock. "INDENTURE OBLIGATIONS" means the obligations of the Issuers and any other obligor under the indenture or under the exchange notes, including any guarantor, to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest when due and payable, and all other amounts due or to become due under or in connection with the indenture, the exchange notes and the performance of all other obligations to the trustee and the holders under the indenture and the exchange notes, according to the respective terms thereof. "INTEREST RATE AGREEMENTS" means one or more of the following agreements which shall be entered into by one or more financial institutions: interest rate protection agreements (including, without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and similar agreements) and/or other types of interest rate hedging agreements from time to time. "INVESTMENT" means, with respect to any Person, directly or indirectly, any advance, loan (including guarantees), or other extension of credit or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase, acquisition or ownership by such Person of any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities issued or owned by any other Person and all other items that would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. "ISSUE DATE" means the original issue date of the exchange notes under the indenture. "LIEN" means any mortgage or deed of trust, charge, pledge, lien (statutory or otherwise), privilege, security interest, assignment, deposit, arrangement, easement, hypothecation, claim, preference, priority or other encumbrance upon or with respect to any property of any kind (including any conditional sale, capital lease or other title retention agreement, any leases in the nature thereof, and any agreement to give any security interest), real or personal, movable or immovable, now owned or hereafter acquired. A Person will be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Capitalized Lease Obligation or other title retention agreement. "MAJORITY OWNED RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means any Restricted Subsidiary at least 90% of the Capital Stock of which is owned beneficially by Sleepmaster. "MATURITY" means, when used with respect to the exchange notes, the date on which the principal of the exchange notes becomes due and payable as therein provided or as provided in the indenture, whether at Stated Maturity, the Offer Date or the redemption date and whether by declaration of acceleration, offer in respect of Excess Proceeds, change of control offer in respect of a change of control, call for redemption or otherwise. "NET CASH PROCEEDS" means with respect to any Asset Sale by any Person, the proceeds thereof (without duplication in respect of all Asset Sales) in the form of cash or Temporary Cash Investments including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations when received in the form of, or stock or 103 108 other assets when disposed of for, cash or Temporary Cash Investments (except to the extent that such obligations are financed or sold with recourse to Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary) net of (1) brokerage commissions and other reasonable fees and expenses (including fees and expenses of counsel and investment bankers) related to such Asset Sale, (2) provisions for all taxes payable as a result of such Asset Sale, (3) payments made to retire Indebtedness where payment of such Indebtedness is secured by the assets or properties the subject of such Asset Sale, (4) amounts required to be paid to any Person (other than Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary) owning a beneficial interest in the assets subject to the Asset Sale and (5) appropriate amounts to be provided by Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, after such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated with such Asset Sale, all as reflected in an officers' certificate delivered to the trustee. "PARI PASSU INDEBTEDNESS" means (a) with respect to Sleepmaster, any Indebtedness of Sleepmaster that is equal in right of payment to the exchange notes, (b) with respect to Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, any Indebtedness of Sleepmaster Finance Corporation that is equal in right of payment to the exchange notes and (c) with respect to any guarantee, Indebtedness which ranks equal in right of payment to such guarantee. "PERMITTED HOLDERS" means (1) Citicorp Venture Capital, Ltd., a New York Corporation, and its Affiliates (provided that for purposes of this provision only the definition of "Affiliate" shall not include clauses (2) or (3) included in the definition thereof) and (2) Charles Schweitzer, James Koscica, Michael Reilly, Timothy Dupont and Michael Bubis, their respective spouses and children, and trusts for their benefit or for the benefit of their spouses and/or children. "PERMITTED INVESTMENT" means (1) Investments in any Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary or any Person which, as a result of such Investment, (a) becomes a Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary or (b) is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, Sleepmaster or any Majority Owned Restricted Subsidiary; (2) Indebtedness of Sleepmaster or a Restricted Subsidiary described under clauses (4), (5) and (6) of the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness;" (3) Investments in any of the exchange notes; (4) Temporary Cash Investments; (5) Investments acquired by Sleepmaster or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale permitted under "-- Covenants -- Limitation on Sale of Assets" to the extent such Investments are non-cash proceeds as permitted under such covenant; 104 109 (6) Investments in existence on the date of the indenture; and (7) Investments, in addition to those listed above, not to exceed $5 million at any one time outstanding. In connection with any assets or property contributed or transferred to any Person as an Investment, such property and assets shall be equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined by Sleepmaster's board of directors) at the time of Investment. "PERSON" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. "PREFERRED STOCK" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over the Capital Stock of any other class in such Person. "PUBLIC EQUITY OFFERING" means an underwritten public offering of common stock (other than Redeemable Capital Stock) of Sleepmaster with gross proceeds to Sleepmaster of at least $40 million pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 (other than a registration statement on Form S-4 (or any successor form covering substantially the same transactions), Form S-8 (or any successor form covering substantially the same transactions) or otherwise relating to equity securities issuable under any employee benefit plan of Sleepmaster). "PURCHASE MONEY OBLIGATION" means any Indebtedness secured by a Lien on assets related to the business of Sleepmaster and any additions and accessions thereto, which are purchased by Sleepmaster at any time after the exchange notes are issued; provided that (1) the security agreement or conditional sales or other title retention contract pursuant to which the Lien on such assets is created (collectively a "Purchase Money Security Agreement") shall be entered into within 90 days after the purchase or substantial completion of the construction of such assets and shall at all times be confined solely to the assets so purchased or acquired, any additions and accessions thereto and any proceeds therefrom, (2) at no time shall the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Indebtedness secured thereby be increased, except in connection with the purchase of additions and accessions thereto and except in respect of fees and other obligations in respect of such Indebtedness and (3) (A) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Indebtedness secured thereby (determined on a per asset basis in the case of any additions and accessions) shall not at the time such Purchase Money Security Agreement is entered into exceed 100% of the purchase price to Sleepmaster of the assets subject thereto or (B) the Indebtedness secured thereby shall be with recourse solely to the assets so purchased or acquired, any additions and accessions thereto and any proceeds therefrom. "QUALIFIED CAPITAL STOCK" of any Person means any and all Capital Stock of such Person other than Redeemable Capital Stock. "REDEEMABLE CAPITAL STOCK" means any Capital Stock that, either by its terms or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or exchangeable or otherwise, is or upon the happening of an event or passage of time would be, required to be redeemed prior to the final Stated Maturity of the principal of the exchange notes or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof at any time prior to such final Stated Maturity (other than upon a change of control of Sleepmaster or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation. in circumstances where the holders of the exchange notes would have similar rights), or is convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities at any time prior to such final Stated Maturity at the option of the holder thereof. 105 110 "REFERENCE TREASURY DEALER" means each of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and three other primary U.S. Government securities dealers in The City of New York to be selected by Sleepmaster and their respective successors. "RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of Sleepmaster that has not been designated by the board of directors of Sleepmaster by a board resolution delivered to the trustee as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described under "-- Covenants -- Limitation on Unrestricted Subsidiaries." "SECURITIES ACT OF 1933" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. "SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or if at any time after the execution of the indenture such Securities and Exchange Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Securities Act of 1933, Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and Trust Indenture Act of 1939 then the body performing such duties at such time. "SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. "SLEEP INVESTOR PROMISSORY NOTES" means the Junior Subordinated Notes, dated November 14, 1996, as in effect on the date of the indenture, of Sleep Investor L.L.C. issued to each of the individuals and entities listed on a schedule to the indenture. "SLEEPMASTER FINANCE CORPORATION" means Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of the indenture. "SPECIAL PREFERRED STOCK" means Preferred Stock of Sleepmaster, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $40 million, which after the Issue Date is issued to and held solely by Citicorp Venture Capital Ltd. or Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., provided that (1) dividends on such Preferred Stock are not payable until the earlier of the Stated Maturity of the exchange notes and the date on which the exchange notes have been repaid in full and (2) such Preferred Stock is not Redeemable Capital Stock. "STATED MATURITY" means, when used with respect to any Indebtedness or any installment of interest thereon, the dates specified in such Indebtedness as the fixed date on which the principal of such Indebtedness or such installment of interest, as the case may be, is due and payable. "SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness of Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or a guarantor subordinated in right of payment to the exchange notes or a guarantee, as the case may be. "SUBSIDIARY" of a Person means (1) any corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting power of the Voting Stock of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries thereof, or (2) any limited partnership of which such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner, or (3) any other Person in which such Person, or one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, has more than 50% of the outstanding partnership or similar interests or has the power, by contract or otherwise, to direct or cause the direction of the policies, management and affairs thereof. 106 111 "TAX AMOUNTS" means, with respect to a calendar year or portion thereof, an amount equal to the sum of (1) the Federal income tax that would be imposed on the Taxable Income (as defined below) of Sleepmaster for such calendar year or portion thereof at the highest marginal tax rate applicable to corporate taxpayers in such calendar year or portion thereof, and (2) the state and local income tax that would be imposed on the Taxable Income of Sleepmaster for such calendar year or portion thereof in the state and local jurisdictions in which Sleepmaster qualifies as a corporation within the meaning of state and local provisions which are analogous to Section 7701 of the Internal Revenue Code, at the highest marginal tax rates applicable to corporate taxpayers in such jurisdictions, in each case computed taking into account all available deductions or credits for federal, state or local income tax purposes of state and local income taxes described in clause (2) (such rate, the "Applicable Tax Rate"). "TAXABLE INCOME" means the taxable income of Sleepmaster computed as if Sleepmaster filed a tax return for such calendar year as the parent of a consolidated group of corporations that includes Sleepmaster and each domestic Subsidiary of Sleepmaster (provided that any amount distributed by Sleepmaster to Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. to allow Sleep Investor LLC to make current cash interest payments on the Sleep Investor Promissory Notes shall be treated as a deduction from Taxable Income), except that such taxable income shall be reduced by any tax losses of Sleepmaster for prior years which actually are available to offset the taxable income of Sleepmaster and were not previously taken into account hereunder for prior years. "TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS" means (1) any evidence of Indebtedness, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by the United States of America, or an instrumentality or agency thereof, and guaranteed fully as to principal, premium, if any, and interest by the full faith and credit of the United States of America, (2) any certificate of deposit, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by, or time deposit of, a commercial banking institution that is a member of the Federal Reserve System and that has combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500 million, whose debt has a rating, at the time as of which any investment therein is made, of "P-1" (or higher) according to Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or any successor rating agency or "A-1" (or higher) according to Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P") or any successor rating agency, (3) commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate or Subsidiary of Sleepmaster) organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia with a rating, at the time as of which any investment therein is made, of "P-1" (or higher) according to Moody's or "A-1" (or higher) according to S&P and (4) any money market deposit accounts issued or offered by a domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500 million; provided that the short term debt of such commercial bank has a rating, at the time of Investment, of "P-1" (or higher) according to Moody's or "A-1" (or higher) according to S&P. "TREASURY RATE" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming 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. 107 112 "TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or any successor statute. "UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of Sleepmaster (other than a guarantor) designated as such pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described under "-- Covenants -- Limitation on Unrestricted Subsidiaries." "UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY INDEBTEDNESS" of any Unrestricted Subsidiary means Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary (1) as to which neither Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation nor any Restricted Subsidiary is directly or indirectly liable (by virtue of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any such Restricted Subsidiary being the primary obligor on, guarantor of, or otherwise liable in any respect to, such Indebtedness), except Guaranteed Debt of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Affiliate, in which case (unless the incurrence of such Guaranteed Debt resulted in a Restricted Payment at the time of incurrence) Sleepmaster shall be deemed to have made a Restricted Payment equal to the principal amount of any such Indebtedness to the extent guaranteed at the time such Affiliate is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (2) which, upon the occurrence of a default with respect thereto, does not result in, or permit any holder of any Indebtedness of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any Subsidiary to declare, a default on such Indebtedness of Sleepmaster, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or any Restricted Subsidiary or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing any Unrestricted Subsidiary may guarantee the exchange notes. "VOTING STOCK" of a Person means Capital Stock of such Person of the class or classes pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time Capital Stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency). "WHOLLY OWNED RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY" means a Restricted Subsidiary all the Capital Stock (other than directors' qualifying shares or shares of foreign Restricted Subsidiaries required to be owned by foreign nationals pursuant to applicable law) of which is owned by Sleepmaster or another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary. 108 113 EXCHANGE OFFER TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER; PERIOD FOR TENDERING OLD NOTES Upon the terms and subject to the conditions in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept any and all notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. We will issue $1,000 principal amount of exchange notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding notes accepted in the exchange offer. Holders may tender some or all of their notes pursuant to the exchange offer. However, notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000. The form and terms of the exchange notes are the same as the form and terms of the notes except that: (1) the exchange notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and hence will not bear legends restricting their transfer thereof; and (2) the holders of the exchange notes will not be entitled to rights under the registration rights agreement. These rights include the provisions for an increase in the interest rate on the notes in some circumstances relating to the timing of the exchange offer. All of these rights will terminate when the exchange offer is terminated. The exchange notes will evidence the same debt as the notes. Holders of exchange notes will be entitled to the benefits of the indenture. As of the date of this prospectus, $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes was outstanding. We have fixed the close of business on [ ], 1999 as the record date for the exchange offer for purposes of determining the persons to whom this prospectus and the letter of transmittal will be mailed initially. We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered notes when, as and if we have given oral or written notice to the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders for the purpose of receiving the exchange notes from the issuers. If any tendered notes are not accepted for exchange because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of other events in this prospectus or otherwise, we will return the certificates for any unaccepted notes, at our expense, to the tendering holder as promptly as practicable after the expiration date. Holders who tender notes in the exchange offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of notes. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than transfer taxes in some circumstances, in connection with the exchange offer as described under the subheading "-- Fees and Expenses." EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS The term "expiration date" shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on [ ], 1999, unless we extend the exchange offer. In that case, the term "expiration date" shall mean the latest date and time to which the exchange offer is extended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not extend the expiration date beyond [ ], 1999. In order to extend the exchange offer, prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date, we will: (1) notify the exchange agent of any extension by oral or written notice and (2) mail to the registered holders an announcement of any extension. 109 114 We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, (1) if any of the conditions below under the heading "Conditions" shall not have been satisfied, (A) to delay accepting any notes, (B) to extend the exchange offer or (C) to terminate the exchange offer, or (2) to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner. Any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by oral or written notice of delay to the registered holders. We will give oral or written notice of any delay, extension or termination to the exchange agent. INTEREST ON THE EXCHANGE NOTES The exchange notes will bear interest from their date of issuance. Holders of notes that are accepted for exchange will receive, in cash, accrued interest on the exchange notes to, but not including, the date of issuance of the exchange notes. We will make the first interest payment on the exchange notes on November 15, 1999. Interest on the notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue upon issuance of the exchange notes. Interest on the exchange notes is payable semi-annually on each May 15 and November 15, commencing on November 15, 1999. PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING OLD NOTES Only a holder of notes may tender notes in the exchange offer. To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must - complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal, - have the signatures guaranteed if required by the letter of transmittal, and - mail or otherwise deliver the letter of transmittal or such facsimile, together with the notes and any other required documents, to the exchange agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. To tender notes effectively, the holder must complete the letter of transmittal and other required documents and the exchange agent must receive all the documents prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Delivery of the notes may be made by book-entry transfer in accordance with the procedures described below. The exchange agent must receive confirmation of book-entry transfer prior to the expiration date. The tender by a holder and the acceptance of the tender by us will constitute agreement between the holder and us under the terms and subject to the conditions in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF NOTES AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE HOLDER. AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO DELIVERY BY MAIL, HOLDERS MAY WISH TO CONSIDER OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE. NO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO US. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS, DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES OR NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH HOLDERS. Any beneficial owner whose notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes to tender should promptly instruct the registered holder to tender on the beneficial owner's behalf. See "Instruction to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry Transfer Facility Participant from Owner" included with the letter of transmittal. 