================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002. OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. For the transition period from ____________ to _______________. Commission file number 1-13669 TAG-IT PACIFIC, INC. (Exact Name of Issuer as Specified in its Charter) DELAWARE 95-4654481 (State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.) 21900 BURBANK BOULEVARD, SUITE 270 WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA 91367 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (818) 444-4100 (Issuer's Telephone Number) Indicate by check whether the issuer: (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes /X/ No / / State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, 9,319,909 shares issued and outstanding as of November 14, 2002. ================================================================================ TAG-IT PACIFIC, INC. INDEX TO FORM 10-Q PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION PAGE ---- Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements....................................3 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2002 (unaudited) and December 31, 2001.................3 Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001..........................................4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2001................5 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.......................6 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.................................11 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.........................................................27 Item 4. Controls and Procedures.............................................27 PART II OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings...................................................28 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K....................................28 2 PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. TAG-IT PACIFIC, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets September December 31, 30, 2002 2001 ----------- ----------- Assets (unaudited) Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents ...................... $ 241,995 $ 46,948 Due from factor ................................ 775,014 105,749 Trade accounts receivable, net ................. 4,750,361 3,037,034 Trade accounts receivable, related parties ..... 15,898,500 7,914,838 Refundable income taxes ........................ 259,605 259,605 Due from related parties ....................... 855,889 814,219 Inventories .................................... 24,329,857 20,450,740 Prepaid expenses and other current assets ...... 568,628 408,146 Deferred income taxes .......................... 107,599 107,599 ----------- ----------- Total current assets .................... 47,787,448 33,144,878 Property and Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization ................ 2,365,805 2,592,965 Tradename ...................................... 4,110,750 4,110,750 Other assets ................................... 1,384,488 944,912 ----------- ----------- Total assets ................................... $55,648,491 $40,793,505 =========== =========== Liabilities, Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock and Stockholders' Equity Current Liabilities: Line of credit .............................. $16,039,467 $ 9,660,581 Accounts payable and accrued expenses ....... 11,746,446 6,785,814 Deferred Revenue ............................ 1,250,000 -- Note payable ................................ 25,200 25,200 Subordinated notes payable to related parties ................................... 849,971 849,971 Current portion of capital lease obligations ............................... 71,121 180,142 Current portion of subordinated note payable ................................... 1,300,000 1,100,000 ----------- ----------- Total current liabilities ............. 31,282,205 18,601,708 Capital lease obligations, less current portion ..................................... 121,741 69,030 Subordinated note payable, less current portion ..................................... 2,900,000 3,800,000 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities ..................... 34,303,946 22,470,738 ----------- ----------- Convertible redeemable preferred stock Series C, $0.001 par value; 759,494 shares authorized; 759,494 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2002 and December 31, 2001 (stated value $3,000,000) ........................... 2,895,001 2,895,001 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, Series A $0.001 par value; 250,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding ......... -- -- Convertible preferred stock Series B, $0.001 par value; 850,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding ............................. -- -- Common stock, $0.001 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 9,314,409 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2002; 8,769,910 at December 31, 2001 .......... 9,315 8,771 Additional paid-in capital .................. 16,763,060 15,048,971 Retained earnings ........................... 1,677,169 370,024 ----------- ----------- Total stockholders' equity .................... 18,449,544 15,427,766 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities, convertible redeemable preferred stock and stockholders' equity .... $55,648,491 $40,793,505 =========== =========== See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 3 TAG-IT PACIFIC, INC. Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, ------------------------ ------------------------ 2002 2001 2002 2001 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net sales ................. $16,349,906 $11,039,211 $45,468,306 $35,796,926 Cost of goods sold ........ 12,424,257 8,173,816 33,931,051 26,084,269 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Gross profit ........... 3,925,649 2,865,395 11,537,255 9,712,657 Selling expenses .......... 472,680 367,266 1,445,598 1,248,390 General and administrative expenses ............... 2,649,188 2,439,587 7,246,100 6,847,656 Restructuring Charges (Note 3) ............... -- -- -- 1,257,598 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Total operating expenses 3,121,868 2,806,853 8,691,698 9,353,644 Income from operations .... 803,781 58,542 2,845,557 359,013 Interest expense, net ..... 344,585 308,426 912,856 1,147,875 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Income (loss) before income taxes ................. 459,196 (249,884) 1,932,701 (788,862) Provision (benefit) for income taxes .......... 115,265 (51,240) 488,455 (154,607) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) ...... $ 343,931 $ (198,644) $ 1,444,246 $ (634,255) =========== =========== =========== =========== Less: Preferred stock dividends .............. 47,100 4,950 137,100 4,950 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income (loss) to common shareholders ........... $ 296,831 $ (203,594) $ 1,307,146 $ (639,205) =========== =========== =========== =========== Basic earnings (loss) per share .................. $ 0.03 $ (0.03) $ 0.14 $ (0.08) =========== =========== =========== =========== Diluted earnings (loss) per share .............. $ 0.03 $ (0.03) $ 0.14 $ (0.08) =========== =========== =========== =========== Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: Basic .................. 9,310,099 8,003,244 9,203,078 8,000,570 =========== =========== =========== =========== Diluted ................ 9,615,355 8,003,244 9,499,855 8,000,570 =========== =========== =========== =========== See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 4 TAG-IT PACIFIC, INC. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, --------------------------- 2002 2001 ------------ ------------ Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) ............................ $ 1,444,246 $ (634,255) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation and amortization ................. 869,586 1,126,766 Increase in allowance for doubtful accounts ... 72,096 291,518 Loss on sale of assets ........................ -- 312,418 Warrants issued for services .................. -- 5,170 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Receivables, including related parties ..... (10,438,350) (1,560,999) Inventories ................................ (3,879,117) (581,411) Other assets ............................... (66,680) (462,431) Prepaid expenses and other current assets .. (160,481) 97,940 Accounts payable and accrued expenses ...... 4,347,340 (975,685) Accrued restructuring charges .............. -- 335,000 Deferred revenue ........................... 1,250,000 -- Income taxes payable ....................... 483,807 (168,887) ------------ ------------ Net cash used in operating activities ............ (6,077,553) (2,214,856) ------------ ------------ Cash flows from investing activities: Additional loans to related parties .......... -- (251,921) Acquisition of property and equipment ........ (437,823) (397,821) Proceeds from sale of fixed assets ........... -- 118,880 ------------ ------------ Net cash used in investing activities ............ (437,823) (530,862) ------------ ------------ Cash flows from financing activities: Bank overdraft ............................... -- (584,831) Proceeds from bank line of credit, net ....... 6,378,886 453,149 Proceeds from private placement transactions . 1,029,997 -- Proceeds from preferred stock issuance ....... -- 2,895,001 Proceeds from exercise of stock options ...... 57,850 19,500 Proceeds from capital leases ................. -- 207,240 Repayment of capital leases .................. (56,310) (234,415) Proceeds from notes payable .................. -- 180,000 Repayment of notes payable ................... (700,000) (179,346) ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by financing activities ........ 6,710,423 2,756,298 ------------ ------------ Net increase in cash ............................. 195,047 10,580 Cash at beginning of period ...................... 46,948 128,093 ------------ ------------ Cash at end of period ............................ $ 241,995 $ 138,673 ============ ============ Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Cash paid during the period for: Interest ................................... $ 829,725 $ 1,110,794 Income taxes ............................... $ 5,280 $ 2,430 Non-cash financing activity: Common stock issued in acquisition of assets .................................. $ -- $ 500,000 Common stock issued in acquisition of license rights .......................... $ 577,500 $ -- See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 5 TAG-IT PACIFIC, INC. Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 1. PRESENTATION OF INTERIM INFORMATION The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States for complete financial statements. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of the management of Tag-It Pacific, Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"), are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for such periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or for any future period. The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods financial statements to conform with the 2002 presentation. 2. EARNINGS PER SHARE The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations: INCOME PER THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002: (LOSS) SHARES SHARE - -------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------- Basic earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders $ 296,831 9,310,099 $ 0.03 Effect of Dilutive Securities: Options ................................ 250,271 Warrants ............................... 54,985 --------- --------- -------- Income available to common stockholders $ 296,831 9,615,355 $ 0.03 ========= ========= ======== THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001: - -------------------------------------- Basic loss per share: Loss available to common stockholders .. $(203,594) 8,003,244 $ (0.03) Effect of Dilutive Securities: Options ................................ -- Warrants ............................... -- --------- --------- -------- Loss available to common stockholders .. $(203,594) 8,003,244 $ (0.03) ========= ========= ======== 6 INCOME PER THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002: (LOSS) SHARES SHARE - -------------------------------------- --------- --------- -------- BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE: Income available to common stockholders $1,307,146 9,203,078 $ 0.14 EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES: Options ................................ 242,252 Warrants ............................... 54,525 ---------- --------- -------- Income available to common stockholders $1,307,146 9,499,855 $ 0.14 ========== ========= ======== NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001: - ------------------------------------- BASIC LOSS PER SHARE: Loss available to common stockholders .. $ (639,205) 8,000,570 $ (0.08) EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES: Options ................................ -- Warrants ............................... -- ---------- --------- -------- Loss available to common stockholders .. $ (639,205) 8,000,570 $ (0.08) ========== ========= ======== Warrants to purchase 523,332 shares of common stock at between $4.34 and $6.00, options to purchase 646,000 shares of common stock at between $4.00 and $4.63, convertible debt of $500,000 convertible at $4.50 per share and 759,494 shares of preferred Series C stock convertible at $4.94 per share were outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because exercise or conversion would have an antidilutive effect on earnings per share. Warrants to purchase 299,790 shares of common stock at between $0.71 and $6.00, options to purchase 1,384,500 shares of common stock at between $1.30 and $4.63, convertible debt of $500,000 convertible at $4.50 per share and 759,494 shares of preferred Series C stock convertible at $4.94 per share were outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2001, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because exercise or conversion would have an antidilutive effect on earnings per share. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2001, 850,000 shares of preferred Series B stock convertible when the average trading price of the Company's stock for a 30-day consecutive period is equal to or greater than $8.00 per share were outstanding, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the conversion contingency related to these preferred shares was not met. 3. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES During the first quarter of 2001, the Company implemented a plan to restructure certain business operations. In accordance with the restructuring plan, the Company closed its Tijuana, Mexico, facilities and relocated its TALON brand operations to Miami, Florida. In addition, the Company incurred costs related to the reduction of its Hong Kong operations, the relocation of its corporate headquarters from Los Angeles, California, to Woodland Hills, California, and the downsizing of its corporate operations by eliminating certain corporate expenses related to sales and marketing, customer service and general and administrative expenses. Total restructuring charges for the first and fourth quarters of 2001 amounted to $1,257,598 and $304,025, including $355,769 of benefits paid to terminated employees. Included in accrued expenses at December 31, 2001 was $114,554 of accrued restructuring charges consisting of future payments to former employees paid in the first quarter of 2002. 7 4. PRIVATE PLACEMENTS In a series of sales on December 28, 2001, January 7, 2002 and January 8, 2002, the Company entered into Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreements with three private investors, including Mark Dyne, the chairman of the Company's board of directors. Pursuant to the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreements, the Company issued an aggregate of 516,665 shares of common stock at a price per share of $3.00 for aggregate proceeds of $1,549,995. The Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreements also include a commitment by one of the private investors to purchase an additional 400,000 shares of common stock at a price per share of $3.00 at second closings (subject of certain conditions) on or prior to October 1, 2002 for additional proceeds of $1,200,000. Pursuant to the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreements, 258,332 warrants to purchase common stock were issued at the first closing of the transactions and 200,000 warrants are to be issued at the second closings. The warrants are exercisable immediately after closing, one half of the warrants at an exercise price of 110% and the second half at an exercise price of 120% of the market value of the Company's common stock on the date of closing. The exercise price for the warrants shall be adjusted upward by 25% of the amount, if any, that the market price of the Company's common stock on the exercise date exceeds the initial exercise price (as adjusted) up to a maximum exercise price of $5.25. The warrants have a term of four years. The shares contain restrictions related to the sale or transfer of the shares, registration and voting rights. Total shares and warrants issued during the year ended December 31, 2001 amount to 266,666 and 133,332. Total shares and warrants issued in January 2002 amounted to 249,999 and 125,000. In March 2002, one of the private investors purchased an additional 100,000 shares of common stock at a price per share of $3.00 pursuant to the second closing provisions of the related agreement for total proceeds of $300,000. The remaining commitment under this agreement is for an additional 300,000 shares with aggregate proceeds of $900,000. Pursuant to the second closing provisions of the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, 50,000 warrants were issued to the investor. On October 1, 2002, the second closing provisions of one of the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreements were amended to provide for an extension to exercise the purchase of the remaining commitment due under the agreement of 300,000 shares for total aggregate proceeds of $900,000 until March 1, 2003. 5. EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AGREEMENT On April 2, 2002, the Company entered into an Exclusive License and Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") with Pro-Fit Holdings Limited ("Pro-Fit"). The Agreement gives the Company the exclusive rights to sell or sublicense waistbands manufactured under patented technology developed by Pro-Fit for garments manufactured anywhere in the world for the United States market and all United States brands. In accordance with the Agreement, the Company issued 150,000 shares of its common stock which were recorded at the market value of the stock on the date of the Agreement. The shares contain restrictions related to the transfer of the shares and registration rights. The Agreement has an indefinite term that extends for the duration of the trade secrets licensed under the Agreement. The Company has recorded an intangible asset amounting to $577,500 and is amortizing this asset on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life of five years. 8 Future minimum annual royalty payments due under the Agreement are as follows: Years ending December 31, Amount ------------------------- -------- 2002 (three months) .............................. $ 50,000 2003 ............................................. 75,000 2004 ............................................. 200,000 2005 ............................................. 400,000 2006 ............................................. 225,000 -------- Total minimum royalties .......................... $950,000 ======== 6. EXCLUSIVE SUPPLY AGREEMENT On July 12, 2002, the Company entered into an exclusive supply agreement with Levi Strauss & Co. ("Levi"). In accordance with the supply agreement, the Company is to supply Levi with various trim products, garment components, equipment, services and technological know-how. The supply agreement has an exclusive term of two years and provides for minimum purchases of various trim products, garment components and services from the Company of $10 million over the two-year period. The supply agreement also appoints Talon(R) as an approved zipper supplier to Levi. The Company recognizes revenue at the time goods are shipped, at which point title transfers to the customer, and collection is reasonably assured. The Company received its first quarterly minimum payment due under the supply agreement of $1.25 million from Levi in July 2002. 7. SUBSEQUENT EVENT On October 4, 2002, the Company entered into a note payable agreement with a related party in the amount of $500,000. The note payable is unsecured, due on demand, bears interest at 4% and is subordinated to UPS Capital. 8. CONTINGENCIES The Company is subject to certain legal proceedings and claims arising in connection with its business. In the opinion of management, there are currently no claims that will have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In September 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board finalized FASB Statements No. 141, BUSINESS COMBINATIONS (SFAS 141), and No. 142, GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (SFAS 142). SFAS 141 requires the use of the purchase method of accounting and prohibits the use of the pooling-of-interests method of accounting for business combinations initiated after September 30, 2001. SFAS 141 also requires that the Company recognize acquired intangible assets apart from goodwill if the acquired intangible assets meet certain criteria. SFAS 141 applies to all business combinations initiated after September 30, 2001 and for purchase business combinations completed on or after July 1, 2001. It also requires, upon adoption of SFAS 142, that the Company reclassify the carrying amounts of intangible assets and goodwill based on the criteria in SFAS 141. SFAS 142 requires, among other things, that companies no longer amortize goodwill, but instead test goodwill for impairment at least annually. In addition, SFAS 142 requires that the Company identify reporting units for the purposes of assessing potential future impairments of goodwill, reassess the useful 9 lives of other existing recognized intangible assets, and cease amortization of intangible assets with an indefinite useful life. An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life should be tested for impairment in accordance with the guidance in SFAS 142. The Company has adopted SFAS 141 and 142 effective January 1, 2002. The Company's previous business combinations were accounted for using the purchase method and there are no intangible assets acquired in connection with the business combinations that are required to be recognized separately from goodwill. The Company ceased amortization of goodwill effective as of January 1, 2002. As provided by SFAS 142, the initial testing of goodwill for possible impairment was completed and no impairment was identified. As of September 30, 2002, the net carrying amount of goodwill is $450,000. Another intangible asset, totaling $4,110,750 at January 1, 2002, consists of the Talon tradename and trademarks acquired on December 21, 2001 under an asset purchase agreement with Talon, Inc. and Grupo Industrial Cierres Ideal, S.A. de C.V. The Company has determined that this intangible asset has an indefinite life and therefore, ceased amortization in accordance with SFAS 142 beginning January 1, 2002. The impairment test was completed as of January 1, 2002 and did not result in an impairment charge. In accordance with SFAS 142, prior period amounts were not restated. The September 30, 2001 net loss adjusted for the exclusion of amortization of goodwill would have been $37,500 less than reported and there would have been no difference in basic or diluted earnings per share. In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. SFAS 144 requires that those long-lived assets be measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, whether reported in continuing operations or in discontinued operations. Therefore, discontinued operations will no longer be measured at net realizable value or include amounts for operating losses that have not yet occurred. SFAS 144 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001 and, generally, is to be applied prospectively. The adoption of this Statement had no material impact on the Company's financial statements. In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections. This statement eliminates the current requirement that gains and losses on debt extinguishment must be classified as extraordinary items in the income statement. Instead, such gains and losses will be classified as extraordinary items only if they are deemed to be unusual and infrequent, in accordance with the current GAAP criteria for extraordinary classification. In addition, SFAS 145 eliminates an inconsistency in lease accounting by requiring that modifications of capital leases that result in reclassification as operating leases be accounted for consistent with sale-leaseback accounting rules. The statement also contains other nonsubstantive corrections to authoritative accounting literature. The changes related to debt extinguishment will be effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002, and the changes related to lease accounting will be effective for transactions occurring after May 15, 2002. Adoption of this standard will not have any immediate effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In September 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, which addresses accounting for restructuring and similar costs. SFAS No. 146 supersedes previous accounting guidance, principally Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 94-3. The Company will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 146 for restructuring activities initiated after December 31, 2002. SFAS No. 146 requires that the liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. Under EITF No. 94-3, a liability for an exit cost was recognized at the date of a company's commitment to an exit plan. SFAS No. 146 also establishes that the liability should initially be measured and recorded at fair value. Accordingly, SFAS No. 146 may affect the timing of recognizing future restructuring costs as well as the amount recognized. 10 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. The following discussion and analysis should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements of Tag-It Pacific, Inc. and the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting the consolidated operating results, financial condition and liquidity and cash flows of Tag-It Pacific, Inc. for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and are based upon judgments concerning various factors that are beyond our control. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to our valuation of inventory and our allowance for uncollectable accounts receivable. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements: o Inventory is evaluated on a continual basis and reserve adjustments are made based on management's estimate of future sales value, if any, of specific inventory items. Reserve adjustments are made for the difference between the cost of the inventory and the estimated market value and charged to operations in the period in which the facts that give rise to the adjustments become known. A substantial portion of our total inventories is subject to buyback arrangements with our customers. The buyback arrangements contain provisions related to the inventory purchased on behalf of our customers. In the event that inventories remain with us in excess of six to nine months from our receipt of the goods from our vendors or the termination of production of a product line, the customer is required to purchase the inventories from us under normal invoice and selling terms. If the financial condition of a customer were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of its ability to purchase inventories, an additional adjustment may be required. These buyback arrangements are considered in management's estimate of future market value of inventories. o Accounts receivable balances are evaluated on a continual basis and allowances are provided for potentially uncollectable accounts based on management's estimate of the collectability of customer accounts. If the financial condition of a customer were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of its ability to make payments, an additional allowance may be required. Allowance adjustments are charged to operations in the period in which the facts that give rise to the adjustments become known. o We record valuation allowances to reduce our deferred tax assets to an amount that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. We consider estimated future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in accessing the need for a valuation allowance. If we determine that we will not realize all or part of our deferred tax assets in the future, we would make an adjustment to the carrying value of the deferred tax asset, which would be reflected as an 11 income tax expense. Conversely, if we determine that we will realize a deferred tax asset, which currently has a valuation allowance, we would be required to reverse the valuation allowance, which would be reflected as an income tax benefit. o Sales are recorded at the time of shipment, at which point title transfers to the customer, and when collection is reasonably assured. OVERVIEW We specialize in the distribution of trim items to manufacturers of fashion apparel, licensed consumer products, specialty retailers and mass merchandisers. We act as a full service outsourced trim management department for manufacturers of fashion apparel such as Tarrant Apparel Group and Azteca Production International. We also serve as a supplier of trim items to specific brands, brand licensees and retailers, including Levi Strauss & Co., Tommy Hilfiger, A/X Armani, Express, The Limited, A&F, Lerner, among others. In addition, we distribute zippers under our TALON brand name to apparel brands and manufacturers such as VF Corporation, Savane International, Tropical Sportswear, Target Stores, Abercrombie & Fitch, among others. We have positioned ourselves as a fully integrated single-source supplier of a full range of trim items for manufacturers of fashion apparel. Our business focuses on servicing all of the trim requirements of our customers at the manufacturing and retail brand level of the fashion apparel industry. Trim items include thread, zippers, labels, buttons, rivets, printed marketing material, polybags, packing cartons, and hangers. Trim items comprise a relatively small part of the cost of most apparel products but comprise the vast majority of components necessary to fabricate a typical apparel product. We offer customers what we call our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM), which is an Internet-based supply-chain management system covering the complete management of development, ordering, production, inventory management and just-in-time distribution of their trim and packaging requirements. Traditionally, manufacturers of apparel products have been required to operate their own apparel trim departments, requiring the manufacturers to maintain a significant amount of infrastructure to coordinate the buying of trim products from a large number of vendors. By acting as a single source provider of a full range of trim items, we allow manufacturers using our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) to eliminate the added infrastructure, trim inventory positions, overhead costs and inefficiencies created by in-house trim departments that deal with a large number of vendors for the procurement of trim items. We also seek to leverage our position as a single source supplier of trim items as well as our extensive expertise in the field of trim distribution and procurement to more efficiently manage the trim assembly process resulting in faster delivery times and fewer production delays for our manufacturing customers. Our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) also helps to eliminate a manufacturer's need to maintain a trim purchasing and logistics department. We also serve as a specified supplier for a variety of major retail brand and private label oriented companies. We seek to expand our services as a vendor of select lines of trim items for such customers to being a preferred or single source provider of all of such brand customer's authorized trim requirements. Our ability to offer brand name and private label oriented customers a full range of trim products is attractive because it enables our customers to address their quality and supply needs for all of their trim requirements from a single source, avoiding the time and expense necessary to monitor quality and supply from multiple vendors and manufacturer sources. In addition, by becoming a specified supplier to brand customers, we have an opportunity to become the preferred or sole vendor of trim items for all contract manufacturers of apparel under that brand name. On July 12, 2002, we entered into an exclusive supply agreement with Levi Strauss & Co. In accordance with the supply agreement, Levi is to purchase a minimum of $10 million of various trim products, garment components and services over the next two years. Certain proprietary products, 12 equipment and technological know-how will be supplied to Levi on an exclusive basis during this period. The supply agreement also appoints Talon(R) as an approved zipper supplier to Levi. On April 2, 2002, we entered into an exclusive license and intellectual property rights agreement with Pro-Fit Holdings Limited. This agreement gives us the exclusive rights to sell or sublicense waistbands manufactured under patented technology developed by Pro-Fit Holdings for garments manufactured anywhere in the world for the United States market and for all United States brands. The new technology allows pant manufacturers to build a stretch factor into standard waistbands that does not alter the appearance of the garment, but allows the waist to stretch out and back by as much as two waist sizes. Through our trim package business, and our TALON line of zippers, we are already focused on the North American bottoms market. This product compliments our existing product line and we intend to integrate the production of the waistbands into our existing infrastructure. The exclusive license and intellectual property rights agreement has an indefinite term that extends for the duration of the trade secrets licensed under the agreement. On December 21, 2001, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with Talon, Inc. and Grupo Industrial Cierres Ideal, S.A. de C.V. whereby we purchased certain TALON zipper assets, including the TALON(R) zipper brand name, trademarks, patents, technical field equipment and inventory. Since July 2000, we have been the exclusive distributor of TALON brand zippers. TALON is an American brand with significant name recognition and brand equity. TALON was the original pioneer of the formed wire metal zipper for the jeans industry and is a specified zipper brand for manufacturers in the sportswear and outerwear markets. The TALON acquisition is an important step in our strategy to offer a complete high quality trim package to apparel manufacturers. Our transition from a distributor to an owner of the TALON brand name better positions us to revitalize the TALON brand name and capture increased market share in the industry. As the owner of the TALON brand name, we believe we will be able to more effectively respond to customer needs and better maintain the quality and value of the TALON products. RELATED PARTY SUPPLY AGREEMENTS On September 20, 2001, we entered into a ten-year co-marketing and supply agreement with Coats American, Inc., an affiliate of Coats plc, as well as a preferred stock purchase agreement with Coats North America Consolidated, Inc., also an affiliate of Coats plc. The co-marketing and supply agreement provides for selected introductions into Coats' customer base and has the potential to accelerate our growth plans and to introduce our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) to apparel manufacturers on a broader basis. Pursuant to the terms of the co-marketing and supply agreement, our trim packages will exclusively offer thread manufactured by Coats. Coats was selected for its quality, service, brand recognition and global reach. Prior to entering into the co-marketing and supply agreement, we were a long-time customer of Coats, distributing their thread to sewing operations under our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) program. This exclusive agreement will allow Coats to offer its customer base of contractors in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean full-service trim management under our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) program. Pursuant to the terms of the preferred stock purchase agreement, we received a cash investment of $3 million from Coats North America Consolidated in exchange for 759,494 shares of series C convertible redeemable preferred stock. London-based Coats, plc is the world's largest manufacturer of industrial thread and textile-related craft products. Coats has operations in 65 countries and has a North American presence in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. We have entered into an exclusive supply agreement with Azteca Production International, Inc., AZT International SA D RL and Commerce Investment Group, LLC. Pursuant to this supply agreement, we provide all trim-related products for certain programs manufactured by Azteca Production International. The agreement provides for a minimum aggregate total of $10 million in annual purchases by Azteca Production International and its affiliates during each year of the three-year term of the agreement, if and to the extent, we are able to provide trim products on a basis that is competitive in terms 13 of price and quality. Azteca Production International has been a significant customer of ours for many years. This agreement is structured in a manner that has allowed us to utilize our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) system to supply Azteca Production International with all of its trim program requirements. We have expanded our facilities in Tlaxcala, Mexico, to service Azteca Production International's trim requirements. We also have an exclusive supply agreement with Tarrant Apparel Group and have been supplying Tarrant Apparel Group with all of its trim requirements under our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) system since 1998. Sales under our exclusive supply agreements with Azteca Production International and Tarrant Apparel Group amounted to approximately 63% of our total sales for the year ended December 2001. We will continue to rely on these two customers for a significant amount of our sales for the year ended December 2002. Sales under these exclusive supply agreements as a percentage of total sales for the year ended December 2002 are anticipated to be slightly higher than the year ended December 2001. Our results of operations will depend to a significant extent upon the commercial success of Azteca Production International and Tarrant Apparel Group. If Azteca Production International and Tarrant Apparel Group fail to purchase our trim products at anticipated levels, or our relationship with Azteca Production International or Tarrant Apparel Group terminates, it may have an adverse affect on our results of operations. Included in trade accounts receivable, related parties at September 30, 2002, is $15,899,000 due from Tarrant Apparel Group and Azteca Production International. Included in inventories at September 30, 2002 are inventories that are subject to buyback arrangements with Tarrant Apparel Group and Azteca Production International. The buyback arrangements contain provisions related to the inventory purchased on behalf of these customers. In the event that inventories remain with us in excess of six to nine months from our receipt of the goods from our vendors or the termination of production of a product line, the customer is required to purchase the inventories from us under normal invoice and selling terms. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2002, we sold approximately $1.8 million in inventory to Tarrant Apparel Group and Azteca Production International pursuant to these buyback arrangements. If the financial condition of Tarrant Apparel Group and Azteca Production International were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to purchase inventories, it may have an adverse affect on our results of operations. RESTRUCTURING PLAN During the first quarter of 2001, we implemented a plan to restructure certain of our business operations. In accordance with the restructuring plan, we closed our Tijuana, Mexico, facilities and relocated our TALON brand operations to Miami, Florida. In addition, we incurred costs related to the reduction of our Hong Kong operations, the relocation of our corporate headquarters from Los Angeles, California, to Woodland Hills, California, and the downsizing of our corporate operations by eliminating certain corporate expenses related to sales and marketing, customer service and general and administrative expenses. Total restructuring charges for the first and fourth quarters of 2001 amounted to $1,257,598 and $304,025, including $355,769 of benefits paid to terminated employees. 14 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth for the periods indicated, selected statements of operations data shown as a percentage of net sales. THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, ----------------- ----------------- 2002 2001 2002 2001 ------- ------- ------- ------- Net sales ............................ 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of goods sold ................... 76.0 74.0 74.6 72.9 ------- ------- ------- ------- Gross profit ......................... 24.0 26.0 25.4 27.1 Selling expenses ..................... 2.9 3.3 3.2 3.5 General and administrative expenses .. 16.2 22.1 15.9 19.1 Restructuring Charges ................ -- -- -- 3.5 ------- ------- ------- ------- Operating Income ..................... 4.9% 0.6% 6.3% 1.0% ======= ======= ======= ======= Net sales increased approximately $5,311,000, or 48.1%, to $16,350,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2002 from $11,039,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2001. The increase in net sales was primarily due to an increase in trim-related sales from our Tlaxcala, Mexico operations under our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) trim package program. The increase in net sales was also attributable to an increase in zipper sales under our TALON brand name to our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) customers in Mexico and our other Talon customers in Mexico and Asia. TALON has been successful in becoming an approved zipper vendor for major brands and retailers which has allowed us to increase our sales to these customers. Our purchase of the TALON brand name and trademarks in December 2001 has enabled us to better control our product offerings, selling prices and profit margins. Net sales increased approximately $9,671,000, or 27.0%, to $45,468,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 from $35,797,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The increase in net sales was primarily due to an increase in trim-related sales from our Tlaxcala, Mexico operations under our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) trim package program. The increase in net sales was also attributable, for the reasons discussed above, to an increase in zipper sales under our TALON brand name to our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) customers in Mexico and our other Talon customers in Mexico and Asia. Gross profit increased approximately $1,061,000, or 37.0%, to $3,926,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2002 from $2,865,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2001. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to approximately 24.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2002 as compared to 26.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2001. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2002 was primarily due to an increase in zipper sales under our TALON brand name to our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) customers in Mexico during the quarter. Talon products have a lower gross margin than other products included within the complete trim packages we offer to our customers through our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM). Gross profit increased approximately $1,824,000, or 18.8%, to $11,537,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 from $9,713,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to approximately 25.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 as compared to 27.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 was primarily 15 due to an increase in zipper sales under our TALON brand name to our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) customers in Mexico during the period. Talon products have a lower gross margin than other products included within the complete trim packages we offer to our customers through our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM). The decrease in gross margin as a percentage of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 was offset by a further reduction of manufacturing and facility costs which was a direct result of the implementation of our restructuring plan in the first quarter of 2001. Selling expenses increased approximately $106,000, or 28.9%, to $473,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2002 from $367,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2001. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses decreased to 2.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2002 compared to 3.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2001. This increase was due to our efforts to obtain approval from major brands and retailers of the TALON brand zipper and the implementation of our new sales and marketing plan for the TALON brand. In addition, we hired additional personnel to support the exclusive waistband license agreement we entered into in April 2002. For the period, selling expenses increased at a slower rate than the increase in net sales, resulting in a decrease in selling expenses as a percentage of net sales. Selling expenses increased approximately $198,000, or 15.9%, to $1,446,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 from $1,248,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses decreased to 3.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 compared to 3.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The increase in selling expenses during the period was due to our efforts to obtain approval from major brands and retailers of the TALON brand zipper and the implementation of our new sales and marketing plan for the TALON brand. The increase in these selling expenses was partially offset by a reduction of our sales force under our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION(TM) program, which was part of our restructuring plan that we implemented in the first quarter of 2001. For the period, selling expenses increased at a slower rate than the increase in net sales, resulting in a decrease in selling expenses as a percentage of net sales. General and administrative expenses increased approximately $209,000, or 8.6%, to $2,649,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2002 from $2,440,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2001. The increase in these expenses was due primarily to additional staffing and other expenses incurred related to our Tlaxcala, Mexico operations and the amortization of intangible assets acquired under the exclusive waistband license agreement we entered into in April 2002. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses decreased to 16.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2002 compared to 22.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2001, because the rate of increase in net sales exceeded that of general and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses increased approximately $398,000, or 5.8%, to $7,246,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 from $6,848,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The increase in these expenses was due primarily to additional staffing and other expenses incurred related to our Tlaxcala, Mexico operations and the amortization of intangible assets acquired under the exclusive waistband license agreement we entered into in April 2002. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses decreased to 15.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 compared to 19.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, because the rate of increase in net sales exceeded that of general and administrative expenses. Interest expense increased approximately $37,000, or 12.0%, to $345,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2002 from $308,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2001. On May 30, 2001, we replaced our credit facility with a new facility with UPS Capital Global Trade Finance Corporation, which provides for increased borrowing availability of up to $20,000,000 and a more favorable interest rate of prime plus 2%. We incurred financing charges of approximately $570,000, including legal, consulting and closing costs, in the first two quarters of 2001 related to our efforts to replace our existing credit facility. Our borrowings under the new UPS Capital credit facility increased 16 during the third quarter of 2002 due to increased sales and expanded operations in Mexico and Asia. The increase in interest expense due to increased borrowings during the quarter was offset by decreases in the prime rate from prior periods. Interest expense decreased approximately $235,000, or 20.5%, to $913,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 from $1,148,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. As discussed above, we incurred financing charges and were charged less favorable interest rates during the first two quarters of 2001 under our former credit facility. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2002 amounted to approximately $115,000 compared to an income tax benefit of $51,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2001. Income taxes increased for the three months ended September 30, 2002 primarily due to increased taxable income. The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 amounted to approximately $488,000 compared to an income tax benefit of $155,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. Income taxes increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 primarily due to increased taxable income. Net income was approximately $344,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2002 as compared to a net loss of $199,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2001, due primarily to increased net sales during the quarter. Net income was approximately $1,444,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 as compared to a net loss of $634,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, due primarily to increased net sales during the period and restructuring charges incurred during the first quarter of 2001 of approximately $1.3 million. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Cash and cash equivalents increased to $242,000 at September 30, 2002 from $47,000 at December 31, 2001. The increase resulted from $6,710,000 of cash provided by financing activities, offset by $6,078,000 and $438,000 of cash used in operating and investing activities, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities was approximately $6,078,000 and $2,215,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The increase in cash used by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 resulted primarily from increases in inventories and receivables, which was partially offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses, deferred revenue and net income. The increase in inventories during the period was due primarily to increased customer orders for future sales. The increase in accounts receivable during the period was due primarily to increased sales and slower customer collections. Cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 resulted primarily from increased accounts receivable, inventories, other assets and net losses, and decreased accounts payable and accrued expenses. Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $438,000 and $531,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 consisted primarily of capital expenditures for machinery and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 consisted primarily of capital expenditures for computer equipment and upgrades and additional loans to related parties. Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $6,710,000 and $2,756,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 primarily reflects increased borrowings under our credit facility and funds raised from private placement transactions, offset by the repayment of notes payable. The increase in borrowings under our credit facility during the period was due primarily to working 17 capital requirements related to increases in accounts receivable and inventories. Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 primarily reflects increased borrowings under our credit facility and proceeds from the issuance of Series C Convertible Redeemable preferred stock, offset by the repayment of a bank overdraft. We currently satisfy our working capital requirements primarily through cash flows generated from operations and borrowings under our credit facility with UPS Capital. Our maximum availability under the credit facility is $20 million. At September 30, 2002 and 2001, outstanding borrowings under our UPS Capital credit facility amounted to approximately $16,039,000 and $10,410,000, respectively. Open letters of credit amounted to approximately $1,080,000 at September 30, 2002. There were no open letters of credit at September 30, 2001. The initial term of our agreement with UPS Capital is three years and the facility is secured by substantially all of our assets. The interest rate of the credit facility is at the prime rate plus 2%. The credit facility requires that we comply with certain financial covenants including net worth, fixed charge ratio and capital expenditures. At September 30, 2002, we were in compliance with all applicable financial covenants. The amount we can borrow under the credit facility is determined based on a defined borrowing base formula related to eligible accounts receivable and inventories. Our borrowing base availability ranged from approximately $9,921,000 to $18,126,000 from October 1, 2001 to September 30, 2002. A significant decrease in eligible accounts receivable and inventories due to customer concentration levels and the aging of inventories, among other factors, can have an adverse effect on our borrowing capabilities under our credit facility, which thereafter, may not be adequate to satisfy our working capital requirements. Eligible accounts receivable are reduced if our accounts receivable customer balances are concentrated in excess of the percentages allowed under our agreement with UPS Capital. In addition, we have typically experienced seasonal fluctuations in sales volume. These seasonal fluctuations result in sales volume decreases in the first and fourth quarters of each year due to the seasonal fluctuations experienced by the majority of our customers. During these quarters, borrowing availability under our credit facility may decrease as a result of decreases in eligible accounts receivables generated from our sales. As a result of our concentration of business with Tarrant Apparel Group and Azteca Production International, our eligible receivables have been limited under the UPS Capital facility to various degrees over the prior nine months. If our business becomes further dependant on one or a limited number of customers or if we experience future significant seasonal reductions in receivables, our availability under the UPS Capital credit facility would be correspondingly reduced. If this were to occur, we would be required to seek additional financing which may not be available on attractive terms and, if such financing is unavailable, we may be unable to meet our working capital requirements. Pursuant to the terms of a foreign factoring agreement under our UPS Capital credit facility, UPS Capital purchases our eligible accounts receivable and assumes the credit risk with respect to those foreign accounts for which UPS Capital has given its prior approval. If UPS Capital does not assume the credit risk for a receivable, the collection risk associated with the receivable remains with us. We pay a fixed commission rate and may borrow up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable under our credit facility. As of September 30, 2002, the amount factored without recourse was approximately $552,000. There were no receivables factored with UPS Capital at September 30, 2001. The UPS Capital credit facility contains customary covenants restricting our activities as well as those of our subsidiaries, including limitations on certain transactions related to the disposition of assets; mergers; entering into operating leases or capital leases; entering into transactions involving subsidiaries and related parties outside of the ordinary course of business; incurring indebtedness or granting liens or negative pledges on our assets; making loans or other investments; paying dividends or repurchasing stock or other securities; guarantying third party obligations; repaying subordinated debt; and making changes in our corporate structure. 18 In a series of sales on December 28, 2001, January 7, 2002 and January 8, 2002, we entered into stock and warrant purchase agreements with three private investors, including Mark Dyne, the chairman of our board of directors. Pursuant to the stock and warrant purchase agreements, we issued an aggregate of 516,665 shares of common stock at a price per share of $3.00 for aggregate proceeds of $1,549,995. The stock and warrant purchase agreements also include a commitment by one of the private investors to purchase an additional 400,000 shares of common stock at a price per share of $3.00 at second closings (subject of certain conditions) on or prior to October 1, 2002 for additional proceeds of $1,200,000. In March 2002, this private investor purchased 100,000 shares of common stock at a price per share of $3.00 pursuant to the second closing provisions of the stock and warrant purchase agreement for total proceeds of $300,000. The remaining commitment under the stock and warrant purchase agreement is for an additional 300,000 shares with aggregate proceeds of $900,000. Pursuant to the second closing provisions of the stock and warrant purchase agreement, 50,000 warrants were issued to the investor. On October 1, 2002, the second closing provisions of one of the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreements were amended to provide for an extension to exercise the purchase of the remaining commitment due under the agreement of 300,000 shares for total aggregate proceeds of $900,000 until March 1, 2003. In accordance with the series C preferred stock purchase agreement entered into by us and Coats North America Consolidated, Inc. on September 20, 2001, we issued 759,494 shares of series C convertible redeemable preferred stock to Coats North America Consolidated, Inc. in exchange for an equity investment from Coats North America Consolidated of $3 million cash. The series C preferred shares are convertible at the option of the holder after one year at the rate $4.94 per share. The series C preferred shares are redeemable at the option of the holder after four years. If the holders elect to redeem the series C preferred shares, we have the option to redeem for cash at the stated value of $3 million or in the form of the our common stock at 85% of the market price of our common stock on the date of redemption. If the market price of our common stock on the date of redemption is less than $2.75 per share, we must redeem for cash at the stated value of the series C preferred shares. We can elect to redeem the series C preferred shares at any time for cash at the stated value. The preferred stock purchase agreement provides for cumulative dividends at a rate of 6% of the stated value per annum, payable in cash or our common stock. Each holder of the series C preferred shares has the right to vote with our common stock based on the number of our common shares that the series C preferred shares could then be converted into on the record date. Pursuant to the terms of a factoring agreement for our Hong Kong subsidiary, Tag-It Pacific Limited, the factor purchases our eligible accounts receivable and assumes the credit risk with respect to those accounts for which the factor has given its prior approval. If the factor does not assume the credit risk for a receivable, the collection risk associated with the receivable remains with us. We pay a fixed commission rate and may borrow up to 80% of eligible accounts receivable. Interest is charged at 1.5% over the Hong Kong Dollar prime rate. As of September 30, 2002 and 2001, the amount factored without recourse was approximately $223,000 and $30,000 and the amount due from the factor and recorded as a current asset was approximately $223,000 and $30,000. There were no outstanding advances from the factor as of September 30, 2002 and 2001. As of September 30, 2002, we had outstanding related-party debt of approximately $850,000 at a weighted average interest rate of 10.5%, and additional non-related-party debt of $25,200 at an interest rate of 10%. The majority of related-party debt is due on demand, with the remainder due and payable on the fifteenth day following the date of delivery of written demand for payment. On October 4, 2002, we entered into a note payable agreement with a related party in the amount of $500,000 to fund additional working capital requirements. The note payable is unsecured, due on demand, bears interest at 4% and is subordinated to UPS Capital. As of September 30, 2001, we had outstanding related-party debt, of approximately $3,620,000 at a weighted average interest rate of between 0% and 11%, and additional non-related-party debt of $25,200 at an interest rate of 10%. The majority of related-party debt was 19 cancelled in connection with the TALON trademark purchase agreement dated December 21, 2001, with the remainder due on the fifteenth day following the date of delivery of written demand for payment. Our receivables increased to $20,649,000 at September 30, 2002 from $13,773,000 at September 30, 2001. This increase was due primarily to increased related-party trade receivables of approximately $6.3 million resulting from increased related party sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2002. In October 1998, we entered into a supply agreement with Tarrant Apparel Group. In accordance with the supply agreement, we issued 2,390,000 shares of our common stock to KG Investment, LLC. KG Investment is owned by Gerard Guez and Todd Kay, executive officers and significant shareholders of Tarrant Apparel Group. Commencing in December 1998, we began to provide trim products to Tarrant Apparel Group for its operations in Mexico. Pricing and terms are consistent with competitive vendors. On December 22, 2000, we entered into a supply agreement with Azteca Production International, Inc., AZT International SA D RL and Commerce Investment Group, LLC. The term of the supply agreement is three years, with automatic renewals of consecutive three-year terms, and provides for a minimum of $10 million in sales for each contract year beginning April 1, 2001. In accordance with the supply agreement, we issued 1,000,000 shares of our common stock to Commerce Investment Group, LLC. Commencing in December 2000, we began to provide trim products to Azteca Production International, Inc for its operations in Mexico. Pricing and terms are consistent with competitive vendors. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flows from our operating activities and available financing will be sufficient to fund our minimum working capital and capital expenditure needs for the next twelve months. In addition, we expect to receive quarterly cash payments of a minimum of $1.25 million under our supply agreement with Levi Strauss & Co. through August 2004 and additional funds of $900,000 by March 1, 2003 pursuant to the remaining commitment due under the stock warrant and purchase agreement we entered into with a private investor. If our cash from operations is less than anticipated or our working capital requirements and capital expenditures are greater than we expect, we will need to raise additional debt or equity financing in order to provide for our operations. We are continually evaluating various financing strategies to be used to expand our business and fund future growth or acquisitions. The extent of our future capital requirements will depend, however, on many factors, including our results of operations, future demand for our products, the size and timing of future acquisitions, our borrowing base availability limitations related to eligible accounts receivable and inventories and our expansion into foreign markets. There can be no assurance that additional debt or equity financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. If we are unable to secure additional financing, we may not be able to execute our plans for expansion, including expansion into foreign markets to promote our TALON brand tradename, and we may need to implement additional cost savings initiatives. Our need for additional long-term financing includes the integration and expansion of our operations to exploit our rights under our TALON trade name, the expansion of our operations in the Asian, Caribbean and Central American markets and the further development of our waistband technology. 20 CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS The following summarizes our contractual obligations at September 30, 2002 and the effects such obligations are expected to have on liquidity and cash flow in future periods: PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD ------------------------------------------------------ LESS THAN 1-3 4-5 AFTER CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS TOTAL 1 YEAR YEARS YEARS 5 YEARS - ----------------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ------ ------- Subordinated notes payable ............ $ 4,200,000 $ 1,300,000 $2,900,000 $ -- $ -- Capital lease obligations ........ $ 192,862 $ 71,121 $ 121,741 $ -- $ -- Subordinated notes payable to related parties (1) ........ $ 849,971 $ 849,971 $ -- $ -- $ -- Operating leases ...... $ 1,708,425 $ 644,272 $1,064,153 $ -- $ -- Line of credit ........ $16,039,467 $16,039,467 $ -- $ -- $ -- Note payable .......... $ 25,200 $ 25,200 $ -- $ -- $ -- Royalty payments ...... $ 950,000 $ 100,000 $ 850,000 $ -- $ -- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) The majority of subordinated notes payable to related parties are due on demand with the remainder due and payable on the fifteenth day following the date of delivery of written demand for payment. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. SFAS No. 143 requires the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation to be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. SFAS No. 143 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2002. We believe the adoption of this Statement will have no material impact on our financial statements. In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. SFAS 144 requires that those long-lived assets be measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, whether reported in continuing operations or in discontinued operations. Therefore, discontinued operations will no longer be measured at net realizable value or include amounts for operating losses that have not yet occurred. SFAS 144 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001 and, generally, are to be applied prospectively. The adoption of this Statement had no material impact on the Company's financial statements. In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections. This statement eliminates the current requirement that gains and losses on debt extinguishment must be classified as extraordinary items in the income statement. Instead, such gains and losses will be classified as extraordinary items only if they are deemed to be unusual and infrequent, in accordance with the current GAAP criteria for extraordinary classification. In addition, SFAS 145 eliminates an inconsistency in lease accounting by requiring that modifications of capital leases that result in reclassification as operating leases be accounted for consistent with sale-leaseback accounting rules. The statement also contains other nonsubstantive corrections to authoritative accounting literature. The changes related to debt 21 extinguishment will be effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002, and the changes related to lease accounting will be effective for transactions occurring after May 15, 2002. Adoption of this standard will not have any immediate effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In September 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, which addresses accounting for restructuring and similar costs. SFAS No. 146 supersedes previous accounting guidance, principally Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 94-3. The Company will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 146 for restructuring activities initiated after December 31, 2002. SFAS No. 146 requires that the liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. Under EITF No. 94-3, a liability for an exit cost was recognized at the date of a company's commitment to an exit plan. SFAS No. 146 also establishes that the liability should initially be measured and recorded at fair value. Accordingly, SFAS No. 146 may affect the timing of recognizing future restructuring costs as well as the amount recognized. CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS Several of the matters discussed in this document contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Factors associated with the forward-looking statements that could cause actual results to differ from those projected or forecast are included in the statements below. In addition to other information contained in this report, readers should carefully consider the following cautionary statements and risk factors. IF WE LOSE OUR LARGEST CUSTOMERS OR THEY FAIL TO PURCHASE AT ANTICIPATED LEVELS, OUR SALES AND OPERATING RESULTS WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. Our largest customer, Tarrant Apparel Group, accounted for approximately 42.0% and 48.1% of our net sales, on a consolidated basis, for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, and 32.1% for the nine months ended September 2002. In December 2000, we entered into an exclusive supply agreement with Azteca Production International, AZT International SA D RL, and Commerce Investment Group, LLC that provides for a minimum of $10,000,000 in total annual purchases by Azteca Production International and its affiliates during each year of the three-year term of the agreement. Azteca Production International is required to purchase from us only if we are able to provide trim products on a competitive basis in terms of price and quality. Our results of operations will depend to a significant extent upon the commercial success of Azteca Production International and Tarrant Apparel Group. If Azteca and Tarrant fail to purchase our trim products at anticipated levels, or our relationship with Azteca or Tarrant terminates, it may have an adverse affect on our results because: o We will lose a primary source of revenue if either of Tarrant or Azteca choose not to purchase our products or services; o We may not be able to reduce fixed costs incurred in developing the relationship with Azteca and Tarrant in a timely manner; o We may not be able to recoup setup and inventory costs; o We may be left holding inventory that cannot be sold to other customers; and o We may not be able to collect our receivables from them. CONCENTRATION OF RECEIVABLES FROM OUR LARGEST CUSTOMERS MAKES RECEIVABLE BASED FINANCING DIFFICULT AND INCREASES THE RISK THAT IF OUR LARGEST CUSTOMERS FAIL TO PAY US, OUR CASH FLOW WOULD BE SEVERELY AFFECTED. Our business relies heavily on a relatively small number of customers, including Tarrant Apparel Group and Azteca Production International. This concentration of our business adversely affects our ability to obtain receivable based financing due to customer concentration limitations customarily 22 applied by financial institutions, including UPS Capital and factors. Further, if we are unable to collect any large receivables due us, our cash flow would be severely impacted. OUR REVENUES MAY BE HARMED IF GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO WORSEN. Our revenues depend on the health of the economy and the growth of our customers and potential future customers. When economic conditions weaken, certain apparel manufacturers and retailers, including some of our customers, have experienced in the past, and may experience in the future, financial difficulties which increase the risk of extending credit to such customers. Customers adversely affected by economic conditions have also attempted to improve their own operating efficiencies by concentrating their purchasing power among a narrowing group of vendors. There can be no assurance that we will remain a preferred vendor to our existing customers. A decrease in business from or loss of a major customer could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Further, if the economic conditions in the United States worsen or if a wider or global economic slowdown occurs, we may experience a material adverse impact on our business, operating results, and financial condition. IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO MANAGE OUR RAPID EXPANSION AND GROWTH, WE COULD INCUR UNFORESEEN COSTS OR DELAYS AND OUR REPUTATION AND RELIABILITY IN THE MARKETPLACE AND OUR REVENUES WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. The growth of our operations and activities has placed and will continue to place a significant strain on our management, operational, financial and accounting resources. If we cannot implement and improve our financial and management information and reporting systems, we may not be able to implement our growth strategies successfully and our revenues will be adversely affected. In addition, if we cannot hire, train, motivate and manage new employees, including management and operating personnel in sufficient numbers, and integrate them into our overall operations and culture, our ability to manage future growth, increase production levels and effectively market and distribute our products may be significantly impaired. WE OPERATE IN AN INDUSTRY THAT IS SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS THAT MAY RESULT IN UNEXPECTED REDUCTIONS IN REVENUE AND STOCK PRICE VOLATILITY. We operate in an industry that is subject to significant fluctuations in operating results from quarter to quarter, which may lead to unexpected reductions in revenues and stock price volatility. Factors that may influence our quarterly operating results include: o The volume and timing of customer orders received during the quarter; o The timing and magnitude of customers' marketing campaigns; o The loss or addition of a major customer; o The availability and pricing of materials for our products; o The increased expenses incurred in connection with the introduction of new products; o Currency fluctuations; o Delays caused by third parties; and o Changes in our product mix or in the relative contribution to sales of our subsidiaries. Due to these factors, it is possible that in some quarters our operating results may be below our stockholders' expectations and those of public market analysts. If this occurs, the price of our common stock would likely be adversely affected. OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE CYCLICAL BUYING PATTERNS WHICH MAY CAUSE US TO HAVE PERIODS OF LOW SALES VOLUME. Most of our customers are in the apparel industry. The apparel industry historically has been subject to substantial cyclical variations. Our business has experienced, and we expect our business to continue to experience, significant cyclical fluctuations due, in part, to customer buying patterns, which may result in periods of low sales usually in the first and fourth quarters of our financial year. 23 OUR BUSINESS MODEL IS DEPENDENT ON INTEGRATION OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS ON A GLOBAL BASIS AND, TO THE EXTENT THAT WE FAIL TO MAINTAIN AND SUPPORT OUR INFORMATION SYSTEMS, IT CAN RESULT IN LOST REVENUES. We must consolidate and centralize the management of our subsidiaries and significantly expand and improve our financial and operating controls. Additionally, we must effectively integrate the information systems of our Mexican and Caribbean facilities with the information systems of our principal offices in California and Florida. Our failure to do so could result in lost revenues, delay financial reporting or adversely affect availability of funds under our credit facilities. THE LOSS OF KEY MANAGEMENT AND SALES PERSONNEL COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS, INCLUDING OUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN AND SECURE ACCOUNTS AND GENERATE SALES. Our success has and will continue to depend to a significant extent upon key management and sales personnel, many of whom would be difficult to replace, particularly Colin Dyne, our Chief Executive Officer. Colin Dyne is not bound by an employment agreement. The loss of the services of Colin Dyne or the services of other key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, including our ability to establish and maintain client relationships. Our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain personnel with a variety of sales, operating and managerial skills. IF WE EXPERIENCE DISRUPTIONS AT ANY OF OUR FOREIGN FACILITIES, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MEET OUR OBLIGATIONS AND MAY LOSE SALES AND CUSTOMERS. Currently, we do not operate duplicate facilities in different geographic areas. Therefore, in the event of a regional disruption where we maintain one or more of our facilities, it is unlikely that we could shift our operations to a different geographic region and we may have to cease or curtail our operations. This may cause us to lose sales and customers. The types of disruptions that may occur include: o Foreign trade disruptions; o Import restrictions; o Labor disruptions; o Embargoes; o Government intervention; and o Natural disasters. INTERNET-BASED SYSTEMS THAT HOST OUR MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION MAY EXPERIENCE DISRUPTIONS AND AS A RESULT WE MAY LOSE REVENUES AND CUSTOMERS. Our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION is an Internet-based business-to-business e-commerce system. To the extent that we fail to adequately continue to update and maintain the hardware and software implementing the MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION, our customers may experience interruptions in service due to defects in our hardware or our source code. In addition, since our MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION is Internet-based, interruptions in Internet service generally can negatively impact our customers' ability to use the MANAGED TRIM SOLUTION to monitor and manage various aspects of their trim needs. Such defects or interruptions could result in lost revenues and lost customers. THERE ARE MANY COMPANIES THAT OFFER SOME OR ALL OF THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WE SELL AND IF WE ARE UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPETE OUR BUSINESS WILL BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED. We compete in highly competitive and fragmented industries with numerous local and regional companies that provide some or all of the products and services we offer. We compete with national and international design companies, distributors and manufacturers of tags, packaging products, zippers and other trim items. Some of our competitors, including Paxar Corporation, YKK, Universal Button, Inc., Avery Dennison Corporation and Scovill Fasteners, Inc., have greater name recognition, longer operating histories and, in many cases, substantially greater financial and other resources than we do. IF CUSTOMERS DEFAULT ON BUYBACK AGREEMENTS WITH US, WE WILL BE LEFT HOLDING UNSALABLE INVENTORY. Inventories include goods that are subject to buyback agreements with our customers. Under these 24 buyback agreements, the customer must purchase the inventories from us under normal invoice and selling terms, if any inventory which we purchase on their behalf remains in our hands longer than agreed by the customer from the time we received the goods from our vendors. If any customer defaults on these buyback provisions, we may incur a charge in connection with our holding significant amounts of unsalable inventory. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF OUR PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY MAY INCREASE OUR LITIGATION COSTS AND ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR SALES. We rely on trademark, trade secret and copyright laws to protect our designs and other proprietary property worldwide. We cannot be certain that these laws will be sufficient to protect our property. In particular, the laws of some countries in which our products are distributed or may be distributed in the future may not protect our products and intellectual rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. If litigation is necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources. This could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. Ultimately, we may be unable, for financial or other reasons, to enforce our rights under intellectual property laws, which could result in lost sales. IF OUR PRODUCTS INFRINGE ANY OTHER PERSON'S PROPRIETARY RIGHTS, WE MAY BE SUED AND HAVE TO PAY LARGE LEGAL EXPENSES AND JUDGMENTS AND REDESIGN OR DISCONTINUE SELLING OUR PRODUCTS. From time to time in our industry, third parties allege infringement of their proprietary rights. Any infringement claims, whether or not meritorious, could result in costly litigation or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements as a means of settlement. If we are found to have infringed the proprietary rights of others, we could be required to pay damages, cease sales of the infringing products and redesign the products or discontinue their sale. Any of these outcomes, individually or collectively, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. OUR STOCK PRICE MAY DECREASE, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AND CAUSE OUR STOCKHOLDERS TO SUFFER SIGNIFICANT LOSSES. The following factors could cause the market price of our common stock to decrease, perhaps substantially: o The failure of our quarterly operating results to meet expectations of investors or securities analysts; o Adverse developments in the financial markets, the apparel industry and the worldwide or regional economies; o Interest rates; o Changes in accounting principles; o Sales of common stock by existing shareholders or holders of options; o Announcements of key developments by our competitors; and o The reaction of markets and securities analysts to announcements and developments involving our company. IF WE NEED TO SELL OR ISSUE ADDITIONAL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OR ASSUME ADDITIONAL DEBT TO FINANCE FUTURE GROWTH, OUR STOCKHOLDERS' OWNERSHIP COULD BE DILUTED OR OUR EARNINGS COULD BE ADVERSELY IMPACTED. Our business strategy may include expansion through internal growth, by acquiring complementary businesses or by establishing strategic relationships with targeted customers and suppliers. In order to do so or to fund our other activities, we may issue additional equity securities that could dilute our stockholders' stock ownership. We may also assume additional debt and incur impairment losses related to goodwill and other tangible assets if we acquire another company and this could negatively impact our results of operations. 25 WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REALIZE THE ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OF ACQUISITIONS. We may consider strategic acquisitions as opportunities arise, subject to the obtaining of any necessary financing. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including diversion of our management's attention away from our operating activities. We cannot assure our stockholders that we will not encounter unanticipated problems or liabilities relating to the integration of an acquired company's operations, nor can we assure our stockholders that we will realize the anticipated benefits of any future acquisitions. WE HAVE ADOPTED A NUMBER OF ANTI-TAKEOVER MEASURES THAT MAY DEPRESS THE PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK. Our stockholders' rights plan, our ability to issue additional shares of preferred stock and some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and of Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to make an unsolicited takeover attempt of us. These anti-takeover measures may depress the price of our common stock by making it more difficult for third parties to acquire us by offering to purchase shares of our stock at a premium to its market price. INSIDERS OWN A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR COMMON STOCK, WHICH COULD LIMIT OUR STOCKHOLDERS' ABILITY TO INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF KEY TRANSACTIONS. As of December 31, 2001, our officers and directors and their affiliates owned approximately 42.4% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. The Dyne family, which includes Mark Dyne, Colin Dyne, Larry Dyne, Jonathan Burstein and the estate of Harold Dyne, beneficially owned approximately 40.4% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. The number of shares beneficially owned by the Dyne family includes the shares of common stock held by Azteca Production International, which are voted by Colin Dyne pursuant to a voting agreement. The Azteca Production International shares constitute approximately 11.4% of the outstanding shares of common stock at December 31, 2001. KG Investment, LLC, a significant stockholder, owns approximately 27.2% of the outstanding shares of our common stock at December 31, 2001. As a result, our officers and directors, the Dyne family and KG Investment, LLC are able to exert considerable influence over the outcome of any matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our common stock, including the election of our Board of Directors. The voting power of these stockholders could also discourage others from seeking to acquire control of us through the purchase of our common stock, which might depress the price of our common stock. WE MAY FACE INTERRUPTION OF PRODUCTION AND SERVICES DUE TO INCREASED SECURITY MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO TERRORISM. Our business depends on the free flow of products and services through the channels of commerce. Recently, in response to terrorists' activities and threats aimed at the United States, transportation, mail, financial and other services have been slowed or stopped altogether. Further delays or stoppages in transportation, mail, financial or other services could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Furthermore, we may experience an increase in operating costs, such as costs for transportation, insurance and security as a result of the activities and potential activities. We may also experience delays in receiving payments from payers that have been affected by the terrorist activities and potential activities. The United States economy in general is being adversely affected by the terrorist activities and potential activities and any economic downturn could adversely impact our results of operations, impair our ability to raise capital or otherwise adversely affect our ability to grow our business. 26 ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK All of our sales are denominated in United States dollars or the currency of the country in which our products originate and, accordingly, we do not enter into hedging transactions with regard to any foreign currencies. Currency fluctuations can, however, increase the price of our products to foreign customers which can adversely impact the level of our export sales from time to time. The majority of our cash equivalents are held in United States bank accounts and we do not believe we have significant market risk exposure with regard to our investments. We are also exposed to the impact of interest rate changes on our outstanding borrowings. At September 30, 2002, we had approximately $20.2 million of indebtedness subject to interest rate fluctuations. These fluctuations may increase our interest expense and decrease our cash flows from time to time. For example, based on average bank borrowings of $10 million during a three-month period, if the interest rate indices on which our bank borrowing rates are based were to increase 100 basis points in the three-month period, interest incurred would increase and cash flows would decrease by $25,000. ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES EVALUATION OF CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, which we have designed to ensure that material information related to Tag-it Pacific, Inc., including our consolidated subsidiaries, is disclosed in our public filings on a regular basis. In response to recent legislation and proposed regulations, we reviewed our internal control structure and our disclosure controls and procedures. We believe our pre-existing disclosure controls and procedures are adequate to enable us to comply with our disclosure obligations. Within 90 days prior to the filing of this report, members of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Colin Dyne, and Chief Financial Officer, Ronda Sallmen, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, Mr. Dyne and Ms. Sallmen concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in causing material information to be recorded, processed, summarized and reported by management of the Company on a timely basis and to ensure that the quality and timeliness of the Company's public disclosures complies with its SEC disclosure obligations. CHANGES IN CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these internal controls after the date of our most recent evaluation. 27 PART II OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS We currently have pending claims, suits and complaints that arise in the ordinary course of our business. We believe that we have meritorious defenses to these claims and the claims are covered by insurance or, after taking into account the insurance in place, would not have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition if adversely determined against us. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits: 10.68 Exclusive supply agreement, dated July 12, 2002, among Tag-it Pacific, Inc. and Levi Strauss & Co.* 99.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002. * Certain portions of this agreement have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a request for an order granting confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 406 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. (b) Report on Form 8-K: None. 28 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. Date: November 14, 2002 TAG-IT PACIFIC, INC. ` /s/ Ronda Sallmen -------------------------------- By: Ronda Sallmen Its: Chief Financial Officer 29 Certification of CEO Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 I, Colin Dyne, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Tag-It Pacific, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; 5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and 6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Date: November 14, 2002 /s/ Colin Dyne ----------------------- Colin Dyne Chief Executive Officer 30 Certification of CFO Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 I, Ronda Sallmen, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Tag-It Pacific, Inc.; 2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; 5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function): a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and 6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Date: November 14, 2002 /s/ Ronda Sallmen ----------------------- Ronda Sallmen Chief Financial Officer 31