FORM 20-F
Table of Contents

 

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Natuzzi S.p.A

Annual Report on Form 20-F

2012


Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended: December 31, 2012

Commission file number: 001-11854

 

 

NATUZZI S.p.A.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Republic of Italy

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Via Iazzitiello 47, 70029, Santeramo in Colle, Bari, Italy

(Address of principal executive offices)

Mr. Pietro Direnzo

Tel. +39 331 1943329

pdirenzo@natuzzi.com

Via Iazzitiello 47, 70029 Santeramo in Colle, Bari, Italy

(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

American Depositary Shares, each representing one Ordinary Share

Ordinary Shares, with a par value of €1.00 each

 

New York Stock Exchange

New York Stock Exchange

(for listing purposes only)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

As of December 31, 2012 54,853,045 Ordinary Shares

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes  ¨    No  x

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes  ¨    No   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes   x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨

  Accelerated filer  x   Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP  ¨

  IFRS  ¨   Other    x

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

¨  Item 17     x  Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No   x

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

PART I

     3   

ITEM  1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

     3   

ITEM  2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

     3   

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

     3   

Selected Financial Data

     3   

Exchange Rates

     5   

Risk Factors

     6   

ITEM  4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

     12   

Introduction

     12   

Organizational Structure

     14   

Strategy

     14   

Manufacturing

     18   

Supply-Chain Management

     22   

Products

     24   

Advertising

     27   

Retail Development

     27   

Markets

     27   

Incentive Programs and Tax Benefits

     33   

Management of Exchange Rate Risk

     35   

Trademarks and Patents

     35   

Regulation

     35   

Environmental Regulatory Compliance

     35   

Insurance

     35   

Description of Properties

     36   

Capital Expenditures

     37   

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

     37   

ITEM  5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

     37   

Critical Accounting Policies

     37   

Results of Operations

     41   

2012 Compared to 2011

     42   

2011 Compared to 2010

     46   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     49   

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

     51   

Trend information

     52   

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

     53   

 

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     Page  

Related Party Transactions

     53   

New Accounting Standards under Italian and U.S. GAAP

     53   

ITEM  6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

     54   

Compensation of Directors and Officers

     58   

Statutory Auditors

     58   

External Auditors

     59   

Employees

     59   

Share Ownership

     63   

ITEM  7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     63   

Major Shareholders

     63   

Related Party Transactions

     64   

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     65   

Consolidated Financial Statements

     65   

Export Sales

     65   

Legal and Governmental Proceedings

     65   

Dividends

     66   

ITEM  9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

     66   

Trading Markets and Share Prices

     66   

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     67   

By-laws

     67   

Material Contracts

     75   

Exchange Controls

     75   

Taxation

     76   

Documents on Display

     81   

ITEM  11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     82   

ITEM  12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

     84   

ITEM 12A. DEBT SECURITIES

     84   

ITEM 12B. WARRANTS AND RIGHTS

     84   

ITEM 12C. OTHER SECURITIES

     84   

ITEM 12D. AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

     84   

PART II

     85   

ITEM  13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

     85   

ITEM  14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

     85   

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     85   

ITEM 16. [RESERVED]

     88   

 

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     Page  

ITEM  16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

     88   

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

     88   

ITEM  16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

     88   

ITEM  16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES.

     89   

ITEM  16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

     90   

ITEM  16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANTS CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

     91   

ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

     91   

ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE.

     94   

PART III

     95   

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     95   

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     95   

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

     95   

 

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PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

In this annual report on Form 20-F (the “Annual Report”), references to “€” or “Euro” are to the Euro and references to “U.S. dollars,” “dollars,” “U.S.$” or “$” are to United States dollars.

Amounts stated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated, have been translated from the Euro amount by converting the Euro amounts into U.S. dollars at the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Noon Buying Rate”) for euros on December 31, 2012 of U.S.$ 1.3186. The foreign currency conversions in this Annual Report should not be taken as representations that the foreign currency amounts actually represent the equivalent U.S. dollar amounts or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rates indicated.

The Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report are prepared in conformity with accounting principles established by the Italian Accounting Profession (“Italian GAAP”). These principles vary in certain significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). See Note 29 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report. All discussions in this Annual Report are in relation to Italian GAAP, unless otherwise indicated.

In this Annual Report, the term “seat” is used as a unit of measurement. A sofa consists of three seats; an armchair consists of one seat.

The terms “Natuzzi,” “Natuzzi Group”, “Company,” “Group,” “we,” “us,” and “our,” unless otherwise indicated or as the context may otherwise require, mean Natuzzi S.p.A. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

The Company makes forward-looking statements in this Annual Report. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Group’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and “anticipate” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not exclusive means of identifying such statements. These statements are based on management’s current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore readers should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the dates they were made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Projections and targets included in this Annual Report are intended to describe our current targets and goals, and not as a prediction of future performance or results. The attainment of such projections and targets is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties described in the paragraph below and elsewhere in this Annual Report. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors.”

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as well as other factors that may be beyond our control. The Company cautions readers that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Such factors include, but are not limited to: effects on the Group from competition with other furniture producers, material changes in consumer demand or preferences, significant economic developments in the Group’s primary markets, significant changes in labor, material and other costs affecting the construction of new plants, significant changes in the costs of principal raw materials, significant exchange rate movements or changes in the Group’s legal and regulatory environment, including developments related to the Italian Government’s investment incentive or similar programs. The Company cautions readers that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to the Company, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and events.

 

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PART I

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data for the periods indicated and is qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in Item 18 of this Annual Report and the information presented under “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” included in Item 5 of this Annual Report. The statement of operations and balance sheet data presented below have been derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Consolidated Financial Statements, from which the selected consolidated financial data set forth below has been derived, were prepared in accordance with Italian GAAP, which differ in certain respects from U.S. GAAP. For a discussion of the principal differences between Italian GAAP and U.S. GAAP as they relate to the Group’s consolidated net loss and shareholders’ equity, see Note 29 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

 

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     Year Ended At December 31,  
     2012     2012     2011     2010     2009     2008  
    

(millions of
dollars,

except per
Ordinary
Share)(1)

   

(millions of euro,

except per Ordinary Share)

 

Statement of Operations Data:

            

Amounts in accordance with Italian GAAP:

            

Net sales:

            

Leather- and fabric-upholstered furniture

   $ 528.2      409.2      425.3      460.5      450.6      587.8   

Other(2)

     76.9        59.6        61.0        58.1        64.8        78.2   

Total net sales

     605.2        468.8        486.3        518.6        515.4        666.0   

Cost of sales

     (405.1     (313.8     (326.1     (321.5     (329.8     (478.8

Gross profit

     200.1        155.0        160.2        197.1        185.6        187.2   

Selling expenses

     (170.9     (132.4     (144.3     (154.3     (149.6     (172.3

General and administrative expenses

     (51.5     (39.9     (43.3     (42.4     (46.6     (49.9

Operating income (loss)

     (22.3     (17.3     27.3        0.4        (10.6     (35.0

Operating income (loss) per Ordinary Share

     (0.41     (0.32     (0.50     0.01        (0.19     (0.64

Other income (expense), Net (3) (4) (5)

     (5.9     (4.6     17.3        (4.4     3.1        (25.8

Income (loss) before taxes and minority interests

     (28.3     (21.9     (10.0     (4.0     (7.5     (60.8

Income taxes

     (5.3     (4.1     (8.9     (7.0     (9.8     (1.5

Income (loss) before non-controlling interests

     (33.6     (26.0     (18.9     (11.0     (17.3     (62.3

Non-controlling interest

     0.1        0.1        0.7        0.1        0.4        (0.4

Net income (loss)

     (33.7     (26.1     (19.6     (11.1     (17.7     (61.9

Net income (loss) per Ordinary Share

     (0.62     (0.48     (0.36     (0.20     (0.32     (1.13

Dividends declared per share

     —          —          —          —          —          —     

Amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP:

            

Net sales

   $ 592.9      459.3      488.3      510.8      506.0      670.1   

Operating income (loss)(6)

     (25.2     (19.5     (31.9     0.4        (14.2     (40.0

Operating income (loss) per Ordinary Share(6)

     (0.45     (0.35     (0.58     0.01        (0.26     (0.73

Net income (loss)

     (38.1     (29.5     (12.4     (8.8     (25.9     (55.7

Net income (loss) per Ordinary Share (basic and diluted)

     (0.70     (0.54     (0.23     (0.16     (0.47     (1.02

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares Outstanding

     54,853,045        54,853,045        54,853,045        54,853,045        54,853,045        54,850,643   

Balance Sheet Data:

            

Amounts in accordance with Italian GAAP:

            

Current assets

   $ 405.5      307.5      327.3      298.6      301.9      318.5   

Total assets

     627.8        476.1        511.0        503.9        508.6        543.8   

Current liabilities

     175.6        133.2        122.9        107.8        116.8        136.3   

Long-term debt

     9.6        7.3        10.8        13.6        5.9        3.3   

Non-controlling interest

     3.3        2.5        3.0        2.1        1.9        0.8   

Shareholders’ equity attributable to Natuzzi S.p.A. and Subsidiaries(7)

     370.7        281.1        310.5        323.2        325.0        345.2   

Net Asset

     374.1        283.7        313.5        325.3        326.9        346.0   

Amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP:

            

Total assets

   $ 633.7      480.6      511.0      508.5      521.1      560.5   

Shareholders’ equity attributable to Natuzzi S.p.A. and Subsidiaries

     368.0        279.1        308.6        321.7        327.6        353.3   

Net Assets

     371.3        281.6        311.6        323.8        329.5     

 

354.1

  

 

1) Income Statement amounts are converted from euros into U.S. dollars by using the average Federal Reserve Bank of New York Euro exchange rate for 2012 of U.S.$ 1.2909 per 1 Euro. Balance Sheet amounts are converted from euros into U.S. dollars using the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Noon Buying Rate of U.S.$ 1.3186 per 1 Euro as of December 31, 2012. Source: Bloomberg (USCFEURO Index).

 

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2) Sales included under “Other” principally consist of sales of polyurethane foam and leather to third parties and sales of living room accessories.
3) Other income (expense), net is principally affected by gains and losses, as well as interest income and expenses, resulting from measures adopted by the Group in an effort to reduce its exposure to exchange rate risks. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Results of Operations — 2012 Compared to 2011,” “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and Notes 3, 26 and 27 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.
4) Other income (expense), net in 2008 was negatively affected by the impairment losses of long-lived assets, a one-time employee termination benefit and the provision for contingent liabilities.
5) Other income (expense), net in 2011 was positively affected by the net Chinese relocation compensation and negatively affected by the impairment losses of long-lived assets, a one-time employee termination benefit and the provision for contingent liabilities. See Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.
6) Under US GAAP the impairment losses of € 0.9 million for 2012, have been classified as “general and administrative expenses” and are included as part of operating loss. Consequently, the impairment losses of € 5.9 million for 2011 and of € 0.7 million for 2010, respectively, have been reclassified to “general and administrative expenses” from the line “other income/(expenses), net”, where they were classified in 2011 and 2010. These reclassifications are not material to the Company’s financial statements.
7) Share capital as of December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 amounted to €54.9 million, €54.9 million, €54.9 million, €54.9 million and €54.9 million, respectively. Shareholder’s Equity represents the Total Equity attributable to Natuzzi S.p.A and its subsidiaries.

Exchange Rates

The following table sets forth, for each of the periods indicated, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Noon Buying Rate for the Euro expressed in U.S. dollars per Euro.

 

Year:

   Average(1)      At Period End  

2008

     1.4695         1.3919   

2009

     1.3955         1.4332   

2010

     1.3216         1.3269   

2011

     1.4002         1.2973   

2012

     1.2909         1.3186   

 

Month ending on:

   High      Low  

31-Oct-2012

     1.3133         1.2876   

30-Nov-2012

     1.3010         1.2715   

31-Dec-2012

     1.3260         1.2930   

31-Jan-2013

     1.3584         1.3047   

29-Feb-2013

     1.3692         1.3054   

30-Mar-2013

     1.3098         1.2782   

 

(1) The average of the Noon Buying Rates for the relevant period, calculated using the average of the Noon Buying Rates on the last business day of each month during the period. Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release on Foreign Exchange Rates–Historical Rates for Euro Area; Bloomberg (USCFEURO Index).

The effective Noon Buying Rate on March 30, 2013 was U.S.$ 1.2816 to 1 Euro.

 

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Risk Factors

Investing in the Company’s ADSs involves certain risks. You should carefully consider each of the following risks and all of the information included in this Annual Report.

The Group has a recent history of losses; the Group’s future profitability and financial condition depend to a large extent on its ability to overcome macroeconomic and operational challenges — The Group reported net losses in 2012 (€26.1 million), 2011 (€19.6 million), 2010 (€11.1 million), 2009 (€17.7 million) and 2008 (€61.9 million), while it reported an operating loss in each of 2012 and 2011 (€17.3 million and €27.3 million respectively) and an operating income of €0.4 million in 2010 after two years of operating losses (€10.6 million in 2009 and €35.0 million in 2008). In addition, the Group’s net sales declined from €666.0 million in 2008 to €468.8 million in 2012. As evidenced by these financial results, we may not be able to achieve or maintain profitability on a consistent basis.

The Group attributes its negative results in 2012 to a difficult macroeconomic environment affecting the furniture industry as a whole (particularly evident in some mature markets such as Europe), including extreme weakness in economic activity in the Euro-zone, declining disposable income for consumers as a result of fiscal austerity measures that continue to be in place in some EU countries, continued high prices for raw materials and price competition from low-cost manufacturers. These negative trends have been partially offset by moderate signs of sales recovery from the Americas. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.” The Group has also faced increased labor costs for some of its manufacturing plants operating abroad. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Manufacturing” for further information.

Our results of operations in the future will depend on our ability to overcome these and other challenges. Our failure to achieve profitability in the future could adversely affect the trading price of our shares and our ability to raise additional capital and, accordingly, our ability to grow our business. There can be no assurance that we will succeed in addressing any or all of these risks, and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

The worldwide economic downturn over the past few years has impacted the Group’s business and could continue to significantly impact our operations, sales, earnings and liquidity in the foreseeable future — Economic conditions deteriorated significantly in the United States and worldwide in late 2008 and general economic conditions did not fully recover in 2009. During 2010, the global economy started to show, on the whole, small signs of recovery, although there were considerable differences in the rate of recovery (if any) among regions. During 2011, the global economy, after an encouraging first half, subsequently lost momentum, with particular reference to the Euro-zone, as a consequence of the sovereign debt crisis affecting Greece, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Ireland. In 2012, the global economy continued to grow at a modest pace, but this growth was curbed by the stagnation of economic activity in Europe, as well as the slow-down of some emerging economies.

 

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Prospects for full economic recovery, therefore, still remain uncertain, especially in the so-called western economies, where private consumption is negatively impacted by a general weakness in the job market, continuing vulnerability in the real-estate sector, a decreasing level of savings among families, high levels of public indebtedness in most developed countries, austerity measures designed to reduce public expenditures and consequent decreased consumer credit and spending. Furthermore, the persistent funding difficulties of Europe’s banking industry, or a resurgence of the sovereign debt crisis in Europe, could diminish the banking industry’s ability to lend to the real economy, thus setting in motion a negative spiral of declining production, a weakening financial sector and higher unemployment.

These persistently difficult conditions have resulted in a decline in our sales and earnings over the past few years and could continue to impact our sales and earnings in the future. Sales of residential furniture are impacted by downturns in the general economy primarily due to decreased discretionary spending by consumers. The general level of consumer spending is affected by a number of factors, including, among others, general economic conditions, inflation, consumer confidence and the availability of consumer credit, all of which are generally beyond our control. Consumer purchases of residential furniture decline during periods of economic downturn, when disposable income is lower. The economic downturn also impacts retailers, our primary customers, and may result in the inability of our customers to pay the amounts owed to us. In addition, if our retail customers are unable to sell our products or are unable to access credit, they may experience financial difficulties leading to bankruptcies, liquidations, and other unfavorable events. If any of these events occur, or if unfavorable economic conditions continue to challenge the consumer environment, our future sales, earnings, and liquidity would likely be adversely impacted.

The Group’s ability to generate the significant amount of cash needed to service our debt obligations and our ability to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness or obtain additional financing depends on multiple factors, many of which may be beyond our control — Our ability to make scheduled payments due on our existing and anticipated debt obligations, to refinance and to fund planned capital expenditure and development efforts will depend on our ability to generate cash. We will require generation of sufficient operating cash flow from our projects to service our current and future projected indebtedness. Our ability to obtain cash to service our existing and projected debts is subject to a range of economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to satisfy our existing and projected debt obligations, in which case, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our debt, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments, or seek to raise additional capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to refinance our indebtedness will depend on the financial markets and our financial condition at such time. To the extent we have borrowings under bank overdrafts that are payable upon demand or which have short maturities, we may be required to repay or refinance such amounts on short notice, which may be difficult to do on acceptable financial terms or at all. At December 31, 2012, we had €26.9 million of bank overdrafts outstanding. In addition, while we had €77.7 million of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2012, a portion of this amount is held by our Chinese subsidiary and cannot be paid to us as a dividend without incurring withholding taxes. We cannot assure you that any refinancing or restructuring would be possible, that any assets could be sold, or, if sold, of the timing of the sales or the amount of proceeds that would be realized from those sales. We cannot assure you that additional financing could be obtained on acceptable terms, if at all, or would be permitted under the terms of our various debt instruments then in effect. Our failure to generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy our existing and projected debt obligations, or to refinance our obligations on commercially reasonable terms, would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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The Group’s operations have benefited in 2012 and in previous years from a temporary work force reduction program that, if not continued, may have an impact on the Group’s future performance — Due to the persistently difficult business environment that has negatively affected the Group’s order flow over the past few years, in September 2011 the Company renewed the agreement with the Italian trade unions and the Ministry of Labor pursuant to which it was entitled to benefit from the “Cassa Integrazione Guadagni Straordinaria” (or “CIGS”), an Italian temporary lay-off program, for a two-year period that will expire in October 2013. The extraordinary and temporary lay-off programs have been extended several times in the past by the Ministry of Labor but there is no guarantee that the Group will be able to renew this lay-off program upon the expiration of its two-year term and, if this lay-off program is not renewed, the future performance of the Group may be negatively impacted. For more information see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees”.

A failure to offer a wide range of products at different price-points could result in a decrease in our future earnings — The Group has been trying for the past few years to widen its price-point offerings in order to attract a wider base of consumers. The potential inability of the Group in achieving this goal may negatively affect the Group’s ability to generate future earnings.

Part of our growth strategy includes the development of new stores each year. If we and our dealers are not able to open new stores or effectively manage the growth of these stores, our ability to grow and our profitability could be adversely affected — Our ability and the ability of our dealers to identify and open new stores in desirable locations and operate such stores profitably is an important factor in our ability to grow successfully. We have in the past and will likely continue to purchase or otherwise assume operation of company-brand stores from independent dealers to the extent that such stores are considered strategic for the promotion of the Natuzzi Italia brand. Increased demands on our operational, managerial, and administrative resources could cause us to operate our business, including our existing and new stores, less effectively, which in turn could cause deterioration in our profitability.

Demand for furniture is cyclical and may fall in the future — Historically, the furniture industry has been cyclical, fluctuating with economic cycles, and sensitive to general economic conditions, housing starts, interest rate levels, credit availability and other factors that affect consumer spending habits. Due to the discretionary nature of most furniture purchases and the fact that they often represent a significant expenditure to the average consumer, such purchases may be deferred during times of economic uncertainty such as those being recently experienced in some of our markets, such as the United States and, particularly, Europe.

In 2012, the Group derived 41.5% of its leather and fabric-upholstered furniture net sales from the Americas, 44.0% from Europe and 14.5% from the rest of the world. A long-lasting economic slowdown in the United States or Europe may have a material adverse effect on the Group’s results of operations.

The Group operates principally in a niche area of the furniture market — The Group is a leading player in the production of leather-upholstered furniture, with 95.2% of net sales of upholstered furniture in 2012 derived from the sale of leather-upholstered furniture. Consumers have the choice of purchasing upholstered furniture in a wide variety of styles and materials, and consumer preferences may change. There can be no assurance that the current market for leather-upholstered furniture will not decrease.

 

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The furniture market is highly competitive — The Group operates in a highly competitive industry that includes a large number of manufacturers. No single company has a dominant position in the industry. Competition is generally based on product quality, brand name recognition, price and service.

The Group principally competes in the upholstered furniture sub-segment of the furniture market. In Europe, the upholstered furniture market is highly fragmented. In the United States, the upholstered furniture market includes a number of relatively large companies, some of which are larger and have greater financial resources than the Group. Some of the Group’s competitors offer extensively advertised, well-recognized branded products.

Competition has increased significantly in recent years as foreign producers from countries with lower manufacturing costs have begun to play an important role in the upholstered furniture market. Such manufacturers are often able to offer their products at lower prices, which increases price competition in the industry. In particular, manufacturers in Asia and Eastern Europe have increased competition in the lower-priced segment of the market. As a result of the actions and strength of the Group’s competitors and the inherent fragmentation in some markets in which it competes, the Group is continually subject to the risk of losing market share, which may lower its sales and profits.

Market competition may also force the Group to reduce prices and margins, thereby reducing its cash flows.

The highly competitive nature of the industry means that we are constantly at risk of losing market share, which would likely result in a loss of future sales and earnings. In addition, due to high levels of competition, it may not be possible for us to raise the prices of our products in response to inflationary pressures or increasing costs, which could result in a decrease in our profit margins.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates have adversely affected and may adversely affect the Group’s results — The Group conducts a substantial part of its business outside of the Euro zone. An increase in the value of the Euro relative to other currencies used in the countries in which the Group operates will reduce the relative value of the revenues from its operations in those countries, and therefore may adversely affect its operating results or financial position, which are reported in Euro. In addition to this risk, the Group is subject to currency exchange rate risk to the extent that its costs are denominated in currencies other than those in which it earns revenues. In 2012, a significant portion of the Group’s net sales (60%), but approximately 50% of its costs, were denominated in currencies other than the Euro. The Group also holds a substantial portion of its cash and cash equivalents in currencies other than the Euro, including a large amount in RMB received as compensation for the relocation of its Chinese manufacturing plant. The Group is therefore exposed to the risk that fluctuations in currency exchange rates may adversely affect its results, as has been the case in recent years. For more information, see Item 11, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

The Group faces risks associated with its international operations — The Group is exposed to risks that arise from its international operations, including changes in governmental regulations, tariffs or taxes and other trade barriers, price, wage and exchange controls, political, social, and economic instability in the countries where the Group operates, inflation, exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the Group’s results.

 

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The price of the Group’s principal raw materials is difficult to predict — Leather is used in approximately 87.4% of the Group’s upholstered furniture production, and the acquisition of cattle hides represents approximately 20.0% of total cost of goods sold. The dynamics of the raw hides market are dependent on the consumption of beef, the levels of worldwide slaughtering, worldwide weather conditions and the level of demand in a number of different sectors, including footwear, automotive, furniture and clothing.

The Group’s past results and operations have significantly benefited from government incentive programs, which may not be available in the future — Historically, the Group derived significant benefits from the Italian Government’s investment incentive programs for under-industrialized regions in Southern Italy, including tax benefits, subsidized loans and capital grants. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Incentive Programs and Tax Benefits.” In recent years, the Italian Parliament replaced these incentive programs with an investment incentive program for all under-industrialized regions in Italy, which is currently being implemented by the Group through grants, research and development benefits. There are no indications at this time that the Italian Government will implement new initiatives to support companies located in under-industrialized regions in Italy. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the Group will continue to be eligible for such grants, benefits or tax credits for its current or future investments in Italy.

In recent years, the Group has opened manufacturing operations in China, Brazil and Romania and up through 2011, was granted tax benefits and export incentives by the relevant governmental authorities in those countries. There can be no assurance that the Group will benefit from such tax benefits or export incentives in connection with future investments.

The Group is dependent on qualified personnel — The Group’s ability to maintain its competitive position will depend to some considerable degree upon the personal commitment of its founder, chairman and CEO, Mr. Pasquale Natuzzi, as well as its ability to continue to attract and maintain highly qualified managerial, manufacturing and sales and marketing personnel. There can be no assurance that the loss of key personnel would not have a material adverse effect on the Group’s results of operations.

Investors may face difficulties in protecting their rights as shareholders or holders of ADSs — The Company is incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Italy. As a result, the rights and obligations of its shareholders and certain rights and obligations of holders of its ADSs (as defined below) are governed by Italian law and the Company’s statuto (or by-laws). These rights and obligations are different from those that apply to U.S. corporations. Furthermore, under Italian law, holders of ADSs have no right to vote the shares underlying their ADSs; however, pursuant to the Deposit Agreement (as defined below), ADS holders do have the right to give instructions to The Bank of New York Mellon, the ADS depositary, as to how they wish such shares to be voted. For these reasons, the Company’s ADS holders may find it more difficult to protect their interests against actions of the Company’s management, board of directors or shareholders than they would if they were shareholders of a company incorporated in the United States.

One shareholder has a controlling stake of the Company — Mr. Pasquale Natuzzi, who founded the Company and is currently Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors, beneficially owns, as of April 19, 2013, 30,151,175 Ordinary Shares, representing 55.0% of the Ordinary Shares outstanding (60.1% of the Ordinary Shares outstanding if the Ordinary Shares owned by members of Mr. Natuzzi’s immediate family (the “Natuzzi Family”) are aggregated). As a result, Mr. Natuzzi has the ability to exert significant influence over our corporate affairs and to control the Company, including its management and the selection of its board of directors. Since December 16, 2003, Mr. Natuzzi has held his entire beneficial ownership of Natuzzi S.p.A. shares through INVEST 2003 S.r.l., an Italian holding company wholly-owned by Mr. Natuzzi and with its registered office located at Via Gobetti 8, Taranto, Italy.

 

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In addition, under the Deposit Agreement dated as of May 15, 1993, as amended and restated as of December 23, 1996 and as of December 31, 2001 (the “Deposit Agreement”), among the Company, The Bank of New York Mellon, as Depositary (the “Depositary”), and owners and beneficial owners of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), the Natuzzi Family has a right of first refusal to purchase all the rights, warrants or other instruments which The Bank of New York Mellon, as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement, determines may not lawfully or feasibly be made available to owners of ADSs in connection with each rights offering, if any, made to holders of Ordinary Shares.

Because a change of control of the Company would be difficult to achieve without the cooperation of Mr. Natuzzi and the Natuzzi Family, the holders of the Ordinary Shares and the ADSs may be less likely to receive a premium for their shares upon a change of control of the Company.

Purchasers of our Ordinary Shares and ADSs may be exposed to increased transaction costs as a result of the proposed European financial transaction tax — On 14 February 2013, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a directive on the financial transaction tax (hereafter “EU FTT”) to be implemented under the enhanced cooperation procedure by eleven Member States initially (Austria, Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Spain). Member States may join or leave the group of participating Member States at later stages. The proposal will be negotiated by Member States, and, subject to an agreement being reached by the participating Member States, a final directive will be enacted. The participating Member States will then implement the directive in local legislation. The aim of the European Commission is for the EU FTT to enter into force on 1 January 2014. If the proposed directive is adopted and implemented in local legislation, investors in Ordinary Shares and ADSs may be exposed to increased transaction costs.

Our auditors, like other independent registered public accounting firms operating in Italy, are not permitted to be subject to inspection by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and as such, investors may be deprived of the benefits of such inspection — Our independent registered public accounting firms that issue the audit reports included in our Annual Reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as auditors of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and firms registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, are required by the laws of the United States to undergo regular inspections by the PCAOB to assess its compliance with SEC rules and PCAOB professional standards. Because our auditors are a registered public accounting firm in Italy, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB is currently unable under Italian law to conduct inspections, our auditors, like other independent registered public accounting firms in Italy, are currently not inspected by the PCAOB.

Inspections of audit firms that the PCAOB has conducted where allowed have identified deficiencies in those firms’ audit procedures and quality control procedures, which may be addressed as part of the inspection process to improve future audit quality. The lack of PCAOB inspections in Italy prevents the PCAOB from regularly evaluating our auditor’s audits and quality control procedures. As a result, the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in Italy may deprive investors of the benefits of PCAOB inspections.

 

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ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

Introduction

The Group is primarily engaged in the design, manufacturing and marketing of contemporary and traditional leather and fabric-upholstered furniture, principally sofas, loveseats, armchairs, sectional furniture, motion furniture and sofa beds, living room furnishings and accessories.

The Group is one of the world’s leading companies for the production of leather-upholstered furniture and believes that it has a leading share of the market for leather-upholstered furniture in the United States and Europe based on research conducted by the Centre for Industrial Studies or CSIL, a well-known, unaffiliated and reputable Italian market research firm, with reference to market information for the market for leather-upholstered furniture in the United States and Europe, respectively (Sources: CSIL, “Upholstered Furniture: World Market Outlook 2013”, August 2012). Our distribution network covers approximately 100 countries.

The Group sells its “Natuzzi Italia” branded furniture principally through franchised Divani & Divani by Natuzzi and Natuzzi Italia furniture stores. As of March 31, 2013, the Group sells its furniture through 99 Divani & Divani by Natuzzi and 186 Natuzzi Italia stores, of which 45 are directly owned by the Group, and through 13 concessions in the United Kingdom. The concessions are store-in-store concept managed directly by a subsidiary of the Company located in the United Kingdom. As of March 31, 2013, there were 314 Natuzzi galleries worldwide (store-in-store concept managed by independent partners). In 2013, the Group intends to continue to follow the strategy of positioning the Natuzzi Italia brand in the high-end segment of the market, consolidating its product portfolio.

In 2012, the Group decided to re-brand its “Natuzzi” points of sale and products as “Natuzzi Italia,” to leverage and reinforce the fact that these products are “Made in Italy.”

In the last quarter of 2005 and the beginning of 2006, the Group moved some of the production of its most popular Natuzzi models in the United States under a collection named “Natuzzi Editions” to its manufacturing facilities outside of Italy in order to increase profitability by avoiding increased production costs at its Italian plants due to the weak U.S. dollar. This move included models and covers made of leather and microfibers, but did not include any “Total Look” furnishings. The “Natuzzi Editions” collection was mainly distributed through wholesale customers.

Based on the success and sales volumes generated by the “Natuzzi Editions” collection, the Group decided to promote this collection as a distinct brand under the “Natuzzi Editions” label in the Americas region and under the “Leather Editions” brand in Europe and in the Rest of the World, with limited numbers of models and covers exclusively for wholesale distribution, thus targeting the medium/medium-low segment of the market.

The Group strategically decided to leverage the Natuzzi name in the Americas region, and therefore maintained the brand as “Natuzzi Editions” due to its name recognition in the marketplace and in order to assure prior customers of the Group’s continuing strength and presence in that region. In Europe and the Rest of the World, the brand is presented as “Leather Editions” in order to avoid conflicting with the Group’s well-established network of stores and galleries that were already operating under the Natuzzi name.

