As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2003
================================================================================
SCHEDULE 14A
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 ss. 240.14a-11(c) or ss. 240.14a-12
FAB INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(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:
[_] 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:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
FAB INDUSTRIES, INC.
200 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10016
(212) 592-2700
April 24, 2003
Dear Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders
(the "Annual Meeting") of Fab Industries, Inc. (the "Company") at the offices of
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, New York 10019-6064 on Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at 10:15 a.m., local time.
A copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended November 30, 2002 is enclosed. The formal notice of the Annual Meeting,
the Proxy Statement and the proxy card follow. It is important that your shares
be represented and voted, regardless of the size of your holdings. Accordingly,
whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, sign,
date and return the enclosed proxy promptly so that your shares will be
represented at the meeting. The proxy is revocable at any time before it is
voted and will not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the Annual
Meeting.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Samson Bitensky
-------------------------------
Samson Bitensky,
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board
FAB INDUSTRIES, INC.
200 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10016
(212) 592-2700
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 13, 2003 AT 10:15AM
------------------
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF FAB INDUSTRIES, INC.:
Please take notice that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Fab
Industries, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at the offices of Paul, Weiss,
Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
10019-6064, on May 13, 2003 at 10:15 a.m., local time, for the following
purposes:
1. To elect two directors to Class III of the Company's Board of
Directors.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 2, 2003
as the record date for the purpose of determining the stockholders entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment of the meeting. A list
of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be open to the
examination of any stockholder of the Company for any purpose germane to the
meeting during ordinary business hours, at the offices of the Company, 200
Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016, for the 10-day period prior to the
meeting.
You are requested, whether or not you plan to be present at the
meeting, to mark, date, sign and return promptly the accompanying proxy in the
enclosed envelope to which no postage need be affixed if mailed in the United
States. You may revoke your proxy for any reason at any time prior to the voting
thereof, and if you attend the meeting in person you may withdraw the proxy and
vote your own shares.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Samson Bitensky
-------------------------------
Samson Bitensky,
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board
Dated: April 24, 2003
FAB INDUSTRIES, INC.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
(212) 592-2700
PROXY STATEMENT
for Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held on May 13, 2003
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement, which is first being mailed to the stockholders
of the Company on approximately April 24, 2003, is furnished to you in
connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors
of the Company for use at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting is to be held
at the offices of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, 1285 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, New York 10019-6064 on May 13, 2003 at 10:15 a.m., or at
any subsequent time which may be necessary by any adjournment of the meeting.
Proxies in proper form received by the time of the meeting will be
voted as specified. Stockholders may specify their choices by marking the
appropriate boxes on the enclosed proxy card. If a proxy card is dated, signed
and returned without specifying choices, the shares will be voted as recommended
by the Board FOR proposal (1). Business transacted at the Annual Meeting is
confined to the purposes stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting. The proxy does,
however, convey discretionary authority to the persons named in it to vote on
such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting.
Shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.20 per share (the
"Common Stock"), cannot be voted at the meeting unless the holder is present or
represented by proxy.
VOTING SECURITIES
The Board of Directors, in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company
(the "Bylaws"), has fixed the close of business on April 2, 2003 as the record
date (the "Record Date") for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of
and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. At the close of
business on that date, the outstanding number of voting securities of the
Company was 5,238,015 shares of Common Stock, excluding shares held by the
Company in treasury.
For each share held as of the Record Date, each holder of Common Stock
is entitled to one vote. If you hold your shares through a broker, you should
contact your broker to determine the procedure by which you can vote.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of stockholders entitled to cast
at least a majority of the voting power represented by all outstanding shares
constitutes a quorum. If a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, the
affirmative vote of a plurality of the
1
votes cast by the stockholders present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of each director
(Proposal 1).
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
A stockholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is
voted by giving the Secretary of the Company a letter revoking the proxy or a
duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting
in person. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute
the revocation of a proxy.
2
PROPOSAL 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
NOMINEES FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting, two directors are to be elected to Class III of
the Company's Board of Directors for a term of three years. Unless a proxy shall
specify that it is not to be voted for any particular director, it is intended
that the shares represented by each duly executed and returned proxy will be
voted in favor of the election as directors of Mr. Samson Bitensky and Mr. Frank
Greenberg to Class III of the Board of Directors. Messrs. Bitensky and Greenberg
are currently directors of the Company and were most recently elected as Class
III board members at the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Class III directors elected will hold office until the 2006 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders or until their respective successors are duly elected
and qualified. If any of such nominees is not a candidate for election at the
Annual Meeting, an event which the Board of Directors does not anticipate, the
proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee.
