ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
The Company was incorporated in Kentucky in 1980 as Newport Steel Corporation for the purpose of purchasing the operating assets of the Newport Steel Works from Interlake, Inc. (Interlake). The Company changed its name to NS Group, Inc. in 1987 and transferred its tubular manufacturing operations to a subsidiary renamed Newport Steel Corporation. As used herein, the terms "Company" and "NS Group" refer to NS Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise required by the context.
In October 1990, the Company, through a newly- formed wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired certain assets now comprising Koppel Steel Corporation ("Koppel"), a steel mini-mill located in western Pennsylvania. Koppel manufactures seamless tubular products, special bar quality (SBQ) products and semi-finished steel products. Koppel operates melting and casting facilities and a bar mill in Koppel, Pennsylvania as well as a seamless tube-making facility approximately 20 miles from Koppel in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. Koppel's seamless tubular products are used in oil and natural gas drilling and production operations and in the transmission of oil, natural gas and other fluids. SBQ products are primarily used by forgers and original equipment manufacturers of heavy equipment and off-road vehicles.
In October, 1993, the Company sold its wholly- owned subsidiary, Kentucky Electric Steel Corporation, to a newly formed public company in exchange for $45.6 million in cash and 400,000 shares (approximately 8%) of the new public company, then valued at $4.8 million. Kentucky Electric Steel Corporation was sold in order to enhance the Company's financial flexibility. Incorporated herein by reference from the 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders is "Note 2: Sale of Subsidiary", which contains additional information pertaining to this transaction.
NS Group conducts business in two industry segments.
Specialty Steel -- includes three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Newport Steel Corporation (Newport), a mini-mill manufacturer of welded tubular steel products and hot rolled coils, located near Newport, Kentucky; Erlanger Tubular Corporation (Erlanger), a tubular steel finishing operation acquired in late fiscal 1986, located near Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Koppel Steel Corporation (Koppel), a mini-mill manufacturer of seamless tubular steel products, special bar quality products and semi-finished steel products, acquired in October, 1990, located in western Pennsylvania.
Adhesives -- includes the wholly-owned subsidiary, Imperial Adhesives, Inc. (Imperial), a manufacturer of industrial adhesives products, located in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Incorporated herein by reference from the 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders is "Note 13: Business Segment Information", for additional information pertaining to industry segment data.
Specialty Steel Segment
The Company's specialty steel products consist of: (i) seamless and welded tubular goods primarily used in oil and natural gas drilling and production operations (oil country tubular goods, or OCTG); (ii) line pipe used in the transmission of oil, natural gas and other fluids; (iii) SBQ products primarily used in the manufacture of heavy industrial equipment, trucks and off-road vehicles; and (iv) hot rolled coils which are sold to service centers and other manufacturers for further processing. The Company manufactures these specialty steel products at its two mini-mills, located in Koppel, Pennsylvania and near Newport, Kentucky. The term mini-mill connotes a smaller, relatively low- cost mill that typically uses scrap steel as its basic raw material and offers a relatively limited range of products.
Products
Seamless OCTG Products. The Company's seamless OCTG products are used as drill pipe, casing and production tubing. Drill pipe is used and may be reused to drill several wells. Casing forms the structural wall of oil and natural gas wells to provide support and prevent caving during drilling operations and is generally not removed after it has been installed in a well. Production tubing is placed within the casing and is used to convey oil and natural gas to the surface. The Company's seamless OCTG products are sold as a finished threaded and coupled product in both carbon and alloy grades. Compared to similar welded products, seamless production tubing and casing are better suited for use in hostile drilling environments such as off-shore drilling or deeper wells because of their greater strength and durability. The production of seamless tubular products with these properties requires a more costly and specialized manufacturing process than does the production of welded tubular products.
Welded OCTG Products. The Company's welded OCTG products are used primarily as casing in oil and natural gas wells during drilling operations. Welded OCTG products are generally used when higher strength is not required, typically in wells less than 10,000 feet in depth. The Company sells its welded OCTG products as both a plain end and as a finished tubular product in both carbon and alloy grades.
Line Pipe Products. The Company's line pipe products are primarily used in gathering lines for the transportation of oil and natural gas at the drilling site and in transmission lines by both gas utility and transmission companies. The Company's seamless and welded line pipe products are shipped as a plain end product and welded together on site. The majority of the Company's line pipe sales are welded products.
Special Bar Quality Products. The Company manufactures SBQ products in a specialized market niche of products ranging in size from 2.875 to 6.0 inches. The Company produces its SBQ products from continuous cast blooms that enables substantial size reduction in the bloom during processing and provides heavier strength-to-weight ratios. These SBQ products are primarily used in critical weight-bearing applications such as suspension systems, gear blanks, drive axles for tractors and off-road vehicles, heavy machinery components and hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders.
Hot Rolled Coils. The Company produces commercial quality grade hot rolled coils, from 28 to 50 inches in width, between 0.125 and 0.500 inches in gauge, and in 15 ton coil weights. These products are sold to service centers and to others for use in high-strength applications.
Other Products. The Company's OCTG products are inspected and tested to ensure that they meet API specifications. Products that do not meet specification are classified as secondary or limited service products and are sold at substantially reduced prices.
Finishing Facilities. The Company processes and finishes a portion of its own welded and seamless tubular products, and to a lesser extent, those of other tubular producers, at Erlanger and at its Koppel- owned facility in Baytown, Texas (Baytown). The finishing processes at Erlanger include upsetting, which is a forging process that thickens tube ends; heat treating, which is a furnace operation designed to strengthen the steel; straightening; coating for rust prevention; and threading. Currently, Baytown is capable of upsetting, coating and threading. After finishing, products are either immediately reshipped to customers or stored as inventory to enable the Company to respond quickly to customer needs.
The demand for the Company's OCTG products is cyclical in nature, being dependent on the number and depth of oil and natural gas wells being drilled in the United States. The level of drilling activity is largely a function of the current prices of oil and natural gas and the industry's future price expectations. Demand for OCTG products is also influenced by the levels of inventory held by producers, distributors and end users. In addition, the demand for OCTG products produced domestically is also significantly impacted by the level of foreign imports of OCTG products. The level of OCTG imports is affected by: (i) the value of the U.S. dollar versus other key currencies; (ii) overall world demand for OCTG products; (iii) the production cost competitiveness of domestic producers; (iv) trade practices of, and government subsidies to, foreign producers; and (v) the presence or absence of governmentally imposed trade restrictions in the United States. The demand for line pipe is only partially dependent on oil and gas drilling activities. Line pipe demand is also dependent on factors such as the level of pipeline construction activity, line pipe replacement requirements, new residential construction and gas utility purchasing programs. The demand for the Company's SBQ and hot rolled coil products is also cyclical in nature and is sensitive to general economic conditions. The demand for and the pricing of the Company's SBQ and hot rolled coil products is also affected by economic trends in areas such as commercial and residential construction, automobile production and industrial investment in new plants and facilities.
Markets and Distribution
The Company sells its specialty steel products to its customers through an in-house sales force which is supplemented by a number of independent sales representatives. The primary end markets for the Company's seamless tubular products has been the southwest United States and certain foreign markets. Nearly all of the Company's OCTG products are sold to domestic distributors, some of whom subsequently sell the Company's products into the international marketplace. The Company has historically marketed its welded tubular products in the east, central and southwest regions of the United States, in areas where shallow oil and gas drilling and exploration activity utilize welded tubular products. The Company sells its SBQ products to customers located generally within 400 miles of the Koppel facilities.
All of the Company's steel-making and finishing facilities are located on or near major rivers or waterways, enabling the Company to transport its tubular products into the southwest by barge. The Company ships substantially all of its seamless and welded OCTG products destined for the southwest region by barge.
Customers
The Company has approximately 300 specialty steel product customers. The Company's OCTG and line pipe products are used by major and independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in drilling and production applications in the United States, Canada, Mexico and overseas. Line pipe products are also used by gas utility and transmission companies. The majority of the Company's OCTG and line pipe products are sold to domestic distributors and directly to end users. The Company sells its SBQ products to service centers, cold finishers, forgers and original equipment manufacturers, and primarily sells its hot rolled coils to service centers and other manufacturers for further processing. The Company has long-standing relationships with many of its larger customers; however, the Company believes that it is not dependent on any customer and that it could, over time, replace lost sales attributable to any one customer.
