ITEM 1. BUSINESS:
General
K2 Inc. is a premier sporting goods
company with a diverse portfolio of leading sporting goods brands. K2 additionally offers other recreational products as well as certain niche industrial products. K2s highly diversified revenues are generated by products used in individual
and team sports activities, including baseball, softball, fishing, water and outdoor sports activities, alpine skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, in-line skating, mountain biking and paintball. K2s sporting goods include a number of name brand
lines such as
Rawlings
and
Worth
baseball and softball products,
Shakespeare
and
Pflueger
fishing rods and reels,
Brass Eagle
,
JT and Viewloader
paintball products,
Stearns
personal flotation devices,
Stearns and Mad Dog
rainwear and outdoor products,
K2
and
Olin
alpine skis,
K2, Ride, Liquid, 5150
and
Morrow
snowboards, boots and bindings,
Tubbs
and
Atlas
snowshoes,
K2
in-line skates and
K2
bikes. K2s other recreational products include
Planet Earth
and
Holden
apparel,
Adio
and
Hawk
skateboard shoes and
Hilton
corporate casual apparel. K2s industrial products consist primarily of
Shakespeare
monofilament line used in weed trimmers, fish line, paper mills and industrial applications, and
Shakespeare
fiberglass marine antennas and marine accessories. Founded in 1946, K2 has grown to approximately $700 million in
2003 annual sales through a combination of internal growth and strategic acquisitions. For segment and geographic information, see Note 16 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
K2 has aggressively expanded its presence in several sporting goods markets in the United States, Europe and Japan,
including skateboard shoes, fishing tackle reels and kits and combos, outdoor marine accessories, hunting accessories, snowboard apparel and ski accessories. Management believes these newer products have
benefited from the brand strength, reputation, distribution, and the market share positions of other K2 products, several of which are now among the top brands in their
respective markets. For example, management believes that:
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Rawlings
has the #1 market position in sales of baseballs and baseball gloves;
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Shakespeare
leads the U.S. fishing market in fishing rods and kits and combo sales;
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Ugly Stik
is the top selling line of moderately priced fishing rods in the U.S.;
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Stearns
has the #1 market position in personal flotation devices;
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K2
has the #1 market position worldwide in performance in-line skates;
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K2
has the #2 market position worldwide in snowboard products;
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K2
has the #1 market position in the U.S. in alpine skis;
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Tubbs
has the #1 market position in the U.S. in sales of snowshoes; and
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Brass Eagle
has the #1 market position in the U.S. in sales of paintball products.
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In order to implement its strategy for growth, K2 has embarked upon an aggressive program to leverage its existing
operations and to complement and diversify its product offerings within the sporting goods and recreational products. K2 intends to implement its internal growth strategy by continuing to improve operating efficiencies, extending its product
offerings through new product launches and maximizing its extensive distribution channels. In addition, K2 will seek strategic acquisitions of other sporting goods companies with well-established brands and with complementary distribution channels.
K2 believes that the growing influence of large format sporting goods retailers and retailer buying groups as well as the consolidation of certain sporting goods retailers worldwide is leading to a consolidation of sporting goods suppliers. K2 also
believes that the most successful sporting goods suppliers will be those with greater financial and other resources, including those with the ability to produce or source high-quality, low cost products and deliver these products on a timely basis,
to invest in product development projects and the ability to access distribution channels with a broad array of products and brands. In addition, as the influence of large sporting goods retailers grows, management believes these retailers will
prefer to rely on fewer and larger sporting goods suppliers to help them manage the supply of products and the allocation of shelf space.
K2s common stock was first offered to the public in 1959 and is currently traded on the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges (symbol: KTO).