The current “Leather Editions” brand was officially presented in January 2010 during a well-known worldwide trade fair in Cologne, Germany, under the name “Editions” as a new trademark intended for the traditional wholesale market. Both the “Natuzzi Editions” and the “Editions” collections were targeted specifically to large customers and were intended to help the Group recover market share.

 

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Throughout 2011, customer response demonstrated that the “Editions”/“Natuzzi Editions” brand positioned itself in the medium end of the market, hence targeting independent retailers. During the third quarter of 2011, the Group reworked the “Editions”/“Natuzzi Editions” brand’s motto to be “Leather and Craftsmanship” and launched its new logo for the brand in Europe and Asia: “Leather Editions”. In the Americas, the brand continues to be “Natuzzi Editions”.

In 2012, the Group started to open stores selling “Leather Editions” branded furniture in China. In 2013, the Group intends to continue to expand the market share of the “Natuzzi Editions”/“Leather Editions” brand and to further develop its gallery program.

In addition to the repositioning of “Natuzzi Editions”/“Leather Editions” for the medium end of the market, in the first quarter of 2011, the Group launched a new brand, “Softaly”, targeting key-accounts with the mission of offering good prices, quality and customized service. With the repositioning of the “Natuzzi Editions”/“Leather Editions” brand, the Group believed it was opportune to launch this new brand, dedicated solely to key-account customers, that would still permit the Group to better control the supply chain—from the purchasing of raw materials to delivery.

The “Softaly” brand is focused only on offering exclusive products to key-account customers and following their requested customizations. Such customized products can be listed as private label or unbranded. The selection of key-account customers is based on the forecasted volume that such customers can generate on a regular basis. The “Softaly” brand is currently marketed in North America, Europe, Brazil and in the Asia-Pacific regions through a few customers, such as Macy’s, Rooms-to-Go, The Brick, Leon’s and American Signature in North America; Conforama, Begros, But and Harvey’s in Europe; Magazine Luize and Tok & Stok in Brazil; and Nitori in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Group’s brand portfolio since 2007 has also included the “Italsofa” brand, with the objective of positioning “Italsofa” as a higher market alternative to very low-cost Chinese competitors, targeting young consumers in particular. With the aim of better rationalizing its product offering, the Group has decided not to make further investments in the “Italsofa” brand. All the models developed thus far will be progressively absorbed by the Group’s other brand offerings. The Group will continue to assist those partners that have opened “Italsofa” points of sale and to convert the existing “Italsofa” stores or galleries into new projects of the Group.

On June 7, 2002, the Company changed its name from Industrie Natuzzi S.p.A. to Natuzzi S.p.A. The statuto, or by-laws, of the Company provide that the duration of the Company is until December 31, 2050. The Company, which operates under the trademark “Natuzzi,” is a società per azioni (joint stock company) organized under the laws of the Republic of Italy and was incorporated in 1959 by Mr. Pasquale Natuzzi, who is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and controlling shareholder of the Company. Most of the Company’s operations are carried out through various subsidiaries that individually conduct a specialized activity, such as leather processing, foam production and shaping, furniture manufacturing, marketing or administration.

The Company’s principal executive offices are located at Via Iazzitiello 47, 70029 Santeramo, Italy, which is approximately 25 miles from Bari, in Southern Italy. The Company’s telephone number is: +39 080 882-0111. The Company’s general sales agent subsidiary in the United States is Natuzzi Americas, Inc. (“Natuzzi Americas”), located at 130 West Commerce Avenue, High Point, North Carolina 27260. Natuzzi Americas telephone number is: +1 336 887-8300.

 

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Organizational Structure

Natuzzi S.p.A. is the parent company of the Natuzzi Group. As of March 30, 2013, the Company’s principal operating subsidiaries were:

 

Name

   Percentage  of
ownership
    

Registered office

   Activity  

Italsofa Nordeste S/A

     100.00       Salvador de Bahia, Brazil      (1

Italsofa Shanghai Ltd

     96.50       Shanghai, China      (1

Softaly Shanghai Ltd

     100.00       Shanghai, China      (1

Natuzzi China Ltd

     100.00       Shanghai, China      (1

Italsofa Romania

     100.00       Baia Mare, Romania      (1

Natco S.p.A.

     99.99       Santeramo in Colle, Italy      (2

I.M.P.E. S.p.A.

     100.00       Santeramo in Colle, Italy      (3

Nacon S.p.A.

     100.00       Santeramo in Colle, Italy      (4

Lagene S.r.l.

     100.00       Santeramo in Colle, Italy      (4

Natuzzi Americas Inc.

     100.00       High Point, NC, USA      (4

Natuzzi Iberica S.A.

     100.00       Madrid, Spain      (4

Natuzzi Switzerland AG

     100.00       Dietikon, Switzerland      (4

Natuzzi Nordic

     100.00       Copenhagen, Denmark      (4

Natuzzi Benelux S.A.

     100.00       Hereentals, Belgium      (4

Natuzzi Germany Gmbh

     100.00       Köln, Germany      (4

Natuzzi Sweden AB

     100.00       Stockholm, Sweden      (4

Natuzzi Japan KK

     100.00       Tokyo, Japan      (4

Natuzzi Services Limited

     100.00       London, UK      (4

Natuzzi Trading Shanghai Ltd

     100.00       Shanghai, China      (4

Natuzzi Oceania PTI Ltd

     100.00       Sydney, Australia      (4

Natuzzi Russia OOO

     100.00       Moscow, Russia      (4

Natuzzi India Furniture PVT Ltd

     100.00       New Delhi, India      (4

Italholding S.r.l.

     100.00       Bari, Italy      (5

Natuzzi Netherlands Holding

     100.00       Amsterdam, Holland      (5

Natuzzi Trade Service S.r.l.

     100.00       Santeramo in Colle, Italy      (6

 

(1) Manufacture and distribution
(2) Intragroup leather dyeing and finishing
(3) Production and distribution of polyurethane foam
(4) Services and distribution
(5) Investment holding
(6) Transportation services

See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report for further information on the Company’s subsidiaries.

Strategy

The negative performance of the Group in 2012 and in recent years has largely been the result of several challenges specific to the furniture industry and prevalent in the economy at large. For instance, the discretionary spending of consumers on furnished goods has been negatively impacted in recent years by the persistent effects of the global economic downturn, largely as a result of lower home values, high levels of unemployment and personal debt, austerity measures to consolidate public imbalances in advanced economies (within the EU in particular), and generally reduced access to consumer credit.

 

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In spite of this difficult economic environment, the Group’s primary objective is to expand and strengthen its presence in the global upholstered furniture market in terms of sales and production, while at the same time increasing the Group’s profit and efficiency. In order to achieve its objectives, the Group continue to focus its efforts on:

 

   

striving for product, process and material innovations to reduce complexity;

 

   

improving service to clients;

 

   

improving product quality;

 

   

creating more efficiency in the manufacturing and procurement process by revising product cost structures and focusing more on the R&D and engineering process;

 

   

focusing on fast growing markets such as Brazil, Russia, India and China (known collectively as the “BRIC” countries);

 

   

consolidating market shares in mature markets thanks to:

 

  a) the development of the business-to-business trademark “Natuzzi Editions” / “Leather Edition”, originally launched in 2010;

 

  b) the specific “Key-Account” (or Private Label) program intended to help the Group recover market share among large customers in historically established markets such as North America and Europe;

 

  c) a rationalization of the existing distribution channel while increasing the number of points-of-sale on a worldwide basis;

 

  d) a commercial organization with focus on differentiation by brands, regions and distribution channels; and

 

  e) a reduction in redundancies in Group processes, with a focus on increasing integration within the Group and processes optimization by adopting the best practices under our recently implemented enterprise resource planning system, or “SAP”.

The Brand Portfolio Strategy of the Group — The Group competes in all price segments of the leather upholstered furniture market with a complementary range of furnishings and accessories to deliver the “total living concept”. The Group has divided its extensive product range into three different business propositions each with specific brand name, identity, target and positioning: a) Natuzzi Italia; b) Natuzzi Editions (only for the Americas region) and Leather Editions (Europe and Rest of the World regions); and c) Softaly /private labels. This differentiated brand portfolio is designed to address all market segments to increase sales and profitability.

a) The Natuzzi Italia brand is the most established consumer brand within the Group’s portfolio. It is sold through single brand stores, concessions and galleries delivering sofas that are designed and made in Italy, priced at the middle to high-end, with unique and customized materials, workmanship and finishes, thanks to the Natuzzi heritage of fine craftsmanship in the leather sofas segment. The positioning of the “Natuzzi Italia” brand is one that delivers the total Italian living concept by extending its line to complementary decorative products and furnishings for the living room. The benefit consists in helping consumers make their home a harmonious, beautiful environment. Through the style and quality of its products and the merchandizing techniques in its stores, the Group aims to make this brand aspirational yet affordable. From the identification of consumer preferences and market trends to the delivery of the living room in the consumer’s home, Natuzzi directly controls the production and distribution value chain, with the aim of ensuring ultimate quality at competitive prices. All models are designed in the Group’s Style Center in Italy and are primarily manufactured at the Group’s Italian factories.

b.1) The Leather Editions collection includes products with a wide range of upholstery positioned in the medium- to low-segments of the market, leveraging on the know-how and the high credibility of Natuzzi in the leather upholstery business. “Leather Editions” products are manufactured at the Group’s foreign plants (Romania, China and Brazil) and sold through the wholesale channel into Europe and the Rest of the World region (excluding the Americas region), with specific display systems within galleries and merchandising materials designed to emphasize the core values of “Leather & Craftsmanship”. Its product offering is developed according to regional market needs and linked with specific plants to serve regional customers.

 

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b.2) The Natuzzi Editions collection includes similar products and targets the same market segments as the “Leather Editions” collection, except that the “Natuzzi Editions” collection is sold solely in the Americas. In the Americas the Natuzzi Group has historically held a notable market share thanks to its strong reputation among wholesalers and the high recognition of the “Natuzzi Editions” name.

c) The Softaly brand was introduced by the Group at the beginning of 2011 as a key-account program to compete in low-end segments of the market. The objective of the key-account program is to recover business from large distributors and develop additional volume. The Natuzzi Group aims to replicate the best practices applied in connection with the most demanding customers in terms of quality, service and price. Each account will be managed by dedicated key-account teams under the following guidelines to maintain efficiency:

 

   

accurate forecasting;

 

   

product offerings to create production efficiency through synergies on raw material, components and coverings, resulting in a focused collection with few models, versions and coverings;

 

   

dedicated manufacturing plant: China for Asia Pacific and American accounts (other than those located in Brazil), Romania for European accounts and Brazil for Brazilian accounts; and

 

   

dedicated supply chain and transportation service (full truck or full container).

Precise market segmentation, clear, simple brand positioning and clearly defined customer and consumer targets are intended to enhance the Group’s competitive strengths in all market segments to gain market share.

As discussed above, the Group’s brand portfolio since 2007 has also included the “Italsofa” brand, with the objective of positioning “Italsofa” as a higher market alternative to very low-cost Chinese competitors, targeting young consumers in particular. With the aim of better rationalizing its product offering, the Group has decided not to make further investments in the “Italsofa” brand. All the models developed thus far will be progressively absorbed by the Group’s other brand offerings. The Group will continue to assist those partners that have opened “Italsofa” points of sale and to convert the existing “Italsofa” stores or galleries into new projects of the Group.

Improvement of the Group’s Retail Program and Brand Development — The Group has made significant investments to improve its existing distribution network and strengthen its brands, primarily through an increase in the number of Natuzzi stores and Natuzzi galleries worldwide. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Markets.”

In 2011, according to the World Luxury Tracking survey by Lagardère Global Advertising in cooperation with an independent market-research company, IPSOS, the Natuzzi brand was ranked as the best-known global brand within the furniture category, and the second best-known brand if all sectors are considered, based on a sample of 8,800 luxury consumers from seven countries (Italy, France, Germany, Spain, UK, the United States and Japan).

 

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Such recognition of the Natuzzi brand among luxury consumers from developed countries is the result of investments the Company has made over the past decade in its products, communication, in-store experience and customer service, thus securing a premium inherent in the brand itself. This consumer brand awareness encourages the Company to carry on in its brand development, through the rationalization of the Group’s brand portfolio and enhancement of the Group’s distribution network, in order to further increase consumers’ familiarity with the Natuzzi brand, and their association of it as a luxury brand. As of March 31, 2013, the Group sells its furniture through 99 Divani & Divani by Natuzzi and 186 Natuzzi Italia stores, of which 45 are directly owned by the Group, and through 13 concessions in the United Kingdom. The concessions are a store-in-store concept managed directly by a subsidiary of the Company located in the United Kingdom. As of March 31, 2013, there were 301 Natuzzi Italia galleries worldwide (store-in-store concepts managed by independent partners).

Apart from the Natuzzi Italia stores and Divani & Divani by Natuzzi network, as of March 31, 2013 Italsofa operates 14 stores and 194 galleries, whilst Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions galleries totaled 366 as of the same date. In the second half of 2012, six new galleries were opened in Brazil under a private label for a specific client.

The Group’s penetration into fast developing market continued in 2012 with nine new Natuzzi Italia store openings in the BRIC countries, where our greatest effort has been focused on the Brazilian market. At our Salvador de Bahia site in Brazil, we opened a permanent showroom of more than 1,000 square meters (approximately 10,764 square feet) in September 2012 that features all the brands of the Group. This showroom has been designed to host fairs that we hold a few times a year, as well as visits by customers. The “Natuzzi Italia” brand will officially enter the Brazilian market during the course of 2013, with four new stores as well as seven galleries in progress.

In 2012, the Group’s development strategy also focused on the American market, where partners in Florida, Texas and California opened Natuzzi Italia stores in 2012.

The Group’s future retail strategy will be focused on improving same-store sales, making the existing network more efficient, and continuing expansion where the business model is properly executed and shows greatest potential. The willingness to support all of our partners and our joint efforts in continuously looking for new retail solutions are clearly visible at the Group’s headquarters, where three new showrooms have been built (one for each brand, “Natuzzi”, “Natuzzi Editions”/“Leather Editions” and “Softaly”) in order to properly test the effectiveness of the Group’s “retail concept” as well as to host all of the visitors during the Retail Congress in an energizing setting.

The expansion of products that the Group offers for the high-end segment has required an adjustment to the presentation of these products at their points-of-sale. The Natuzzi product offering is increasingly oriented towards the concept of “total living”. Therefore, single-brand Natuzzi points-of-sale have been recently refurnished in order to recreate a complete living room environment, including the use of interior decorations.

Product Diversification and Innovation — The Group believes that it is the Italian manufacturing company in the furniture and home decoration industry most capable of offering consumers carefully developed, coordinated living rooms at competitive prices through its “Total Look” offer, which was first introduced in 2006. The Total Look offer is conceived in accordance with the latest trends in design, materials and colors, and includes high quality sofas, furnishings (including wall units, dining tables and chairs) and accessories, all of which are developed in-house and presented in harmonic and personalized solutions. The Group has taken a number of steps to broaden its product lines, including the development of new models, such as modular and motion frames, and the introduction of new materials and colors, including exclusive fabrics and microfibers. The Group believes that expanding its Total Look offerings will strengthen its relationships with the world’s leading distribution chains, which are interested in offering branded packages. The Group has also invested in the Natuzzi Style Center in Santeramo in Colle, Italy, to serve as a creative hub for the Group’s design activities.

 

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In 2011, the Group introduced a new innovative material in production under the “Softaly” brand specifically for the North American and the Brazilian markets: Next Leather®. This material is made of genuine leather left-overs, pressed together and adhered to the fabric core. The backside is then bonded with bits and pieces of leather. This type of material can also be referred to as reconstituted leather. Next Leather® is a bonded leather that contains a minimum of 17 percent leather in the product. The above-noted construction meets the United States Federal Trade Commission’s definition of bonded leather. The introduction of this material has enabled the Group to enter a new market with very competitive price points. The Group currently produces models composed of a mix of leather and Next Leather® for the North American market and 100% Next Leather® for the Brazilian market. The Natuzzi Group is also exploring the marketability of introducing fabric sofas into the Softaly collection. The first test launch of fabric models was completed at the Cologne fair in January 2013. The Natuzzi Group also displayed certain fabric sofa models, for a second test, at the Milan fair in April 2013.

Manufacturing

Our manufacturing facilities are located in Italy, China, Romania and Brazil.

As of March 31, 2013, in addition to the headquarters site, the Group operated six production facilities and three warehouses (one for leather, one for finished goods and one for accessories) in Italy. Four of the facilities are engaged in upholstery cutting and sewing and assembly of finished and semi-finished products, and employed, as of February 28, 2013, 1,999 workers, 31% of whom are not directly involved in production. Seven of these nine facilities are located either in, or within a 25-mile radius of, Santeramo, where the Group’s headquarters are located. Assembly operations at the Group’s production facilities also include leather cutting and sewing and attaching foam and covering to frames.

These operations retain many characteristics of production by hand and are coordinated at the production facilities through the use of a management information system that identifies by number (by means of a bar-code system) each component of every piece of furniture and facilitates its automatic transit through the different production phases up to the storehouse.

In June 2010, the Group initiated a “Lean Production” process review that is aimed at improving product quality while regaining competitiveness. In December 2010, new prototypes of the more efficient product line were created. The industrialization of the prototyped product lines was defined in May 2011, and in December 2011 three new production lines were already completed in a new dedicated plant (located in Iesce, Matera, Italy). These new production lines produce approximately 60% of the Italian production of motion products. We also moved the manufacturing of wooden frames that was originally executed in the production site located in Santeramo in Colle (Ba), Italy, to the Iesce, Matera, Italy, plant, thus further optimizing both productivity and logistics costs through a direct, in-loco integration of sofa assembly.

These new “Lean Production” lines were also implemented in 2011 in the Company’s manufacturing subsidiary located in Romania (4 lines), thus contributing to a marked increase in the productivity level as well as a reduction in industrial costs in this plant.

During 2012, the Group extended these new production lines on a worldwide basis, implementing these techniques in the Group’s manufacturing sites located in China and Brazil, while continuing to develop existing production lines. In particular, two additional production lines were implemented in the Italian plants (one in the “Iesce 2” plant and the other in the Ginosa plant), four were implemented in the Chinese plant, and one was implemented in the Brazilian plant. The Group plans to continue this development program in 2013.

 

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During 2012, the Group launched a project aimed at improving service levels, as well as significantly reducing logistics costs by linking the orders received from clients directly to the involved suppliers and relevant finished-goods warehouse. The key points of this project are:

 

   

switching from a “make-to-stock” supply approach based on forecasted demand, to the adoption of a “make-to-order” supply approach based on the actual level of orders, so that supply starts upon the receipt of the order from the client; and

 

   

the elimination of the accessory warehouse in the Laterza (Italy) site.

The Group has already implemented 80% of the scheduled project’s rollout. The targeted deadline for the project rollout is July 2013.

Operations at all of the Group’s facilities are normally conducted Monday through Friday with two maximum eight-hour shifts per day.

Two of the Group’s production facilities are involved in the processing of leather hides to be used as upholstery. One of the facilities is a leather dyeing and finishing plant located near Udine. The Udine facility receives both raw and tanned cattle hides, sends raw cattle hides to subcontractors for tanning, and then dyes and finishes the hides. The other facility, located near Vicenza, is a warehouse that receives semi-finished hides and sends them to various subcontractors for processing, drying and finishing, and then arranges for the finished leather to be shipped to the Group’s assembly facilities. Hides are tanned, dyed and finished on the basis of orders given by the Group’s central office in accordance with the Group’s “on demand” planning system, as well as on the basis of estimates of future requirements. The movement of hides through the various stages of processing is monitored through the management information system. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Manufacturing—“Supply-Chain Management”.”

The Group produces, directly and by subcontracting, nine grades of leather in approximately 35 finishes and 235 colors. The hides, after being tanned, are split and shaved to obtain uniform thickness and separated into “top grain” and “split” (top grain leather is primarily used in the manufacture of most “Natuzzi”-branded leather products, while split leather is used, in addition to top grain leather, in the manufacture of some “Natuzzi”-branded products and most “Natuzzi Editions”/“Leather Editions”). The hides are then colored with dyes and treated with fat liquors and resins to soften and smooth the leather, after which they are dried. Finally, the semi-processed hides are treated to improve the appearance and strength of the leather and to provide the desired finish. The Group also purchases finished hides from third parties.

One of the Group’s production facilities, IMPE S.p.A. (“IMPE”), which is located near Naples and employed 54 workers as of February 28, 2013, is engaged in the production of flexible polyurethane foam and, because the facility’s production capacity is in excess of the Group’s needs, also sells foam to third parties. In 2012, IMPE obtained ISO 14001 certification in accordance with the environmental policy of the Natuzzi Group and also improved safety conditions at the plant. As part of the Group’s efforts to improve its production process, we have substituted some chemical compounds with more ecologically-friendly materials. In 2013, we anticipate that IMPE will invest in new technical equipment in order to more efficiently produce polyurethane foam and to reduce excess scrap production.

 

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As a result of intensive R&D activity, the Company has developed a new family of highly resilient materials. The new polymer matrix is safer than others available in the market because of its improved flame resistance, and it is more environmentally-friendly because it can be disposed of without releasing harmful by-products and because the raw materials used to make it cause less harmful environmental impacts during handling and storage.

The Group manufactures the “Natuzzi Editions”/“Leather Editions” and “Softaly” collections mainly outside of Italy. If orders exceed production capacity at the foreign plants, “Natuzzi Editions”/“Leather Editions” products are also manufactured in the Company’s Italian plants.

The Group owns the land and buildings for its principal assembly facilities located in Santeramo in Colle, Matera, its leather dyeing and finishing facility located near Udine, its foam-production facility located near Naples, and its facilities located in Ginosa, Laterza, Brazil and Romania.

The Chinese plant owned by the Group was subject to an expropriation process by local Chinese authorities since the plant was located on land that was intended for public utilities.

Negotiations involving the expropriation process began in 2009 and were concluded in 2011. The agreement setting forth the payment of compensation for the expropriated plant was signed with Chinese authorities on January 26, 2011. As compensation for this expropriation, the parties agreed upon a total indemnity of Chinese Yuan (CNY or RMB, hereafter) 420 million, which is equivalent to approximately €46.7 million based on the Yuan-Euro exchange rate as of December 31, 2011. The Company collected the full amount of the indemnity payment from the local Chinese authorities in 2011.

The Group identified a new production plant of 88,000 square meters, which was made available in January 2011, to compensate for the production capacity reduction caused by the expropriation. The relocation process began in February 2011 and was completed, as planned, by the end of May 2011, after equipment and machinery was moved to the new plant. The relocation produced a turn-over of approximately 20% in manpower because of the distance of the new plant to the old one (approximately 35 kilometers). Management had already reabsorbed the turn-over effect by hiring new manpower by the end of April 2011.

Furthermore, in order to minimize the imbalances on production capacity caused by the relocation, a new plant of 15,000 square meters was leased, starting in July 2010. This smaller plant is located 1 kilometer from the new production plant of 88,000 square meters and focuses on sofa sewing and assembly processes. In March 2012, the Group closed the production activity at the leased plant and, therefore, did not renew the agreement for the leased plant, since the new production site was at that time fully operational.

The Group owns two plants in Brazil that, in the past, have been used for the production of furnishings for the Americas region. Due to the appreciation over the past few years of the Brazilian Real versus the U.S. dollar in particular, which has reduced the competitiveness of these two plants, the Group decided to temporarily close one plant and reduce the production capacity of the other down to a level that remains sufficient to serve only the Brazilian market.

However, after frequent interactions between the Group and top local retailers in the past few years, as well as in light of the high level of fragmentation of the Brazilian market, which consists primarily of small producers with low levels of know-how, the Group believes that the Latin American region currently represents a very good opportunity for the development of additional business.

Therefore, the Group intends to continue investing in the Latin American market, with a particular focus on Brazil, by better organizing operating, sales and marketing activities, as well as developing the current distribution channel of “Natuzzi Editions”/“Leather Editions” points-of-sale. Furthermore, the Group intends to also open “Natuzzi Italia” stores in Brazil during the course of 2013.

 

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Starting in July 2010, the Company ceased all supplying relationships with sub-contractors near Santeramo in Colle and internalized their portion of production with the aim of better ensuring high quality standards and customer service.

Raw Materials — The principal raw materials used in the manufacture of the Group’s products are cattle hides, polyurethane foam, polyester fiber, wood and wood products.

The Group purchases hides from slaughterhouses and tanneries located mainly in Italy, Brazil, Germany, Paraguay, other countries in South America and Europe. The hides purchased by the Group are divided into several categories, with hides in the lowest categories being purchased mainly in Brazil. The hides in the middle categories are purchased mainly in Italy and certain other parts of Europe and hides in the highest categories are purchased in Germany and in the United Kingdom. A significant number of hides in the lowest categories are purchased at the “wet blue” stage — i.e., after tanning — while some hides purchased in the middle and highest categories are unprocessed. The Group has implemented a leather purchasing policy according to which a percentage of leather is purchased at a finished or semi-finished stage. Therefore, the Group has had a smaller inventory of “split leather” to sell to third parties. Approximately 80% of the Group’s hides are purchased from ten suppliers, with whom the Group enjoys long-term and stable relationships. Hides are generally purchased from the suppliers pursuant to orders given every one to two months specifying the number of hides, the purchase price and the delivery date.

Hides purchased from Europe are delivered directly by the suppliers to the Group’s leather facilities near Udine, while those purchased outside of Italy are inspected overseas by technicians of the Group, delivered to an Italian port and then sent by the Group to the Udine facility and subcontractors. Management believes that the Group is able to purchase leather hides from its suppliers at reasonable prices as a result of the volume of its orders, and that alternative sources of supply of hides in any category could be found quickly at an acceptable cost if the supply of hides in such category from one or several of the Group’s current suppliers ceased to be available or was no longer available on acceptable terms. The supply of raw cattle hides is principally dependent upon the consumption of beef, rather than on the demand for leather.

During the first half of 2012, the prices for hides increased. During the second half of 2012 the prices remained substantially stable, with a slow decrease in prices in the last months of 2012. Due to the volatile nature of the hides market, there can be no assurances that any current trend in prices will continue. See “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—The price of the Group’s principal raw material is difficult to predict.”

The Group also purchases fabrics and microfibers for use in coverings. Both kinds of coverings are divided into several price categories: most fabrics and some particular microfibers are in the highest price categories, while the most inexpensive of some microfibers are in the lowest price categories. Fabrics are purchased exclusively in Italy from about a dozen suppliers which provide the product at the finished stage. Microfibers are purchased in Italy, South Korea and China through some suppliers who provide them at the finished stage. Microfibers purchased from the Group’s Italian supplier are in some cases imported by the supplier at the greige, or semi-finished, stage and then finished (dyed and bonded) in Italy. Fabrics and microfibers are generally purchased from the suppliers pursuant to orders given every week specifying the quantity (in linear meters) and the delivery date. The price is determined before the fabrics or microfiber is introduced into the collection.

 

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Fabrics and microfibers purchased from the Italian suppliers are delivered directly by the suppliers to the Group’s facility in Laterza, while those purchased outside of Italy are delivered to an Italian port and then sent to the Laterza facility. Microfibers and fabrics included in “Natuzzi Editions”/“Leather Editions” and “Softaly” products are delivered directly by the suppliers to Chinese, Romanian and Brazilian ports and then sent to the Group’s Shanghai, Baia Mare and Salvador de Bahia facilities. The Group is able to purchase such products at reasonable prices as a result of the volume of its orders. The Group continuously searches for alternative supply sources in order to obtain the best product at the best price.

Price performance of fabrics is quite different from that of microfibers, depending on the different range of the products’ quality. Because fabrics are purchased exclusively in Italy and are composed of natural fibers, their prices are influenced by the cost of labor and the quality of the product. During 2012, the market prices for fabrics and microfibers were influenced by a slow decreasing trend of raw materials. The price of microfibers is mainly influenced by the international availability of high-quality products and raw materials at low costs, especially from Asian markets.

The Group obtains the chemicals required for the production of polyurethane foam from major chemical companies located in Europe (including Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom) and the polyester fiber filling for its polyester fiber-filled cushions from several suppliers located mainly in Korea, China, Taiwan and India. The chemical components of polyurethane foam are petroleum-based commodities, and the prices for such components are therefore subject to, among other things, fluctuations in the price of crude oil, which has increased in the last past few months. The Group obtains wood and wood products for its wooden frames from suppliers in Italy and Eastern Europe. Through its plant located in Romania, the Group has begun engaging directly in the cutting and transportation of wood from Romanian forests.

With regard to the Group’s collection of home furnishing accessories (tables, lamps, rugs, home accessories and wall units in different materials), most of the suppliers are located in Italy and other European countries, while some hand-made products (such as rugs) are made in India. Before being introduced in the collection, all items are tested in accordance with European and world safety standards. In the design phase particular attention is paid to the choice of innovative technological solutions that add value to the product and ensure long lasting quality. The Group’s packaging for each product has a higher standard than the average products marketed by its competitors, in an effort to ensure better customer service.

Supply-Chain Management

Procurement Policies and Operations Integration — In order to improve customer service and reduce industrial costs, the Group in 2009 established a policy for handling suppliers and supply logistics. All of the sub-departments working in the logistics Department have been reorganized to maximize efficiency throughout the supply-chain. The Logistics Department now coordinates periodic meetings among all of its working groups in order to identify areas of concern that arise in the supply-chain, and to identify solutions that will be acceptable to all groups. The Logistics Department is responsible for monitoring the proposed solutions in order to ensure their effectiveness. Additionally, in order to improve access to supply-chain information throughout the Group, the Logistics Department (with the support of the Information Systems Department) has created a new portal that allows the Logistics Department and other departments (such as Customer Service and Sales) to monitor the movement of goods through the supply-chain. Currently, changes to this system are in progress in order to improve service level and customer satisfaction in terms of real time update of the portal with the relevant information.

 

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Production Planning (Order Management, Production, Procurement) — The Group’s commitment to reorganizing procurement logistics has led to:

1) the development of a logistic-production model to customize the level of service to customers;

2) a stable level of the size of the Group’s inventory of raw materials and/or components, particularly those pertaining to coverings. This positive impact was made possible by both the development of software that allows more detailed production programming and broader access by suppliers themselves, and a more general reorganization of supplier relationships. Suppliers are now able to provide assembly lines at Italian plants with requested components within four hours;

3) the planning and partial completion of the industrial reorganization of the local production center; and

4) since January 2009, the SAP system has been implemented throughout the organization.

