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 19, 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.
     Applica Incorporated has filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission its Board of Directors’ formal response to the unsolicited tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of Applica’s common stock at a purchase price of $6.50 per share that was commenced by Apex Acquisition Corporation, a newly formed Florida corporation and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of NACCO Industries, Inc.
     In a filing on Schedule 14D-9, and in a letter to be mailed to shareholders, Applica’s Board recommended that shareholders reject the NACCO offer and NOT tender their shares in the NACCO offer.
     The Board also reaffirmed Applica’s amended merger agreement with affiliates of Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. and Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. (together, “Harbinger Capital Partners”) under which Harbinger Capital Partners will acquire all outstanding shares of Applica that it does not currently own for $6.50 per share and recommended that Applica’s shareholders vote “FOR” the adoption of the amended merger agreement between Applica and affiliates of Harbinger Capital Partners.
     In evaluating the NACCO offer and in reaching its determination to recommend that the Applica shareholders reject the NACCO offer, the Applica board considered, among other things, the following material factors and information: (i) NACCO’s per share offer price does not offer any premium over the Harbinger Capital Partners' $6.50 per share price; (ii) the Harbinger Capital Partners amended merger agreement is at least as favorable to Applica’s shareholders as the NACCO offer; (iii) the NACCO offer is highly conditional and includes extensive broadly drafted and subjective conditions; (iv) given certain provisions contained in the Harbinger Capital Partners agreement, it is not possible to satisfy various closing conditions to the NACCO offer at this time; (v) although the NACCO offer is not subject to a financing closing condition, it is uncertain whether Apex Acquisition Corporation will have access to sufficient cash to complete the NACCO offer.
     A meeting is scheduled for December 28, 2006 for the purpose of approving the amended merger agreement between Applica and the affiliates of Harbinger Capital Partners. This meeting will be convened as planned and completion of the transaction is expected to occur shortly thereafter.
     In connection with the proposed transaction with Harbinger Capital Partners, Applica has filed a definitive proxy statement, a proxy supplement and a Schedule 14d-9 recommendation statement with the SEC. Investors and security holders are urged to read the definitive proxy statement, the proxy supplement, the Schedule 14d-9 recommendation statement 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 with Harbinger Capital Partners, the NACCO tender offer and related matters.
     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 regarding the Board’s recommendation regarding the NACCO tender offer 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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