SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(July 1, 2002)
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Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported)
UNIVERSAL MFG. CO.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nebraska 42-0733240
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(State of Incorporation) (Commission file Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
405 Diagonal Street, Algona, Iowa 50511-0190
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(Address of Principal Executive Office)
(515) 295-3557
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
Effective July 1, 2002, Universal Mfg. Co. ("Universal Mfg."),
Universal Distribution LLC ("Universal Distribution"), a subsidiary of Universal
Mfg., and Rainbo Company, LLC, an affiliate of Universal Mfg. and Universal
Distribution ("Rainbo" and collectively "Universal/VIP") entered into a Final
Purchase Proposal (the "Purchase Agreement") with IWI Motor Parts ("ISI")
pursuant to which Universal/VIP sold certain assets related to Universal/VIP's
Value Independent Parts Division. The assets transferred to IWI consisted
primarily of inventory and assets used in connection with Universal/VIP's AC
Delco and other parts distribution business.
As reported in Universal/VIP's Form 10-Q report for the period ended
April 30, 2002, the Service and Parts Operations Unit of General Motors
Corporation ("ACDelco") advised Universal/VIP that, as a result of the ACDelco
national program to establish a limited number of dedicated distributors, the
existing distribution agreement with ACDelco will not be continued. The pending
change will require that Universal/VIP purchase ACDelco products from another
ACDelco authorized distributor, or discontinue resale of ACDelco branded
products. Universal/VIP is continuing discussions with ACDelco on the specifics
of the discontinuation of the current distribution agreement. As previously
reported, Universal/VIP is in the process of evaluating all of its available
options, including selling VIP assets relating to the ACDelco business line to
third parties and negotiating better terms and conditions with ACDelco relating
to the discontinuation. Subsequent to the consummation of the asset transfer
under the IWI Purchase Agreement, Universal/VIP continues to evaluate all of its
available options, including selling additional Universal/VIP assets relating to
the ACDelco business line to other third parties and negotiating better terms
and conditions with ACDelco relating to the discontinuation. Universal/VIP is
also still reviewing with legal counsel issues relating to the termination of
the ACDelco distribution agreement.
Under the IWI Purchase Agreement, IWI agreed to purchase up to $500,000
AC Delco products and up to $500,000 of non-AC Delco or "other" inventory from
Universal/VIP. IWI also agreed to purchase an additional $250,000 of "other"
inventory for a period of ninety (90) days after July 1, 2002 for a total not to
exceed $750,000 for non-AC Delco and "other" inventory. If IWI offers to
purchase "other" inventory after this ninety (90) day period, the price over and
above the $750,000 cap will be renegotiated by the parties.
Other assets purchased by IWI included a list of customers serviced by
Universal/VIP out of the Dubuque, Freeport and Rockford markets, certain
computer and telephone equipment ($7,880), product shelving ($4,000), shop
equipment ($14,500) and delivery vehicles ($56,950). IWI also agreed to lease
from Universal/VIP the shelving units located in Rockford for $1,000 per month
for a minimum of five (5) months which result in an additional minimum rental
fee of $5,000 to Universal/VIP. IWI also agreed to assume Universal/VIP's lease
obligations for the warehouses located in Freeport and Rockford, Illinois.
The total consideration presently estimated to be received by
Universal/VIP for the transferred assets equals approximately $1,300,000. In
addition to the assets transferred to IWI, Universal/VIP and Donald D. Heupel,
President of Universal Mfg. entered into a five (5) year non-compete which
prohibits engaging in any activities competitive with IWI in the Dubuque,
Iowa, Freeport, Illinois and Rockford, Illinois sales territories. The parties
expressly agreed that Universal Mfg. and Universal Distribution may continue
their current business activities and may expand such activities if such
activities do not compete with IWI's current automobile parts distribution
business activities.
The preceding information contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Investors are
cautioned that statements herein that are not historical facts, including
statements about Universal/VIP's expectations of the future of Universal/VIP or
the success or negotiations with AC Delco, are forward looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. These uncertainties include, without
limitation, the effect of the general economic conditions, customer requirements
for VIP products, future actions by ACDelco, the continuing strength of the
automotive industry, increased competition and other factors. Such factors could
cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements.
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
2.1 IWI Final Purchase Proposal
effective July 1, 2002.
SIGNATURES
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.
UNIVERSAL MFG. CO.
Date: July 15, 2002 /s/ Donald D. Heupel, President
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Donald D. Heupel, President