2003 Acquisitions
On March 26, 2003, K2 completed the acquisition of Rawlings Sporting Goods
Company, Inc. (Rawlings) in a stock-for-stock exchange offer/merger transaction. Rawlings is the leading manufacturer and marketer of baseball equipment. Rawlings was founded in 1887 and has since become a tradition in team sports
equipment and uniforms. Under its brand name, Rawlings provides competitive team sports equipment and apparel for baseball, basketball and football, as well as licensed Major League Baseball, NCAA and National Federation of State High School
Association retail products. Since 1977, Rawlings has been the exclusive supplier of baseballs to Major League Baseball, since 1994 it has been the exclusive supplier of baseballs to 19 Minor Leagues and in 2003 became the official helmet supplier
to Major League Baseball. In addition, Rawlings licensees sell numerous products, including athletic shoes, socks, and apparel, using the Rawlings brand name and logo.
On September 16, 2003, K2 completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding capital stock of Worth, Inc.
(Worth) in exchange for cash and K2 common stock. Worth is a leading supplier of softball products with leading market positions in aluminum bats and softballs and a leader in collegiate and amateur slow pitch and fast pitch softball.
On December 16, 2003, K2 completed the acquisition of Brass
Eagle, Inc. (Brass Eagle) in a stock-for-stock exchange offer/merger transaction. Brass Eagle is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of paintball products, including paintball markers, paintballs,
and accessories.
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On January 23, 2004, K2 completed the acquisition of Fotoball USA, Inc., in a stock-for-stock exchange
offer/merger transaction. Fotoball USA, Inc., a franchiser in the marketing and manufacturing of souvenir and promotional products, principally for team sports, has been re-named K2 Licensing & Promotions, Inc. For additional discussion, see
Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
During
2003, K2 also completed four smaller acquisitions, three of which are reported within the sporting goods segment and one within the industrial segment.
For additional information on these acquisitions see note 3 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Sale of Operating Division
On May 27, 2003, K2 completed the sale of the assets of its composite
utility and decorative light poles and related product lines (the Division) to a subsidiary of Genlyte Thomas Group LLC. The Division was sold for approximately $20.1 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities by the
buyer. For additional information see note 4 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
K2 classifies its business into three segments based on similar product types, consisting of sporting goods products, other recreational products and selected industrial products.
Sporting Goods Products
Net sales for sporting goods products were $569.2 million in 2003, $437.4 million in 2002 and $439.5 million in 2001. The
following table lists K2s principal sporting good products and the brand names under which they are sold.
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Product
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Brand Name
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Baseballs, softballs, bats, gloves and accessories
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Rawlings, Worth
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Fishing rods, reels and fishing kits and combos
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Shakespeare, Ugly Stik, Pflueger
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Active water and outdoor sports products
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Stearns, Mad Dog
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Alpine skis
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K2, Olin
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Snowboards and accessories
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K2, Ride, 5150, Liquid, Morrow
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Snowshoes and accessories
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Tubbs, Atlas
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In-line skates
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K2
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Mountain and BMX bikes
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K2
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Paintball markers, paintballs and accessories
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Brass Eagle, Viewloader, JT
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Baseball and Softball.
Rawlings is a leading supplier of baseball equipment. Rawlings products in this area include
baseball gloves, baseballs, softballs, batters helmets, catchers and umpires protective equipment, aluminum and wood baseball bats, batters gloves and miscellaneous accessories. Rawlings is a major supplier to professional,
collegiate, interscholastic and amateur organizations worldwide, and is also the official baseball supplier to Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball and NCAA, as well as the official helmet supplier to Major League Baseball. In addition,
Rawlings products are endorsed by more than 35 college coaches, 28 sports organizations and numerous athletes, including approximately 700 Major League Baseball players. Rawlings products are manufactured principally in Asia and Costa Rica.
Worth is a leading supplier of softball products with
market leading positions in collegiate and amateur slow pitch and fast pitch softball.
Worth
products are widely preferred in NCAA Division I fast pitch softball
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programs and is the official softball of all Canadian major associations and the official softball and softball bat of the U.S. Specialty Sports Association.
Worth products include aluminum softball bats, softballs, softball gloves and miscellaneous accessories. Worth products are manufactured principally in the United States.