The Group also plans procurements of raw materials and components:

i) “On demand” for those materials and components (which the Group identifies by code numbers) that require a shorter lead time for order completion than the standard production planning cycle for customers’ orders. This system allows the Group to handle a higher number of product combinations (in terms of models, versions and coverings) for customers all over the world, while maintaining a high level of service and minimizing inventory size. Procuring raw materials and components “on demand” eliminates the risk that these materials and components would become obsolete during the production process; and

ii) “Upon forecast” for those materials and components requiring a long lead time for order completion. The Group utilizes a new forecast methodology, developed in cooperation with a consulting firm. This methodology balances the Group’s desire to maintain low inventory levels against the Sales Department’s needs for flexibility in filling orders, all the while maintaining high customer satisfaction levels. This new methodology is currently being developed together with the Group’s Information Systems Department, in order to create a new intranet portal, called Advanced Planning and Optimization (“APO”). This tool was launched in March 2011 for sales coming from the North American and Asia Pacific markets, under the supervision of a forecast manager and, starting in June 2011, was implemented worldwide. This tool currently supports corporate logistics, operations managers and sales managers in better forecasting the future demand for the Group’s products so as to improve the lead time from materials supply to sales delivery. Currently, changes to the APO system are in progress to improve communication between the Sales Department and the Logistics Department and therefore reducing inventory and speeding up related steps in the supply chain. Special production programs — those requiring lead times shorter than three weeks — are only available to a restricted group of customers, for a limited group of collections and product combinations.

Since 2012, a new methodology concerning furnishing management has been introduced. A better supplier’s partnership enabled the Group to handle furnishings components without storing them in our warehouses, resulting in improved service and reducing inventory levels.

Lead times can be longer than those mentioned above when a high number of unexpected orders are received.

Delivery times vary depending on the place of discharge (transport lead times vary widely depending on the distance between the final destination and the production plant).

 

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All planning activities (finished goods load optimization, customer order acknowledgement, production and suppliers’ planning) are synchronized in order to guarantee that during the production process, the correct materials are located in the right place at the right time, thereby achieving a maximum level of service while minimizing handling and transportation costs.

Load Optimization — With the aim of decreasing costs and safeguarding product quality, the Group attains optimum load levels for shipping by using software developed through a research partnership with the University of Bari and the University of Copenhagen, completed in June 2006.

This software manages customers’ orders to be shipped by sea with the goal of maximizing the number of orders shipped in full containers. If a customer’s order does not make optimal use of container space, revisions to the order quantities are suggested. This activity, which was previously a prerogative of the Group’s headquarters, has been almost completely transferred to Natuzzi Americas in High Point, North Carolina. Now, this software is also undergoing testing by customers.

As far as the load composition by truck is concerned, the Group uses software designed to minimize total transport costs by taking into account volume and route optimization for customers’ orders in defined areas. This software was developed by the Group jointly with Polytechnic of Bari and the University of Lecce.

Transportation — The Group delivers goods to customers by common carriers. Those goods destined for the Americas and other markets outside Europe are transported by sea in 40-foot high cube containers, while those produced for the European market are generally delivered by truck and, in some cases, by railway. In 2012, the Group shipped 9,869 containers to overseas countries and approximately 3,870 full load mega-trailer trucks to European destinations, serving a total of 3,176 different delivery points. To improve service levels, a method of Supplier Vendor Rating has been developed to measure performance of carriers and distributors providing direct service. This rating system has already been extended to transport by land, and is now ready to be expanded to sea transport.

The Group relies principally on several shipping and trucking companies operating under “time-volume” service contracts to deliver its products to customers and to transport raw materials to the Group’s plants and processed materials from one plant to another. In general, the Group prices its products to cover its door-to-door shipping costs, including all customs duties and insurance premiums. Some of the Group’s overseas suppliers are responsible for delivering raw materials to the port of departure, therefore transportation costs for these materials are generally under the Group’s control.

Products

The Group is committed to the conception, prototyping (for sofas and furnishings), production (for sofas only) and commercialization of a wide range of upholstered furniture, both in leather and in fabric, as well as furnishings and accessories. The Group also collaborates with acclaimed third-party designers and engineers for the conception and prototyping of certain products in order to enhance brand visibility, especially with respect to the Natuzzi brand.

New models are the result of a constant information flow that stems from the market (whose preferences are analyzed, filtered and translated by the product managers into a brief, including specific styles, functions and price points), and is communicated to the group of designers who, through constant work with the team from the prototypes department, sketches the creation of new products in accordance with the guidelines received. The diversity of customer tastes and preferences and the natural inclination of the Group to offer new solutions result in the development of products that are increasingly personalized.

 

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More than 150 highly-qualified people work in these activities, and typically about 70 new sofa models are generally introduced each year. The Group conducts its research and development efforts and activities from its headquarters in Santeramo in Colle, Italy, in accordance with stringent quality standards and has earned the ISO 9001 certification for quality and the ISO 14001 certification for its low environmental impact. The ISO 14001 certification also applies to the Company’s tannery subsidiary, Natco S.p.A., located near Udine, Italy. The Group’s plant in Laterza and the Santeramo headquarters have also received an ISO 9001 certification for their roles in the design and production of furnishings and accessories.

The product development process is also based on specific needs of particular clients (key accounts / mass dealers) who are capable of generating a critical mass of sales that enable the product to achieve the right market penetration. The Group’s product range falls within six broad categories of furniture: stationary furniture (sofas, loveseats and armchairs); sectional furniture; motion furniture; sofa beds; and occasional chairs (including recliners and body massage chairs); sliding furniture, a new category that the Group launched in 2011 which differentiates itself from stationary or motion furniture, with seats that slide forward, allowing the consumer to adjust seat length.

The Group’s wide range of products includes a comprehensive collection of sofas and armchairs with particular styles, coverings and functions, with more than two million combinations. The Group’s offering is divided into three different brands and collections that satisfy different market needs:

a) Natuzzi Italia: an inspirational, middle- to high-end consumer brand, vigorously promoted worldwide as “Made in Italy”;

b) Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions: a trademark that leverages on the Group’s strength in leather and craftsmanship offering products at the medium- to low-end of the market; and

c) Softaly: a brand that aims to offer the best price at the low-end of the market that satisfies the needs of key accounts under private label.

The Group’s brand portfolio since 2007 has also included the Italsofa brand, with the objective of positioning Italsofa as a higher market alternative to very low-cost Chinese competitors, targeting young consumers in particular. With the aim of better rationalizing its product offering, the Group has decided not to make further investments in the Italsofa brand. All the models developed thus far will be progressively absorbed by the Group’s other brand offerings. The Group will continue to assist those partners that have opened Italsofa points of sale and to convert the existing Italsofa stores or galleries into new projects of the Group.

The Natuzzi collection, positioned in the medium-high market, focuses on making Italian quality and style accessible through coordinated and innovative living rooms. This collection stands out for high quality in the choice of materials and finishes, as well as the creativity and details of its designs. As of March 31, 2013, this line of products offered 100 models. Regarding the range of coverings offered, the Natuzzi Italia retail collection has 13 leather articles in 78 colors and 18 softcover articles in 90 colors. The collection also includes a selection of additional furniture (wall units, tables, lamps, carpets), accessories (pots and candles), and furniture for the dining room (tables, chairs, lamps) to offer complete furnishings with the aim of enabling the Group to become a real “Lifestyle Company.” For instance, in 2012, new coffee tables and matching wall units were introduced to the Natuzzi collection using precious materials such as Carrara marble, as well as new dining room sets and cupboards designed by Claudio Bellini.

 

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The Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions collection, as of March 31, 2013, consisted of 173 models. The increase in the number of models in this collection is mainly due to the introduction of this collection in the European and Asian markets, which resulted in the addition of more modern styles to the product portfolio. Regarding the range of coverings offered in the collection, Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions offers 12 articles in leather available in 78 colors and one article in fabric with six colors. In 2012 some assorted throw pillows upholstered with fabric inspired by the Apulian trulli were introduced, as a tribute to the brand’s origins.

The Softaly collection, as of March31, 2013 is composed of 72 models including exclusive models for key accounts. Apart from the new covering, Next Leather®, the Softaly brand utilizes the existing covers in production, and is evaluating the introduction of fabric sofas.

The Group’s overall sales are also partly attributable to unbranded production, developed on the basis of specific provision agreements for important key accounts and mass-dealer clients like Macy’s, and Rooms To Go.

Innovation remains a strategic activity for the Group. An important step in this direction is the “3P Project” (Production, Preparation and Process). The 3P Project aims at reaching different goals, such as the reduction in complexity of products, improvement in production efficiency and increase in standardization and cost reduction, through the adoption of an innovative methodology that is specific for the industrialization processes. Such methodology has already been successfully implemented worldwide by different companies that apply the principles of “Lean Enterprise” and “waste-hunting”. The 3P Project was put into practice during the first week of July 2011 in one of the Group’s plants, “Iesce 1”, located in Matera (Italy), in cooperation with a consulting company.

Twenty-five professionals of the Company, including managers and employees from the Research & Development (“R&D”), Operations and Human Resources departments, were involved in the 3P Project. During the five days spent in the plant, these people started to set the basis for conceiving a completely new way of designing product.

The objective of the 3P Project was to reduce, through its complete re-engineering, the number of components in one of our armchair models, and consequently reduce its overall production cost. The Company, through the 3P Project, was able to achieve a 46% reduction in the number of components and a 13% reduction in the production costs of that model. Therefore, considering the encouraging results achieved with the 3P Project, it was extended to certain models of the Softaly collection as well, through the implementation of the “Lean Product Development” project, with the aims of reducing waste, focusing on value-added activity, reducing product complexity and increasing efficiency in the production phase, as well as component standardization.

Innovation, quality, cost control and a high level of customer service are at the basis of growth as a strategic priority. Within our R&D department we have significant expertise, and this expertise and skill is integrated throughout the company, across departments, assisting the Group in maximizing results and fully leveraging our resources.

The Group believes that the “Lean Product Development” program is an innovative approach to new product development: it focuses on know-how and technical features that must characterize an area where the ability to innovate is a key factor.

The recently launched “Lean Product Development” program aims at reaching the above- mentioned ambitious goals, through training sessions, workshops and activities in the field.

 

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The Group also takes part in the “Material Connexion Program,” which promotes constant innovation in materials and processes.

The Natuzzi Group has also invested in a futuristic reclining chair developed by a design centre located in New Zealand. We believe that this concept chair will redefine “living in comfort.” This project will be launched by the end of 2013.

Research and development expenses were € 7.9 million in 2012, € 7.3 million in 2011, and €7.0 million in 2010.

Advertising

The Group’s Communications System was developed to regulate all methods used in each market to advertise the brand name, and it operates simultaneously on different levels: the “brand-building level” establishes the brand’s philosophy, while the “traffic-building level” aims to attract consumers to points-of-sale using various kinds of initiatives, such as presentations of new collections, new store openings and promotional activities.

Advertising in store galleries is carried out with the help of the “Retail Advertising Kit,” a collection of templates that enable direct advertising of consumer brands or the advertising of such brands in conjunction with the retailer’s brand.

Retail Development

The Retail Department team continues to develop useful sales tools for the market, including manuals and guidelines to be followed when it comes to managing a store and/or a gallery (Store Operations Manual, Visual Merchandising Manual, etc.) designed to enhance the performance of the store (for more information, see “Item 4. Information on the Company—Strategy”).

The most important tool developed in 2012 was “Your Design by Natuzzi,” a 3D Room planner that uses state-of-the-art software, which enhances the ability of retail staff to execute sales and has helped the Company become more deeply involved in interior design for customers. Dedicated training for stores worldwide has been made available and we have noticed a measurable increase in average purchases where the “Your Design by Natuzzi” planner has been implemented. A dedicated area, called the Design Studio, will be installed in premium location Natuzzi Italia stores to host this system, together with other dedicated tool for architects and designers.

A concept evolution specially designed for stores-in-stores, called the Educational Center, has also been developed for both Natuzzi Italia as well as the Leather Editions brands.

The Chinese market is expected to be positively affected by the improved Leather Editions concept, which should boost the opening plan already started in 2012 when 8 new directly-operated stores were opened.

Markets

The Group markets its products internationally as well as in Italy. Outside Italy, the Group sells its leather furniture principally on a wholesale basis to major retailers and furniture stores. In 1990, the Group began selling its leather-upholstered products in Italy and abroad through franchised Divani & Divani by Natuzzi and Natuzzi (now “Natuzzi Italia”) furniture stores. Since 2001, the Group has also sold its furniture through directly owned Natuzzi (now “Natuzzi Italia”) stores and Divani & Divani by Natuzzi stores. Starting in the second half of 2007, the Group has sold its promotional line in China through Italsofa stores, of which there were 14 worldwide as of March 31, 2013.

 

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The following tables show the number of the Groups stores and galleries as of March 31, 2013 according to the main geographical areas and brands.

 

Stores

   Natuzzi
Italia
     Divani &
Divani by
Natuzzi
     Natuzzi Editions
/Leather Editions
     Italsofa**      TOTAL  

Americas

     13         —           —           6         19   

Europe

     97         99         —           1         197   

Europe (ex Italy)

     95         13         —           —           108   

Italy

     2         86         —           1         89   

Rest of the World

     76         —           8         7         91   

Middle East & Africa

     16         —           —           6         22   

Asia-Oceania

     60         —           8         1         69   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     186         99         8         14         307   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Galleries/

Concessions*

   Natuzzi
Italia
     Unbranded/
Private label
     Natuzzi Editions /
Leather Editions
     Italsofa**      TOTAL  

Americas

     74         6         208         141         429   

Europe

     217         —           122         30         369   

Europe (ex Italy)

     217         —           122         30         369   

Italy

     —           —           —           —           —     

Rest of the World

     23         —           36         23         82   

Middle East & Africa

     5         —           3         7         15   

Asia-Oceania

     18         —           33         16         67   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     314         6         366         194         880   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* The concessions are store-in-store concept managed directly by a subsidiary of the Company located in the United Kingdom.
** With the aim of better rationalizing its product offering, the Group has decided not to make further investments in the Italsofa brand. All the models thus far developed will be progressively absorbed by the Group’s other brand offerings. The Group will continue to assist those partners that have opened Italsofa points of sale and to convert the existing Italsofa stores or galleries into new projects of the Group.

The following tables show the leather and fabric-upholstered furniture net sales and number of seats sold of the Group broken down by geographic market for each of the years indicated:

Leather and Fabric Upholstered Furniture, Net Sales (in millions of Euro)

 

     2012     2011     2010  

Americas(1)

     169.9         41.5     143.5         33.7     164.2         35.7

Natuzzi Italia

     15.9         3.9     16.2         3.8     15.5         3.4

Other (2)

     154.0         37.6     127.3         29.9     148.7         32.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Europe

     180.0         44.0     220.3         51.8     238.1         51.7

Natuzzi Italia

     95.8         23.4     131.9         31.0     145.0         31.5

Other (2)

     84.2         20.6     88.4         20.8     93.1         20.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Rest of the World

     59.5         14.5     61.5         14.5     58.2         12.6

Natuzzi Italia

     28.2         6.9     33.3         7.8     31.6         6.8

Other (2)

     31.3         7.6     28.2         6.7     26.6         5.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     409.4         100.0     425.3         100.0     460.5         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Outside the United States, the Group also sells its products to customers in Canada and Central and South America (collectively, the “Americas”).

(2)

Since 2010, the “Other” item includes net sales from the “Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions” and “Italsofa” brands, as well as “Softaly”/private label and unbranded products.

 

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Leather and Fabric Upholstered Furniture, Net Sales (in seats) (3)

 

     2012     2011     2010  

Americas(1)

     832,976         49.6     776,171         43.4     886,471         45.4

Natuzzi Italia

     37,293         2.2     45,777         2.6     40,112         2.1

Other (2)

     795,683         47.3     730,394         40.9     846,359         43.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Europe

     635,955         37.8     780,791         43.7     847,452         43.4

Natuzzi Italia

     228,421         13.6     331,983         18.6     370,626         19.0

Other (2)

     407,534         24.2     448,808         25.1     476,826         24.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Rest of the World

     211,839         12.6     230,858         12.9     220,670         11.3

Natuzzi Italia

     61,115         3.6     78,787         4.4     73,050         3.7

Other (2)

     150,724         9.0     152,071         8.5     147,620         7.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,680,770         100.0     1,787,820         100.0     1,954,593         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Outside the United States, the Group also sells its products to customers in Canada and Central and South America (collectively, the “Americas”).

(2)

Since 2010, the “Other” item includes net sales from the “Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions” and “Italsofa” brands, as well as “Softaly”/private label and unbranded products.

(3) 

Includes seats produced at Group-owned facilities and, until June 2010, also by subcontractors. Seats are a unit measurement. A sofa consists of three seats; an armchair of one.

1. United States and the Americas.

In 2012, net sales of leather and fabric-upholstered furniture in the United States and the Americas were € 169.9 million, up 18.4% from € 143.5 million reported in 2011, and the number of seats sold increased by 7.3%, from 776,171 in 2011 to 832,976 in 2012.

The Group’s principal customers are major retailers. The Group advertises its products to retailers and, recently, to consumers in the United States, Canada, and Latin America (excluding Brazil) both directly and through the use of various marketing tools. The Group also relies on its network of sales representatives and on the furniture fairs held at its High Point, North Carolina offices each spring and fall to promote its products.

The Group’s sales in the United States, Canada and Latin America (excluding Brazil) were handled by Natuzzi Americas until June 30, 2010. Starting on July 1, 2010, as a part of a general reorganization of the Group’s commercial activities, world-wide third-party sales have been handled by the parent company, Natuzzi S.p.A. Natuzzi Americas still maintains offices in High Point, North Carolina, the heart of the most important furniture manufacturing and distribution region in the United States, and provides Natuzzi S.p.A with agency services. The staff at High Point provides customer service, trademarks and products promotions, credit collection assistance, and generally acts as the customers contact for the Group. As of February 28, 2013, the High Point North Carolina operation had 50 employees, 30 independent sales representatives and seven sub-representatives for the United States and Canada. They are regionally supervised by four Vice Presidents.

As mentioned above, beginning on July 1, 2010, the invoicing for the Group’s Latin American operations has been managed by the parent company, Natuzzi S.p.A. Until the end of the first half of 2011, the representative office in São Paulo, Brazil, had oversight for trademarks and products promotion activities for all markets south of the US-Mexico border. During the second half of 2011, this responsibility moved back to Natuzzi Americas.

 

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Since the second half of 2011, the commercial office in São Paulo has overseen the Brazilian market. During 2012, the São Paulo office was closed due to increases in rent, and since that time the Brazilian management team has been searching for a new office location in São Paulo, the heart of our Brazilian and Latin American business. In the meantime, most of the commercial activities are based in the Group’s facility located in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. The Group’s commercial structure in Brazil has been reinforced, from nine representatives in 2011 to eleven as of the end of 2012. The former Group’s country manager of Spain and Portugal is now in charge of organizing the launch of the Natuzzi Italia brand in Brazil in 2013. Positive growth in sales was recognized in 2012 in Brazil: from €3.6 million in 2011 to €6.6 million in 2012.

A directly owned store operates in New York City under the brand Natuzzi Italia. In addition to this store, as of March 31, 2013, there were also twelve Natuzzi Italia single-brand stores operating in the Americas that are owned by local dealers (four in each of the United States and Mexico, two in Canada, and one in each of Panama and Venezuela). Furthermore, as of the same date, there were five Italsofa single-brand stores in Brazil and one in Venezuela.

2. Europe.

During 2012, the Group continued to consolidate its position in Europe by investing in stores and galleries. Net sales of leather and fabric-upholstered furniture in Europe (including Italy) decreased by 18.3% in 2012 to € 180.0 million (from € 220.3 million in 2011), with the number of seats sold decreasing by 18.5%, from 780,791 in 2011 to 635,955 in 2012.

2a) Italy. Since 1990, the Group has sold its upholstered products within Italy principally through the Divani & Divani franchised network of furniture stores (now Divani & Divani by Natuzzi). As of March 30, 2013 there were 86 Divani & Divani by Natuzzi stores, two Natuzzi stores and one Italsofa store located in Italy. The Group directly owns 19 of these stores, including the two stores operating under the Natuzzi name.

2b) Outside Italy. The Group expands into the European markets mainly through single-brand stores (local dealers, franchisees or directly operated stores). As of March 31, 2013, 108 single-brand stores were operating in Europe: under the Divani & Divani by Natuzzi franchise brand, 11 were located in Portugal and two in Greece; and the remaining 95 were under the Natuzzi Italia name (18 in France, 15 in Spain, 12 in Holland, 11 in Russia, six each in in the United Kingdom and Switzerland, four each in the Czech Republic and Poland, three in Cyprus, two each in Malta, Slovenia and Croatia, and one each in Armenia, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Serbia and Ukraine). Of these stores, 25 were directly owned by the Group as of March 31, 2013 and all were operated under the Natuzzi Italia name: 15 in Spain, six in Switzerland and four in the United Kingdom. Apart from the Natuzzi Italia stores, the Group also operates 13 concessions in the United Kingdom.

Given the size of the Russian market and its strategic relevance to the Group’s future growth, a local representative office was opened in Moscow in February 2010, with the aim of managing sales, marketing and customer service for Russia and the Ukraine, and to supervise the opening of new single-brand stores in the Russian market. During the course of 2012 through March 31, 2013 three new Natuzzi Italia stores have opened in Russia.

3. Rest of the World.

3a) Middle East & Africa. In 2012, net sales of leather and fabric-upholstered furniture in the Middle East & Africa decreased to € 13.4 million, from € 15.3 in 2011, and the number of seats sold decreased from 56,434 in 2011 to 49,302 in 2012.

 

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As of March 31, 2013, the Group had a total of 16 Natuzzi Italia stores in the Middle East & Africa: four in Israel, three each in Turkey and Saudi Arabia, two in the United Arab Emirates, and one each in Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon and Qatar. In addition, six single-brand stores were operating under the brand Italsofa in Israel.

In January 2012, following the worsening of the European Union’s diplomatic relations with Iran and Syria, the Company decided to cease any kind of business relations with these two countries. No impairment issue arose following the interruption of business relations with those two countries.

The tables below summarize the Group’s yearly turnover (in thousands of Euro) before this decision was taken and the relative percentage of total upholstery net sales for 2011 and 2012 with particular reference to turnover generated in countries currently subject to sanctions by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

2011    Natuzzi brand     Other *     Total 2011  

Country

   Net Sales      %     Net Sales      %     Net Sales      %  

IRAN

   161.2         0.09   432.5         0.17   593.7         0.14

SUDAN

   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00

SYRIA

   20.0         0.01   64.1         0.03   84.1         0.02

NORTH KOREA

   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00

CUBA

   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00

All Other Countries

   176,858.3         99.90   247,739.2         99.80   424,597.4         99.84
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total upholstery net Sales

   177,039.5         100.00   248,235.8         100.00   425,275.2         100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Including “Italsofa” and “Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions” brands, as well as “Softaly”/private label and unbranded products.

 

2012    Natuzzi brand     Other *     Total 2012  

Country

   Net Sales      %     Net Sales      %     Net Sales      %  

IRAN

   75.0         0.06   0.0         0.00   75.0         0.02

SUDAN

   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00

SYRIA

   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00

NORTH KOREA

   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00

CUBA

   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00   0.0         0.00

All Other Countries

   133,966.0         99.94   275,224.0         0.00   409,190.0         99.98
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total upholstery net Sales

   134,041.0         100.00   275,224.0         100.00   409.265,0         100.00
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Including “Italsofa” and “Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions” brands, as well as “Softaly”/private label and unbranded products.

Considering that the combined sales for Iran and Syria have never exceeded one-fifth of one-percent of Natuzzi total upholstery net sales, Natuzzi does not believe that its previous activities in and contacts with Iran and Syria constituted a material part of its operations. No turnover has ever been generated in Sudan. Furthermore, the Group does not believe that a reasonable investor would consider Natuzzi’s prior interests and activities in Iran or Syria to be a material investment risk, either from an economic, financial or reputational point of view, given their extremely limited extent and nature.

 

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The Group has not had, nor does it plan to have, any commercial contacts with the governments of Iran or Syria, or with entities controlled by such governments. To the best of Natuzzi’s knowledge, the Group was in business with independent Iranian and Syrian dealers that were not controlled by, owned or otherwise related to the governments of Iran or Syria.

3b) Asia-Oceania. In 2012, net sales of leather and fabric-upholstered furniture in the Asia-Oceania region slightly decreased to €46.1 million from €46.2 million in 2011, and the number of seats sold decreased 6.9%, from 174,424 in 2011 to 162,444 in 2012.

Natuzzi Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. acts as a regional office and manages the commercial part of the business throughout the region. Furthermore, the Group also controls a subsidiary in Japan, an agency in South Korea and an agency for Australia and New Zealand. All of these offices report to the regional office in Shanghai. The general strategy for the Natuzzi brand is to further expand the store network throughout the region, with a strong emphasis on the Chinese market.

As of March 31, 2013, 60 single-brand Natuzzi stores were operating in the Asia-Oceania market: 34 in China, seven in Australia, six in Taiwan, five in India, and one each in Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In addition, as of the same date, the Group had eight single-brand Leather Editions stores located in China and one Italsofa store located in India. The Group also maintains 67 galleries in the Asia-Oceania region, of which 18 are under the Natuzzi Italia name (eight located in Japan, six in Australia, two in Thailand, and one each in India and New Zealand), 16 under the Italsofa name (seven located in India and six in Taiwan, two in Australia, and one in Japan), and 33 under the Leather Editions name (sixteen in China, ten in Australia, four in India and three in Taiwan).

The Group is currently planning to further expand its presence in China, specifically with single-brand stores located in medium-sized cities across the country.

3c) India. The Group is focusing its efforts and seeking to further invest in the Indian market. A local representative office was opened in New Delhi in the beginning of 2010 to manage sales, marketing and customer service and supervise the Natuzzi stores and Italsofa retail roll-out in the Indian market. As of March 31, 2013, there were five Natuzzi Italia stores and one Italsofa store in the Indian market.

Expansion into New Markets — The Group first targeted the United States market in 1983 and subsequently began diversifying its geographic markets, particularly in the highly fragmented European markets (outside of Italy). Although the Group is currently a leader in the leather-upholstered furniture segment in the United States and Europe (Source: “Upholstered Furniture: World Market Outlook 2013”, August 2012”), it is now focusing its attention on the BRIC countries and other developing markets. The Group intends to continue its growth in these markets.

Customer Credit Management — The Group maintains an active credit management program. The Group evaluates the creditworthiness of its customers on a case-by-case basis according to each customer’s credit history and information available to the Group. Throughout the world, the Group utilizes “open terms” in 80% of its sales and obtains credit insurance for almost 60% of this amount; less than 13% of the Group’s sales are commonly made to customers on a “cash against documents” and “cash on delivery” basis; and lastly, about 7% of the Group’s sales are supported by a “letter of credit” or “payment in advance.”

 

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Incentive Programs and Tax Benefits

Historically, the Group derived benefits from the Italian Government’s investment incentive program for under-industrialized regions in Southern Italy, which includes the area that serves as the center of the Group’s operations. The investment incentive program provided tax benefits, capital grants and subsidized loans. There can be no assurance that the Group will continue to be eligible for such grants, benefits or tax credits for its current or future investments in Italy.

In December 1996, the Company and the “Contract Planning Service” of the Italian Ministry of Industrial Activities signed a “Program Agreement” with respect to the “Natuzzi 2000 project.” In connection with this project, the Group prepared a multi-faceted program of industrial investments for the increase of the production capacity of leather and fabric upholstered furniture in the area close to its headquarters in Italy. According to this “Program Agreement”, the Company should have made investments for € 295.2 million and at the same time the Italian government should have contributed in the form of capital grants for € 145.5 million. In 1997, the Company received, under the aforementioned project, capital grants for € 24.2 million. During 2003, the Company revised its growth and production strategy due to the strong competition from competitors in countries like China and Brazil. Therefore, as a consequence of this change in the economic environment, in 2003 the Company requested to the Italian Ministry of Industrial Activities for the revision of the original “Program Agreement” as follows: reduction of the investment to be made from € 295.2 million to € 69.8 million, and reduction of the related capital grants from € 145.5 million to € 35.0 million. In April 2005, the Company received from the Italian Government the final approval of the “Program Agreement” confirming these revisions. In 2010, a committee appointed by the Ministry of Industrial Activities prepared the final technical report according to which the overall industrial investments acknowledged under the last version of the “Program Agreement” as agreed in 2005 changed from € 69.8 million to the final amount of € 66.0 million. Accordingly, the related total capital grants under the “Program Agreement” changed from € 35.0 million to the final amount of € 33.3 million. Therefore, the receivable for capital grants still due to the Company is € 9.1 million. However, in 2010, the Ministry of Industrial Activities determined an overall net receivable of only € 7.1 million. In fact, the Ministry of Industrial Activities claims that interest in arrears of € 1.8 million has accrued on capital grants paid in advance in 1997 for investments originally planned and subsequently not included in the final version of the “Program Agreement”, as agreed in 2005. The remaining part of the reduction of € 0.2 million is attributable to fees owed to Committee appointed by the Ministry. Hence, the Company has allocated in its balance sheet, as a precautionary measure, an overall devaluation for such receivable of € 3.7 million, as the result of the € 1.7 million reduction in the final amount of capital grants not approved (reduced from € 35.0 million to € 33.3 million), the claimed interest in arrears (€ 1.8 million), and the fees due to the Ministry Committee (€ 0.2 million).

On April 27, 2004, the Technical-Scientific Committee of the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research approved a four-year research project presented by the Company in February 2002 related to improvement and development in leather manufacturing and processing. The Committee approved a maximum capital grant of € 2.4 million and a 10-year subsidized loan for a maximum amount of € 3.0 million at a subsidized interest rate of 0.5% to be used in connection with industrial research expenses and prototype developments (as published on August 20, 2004, in the Italian Official Gazette (Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana) n° 195). In 2007 and 2008, the Company provided the aforementioned Committee with the complete list of expenses to be acknowledged under such project and that had been incurred between 2002 through 2007. As a result of these costs, the Italian Government in June 2008 provided a € 2.0 million subsidized loan and a € 1.5 million operating subsidy to the Company and in February 2010 also provided a € 0.6 million subsidized loan and a € 0.6 million operating subsidy. In 2010, the committee appointed by the Ministry of Education University and Research prepared the final technical report according to which all of the costs incurred were acknowledged. Therefore, in 2010, the Ministry provided a € 0.4 million subsidized loan and a € 0.3 million operating subsidy to the Company. All of the receivables under this project have been collected by the Company.

 

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In 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with the Italian Ministry of Industrial Activities for the incentive program denominated “Integrated Package of Benefits—Innovation of the working national program ‘Developing Local Entrepreneurs’” for the creation of a centralized information system in Santeramo in Colle that will be utilized by all Natuzzi points-of-sale around the world. This agreement acknowledges costs of € 7.2 million and € 1.9 million for the development and industrialization program, respectively. On March 20, 2006, the Italian Industrial Ministry issued a concession decree providing for a provisional grant to the Company of € 2.8 million and a loan of € 4.3 million, to be repaid at a rate of 0.74% over 10 years. Between December 2006 and September 2008, the Company provided the aforementioned Committee with the list of expenses to be acknowledged under such project and that have been incurred between July 2005 and November 2007 (date of completion of the program) totaling € 10.8 million. In April 2009, the Italian Government provided, as advance payment, a € 3.9 million subsidized loan and a € 1.9 million operating subsidy to the Company. In 2010, the Ministry Committee has completed the acknowledgement of all of the costs incurred by the Company under the aforementioned project and, therefore, is expected to issue the final decree necessary for the disbursement of the subsidies still owed to the Company. In April 212, the Italian Government provided, as advance payment, a € 0.6 million operating subsidy to the Company.

During 2008, the Italian Ministry of Industrial Activities approved a new incentive program, entitled “Made in Italy – Industry 2015.” The objective of this program is to facilitate the realization and development of new production technologies and services with high innovation value in order to stimulate awareness for products that are made in Italy. In December 2008, the Company submitted to the Italian Ministry of Industrial Activities its proposal, entitled “i-sofas.” The “i-sofas” program envisions a total investment of € 3.9 million, up to € 1.7 million of which may be contributed as a grant by the Italian Ministry of Industrial Activities. In October 2011, the Italian Ministry of Industrial Activities issued a concession decree reducing the total investment from € 3.9 to € 1.9 million and, accordingly, capital grants from up to € 1.7 million to € 0.7 million.

In April 2010, Natuzzi S.p.A., as the leader of a coalition of 19 institutions (including universities, research centers and other industrial companies), submitted to the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research a project proposal entitled “Future Factory,” which hopes to be financed using National Operating Plan (Piano Operativo Nazionale) funds. This project concerns the research and development of technologies and advanced applications for the control, monitoring and management of industrial processes. This project anticipates an overall cost of € 17.4 million, of which Natuzzi is supposed to bear € 3.3 million (€ 2.6 million as industrial research-related costs, and € 0.7 million as experimental activity-related costs). In March 2011, the Ministry informed the Company that it was included on a short list of companies being considered for the grant. In April 2012 the Ministry approved the Feasibility Study and the Program Agreement is subject to negotiation. However, there can be no guarantee that the Company will receive any such grant from the Italian Government.

In December 2010, Italsofa Romania, a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of the Company, took part in a European consortium (Augmented Reality Technologies in FACTories—ARTiFACT) of partners who excel in their respective fields of knowledge. The main objective of the project is to enhance the competitiveness of European companies and to optimize production efficiency in order to provide workers on the shop-floor level with context-based information. In addition, the industrial partners and scientific research institutes involved in the project are able to challenge international competitors. The ARTiFACT consortium consists of 14 European partners. The total investments included in the ARTiFACT project amount to € 5.6 million, and the overall capital grant is €3.8 million, of which € 0.2 million is earmarked for Italsofa Romania.

 

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Management of Exchange Rate Risk

The Group is subject to currency exchange rate risk in the ordinary course of its business to the extent that its costs are denominated in currencies other than those in which it earns revenues. Exchange rate fluctuations also affect the Group’s operating results because it recognizes revenues and costs in currencies other than Euro but publishes its financial statements in Euro. The Group also holds a substantial portion of its cash and cash equivalents in currencies other than the Euro, including a large amount in RMB received as compensation for the relocation of its Chinese manufacturing plant. The Group’s sales and results may be materially affected by exchange rate fluctuations. For more information, see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

Trademarks and Patents

The Group’s products are sold under the “Natuzzi”, “Italsofa”, “Leather Editions”, “Natuzzi Editions” and “Softaly” trademarks. These trademarks and certain other trademarks, such as “Divani & Divani by Natuzzi”, have been registered in all those countries in which the Group has a commercial interest, such as Italy, the European Union and elsewhere. In order to protect its investments in new product development, the Group has also undertaken the practice of registering certain new designs in most of the countries in which such designs are sold. The Group currently has more than 1,500 design patents and patents pending. Applications are made with respect to new product introductions that the Group believes will enjoy commercial success and have a high likelihood of being copied.

Regulation

The Company is incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Italy. The principal laws and regulations that apply to the operations of the Company—those of Italy and the European Union—are different from those of the United States. Such non-U.S. laws and regulations may be subject to varying interpretations or may be changed, and new laws and regulations may be adopted, from time to time. Our products are subject to regulations applicable in the countries where they are manufactured and sold. Our production processes are regularly inspected to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. While management believes that the Group is currently in compliance in all material respects with such laws and regulations (including rules with respect to environmental matters), there can be no assurance that any subsequent official interpretation of such laws or regulations by the relevant governmental authorities that differs from that of the Company, or any such change or adoption, would not have an adverse effect on the results of operations of the Group or the rights of holders of the Ordinary Shares or the owners of the Company’s ADSs. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Environmental Regulatory Compliance,” “Item 10. Additional Information—Exchange Controls” and “Item 10. Additional Information—Taxation.”

Environmental Regulatory Compliance

The Group operates all of its facilities in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Insurance

The Group maintains insurance against a number of risks. The Group insures against loss or damage to its facilities, loss or damage to its products while in transit to customers, failure to recover receivables, certain potential environmental liabilities, product liability claims and Directors and Officer Liabilities. While the Group’s insurance does not cover 100% of these risks, management believes that the Group’s present level of insurance is adequate in light of past experience.

 

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Description of Properties

The location, approximate size and function of the principal physical properties used by the Group as of March 31, 2013 are set forth below:

 

Country    Location    Size
(approximate
square
meters)
     Function    Production
Capacity
per day
  

Unit of

Measure

Italy    Santeramo in Colle

(BA)

     29,000       Headquarters, prototyping, showroom (Owned)    N.A.    N.A.
Italy    Santeramo in Colle,

Iesce2 (BA)

     28,000       Sewing and product assembly (Owned)    1,400    Seats
Italy    Matera La Martella      38,000       General warehouse of sofas and accessory furnishing (Owned)    N.A.    N.A.
Italy    Ginosa (TA)      16,000       Sewing and product assembly (Owned)    900    Seats
Italy    Matera, Iesce1      10,000       Motion product assembly, manufacturing of wooden frames (Owned)    200 /

500

   Seats /

Wooden Frames

Italy    Laterza (TA)      11,000       Leather cutting (Owned)    7,500    Square Meters
Italy    Laterza (TA)      13,000       Fabric and lining cutting, leather warehouse (Owned)    6,000    Linear Meters
Italy    Laterza (TA)      20,000       Accessory Furnishing Packaging and Warehouse (Owned)    N.A.    N.A.
Italy    Qualiano (NA)      12,000       Polyurethane foam production (Owned)    87    Tons
Italy    Pozzuolo del Friuli
(UD)
     21,000       Leather dyeing and finishing (Owned)    14,000    Square Meters
U.S.A.    High Point – North
Carolina
     10,000       Office and showroom for Natuzzi Americas (Owned)    N.A.    N.A.
Romania    Baia Mare      75,600       Leather cutting, sewing and product assembly, manufacturing of wooden frames, polyurethane foam shaping, fiberfill production and wood and wooden product manufacturing (Owned)    2,900    Seats
China    Shanghai      88,000       Leather cutting, sewing and product assembly, manufacturing of wooden frames, polyurethane foam shaping, fiberfill production (Leased)    3,000    Seats
Brazil    Salvador de Bahia
– Bahia
     28,700       Leather cutting, sewing and product assembly, manufacturing of wooden frames, polyurethane foam shaping, fiberfill production (Owned)    700    Seats

The Group believes that its production facilities are suitable for its production needs and are well maintained. The Group’s production facilities are operated utilizing close to 70.0% of their production capacity. Operations at all of the Group’s production facilities are normally conducted Monday through Friday with two eight-hour shifts per day. Up until July 2010, the Group utilized subcontractors to meet demand variability.

 

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Capital Expenditures

The following table sets forth the Group’s capital expenditures for each year for the three-year period ended December 31, 2012:

 

     Year ending December 31, (millions of Euro)  
     2012      2011      2010  

Land and plants

     0.1         0.9         0.2   

Equipment

     5.1         18.8         13.8   

Intangible assets

     3.0         1.3         3.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     8.2         21.0         17.1   

Capital expenditures during the last three years were primarily made to make improvements to property, plant and equipment, for the expansion of the Company’s retail network as well as for SAP implementation. In 2012, capital expenditures were primarily made to make improvements at the Group’s existing facilities and in particular in Italy (Santeramo in Colle, Pozzuolo del Friuli and Qualiano), in Romania and in China and to further develop the SAP system.

The Group expects that capital expenditures in 2013 will be approximately € 15 million, which is expected to be financed with cash flow from operations. The Group plans to direct such capital expenditures mainly to productivity improvements in its existing plants, to carry on the updating and implementation of the SAP system, and to open new stores and galleries. The Group expects almost all of the new store and gallery openings to be in Asia and Brazil.

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

The following discussion of the Group’s results of operations, liquidity and capital resources is based on information derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in Item 18 of this Annual Report. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Italian GAAP, which differ in certain respects from U.S. GAAP. For a discussion of the principal differences between Italian GAAP and U.S. GAAP as they relate to the Group’s consolidated net losses and shareholders’ equity, see Note 29 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report. All information that is not historical in nature and disclosed under “Item 5—Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” is deemed to be a forward-looking statement. See “Item 3. Key Information—Forward Looking Information.”

Critical Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates — The significant accounting policies used by the Group to prepare its financial statements are described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report. The application of these policies requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that are subjective and complex, and which affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of any reporting date and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during any reporting period. The Group’s financial results could be materially different if different estimates, judgments or assumptions were used. The following discussion addresses the estimates, judgments and assumptions that the Group considers most material based on the degree of uncertainty and the likelihood of a material impact if a different estimate, judgment or assumption were used. Actual results could differ from such estimates, due to, among other things, uncertainty, lack or limited availability of information, variations in economic inputs such as prices, costs, and other significant factors including the matters described under “Risk Factors.”

 

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Long-lived Assets — Management reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable and would record an impairment charge if necessary. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted and discounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset and are significantly impacted by estimates of future prices for our products, capital needs, economic trends and other factors. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its estimated recovery value, in relation to its use or realization, as determined by reference to the most recent corporate plans. The Company analyzes its overall valuation and performs an impairment analysis of its long-lived assets in accordance with Italian GAAP and U.S. GAAP (long-lived assets have to be tested for impairment whenever the events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may be not recoverable).

Due to a market capitalization that falls below the carrying amount of the Company, and a history of operating loss and revenue declines, management has performed impairment tests on certain long-lived assets where losses have been generated.

The fair value analysis of each long-lived asset in use is unique and requires that management use estimates and assumptions that are deemed prudent and reasonable for a particular set of circumstances. Management believes that the estimates used in the analysis are reasonable; however, changes in estimates could affect the relevant valuations and the recoverability of the carrying values of the assets. The cash flows employed in our 2012 undiscounted and discounted cash flow analyses for impairment analysis of long lived assets in use were based on 2013-2015 year financial forecasts developed internally by management.

While management believes its estimates are reasonable, many of these matters involve significant uncertainty, and actual results may differ from the estimates used. The key inputs that were used in performing the 2012 impairment test for long-lived assets are as follows:

 

                 Year Ended Dec. 31, 2012  
Long lived assets (in use) located in    Cash flows    Carrying value of
the asset tested
     g     WACC     Sales
CAGR

2013-15
 

Italy (Production site)

   Undiscounted      71,186         n/a        n/a        17

Italy (Retail site)

   Discounted      1,166         0.5     12     5

Brazil (Production site)

   Third-party independent appraisal      13,815         n/a        n/a        n/a   

America (Retail site)

   Undiscounted      13,889         n/a        n/a        13

Spain (Retail site)

   Discounted      797         0.5     12     6

U.K. (Retail site)

   Discounted      1,544         0.5     12     10

Total assets tested

        102,397          

n/a – Not Applicable

g – estimated long term growth rate

WACC – Weighted Average Cost of Capital

Sales CAGR – Sales Cumulative Average Growth Rate

The fair value analysis of each long-lived asset not in use is determined by means of third party independent appraisal.

With reference to Italian production site which represents the most significant carrying amount, management believe that the undiscounted cash flow exceeds the carrying value with a sufficient cushion.

The sales cumulative average growth rate for Italy production site is based on the three year sales plan internally prepared by management of the high-end brand Natuzzi Italia, which is only one produced at the Italian production site and sold at a worldwide level (in particular the growth is mainly related to the emerging markets such as Asia Pacific, Russia and Brazil). Included in the cash flow analysis is an assumption of costs, which is primarily based on historical actual costs, and adjusted for certain programs already implemented or expected to be implemented during 2013. Management believe that these cost assumptions are reasonable and achievable.

The deterioration of the macroeconomic environment, retail industry and the deterioration of our performance could affect our Italian long-lived assets. In performing the impairment analysis management has performed a sensitivity analysis assuming a short fall in three years sales forecast (worst case of 20% decrease), which results in an undiscounted cash flow exceeding the carrying amount of long-lived assets with an adequate cushion.

Based on our sensitivity analysis, we do not believe that the long-lived asset balance is at risk of impairment at the end of the year because the fair values are substantially in excess of the carrying values.

However, long lived assets impairment charges may be recognized in future periods to the extent changes in factors or circumstances occur, including deterioration in the macroeconomic environment, retail industry, deterioration in our performance or our future projections, or changes in our plans for one or more long lived assets.

During 2012, the Company performed an impairment review of its fixed assets and an impairment loss of €0.9 million was recorded for the assets related to retail stores in Spain. During 2011 the Company recorded an impairment loss of €1.0 million for its Pojuca plant in Brazil. No impairment losses arose in 2010.

For a discussion of the differences between Italian GAAP and U.S. GAAP with respect to the above impairment analysis and the effect on net loss and shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2012, please see Note 29(g) of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

 

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Goodwill and intangible assets — Management tests goodwill and intangible assets for impairment by reporting unit at least once a year or whenever the events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets may be not recoverable.

The Company analyzes its overall valuation and performed the impairment analysis of its goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with Italian and U.S. GAAP. Under Italian GAAP the Company amortizes the goodwill and intangible assets arising from business acquisition on a straight-line basis over a period of five years. Under U.S. GAAP goodwill and intangible assets are not amortized but annually tested for impairment.

At December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded an impairment loss for its goodwill and intangible assets of €0.9 million, €5.9 million and €0.7 million, respectively.

Furthermore, the Company would like to highlight that the net book value of goodwill (net of impairment charge) as of December 31, 2012 under Italian GAAP and U.S. GAAP was € 0.1 million (0.02% of total assets) and nil, respectively (see notes 12 and 29(d) of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report).

For a discussion of the differences between Italian GAAP and U.S. GAAP with respect to the above impairment analysis and the effect on net loss and shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2012, please see Note 29(d) of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

The fair value as of December 31, 2012 was determined based on Discounted Cash analyses, which require significant assumptions and estimates about the future operations of the reporting unit. Significant judgments inherent in this analysis include the determination of appropriate discount rates, the amount and timing of expected future cash flows and growth rates. The cash flows employed in our 2012 discounted cash flow analyses were based on 2013-2015 year financial forecasts developed internally by management for the “Italian retail owned stores”. The credit crisis experienced in Italy during 2011 and 2012 negatively impacted the Company’s results and management’s expectations for the Italian market where private consumption remains weak. In addition, in 2011 and 2012, the Italian Government passed significant tax, social security, and other extraordinary measures in order to meet the European Commission and European Financial Stability Facility requirements. Such measures were recognized by the international community as a positive step in the right direction, but also resulted in a negative impact in the medium to short-term growth expectation of consumer demand and the overall market recovery. The key inputs used in performing the impairment test of “Italian retail owned stores” relate to an estimated long term growth rate of 0.5% (0.5% in 2011), a weighted average cost of capital equal to 12.47% (9.67% in 2011), and an estimated average growth rate in sales of 5.0% (2.5% in 2011) for the subsequent years. The low growth rates used in the 2012 analysis reflect the difficult economic outlook in the key markets in which we operate. See “Trend Information” below.

Although management believes its estimates are reasonable, actual results may differ, and future downward revisions to management’s estimates, if any, may result in further charges in future periods.

Recoverability of Deferred Tax Assets — Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the accounting in the consolidated financial statements of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as for losses available for carrying forward in the various tax jurisdictions. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to an amount that is reasonably certain to be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

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In assessing the feasibility of the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is reasonably certain that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible and the tax loss carry forwards are utilized. Estimating future taxable income requires estimates about matters that are inherently uncertain and requires significant management judgment, and different estimates can have a significant impact on the outcome of the analysis.

In 2012, because most of the Italian and foreign subsidiaries realized significant pre-tax losses and were in a cumulative loss position, management did not consider it reasonably certain that the deferred tax assets of those companies would be realized in the scheduled reversal periods (see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report). In making its determination that a valuation allowance was required, management considered the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies but was unable to identify any relevant tax planning strategies available to reduce the need for a valuation allowance.

Changes in the assumptions and estimates related to future taxable income, tax planning strategies and scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities could affect the recoverability of the deferred tax assets. If actual results differ from such estimates and assumptions the Group financial position and results of operation may be affected.

One-time termination benefits - In September 2011, the Company renewed its agreement with the Trade Unions to participate in a temporary workforce reduction program for 24 months beginning on October 16, 2011 (provided for under Italian law July, 23 1991 n. 223 e D.M. August 20, 2002 n. 31444) pursuant to a special Social Security procedure known as “CIGS—Cassa Integrazione Guadagni Straordinaria”. The average number of employees involved in the CIGS program within the Group’s Italian facilities for the 2011-2013 period is 1,273 and these employees are currently employed in our Italian headquarters and production sites. In October 2011, the Italian Ministry of Labor accepted the Company’s request, and admitted the Company to a 24-month lay-off period, in order to support the reorganization process of the Company that assumes a surplus of 1,060 employees at the end of the lay-off period (October 15, 2013).

Pursuant to the above-mentioned agreement, as of December 31, 2011, the Company, accrued a one-time termination benefits reserve with an accrual of €5.4 million (for the 1,060 employees to be dismissed) recorded as a non-operating expense, under the line “other income/(expense) net” of the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011.

In accordance with Italian GAAP this cost was recognized in 2011, due to the fact that in that year the Company formally decided to adopt the termination plan (which was approved by the Company’s board of directors) and was able to reasonably estimate the related one-time termination benefits. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had not made any official announcement or notification to the terminated employees in connection with the work termination plan and the one-time termination benefits. Under Italian GAAP, the communication or announcement to third parties of the plan of termination of workers is not relevant to the recognition of the cost for the termination benefits related to the terminated workers.

Although management believes its estimates of the one-time termination benefits are reasonable, different assumptions regarding the number of employees to be laid off, the outcome of the negotiations with the trade unions and the relevant Italian Ministries, and other factors, could lead to different conclusions, which could have a significant impact on the figures determined.

 

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Under U.S. GAAP, considering the guidance of ASC 420, the one-time termination benefits have to be recorded in the consolidated statement of operations when the termination plan is communicated to the employees and meets all the criteria indicated in paragraph 420-10-25-4. Therefore, under U.S. GAAP the cost of the one-time termination benefits was reversed out of the consolidated statement of operations.

Allowances for Returns and Discounts — The Group records revenues net of returns and discounts. The Group estimates sales returns and discounts and creates an allowance for them in the year of the related sales. The Group makes estimates in connection with such allowances based on its experience and historical trends in its large volumes of homogeneous transactions. However, actual costs for returns and discounts may differ significantly from these estimates if factors such as economic conditions, customer preferences or changes in product quality differ from the ones used by the Group in making these estimates.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts — The Group makes estimates and judgments in relation to the collectability of its accounts receivable and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts based on losses it may experience as a result of failure by its customers to pay amounts owed. The Group estimates these losses using consistent methods that take into consideration, in particular, insurance coverage in place, the creditworthiness of its customers and general economic conditions. Changes to assumptions relating to these estimates could affect actual results. Actual results may differ significantly from the Group’s estimates if factors such as general economic conditions and the creditworthiness of its customers are different from the Group’s assumptions.

Revenue Recognition — Under Italian GAAP, the Group recognizes sales revenue, and accrues associated costs, at the time products are shipped from its manufacturing facilities located in Italy and abroad. A significant part of the products are shipped from factories directly to customers under sales terms such that ownership, and thus risk, is transferred to the customer when the customer takes possession of the goods. These sales terms are referred to as “delivered duty paid,” “delivered duty unpaid,” “delivered ex quay” and “delivered at customer factory.” Delivery to the customer generally occurs within one to six weeks from the time of shipment. The Group’s revenue recognition under Italian GAAP is at variance with U.S. GAAP. For a discussion of revenue recognition under U.S. GAAP, see Note 29(c) to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

Results of Operations

Summary — In 2012, the Group had net losses of € 26.1 million, increasing from net losses of € 19.6 million in 2011; Group net sales decreased by 3.6%, from € 486.4 million in 2011 to € 468.8 million in 2012, due primarily to a decrease of 6.0% in seats sold, as compared to 2011, particularly concentrated in Europe (-18.5%). In 2012, net sales of the Natuzzi Italia branded products, which target the high-end of the market, decreased by 22.9% to € 139.9 million (from € 181.4 million in 2011), with the number of Natuzzi Italia-branded seats sold decreasing by 28.4% as compared to 2011 (-31.2% in Europe). Net sales of the Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions, Italsofa brand and Softaly/unbranded products increased by 10.5% in 2012, to € 269.5 million from € 243.9 million in 2011, with the number of seats sold increasing by 1.7%.

 

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The overall Group performance in 2012 was strongly affected by the persisting poor trend in sales from Europe, which suffered from weak trends with respect to household consumption that were further burdened by austerity-driven policies in place in certain countries, but also by the extension of the slowdown in some emerging economies. In the Americas, on the contrary, thanks to a slight recovery in consumption but also to the effectiveness of our commercial strategy, the Group has recorded positive performance (growth of 18.4% over 2011).

The general recessionary climate that the Group has operated within over the past few years, especially in those markets that have historically been important to us, such as Europe, has had an adverse effect on consumers’ disposable incomes, which has also contributed to a change in consumer preferences toward a preference for products at the medium-to-lower end of the market.

Despite these challenges, the Group is committed to focusing on reorganization activities that will improve the competitiveness of its operating structure. Specifically, the Group will continue to invest in product and process innovations that implement the “Lean” perspective. In addition, our commercial organization is being reviewed in order to have it more effectively respond to market demands, with particular attention to fast-growing markets. The Company will also continue to further implement cost-saving measures aimed at overhead costs and to develop our business relations with important customers by leveraging our capability in offering quality service and competitive products.

The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales for the years indicated:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010  

Net sales

     100.0     100.0     100.0

Cost of sales

     66.9        67.0        62.0   

Gross profit

     33.1        33.0        38.0   

Selling expenses

     28.2        29.7        29.7   

General and administrative expenses

     8.5        8.9        8.2   

Operating margin

     (3.7     (5.6     0.1   

Other income (expense), net

     (1.0     3.6        (0.8

Income taxes

     0.9        1.8        1.4   

Net loss

     (5.6     (4.0     (2.1

See “Item 4. Information on the Company—Markets” for tables setting forth the Group’s net leather- and fabric-upholstered furniture sales and seats sold, which are broken down by geographic market, for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

2012 Compared to 2011

Total Net Sales for 2012, including sales of leather and fabric-upholstered furniture and other sales (principally sales of polyurethane foam and leather sold to third parties as well as of accessories), decreased 3.6% to € 468.8 million, as compared to € 486.4 million in 2011.

Net sales for 2012 of leather and fabric-upholstered furniture decreased 3.7% to €409.4 million, as compared to €425.3 million in 2011. The 3.7% decrease was due principally to a 6.0% decrease in the number of seats sold. Net sales of Natuzzi Italia-branded furniture accounted for 34.2% of our total furniture net sales in 2012 (as compared to 42.6% in 2011), and net sales of the other brands, namely Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions, Italsofa, and Softaly products accounted for 65.8% of our total net sales for 2012 (as compared to 57.4% in 2011).

 

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Net sales for 2012 of leather-upholstered furniture decreased 3.3% to €389.8 million, as compared to € 403.0 million in 2011, and net sales for 2012 of fabric-upholstered furniture decreased 11.8% to € 19.6 million, as compared to € 22.2 million in 2011.

In the Americas, net sales of upholstered furniture in 2012 increased by 18.4% to €169.9 million, as compared to €143.5 million in 2011, and seats sold increased by 7.3% to 832,977. Net sales of Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions, Italsofa and Softaly products increased 21.0% over 2011 at €154.0 million, while net sales of the higher-priced Natuzzi Italia-branded furniture were € 15.9 million, down 1.7% as compared to 2011. In Europe, net sales of upholstered furniture in 2012 decreased 18.3% to €180.0 million, as compared to €220.3 million in 2011, due to the combined effect of a 27.4% decrease in net sales of Natuzzi Italia-branded furniture and to a 4.7% decrease in net sales of Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions, Italsofa and Softaly products. In the Rest of the World, net sales of upholstered furniture decreased 3.3% to €59.5 million, as compared to €61.5 million in 2011.

Net sales for 2012 of the Natuzzi Italia-branded furniture decreased 22.9% over 2011 to €139.9 million, with the number of Natuzzi Italia-branded seats sold decreasing by 28.4%. During 2012 net sales of Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions, Italsofa and Softaly products increased 10.5% to €269.5 million, as compared to €243.9 million in 2011, with the number of seats sold increased by 1.7%.

In 2012, total seats sold decreased 6.0% to 1,680,770 from 1,787,820 units sold in 2011. Negative performance was recorded in Europe (down 18.5% to 635,955 seats) and in the Rest of the World region (down 8.2% to 211,839 seats), whereas the Group reported positive results in the Americas (up 7.3% to 832,977 seats).

The following provides a more detailed country-by-country examination of the changes in volumes in our principal markets, according to the Group’s two main sales categories:

Natuzzi Brand. In terms of seats sold under the Natuzzi brand, the Group recorded negative results in Canada (-1.6%), the United States (-19.6%), Mexico (-39.5%), South Korea (-16.9%), Australia (-27.0%), China (-36.0%), Taiwan (-19.6%), Israel (-20.2%), United Kingdom (-35.6%), Germany (-24.9%), France (-40.0%), Belgium (-40.1%), Spain (-44.0%), Netherlands (-29.1%), Switzerland (-32.1%), and Italy (-27.9%). Positive results were reported in Saudi Arabia (+9.5%), India (+33.5%), Russia (+36.9%) and Chile (+71.2%).

Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions, Italsofa and Softaly/Unbranded products. The Group recorded a decrease over 2011 in terms of seats sold in countries, such as Chile (-18.8%), Puerto Rico (-18.3%), Saudi Arabia (-7.4%), Taiwan (-26.4%), Israel (-23.9%), Turkey (-13.4%), Japan (-27.3%), Germany (-23.6%), France (-21.3%), Spain (-32.4%), Netherlands (-24.2%), Russia (-20.5%), Czech Republic (-18.8%), Cyprus (-63.0%), Portugal (-28.6%), Ireland (-11.8%) and Sweden (-22.6%). Positive results were reported in Canada (+22.7%), the United States (+1.9%), Mexico (+20.4%), Venezuela (+151.6%), Brazil (+151.5%), Peru (+220.6%), South Korea (+17.4%), Australia (+35.8%), China (+14.3%), India (+45.5%), UAE (+4.7%), United Kingdom (+14.0%), France (+5.9%), Switzerland (+22.4%), Finland (+10.7%), Austria (+20.2%), Poland (+23.7%) and Denmark (+7.6%).

Other Net Sales (principally sales of polyurethane foam and leather sold to third parties, as well as of accessories) decreased 2.7% to € 59.4 million, as compared to € 61.1 million in 2011.

 

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Cost of Sales in 2012 decreased by 3.7% to € 313.8 million (representing 66.9% of net sales), as compared to € 326.1 million (or 67.0% of net sales) in 2011. In particular, consumption costs (defined as purchases plus beginning stock minus final stock and plus leather processing) increased slightly as a percentage of total net sales, passing from 44.3% in 2011 to 44.6% in 2012, mainly due to a different sales mix (more Softaly/private label products sold), but these results reflect the positive impact of efficiency measures that have been introduced, including better management of outsourced materials and components, in the absence of which consumption costs would have been higher as a percentage of total net sales. Transformation costs (defined as manufacturing labor costs and industrial costs) saw an improvement, in terms of the percentage of the total net sales, declining slightly from 22.7% in 2011 to 22.4% in 2012, mainly due to higher efficiency in the Group’s operations following the extension of the Moving Line approach in our manufacturing plants.

Gross Profit. The Group’s gross profit decreased 3.3% in 2012 to €155.0 million (33.1% of net sales), as compared to €160.3 million in 2011 (33.0% of net sales) as a result of the factors described above.

Selling Expenses decreased 8.2% in 2012 to €132.4 million, as compared to €144.3 million in 2011, and, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 28.2% from 29.7% in 2011.

In particular, in 2012 transportation costs increased in Euro terms to €47.6 million, from €46.4 million reported in 2011, but also as percentage of total net sales (10.2% from 10.5% one year ago) due to a different sales-mix (higher sales of lower-priced Softaly/private label products), as well as to more shipments with longer routes, especially towards North America. These costs would have been higher if we had not implemented efficiency recovery measures to rationalize the Group’s logistics, such as renegotiation of transportation tariffs, better management of customs expenses and a reduced number of third-party storage, together with a renegotiation of storage fees.

Commissions to agents increased slightly in 2012 over 2011, passing from 1.9% of total net sales to 2.1% in 2012. Advertising expenses decreased by € 4.8 million compared to 2011, representing 4.2% of total net sales in 2012 (5.0% in 2011).

General and Administrative Expenses. In 2012, the Group’s general and administrative expenses decreased by 7.9% to € 39.9 million, from € 43.3 million in 2011, and, as a percentage of net sales, from 8.9% in 2011 to 8.5% in 2012. The reduction both in absolute terms and as percentage on net sales is the results of the reorganization measure implemented at Group level.

Operating Income (Loss). As a result of the factors described above, the Group had an operating loss of €17.3 million for 2012, compared to an operating loss of €27.3 million in 2011.

Other Income (expenses), net. The Group registered other expense, net, of €4.6 million in 2012 as compared to other income, net, of €17.3 million in 2011, which was higher in 2011 primarily due to the refund from the Chinese government following the expropriation of one of the Group’s plants.

Within the line “other income / (expenses), net” of the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company has charged the amount of €0.7 million, (€2.5 million for 2011), for the estimated probable liabilities related to some claims (including tax claims) and legal actions in which it is involved.

In 2012, Natuzzi Iberica, one of the Group’s controlled companies, performed an impairment review of its fixed assets and an impairment loss of €0.9 million was recorded. This impairment loss was due, in particular, to the decline in cash flow projections related to the uncertain prospects for full economic recovery in Spain, since private consumption was negatively impacted by a general weakness in the job market, high levels of public indebtedness, and a decreasing level of savings among families. See Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

 

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Net interest expenses, included in other expense, net, in 2012 was € 0.2 million, as compared to net expenses of € 0.5 million in 2011. See Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

The Group registered a € 2.5 million foreign-exchange net loss in 2012 (included in other income (expense), net), as compared to a net gain of € 0.5 million in 2011. The foreign exchange gain in 2012 primarily reflected the following factors:

• a net realized loss of € 1.6 million in 2012 (as compared to a net realized gain of € 1.9 million in 2011) on domestic currency swaps due to the difference between the forward rates of the domestic currency swaps and the spot rates at which the domestic currency swaps were closed (the Group uses the forward rate to hedge its price risks against unfavorable exchange rate variations);

• a net realized gain of € 2.3 million in 2012 (compared to a loss of € 1.2 million in 2011), from the difference between invoice exchange rates and collection/payment exchange rates;

• a net unrealized loss of € 4.6 million in 2012 (compared to an unrealized gain of € 0.4 million in 2011) on accounts receivable and payable; and

• a net unrealized gain of € 1.4 million in 2012 (compared to an unrealized loss of € 0.6 million in 2011), from the mark-to-market evaluation of domestic currency swaps.

The Group also recorded in 2012 other expenses, net, included in “other income (expense), net”, of € 1.9 million, compared to other income, net of € 17.3 million reported in 2011. The €1.9 million under “Other, net” reflected the following factors:

• a € 0.7 million contingent-liabilities provision for estimated losses related to some claims (including tax claims) and legal actions in 2012, while in 2011, the provisions for contingent liabilities amounted to € 2.5 million;

• other expenses of €0.3 million deriving from the write-off of fixed assets in 2012, almost the same amount as reported for 2011;

• a € 0.9 million loss deriving from the impairment of long-assets (Natuzzi Iberica).

The Group does not use hedge accounting and records all fair value changes of its domestic currency swaps in its statement of operations. See Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

Income Taxes. In 2012, the Group had an effective tax rate of 19.42% on its losses before taxes and non-controlling interests, compared to the Group’s effective tax rate of 88.9% reported in 2011.

For the Group’s Italian companies the effective tax rate (i.e., the obligation to accrue taxes despite reporting a loss before taxes) was, in part, due to the regional tax known as “Irap” (Imposta regionale sulle attività produttive; see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report). This regional tax is generally levied on the gross profits determined as the difference between gross revenue (excluding interest and dividend income) and direct production costs (excluding labor costs, interest expenses and other financial costs). As a consequence, even if an Italian company reports a pre-tax loss, it could still be subject to this regional tax. In 2012, same Italian companies within the Group reported losses but had to pay “Irap.”

As in 2011, because most of the Italian and foreign subsidiaries realized significant pre-tax losses and were in a cumulative loss position, management did not consider it reasonably certain that the deferred tax assets of those companies would be realized in the scheduled reversal periods (see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report).

 

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Net Loss. Reflecting the factors above, the Group reported a net loss of €26.1 million in 2012, as compared to a net loss of €19.6 million in 2011. On a per-Ordinary Share, or per-ADS basis, the Group had net losses of €0.48 in 2012, as compared to net losses of €0.36 in 2011.

As disclosed in Note 29 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report, established accounting principles in Italy vary in certain significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Under U.S. GAAP, the Group would have had net losses of € 32.2 million, € 13.1 million and € 8.9 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, compared to net losses of € 26.1 million, € 19.6 million and € 11.1 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively under Italian GAAP.

2011 Compared to 2010

Net Sales for 2011, including sales of leather and fabric-upholstered furniture and other sales (principally sales of polyurethane foam and leather sold to third parties as well as of accessories), decreased 6.2% to € 486.4 million, as compared to € 518.6 million in 2010.

Net sales for 2011 of leather and fabric-upholstered furniture decreased 7.6% to €425.3 million, as compared to €460.5 million in 2010. The 7.6% decrease was due to a combination of factors, principally a 8.5% decrease in the number of seats sold. Net sales of Natuzzi-branded furniture accounted for 42.6% of our total furniture net sales in 2011 (as compared to 41.7% in 2010), and net sales of Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions, Italsofa brand and Softaly products accounted for 57.4% of our total net sales for 2011 (as compared to 58.3% in 2010).

Net sales for 2011 of leather upholstered furniture decreased 6.5% to €403.0 million, as compared to € 431.1 million in 2010, and net sales for 2011 of fabric upholstered furniture decreased 24.1% to € 22.3 million, as compared to € 29.4 million in 2010.

In the Americas, net sales of upholstered furniture in 2011 decreased by 12.6% to €143.5 million, as compared to €164.2 million in 2010, and seats sold decreased by 12.4% to 776,171, as compared to 886,471 in 2010. Net sales of Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions, Italsofa brand and Softaly products decreased 14.4% compared to 2010, while net sales of the higher-priced Natuzzi-branded furniture increased 4.5% as compared to 2010. In Europe, net sales of upholstered furniture in 2011 decreased 7.5% to €220.3 million, as compared to €238.1 million in 2010, due to the combined effect of a 9.0% decrease in net sales of Natuzzi-branded furniture and to a 5.0% decrease in net sales of Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions, Italsofa brand and Softaly products. In the Rest of the World, net sales of upholstered furniture increased 5.7% to €61.5 million, as compared to €58.2 million in 2010.

Net sales for 2011 of the Natuzzi-branded furniture decreased 5.6% to €181.4 million, as compared to €192.1 million in 2010, with the number of Natuzzi-branded seats sold decreasing by 5.6%. During 2011, net sales of Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions, Italsofa brand and Softaly products decreased 9.1% to €243.9 million, as compared to €268.4 million in 2010, with the number seats sold decreasing by 9.5%.

In 2011, total seats sold decreased 8.5% to 1,787,820 from 1,954,593 sold in 2010. Negative performance was recorded in the Europe region (down 7.9% to 780,791 seats) and in the Americas region (down 12.4% to 776,171 seats), whereas the Group had positive results in the Rest of the World (up 4.6% to 230,858 seats).

The following provides a more detailed country -by -country examination of the changes in volumes in our principal markets, according to the Group’s two main sales categories:

 

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• Natuzzi Brand. In terms of seats sold under the Natuzzi brand, the Group recorded negative results in Australia (-23.8%), Chile (-42.0%), Spain (-18.8%), France (-13.2%), United Kingdom (-10.5%), Italy (-12.3%), the Netherlands (-4.1%), Switzerland (-8.6%), Ireland (-29.3%), Portugal (-32.6%), Denmark (-27.8%) and Belgium (-26.7%). Positive results were reported in the United States (+8.11%), Canada (4.5%), Korea (+7.5%), Germany (+2.9%), China (+39.0%), Mexico (+59.1%), Taiwan (+7.8%) and UAE (+3.1%).

• Natuzzi Editions/Leather Editions, Italsofa brand and Softaly products. The Group recorded a decrease in terms of seats sold in many countries, among which were Saudi Arabia (-20.7%), United States (-21.2%), Canada (-12.2), Israel (-15.0%), Spain (-21.8%), Belgium (-20.2%), France (-17.6%), United Kingdom (-14.6%), Holland (-12.3%), Portugal (-58.1%) and Sweden (-9.6%). Positive results were reported in Germany (+30.0%), Korea (+20.2%), Japan (+6.6%), India (+44.0%) and China (+11.1%).

Other Net Sales (principally sales of polyurethane foam and leather sold to third parties, as well as of accessories) increased 5.1% to € 61.1 million, as compared to € 58.1 million in 2010.

Cost of Sales in 2011 increased in absolute terms by 14.2% to € 326.1 million (representing 67.0% of net sales), as compared to € 321.5 million (or 62.0% of net sales) in 2010. The increase in cost of sales as a percentage of sales primarily reflects higher raw material costs, particularly of leather, and a negative sales mix. Labor costs also increased as a percentage of sales, reflecting higher salaries in China, Romania and Italy, and to a lesser extent Brazil, as well as the effect of a temporary shift of production from China to Italy during the relocation of our Chinese plant. Other manufacturing costs also increased as a percentage of sales reflecting lower sales and the new plant in China.

Gross Profit. The Group’s gross profit decreased 18.7% in 2011 to €160.3 million (33.0% of net sales), as compared to €197.1 million in 2010 (38.0% of net sales) as a result of the factors described above.

Selling Expenses decreased 6.5% in 2011 to €144.3 million, as compared to €154.3 million in 2010, and, as a percentage of net sales, remained at the same level as in 2010 (+29.7%). The stable performance as a percentage of sales primarily reflects a reduction in transportation costs and lower commissions and advertising expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses. In 2011, the Group’s general and administrative expenses decreased by 0.02% to € 43.3 million, from € 42.5 million in 2010, and, as a percentage of net sales, increased from 8.2% in 2010 to 8.9% in 2011. The percentage increase is linked to the net sales decrease.

Operating Income (Loss). Reflecting the above factors, the Group had an operating loss of €27.3 million for 2011, as compared to operating income of €0.4 million in 2010.

Other Income (expenses), net. The Group registered other income, net, of €17.3 million in 2011 as compared to other expenses, net of €4.4 million in 2010.

Under the line “other income/(expense) net” of the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011 the Chinese relocation effects was recorded as compensation amount of €46.7 million (equal to RMB 420 million) and write-off of €18.4 million (equivalent to RMB 165 million) of all fixed assets owned by Italsofa Shanghai that were not transferred in the new industrial site (the industrial building and some machines and equipment). In addition the Chinese subsidiary recorded other extraordinary expenses for employee compensation and fees of €3.2 million (equivalent to RMB 28 million).

 

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The Company has also recorded an impairment loss of €1.0 million under the line other income (expense) on the plant located in Brazil in Pojuca- State of Bahia and based on the annual impairment analysis with a third-party independent appraisal.

The Company, at December 2011, increased the One-time termination benefits reserve with an accrual of €5.5 million (for the 1,060 employees to be dismissed) recorded as a non-operating expense, under the line “other income/(expense) net” of the consolidated statement, based on the new restructuring program signed with the Trade Unions, in order to support the reorganization process of the Company, that assumes a surplus of 1,060 employees at the end of the lay-off period (October 15, 2013).

Net interest expenses, included in other expense, net, in 2011 was € 0.5 million, as compared to net expenses of € 1.0 million in 2010. See Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

The Group registered a € 0.5 million foreign-exchange net gain in 2011 (included in other income (expense), net), as compared to a net gain of € 1.0 million in 2010. The foreign exchange gain in 2011 primarily reflected the following factors:

• a net realized gain of € 1.9 million in 2011 (as compared to a net realized loss of € 3.1 million from 2010) on domestic currency swaps due to the difference between the forward rates of the domestic currency swaps and the spot rates at which the domestic currency swaps were closed (the Group uses the forward rate to hedge its price risks against unfavorable exchange rate variations);

• a net realized loss of € 1.2 million in 2011 (compared to a gain of € 6.8 million in 2010), from the difference between invoice exchange rates and collection/payment exchange rates;

• a net unrealized gain of € 0.4 million in 2011 (compared to an unrealized loss of € 1.8 million in 2010) on accounts receivable and payable; and

• a net unrealized loss of € 0.6 million in 2011 (compared to an unrealized loss of € 0.9 million in 2010), from the mark-to-market of domestic currency swaps.

The Group also recorded other expenses, included in other income (expense), net, in 2011 of € 17.4 million, compared to other expenses of € 4.5 million reported in 2010. These expenses reflected the following factors:

• a € 2.5 million contingent-liabilities provision for estimated losses related to some claims (including tax claims) and legal actions in 2011, while in 2010, the provisions for contingent liabilities amounted to € 3.8 million;

• other expenses of €0.3 million deriving from the write-off of fixed assets in 2011, while in 2010, the other expenses deriving from the write off of fixed assets amounted to € 0.5 million;

• € 1.5 million as other expense, net in 2011, compared to other income, net of € 0.2 million in 2010.

The Group does not use hedge accounting and records all fair value changes of its domestic currency swaps in its statement of operations.

Income Taxes. In 2011, the Group had an effective tax rate of 88.9% on its losses before taxes and non-controlling interests, compared to the Group’s effective tax rate of 172.5% reported in 2010.

 

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For the Group’s Italian companies the effective tax rate (i.e., the obligation to accrue taxes despite reporting a loss before taxes) was, in part, due to the regional tax known as “Irap” (see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report). In 2011, most Italian companies within the Group reported losses but had to pay “Irap.”

In 2011, the Group’s effective income tax rate was also negatively affected by a considerable increase in the non-current deferred tax assets valuation allowance. In 2011, because most of the Italian and foreign subsidiaries realized significant pre-tax losses and were in a cumulative loss position, management did not consider it reasonably certain that the deferred tax assets of those companies would be realized in the scheduled reversal periods (see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report).

Net Loss. Reflecting the factors above, the Group reported a net loss of €19.6 million in 2011, as compared to a net loss of €11.1 million in 2010. On a per-Ordinary Share, or per-ADS basis, the Group had net losses of €0.36 in 2011, as compared to net losses of €0.20 in 2010.

As disclosed in Note 29 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report, established accounting principles in Italy vary in certain significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Under U.S. GAAP, the Group would have had net losses of € 13.1 million, € 8.9 million and € 25.9 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, compared to net losses of € 19.6 million, € 11.1 million and € 17.7 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively under Italian GAAP.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In the ordinary course of business, our principal uses of funds are for the payment of operating expenses, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and restructuring of operations. The Group’s principal source of liquidity has historically been its existing cash and cash equivalents and cash flow from operations, supplemented to the extent needed to meet the Group’s short term cash requirements by accessing the Group’s existing lines of credit. Management believes that the Group has sufficient sources of liquidity to fund working capital expenditures and other contractual obligations for the next 12 months.

In light of the downturn of the global economy and the continuing uncertainty about these conditions in the foreseeable future, we are focused on effective cash management, controlling costs, and preserving cash in order to continue to make necessary capital expenditures and acquisition of stores. For example, we reviewed all capital projects for 2013 and are committed to execute only those projects that are necessary for business operations.

As of December 31, 2012, the Group had cash and cash equivalents on hand of €77.7 million, and unsecured lines of credit for cash disbursements totaling €48.3 million. The Group uses these lines of credit to manage its short-term liquidity needs. The unused portions of these lines of credit amounted to approximately €1 million (see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report) as of December 31, 2012. At December 31, 2012, we had €26.9 million in bank overdrafts outstanding. Amounts borrowed by the Group under these credit facilities are not subject to any restrictions on their use, but are repayable either on demand (for bank overdrafts) or on a short-term basis (for other bank borrowings under existing credit lines). Given their nature, these lines of credit may be terminated by the banks at any time. If these lines of credit are terminated on short notice, we would need to find alternative sources of liquidity or refinance these amounts on short notice, which could be difficult to do on favorable terms. See “Item 3 – Key Information – Risk Factors.” The Group’s borrowing needs generally are not subject to significant seasonal fluctuations.

 

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Although we had €77.7 million in cash and cash equivalents on hand at December 31, 2012, a substantial portion of this amount consists of the unused portion of the relocation compensation payment received in connection with our Chinese plant in 2011. To the extent management intends to move the cash from China by a dividend distribution, a withholding tax of 10% and the income taxes in Italy (equal to 27.5% of 5% of the dividends distributed) would have to be paid. Tax liabilities that would result from repatriation of cash from China have been recorded in the financial statements.

Cash Flows — The Group’s cash and cash equivalents were € 77.7 million as of December 31, 2012, as compared to € 94.0 million as of December 31, 2011. The most significant changes in the Group’s cash flows between 2011 and 2012 are described below.

Cash flow used by operating activities was € -8.2 million in 2012, as compared to cash flow used in operations of € -19.9 million in 2011.

As at December 31, 2012, we had a general decrease in inventory level of € 11.3 million in comparison with December 31, 2011, due mostly to more efficient warehouse management.

Net cash used in investment activities in 2012 was € -6.5 million compared to a net cash of € 28.1 million generated in 2011. The decrease in cash in was primarily due to the receipt in 2011 of €46.7 million in a relocation compensation payment from the local Chinese authority, partially offset by lower capital expenditures.

In 2012, the main investments carried out by the Group were related primarily to adapting the structure of the Group’s existing facilities and in particular in Italy (Santeramo in Colle, Pozzuolo del Friuli and Qualiano), in Romania and in China and to further develop the SAP system.

Cash used by financing activities in 2012 totaled € -0.9 million, as compared to € 23.2 million of cash generated by financing activities in 2011; this change is mainly due to a decrease in short term borrowings. In fact in 2011 the increase in short term borrowing were € 24.1 million as compared to an increase of € 2.8 million reported in 2012.

Management believes that the Group has sufficient sources of liquidity to fund working capital expenditures and other contractual obligations for the next 12 months. The Group’s principal source of liquidity is its existing cash and cash equivalents, supplemented to the extent needed to meet the Group’s short term cash requirements by accessing the Group’s existing lines of credit. Moreover, management highlights that the Group’s cash liquidity is sufficient for its normal course of business, even if most of the cash is mainly in China and, in that management decides to move this cash from China by means of a dividend distribution, a withholding tax of 10% has to be paid, according to the Chinese law currently in force, in addition to income taxes in Italy (equal to 27.5% of 5% of the distributed dividends). Tax liabilities that would result from repatriation of cash from China have been recorded in the financial statements.

As of December 31, 2012, the Group’s long-term contractual cash obligations amounted to € 104.9 million of which € 17.9 million comes due in 2013 (€ 17.9 million in 2012). See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Contractual Obligations and Commitments.” The Group’s long-term debt represented less than 5.0% of shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (see Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report). As of December 31, 2012 and 2011 there were no covenants on the above long-term debt. The Group’s principal uses of funds are expected to be the payment of operating expenses, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and restructuring of operations. See “Item 4. Products” for further description of our research and development activities. See “Item 4. Incentive Programs and Tax Benefits” for further description of certain government programs and policies related to our operations. See “Item 4. Capital expenditure” for further description of our capital expenditures.

 

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The Group’s current policy is to fund its cash needs, accessing its cash on hand and existing lines of credit, consisting of short-term credit facilities and bank overdrafts, to cover any short-term shortfall. The Group’s policy is to procure financing and access credit at the Company level, with the liquidity of Group companies managed through a cash-pooling zero-balancing arrangement with a centralized bank account at the Company level and sub-accounts for each subsidiary. Under this arrangement, cash is transferred to subsidiaries as needed on a daily basis to cover the subsidiaries’ cash requirements, but any positive cash balance at subsidiaries must be transferred back to the top account at the end of each day, thus centralizing coordination of the Group’s overall liquidity and optimizing the interest earned on cash held by the Group.

As of December 31, 2012, the Group’s long-term debt consisted of € 10.8 million (including the current portion of such debt) outstanding under subsidized loans granted by the Italian government (see “Item 4. Incentive Programs and Tax Benefits”) and its short-term debt consisted of € 26.9 million outstanding under its existing lines of credit, comprised entirely of bank overdrafts. This compares to € 24.2 million of short-term debt as of December 31, 2011.

As of December 31, 2012, all of the Group’s long-term debt and short-term debt were denominated in euro. For the maturity profile of the Group’s long-term debt, please consult the table labeled “Contractual Obligations” below. Short-term overdrafts are payable on demand. Other bank borrowings under existing lines of credit have other short-term maturities. The bulk of the group’s long-term debt bears interest at a 3-month Euribor (360) plus a 1.0% spread per annum, with 24.4% of its long-term debt bearing interest at 0.74% per annum. The Group’s short-term debt bears interest at floating rates, with a weighted average interest rate per annum of 2.16% on the Group’s overdraft borrowing as of December 31, 2012, compared to 1.91% as of December 31, 2011. The Group does not have outstanding any other debt instruments, except that it has entered derivative instruments to reduce its exposure to the risk of short-term declines in the value of its foreign currency denominated revenues and not for speculative or trading purposes. For additional information on these derivative instruments, see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk—Exchange Rate Risks.”

The Group maintains cash and cash equivalents in the currencies in which it conducts its operations, principally Chinese Yuan, U.S. dollars, euro, New Romanian Leu, British pounds and Canadian dollars.

The following table sets forth the material contractual obligations and commercial commitments of the Group (of the type required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 5F of Form 20-F) as of December 31, 2012:

 

     Payments Due by Period (thousands of euro)  
Contractual Obligations    Total      Less than 1
year
     2-3 years      4-5 years      After 5
years
 

Long-term debt

     10,788         3,503         5,956         882         447   

Bank overdrafts

     26,948         26,948         —           —           —     

Total Debt(1)

     37,736         30,451         5,956         882         447   

Interest due on Total Debt (2)

     1,105         758         320         18         9   

Operating Leases (3)

     104,860         17,912         36,300         38,153         12,495   

Total Contractual Cash Obligations

     143,701         49,121         42,576         39,053         12,951   

 

(1) 

Please see Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report for more information on the Group’s long-term debt. See Notes 13 and 18 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

(2) 

Interest due on Total debt has been calculated using rates contractually agreed with lenders.

(3) 

The leases relate to the leasing of manufacturing facilities and stores by several of the Group’s companies.

 

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Under Italian law, the Company and its Italian subsidiaries are required to pay a termination indemnity to their employees when these cease their employment with the Company or the relevant subsidiary. Likewise, the Company and its Italian subsidiaries are required to pay an indemnity to their sales agents upon termination of the sales agent’s agreement. As of December 31, 2012, the Group had accrued an aggregate employee termination indemnity of € 25.7 million. In addition, as of December 31, 2012, the Company had accrued a sales agent termination indemnity of € 1.3 million and a one-time termination indemnity benefit of € 6.1 million. The one-time termination benefit includes the amount to be paid on the separation date to certain workers to be terminated on an involuntary basis. See Notes 3(o) and 19 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report. These amounts are not reflected in the table above. It is not possible to determine when the amounts that have been accrued will become payable.

On September, 2011 the Company and the Trade Unions submitted a request to the Italian Ministry of Labor to access for 24 months (starting from October 16, 2011) the unemployment benefits (Italian law July, 23 1991 n. 223 e D.M. August 20, 2002 n. 31444) granted by a special Social Security procedure called “CIGS—Cassa Integrazione Guadagni Straordinaria”. Under this program, government funds cover a part of the salaries of workers who are laid off or whose hours are reduced. The average number of positions involved in the CIGS program within the Group’s Italian facilities for the 2011-2013 period is 1,273 and these employees are currently employed in the Italian headquarters and production sites. In October 2011, the Italian Ministry of Labor accepted the Company’s request to participate in the program, and admitted the Company to a 24-month layoff period in order to support the reorganization process of the Company that assumes a surplus of 1,060 employees at the end of the lay-off period (October 15, 2013). Under the program, during the 24-month layoff period the Company is subject to a formal commitment to make investments (e.g., equipment related to the production activities; marketing, sales and distribution network development; research and development; patents; trademarks; training requalification) for a total amount of €50.0 million. These amounts are not reflected in the table above because it is not possible to determine when this investment will be carried out.

The Group is also involved in a number of claims (including tax claims) and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 2012, the Group had accrued provisions relating to these contingent liabilities in the amount of € 9.4 million. See “Item 8. Financial Information—Legal and Governmental Proceedings” and Notes 19 and 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

Trend information

Despite the still modest, heterogeneous and fragile character of the current global economic recovery, continued improvements in survey indicators suggest that the world economy is gradually gaining some traction, although the recovery is likely to remain slow and different across regions.

In most major non-Euro zone advanced economies, there have been tentative signs of improvement, but a number of factors, such as fiscal imbalances, elevated household debt levels, temporary fiscal stimulus packages, high levels of unemployment and a general weakness in some local economies, will continue to weigh on medium-term growth prospects. In emerging economies, growth is rebounding following a slight reduction in the pace of activity that occurred in 2012. Accordingly, these economies are expected to provide a significant contribution to global growth going forward.

 

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In the Euro-zone, available data continue to signal that economic weakness has extended into the beginning of 2013, with signs of stabilization that have only recently commenced to appear, even if at low levels. At the same time, necessary balance sheet adjustments in the public and private sectors will continue to weigh on economic activity for the rest of 2013. Later in the year, economic activity should gradually recover, supported by a strengthening of global demand, especially coming from the emerging countries, and a more accommodating monetary policy. Ongoing fiscal consolidation of imbalances is likely to weigh on the pace of recovery, if any.

In light of this uncertain situation, the Company plans to continue to improve its efficiency by controlling costs, to fight counterfeiting and unfair competition, to encourage innovation, to improve quality and, above all, to strive to regain its competitiveness and profitability.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2012, neither Natuzzi S.p.A. nor any of its subsidiaries was a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Related Party Transactions

Please see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” of this Annual Report.

New Accounting Standards under Italian and U.S. GAAP

Process of Transition to International Accounting Standards — Following the entry into force of European Regulation No. 1606 of July 2002, EU companies whose securities are traded on regulated markets in the EU have been required, since 2005, to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), formerly known as IAS, in the preparation of their consolidated financial statements. Given that the Company’s securities are only traded on the NYSE, the Company is not subject to this requirement and continues to report its financial results in accordance with Italian GAAP and to provide the required reconciliation of certain items to U.S. GAAP in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 20-F.

Italian GAAP — There are no recently issued accounting standards under Italian GAAP that have not been adopted by the Group.

U.S. GAAP — Recently issued but not yet adopted U.S. accounting pronouncements relevant for the Company are outlined below:

“Presentation of Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)”, which revises the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. The new guidance removes the presentation options in ASC 220, “Comprehensive income”, and requires entities to report components of comprehensive income in either (i) a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (ii) two separate but consecutive statements. Under the two-statement approach, an entity is required to present components of net income and total net income in the statement of net income. The statement of other comprehensive income should immediately follow the statement of net income and include the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with a total for comprehensive income. The amendments in this ASU do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. The amendments in this ASU should be applied retrospectively and they are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The provisions of ASU 2011-05 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about offsetting Assets and Liabilities”. The objective of this update is to provide enhanced disclosures that will enable financial statements’ users to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position. This includes the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with an entity’s recognized assets and recognized liabilities within the scope of this ASU. The amendments require enhanced disclosures by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either (1) offset in accordance with either Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45 or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset in accordance with either Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45. The amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. An entity should provide the disclosures required by those amendments retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The provisions of ASU 2011-11 are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standard Update No 2011-05”. The amendments in this ASU supersede certain pending paragraphs in ASU 2011-05, to effectively defer the requirement that companies present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements. Companies are still required to present reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the face of the financial statements or disclose those amounts in the notes to the financial statements. The provisions of ASU 2011-12 are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

The board of directors of Natuzzi S.p.A. currently consists of eight members, whose term will expire on the date in which the shareholders’ meeting will approve the financial statements for fiscal year 2013. The directors and senior executive officers of the Company as of February 28, 2013, were as follows:

 

Name

   Age     

Position with the Company

Pasquale Natuzzi *

     72       Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer & ad interim Chief Human Resources Officer

Antonia Isabella Perrone *

     43       Director

Annamaria Natuzzi *

     47       Director

Giuseppe Antonio D’Angelo *

     47       Outside Director

Maurizia Iachino Leto di Priolo *

     62       Outside Director

Giuseppe Desantis*

     50       Outside Director

Giuseppe Marino*

     47       Outside Director

Andrea Martinelli*

     65       Outside Director

Vittorio Notarpietro

     50       Chief Financial Officer

Antonio Cavallera

     34       Chief Strategic Planning, Organization & Corporate Comm. Officer

Giuseppe Cacciapaglia

     45       Chief Internal Control Systems Officer

Giambattista Massaro

     51       Chief Operating Officer

Colacicco Angelo

     44       Chief Information Technology

Pasquale De Ruvo

     38       Chief Legal & Security Officer

Nabila Metwally

     54       Chief Commercial Officer EMEA

Fernando Di Gaetano

     51       Chief Commercial Officer Americas

Giuseppe Vito Stano

     53       Chief Worldwide Softaly Division

Giuseppe Pellegrino

     50       Chief Commercial Officer Brazil

Simon Hughes

     53       Chief Commercial Officer Asia Pacific

 

* The above mentioned members of the board of directors were elected at the Company’s annual general shareholders’ meeting held on April 28, 2011.

 

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Pasquale Natuzzi, currently Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and ad interim Chief Human Resources Officer, founded the Company in 1959. Mr. Natuzzi held the title of sole director of the Company from its incorporation in 1972 until 1991, when he became the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Natuzzi has creative skills and is directly involved with brand development and product styling. He takes care of strategic partnerships with existing and new accounts.

Antonia Isabella Perrone is a Director and is involved in the main areas of Natuzzi Group management, from the definition of strategies to retail distribution, marketing and brand development, and foreign transactions. In 1998, she was appointed sole director of a company in the agricultural-food sector, wholly owned by the Natuzzi Family (as defined above). She became part of the Natuzzi Group in 1994, dealing with marketing and communication for the Italian market under the scope of retail development management until 1997. She has been married to Pasquale Natuzzi since 1997.

Annamaria Natuzzi is a Director of the Company and holds 2.6% of the Company’s outstanding share capital. She is currently involved in defining the Group’s strategy. She entered the Group in 1980, first working in Production Management (until 1985) and then with Sales Management (until 1995), mainly dealing with the Italian and European markets. She gained significant experience in Research and Development Management, where she remained until 2004. She is the daughter of Pasquale Natuzzi.

Giuseppe Antonio D’Angelo is an Outside Director of the Company and is currently Executive Vice President of Anglo-America regions with Ferrero International SA. Before joining Ferrero in 2009, he acquired significant international experience in general management of multinational companies such as General Mills (from 1997 to 2009), S.C. Johnson & Son (from 1991 to 1997) and Procter & Gamble (from 1989 to 1991). Mr. D’Angelo earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from LUISS University of Rome in 1988. He received certification from Harvard Business School in the Advanced Management Program in 2004.

Maurizia Iachino Leto di Priolo is an Outside Director of the Company. She has gained expertise in the executive search field as a partner at Spencer Stuart Italy, an executive search consulting firm. Since 2001, she has been advising quoted and private companies on corporate governance. Since 2007, she has been leading the governance practice at Key2people. She is member of “Consiglio di Reggenza della Banca d’Italia” , independent member in the committee for 4th Generation in DeAgostini Group, board member of Fondazione Franco Parenti, and currently Chairman of OXFAM Italy. Ms. Iachino was President of Save the Children Italy from 2001 to 2007, she has been member of the scientific committee of NED Community, the Italian Community of Non-Executive Directors, and member of the board of directors of Fondazione AEM/A2A.

 

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Giuseppe Desantis is an Outside Director of the Company and is currently General Manager for G.T.S – General Transport Service S.p.A, European leader in intermodal transports. From 1984 to 2008, he had covered roles of increasing responsibility within the Natuzzi Group, last but not least, the role of the Company’s Vice President. From 1994 to 1997 he has been Vice President of “Confindustria—Bari”. From 2001 to 2011 he has been President of “Sezione Legno Arredo – Confindustria Basilicata”. From 2001 to 2005 Mr. Desantis has been member of “Direttivo del Comitato del Distretto del Mobile imbottito – Matera” and from 2008 to early 2011 he has been member of “Direttivo del Comitato del Distretto del legno e Arredo—Puglia”. Since 2002, he has been an Outside Director of Banca d’Italia – Bari.

Giuseppe Marino is an Outside Director of the Company and currently is an associate professor of tax law at the University of Milan. Mr. Marino is admitted to the Milan Bar and to the Italian Supreme Court, he is a chartered accountant and an official auditor and coordinator of the Master in Tax Law program at Bocconi University of Milan. He is a member of important tax law associations, within the role of member of the Academic Committee of the European Association of Tax Law Professors (EATLP), member of the Committee Rules of Behavior in Tax Law in the Chartered Accountant Association in Milan, and a member of various Editorial Boards of tax law reviews. He is also a member of the board of directors of Alcofinance SA and Alcogroup SA (Belgium), a member of the board of statutory auditors of SOL S.p.A. (listed on the Milan Stock Exchange) as well as of two other non-listed financial companies.

Andrea Martinelli is an Outside Director of the Company and currently he is Chairman of the Andrea Martinelli Sarl, Strategic Consultant Company. From 2008 to 2012 he was Chief Operating Officer West Europe/MENA for MCCI and Executive Board Director of METRO Cash & Carry International. From 2004 to 2008, he was a Regional Operation Officer Russia – Ukraine – Kazakhstan and a member of the management board for MCCI. From 1999 to 2003, he also served as the Managing Director for MCCI Italy. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Martinelli served as the CEO Personnel Care – Division International for FMCG Group Italy, Greece and France, and from 1986 to 1995, he was the Managing Director of Generale Supermercati Italia and a board member of Holding SME.

Vittorio Notarpietro is the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. He rejoined the Group in September 2009. From 1991 to 1998, he was the Finance Director and Investor Relation Manager in the Group. From 1999 to 2006, he was IT Holding Group Finance Vice President. From 2006 to 2009, he was the CEO of Malo S.p.A., a leading Italian company in the luxury sector.

Antonio Cavallera is the Chief Strategic Planning, Organization & Corporate Comm. Officer of the Company. He joined the Company in December 2005 and covered roles of increasing responsibility in the HR & Organization Department. From November 2010 to August 2011 he was Corporate & Commercial HR Manager and from June 2009 to November 2010 as Commercial HR Manager. He has also served as Training & Change Management Manager from July 2008 to June 2009 and HR Retail Specialist from September 2006 to June 2009.

Giuseppe Cacciapaglia is the Chief Internal Control Systems Officer and he joined the Company in July 1996, primarily focusing on carrying out financial audit activities of the Group. Previously Mr.Cacciapaglia worked with Reconta Ernst & Young within the financial audit services. From 2006 to 2009, he was also member of the Statutory Audit Committee of “Santeramo in Colle” Municipality.

Giambattista Massaro is the Chief Operating Officer. He was from January 2010 to January 2012 Chief Procurement Officer. He returned to the Company in January 2010 after his service as CEO of Ixina Italy S.r.l.—Snaidero Group from 2007 to 2009. From 1993 to 2007, he was General Manager of Purchasing, Logistics and Overseas Operation and a member of the board of directors of the Natuzzi Group. From 1992 to 1993, he was Executive Assistant to Mr. Natuzzi, and from 1990 to 1992, he was Pricing and Costs Manager. He joined the Company in 1987 as a buyer. He also previously served as Chairman of Natco S.p.A., Natuzzi Trade Service S.r.l. and Lagene as well as Director of Italsofa Bahia Ltda., Italsofa Romania S.r.l. and Natuzzi Asia Ltd.

 

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Pasquale De Ruvo is the Chief Legal and Security Officer. He joined the Company in April 2003 as Security Manager. He covered this role until May 2012 when he has taken in charge his actual position. Previous his experience in Natuzzi Group Mr Pasquale De Ruvo has developed his professional career in the Department of Defence – “186° RGT Paracadutisti Folgore”.

Angelo Colacicco is the Chief Information Officer of the Company, a position he has served in since October 2007. He joined the Company in its HR & Organization department in 1994. In 1996, he served as a software specialist in the IT department and from 2000 to 2007, he was the IT manager for all Sales and distribution processes.

Simon Hughes is the Chief Commercial Officer Asia Pacific. He joined the Company in September 2010 as Chief of Natuzzi and Italsofa Division. Mr. Hughes has developed strong experience in Retail Development in the Asia Pacific region and has assumed an increasing role of responsibility in Levi’s as Product Manager—New Zealand from 1987 to 1992, Merchandising/Marketing Manager in Korea from 1992 to 1995 and Pan Asia Merchandising Manager from 1995 to 1997. He was Chief Operating Officer at CK Jeans – Asia from 1997 to 2006, Managing Director at Warnaco from 2006 to 2008 and CEO at Bendon from 2008 to 2010, which has its main distribution in Australia and New Zealand.

Nabila Metwally is the Chief Commercial Officer EMEA. She joined the Company in 1992 as Sales Manager for Germany, Austria and Switzerland for Spagnesi S.p.a (a Natuzzi Group company). From 1997 to 1998 she was Sales Manager Europe for the Brand Spagnesi International. From 1998 to 1999 she was the International Sales Manager for wood trim furnishings. From 1999 to 2002 she was the Regional Sales & Marketing Manager for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. After an experience in Ceccotti HD as Export Sales & Marketing Manager from 2002 to 2004, she returned to the Natuzzi Group as Italsofa Sales & Development Manager EMEA. In September 2012, she was also appointed as Global Key Account Manager in charge of Softaly, after previously serving in that position on an interim basis.

Fernando Di Gaetano is the Chief Commercial Officer Americas. He joined the Company in July 2012. He joined Natuzzi after spending more than 20 years in the fields of general management, marketing and finance, where he gained international experience in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, as manager for De Cecco, Ermenegildo Zegna, Parmalat and IBM.

Giuseppe Vito Stano is the Chief Worldwide Softaly Division Officer and Sole Director of Natuzzi Americas. From May 2011 to December 2012, he was regional manager of Natuzzi and Italsofa EMEA and India, and from April 2010 to May 2011 he was regional manager for Western and Southern Europe and the Middle East. Prior thereto, he was the Italsofa brand Manager of the Group from November 2008 to December 2009. He developed his professional career as the Key Global Account Management Vice President after being Sales Administration Director of the Company since 1991. He was also a Director of Natuzzi Americas, Inc. From 1986 to 1991, he was Executive Vice President of Natuzzi Upholstery Inc. (currently Natuzzi Americas, Inc.) in the United States. Prior to that, he was Assistant Vice President of Natuzzi Upholstery Inc. He joined the Group in 1980, as a staff member of the Company’s Export Department.

Giuseppe Pellegrino is the Chief Commercial Officer Brazil. He rejoined the Company in March 2011. From January 1987 to January 2000 he covered roles of increasing responsibility in the sales area as Area Manager Europe and Regional Manager Europe in the Group. From April to November 2000 he was worldwide commercial director in Incanto Divani S.p.A.. From 2000 through 2011 he also worked in many upholstery companies as commercial director, including Biflex S.p.A., Max Divani S.p.A, Contempo S.p.A., and News S.r.l, as well as sales representative for Decoro and Calia.

 

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Compensation of Directors and Officers

As a matter of Italian law, the compensation of executive directors is determined by the board of directors, while the Company’s shareholders generally determine the base compensation for all board members, including non-executive directors. Compensation of the Company’s executive officers is determined by the Chief Executive Officer. A list of significant differences between the Group’s corporate governance practices and those followed by U.S. companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) may be found at www.natuzzi.com. See “Item 16G. Corporate Governance on the Company—Strategy” for a description of these significant differences. None of our directors or senior executive officers is party to a contract with the Company that would entitle such persons to benefits upon the termination of service as a director or employment, as the case may be.

Aggregate compensation paid by the Group to the directors and officers was approximately € 2.5 million in 2012. The compensation paid in 2012 to the members of the Board of Directors is set forth below individually:

 

Name    Base Compensation  

Pasquale Natuzzi*

   0   

Antonia Isabella Perrone

   35,544   

Annamaria Natuzzi*

   0   

Giuseppe Antonio D’Angelo

   35,544   

Maurizia Iachino Leto di Priolo

   35,544   

Giuseppe De Santis*

   0   

Giuseppe Marino

   35,544   

Andrea Martinelli

   35,544   

 

* For 2012, these directors renounced their compensation.

In 2012 due to persisting negative performance of the Group, the Company decided to suspend any incentive plans for top and middle management. Incentive plans for other workers and the sales force have not changed, although these incentive systems are under review.

In 2013 the incentive systems will be reviewed in order to be compliant with 2013 budget targets. The compensation policy, which considers organizational impacts and cost control measures, continues to be driven by values such as motivation, meritocracy and selectivity. The compensation policy is compliant with labor market standards, and reflects the relevant skills, responsibilities and position of each employee within the organization, as well as market rates for such employees, while also aiming to preserve the Group’s human capital.

Statutory Auditors

The following table sets forth the names of the three members of the board of statutory auditors of the Company and the two alternate statutory auditors and their respective positions for the periods covered by this Annual Report. The current board of statutory auditors was elected for a three-year term on April 30, 2010.

 

Name

   Position

Carlo Gatto

   Chairman

Gianvito Giannelli

   Member

Cataldo Sferra

   Member

Costante Leone

   Alternate

Giuseppe Pio Macario

   Alternate

On April 29, 2013, at the annual general shareholders’ meeting, Mr. Gatto and Mr. Sferra were re-appointed as Chairman and Member, respectively, of the board of statutory auditors of the Company for another three-year term, and Mr. Leone was re-appointed as an Alternate Member for the same period. In addition, at the same meeting, Mr. Giuseppe Macario was appointed as a Member and Mr. Francesco Venturelli was appointed as an Alternate Member of the board of statutory auditors, each for a three-year term.

 

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During 2012, the statutory auditors of the Group received approximately €0.9 million in compensation in the aggregate for their services to the Company and its Italian subsidiaries.

According to Rule 10A-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, unless an exemption applies, companies whose securities are listed on U.S. national securities exchanges must establish an audit committee meeting specific requirements. In particular, all members of this committee must be independent and the committee must adopt a written charter. The committee’s prescribed responsibilities include (i) the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the external auditors; (ii) establishing procedures for the handling of “whistle blower” complaints; (iii) discussion of financial reporting and internal control issues and critical accounting policies (including through executive sessions with the external auditors); (iv) the approval of audit and non-audit services performed by the external auditors; and (v) the adoption of an annual performance evaluation. A company must also have an internal audit function, which may be out-sourced, as long as it is not out-sourced to the external auditor.

The Company relies on an exemption from these audit committee requirements provided by Exchange Act Rule 10A-3(c)(3) for foreign private issuers with a board of statutory auditors established in accordance with local law or listing requirements and subject to independence requirements under local law or listing requirements. See “Item 16D. Exemption from Listing Standards for Audit Committees” for more information.

External Auditors

On April 30, 2010, at the annual general shareholders’ meeting, Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A., with offices in Bari, Italy, was appointed as the Company’s external auditor for the three-year period ending with the approval of 2012 financial statements. On April 29, 2013, at the annual general shareholders’ meeting, Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A., was re-appointed as the Company’s external auditor for an additional three-year period ending with the approval of the 2015 financial statements.

Employees

As of December 31, 2012, the Group had 6,742 employees (of which 3,177 were located in Italy and 3,565 were located abroad), as compared to 6,665 on December 31, 2011. The following is a breakdown of the Group’s employees by qualification for the periods indicated:

 

Qualification

   2012      2011      Change between
2011 and 2012
 

Top managers

     66         62         4   

Middle managers

     170         127         43   

Clerks

     1,211         1,206         5   

Laborers

     5,295         5,270         25   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     6,742         6,665         77   

We believe in the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility and have enjoyed generally good relations with our employees.

Italian law provides that, upon termination of employment for whatever reason, employees located in Italy are entitled to receive certain severance payments based on the length of employment. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had €25.7 million reserved for such termination indemnities, with such reserves being equal to the amounts, calculated on a percentage basis, required by Italian law.

 

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As a result of the economic crisis and due to persistently difficult business conditions that continued to negatively affect the Group, the Company entered into an important agreement with the Italian trade unions and the Ministry of Labor on September 22, 2011, to improve production efficiency by rationalizing the Group’s production and services organizations in Italy. This restructuring program, based on the “Cassa Integrazione Guadagni Straordinaria per riorganizzazione” (or CIGS in connection with restructuring), is a temporary lay-off program pursuant to which government funds partially cover the cost of salaries of workers who are laid off or whose hours are reduced. The Company’s participation in this program is set to expire on October 15, 2013.

According to the CIGS restructuring program, the Company expects a redundancy of approximately 1,273 workers at the end of the two-year plan. During 2012, the Company has responded to this anticipated redundancy with the following initiatives:

Resignation incentives: in accordance with Italian law, on May 28, 2012, Natuzzi S.p.A. entered into an agreement with trade unions that would permit the resignation of a total of 118 workers from June 4, 2011 to September 30, 2012, on a voluntary basis, with an incentive payment of €13,000 for early adopters, or €11,000 for those resigning after July 1, 2011 and until September 30, 2012. A total of 27 workers resigned under this program.

• “Accordo di Programma”: on February 8, 2013, we entered into an agreement, or an “Accordo di Programma”, with the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, which is part of an initiative aimed at promoting the growth of the upholstered furniture industry within the Murgia area, which is located in the Puglia and Basilicata regions. By entering into the “Accordo di Programma”, the Company is eligible to receive a portion of € 101 million in proposed grants that would be made available by the Italian government and the Puglia and Basilicata regions to companies in the upholstered furniture sector that are located in those regions and that propose initiatives seeking to promote growth in the region, particularly where those initiatives have a positive social impact. As part of this program, Natuzzi has proposed two highly innovative and modern industrial projects that the Company hopes to have included in the “Accordo di Programma”. However, while the program’s requirements are quite broad, ultimate Italian government funding for this program, the approval of our proposals and the award of the grants are not guaranteed, and grant monies awarded, if any, are highly unlikely to be awarded in the short or medium term. In addition, there is no guarantee we will qualify for a significant amount of the grant monies awarded thereunder.

Based on the agreement signed in September 2011 with the trade unions and the Italian Ministry of Labor, the Company, as of December 31, 2011 increased its one-time termination benefits reserve with an accrual of € 5.4 million (for the 1,060 employees to be dismissed) recorded as a non-operating expense, under the line “other income/(expense) net” of the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011.

As of the date of this Annual Report, the Company is currently engaged in negotiations with the relevant Italian government authorities on the potential extension of its participation in the CIGS program, but a final agreement has not been reached, and as such no change has been made in the Company’s one-time termination benefits reserve. The Company’s objective is to achieve greater flexibility in its cost structure, increase its competitiveness and hasten its return to profitability in response to the current business environment. The Company can provide no assurance as to the outcome of these negotiations. For further discussion, see Note 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

 

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In addition, the Company is continuing its investment plan as contemplated by the agreement with the Italian trade unions, and will during the 24-month layoff period, make the following investments for a total amount of €50 million:

 

  equipment related to production activities (machinery, equipment and other production tools);

 

  electronic equipment, computers and software;

 

  marketing, sales and distribution network development;

 

  research and development, patents and trademarks; and

 

  training and requalification

The Company, even in a difficult financial situation and notwithstanding the global economic downturn, has decided to focus on the improvement of its human capital to increase productivity and competitiveness of its Italian production sites.

In light of this, several initiatives have been undertaken by the Human Resources and Organization department in order for the Group to recover its competitiveness, improve its customer service and enhance product quality. In particular, the Group’s human resources department has undertaken the following initiatives:

i) SAP Human Capital Management: We have implemented our first human resources management system, SAP Human Capital Management, which compiles all human capital information in a single worldwide database, across the Group’s organizations. We anticipate that this system will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our human resources management, allowing for central management of the Group’s resources by allowing for the timely monitoring of performance and costs, improving the flow of communication and integrating the Group’s processes. Once fully implemented, this system will contain and track personnel data, training plans, career paths, fields of expertise currently required (and expected to be required in the future), hiring plans, and other useful information. This human resources management system also allows for tracking of organizational data, performance, travel, reporting and budgeting. Initial rollout of the SAP system began with training in January 2012, involving key human resources employees on a country-by-country basis, and initial implementation is expected to be completed by July 2013. In Italy, SAP went live in October 2012, beginning with the Organizational Management and Personal Administration modules, followed by training modules that were launched in January 2013. In 2014, we anticipate that additional SAP modules such as travel, performance, recruiting and planning will be implemented.

ii) Workforce Training and Qualification: We have continued to invest significantly in the development, updating and upgrading of initiatives aimed at re-training and re-qualifying certain members of the Group’s workforce (including those workers that are participating in the CIGS program). In particular, 112 training courses involving 1,288 employees, including laborers, employees, executives and directors, for a total of 30,360 hours of training, have been organized.

 

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Set forth below are statistics on the training provided during 2012 as part of the aforementioned CIGS program, broken down by hours of training and number of attendees from each department within the Group:

 

ORGANIZATIONAL AREA

   HOURS      %     ATTENDEES  

Strategic Planning Org

     651         2     18   

Brand Officer

     2,667         9     95   

Finance Officer

     2,101         7     66   

Human Resources

     1,802         6     79   

Internal Control System

     381         1     9   

Information Technology

     1,440         5     25   

Legal Officer

     398         1     8   

Retail

     357         1     7   

Softaly

     300         1     8   

EMEA

     1,114         4     42   

Lagene

     394         1     34   

Nacon

     1,620         5     146   

Operations

     11,293         37     289   

Plants

     1,773         6     76   

Commercial

     2,000         7     150   

Retraining of Laid-Off Workers

     2,070         7     236   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     30,360         100     1288   

Based on the aforementioned CIGS restructuring program, during the 24-month temporary lay-off program, the Company will make an investment in training of €850,000 to support skills development and re-training of its employees. Such training was focused on managerial, linguistic and specialization activities. The type of training provided is set forth below:

 

TRAINING TYPE

   %  

Commercial

     13

Company Profile

     1

Information Technology

     5

Linguistic

     20

Managerial

     37

Corporate Regulations

     4

Job-specific activities

     20
  

 

 

 

TOTAL

     100

A considerable portion of the training budget was dedicated to the retraining of employees affected by the lay-off measures, as mandated by Italian laws on workforce reductions, and was undertaken by the Company pursuant to the CIGS agreement. In particular, 236 workers who were laid-off have been provided a total of 2,070 hours of training.

Moreover, in 2012, the Group developed the “Nat Change” project. This project provides for a complex and structured training contemplating up to 12,700 hours of training intended to support the Company and hundreds of its employees, middle and top management, in order for them to acquire modern management skills. 198 employees have been trained in different skills and areas such as English, “lean thinking” in the administration area, change management and project management.

The average satisfaction rating for all our training courses was about 82%, an increase of one percentage point compared to the average rating measured in 2011, with percentages ranging from 97% for courses on information technology to 64% for courses on corporate regulations.

In 2012 a total of €597,359 was invested, of which €519,882 (87%) was covered by sources of financing arising from inter-professional funds or made available by public institutions. Consistent with the actions already implemented in the course of 2012, during 2013 the Company will continue to invest in training activities intended to update, retrain and upgrade the skills of its human resources. The main areas of educational action for 2013 are: managerial skills, language skills, technical skills and regulatory obligations.

 

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The Group also maintains a company intranet and, as a major employer in the Bari/Santeramo in Colle area, is an important participant in community life.

Share Ownership

Mr. Pasquale Natuzzi, who founded the Company and is currently its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, as of April 19, 2013, beneficially owns 30,151,175 Ordinary Shares, representing 55.0% of the Ordinary Shares outstanding (60.1% of the Ordinary Shares outstanding if the 5.1% of the Ordinary Shares owned by members of Mr. Natuzzi’s immediate family (the “Natuzzi Family”) are aggregated).

As a result, Mr. Natuzzi controls Natuzzi S.p.A., including its management and the selection of the members of its board of director. Since December 16, 2003, Mr. Natuzzi has held his entire beneficial ownership of Natuzzi S.p.A. shares through INVEST 2003 S.r.l., an Italian holding company wholly-owned by Mr. Natuzzi and having its registered office at Via Gobetti 8, Taranto, Italy.

Starting on September 27, 2011 and through April 19, 2013, INVEST 2003 S.r.l. has purchased a total of 793,086 Natuzzi S.p.A. ADSs (representing approximately 1.4% of the Company’s total shares outstanding), at an average price of U.S.$ 2.40 per ADS. These purchases were made in accordance with a purchase plan undertaken pursuant to Rule 10b-18 (“Purchases of Certain Equity Securities by the Issuer and Others”) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Rule 10b-18 Plan”). On April 18, 2008, INVEST 2003 S.r.l. purchased 3,293,183 ADSs, each representing one Ordinary Share, at the price of U.S.$ 3.61 per ADS. For more information, refer to Schedule 13D, filed with the SEC on April 24, 2008, and related Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13D, filed with the SEC on April 8, 2013. For further discussion, see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

In relation to the “Natuzzi Stock Incentive Plan 2004-2009” (see “Item 10. Additional Information—Authorization of Shares”), the total number of new Natuzzi Ordinary Shares that were assigned without consideration to the beneficiary employees in 2006, 2007 and 2008 represents 0.3% of the current outstanding shares.

Each of the Company’s other directors (with the exception of Mrs. Anna Maria Natuzzi) and officers owns less than 1% of the Company’s Ordinary Shares and ADSs. None of the Company’s directors or officers has stock options.

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Major Shareholders

Mr. Pasquale Natuzzi, who founded the Company and is currently its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors, as of April 19, 2013, beneficially owns 30,151,175 (including Ordinary Shares and ADSs), representing 55.0% of the Ordinary Shares outstanding (60.1% of the Ordinary Shares outstanding if the 5.1% of the Ordinary Shares owned by the Natuzzi Family are aggregated). Since December 16, 2003, Mr. Natuzzi has held his entire beneficial ownership of Natuzzi S.p.A. shares through INVEST 2003 S.r.l., an Italian holding company wholly-owned by Mr. Natuzzi and having its registered office at Via Gobetti 8, Taranto, Italy.

 

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The following table sets forth information, as reflected in the records of the Company as of April 19, 2013, with respect to each person who owns 5% or more of the Company’s Ordinary Shares or ADSs:

 

     Number of Shares
Owned
     Percent
Owned
 

Pasquale Natuzzi (1)

     30,151,175         55.0

Credit Suisse (2)

     2,781,529         5.1

Quaeroq CVBA (3)

     2,760,400         5.0

 

(1) 

Includes ADSs purchased on April 18, 2008 and purchases made from September 27, 2011 through April 19, 2013 under the Rule 10b-18 Plan. If Mr. Natuzzi’s Ordinary Shares are aggregated with those held by members of the Natuzzi Family, the amount owned would be 32,951,177 and the percentage ownership of Ordinary Shares would be 60.1%.

(2) 

According to the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by Credit Suisse on February 14, 2013.

(3) 

According to the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC by Quaeroq CVBA on November 18, 2008.

As indicated in Item 6. Share Ownership, Mr. Natuzzi controls Natuzzi S.p.A., including its management and the selection of the members of its board of director. Since December 16, 2003, Mr. Natuzzi has held his entire beneficial ownership of Natuzzi S.p.A. shares through INVEST 2003 S.r.l., an Italian holding company wholly-owned by Mr. Natuzzi and having its registered office at Via Gobetti 8, Taranto, Italy. Since September 27, 2011, INVEST 2003 S.r.l. has purchased an additional 1.4% of the Company’s Ordinary Shares in a series of open market transactions made pursuant to the Rule 10b-18 Plan.

In addition, the Natuzzi Family has a right of first refusal to purchase all the rights, warrants or other instruments which The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary under the Deposit Agreement, determines may not lawfully or feasibly be made available to owners of ADSs in connection with each rights offering, if any, made to holders of Ordinary Shares. None of the shares held by the above shareholders have any special voting rights.

As of April 19, 2013, 54,853,045 Ordinary Shares were outstanding. As of the same date, there were 22,663,325 ADSs (equivalent to 22,663,325 Ordinary Shares) outstanding. The ADSs represented 41.3% of the total number of Natuzzi Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding.

Since certain Ordinary Shares and ADSs are held by brokers or other nominees, the number of direct record holders in the United States may not be fully indicative of the number of direct beneficial owners in the United States or of where the direct beneficial owners of such shares are resident.

Related Party Transactions

Transactions with related parties amounted to € 4.7 million in 2012 sales and € 4.3 million as at December 31, 2012 in trade receivables and were conducted at arm’s length. Other than the foregoing transactions, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries was a party to a transaction with a related party that was material to the Company or the related party, or any transaction that was unusual in its nature or conditions, involving goods, services, or tangible or intangible assets, nor is any such transaction presently proposed. During the same period, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries made any loans to or for the benefit of any related party. For purposes of the foregoing, “related party” has the meaning ascribed to it in Item 7.B of Form 20-F.

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Consolidated Financial Statements

Please refer to “Item 18. Financial Statements” of this Annual Report.

Export Sales

Export sales from Italy totaled approximately € 108.7 million in 2012, down 23% from 2011. That figure represents 26.6% of the Group’s 2012 net leather and fabric-upholstered furniture sales.

Legal and Governmental Proceedings

The Group is involved in legal proceedings, including several minor claims and legal actions, arising in the ordinary course of business with suppliers and employees.

During 2010 the Group charged to other income (expense), net the amount of €1.0 million for the probable tax contingent liabilities related to income taxes and other taxes of some foreign subsidiaries. This amount represents the amount that is expected to be claimed back by the tax authorities in case of tax audit. Furthermore, in 2010, the Company established a provision of €2.8 million for contingent liabilities related to several minor claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

During 2011, the Group also increased its provision to €1.4 million for the probable tax contingent liabilities related to income taxes of the Company and some foreign subsidiaries. Furthermore, in 2011, the Company set up a provision of €1.1 million for contingent liabilities related to several minor claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.

During 2012 the Group charged to other income (expense), net the amount of €0.1 million for the probable tax contingent liabilities related to income taxes and other taxes of the parent company and some foreign subsidiaries. In 2012 the remaining amount of €0.6 million of the provisions for contingent liabilities is related to several minor claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.

Apart from the proceedings described above, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any legal or governmental proceeding that is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened or contemplated against the Company or any such subsidiary that, if determined adversely to the Company or any such subsidiary, would have a materially adverse effect, either individually or in the aggregate, on the business, financial condition or results of the Group’s operations.

 

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Dividends

Considering that the Group reported a negative net result in 2012 and the capital requirements necessary to implement the restructuring of the operations and its planned retail and marketing activities, the Group decided not to distribute dividends in respect of the year ended on December 31, 2012. The Group has also not paid dividends in any of the prior three fiscal years.

The payment of future dividends will depend upon the Company’s earnings and financial condition, capital requirements, governmental regulations and policies and other factors. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that dividends in future years will be paid at a rate similar to dividends paid in past years or at all.

Dividends paid to owners of ADSs or Ordinary Shares who are United States residents qualifying under the Income Tax Convention will generally be subject to Italian withholding tax at a maximum rate of 15%, provided that certain certifications are given timely. Such withholding tax will be treated as a foreign income tax which U.S. owners may elect to deduct in computing their taxable income, or, subject to the limitations on foreign tax credits generally, credit against their United States federal income tax liability. See “Item 10. Additional Information—Taxation—Taxation of Dividends.”

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

Trading Markets and Share Prices

Natuzzi’s Ordinary Shares are listed on the NYSE in the form of ADSs under the symbol “NTZ.” Neither the Company’s Ordinary Shares nor its ADSs are listed on a securities exchange outside the United States. The Bank of New York Mellon is the Company’s Depositary for purposes of issuing the American Depositary Receipts evidencing ADSs.

Trading in the ADSs on the NYSE commenced on May 15, 1993. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing prices per ADS as reported by the NYSE.

New York Stock Exchange

 

     Price per ADS (in US dollars)  
     High      Low  

2008

     4.63         1.63   

2009

     3.51         1.00   

2010

     5.76         2.78   

2011

     4.75         2.10   

2012

     3.79         1.78   
2011    High      Low  

First quarter

     4.72         3.12   

Second quarter

     4.75         3.42   

Third quarter

     3.57         2.58   

Fourth quarter

     3.13         2.10   
2012    High      Low  

First quarter

     3.79         2.35   

Second quarter

     3.13         2.43   

Third quarter

     2.75         1.96   

Fourth quarter

     2.34         1.78   
2013    High      Low  

First quarter

     2.34         1.87   
Monthly data    High      Low  

October 2012

     2.34         1.97   

November 2012

     2.00         1.78   

December 2012

     2.00         1.81   

January 2013

     2.34         1.87   

February 2013

     2.32         2.19   

March 2013

     2.28         2.13   

April 2013 (through April 19)

     2.32         2.00   

 

 

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ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

By-laws

The following is a summary of certain information concerning the Company’s shares and By-laws (statuto) and of Italian law applicable to Italian stock corporations whose shares are not listed on a regulated market in the European Union, as in effect at the date of this Annual Report. In particular, Italian issuers of shares that are not listed on a regulated market of the European Community are governed by the rules of the Italian civil code (the “Civil Code”). The summary contains all the information that the Company considers to be material regarding the shares, but does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the By-laws or Italian law, as the case may be.

General — The issued share capital of the Company consists of 54,853,045 Ordinary Shares, with a par value of € 1.00 per share. All the issued shares are fully paid, non-assessable and in registered form.

The Company is registered with the Companies’ Registry of Bari at No. 19551, with its registered office in Santeramo in Colle (Bari), Italy.

As set forth in Article 3 of the By-laws, the Company’s corporate purpose is the production, marketing and sale of sofas, armchairs, furniture in general and raw materials used for their production. The Company is generally authorized to take any actions necessary or useful to achieve its corporate purpose.

Authorization of Shares — At the extraordinary meeting of the Company’s shareholders on July 23, 2004, shareholders authorized the Company’s board of directors to carry out a free capital increase of up to €500,000, and a capital increase against payment of up to €3.0 million to be issued, in connection with the grant of stock options to employees of the Company and of other Group companies. On January 24, 2006 the Company’s board of directors, in accordance with the Regulations of the “Natuzzi Stock Incentive Plan 2004-2009” (which was approved by the board of directors in a meeting held on July 23, 2004), decided to issue without consideration 56,910 new Ordinary Shares in favor of the beneficiary employees. Consequently, the number of Ordinary Shares increased on the same date from 54,681,628 to 54,738,538. On January 23, 2007, the Company’s board of directors, in accordance with the Regulations of the “Natuzzi Stock Incentive Plan 2004-2009,” decided to issue without consideration 85,689 new Ordinary Shares in favor of beneficiary employees. Consequently, the number of Ordinary Shares increased on the same date from 54,738,538 to 54,824,227. On January 24, 2008 the Company’s board of directors, in accordance with the Regulations of the “Natuzzi Stock Incentive Plan 2004-2009,” decided to issue without consideration 28,818 new Ordinary Shares in favor of the beneficiary employees. Consequently, the number of Ordinary Shares increased on the same date from 54,824,227 to 54,853,045, the current number.

