Applica Incorporated
 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
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 o
Check the appropriate box:
     
o
  Preliminary proxy statement
o
  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)
o
  Definitive proxy statement
x
  Definitive additional materials
o
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
APPLICA INCORPORATED
 
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
N/A
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
     
x
  No fee required.
 
   
o
  Fee computed on the table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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:
 
   
 
 
   
o
  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o
  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:
 
   
 
 
   
(2)
  Form, schedule or registration statement no.:
 
   
 
 
   
(3)
  Filing party:
 
   
 
 
   
 
   
(4)
  Date Filed:
 
   
 


 

Exhibit 99
(Applica Logo)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
     
Contact:
  Investor Relations Department
 
  (954) 883-1000
 
  investor.relations@applicamail.com
APPLICA ANNOUNCES FAVORABLE DECISION IN NACCO LITIGATION
Court denies NACCO’s application to enjoin shareholder vote
     Miramar, Florida (December 21, 2006) — Applica Incorporated (NYSE:APN) today announced that the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division has denied all of the motions in the lawsuit filed on December 19, 2006 by NACCO Industries, Inc. against Applica, Harbinger Capital Partners and certain of its affiliates.
     The complaint alleged violations of various securities laws and regulations, and sought declaratory and injunctive relief, including, but not limited to, enjoining Applica from proceeding with the proposed merger with affiliates of Harbinger Capital Partners. Although the lawsuit remains pending, the Court has denied NACCO’s requests for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and expedited proceedings.
     The decision paves the way for Applica to proceed with the special meeting of shareholders scheduled for December 28, 2006 for the purpose of approving the amended merger agreement between Applica and the affiliates of Harbinger Capital Partners, which provides for Applica shareholders to receive $6.50 per share in cash, without interest, upon consummation of the Harbinger Capital Partners merger.
     The Applica Board of Directors recommends that Applica shareholders vote “FOR” the adoption of the amended merger agreement between Applica and affiliates of Harbinger Capital Partners.
     In order to vote their shares in favor of the Harbinger Capital Partners agreement, shareholders should complete, date, sign and return the proxy card enclosed with the previously distributed definitive proxy statement as soon as possible. Shareholders who have any questions about the recommendation statement, the definitive proxy statement, the proxy supplement or the merger or need assistance with the voting procedures, should contact Applica’s proxy solicitor, Georgeson Inc., at 17 State Street, New York, New York 10004 or call toll-free at (866) 857-2624.

 


 

     About Applica Incorporated:
     Applica 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, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. Additional information about Applica is available at www.applicainc.com.
     About Harbinger Capital Partners:
     The Harbinger Capital Partners investment team located in New York City manages in excess of $4 billion in capital through two complementary strategies. Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. is focused on restructurings, liquidations, event-driven situations, turnarounds and capital structure arbitrage, including both long and short positions in highly leveraged and financially distressed companies. Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. is focused on distressed debt securities, special situation equities and private loans/notes in a predominantly long-only strategy.
* * * * *
     The statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 ability to obtain governmental approvals of the merger on the proposed terms and schedule;
 
    the failure to obtain approval of the merger from Applica shareholders;
 
    disruption from the merger making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers;
 
    claims by NACCO Industries, Inc. and HB-PS Holding Company, Inc. related to the termination of their merger agreement with Applica;
 
    changes in the sales prices, product mix or levels of consumer purchases of small household appliances;
 
    bankruptcy of or loss of major retail customers or suppliers;
 
    changes in costs, including transportation costs, of raw materials, key component parts or sourced products;
 
    fluctuation of the Chinese currency;
 
    delays in delivery or the unavailability of raw materials, key component parts or sourced products;
 
    changes in suppliers;
 
    exchange rate fluctuations, changes in the foreign import tariffs and monetary policies, and other changes in the regulatory climate in the foreign countries in which Applica buys, operates and/or sell products;
 
    product liability, regulatory actions or other litigation, warranty claims or returns of products;
 
    customer acceptance of changes in costs of, or delays in the development of new products;
 
    increased competition, including consolidation within the industry; and
 
    other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Applica’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings.

 


 

     Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance, or achievements of Applica may vary materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Applica undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.
     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.
     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.
 
Black & Decker® is a trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation, Towson, Maryland.