JOINT FILING AND SOLICITATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.1
WHEREAS,
certain of the undersigned are stockholders, direct or beneficial, of Orthofix
International N.V., a corporation organized under the laws of the Netherlands
Antilles (the “Company”);
WHEREAS,
Ramius Value and Opportunity Master Fund Ltd, a Cayman Islands exempted company
(“Value and Opportunity Master Fund”), Ramius Enterprise Master Fund Ltd, a
Cayman Islands exempted company (“Enterprise Master Fund”), Ramius Advisors,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, RCG Starboard Advisors, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company, Ramius LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (“Ramius”), C4S & Co., L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company,
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxx, J. Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxx and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx,
wish to form a group for the purpose of (i) soliciting written consents to call
a special meeting of shareholders of the Company, (ii) soliciting proxies to
elect Messrs. Feld, Egan, Xxx and Xxxxxxx (the “Nominees”), or any other person
designated by Value and Opportunity Master Fund, as directors of the Company,
(iii) taking such other actions as the parties deem advisable and (iv) taking
all other action necessary or advisable to achieve the foregoing.
NOW, IT
IS AGREED, this 12th day of
January 2009 by the parties hereto:
1. In
accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the “Exchange Act”), each of the undersigned (collectively, the
“Group”) agrees to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on
Schedule 13D, and any amendments thereto, with respect to the securities of the
Company. Each member of the Group shall be responsible for the
accuracy and completeness of his/its own disclosure therein, and is not
responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information concerning the
other members, unless such member knows or has reason to know that such
information is inaccurate. Ramius or its representative shall provide
each member of the Group with copies of all Schedule 13D filings and other
public filings to be filed on behalf of such member at least 24 hours prior to
the filing or submission thereof.
2. So
long as this agreement is in effect, each of the undersigned shall provide
written notice to Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Frome Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP (“Xxxxxx”)
of (i) any of their purchases or sales of securities of the Company; or (ii) any
securities of the Company over which they acquire or dispose of beneficial
ownership. Notice shall be given no later than 24 hours after each
such transaction.
3. Each
of the undersigned agrees to form the Group (i) soliciting written consents to
call a special meeting of shareholders of the Company, (ii) soliciting proxies
to elect the Nominees, or any other person designated by Value and Opportunity
Master Fund, as directors of the Company, (iii) taking such other actions as the
parties deem advisable and (iv) taking all other action necessary or advisable
to achieve the foregoing.
4. Value
and Opportunity Master Fund and Enterprise Master Fund shall have the right to
pre-approve all expenses incurred in connection with the Group’s activities and
agree to pay directly all such pre-approved expenses on a pro rata basis between
Value and Opportunity Master Fund and Enterprise Master Fund based on the number
of Shares in the aggregate beneficially owned by each of Value and Opportunity
Master Fund Enterprise Master Fund on the date hereof.
5. Each
of the undersigned agrees that any SEC filing, press release or stockholder
communication proposed to be made or issued by the Group or any member of the
Group in connection with the Group’s activities set forth in Section 4 shall be
first approved by Ramius, or its representatives, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
6. The
relationship of the parties hereto shall be limited to carrying on the business
of the Group in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Such
relationship shall be construed and deemed to be for the sole and limited
purpose of carrying on such business as described herein. Nothing
herein shall be construed to authorize any party to act as an agent for any
other party, or to create a joint venture or partnership, or to constitute an
indemnification. Nothing herein shall restrict any party’s right to
purchase or sell securities of the Company, as he/it deems appropriate, in
his/its sole discretion, provided that all such sales are made in compliance
with all applicable securities laws.
7. This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same
instrument, which may be sufficiently evidenced by one counterpart.
8. In
the event of any dispute arising out of the provisions of this Agreement or
their investment in the Company, the parties hereto consent and submit to the
exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and State Courts in the State of New
York.
9. Any
party hereto may terminate his/its obligations under this Agreement on 24 hours’
written notice to all other parties, with a copy by fax to Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx at
Xxxxxx, Fax No. (000) 000-0000.
10. Each
party acknowledges that Xxxxxx shall act as counsel for both the Group and
Ramius and its affiliates relating to their investment in the
Company.
11. Each
of the undersigned parties hereby agrees that this Agreement shall be filed as
an exhibit to a Schedule 13D pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the
Exchange Act.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as
of the day and year first above written.
RAMIUS
VALUE AND OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND LTD
By:
RCG Starboard Advisors, LLC,
its investment manager
RAMIUS
ENTERPRISE MASTER FUND LTD
By:
Ramius Advisors, LLC,
its investment advisor
RCG
STARBOARD ADVISORS, LLC
By:
Ramius LLC,
its sole member
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RAMIUS
ADVISORS, LLC
By:
Ramius LLC,
its
sole member
By:
C4S & Co., L.L.C.,
as managing member
C4S
& CO., L.L.C.
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By:
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/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
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Title:
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Authorized
Signatory
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/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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XXXXXXX
X. XXXXXXX
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Individually
and as attorney-in-fact for Xxxxx X.
Xxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxx, J. Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxx and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |