Peter Quandt Out at Haights Cross

After reporting increased revenues and the successful completion of a recapitalization, Haights Cross appears to have dismissed its chairman, CEO and President Peter Quandt. This is all the terse press release had to say on his contribution:

“The Company appreciates Peter’s many contributions to the company and wish him well,” Mr. Crecca said. “The Board of Directors looks forward to working with Paul as we move forward with a strategic review of the Haights Cross companies,” said Gene Davis, Chairman of the Board.

Quandt had been Chairman, CEO and President since founding HCC in 1997. His position will be filled by Davis (above) and Paul J. Crecca, the Company’s current Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who will assume the role of Interim-Chief Executive Officer and Interim-President.

Last week the company had announced six month results that showed a 2.2% top line increase to $110mm. The company also had a $20million turn-around on profit to $11million. All segments showed improvement except k-12 supplemental which was down 22%. This latter segment contributed to the flat top line revenue growth. Also announced was the recapitalization that saw the combination of class A and B shares.

In the press release announcing the results and the recap was this statement:

Also on August 10, 2007, upon the closing of the recapitalization, HCC and certain former Series B holders entered into a release agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, such holders would dismiss a pending legal action against HCC filed by certain former Series B holders, in which they have asserted claims under 8 Del. Code. § 220 and under a certain Investors Agreement, dated December 10, 1999, seeking access to HCC’s books and records.

As part of the recap a six member Board of Directors composed of Peter Quandt and five persons designated by various former Series B and Series A holders was (to be) formed and it looks like this group had at least one significant meeting.