Applica Incorporated
 

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): December 18, 2006
APPLICA INCORPORATED
 
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File Number 1-10177
     
Florida   59-1028301
     
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
     
3633 Flamingo Road, Miramar, Florida   33027
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (954) 883-1000
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):
     o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
     o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
     o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
     o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

Item 8.01. Other Events.
     On December 18, 2006, NACCO Industries, Inc. filed a complaint in the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division against Applica, Harbinger Capital Partners and certain of its affiliates alleging violations of various securities laws and regulations. The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, including, but not limited to, enjoining Harbinger Capital Partners from proceeding with its proposed acquisition of Applica, ordering Applica to correct alleged material misstatements and omissions in its proxy statement dated December 4, 2006, and enjoining Applica from proceeding with the proposed merger with affiliates of Harbinger. Applica believes that the action is without merit and intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit.
     The statements contained herein and in the attached press release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented in these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Applica undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Among the factors that could cause plans, actions and results to differ materially from current expectations are, without limitation, the uncertainty as to the outcome of the pending litigation and the impact of the pending litigation on the proposed merger with Harbinger, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Applica’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings.
     Applica Incorporated and its subsidiaries are marketers and distributors of a broad range of branded and private-label small household appliances. Applica markets and distributes kitchen products, home products, pest control products, pet care products and personal care products. Applica markets products under licensed brand names, such as Black & Decker®, its own brand names, such as Windmere®, LitterMaid®, Belson® and Applica®, and other private-label brand names. Applica’s customers include mass merchandisers, specialty retailers and appliance distributors primarily in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. Additional information regarding Applica is available at www.applicainc.com.
     In connection with the proposed transaction with Harbinger Capital Partners, Applica has filed a definitive proxy statement and proxy supplement with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT, THE PROXY SUPPLEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT APPLICA, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. The definitive proxy statement and proxy supplement have been mailed to Applica shareholders.
     Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents as they become available through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed with the SEC may be obtained free of charge by directing such requests to Applica Incorporated, 3633 Flamingo Road, Miramar, Florida 33027, Attention: Investor Relations ((954) 883-1000), or from Applica Incorporated’s website at www.applicainc.com.

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     Applica Incorporated and its directors, executive officers and certain other members of Applica management may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Applica shareholders with respect to the proposed transaction. Information regarding the interests of these officers and directors in the proposed transaction has been included in the proxy statement filed with the SEC. In addition, information about Applica’s directors, executive officers and members of management is contained in Applica’s most recent proxy statement and annual report on Form 10-K, which are available on Applica’s website and at www.sec.gov.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
     (c) Exhibits. A copy of the press release announcing the NACCO lawsuit is attached as Exhibit 99 to this report.

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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: December 19, 2006   Applica Incorporated
 
 
  By:   /s/ Terry Polistina    
    Terry Polistina, Senior Vice President and Chief  
    Financial Officer of Applica Incorporated   

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Exhibit Index
     
Exhibit No.
  Description
 
   
 
   
99
  Applica Incorporated Press Release dated December 19, 2006

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