WestPoint Stevens Inc. (NYSE: WXS) (www.westpointstevens.com ) today announced the Company's borrowing availability, after today's coupon payment of $39 million for its two series of 7-7/8% bonds, is $205 million.
Holcombe T. Green, Jr., WestPoint Stevens Chairman and CEO, commented, ''We are on plan to see sales increase in the current quarter and for the year versus the comparable periods for 2001 and expect to see continued inventory and debt reduction. We are comfortable that we will remain in compliance with all of our financial covenants.''
WestPoint Stevens anticipates releasing its fourth quarter 2002 results in early February 2003.
On December 13, 2002, a Schedule 13D was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the transfer of 3,096,662 shares of Company stock to Bank of America that were collateral for a loan to WPS Investors, a partnership controlled by Mr. Green.
WestPoint Stevens Inc. is the nation's premier home fashions consumer products marketing company, with a wide range of bed linens, towels, blankets, comforters and accessories marketed under the well-known brand names GRAND PATRICIAN, PATRICIAN, MARTEX, ATELIER MARTEX, BABY MARTEX, UTICA, STEVENS, LADY PEPPERELL, VELLUX and CHATHAM — all registered trademarks owned by WestPoint Stevens Inc. and its subsidiaries — and under licensed brands including RALPH LAUREN HOME, DISNEY HOME, SANDERSON, DESIGNERS GUILD, GLYNDA TURLEY and SIMMONS BEAUTYREST. WestPoint Stevens is also a manufacturer of the MARTHA STEWART and JOE BOXER bed and bath lines. WestPoint Stevens can be found on the World Wide Web at www.westpointstevens.com .
Safe Harbor Statement: Except for historical information contained herein, certain matters set forth in this press release are ''forward looking statements'' within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties may be attributable to important factors that include but are not limited to the following: Product margins may vary from those projected; Raw material prices may vary from those assumed; Additional reserves may be required for bad debts, returns, allowances, governmental compliance costs, or litigation; There may be changes in the performance of financial markets or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Unanticipated natural disasters could have a material impact upon results of operations; There may be changes in the general economic conditions that affect customer practices or consumer spending; Competition for retail and wholesale customers, pricing and transportation of products may vary from time to time due to seasonal variations or otherwise; Customer preferences for our products can be affected by competition, or general market demand for domestic or imported goods or the quantity, quality, price or delivery time of such goods; There could be an unanticipated loss of a material customer or a material license; The availability and price of raw materials could be affected by weather, disease, energy costs or other factors. The information contained in this release is as of December 16, 2002. WestPoint Stevens assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, contained in this document as a result of new information or future events or developments.