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND DIRECTOR
NAME AGE COMPANY OFFICE(1) SINCE
------------------------- --------------------- ------------------------- --------
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION TO CLASS III OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Samson Bitensky 83 Chairman of the Board of 1966
Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of the
Company.(2)
Frank S. Greenberg 72 Retired, Chairman of the 1998
Board of Directors and
Chief Executive Officer,
Burlington Industries,
Inc.(3)
CONTINUING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Class I - Term expires at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
Susan B. Lerner 47 Former Corporate Counsel 1997
of the Company.(4)
Richard Marlin 69 Attorney, member of the 1995
law firm of Kramer Levin
Naftalis & Frankel LLP.(5)
3
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND DIRECTOR
NAME AGE COMPANY OFFICE(1) SINCE
------------------------- --------------------- ------------------------- --------
Class II - Term expires at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:
Lawrence H. Bober 78 Retired, Vice Chairman of 1979
the Board, First New York
Bank for Business and
First New York Business
Bank Corp.(6)
Martin B. Bernstein 69 Chairman of Bedford 1998
Capital Corporation.(7)
Steven Myers 54 President, Chief Operating 2001
Officer and Secretary of
the Company.(8)
-----------------------------
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the directors' principal occupations have been
their respective principal occupation for at least five years.
(2) Mr. Samson Bitensky was one of the Company's founders in 1966 and has
served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company since such time. Mr. Bitensky also served as President of the
Company from 1970 until May 1, 1997.
(3) Mr. Frank S. Greenberg is a retired Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Burlington Industries, Inc., where he served from
October 1986 until February 1998.
(4) Ms. Susan B. Lerner is former Corporate Counsel of the Company. She was
Corporate Counsel from 1995 to 2002, Assistant Secretary of the Company
from May 1997 until May 2001 and Secretary of the Company from May 2001
until March 2002. From 1993 to 1995, she was president of the Company's
Raval Lace Division. Ms. Lerner is the daughter of Mr. Bitensky, Chairman
of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
(5) Since 1979, Mr. Richard Marlin has been a member of the law firm of Kramer
Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP ("Kramer Levin"). The Company retained Kramer
Levin to render legal services from 1995 to 2001.
(6) Mr. Lawrence H. Bober is a retired Vice Chairman of the Board of First New
York Business Bank Corp. ("FNYBBC") and of First New York Bank for Business
(formerly, The First Women's Bank), a commercial bank and wholly-owned
subsidiary of FNYBBC, where he served from January 1988 until January 1991.
Prior to 1988 and for more than five years, Mr. Bober was a Senior Vice
President of Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, a commercial bank.
(7) Mr. Martin B. Bernstein has been Chairman of Bedford Capital Corporation
("BCC") since July 31, 2001. BCC is a private equity company, engaged in
the acquisition of a variety of businesses. Mr. Bernstein was also the
Chief Executive Officer of Ponderosa Fibres of America, Inc. ("PFAI") from
1979 to 2001. PFAI is a member of a limited liability company or a
stockholder of a corporation that are partners of two partnerships which
have been reorganized under Chapter XI in fiscal 1999. PFAI filed a Chapter
XI proceeding in May of 2001. Thereafter, its assets were sold and it has
ceased operations. Proceedings are still pending. Mr. Bernstein is a member
of the Board of Directors of Empire Insurance Company and Allcity Insurance
Company.
(8) Mr. Steven Myers served as Co-President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Company from May 1997 through July 2001. In August 2001, Mr. Myers became
President of the Company and also maintained the position of Chief
Operating Officer. In March 2002, Mr. Myers became Secretary of
4
the Company. Mr. Myers served as Vice President of the Company from May
1988 to May 1997. He served as Vice President of Sales of the Company for
more than five years prior to May 1988. Mr. Myers is the son-in-law of Mr.
Bitensky, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company.
VOTE REQUIRED
The vote required for the election of directors is a plurality of the
votes cast and entitled to vote on the election of directors, provided a quorum
is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the
election.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE
ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR CLASS III.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information concerning our executive
officers.
NAME AGE POSITIONS AND OFFICERS
---- --- ----------------------
Samson Bitensky............ 83 Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer
Steven Myers............... 54 President, Chief Operating Officer
and Director
David A. Miller............ 65 Vice President-Finance, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
Jerry Deese................ 51 Vice President-Controller of Plant
Operations
Sam Hiatt ................. 55 Vice President-Sales
Mark J. Goldberg........... 54 Vice President
Bruce S. Chroback.......... 41 Assistant Treasurer and Controller
Each of our executive officers serves at the pleasure of the Board of
Directors and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.
