Back to GetFilings.com



Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

 

¨ 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 0-32613

 


 

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 


 

Delaware   77-0559897

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

2 Lower Ragsdale Drive    
Monterey, CA   93940
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (831) 333-2000

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Stock, $.01 par value, 8,807,627 shares outstanding as of August 10, 2004.

 



Table of Contents

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Forward-Looking Statements    1

PART I:

  FINANCIAL INFORMATION    2

    Item 1.

  Financial Statements    2

    Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    10

    Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    15

    Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures    16

PART II:

  OTHER INFORMATION    16

    Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings    16

    Item 2.

  Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds    16

    Item 3.

  Defaults Upon Senior Securities    17

    Item 4.

  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    17

    Item 5.

  Other Information    17

    Item 6.

  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K    17

SIGNATURE

       18


Table of Contents

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other materials filed or to be filed by the Company with the Commission (as well as information in oral statements and other written statements made or to be made by the Company) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements so long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary language noting important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and include information relating to plans for future expansion and other business development activities as well as other capital spending, financing sources and the effects of regulation, competition, integration of acquired businesses, enhancement of the Company’s technology and protection of the Company’s intellectual property. As such, actual results may vary materially from those projected, anticipated or indicated in any forward-looking statements.

 

When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other statements made by or on behalf of the Company, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “expects,” “estimates,” “projects,” “could” and other similar words or expressions, which are predictions of or indicative of future events, conditions and trends, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of important risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company and its subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  the Company’s ability to diversify product offerings or expand in new and existing markets;

 

  changes in general economic and business conditions and in the educational products or e-retailing industry in particular;

 

  the impact of competition, specifically, if competitors were to either adopt a more aggressive pricing strategy than the Company or develop a competing line of proprietary products;

 

  the level of demand for the Company’s products;

 

  fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which could potentially result in a weaker U.S. dollar in overseas markets, increasing the Company’s cost of inventory purchased; and

 

  other factors discussed in Item 1 under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q might not occur.

 

The Company has based its forward-looking statements on current expectations and projections about future events and assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information that may be made by or on behalf of the Company in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or otherwise, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent the Company is required to do so under applicable law.

 

1


Table of Contents

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except for par value and share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

    

June 30,

2004


   

December 31,

2003*


 

ASSETS

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,658     $ 3,620  

Accounts receivable, net

     10,323       5,480  

Inventories

     31,730       15,133  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,908       2,937  

Deferred income taxes

     1,288       1,214  
    


 


Total current assets

     48,907       28,384  

Property and equipment, net

     5,037       4,070  

Deferred income taxes

     6,778       6,367  

Other assets

     297       307  

Goodwill

     5,878       5,878  

Other intangible assets, net

     831       918  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 67,728     $ 45,924  
    


 


LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE SECURITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current liabilities:

                

Revolving line of credit

   $ 9,250     $ —    

Accounts payable

     16,033       3,018  

Accrued expenses

     2,793       2,955  

Income tax liabilities

     —         234  

Other current liabilities

     376       186  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     28,452       6,393  
    


 


Redeemable common shares, 100,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31, 2003

     —         400  
    


 


Stockholders’ equity:

                

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized; 8,801,374 and 8,549,423 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively

     88       85  

Additional paid-in capital

     63,026       62,353  

Deferred stock compensation

     (644 )     (920 )

Accumulated deficit

     (23,194 )     (22,387 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     39,276       39,131  
    


 


Total liabilities, redeemable securities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 67,728     $ 45,924  
    


 



* Derived from audited consolidated financial statements filed in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2


Table of Contents

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


   

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Revenues

   $ 26,549     $ 23,645     $ 46,385     $ 41,063  

Cost of goods sold

     17,265       14,913       30,193       26,203  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     9,284       8,732       16,192       14,860  
    


 


 


 


Operating expenses:

                                

Selling, general and administrative

     8,970       7,995       17,476       16,022  

Amortization of other intangible assets

     44       72       87       147  
    


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     270       665       (1,371 )     (1,309 )
    


 


 


 


Other (income) expense:

                                

Gain on sale of assets

     (5 )     —         (5 )     —    

Interest expense

     40       109       45       141  

Interest income

     —         (2 )     (2 )     (7 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) before income taxes (benefit)

     235       558       (1,409 )     (1,443 )

Income tax (benefit)

