SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ X ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or
Section 240.14a-12
INNOVO GROUP INC.
_______________________________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[ X ] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
_______________________________________________________________
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
______________________________________________________________
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
_______________________________________________________________
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
_______________________________________________________________
(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the
Offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous
filing by registration statement number, or the Form or
Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount previously paid:
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(4) Date Filed:
_________________________________________________________________
INNOVO GROUP INC.
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
(865) 546-1110
January 9, 2002
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of Innovo Group Inc. to be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 at 10:00 a.m.
(local time) at The Auditorium, Tyson Place, 2607 Kingston Pike, Knoxville,
Tennessee 37919.
At the annual meeting, you will be asked to vote in person or by proxy on the
election of directors for this year and ratification of the appointment of the
Company's auditors. Each of those proposals is described in the enclosed
Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.
Regardless of your plans for attending in person, it is important that your
shares be represented and voted at the 2001 Annual Meeting. Accordingly, you
are urged to complete, sign and mail the enclosed proxy card as soon as
possible.
Sincerely,
/s/ Samuel J. Furrow
--------------------------
Samuel J. Furrow
Chairman
INNOVO GROUP INC.
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
(865) 546-1110
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 12, 2002
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Annual Meeting") of Innovo Group Inc. (the "Company") will be held on Tuesday,
February 12, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. (local time) at The Auditorium, Tyson Place,
2607 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919, to consider and act upon the
following proposals:
(1) To elect six directors to serve on the Board of Directors for one-year
terms and until their respective successors are elected and qualified;
(2) To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2001; and
(3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on December 26, 2001
as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only holders of the Company's common stock
of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to notice of
and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. A list of the
Company's stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be
open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to
the meeting during ordinary business hours for a period of ten days before the
Annual Meting at the Company's offices. All stockholders are cordially invited
to attend the Annual Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ Samuel J. Furrow
--------------------------
Samuel J. Furrow
Chairman
Knoxville, Tennessee
January 9, 2002
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE,
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE
COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN
THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN
THE UNITED STATES. YOU MAY, IF YOU WISH, REVOKE YOUR PROXY AT
ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE TIME IT IS VOTED.
INNOVO GROUP INC.
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
FEBRUARY 12, 2002
SOLICITATION, VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy
Card are being furnished, on or about January 9, 2002, to the stockholders of
Innovo Group Inc. (the "Company") in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by the Board of Directors of the Company to be used at the 2001 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on
Tuesday, February 12, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. (local time) at The Auditorium, Tyson
Place, 2607 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919, and any adjournment
thereof.
If the enclosed form of proxy is properly executed and returned to the
Company in time to be voted at the Annual Meeting, the shares represented
thereby will be voted in accordance with the instructions thereon. EXECUTED
BUT UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED: (I) "FOR" PROPOSAL 1 TO ELECT THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS SIX NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR; AND (II) "FOR" PROPOSAL 2 TO RATIFY THE
APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. If any
other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, proxies will be
Voted in the discretion of the proxy holders. The Company is not aware of any
other matters to be presented at its Annual Meeting.
The cost of soliciting proxies in the form enclosed herewith will be borne
entirely by the Company. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail,
proxies may be solicited by Directors, officers and regular employees of
the Company, without extra remuneration, by personal interviews, telephone,
telegraph or otherwise. The Company will request persons, firms and
corporations holding shares in their name or in the names of their nominees,
which are beneficially owned by others, to send proxy materials to and obtain
proxies from the beneficial owners and will reimburse the holders for their
reasonable expenses in doing so.
The securities that may be voted at the Annual Meeting consist of shares of
common stock, par value $.10 per share ("Common Stock"), of the Company.