Samson Bitensky was one of the Company's founders in 1966 and has
served as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company since such time. Mr. Bitensky also served as President of the Company
from 1970 until May 1, 1997.
5
Steven Myers, an attorney, has been employed by the Company in various
senior administrative and managerial capacities since 1979. He served as Vice
President - Sales for more than five years prior to May 1988 and as Vice
President from May 1988 to May 1, 1997 and Co-President, Chief Operating Officer
from May 1, 1997 to November 27, 2001. On November 27, 2001, he became
President, Chief Operating Officer. He has been a director since 2001. Mr. Myers
is the son-in-law of Mr. Bitensky.
David A. Miller has been employed by the Company since 1966 and has
served as Controller from 1973 until December 7, 1995, as Vice President -
Finance and Treasurer since December 7, 1995, and as Chief Financial Officer
since May 1, 1997.
Jerry Deese has been employed by the Company in various senior
administrative and managerial capacities since 1978. Mr. Deese served as
Divisional Controller from 1994 until 1998 and has served as Vice
President-Controller of Plant Operations since May 12, 1998.
Sam Hiatt has been employed by the Company since 1978 and previously
had various management responsibilities in the warp knit area. He has served as
Vice President-Sales since May 12, 1998.
Mark J. Goldberg has been employed by the Company in various financing
and operational capacities since 1983. He was the Director of Corporate Planning
from 1999 until 2001 and he has served as Vice President since May 3, 2001.
Bruce S. Chroback, a C.P.A., has been employed by the Company since
1996 and has held various senior financial positions with the Company. He has
served as Assistant Treasurer and Controller since May 3, 2001.
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND CERTAIN COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Company has standing Audit, Compensation, Executive and Finance
Committees whose current functions and members are described below. The Board of
Directors does not have a nominating committee.
During fiscal 2002, the Board of Directors met five times. No member of
the Board of Directors attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total
number of meetings of the Board of Directors (held during the period for which
he or she has been a director) and (ii) the number of meetings of committees of
the Board of Directors (during the periods that he or she served on such
committees).
AUDIT COMMITTEE. The Company has an audit committee (the "Audit
Committee") composed of Messrs. Bober, Greenberg and Marlin, each of whom is
independent pursuant to Section 121(A) of the AMEX's listing standards. The
purpose of the Audit Committee is to receive and review the recommendations of
the independent auditors, review the audited consolidated financial statements,
meet periodically with the independent auditors and Company personnel with
respect to the adequacy of internal accounting controls and review the Company's
accounting policies. The Board of
6
Directors has adopted a written charter of the Audit Committee. The Audit
Committee held four meetings during the past fiscal year.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The Company has a compensation and stock option
committee (the "Compensation Committee") composed of Messrs. Bernstein, Bober
and Greenberg, whose purpose is to make recommendations concerning the grant of
options pursuant to the Company's stock option plans and to make recommendations
regarding the compensation of senior management personnel and setting
performance goals. This committee held one meeting during the past fiscal year.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Company has an executive committee (the
"Executive Committee") composed of Messrs. Bitensky, Greenberg and Bernstein,
whose purpose is to operate the Company and to serve as the main contact for the
Company's committees. This committee held three meetings during the past fiscal
year.
FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Company has a finance committee (the "Finance
Committee") composed of Messrs. Bitensky, Bober and Greenberg and Ms. Lerner,
whose purpose is to discuss proper investments for corporate funds. This
committee did not meet during the past fiscal year.
COMPENSATION OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
During fiscal 2002, the Company paid fees to the following directors
who were not employees of the Company: $15,000 to Mr. Bober; $10,000 each to
Messrs. Bernstein, Greenberg and Marlin; and $6,250 to Ms. Lerner. No additional
fee was paid for service on committees of the Board of Directors.
7
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED INFORMATION
The Summary Compensation Table shown below sets forth certain
information concerning the annual and long-term compensation for services in all
capacities to the Company for the 2002, 2001 and 2000 fiscal years of those
persons (the "named executive officers") who were (i) the Chief Executive
Officer during fiscal 2002 and (ii) the other four most highly-compensated
executive officers of the Company who were serving as executive officers at the
end of the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
-------------------
NAME AND PRINCIPAL ALL OTHER
POSITION YEAR SALARY($)(1) BONUS ($) COMPENSATION($)(2)
-------- ---- ------------ --------- ------------------
Samson Bitensky 2002 350,000 -- 5,100
Chairman of the Board of 2001 320,832 -- 6,145
Directors and Chief 2000 350,000 -- 6,425
Executive Officer
Steven Myers 2002 212,000 5,000 5,100
President and Chief 2001 222,500 -- 7,435
Operating Officer 2000 230,000 -- 6,919
Sam Hiatt 2002 196,000 5,000 5,100
Vice President-Sales 2001 204,167 -- 7,409
2000 210,000 -- 6,841
David A. Miller 2002 138,000 5,000 4,140
Vice President, 2001 145,000 -- 6,307
Finance, Treasurer and 2000 150,000 -- 6,086
Chief Financial Officer
Jerry Deese 2002 135,000 5,000 4,050
Vice President, 2001 134,167 20,000 5,714
Controller of Plant
Operations 2000 124,500 25,000 5,063
-----------------------------
(1) Includes compensation deferred pursuant to the Company's qualified 401K
Money Option Savings Plan.