 

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Form and Transfer of Shares — The Company’s Ordinary Shares are in certificated form and are freely transferable by endorsement of the share certificate by or on behalf of the registered holder, with such endorsement either authenticated by a notary in Italy or elsewhere or by a broker-dealer or a bank in Italy. The transferee must request that the Company enter his name in the register of shareholders in order to exercise his rights as a shareholder of the Company.

Dividend Rights — Payment by the Company of any annual dividend is proposed by the board of directors and is subject to the approval of the shareholders at the annual shareholders’ meeting. Before dividends may be paid out of the Company’s unconsolidated net income in any year, an amount at least equal to 5% of such net income must be allocated to the Company’s legal reserve until such reserve is at least equal to one-fifth of the par value of the Company’s issued share capital. If the Company’s capital is reduced as a result of accumulated losses, dividends may not be paid until the capital is reconstituted or reduced by the amount of such losses. The Company may pay dividends out of available retained earnings from prior years, provided that, after such payment, the Company will have a legal reserve at least equal to the legally required minimum. No interim dividends may be approved or paid.

Dividends will be paid in the manner and on the date specified in the shareholders’ resolution approving their payment (usually within 30 days of the annual general meeting). Dividends that are not collected within five years of the date on which they become payable are forfeited to the benefit of the Company. Holders of ADSs will be entitled to receive payments in respect of dividends on the underlying shares through The Bank of New York Mellon, as ADR depositary, in accordance with the deposit agreement relating to the ADRs.

Voting Rights — Registered holders of the Company’s Ordinary Shares are entitled to one vote per Ordinary Share.

As a registered shareholder, the Depositary (or its nominee) will be entitled to vote the Ordinary Shares underlying the ADSs. The Deposit Agreement requires the Depositary (or its nominee) to accept voting instructions from holders of ADSs and to execute such instructions to the extent permitted by law. Neither Italian law nor the Company’s By-laws limit the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote shares of the Company.

Board of directors — Under Italian law and pursuant to the Company’s By-laws, the Company may be run by a sole director or by a board of directors, consisting of seven to eleven individuals. The Company is currently run by a board of directors composed of eight individuals (see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees”). The board of directors is elected by the Assembly of Shareholders at a shareholders’ meeting, for the period established at the time of election but in no case for longer than three fiscal years. A director, who may, but is not required to be a shareholder of the Company, may be reappointed for successive terms. The board of directors has the full power of ordinary and extraordinary management of the Company and in particular may perform all acts it deems advisable for the achievement of the Company’s corporate purposes, except for the actions reserved by applicable law or the By-laws to a vote of the shareholders at an ordinary or extraordinary shareholders’ meeting. See also “Item 10. Additional Information—Meetings of Shareholders.”

 

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The board of directors must appoint a chairman (presidente) and may appoint a vice-chairman. The chairman of the board of directors is the legal representative of the Company. The board of directors may delegate certain powers to one or more managing directors (amministratori delegati), determine the nature and scope of the delegated powers of each director and revoke such delegation at any time. The managing directors must report to the board of directors and board of statutory auditors at least every 180 days on the Company’s business and the main transactions carried out by the Company or by its subsidiaries.

The board of directors may not delegate certain responsibilities, including the preparation and approval of the draft financial statements, the approval of merger and de-merger plans to be presented to shareholders’ meetings, increases in the amount of the Company’s share capital or the issuance of convertible debentures (if any such power has been delegated to the board of directors by vote of the extraordinary shareholders’ meeting) and the fulfillment of the formalities required when the Company’s capital has to be reduced as a result of accumulated losses that reduce the Company’s stated capital by more than one-third. See also “Item 10. Additional Information—Meetings of Shareholders”.

The board of directors may also appoint a general manager (direttore generale), who reports directly to the board of directors and confer powers for single acts or categories of acts to employees of the Company or persons unaffiliated with the Company.

Meetings of the board of directors are called no less than five days in advance by registered letter, fax, telegram or e-mail by the chairman on his own initiative and must be called upon the request of any director. Meetings may be held in person, or by video-conference or tele-conference, in the location indicated in the notice convening the meeting, or in any other destination, each time that the chairman may consider necessary. The quorum for meetings of the board of directors is a majority of the directors in office. Resolutions are adopted by the vote of a majority of the directors present at the meeting. In case of a tie, the chairman has the deciding vote.

Directors having any interest in a proposed transaction must disclose their interest to the board and to the statutory auditors, even if such interest is not in conflict with the interest of the Company in the same transaction. The interested director is not required to abstain from voting on the resolution approving the transaction, but the resolution must state explicitly the reasons for, and the benefit to the Company of, the approved transaction. In the event that these provisions are not complied with, or that the transaction would not have been approved without the vote of the interested director, the resolution may be challenged by a director or by the board of statutory auditors if the approved transaction may be prejudicial to the Company. A managing director must solicit prior board approval of any proposed transaction in which he has any interest and that is within the scope of his powers. The interested director may be held liable for damages to the Company resulting from a resolution adopted in breach of the above rules. Finally, directors may be held liable for damages to the Company if they illicitly profit from insider information or corporate opportunities.

The board of directors may transfer the Company’s registered office within Italy, set up and eliminate secondary offices and approve mergers by absorption into the Company of any subsidiary in which the Company holds at least 90% of the issued share capital. The board of directors may also approve the issuance of shares or convertible debentures and reductions of the Company’s share capital in case of withdrawal of a shareholder if so authorized by the Company’s by-laws.

 

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Under Italian law, directors may be removed from office at any time by the vote of shareholders at an ordinary shareholders’ meeting. However, if removed in circumstances where there was no just cause, such directors may have a claim for damages against the Company. Directors may resign at any time by written notice to the board of directors and to the chairman of the board of statutory auditors. The board of directors must appoint substitute directors to fill vacancies arising from removals or resignations, subject to the approval of the board of statutory auditors, to serve until the next ordinary shareholders’ meeting. If at any time more than half of the members of the board of directors appointed by the Assembly of Shareholders resign, such resignation is ineffective until the majority of the new board of directors has been appointed. In such a case, the remaining members of the board of directors (or the board of statutory auditors if all the members of the board of directors have resigned or ceased to be directors) must promptly call an ordinary shareholders’ meeting to appoint the new directors.

Shareholders determine the remuneration of the directors at ordinary shareholders’ meetings at which they are appointed. The board of directors, after consultation with the board of statutory auditors, may determine the remuneration of directors that perform management or other special services for the Company, such as the managing director, within a maximum amount established by the shareholders. Directors are entitled to reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred in connection with their functions.

Statutory Auditors — In addition to electing the board of directors, the Assembly of Shareholders, at ordinary shareholders’ meetings of the Company, elects a board of statutory auditors (collegio sindacale), appoint its chairman and set the compensation of its members. The statutory auditors are elected for a term of three fiscal years, may be re-elected for successive terms and may be removed only for cause and with the approval of a competent court. Expiration of their office will have no effect until a new board is appointed. membership of the board of statutory auditors is subject to certain good standing, independence and professional requirements, and shareholders must be informed as to the offices the proposed candidates hold in other companies prior to or at the time of their election. In particular, at least one standing and one alternate member must be a certified auditor.

The Company’s By-laws provide that the board of statutory auditors shall consist of three statutory auditors and two alternate statutory auditors (who are automatically substituted for a statutory auditor who resigns or is otherwise unable to serve).

The Company’s board of statutory auditors is required, among other things, to verify that the Company (i) complies with applicable laws and its By-laws, (ii) respects principles of good governance, and (iii) maintains adequate organizational structure and administrative and accounting systems. The Company’s board of statutory auditors is required to meet at least once every ninety days. The board of statutory auditors reports to the annual shareholders’ meeting on the results of its activity and the results of the Company’s operations. In addition, the statutory auditors of the Company must be present at meetings of the Company’s board of directors and shareholders’ meetings.

The statutory auditors may decide to call a meeting of the shareholders or the board of directors, ask the directors information about the management of the Company, carry out inspections and verifications at the Company and exchange information with the Company’s external auditors. Additionally, the statutory auditors have the power to initiate a liability action against one or more directors after adopting a resolution with an affirmative vote by two thirds of the auditors in office. Any shareholder may submit a complaint to the board of statutory auditors regarding facts that such shareholder believes should be subject to scrutiny by the board of statutory auditors, which must take any complaint into account in its report to the shareholders’ meeting. If shareholders collectively representing 5% of the Company’s share capital submit such a complaint, the board of statutory auditors must promptly undertake an investigation and present its findings and any recommendations to a shareholders’ meeting (which must be convened immediately if the complaint appears to have a reasonable basis and there is an urgent need to take action). The board of statutory auditors may report to a competent court serious breaches of directors’ duties.

 

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External Auditor — The audit of the Company’s accounts is entrusted, as per current legislation, to an independent audit firm whose appointment falls under the competency of the Shareholders’ Meeting, upon the board of statutory auditors’ opinion. In addition to the obligations set forth in national auditing regulations, Natuzzi’s listing on the NYSE requires that the audit firm issues a report on the annual report on Form 20-F, in compliance with the auditing principles generally accepted in the United States. Moreover, the audit firm is required to issue an opinion on the efficacy of the internal control system applied to financial reporting. No changes were identified in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the 2012 fiscal year that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The external auditor or the firm of external auditors is appointed for a three-year term and its compensation is determined by a vote at an ordinary shareholders’ meeting, having heard the board of statutory auditors, and may be removed only for just cause by a vote of the shareholders’ meeting and with the approval of a competent court.

On April 30, 2010, the Company’s shareholders appointed Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A., with registered offices at Via Po, 32, Rome, Italy, as its external auditor for three-year term. For the entire duration of their office the external auditors or the firm of external auditors must meet certain requirements provided for by law.

Meetings of Shareholders — Shareholders are entitled to attend and vote at ordinary and extraordinary shareholder’s meetings. Votes may be cast personally or by proxy. Shareholder meetings may be called by the Company’s board of directors (or the board of statutory auditors) and must be called if requested by holders of at least 10% of the issued shares. If a shareholders’ meeting is not called despite the request by shareholders and such refusal is unjustified, a competent court may call the meeting. Shareholders are not entitled to request that a meeting of shareholders be convened to vote on matters which, as a matter of law, shall be resolved on the basis of a proposal, plan or report by the Company’s board of directors.

The Company may hold general meetings of shareholders at its registered office in Santeramo, or elsewhere within Italy or at locations outside Italy, following publication of notice of the meeting in any of the following Italian newspapers: “Il Sole 24 Ore,” “Corriere della Sera” or “La Repubblica” at least 15 days before the date fixed for the meeting.

The Assembly of Shareholders must be convened at least once a year. The Company’s annual stand-alone financial statements are prepared by the board of directors and submitted for approval to the ordinary shareholders’ meeting, which must be convened within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which such financial statements relate. This term may be extended by up to 180 days after the end of the fiscal year, as long as the Company continues to be bound by law to draw up consolidated financial statements or if particular circumstances concerning its structure or its purposes so require. At ordinary shareholders’ meetings, shareholders also appoint the external auditors, approve the distribution of dividends, appoint the board of directors and statutory auditors, determine their remuneration and vote on any matter the resolution or authorization of which is entrusted to them by law.

Extraordinary shareholders’ meetings may be called to vote on proposed amendments to the By-laws, issuance of convertible debentures, mergers and de-mergers, capital increases and reductions, when such resolutions may not be taken by the board of directors. Liquidation of the Company must be resolved by an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting.

 

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The notice of a shareholders’ meeting may specify two or more meeting dates for an ordinary or extraordinary shareholders’ meeting; such meeting dates are generally referred to as “calls.”

The quorum for an ordinary meeting of shareholders is 50% of the Ordinary Shares, and resolutions are carried by the majority of Ordinary Shares present or represented. At an adjourned ordinary meeting, no quorum is required, and the resolutions are carried by the majority of Ordinary Shares present or represented. Certain matters, such as amendments to the By-laws, the issuance of shares, the issuance of convertible debentures and mergers and de-mergers may only be effected at an extraordinary meeting, at which special voting rules apply. Resolutions at an extraordinary meeting of the Company are carried, on first call, by a majority of the Ordinary Shares. An adjourned extraordinary meeting is validly held with a quorum of one-third of the issued shares and its resolutions are carried by a majority of at least two-thirds of the holders of shares present or represented at such meeting. In addition, certain matters (such as a change in purpose or corporate form of the company, demergers, mergers, the transfer of its registered office outside Italy, its liquidation prior to the term set forth in its By-laws, the extension of the term, the revocation of liquidation and the issuance of preferred shares) are approved by the holders of more than two-thirds of the shares present and represented at such meeting that must also represent more than one-third of the issued shares.

According to the By-laws, in order to attend any shareholders’ meeting, shareholders, at least five days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, must deposit their share certificates at the offices of the Company or with such banks as may be specified in the notice of meeting, in exchange for an admission ticket. Owners of ADRs may make special arrangements with the Depositary for the beneficial owners of such ADRs to attend shareholders’ meetings, but not to vote at or formally address such meetings. The procedures for making such arrangements will be specified in the notice of such meeting to be mailed by the Depositary to the owners of ADRs.

Shareholders may appoint proxies by delivering in writing an appropriate power of attorney to the Company. Directors, auditors and employees of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries may not be proxies and any one proxy cannot represent more than 20 shareholders.

Preemptive Rights — Pursuant to Italian law, holders of Ordinary Shares or of debentures convertible into shares, if any exist, are entitled to subscribe for the issuance of shares, debentures convertible into shares and rights to subscribe for shares, in proportion to their holdings, unless such issues are for non-cash consideration or preemptive rights are waived or limited and such waiver or limitation is required in the interest of the Company. There can be no assurance that the holders of ADSs may be able to exercise fully any preemptive rights pertaining to Ordinary Shares.

Preference Shares. Other Securities — The Company’s By-laws allow the Company to issue preference shares with limited voting rights, to issue other classes of equity securities with different economic and voting rights, to issue so-called participation certificates with limited voting rights, as well as so-called tracking stock. The power to issue such financial instruments is attributed to the extraordinary meeting of shareholders.

The Company, by resolution of the board of directors, may issue debt securities non-convertible into shares, while it may issue debt securities convertible into shares through a resolution of an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting.

 

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Segregation of Assets and Proceeds — The Company, by means of an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting resolution, may approve the segregation of certain assets into one or more separate pools. Such pools of assets may have an aggregate value not exceeding 10% of the shareholders’ equity of the company. Each pool of assets must be used exclusively for the carrying out of a specific business and may not be attached by the general creditors of the Company. Similarly, creditors with respect to such specific business may only attach those assets of the Company that are included in the corresponding pool. Tort creditors, on the other hand, may always attach any assets of the Company. The Company may issue securities carrying economic and administrative rights relating to a pool. In addition, financing agreements relating to the funding of a specific business may provide that the proceeds of such business be used exclusively to repay the financing. Such proceeds may be attached only by the financing party and such financing party would have no recourse against other assets of the Company.

The Company has no present intention to enter into any such transaction and none is currently in effect.

Liquidation Rights — Pursuant to Italian law and subject to the satisfaction of the claims of all other creditors, shareholders are entitled to a distribution in liquidation that is equal to the nominal value of their shares (to the extent available out of the net assets of the Company). Holders of preferred shares, if any such shares are issued in the future by the Company, may be entitled to a priority right to any such distribution from liquidation up to their par value. Thereafter, all shareholders would rank equally in their claims to the distribution or surplus assets, if any. Ordinary Shares rank pari passu among themselves in liquidation.

Purchase of Shares by the Company — The Company is permitted to purchase shares, subject to certain conditions and limitations provided for by Italian law. Shares may only be purchased out of profits available for dividends or out of distributable reserves, in each case as appearing on the latest shareholder-approved stand-alone financial statements. Further, the Company may only repurchase fully paid-in shares. Such purchases must be authorized by the Assembly of Shareholders at an ordinary shareholders’ meeting. The aggregate purchase price of such shares may not exceed the earnings reserve specifically approved by shareholders. Shares held in violation of the above conditions and limitations must be sold within one year of the date of purchase. Similar limitations apply with respect to purchases of the Company’s shares by its subsidiaries.

A corresponding reserve equal to the purchase price of such shares must be created in the balance sheet, and such reserve is not available for distribution, unless such shares are sold or cancelled. Shares purchased and held by the Company may be resold only pursuant to a resolution adopted at an ordinary shareholders’ meeting. The voting rights attaching to the shares held by the Company or its subsidiaries cannot be exercised, but the shares are counted for quorum purposes in shareholders’ meetings. Dividends attaching to such shares will accrue to the benefit of other shareholders; pre-emptive rights attaching to such shares will accrue to the benefit of other shareholders, unless the shareholders’ meeting authorizes the Company to exercise, in whole or in part, the pre-emptive rights thereof.

In May 2009, the ordinary shareholders’ meeting of the Company approved a share buyback program as proposed by the board of directors. As of the date hereof, the share buyback program has not been implemented and, in accordance with its terms, the Company is no longer able to purchase its shares as part of the aforementioned share buyback program.

The Company does not own any of its ordinary shares.

Notification of the Acquisition of Shares — In accordance with Italian antitrust laws, the Italian Antitrust Authority is required to prohibit the acquisition of control in a company which would thereby create or strengthen a dominant position in the domestic market or a significant part thereof and which would result in the elimination or substantial reduction, on a lasting basis, of competition, provided that certain turnover thresholds are exceeded. However, if the turnover of the acquiring party and the company to be acquired exceed certain other monetary thresholds, the antitrust review of the acquisition falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the European Commission.

 

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Minority Shareholders’ Rights. Withdrawal Rights — Shareholders’ resolutions which are not adopted in conformity with applicable law or the Company’s By-laws may be challenged (with certain limitations and exceptions) within ninety days by absent, dissenting or abstaining shareholders representing individually or in the aggregate at least 5% of Company’s share capital (as well as by the board of directors or the board of statutory auditors). Shareholders not reaching this threshold or shareholders not entitled to vote at Company’s meetings may only claim damages deriving from the resolution.

Dissenting or absent shareholders may require the Company to buy back their shares as a result of shareholders’ resolutions approving, among others things, material modifications of the Company’s corporate purpose or of the voting rights of its shares, the transformation of the Company from a stock corporation into a different legal entity, or the transfer of the Company’s registered office outside Italy. The buy-back would occur at a price established by the board of directors, upon consultation with the board of statutory auditors and the Company’s external auditor, having regard to the net assets value of the Company, its prospective earnings and the market value of its shares, if any. The Company’s By-laws may set forth different criteria to determine the consideration to be paid to dissenting shareholders in such buy-backs.

Each shareholder may bring to the attention of the board of statutory auditors facts or actions which are deemed wrongful. If such shareholders represent more than 5% of the share capital of the Company, the board of statutory auditors must investigate without delay and report its findings and recommendations to the shareholders’ meeting.

Shareholders representing more than 10% of the Company’s share capital have the right to report to a competent court serious breaches of the duties of the directors, which may be prejudicial to the Company or to its subsidiaries. In addition, shareholders representing at least 20% of the Company’s share capital may commence derivative suits before a competent court against its directors, statutory auditors and general managers.

The Company may waive or settle the suit unless shareholders holding at least 20% of the shares vote against such waiver or settlement. The Company will reimburse the legal costs of such action in the event that the claim of such shareholders is successful and the court does not award such costs against the relevant directors, statutory auditors or general managers.

Any dispute arising out of or in connection with the By-Laws that may arise between the Company and its shareholders, directors, or liquidators shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tribunal of Bari (Italy).

Liability for Mismanagement of Subsidiaries — Under Italian law, companies and other legal entities that, acting in their own interest or the interest of third parties, mismanage a company subject to their direction and coordination powers are liable to such company’s shareholders and creditors for ensuing damages suffered by such shareholders. This liability is excluded if (i) the ensuing damage is fully eliminated, including through subsequent transactions, or (ii) the damage is effectively offset by the global benefits deriving in general to the company from the continuing exercise of such direction and coordination powers. Direction and coordination powers are presumed to exist, among other things, with respect to consolidated subsidiaries.

The Company is subject to the direction and coordination of INVEST 2003 S.r.l.

 

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Material Contracts

In the two years immediately preceding the filing of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, neither the Company nor any member of the Group has been a party to a material contract, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business.

Chinese Production Plant Lease — The Chinese plant previously owned by the Group was subject to an expropriation process by local Chinese authorities so that the land could be used for public utilities instead. In March 2010, Natuzzi China Ltd. entered into a lease with Shanghai Yuanchao Electronic Science and Technology Co., Ltd. relating to a new 88,000 square meter production plant to compensate for the production capacity reduction caused by the expropriation. For further information, see “Item 4—Manufacturing”. A copy of the lease is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed by Natuzzi S.p.A. with the Securities Exchange Commission on April 30, 2012.

Exchange Controls

There are currently no exchange controls, as such, in Italy restricting rights deriving from the ownership of shares. Residents and non-residents of Italy may hold foreign currency and foreign securities of any kind, within and outside Italy. Non-residents may invest in Italian securities without restriction and may transfer to and from Italy cash, instruments of credit and securities, in both foreign currency and Euro, representing interest, dividends, other asset distributions and the proceeds of any dispositions.

Certain procedural requirements, however, are imposed by law. Regulations on the use of cash and bearer securities are contained in the legislative decree No.231 of November 21, 2007, as amended from time to time, which implemented in Italy the European directives on anti-money laundering No. 2005/60 and 2006/70. Such legislation requires that transfers of cash or bearer bank or postal passbooks or bearer instruments in Euro or in foreign currency, effected for whatsoever reason between different parties, shall be carried out by means of credit institutions and any other authorized intermediaries when the total amount of the value to be transferred is equal to or more than €1,000. Credit institutions and other intermediaries effecting such transactions on behalf of residents or non-residents of Italy are required to maintain records of such transactions for ten years, which may be inspected at any time by Italian tax and judicial authorities. Non-compliance with the reporting and record-keeping requirements may result in administrative fines or, in the case of false reporting and in certain cases of incomplete reporting, criminal penalties. The Bank of Italy is required to maintain reports for ten years and may use them, directly or through other government offices, to police money laundering, tax evasion and any other unlawful activity.

Individuals, non-profit entities and partnerships that are residents of Italy must disclose on their annual tax returns all investments and financial assets held outside Italy, as well as the total amount of transfers to, from, within and between countries other than Italy relating to such foreign investments or financial assets, even if at the end of the taxable period foreign investments or financial assets are no longer owned. Generally, no such tax disclosure is required if the total value of the foreign investments or financial assets at the end of the taxable period or the total amount of the transfers effected during the fiscal year does not exceed €10,000. In addition, no such tax disclosure is required in respect of securities deposited for management with qualified Italian financial intermediaries and in respect of contracts entered into through their intervention, provided that the items of income derived from such foreign financial assets are collected through the intervention of the same intermediaries. Corporate residents of Italy are exempt from these tax disclosure requirements with respect to their annual tax returns because this information is required to be disclosed in their financial statements.

 

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There can be no assurance that the current regulatory environment in or outside Italy will persist or that particular policies presently in effect will be maintained, although Italy is required to maintain certain regulations and policies by virtue of its membership of the EU and other international organizations and its adherence to various bilateral and multilateral international agreements.

Taxation

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal and Italian tax matters. The summary contains a description of the principal U.S. federal and Italian tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Ordinary Shares or ADSs by a holder who is a citizen or resident of the United States or a U.S. corporation or who otherwise will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of the Ordinary Shares or ADSs. The summary is not a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase or hold Ordinary Shares or ADSs. In particular, the summary deals only with beneficial owners who will hold Ordinary Shares or ADSs as capital assets and does not address the tax treatment of a beneficial owner who owns 10% or more of the voting shares of the Company or who may be subject to special tax rules, such as banks, tax-exempt entities, insurance companies or dealers in securities or currencies, or persons that will hold Ordinary Shares or ADSs as a position in a “straddle” for tax purposes or as part of a “constructive sale” or a “conversion” transaction or other integrated investment comprised of Ordinary Shares or ADSs and one or more other investments. The summary does not discuss the treatment of Ordinary Shares or ADSs that are held in connection with a permanent establishment through which a non-resident beneficial owner carries on business or performs personal services in Italy.

The summary is based upon tax laws and practice of the United States and Italy in effect on the date of this Annual Report, which are subject to change.

Investors and prospective investors in Ordinary Shares or ADSs should consult their own advisors as to the U.S., Italian or other tax consequences of the purchase, beneficial ownership and disposition of Ordinary Shares or ADSs, including, in particular, the effect of any state or local tax laws.

For purposes of the summary, beneficial owners of Ordinary Shares or ADSs who are considered residents of the United States for purposes of the current income tax convention between the United States and Italy (the “Income Tax Convention”), and are not subject to an anti-treaty shopping provision that applies in limited circumstances, are referred to as “U.S. owners”. Beneficial owners who are citizens or residents of the United States, corporations organized under U.S. law, and U.S. partnerships, estates or trusts (to the extent their income is subject to U.S. tax either directly or in the hands of partners or beneficiaries) generally will be considered to be residents of the United States under the Income Tax Convention. Special rules apply to U.S. owners who are also residents of Italy, according to the Income Tax Convention.

For the purpose of the Income Tax Convention and the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, beneficial owners of ADRs evidencing ADSs will be treated as the beneficial owners of the Ordinary Shares represented by those ADSs.

 

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Taxation of Dividends

i) Italian Tax Considerations — As a general rule, Italian laws provide for the withholding of income tax on dividends paid by Italian companies to shareholders who are not residents of Italy for tax purposes, currently levied at a 20% rate on dividends paid as of January 1, 2012. Italian laws provide a mechanism under which non-resident shareholders can claim a refund of, as of January 1, 2012, up to one-fourth of Italian withholding taxes on dividend income by establishing to the Italian tax authorities that the dividend income was subject to income tax in another jurisdiction in an amount at least equal to the total refund claimed. U.S. owners should consult their own tax advisers concerning the possible availability of this refund, which traditionally has been payable only after extensive delays. Alternatively, reduced rates (normally 15%) may apply to non-resident shareholders who are entitled to, and comply with procedures for claiming, benefits under an income tax convention.

Under the Income Tax Convention, dividends derived and beneficially owned by U.S. owners are subject to an Italian withholding tax at a reduced rate of 15%.

However, the amount initially made available to the Depositary for payment to U.S. owners will reflect withholding at the 20% rate. U.S. owners who comply with the certification procedures described below may then claim an additional payment of 5% of the dividend (representing the difference between the 20% rate applicable as of January 1, 2012, and the 15% rate, and referred to herein as a “treaty refund”). The certification procedure will require U.S. owners (i) to obtain from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) a form of certification required by the Italian tax authorities with respect to each dividend payment (IRS Form 6166), unless a previously filed certification will be effective on the dividend payment date (such certificates are effective until March 31 of the year following submission), (ii) to produce a statement whereby the U.S. owner represents to be a U.S. owner individual or corporation and does not maintain a permanent establishment in Italy, and (iii) to set forth other required information. IRS Form 6166 may be obtained by filing a request for certification on IRS Form 8802. (Additional information, including IRS Form 8802, can be obtained from the IRS website at www.irs.gov. Information appearing on the IRS website is not incorporated by reference into this document.) The time for processing requests for certification by the IRS normally is 30 to 45 days. Accordingly, in order to be eligible for the procedure described below, U.S. owners should begin the process of obtaining certificates as soon as possible after receiving instructions from the Depositary on how to claim a treaty refund.

The Depositary’s instructions will specify certain deadlines for delivering to the Depositary the documentation required to obtain a treaty refund, including the certification that the U.S. owners must obtain from the IRS. In the case of ADSs held by U.S. owners through a broker or other financial intermediary, the required documentation should be delivered to such financial intermediary for transmission to the Depositary. In all other cases, the U.S. owners should deliver the required documentation directly to the Depositary. The Company and the Depositary have agreed that if the required documentation is received by the Depositary on or within 30 days after the dividend payment date and, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, such documentation satisfies the requirements for a refund by the Company of Italian withholding tax under the Convention and applicable law, the Company will within 45 days thereafter pay the treaty refund to the Depositary for the benefit of the U.S. owners entitled thereto.

If the Depositary does not receive a U.S. owner’s required documentation within 30 days after the dividend payment date, such U.S. owner may for a short grace period (specified in the Depositary’s instructions) continue to claim a treaty refund by delivering the required documentation (either through the U.S. owner’s financial intermediary or directly, as the case may be) to the Depositary. However, after this grace period, the treaty refund must be claimed directly from the Italian tax authorities rather than through the Depositary. Expenses and extensive delays have been encountered by U.S. owners seeking refunds from the Italian tax authorities.

 

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Distributions of profits in kind will be subject to withholding tax. In that case, prior to receiving the distribution, the holder will be required to provide the Company with the funds to pay the relevant withholding tax.

ii) United States Tax Considerations — The gross amount of any dividends (that is, the amount before reduction for Italian withholding tax) paid to a U.S. owner generally will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as foreign-source dividend income and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to domestic corporations. Dividends paid in Euro will be included in the income of such U.S. owners in a dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day the dividends are received by the Depositary or its agent. If the Euro are converted into dollars on the day the Depositary or its agent receives them, U.S. owners generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. U.S. owners who receive a treaty refund may be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss to the extent the amount of the treaty refund (in dollars) received by the U.S. owner differs from the U.S. dollar equivalent of the Euro amount of the treaty refund on the date the dividends were received by the Depositary or its agent. Italian withholding tax at the 15% rate will be treated as a foreign income tax which U.S. owners may elect to deduct in computing their taxable income or, subject to the limitations on foreign tax credits generally, credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex and U.S. owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers in this regard. Dividends will generally constitute foreign-source “passive category” income for U.S. tax purposes.

Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the U.S. dollar amount of dividends received by an individual with respect to the Ordinary Shares or ADSs will be subject to taxation at reduced rates if the dividends are “qualified dividends”. Dividends paid on the Ordinary Shares or ADSs will be treated as qualified dividends if (i) the Company is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that the IRS has approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules and (ii) the Company was not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and is not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”). The Income Tax Convention has been approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules, and the Company believes it is eligible for the benefits of the Income Tax Convention. Based on the Company’s audited financial statements and relevant market and shareholder data, the Company believes that it was not treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to its 2011 or 2012 taxable year. In addition, based on the Company’s audited financial statements and its current expectations regarding the value and nature of its assets, the sources and nature of its income, and relevant market and shareholder data, the Company does not anticipate becoming a PFIC for its 2013 taxable year.

The U.S. Treasury has announced its intention to promulgate rules pursuant to which holders of ADSs or common stock and intermediaries through whom such securities are held will be permitted to rely on certifications from issuers to treat dividends as qualified for tax reporting purposes. Because such procedures have not yet been issued, it is not clear whether the Company will be able to comply with the procedures. Holders of Ordinary Shares and ADSs should consult their own tax advisers regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in the light of the considerations discussed above and their own particular circumstances.

