EXHIBIT 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BETWEEN
MATTEL, INC.
AND
THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.
DATED AS OF DECEMBER 13, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS........................................................................ 2
ARTICLE II. THE MERGER......................................................................... 11
SECTION 2.1. THE MERGER.................................................................... 11
SECTION 2.2. CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE...................................................... 11
SECTION 2.3. EFFECTIVE TIME................................................................ 11
SECTION 2.4. EFFECTS OF THE MERGER......................................................... 12
SECTION 2.5. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION; BYLAWS.......................................... 12
SECTION 2.6. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS........................................................ 12
SECTION 2.7. CONVERSION OF SECURITIES...................................................... 12
SECTION 2.8. TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEE OPTIONS AND OTHER COMPANY STOCK RIGHTS.................. 14
SECTION 2.9. TREATMENT OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES.............................................. 15
SECTION 2.10. FRACTIONAL INTERESTS.......................................................... 16
SECTION 2.11. SURRENDER OF SHARES OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK; STOCK TRANSFER BOOKS............. 16
SECTION 2.12. LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES........................................ 18
SECTION 2.13. TAX CONSEQUENCES.............................................................. 19
SECTION 2.14. WITHHOLDING RIGHTS............................................................ 19
SECTION 2.15. AFFILIATES.................................................................... 19
ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY................................. 19
SECTION 3.1. ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION................................................ 19
SECTION 3.2. AUTHORIZATION; VALIDITY AND EFFECT OF AGREEMENT............................... 20
SECTION 3.3. CAPITALIZATION................................................................ 20
SECTION 3.4. SUBSIDIARIES.................................................................. 21
SECTION 3.5. OTHER INTERESTS............................................................... 22
SECTION 3.6. NO CONFLICT; REQUIRED FILINGS AND CONSENTS.................................... 22
SECTION 3.7. COMPLIANCE.................................................................... 23
SECTION 3.8. SEC DOCUMENTS................................................................. 23
SECTION 3.9. ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES.................................................... 24
SECTION 3.10. LITIGATION.................................................................... 24
SECTION 3.11. TAXES......................................................................... 24
SECTION 3.12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS........................................................ 26
SECTION 3.13. ASSETS........................................................................ 27
SECTION 3.14. CONTRACTS..................................................................... 28
SECTION 3.15. LABOR RELATIONS............................................................... 29
SECTION 3.16. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY......................................................... 30
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SECTION 3.17. AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS........................................................ 31
SECTION 3.18. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS......................................................... 31
SECTION 3.19. JOINT PROXY STATEMENT PROSPECTUS; REGISTRATION STATEMENT...................... 32
SECTION 3.20. OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR.................................................. 32
SECTION 3.21. BROKERS....................................................................... 33
SECTION 3.22. VOTE REQUIRED................................................................. 33
SECTION 3.23. ACCOUNTING AND TAX MATTERS.................................................... 33
SECTION 3.24. NO OTHER AGREEMENTS TO SELL THE COMPANY OR ITS ASSETS; NO EXISTING
DISCUSSIONS................................................................... 34
SECTION 3.25. INSURANCE..................................................................... 34
SECTION 3.26. TAKEOVER PROVISIONS INAPPLICABLE.............................................. 34
SECTION 3.27. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE........................................................... 34
SECTION 3.28. INVENTORY..................................................................... 34
SECTION 3.29. PRODUCT LIABILITY............................................................. 35
SECTION 3.30. STANDSTILL AGREEMENT.......................................................... 35
ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR........................................... 35
SECTION 4.1. ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION................................................ 35
SECTION 4.2. AUTHORIZATION; VALIDITY AND EFFECT OF AGREEMENT............................... 35
SECTION 4.3. CAPITALIZATION................................................................ 36
SECTION 4.4. SUBSIDIARIES.................................................................. 37
SECTION 4.5. OTHER INTERESTS............................................................... 37
SECTION 4.6. NO CONFLICT; REQUIRED FILINGS AND CONSENTS.................................... 37
SECTION 4.7. COMPLIANCE.................................................................... 38
SECTION 4.8. SEC DOCUMENTS................................................................. 38
SECTION 4.9. ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES.................................................... 39
SECTION 4.10. LITIGATION.................................................................... 39
SECTION 4.11. TAXES......................................................................... 40
SECTION 4.12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS........................................................ 41
SECTION 4.13. TITLE TO ASSETS............................................................... 42
SECTION 4.14. CONTRACTS..................................................................... 42
SECTION 4.15. LABOR RELATIONS............................................................... 43
SECTION 4.16. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY......................................................... 43
SECTION 4.17. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS......................................................... 44
SECTION 4.18. JOINT PROXY STATEMENT PROSPECTUS; REGISTRATION STATEMENT...................... 44
SECTION 4.19. OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR.................................................. 44
SECTION 4.20. OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK............................................. 45
SECTION 4.21. BROKERS....................................................................... 45
SECTION 4.22. VOTE REQUIRED................................................................. 45
SECTION 4.23. TAX AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS.................................................... 45
SECTION 4.24. RIGHTS PLAN................................................................... 45
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ARTICLE V. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER................................................ 46
SECTION 5.1. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY PENDING THE MERGER.......................... 46
SECTION 5.2. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF ACQUIROR PENDING THE MERGER............................. 49
ARTICLE VI. ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS................................................................. 50
SECTION 6.1. PREPARATION OF FORM S-4 AND THE PROXY STATEMENT; STOCKHOLDER MEETING........... 50
SECTION 6.2. COOPERATION; NOTICE; CURE...................................................... 51
SECTION 6.3. NO SOLICITATION................................................................ 52
SECTION 6.4. ACCESS TO INFORMATION.......................................................... 54
SECTION 6.5. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS......................................................... 54
SECTION 6.6. PUBLICITY...................................................................... 55
SECTION 6.7. INDEMNIFICATION................................................................ 55
SECTION 6.8. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS MATTERS...................................................... 56
SECTION 6.9. AFFILIATE AGREEMENTS........................................................... 57
SECTION 6.10. POOLING ACCOUNTING............................................................. 57
SECTION 6.11. TAX TREATMENT OF REORGANIZATION................................................ 58
SECTION 6.12. FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ACTIONS................................................. 58
SECTION 6.13. STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING......................................................... 58
SECTION 6.14. LETTER OF THE COMPANY'S ACCOUNTANTS............................................ 58
SECTION 6.15. LETTER OF ACQUIROR'S ACCOUNTANTS............................................... 59
ARTICLE VII. CONDITIONS OF MERGER.................................................................. 59
SECTION 7.1. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF EACH PARTY TO EFFECT THE MERGER.................... 59
SECTION 7.2. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY TO EFFECT THE MERGER.................. 60
SECTION 7.3. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR TO EFFECT THE MERGER..................... 60
ARTICLE VIII. TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.............................................. 61
SECTION 8.1. TERMINATION.................................................................... 61
SECTION 8.2. EFFECT OF TERMINATION.......................................................... 62
SECTION 8.3. EXPENSES....................................................................... 64
SECTION 8.4. AMENDMENT...................................................................... 64
SECTION 8.5. WAIVER......................................................................... 64
ARTICLE IX. GENERAL PROVISIONS.................................................................... 64
SECTION 9.1. NON-SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS..................... 64
SECTION 9.2. NOTICES........................................................................ 64
SECTION 9.3. SEVERABILITY................................................................... 65
SECTION 9.4. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT................................................... 65
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SECTION 9.5. PARTIES IN INTEREST.................................. 66
SECTION 9.6. GOVERNING LAW........................................ 66
SECTION 9.7. HEADINGS............................................. 66
SECTION 9.8. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE................................. 66
SECTION 9.9. ALTERNATIVE TRANSACTION STRUCTURE.................... 66
SECTION 9.10. COUNTERPARTS......................................... 66
EXHIBITS
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EXHIBIT A FORM OF STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT B FORM OF STOCKHOLDER SUPPORT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT C FORM OF COMPANY AFFILIATE LETTER
EXHIBIT D FORM OF ACQUIROR AFFILIATE LETTER
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of December 13, 1998
(the "Agreement"), between MATTEL, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Acquiror"),
--------- --------
and THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC., Delaware corporation (the "Company").