(2) Represents the amount of the Company's contribution under its Executive
Retirement Plan for Messrs. Bitensky, Myers and Hiatt and the Fab
Industries, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan for Messrs. Miller and Deese.
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The Company did not make any individual grants of stock options or
stock appreciation rights during fiscal 2002 to any of the named executive
officers.
8
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION
VALUES
The table below sets forth certain information relating to exercised
options during fiscal 2002 and at November 30, 2002 with respect to unexercised
options to purchase shares of Common Stock held by the named executive officers
of the Company.
SHARES NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN THE
ACQUIRED ON VALUE REALIZED UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS MONEY OPTIONS AT FISCAL
NAME EXERCISE (#) ($)(1) AT FISCAL YEAR-END (#) YEAR-END ($)
---- ------------ ------ ---------------------- ------------
Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
Samson Bitensky -- -- -- -- -- --
Steven Myers 20,000 138,750 -- -- -- --
Sam Hiatt 4,000 20,000 -- -- -- --
David A. Miller 12,000 63,875 -- -- -- --
Jerry Deese 12,000 63,875 -- -- -- --
-----------------------------
(1) Based on the closing sale price on the AMEX of the Company's Common Stock
on May 30, 2002 of $18.00 per share.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
It has been the policy of the Company to tie a significant portion of
executive compensation to individual performance. For all principal executives,
the key elements of compensation are (i) base salary and (ii) annual bonus.
Previously, long-term incentive opportunities in the form of restricted stock
and stock options were a key element of executive compensation.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Mr. Bitensky is one of the founders of the Company. He beneficially
owns approximately 1,488,276 shares of Common Stock constituting approximately
28.41% of the total amount outstanding. Accordingly, his interest is very much
aligned with the interest of all stockholders and the Company no longer
considers it sensible to relate Mr. Bitensky's compensation to the Company's
performance through long-term stock incentives such as restricted stock or stock
options. Instead, Mr. Bitensky's compensation is tied to Company performance
through the use of incentive compensation.
Mr. Bitensky entered into an employment agreement with the Company
effective April 1, 1993, pursuant to which he is to perform the duties of its
Chief Executive Officer. The agreement provided it would expire on March 31,
1998, subject to automatic successive one year renewals unless either party
terminates on notice given not less than six months prior to the then expiration
date. The current expiration date is March 31, 2004. The agreement provides for
an annual base salary of $350,000, or such greater amount as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine, and incentive compensation if the
Company's annual pre-tax income exceeds $10,000,000 equal to 3% of the Company's
annual pre-tax income up to $11,000,000 and 4% of such pre-tax income in excess
of $11,000,000. In the event of disability (as defined in the employment
agreement), compensation at the above rate is payable for the first year, and
9
at one-half such rate for the second year of such disability. Upon termination
of full-time employment other than by the Company for cause, Mr. Bitensky will
be retained to provide advisory and consulting services for a period of five
years for a fee of $250,000 per annum. In the event of the death of Mr. Bitensky
while employed or providing such consulting services, an amount equal to the
average one year total annual compensation paid to Mr. Bitensky, based upon the
three most recent full-time employment years, is payable to his beneficiaries
over a five-year period.
In the event of Mr. Bitensky's death while employed or within two years
after termination of employment, the agreement provides an option to Mr.
Bitensky's estate, exercisable during the period of six months after the
appointment of Mr. Bitensky's personal representative, to sell to the Company
such number of shares of Common Stock as may be purchased in an amount equal to
(i) the lesser of (A) $7,000,000 or (B) 10% of the Company's net worth at the
end of the fiscal year immediately prior to Mr. Bitensky's death, plus (ii) such
amount as may be purchased with the proceeds of certain life insurance policies
which the Company may purchase from time to time on Mr. Bitensky's life.
Currently, the Company maintains several life insurance policies on Mr.
Bitensky's life providing for the payment of an aggregate of $3,000,000 for such
purpose. The purchase price of shares purchased pursuant to the option is the
market price per share increased by an amount, if any, equal to one-half of the
difference between the average market price per share and the book value per
share.
POLICY AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES
As indicated above, the key elements of the compensation payable to the
principal executives other than the Chief Executive Officer are base salary and
annual bonus.
Adjustment of base salaries involves considerations of competitive
data, assessment of performance, position tenure and internal comparability. The
base salaries of the executives are considered to be average by industry
standards and are adjusted modestly, the primary focus being on total
compensation. Executives are eligible to receive annual cash bonuses based on a
review of the Company's overall profitability, divisional profitability and such
executives' performance during the year for which such a bonus is payable. For
fiscal 2002, bonuses were paid to Messrs. Miller, Myers, Hiatt and Deese.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION MEMBERS
------------------------------
Martin B. Bernstein
Lawrence H. Bober
Frank S. Greenberg
10
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted and
approved by the Board of Directors. As stated in the charter, the Audit
Committee's job is one of oversight. Management is responsible for the Company's
financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls, for the
preparation, objectivity and integrity of the Company's financial statements and
for the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The Company's
independent auditors are responsible for auditing those financial statements,
expressing an opinion based on their audit as to the statements' conformity with
GAAP, monitoring the effectiveness of the Company's internal controls and
discussing with the Audit Committee any issues that the auditors believe should
be raised with the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee's responsibility is to
monitor and review these processes. The members of the Audit Committee are not
experts in the fields of auditing or accounting, or in respect of auditor
independence issues, and they rely without independent verification on the
information provided to them and on the representations made by management and
the independent accountants, including management's representation that the
financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP and the
auditors' representations included in their report on the Company's financial
statements. Accordingly, the Audit Committee's oversight does not provide an
independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate
controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards
and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committee's
considerations and discussions referred to in this report do not assure that the
audit of the Company's financial statements have been carried out in accordance
with generally accepted auditing standards, that the financial statements are
presented in accordance with GAAP, or that the Company's independent auditors
are in fact "independent."
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management the
Company's audited financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002. The Audit Committee
also discussed with the Company's independent auditors the matters required to
be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as modified or
supplemented, regarding the scope and results of the annual audit. The Audit
Committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from the
Company's independent auditors required by Independence Standards Board Standard
No. 1, as modified or supplemented, and has discussed with the independent
accountants its independence. The Committee also considered the fees and
services of the independent auditors, as disclosed under "Other Matters" below,
and determined that such fees and services are compatible with maintaining the
independence of the Company's auditors.
Based on the foregoing review and discussions, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
November 30, 2002.
AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS
-----------------------
Lawrence H. Bober
Frank S. Greenberg
Richard Marlin
11
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
By letter dated September 11, 2001, Ernst & Young, LLP ("Ernst &
Young") resigned as the Company's independent accountant. Ernst & Young's
resignation became effective on September 25, 2001, the date that the Company
engaged BDO Seidman, LLP ("BDO") as its new independent public accountants. The
Audit Committee made no recommendation or approval with respect to the
resignation of Ernst & Young. There were no disagreements with the former
accountants on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure in connection with the
audits of the Company's two most recent fiscal years and preceding such
resignation, which disagreements if not resolved to the satisfaction of the
former accountants would have caused them to make reference to the subject
matter of the disagreements in connection with their reports on the financial
statements for such years. None of the principal accountants' reports on the
financial statements for the previous two years preceding such resignation
contained an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion or were qualified or
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the two
most recent fiscal years and preceding such resignation, the Company was not
advised of any of the matters referred to in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K.
The Company has selected BDO as its independent accountants for the
fiscal year ending November 29, 2003. Representatives of BDO will be present at
the Annual Meeting. Representatives of BDO will have the opportunity to make a
statement at the Annual Meeting if they desire to do so and will be available to
respond to any questions.
12
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 15, 2003
(except as noted below) as to the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by
each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five
percent (5%) of the outstanding Common Stock.
PERCENT OF
NAME AND ADDRESS NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING COMMON
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1) STOCK
------------------- --------------------- -----
Samson Bitensky (2) 1,488,276(3) 28.41%
c/o Fab Industries, Inc.
200 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
Private Capital Management, L.P., 980,005(4) 18.71%
Bruce S. Sherman and
Gregg J. Powers (4)
8889 Pelican Bay Blvd.
Naples, Florida 34108
Royce & Associates, LLC (5) 525,032(5) 10.02%
1414 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. (6) 344,781(6) 6.58%
1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
Santa Monica, California 90401
Barington Companies Equity Partners, L.P., 300,150(7) 5.73%
Jewelcor Management, Inc.,
RCG Ambrose Master Fund, Ltd. and
Ramius Securities, LLC (7)
888 Seventh Avenue, 17th Floor
New York, New York 10019
-----------------------------
(1) Except as otherwise indicated below, each of the persons listed in the
table owns the shares of Common Stock opposite his or its name and has sole
voting and dispositive power with respect to such shares of Common Stock.
(2) Under the rules and regulations of the SEC, Mr. Bitensky may be deemed a
"control person" of the Company.
(3) Includes 74,000 shares of Common Stock owned by the Halina and Samson
Bitensky Foundation, Inc., 89,996 shares of Common Stock owned by Mr.
Bitensky's spouse and 921 shares allocated to Mr. Bitensky pursuant to the
Fab Industries, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP"). Mr.
Bitensky disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his spouse
and by the Halina and Samson Bitensky Foundation, Inc. and does not have
dispositive power with respect to the ESOP shares.
(4) Bruce S. Sherman is Chief Executive Officer of Private Capital Management,
L.P., a Florida limited partnership ("PCM"), and exercises shared voting
and dispositive power with respect to 980,005 shares of Common Stock held
by PCM on behalf of its clients. Gregg J. Powers is President of PCM and
exercises shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 952,804
shares of Common Stock held by PCM on behalf of its clients. Messrs.
Sherman and Powers disclaim beneficial ownership for the
13
shares held by PCM's clients and disclaim the existence of a group. This
information is derived from PCM's Schedule 13G, as amended, filed with the
Commission on February 19, 2003.
(5) Royce & Associates, LLC, a New York corporation ("Royce"), beneficially
owns and has sole voting power and sole dispositive power with respect to
525,032 shares of Common Stock. This information is derived from Royce's
Schedule 13G, as amended, filed with the Commission on February 5, 2003.
(6) Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Dimensional") and
an investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, furnishes investment advice to four investment
companies registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and serves
as investment manager to certain other investment vehicles, including
commingled group trusts and separate accounts. In its role as investment
advisor or manager, Dimensional possesses voting and/or investment power
over the shares of Common Stock that are owned by these investment
companies and investment vehicles. Dimensional disclaims beneficial
ownership of all such shares. This information is derived from
Dimensional's Schedule 13G, as amended, filed with the Commission on
February 10, 2003.
(7) Barington Companies Equity Partners, L.P. is a Delaware limited partnership
formed to engage in the business of acquiring, holding and disposing of
investments in various companies. The address of the principal business and
principal offices of Barington Companies Equity Partners, L.P. is 888
Seventh Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10019. Barington Company
Equities Partners, L.P. beneficially owns an aggregate of 109,775 shares of
Common Stock.
Jewelcor Management, Inc. is a Nevada corporation primarily involved in
investment and management services. The address of the principal business
and principal offices of Jewelcor Management, Inc. is 100 North Wilkes
Barre Blvd., Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania 18702. Jewelcor Management, Inc.
beneficially owns an aggregate of 40,525 shares of Common Stock.
RCG Ambrose Master Fund, Ltd. is a Cayman Islands corporation engaged in
investing in companies effecting extraordinary transactions. The address of
the principal business and principal officers of RCG Ambrose Master Fund,
Ltd. is Citco Fund Services (Cayman Islands) Ltd., Corporate Centre, West
Bay Road, P.O. Box 31106 SMB, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West
Indies. RCG Ambrose Master Trust, Ltd. beneficially owns an aggregate of
40,525 shares of Common Stock.
Ramius Securities, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company and a
registered broker-dealer. The address of the principal business and
principal offices of Ramius Securities, LLC is 666 Third Avenue, 26th
Floor, New York, New York 10017. Ramius Securities, LLC beneficially owns
an aggregate of 109,325 shares of Common Stock.
This information is derived from the Schedule 13D filed with the Commission
by the reporting persons on March 7, 2003.
14
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth certain information as of March 15, 2003
as to the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Company's directors,
the named executive officers and the directors and executive officers of the
Company as a group.
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED ON THE RECORD PERCENT OF OUTSTANDING COMMON
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER DATE (1) STOCK
------------------------ -------- -----
Samson Bitensky 1,488,276(2) 28.41%
Martin B. Bernstein 5,000 *
Lawrence H. Bober 4,332 *
Frank S. Greenberg 500 *
Susan B. Lerner 64,514 1.23%
Richard Marlin 4,500 *
Steven Myers 95,927(3) 1.83%
Sam Hiatt 5,555 *
Jerry Deese 13,088 *
David A. Miller 13,045 *
All directors and executive officers
as a group (12 persons) 1,706,945 32.59%
-----------------------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Except as otherwise indicated below, and except for 921 shares allocated to
Mr. Bitensky, 1,555 shares allocated to Mr. Hiatt, 888 shares allocated to
Mr. Deese, 1,654 shares allocated to Mr. Myers, 1,045 shares allocated to
Mr. Miller and 810 shares allocated to Ms. Lerner pursuant to the Company's
Employee Stock Ownership Plan, each of the persons listed in the table owns
the shares of Common Stock opposite his or her name and has sole voting and
dispositive power with respect to the shares of Common Stock indicated as
being beneficially owned by him or her.
(2) See note 3 to the table set forth above under the heading "Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" with respect to beneficial
ownership of these shares.
(3) Includes 48,370 shares of Common Stock owned by Beth B. Myers; 3,332 shares
owned by Jessica C. Myers in a custodial account under control of Beth B.
Myers; and 2,000 shares owned by Allison R. Myers in a custodial account
under the control of Beth B. Myers. Beth B. Myers is the daughter of Mr.
Bitensky, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and the spouse of Steven
Myers, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Jessica C.
Myers and Allison R. Myers are the minor daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Myers.
Mr. Myers disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his spouse
and minor daughters.
As discussed in "Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,"
certain shares of Common Stock held by certain of the Company's executive
officers and directors are pledged as collateral for loans made by the Company
to in connection with the exercise of options by such executive officers and
directors. The number of shares pledged are as follows: Bruce S. Chroback
(4,000), Jerry Deese (12,000), Mark Goldberg (7,000), Sam Hiatt (4,000), David
A. Miller (12,000), Steven Myers (19,039), Martin Bernstein (4,000), Lawrence
Bober (4,000) and Richard Marlin (4,000).
15
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
As of November 30, 2002, there were no options to purchase common stock
outstanding or available for grant under any of the Company's stock option
plans. These stock option plans have been terminated subsequent to fiscal 2002.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY
TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Company's Board of Directors,
effective immediately following stockholder approval of the Company's Plan of
Liquidation and Dissolution, all outstanding options under the Company's 1997
Stock Incentive Plan became vested, and all options as to which optionees
(including employees and directors) had returned to the Company the appropriate
forms were exercised through the issuance of loans from the Company to the
optionees. Each loan is evidenced by a full recourse promissory note with a term
of one year and an interest rate equal to 3.5% per annum. Each note for a loan
is secured by the Common Stock received by the optionee borrower upon exercise
of the options. Any dividends or distributions made on Common Stock held as
collateral for a loan will be used to make payments on the loan. An optionee
borrower may not dispose of his or her shares of Common Stock pledged as
collateral for its loan prior to repayment of such loan. The amount of the loans
to the Company's executive officers and directors were are follows: Bruce S.
Chroback ($12,000), Jerry Deese ($32,125), Mark Goldberg ($21,000), Sam Hiatt
($12,000), David A. Miller ($32,125), Steven Myers ($30,860), Martin Bernstein
($11,500), Lawrence Bober ($11,500), Frank Greenberg ($11,500) and Richard
Marlin ($11,500). Mr. Greenberg repaid his loan obligations to the Company
during fiscal 2002.
16
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
The graph set forth below compares the annual percentage change and the
cumulative total stockholder return on the Company's Common Stock against the
cumulative total return on the American Stock Exchange Market Value Index and a
peer group comprised of those public companies whose business activities fall
within the same standard industrial classification code as the Company for the
period commencing November 28, 1997 and ending November 30, 2002. This graph
assumes a $100.00 investment in the Company's Common Stock and in each index on
November 28, 1997 and that all dividends paid by companies in each index were
reinvested.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED - GRAPH]
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON NOV. 29, 1997
ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDING NOV. 30, 2002
11/28/1997 11/27/1998 11/26/1999 12/01/2000 11/30/2001 11/29/2002
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Fab Industries, Inc. 100.00 68.25 43.10 53.26 49.77 51.80
Knitting Mills Index 100.00 66.31 26.52 24.01 19.96 25.15
AMEX Market Index 100.00 98.79 123.43 118.65 115.73 116.14
17
OTHER MATTERS
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
This solicitation is being made by the Board of Directors. The cost of
soliciting proxies, including the preparation, assembling and mailing of the
Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, form of proxy and other soliciting
material, as well as the cost of forwarding such material to the beneficial
owners of the shares of record, will be borne by the Company. Directors,
officers and employees of the Company may also solicit proxies, by further
mailings, personal conversations or by telephone but such individuals will not
receive any additional compensation for these actions. The Company may reimburse
brokers and others holding shares in their names or in the names of nominees for
their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in sending the proxy materials
to principals and beneficial owners. The Company may also use the services of
paid solicitors.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2004 ANNUAL MEETING
If you wish to submit a stockholder proposal for possible inclusion in
the Company's proxy statement for its 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, you
must ensure that your proposal complies with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act
and is received by us no later than December 4, 2003. If we do not receive your
proposal by the date specified above, no discussion of your proposal is required
to be included in our 2004 proxy statement.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors,
executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of the Common Stock
to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with
the SEC. Directors, executive officers and greater than ten percent stockholders
are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Forms
3, 4 and 5 that they file.