Competition
The markets for the Company's specialty steel products are highly competitive and cyclical. The Company's principal competitors in its primary markets include integrated producers, mini-mills, welded tubular product processing companies as well as foreign steel producers. The Company believes that the principal competitive factors affecting its business are price, quality and customer service.
The Company competes with a number of domestic as well as foreign producers in the welded tubular market, which includes both OCTG and line pipe products. In the seamless OCTG market, the Company competes principally with one domestic producer as well as a number of foreign producers. With respect to its SBQ products, the Company competes with numerous other domestic steel manufacturers.
Trade Cases. In response to the rising level of foreign imports of OCTG products, on June 30, 1994, the Company and six other U.S. steel companies filed antidumping petitions against imports of OCTG products from seven foreign nations (the Trade Cases). The Trade Cases asked the United States government to take action to offset injury to the domestic OCTG industry from unfairly traded imports. The antidumping petitions were filed against OCTG imports from Argentina, Austria, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Spain. The Company also joined in filing countervailing duty cases charging subsidization of OCTG imports from Austria and Italy. In July 1995, following evaluation of determinations made by the International Trade Administration of the United States Department of Commerce, the International Trade Commission (ITC) announced final affirmative determinations, resulting in the collection of duties by the Customs Service on imports of OCTG and drill pipe products from Argentina, Japan and Mexico, and OCTG products (other than drill pipe) from Italy and Korea. No duties were imposed on OCTG and drill pipe imports from Austria and Spain because the ITC issued negative determinations. Several foreign OCTG producers, as well as certain U.S. producers, have appealed the determinations to international courts or panels. The Company cannot predict the outcome or timing of these appeals at this time.
Raw Materials and Supplies
The Company's major raw material is steel scrap, which is generated principally from industrial, automotive, demolition, railroad and other steel scrap sources. Steel scrap is purchased by the Company either through scrap brokers or directly in the open market. The long-term demand for steel scrap and its importance to the domestic steel industry may be expected to increase as steel-makers continue to expand steel scrap-based electric arc furnace and thin slab casting capacities. For the foreseeable future, however, the Company believes that supplies of steel scrap will continue to be available in sufficient quantities at competitive prices. In addition, a number of technologies exist for the processing of iron ore into forms which may be substituted for steel scrap in electric arc furnace-based steel-making operations. Such forms include direct-reduced iron, iron carbide and hot-briquette iron. While such forms may not be cost competitive with steel scrap at present, a sustained increase in the price of steel scrap could result in increased implementation of these alternative technologies.
The Company's steel manufacturing facilities consume large amounts of electricity. The Company purchases its electricity from utilities near its steel-making facilities pursuant to contracts that expire in 1996 for Koppel and 2001 for Newport. The contracts contain provisions that provide for lower priced demand charges during off-peak hours and known maximums in higher cost firm demand power. Also, the Company receives discounted demand rates in return for the utilities' right to periodically curtail service during periods of peak demand. These curtailments are generally limited to a few hours and historically have had a negligible impact on the Company's operations.
The Company also consumes smaller quantities of additives, alloys and flux which are purchased from a number of suppliers.
Adhesives Segment
Imperial is a manufacturer of industrial adhesives products. Imperial maintains over 1,000 active formulas for the manufacture of water-borne, solvent- borne, and hot-melt adhesives, which are used in product assembly applications, including footwear, foam bonding, marine and recreational vehicles, and consumer packaging. Raw materials are available from multiple sources and consist primarily of petrochemical-based materials. Pricing generally follows trends in the petrochemical markets.
Imperial produces adhesives products at manufacturing plants located in Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia. Imperial markets its adhesives products throughout the United States and Caribbean basin through an in-house sales force as well as numerous independent sales representatives. Products are distributed from three manufacturing sites and a number of public warehouses across the United States and in Puerto Rico.
Competition in the industrial adhesives products market is highly-fragmented. The Company believes that it competes in this market on the basis of price, product performance and customer service. Imperial competes with numerous small or comparably-sized companies, as well as major adhesives producers.
Environmental Matters
The Company is subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including, among others, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Clean Air Act, the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act (the 1990 Amendments), the Clean Water Act and all regulations promulgated in connection therewith, including, among others, those concerning the discharge of contaminants as air emissions or waste water effluents and the disposal of solid and/or hazardous wastes such as electric arc furnace dust. As such, the Company is from time to time involved in administrative and judicial proceedings and administrative inquiries related to environmental matters.
