investment statement for - Pumpkin Patch investor relations

Pumpkin Patch... our peoplePumpkin Patch employs approximately 1,700 people, (34% inNew Zealand, 59% in Australia and 7% in the United Kingdom).Approximately 68% of Pumpkin Patch’s staff work part time.When hiring staff Pumpkin Patch endeavours to identify peoplewho share its vision and who are passionate about kidswear andcommitted to meeting, and exceeding, customers’ expectationsof excellent service.One of Pumpkin Patch’s core philosophies is integrity – withinthe Pumpkin Patch team, with suppliers, and towards customers.This integrity is intended to create a platform of trust andcommitment, and a foundation for all of Pumpkin Patch'sbusiness relationships.Pumpkin Patch believes family life and strong family values areintegral to the wellbeing of its people and therefore theCompany. Family-friendly work policies encourage flexibility,adaptability and balance. People are rewarded for loyalty andlong service, and families with young children are supported within-house crèche facilities or childcare subsidies.Pumpkin Patch recognises that employee retention andsuccession planning are vital to a successful organisation. Assuch the Company has always ensured that key employeeshave been rewarded with equity interests in the Company, andthe Company has established a number of employee shareschemes which have allowed employees to share in our success.The share schemes are being restructured prior to the listing ofthe Company and details of the restructuring are set out onpage 51.In addition to these current schemes, the Directors agree withthe philosophy of rewarding employees with equity interests inthe Company and have established two new schemes to allowemployees to share in the success of the Company.One of these schemes is the DF7 Scheme, which will give allpermanent employees working more than 10 hours a week theopportunity to acquire Shares. The details of the DF7 Schemeare set out on page 52.The other is the Pumpkin Patch 2004 Share Option Scheme, underwhich the Option Offer is made. This Scheme is intended to giveEligible Senior Managers an additional incentive to strive tocreate shareholder value by aligning their interests with those ofPumpkin Patch shareholders. Pumpkin Patch intends to establishsimilar schemes in subsequent years.This Investment Statement is issued in respect of the 2004 ShareOption Scheme and further details of the Scheme can befound on pages 54 to 56 and in the Prospectus. This InvestmentStatement is not issued in respect of either the DF7 Scheme orthe schemes to be established in subsequent years althoughPumpkin Patch anticipates that these schemes will be onsimilar terms.35