Rawlings and Worth
products are sold directly by K2 and through independent sales representatives to mass
merchandisers and sporting goods retailers in the United States as well as through independent distributors in Europe and Japan.
Basketball, Football, Soccer and Volleyball.
Rawlings sells 30 different models of basketballs, including full-grain,
composite and synthetic leather and rubber basketballs for men and women in both the youth and adult markets. Rawlings recently introduced its patented
Ten
basketball which uses ten panels to improve handling, grip, control and shooting.
Rawlings is the official supplier of basketballs to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the National Junior College Athletic Association Championships.
Team Sports Apparel.
Rawlings has been selling team uniforms for approximately 100 years.
Rawlings believes it has growth opportunities in its current team apparel business, as well as, in the larger active wear apparel market.
Fishing Rods, Reels and Fishing Kits and Combos
. K2 sells fishing rods, reels and fishing kits and combos throughout the
world. K2s management believes Shakespeares
Ugly Stik
models have been the best selling fishing rods in the U.S. over the past 20 years. The success of these fishing rods has allowed K2 to establish a strong position with
retailers and mass merchandisers, thereby increasing sales of new rods, reels and kits and combos and allowing K2 to introduce new products such as expansion of its
Pflueger
product line and licensed childrens kits and combos.
Shakespeare
rods and reels are manufactured principally in China.
Shakespeare
products are sold directly by K2 and through independent sales representatives to mass merchandisers and sporting goods retailers in the United States,
Europe and Australia as well as through independent and company-owned distributors in Europe and Australia.
Active Water and Outdoor Sports Products
. K2 sells
Stearns
flotation vests, jackets and suits (personal
flotation devices), cold water immersion products, wet suits, waders, outdoor products, rainwear and inflatable and towable water products and
Mad Dog
hunting accessories in the United States and in certain foreign countries. In the
United States, occupants of boats are required by law either to wear or have available personal flotation devices meeting United States Coast Guard standards.
Stearns
personal flotation devices are manufactured to such standards and are
subject to rigorous testing for certification by Underwriters Laboratories.
Stearns
manufactures most of its personal flotation devices in the U.S., manufactures certain components in China and sources its other products from Asia.
Stearns
products are sold principally through an in-house sales department and independent sales representatives to mass merchandisers, specialty shops and chain stores and to the off-shore oil industry, commercial fishermen and other
commercial users through independent sales representatives.
Alpine Skis
. K2 sells its alpine skis under the names
K2
and
Olin
in the three major ski markets of the world the United States, Europe and Japan. While participation rates for alpine
skiing have been relatively flat during the past several years, K2 believes that industry retail sales have declined in the worldwide market during the same period. In particular, K2 believes poor weather conditions in certain markets, the high cost
of skiing, the opportunity to participate in alternative activities such as snowboarding, and the increased use of rental or demo skis further contributed to a decline in retail sales.
K2
skis, however, have benefited in recent years from
their increasing popularity among retail purchasers, resulting from recent innovations including performance enhancing
MOD
technology, gender specific skis, attractive graphics and creative marketing.
K2
and
Olin
skis are manufactured by K2 primarily in its
facility in China. The skis and accessories, including helmets and ski poles, are sold to specialty retail shops and sporting goods chains in the U.S. by independent sales representatives and in Europe and Japan through independent and Company-owned
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distributors.
K2
and
Olin
alpine skis are marketed to skiers ranging from beginners to top racers to meet the performance, usage and terrain
requirements of the particular consumer. From a pricing perspective, K2 positions the brands in the mid-level and premium price points, reflecting the quality of materials used in construction and the continual incorporation of technological
innovations. To assist in its marketing efforts, K2 sponsors key strategic professional and amateur skiers.
Snowboards and Accessories
. K2 sells snowboards, boots, bindings and snowboard outerwear under the
K2
,
Ride,
Morrow, 5150
and
Liquid
brands. Accessories, including backpacks for carrying snowboards and other gear when hiking into the back country and snowboard apparel are being marketed under the
K2
and
Ride
brands. Growth in
retail sales in the snowboard market has slowed, resulting in fewer, larger, better capitalized brands. K2 also began selling in 2003 a line of ski and snowboard goggles under the
Velvet
and
Version
brands. K2 manufactures most of its
own snowboards in its manufacturing facility in China. K2 believes its manufacturing capability and ability to innovate provide a competitive advantage. Like its alpine skis,
K2
snowboards are of high quality and have innovative features.
K2s snowboard brands are sold to specialty retail shops
and sporting goods chains in the U.S. by independent sales representatives and in Europe and Japan through independent and Company-owned distributors. Like
K2
skis,
K2, Ride
and
Morrow
snowboard products are marketed using
youthful and energetic advertising, and K2 sponsors key strategic professional and amateur snowboarders.
In-Line Skates.
K2 introduced its
K2
soft boot in-line skates in 1994. Although the worldwide market underwent
several years of growth, it has declined in recent years with the sharpest decline occurring in 2001, resulting in a consolidation of brands.
K2s in-line skates target the enthusiast and are priced at the mid to upper end of the industrys price points.
K2
skates are attractive
and of high quality and have innovative features such as a soft mesh and leather upper designed for improved comfort, with a rigid plastic cuff for support. K2s skates incorporate several innovations, including K2s soft boot skate with
no laces. The patented product line is designed for performance as well as superior comfort and support. K2 also sells womens-specific skates and adjustable-size, soft boot skates for children.
K2
in-line skates are manufactured to its specifications and are
primarily assembled by a third party vendor in China. They are sold to specialty retail shops and sporting goods chains in the U.S. by independent sales representatives and in Europe and Japan through independent and Company-owned distributors.
Mountain and BMX Bikes
. K2
distributes high quality full-suspension mountain bikes, front suspension mountain bikes, road bikes and BMX bikes and accessories under the
K2
name in the United States and internationally. K2s mountain bikes provide performance and
comfort with shock absorbing elements for front and rear wheels or front wheels only, which improves climbing ability and decreasing rider fatigue and off-road vibration.
The bikes are manufactured and assembled by third party vendors. The bikes are marketed by an in-house marketing staff and
are sold by independent sales representatives to independent bicycle dealers and other K2 retailers in the U.S. and through distributors internationally.
Paintball Products.
Brass Eagle designs and distributes throughout the United States a full line of paintball markers with a
variety of performance characteristics. There are three primary classifications of paintball markers: pump action, semi-automatic and ultra high performance paintball markers. Brass Eagle currently offers all three types of paintball markers under
its
Brass Eagle, JT and Viewloader
brand names to the mass merchant, sporting goods and specialty markets, as appropriate. To assist in its marketing efforts, Brass Eagle and JT sponsor key professional paintball teams. Paintball markers are
generally sourced by Brass Eagle in Asia from third party suppliers.
Brass Eagle, JT and Viewloader
products are sold directly by Brass Eagle and through independent sales representatives to mass merchandisers, sporting goods retailers and to
specialty shops and paintball venues in the United States, as well as through independent distributors in Europe.
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Paintballs are made of a gelatinous material; the paint is non-toxic, biodegradable and washable.
Paintballs are manufactured using an encapsulation process in the companys manufacturing facilities in the US, requiring special equipment and certain technical knowledge. Brass Eagle sells its paintballs in multiple colors in packages ranging
in size from 100 to 2,000 balls.
Brass Eagle markets a broad
product line of paintball accessories complementary to its paintball markers and paintballs. These accessory products include goggle systems, paintball loaders, cleaning squeegees, and refillable CO2 tanks. Goggle systems, a requirement for safe
paintball play, are a primary component of Brass Eagles accessory product line. The goggle systems are designed to provide full face, eye and ear protection.
Other Recreational Products
Net sales for other recreational products were $48.3 million in 2003, $35.6 million in 2002 and $39.8 million in 2001. The following table lists K2s
principal other recreational products and brand names under which they are sold.
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Product
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Brand Name
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Skateboard apparel
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Planet Earth
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Snowboard apparel
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Planet Earth, Holden
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Skateboard shoes
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Adio
and
Hawk
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Corporate casuals
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Hilton
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Skateboard and
snowboard apparel and skateboard shoes
. Skateboard and snowboard apparel and skateboard shoes are sold in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. Suppliers, primarily located in Asia, manufacture these products to K2s
specifications. Independent sales representatives sell the products to retailers in the U.S. and Canadian markets and through Company-owned and independent distributors in Europe and Asia. K2s skateboard shoes are designed with significant
assistance from a group of well-known professional skateboarders. With favorable demographic trends, skateboarding has been enjoying a significant resurgence in popularity, principally among pre-teen and early teen boys. Skateboard shoes are
marketed under the
Adio
and
Hawk
brand names, and models are named after the specific skateboarder who aided in the design. The
Hawk
brand of shoes has been designed and introduced in cooperation with Tony Hawk, the best known
professional skateboarder in the world.
Corporate
Casuals.
K2 manufactures and distributes shirts, jackets and other apparel under the
Hilton
brand name. The products are sold in the United States to corporate buyers or advertising specialty distributors,
embroiderers and screen printers who in turn sell imprinted items, including garments, principally to corporate buyers.
Hilton
apparel, which is sourced from offshore vendors, is sold through catalogs, by a direct sales force and by
independent sales representatives.
Industrial Products
Net sales of industrial products were $101.0 million in 2003, $109.2 million
in 2002 and $110.2 million in 2001. The decline in sales during 2003 was attributable to the sale of the assets of the composite utility and decorative light poles and related product lines in May 2003. The following table lists K2s principal
industrial products and the brand names under which they are sold.
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Product
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Brand Name
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Monofilament line
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Shakespeare
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Marine radio antennas
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Shakespeare
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Monofilament
Line
. Nylon and polyester monofilament line is manufactured in the U.S. and the U.K. and sold by K2 in a variety of diameters, tensile strengths and softness. Monofilament is used in various applications
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including the manufacture of woven mats for use by paper producers in the United States, Europe and South America, as fishline and for use as line in weed
trimmers in the United States and is sold directly to paperweavers, directly to retailers of fishline and distributors of cutting line and to others through independent sales representatives. Monofilament sold in Europe for woven mats is
manufactured primarily in K2s U.K. facility.
Shakespeare
monofilament also manufactures various products for industrial applications.
Marine Radio Antennas
. K2 manufactures fiberglass radio antennas in the United States and in China for marine, citizen band
and military application under the
Shakespeare
name. The products are sold primarily in the United States. K2 also distributes marine accessories under the
Shakespeare
name which are manufactured in Asia to K2s specifications. An
in-house sales department and independent sales representatives sell the antennas, radios and other marine accessories to specialty marine dealers.
Competition
K2s competition varies among its business lines. The sporting goods markets and recreational products markets are generally highly competitive, with
competition centering on product innovation, performance and styling, price, marketing and delivery. Competition in these products (other than for active wear) consists of a relatively small number of large producers, some of whom have greater
financial and other resources than K2. A relatively large number of companies compete for sales of active wear. While K2 believes its well-recognized brand names, low cost China manufacturing and sourcing base, established distribution channels and
reputation for developing and introducing innovative products have been key factors in the successful introduction of its sporting goods and other recreational products, there are no significant technological or capital barriers to entry into the
markets for many sporting goods and other recreational products. These markets face competition from other leisure activities, and sales of leisure products are affected by economic conditions, weather patterns and changes in consumer tastes, which
are difficult to accurately predict.
K2 believes its
industrial products segment competes based on product quality, service and delivery, however, K2s industrial products are, in most instances, subject to price competition, ranging from moderate in marine antennas and monofilament line to
intense for commodity-type products. Certain industrial competitors have greater financial and other resources than K2.
Manufacturing, Foreign Sourcing and Raw Materials
K2 believes that for the products within its core categories, it is of strategic importance to develop the capability to source and manufacture
high-quality, low cost products. As a result, K2 currently manufactures products in the Peoples Republic of China, including most of its fishing rods and reels, snowboards, skis, shells for flotation devices, batting helmets and certain marine
antennas. Additionally, K2 currently purchases in-line skates, baseball gloves, paintball markers and other products from a few vendors in China. Certain other products are sourced from various vendors in Asia, Latin America and Europe. The
remaining products are manufactured by K2 in the United States, Costa Rica and the United Kingdom.
K2 has not experienced any substantial difficulty in obtaining raw materials, parts or finished goods inventory for its sporting goods and other
recreational products businesses, although the cost of certain raw materials has fluctuated. Certain components and finished products, however, are manufactured or assembled abroad and therefore could be subject to interruption as a result of local
unrest, currency exchange fluctuations, increased tariffs, trade difficulties and other factors. Timely supply of sporting goods products from K2s factories and suppliers in The Peoples Republic of China is dependent on uninterrupted
trade with China. Should there be an interruption in trade with China, it could have a significant adverse impact on K2s business, results of operations or financial position. Additionally, the gross margins on K2s products manufactured
or sourced in the U.S. or in Asia and distributed in Europe will depend on the relative exchange rates between the U.S. dollar, the Chinese yuan and the Euro.
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K2 has not experienced any substantial difficulty in obtaining raw materials for its industrial products
segment, although the cost of certain raw materials has fluctuated throughout the year.
Seasonality and Cyclicality; Backlog
Sales of
K2s sporting goods are generally highly seasonal, although K2 has reduced this seasonality overall by acquiring a number of companies in 2003, and in many instances are dependent on weather conditions. K2s industrial products are mildly
seasonal. This seasonality causes K2s financial results to vary from quarter to quarter, and K2s sales and earnings are usually lower in the fourth quarter. In addition, the nature of K2s baseball, softball, paintball, ski,
snowboard, bike, in-line skate, fishing and water sports products businesses requires that, in anticipation of the selling season for these products, it make relatively large investments in inventory. The primary selling season, in the case of
baseball and softball runs from January through April, paintball runs from September through November, skis and snowboards runs from August through December, bikes runs from October through April, in-line skates runs primarily from October through
May and fishing tackle and water sports products runs primarily from January through June. Relatively large investments in receivables consequently exist during and after such seasons. The rapid delivery requirements of K2s customers for its
sporting goods products and other recreational products also result in investment in significant amounts of inventory. K2 believes another factor in its level of inventory investment is the shift by certain of its sporting goods customers from
substantial purchases of pre-season inventories to deferral of deliveries until the products retail seasons and ordering based on rates of sale.
Sales of sporting goods and other recreational products depend largely on general economic conditions including the amount of discretionary income
available for leisure activities, consumer confidence and favorable weather conditions. Sales of K2s industrial products are dependent to varying degrees upon economic conditions in the container and paper industries, and are subject to threat
from vertical integration and consolidation among its customers.
Because of the nature of many of K2s businesses, backlog is generally not significant.
Customers
K2 believes
that its customer relationships are excellent. Wal-Mart accounted for over 10% and 5% of K2s consolidated annual net sales and operating income, respectively, in 2003. No one customer of K2 accounted for 10% or more of its consolidated annual
net sales or 5% of its operating income in 2002.
Research and Development
Consistent with K2s business strategy of continuing
to develop innovative brand name products and improving the quality, cost and delivery of products, K2 maintains decentralized research and development departments at several of its manufacturing centers, which are engaged in product development and
the search for new applications and manufacturing processes. Expenditures for research and development activities totaled approximately $9.6 million in 2003, $8.5 million in 2002 and $12.2 million in 2001 and were expensed as a part of general and
administrative expenses in the year incurred.