As with other similar mills in the industry, the Company's steel mini-mills produce dust which contains lead, cadmium and chromium, and is classified as a hazardous waste. The Company currently collects the dust resulting from its electric arc furnace operations through emission control systems and contracts with a company for treatment and disposal of the dust at an EPA-approved facility. The Company also has on its property at Newport a permitted hazardous waste disposal facility.
In March 1995, Koppel and the EPA signed a Consent Order relating to an April 1990 RCRA facility assessment (the Assessment) completed by the EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources. The Assessment was performed in connection with a permit application pertaining to a landfill that is adjacent to the Koppel facilities. The Assessment identified potential releases of hazardous constituents at or adjacent to the Koppel facilities prior to the Company's acquisition of the Koppel facilities. The Consent Order establishes a schedule for investigating, monitoring, testing and analyzing the potential releases. Contamination documented as a result of the investigation will require cleanup measures and certain remediation has begun. Pursuant to various indemnity provisions in agreements entered into at the time of the Company s acquisition of the Koppel facilities, certain parties have agreed to indemnify the Company against various known and unknown environmental matters. While such parties have not at this time acknowledged full responsibility for potential costs under the Consent Order, the Company believes that the indemnity provisions provide for it to be fully indemnified against all matters covered by the Consent Order, including all associated costs, claims and liabilities.
In two separate incidents occurring in fiscal 1993 and 1992, radioactive substances were accidentally melted at Newport, resulting in the contamination of the melt shop s electric arc furnace emission control facility, or baghouse facility . The occurrences of the accidental melting of radioactive materials have not resulted in any notice of violations from federal or state environmental regulatory agencies. The losses and costs incurred in 1993, net of insurance claims, resulted in an extraordinary charge of $1.1 million, net of applicable income tax benefit of $0.7 million, or an $.08 loss per share. The Company is investigating and evaluating various issues concerning storage, treatment and disposal of the radiation contaminated baghouse dust; however a final determination as to method of treatment and disposal, cost and further regulatory requirements cannot be made at this time. Depending on the ultimate timing and method of treatment and disposal, which will require appropriate federal and state regulatory approval, the actual cost of disposal could substantially exceed current estimates and the Company s insurance coverage. The Company expects to recover and has recorded a $2.3 million receivable relating to insurance claims for the recovery of disposal costs which will be filed with the Company s insurance company at the time such disposal costs are incurred. As of September 30, 1995, claims recorded in connection with disposal costs exhaust available insurance coverage. Based on current knowledge, management believes the recorded gross reserves of $4.4 million for disposal costs pertaining to these incidents are adequate.
Subject to the uncertainties concerning the Consent Order and the storage and disposal of the radiation contaminated dust, the Company believes that it is currently in compliance in all material respects with all applicable environmental regulations.
Regulations under the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act that will pertain to the Company s operations are currently not expected to be promulgated until 1997 or later. The Company cannot predict the level of required capital expenditures or operating costs resulting from future environmental regulations such as those forthcoming as a result of the 1990 Amendments. However, the Company believes that while the 1990 Amendments may require additional expenditures, such expenditures will not have a material impact on the Company s business or consolidated financial position for the foreseeable future.
Capital expenditures for the next twelve months relating to environmental control facilities are not expected to be material, however, such expenditures could be influenced by new or revised environmental regulations and laws.
As of September 30, 1995, the Company had environmental remediation reserves of $4.5 million, of which $4.4 million pertain to accrued disposal costs for radiation contaminated baghouse dust. As of September 30, 1995, the possible range of estimated losses related to the environmental contingency matters discussed above in excess of those accrued by the Company is $0 to $3.0 million; however, with respect to the Consent Order, the Company cannot estimate the possible range of losses should the Company ultimately not be indemnified. Based upon its evaluation of available information, management does not believe that any of the environmental contingency matters discussed above are likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect upon the Company s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, the Company cannot predict with certainty that new information or developments with respect to the Consent Order or its other environmental contingency matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Employees
As of September 30, 1995, the Company had 1,728 employees, of whom 405 were salaried and 1,323 were hourly. Substantially all of the Company's hourly employees are represented by the United Steelworkers of America under contracts expiring in 1997 for Erlanger; 1999 for Newport and Koppel; and 1998 for Imperial.