110 115 An institution that is a member firm of the Medallion system must guarantee signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal unless the notes are tendered: (1) by a registered holder who has not completed the box entitled "Special Registration Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the letter of transmittal; or (2) for the account of member firm of the Medallion system. If the letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder of any notes listed in that letter of transmittal, the notes must be endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed bond power, signed by the registered holder as the registered holder's name appears on the notes. An institution that is a member firm of the Medallion System must guarantee the signature. Trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, offices of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity should indicate their capacities when signing the letter of transmittal or any notes or bond powers. Evidence satisfactory to us of their authority to so act must be submitted with the letter of transmittal. We understand that the exchange agent will make a request promptly after the date of this prospectus to establish accounts with respect to the notes at the book-entry transfer facility, The Depository Trust Company, for the purpose of facilitating the exchange offer. Subject to the establishment of the accounts, any financial institution that is a participant in The Depository Trust Company's system may make book-entry delivery of notes. To do so, the financial institution should cause the book-entry transfer facility to transfer the notes into the exchange agent's account with respect to the notes following the book-entry transfer facility's procedures for transfer. Delivery of the notes may be effected through book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at the book-entry transfer facility. However, the holder must transmit and the exchange agent must receive or confirm an appropriate letter of transmittal properly completed and duly executed with any required signature guarantee and all other required documents on or prior to the expiration date, or, if the guaranteed delivery procedures described below are complied with, within the time period provided under such procedures. Delivery of documents to the book-entry transfer facility does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent. The Depositary and The Depository Trust Company have confirmed that the exchange offer is eligible for The Depository Trust Company Automated Tender Offer Program. Accordingly, The Depository Trust Company participants may electronically transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer by causing The Depository Trust Company to transfer notes to the depositary in accordance with The Depository Trust Company's Automated Tender Offer Program procedures for transfer. The Depository Trust Company will then send an "agent's message" to the Depositary. The term "agent's message" means a message transmitted by The Depository Trust Company, received by the Depositary and forming part of the confirmation of a book-entry transfer, which states that (1) The Depository Trust Company has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in The Depository Trust Company tendering notes subject of the book-entry confirmation, (2) the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal and (3) we may enforce such agreement against such participant. In the case of an agent's message relating to guaranteed delivery, the term means a message transmitted by The Depository Trust Company and received by the Depositary, which states that The Depository Trust Company has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in The Depository Trust Company tendering notes that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the notice of guaranteed delivery. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to validly tender in the exchange offer with respect to securities transferred through the Automated Tender Offer Program, a The Depository Trust Company participant using Automated Tender Offer Program must also properly complete and duly execute the applicable letter of transmittal and deliver it to the Depositary. 111 116 By the authority granted by The Depository Trust Company, any The Depository Trust Company participant which has notes credited to its The Depository Trust Company account at any time (and held of record by The Depository Trust Company's nominee) may directly provide a tender as though it were the registered holder by completing, executing and delivering the applicable letter of transmittal to the Depositary. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY. All questions as to the - validity, - form, - eligibility (including time of receipt), - acceptance of tendered notes and - withdrawal of tendered notes will be determined by us in our sole discretion. Our determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all notes not properly tendered. We reserve the absolute right to reject any notes which would be unlawful if accepted, in the opinion of our counsel. We also reserve the right in our sole discretion to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular notes. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of notes must be cured within such time as we shall determine. We intend to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of notes. However, neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person shall incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the exchange agent to the tendering holders, unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration date. GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES Holders who wish to tender their notes and: (1) whose notes are not immediately available; (2) who cannot deliver their notes, the letter of transmittal or any other required documents to the exchange agent; or (3) who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer, prior to the expiration date may effect a tender if: (1) they tender through an institution that is a member firm of the Medallion system; (2) prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from an institution that is a member firm of the Medallion system a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting forth the name and address of the holder, the certificate number(s) of such notes and the principal amount of notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made and guaranteeing that, within five New York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration date, the letter of transmittal (or facsimile thereof) together with the certificate(s) representing the notes (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of such notes into the exchange agent's account at the book-entry transfer facility), and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal will be deposited by the firm with the exchange agent; and 112 117 (3) the exchange agent receives (A) such properly completed and executed letter of transmittal (of facsimile thereof), (B) the certificate(s) representing all tendered notes in proper form for transfer (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of such notes into the exchange agent's account at the book-entry transfer facility), and (C) all other documents required by the letter of transmittal upon five New York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration date. Upon request to the exchange agent, we will send a notice of guaranteed delivery to holders who wish to tender their notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above. WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, holders may withdraw tenders of notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. To withdraw a tender of notes in the exchange offer, the exchange agent must receive a telegram, telex, letter or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal at its address in this prospectus prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Any such notice of withdrawal must: (1) specify the name of the person having deposited the notes to be withdrawn; (2) identify the notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number(s) and principal amount of such notes, or, in the case of notes transferred by book-entry transfer, the name and number of the account at the book-entry transfer facility to be credited); (3) be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on the letter of transmittal by which such notes were tendered (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to have the trustee with respect to the notes register the transfer of notes into the name of the person withdrawing the tender; and (4) specify the name in which any notes are to be registered, if different from that of the person who deposited the notes. We will determine all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility, including time of receipt, of such notices. Our determination shall be final and binding on all parties. We will not deem notes so withdrawn to have been validly tendered for purposes of the exchange offer. We will not issue exchange notes for withdrawn notes unless you validly retender the withdrawn notes. We will return any notes which have been tendered but which are not accepted for exchange to the holder of the notes at our cost as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. You may retender properly withdrawn notes by following one of the procedures described above under the heading "Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" at any time prior to the expiration date. CONDITIONS Notwithstanding any other term of the exchange offer, we shall not be required to accept for exchange, or exchange exchange notes for, any notes, and may terminate or amend the exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before the acceptance of the notes, if: (1) any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange offer which, in our sole judgment, might materially impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer or any development has occurred in any existing action or proceeding which may be harmful to us or any of our subsidiaries; or (2) any law, statute, rule, regulation or interpretation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission is proposed, adopted or enacted, which, in our sole judgment, might impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer or impair the contemplated benefits of the exchange offer to us; or 113 118 (3) any governmental approval has not been obtained, which we believe, in our sole discretion, is necessary for the consummation of the exchange offer as outlined in this prospectus. If we determine in our sole discretion that any of the conditions are not satisfied, we may: (1) refuse to accept any notes and return all tendered notes to the tendering holders; (2) extend the exchange offer and retain all notes tendered prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, subject, however, to the rights of holders to withdraw their notes; or (3) waive such unsatisfied conditions of the exchange offer and accept all properly tendered notes which have not been withdrawn. EXCHANGE AGENT United States Trust Company of New York has been appointed as the exchange agent for the exchange offer. You should direct all - executed letters of transmittal, - questions, - requests for assistance, - requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and - requests for Notices of Guaranteed Delivery to the exchange agent addressed as follows: By Overnight Courier and By Hand: By Registered or by Hand after 4:30 pm United States Trust Certified Mail: on the Expiration Date: Company of New York United States Trust United States Trust 111 Broadway, Lower Level Company of New York Company of New York New York, New York 10006 P.O. Box 844 770 Broadway, 13th Floor Attn: Corporate Trust Services Cooper Station New York, New York 10003 Via Facsimile: New York, New York 10276-0844 Attn: Corporate (212) 780-0592 Attn: Corporate Trust Services Attn: Corporate Trust Services Trust Services Confirm by Telephone: (800) 548-6565 DELIVERY OTHER THAN THOSE ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. FEES AND EXPENSES We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. We are mailing the principal solicitation. However, our officers and regular employees and those of our affiliates may make additional solicitation by telegraph, telecopy, telephone or in person. We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer. We will not make any payments to brokers, dealers, or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. However, we will pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services. We will reimburse the exchange agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We will pay the cash expenses incurred in connection with the exchange offer. These expenses include fees and expenses of the exchange agent and trustee, accounting and legal fees and printing costs, among others. ACCOUNTING TREATMENT The exchange notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the notes. The carrying value is face value, as reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange. Accordingly, we will recognize 114 119 no gain or loss for accounting purposes. The expenses of the exchange offer will be expensed over the term of the exchange notes. TRANSFER TAXES Holders who tender their old notes for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection with the exchange. However, holders who instruct us to register exchange notes in the name of, or request that old notes not tendered or not accepted in the exchange offer be returned to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be responsible for the payment of any applicable transfer tax on that transfer. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE; RESALES OF EXCHANGE NOTES The notes that are not exchanged for exchange notes under the exchange offer will remain restricted securities. Accordingly, those notes may be resold only: (1) to us (upon redemption of the notes or otherwise); (2) so long as the notes are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, to a person inside the United States who is a qualified institutional buyer according to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 or pursuant to another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, based upon an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to us; (3) outside the United States to a foreign person in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933; or (4) under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. RESALES OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES Based on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that a holder or other person who receives exchange notes will be allowed to resell the exchange notes to the public without further registration under the Securities Act of 1933 and without delivering a prospectus that satisfies the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933. The holder (other than a person that is our "affiliate" within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933) who receives exchange notes in exchange for notes in the ordinary course of business and who is not participating, need not intend to participate or have an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the exchange notes. However, if any holder acquires exchange notes in the exchange offer for the purpose of distributing or participating in a distribution of the exchange notes, the holder cannot rely on the position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission enunciated in the no-action letters or any similar interpretive letters. A holder who acquires exchange notes in order to distribute them must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with any resale transaction, unless an exemption from registration is otherwise available. Further, each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such exchange notes. 115 120 UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS The following discussion, including the opinion of counsel described below, is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable Treasury regulations, judicial authority and administrative rulings and practice. The Internal Revenue Service may take a contrary view, and no ruling from the Service has been or will be sought. Legislative, judicial or administrative changes or interpretations may be forthcoming that could alter or modify the following statements and conditions. Any changes or interpretations may or may not be retroactive and could affect the tax consequences to holders. Some holders (including insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, foreign corporations and persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States) may be subject to special rules not discussed below. We recommend that each holder consult his own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of exchanging such holder's old notes for exchange notes, including the applicability and effect of any state, local or foreign tax laws. Kirkland & Ellis, counsel to Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries, has advised us that in its opinion, the exchange of the old notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer will not be treated as an "exchange" for federal income tax purposes because the exchange notes will not be considered to differ materially in kind or extent from the old notes. Rather, the exchange notes received by a holder will be treated as a continuation of the old notes in the hands of such holder. As a result, there will be no federal income tax consequences to holders exchanging old notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange offer. 116 121 PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account under the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of exchange notes. 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 old notes if the old senior subordinated notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We and our guarantor subsidiaries have agreed to make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer to use in connection with any such resale for a period of at least 90 days after the expiration date. In addition, until [ ], 1999, all dealers effecting transactions in the exchange notes may be required to deliver a prospectus. Neither we nor our guarantor subsidiaries will receive any proceeds from any sale of exchange notes by broker-dealers. Exchange notes received by broker-dealers for their own accounts under the 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 resale, - at prices related to such prevailing market prices or - at negotiated prices. Any resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers. Brokers or dealers may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such exchange notes. An "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 includes (1) any broker-dealer that resells exchange notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer or (2) any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such exchange notes. Any profit on any resale of exchange notes and any commissions or concessions received by any persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act of 1933. 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 of 1933. Based on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission in no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that a holder or other person who receives exchange notes will be allowed to resell the exchange notes to the public without further registration under the Securities Act of 1933 and without delivering to the purchasers of the exchange notes a prospectus that satisfies the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933. The holder (other than a person that is an "affiliate" of Sleepmaster LLC or Sleepmaster Finance Corporation within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933) who receives exchange notes in exchange for old notes in the ordinary course of business and who is not participating, need not intend to participate or have an arrangement or understanding with person to participate in the distribution of the exchange notes. However, if any holder acquires exchange notes in the exchange offer for the purpose of distributing or participating in a distribution of the exchange notes, the holder cannot rely on the position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission enunciated in such no-action letters or any similar interpretive letters. The holder must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with any resale transaction. A secondary resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by 117 122 Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, unless an exemption from registration is otherwise available. Further, each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where the old notes were acquired by such participating broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of any exchange notes. We and each of our guarantor subsidiaries have agreed, for a period of not less than 90 days from the consummation of the exchange offer, to make this prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. For a period of not less than 90 days after the expiration date we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests those documents in the letter of transmittal. We and each of our guarantor subsidiaries have jointly and severally agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer, including the expenses of one counsel for the holders of the old notes, other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers. We will indemnify the holders of the old notes against liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, including any broker-dealers. LEGAL MATTERS Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the notes offered hereby will be passed upon for Sleepmaster by Kirkland & Ellis, New York, New York. Kirkland & Ellis will issue an opinion for Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation with respect to the issuance of the exchange notes offered hereby, including 1) the existence and good standing of each of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation under its state of incorporation, 2) the authorization of the sale and issuance of the exchange notes by each of Sleepmaster and Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, and 3) the enforceability of the exchange notes. EXPERTS The financial statements of Sleepmaster, Palm Beach, Herr and Star included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the reports of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. AVAILABLE INFORMATION We and our guarantor subsidiaries have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-4, the "Exchange Offer Registration Statement," which term shall encompass all amendments, exhibits, annexes and schedules thereto, pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, covering the exchange notes being offered. This prospectus does not contain all the information in the exchange offer registration statement. For further information with respect to Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, the guarantor subsidiaries and the exchange offer, reference is made to the exchange offer registration statement. Statements made in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily complete. For a more complete understanding and description of each contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the exchange offer registration statement, we encourage you to read the documents contained in the exhibits. The exchange offer registration statement, including the exhibits thereto, can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Regional Offices of the Securities and 118 123 Exchange Commission at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such materials can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The address of such Web site is: http://www.sec.gov. We are currently subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, and in accordance therewith will be required to file periodic reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our obligation to file periodic reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission will be suspended if the exchange notes are held of record by fewer than 300 holders as of the beginning of our fiscal year other than the fiscal year in which the exchange offer registration statement is declared effective. We will nevertheless be required to continue to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission if the exchange notes are listed on a national securities exchange. In the event we cease to be subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we will be required under the indenture to continue to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission the annual and quarterly reports, information, documents or other reports, including reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, which would be required pursuant to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Under the indenture, we shall file with the trustee annual, quarterly and other reports after it files such reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Annual reports delivered to the trustee and the holders of exchange notes will contain financial information that has been examined and reported upon, with an opinion expressed by an independent public accountant. We will also furnish such other reports as may be required by law. Information contained in this prospectus contains "forward-looking statements" which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other similar terminology, or by discussions of strategy. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by any such forward-looking statements as a result of factors described in the "Risk Factors" beginning on page 10 and elsewhere in this prospectus. The market and industry data presented in this prospectus are based upon third-party data, including information compiled by the International Sleep Products Association and Furniture/Today, data provided to us by Serta, Inc. and reports filed by other market participants with the Securities and Exchange Commission. While we believe that such estimates are reasonable and reliable, estimates cannot always be verified by information available from independent sources. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such market share data. Unless otherwise indicated, market share data is based on net shipments and is for the 1998 year. ------------------------ Serta(R), Sertapedic(R), Perfect Sleeper(R), Body Pillow(R), Comfort Quilt(R), ModuCoil(R), Perfect Night(R), Posture Spiral(R), Dual Posture(R), Body Loft(R), Pillo-Fill(R), Masterpiece(R), Triple Beam(R), Nightstar(TM), Double Micro-Offset Coils(TM), Master Weld Torsion System(TM), Perfect Sleeper Nightstar(TM), Perfect Sleeper Showcase(TM), Posture Edge(TM), Perimeter Edge Foam(TM), Ultimate Edge Support(TM) and Posture Pad(TM) are trademarks used by Sleepmaster and its subsidiaries. Tradenames and trademarks of other companies appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective holders. 119 124 INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. Report of Independent Accountants......................... F-2 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997................................................... F-3 Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996....................... F-4 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members' Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996............................................... F-5 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996....................... F-6 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................ F-7 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 1999............................................... F-18 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 and for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 and 1998................................. F-19 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 and 1998........ F-20 Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements............................................. F-21 PALM BEACH BEDDING COMPANY Report of Independent Accountants......................... F-32 Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1997..................... F-33 Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 1997 and 1996............................................... F-34 Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 1997 and 1996............................. F-35 Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.......................................... F-36 Notes to Financial Statements............................. F-37 HERR MANUFACTURING COMPANY Report of Independent Accountants......................... F-41 Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1998..................... F-42 Statement of Income for the Year Ended December 31, 1998................................................... F-43 Statement of Stockholders' Equity for the Year Ended December 31, 1998...................................... F-44 Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 1998................................................... F-45 Notes to Financial Statements............................. F-46 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED Auditors' Report.......................................... F-50 Consolidated Balance Sheet as at December 31, 1998........ F-51 Consolidated Statement of Income and Retained Earnings for the Year Ended December 31, 1998....................... F-52 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 1998...................................... F-53 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................ F-54 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1999............................................... F-58 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998......... F-59 Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998................... F-60 Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements............................................. F-61 F-1 125 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Board of Advisors and Members of Sleepmaster L.L.C.: In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, members' deficit and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Sleepmaster L.L.C. (the "Company") and its subsidiary at December 31, 1998 and the Company at 1997 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP New York, New York April 2, 1999, except as to the second paragraph of Note 18, which is as of April 30, 1999 F-2 126 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997 1998 1997 ------------ ------------ ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 161,695 $ 591,683 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,657,365 and $1,131,035, respectively............. 12,570,315 7,494,182 Accounts receivable -- other.............................. 1,199,002 667,622 Inventories............................................... 4,746,574 2,679,133 Other current assets...................................... 346,637 93,290 Deferred tax assets....................................... 1,605,977 1,541,674 ------------ ------------ Total current assets................................... 20,630,200 13,067,584 Property, plant and equipment, net.......................... 10,429,511 1,596,827 Intangible assets........................................... 45,302,505 18,406,538 Other assets................................................ 1,779,743 1,030,745 Deferred tax assets......................................... 11,397,747 13,237,785 ------------ ------------ Total assets........................................... $ 89,539,706 $ 47,339,479 ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' DEFICIT Current liabilities: Accounts payable.......................................... $ 9,930,782 $ 5,270,766 Accrued advertising expenses.............................. 1,517,347 1,777,648 Accrued sales allowances.................................. 3,188,903 3,273,037 Other current liabilities................................. 3,082,313 1,844,958 Current portion of long-term debt......................... 7,130,000 3,500,000 ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities.............................. 24,849,345 15,666,409 ------------ ------------ Long-term debt............................................ 63,565,544 35,602,177 Other liabilities......................................... 375,296 235,141 ------------ ------------ Total long-term liabilities............................ 63,940,840 35,837,318 ------------ ------------ Commitments and contingencies (Note 16) Redeemable cumulative preferred interests................... 18,266,940 15,927,443 Members' Deficit: Class A common interests.................................. 1,640,000 1,000,000 Class B common interests.................................. -- -- Accumulated deficit....................................... (19,157,419) (21,091,691) ------------ ------------ Total members' deficit................................. (17,517,419) (20,091,691) ------------ ------------ Total liabilities and members' deficit................. $ 89,539,706 $ 47,339,479 ============ ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-3 127 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996 1998 1997 1996 ------------ ----------- ----------- Net sales.......................................... $110,250,548 $67,472,130 $59,762,889 Cost of sales...................................... 68,987,610 42,448,055 37,497,450 ------------ ----------- ----------- Gross profit.................................. 41,262,938 25,024,075 22,265,439 ------------ ----------- ----------- Operating expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses..... 25,793,631 15,043,545 14,130,410 Amortization of intangibles...................... 1,223,134 644,095 644,095 ------------ ----------- ----------- Total operating expenses...................... 27,016,765 15,687,640 14,774,505 ------------ ----------- ----------- Operating income................................... 14,246,173 9,336,435 7,490,934 ------------ ----------- ----------- Interest expense, net.............................. 7,096,489 4,663,050 2,578,107 Other (income) expense, net........................ (17,834) (97,212) 216,267 ------------ ----------- ----------- Income before income taxes.................... 7,167,518 4,770,597 4,696,560 Provision for income taxes......................... 3,019,510 2,013,861 91,024 ------------ ----------- ----------- Net income.................................... $ 4,148,008 $ 2,756,736 $ 4,605,536 ============ =========== =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-4 128 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) COMMON INTERESTS ----------------------------------- CLASS A CLASS B RETAINED ------------------ -------------- MEMBERS' EARNINGS UNITS AMOUNT UNITS AMOUNT INTERESTS (DEFICIT) TOTAL ----- ---------- ----- ------ ----------- ------------ ------------ JANUARY 1, 1996................. -- $ -- -- $ -- $ 1,395,500 $ 1,321,579 $ 2,717,079 Capital contributions........... 1 129 129 Conversion of members' interests to common interests upon Recapitalization of Company... 7,999 999,871 (1,395,500) (620,345) (1,015,974) Net income...................... 4,605,536 4,605,536 Distributions................... (43,994,429) (43,994,429) Tax benefit attributable to Recapitalization of Company... 16,792,432 16,792,432 Accretion of redeemable cumulative preferred interests..................... (220,932) (220,932) ----- ---------- ----- ------ ----------- ------------ ------------ DECEMBER 31, 1996............... 8,000 1,000,000 -- -- -- (22,116,159) (21,116,159) Net income...................... 2,756,736 2,756,736 Distributions................... (25,756) (25,756) Accretion of redeemable cumulative preferred interests..................... (1,706,512) (1,706,512) ----- ---------- ----- ------ ----------- ------------ ------------ DECEMBER 31, 1997............... 8,000 1,000,000 -- -- -- (21,091,691) (20,091,691) Capital contributions........... 640,000 640,000 Net income...................... 4,148,008 4,148,008 Distributions................... (234,240) (234,240) Accretion of redeemable cumulative preferred interests..................... (1,979,496) (1,979,496) ----- ---------- ----- ------ ----------- ------------ ------------ DECEMBER 31, 1998............... 8,000 $1,640,000 -- $ -- $ -- $(19,157,419) $(17,517,419) ===== ========== ===== ====== =========== ============ ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-5 129 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996 1998 1997 1996 ------------ ------------ ------------ CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income..................................... $ 4,148,008 $ 2,756,736 $ 4,605,536 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization............... 2,088,840 1,092,650 1,043,488 Provision for doubtful accounts............. 286,916 249,604 200,004 Loss (gain) on sale of equipment............ 9,004 (63,779) -- Deferred income taxes....................... 1,775,735 1,752,297 91,024 Other non-cash charges...................... 319,957 201,869 422,326 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition: (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable............................. (2,410,920) 208,668 (2,467,435) Increase in accounts receivable -- other.................... (207,783) (543,063) (49,700) Decrease (increase) in inventories........ 113,503 (563,408) (816,410) (Increase) decrease in other current assets................................. (196,291) 40,645 (7,280) Increase in other assets.................. (41,327) -- -- Increase (decrease) in accounts payable... 2,834,075 (103,983) 2,113,193 Increase in accrued liabilities........... 13,891 947,972 387,899 Increase in other liabilities............. 140,155 60,006 60,066 ------------ ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by operating activities... 8,873,763 6,036,214 5,582,711 ------------ ------------ ------------ CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures........................... (1,095,262) (572,003) (166,939) Proceeds from sale of equipment................ -- 66,855 -- Acquisition, net of cash acquired.............. (32,756,038) -- -- ------------ ------------ ------------ Net cash used in investing activities....... (33,851,300) (505,148) (166,939) ------------ ------------ ------------ CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from long term debt................... 48,308,360 1,025,000 42,000,000 Payments on long term debt..................... (23,698,994) (1,232,191) (17,989,000) Borrowings under revolving line of credit...... 7,396,328 18,100,000 3,877,111 Payments on revolving line of credit........... (7,397,328) (22,821,664) (1,846,130) Loan origination fees.......................... (826,577) -- (1,161,175) Distributions.................................. (234,240) (25,756) (38,196,328) Capital contribution........................... 1,000,000 -- 12,984,155 Payments to purchase warrants.................. -- -- (3,800,000) Recapitalization costs......................... -- -- (1,998,102) ------------ ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities................................ 24,547,549 (4,954,611) (6,129,469) ------------ ------------ ------------ Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents.................................... (429,988) 576,455 (713,697) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year... 591,683 15,228 728,925 ------------ ------------ ------------ Cash and cash equivalents at end of year......... $ 161,695 $ 591,683 $ 15,228 ============ ============ ============ SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid during the year for Interest....................................... $ 7,125,489 $ 4,301,877 $ 2,172,472 Income taxes................................... $ 561,600 -- -- NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES In connection with the issuance of redeemable cumulative preferred interests upon the leveraged recapitalization of the Company in 1996 (see Note 4), the Company recorded a charge to retained earnings (deficit) of $1,979,496, $1,706,512 and $220,932 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, representing the accretion of redeemable cumulative preferred interests at a compounded annual rate of 12.0%. The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-6 130 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. ORGANIZATION Sleepmaster L.L.C. ("Sleepmaster" or the "Company"), is a leading manufacturer and distributor of Serta brand mattresses and box springs in certain regions of the northeastern United States and Florida. The Company was formed on January 2, 1995 by acquiring substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Sleepmaster Products Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. The business and affairs of the Company are governed by the Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Sleepmaster L.L.C. (the "Sleepmaster L.L.C. Agreement"), which established a board of advisors having duties comparable to a corporate board of directors. Prior to November 1996, 98% of the Company was owned by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. ("Holdings") and 2% was owned by Brown/Schweitzer Holdings Inc. ("B/S Holdings"). Holdings was owned by management of Sleepmaster. On November 14, 1996, the Company entered into a recapitalization agreement (the "Recapitalization"). Under the Recapitalization, the members of Holdings sold their respective interests in part to Holdings, followed by the sale of a portion of the membership interest to new investors. As a result of the Recapitalization, Holdings' ownership of Sleepmaster was increased to almost 100% and B/S Holdings was replaced by Sleep Investor L.L.C. ("Sleep Investor"), a group of investors led by Citicorp Venture Capital and PMI Mezzanine Fund L.L.P. Because of the ownership change of Holdings as a result of the Recapitalization, management of Sleepmaster owns 28% of Holdings. The Sleepmaster L.L.C. Agreement was amended following the completion of this transaction (the "Amended Sleepmaster L.L.C. Agreement"). See Note 4 for further details of the transaction and impact on members of the Company. On March 3, 1998, the Company acquired the capital stock of Palm Beach Bedding Company ("Palm Beach") for cash and the assumption of Palm Beach County, Florida, variable rate industrial development revenue bonds. 2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Palm Beach, for the year ended December 31, 1998. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. The 1997 and 1996 financial statements include the accounts of the Company only. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts and the recoverability of long-lived assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investment instruments with an original maturity of three months or less. F-7 131 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue at the time of shipment. Appropriate accruals for returns, discounts, rebates and other allowances are recorded as reductions in sales. The Company's bedding products offer limited warranties of up to 10 years against manufacturing defects. The Company's cost of honoring warranty claims is immaterial. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and include the cost of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventories are produced on a made-to-order basis. Long-Lived Assets Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives: Land improvements................................... 40 years Building and improvements........................... 40 years Machinery and equipment............................. 5-10 years Office furniture and equipment...................... 3-5 years Vehicles............................................ 7 years Leasehold improvements.............................. length of lease (10 years) Expenditures for maintenance and routine repairs are expensed as incurred. Upon the disposition of property, plant and equipment, the accumulated depreciation is deducted from the original cost and any gain or loss is reflected in current income. Intangible Assets Intangible assets include goodwill, which represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, and licenses, which are amortized using the straight-line basis over forty years from the date of acquisition. Intangible assets also include a covenant not-to-compete as a result of an acquisition of a Serta Philadelphia licensee, which is amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the agreement. Accumulated amortization at December 31, 1998 and 1997 was approximately $3,264,000 and $2,064,000, respectively. The Company reviews goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable by comparing the carrying value of the asset with its estimated future undiscounted cash flows. If it is determined that an impairment loss has occurred, the loss would be recognized during that period. The impairment loss is calculated as the difference between the asset carrying value and the present value of estimated net cash flows or comparable market values, giving consideration to recent operating performance and pricing trends. At December 31, 1998, management believes there was no impairment to long-lived assets. F-8 132 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Advertising Costs The Company expenses advertising costs, consisting principally of cooperative advertising with dealers and retailers, when the revenue from sales to customers is recorded. Advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 amounted to approximately $8,154,000, $5,779,000 and $5,234,000, respectively. New Accounting Pronouncements In February 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Accounting Standards Executive Committee ("AcSEC") issued Statement of Position ("SOP") No. 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 requires certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal use software to be capitalized and other costs to be expensed. In March 1998, AcSEC issued SOP No. 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities" ("SOP 98-5"). SOP 98-5 provides guidance on the financial reporting of start-up costs and organization costs and requires that such costs be expensed as incurred. The effect of adopting SOP 98-5 will be reported as a change in accounting principle. These standards are effective for the Company's consolidated financial statements for the first quarter 1999. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of these new standards on its financial position and results of operations. Income Taxes The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its Parent, Holdings. Additionally, the Company files a state tax return in New Jersey and will file in Florida as a result of the Palm Beach acquisition. In accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes", the current and deferred income tax provisions and related current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the Company were determined on a separate company basis. Currently the Company does not maintain a tax sharing agreement with its Parent. 3. ACQUISITION On March 3, 1998, Sleepmaster acquired the capital stock of Palm Beach for approximately $32,800,000 in cash and the assumption of Palm Beach County, Florida Industrial Development Revenue Bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $6,985,000. The cash payment was financed by borrowings under the Company's amended and restated credit agreement (see Note 10). The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method and, accordingly, Palm Beach's results are included in the consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. The assets and liabilities have been recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired, aggregating approximately $28,100,000, has been recorded as goodwill and is being amortized over 40 years. F-9 133 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) A summary of the purchase price allocation is as follows: Current assets.............................................. $ 5,563,336 Property, plant and equipment............................... 8,612,132 Other assets................................................ 201,051 Goodwill.................................................... 28,119,110 Current liabilities......................................... (2,704,970) Debt........................................................ (6,985,000) ----------- Total............................................. $32,805,659 =========== The following unaudited pro forma income statement data for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 has been prepared as if the acquisition occurred as of the beginning of each year presented. 1998 1997 ------------ ------------ Net sales....................................... $117,307,031 $102,464,996 Net income...................................... 5,642,212 2,482,231 In management's opinion, the unaudited pro forma combined results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the actual results that would have occurred had the acquisition been consummated at the beginning of each period presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated results. 4. RECAPITALIZATION On November 16, 1996, the Company's Parent, Holdings, entered into a recapitalization agreement (the "Recapitalization Agreement") with the Company, B/S Holdings and Sleep Investor. As part of the Recapitalization, all outstanding membership interests were converted to redeemable cumulative preferred interests and common interests pursuant to the terms of the Amended Sleepmaster L.L.C. Agreement (See Note 1). Pursuant to the Recapitalization Agreement, Holdings redeemed all of the membership interests of its members, except for four members who are members of management of the Company ("Retained Members"), for an aggregate amount of cash equal to approximately $34,700,000 and then sold such membership interests to Sleep Investor. In addition, Sleep Investor purchased 8,714 units of redeemable cumulative preferred interests and 6,099 units of common interests of Holdings for approximately $12,900,000 plus issuance of a $7,000,000 pay-in-kind note payable to all former members of Holdings, including the Retained Members. The remaining redeemable cumulative preferred and common interests of Holdings were allocated to the Retained Members. As a result of the Recapitalization, Sleep Investor owns 72% of the outstanding units of Holdings and the Retained Members retained a 28% ownership. Financing for the Recapitalization, including the refinancing of existing indebtedness and fees and expenses incurred, was provided by (1) the Company's borrowings under a new $29,700,000 Senior Secured Credit Facility, (2) the Company's borrowing under $15,000,000 Senior Subordinated Notes and (3) the $12,900,000 of capital provided by Sleep Investor. The Company has accounted for the Recapitalization as a leveraged recapitalization, whereby the historical bases of the assets and liabilities of the Company have been maintained for financial reporting purposes. F-10 134 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 5. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following: 1998 1997 ---------- ---------- Raw materials....................................... $3,540,796 $2,314,165 Work-in-process..................................... 286,958 208,375 Finished goods...................................... 918,820 156,593 ---------- ---------- Total inventories.............................. $4,746,574 $2,679,133 ========== ========== 6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment consists of the following: 1998 1997 ----------- ---------- Building and improvements.......................... $ 5,045,762 $ -- Land and improvements.............................. 1,705,680 -- Machinery and equipment............................ 3,726,747 1,757,227 Office furniture and fixtures...................... 867,073 443,538 Vehicles........................................... 208,579 -- Leasehold improvements............................. 680,778 374,904 Construction-in-progress........................... 184,123 173,060 ----------- ---------- 12,418,742 2,748,729 Less: accumulated depreciation..................... 1,989,231 1,151,902 ----------- ---------- $10,429,511 $1,596,827 =========== ========== Depreciation expense was approximately $866,000, $449,000 and $400,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 7. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK The Company manufactures and markets sleep products including mattresses and box springs to department stores and specialty shops in certain licensed territories in the United States. In 1998, two customers accounted for approximately 13% and 11%, respectively, of consolidated net sales. In 1997, three customers accounted for approximately 17%, 14% and 12%, respectively, of net sales and the same customers represented 13%, 15% and 13%, respectively, of net sales in 1996. Amounts receivable from these customers represented approximately 30% and 51%, respectively, of the trade accounts receivable balance at December 31, 1998 and 1997. Purchases of raw materials from one vendor represented approximately 43%, 34% and 34% of total raw material purchases for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 8. LICENSE AGREEMENT Serta, Inc. ("Serta") is a national non-profit organization consisting of 12 domestic licensed operating mattress manufacturing companies. The organization aids the manufacturers in marketing, merchandising, manufacturing specifications, trademarks and related activities through license fees paid by the licensees. Serta owns the rights to the Serta trademark and licenses companies to manufacture and sell mattresses under the Serta brand name. The Company's license with Serta is effective until terminated by mutual F-11 135 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) written agreement by both parties or if the Company does not comply with the provisions of the license agreement. In 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Company paid approximately $3,400,000, $2,400,000 and $2,400,000, respectively, in license fees to Serta. 