ITEM 1 -- BUSINESS
GENERAL
UST Inc. was formed on December 23, 1986 as a Delaware corporation. Pursuant to a reorganization approved by stockholders at the 1987 Annual Meeting, United States Tobacco Company (originally incorporated in 1911) became a wholly owned subsidiary of UST Inc. on May 5, 1987. UST Inc., through its subsidiaries (collectively "Registrant" unless the context otherwise requires), is engaged in manufacturing, importing and selling consumer products in the following industry segments:
Tobacco Products: Registrant's primary activities are manufacturing and selling smokeless tobacco (snuff and chewing tobacco) and importing and selling other tobacco products.
Wine: Registrant produces and sells wine.
Other: Registrant produces or imports and sells certain other products such as smokers' accessories and operates certain commercial agricultural properties. The international and video entertainment operations as well as certain miscellaneous businesses are included in this segment.
INDUSTRY SEGMENT DATA
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the Consolidated Industry Segment Data pertaining to the years 1991 through 1993 set forth on page 28 of its Annual Report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993 ("Annual Report"), which page is included as Exhibit 13.1.
TOBACCO PRODUCTS
PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS
Registrant's principal smokeless tobacco products and brand names are as follows:
Moist -- COPENHAGEN, SKOAL LONG CUT, SKOAL, SKOAL BANDITS
Dry -- BRUTON, CC, RED SEAL
Chewing -- WB CUT
It has been claimed that the use of tobacco products may be harmful to health. To the best of Registrant's knowledge, unresolved controversy continues to exist among scientists concerning the claims made about tobacco and health. In 1986, federal legislation was enacted regulating smokeless tobacco products by, inter alia, requiring health warning notices on smokeless tobacco packages and advertising and prohibiting the advertising of smokeless tobacco products on electronic media. A federal excise tax was imposed in 1986, which was increased in 1991 and 1993. The Health Security Act announced by the Clinton Administration in 1993 seeks, inter alia, a significant federal excise tax increase on moist smokeless and other tobacco products. Also, in recent years, proposals have been made at the federal level for additional regulation of tobacco products including, inter alia, the requirement of additional warning notices, the disallowance of advertising and promotion expenses as deductions under federal tax law, a significant increase of federal excise taxes, a ban or further restriction of all advertising and promotion, regulation of environmental tobacco smoke and increased regulation by new or existing federal agencies. Substantially similar proposals will likely be considered in 1994. In 1993, various state and local governments continued the regulation of tobacco products, including, inter alia, the imposition of significantly higher taxes, sampling and advertising bans or restrictions, regulation of environmental tobacco smoke, negative advertising campaigns and packaging regulations. Additional state and local legislative and regulatory actions will likely be considered in 1994. Registrant is unable to assess the future effects these various actions may have on the sale of its tobacco products.
RAW MATERIALS
Except as noted below, raw materials essential to Registrant's business are generally purchased in domestic markets under competitive conditions.
In 1993, Registrant increased its purchases of dark fired, burley and dark air cured tobaccos ("tobacco") primarily from domestic sources. Although there was a slight increase in foreign purchases in 1993, purchases from foreign suppliers, as a percentage of total tobacco purchased, declined. Such foreign suppliers were located in Canada, Italy and Mexico. Various factors, including a failure of domestic tobacco production to continue to increase, may require Registrant to purchase additional amounts of tobacco from foreign sources in order to meet future requirements. Tobaccos used in the manufacture of smokeless tobacco products must be processed and aged by Registrant for a period of two to three years prior to their use.
Registrant or its suppliers purchase certain flavoring components used in Registrant's tobacco products from European sources.
At the present time, Registrant has no reason to believe that its future raw material requirements for its tobacco products will not be satisfied. However, the continuing availability and the cost of tobacco from both domestic and foreign sources is dependent upon a variety of factors which cannot be predicted, including weather, growing conditions, disease, local planting decisions, overall market demands and other factors.
LICENSE AND DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
Registrant is a party to license and distribution arrangements that relate to imported pipe tobacco and imported cigarette products, which have been entered into in the ordinary course of Registrant's business, none of which is material to the Tobacco segment.
WORKING CAPITAL
The principal portion of Registrant's operating cash requirements relates to its need to maintain significant inventories of leaf tobacco, primarily for manufacturing of smokeless tobacco products, and its need to age and cure certain of these tobaccos for periods of up to three years prior to use.
CUSTOMERS
Registrant sells tobacco products throughout the United States principally to chain stores and tobacco and grocery wholesalers. Approximately 25% of Registrant's gross sales of tobacco products are made to five customers, one of which accounts for more than 10% of such sales. Registrant has maintained satisfactory relationships with these customers for many years.
COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS
The tobacco manufacturing industry in the United States is composed of at least five domestic companies larger than Registrant and many smaller ones. The larger companies concentrate on the manufacture and sale of cigarettes; one also manufactures and sells smokeless tobacco products. Registrant is a well established and major factor in the smokeless tobacco sector of the overall tobacco market. Consequently, Registrant competes actively with both larger and smaller companies in the sale of its tobacco products. Registrant's principal methods of competition with its tobacco products include quality, advertising, promotion, sampling, price, product recognition and distribution.
WINE
Registrant is an established producer of premium varietal and blended wines. CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE and COLUMBIA CREST varietal table wines and DOMAINE STE. MICHELLE sparkling wine are produced by Registrant in the state of Washington and sold throughout the United States. Registrant also produces and sells two California premium wines under the labels of VILLA MT. EDEN and CONN CREEK. Approximately 48% of Registrant's wine sales are made to ten distributors, no one of which accounts for more than 20% of total wine sales. Substantially all wines are sold through state-licensed distributors with whom Registrant maintains satisfactory relationships.
It has been claimed that the use of alcohol beverages may be harmful to health. To the best of Registrant's knowledge, unresolved controversy continues to exist among scientists concerning the claims made about alcohol beverages and health. In 1988, federal legislation was enacted regulating alcohol beverages by requiring health warning notices on alcohol beverages. Effective in 1991, the federal excise tax on wine was increased from $.17 a gallon to $1.07 a gallon for those manufacturers that produce more than 250,000 gallons a year, such as Registrant. In recent years at the federal level, proposals were made for additional regulation of alcohol beverages including, inter alia, an excise tax increase, modification of the required health warning notices and the regulation of labeling, advertising and packaging. Substantially similar proposals will likely be considered in 1994. Also in recent years, increased regulation of alcohol beverages by various states included, inter alia, the imposition of higher taxes, the requirement of health warning notices and the regulation of advertising and packaging. Additional state and local legislative and regulatory actions affecting the marketing of alcohol beverages will likely be considered during 1994. Registrant is unable to assess the future effects these regulatory and other actions may have on the sale of its wines.
Registrant uses grapes harvested from its own vineyards, as well as grapes purchased from independent growers located primarily in Washington State. Total grape harvest yields experienced by Registrant and throughout Washington State in 1993 were significantly higher than the prior year and continue to be adequate to meet requirements for premium varietal wines. From time to time adverse weather conditions have significantly affected grape harvests from Washington State. Should any vineyards be destroyed as a result of such conditions, new vineyards generally require five to six years to provide full yields. At the present time, Registrant has no reason to believe that its future raw material requirements for its wine products will not be satisfied.
Registrant's principal competition comes from many larger, well established national companies, as well as smaller wine producers. Registrant's principal methods of competition include quality, price, consumer and trade wine tastings, competitive wine judging and advertising. Registrant is a minor factor in the total nationwide business of producing wines.
Registrant concentrates its sales efforts on premium varietal table wines and sparkling wines. The future of Registrant's wine business will be dependent on sales, price and volume growth for premium varietal wines, the success of new products and adequate grape harvest yields from Washington State.
OTHER
Included in this segment for 1993 were cigarette papers, pipes, smokers' accessories, the international operation, video entertainment, agricultural properties and a majority interest in a company that develops and markets equipment used in filmmaking. None of the above, singly, constitutes a material portion of Registrant's operations. Registrant sold its distribution rights to cigarette papers and related products on March 31, 1993.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS INFORMATION
CUSTOMERS
In 1993 sales to McLane Co. Inc., a national distributor, exceeded 10% of Registrant's consolidated revenue.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
Registrant does not believe that compliance with federal, state and local provisions regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment will have a material effect upon the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of Registrant.
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES
Registrant's average number of employees during 1993 was 3,724.
TRADEMARKS
Registrant sells consumer products under a large number of trademarks. All of the more important trademarks either have been registered or applications therefor are pending with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
SEASONAL BUSINESS
No material portion of the business of any industry segment of Registrant is seasonal.
ORDERS
Backlog of orders is not a material factor in any industry segment of Registrant.
ITEM 2
ITEM 2 -- PROPERTIES
Set forth below is information concerning principal facilities and real properties of Registrant.
Such principal properties in Registrant's industry segments were utilized only in connection with Registrant's business operations. Registrant believes that the above properties at December 31, 1993 were suitable and adequate for the purposes for which they were used, and were operated at satisfactory levels of capacity. Registrant is producing moist smokeless tobacco products at both its Franklin Park and Nashville plants where the combined installed capacity was planned to meet larger future demand for these products. While current capacity exceeds current sales, utilization would increase if market demand increases.
All principal properties are owned in fee by Registrant.
ITEM 3
ITEM 3 -- LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Registrant was named in an amended complaint filed on January 17, 1992, in an action against the major cigarette companies and others entitled Norma R. Broin, et al. v. Philip Morris Companies, Inc. et al. (Case No.: 91-49738 CA (22), Circuit Court, 11th Judicial Circuit, Dade County, Florida) seeking five billion dollars in punitive damages and unspecified compensatory damages. The action purportedly is brought on behalf of flight attendants who have allegedly sustained physical, psychological and emotional injuries as a result of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke on airplanes. On May 19, 1992, the Court dismissed the class action allegations in plaintiffs' amended complaint. Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal from the Court's dismissal on June 17, 1992 and this appeal has not been decided.
Registrant has had only limited involvement with cigarettes. Prior to 1985, Registrant manufactured some cigarette products which had a de minimis market share, and Registrant is indemnified for the small volume of imported cigarettes which it currently distributes.
Registrant believes that the action is without merit, intends to defend it vigorously and does not believe it will result in any material liability to Registrant.
ITEM 4
ITEM 4 -- SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Prior to May 5, 1987, all titles of officers set forth below relate to offices held in United States Tobacco Company.
Pursuant to instruction 3 to Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K, the name, office, age and business experience of each executive officer of Registrant as of March 1, 1994 is set forth below:
None of the executive officers of Registrant has any family relationship to any other executive officer or director of Registrant.
After election, all executive officers serve until the next annual organization meeting of the Board of Directors and until their successors are elected and qualified.
All of the Executive Officers of Registrant have been employed continuously by it for more than five years except for Mr. Barrett.
Mr. Barrett has served as Executive Vice President since October 7, 1991. He also has served as President of UST Enterprises Inc. since July 1, 1991. Mr. Barrett served as Senior Vice President from January 1, 1991 to October 6, 1991, and served as a member of the Board of Directors from July 27, 1989 through December 13, 1990. Mr. Barrett served as President of Barrett Consultants, a public and government relations firm which he founded in 1980. Mr. Barrett has been employed by Registrant since January 1, 1991.
Mr. Bucchignano has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since October 7, 1991. Mr. Bucchignano served as Senior Vice President and Controller from September 27, 1990 to October 6, 1991, and as Controller from August 1, 1987 to September 26, 1990. Mr. Bucchignano has been employed by Registrant since December 10, 1984.
Mr. Chapin has served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel since September 25, 1991. Mr. Chapin served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel from January 1, 1981 to September 24, 1991. Mr. Chapin has been employed by Registrant since March 1, 1975.
Mr. Gierer has served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since December 1, 1993 and has served as President since September 27, 1990. Mr. Gierer also served as Chief Operating Officer from September 27, 1990 to November 30, 1993 and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from February 17, 1988 to September 26, 1990. Mr. Gierer has been employed by Registrant since March 16, 1978.
Mr. Peter has served as Executive Vice President since October 29, 1990. He also has served as President of UST International Inc. since January 1, 1993. Mr. Peter served as Senior Vice President from July 27, 1989 to October 28, 1990 and as Vice President from June 23, 1988 to July 26, 1989. Mr. Peter has been employed by Registrant since February 1, 1988.
Mr. Taddeo has served as Executive Vice President and President of United States Tobacco Company since September 27, 1990. Mr. Taddeo also served as Senior Vice President of United States Tobacco Company from June 23, 1988 to September 26, 1990. Mr. Taddeo has been employed by Registrant since March 29, 1982.
PART II
ITEM 5
ITEM 5 -- MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Registrant hereby incorporates the information with respect to the market for its common stock, $.50 par value ("Common Stock"), and related security holder matters set forth on page 27 of its Annual Report, which page is included herein as Exhibit 13.2. Registrant's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange. As of March 1, 1994, there were approximately 13,621 stockholders of record of its Common Stock.
ITEM 6
ITEM 6 -- SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the Consolidated Selected Financial Data set forth on pages 46 and 47 of its Annual Report, which pages are included herein as Exhibit 13.3.
ITEM 7
ITEM 7 -- MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition set forth on pages 19-27 of its Annual Report, which pages are included herein as Exhibit 13.4.
ITEM 8
ITEM 8 -- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the information contained in the financial statements, including the notes thereto, set forth on pages 28-43 and 45 of its Annual Report, which pages are included herein as Exhibit 13.5.
ITEM 9
ITEM 9 -- CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10
ITEM 10 -- DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the information with respect to the names, ages and business histories of the directors of Registrant which is contained in Table I and the accompanying text set forth under the caption "Election of Directors" in its Notice of 1994 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. Information concerning executive officers of Registrant is set forth above following Item 4 of this Report.
ITEM 11
ITEM 11 -- EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the information with respect to executive compensation which is contained in Tables II through V (including the notes thereto) and the accompanying text set forth under the caption "Compensation of Executive Officers" in its Notice of 1994 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12
ITEM 12 -- SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference the information with respect to the security ownership of management which is contained in Table I and the accompanying text set forth under the caption "Election of Directors" in its Notice of 1994 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13
ITEM 13 -- CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Registrant hereby incorporates by reference certain transactions with directors and information with respect to indebtedness of management which is contained in Table VI and the accompanying text set forth under the caption "Compensation of Executive Officers" in its Notice of 1994 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement.
PART IV
ITEM 14
ITEM 14 -- EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Documents filed as part of this Report:
(1) and (2) The financial statements of Registrant included in this Report are set forth on pages - hereof.
(3) The following exhibits are filed by Registrant pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
(b) No current reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fourth quarter of Registrant's most recent fiscal year.
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 14(c) of this Report.
SIGNATURE PAGE
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED.
UST INC. Date: February 16, 1994
By: VINCENT A. GIERER, JR. ------------------------------- VINCENT A. GIERER, JR. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THIS REPORT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ON BEHALF OF REGISTRANT AND IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
ITEM 14 (a) (1) AND (2)
UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following consolidated financial statements of Registrant, included in the annual report of Registrant to its stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1993, are incorporated by reference in Item 8:
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position -- December 31, 1993 and
Consolidated Statement of Earnings -- Years ended December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity -- Years ended December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows -- Years ended December 31, 1993, 1992 and 1991
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statement schedules are included in Item 14(d):
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II -- AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE FROM RELATED PARTIES AND UNDERWRITERS, PROMOTERS AND EMPLOYEES OTHER THAN RELATED PARTIES
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UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II -- AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE FROM RELATED PARTIES AND UNDERWRITERS, PROMOTERS AND EMPLOYEES OTHER THAN RELATED PARTIES -- (CONTINUED)
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UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II -- AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE FROM RELATED PARTIES AND UNDERWRITERS, PROMOTERS AND EMPLOYEES OTHER THAN RELATED PARTIES -- (CONTINUED)
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(A) Amounts represent notes arising from installment purchases of common stock under Registrant's Stock Option Plans which carry interest rates ranging from approximately 4% to approximately 9%, provide for payment over periods of up to ten years and are secured by the common stock purchased.
UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE V -- PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993
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(A) Reclassified on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position to land, buildings and machinery and equipment.
(B) Additions principally relate to the completion of aircraft, new equipment for the wine operations and the Nashville, Franklin Park and Hopkinsville plants, renovation of facilities, and normal replacement of existing manufacturing equipment and motor vehicles.
(C) Transfers to property accounts are included in Column C.
(D) The annual provisions for depreciation have been computed principally in accordance with the following rates:
UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE V -- PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT -- (CONTINUED)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992
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(A) Reclassified on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position to buildings and machinery and equipment.
(B) Additions principally relate to new equipment for the wine operations and the Nashville and Franklin Park plants, renovation of facilities, and normal replacement for existing manufacturing equipment and motor vehicles.
(C) Retirements include $7.1 million for aircraft.
(D) Net increase in account, primarily the partial cost of unfinished aircraft. Transfers to property accounts are included in Column C.
(E) The annual provisions for depreciation have been computed principally in accordance with the following rates:
UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE V -- PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT -- (CONTINUED)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1991
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(A) Reclassified on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position to buildings and machinery and equipment.
(B) Additions principally relate to the completion of aircraft, new equipment for the wine operations and the Nashville and Franklin Park plants, vineyard development, renovation of facilities, and normal replacement for existing manufacturing equipment and motor vehicles.
(C) Increase in account represents consolidation of Camera Platforms International, Inc.
(D) Net decrease in account, primarily the reclassification of the cost of completed aircraft. Transfers to property accounts are included in Column C.
(E) The annual provisions for depreciation have been computed principally in accordance with the following rates:
UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE VI -- ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE VI -- ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT -- (CONTINUED)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1992 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE VI -- ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION AND AMORTIZATION OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT -- (CONTINUED)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1991 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE IX -- SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS
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(A) Commercial paper generally matures within 90 days from date of issuance with no provision for extensions of its maturity. Amounts in 1993 are higher than in previous years due to an arbitrage program. (B) Notes payable represent borrowings under lines of credit arrangements. In January 1994, Registrant converted this $40 million loan into a revolving credit and term loan agreement and this amount was classified as long-term debt at December 31, 1993. (See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements -- Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement and Short-Term Lines of Credit.) (C) Represents maximum amount outstanding at any time during the period. (D) The average amount outstanding during the period was computed by dividing the total of the monthly average outstanding principal balances by twelve. (E) The weighted average interest rate during the period was computed by dividing the actual interest expense by the average short-term debt outstanding.
UST AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE X -- SUPPLEMENTARY INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION
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Other items have been omitted as each one did not exceed one percent of revenues.
EXHIBIT INDEX
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit pursuant to Item 14(c) of this Report.