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RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Acquiror and the Company
have each approved the merger of the Company with and into Acquiror (the
"Merger") in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL")
------ ----
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and as a condition and inducement to Acquiror's willingness to enter
into this Agreement, Acquiror and the Company have entered into Stock Option
Agreement, dated as of the date of this Agreement, in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit A (the "Stock Option Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company has
----------------------
granted to Acquiror an option to purchase shares of common stock of the Company
under certain circumstances;
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and as a condition and inducement to Acquiror's willingness to enter
into this Agreement, certain stockholders of the Company have entered into
Stockholder Support Agreements with Acquiror, dated as of the date of this
Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Stockholder Support
-------------------
Agreements"), pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed, among other
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things, to vote all voting securities of the Company beneficially owned by them
in favor of approval and adoption of the Agreement and the Merger;
WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that
the Merger shall qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); and
----
WHEREAS, it is intended that, for accounting purposes, the
Merger will be accounted for as a "pooling of interests" under GAAP and
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the
mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally
bound hereby, Acquiror and the Company hereby agree as follows:
1
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Agreement, the term:
"Acquiror" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
--------
"Acquiror Board" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
--------------
2.8(a).
"Acquiror Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value
---------------------
$1.00 per share, of Acquiror.
"Acquiror Contract" shall mean any note, bond, mortgage,
-----------------
indenture, guarantee, other evidence of indebtedness, lease, license, contract,
agreement or other instrument or obligation to which Acquiror or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their properties or
assets may be bound and which involves the payment or receipt of money in excess
of $5,000,000 in any year.
"Acquiror Employee Plans" shall mean all Employee Plans with
-----------------------
respect to which Acquiror, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliates of
Acquiror or any Subsidiary of Acquiror has or may have any liability (accrued,
contingent or otherwise).
"Acquiror Disclosure Schedule" shall have the meaning set
----------------------------
forth in Article IV.
"Acquiror Intellectual Property Rights" shall have the meaning
-------------------------------------
set forth in Section 4.16(a).
"Acquiror Option Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in
---------------------
Section 4.3(a).
"Acquiror Options" shall have the meaning set forth in
----------------
Section 4.3(a).
"Acquiror Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning set forth
------------------------
in Section 4.3(a).
"Acquiror Right" shall mean a Right (as defined in the
--------------
Acquiror Rights Agreement).
"Acquiror Rights Agreement" shall mean the Rights Agreement,
-------------------------
dated as of February 7, 1992, between Acquiror and The First National Bank of
Boston, as Rights Agent.
"Acquiror SEC Reports" shall have the meaning set forth in
--------------------
Section 4.8(a).
"Acquiror Series E Preference Stock" shall have the meaning
----------------------------------
set forth in Section 4.3(a).
"Acquiror Special Voting Share" shall mean the one share of a
-----------------------------
class or series of capital stock of Acquiror, to be issued by Acquiror to, and
deposited with, the trustee under the Old Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement,
and to entitle the holder of record thereof to a
2
number of votes at meetings of holders of shares of Acquiror Common Stock equal
to the number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock into which the Exchangeable
Shares outstanding from time to time after the Effective Time (other than
Exchangeable Shares held by Acquiror, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates) are
exchangeable, and to have substantially the rights, privileges, restrictions and
conditions to be described in the Old Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement.
"Acquiror Stockholder Approval" shall have the meaning set
-----------------------------
forth in Section 4.22.
"Acquiror Stockholder Meeting" shall have the meaning set
----------------------------
forth in Section 3.19.
"Acquisition Proposal" shall have the meaning set forth in
--------------------
Section 6.3(b).
"Acquisition Transaction" shall have the meaning set forth in
-----------------------
Section 6.3(b).
"Action" shall mean any action, order, writ, injunction,
------
judgment or decree outstanding or claim, suit, litigation, proceeding,
arbitration or investigation by or before any court, governmental or other
regulatory or administrative agency or commission or any other Person.
"Additional Termination Fee" shall have the meaning set forth
--------------------------
in Section 8.2(b).
"Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other
---------
Person that directly, or through one or more intermediaries, controls or is
controlled by or is under common control with such Person.
"Affiliate Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in
-------------------
Section 2.15.
"Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
---------
"Assets" shall mean, with respect to any Person, all land,
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buildings, improvements, leasehold improvements, Fixtures and Equipment and
other assets, real or personal, tangible or intangible, owned, leased or
licensed by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries.
"Average Acquiror Price" shall mean the average of the closing
----------------------
prices of the Acquiror Common Stock on the NYSE as reported on the NYSE
Composite Transaction Tape for the Random Trading Days. "Random Trading Days"
means the ten trading days selected by lot out of the twenty trading days ending
on and including the fifth trading day preceding the Effective Time. The Random
Trading Days shall be selected by lot by designated representatives of Acquiror
and the Company at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the second trading day
preceding the Effective Time.
"Benefit Arrangement" shall mean, with respect to any Person,
-------------------
any employment, consulting, severance, change in control or other similar
contract, arrangement or policy and each plan, arrangement (written or oral),
program, agreement or commitment providing for insurance
3
coverage (including without limitation any self-insured arrangements), workers'
compensation, disability benefits, life, health, disability or accident benefits
(including without limitation any "voluntary employees' beneficiary association"
as defined in Section 501(c)(9) of the Code providing for the same or other
benefits) or for deferred compensation, profit-sharing bonuses, stock options,
stock appreciation rights, stock purchases or other forms of incentive
compensation other than Welfare Plan, Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, in
each case with respect to which such Person or any ERISA Affiliate has or may
have any liability (accrued, contingent or otherwise).
"Blue Sky Laws" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
-------------
3.6(b).
"Business Day" shall mean each day other than Saturdays,
------------
Sundays and days when commercial banks are authorized to be closed for business
in New York, New York.
"Bylaws" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).
------
"Canadian Sub" shall mean SoftKey Software Products Inc., a
------------
corporation governed by the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), all of the
issued and outstanding shares of which, other than 5,205,191 Exchangeable
Shares, are, as of the date hereof, owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company.
"Canadian Sub Board" shall have the meaning set forth in
------------------
Section 2.9(a).
"Certificate of Incorporation" shall have the meaning set
----------------------------
forth in Section 2.5(a).
"Certificate of Merger" shall have the meaning set forth in
---------------------
Section 2.3.
"Certificates" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
------------
2.11(b).
"Claims" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.12(d).
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"Closing" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
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"Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
------------
2.2.
"Code" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
----
"Common Merger Consideration" shall have the meaning set
---------------------------
forth in Section 2.7(a).
"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
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"Company Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in
-----------------
Section 6.9.
"Company Board" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
-------------
2.8(a).
"Company Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in
--------------------
Section 2.7(a).
4
"Company Contract" shall have the meaning set forth in
----------------
Section 3.14(a).
"Company Disclosure Schedule" shall have the meaning set
---------------------------
forth in Article III.
"Company Employee Plans" shall mean all Employee Plans with
----------------------
respect to which the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliates of
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company has or may have any liability
(accrued, contingent or otherwise).
"Company Financial Advisor" shall have the meaning set forth
-------------------------
in Section 3.20.
"Company Insurance Policies" shall have the meaning set forth
--------------------------
in Section 3.25.
"Company Intellectual Property Rights" shall have the meaning
------------------------------------
set forth in Section 3.16(a).
"Company Leased Property" shall have the meaning set forth in
-----------------------
Section 3.13(a).
"Company Options" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
---------------
3.3(a).
"Company Owned Property" shall have the meaning set forth in
----------------------
Section 3.13(a).
"Company Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in
-----------------------
Section 2.7(b).
"Company Real Property" shall have the meaning set forth in
---------------------
Section 3.13(a).
"Company SEC Reports" shall have the meaning set forth in
-------------------
Section 3.8(a).
"Company Special Voting Stock" shall have the meaning set
----------------------------
forth in Section 2.7(c).
"Company Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
-------------
2.11(a).
"Company Stock Plans" shall mean the LTIP, the Non-Employee
-------------------
Director Plans, the Stock Option Plan, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and any
other stock option, performance unit or similar plan of the Company and its
Subsidiaries provided, however, that "Company Stock Plans" shall not include the
Stock Option Agreement.
"Company Stock Rights" shall mean all stock options,
--------------------
restricted stock awards, performance awards, dividend equivalents, deferred
stock, stock payments, stock appreciation rights and shares of capital stock
granted, awarded, earned or purchased pursuant to any Company Stock Plan.
"Company Stockholder Approval" shall have the meaning set
----------------------------
forth in Section 3.22.
"Company Stockholder Meeting" shall have the meaning set
---------------------------
forth in Section 3.19.
5
"Confidentiality Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth
-------------------------
in Section 6.4.
"Consents" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(e).
--------
"Contracts" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
---------
3.14(a).
"Current Premium" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
---------------
6.7(b).
"DGCL" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
----
"Effective Time" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
--------------
2.3.
"Employee Benefits" shall have the meaning set forth in
-----------------
Section 6.8.
"Employee Plans" shall mean all Benefit Arrangements,
--------------
Multiemployer Plans, Pension Plans and Welfare Plans.
"Employee Stock Purchase Plan" shall mean the Company's 1997
----------------------------
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
"Encumbrances" shall mean any claim, lien, pledge, option,
------------
charge, easement, security interest, deed of trust, mortgage, right-of-way,
covenant, condition, restriction, encumbrance or other rights of third parties,
including, without limitation, Encumbrances that arise pursuant to Environmental
Laws.
"Environmental Laws" shall mean any foreign, federal, state or
------------------
local law, statute, ordinance, order, decree, rule or regulation relating to
releases, discharges, emissions or disposals to air, water, land or groundwater
of Hazardous Materials; to the use, handling, transport, release or disposal of
polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos or urea formaldehyde or any other Hazardous
Material; to the treatment, storage, disposal or management of Hazardous
Materials; to exposure to toxic, hazardous or other controlled, prohibited or
regulated substances; to health or safety in the workplace; and to the
protection of the public's health and safety and the environment, including the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C.
9601, et seq. ("CERCLA"), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C.
------
6901, et seq. ("RCRA"), the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2601, et
----
seq. ("TSCA"), the Occupational, Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. 651, et seq.,
----
the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq., the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251, et seq., the Safe Drinking Xxxxx Xxx, 00 X.X.X. 000x, et
seq., the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. 1802 et seq.
("HMTA") and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C.
----
11001 et seq. ("EPCRA"), and other comparable foreign, state and local laws and
-----
all rules, regulations and guidance documents promulgated pursuant thereto or
published thereunder.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
-----
of 1974, as amended.
6
"ERISA Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
----------------
entity which is (or at any relevant time was) a member of a "controlled group of
corporations" with, under "common control" with, or a member of as "affiliated
service group" with, such Person as defined in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o)
of the Code.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Act of
------------
1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Exchange Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
--------------
2.11(a).
"Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
--------------
2.7(a).
"Exchangeable Shares" shall mean the Exchangeable
--------------------
Non-Voting Shares in the capital of Canadian Sub.
"Fees and Expenses" shall have the meaning set forth in
-----------------
Section 8.2(c).
"Fixtures and Equipment" shall mean, with respect to any
----------------------
Person, all of the furniture, fixtures, furnishings, machinery and equipment
owned, leased or licensed by such Person and located in, at or upon the
facilities of such Person.
"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in
----
the United States of America, as in effect from time to time, consistently
applied.
"Governmental Approvals" shall have the meaning set forth in
----------------------
Section 6.5(a).
"Governmental Entities" shall mean all courts, administrative
---------------------
agencies, commissions or other governmental authorities, bodies or
instrumentalities, federal, state, local, domestic or foreign.
"Hazardous Materials" shall mean each and every element,
-------------------
compound, chemical mixture, contaminant, pollutant, material, waste or other
substance which is defined, determined or identified as or has the potential to
be hazardous or toxic under Environmental Laws or the release of which is
regulated under Environmental Laws. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the term includes: "hazardous substances" as defined in CERCLA;
"extremely hazardous substances" as defined in EPCRA; "hazardous waste" as
defined in RCRA; "hazardous materials" as defined in HMTA; "chemical substance
or mixture" as defined in TSCA; crude oil, petroleum products or any fraction
thereof; radioactive materials including source, byproduct or special nuclear
materials; asbestos or asbestos-containing materials; chlorinated fluorocarbons
("CFCs"); and radon.
----
"HSR Act" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(b).
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"Indemnified Parties" shall have the meaning set forth in
-------------------
Section 6.7(a).
"Initial Termination Fee" shall have the meaning set forth in
-----------------------
Section 8.2(b).
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"Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus" shall have the meaning set
--------------------------------
forth in Section 3.19.
"Lease and Operational Documents" shall have the meaning set
-------------------------------
forth in Section 3.13(c).
"LTIP" shall mean the Company's Long-Term Equity Incentive
----
Plan, restated as of August 31, 1998.
"Material Adverse Effect" shall mean, with respect to either
-----------------------
of the Company or Acquiror, as the context requires, a material adverse change
in, or effect on, the business, results of operations or financial condition of
such Person and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or any change which materially
impairs or materially delays the ability of such Person to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that none of the
following shall be deemed by itself or by themselves, either alone or in
combination, to constitute a Material Adverse Effect: (i) with respect to the
Company, a failure by the Company to meet the revenue or earnings predictions of
equity analysts as reflected in the First Call consensus estimate, or any other
revenue or earnings predictions or expectations, for any period ending on or
after the date of this Agreement, or, in the case of the Acquiror, a failure by
the Acquiror to meet the revenue or earnings predictions of equity analysts as
reflected in the First Call consensus estimate, or any other revenue or earnings
predictions or expectations, for any period ending on or after the date of this
Agreement, (ii) in the case of the Company, conditions affecting the educational
and/or productivity software industries as a whole, or, in the case of the
Acquiror, conditions affecting the toy and edutainment industries as whole,
(iii) any effect arising primarily out of or resulting primarily from actions
contemplated by the parties in connections with, or which is attributable to,
the announcement of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
"Material Intellectual Property Rights" shall have the
-------------------------------------
meaning set forth in Section 3.16(c).
"Material Licenses" shall have the meaning set forth in
-----------------
Section 3.16(b).
"Merger" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
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"Merger Consideration" shall have the meaning set forth in
--------------------
Section 2.11(a).
"Multiemployer Plan" shall mean, with respect to any Person,
------------------
any "multiemployer plan," as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, under which
such Person or any ERISA Affiliate has or may have any liability (accrued,
contingent or otherwise).
"New Stock Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in
----------------
Section 2.8(a).
"Non-Employee Director Plans" shall mean the Company's 1994
---------------------------
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated effective
February 5, 1996 and the Company's 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.
8
"Notifying Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
---------------
6.5(a).
"NYSE" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.
----
"Old Support Agreement" shall mean that certain support
---------------------
agreement made as of February 4, 1994 between the Company (under its previous
name, "SoftKey International, Inc.") and Canadian Sub.
"Old Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement" shall mean that
---------------------------------------
certain voting and exchange trust agreement made as of February 4, 1994 between
the Company (under its previous corporate name, "SoftKey International, Inc."),
Canadian Sub and CIBC Mellon Trust Company (under its previous corporate name,
"The R-M Trust Company").
"Pension Plan" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
------------
"employee pension benefit plan" as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA (other than
a Multiemployer Plan) which such Person contributed to or was required to
contribute to, or under which such Person or any ERISA Affiliate has or may have
any liability (accrued, contingent or otherwise).
"Permitted Encumbrances" shall mean any Encumbrances resulting
----------------------
from (i) all statutory or other liens for Taxes or assessments which are not yet
due or delinquent or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves are being maintained in
accordance with GAAP; (ii) all cashiers', landlords', workers' and repairers'
liens, and other similar liens imposed by law, incurred in the ordinary course
of business; (iii) all laws and governmental rules, regulations, ordinances and
restrictions; (iv) all leases, subleases, licenses, concessions or service
contracts to which any Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a party; (v)
Encumbrances identified on title policies or preliminary title reports or other
documents or writing delivered or made available for inspection to any Person
prior to the date hereof or included in the Public Records; and (vi) all other
liens and mortgages, covenants, imperfections in title, charges, easements,
restrictions and other Encumbrances which, in the case of any such Encumbrances
pursuant to clause (i) through (vi), do not materially detract from or
materially interfere with the present use of the asset subject thereto or
affected thereby.
"Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
------
limited liability company, joint venture, governmental agency or
instrumentality, or any other entity.
"Preferred Merger Consideration" shall have the meaning set
------------------------------
forth in Section 2.7(b).
"Proceeding" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
----------
6.7(a).
"Registration Statement" shall have the meaning set forth in
----------------------
Section 3.19.
"Representative" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
--------------
6.3(b).
"Rule 145" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.9.
--------
9
"SEC" shall mean the Securities Exchange Commission.
---
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
--------------
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Special Voting Stock Merger Consideration" shall have the
-----------------------------------------
meaning set forth in Section 2.7(c).
"Stock Option Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in
----------------------
the Recitals.
"Stock Option Plan" shall mean the Company's 1996 Stock Option
-----------------
Plan, restated as of March 5, 1998.
"Stockholder Support Agreement" shall have the meaning set
-----------------------------
forth in the Recitals.
"Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
----------
corporation, entity or other organization, whether incorporated or
unincorporated, of which (i) such Person directly or indirectly owns or controls
at least a majority of the securities or other interests having by their terms
ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others
performing similar functions; or (ii) such Person is a general partner, manager
or managing member.
"Superior Proposal" shall have the meaning set forth in
-----------------
Section 6.3(b).
"Support Agreement Amendment" shall mean an agreement to be
---------------------------
made as of the Effective Time between Acquiror, the Company and Canadian Sub, as
required by Section 2.9 thereof, for the purpose of amending the Old Support
Agreement, and providing for, among other things, the Merger.
"Surviving Corporation" shall have the meaning set forth in
---------------------
Section 2.1.
"Tax" or "Taxes" shall mean all federal, state, local, foreign
--- -----
and other taxes, levies, imposts, assessments, impositions or other similar
government charges, including, without limitation, income, estimated income,
business, occupation, franchise, real property, payroll, personal property,
sales, transfer, stamp, use, employment, commercial rent or withholding,
occupancy, premium, gross receipts, profits, windfall profits, deemed profits,
license, lease, severance, capital, production, corporation, ad valorem, excise,
duty or other taxes, including interest, penalties and additions (to the extent
applicable) thereto whether disputed or not.
"Tax Return" shall mean any report, return, document,
----------
declaration or other information or filing required to be supplied to any taxing
authority or jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) with respect to Taxes,
including, without limitation, information returns, any documents with respect
to or accompanying payments of estimated Taxes, or with respect to or
accompanying requests for the extension of time in which to file any such
report, return, document, declaration or other information.
10
"Termination Time" shall have the meaning set forth in
----------------
Section 8.1(b).
"Third Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
-----------
6.3(b).
"Voting and Exchange Trust Supplement" shall mean an agreement
------------------------------------
to be made as of the Effective Time between Acquiror, the Company, Canadian Sub
and a trustee for the holders of the Exchangeable Shares, to the extent required
by Section 11.1 and Section 12.4 of the Old Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement,
providing for the assumption by Acquiror of the obligations of the Company under
the Old Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement and the other matters specified
therein.
"Voting Debt" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
-----------
3.3(b).
"Welfare Plan" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
------------
"employee welfare benefit plan" as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA under which
such Person has or may have any liability (accrued, contingent or otherwise).
ARTICLE II.
THE MERGER
SECTION 2.1. THE MERGER. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
of this Agreement and in accordance with the DGCL, at the Effective Time, the
Company shall be merged with and into Acquiror. As a result of the Merger, the
separate corporate existence of the Company shall cease and Acquiror shall
continue as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation") and shall
---------------------
succeed to and assume all of the rights and obligations of the Company in
accordance with the DGCL. The name of Acquiror, as the Surviving Corporation,
shall remain "Mattel, Inc."
SECTION 2.2. CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE. Unless this Agreement shall
have been terminated and the transactions herein contemplated shall have been
abandoned pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.1, the closing (the "Closing")
-------
of the Merger shall take place (a) at 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
second Business Day after all of the conditions to the respective obligations of
the parties set forth in Article VII hereof shall have been satisfied or waived
or (b) at such other time and date as Acquiror and the Company shall agree (such
date and time on and at which the Closing occurs being referred to herein as the
"Closing Date"). The Closing shall take place at the offices of Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx
------------
located at 000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000. At
the Closing the documents, certificates, opinions and instruments referred to in
Article VII shall be executed and delivered.
SECTION 2.3. EFFECTIVE TIME. The parties hereto shall cause the Merger
to be consummated by filing a certificate of merger (the "Certificate of
--------------
Merger") on the Closing Date with the Secretary of State of the State of
------
Delaware, in such form as required by and executed in accordance with the
relevant provisions of the DGCL (the date and time of the filing of the
Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at
such later time or date after such filing as may be specified in the Certificate
of Merger being the "Effective Time").
--------------
11
SECTION 2.4. EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. The Merger shall have the effects
set forth in the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time all the
property, rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of the Company
and Acquiror shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities
and duties of the Company and Acquiror shall become the debts, liabilities and
duties of the Surviving Corporation.
SECTION 2.5. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION; BYLAWS.
(a) At the Effective Time and without any further action on the part of
the Company and Acquiror, the Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of
--------------
Incorporation") of Acquiror shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the
-------------
Surviving Corporation.
(b) At the Effective Time and without any further action on the part of
the Company and Acquiror, the bylaws (the "Bylaws") of Acquiror as in effect
------
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation until duly amended as provided for therein and under the DGCL.
SECTION 2.6. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The directors of Acquiror
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue as the directors of the
Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, and the officers of
Acquiror immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue as the officers
of the Surviving Corporation, in each case until their respective successors are
duly elected or appointed (as the case may be) and qualified.
SECTION 2.7. CONVERSION OF SECURITIES. At the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Acquiror, the Company
or the holders of any of the following securities:
(a) Subject to Section 2.10, each share of Common Stock, par value $.01
per share, of the Company (the "Company Common Stock"), issued and outstanding
--------------------
immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares of Company Common
Stock to be canceled in accordance with Section 2.7(d) hereof) shall be changed
and converted into and represent the right to receive a number (rounded to the
nearest hundred thousandth of a share) (adjusted as set forth in subsection (f),
the "Exchange Ratio") of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Acquiror Common
--------------
Stock equal to the number determined by dividing $33.00 by the Average Acquiror
Price; provided, however, that (i) if the number determined by dividing $33.00
by the Average Acquiror Price is less than or equal to 1.0, the Exchange Ratio
shall be 1.0, and (ii) if the number determined by dividing $33.00 by the
Average Acquiror Price is 1.2 or higher, the Exchange Ratio shall be 1.2 (the
"Common Merger Consideration"). As of the Effective Time, all such shares of
---------------------------
Company Common Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be
canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate
which, prior to the Effective Time, represented any such shares of Company
Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the
right to receive (i) the Common Merger Consideration, (ii) any cash in lieu of
fractional shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be issued or paid in
12
consideration therefor upon surrender of such certificate in accordance with
Section 2.10 and (iii) any dividends and distributions in accordance with
Section 2.11(e), in each case without interest.
(b) Subject to Section 2.10, each share of Series A Convertible
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the
"Company Preferred Stock"), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
-----------------------
Effective Time (other than shares of Company Preferred Stock to be canceled in
accordance with Section 2.7(d) hereof) shall be changed and converted into and
represent the right to receive a number of fully paid and nonassessable shares
of Acquiror Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the Exchange Ratio and (ii)
the number of shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such
share of Company Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time (the
"Preferred Merger Consideration"). As of the Effective Time, all such shares of
------------------------------
Company Preferred Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically
be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a
certificate which, prior to the Effective Time, represented any such shares of
Company Preferred Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto,
except the right to receive (i) the Preferred Merger Consideration, (ii) any
cash in lieu of fractional shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be issued or paid
in consideration therefor upon surrender of such certificate in accordance with
Section 2.10 and (iii) any dividends and distributions in accordance with
Section 2.11(e), in each case without interest.
(c) As of the Effective Time, each outstanding share of special voting
stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company ("Company Special Voting
----------------------
Stock") shall be changed and converted into and represent the right to receive
-----
one Acquiror Special Voting Share (the "Special Voting Stock Merger
---------------------------
Consideration"). As of the Effective Time, all such shares of Company Special
-------------
Voting Stock shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled
and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate which,
prior to the Effective Time, represented any such shares of Company Special
Voting Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the
right to receive the Special Voting Stock Merger Consideration.
(d) Each share of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock that
is (i) held in the treasury of the Company or (ii) owned by Acquiror or any
direct or indirect Subsidiary of Acquiror or the Company, in each case
immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be canceled and retired without
any conversion thereof and no payment or distribution shall be made with respect
thereto.
(e) Each share of common, preferred or other capital stock of Acquiror
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain
outstanding and shall be unchanged after the Merger.
(f) The Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted to reflect fully the effect of
any stock split, reverse split, stock dividend (including any dividend or
distribution of securities convertible into Acquiror Common Stock),
reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification or other like change with
respect to Acquiror Common Stock occurring after the date hereof and prior to
the Effective Time.