     99       238       (602 )     (615 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 136     $ 320     $ (807 )   $ (828 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per share calculation:

                                

Net income (loss) per share – basic

   $ 0.02     $ 0.04     $ (0.09 )   $ (0.10 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per share – diluted

   $ 0.01     $ 0.04     $ (0.09 )   $ (0.10 )
    


 


 


 


Weighted average shares used in basic net income (loss) per share calculation

     8,767,111       8,524,664       8,729,665       8,489,149  

Weighted average shares used in diluted net income (loss) per share calculation

     9,363,325       9,123,198       8,729,665       8,489,149  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net loss

   $ (807 )   $ (828 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     842       840  

Gain on sale of assets

     (5 )     —    

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

     (22 )     10  

Equity-based compensation

     276       285  

Deferred income taxes

     (485 )     (615 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities assumed in acquisition:

                

Accounts receivable

     (4,821 )     (4,237 )

Inventories

     (16,597 )     (15,523 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     29       (219 )

Other assets

     10       38  

Accounts payable

     13,015       12,465  

Accrued expenses

     (162 )     (635 )

Income tax related liabilities

     (234 )     (17 )

Other current liabilities

     190       206  
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     (8,771 )     (8,230 )
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchase of property and equipment

     (1,717 )     (795 )

Acquisition of Marketing Logistics, Inc.

     —         (869 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,717 )     (1,664 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Borrowings on line of credit

     9,250       41,453  

Principal payments on line of credit

     —         (31,302 )

Issuance of equity, net of fees

     276       16  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     9,526       10,167  
    


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (962 )     273  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     3,620       2,713  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 2,658     $ 2,986  
    


 


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

                

Issuance of redeemable common shares in acquisition

   $ —       $ 400  

Cash payments during the period:

                

Cash paid for interest

   $ 23     $ 61  

Cash paid for taxes

   $ 210     $ 150  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

(1) The Business

 

Excelligence Learning Corporation, a Delaware corporation, is a developer, manufacturer and retailer of educational products, which are sold to child care programs, preschools, elementary schools and consumers. Excelligence Learning Corporation’s business is primarily conducted through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Earlychildhood LLC, a California limited liability company (“Earlychildhood”), Educational Products, Inc., a Texas corporation (“EPI”), Marketing Logistics, Inc., a Minnesota corporation d.b.a. Early Childhood Manufacturers’ Direct (“ECMD”), and SmarterKids.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“SmarterKids.com”).

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which are normal and recurring in nature) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The balance sheet at December 31, 2003 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Excelligence Learning Corporation (together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Seasonality

 

The Company’s seasonal sales trends coincide with the start of each school year. Accordingly, approximately 50% of the Company’s consolidated annual sales have historically been generated in the third quarter. Therefore, the first six months are not representative of the expected results for entire year. The working capital needs of the Company are greatest in the second quarter as inventory levels are increased to meet seasonal demands.

 

Equity-Based Compensation

 

The Company has adopted SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation to account for its equity-based compensation plans. As permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company measures compensation cost in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations. Accordingly, no accounting recognition is given at the date of grant to stock options granted to employees with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying common stock. Upon exercise, net proceeds, including income tax benefits realized, are credited to equity. Compensation cost for stock options granted with exercise prices below the fair market value of the underlying common stock is recognized over the vesting period.

 

5


Table of Contents

The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts):

 

    

Three Months

Ended June 30,


   

Six Months

Ended June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net income (loss), as reported

   $ 136     $ 320     $ (807 )   $ (828 )

Add: stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income (loss), net of related tax effects

     138       143       276       285  

Deduct: stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     401       468       804       935  
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net loss

   $ (127 )   $ (5 )   $ (1,335 )   $ (1,478 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per share calculation:

                                

Net income (loss) per share – basic, as reported

   $ 0.02     $ 0.04     $ (0.09 )   $ (0.10 )
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss) per share – diluted, as reported

   $ 0.01     $ 0.04     $ (0.09 )   $ (0.10 )
    


 


 


 


Net loss per share – basic and diluted, pro forma

   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.00 )   $ (0.15 )   $ (0.17 )
    


 


 


 


Weighted average shares used in net income (loss) per share calculation – basic, as reported

     8,767,111       8,524,664       8,729,665       8,489,149  

Weighted average shares used in net income (loss) per share calculation – diluted, as reported

     9,363,325       9,123,198       8,729,665       8,489,149  

Weighted average shares used in net income (loss) per share calculation – basic and diluted, pro forma

     8,767,111       8,524,664       8,729,665       8,489,149  

 

The fair value of these options was estimated using the Black-Scholes model, with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

    

Three Months

Ended June 30,


    

Six Months

Ended June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

     2004

    2003

 

Expected life (in years)

   7     8      7     8  

Risk-free interest rate

   4.62 %   3.86 %    4.62 %   3.86 %

Volatility

   65.8 %   82.0 %    65.8 %   82.0 %

Dividend yield

   0.0 %   0.0 %    0.0 %   0.0 %

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

 

In December 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 104, Revenue Recognition. SAB 104 revises or rescinds portions of the interpretative guidance included in Topic 13 of the codification of staff accounting bulletins in order to make the interpretive guidance consistent with current authoritative accounting and auditing guidance and SEC rules and regulations. The principal revisions relate to the rescission of material no longer necessary because of private sector developments in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company adopted the interpretive guidance in SAB 104 on January 1, 2004. The Company’s application of the interpretative guidance in SAB 104 in the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

(2) Business Combinations

 

On February 19, 2003, the Company consummated its acquisition of Marketing Logistics, Inc., an online retailer of early childhood furniture and equipment now doing business as ECMD. Consideration for the acquisition included $800,000 in cash and 100,000 redeemable shares of the Company’s common stock. The seller of ECMD had a one-time option, exercisable during the thirty-day period prior to February 19, 2004, to exchange the shares received by him in the acquisition for $400,000 in cash. The seller did not exercise this option and the redeemable common shares were subsequently reclassified to permanent equity.

 

6


Table of Contents

The allocation of the purchase price of $1.3 million, including transaction costs of $71,000, is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

Goodwill

   $ 1,177

Trademarks

     94
    

Total purchase price

   $ 1,271
    

 

(3) Unaudited Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share

 

The basic and diluted net income (loss) per share information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 included in the accompanying statements of operations is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts):

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


  

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2004

   2003

   2004

    2003

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 136    $ 320    $ (807 )   $ (828 )
    

  

  


 


Weighted average shares used in basic net income (loss) per share calculation

     8,767,111      8,524,664      8,729,665       8,489,149  

Weighted average shares used in diluted net income (loss) per share calculation

     9,363,325      9,123,198      8,729,665       8,489,149  

Net income (loss) per share – basic

   $ 0.02    $ 0.04    $ (0.09 )   $ (0.10 )
    

  

  


 


Net income (loss) per share – diluted

   $ 0.01    $ 0.04    $ (0.09 )   $ (0.10 )
    

  

  


 


 

Common stock equivalents of 596,213 and 598,534 are included in the diluted weighted average shares for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Common stock equivalents of 605,139 and 565,185 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, have been excluded in the computation of diluted net loss per share as the effect of such equivalent shares is anti-dilutive. Common equivalent shares consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options.

 

(4) Segment Information

 

The Company operates in two business segments, the Early Childhood segment and the Elementary School segment. The Early Childhood segment includes the brand names Discount School Supply, SmarterKids.com, ECMD, and Earlychildhood NEWS. The Early Childhood segment develops, markets and sells educational products through multiple distribution channels to early childhood professionals and parents. The Early Childhood segment also provides information to teachers and other education professionals regarding the development of children from infancy through age eight. The Elementary School segment sells school supplies and other products specifically targeted for use by children in kindergarten through sixth grade to elementary schools, teachers and other education organizations for fundraising activities.

 

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. The Company’s supplemental profit measure is EBITDA. EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is a meaningful supplemental measure of its operating performance, is calculated by adding back to net income (loss): net interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is presented because the Company believes that EBITDA, when combined with other measures, can be a useful measure of its overall performance and results of operations. In addition, the Company uses the measure and believes that it is also used by lenders, analysts, investors and others as an indication for the Company’s ability to service debt and fund capital expenditure requirements. EBITDA information should not be considered an alternative to any measure of performance promulgated under generally accepted accounting principles (such as operating income (loss) or net income (loss)) nor should it be considered as an indicator of the Company’s overall financial performance. The Company’s calculations of EBITDA may be different from the calculations used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. Revenues by segment and reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA follows (in thousands):

 

     Early Childhood

   Elementary School

    Consolidated

     Three Months Ended June 30,

     2004

   2003

   2004

    2003

    2004

   2003

Net revenues

   $ 21,542    $ 18,905    $ 5,007     $ 4,740     $ 26,549    $ 23,645
    

  

  


 


 

  

EBITDA:

                                           

Net income (loss)

   $ 568    $ 677    $ (432 )   $ (357 )   $ 136    $ 320

Net interest

     40      107      —         —         40      107

Income taxes

     423      481      (324 )     (243 )     99      238

Depreciation and amortization

     241      287      174       132       415      419
    

  

  


 


 

  

EBITDA

   $ 1,272    $ 1,552    $ (582 )   $ (468 )   $ 690    $ 1,084
    

  

  


 


 

  

 

7


Table of Contents
     Early Childhood

   Elementary School

    Consolidated

 
     Six Months Ended June 30,

 
     2004

   2003

   2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net revenues

   $ 39,715    $ 34,407    $ 6,670     $ 6,656     $ 46,385     $ 41,063  
    

  

  


 


 


 


EBITDA:

                                              

Net income (loss)

   $ 552    $ 325    $ (1,359 )   $ (1,153 )   $ (807 )   $ (828 )

Net interest

     43      134      —         —         43       134  

Income taxes

     411      241      (1,013 )     (856 )     (602 )     (615 )

Depreciation and amortization

     505      581      337       259       842       840  
    

  

  


 


 


 


EBITDA

   $ 1,511    $ 1,281    $ (2,035 )   $ (1,750 )   $ (524 )   $ (469 )
    

  

  


 


 


 


 

The Early Childhood segment performs limited administrative activities, including certain accounting and information system functions, for the Elementary School segment. Intersegment charges are based on estimates of its actual costs for such activities. Intersegment charges have been eliminated in the consolidation and amounted to $144,922 for each of the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 and $289,844 for each of the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.

 

The segment asset information available is as follows (in thousands):

 

    

June 30,

2004


   

December 31,

2003


 

Assets

                

Early Childhood

   $ 54,600     $ 38,098  

Elementary School

     24,438       19,136  

Eliminations

     (11,310 )     (11,310 )
    


 


Total

   $ 67,728     $ 45,924  
    


 


 

(5) Goodwill and Intangibles

 

The following table identifies the major classes of intangible assets at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 (in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2004

    December 31, 2003

 
     Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


    Gross
Carrying
Amount


   Accumulated
Amortization


 

Trademarks, trade names and formulas

   $ 953    $ (803 )   $ 953    $ (787 )

Customer Lists

     1,410      (729 )     1,410      (658 )
    

  


 

  


     $ 2,363    $ (1,532 )   $ 2,363    $ (1,445 )
    

  


 

  


 

8


Table of Contents

Total amortization expense on intangible assets was $44,000 and $72,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $87,000 and $147,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The carrying amount of goodwill was $5.9 million at June 30, 2004 and at December 31, 2003. During the six months ended June 30, 2003, the Company recorded $1.2 million in goodwill through its purchase of Marketing Logistics, Inc. There was no impairment loss recorded during either the three or six months ended June 30, 2004 or the three or six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

(6) Debt

 

On September 29, 2003, the Company entered into a $20.0 million secured credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. (the “Bank of America Facility”). The Bank of America Facility replaced the Company’s credit facility with GMAC Business Credit, LLC (the “GMAC Facility”).

 

The Bank of America Facility includes a $15.0 million revolving line of credit with a maturity date of October 1, 2005 and an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.75% (3.11% at June 30, 2004). The Bank of America Facility also includes up to $5.0 million through a reducing revolving term loan with a maturity date of October 1, 2008 and an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.00% (3.36% at June 30, 2004). The Bank of America Facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including receivables, inventory, equipment and intellectual property. As of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the Company had $9.3 million and zero borrowings, respectively, and available credit of $10.2 million and $19.5 million, respectively, under the Bank of America Facility. The available credit has been reduced by $500,000 due to the Company’s outstanding letters of credit as of June 30, 2004.

 

The Bank of America Facility requires adherence to certain financial covenants and contains restrictions related to capital expenditures and acquisitions during the term of the facility. As of June 30, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants and capital expenditure and acquisition restrictions as set forth in the Bank of America Facility.

 

(7) Restructuring Liabilities

 

In 2001, the Company approved a restructuring plan that included the closure of its Needham, Massachusetts facility. The closure of the Needham facility consolidated information systems and marketing functions in Monterey, California and reduced the administrative costs associated with operating an additional facility. The Company recorded restructuring expenses related to exit activities associated with the Needham facility lease and various equipment leases that were no longer going to be utilized by the Company’s operations.

 

In 2003, no other additional charges related to the Needham facility closure were determined to be necessary and the Company paid $938,000 related to Needham facility lease costs. During the six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company paid $387,000 related to Needham facility costs.

 

A rollforward of activity in restructuring related liabilities follows (in thousands):

 

    

Needham

Facility

Lease


 

Balance at December 31, 2002

   $ 1,570  

Additional 2003 charges

     —    

Amounts paid

     (938 )
    


Balance at December 31, 2003

     632  

Additional 2004 charges

     —    

Amounts paid

     (387 )
    


Balance at June 30, 2004

   $ 245  
    


 

9


Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Overview

 

The Company is a developer, manufacturer and retailer of educational products, which are sold to child care programs, preschools, elementary schools and consumers. Through a predecessor entity, the Company began operations in 1985. The Company utilizes multiple sales, marketing and distribution channels, including:

 

  its Discount School Supply catalog, through which the Company develops, markets and sells educational products to early childhood professionals and parents;

 

  EPI’s fundraising programs, through which the Company sells school supplies and other products specifically targeted for use by children in kindergarten through sixth grade to elementary schools, teachers and other education organizations;

 

  the SmarterKids.com website, through which the Company sells its educational products online to consumers;

 

  its ECMD catalog, through which the Company markets and sells furniture and equipment to early childhood professionals; and

 

  Earlychildhood NEWS, an award winning print and web-based magazine focused on the growth and development of children from infancy through age eight.

 

All of the foregoing is supported by a national sales force, which, as of June 30, 2004, numbered 74 people.

 

The Company operates in two business segments: Early Childhood and Elementary School. The Early Childhood segment includes the brand names Discount School Supply, ECMD, SmarterKids.com and Earlychildhood NEWS . The Early Childhood segment develops, manufactures and sells educational products through multiple distribution channels to early childhood professionals and parents. The Early Childhood segment also provides information to teachers and other education professionals regarding the development of children from infancy through age eight. The Elementary School segment sells school supplies and other products specifically targeted for use by children in kindergarten through sixth grade to elementary schools, teachers and other education organizations for fundraising activities.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to bad debts, product returns, intangible assets, inventories, and merger integration. The Company bases its 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.

 

The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable

 

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales upon the delivery of products to an unrelated third party customer when (a) the customer takes title of the goods; (b) the price to the customer is fixed or determinable; (c) the customer is obligated to pay the Company and the obligation is not contingent on resale of the product; (d) the customer’s obligation to the Company would not be changed in the event of theft or physical destruction or damage of the product; and (e) the Company does not have significant obligations for future performance to directly bring about resale of the product by the customer. Provisions for estimated returns and

 

10


Table of Contents

allowances are recorded as a reduction to sales and cost of sales based on historical experience. The Company determines that collectibility of accounts receivable is reasonably assured through standardized credit review to determine each customer’s credit worthiness. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

 

Inventories

 

The Company values inventories at the lower of cost or market, using the first-in, first-out method. Inventory cost is based on amounts paid to vendors plus the capitalization of certain labor and overhead costs necessary to prepare inventory to be saleable. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence, damaged or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company is taxed as a C corporation and files a consolidated tax return with its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company’s predecessor, Earlychildhood, was an LLC that had elected to be taxed as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes. As an LLC taxed as a partnership, Earlychildhood’s income or loss, and deductions, were reported by its members, who were taxed on such income or loss. EPI is a C corporation and therefore is subject to federal and state income taxes. The Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations reflect the income tax expense based on the actual tax position of the Company and its subsidiaries in effect for the respective periods. In addition, the condensed consolidated statements of operations reflect income tax expense (benefit), on a pro forma basis as if Earlychildhood had elected to be taxed as a C corporation for federal and state income tax purposes beginning January 1, 2001.

 

The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset in an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. While the Company has considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the value of the deferred tax asset, in the event the Company were to determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would not be able to realize all or part of its deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company assesses the need to record impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations, including goodwill and other intangibles, when indicators of impairment are present. On an on-going basis, management reviews the value and period of amortization or depreciation of its long-lived assets. Recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying value of the asset group to the undiscounted future cash flow expected to be generated by the asset group. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.

 

On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS No. 142 provides that goodwill should not be amortized but instead be tested for impairment annually at the reporting unit level. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, the Company conducted its annual impairment test as of December 31, 2003. The Company’s goodwill impairment test is based on a comparison of carrying values and fair value of its Company’s reporting units, its Early Childhood and Elementary School segments. As a result of the test, the Company determined that no impairment had occurred.

 

Merger Integration Liabilities

 

The Company has established liabilities relating to the abandonment of its Needham facility. This liability was primarily based on the excess of required lease payments over estimated sublease income. Due to the volatility in the commercial real estate market, estimates of sublease income are extremely subjective. If there is a further decline in the commercial real estate market, the amounts the Company will ultimately realize could be different from the amounts assumed in arriving at the Company’s estimate of the cost of the lease abandonment.

 

11


Table of Contents

Results of Operations

 

Revenues

 

Revenues were $26.5 million and $23.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $46.4 million and $41.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2004, revenue increased $2.9 million, or 12.3%, over the three months ended June 30, 2003. The increase was attributable to revenue growth in the Early Childhood segment of $2.6 million, and in the Elementary School segment of $267,000. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, revenue increased $5.3 million, or 12.9%, over the six months ended June 30, 2003. The increase was attributable to revenue growth in the Early Childhood segment of $5.3 million, and in the Elementary School segment of $14,000.

 

The Early Childhood segment continues its trend of revenue growth through new product offerings, new customer solicitation and improved sales and marketing strategies. The Company’s goal in 2004 is to achieve revenue growth in the Early Childhood and Elementary School segments by increasing circulation of its Discount School Supply catalog, increasing childhood furniture sales by expanding the operations of ECMD, offering new proprietary products, soliciting new customers, implementing more aggressive sales and marketing strategies and enhancing the Company’s websites. The Company’s ability to realize this growth may be negatively affected by, among other things, changes in the national economy that reduce government or private funding of educational programs or that increase joblessness and may result in parents removing their children from childcare programs.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit was $9.3 million and $8.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to increased revenue in the period. Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased from 36.9% for the second quarter of 2003 to 35% for the second quarter of 2004. The decrease in gross profit percentage was largely due to changes in product mix, as well as special offer pricing and increased freight charges.

 

Gross profit was $16.2 million and $14.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to increased revenue in the period. Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 34.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 from 36.2% for the same period in 2003. The decrease in gross profit percentage was largely due to changes in product mix, as well as special offer pricing and increased freight charges.

 

The Company accounts for shipping costs as cost of goods sold for shipments made directly from vendors to customers and also for shipments from the Company’s warehouses. The amount of shipping costs related to shipments from the Company’s warehouses for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 was $1.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively, or 5.8% and 5.6% as a percentage of sales, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, these shipping costs totaled $3.0 million and $2.7 million, respectively, or 6.5% and 6.5% as a percentage of sales, respectively. The amount of shipping costs related to shipments made directly from vendors to customers for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 was $1.1 million and $658,000, respectively, or 4.1% and 2.8% as a percentage of sales, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, these shipping costs totaled $1.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively, or 4.0% and 2.9% as a percentage of sales, respectively.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses include wages and commissions, catalog costs, operating expenses (which include customer service and certain warehouse costs), administrative costs (which include information systems, accounting and human resources), e-business costs, equity-based wages and depreciation of property and equipment. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $9.0 million and $8.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $17.5 million and $16.0 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were constant at 33.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 and 37.7% and 38.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

The $1.0 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2004 over 2003 was the result of increases in operating expenses in the Early Childhood and Elementary School segments of $741,000 and $234,000, respectively. The $1.5 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2004 over 2003 was the result of increases in operating expenses in the Early Childhood and Elementary School segments of $1.3 million and

 

12


Table of Contents

$167,000, respectively. The increases in the Early Childhood segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily related to the production of more catalogs in 2004 compared to 2003. The increase in the Elementary School segment’s selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily the result of an increase in sales and administration wages.

 

Amortization of Other Intangible Assets

 

Amortization of other intangible assets was $44,000 and $72,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $87,000 and $147,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease was due to significant portion of the Company’s other intangible assets becoming fully amortized during the prior year.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense was $40,000 and $109,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $45,000 and $141,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease in interest expense was due to the Company carrying a much lower average outstanding balance on its line of credit during 2004 compared to the same periods in 2003, as well as lower amortization charges related to the initial loan fees charged on the Bank of America Facility compared to those charged on the GMAC Facility.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company is taxed as a C corporation. The Company recorded an income tax expense of $99,000 and $238,000 with effective tax rates of 42.1% and 42.7% for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, income tax benefits were $602,000 and $615,000, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 42.7% and 42.6%, respectively.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

 

In December 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 104, Revenue Recognition. SAB 104 revises or rescinds portions of the interpretative guidance included in Topic 13 of the codification of staff accounting bulletins in order to make the interpretive guidance consistent with current authoritative accounting and auditing guidance and SEC rules and regulations. The principal revisions relate to the rescission of material no longer necessary because of private sector developments in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company adopted the interpretive guidance in SAB 104 on January 1, 2004. The Company’s application of the interpretative guidance in SAB 104 in the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

On September 29, 2003, the Company entered into a $20.0 million secured credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. (the “Bank of America Facility”). The Bank of America Facility replaced the Company’s credit facility with GMAC Business Credit, LLC (the “GMAC Facility”).

 

The Company’s primary cash needs have been for operations, capital expenditures and acquisitions. The Company’s primary source of liquidity is the Bank of America Facility. As of June 30, 2004, the Company had net working capital of $20.5 million.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company’s operating activities used $8.8 million of cash. The use of cash was primarily related to operating losses and working capital. The Company used $1.7 million in cash for investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2004, with which the Company purchased property and equipment. The Company obtained $9.5 million in cash through financing activities, primarily from borrowings against its line of credit and from the issuance of equity.

 

The Bank of America Facility includes a $15.0 million revolving line of credit with a maturity date of October 1, 2005 and an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.75% (3.11% at June 30, 2004). The Bank of America Facility also includes up to $5.0 million through a reducing revolving term loan with a maturity date of October 1, 2008 and an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.00% (3.36% at June 30, 2004). The Bank of America Facility is secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including receivables, inventory, equipment and intellectual property. As of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, the Company had $9.3 million and zero borrowings,

 

13


Table of Contents

respectively, and available credit of $10.2 million and $19.5 million, respectively, under the Bank of America Facility. The available credit has been reduced by $500,000 due to the Company’s outstanding letters of credit as of June 30, 2004. The Bank of America Facility requires adherence to certain financial covenants and contains restrictions related to capital expenditures and acquisitions during the term of the facility. As of June 30, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants and capital expenditure and acquisition restrictions as set forth in the Bank of America Facility.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations as of June 30, 2004 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on liquidity and cash flow in future periods (in thousands):

 

     Payments due by period

Contractual Obligations


   Total

  

Less than

1 year


   1-3 years

   4-5 years

  

More than

5 years


Revolving line of credit

   $ 9,250    $ 9,250    $ —      $ —      $ —  

Non-cancelable operating lease obligations

     12,682      4,204      7,024      1,172      282
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 21,932    $ 13,454    $ 7,024    $ 1,172    $ 282
    

  

  

  

  

 

Included in non-cancelable operating leases is $369,000 in future cash requirements related to the abandonment of the Needham, Massachusetts facility. Such charges may be paid out over the remaining lease term, which expires October 2004. On November 12, 2002, the Company signed a 24-month lease agreement to sublease 25.5%, or 10,000 square feet, of the Needham facility. On May 30, 2003, the Company signed a 14-month lease agreement to sublease an additional 48.5%, or 19,000 square feet, of the Needham facility. On April 26, 2004 the Company signed a six-month lease agreement for the remaining square footage.

 

Management believes that available cash on hand and availability under the Bank of America Facility will provide adequate funds for the Company’s foreseeable working capital needs and planned capital expenditures. The Company’s ability to fund its operations, repay debt, make planned capital expenditures and to remain in compliance with its financial covenants under the Bank of America Facility depends on its future operating performance and cash flow, which in turn, are subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond its control.

 

As of June 30, 2004, the Company did not have any guarantees, including loan guarantees or indirect guarantees.

 

Business Outlook

 

The following forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations for the third quarter and full fiscal year of 2004. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations. The Company does not undertake to update these expectations, except to the extent that the Company is required to do so. See “Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Management’s goal is to achieve revenue growth in 2004 through increasing circulation of its catalogs, offering new proprietary products, soliciting new customers for its Early Childhood and Elementary School segments, implementing more aggressive pricing strategies in both segments and enhancing the Company’s websites. The Company’s ability to realize this growth may be negatively affected by, among other things, changes in the national economy that reduce government or private funding of educational programs or that increase joblessness and may result in parents removing their children from childcare programs.

 

Third Quarter 2004 Expectations:

 

Net revenues are expected to be between $49 and $54 million;

 

EBITDA is expected to be between $7.5 and $9.5 million; and

 

Operating income is expected to be between $7 and $9 million.

 

14


Table of Contents

Revised Full Year 2004 Expectations:

 

Net revenues are expected to be between $115 and $120 million;

 

EBITDA is expected to be between $5 and $8 million; and

 

Operating income is expected to be between $3 and $6 million.

 

The Company’s supplemental profit measure is EBITDA. EBITDA is presented because the Company believes that EBITDA, when combined with other measures, can be a useful measure of its overall performance and results of operations. In addition, the Company uses the measure and believes that it is also used by lenders, analysts, investors and others as an indication of the Company’s ability to service debt and fund future capital expenditure requirements. EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes is a supplemental measure of its operating performance, is calculated by adding back to net income (loss): net interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA information should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under generally accepted accounting principles (such as operating income (loss) or net income (loss)) nor should it be considered as an indicator of the Company’s overall financial performance. The Company’s calculations of EBITDA may be different from the calculations used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. See note 4 to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

There are no off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements or obligations (including contingent obligations) that have, or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in the financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

Seasonality

 

The Company’s seasonal sales trends coincide with the start of each school year. Accordingly, approximately 50% of the Early Childhood and Elementary School segments’ consolidated annual sales have historically been generated in the third quarter. Therefore, the first six months are not representative of the expected results for entire year. The Company’s working capital needs are greatest during the second quarter as inventory levels are increased to meet seasonal demands.

 

Inflation

 

Inflation has and is expected to have only a minor effect on the Company’s results of operations and sources of liquidity.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

The following discussion of market risk includes “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements.” The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and a revolving line of credit. Market risks relating to operations result primarily from a change in interest rates. The Company’s borrowings are primarily dependent upon LIBOR rates. As of June 30, 2004, the Company had $9.3 million in borrowings under the Bank of America Facility and available borrowing capacity of $10.2 million. See “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.” The estimated fair value of borrowings under the Bank of America Facility is expected to approximate its carrying value.

 

15


Table of Contents

Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and its revolving line of credit. The Company has no customer comprising greater than 10% of its revenues. However, receivables arising from the normal course of business are not collateralized and management continually monitors the payment of its accounts receivable and the financial condition of its customers to reduce the risk of loss. The Company does not believe that its cash and cash equivalents are subject to any unusual credit risk beyond the normal credit risk associated with commercial banking relationships.

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

The Company purchases some of its products from foreign vendors. Accordingly, the Company’s prices of imported products are subject to variability based on foreign exchange rates. However, the Company’s purchase orders are denominated in U.S. dollars and the Company does not enter into long-term purchase commitments.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the quarter covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are, from time to time, party to legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In management’s opinion, there are no pending claims or litigation, the outcome of which would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None.

 

16


Table of Contents

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

The Company submitted to stockholder vote and its stockholders approved the following items at the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 20, 2004.

 

  a) Election of two directors for additional three-year terms:

 

Name


   Votes For

   Withheld Authority

Richard Delaney

   6,853,048    596,436

Robert MacDonald

   6,911,423    538,061

 

In addition to the two directors listed above, the terms of the following five directors continued after the meeting: Dr. Louis Casagrande, Dean DeBiase, Ronald Elliott, Scott Graves and Al Noyes.

 

  b) Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004 by a vote of 7,426,847 “for,” 22,408 “against,” and 229 abstentions.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

 

(a) Exhibits.

 

*10.1 Employment Agreement, dated June 18, 2004, between Excelligence Learning Corporation and Diane Kayser.

 

* 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as created by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

* 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14 promulgated under the Exchange Act, as created by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

* 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

* 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as created by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


* Filed herewith.

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

 

On May 7, 2004, the Company reported the announcement of its earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 on Form 8-K under Item 12, attaching the related press release issued by the Company.

 

17


Table of Contents

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.

 

Date: August 13, 2004

 

EXCELLIGENCE LEARNING CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/ Richard Delaney


    Richard Delaney
   

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

    (Duly Authorized Officer and
    Principal Financial Officer)

 

18