UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
(AMENDMENT NO. 7)*
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
DESIGNS INC
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
25057L10
(CUSIP Number)
Seymour Holtzman
c/o Jewelcor Companies
100 N. Wilkes-Barre Blvd.
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18702
(570) 822-6277
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
to Receive Notices and Communications)
MAY 12, 1999
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b) or (4), check the following box.
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
(Continued on following pages)
Page 1 of pages
Index to Exhibits on Page
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 25057L10 Page 2 of Pages
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Seymour Holtzman
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a)
(b)x
3 SEC USE ONLY
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
SEE ITEM 3
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2 (E)
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
U.S.
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
- 0 -
NUMBER OF 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
SHARES - 0 -
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
EACH - 0 -
REPORTING
PERSON WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0 -
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
- 0 - SEE ITEM 5
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
[X]
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
"INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7"
"(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION."
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 25057L10 Page 3 of Pages
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Evelyn Holtzman
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a)
(b)x
3 SEC USE ONLY
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
SEE ITEM 3
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2 (E)
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
U.S.
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
- 0 -
NUMBER OF 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
SHARES - 0 -
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
EACH - 0 -
REPORTING
PERSON WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
- 0 -
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
- 0 - SEE ITEM 5
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
[X]
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
"INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7"
"(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION."
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 25057L10 Page 4 of Pages
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
"Jewelcor Management, Inc."
Federal Identification No. 23-2331228
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a)
(b)x
3 SEC USE ONLY
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
See Item 3
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2 (E)
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
U.S. Nevada
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
1,570,200
NUMBER OF 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
SHARES - 0 -
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
EACH 1,570,200
REPORTING
PERSON WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
- 0 -
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,570,200
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.9%
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
CO
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
"INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7"
"(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION."
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 25057L10 Page 5 of Pages
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
S.H. Holdings, Inc.
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a)
(b)x
3 SEC USE ONLY
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
See Item 3
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2 (E)
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
U.S. Delaware
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
- 0 -
NUMBER OF 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
SHARES - 0 -
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
EACH - 0 -
REPORTING
PERSON WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
- 0 -
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
- 0 - SEE ITEM 5
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
[X]
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
CO
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
"INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7"
"(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION."
SCHEDULE 13D
CUSIP No. 25057L10 Page 6 of Pages
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
SS. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Jewelcor Inc.
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a)
(b)x
3 SEC USE ONLY
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
See Item 3
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2 (E)
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
U.S. Pennsylvania
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
- 0 -
NUMBER OF 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
SHARES - 0 -
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
EACH - 0 -
REPORTING
PERSON WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
- 0 -
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
- 0 - SEE ITEM 5
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*
[X]
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 0%
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
CO
*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
"INCLUDE BOTH SIDES OF THE COVER PAGE, RESPONSES TO ITEMS 1-7"
"(INCLUDING EXHIBITS) OF THE SCHEDULE, AND THE SIGNATURE ATTESTATION."
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
This Statement on Schedule 13D ("Schedule 13D") relates to the common
stock (the "Common Stock") of Designs, Inc. ("Designs"). The principal
executive offices of Designs are located at 66 B Street, Needham, Massachusetts
02194.
Item 2. Identity and Background.
NO AMENDMENT
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
NO AMENDMENT
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction
Item 4 is hereby supplementally amended as follows:
On May 12, 1999, Jewelcor Management, Inc. ("JMI") sent a letter to
James G. Groninger, Chairman of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors
of Designs, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
NO AMENDMENT
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings, or Relationships with Respect
to Securities of the Issuer.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
NO AMENDMENT
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of their knowledge, the
undersigned certify that the information set forth in this Statement is true,
complete and correct.
Dated: MAY 12, 1999
/s/ Seymour Holtzman
Seymour Holtzman
/s/ Evelyn Holtzman
Evelyn Holtzman
JEWELCOR MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Seymour Holtzman
Name: Seymour Holtzman
Title: President
JEWELCOR INC.
By: /s/ Seymour Holtzman
Name: Seymour Holtzman
Title: President
S.H. HOLDINGS, INC.
By: /s/ Seymour Holtzman
Name: Seymour Holtzman
Title: President
EXHIBIT A
VIA FACSIMILE AND
FEDERAL EXPRESS
May 12,1999
James G. Groninger
Chairman
The Special Committee of the Board of Directors
Designs, Inc.
66 B Street
Needham, Massachusetts 02494
Dear Mr. Groninger:
We are in receipt of your letter, dated May 5, 1999, which responds to my
letter, dated April 28, 1999, to Designs, Inc. ("Designs").
We are pleased that the Special Committee has determined to pursue our
proposal to acquire (either alone or with other participants) Designs. We are
most anxious to resolve the remaining due diligence issues. In that regard, we
have already been in contact with Designs' representatives regarding the
requisite inventory appraisal and review of the relevant information with
respect to the $5 million tax assessment by the Internal Revenue Service
for the year ending 1992. We hope that the Special Committee continues to
actively assist us in completing these matters and related due diligence.
We are also pleased that the Special Committee concurs with our view
regarding the necessity of knowing the position of Levi Strauss & Co. with
respect to our proposed acquisition of Designs. In this regard, please confirm
that the Special Committee has directed its management or other representatives
of Designs to approach Levi Strauss & Co. Since we believe that a positive
working relationship with Levi Strauss & Co. is essential to Designs' future
success, Jewelcor would welcome the opportunity to participate in any
discussions with Levi Strauss & Co.
Although the actions taken thus far by the Special Committee are
encouraging, we were most disappointed that you have not agreed to enter into
acquisition discussions exclusively with us. We have already expended
significant expenses and management time to pursue a possible acquisition of
Designs. Obviously, more diligence has to be done and we are proceeding on an
expedited basis and incurring additional expenses.
After a potential acquiror has made a substantial proposal which could
result in the shareholders receiving a significant premium over the recent
trading range for the common stock and has incurred substantial expense to
pursue such proposal, we believe it is appropriate and customary for the
proposed acquiree to grant exclusivity in order to induce the potential
acquiror to enter into a definitive agreement. Regrettably, the Special
Committee has made a different choice.
Since the Special Committee has made a determination not to puruse an
exclusivity arrangement so long as there exists what it perceives to be
significant contingencies, we believe that the most prudent use of our time and
resources would be to resolve those contingencies that are within our power.
Accordingly, we do not believe that review and comment with respect to your
draft agreement is necessary at this time.
In order to assist us in making a definitive proposal that you may find
acceptable, we ask that Designs confirm to us in writing that the Rights
Agreement shall be inapplicable to Jewelcor or its affiliates in connection with
pursuing its proposal to Designs, including any joint actions by Jewelcor,
together with any of the five (5) other largest shareholders of Designs.
Thank you for your consideration of our proposal and we look forward to
working with you.
Sincerely,
/s/ Seymour Holtzman
_____________________
Seymour Holtzman
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer