UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): March 10, 2008

 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

0-19254

11-2682486

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

1000 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York 11530

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)

 

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) 516-683-6000

 

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) N/A

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 


Item 2.02. Results of Operation and Financial Condition

 

On March 10, 2008, Lifetime Brands, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the Company’s results for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2007. A copy of the Company’s press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

99.1

Press Release dated March 10, 2008.

 

 

 


Signature

 

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.

 

 

Lifetime Brands, Inc.

     
     

 

By:

/s/ Laurence Winoker

Laurence Winoker

Senior Vice President – Finance, Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer

 
 
 

Date: March 10, 2008

 

Exhibit 99.1

 


 

LIFETIME BRANDS ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR 2007

 

Reaffirms Financial Guidance for 2008

Company to Launch 2,500 Products in 1Q08

 

GARDEN CITY, N.Y., March 10, 2008 – Lifetime Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: LCUT), North America's leading resource for nationally branded kitchenware, tabletop and home décor products, today announced, subject to final review of its auditors which is expected within the next several days, results for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Net sales for the year were $493.7 million, an increase of 7.9% over the net sales of $457.4 million that the Company reported for 2006.

Net income for the year was $8.9 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, compared to net income of $15.5 million, or $1.14 per diluted share, for 2006.

The Company’s net income for 2007 includes a charge of approximately $0.08 per diluted share related to the restructuring of Lifetime’s Direct to Consumer (“DTC”) business, as well as income of $0.15 per diluted share related to the sale of the Company’s former corporate office building. For the fourth quarter of 2007, Lifetime’s net sales totaled $155.1 million compared to net sales of $157.3 million for the same period in 2006. Including the charge to earnings for the restructuring of its DTC business, the Company reported net income of $5.4 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, for the quarter, as compared to net income of $9.5 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, for the 2006 period.

The income tax rate was 45.5% for the full year 2007 and 49.2% for the fourth quarter compared to 38.5% for both periods in 2006. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in certain stock option expenses that are not deductible for income tax purposes and, to a lesser degree, the effect of DTC losses in certain states where the Company cannot recognize a tax benefit.

Jeffrey Siegel, Lifetime’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The unfavorable retail environment during the fourth quarter negatively impacted many of Lifetime’s businesses. I am pleased to note that, despite the negative to flat same store sales growth experienced by many of our wholesale customers, most of our wholesale lines performed reasonably well during the quarter. In those areas that did not meet our expectations, we took corrective action to improve the Company’s performance on a going-forward basis.

“We determined that the Company would be best served by closing 30 of our retail stores, representing all those stores that would not be profitable on a “four-wall profit” basis. Going Out of Business Sales in those stores began in the second week of December, and will conclude at the end of the first quarter of 2008. This also has allowed us to reduce the overhead in our retail store division.

“In late 2007, we brought in new management to revitalize our wholesale dinnerware and glassware businesses; and, in the first quarter of 2008, we brought in new management to run the catalog and Internet segments of our DTC business, accelerating the shift away from traditional bricks and mortar retail.

“For 2008, we are focused on introducing a greatly expanded array of new and exciting products which we anticipate will enable Lifetime to take market share and drive profitable growth despite today’s difficult economy. In the first quarter alone, we will launch more than 2,500 new products that will be available for shipment in 2008. Among our new initiatives are (a) the Vasconia® line of housewares products designed to appeal to the Latina consumer, (b) new lines of upscale trash cans with unique features, to be

 


sold under two of our most well-known brands, and (c) an entirely new line of products to be sold under the EcoWorld® brand made with a non-petroleum based plastic. EcoWorld® represents a unique and dramatically new approach that we believe provides an innovative solution for retailers that are committed to providing their consumers with a choice of environmentally friendly products.

“All of the Company’s new initiatives build on Lifetime’s traditional strengths – our unique innovation capabilities, outstanding brands, growing retail placement and advanced product sourcing. We also expect our 2008 results to benefit from full-year sales from the major new lines we launched late last year, including the Martha Stewart Collection™ at Macy’s and Food Network® branded kitchen tools, gadgets and cutlery at Kohl’s.

We continue to expect net sales for 2008 to be in the range of $510 to $525 million and diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $0.86 to $1.06, net of the previously announced charge of $0.19 per diluted share due to the restructuring of our DTC business.

As of December 31, 2007, Lifetime had repurchased on the open market and retired 1,362,505 shares of common stock for a total cost of $22.7 million under the Company’s previously announced $40 million share buyback program.

Lifetime has scheduled a conference call for Monday, March 10th at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss fourth-quarter 2007 results. The dial-in number for the call is (706) 634-1218. A replay of the call will also be available through Monday, March 17, 2008 and can be accessed by dialing (706) 645-9291, conference ID #36444429. A live webcast of the call will be broadcast at the Company’s web site, www.lifetimebrands.com. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an audio replay of the call will also be available on the site.

About Lifetime Brands, Inc.

Lifetime Brands is North America’s leading designer, developer and marketer of kitchenware, cutlery & cutting boards, bakeware & cookware, pantryware & spices, tabletop, home décor, picture frames and bath accessories. The Company markets its products under some of the industry’s best known brands, including KitchenAid®, Farberware®, Pfaltzgraff®, Cuisinart®, Block® China and Crystal, Calvin Klein®, CasaModa®, Cuisine de France®, Gorham®, Hoffritz®, International® Silver, Joseph Abboud™, Kamenstein®, Kirk Stieff®, Lisa Jenks®, Melannco®, Nautica®, Pedrini®, Roshco®, Sabatier®, Sasaki®, Towle® Silversmiths, Tuttle®, Wallace®, :USE® and Vasconia®. Lifetime’s products are distributed through almost every major retailer in the United States.

 

The information herein contains certain forward-looking statements including statements concerning the Company’s future prospects. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to general economic conditions and risks relating to the Company’s operations, such as the risk of loss of major customers and risks relating to changes in demand for the Company’s products, as detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

COMPANY CONTACT:

INVESTOR RELATIONS:

Christian G. Kasper

Harriet Fried / Jody Burfening

Senior Vice President

Lippert/Heilshorn & Assoc.

(516) 203-3590

(212) 838-3777

chris.kasper@lifetimebrands.com

hfried@lhai.com

 

 

 

 


 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands – except per share data)

 

 

Three months ended

December 31,

(unaudited)

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

Net sales

$155,097

 

$157,274

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

91,460

 

91,456

Distribution expenses

15,393

 

14,804

Selling, general and administrative expenses

36,986

 

33,767

Asset impairment and restructuring expenses

1,924

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

9,334

 

17,247

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

2,738

 

1,908

Other income, net

(4,056)

 

(51)

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

10,652

 

15,390

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

5,246

 

5,931

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

$ 5,406

 

$ 9,459

 

 

 

 

BASIC INCOME PER COMMON SHARE(1)

$ 0.44

 

$ 0.71

 

 

 

 

DILUTED INCOME PER COMMON SHARE(1)

$ 0.40

 

$ 0.63

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying note (1)

 


 

 

 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands – except per share data)



 

 

Year ended

December 31,

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

Net sales

$493,725

 

$457,400

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

288,997

 

265,749

Distribution expenses

53,493

 

49,729

Selling, general and administrative expenses

128,527

 

112,122

Asset impairment and restructuring expenses

1,924

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

20,784

 

29,800

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

8,397

 

4,576

Other income, net

(3,935)

 

(31)

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

16,322

 

25,255

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

7,430

 

9,723

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

$   8,892

 

$ 15,532

 

 

 

 

BASIC INCOME PER COMMON SHARE(2)

$     0.69

 

$     1.18

 

 

 

 

DILUTED INCOME PER COMMON SHARE(2)

$     0.68

 

$     1.14

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying note (2)

 


 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands - except share data)

 

 

 

 

December 31,

ASSETS

2007

 

2006

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$    4,172

 

$       150

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $16,400 at 2007

and $12,097 at 2006

65,030

 

60,516

Inventory

143,684

 

155,350

Deferred income taxes

7,925

 

8,519

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

7,267

 

7,098

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

228,078

 

231,633

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

54,332

 

42,722

GOODWILL

27,432

 

20,951

OTHER INTANGIBLES, net

35,383

 

42,391

INVESTMENT IN EKCO

22,950

 

OTHER ASSETS

3,240

 

5,367

TOTAL ASSETS

$371,415

 

$343,064

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

Short-term borrowings

$ 13,500

 

$ 21,500

Accounts payable

21,759

 

15,585

Accrued expenses

31,504

 

45,743

Income taxes payable

4,520

 

6,899

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

71,283

 

89,727

 

 

 

 

DEFERRED RENT & OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

14,481

 

5,522

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

8,381

 

6,204

LONG-TERM DEBT

55,200

 

5,000

CONVERTIBLE NOTES

75,000

 

75,000

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, shares authorized: 25,000,000; shares

issued and outstanding: 11,964,388 in 2007 and 13,283,313 in 2006

120

 

133

Paid-in capital

113,995

 

111,165

Retained earnings

33,250

 

50,235

Accumulated other comprehensive income

(295)

 

78

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

147,070

 

161,611

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$371,415

 

$343,064

 

 

 

 

 

 


Notes:

(1)

Basic income per common share has been computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding. Diluted income per common share adjusts net income and basic income per common share for the effect of all potentially dilutive shares of the Company’s common stock. The calculations of basic and diluted income per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:



 

 

Three months ended December 31,

(unaudited)

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Net income- Basic

 

$ 5,406

 

$   9,459

Interest expense 4.75% Convertible Notes, net of tax

 

580

 

630

Net income- Diluted

 

$ 5,986

 

$ 10,089

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted- average shares outstanding – Basic

 

12,284

 

13,282

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

108

 

150

4.75% Convertible Notes

 

2,679

 

2,679

Weighted- average shares outstanding – Diluted

 

15,071

 

16,111

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income per common share

 

$   0.44

 

$     0.71

Diluted income per common share

 

$   0.40

 

$     0.63

The computation of diluted income per common share for the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 excludes options to purchase 1,493,000 and 1,063,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect.

(2)

Basic income per common share has been computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding. Diluted income per common share adjusts net income and basic income per common share for the effect of all potentially dilutive shares of the Company’s common stock. The calculations of basic and diluted income per common share for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Net income- Basic

 

$ 8,892

 

$15,532

Interest expense 4.75% Convertible Notes, net of tax

 

 

1,312

Net income- Diluted

 

$ 8,892

 

$16,844

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted- average shares outstanding – Basic

 

12,969

 

13,171

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

130

 

183

4.75% Convertible Notes

 

 

1,362

Weighted- average shares outstanding – Diluted

 

13,099

 

14,716

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income per common share

 

$ 0.69

 

$ 1.18

Diluted income per common share

 

$ 0.68

 

$ 1.14

The computation of diluted income per common share for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 excludes options to purchase 1,544,000 and 974,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect. The computation of diluted income per common share for the year ended December 31, 2007 also excludes 2,678,571 shares of the Company’s common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Company’s 4.75% Convertible Notes and related interest expense, due to its antidilutive effect.