ITEM 2.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company's principal operating properties are listed in the table below. The Company believes its facilities are adequate and suitable for its present level of operations.
Location and Properties
Specialty Steel Segment:
Newport, Kentucky - The Company owns approximately 250 acres of real estate upon which are located a melt shop, hot strip mill, two welded pipe mills, machine and fabricating shops and storage and repair facilities aggregating approximately 636,000 square feet, as well as the Company's administrative offices.
Koppel, Pennsylvania - The Company owns approximately 227 acres of real estate upon which are located a melt shop, bar mill, blooming mill, pickling facility, machine and fabricating shops, storage and repair facilities and administrative offices aggregating approximately 900,000 square feet.
Ambridge, Pennsylvania - The Company owns approximately 45 acres of real estate upon which are located a seamless tube making facility and seamless tube finishing facilities aggregating approximately 659,000 square feet.
Tulsa, Oklahoma - The Company leases approximately 36 acres of real estate upon which are located a tubular processing facility. The facility is located at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa where barge facilities are in close proximity. Located on this property are six buildings aggregating approximately 119,000 square feet which house the various finishing operations.
Baytown, Texas - The Company owns approximately 55 acres of real estate upon which is located a tubular processing facility and barge facilities. Located on the property are eight buildings aggregating approximately 65,000 square feet which house the various finishing operations.
Adhesives Segment:
Cincinnati, Ohio; Lynchburg, Virginia; Nashville, Tennessee - The Company owns approximately seven acres of property in Cincinnati, Ohio, and 1.5 acres of property in Lynchburg, Virginia for use in its adhesives operations. The Cincinnati properties contain five buildings aggregating approximately 150,000 square feet and the Lynchburg property consists of one 10,000 square foot building. The Company also leases approximately 3.1 acres in Nashville, Tennessee for use in its adhesives operations, including one building aggregating approximately 60,000 square feet.
Other:
Newport, Kentucky - The Company owns approximately 37 acres of partially developed land near Newport, Kentucky, acquired in fiscal 1989, which is held as investment property and is listed for sale. The Company also owns approximately 85 acres of additional real estate which is currently not used in operations.
Information regarding encumbrances on the Company's properties, included in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, is incorporated herein by reference.
Capacity Utilization
The Company's capacity utilization for fiscal 1995 was as follows:
Rated Capacity Facility (in tons) Capacity Utilization
Koppel facilities Melt shop ............... 400,000 88.4% Bar mill ................ 200,000 98.5% Seamless tube mill ...... 200,000 69.0%
Newport facilities Melt shop ............... 700,000 59.4% Hot strip rolling mill .. 750,000 51.1% Welded pipe mills ....... 580,000 55.8%
ITEM 3.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See "Environmental Matters" regarding the Consent Order entered into by Koppel and the EPA.
The Company is subject to various claims, lawsuits and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business with respect to commercial, product liability and other matters which seek remedies or damages. Based upon its evaluation of available information, management does not believe that any such matters are likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect upon the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
ITEM 4.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
PART II
ITEM 5.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Incorporated herein by reference from the 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, "Stock Market Information" and "Stock Price" and Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
As of December 1, 1995, there were approximately 338 record holders of Common Stock.
ITEM 6.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Incorporated herein by reference from the 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, "Consolidated Historical Summary" and Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 7.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Incorporated herein by reference from the 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".
ITEM 8.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Incorporated herein by reference from the 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders, "Consolidated Statements of Operations"; "Consolidated Balance Sheets"; "Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows"; Consolidated Statements of Common Shareholders' Equity"; "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements"; "Report of Management"; and "Report of Independent Public Accountants".
ITEM 9.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Proxy Statement dated December 27, 1995 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 15, 1996, under the caption "Election of Directors - Nominees for Election as Directors"; "Information Regarding Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors - Committees of the Board"; "Executive Compensation"; and "Compliance With Section of 16(a) of the Exchange Act".
ITEM 11.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Proxy Statement dated December 27, 1995 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 15, 1996, under the caption "Information Regarding Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors - Director Compensation"; "Executive Compensation"; and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation".
ITEM 12.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Proxy Statement dated December 27, 1995 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 15, 1996, "Share Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management".
ITEM 13.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Proxy Statement dated December 27, 1995 for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on February 15, 1996, under the caption "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Certain Transactions". PART IV
ITEM 14.

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) 1. Consolidated Financial Statements - The following Consolidated Financial Statements included in the 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995, are incorporated by reference in Item 8:
- Consolidated Statements of Operations - Consolidated Balance Sheets - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Consolidated Statements of Common Shareholders' Equity - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Report of Independent Public Accountants
(a) 2. Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule - The following schedule is included herein:
- Report of Independent Public Accountants on Financial Statement Schedule
- Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(a) 3. Exhibits
Reference is made to the Index to Exhibits, which is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 29, 1995 and filed October 10, 1995, reporting under Item 5 the Company's earnings expectations for the fourth fiscal quarter ending September 30, 1995; and under Item 7(c), the Company's press release dated September 29, 1995.
Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 24, 1995 and filed November 3, 1995, reporting under Item 5 the Company's estimate for earnings for the fourth fiscal quarter ending September 30, 1995; and under Item 7(c), the Company's press release dated October 24, 1995.
Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 10, 1995 and filed November 15, 1995, reporting under Item 5 the Company's results for its fiscal year and fourth quarter ending September 30, 1995; and under Item 7(c), the Company's press release dated November 10, 1995
Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 4, 1995 and filed December 7, 1995, reporting under Item 5 certain management changes; and under Item 7(c), the Company's press release dated December 5, 1995.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
To NS Group, Inc.:
We have audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards the consolidated financial statements included in NS Group, Inc. and subsidiaries annual report to shareholders incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, and have issued our report thereon dated November 6, 1995. Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in Item 14(a) 2 is the responsibility of the Company's management and is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
Cincinnati, Ohio ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP November 6, 1995
SCHEDULE II NS GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(Dollars in thousands)
Reserves Deducted from Assets in Balance Sheets Allowance for Allowance Doubtful for Cash Accounts(1) Discounts(1)
(1) Deducted from accounts receivable
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. NS GROUP, INC.
Date: December 15, 1995 By: /s/John R. Parker John R. Parker, Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Clifford R. Borland and John R. Parker, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and any other documents and instruments incidental thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and/or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: December 15, 1995 By: /s/Clifford R.Borland Clifford R. Borland, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Date: December 15, 1995 By: /s/Paul C. Borland Paul C. Borland, President and Chief Operating Officer
Date: December 15, 1995 /s/John R. Parker John R. Parker, Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
Date: December 15, 1995 /s/Thomas J. Depenbrock Thomas J. Depenbrock Vice President and Corporate Controller
Date: December 15, 1995 /s/Ronald R. Noel Ronald R. Noel, Director
Date: December 15, 1995 /s/John B. Lally John B. Lally, Director
Date: December 15, 1995 /s/Patrick J. B. Donnelly Patrick J. B. Donnelly, Director
Date: December 15, 1995 /s/R. Glen Mayfield R. Glen Mayfield, Director
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Number Description
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Registrant, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrants' Form S-1 dated January 17, 1995, File No. 33- 56637, and incorporated herein by this reference
3.2 Amended and restated By-Laws of Registrant, dated December 4, 1995, filed herewith
Exhibits 4.1 through 4.22 were filed under their respective Exhibit numbers to Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 1, 1995, File No. 1-9838, and are incorporated herein by this reference
4.1 Indenture (including form of Senior Secured Note) between the Company and The Huntington National Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee")
4.2 Leasehold and Fee Mortgage, Assignment of Rents and Leases and Security Agreement from Newport to the Trustee (Kentucky)
4.3 Mortgage, Assignment of Rents and leases and Security Agreement from Koppel to the Trustee (Pennsylvania)
4.4 Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents and Leases and Security Agreement from Koppel to the Trustee (Texas)
4.5 Leasehold Mortgage, Assignment of Rents and Leases and Security Agreement from Erlanger to the Trustee (Oklahoma)
4.6 Junior Leasehold and Fee Mortgage, Assignment of Rents and Leases and Security Agreement from Newport to the Company (Kentucky)
4.7 Junior Mortgage, Assignment of Rents and Leases and Security Agreement from Koppel to the Company (Pennsylvania)
4.8 Junior Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents and Leases and Security Agreement from Koppel to the Company (Texas)
4.9 Junior Leasehold Mortgage, Assignment of Rents and Leases and Security Agreement from Erlanger to the Company (Oklahoma)
4.10 Subsidiary Security Agreement between Newport and the Trustee
4.11 Subsidiary Security Agreement between Koppel and the Trustee
4.12 Subsidiary Security Agreement between Erlanger and the Trustee
4.13 ICN Security Agreement between Newport and the Company
4.14 ICN Security Agreement between Koppel and the Company
4.15 ICN Security Agreement between Erlanger and the Company
4.16 Pledge and Security Agreement between the Company and the Trustee
4.17 Subsidiary Guarantee
4.18 Intercreditor Agreement between the Trustee and the Bank of New York Commercial Corporation, as agent under the Credit Facility
4.19 Agreement between the Trustee, Koppel and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Commerce
4.20 Subordination Agreement between the Trustee and the City of Dayton, Kentucky
4.21 Revolving Credit, Guaranty and Security Agreement among Bank of New York Commercial Corporation, PNC Bank Ohio, N.A., Newport, Koppel, Imperial, the Company, Erlanger, Northern Kentucky Air, Inc. and Northern Kentucky Management, Inc.
4.22 Warrant Agreement between the Company and The Huntington National Bank, as warrant agent
10.1 Company's Amended Employee Incentive Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10(a) to Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1989, File No. 1-9838, and incorporated herein by this reference
10.2 Company's Executive Bonus Plan, filed as Schedule B to Exhibit 10.4 to Company's Registration Statement on Form S-18, File No. 2-90643, and incorporated herein by this reference
10.3 Company's Non-Qualified Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Rights Plan of 1988, filed as Exhibit 1 to Company's Proxy Statement dated January 13, 1989, File No. 1-9838, and incorporated herein by this reference
10.4 Rights Agreement dated as of November 17, 1988 between Company and Pittsburgh National Bank, filed as Exhibit 1 to Company's Form 8- K dated November 17, 1988, File No. 1-9838, and incorporated herein by this reference, and Appointment and Amendment Agreement dated July 29, 1994 between Registrant and Registrar and Transfer Company, filed as Exhibit 10(d) to Company's Form 10-Q dated May 29, 1994, File No. 1-9838, and incorporated herein by this reference
10.5 Company's 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 1 to Company's Proxy Statement dated December 22, 1992, File No. 1-9838, and incorporated herein by this reference
10.6 Transfer Agreement, dated September 29, 1993, filed on September 28, 1993 as Exhibit 10.2 to the Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Kentucky Electric Steel, Inc., File No. 33-67140, and incorporated herein by this reference
10.7 Tax Agreement, dated October 6, 1993, by and among NS Group,Inc., Kentucky Electric Steel, Inc. and NSub I, Inc. (formerly Kentucky Electric Steel Corporation), filed as Exhibit 10(h) to Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 1993, File No. 1- 9383, and incorporated herein by this reference
10.8 Registration Rights Agreement dated October 6, 1993 among Kentucky Electric Steel, Inc., NS Group, Inc. and NSub I, Inc. (formerly Kentucky Electric Steel Corporation), filed as Exhibit 10(i) to Company's Form 10-K for fiscal year ended September 25, 1993, File No. 1-9383, and incorporated herein by this reference
10.9 Form of 11% Subordinated Convertible Debenture due 2005, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Company's Form 8-K dated October 18, 1990, File No. 1-9838, and incorporated herein by this reference
10.10 Form of Warrant dated October 4, 1990, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Company's Form 8-K dated October 18, 1990, File No. 1-9838, and incorporated herein by reference; and First Amendment to Warrant dated September 26, 1992, filed as Exhibit 4(c) to Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 26, 1992, File No. 1-9838, and incorporated herein by this reference
13 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders (not deemed "filed" except for portions which are expressly incorporated by reference), filed herewith
21 Subsidiaries of Registrant
23 Consent of Independent Public Accountants
24 Power of Attorney (contained on Signature Page)
27 Financial Data Schedule