Foreign tax credits may not be allowed for withholding taxes imposed in respect of certain short-term or hedged positions in securities or in respect of arrangements in which a U.S. owner’s expected economic profit is insubstantial. U.S. owners should consult their own advisers concerning the implications of these rules in light of their particular circumstances.

 

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A beneficial owner of Ordinary Shares or ADSs who is, with respect to the United States, a foreign corporation or a nonresident alien individual, generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on dividends received on Ordinary Shares or ADSs, unless such income is effectively connected with the conduct by the beneficial owner of a trade or business in the United States.

Taxation of Capital Gains

i) Italian Tax Considerations — Under Italian law, capital gains tax (“CGT”) is generally levied on capital gains realized by non-residents from the disposal of shares in companies resident in Italy for tax purposes even if those shares are held outside of Italy. However, capital gains realized by non-resident holders on the sale of non-qualified shareholdings (as defined below) in companies listed on a stock exchange and resident in Italy for tax purposes (as is the Company’s case) are not subject to CGT. In order to benefit from this exemption, such non-Italian-resident holders may need to file a certificate evidencing their residence outside of Italy for tax purposes.

A “qualified shareholding” consists of securities that entitle the holder to exercise more than 2% of the voting rights of a company with shares listed on a stock exchange in the ordinary meeting of the shareholders or represent more than 5% of the share capital of a company with shares listed on a stock exchange. A “non-qualified shareholding” is any shareholding that does not exceed either of these thresholds. The relevant percentage is calculated taking into account the shareholdings sold during the prior 12-month period.

Capital gains realized upon disposal of a “qualified” shareholding are partially included in the shareholders’ taxable income, for an amount equal to 49.72% with respect to capital gains realized as of January 1, 2009. If a taxpayer realizes taxable capital gains in excess of 49.72% of capital losses of a similar nature incurred in the same tax year, such excess amount is included in his total taxable income. If 49.72% of such taxpayer’s capital losses exceeds its taxable capital gains, then the excess amount can be carried forward and deducted from the taxable amount of similar capital gains realized by such person in the following tax years, up to the fourth, provided that it is reported in the tax report in the year of disposal.

The above is subject to any provisions of an income tax treaty entered into by the Republic of Italy, if the income tax treaty provisions are more favorable. The majority of double tax treaties entered into by Italy, including the Income Tax Convention, in accordance with the OECD Model tax convention, provide that capital gains realized from the disposition of Italian securities are subject to CGT only in the country of residence of the seller.

The Income Tax Convention between Italy and the U.S. provides that a U.S. owner is not subject to the Italian CGT on the disposal of shares, provided that the shares are not held through part of a permanent establishment of the U.S. owner in Italy.

ii) United States Tax Considerations — Gain or loss realized by a U.S. owner on the sale or other disposition of Ordinary Shares or ADSs will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. owner’s basis in the Ordinary Shares or the ADSs and the amount realized on the disposition (or its dollar equivalent, determined at the spot rate on the date of disposition, if the amount realized is denominated in a foreign currency). Such gain or loss will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. owner holds the Ordinary Shares or ADSs for more than one year. The net amount of long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S. owner that is an individual holder generally is subject to taxation at a reduced rate. Deposits and withdrawals of Ordinary Shares by U.S. owners in exchange for ADSs will not result in the realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

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A beneficial owner of Ordinary Shares or ADSs who is, with respect to the United States, a foreign corporation or a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized on the sale of Ordinary Shares or ADSs, unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the beneficial owner of a trade or business in the United States or (ii), in the case of gain realized by an individual beneficial owner, the beneficial owner is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale and certain other conditions are met.

Taxation of Distributions from Capital Reserves

Italian Tax Considerations — Special rules apply to the distribution of certain capital reserves. Under certain circumstances, such a distribution may be considered as taxable income in the hands of the recipient depending on the existence of current profits or outstanding reserves at the time of distribution and the actual nature of the reserves distributed. The application of such rules may also have an impact on the tax basis in the Ordinary Shares or ADSs held and/or the characterization of any taxable income received and the tax regime applicable to it. Non-resident shareholders may be subject to withholding tax and CGT as a result of such rules. You should consult your tax adviser in connection with any distribution of capital reserves.

Other Italian Taxes

Estate and Inheritance Tax — A transfer of Ordinary Shares or ADSs by reason of death or gift is subject to an inheritance and gift tax levied on the value of the inheritance or gift, as follows:

Transfers to a spouse or direct descendants or ancestors up to €1,000,000 to each beneficiary are exempt from inheritance and gift tax. Transfers in excess of such threshold will be taxed at a 4% rate on the value of the Ordinary Shares or ADSs exceeding such threshold;

Transfers between relatives within the fourth degree other than siblings, and direct or indirect relatives-in-law within the third degree are taxed at a rate of 6% on the value of the Ordinary Shares or ADSs (where transfers between siblings up to a maximum value of €100,000 for each beneficiary are exempt from inheritance and gift tax); and

Transfers by reason of gift or death of Ordinary Shares or ADSs to persons other than those described above will be taxed at a rate of 8% on the value of the Ordinary Shares or ADSs.

If the beneficiary of any such transfer is a disabled individual, whose handicap is recognized pursuant to Law No. 104 of February 5, 1992, the tax is applied only on the value of the assets received in excess of €1,500,000 at the rates illustrated above, depending on the type of relationship existing between the deceased or donor and the beneficiary.

The tax regime described above will not prevent the application, if more favorable to the taxpayer, of any different provisions of a bilateral tax treaty, including the convention between Italy and the United States against double taxation with respect to taxes on estates and inheritances, pursuant to which non-Italian resident shareholders are generally entitled to a tax credit for any estate and inheritance taxes possibly applied in Italy.

Italian Financial Transaction Tax — In December 2012, Italy introduced a financial transaction tax (the “IFTT”), which, as of March 1, 2013, is applicable, among other transactions, to all trades entailing the transfer of title of (i) shares or equity-like financial instruments issued by companies resident in Italy, such as the Ordinary Shares; and (ii) securities representing the shares and financial instruments under (i) above (including depositary receipts such as the ADSs), regardless of the residence of the issuer. The IFTT may also apply to the transfer of Ordinary Shares and ADSs by a U.S. resident.

 

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For 2013 only, the IFTT will apply at a rate of 0.22% for over-the-counter transactions, reduced to 0.12% for trades executed on a regulated market or multilateral trading facility. As of 2014, such rates will be reduced to 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively. The New York Stock Exchange should qualify as a regulated market for such purposes.

The rules governing the IFTT are fairly complex and still subject to further clarification to be issued by the Italian tax authorities. As to its basic features, it should be noted that the IFTT (i) is levied on a tax base equal to (x) the market value (calculated by taking the net balance of daily trades on the relevant securities) or, in the absence of any such market value, (y) the consideration paid for each trade; and (ii) is borne by the purchaser but is collected by the financial intermediaries (including non-resident financial intermediaries) intervening in the relevant trades.

However, a number of exemptions apply, including with respect to trades of securities issued by companies having an average market capitalization lower than €500 million in the month of November of the year preceding the year in which the trade takes place. Companies, the securities of which are listed on a foreign regulated market, and which could benefit from this exemption, such as the Company, need a confirmation by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.

EU Financial Transaction Tax — On February 14, 2013, the European Commission proposed the implementation of the EU FTT (see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors”) that may also apply to the transfer of Ordinary Shares and ADSs by a U.S. resident as of January 1, 2014. Moreover, the implementation of the proposed EU FTT may also affect the IFTT, as described above.

United States Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Requirements — In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments by a paying agent within the United States to a non-corporate (or other non-exempt) U.S. owner of dividends in respect of the Company Shares or ADSs, or the proceeds received on the sale or other disposition of the Company Shares or ADSs. Backup withholding may apply to such amounts if the U.S. owner fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number to the paying agent on a properly completed IRS Form W-9 or otherwise comply with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Amounts withheld as backup withholding will be creditable against the U.S. owner’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Documents on Display

The Company is subject to the information reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), applicable to foreign private issuers. In accordance therewith, the Company is required to file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These materials, including this Annual Report, are available for inspection and copying at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. As a foreign private issuer, we have been required to make filings with the SEC by electronic means since November 4, 2002. Any filings we make electronically will be available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Form 20-F and reports and other information filed by the Company with the Commission will also be available for inspection by ADS holders at the Corporate Trust Office of The Bank of New York Mellon at 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.

 

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ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The following discussion of the Group’s risk management activities includes “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements. See “Forward Looking Information.” A significant portion of the Group’s net sales and its costs, are denominated in currencies other than the euro, in particular the U.S. dollar.

The Group is exposed to market risks principally from fluctuations in the exchange rates between the euro and other currencies, including in particular the U.S. dollar, and to a significantly lesser extent, from variations in interest rates.

Exchange Rate Risks — The Group’s foreign exchange rate risks in 2012 arose principally in connection with the Chinese yuan, U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, British pounds, Australian dollars, Japanese yen, Swiss francs, Romanian Leu, Swedish kroner, Norwegian kroner and Danish kroner, as well as in connection with Euros for the Company’s subsidiary located in Eastern Europe.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Group had outstanding trade receivables denominated in foreign currencies totaling € 56.5 million and € 52.1 million, respectively, of which 49.5% and 53.8%, respectively, were denominated in U.S. dollars. On those same dates, the Group had € 27.6 million and € 22.1 million, respectively, of trade payables denominated in foreign currencies, principally U.S. dollars. See Notes 6 and 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company was a party to a number of currency forward contracts (known in Italy as domestic currency swaps), all of which are designed to hedge future sales denominated in U.S. dollars and other currencies. As of the same date, no option contract was outstanding (as was the case as of December 31, 2011). The Group does not use such foreign exchange contracts for speculative trading purposes.

As of December 31, 2012, the notional amount in Euro terms of all of the outstanding currency forward contracts totaled € 47.4 million. As of December 31, 2011, the notional amounts of all of the outstanding currency forward contracts totaled € 46.1 million. At the end of 2012, such currency forward contracts had notional amounts of Canadian dollars 17.5 million, U.S.$ 13.2 million, € 9.2 million, British pounds 5.8 million, Australian dollars 4.7 million, Japanese yen 186.0 million, Norwegian kroner 8.0 million and Swedish kroner 3.4 million. All of these forward contracts had various maturities extending through June 2013. See Note 27 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

The table below summarizes (in thousands of euro equivalent) the contractual amounts of currency forward contracts (no options were outstanding) intended to hedge future cash flows from accounts receivable and sales orders as of December 31, 2012 and 2011:

 

Euro equivalent of contractual amounts

of currency forward contracts as of:

   December 31,  
   2012      2011  

Canadian dollars

   13,588       5,041   

U.S. dollars

     10,100         11,493   

Euro*

     9,479         14,264   

British pounds

     7,231         6,950   

Australian dollars

     3,719         3,800   

Japanese yen

     1,811         2,452   

Norwegian kroner

     1,071         481   

Swedish kroner

     387         630   

Swiss francs

     984         984   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   47,387       46,095   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Used by the Group’s Romanian subsidiary to hedge its net collections denominated in Euro.

 

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As of December 31, 2012, these forward contracts had a net unrealized gain of € 1.4 million, compared to a net unrealized loss of € 0.3 million as of December 31, 2011. The Group recorded this amount in “other income (expense), net” in its Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 27 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

The following table presents information regarding the contract amount in thousands of Euro equivalent and the estimated fair value of all of the Group’s foreign exchange contracts: contracts with unrealized gains are presented as “assets” and derivative contracts with unrealized losses are presented as “liabilities.”

 

     December 31, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Contract
Amount
     Unrealized
gains (losses)
     Contract
Amount
     Unrealized
gains (losses)
 

Assets

     39,684         907         17,537         36   

Liabilities

     7,702         1         28,558         (630
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   47,386       908       46,095       (594
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Group’s foreign currency forward contracts as of December 31, 2012 had maturities of a maximum of six months. The potential loss in fair value of all of the Group’s forward contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2012 that would have resulted from a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable 10% change in currency exchange rates would have been approximately € 4.0 million. This sensitivity analysis assumes an instantaneous and unfavorable 10% fluctuation in exchange rates affecting the foreign currencies of all of the Group’s hedging contracts outstanding as of the end of 2012.

For the accounting of transactions entered into in an effort to reduce the Group’s exchange rate risks, see Notes 3 and 27 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

At December 31, 2012, the Group had approximately € 57 million in cash and cash equivalents held in Chinese yuan (€ 64 million as at December 31, 2011). Exchange rate fluctuations in respect of this amount could have significant positive or negative effects on our results of operations in future periods.

Interest Rate Risks — To a significantly lesser extent, the Group is also exposed to interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2012, the Group had € 37.7 million (equivalent to 7.9% of the Group’s total assets as of the same date) in debt outstanding (bank overdrafts and long-term debt, including the current portion of such debt), which is for the most part subject to floating interest rates. See Notes 13 and 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 18 of this Annual Report.

In the normal course of business, the Group also faces risks that are either non-financial or non-quantifiable. Such risks principally include country risk, credit risk and legal risk.

 

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ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

ITEM 12A. DEBT SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 12B. WARRANTS AND RIGHTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 12C. OTHER SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 12D. AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES

Fees paid by ADR holders — The Bank of New York Mellon, as the depositary of our ADSs (the “Depositary”), collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The Depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The Depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.

 

Persons depositing or withdrawing shares

must pay:

  

For:

$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)

  

•     Depositing or substituting the underlying shares

 

•     Selling or exercising rights

 

•     Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates

A fee for the distribution of proceeds of sales of securities or rights in an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) the fee for the issuance of ADSs referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the deposit by owners of securities (for purposes hereof treating all such securities as if they were shares) or shares received in exercise of rights distributed to them, respectively, but which securities or rights are instead sold by the Depositary and the net proceeds distributed and (ii) the amount of such proceeds   

•     Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities which are distributed by the Depositary to ADS registered holders

Registration or transfer fees

  

•     Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the Depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares

Expenses of the Depositary

  

•     Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)

 

•     Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars

Taxes and other governmental charges the Depositary or the custodian have to pay on any ADS or share underlying an ADS, for example, stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes   

•     As necessary

Any charges incurred by the Depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities   

•     As necessary

 

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Fees payable by the Depositary to the Company

i) Fees incurred in past annual period — From January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012, the Depositary waived a total of $2,137.65 in administrative fees for routine corporate actions including services relating to Natuzzi’s annual general meeting of shareholders

ii) Fees to be paid in the future — The Company does not have any agreements in place with the Depositary for the payment or reimbursement of fees or other direct or indirect payments by the Depositary to the Company in connection with its ADS program.

PART II

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None.

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures — The Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2012. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

 

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Based on the Company’s evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2012 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting — The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Even when determined to be effective, they can provide only reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and presentation of financial statements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.

To assess the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, used the criteria described in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. Based on such assessment, the Company’s management has concluded that as of December 31, 2012, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective and that there were no material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 has been audited by Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which follows below.

(c) Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Natuzzi S.p.A.

We have audited Natuzzi S.p.A. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control–Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Natuzzi S.p.A. and Subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Natuzzi S.p.A. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Natuzzi S.p.A. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and the related consolidated statement of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 and our report dated April 30, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A.

Bari, Italy

April 30, 2013

 

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ITEM 16. [RESERVED]

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

The Company has determined that, because of the existence and nature of its board of statutory auditors, it qualifies for an exemption provided by Exchange Act Rule 10A-3(c)(3) from many of the Rule 10A-3 audit committee requirements. The board of statutory auditors has determined that each of its members is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F. For the names of the members of the board of statutory auditors, see “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Statutory Auditors” and Item 16G. Corporate Governance—Audit Committee and Internal Audit Function.”

Each of the audit committee financial experts is independent under the NYSE Independence Standards that would apply to audit committee members in the absence of our reliance on the exemption in Rule 10A-3(c)(3).

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

The Company has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 16B of Form 20-F under the Exchange Act. This code of ethics applies, among others, to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Company’s code of ethics is downloadable from its website at www.natuzzi.com/codeofethics/. If the Company amends the provisions of its code of ethics that apply to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or if the Company grants any waiver of such provisions, it will disclose such amendment or waiver on its website at the same address.

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A. (“Ernst & Young”, hereafter) has served as Natuzzi S.p.A.’s principal independent public auditor for fiscal year 2012 and 2011 for which it audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed and billable to the Company by Ernst & Young in Italy and abroad during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, for audit fees, audit–related fees, tax fees and all other fees for audit.

 

     2012      2011  
     (Expressed in thousands of euros)  

Audit fees

     876         870   

Audit-related fees

     —           —     

Tax fees

     3         —     

Other fees

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fees

     879         870   

 

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Audit fees in the above table are the aggregate fees billed and billable in connection with the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements.

Tax fees consist of fees billed and billable in connection with the professional services rendered for tax compliance.

The Company’s board of statutory auditors expressly pre-approves on a case-by-case basis any engagement of our independent auditors for audit and non-audit services provided to our subsidiaries or to us. All services rendered by our independent auditors for audit and non-audit services were pre-approved by our board of statutory auditors in accordance with this policy.

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES.

The Company is relying on the exemption from listing standards for audit committees provided by Exchange Act Rule 10A-3(c)(3). The basis for this reliance is that the Company’s board of statutory auditors meets the following requirements set forth in Exchange Act Rule 10A-3(c)(3):

 

1) the board of statutory auditors is established and selected pursuant to Italian law expressly permitting such a board;

 

2) the board of statutory auditors is required under Italian law to be separate from the Company’s board of directors;

 

3) the board of statutory auditors is not elected by management of the Company and no executive officer of the Company is a member of the board of statutory auditors;

 

4) Italian law provides for standards for the independence of the board of statutory auditors from the Company and its management;

 

5) the board of statutory auditors, in accordance with applicable Italian law and the Company’s governing documents, is responsible, to the extent permitted by Italian law, for the appointment, retention and oversight of the work (including, to the extent permitted by law, the resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) of any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company, and

 

6) to the extent permitted by Italian law, the audit committee requirements of paragraphs (b)(3), (b)(4) and (b)(5) of Rule 10A-3 apply to the board of statutory auditors.

The Company’s reliance on Rule 10A-3(c)(3) does not, in its opinion, materially adversely affect the ability of its board of statutory auditors to act independently and to satisfy the other requirements of Rule 10A-3.

 

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ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

Starting on September 27, 2011 and through April 19, 2013, INVEST 2003 S.r.l., an Italian limited liability company wholly owned by Mr. Natuzzi, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of the Company, has purchased a total of 793,086 Natuzzi S.p.A. ADSs, (representing approximately 1.4% of the Company’s total shares outstanding), at the average price of € 1.80 (U.S.$ 2.40) per ADS. Each of these purchases was made through open-market transactions in accordance with the Rule 10b-18 Plan, which is not subject to an expiration date or maximum cap. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Share Ownership.”

The following table summarizes the purchases of the Company’s ADSs made by INVEST 2003 S.r.l., on a monthly basis, since January 1, 2012.

 

Trading month    Total
number of
ADSs
purchased
     Weighted
average
price per
ADS (in
Euro (1)
     Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
    

Maximum
Number

(or Appropriate
U.S. Dollar
Value) of Shares
(or Units) that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs

 

January 1 – January 31, 2012

     48,461        2.23         —           —     

February 1 – February 28, 2012

     38,274        2.68         —           —     

March 1 – March 31, 2012

     7,526        2.36         —           —     

April 1 – April 30, 2012

     6,873        2.13         —           —     

May 1 – May 31, 2012

     16,240        2.11         —           —     

June 1 – June 30, 2012

     52,987        2.29         —           —     

July 1 – July 31, 2012

     71,192        2.01         —           —     

August 1 – August 31, 2012

     40,304        1.67         —           —     

September 1 – September 30, 2012

     5,551        1.87         —           —     

October 1 – October 31, 2012

     43,595        1.61         —           —     

November 1 – November 30, 2012

     148,659        1.58         —           —     

December 1 – December 31, 2012

     86        1.48         —           —     

January 1 – January 31, 2013

     49,264        1.72         —           —     

February 1 – February 29, 2013

     83,648        1.75         —           —     

March 1 – March 31, 2013

     17,157        1.72         

April 1 – April 19, 2013

     80,992        1.65         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total ADSs purchased since January 1, 2012

     710,809        1.86         —           —     

 

(1) Euro equivalents of U.S. dollar prices, converted into euros based on the March 29, 2013 exchange rate of US$1.2816 per €1.00.

 

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From January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012, no purchases were made by or on behalf of the Company or any other affiliated purchaser of the Company’s Ordinary Shares or ADSs.

ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANTS CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

None.

ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Under NYSE rules, we are permitted, as a listed foreign private issuer, to adhere to the corporate governance rules of our home country in lieu of certain NYSE corporate governance rules.

Corporate governance rules for Italian stock corporations (società per azioni) like the Company, whose shares are not listed on a regulated market in the European Union, are set forth in the Civil Code. As described in more detail below, the Italian corporate governance rules set forth in the Civil Code differ in a number of ways from those applicable to U.S. domestic companies under NYSE listing standards, as set forth in the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

As a general rule, our company’s main corporate bodies are governed by the Civil Code and are assigned specific powers and duties that are legally binding and cannot be derogated from. The Company follows the traditional Italian corporate governance system, with a board of directors (consiglio di amministrazione) and a separate board of statutory auditors (collegio sindacale) with supervisory functions. The two boards are separate and no individual may be a member of both boards. Both the members of the board of directors and the members of the board of statutory auditors owe duties of loyalty and care to the Company. As required by Italian law, an external auditor (revisore contabile) is in charge of auditing its financial statements. The members of the Company’s board of directors and board of statutory auditors, as well as the external auditor, are directly and separately appointed by shareholder resolution at the general shareholders’ meetings. This system differs from with the unitary system envisaged for U.S. domestic companies by the NYSE listing standards, which contemplate the board of directors serving as the sole governing body.

Below is a summary of the significant differences between Italian corporate governance rules and practices, as the Company has implemented them, and those applicable to U.S. issuers under NYSE listing standards, as set forth in the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

Independent Directors

NYSE Domestic Company Standards — The NYSE listing standards applicable to U.S. companies provide that “independent” directors must comprise a majority of the board. In order for a director to be considered “independent”, the board of directors must affirmatively determine that the director has no “material” direct or indirect relationship with the company. These relationships “can include commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and familial relationship (among others).”

More specifically, a director is not independent if such director or his/her immediate family members has certain specified relationships with the company, its parent, its consolidated subsidiaries, their internal or external auditors, or companies that have significant business relationships with the company, its parent or its consolidated subsidiaries. Ownership of a significant amount of stock is not a per se bar to independence. In addition, a three-year “cooling off” period following the termination of any relationship that compromised a director’s independence must lapse before that director can again be considered independent.

 

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Our Practice — The presence of a prescribed number of independent directors on the Company’s board is neither mandatory by any Italian law applicable to the Company nor required by the Company’s By-laws.

However, Italian law sets forth certain independence requirements applicable to the Company’s statutory auditors. Statutory auditors’ independence is assessed on the basis of the following rules: a person who (i) is a director, or the spouse or a close relative of a director, of the Company or any of its affiliates, or (ii) has an employment or a regular consulting or similar relationship with the Company or any of its affiliates, or (iii) has an economic relationship with the Company or any of its affiliates which might compromise his/her independence, cannot be appointed to the Company’s board of statutory auditors. The law sets forth certain principles aimed at ensuring that any member of the board of statutory auditors who is a chartered public accountant (inscritto nel registro dei revisori contabili) be substantively independent from the company subject to audit and not be in any way involved in the company’s decision-making process. The Civil Code mandates that at least one standing and one alternative member of the board of statutory auditors be a chartered public accountant. Each of the current members of the board of statutory auditors is a chartered public accountant.

Executive Sessions

NYSE Domestic Company Standards — Non-executive directors of U.S. companies listed on the NYSE must meet regularly in executive sessions, and independent directors should meet alone in an executive session at least once a year.

Our Practice — Under the laws of Italy, neither non-executive directors nor independent directors are required to meet in executive sessions. The members of the Company’s board of statutory auditors are required to meet at least every 90 days.

Audit Committee and Internal Audit Function

NYSE Domestic Company Standards — U.S. companies listed on the NYSE are required to establish an audit committee that satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and certain additional requirements set by the NYSE. In particular, all members of this committee must be independent and the committee must adopt a written charter. The committee’s prescribed responsibilities include (i) the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the external auditors; (ii) establishing procedures for the handling of “whistle blower” complaints; (iii) discussion of financial reporting and internal control issues and critical accounting policies (including through executive sessions with the external auditors); (iv) the approval of audit and non-audit services performed by the external auditors and (v) the adoption of an annual performance evaluation. A company must also have an internal audit function, which may be out-sourced, except to the independent auditor.

Our Practice — Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act provides that foreign private issuers with a board of statutory auditors established in accordance with local law or listing requirements and meeting specified requirements with regard to independence and responsibilities (including the performance of most of the specific tasks assigned to audit committees by Rule 10A-3, to the extent permitted by local law) (the “Statutory Auditor Requirements”) are exempt from the audit committee requirements established by the rule. The Company is relying on this exemption on the basis of its separate board of statutory auditors, which is permitted by the Civil Code and which satisfies the Statutory Auditor Requirements. Notwithstanding that, our board of statutory auditors, consisting of independent and highly professional experts, comply with the requirements indicated at points (i), (iii) and (iv) of the preceding paragraph.

The Company also has an internal audit function, which has not been outsourced.

 

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Compensation Committee

NYSE Domestic Company Standards — Under NYSE standards, the compensation of the CEO of U.S. domestic companies must be approved by a compensation committee (or equivalent) comprised solely of independent directors. The compensation committee must also make recommendations to the board of directors with regard to the compensation of other officers, incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans. Disclosure of individual management compensation information for these companies is mandated by the Exchange Act’s proxy rules, from which foreign private issuers are generally exempt.

Our Practice — Under Italian law, the compensation of executive directors is determined by the board of directors, having consulted with the Board of Statutory Auditors, while the Company’s shareholders determine the base compensation of all the Board members, including non-executive directors. Compensation of the Company’s executive officers is determined by the Chief Executive Officer. The Company does not produce a compensation report. However, the Company discloses aggregate compensation of all of its directors in its annual financial statements prepared in accordance with Italian GAAP and in Item 6 of its Annual Report.

Nominating Committee

NYSE Domestic Company Standards — Under NYSE standards, a domestic company must have a nominating committee (or equivalent) comprised solely of independent directors, which is responsible for nominating directors.

Our Practice — As allowed by Italian laws, the Company has not established a nominating committee (or equivalent) responsible for nominating its directors. Directors may be nominated by any of the Company’s shareholders or the Company’s board of directors. Mr. Natuzzi, by virtue of owning a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company, controls the Company, including its management and the selection of its board of directors.

Corporate Governance and Code of Ethics

NYSE Domestic Company Standards — Under NYSE standards, a company must adopt governance guidelines and a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees. A company must also publish these items on its website and provide printed copies on request. Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires a company to disclose whether it has adopted a code of ethics for its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, and if not, the reasons why it has not done so. The NYSE listing standards applicable to U.S. companies provide that codes of conduct and ethics should address, at a minimum, conflicts of interest; corporate opportunities; confidentiality; fair dealing; protection and use of company assets; legal compliance; and reporting of illegal and unethical behavior. Corporate governance guidelines must address, at a minimum, directors’ qualifications, responsibilities and compensation; access to management and independent advisers; management succession; director orientation and continuing education; and annual performance evaluation of the board.

Our Practice — In January 2011, the Company’s board of directors approved the adoption of a compliance program to prevent certain criminal offenses, according to the Italian Decree 231/2001. The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to all employees of the Company, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and principal accounting officer. The Company believes that its code of ethics and the conduct and procedures adopted by the Company address the relevant issues contemplated by the NYSE standards applicable to U.S. companies noted above.

 

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Certifications as to Violations of NYSE Standards

NYSE Domestic Company Standards — Under NYSE listing standards, the CEO of a U.S. company listed on the NYSE must certify annually to the NYSE that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of the NYSE corporate governance standards. The company must disclose this certification, as well as that the CEO/CFO certification required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, has been made in the company’s annual report to shareholders (or, if no annual report to shareholders is prepared, its annual report). Each listed company on the NYSE, both domestic and foreign issuers, must submit an annual written affirmation to the NYSE regarding compliance with applicable NYSE corporate governance standards. In addition, each listed company on the NYSE, both domestic and foreign issuers, must submit interim affirmations to the NYSE upon the occurrence of specified events. A domestic issuer must file such an interim affirmation whenever the independent status of a director changes, a director is added or leaves the board, a change occurs to the composition of the audit, nominating/corporate governance, or compensation committee, or there is a change in the company’s classification as a “controlled company.”

The CEO of both domestic and foreign issuers listed on the NYSE must promptly notify the NYSE in writing if any executive officer becomes aware of any material non-compliance with the NYSE corporate governance standards.

Our Practice — Under the NYSE rules, the Company’s CEO is not required to certify annually to the NYSE whether he is aware of any violation by the Company of the NYSE corporate governance standards. However, the Company is required to submit an annual affirmation of compliance with applicable NYSE corporate governance standards to the NYSE within 30 days of the filing of its annual report on Form 20-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is also required to submit to the NYSE an interim written affirmation any time it is no longer eligible to rely on, or chooses to no longer rely on, a previously applicable exemption provided by Rule 10A-3, or if a member of its audit committee ceases to be deemed independent or an audit committee member had been added.

Under NYSE rules, the Company’s CEO must notify the NYSE in writing if any executive officer becomes aware of any material non-compliance by the Company with NYSE corporate governance standards.

Shareholder Approval of Adoption and Modification of Equity Compensation Plans

NYSE Domestic Company Standards — Shareholders of a U.S. company listed on the NYSE must approve the adoption of and any material revision to the company’s equity compensation plans, with certain exceptions.

Our Practice — Although the Company’s shareholders must authorize (i) the issuance of shares in connection with capital increases, and (ii) the buy-back of its own shares, the adoption of equity compensation plans does not per se require prior approval of the shareholders.

ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE.

Not applicable.    

 

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Table of Contents

PART III

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Item 18 hereof.

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our audited consolidated financial statements are included in this Annual Report beginning at page F-1.

 

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements    Page  

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

     F-1   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011

     F-2   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

     F-3   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December  31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

     F-4   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

     F-5   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-6   

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

1.1    English translation of the by-laws (Statuto) of the Company, as amended and restated as of January 24, 2008 (incorporated by reference to the Form 20-F filed by Natuzzi S.p.A. with the Securities Exchange Commission on June 30, 2008, file number 1-11854).
2.1    Deposit Agreement dated as of May 15, 1993, as amended and restated as of December 31, 2001, among the Company, The Bank of New York, as Depositary, and owners and beneficial owners of ADRs (incorporated by reference to the Form 20-F filed by Natuzzi S.p.A. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2002, file number 1-11854).
4.1    Lease Contract for Customized Standard Factory Building, entered into between Shanghai Yuanchao Electronic Science and Technology Co., Ltd. and Natuzzi China Ltd., dated as of March 22, 2010 (incorporated by reference to