13
SECTION 2.8. TREATMENT OF EMPLOYEE OPTIONS AND OTHER COMPANY STOCK
RIGHTS.
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Company Board") (or, if appropriate, any Committee thereof) and the Board
-------------
of Directors of Acquiror (the "Acquiror Board") shall adopt appropriate
--------------
resolutions and take all other actions necessary to provide that effective at
the Effective Time, all outstanding Company Stock Rights heretofore granted
under the Company Stock Plans, whether vested or unvested, shall be assumed by
Acquiror and converted automatically into options to purchase shares of Acquiror
Common Stock (collectively, "New Stock Rights") in an amount and, if applicable,
----------------
at an exercise price determined as provided below:
(i) The number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be
subject to the New Stock Rights shall be equal to the product of (x)
the number of shares of Company Common Stock remaining subject (as of
immediately prior to the Effective Time) to the original Company Stock
Right multiplied by (y) the Exchange Ratio, provided that any
fractional shares of Acquiror Common Stock resulting from such
multiplication shall be rounded down to the nearest share.
(ii) The exercise price per share of Acquiror Common Stock
under the New Stock Right shall be equal to the exercise price per
share of the Company Common Stock under the original Company Stock
Right divided by the Exchange Ratio, provided that such exercise price
shall be rounded up to the nearest tenth of a cent.
The adjustment provided herein with respect to any options which are "incentive
stock options" (as defined in Section 422 of the Code) shall be, and is intended
to be, effected in a manner which is consistent with Section 424(a) of the Code.
Subject to Sections 2.8(b) and 2.8(c), after the Effective Time, each New Stock
Right shall be exercisable and shall vest upon the same terms and conditions as
were applicable to the related Company Stock Right immediately prior to the
Effective Time (except that with regard to such New Stock Right, any references
to the Company shall be deemed, as appropriate, to include Acquiror), it being
understood that the vesting of the Company Stock Rights shall accelerate in
accordance with their respective terms, or the terms of separate agreements
between the Company and the holders thereof, as a result of the Merger. Acquiror
agrees that it shall take all action necessary, on or prior to the Effective
Time, to authorize and reserve a number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock
sufficient for issuance upon exercise of New Stock Rights as contemplated by
this Section 2.8. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, Acquiror
shall file a registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor or other
appropriate form) with respect to the shares of Acquiror Common Stock subject to
the Company Stock Rights assumed pursuant to this Section 2.8 and shall use its
reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration
statement or statements (and maintain the current status of the prospectus or
prospectuses contained therein) for as long as the New Stock Rights remain
outstanding.
(b) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company will take all actions
necessary (i) to shorten the offering period under the Company's Employee Stock
Purchase Plan in which the
14
Effective Time occurs so that such offering period terminates on the day prior
to the Effective Time and (ii) to terminate the Employee Stock Purchase Plan
effective as of the Effective Time.
(c) The Company will use its best efforts so that, as of the Effective
Time, none of its Subsidiaries is or will be bound by any Company Stock Rights,
other options, warrants, rights or agreements which would entitle any person,
other than Acquiror or its affiliates, to own any capital stock of any of its
Subsidiaries or to receive any payment in respect thereof.
SECTION 2.9. TREATMENT OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES.
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board, the Acquiror Board
and the Board of Directors of Canadian Sub (the "Canadian Sub Board"), or any of
------------------
their respective appropriate committees, shall adopt appropriate resolutions
and, along with the Company, Acquiror and Canadian Sub, shall take all other
actions required under the Old Support Agreement and the Old Voting and Exchange
Trust Agreement to provide that at and after the Effective Time each outstanding
Exchangeable Share shall thereafter be exchangeable for that number of shares of
Acquiror Common Stock equal to the Exchange Ratio.
(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 2.9(a), the parties
agree as follows:
(i) at or before the Effective Time, the Company and Canadian
Sub (including its Board of Directors) shall comply with their
respective obligations under the provisions attaching to the
Exchangeable Shares, the Old Support Agreement and the Old Voting and
Exchange Trust Agreement;
(ii) at or before the Effective Time, Acquiror, the Company
and Canadian Sub shall execute and deliver the Support Agreement
Amendment and Acquiror, Canadian Sub, the Company and a trustee for the
holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall execute and deliver the Voting
and Exchange Trust Supplement;
(iii) at or before the Effective Time, Acquiror shall have
authorized the Acquiror Special Voting Share and at the Effective Time,
Acquiror shall deliver to the trustee for the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares a new certificate evidencing the Acquiror Special
Voting Share, to the extent required by the Voting and Exchange Trust
Supplement;
(iv) at or before the Effective Time, Acquiror, Company and
Canadian Sub shall take all such actions as may reasonably be required
to permit the continued unrestricted tradeability in Canada of the
Exchangeable Shares and the issuance and first resale in Canada and the
United States of America of the shares of Acquiror Common Stock issued
upon exchange of the Exchangeable Shares from time to time (but only to
the extent that such unrestricted tradeability is available to holders
of Exchangeable Shares in a particular jurisdiction on the date
hereof), in each case without requiring the holder of the relevant
share, in connection with any such trade or resale, to qualify with,
file any document or take any proceeding with, or obtain any further
order, ruling or consent from, any Governmental Entity or regulatory
authority under any Canadian or
15
United States federal, provincial, state or territorial securities or
other laws or pursuant to the rules and regulations of any regulatory
authority administering such laws, or the fulfillment of any other
legal requirement in any such jurisdiction (other than, with respect to
such first resales, any restrictions on transfer by reason of, among
other things, a holder being a "control person" of Acquiror for
purposes of Canadian federal, provincial or territorial securities
laws). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such actions
shall include the confirmation of the continued effectiveness,
following the Merger, of all existing Canadian securities regulatory
orders and rulings, or the granting of new such orders and rulings,
respecting such unrestricted tradeability of the Exchangeable Shares
and such unrestricted issuance and first resale of the shares of
Acquiror Common Stock issuable upon exchange of the Exchangeable Shares
from time to time, and respecting the satisfaction of Canadian Sub's
Canadian securities law continuous and timely disclosure obligations
through the filing and provision of information relating to Acquiror;
and
(v) at or before the Effective Time, Acquiror shall take all
action necessary to authorize and reserve that number of shares of
Acquiror Common Stock sufficient for issuance upon all exchanges of the
outstanding Exchangeable Shares (other than Exchangeable Shares held by
Acquiror, its Subsidiaries and Affiliates) from time to time after the
Effective Time.
(c) Acquiror agrees that at the Effective Time, the holder(s) of each
Exchangeable Share shall receive a number of Acquiror Rights equal to the number
of shares of Acquiror Common Stock issuable upon exchange of such Exchangeable
Share, or similar rights having economically equivalent value to such Acquiror
Rights.
SECTION 2.10. FRACTIONAL INTERESTS. No certificates or scrip
representing fractional shares of Acquiror Common Stock shall be issued in
connection with the Merger or any exchange of an Exchangeable Share at any time
after the Effective Time, and such fractional interests will not entitle the
owner thereof to any rights of a stockholder of Acquiror. In lieu of any such
fractional interests, each holder of shares of Company Common Stock exchanged
pursuant to Section 2.7(a), Company Preferred Stock exchanged pursuant to
Section 2.7(b) or Exchangeable Shares exchanged pursuant to the provisions
thereof who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a share
of Acquiror Common Stock (after taking into account all shares of Acquiror
Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Sections 2.7(a) and
2.7(b) and the provisions of the Exchangeable Shares) shall be entitled to
receive cash (without interest) in an amount equal to the product of such
fractional part of Acquiror Common Stock multiplied by the Average Acquiror
Price.
SECTION 2.11. SURRENDER OF SHARES OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK; STOCK
TRANSFER BOOKS.
(a) Prior to the Closing Date, Acquiror shall designate a bank or trust
company reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as agent for the holders of
shares of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock (collectively,
"Company Stock") in connection
-------------
16
with the Merger (the "Exchange Agent") to receive the Common Merger
--------------
Consideration and the Preferred Merger Consideration (collectively, the "Merger
------
Consideration") to which holders of shares of Company Stock shall become
-------------
entitled to receive pursuant to Sections 2.7(a) and (b) and Section 2.10. Prior
to the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware, Acquiror will make available to the Exchange Agent sufficient
shares of Acquiror Common Stock to make all exchanges pursuant to Section
2.11(b). The Exchange Agent shall cause the shares of Acquiror Common Stock
deposited by Acquiror to be (i) held for the benefit of the holders of the
Company Stock and (ii) promptly applied to making the exchanges and payments
provided for in Section 2.11(b). Such shares of Acquiror Common Stock shall not
be used for any purpose that is not provided for herein.
(b) Promptly after the Effective Time, Acquiror shall cause to be
mailed to each record holder, as of the Effective Time, of an outstanding
certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time
represented shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock
(collectively, the "Certificates"), a form of letter of transmittal (which shall
------------
specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the
Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates to the
Exchange Agent) and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the
Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration. Upon surrender to the
Exchange Agent of a Certificate, together with such letter of transmittal, duly
completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and
such other documents as may be reasonably required pursuant to such
instructions, the holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in
exchange therefor, (i) a certificate representing that number of whole shares of
Acquiror Common Stock which such holder has the right to receive pursuant to the
provisions of Sections 2.7(a) and (b), (ii) cash in lieu of any fractional
shares of Acquiror Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to
Section 2.10, after giving effect to any required tax withholdings, and (iii)
any dividends or distributions to which such holder is entitled pursuant to
Section 2.11(e), and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled.
Until so surrendered and exchanged, each Certificate, subject to Section 2.7(d),
shall represent solely the right to receive the consideration payable in respect
thereto pursuant to Sections 2.7(a) and (b) and Section 2.10. If the exchange of
certificates representing shares of Acquiror Common Stock is to be made to a
person other than the person in whose name the surrendered Certificate is
registered, it shall be a condition of exchange that the Certificate so
surrendered shall be properly endorsed or shall be otherwise in proper form for
transfer and that the person requesting such exchange shall have paid any
transfer and other taxes required by reason of the exchange of certificates
representing shares of Acquiror Common Stock to a person other than the
registered holder of the Certificate surrendered or shall have established to
the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such tax either has been paid
or is not applicable.
(c) At any time after the one-year anniversary of the Effective Time,
Acquiror shall be entitled to require the Exchange Agent to deliver to Acquiror
all cash and any other instruments (including shares of Acquiror Common Stock)
in its possession relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
which had been made available to the Exchange Agent and which have not been
distributed to holders of Certificates. Thereafter, each holder of a
Certificate, subject to Section 2.7(d), may surrender such Certificate to the
Surviving Corporation and (subject to applicable abandoned property, escheat or
other similar laws) receive
17
in exchange therefor the consideration payable in respect thereof pursuant to
Sections 2.7(a) and (b) and Section 2.10, without interest, but shall have no
greater rights against the Surviving Corporation than may be accorded to general
creditors of the Surviving Corporation under the DGCL. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, none of Acquiror, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent
shall be liable to any holder of a Certificate for shares of Acquiror Common
Stock (and any cash payable in lieu of any fractional shares of Acquiror Common
Stock) delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned
property, escheat or similar law.
(d) At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company
shall be closed and thereafter there shall be no further registration of
transfers of shares of Company Stock on the records of the Company. From and
after the Effective Time, the holders of Certificates evidencing ownership of
shares of Company Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares of Company Stock
except as otherwise provided for herein or by applicable law.
(e) No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the
Effective Time with respect to shares of Acquiror Common Stock shall be paid to
the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the shares of
Acquiror Common Stock it is entitled to receive and no cash payment in lieu of
fractional interests shall be paid pursuant to Section 2.10 until the holder of
such Certificate shall surrender such Certificate in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement. Upon such surrender, Acquiror shall cause to be
paid to the person in whose name the certificates representing such shares of
Acquiror Common Stock shall be issued, any dividends or distributions with
respect to such shares of Acquiror Common Stock which have a record date after
the Effective Time and shall have become payable between the Effective Time and
the time of such surrender. In no event shall the person entitled to receive
such dividends, distributions or cash in lieu of fractional interests be
entitled to receive interest thereon.
(f) If, at any time after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
shall consider or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments,
assurances or any other actions or things are necessary or desirable to vest,
perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the Surviving Corporation its
right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, properties or assets
of the Company acquired or to be acquired by the Surviving Corporation as a
result of, or in connection with, the Merger or otherwise to carry out this
Agreement, the officers of the Surviving Corporation shall be authorized to
execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Company or otherwise, all
such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and to take and do, in
such names and on such behalves or otherwise, all such other actions and things
as may be necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm any and all right,
title and interest in, to and under such rights, properties or assets in the
Surviving Corporation or otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.12. LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. In the event any
Certificates shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent shall
issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates, upon the
making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, such shares of
Acquiror Common Stock (and cash in lieu of any
18
fractional shares of Acquiror Common Stock and dividends or distributions, if
any, in respect thereof) as may be required pursuant to Sections 2.7(a) and (b);
provided, however, that Acquiror may, in its discretion and as a condition
precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or
destroyed Certificates to deliver a bond in such sum as it may reasonably direct
as indemnity against any claim that may be made against Acquiror or the Exchange
Agent with respect to the Certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed.
SECTION 2.13. TAX CONSEQUENCES. It is intended by the parties hereto
that the Merger shall constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Code. The parties hereto hereby adopt this Agreement as a "plan of
reorganization" within the meaning of Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) of the
United States Treasury Regulations.
SECTION 2.14. WITHHOLDING RIGHTS. Acquiror or the Exchange Agent shall
be entitled to deduct and withhold from the Merger Consideration otherwise
payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of Certificates which prior to
the Effective Time represented shares of Company Stock such amounts as Acquiror
or the Exchange Agent is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the
making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local, or
foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by Acquiror or the
Exchange Agent, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this
Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the shares of Company Stock in
respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by the Company or the
Exchange Agent.
SECTION 2.15. AFFILIATES. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, Certificates surrendered for exchange by any Company Affiliate (as
defined in Section 6.9) shall not be exchanged until the later of (i) the date
Acquiror has received a signed agreement (an "Affiliate Agreement") from such
-------------------
Company Affiliate (the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C) as
provided in Section 6.9 or (ii) the date such shares of Acquiror Common Stock
are transferable pursuant to the Affiliate Agreement regardless of whether such
agreement was executed by the Company Affiliate.
ARTICLE III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to Acquiror that the statements
contained in this Article III are true and correct except as set forth in the
disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Acquiror on or before the date
of this Agreement (the "Company Disclosure Schedule"). The Company Disclosure
---------------------------
Schedule shall be arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and
lettered paragraphs contained in this Article III and the disclosure in any
paragraph shall qualify other paragraphs in this Article III only to the extent
that it is readily apparent from a reading of such disclosure that it also
qualifies or applies to such other paragraphs.
SECTION 3.1. ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. The Company and each of
its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with the corporate power and
authority to own and operate its
19
business as presently conducted, except for any failure of any Subsidiaries to
be in good standing that would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company
and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or other
entity to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the
character of its properties owned or held under lease or the nature of its
activities makes such qualification necessary, except for such failures of the
Company and any of its Subsidiaries to be so qualified as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company
has previously made available to Acquiror true and correct copies of (i) its
certificate of incorporation and bylaws, (ii) the charter and bylaws of SoftKey
Holdings Corporation, SoftKey Software Products Inc. and SoftKey Products
International Inc., and (iii) the charter documents and bylaws or other
organizational documents of each of its non-corporate Subsidiaries and each of
its non-wholly owned Subsidiaries, as currently in effect.
SECTION 3.2. AUTHORIZATION; VALIDITY AND EFFECT OF AGREEMENT. The
Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and
perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company
and the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized
by the Company Board and all other necessary corporate action on the part of the
Company, other than the adoption and approval of this Agreement by the holders
of the Company Common Stock, the Company Preferred Stock and the Company Special
Voting Stock and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are
necessary to authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company
and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, general
equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law)
and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
SECTION 3.3. CAPITALIZATION.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i)
200,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, (ii) 5,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, par value $.01 per share, of which 750,000 shares have been designated as
Company Preferred Stock, and (iii) one share of Company Special Voting Stock.
The Special Voting Stock entitles the holder thereof to vote, together with the
holders of Company Common Stock, on all matters submitted for the vote of the
holders of Company Common Stock. The number of votes represented by the Special
Voting Stock is equal to the number of outstanding Exchangeable Shares (other
than Exchangeable Shares held by the Company, its Subsidiaries and its
Affiliates). As of December 7, 1998, there were issued and outstanding (i)
87,073,106 shares of Company Common Stock, (ii) 750,000 shares of Company
Preferred Stock, currently convertible into 15,000,000 shares of Company Common
Stock, and (iii) 12,580,133 Exchangeable Shares (of which 7,374,942 are held
directly or indirectly by the Company). Section 3.3(a) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth the number of shares of capital stock of the Company
(including Exchangeable Shares) held in
20
treasury and the number of shares of Company Common Stock reserved for future
issuance upon (i) exercise of any unexpired and unexercised outstanding option,
whether or not vested or exercisable in accordance with its terms, to purchase
shares of Company Common Stock ("Company Options") granted and outstanding as of
---------------
the date hereof under any Company Stock Plans and (ii) exchange of the
outstanding Exchangeable Shares. As of the date of this Agreement, the Company
and its Subsidiaries have not granted any stock appreciation rights or any other
contractual rights the value of which is derived from the financial performance
of the Company or any Subsidiary or the value of shares of Company Common Stock.
Except as disclosed in Section 3.3(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there
are no obligations, contingent or otherwise, of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Company
Common Stock or the capital stock or ownership interests of any Subsidiary or to
provide funds to or make any material investment (in the form of a loan, capital
contribution or otherwise) in any such Subsidiary or any other entity other than
guarantees of bank obligations or indebtedness for borrowed money of
Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business. All of the
outstanding shares of capital stock (including shares which may be issued upon
exercise of outstanding options) or other ownership interests of each of the
Company's Subsidiaries are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and, except as disclosed in Section 3.3(a) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, all such shares (other than directors' qualifying shares)
are owned by the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company free and clear of
all security interests, liens, claims, pledges, agreements, limitations on the
Company's voting rights, charges or other encumbrances or restrictions on
transfer of any nature (other than restrictions imposed by law).
(b) There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness having
voting rights (or convertible into securities having such rights) ("Voting
------
Debt") of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries issued and outstanding. Except
----
as set forth in Section 3.3(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as reserved
for future grants of options under the Company Stock Plans as of the date hereof
and for future exchanges of Exchangeable Shares, (i) there are no shares of
capital stock of any class of, or any security exchangeable into or exercisable
for such equity securities, issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding; (ii)
there are no options, warrants, equity securities, calls, rights, commitments or
agreements of any character to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party or by which it is bound obligating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional
shares of capital stock or other ownership interests (including Voting Debt) of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or obligating the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to grant, extend, accelerate the vesting of or enter into any such
option, warrant, equity security, call, right, commitment or agreement; and
(iii) there are no voting trusts, proxies or other voting agreements or
understandings with respect to the shares of capital stock of the Company to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party. All shares of Company
Common Stock subject to issuance as specified in this Section 3.3(b) are duly
authorized and, upon issuance on the terms and conditions specified in the
instruments pursuant to which they are issuable, shall be validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.
SECTION 3.4. SUBSIDIARIES. The only Subsidiaries of the Company are
those set forth in Section 3.4 of the Company Disclosure Schedule. There are no
existing options,
21
warrants, calls, subscriptions, convertible securities or other securities,
agreements, commitments or obligations of any character relating to the
outstanding capital stock or other securities of any Subsidiary of the Company
or which would require any Subsidiary of the Company to issue or sell any shares
of its capital stock, ownership interests or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of its capital stock or ownership interests.
SECTION 3.5. OTHER INTERESTS. Except as set forth in Section 3.5 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of the Company's
Subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment in
(whether equity or debt) any corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, business, trust or other Person (other than the
Company's Subsidiaries).
SECTION 3.6. NO CONFLICT; REQUIRED FILINGS AND CONSENTS.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 3.6 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the
performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, nor the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, will: (i) conflict with the Company's
certificate of incorporation or bylaws or the comparable charter or
organizational documents of any of its material Subsidiaries; (ii) assuming
satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Section 3.6(b) below, violate any
statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation, applicable to the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets; or (iii) violate, breach,
be in conflict with or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or
lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or permit the
termination of any provision of, or result in the termination of, the
acceleration of the maturity of, or the acceleration of the performance of any
obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, or result in the
creation or imposition of any lien upon any properties, assets or business of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, any note, bond, indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, lease, franchise, permit, authorization, license,
contract (including, without limitation, Company Contracts), instrument or other
agreement or commitment or any order, judgment or decree to which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets or properties is bound or
encumbered, or give any Person the right to require the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to purchase or repurchase any notes, bonds or instruments of any
kind except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), for such violations,
breaches, conflicts, defaults or other occurrences which, individually or in the
aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Except (i) for applicable requirements, if any, of the Exchange
Act, the Securities Act, and state securities or "blue sky" laws ("Blue Sky
--------
Laws"), (ii) for the pre-merger notification requirements of the
----
Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules
and regulations thereunder (the "HSR Act"), (iii) for the filing of the
-------
Certificate of Merger pursuant to the DGCL, (iv) for other governmental
approvals and filings required under the applicable laws of any foreign
jurisdiction, and (v) with respect to matters set forth in Sections 3.6(a) or
3.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no consent, approval or authorization
of, permit from, or declaration, filing or registration with, any governmental
or regulatory authority, or any other Person is required to be made or obtained
by the Company or
22
its Subsidiaries in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
except where the failure to obtain such consent, approval, authorization, permit
or declaration or to make such filing or registration would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.7. COMPLIANCE. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are
in compliance with all foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations
applicable to its operations or with respect to which compliance is a condition
of engaging in the business thereof, except to the extent that failure to comply
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. To
the knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
has received any notice asserting a failure, or possible failure, to comply with
any such law or regulation, the subject of which notice has not been resolved as
required thereby or otherwise to the satisfaction of the party sending the
notice, except for such failure as would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries hold all
permits, licenses and franchises from Governmental Entities required to conduct
their respective businesses as they are now being conducted, except for such
failures to have such permits, licenses and franchises that would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.8. SEC DOCUMENTS.
(a) The Company has filed and made available to Acquiror true and
complete copies of each registration statement, proxy or information statement,
form, report and other document required to be filed by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries with the SEC or any securities regulatory authority in Canada
since January 1, 1995 (collectively, the "Company SEC Reports"). As of their
-------------------
respective dates, the Company SEC Reports (i) complied, or, with respect to
those not yet filed, will comply, in all material respects with the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act or any applicable
Canadian law, rule or regulation, and (ii) did not, or, with respect to those
not yet filed, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. The Company has filed each registration statement, proxy
or information statement, form, report and other documents required to be filed
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries with any foreign governmental agency
equivalent to, or of like purpose as, the SEC, except as would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each of the consolidated balance sheets of the Company included in
or incorporated by reference into the Company SEC Reports (including the related
notes and schedules) presents fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of its
date, and each of the consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and
cash flows of the Company included in or incorporated by reference into the
Company SEC Reports (including any related notes and schedules) presents fairly,
in all material respects, the results of operations, retained earnings or cash
flows, as the case may be, of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the periods
set forth therein (subject, in the
23
case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments), in each
case in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved,
except as may be noted therein.
(c) Except as set forth in Section 3.8(c) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule and except as set forth in the Company SEC Reports, neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) that would be required to
be reflected on, or reserved against in, a balance sheet of the Company or in
the notes thereto, prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, except
for (i) liabilities or obligations that were so reserved on, or reflected in
(including the notes to), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of
October 3, 1998, (ii) liabilities or obligations arising in the ordinary course
of business (including trade indebtedness) since October 3, 1998 and (iii)
liabilities or obligations which would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.9. ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Except as set forth in
Section 3.9 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or the Company SEC Reports, and
except for the transactions expressly contemplated hereby, since October 3,
1998, the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective
businesses only in the ordinary and usual course consistent with past practices
and there has not been any change in the Company's business, operations,
condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, assets or
liabilities, except for changes contemplated hereby or changes which have not,
individually or in the aggregate, had or are reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Section 3.9 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, from October 3, 1998 through the date of this Agreement,
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any of the actions
prohibited by Section 5.1 hereof.