Each outstanding share of Common Stock entitles its owner to one vote on
each matter as to which a vote is taken at the Annual Meeting. The close of
business on December 26, 2001 has been fixed by the Board of Directors as
the record date (the "Record Date") for determination of stockholders entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the Record Date, 14,921,264 shares of
Common Stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. The presence, in person
or by proxy, of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote on the Record Date is
necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
Assuming the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting, a plurality vote is
required for the election of a Director (Proposal 1) and the affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and
entitled to vote is required to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as
the Company's independent public accountants for the 2001 fiscal year
(Proposal 2). Unless otherwise required by law or the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation or the Company's Amended and Restated Bylaws (the "Bylaws"), any
other matter put to a stockholder vote will be decided by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the
Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be treated as shares that are present,
in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Because abstentions will be
counted for purposes of determining the shares present or represented at the
Annual Meeting and entitled to vote, abstentions will have the same effect as
a vote "against" Proposal 2. Abstentions on Proposal 1 will not have any
effect on the approval of Proposal 1. Broker non-votes on a particular matter
are not deemed to be shares present and entitled to vote on such matter and,
assuming presence of a quorum, will not affect whether any proposal is approved
at the Annual Meeting.
The presence of a stockholder at the Annual Meeting will not automatically
revoke such stockholder's proxy. Stockholders may, however, revoke a proxy at
any time prior to its exercise by filing with the Secretary of the Company a
written notice of revocation, by delivering to the Company a duly executed
proxy bearing a later date or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in
person.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE
PROPOSALS SET FORTH IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
The following table provides information as of December 28, 2001 concerning
beneficial ownership of Common Stock by (1) each person or entity known by the
Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock, (2)
each Director and nominee for election as a Director of the Company, (3) each
Named Executive Officer, and (4) all Directors and executive officers of the
Company as a group. The information as to beneficial ownership has been
furnished by the respective stockholders, Directors and executive officers of
the Company, and, unless otherwise indicated, each of the stockholders has
sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned.
Name and Shares Beneficially Owned (1)
Offices Number Percent
Samuel J. (Sam) Furrow 3,494,015(2)(9) 22.2%
Chairman and Director
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
Hubert Guez 6,746,637(3) 37.2%
5804 East Slauson Avenue
Commerce, California 90040
Patricia Anderson-Lasko 541,166(4) 3.56%
CEO and Director
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
Daniel A. (Dan) Page 472,774(5)(9) 3.14%
Director
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
Samuel J. (Jay) Furrow, Jr. 1,586,688(6) 9.97%
President and Acting
Chief Financial Officer,
and Director;
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
Marc B. Crossman 115,671(7)(9) *
Director
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
John G. Looney, MD 160,041(9) 1.07%
Director
2633 Kingston Pike, Suite 100
Knoxville, Tennessee 37919
Joseph Mizrachi 2,738,500(8) 16.9%
6971 N. Federal Highway, #203
Boca Raton, Florida 33487
Joe Dahan 632,990(10) 4.20%
5900 S. Eastern
Commerce, CA 90040
All Executive Officers 7,00,345(2)(4)(5)(6)(7) 40.1%
and Directors as a Group
(7 persons)
_________________
* Less than 1%.
(1) Pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, certain
shares of the Company's common stock that a beneficial owner set forth
in this table has a right to acquire within 60 days of the date hereof
pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants for the purchase of
shares of common stock are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose
of computing the percentage ownership of that owner but are not deemed
outstanding for the purpose of computing percentage ownership of any
other beneficial owner shown in the table. Percentages are calculated
based on 14,921,264 shares outstanding as of January 9, 2002.
(2) Includes 97,901 shares subject to currently exercisable options and
750,000 shares subject to exercisable warrants with a 3-year term
expiring October 2003 and an exercise price of $2.10 per share.
(3) Includes 500,000 shares held of record by SHD Investments, LLC, of which
Mr. Guez's brother is the Manager, 250,000 shares held of record by each
to two trusts for Mr. Guez's sons and of which Mr. Guez's mother is
trustee, and 1,863,637 held of record by Commerce Investment Group, LLC,
of which Mr. Guez is the Manager (collectively, the "Commerce Group").
Mr. Guez disclaims beneficial ownership the shares held by SHD
Investments, LLC and the trusts for his sons. Also includes 3,000,000
shares subject to immediately exercisable warrants with a purchase price
of $2.10 per share and 200,000 shares subject to warrants with a
purchase price of $2.10 per share that become exercisable over two
years. Also included is 700,000 shares owned by Azteca Production
International, Inc., of which Mr. Guez is an owner.
(4) Includes 250,000 shares purchased by Ms. Anderson-Lasko pursuant to the
1997 Stock Purchase Right Award, awarded to her in February 1997. Under
the terms of the 1997 Stock Purchase Right Award, Ms. Anderson-Lasko was
permitted to, and elected to, pay for the purchase of the 250,000 shares
(the "1997 Award Shares") by the execution of a non-recourse note (the
"Note") to the Company for the exercise price of $2.8125 per share
($703,125) in the aggregate). The Note is due, without interest,
on April 30, 2002, and is collateralized by the 1997 Award Shares
purchased therewith. Ms. Anderson-Lasko may pay or prepay (without
penalty) all or any part of the Note by (i) the payment of cash, or (ii)
the delivery to the Company of other shares of Common Stock (other than
the 1997 Award Shares) that Ms. Anderson-Lasko has owned for a period of
at least six months, which shares would be credited against the Note on
the basis of the closing bid price for the Common Stock on the date of
delivery. The 1997 Award Shares will be forfeited and returned (at the
rate of one shares per $2.8125) to the Company to the extent the Note is
not paid on or before its maturity; accordingly, the number of shares
owned by Ms. Anderson-Lasko could decrease in the future.
Also includes 300,000 shares subject to exercisable options pursuant to
a 400,000 option grant of nonqualified options made in June 2001 with an
exercise price of $1.25 per share and expiring June 5, 2005.
(5) Includes 120,000 shares subject to exercisable options at an exercise
price of $3.315 per share and expiring August 2002.
(6) Includes 98,530 shares subject to currently exercisable options and
750,000 shares subject to currently exercisable warrants with a 3-year
term expiring October 2003 and an exercise price of $2.10 per share.
Also includes 150,000 shares subject to exercisable options pursuant to
a 200,000 option grant of nonqualified options made in June 2001 with
an exercise price of $1.25 per share and expiring June 5, 2005.
(7) Includes 73,530 shares subject to currently exercisable options expiring
February 2004 and with an exercise price of $4.75 per share.
(8) Includes 10,000 shares of common stock owned by the wife of Joseph
Mizrachi, Cheryl Mizrachi through CJ Rahm, LP and includes 1,241,000
Warrants to purchase shares of common stock (including 16,000 warrants
owned by the wife of Joseph Mizrachi, Cheryl Mizrachi through CJ
Rahm, L.P.).
(9) Includes 25,164 shares subject to exercisable 20-year term options
granted under the Company's 2000 Director Stock Incentive Plan in lieu
of cash directors' fees with an exercise price of $0.39 per share.
See "2000 Director Stock Incentive Plan" below.
(10) Includes 500,000 shares as to which Mr. Dahan, President of the Joe's
Jeans subsidiary, shares beneficial ownership and 132,990 shares subject
to options exercisable at a price of $1 per share until February 7,2003.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(PROPOSAL 1)
The Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of not fewer
than three Directors, with the exact number of Directors (subject to such
minimum and any range of size established by the Company's stockholders)
to be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors currently consists of six Directors. At the Annual Meeting, six
Directors will be elected to serve until the 2002 annual meeting of
stockholders, which is expected to be held in July 2002. The Board of
Directors' nominees for election are set forth below.
Unless otherwise instructed on the proxy, properly executed proxies will be
voted for the election as Directors of all of the nominees set forth below.
The Board of Directors believes that all such nominees will stand for election
and will serve if elected. However, if any of the persons nominated by the
Board of Directors fails to stand for election or is unable to accept election,
proxies will be voted by the proxy holders for the election of such other
person or persons as the Board of Directors may recommend. Directors will be
elected by a plurality vote.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF ITS NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTORS.
Information as to Nominees
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the persons
nominated for election as Directors of the Company as of December 28, 2001.
Name Age Position with the Company
Samuel J. (Sam) Furrow Sr. (2) 60 Chairman of the Board,
and Director
Patricia Anderson-Lasko 42 Chief Executive Officer;
Director
Samuel J. (Jay) Furrow, Jr. 28 President,
Director and Acting Chief
Financial Officer
Daniel A. (Dan) Page (1)(2) 51 Director
Marc B. Crossman (1) 29 Director
John G. Looney, MD (1)(2) 58 Director
____________________
(1) Member of the audit committee of the Board of Directors.
(2) Member of the executive compensation committee of the Board of Directors.
Following is information with respect to the business experience for at least
the last five years and certain other information regarding each of the
nominees for election as a Director.
Samuel J. (Sam) Furrow became a Director in April 1998 and the Company's
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in October 1998. He served as Chief
Executive Officer until December, 2000, when Ms. Anderson-Lasko resumed
that position. Mr. Furrow has also been the Chairman of Furrow Auction
Company (a real estate and equipment sales company) since April 1968,
Chairman of Furrow-Justice Machinery Corporation (a six-branch industrial
and construction equipment dealer) since September 1983, Owner of
Knoxville Motor Company - Mercedes Benz since December 1980 and of Land Rover
of Knoxville since July 1997. Mr. Furrow has been a Director of Southeastern
Advertising Inc. (an advertising agency) since April 1968, a Director of First
American National Bank since September 1993, and of Goody's Family Clothing,
Inc., a publicly traded retail clothing store chain, since 1995. Sam Furrow
is Jay Furrow's father.
Patricia Anderson-Lasko has been President and a Director of the Company
since August 1990 and President of the Company's Innovo, Inc. subsidiary since
she founded that company in 1987. From August 1990 until August 1997,
Ms. Anderson-Lasko was also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, and she reassumed to title of Chief Executive Officer in December,
2000.
Daniel A. Page was the chief operating officer of the Company from August
1997 through April 1999 and has been a Director of the Company since August
1997. From June 1993 until August 1997, Mr. Page was the principal operating
and executive officer of Southeast Mat Company, a privately held manufacturer
of automobile floor mats. Prior thereto Mr. Page was the president of Tennessee
Properties Company, a privately held real estate development company.
Samuel J. (Jay) Furrow, Jr. became the Company's Vice President for Corporate
Development and In-House Counsel in July 1998 and a Director in January 1999.
He has also served as the Company's Chief Operating Officer since April 1999
and its Acting Chief Financial Officer since August 2000. Mr. Furrow is an
attorney. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Furrow attended the Southern
Methodist University School of Law beginning in August of 1995 and graduating
with a J.D. in May 1998. Mr. Furrow attended Vanderbilt University beginning in
1991 and graduating with a BS degree in Political Science in 1995. Jay Furrow
is Sam Furrow's son, and the President of StanRo Development, a real estate
development company. Mr. Furrow assumed the role of President in December of
2000.
Marc B. Crossman has been a Director since January 1999. Mr. Crossman has
also been a Vice President and Equity Analyst with J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.,
New York, New York, since January 1999, and was previously a Vice President
and Equity Analyst with CIBC Oppenheimer Corp. from September 1997 through
January 1999 and an Associate and Equity Analyst with Dain Rauscher Wessels
from November 1994 through September 1997.
John G. Looney, MD has been a Director since August 1999. Dr. Looney is a
psychiatrist employed by the Duke Medical Center since 1986. Dr. Looney just
completed a role as Medical Director of Peninsula Behavioral Health, a multi-
hospital psychiatric treatment system in East Tennessee. He was responsible
for building the clinical programs of this large enterprise. Dr. Looney is
currently working with Carolinas' Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina,
pursuant to a contract between the Duke Medical Center and Carolinas' Medical
Center. He also participates in a variety of venture capital investments
independent of Duke, Carolinas' Medical Center and the Company.
Each of the Company's Directors is elected at the annual meeting of
stockholders and serves until the next annual meeting and until a successor
has been elected and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal.
Vacancies in the Board of Directors are filled by a majority vote of the
remaining members of the Board of Directors.
Executive officers of the Company are elected on an annual basis and serve at
the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Commerce and Mizrachi Group Stock Purchase Agreements
In connection with investments by the Commerce Group during August 2000, the
Company has agreed to appoint to the Board of Directors and each of it
Committees one person designated by Mr. Guez. Mr. Guez has not designated
a Board member at this time. In connection with additional investments made in
2000, Mr. Guez is entitled to designate two additional Board members. The
Company has also agreed to appoint to the Board of Directors and each of it
committees one person designated by Mr. Mizrachi. Mr. Mizrachi has not
appointed a member at this time. The Company has also amended its Bylaws
to provide that the number of Company directors will be between three and
seven, with the exact number to be specified by the Board of Directors, until
November 1, 2000, and that from November 2, 2000 until November 1, 2003,
the number of members of the Board of Directors will be between three and
twelve, with the exact number to be designated by the Board of Directors.