Due to administrative error, Messrs. Chroback, Deese, Goldberg, Hiatt,
Miller, Myers, Bernstein, Bober, Greenberg, Marlin and Ms. Lerner did not timely
file Form 4s in connection with their exercise of options on May 30, 2002.
Except as set forth in the previous sentence, the Company believes that all of
its directors, executive officers, and greater than ten percent beneficial
owners complied with all filing requirements applicable to them in the fiscal
year 2002.
AUDIT FEES
During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002, BDO billed the Company
$100,000 for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of the
Company's financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002. The amount of fees that BDO
billed for the review of the financial statements included in the Company's
Forms 10-Q for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2002 were $12,000.
18
ALL OTHER FEES
In addition to the audit fees, the Company expects to be billed by BDO
in fiscal 2002 for professional services rendered in connection with the review
of the Company's tax returns.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Stockholders of record as of the Record Date and each beneficial
stockholder on that date will receive with this proxy statement a copy of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements and the
financial statement schedules, as filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended
November 30, 2002. Stockholders wishing to receive additional copies may request
so in writing to the Company's offices at the following address:
200 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
Attention: Secretary
In the event that exhibits to such Form 10-K are requested, a fee will be
charged for reproduction of such exhibits. Requests from beneficial stockholders
must set forth a good faith representation as to such ownership as of the Record
Date.
OTHER BUSINESS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board is not aware of any
matters that will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting other than those
described in this proxy statement. Should other business be properly brought
before the Annual Meeting, it is intended that the accompanying proxy will be
voted thereon in the discretion of the person named as proxies.
It is important that proxies be returned promptly. Therefore, whether
or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, you are urged to mark, date,
execute and return your proxy in the enclosed envelope, to which no postage need
be affixed if mailed in the United States. The proxy may be revoked at any time
before it is exercised. If you attend the meeting in person you may withdraw the
proxy and vote your own shares.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Samson Bitensky
-----------------------------
Samson Bitensky,
Chief Executive Officer
and Chairman of the Board
Dated: April 24, 2003
19
PROXY
FAB INDUSTRIES, INC.
PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 13, 2003
This Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors
THE UNDERSIGNED, revoking all previous proxies, hereby appoints Steven
Myers and David A. Miller, and each of them, attorneys and proxies with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in the name, place and stead
of the undersigned, and with all the powers the undersigned would possess if
personally present, to vote all of the shares of Common Stock of FAB INDUSTRIES,
INC. (the "Company"), which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting of the Stockholders of the Company to be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2003
at 10:15 a.m., at the offices of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP,
1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019-6064, or at any
adjournment or adjournments thereof, as instructed below and in their discretion
with respect to any other matter that may properly come before such meeting.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN. IF NO SUCH INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN, THE SHARES
REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTORS, AS SET FORTH IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT.
(See reverse side)
1. Election of each of the Two (2) Directors to Class III of the Board of
Directors:
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" EACH OF THE NOMINEES
LISTED.
FOR EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
(except as marked to the contrary) to vote for all nominees listed
/ - / / - /
(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote for any individual Class
III nominee, strike a line through the nominee's name in the list
below.)
To Class III of the Board of Directors (to hold office until the 2006
Annual Meeting of Stockholders):
Samson Bitensky
Frank Greenberg
2. In their discretion, upon any other business that may properly come
before the meeting.
Dated: ___________________________, 2003
________________________________________
Signature
________________________________________
Signature, if held jointly
________________________________________
Title, if signing as executor,
administrator, corporation officer,
attorney, agent, trustee or guardian
________________________________________
Name (Print)
________________________________________
Number of shares of Common Stock owned
Note: Please sign exactly as your name
or names appear hereon. Joint owners
should each sign personally. When
signing as executor, administrator,
corporation officer, attorney, agent,
trustee or guardian, etc., please add
your full title to your signature. If a
corporation, please sign in the
corporate name by the president or
another authorized officer. If a
partnership, please sign in the
partnership name by an authorized
person.
Note: Please date, mark (in blue or
black ink), sign and mail this Proxy in
the envelope provided for this purpose.
No postage is required for mailing in
the United States.