9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS The Company maintains a noncontributory profit sharing plan ("Profit Sharing Plan") covering substantially all non-union employees who meet certain eligibility requirements, such as age and length of service. Contributions are determined annually by management, but are limited to an amount deductible for income tax purposes. The Company reserves the right to terminate or amend the Profit Sharing Plan at any time. The Company elected to contribute approximately $345,000 for 1998, $210,000 for 1997 and $200,000 for 1996. Non-union employees of the Company may participate in a 401(k) savings plan ("Savings Plan"), to which the employees may elect to make contributions pursuant to a salary reduction agreement upon meeting certain age and length of service requirements. The Company contributes a matching 50% up to the first 4% of the employee contributions. Matching contributions to the Savings Plan were approximately $83,000 for 1998, $45,000 for 1997 and $41,000 for 1996. Union employees, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, are covered under a 401(k) savings plan established by the Company. For the year ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Company contributed $250, $200 and $150, respectively, to the account of each eligible employee. Contribution expense for this plan was approximately $35,000 for 1998, $24,000 for 1997 and $18,000 for 1996. 10. DEBT The following is a summary of the Company's long-term debt: 1998 1997 ----------- ----------- Term Loan A due in variable quarterly installments through March 2003 at variable interest rates (8.63% at December 31, 1998 and 9.50% at December 31, 1997)................ $22,745,544 $12,101,177 Term Loan B due in variable quarterly installments through February 2004 at variable interest rates (9.06% at December 31, 1998 and 9.75% at December 31, 1997)....... 21,250,000 12,000,000 Series A Senior Subordinated Notes, 12.00%, due in quarterly installments from March 2005 through December 2007.................................................... 15,000,000 15,000,000 Series B Senior Subordinated Notes, 12.00% due in quarterly installments from March 2005 through December 2007.................................................... 5,000,000 -- Industrial Development Revenue Bonds due through 2016 at variable interest rates (3.70% at December 31, 1998) collateralized by an irrevocable letter of credit issued to the Bond agent in the amount of $6,968,000........... 6,700,000 -- Other..................................................... -- 1,000 ----------- ----------- 70,695,544 39,102,177 Less, current portion..................................... 7,130,000 3,500,000 ----------- ----------- $63,565,544 $35,602,177 =========== =========== The letter of credit issued to the agent for the Industrial Development Revenue Bonds is in turn, collateralized by a first lien against certain land and buildings of Palm Beach. In connection with the F-12 136 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) acquisition of Palm Beach on March 3, 1998, the Company was required by the Bond agent to issue another letter of credit in their favor in an equivalent amount to the initial letter of credit, secured by a second lien against certain land and buildings of Palm Beach. This second letter of credit was issued under the Company's amended and restated secured credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with a bank, entered into in connection with the acquisition of Palm Beach. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, which matures on March 3, 2004, the Company may borrow up to $53.7 million, reduced by the $6,968,000 letter of credit issued to the Bond agent, comprising a working capital line of credit and revolving term loans. The revolving credit facility provides sublimits for a further $1.5 million letter of credit facility. The Company pays commitment fees of 1/2% per annum on the unused amount of the credit facilities. At December 31, 1998 the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the working capital line of credit. The weighted average interest rate under the revolving working capital line of credit was 8.30% and 10.00% at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The carrying amount of long-term debt under the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility approximates fair value because the interest rate adjusts to market interest rates. The fair values of the 12.00% Senior Subordinated Notes based on quoted market prices of debt securities with similar terms and maturities were $20.4 million and $16.8 million at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement and Senior Subordinated Notes, the Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios and other financial conditions. The Credit Agreement and Senior Subordinated Notes also prohibit the Company from incurring certain additional indebtedness and limit certain investments, capital expenditures and cash dividends. At December 31, 1998, the Company was not in compliance with certain non-financial covenants; however waivers and amendments were obtained. Additionally, the Company has a letter of credit with a bank in the amount of $720,462 as a rental security deposit on its Linden, New Jersey, facility. The Company pays a commitment fee of 3% per year of the face amount. The letter of credit reduces the amount available to the Company under the working capital line of credit sublimit associated with its Credit Agreement. Long term debt at December 31, 1998 is scheduled to mature as follows: 1999.................................................. $ 7,130,000 2000.................................................. 8,880,000 2001.................................................. 10,130,000 2002.................................................. 7,375,544 2003.................................................. 9,880,000 Thereafter............................................ 27,300,000 ----------- $70,695,544 =========== 11. MEMBERS' EQUITY In accordance with the Sleepmaster L.L.C. Agreement, the Company's board of advisors may issue three classes of membership interests: preferred interests, Class A common interests and Class B common interests. Class A common interests entitle the holder to one vote per Class A common unit. The holders of Class B common interests and preferred interests have no voting or participating rights except in the case of mergers, consolidations, recapitalizations or reorganizations. The Company had outstanding Class A common units of 8,000 as of December 31, 1998 and 1997. No Class B common units have been issued by the Company as of December 31, 1998. F-13 137 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 12. REDEEMABLE CUMULATIVE PREFERRED INTERESTS The Company had outstanding 9999.96 units of cumulative redeemable preferred units as of December 31, 1998 and 1997. The preferred units are not convertible into any other security of the Company and the holders have no voting rights except in the case of mergers, consolidations, recapitalizations or reorganizations. The preferred units accrue dividends at a compounded rate of 12% per annum. The preferred units are redeemable on November 14, 2008, along with the accrued and unpaid dividends unless the maturity date of the Senior Subordinated Notes is extended, at which point the redemption date will be the earlier of (i) the twelve month anniversary of the extended maturity date of the Senior Subordinated Notes and (ii) November 14, 2011; provided further that the redemption date shall only be extended one time. 13. WARRANTS Series A and Series B warrants (collectively the "Warrants") were issued under a Warrant Agreement dated as of March 2, 1998 between Holdings and PMI Mezzanine Fund, L.P. as warrant holder concurrent with the issuance of Series A and Series B Senior Subordinated Notes by Sleepmaster. The Warrants entitle the warrantholder to purchase one unit of the Class A common interests of Holdings at an exercise price of $0.01 per unit, subject to certain conditions. The Warrants are exercisable on or prior to March 2010. As of December 31, 1998, the Series A and Series B Warrants were exercisable into 2,403 common units of Holdings (approximately 22% of the Class A common interests). Since these Warrants were issued by Holdings and the only operation of Holdings is its investment in Sleepmaster, the Company would record an adjustment to reduce the carrying amount of debt issued, with an offsetting charge to accumulated deficit to the extent of the fair value of the Warrants issued, if material. No adjustment was recorded when the Warrants were issued, since management considered the fair value of the Warrants to be immaterial. 14. STOCK OPTIONS In 1998 and 1996, pursuant to the employment agreements of certain employees, Holdings issued options to purchase 100 shares and 530 shares, respectively, of Class A common units of Holdings at an exercise price of $100 (the "Options"). The Options vest 50% on December 31, 1999 and 50% on December 31, 2001 subject to the achievement of certain earnings targets by Sleepmaster. Any unexercised options terminate on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant or earlier, in connection with the termination of employment. Since this is a variable stock compensation plan of Holdings and the only operation of Holdings is its investment in Sleepmaster, the Company will record compensation expense based on the difference between the exercise price and the fair value of the Options at the balance sheet date, when it believes it probable that the Company will meet the earning targets. No compensation cost related to the Options has been recorded in 1998, 1997, or 1996 since, based on the Company's current trend of earnings, management considers it unlikely that they will achieve the earnings targets set forth in the option agreements. F-14 138 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 15. INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes consists of the following: 1998 1997 1996 ---------- ---------- ------- CURRENT Federal........................................ $ 967,515 $ 208,744 $ -- State.......................................... 276,260 52,820 -- ---------- ---------- ------- Total current............................... 1,243,775 261,564 -- ---------- ---------- ------- DEFERRED Federal........................................ 1,400,766 1,437,707 77,766 State.......................................... 374,969 314,590 13,258 ---------- ---------- ------- Total deferred.............................. 1,775,735 1,752,297 91,024 ---------- ---------- ------- Provision for income taxes................ $3,019,510 $2,013,861 $91,024 ========== ========== ======= For the period January 1, 1996 through November 13, 1996, the Company had elected to be taxed as a partnership. No provision was made for income taxes during this period as income or loss of the partnership is included in the income tax returns of the individual members. The Company's effective tax rate differs from the Federal statutory rate as indicated in the following reconciliation for the years ended December 31: 1998 1997 1996 ---- ---- ----- Income tax expense at Federal statutory rate................ 35.0% 35.0% 35.0% State income tax expense, net of Federal benefit............ 5.9% 5.0% 0.3% Partnership income, not subject to tax...................... -- -- (33.8)% Other, net.................................................. 1.2% 2.2% 0.4% ---- ---- ----- 42.1% 42.2% 1.9% ==== ==== ===== Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax-reporting purposes. The significant component of the Company's net deferred tax assets represents the tax effect of goodwill attributable to the step-up in the tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities as a result of the leveraged recapitalization on November 14, 1996 (see Note 4). The Company recognized a net deferred tax asset of $16,490,727 in connection with this recapitalization. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, no valuation allowance has been recorded since management considers it more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. The components of net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997 are as follows: 1998 1997 ----------- ----------- Goodwill................................................ $12,224,999 $14,271,452 Sales allowance reserves................................ 306,375 300,000 Bad debt reserves....................................... 175,008 60,266 Other................................................... 297,342 147,741 ----------- ----------- Net deferred tax assets.............................. $13,003,724 $14,779,459 =========== =========== F-15 139 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Employment Contracts Both Sleepmaster and Palm Beach have employment agreements with its executive officers, the terms of which expire at various dates through November 1, 2001. Such agreements provide for minimum salaries as well as incentive bonuses that are payable if specified management goals are attained. The employment agreements also provide for benefits, including medical, life insurance and disability benefits. In addition, executive securities (as defined) will automatically vest in connection with a sale of the Company. The Company's potential minimum obligation to its executive officers, excluding bonuses, was approximately $3,600,000 at December 31, 1998. Operating Leases On January 12, 1995 the Company assumed the balance of a 10 year, noncancelable operating lease agreement entered into by the former owner of the Company for facilities in Linden, New Jersey. The lease expires on January 31, 2004, with renewal options. In addition, the Company leases office furniture and equipment, manufacturing equipment and distribution trucks under noncancelable operating leases with various expiration dates through November 30, 2003. Rent expense under operating leases was approximately $1,221,000, $780,000 and $780,000 for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 1998 are as follows: 1999..................................................... $1,047,872 2000..................................................... 925,437 2001..................................................... 913,802 2002..................................................... 876,429 2003..................................................... 868,721 ---------- $4,632,261 ========== 17. SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION The following is summarized financial information of Sleepmaster as of December 31, 1998 and for the year then ended. Balance Sheet Summary: DECEMBER 31, 1998 ------------ (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Current assets.......................................... $ 13,483 Noncurrent assets....................................... 66,249 Current liabilities..................................... 23,776 Noncurrent liabilities.................................. 57,591 Redeemable cumulative preferred interests............... 18,267 Members' deficit........................................ (19,902) F-16 140 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Income Statement Summary: YEAR ENDED ------------ DECEMBER 31, 1998 ------------ (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Net sales............................................... $73,476 Cost of sales........................................... 47,005 Net income.............................................. 1,763 18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (AUDITED) On February 26, 1999, the Company acquired all the capital stock of Herr Manufacturing Company ("Herr") for approximately $25,600,000 in cash. In order to finance the acquisition of Herr, the Company increased its existing Senior Credit Facility by $25,300,000. On April 30, 1999, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation was formed solely for the purpose of acting as co-issuer of $115,000,000 of 11% Senior Subordinated Notes (the "Notes") due 2009 to be issued during the second quarter of 1999. Sleepmaster Finance Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sleepmaster and has no assets or operations. (UNAUDITED) On May 18, 1999, the Company issued the Notes described above. Concurrent with the issuance of the Notes, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Star Bedding Products (1986) Limited, including its subsidiary, Burrell Bedding Limited (collectively, "Star"), for CAN $24,500,000 (approximately US $16,700,000) in cash and a promissory note issued by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. (the Company's Parent) of CAN $1,000,000 (approximately US $680,000). As of May 18, 1999, the Company and each of its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries will fully and unconditionally guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the obligation to pay the principal and interest with respect to the Notes. To the extent the Company acquires future subsidiaries, only the Company's direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries will be obligated to guarantee the Notes. Star is a foreign subsidiary and, as such, will become a non-guarantor subsidiary. The Company expects to generate the funds necessary to satisfy its debt service obligations from either its own operations or by distributions or advances from its subsidiaries. There are no contractual or legal restrictions that limit the Company's ability to obtain cash from its subsidiaries for the purpose of meeting its debt service obligations, including the payment of principal and interest on the Notes. Since the Company conducts its own operations separately from those of its subsidiary and at December 31, 1998 there were no non-guarantor direct or indirect subsidiaries, management has presented in note 17 summarized Company-only financial information as of and for the year ended December 31, 1998. F-17 141 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET JUNE 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 1,431,874 Accounts receivable....................................... 20,402,983 Accounts receivable -- other.............................. 939,684 Inventories............................................... 5,909,184 Other current assets...................................... 733,702 Deferred tax assets....................................... 744,319 ------------ Total current assets.............................. 30,161,746 Property, plant and equipment, net.......................... 15,797,967 Intangible assets........................................... 79,186,382 Other assets................................................ 5,622,685 Deferred tax assets......................................... 12,100,317 ------------ Total assets...................................... $142,869,097 ============ LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' DEFICIT Current liabilities: Accounts payable.......................................... $ 12,577,508 Accrued sales allowances and advertising expenses......... 3,820,061 Other current liabilities................................. 4,685,371 Current portion of long-term debt......................... 380,000 ------------ Total current liabilities......................... 21,462,940 ------------ Deferred income tax liability............................... 752,638 Long-term debt.............................................. 121,035,000 Other liabilities........................................... 373,820 ------------ Total long-term liabilities....................... 122,161,458 ------------ Redeemable cumulative preferred interests................... 19,377,849 Members' deficit............................................ (20,133,150) ------------ Total liabilities and members' deficit............ $142,869,097 ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-18 142 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, JUNE 30, -------------------------- -------------------------- 1999 1998 1999 1998 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net sales............................. $39,759,636 $27,066,626 $73,986,748 $47,502,653 Cost of sales......................... 24,806,811 16,981,761 46,069,563 30,007,285 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Gross profit..................... 14,952,825 10,084,865 27,917,185 17,495,368 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses......................... 9,829,136 6,347,097 18,207,702 11,108,675 Amortization of intangibles......... 458,262 340,194 836,281 559,091 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total operating expenses......... 10,287,398 6,687,291 19,043,983 11,667,766 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating income...................... 4,665,427 3,397,574 8,873,202 5,827,602 Interest expense, net................. 2,847,871 1,946,122 4,875,930 3,423,674 Other (income) expense, net........... 43,395 (8,776) (36,251) (7,862) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income before income taxes and extraordinary items............ 1,774,161 1,460,228 4,033,523 2,411,790 Provision for income taxes............ 833,440 613,272 1,717,582 1,022,072 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income before extraordinary items.......................... 940,721 846,956 2,315,941 1,389,718 Extraordinary items, net of income taxes............................... (3,166,968) -- (3,166,968) -- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net (loss) income................ $(2,226,247) $ 846,956 $ (851,027) $ 1,389,718 =========== =========== =========== =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-19 143 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 AND 1998 (UNAUDITED) 1999 1998 ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net (loss) income......................................... $ (851,027) $ 1,389,718 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization.......................... 1,492,295 946,424 Loss on sale of asset.................................. 3,411 -- Extraordinary items.................................... 3,166,968 -- Deferred income taxes.................................. 3,205,046 890,058 Other non-cash charges................................. 291,034 213,914 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Increase in accounts receivable...................... (4,299,124) (1,000,765) Decrease in accounts receivable -- other............. 259,321 144,667 Increase in inventories.............................. (126,566) (121,574) Increase in other current assets..................... (146,740) (308,942) Increase in other assets............................. (155,002) (137,474) Increase in accounts payable......................... 1,210,609 2,051,144 Decrease in accrued liabilities...................... (36,711) (1,652,367) Increase in other liabilities........................ 145,208 70,078 ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by operating activities.............. 4,158,722 2,484,881 ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures...................................... (1,970,638) (559,134) Proceeds from sale of asset............................... 10,700 -- Acquisitions, net of cash acquired........................ (41,469,975) (32,802,028) ----------- ----------- Net cash used in investing activities.................. (43,429,913) (33,361,162) ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from issuance of senior subordinated notes....... 115,000,000 -- Proceeds from long-term debt.............................. -- 37,803,360 Payments on long-term debt................................ (64,280,544) (7,435,614) Borrowings under revolving line of credit................. -- 7,396,328 Payments on revolving line of credit...................... -- (7,397,328) Loan origination fees/bond issuance costs................. (5,787,017) (701,343) Penalties on early extinguishment of debt................. (3,645,000) -- Distributions............................................. (747,906) (234,240) Capital contribution...................................... -- 1,000,000 ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by financing activities.............. 40,539,533 30,431,163 ----------- ----------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents............................................... 1,837 -- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents........ 1,270,179 (445,118) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period............ 161,695 591,683 ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.................. $ 1,431,874 $ 146,565 =========== =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-20 144 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sleepmaster L.L.C. ("Sleepmaster") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the "Company"). All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position at June 30, 1999 and the results of their operations and of their cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the periods presented should not necessarily be taken as indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the entire year. In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, these financial statements do not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. The accompanying financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus. 2. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following: JUNE 30, 1999 ---------- Raw materials............................................... $4,596,114 Work-in-process............................................. 