Corporate Governance and Other Matters
The Board of Directors conducts its business through meetings and through its
committees. The Board of Directors acts as a nominating committee for
selecting candidates to stand for election as Directors. Other candidates may
also be nominated by any stockholder, provided such other nomination(s) are
submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Company no later than 120 days
prior to the anniversary date of the prior year's annual meeting of
stockholders at which Directors were elected, or such earlier date as the Board
of Directors may allow, together with the identity of the nominator and the
number of shares of the Company's stock owned, directly and indirectly, by the
nominator. No such nominations have been received as of the date hereof in
connection with the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors currently has two committees, the Audit Committee and
the Executive Compensation Committee.
The Audit Committee is primarily responsible for (i) monitoring the integrity
of the Company's financial reporting process and systems of internal
controls regarding finance, accounting, and legal compliance, (ii) monitoring
the independence and performance of the Company's independent auditors and
internal auditing department, and (iii) providing an avenue of communication
among the independent auditors, management, the internal auditing department,
and the Board. The Audit Committee has a charter that details its duties and
responsibilities. The current members of the Audit Committee are Dr. Looney and
Messrs. Page and Crossman. The Executive Compensation Committee reviews and
recommends the compensation arrangements for management of the Company. The
current members of the Executive Compensation Committee are Dr. Looney and
Messrs. Page and Sam Furrow. The Executive Compensation Committee also
administers the Company's 2000 Employee Stock Incentive Plan and 2000 Director
Stock Incentive Plan.
Each of Messrs. Guez and Mizrachi is entitled to designate members of each
Board committee. See "Commerce and Mizrachi Group Stock Purchase Agreements
above.
During the year ended November 30, 2000, the Board of Directors held 2
meetings. During the same period, the Executive Compensation Committee and the
Audit Committee each met once. No incumbent Director attended fewer than 75% of
the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the
Board of Directors on which he served.
Director Compensation
Directors who are not employees of the Company do not currently receive a
cash fee for attending meetings of the Board of Directors or its committees.
Mr. Page received a grant of nonqualified stock options to purchase 120,000
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.31 per share upon becoming a
Director in August 1997. All of such options are vested.
Sam Furrow received a grant of nonqualified stock options to purchase 100,000
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.75 per share upon becoming
a Director in March 1998. Jay Furrow received a grant of nonqualified stock
options to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$4.75 per share upon becoming a Director in February 1999. Mr. Crossman
received a grant of nonqualified stock options to purchase 100,000 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.75 per share upon becoming a Director
in February 1999. The options vest and become exercisable at the rate of 2,083
shares per month served.
Each non-management member of the Board of Directors also receives annual
compensation in the form of options to buy Common Stock with a nominal initial
value of $10,000. Each option has an exercise price equal to one-half of the
market price on the date of grant, and covers a number of shares equal to
$10,000 divided the exercise price per share. See "2000 Director Stock Option
Plan" below.
Executive Compensation and Other Information
Summary Compensation Table. The following table sets forth the compensation
paid to the Chief Executive Officers of the Company during 2000 and to the
other executive officer of the Company who received annual compensation
in excess of $100,000 during 2000 (the "Named Executive Officers") during
fiscal years 2000, 1999 and 1998.
Summary Compensation Table
Annual Compensation(1) Long Term Compensation
Name and Other Annual Options/
Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation(3) SARs
------------------ ---- ------ ----- ------------ ----
Samuel J. Furrow, 2000 -- -- -- --
Chairman and CEO(2) 1999 -- -- -- --
1998 -- -- -- 100,000
Patricia Anderson-Lasko 2000 195,500 -- -- --
President and CEO(3) 1999 157,500 15,750 509 --
1998 188,000 -- -- --
(1) No executive officers received or held restricted stock awards during
fiscal 2000, 1999, or 1998.
(2) Mr. Sam Furrow's employment by the Company began in October 1998 with
no salary and served as CEO until December 2000. Mr. Furrow received
a grant of nonqualified stock options to purchase 100,000 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $4.75 per share upon becoming a
Director in March 1998. The options vest and become exercisable at
the rate of 2,083 per month through 2002.
(3) During fiscal 2000, 1999 and 1998 Ms. Anderson-Lasko received life
insurance benefits in the aggregate amounts of $0, $509 and $0,
respectively. Ms. Anderson-Lasko became CEO in December 2000.
Option Grants. No executive officers received option grants during 2000.
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercised in 2000 and Year-end Option/SAR Values
Shares Number of Unexercised Value of Unexercised
Acquired Options/SARs at FY-End In-the-Money Options/SARs
On Value (#) Exercisable/ ($) Exercisable/
Name Exercise Realized Unexercisable Unexercisable
---- -------- -------- -------------- --------------
Samuel J. 0 0 66,656 / 33,344 Not applicable(1)
Furrow
(1) Based on a closing price per share of $.81for the Common Stock on November
30, 2000 as reported by the Nasdaq SmallCap Market.
2000 Employee Stock Incentive Plan
The 2000 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (the "2000 Employee Plan") provides
for the grant of options to officers, employees and consultants of the Company
and its affiliates (an Affiliate"). The 2000 Employee Plan continue in effect
until March 2010, unless terminated earlier. Options granted under the 2000
Employee Plan may be either "incentive stock options" within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or
nonqualified stock options.
The 2000 Employee Plan was adopted by the Company's Board of Directors on
March 12, 2000 and approved by stockholders at the 1999 annual meeting. Up
to 2,000,000 share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in the
2000 Employee Plan, may be issued under the 2000 Employee Plan.
2000 Director Stock Incentive Plan
The 2000 Director Stock Incentive Plan (the "2000 Director Plan") provides
for the automatic grant of options to directors of the Company and its
affiliates and subsidiaries (an "Affiliate") in place of director's fee
payable in cash. The 2000 Director Plan will continue in effect until September
2010, unless terminated earlier. Options granted under the 2000 Director Plan
are nonqualified stock options.
The 2000 Director Plan was adopted by the Company's Board of Directors on
September 13, 2000 and approved by stockholders at the 1999 annual meeting. A
total of 500,000 share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in
the 2000 Director Plan, may be issued pursuant to the 2000 Director Plan.
Stock Bonus Plan
The Board of Directors has authorized and may in the future authorize the
issuance of restricted stock to certain employees of the Company.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The Company has adopted a policy requiring that any material transactions
between the Company and persons or entities affiliated with officers, Directors
or principal stockholders of the Company be on terms no less favorable to the
Company than reasonably could have been obtained in arms' length transactions
with independent third parties.
Anderson Stock Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the 1997 Stock Purchase Right
Award awarded to her in February 1997, Ms. Anderson-Lasko purchased 250,000
shares of Common Stock (the "1997 Award Shares") with payment made by the
execution of a non-recourse note (the "Note") to the Company for the exercise
price of $2.8125 per share ($703,125 in the aggregate). The Note is due,
without interest, on April 30, 2002, and is collateralized by the 1997 Award
Shares. Ms. Anderson-Lasko may pay or prepay (without penalty) all or any part
of the Note by (i) the payment of cash, or (ii) the delivery to the Company of
other shares of Common Stock (other than the 1997 Award Shares) that
Ms. Anderson-Lasko has owned for a period of at least six months, which shares
would be credited against the Note on the basis of the closing bid price for
the Common Stock on the date of delivery.
Sam Furrow and Affiliate Loans. During the period from January 1999 to June
2000, Sam Furrow and affiliated companies made a total 24 loans in an aggregate
amount of $1,933,000 to the Company primarily to finance the Company's import
of product from the Orient and general operations. Each of the loans was
unsecured and provided for interest compounding annually at a rate of from 8.5%
to 10.0%. Most of the loans provided for a six-month term. The Board of
Directors determined in each instance that the loans were made on fair terms
and conditions that were more favorable to the Company than could be obtained
from third parties.
