sec document

-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, KH1+OPpZUrpKHK8bgNBoUBaphtGXezzEOgh2MpxQiPvbmUrcqbkdd9HRgRO1f2fH 7Ze6s5U5A7MM0yPbirlmFA== 0000921895-01-500228.txt : 20010704 0000921895-01-500228.hdr.sgml : 20010704 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000921895-01-500228 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20010703 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CRONOS GROUP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000919869 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: TRANSPORTATION SERVICES [4700] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: N4 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-47841 FILM NUMBER: 1674927 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 16, ALLEE MARCONI, BOITE POSTALE 260 STREET 2: L 2012 CITY: L 2012 LUXEMBURG STATE: N4 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 16, ALLEE MARCONI, BOITE POSTALE 260 STREET 2: L-2012 LUXEMBOURG FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: STEEL PARTNERS II L P CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000915653 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: [] FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 150 EAST 52ND STREET STREET 2: 21ST FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10022 BUSINESS PHONE: 212-813-1500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 150 EAST 52ND STREET, 21ST FLOOR CITY: NY STATE: NY ZIP: 10022 SC 13D/A 1 form13da2cg01874_0703200.htm sec document
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                 --------------

                                  SCHEDULE 13D
                                 (RULE 13d-101)

             INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
            TO RULE 13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
                                  RULE 13d-2(a)

                               (Amendment No. 1)1

                                THE CRONOS GROUP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                          COMMON STOCK, $2.00 PAR VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    L20708100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                              STEVEN WOLOSKY, ESQ.
               OLSHAN GRUNDMAN FROME ROSENZWEIG & WOLOSKY LLP
                                 505 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York 10022
                                 (212) 753-7200
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
                Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

                                  June 27, 2001
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (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  that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is
filing this schedule because of Rule 13d-1(e),  13d-1(f) or 13d-1(g),  check the
following box |_|.

            NOTE.  Schedules  filed  in  paper  format  shall  include  a signed
original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. SEE Rule 13d-7
for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

                         (Continued on following pages)

                              (Page 1 of 12 Pages)

- --------
     1      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 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).




- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------
CUSIP No. L20708100                   13D             Page 2 of 12 Pages
- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                                  STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) |_|
                                                                         (b) |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*
                     WC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     DELAWARE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NUMBER OF         7      SOLE VOTING POWER
   SHARES
BENEFICIALLY                    588,999
  OWNED BY
    EACH
 REPORTING
PERSON WITH    -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   8      SHARED VOTING POWER

                                -0-
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                588,999
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                -0-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     588,999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     6.4%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     PN
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------
CUSIP No. L20708100                   13D             Page 3 of 12 Pages
- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                               STEEL PARTNERS SERVICES, LTD.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) |_|
                                                                         (b) |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*
                     WC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     DELAWARE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NUMBER OF         7      SOLE VOTING POWER
   SHARES
BENEFICIALLY                    58,300
  OWNED BY
    EACH
 REPORTING
PERSON WITH    -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   8      SHARED VOTING POWER

                                -0-
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                58,300
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                -0-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     58,300
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     0.6%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     CO
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------
CUSIP No. L20708100                   13D             Page 4 of 12 Pages
- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------


================================================================================
     1         NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS
               I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)

                                  WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     2         CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*         (a) |_|
                                                                         (b) |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     3         SEC USE ONLY

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     4         SOURCE OF FUNDS*
                     OO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     5         CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
               PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)                                 |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     6         CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

                     USA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NUMBER OF         7      SOLE VOTING POWER
   SHARES
BENEFICIALLY                    647,299
  OWNED BY
    EACH
 REPORTING
PERSON WITH    -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   8      SHARED VOTING POWER

                                -0-
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                   9      SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                647,299
               -----------------------------------------------------------------
                  10      SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

                                -0-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     11        AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING
               PERSON

                     647,299
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     12        CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES
               CERTAIN SHARES*                                               |_|
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     13        PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

                     7.1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     14        TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*

                     IN
================================================================================

                      *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!





- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------
CUSIP No. L20708100                   13D             Page 5 of 12 Pages
- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------



            The following constitutes Amendment No. 1 ("Amendment No. 1") to the
Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned.  This Amendment No. 1 amends the Schedule
13D as specifically set forth.

   Item 2 is hereby amended and restated as follows:

Item 2.          Identity and Background.
                 -----------------------

                 (a) This  Statement  is filed by Steel  Partners  II,  L.P.,  a
Delaware limited  partnership  ("Steel  Partners II"), Steel Partners  Services,
Ltd.,  a New  York  corporation  ("Steel  Partners  Services"),  and  Warren  G.
Lichtenstein.

                 Steel Partners,  L.L.C., a Delaware limited  liability  company
("Partners  LLC"),  is the  general  partner  of  Steel  Partners  II.  The sole
executive  officer and managing  member of Partners LLC is Warren  Lichtenstein,
who is Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary.

                 Warren Lichtenstein is the sole executive officer, director and
stockholder of Steel Partners Services.

                 Each of the foregoing  are referred to as a "Reporting  Person"
and  collectively  as the "Reporting  Persons".  By virtue of his positions with
Steel Partners II and Steel Partners Services, Mr. Lichtenstein has the power to
vote and dispose of the  Issuer's  Shares  owned by Steel  Partners II and Steel
Partners Services.  Accordingly, the Reporting Persons are hereby filing a joint
Schedule 13D.

                 (b) The principal  business address of each Reporting Person is
150 East 52nd Street, 21st Floor, New York, New York 10022.

                 (c) The principal business of Steel Partners II is investing in
the securities of small cap companies.  The principal business of Steel Partners
Services is providing management and advisory services. The principal occupation
of Mr. Lichtenstein is investing in the securities of small cap companies.

                 Steel  Partners  Services  acquired the 58,300 Shares  reported
herein for the account of a foreign investment company (the "Fund"). Pursuant to
an  investment  management  agreement,  the Fund  has  retained  Steel  Partners
Services  to manage,  on a  discretionary  basis,  certain of the Fund's  assets
("Services Agreement"). The Shares beneficially owned by Steel Partners Services
were acquired at the  discretion of Steel Partners  Services,  and the Fund does
not exercise voting or investment discretion over the Shares.

                 (d) No Reporting  Person has, during the last five years,  been
convicted in a criminal  proceeding  (excluding  traffic  violations  or similar
misdemeanors).





- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------
CUSIP No. L20708100                   13D             Page 6 of 12 Pages
- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------



                 (e) No Reporting  Person has, during the last five years,  been
party to a civil  proceeding of a judicial or  administrative  body of competent
jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment,
decree  or final  order  enjoining  future  violations  of,  or  prohibiting  or
mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any
violation with respect to such laws.

                 (f) Mr.  Lichtenstein  is a  citizen  of the  United  States of
America.

  Item 3 is hereby amended and restated as follows:

Item 3.          Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
                 -------------------------------------------------

                 (a) The  aggregate  purchase  price of the  588,999  Shares  of
Common  Stock  owned by Steel  Partners II is  $2,909,971.  The Shares of Common
Stock owned by Steel Partners II were acquired with partnership funds.

                 (b) The aggregate purchase price of the 58,300 Shares of Common
Stock  acquired  for the  benefit  of the Fund is  $304,942.  Such  Shares  were
acquired by Steel Partners Services with funds it manages for the Fund. Pursuant
to the  Services  Agreement  with the Fund,  Steel  Partners  Services  has been
appointed to manage,  on a  discretionary  basis,  certain of the Fund's assets,
which are  maintained  in a brokerage  account in the Fund's name.  The Services
Agreement  may be  terminated  by the  Fund  at any  time or by  Steel  Partners
Services at any time upon thirty days' advance written notice.

   Item 4 is hereby amended and restated as follows:

Item 4.          Purpose of Transaction.
                 ----------------------

                 The  Reporting  Persons  purchased  the  Shares  based  on  the
Reporting  Persons'  belief  that  the  Shares  at  current  market  prices  are
undervalued and represent an attractive investment  opportunity.  Depending upon
overall  market  conditions,  other  investment  opportunities  available to the
Reporting Persons, and the availability of Shares of Common Stock at prices that
would make the purchase of additional  Shares  desirable,  the Reporting Persons
may  endeavor to increase  their  position  in the Issuer  through,  among other
things,  the purchase of Shares of Common Stock on the open market or in private
transactions  or  otherwise,  on such terms and at such  times as the  Reporting
Persons may deem advisable.

                 No  Reporting  Person has any present  plan or  proposal  which
would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) -
(j) of Item 4 of Schedule  13D except as set forth herein or such as would occur
upon completion of any of the actions discussed above. Each of Steel Partners II
and Steel Partners  Services intends to review its investment in the Issuer on a
continuing  basis and engage in  discussions  with  management  and the Board of
Directors of the Issuer concerning the business,  operations and future plans of
the Issuer. Depending on various





- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------
CUSIP No. L20708100                   13D             Page 7 of 12 Pages
- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------



factors  including,  without  limitation,  the Issuer's  financial  position and
investment  strategy,  the price levels of the Common  Stock,  conditions in the
securities  market and general economic and industry  conditions,  each of Steel
Partners II and Steel Partners Services may in the future take such actions with
respect  to its  investment  in the  Issuer as it deems  appropriate  including,
without  limitation,   communicating  with  other  stockholders,  seeking  Board
representation, making proposals to the Issuer concerning the capitalization and
operations  of the  Issuer,  purchasing  additional  Shares of  Common  Stock or
selling some or all of its Shares or changing its intention  with respect to any
and all matters referred to in Item 4.

   Items 5(a)-(b) are hereby amended and restated as follows:

                 (a) The aggregate percentage of Shares of Common Stock reported
owned by each person named herein is based upon  9,158,378  Shares  outstanding,
which is the total number of Shares of Common Stock  outstanding  as reported in
the Issuer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001.

                 As of the close of business on June 29, 2001, Steel Partners II
beneficially  owned 588,999 Shares of Common Stock,  constituting  approximately
6.4% of the Shares outstanding,  and Steel Partners Services  beneficially owned
58,300 Shares of Common  Stock,  constituting  approximately  0.6% of the Shares
outstanding.  Mr. Lichtenstein  beneficially owned 647,299 Shares,  representing
approximately 7.1% of the Shares  outstanding.  Mr. Lichtenstein has sole voting
and dispositive power with respect to the 588,999 Shares owned by Steel Partners
II and the  58,300  Shares  owned by Steel  Partners  Services  by virtue of his
authority to vote and dispose of such Shares.  All of such Shares were  acquired
in open-market transactions.

                 (b) By virtue of his positions with Steel Partners II and Steel
Partners  Services,  Mr.  Lichtenstein has the sole power to vote and dispose of
the Shares reported in this Schedule 13D.

   Item 5(c) is hereby amended to add the following:

                 (c)  Schedule A annexed  hereto lists all  transactions  in the
Issuer's Common Stock by the Reporting Persons during the past 60 days.

   Item 6 is hereby amended to add the following:

                 On June 29, 2001,  the Reporting  Persons  entered into a Joint
Filing Agreement under which the Reporting Persons agreed to the joint filing on
behalf of each of them of this  Statement  (including  amendments  thereto) with
respect  to the  Common  Stock of the  Issuer.  The Joint  Filing  Agreement  is
attached  hereto as an exhibit  and  incorporated  herein by  reference  and all
references  contained herein are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
Joint Filing Agreement.





- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------
CUSIP No. L20708100                   13D             Page 8 of 12 Pages
- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------


   Item 7 is hereby amended to add the following exhibit:

                 2. Joint Filing Agreement, dated June 29, 2001.






- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------
CUSIP No. L20708100                   13D             Page 9 of 12 Pages
- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------



                                   SIGNATURES


                 After  reasonable  inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and
belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this
statement is true, complete and correct.


Dated:  June 29, 2001                       STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.

                                            By: Steel Partners, L.L.C.
                                                General Partner


                                            By:  /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                                 --------------------------
                                                 Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                                 Chief Executive Officer


                                            STEEL PARTNERS SERVICES, LTD.


                                            By:  /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                                 --------------------------
                                                 Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                                 Chief Executive Officer


                                            /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                            -----------------------------
                                            WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN






- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------
CUSIP No. L20708100                   13D             Page 10 of 12 Pages
- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------


                                   SCHEDULE A

               Transactions in the Shares During the Past 60 Days
               --------------------------------------------------


Shares of Common Stock               Price Per                   Date of
       Purchased                     Share($)                    Purchase
      -----------                   ----------                  ----------

                             STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.
                             -----------------------

        18,900                       4.96280                     5/11/01
         9,800                       5.04100                     5/14/01
        18,800                       5.05320                     5/24/01
        46,500                       5.21240                     6/27/01


                          STEEL PARTNERS SERVICES, LTD.
                          -----------------------------

         8,300                       5.34000                     6/15/01
        50,000                       5.21240                     6/27/01


                               WARREN LICHTENSTEIN
                               -------------------
                                      None




- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------
CUSIP No. L20708100                   13D             Page 11 of 12 Pages
- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit                                                             Page
- -------                                                             ----
1.    Joint Filing Agreement, dated January                         --
      2, 2001 (previously filed).

2.    Joint Filing Agreement, dated June 29,                        12
      2001.






- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------
CUSIP No. L20708100                   13D             Page 12 of 12 Pages
- --------------------------------                 -------------------------------


                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT


                 In accordance with Rule  13d-1(k)(1)(iii)  under the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended,  the persons  named below agree to the joint
filing on behalf of each of them of a Statement  on Schedule  13D dated June 29,
2001  (including  amendments  thereto)  with  respect to the Common Stock of The
Cronos Group.  This Joint Filing  Agreement shall be filed as an Exhibit to such
Statement.

Dated:  June 29, 2001                       STEEL PARTNERS II, L.P.

                                            By: Steel Partners, L.L.C.
                                                General Partner


                                            By:  /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                                 --------------------------
                                                 Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                                 Chief Executive Officer


                                            STEEL PARTNERS SERVICES, LTD.


                                            By:  /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                                 --------------------------
                                                 Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                                 Chief Executive Officer


                                            /s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
                                            -----------------------------
                                            WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----