348,058 Finished goods.............................................. 965,012 ---------- Total inventories................................. $5,909,184 ========== 3. ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In February 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Accounting Standards Executive Committee ("AcSEC") issued Statement of Position ("SOP") No. 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 requires certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal use software to be capitalized and other costs to be expensed. In March 1998, AcSEC issued SOP 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of Start-Up Activities" ("SOP 98-5"). SOP 98-5 provides guidance on the financial reporting of start-up costs and organization costs and requires that such costs be expensed as incurred. The effect of adopting SOP 98-5 will be reported as a change in accounting principle. The Company adopted these standards effective January 1, 1999. The impact of adopting SOP 98-1 was an increase in pre-tax income of $569,000 and $1,000,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 1999, respectively. The adoption of SOP 98-5 had an immaterial impact on the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations. 4. ACQUISITIONS On February 26, 1999, the Company acquired all the capital stock of Herr Manufacturing Company ("Herr") for approximately $25,600,000 in cash. In order to finance the acquisition of Herr, the Company increased its existing Senior Credit Facility by $25,300,000. On May 18, 1999, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Star Bedding Products (1986) Limited, including its subsidiary, Burrell Bedding Limited (collectively, "Star"), for CAN $24,500,000 F-21 145 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED) (approximately US $16,700,000 as of May 18, 1999) in cash and a promissory note issued by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. (the Company's Parent) in the amount of CAN $1,000,000 (approximately US $680,000 as of May 18, 1999). These acquisitions were accounted for under the purchase method and, accordingly, Herr's and Star's results are included in the consolidated financial statements since their respective dates of acquisition. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been recorded at their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired has been recorded as goodwill and is being amortized over 40 years. A summary of the purchase price allocations are as follows: HERR STAR ----------- ----------- Current assets...................................... $ 3,277,130 $ 2,464,978 Property, plant and equipment....................... 3,224,727 820,103 Other assets........................................ 2,500 2,379 Goodwill............................................ 19,599,730 15,390,084 Current liabilities................................. (1,057,693) (1,450,347) ----------- ----------- Total..................................... $25,046,394 $17,227,197 =========== =========== The following unaudited pro forma income statement data for the six month periods ended June 30, 1999 and 1998 has been prepared as if the acquisitions occurred as of the beginning of each period presented. The following also gives effect to the issuance of $115,000,000 of 11% senior subordinated notes (see Note 5) and the application of proceeds therefrom. JUNE 30, JUNE 30, 1999 1998 ----------- ----------- Net sales....................................... $ 82,464 $ 70,894 Income before extraordinary items............... 1,949 3,325 Net (loss) income............................... (1,218) 158 In management's opinion, the unaudited pro forma combined results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the actual results that would have occurred had the acquisitions been consummated at the beginning of each period presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated results. 5. DEBT During the first quarter of 1999, the Company amended and restated its credit facility to provide for an aggregate amount of borrowings of up to $86,000,000 and used a portion of this increased facility to finance its acquisition of Herr on February 26, 1999. The terms of the amended facility were substantially equivalent to those of the prior credit facility. On May 18, 1999, the Company issued $115,000,000 of 11% senior subordinated notes due 2009 (the "Notes"). A portion of the proceeds of the note offering was used to prepay the existing credit facility, redeem the Company's Series A and Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 and complete the acquisition of Star. In connection with the repayment of the credit facility and Series A and Series B Senior Subordinated Notes, the Company wrote-off unamortized debt issuance costs and incurred prepayment penalties. These transactions resulted in an extraordinary loss of $3,167,000 net of the associated income tax benefit of $2,293,000. Also on May 18, 1999, the Company entered into a new six-year $25,000,000 revolving credit facility which replaced the prior credit facility. The new credit facility includes a letter of credit sublimit of $8,000,000. Borrowings under the new credit facility bear interest at F-22 146 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED) floating rates based on LIBOR or applicable alternative base rates. The new credit facility imposes certain restrictions on the Company and requires compliance with certain financial ratios and other requirements customary to credit facilities of this nature. 6. GUARANTOR/NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION As of May 18, 1999, Sleepmaster and each of the domestic wholly owned subsidiaries ("Guarantor Subsidiaries") has fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, the obligation to pay principal and interest with respect to the Notes. The Company generates funds necessary to satisfy its debt service obligations from either its own operations or by distributions or advances from its subsidiaries. There are no contractual or legal restrictions that could limit the Company's ability to obtain cash from its subsidiaries for the purpose of meeting its debt service obligations, including the payment of principal and interest on the Notes. Although holders of the Notes will be direct creditors of Sleepmaster's principal direct subsidiaries by virtue of the guarantees, Sleepmaster has a foreign subsidiary ("Non-Guarantor Subsidiary") that are not included among the Guarantor Subsidiaries and such subsidiaries will not be obligated with respect to the Notes. As a consequence, the claims of creditors of the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries will effectively have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such companies over the claims of creditors of Sleepmaster, including the holders of the Notes. The following supplemental consolidating condensed financial statements present: 1. Consolidating condensed balance sheets as of June 30, 1999 and December 31, 1998, consolidating condensed statements of operations for the three months and six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998, respectively, and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 1999 and 1998. 2. Sleepmaster, combined Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiary with their investments in subsidiaries accounted for using the equity method. 3. Elimination entries necessary to consolidate Sleepmaster and all of its subsidiaries. Management does not believe that separate financial statements of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are material to investors in the Notes. F-23 147 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET JUNE 30, 1999 COMBINED NON- GUARANTOR GUARANTOR SLEEPMASTER SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY ELIMINATIONS TOTAL ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------ ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents....... $ 1,171,511 $ 111,800 $ 148,153 $ 410 $ 1,431,874 Accounts receivable............. 10,446,250 7,144,938 2,842,157 (30,362) 20,402,983 Accounts receivable -- other.... 717,179 222,505 -- -- 939,684 Intercompany receivable (payable).................... (9,800,664) 10,150,664 (340,610) (9,390) -- Inventories..................... 2,528,226 2,970,371 410,587 -- 5,909,184 Other current assets............ 318,943 369,854 44,905 -- 733,702 Deferred tax assets............. 589,535 154,784 -- -- 744,319 ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ Total current assets.... 5,970,980 21,124,916 3,105,192 (39,342) 30,161,746 Property, plant and equipment, net............................. 3,214,365 11,749,496 834,106 -- 15,797,967 Intangible assets................. 17,440,689 46,540,652 15,205,041 -- 79,186,382 Investment in subsidiaries........ 74,970,842 -- -- (74,970,842) -- Other assets...................... 5,437,258 183,060 2,367 -- 5,622,685 Deferred tax assets............... 12,054,337 45,980 -- -- 12,100,317 ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ Total assets............ $119,088,471 $79,644,104 $19,146,706 $(75,010,184) $142,869,097 ============ =========== =========== ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current liabilities: Accounts payable................ $ 6,188,220 $ 5,686,209 $ 730,058 $ (26,979) $ 12,577,508 Accrued sales allowances and advertising expenses......... 3,025,430 656,216 138,415 -- 3,820,061 Other current liabilities....... 701,324 3,242,659 741,388 -- 4,685,371 Current portion of long-term debt......................... -- 380,000 -- -- 380,000 ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities........... 9,914,974 9,965,084 1,609,861 (26,979) 21,462,940 ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ Deferred income tax liability..... -- 752,638 -- -- 752,638 Long-term debt.................... 115,000,000 6,035,000 -- -- 121,035,000 Other liabilities................. 333,297 40,523 -- -- 373,820 ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ Total long-term liabilities........... 115,333,297 6,828,161 -- -- 122,161,458 ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ Redeemable cumulative preferred interests....................... 19,377,849 -- -- -- 19,377,849 Members' equity (deficit)......... (25,537,649) 62,850,859 17,536,845 (74,983,205) (20,133,150) ------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ Total liabilities and members' equity (deficit)............. $119,088,471 $79,644,104 $19,146,706 $(75,010,184) $142,869,097 ============ =========== =========== ============ ============ F-24 148 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMBINED GUARANTOR SLEEPMASTER SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS TOTAL ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents........... $ 40,666 $ 152,846 $ (31,817) $ 161,695 Accounts receivable................. 8,200,142 4,371,373 (1,200) 12,570,315 Accounts receivable -- other........ 737,292 461,710 -- 1,199,002 Intercompany receivable (payable)... (4,996,492) 4,964,262 32,230 -- Inventories......................... 2,507,895 2,238,679 -- 4,746,574 Other current assets................ 228,088 118,549 -- 346,637 Deferred tax assets................. 1,468,505 137,472 -- 1,605,977 ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ Total current assets........ 8,186,096 12,444,891 (787) 20,630,200 Property, plant and equipment, net.... 2,046,379 8,383,132 -- 10,429,511 Intangible assets..................... 17,762,443 27,540,062 -- 45,302,505 Investment in subsidiaries............ 32,810,750 -- (32,810,750) -- Other assets.......................... 1,601,561 178,182 -- 1,779,743 Deferred tax assets................... 12,027,794 (630,047) -- 11,397,747 ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ Total assets................ $ 74,435,023 $47,916,220 $(32,811,537) $ 89,539,706 ============ =========== ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current liabilities: Accounts payable.................... $ 6,263,995 $ 3,667,574 $ (787) $ 9,930,782 Accrued sales allowances and advertising expenses............. 4,306,180 400,070 -- 4,706,250 Other current liabilities........... 1,158,900 1,923,413 -- 3,082,313 Current portion of long-term debt... 6,750,000 380,000 -- 7,130,000 ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities... 18,479,075 6,371,057 (787) 24,849,345 ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ Long-term debt........................ 57,245,544 6,320,000 -- 63,565,544 Other liabilities..................... 345,805 29,491 -- 375,296 ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ Total long-term liabilities............... 57,591,349 6,349,491 -- 63,940,840 ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ Redeemable cumulative preferred interests........................... 18,266,940 -- -- 18,266,940 Members' equity (deficit)............. (19,902,341) 35,195,672 (32,810,750) (17,517,419) ------------ ----------- ------------ ------------ Liabilities and members' equity (deficit).......... $ 74,435,023 $47,916,220 $(32,811,537) $ 89,539,706 ============ =========== ============ ============ F-25 149 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 COMBINED GUARANTOR NON-GUARANTOR SLEEPMASTER SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY ELIMINATIONS TOTAL ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------- Net sales............................. $19,060,241 $18,486,218 $2,300,763 $(87,586) $39,759,636 Cost of sales......................... 12,555,528 10,923,939 1,414,930 (87,586) 24,806,811 ----------- ----------- ---------- -------- ----------- Gross profit.................... 6,504,713 7,562,279 885,833 -- 14,952,825 ----------- ----------- ---------- -------- ----------- Operating expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses.......................... 4,513,729 4,804,881 510,526 -- 9,829,136 Amortization of intangibles......... 160,165 298,097 -- -- 458,262 ----------- ----------- ---------- -------- ----------- Total operating expenses........ 4,673,894 5,102,978 510,526 -- 10,287,398 ----------- ----------- ---------- -------- ----------- Operating income...................... 1,830,819 2,459,301 375,307 -- 4,665,427 Interest expense, net................. 2,780,602 60,460 6,809 -- 2,847,871 Other (income) expense, net........... 36,028 119 7,248 -- 43,395 ----------- ----------- ---------- -------- ----------- (Loss) income before income taxes and extraordinary items........................ (985,811) 2,398,722 361,250 -- 1,774,161 (Benefit) provision for income taxes............................... (408,168) 1,111,558 130,050 -- 833,440 ----------- ----------- ---------- -------- ----------- (Loss) income before extraordinary items.......... (577,643) 1,287,164 231,200 -- 940,721 Extraordinary items, net of income taxes............................... (3,166,968) -- -- -- (3,166,968) ----------- ----------- ---------- -------- ----------- Net (loss) income............... $(3,744,611) $ 1,287,164 $ 231,200 $ -- $(2,226,247) =========== =========== ========== ======== =========== F-26 150 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 COMBINED GUARANTOR SLEEPMASTER SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS TOTAL ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Net sales............................... $17,617,090 $9,449,536 $ -- $27,066,626 Cost of sales........................... 11,111,540 5,870,221 -- 16,981,761 ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Gross profit....................... 6,505,550 3,579,315 -- 10,084,865 ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Operating expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses........................... 3,906,529 2,440,568 -- 6,347,097 Amortization of intangibles........... 161,024 179,170 -- 340,194 ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Total operating expenses........... 4,067,553 2,619,738 -- 6,687,291 ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Operating income........................ 2,437,997 959,577 -- 3,397,574 Interest expense, net................... 1,879,337 66,785 -- 1,946,122 Other (income) expense, net............. (9,257) 481 -- (8,776) ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Income before income taxes......... 567,917 892,311 -- 1,460,228 Provision for income taxes.............. 238,405 374,867 -- 613,272 ----------- ---------- ---------- ----------- Net income......................... $ 329,512 $ 517,444 $ -- $ 846,956 =========== ========== ========== =========== F-27 151 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 COMBINED GUARANTOR NON-GUARANTOR SLEEPMASTER SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY ELIMINATIONS TOTAL ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------- Net sales................... $37,244,925 $34,570,364 $2,300,763 $(129,304) $73,986,748 Cost of sales............... 24,380,930 20,403,007 1,414,930 (129,304) 46,069,563 ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- Gross profit...... 12,863,995 14,167,357 885,833 -- 27,917,185 ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- Operating expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses............... 8,867,926 8,829,250 510,526 -- 18,207,702 Amortization of intangibles............ 321,754 514,527 -- -- 836,281 ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- Total operating expenses............. 9,189,680 9,343,777 510,526 -- 19,043,983 ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- Operating income............ 3,674,315 4,823,580 375,307 -- 8,873,202 Interest expense, net....... 4,761,873 107,248 6,809 -- 4,875,930 Other (income) expense, net....................... (49,366) 5,867 7,248 -- (36,251) ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- (Loss) income before income taxes and extraordinary items.... (1,038,192) 4,710,465 361,250 -- 4,033,523 (Benefit) provision for income taxes)............. (428,667) 2,016,199 130,050 -- 1,717,582 ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- (Loss) income before extraordinary items.... (609,525) 2,694,266 231,200 -- 2,315,941 Extraordinary items, net of income taxes.............. (3,166,968) -- -- -- (3,166,968) ----------- ----------- ---------- --------- ----------- Net (loss) income......... $(3,776,493) $ 2,694,266 $ 231,200 $ -- $ (851,027) =========== =========== ========== ========= =========== F-28 152 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 COMBINED GUARANTOR SLEEPMASTER SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS TOTAL ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Net sales.............................. $34,885,757 $12,617,556 $(660) $47,502,653 Cost of sales.......................... 22,354,689 7,653,256 (660) 30,007,285 ----------- ----------- ----- ----------- Gross profit...................... 12,531,068 4,964,300 -- 17,495,368 ----------- ----------- ----- ----------- Operating expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses.......................... 7,864,416 3,244,259 -- 11,108,675 Amortization of intangibles.......... 322,048 237,043 -- 559,091 ----------- ----------- ----- ----------- Total operating expenses.......... 8,186,464 3,481,302 -- 11,667,766 ----------- ----------- ----- ----------- Operating income....................... 4,344,604 1,482,998 -- 5,827,602 Interest expense, net.................. 3,347,835 75,839 -- 3,423,674 Other (income) expense, net............ (3,177) (4,685) -- (7,862) ----------- ----------- ----- ----------- Income before income taxes........ 999,946 1,411,844 -- 2,411,790 Provision for income taxes............. 427,270 594,802 -- 1,022,072 ----------- ----------- ----- ----------- Net income........................ $ 572,676 $ 817,042 $ -- $ 1,389,718 =========== =========== ===== =========== F-29 153 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1999 COMBINED GUARANTOR NON-GUARANTOR SLEEPMASTER SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARY ELIMINATIONS TOTAL ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net (loss) income................................. $(3,776,493) $2,694,266 $231,200 $ -- $ (851,027) Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization................... 661,076 808,102 23,117 -- 1,492,295 Loss on sale of asset........................... -- 3,411 -- -- 3,411 Extraordinary items............................. 3,166,968 -- -- -- 3,166,968 Deferred income taxes........................... 3,145,747 59,299 -- -- 3,205,046 Other non-cash charges.......................... 291,034 -- -- -- 291,034 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition: Accounts receivable........................... (2,246,108) (1,157,075) (895,941) -- (4,299,124) Accounts receivable -- other.................. 20,113 239,208 -- -- 259,321 Inventories................................... (20,331) (165,570) 59,335 -- (126,566) Other current assets.......................... (90,885) (57,823) 1,968 -- (146,740) Other assets.................................. (155,002) -- -- -- (155,002) Accounts payable.............................. (75,775) 1,299,170 (12,786) -- 1,210,609 Accrued liabilities........................... (1,738,326) 1,437,393 264,222 -- (36,711) Intercompany payable (receivable)............. 4,804,172 (5,172,786) 336,387 32,227 -- Other liabilities............................. (12,508) 11,032 146,684 -- 145,208 ----------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities.................................... 3,973,682 (1,373) 154,186 32,227 4,158,722 ----------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures.............................. (1,507,278) (455,490) (7,870) -- (1,970,638) Proceeds from sale of asset....................... -- 10,700 -- -- 10,700 Acquisitions, net of cash acquired................ (42,160,092) -- -- 690,117 (41,469,975) ----------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities.................................... (43,667,370) (444,790) (7,870) 690,117 (43,429,913) ----------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from issuance of senior subordinated notes........................................... 115,000,000 -- -- -- 115,000,000 Payments on long-term debt........................ (63,995,544) (285,000) -- -- (64,280,544) Loan origination fees/bond issuance costs......... (5,787,017) -- -- -- (5,787,017) Penalties paid on early extinguishment of debt.... (3,645,000) -- -- -- (3,645,000) Distributions..................................... (747,906) -- -- -- (747,906) ----------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities.................................... 40,824,533 (285,000) -- -- 40,539,533 ----------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents....................................... -- -- 1,837 -- 1,837 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents....................................... 1,130,845 (731,163) 148,153 722,344 1,270,179 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.... 40,666 842,963 -- (721,934) 161,695 ----------- ---------- -------- --------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.......... $ 1,171,511 $ 111,800 $148,153 $ 410 $ 1,431,874 =========== ========== ======== ========= =========== F-30 154 SLEEPMASTER L.L.C. AND SUBSIDIARIES SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 COMBINED GUARANTOR SLEEPMASTER SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS TOTAL ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income......................... $ 572,676 $ 817,042 $-- $ 1,389,718 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization... 593,021 353,403 -- 946,424 Deferred income taxes........... 717,900 172,158 -- 890,058 Other non-cash charges.......... 210,980 2,934 -- 213,914 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition: Accounts receivable........... (717,277) (283,488) -- (1,000,765) Accounts receivable -- other........ 73,658 71,009 -- 144,667 Inventories................... (221,745) 100,171 -- (121,574) Other current assets.......... (204,812) (104,130) -- (308,942) Other assets.................. (182,652) 45,178 -- (137,474) Accounts payable.............. 1,173,111 878,033 -- 2,051,144 Accrued liabilities........... (1,891,692) 239,325 -- (1,652,367) Intercompany payable (receivable)............... 2,025,543 (2,025,543) -- -- Other liabilities............. 55,332 14,746 -- 70,078 ----------- ----------- ------- ----------- Net cash provided by operating activities.................... 2,204,043 280,838 -- 2,484,881 ----------- ----------- ------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures............... (495,527) (63,607) -- (559,134) Acquisition, net of cash acquired........................ (32,808,157) -- 6,129 (32,802,028) ----------- ----------- ------- ----------- Net cash used in investing activities.................... (33,303,684) (63,607) 6,129 (33,361,162) ----------- ----------- ------- ----------- CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from long-term debt....... 37,803,360 -- -- 37,803,360 Payments on long-term debt......... (7,340,614) (95,000) -- (7,435,614) Borrowings under revolving line of credit.......................... 7,396,328 -- -- 7,396,328 Payments on revolving line of credit.......................... (7,397,328) -- -- (7,397,328) Loan origination fees.............. (701,343) -- -- (701,343) Distributions...................... (234,240) -- -- (234,240) Capital contribution............... 1,000,000 -- -- 1,000,000 ----------- ----------- ------- ----------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities.......... 30,526,163 (95,000) -- 30,431,163 ----------- ----------- ------- ----------- Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents................... (573,478) 122,231 6,129 (445,118) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period................ 