Of the amounts loaned by Sam Furrow and his affiliates, a total of $1,200,000
has been exchanged for Common Stock as described below under "Debt to Equity
Conversions." All amounts owed to Sam Furrow have been repaid.
Dan Page Loans. During the period from February 1999 to March 1999, Dan Page
made a total five loans in an aggregate amount of $200,000 to the Company
primarily to finance the Company's import of product from the Orient and
general operations. Each of the loans was unsecured and provided for interest
compounding annually at a rate of from 10.0%. The loans provided for a
six-month term. The Board of Directors determined in each instance that the
loans were made on fair terms and conditions that were more favorable to the
Company than could be obtained from third parties.
All of the $200,000 loaned Dan Page to the Company has been exchanged for
Common Stock as described below under "Debt to Equity Conversions."
Debt to Equity Conversions. On February 26, 1999, Sam Furrow and Dan Page
each exchanged $150,000 of the indebtedness owed by the Company to them for
75,000 restricted shares of common stock each, or a price of $2.00 per share.
On the date that the Company's Board of Directors approved the debt exchanges,
the average closing sale price for the Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq for
the prior 30 days was $2.00.
Jay Furrow acquired $50,000 of the indebtedness owed by the Company to Sam
Furrow on April 26, 1999 and exchanged that amount for restricted Common Stock
at a price of $1.00 per share on that date. On the same date, a third party
acquired $50,000 of the indebtedness owed by the Company to Dan Page and
exchanged that amount for restricted Common Stock at a price of $1.00 per
share. On the date that the Company's Board of Directors approved those debt
exchanges, the average closing sale price for the Common Stock as reported by
Nasdaq for the prior 15 days was $1.43.
On February 28, 2000, Sam Furrow exchanged $500,000 of the indebtedness owed
by the Company to him for 423,729 restricted shares of common stock, or a price
of $1.18 per share. On the date that the Company's Board of Directors approved
the debt exchange, the closing sale price for the Common Stock as reported by
Nasdaq was $1.15.
On August 11, 2000, Sam and Jay Furrow converted $1 million of outstanding
Company debt owed to third parties that it had previously assumed and an
additional $500,000 of Company debt that was previously owed to the Furrows
for 1,363,637 shares of common stock, or $1.10 per share, and warrants to
purchase 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock that have a three-year term and an
exercise price of $2.10 per share.
The $1.0 million of converted debt that had been assumed by the Furrows and
that had previously been guaranteed by him consisted of $650,000 owed to
Commerce Capital, Inc., a Nashville, Tennessee based finance company unrelated
to the Commerce Group, and $350,000 owed to First Independent Bank of Gallatin.
With respect to each of the debt to equity conversions discussed above, the
Board of Directors determined that the purchases of Common Stock were made on
fair terms and conditions and were in the Company's best interests in order to
increase the Company's net tangible assets for Nasdaq listing compliance
purposes and considering recent trading prices and a reasonable discount due to
the restricted nature of the issued shares. All of the shares issued pursuant
to the debt conversions were subject to registration rights, and resales of
all of such shares are now subject to effective registration statements.
Facility Lease Arrangements. On October 7, 1998, the Company entered into a
Warehouse Lease Agreement with Furrow-Holrob Development II, LLC pursuant to
which the Company has leased the 78,900 square foot plant that now houses the
Company's executive offices and its manufacturing, administrative and shipping
facilities. The "triple net" lease provides for an annual base rental rate of
$2.00 per square foot, or $157,800 annually, plus a pro rata share of real
estate taxes, insurance premiums and common area expenses, with an initial
five-year term and two Company five-year renewal options (subject to
agreement on any change in the base rental rate). The Board of Directors, with
Mr. Furrow excusing himself from deliberations and not voting, unanimously
approved the Warehouse Lease Agreement. The Warehouse Lease Agreement was
terminated on July 1, 2000.
New Facility Lease Arrangements. The Company currently leases its headquarter
office space from a company owned by Sam Furrow. The space is approximately
5,000 square feet consisting of the first floor of a two-story building located
in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, with a monthly rental of $3,500 triple net.
Section 16 Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's Directors, officers
and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of
the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").
Directors, officers and greater than ten percent beneficial owners are required
by the Commission's regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on a review of copies of such forms furnished to the Company and
certain of the Company's internal records, or upon written representations that
no Form 5s were required, the Company believes that during the year ended
December 31, 2000, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its
Directors, officers and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were
satisfied on a timely basis.
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
(Proposal 2)
The Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP ("E&Y") as the
Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2001,
subject to ratification by stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives
of E&Y will be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to
make a statement if they so desire and be available to respond to appropriate
questions. Unless otherwise instructed on the proxy, properly executed proxies
will be voted in favor of ratifying the appointment of E&Y to audit the books
and accounts of the Company for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2001. The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present in person or represented by
proxy at the Annual Meeting is required to approve Proposal 2.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" PROPOSAL 2.
DATE OF SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
TO BE INCLUDED IN PROXY MATERIALS
Any proposal or proposals intended to be presented by any stockholder at the
2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which the Company expects to hold during
July 2002, must be received by the Company by February 28, 2002 to be
Considered for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement and form of proxy
relating to that meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors knows of no
other business which may come before the Annual Meeting. If any other business
is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the proxy
holders to vote or act in accordance with their best judgment with respect to
such matters.
A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER
30, 2000 ACCOMPANIES THIS PROXY STATEMENT. STOCKHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN, FREE OF
CHARGE, AN ADDITIONAL COPY OF THE COMPANY'S 2000 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
(WITHOUT EXHIBITS) BY WRITING TO INNOVO GROUP INC., ATTENTION: INVESTOR
RELATIONS, 2633 KINGSTON PIKE, SUITE 100, KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE 37919. THE
COMPANY WILL PROVIDE COPIES OF THE EXHIBITS TO THE FORM 10-K UPON PAYMENT OF A
REASONABLE FEE.
INNOVO GROUP INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD FEBRUARY 12, 2002
THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
The undersigned stockholder of Innovo Group Inc. (the "Company") hereby
Appoints Samuel J. Furrow, Sr. and Samuel J. Furrow, Jr., or either of them,
with full power of substitution, as proxies to cast all votes, as designated
below, which the undersigned stockholder is entitled to cast at the 2001 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on Tuesday, February
12, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. (local time) at The Auditorium, Tyson Place, 2607
Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919, upon the following matters and any
other matter as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
Election of six Directors to serve on the Board of Directors:
Samuel J. (Sam) Furrow, Sr. Patricia Anderson-Lasko
Daniel A. (Dan) Page Samuel J. (Jay) Furrow, Jr.
John G. Looney, MD Marc B. Crossman
[ ] FOR all the nominees listed above (except as marked to the contrary
below).
[ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all the nominees listed above.
(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, WRITE
THAT NOMINEE'S NAME ON THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.)
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent
auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2001.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
(continued and to be dated and signed on reverse side.)
(continued from other side)
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as directed by the
undersigned stockholder and in accordance with the best judgment of the
proxies as to other matters. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED "FOR" THE NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1, "FOR" PROPOSAL 2, AND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEST JUDGMENT OF THE PROXIES AS TO OTHER MATTERS.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEES LISTED IN
PROPOSAL 1 AND "FOR" PROPOSAL 2.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges prior receipt of the Notice of Annual
Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement dated January 9, 2002 and the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2000, and hereby
revokes any proxy or proxies heretofore given. This Proxy may be revoked at
any time before it is voted by delivering to the Secretary of the Company
either a written revocation of proxy or a duly executed proxy bearing a later
date, or by appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
If you receive more than one proxy card, please sign and return all cards in
the accompanying envelope.
Date: _____________________ , 2002.
_____________________________________
Signature of Stockholder or Authorized Representative
Please date and sign exactly as name
appears hereon. Each executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian,
attorney-in-fact and other fiduciary
should sign and indicate his or her
full title. In the case of stock
ownership in the name of two or more
persons, all persons should sign.
[ ] I PLAN TO ATTEND THE FEBRUARY 12, 2002 ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY TO ENSURE A
QUORUM AT THE MEETING. IT IS IMPORTANT WHETHER YOU OWN FEW OR MANY SHARES.
DELAY IN RETURNING YOUR PROXY MAY SUBJECT THE COMPANY TO ADDITIONAL EXPENSE.