Environmental Factors
K2 is one of several named potentially responsible
parties (PRP) in three Environmental Protection Agency matters involving discharge of hazardous materials at old waste sites in South Carolina and Michigan. Although environmental laws technically impose joint and several liability upon
each PRP at each site, the extent of K2s required financial contribution to the cleanup of these sites is expected to be limited based upon the number and financial strength of the other named PRPs and the volume and types of waste
involved which might be attributable to K2.
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Environmental and related remediation costs are difficult to quantify for a number of reasons including
the number of parties involved, the difficulty in determining the extent of the contamination, the length of time remediation may require, the complexity of environmental regulation and the continuing advancement of remediation technology. K2
accrues for liabilities of this nature when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. At December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, K2 had recorded an estimated liability of approximately $980,000 and
$1,308,000, respectively, for environmental liabilities with no insurance recovery expected. The estimates are based on K2s share of the costs to remediate as provided by the PRPs consultants and in ongoing discussions with the EPA or
other environmental agencies. The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, however, and taking into consideration reserves provided, management does not believe these matters will have a material adverse effect on
K2s financial statements.
Employees
K2 had approximately 3,500 and 2,000 employees at December 31, 2003 and
2002, respectively. K2 believes its relations with employees generally have been good.
Patents and Intellectual Property Rights
While product innovation is a highly important factor in K2s sporting goods and other recreational products segments and many of K2s innovations have been patented, K2 does not believe the loss of any one patent would have a
material effect on its financial position, cash flows or results of operations. Certain of its brand names, such as
Rawlings, Worth, Shakespeare
,
Ugly Stik
,
Pflueger, Adio,
Stearns, Mad Dog,
K2
,
Olin
,
Ride, Morrow
,
Liquid, 5150, Tubbs, Atlas, Brass Eagle, Viewloader, JT and Adio
are believed by K2 to be well-recognized by consumers and therefore important in the sales of these products. Registered and other trademarks and trade
names of K2s products are italicized in this Form 10-K.
Available
Information
K2s website is http://www.k2inc.net. K2
makes available, free of charge, on or through the website, its annual, quarterly and current reports, and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such reports with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. This website address is intended to be an inactive textual reference only, and none of the information contained on the website is part of this report or is incorporated in this report by reference.
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contingencies.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A
VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
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Executive Officers of K2
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Name
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Position
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Age
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Richard J. Heckmann
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
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60
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J. Wayne Merck
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President and Chief Operating Officer
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43
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John J. Rangel
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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49
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Dudley W. Mendenhall
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Senior Vice President Finance
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49
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Monte H. Baier
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Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
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35
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David G. Cook
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Vice President Asia Operations
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65
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Paul J. Ebnet
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President of Stearns Inc.
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48
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Scott M. Hogsett
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President of Shakespeare Fishing Tackle
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51
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Robert F. Marcovitch
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President of K-2 Corporation
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47
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Robert M. Parish
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President of Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc.
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38
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David Y. Satoda
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Vice President and Director of Taxes
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38
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E. Lynn Scott
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President of Brass Eagle, LLC
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Diana C. Crawford
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Corporate Controller
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Mr. Heckmann has been
Chief Executive Officer of K2 since October 2002 and Chairman of the Board of K2 since April 2000. Mr. Heckmann has been a director of MPS Group, Inc. since April 2003, and served as a director of Philadelphia Suburban Corporation from August 2000
through February 2002, United Rentals, Inc. from October 1997 through May 2002, Waste Management Inc. from January 1994 through January 1999 and Station Casinos, Inc. from April 1999 through March 2001. Mr. Heckmann retired as Chairman of Vivendi
Water, an international water products group of Vivendi S.A., a worldwide utility and communications company with headquarters in France, in June 2001. Mr. Heckmann was Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of United States Filter
Corporation, a worldwide provider of water and wastewater treatment systems and services, from 1990 to 1999. Vivendi acquired US Filter on April 29, 1999. He has served as the associate administrator for finance and investment of the Small Business
Administration in Washington, DC and was the founder and Chairman of the board of Tower Scientific Corporation.
Mr. Merck has been President and Chief Operating Officer of K2 Inc. since November 2003. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of K2 Inc. from October 2002. He served as Executive Vice President of Operations of K2 Inc. from July 2000, Vice President of K2 Inc. from January 1996 and President of Shakespeare Composites & Electronics, a division of
Shakespeare Company, LLC (Shakespeare), a wholly-owned subsidiary of K2 Inc. from June 1996. Mr. Merck served as President of K2 Inc.s former business, Anthony Pools, from February 1994 to June 1996.
Mr. Rangel, a CPA, has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of K2 Inc. since April 2003. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President-Finance of K2 Inc. since 1988, and Corporate Controller from 1985 to 1988.
Mr. Mendenhall is Senior Vice PresidentFinance of K2 Inc. Prior to joining K2 Inc. in April 2003, he was Managing Director of Ernst &
Youngs west coast Corporate Finance Group from March 2001. From January 1990 through March 2001, Mr. Mendenhall held a number of executive positions at Banc of America: from January 1996 to March 2001, as Managing Director and Group Head of
the entertainment and media industry group in Los Angeles and New York; from June 1993 to December 1995, as Managing Director of the Corporate Finance Group; and from January 1990 to June 1993, as Managing Director of the Leverage Finance Group.
Mr. Baier is Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of
K2 Inc. Prior to joining K2 Inc. in April 2003, he was Associate General Counsel at Asia Global Crossing from April 2000. From 1995 through April 2000, Mr. Baier was as an Associate in the New York law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Mr.
Baier received a juris doctor degree from the New York University School of Law.
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Mr. Cook has been Vice PresidentAsia Operations of K2 Inc. since January 2004. Prior to that he was
President of Stearns Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of K2 Inc., since 1982. In addition, Mr. Cook was President of Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, a division of Shakespeare, from 1989 to 1995 and President of Shakespeare Ltd. (Hong Kong), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of K2 Inc., from 1991 to 1997.
Mr.
Ebnet has been President of Stearns Inc. since January 2004. Prior to that Mr. Ebnet served for 24 years at Stearns in several capacities including Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Development.
Mr. Hogsett has been President of Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, a division of
Shakespeare, since October 2002. Prior to that time, he served as General Manager of Shakespeare from 1998 to October 2002.
Mr. Marcovitch is President of K-2 Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of K2 Inc. and doing business as K2 Sports. Prior to January 2003, he was
President of K2 Corporation of Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of K2 Inc., from November 1999. Prior to that, Mr. Marcovitch was President and Chief Executive Officer of Ride, Inc., a designer, manufacturer and distributor of snowboard products
and accessories, since June 1998. Ride was acquired by K2 Inc. in October, 1999.
Mr. Parish is President of Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of K2 Inc. Prior to joining Rawlings in September 2003, Robert Parish served as president and chief executive officer of
Worth, Inc. since 1995. Worth Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of softball equipment to the sporting goods industry, was acquired by K2 Inc. in September 2003.
Mr. Scott is President of Brass Eagle, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of K2 Inc. Prior to the acquisition of Brass Eagle by
K2 Inc. in December 2003, Mr. Scott was President and Chief Executive Officer of Brass Eagle since its inception in September 1997.
Mr. Satoda has been a Vice President of K2 Inc. since May 2001 and Director of Taxes since joining K2 Inc. in August 2000. Prior to that time, Mr. Satoda
was a Senior Manager with Ernst & Young LLP, an international auditing and tax consulting firm for more than five years.
Ms. Crawford has been Corporate Controller of K2 Inc. since July 1999. She was Secretary from December 2000 through May 2003. Prior to joining K2 Inc.,
she was Controller of Kent H. Landsberg Company from 1996 to 1999 and an Audit Manger with Ernst & Young LLP from 1990 to 1996.
Officers of K2 are elected for one year by the directors at their first meeting after the annual meeting of shareholders and hold office until their
successors are elected and qualified.
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