Forward-Looking Statements
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provide a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to
encourage companies to provide prospective information about their companies. With the
exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this annual report are forward-looking
statements and may be identified by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,”
“plan,” “estimate,” “intend” and “potential.” Such statements reflect our
current view with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks,
uncertainties and assumptions. A variety of factors could cause our actual results to differ materially
from the anticipated results expressed in such forward-looking statements, including, among
other things, general economic conditions, acquisitions and development of new businesses,
product availability, sales volumes, profit margins, weather, foreign currency fluctuation, availability of
suitable real estate locations, and the impact of labor markets and new product
introductions on our overall profitability. Readers should review our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January
10, 2003, that describes additional important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those contemplated by the forward-looking statements made in this annual report. |