591,683 6,129 (6,129) 591,683 ----------- ----------- ------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period............................. $ 18,205 $ 128,360 $-- $ 146,565 =========== =========== ======= =========== F-31 155 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Board of Advisors and Members of Sleepmaster L.L.C.: In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheet and the related statements of income, stockholders' equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Palm Beach Bedding Company (the "Company") at December 31, 1997 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP New York, New York March 26, 1999 F-32 156 PALM BEACH BEDDING COMPANY BALANCE SHEET DECEMBER 31, 1997 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 2,237,246 Certificates of deposit................................... 4,356,000 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $260,000............................................ 3,114,660 Inventories............................................... 2,254,237 Prepaid expenses and other current assets................. 424,640 ----------- Total current assets.............................. 12,386,783 Property, plant and equipment, net.......................... 8,993,734 Other assets................................................ 450,577 ----------- Total assets...................................... $21,831,094 =========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable.......................................... $ 3,174,964 Accrued compensation...................................... 459,500 Other current liabilities................................. 733,418 Current portion of long-term debt......................... 380,000 ----------- Total current liabilities......................... 4,747,882 Long-term debt.............................................. 6,605,000 ----------- Total liabilities................................. 11,352,882 Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) Stockholders' Equity: Common stock, $5.00 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 26,752 shares issued and outstanding................... 133,760 Additional paid-in capital................................ 33,839 Retained earnings......................................... 10,310,613 ----------- Total stockholders' equity........................ 10,478,212 ----------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity...... $21,831,094 =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. F-33 157 PALM BEACH BEDDING COMPANY STATEMENTS OF INCOME YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 1997 1996 ----------- ----------- Net sales................................................... $35,115,277 $30,376,281 Cost of sales............................................... 21,194,465 20,474,991 ----------- ----------- Gross profit........................................... 13,920,812 9,901,290 Selling, general and administrative expenses................ 10,358,469 9,084,466 ----------- ----------- Operating income............................................ 3,562,343 816,824 Interest expense, net....................................... 291,217 89,505 Other income, net........................................... (188,623) (349,151) ----------- ----------- Net income................................................ $ 3,459,749 $ 1,076,470 =========== =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. F-34 158 PALM BEACH BEDDING COMPANY STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL TOTAL ------------------ PAID-IN RETAINED STOCKHOLDERS' SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL EARNINGS EQUITY ------ -------- ---------- ----------- ------------- JANUARY 1, 1996................... 26,752 $133,760 $33,839 $ 8,904,972 $ 9,072,571 Net income........................ -- -- -- 1,076,470 1,076,470 Distributions..................... -- -- -- (1,478,048) (1,478,048) ------ -------- ------- ----------- ----------- DECEMBER 31, 1996................. 26,752 133,760 33,839 8,503,394 8,670,993 Net income........................ -- -- -- 3,459,749 3,459,749 Distributions..................... -- -- -- (1,652,530) (1,652,530) ------ -------- ------- ----------- ----------- DECEMBER 31, 1997................. 26,752 $133,760 $33,839 $10,310,613 $10,478,212 ====== ======== ======= =========== =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. F-35 159 PALM BEACH BEDDING COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996 1997 1996 ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income................................................ $ 3,459,749 $ 1,076,470 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization.......................... 474,211 405,090 Loss on sale of property and equipment................. 3,843 6,763 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable........... 756,173 (976,678) Decrease in other investments........................ -- 225,602 Increase in inventories.............................. (61,069) (613,633) Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets.............................................. (171,719) (131,887) Decrease (increase) in other assets.................. 114,975 (19,281) Increase in accounts payable......................... 672,864 1,368,776 Increase in accrued compensation..................... 193,021 266,479 (Decrease) increase in other current liabilities..... (544,942) 595,058 ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by operating activities.............. 4,897,106 2,202,759 ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures...................................... (781,953) (6,853,680) Purchase of certificates of deposit....................... (4,554,000) (2,577,000) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment.............. 7,760 26,707 Proceeds from sales and maturities of certificates of deposit................................................ 2,321,000 3,238,870 Restricted use of bond proceeds........................... 1,527,855 (1,666,611) ----------- ----------- Net cash used in investing activities.................. (1,479,338) (7,831,714) ----------- ----------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Loan acquisition costs.................................... -- (176,043) Proceeds from long-term debt.............................. -- 7,650,000 Payments on long-term debt................................ (380,000) (285,000) Distributions............................................. (1,652,530) (1,478,048) ----------- ----------- Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities.... (2,032,530) 5,710,909 ----------- ----------- Net increase in cash and cash equivalents................... 1,385,238 81,954 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year.............. 852,008 770,054 ----------- ----------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year.................... $ 2,237,246 $ 852,008 =========== =========== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized in 1996 of $165,247............................................... $ 291,217 $ 89,505 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. F-36 160 PALM BEACH BEDDING COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. ORGANIZATION Palm Beach Bedding Company (the "Company"), formed in 1926, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of Serta brand mattresses and box springs throughout the State of Florida, except the panhandle region. 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investment instruments with an original maturity of three months or less. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue generally at the time of shipment. Appropriate accruals for returns, discounts, rebates and other allowances are recorded as reductions in sales. The Company's bedding products offer limited warranties of up to 10 years against manufacturing defects. The Company's cost of honoring warranty claims is immaterial. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and include the cost of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventories are produced on a made-to-order basis. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives: Land improvements........................................... 10-20 years Building and improvements................................... 30-40 years Machinery and equipment..................................... 5-7 years Office furniture and equipment.............................. 5-10 years Vehicles.................................................... 5-7 years Expenditures for maintenance and routine repairs are expensed as incurred. Upon the disposition of property, plant and equipment, the accumulated depreciation is deducted from the original cost and any gain or loss is reflected in current income. Advertising Costs The Company expenses advertising costs, consisting principally of cooperative advertising with dealers and retailers, when the revenue from sales to customers is recorded. Advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 approximated $2,236,000 and $1,905,000, respectively. F-37 161 PALM BEACH BEDDING COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Income Taxes The Company has made an election to be treated as a Small Business Corporation under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code, whereby profits and losses are passed directly to the shareholders for inclusion in their personal income tax returns. Therefore, no provision for income taxes is included in these financial statements. 3. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following: DECEMBER 31, 1997 ------------ Raw materials............................................... $1,840,049 Work-in-process............................................. 127,095 Finished goods.............................................. 287,093 ---------- Total inventories......................................... $2,254,237 ========== 4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment consists of the following: DECEMBER 31, 1997 ------------ Land and land improvements.................................. $ 2,038,564 Buildings and improvements.................................. 6,880,495 Machinery and equipment..................................... 2,698,758 Office furniture and equipment.............................. 441,114 Vehicles.................................................... 485,058 ----------- 12,543,989 Less: accumulated depreciation.............................. (3,550,255) ----------- $ 8,993,734 =========== Depreciation expense was approximately $465,000 and $406,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. 5. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK The Company manufactures and markets sleep products including mattresses and box springs to department stores and specialty shops in certain licensed territories in the State of Florida. Sales to two major customers accounted for approximately 13% and 12%, respectively, of net sales in 1997 and sales to one major customer accounted for approximately 12% of net sales in 1996. Amounts receivable from these two customers represented approximately 27% of the trade accounts receivable balance at December 31, 1997. Purchases of raw materials from one vendor represented approximately 38% and 32% of total raw material purchases for 1997 and 1996, respectively. 6. LICENSE AGREEMENT Serta, Inc. ("Serta") is a national non-profit organization consisting of 12 domestic licensed operating mattress manufacturing companies. The organization aids the manufacturers in marketing, merchandising, manufacturing specifications, trademarks and related activities through license fees paid by the licensees. F-38 162 PALM BEACH BEDDING COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) Serta owns the rights to the Serta trademark and licenses companies to manufacture and sell mattresses under the Serta brand name. The Company's license with Serta is effective until terminated by mutual written agreement of both parties or if the Company does not comply with the provisions of the license agreement. In 1997 and 1996, the Company paid approximately $1,212,000 and $1,174,000, respectively, in license fees to Serta. 7. LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt consists of the following: DECEMBER 31, 1997 ------------ Industrial Development Revenue Bonds due through 2016 at variable interest rates (average rate in 1997 -- 3.80%) collateralized by an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $7,956,000...................................... $6,985,000 Less, current portion....................................... 380,000 ---------- $6,605,000 ========== In April 1996, the Company obtained $7,650,000 Palm Beach County, Florida, Variable Rate Demand Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (the "Bonds"). At December 31, 1997, $7,511,244 of the funds had been expended on purchases and construction of property and equipment. The remaining balance of $138,756 was spent on property and equipment purchases during 1998. Quarterly principal payments of $95,000 are required through October 1, 2013. Thereafter, quarterly principal payments of $100,000 are required until maturity in April 2016, including interest at a variable rate determined by the issuer based on prevailing market rates. The letter of credit issued in connection with the Bonds is collateralized by a first lien against certain land and buildings of the Company. Long-term debt at December 31, 1997 is scheduled to mature as follows: 1998........................................................ $ 380,000 1999........................................................ 380,000 2000........................................................ 380,000 2001........................................................ 380,000 2002........................................................ 380,000 Thereafter.................................................. 5,085,000 ---------- $6,985,000 ========== 8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS In 1997, the Company had a receivable of $84,000 from a stockholder relating to the purchase of his life insurance policy. This amount was repaid prior to the acquisition of Palm Beach Bedding Company by Sleepmaster L.L.C. (see Note 11). 9. 401(K) PLAN The Company established a noncontributory profit sharing plan January 1, 1989, covering substantially all employees. This plan was amended, effective January 1, 1997, to be a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust. The contributions are determined by the Board of Directors but are limited to an amount deductible for income tax purposes. The Company made contributions to this plan of $200,000 for each of the two years ended December 31, 1997. F-39 163 PALM BEACH BEDDING COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) 10. COMMITMENTS The Company leases office furniture and equipment, manufacturing equipment and distribution trucks under noncancelable operating leases with various expiration dates through November 2002. Rent expense under operating leases was approximately $420,000 and $300,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of December 31, 1997 are as follows: 1998........................................................ $227,309 1999........................................................ 203,984 2000........................................................ 71,542 2001........................................................ 59,907 2002........................................................ 18,187 -------- $580,929 ======== 11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS The Company's manufacturing facility on Clare Avenue in West Palm Beach, Florida was sold on February 17, 1998 for cash proceeds of $915,000 and a mortgage note receivable of $2,135,000. The Company realized a gain of approximately $2,780,000 in connection with the sale. On March 3, 1998, Sleepmaster L.L.C. acquired substantially all of the net assets of the Company for approximately $32,800,000 in cash and the assumption of the Company's Palm Beach County, Florida Industrial Development Revenue Bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $6,985,000. F-40 164 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Board of Advisors and Members of Sleepmaster L.L.C.: In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheet and the related statements of income stockholders' equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Herr Manufacturing Company (the "Company") at December 31, 1998 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP New York, New York March 26, 1999 F-41 165 HERR MANUFACTURING COMPANY BALANCE SHEET DECEMBER 31, 1998 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents................................. $1,689,949 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $196,000............................................ 1,979,493 Inventories............................................... 463,846 Other current assets...................................... 237,163 Deferred tax assets....................................... 23,576 ---------- Total current assets.............................. 4,394,027 Property, plant and equipment, net........................ 3,281,688 Other assets.............................................. 603,099 Deferred tax assets....................................... 45,980 ---------- Total assets...................................... $8,324,794 ========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable.......................................... $ 591,273 Accrued compensation...................................... 1,413,989 Accrued profit-sharing contribution....................... 313,883 Other accrued liabilities................................. 156,983 Deferred compensation..................................... 1,100,000 Note payable to stockholder............................... 163,252 ---------- Total current liabilities......................... 3,739,380 ---------- Stockholders' Equity: Common stock, $100 par value; authorized 2,000 shares; issued 1,376 shares, including 353 shares in treasury............................................... 137,598 Retained earnings......................................... 5,047,208 ---------- 5,184,806 Less: treasury stock, at cost.......................... 599,392 ---------- Total stockholders' equity........................ 4,585,414 ---------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........ $8,324,794 ========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. F-42 166 HERR MANUFACTURING COMPANY STATEMENT OF INCOME YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 Net sales................................................... $19,384,937 Cost of sales............................................... 11,586,573 ----------- Gross profit.............................................. 7,798,364 Selling, general and administrative expenses.............. 6,561,068 ----------- Operating income............................................ 1,237,296 Interest expense............................................ 27,752 Other income, net........................................... (150,134) ----------- Income before income taxes........................ 1,359,678 Provision for income taxes.................................. 531,959 ----------- Net income........................................ $ 827,719 =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. F-43 167 HERR MANUFACTURING COMPANY STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMON STOCK TREASURY STOCK TOTAL ----------------- RETAINED ------------------ STOCKHOLDERS' SHARES AMOUNT EARNINGS SHARES AMOUNT EQUITY ------ -------- ---------- ------ --------- ------------- BALANCE JANUARY 1, 1998........... 1,376 $137,598 $4,219,489 353 $(599,392) $3,757,695 Net income........................ -- -- 827,719 -- -- 827,719 ----- -------- ---------- --- --------- ---------- BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1998......... 1,376 $137,598 $5,047,208 353 $(599,392) $4,585,414 ===== ======== ========== === ========= ========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. F-44 168 HERR MANUFACTURING COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income................................................ $ 827,719 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Gain on sale of fixed assets........................... (15,121) Depreciation and amortization.......................... 394,060 Deferred compensation.................................. 13,137 Deferred income taxes.................................. 453,423 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase in accounts receivable...................... (14,210) Decrease in inventories.............................. 25,782 Increase in other assets............................. (140,480) Increase in accounts payable......................... 184,207 Increase in accrued compensation..................... 206,641 Decrease in accrued profit-sharing contribution...... (57,885) Decrease in other accrued liabilities................ (5,614) ---------- Net cash provided by operating activities............ 1,871,659 ---------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures...................................... (447,918) Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies............................................... (83,867) Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets.................... 16,300 ---------- Net cash used in investing activities................ (515,485) ---------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Payments on notes payable................................. (359,762) ---------- Net cash used in financing activities................ (359,762) ---------- Net increase in cash and cash equivalents................... 996,412 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year.............. 693,537 ---------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year.................... $1,689,949 ---------- SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Interest paid............................................. $ 27,752 Income taxes paid......................................... $ 303,604 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. F-45 169 HERR MANUFACTURING COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. ORGANIZATION Herr Manufacturing Company (the "Company") is a Serta licensee which manufactures and distributes mattresses and box springs in central and eastern Pennsylvania and southern New York State. The Company produces products under the Serta and Herr labels as well as other private labels. 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investment instruments with an original maturity of three months or less. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue at the time of shipment. Appropriate accruals for returns, discounts, rebates and other allowances are recorded as reductions in sales. The Company's bedding products offer limited warranties of up to 10 years against manufacturing defects. The Company's cost of honoring warranty claims is immaterial. The Company also recognizes commission income on certain sales transactions processed by the Company on behalf of other Serta licenses. This income is included in the other income, net caption in the statement of income and amounted to $69,660 in 1998. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market and include the cost of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventories are produced on a made-to-order basis. Property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the double declining balance and straight line methods over the estimated useful lives: Buildings................................................... 39 years Building improvements....................................... 15 years Machinery and equipment..................................... 5-10 years Furniture and equipment..................................... 3-7 years Automobiles................................................. 5 years Expenditures for maintenance and routine repairs are expensed as incurred. Upon the disposition of property, plant and equipment, the accumulated depreciation is deducted from the original cost and any gain or loss is reflected in current income. F-46 170 HERR MANUFACTURING COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired and is being amortized over 10 years using the straight-line method. Amortization expense amounted to $16,000 in 1998. As of December 31, 1998, the unamortized balance of goodwill was $65,833 and is included in other assets. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. Advertising Costs The Company expenses advertising costs, consisting principally of cooperative advertising with dealers and retailers, when the revenue from sales to customers is recorded. Advertising costs for the year ended December 31, 1998 approximated $1,582,000. Deferred Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences, in future years, of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities as compared to the corresponding financial reporting amounts at each year end on the basis of enacted tax rates applicable to the period in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. 3. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following: DECEMBER 31, 1998 ------------ Raw materials............................................. $439,056 Work-in-process........................................... 15,396 Finished goods............................................ 9,394 -------- Total inventories...................................... $463,846 ======== 4. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment consists of the following: DECEMBER 31, 1998 ------------ Land...................................................... $ 510,612 Building and improvements................................. 2,215,689 Machinery................................................. 1,627,477 Automobiles and trucks.................................... 673,016 Furniture and equipment................................... 358,569 ---------- 5,385,363 Less: accumulated depreciation.............................. 2,103,675 ---------- $3,281,688 ========== Depreciation expense was $378,060 for the year ended December 31, 1998. F-47 171 HERR MANUFACTURING COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED 5. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK The Company manufactures and markets sleep products including mattresses and box springs to department stores and specialty shops in certain licensed territories in central and eastern Pennsylvania and southern New York state. Sales to one major customer accounted for approximately 14% of net sales in 1998. Amounts receivable from two customers represented approximately 18% and 15%, respectively, of the trade accounts receivable balance at December 31, 1998. Purchases of raw materials from one vendor represented approximately 44% of total raw material purchases for 1998. 6. LICENSE AGREEMENT Serta, Inc. ("Serta"), is a national non-profit organization consisting of 12 domestic licensed operating mattress manufacturing companies. The organization aids the manufacturers in marketing, merchandising, manufacturing specifications, trademarks and related activities through license fees paid by the licensees. Serta owns the rights to the Serta trademark and licenses companies to manufacture and sell mattresses under the Serta brand name. The Company's license with Serta is effective until terminated by mutual written agreement of both parties or if the Company does not comply with the provisions of the license agreement. In 1998, the Company paid approximately $571,000 in license fees to Serta. 7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The Company has agreements with two former stockholders which provide for the Company to compensate them for past services. As of December 31, 1998, there was an agreement to satisfy this deferred compensation agreement with an aggregate payment of $1,100,000. This amount was paid in February 1999. The charge to expense under these agreements amounted to $125,285 in 1998. The Company is committed under the terms of agreements with its stockholders to repurchase shares of stock upon the death of a stockholder, if the personal representative of the deceased offers in writing to sell such shares to the Company within one year after the date of death. The purchase price of any shares of stock bought under an offer made in accordance with the terms of the agreements will be at the agreed upon formula value of such shares as of the end of the last complete fiscal year prior to the making of such offer. The formula value is based on the book value of the Company excluding the book value of the real estate multiplied by 120% plus the agreed value of the real estate ($2,375,000 at December 31, 1998). The agreed value of the real estate will be adjusted annually for purposes of the formula. At December 31, 1998, the Company has a note payable to a stockholder in the amount of $163,252. Principal payments on this note during 1998 totaled $23,321. This note was paid in full in February 1999. Interest expense paid to a stockholder on the note payable totaled $11,355 for 1998. 8. LINE OF CREDIT The Company had an unsecured line of credit available in the amount of $700,000 as of December 31, 1998. Interest is at the bank's prime rate. No amounts were outstanding against the line at December 31, 1998. 9. NOTE PAYABLE During 1998, the Company paid $336,441 to settle a mortgage note payable to a bank. The interest rate related to this note was 6.95% in 1998. F-48 172 HERR MANUFACTURING COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- CONTINUED 10. INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes consists of the following for the year ended December 31, 1998: CURRENT Federal................................................... $ 57,427 State..................................................... 21,109 -------- Total current..................................... 78,536 -------- DEFERRED Federal................................................... 390,209 State..................................................... 63,214 -------- Total deferred.................................... 453,423 -------- Provision for income taxes........................ $531,959 ======== The Company's effective tax rate differs from the appropriate Federal statutory rate, as shown in the following reconciliation for the year ended December 31, 1998. Income tax expense at appropriate Federal statutory rate.... 33.5% State income tax expense, net of appropriate Federal benefit................................................... 6.36% Other, net.................................................. (.74)% ----- 39.12% ===== Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial-reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax-reporting purposes. Significant components of net deferred tax assets at December 31, 1998 are as follows: Current deferred income taxes: Accrued liabilities not currently deductible.............. $ 23,576 Noncurrent deferred income taxes: Goodwill.................................................. 97,199 Depreciation.............................................. (51,219) -------- 45,980 -------- Net deferred tax asset................................. $ 69,556 ======== 11. RETIREMENT PLAN The Company has a profit-sharing plan that covers substantially all employees. The Company contributed $313,883 to this plan for the year ended December 31, 1998. 12. DISABILITY INCOME PLAN The Company has a disability income plan that covers substantially all salaried employees. This plan combines a disability insurance program and a company-sponsored salary continuation program. Under the company-sponsored salary continuation program, the Company will provide, in the event of disability, a proportion of salary above the insurance limits for one year. No amount was paid for salary continuation under this plan in 1998. 13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On February 26, 1999, the Company sold all its issued and outstanding shares of its common stock to Sleepmaster L.L.C. for $24,700,000 in cash. The accompanying financial statements do not reflect any adjustments related to the sale of the Company's stock. F-49 173 AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE DIRECTOR OF STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED as at December 31, 1998 and the consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in Canada. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the company as at December 31, 1998 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The opening balances were reported on by other auditors. PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS North York, Ontario March 19, 1999 (except as to note 11(b), which is as of April 8, 1999) F-50 174 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT DECEMBER 31, 1998 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $17,523................................................... $1,993,026 Accounts receivable -- other................................ 17,057 Inventories (note 2)........................................ 382,252 Prepaid expenses............................................ 14,304 ---------- 2,406,639 INVESTMENT -- 50 shares of Serta Inc. at cost............... 2,500 FIXED ASSETS (note 3)....................................... 923,951 ---------- $3,333,090 ========== LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable............................................ $ 666,735 Accrued co-op advertising................................... 158,054 Accrued sales allowances.................................... 210,559 Accrued bonuses............................................. 261,888 Other accrued liabilities................................... 261,881 Short-term borrowings (note 4).............................. 26,581 Income taxes payable........................................ 413,598 ---------- 1,999,296 ADVANCES FROM RELATED PARTIES (note 8)...................... 317,279 ---------- DEFERRED INCOME TAXES (note 5).............................. 16,988 ---------- 2,333,563 ---------- SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY: CAPITAL STOCK Class A common voting shares, no par value; authorized: unlimited number of shares; issued: -- 6,500.............. 246,466 Class B common voting shares, no par value; authorized unlimited number of shares; issued: -- 6,500.............. 180,158 Preference shares, issuable in series with rights and restrictions to be determined by the director; authorized: unlimited number of shares; issued: nil................... -- Retained earnings........................................... 532,833 ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME...................... 40,070 ---------- 999,527 ---------- $3,333,090 ========== COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (note 7) The notes to the financial statements form an integral part of these financial statements. F-51 175 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 NET SALES................................................... $15,235,721 COST OF SALES............................................... 9,445,921 ----------- 5,789,800 ----------- OPERATING EXPENSES Delivery.................................................... 391,989 Selling and advertising..................................... 1,845,611 General and administrative.................................. 999,709 ----------- 3,237,309 ----------- OPERATING INCOME............................................ 2,552,491 Other income (expenses) Interest expense............................................ (17,265) ----------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES.................................. 2,535,226 ----------- PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES (note 5) Current..................................................... 917,947 Deferred.................................................... 17,530 ----------- 935,477 ----------- NET INCOME.................................................. 1,599,749 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax........ 7,794 ----------- COMPREHENSIVE INCOME........................................ 1,607,543 RETAINED EARNINGS -- BEGINNING OF YEAR...................... 374,859 CASH DIVIDENDS PAID......................................... (1,449,569) ----------- RETAINED EARNINGS -- END OF YEAR............................ $ 532,833 =========== The notes to the financial statements form an integral part of these financial statements. F-52 176 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 CASH FLOWS OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income for the year..................................... $ 1,607,543 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Deferred income taxes.................................. 16,988 Depreciation........................................... 190,823 Gain on sale of fixed assets........................... (10,727) Changes in operating assets and liabilities Increase in accounts receivable -- trade and other..... (285,515) Increase in inventories................................ (13,681) Decrease in prepaid expenses........................... 85,835 Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities... 219,788 ----------- 1,811,054 ----------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of fixed assets.................................... (420,095) Proceeds from sale of fixed assets.......................... 13,147 ----------- (406,948) ----------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net borrowings under line of credit agreement............... 26,581 Net increase in advances from related parties............... 15,966 Cash dividends paid......................................... (1,449,569) ----------- (1,407,022) ----------- EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH..................... (7,794) ----------- NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS................... (10,710) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS -- BEGINNING OF YEAR.............. 10,710 ----------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS -- END OF YEAR.................... $ -- =========== (Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash and short-term highly liquid deposits with maturity dates of less than 90 days.) The notes to the financial statements form an integral part of these financial statements. F-53 177 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1998 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Burrell Bedding Limited, for the year ended December 31, 1998. The subsidiary company also has a December 31 year end. Significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. Revenue Recognition The company recognizes revenue upon the passage of title which is generally at the time of shipment. Inventories Finished goods and work-in-process are valued at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out basis, and market. Raw materials are valued at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, and replacement cost. Fixed Assets Fixed assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated over the following estimated useful lives: DECLINING BALANCE Plant equipment............................................. 20% Automotive equipment........................................ 30% Computer equipment.......................................... 30% Office equipment............................................ 20% Sign........................................................ 20% STRAIGHT-LINE Leasehold improvements...................................... 5 years Expenditures for maintenance and routine repairs are expensed as incurred. Advertising Costs The company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses for the year ended December 31, 1998 were $1,009,964. Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements, based on enacted tax rates. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. F-54 178 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) DECEMBER 31, 1998 Foreign Currency Translation The Company's functional currency is the Canadian dollar. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within the retained earnings section of shareholder's equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are charged or credited to income as incurred. 2. INVENTORIES Raw materials............................................... $335,000 Work-in-process............................................. 17,389 Finished goods.............................................. 29,863 -------- $382,252 ======== 3. FIXED ASSETS ACCUMULATED NET COST DEPRECIATION BOOK VALUE ---------- ------------ ---------- Plant equipment......................... $1,407,827 $706,005 $701,822 Automotive equipment.................... 174,070 87,294 86,776 Computer equipment...................... 129,558 64,971 64,587 Office equipment........................ 102,358 51,331 51,027 Sign.................................... 2,319 1,163 1,156 Leasehold improvements.................. 37,275 18,692 18,583 ---------- -------- -------- $1,853,407 $929,456 $923,951 ========== ======== ======== Depreciation expense was $190,823 for the year ended December 31, 1998. 4. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS The company has a (i) $522,705 demand operating facility and (ii) $375,694 demand reducing equipment financing facility. The demand operating facility bears interest at prime plus 1/2% and the equipment financing facility bears interest at prime plus 0.90%. The collateral on these facilities is as follows: i) a general security agreement having a first charge on all assets of the company (other than real property); ii) maintenance of fire insurance in an amount acceptable to the bank, with loss payable to the bank; iii) a guarantee of all debts and liabilities owing to the company, limited to $718,719, signed by Burrell Bedding Limited, supported by a general security agreement having a first charge on all assets of Burrell Bedding Limited (other than real property); iv) hypothecation by the company of all issued and outstanding shares of Burrell Bedding Limited; v) postponement and assignment of claim signed by related parties; and F-55 179 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) DECEMBER 31, 1998 vi) collateral agreement with respect to the equipment financed under the equipment financing facility. At December 31, 1998, the company had borrowings of $26,581 on the operating facility and $nil on the equipment financing facility. 5. INCOME TAXES a) The provision for income taxes consists of the following: CURRENT TAXES Federal................................................... $572,340 Provincial................................................ 345,607 -------- 917,947 -------- DEFERRED TAXES Federal................................................... 10,930 Provincial................................................ 6,600 -------- 17,530 -------- PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES............................. $935,477 ======== b) Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes. Significant components of the liability as of December 31, 1998 are as follows: Deferred tax liability related to: Accumulated depreciation.................................. $(41,988) Accumulated goodwill...................................... 25,000 -------- $(16,988) ======== 6. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid during the year for Interest............................................. $ 17,265 Income taxes......................................... 843,452 -------- $860,717 ======== 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The company is committed to a lease for premises to December 31, 2000 at an annual rental of approximately $216,000. Future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 1998 are as follows: 1999...................................................... $216,000 2000...................................................... 216,000 -------- $432,000 ======== F-56 180 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED) DECEMBER 31, 1998 8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS For reporting purposes herein, related parties are the company's director and companies controlled by the director. Advances from related parties, as disclosed on the balance sheet, are collateralized by a general security agreement, are non-interest bearing except for advances from the director which bear interest at 10% per annum and have no specific terms of repayment. Demand for repayment is not expected prior to January 1, 2000. Advances from the director as at December 31, 1998 are $123,489. The fair value of the non-interest bearing advances cannot be reasonably determined. During the year, interest of $12,743 was paid to the company's director. 9. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The company's financial instruments consist of accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued liabilities, short-term borrowings and advances from related parties. Unless otherwise noted, it is management's opinion that the company is not exposed to significant interest rate, currency or credit risks arising from these financial instruments. The fair value of these financial instruments approximates their carrying value, unless otherwise noted. 10. ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE Sales to the company's two largest customers account for approximately 48% of its annual sales volume. To minimize credit risk related to these and other customers, the company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and limits the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary. The company maintains provisions for potential credit losses and any such losses to date have been within management's expectations. 11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS a) On January 1, 1999, Star Bedding Products (1986) Limited amalgamated with its subsidiary, Burrell Bedding Limited. The amalgamated company will continue to operate as Star Bedding Products (1986) Limited. The transaction was accounted for at carrying value. b) On April 8, 1999, the company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Sleepmaster L.L.C. to sell substantially all of its assets for approximately $16,077,000 in cash and a promissory note of approximately $660,000. The sale is expected to be consummated before June 30, 1999. F-57 181 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MARCH 31, 1999 (UNAUDITED) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $27,844................................................... $1,598,978 Accounts receivable -- other................................ 19,509 Inventories................................................. 404,422 Other current assets........................................ 20,435 ---------- 2,043,344 INVESTMENT -- 50 SHARES OF SERTA INC. -- AT COST............ 2,500 FIXED ASSETS................................................ 890,395 ---------- $2,936,239 ========== LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable............................................ $ 476,837 Accrued co-op advertising................................... 158,508 Accrued sales allowances.................................... 229,616 Other accrued liabilities................................... 289,550 Short-term borrowings....................................... 3,815 ---------- 1,158,326 ADVANCES FROM RELATED PARTIES............................... 319,885 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES....................................... 17,228 ---------- 1,495,439 ---------- SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY CAPITAL STOCK Class A common voting shares, no par value; authorized: unlimited number of shares; issued: 6,500................. 246,466 Class B common voting shares, no par value; authorized: unlimited number of shares; issued: 6,500................. 180,158 Preference shares, issuable in series with rights and restrictions to be determined by the director, authorized: unlimited number of shares; issued: nil................... -- Retained earnings........................................... 973,451 ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME...................... 40,725 ---------- 1,440,800 ---------- $2,936,239 ========== The notes to the financial statements form an integral part of these financial statements. F-58 182 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998 (UNAUDITED) 1999 1998 ---------- ---------- Net sales................................................... $3,784,145 $3,324,617 Cost of sales............................................... 2,356,279 2,135,335 ---------- ---------- 1,427,866 1,189,282 ---------- ---------- OPERATING EXPENSES Delivery.................................................... 89,049 72,185 Selling and advertising..................................... 474,838 400,562 General and administrative.................................. 204,936 203,310 ---------- ---------- 768,823 676,057 ---------- ---------- OPERATING INCOME............................................ 659,043 513,225 Interest expense............................................ 3,231 8,716 ---------- ---------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES.................................. 655,812 504,509 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES Current..................................................... 215,849 159,670 Deferred.................................................... -- -- ---------- ---------- 215,849 159,670 ---------- ---------- NET INCOME.................................................. 439,963 344,839 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax........ 655 -- ---------- ---------- COMPREHENSIVE INCOME........................................ 440,618 344,839 RETAINED EARNINGS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD.................... 532,833 374,859 ---------- ---------- RETAINED EARNINGS -- END OF PERIOD.......................... $ 973,451 $ 719,698 ========== ========== The notes to the financial statements form an integral part of these financial statements. F-59 183 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1999 AND 1998 (UNAUDITED) 1999 1998 --------- --------- CASH FLOWS OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income.................................................. $ 439,963 $ 344,839 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Deferred income taxes..................................... 240 -- Depreciation.............................................. 48,344 46,876 Changes in operating assets and liabilities Decrease in accounts receivable -- trade and other........ 391,596 290,683 Increase in inventories................................... (22,170) (35,253) (Increase) decrease in other current assets............... (6,132) 83,278 Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities...... (447,545) (101,298) Decrease in income taxes payable.......................... (370,658) (236,333) --------- --------- 33,638 392,792 --------- --------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of fixed assets.................................... (14,788) (290,363) --------- --------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net repayments under line of credit agreement............... (22,766) 12,325 Net decrease in advances from related parties............... 2,606 (125,560) --------- --------- (20,160) (113,235) --------- --------- EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH..................... 1,310 -- NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS..................... -- (10,806) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD............ -- 10,806 --------- --------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS -- END OF PERIOD.................. $ -- $ -- ========= ========= The notes to the financial statements form an integral part of these financial statements. F-60 184 STAR BEDDING PRODUCTS (1986) LIMITED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Star Bedding Products (1986) Limited and its wholly owned subsidiary, Burrell Bedding Limited (the "Company"). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company's financial position at March 31, 1999 and the results of their operations and of their cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998. The results of operations for the periods presented should not necessarily be taken as indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the entire year. In accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, these financial statements do not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. The accompanying financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements contained in the Company's Offering Memorandum effective May 12, 1999. 2. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following: MARCH 31, 1999 --------- Raw materials............................................... $357,922 Work-in-process............................................. 13,651 Finished goods.............................................. 32,849 -------- Total inventories................................. $404,422 ======== 3. SUBSEQUENT EVENT On May 18, 1999, the Company sold substantially all of its assets to Sleepmaster L.L.C. for CAN $24,500,000 (approximately US $16,700,000) in cash and a promissory note of CAN $1,000,000 (approximately US $680,000) to Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. The accompanying financial statements do not reflect any adjustments related to the sale of the Company's assets. F-61 185 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $115,000,000 [SERTA LOGO] SLEEPMASTER 11% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2009 ------------------------------------- PROSPECTUS ------------------------------------- [ ], 1999 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 186 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Sleepmaster L.L.C. is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Section 42:2B-10 of the New Jersey Limited Liability Company Act provides that, subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are in its operating agreement, a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. Section 8.1 of Sleepmaster's Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement provides, among other things, that: No Member (including the Managing Member), Advisor or officer of the Company shall be liable to the Company or to any Member for any loss or damage sustained by the Company or to any Member, unless the loss or damage shall have been the result of gross negligence, fraud or intentional misconduct by the Member (including the Managing Member), Advisor or officer in question. In performing such Person's duties, each such Person shall be entitled to rely in good faith on the provisions of this Agreement and on information, opinions, reports or statements (including financial statements and information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value or amount of the assets, liabilities, profits or losses of the Company or any facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which distributions to Members might properly be paid) of the following other Persons or groups: one or more officers or employees of the Company; any attorney, independent accountant, appraiser or other expert or professional employed or engaged by or on behalf of the Company, the Managing Member, the Board or any committee of the Board; or any other Person who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company, the Managing Member, the Board or any committee of the Board in each case as to matters which such relying Person reasonably believes to be within such other Person's competence. The preceding sentence shall in no way limit any Person's right to rely on information to the extent provided in Section 42:2B-31 of the Act. No Member (including the Managing Member), Advisor or officer of the Company shall be personally liable under any judgment of a court, or in any other manner, for any debt, obligation or liability of the Company, whether that liability or obligation arises in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being a Member, Advisor or officer of the Company or any combination of the foregoing. Section 8.3 of Sleepmaster's Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement provides further that subject to the limitations and conditions as provided in this Article 8, each Person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or arbitrative (hereinafter a "Proceeding"), or any appeal in such a Proceeding or any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such a Proceeding, by reason of the fact that such Person, or a Person of which such Person is the legal representative, is or was a Member, Advisor or officer shall be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Company to provide prior to such amendment) against judgments, penalties (including excise and similar taxes and punitive damages), fines, settlements and reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) actually incurred by such Person in connection with such Proceeding, appeal, inquiry or investigation, and indemnification under this Article 8 shall continue as to a Person who has ceased to serve in the capacity which initially entitled such Person to indemnity hereunder; provided, that such Person shall be entitled to indemnification hereunder only if such Person acted in good faith and in a manner such Person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of the Company. Section 8.4 of Sleepmaster's Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement provides further that the right to indemnification conferred in this Article 8 shall include the II-1 187 right to be paid or reimbursed by the Company the reasonable expenses incurred by a Person of the type entitled to be indemnified under Section 8.3 who was, is or is threatened to be, made a named defendant or respondent in a Proceeding in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding and without any determination as to the Person's ultimate entitlement to indemnification; provided, however, that the payment of such expenses incurred by any such Person in advance of the final disposition of a Proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of a written affirmation by such Person of his or her good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under Article 8 and a written undertaking (acceptable to the Board), by or on behalf of such Person, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 8 or otherwise. Sleepmaster Finance Corporation is a Delaware corporation. Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides that a Delaware corporation may indemnify any person who were, are or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative of investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation's best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was illegal. A Delaware corporation may indemnify any persons who are, were or are threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation by reasons of the fact that such person was a director, officer, employee or agent of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation's best interest, provided that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer, director, employee or agent is adjusted to be liable to the corporation. Where an officer, director, employee or agent is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses which such officer or director has actually and reasonably incurred. The Certificate of Incorporation of Sleepmaster Finance Corporation provides that each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he (or a person of whom he is the legal representative), is or was a director of officer of Sleepmaster Finance Corporation or is or was serving at the request of Sleepmaster Finance Corporation as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by Sleepmaster Finance Corporation to the fullest extent which it is empowered to do so by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits Sleepmaster Finance Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted Sleepmaster Finance Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such proceeding and such indemnification shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators' provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 2 of this Article Eight, Sleepmaster Finance Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of II-2 188 Sleepmaster Finance Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article Eight shall be a contract right and, subject to Sections 2 and 5 of this Article Eight, shall include the right to payment by Sleepmaster Finance Corporation of the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. Sleepmaster Finance Corporation may, by action of the Board of Directors, provide indemnification to employees and agents of Sleepmaster Finance Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing indemnification of directors and officers. ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (a) Exhibits. See Exhibit Index. (b) Financial Statement Schedules. All schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto. ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement; (A) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (B) 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 in the registration statement; (C) 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 the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona 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. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 20 or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by 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. II-3 189 The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that: (4) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 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. (5) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 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 when it became effective. II-4 190 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Linden, State of New Jersey, on September 3, 1999. Sleepmaster L.L.C. By: * ------------------------------------ Name: Charles Schweitzer Title: Executive Advisor, President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 3, 1999. SIGNATURE CAPACITY --------- -------- * Executive Advisor, President, Chief Executive - --------------------------------------------- Officer and Advisor (principal executive Charles Schweitzer officer) /s/ JAMES P. KOSCICA Executive Advisor/Vice President, Chief - --------------------------------------------- Financial Officer, Secretary and Advisor James P. Koscica (principal financial officer and accounting officer) * Advisor - --------------------------------------------- Robert Bartholomew * Advisor - --------------------------------------------- John D. Weber * Advisor - --------------------------------------------- David F. Thomas * Advisor - --------------------------------------------- Michael Bradley * Advisor - --------------------------------------------- Michael Bubis - --------------- * Executed by power of attorney. II-5 191 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Linden, State of New Jersey, on September 3, 1999. Sleepmaster Finance Corporation By: * ------------------------------------ Name: Charles Schweitzer Title: President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 3, 1999. SIGNATURE CAPACITY --------- -------- * President, Chief Executive Officer and Director - --------------------------------------------- (principal executive officer) Charles Schweitzer /s/ JAMES P. KOSCICA Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer; - --------------------------------------------- Secretary and Director (principal financial James P. Koscica officer and accounting officer) * Director - --------------------------------------------- Robert Bartholomew * Director - --------------------------------------------- John D. Weber * Director - --------------------------------------------- David F. Thomas * Director - --------------------------------------------- Michael Bradley * Director - --------------------------------------------- Michael Bubis - --------------- * Executed by power of attorney. II-6 192 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Linden, State of New Jersey, on September 3, 1999. Palm Beach Bedding Company By: * ------------------------------------ Name: Michael Bubis Title: President Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 3, 1999. SIGNATURE CAPACITY --------- -------- * Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of - --------------------------------------------- Directors (principal executive officer) Charles Schweitzer /s/ JAMES P. KOSCICA Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, - --------------------------------------------- Secretary and Director (principal financial officer James P. Koscica and accounting officer) * Director - --------------------------------------------- Robert Bartholomew * Director - --------------------------------------------- John D. Weber * Director - --------------------------------------------- David F. Thomas * Director - --------------------------------------------- Michael Bradley * Director - --------------------------------------------- Michael Bubis - --------------- * Executed by power of attorney II-7 193 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Linden, State of New Jersey, on September 3, 1999. Herr Manufacturing Company By: * ------------------------------------ Name: Stuart W. Herr Title: President Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 3, 1999. SIGNATURE CAPACITY --------- -------- * Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of - --------------------------------------------- Directors (principal executive officer) Charles Schweitzer /s/ JAMES P. KOSCICA Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer, - --------------------------------------------- Secretary and Director (principal financial officer James P. Koscica and accounting officer) * Director - --------------------------------------------- Robert Bartholomew * Director - --------------------------------------------- John D. Weber * Director - --------------------------------------------- David F. Thomas * Director - --------------------------------------------- Michael Bradley * Director - --------------------------------------------- Michael Bubis - --------------- * Executed by power of attorney II-8 194 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Linden, State of New Jersey on September 3, 1999. Lower Road Associates, LLC By: * ------------------------------------ Name: Charles Schweitzer Title: President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on September 3, 1999. SIGNATURE CAPACITY --------- -------- * President, Chief Executive Officer and Advisor - --------------------------------------------- (principal executive officer) Charles Schweitzer /s/ JAMES P. KOSCICA Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, - --------------------------------------------- Secretary and Advisor (principal financial officer James P. Koscica and accounting officer) * Advisor - --------------------------------------------- Robert Bartholomew * Advisor - --------------------------------------------- John D. Weber * Advisor - --------------------------------------------- David F. Thomas * Advisor - --------------------------------------------- Michael Bradley * Advisor - --------------------------------------------- Michael Bubis - --------------- * Executed by power of attorney II-9 195 EXHIBIT INDEX 2.1 Recapitalization, Redemption and Purchase Agreement dated October, 1996 by and among Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster L.L.C., Brown/Schweitzer Holdings, Inc., the members of Sleepmaster Holdings, L.L.C., the investors names therein and Sleep Investor L.L.C.* 3.1 Certificate of Formation of Sleepmaster L.L.C. dated December 14, 1994.* 3.2 Sleepmaster L.L.C. Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement dated November 14, 1996.* 3.3 Certificate of Incorporation of Sleepmaster Finance Corporation dated April 30, 1999.* 3.4 By-laws of Sleepmaster Finance Corporation.* 3.5 Articles of Incorporation of Palm Beach Bedding Company dated July 16, 1959.* 3.6 By-laws of Palm Beach Bedding Company.* 3.7 Articles of Incorporation of Herr Manufacturing Company dated May 5, 1933.* 3.8 By-laws of Herr Manufacturing Company.* 3.9 Certificate of Formation of Lower Road Associates, LLC dated April 6, 1998.* 3.10 Operating Agreement of Lower Road Associates, LLC.* 4.1 Indenture dated as of May 18, 1999 by and among Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, the Guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and the United States Trust Company of New York.* 4.2 Executed Regulation S Note.** 4.3 Executed 144A Note.** 5.1 Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis.* 8.1 Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis with respect to Federal tax consequences.* 9.1 Amended and Restated Securityholders Agreement by and among Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleep Investor L.L.C., PMI Mezzanine Fund, L.P., Charles Schweitzer, James P. Koscica, Michael Reilly, Timothy DuPont, Michael Bubis, Richard Tauber, Douglas Phillips and any employees of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. or its subsidiaries which may thereafter execute a joinder agreement thereto dated March 3, 1998.* 9.2 Joinder to Amended and Restated Securityholders Agreement by and among Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., certain securityholders of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. party thereto and Stuart W. Herr dated March 3, 1998.* 9.3 Joinder to Amended and Restated Securityholders Agreement by and among Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., certain securityholders of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. party thereto and John K. Herr, III dated March 3, 1998.* 10.1 Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 18, 1999 by and among Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleepmaster Finance Corporation, the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and First Union Capital Markets Corp.* 10.2 Purchase Agreement dated as of May 12, 1999 by and among Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleepmaster Finance Corporation and the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and First Union Capital Markets Corp.* 10.3 Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., dated November 14, 1996 (including the joinder agreement of Stuart Herr and John Herr, dated February 26, 1999), as amended effective May 12, 1999.* 10.4 License Agreement and Memorandum of Agreement, each dated January 12, 1995, between Sleepmaster L.L.C. and Serta, Inc., covering certain territories in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, as amended.* 10.5 License Agreement and Memorandum of Agreement, each dated January 12, 1995, between Sleepmaster L.L.C. and Serta, Inc., covering certain territories in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware, as amended.* 196 10.6 License Agreement, dated November 4, 1989, and Memorandum of Agreement, dated December 1, 1969, between Palm Beach Bedding Company and Serta, Inc., covering certain territories in Florida, as amended.* 10.7 License Agreement, dated November 4, 1989, and Memorandum of Agreement, dated December 1, 1969, between Herr Manufacturing Company and Serta, Inc., covering certain territories in Pennsylvania and New York, as amended.* 10.8 Standard Canadian License Agreement and Memorandum of Agreement -- Form B, dated as of and effective May 18, 1999, between Serta, Inc. and Star Bedding Products (1986) Ltd., covering certain territories in Ontario, Canada.* 10.9 Masterpiece Sleep Products, Inc. Manufacturing and Servicing Agreement, dated October 1, 1998, by and between Masterpiece Sleep Products, Inc. and Sleepmaster L.L.C. and affiliates.* 10.10 Employment Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1996, between Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleep Investor L.L.C. and Charles Schweitzer.* 10.11 Employment Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1996, between Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleep Investor L.L.C. and James Koscica.* 10.12 Employment Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1996, between Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleep Investor L.L.C. and Timothy Dupont.* 10.13 Employment Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1996, between Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleep Investor L.L.C. and Michael Reilly.* 10.14 Option Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1996, between Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleep Investor L.L.C. and Charles Schweitzer.* 10.15 Option Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1996, between Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleep Investor L.L.C. and James Koscica.* 10.16 Option Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1996, between Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleep Investor L.L.C. and Timothy Dupont.* 10.17 Option Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1996, between Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleep Investor L.L.C. and Michael Reilly.* 10.18 Employment Agreement, dated March 3, 1998, between Palm Beach Bedding Company joined by Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. and Sleepmaster L.L.C. and Michael W. Bubis.* 10.19 Employment and Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 26, 1999, by and among Herr Manufacturing Company, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster L.L.C., Charles Schweitzer, Sleep Investor L.L.C. and Stuart W. Herr.* 10.20 Employment and Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 26, 1999, by and among Herr Manufacturing Company, Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleepmaster L.L.C., Charles Schweitzer, Sleep Investor L.L.C. and John K. Herr, III.* 10.21 Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. Amended and Restated Common Interest Purchase Warrants, dated as of March 3, 1998 and Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C. Common Interest Purchase Warrants, dated as of March 3, 1998, each as amended on February 26, 1999.* 10.22 Loan Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1996, between Palm Beach Bedding Company and Palm Beach County, Florida, relating to $7,650,000 Palm Beach County, Florida Variable Rate Demand Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (Palm Beach Bedding Company Project, Series 1996) originally outstanding in the original principal amount of $7,650,000.* 10.23 Trust Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1996, by and among Palm Beach County, the Trustee and the Credit Facility Trustee.* 10.24 Lease by and between Hartz Mountain Industries, Inc. and Sleepmaster Products Company, L.P., dated October 13, 1993.* 10.25 Letter of Credit and Reimbursement Agreement, dated as of April 1, 1996, between Palm Beach Bedding Company and First Union National Bank of Florida.* 10.26 Amendment to Reimbursement Agreement, dated March 3, 1998, between Palm Beach Bedding Company and First Union National Bank of Florida.** 197 10.27 Lease Agreement by and between N.H.D. Developments Limited and Star Bedding Products (1986) Ltd. dated August 15, 1995.** 10.28 Assignment of lease agreement by and between Star Bedding Products (1986) Ltd., Star Bedding Products Limited and N.H.D. Developments Limited dated as of May 18, 1999.* 10.29 Intentionally left blank.* 10.30 Form of Junior Subordinated Note, dated November 14, 1996, of Sleep Investor L.L.C. issued to each of Charles Schweitzer, James Koscica, Timothy DuPont, Michael Reilly, Douglas A. Brown, Douglas A. Brown VIP Plus Profit Sharing Plan, Donald S. Brown, John S. Coates, Harold M. Wit, Allen Investments II, L.L.C., Karl Dillon, Jessand Corp. Profit Sharing Plan and Trust, Alan Gelband, Panorama Holdings, L.L.C., Arnold Gussoff Holding Capital Management Corp., Steven Leischner, William Colaianni, Jo Levinson 1989 Trust, John M. McMahon, Kaplan, Coate Special Situations L.P., Robert W. Plaster, Bennett Rosenthal, Dhiren Shah, and WKM Partners.* 10.31 Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 3, 1998, by and among Sleepmaster Holdings L.L.C., Sleep Investor L.L.C., PMI Mezzanine Fund, L.P., Charles Schweitzer, James P. Koscica, Michael Reilly, Timothy Dupont, Michael Bubis, Richard Tauber, Douglas Phillips (including the joinder agreements of each of Stuart W. Herr and John K. Herr, III, dated March 3, 1998).* 10.32 Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Sleep Investor L.L.C. dated November 14, 1996.* 10.33 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 26, 1999, by and among Sleepmaster L.L.C., Herr Manufacturing Company, and the stockholders listed on the Seller signature page attached thereto (including the related Indemnity Escrow Agreement and Adjustment Escrow Agreement).* 10.34 Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Star Bedding Products Limited and Sleepmaster L.L.C., as Purchaser and Star Bedding Products (1986) Limited and Cecil Brauer, as Seller.* 10.35 Credit Agreement, dated as of May 18, 1999, by and among Sleepmaster L.L.C., the guarantors thereunder and First Union National Bank, as agent.* 10.36 1997-1999 Collective Agreement between Star Bedding Products (1986) Limited and United Steelworkers of America Local 400.* 10.37 Collective Bargaining Agreement by and between Sleepmaster L.L.C., its plant located in Linden, New Jersey, and the United Steelworkers of America (ABG Division), AFL-CIO, CLC, and its Local Union #396 dated May, 1997.* 10.38 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Sleepmaster L.L.C., Sleepmaster Acquisition Corp. and Palm Beach Bedding Company dated February, 1998.* 12.1 Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.* 21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.* 23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.** 23.2 Consent of Kirkland & Ellis (included in Exhibit 5.1).* 24.1 Powers of Attorney (included in signature pages).* 25.1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1.* 27.1 Financial Data Schedule.* 99.1 Form of Letter of Transmittal.* 99.2 Form of Letter of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.* 99.3 Form of Tender Instructions.* - --------------- ** Filed herewith. * Filed previously.