SECTION 3.10. LITIGATION. Except as set forth in Section 3.10 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule and except as set forth in the Company SEC Reports,
there is no Action instituted, pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened, in each case against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which,
individually or in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nor is there any outstanding
judgment, decree or injunction, in each case against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or any statute, rule or order of any domestic or foreign court,
governmental department, commission or agency applicable to the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries which has or could reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, any Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.11. TAXES. Except as set forth in Section 3.11 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule:
(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries have (A) duly filed (or there have
been filed on their behalf) with the appropriate governmental authorities all
Tax Returns required to be filed by them and such Tax Returns are true, correct
and complete in all respects, except for any such filings which are not
reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse
Effect, and (B) duly paid in full all Taxes, whether or not shown to be due on
such Tax
24
Returns, except for which the failure to pay would not, individually or in the
aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) No claim has ever been made by an authority in a jurisdiction where
any of the Company and its Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that it is or
may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction which is reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has withheld and paid all
Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or
owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder, or other
third party, except for amounts which are not reasonably likely, individually or
in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) No federal income Tax Returns of the Company have ever been
audited, and no federal or state, local or foreign audits or other
administrative proceedings or court proceedings are presently being conducted
with regard to any Taxes or Tax Returns of the Company or its Subsidiaries and
neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries has received a written notice of any
pending audits with respect to Taxes or Tax Returns of the Company, and neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitations
with respect to Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax
assessment or deficiency, except with respect to Taxes which are not reasonably
likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) Neither the Internal Revenue Service nor any other taxing authority
(whether domestic or foreign) has asserted against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries any material deficiency or material claim for Taxes not reserved
under the Company's most recent balance sheet as set forth in its most recent
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q;
(f) There are no liens for Taxes upon any Assets of the Company or any
Subsidiary thereof, except for liens for Taxes not yet due and payable and liens
for Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings,
except for liens which would not be reasonably likely, individually or in the
aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, and no written power of attorney
that has been granted by the Company or its Subsidiaries (other than to the
Company or a Subsidiary) currently is in force with respect to any matter
relating to Taxes except with respect to Taxes which are not reasonably likely,
individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(g) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has, with regard to
any assets or property held by any of them, agreed to have Section 341(f)(2) of
the Code apply to any disposition of a subsection (f) asset (as such term is
defined in Section 341(f)(4) of the Code) owned by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries;
(h) None of the Company and its Subsidiaries has made any payments, is
obligated to make any payments, or is a party to any agreement that under
certain circumstances could obligate it to make any payments that will not be
deductible under Section 280G of the Code;
25
(i) None of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been a United States
real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the
Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the
Code;
(j) None of the Company and its Subsidiaries is a party to any Tax
allocation or sharing agreement; and
(k) None of the Company and its Subsidiaries (A) has been a member of
an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return (other than
a group the common Parent of which was the Company) or (B) has any Liability for
the Taxes of any Person (other than any of the Company and its Subsidiaries)
under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state,
local, or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise,
other than such Taxes which are not reasonably likely, individually or in the
aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
(a) Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete
list of all Company Pension Plans, Welfare Plans and material Benefit
Arrangements (other than those maintained outside the United States) as of the
date hereof. To the extent in the Company's or its Subsidiaries' possession,
true and complete copies or descriptions of the Pension Plans, Welfare Plans and
material Benefit Arrangements (other than those maintained outside the United
States), including, without limitation, trust instruments, if any, that form a
part thereof, and all amendments thereto have been furnished or made available
to Acquiror and its counsel.
(b) Except as described in Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, each of the Company Employee Plans (other than any Multiemployer Plan)
has been administered and is in material compliance with the terms of such
Company Employee Plan and all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
(c) No material "reportable event" (as such term is used in Section
4043 of ERISA) for which the notice requirements to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation have not been waived, "prohibited transaction" (as such term is used
in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) for which no exemption
exists, or material "accumulated funding deficiency" (as such term is used in
Section 412 or 4971 of the Code) has heretofore occurred with respect to any
Pension Plan (other than any Multiemployer Plan) of the Company or its
Subsidiaries.
(d) There is no material action, order, writ, injunction, judgment or
decree outstanding or claim, suit litigation, proceeding, arbitral action,
governmental audit or investigation relating to or seeking benefits under any
Company Employee Plan that is pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened
against the Company, any of its ERISA Affiliates, or any Company Employee Plan,
other than routine claims for benefits or which are not reasonably likely to
result in a material liability.
26
(e) Except as set forth in Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, none of the Company, its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates have
incurred any withdrawal liability with respect to any Multiemployer Plan under
Title IV of ERISA which remains unsatisfied.
(f) Except as set forth in Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, any termination of, or withdrawal from, any Pension Plans or
Multiemployer Plan of the Company any Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate, on or
prior to the Closing Date, will not subject the Company to any liability under
Title IV of ERISA.
(g) Except as set forth in Section 3.12 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in the
acceleration or creation of any rights of any current or former employee of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to benefits under any Company Employee Plan
(including, without limitation, the acceleration of the vesting or
exercisability of any stock options, the acceleration of the vesting of any
restricted stock, the acceleration of the accrual or vesting of any benefits
under any Pension Plan or the acceleration or creation of any rights under any
severance, parachute or change in control agreement).
(h) With respect to the Company Employee Plans, individually and in the
aggregate, there are no funded benefit material obligations for which material
contributions have not been made or properly accrued and there are no unfunded
material benefit obligations which have not been accounted for by reserves, or
otherwise properly footnoted in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, on the financial statements of the Company.
SECTION 3.13. ASSETS.
(a) Section 3.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule identifies all
real property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries (the "Company Owned
-------------
Property") and all real property leased or operated by the Company and its
--------
Subsidiaries and providing for occupancy of more than 20,000 square feet (the
"Company Leased Property" and, together with the Company Owned Property, the
-----------------------
"Company Real Property").
---------------------
(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable fee
simple title to the Company Owned Property, and a valid leasehold interest in
the Company Leased Property, sufficient to allow each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries to conduct, and to continue to conduct, its business as and where
currently conducted, except for such matters that, individually or in the
aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Such
title and leasehold interest is free and clear of any and all Encumbrances,
except for the exceptions described in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to
the date of this Agreement or in Section 3.13(b) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule and such other Encumbrances that would not, individually or in the
aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. Prior to the date hereof, the
Company has delivered to Acquiror true and correct copies of all title reports
and surveys for each parcel of Company Real Property.
(c) True and correct copies of all of the principal documents under
which the Company Owned Property and the Company Leased Property is leased or
operated (the "Lease
-----
27
and Operational Documents") have been delivered or made available for review to
-------------------------
Acquiror. The Lease and Operational Documents are unmodified and in full force
and effect. None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any other party is in
material default under the Lease and Operational Documents, and, to the best
knowledge of the Company, no defaults (whether or not subsequently cured) by the
Company, its Subsidiaries or any other party have been alleged thereunder,
except for such defaults that, individually, or in the aggregate, are not
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) To the best knowledge of the Company, the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries has sufficiently good and valid title to, or an adequate leasehold
interest in, its material tangible personal properties and assets in order to
allow it to conduct, and continue to conduct, its business as and where
currently conducted. Such material tangible personal assets and properties are
sufficiently free of Encumbrances to allow each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries to conduct, and continue to conduct, its business as currently
conducted and, to the best knowledge of the Company, the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not alter or impair such
ability in any respect which, individually or in the aggregate, would be
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no defects in the
physical condition or operability of such material tangible personal assets and
properties which would impair the use of such assets and properties as such
assets and properties are currently used, except for such defects which,
individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.14. CONTRACTS.
(a) Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a
complete and accurate list of all contracts (written or oral), plans,
undertakings, commitments or agreements ("Contracts") of the following
categories to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which any of them is bound as of the date of this Agreement:
(i) (A) with respect to officers with annual base compensation
equal to or in excess of $100,000: all employment contracts, severance,
change in control or similar arrangements that will result in any
obligation (absolute or contingent) of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to make any payment to the foregoing following either the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, termination of
employment, or both and (B) all other contracts (that are not available
to officers, directors, employees or agents generally) with any
officer, director, employee or agent that provides for compensation
based on operating results or other financial performance of the
Company;
(ii) contracts with labor unions;
(iii) material exclusive distribution agreements not
terminable by the Company without penalty upon 90 days or less notice;
(iv) promissory notes, loans, agreements, indentures,
evidences of indebtedness or other instruments relating to the lending
of money, whether as borrower, lender or guarantor, in excess of
$5,000,000;
28
(v) Contracts containing covenants limiting the freedom of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any line of
business or compete with any Person or operate at any location which
are not terminable by the Company without penalty upon 90 days or less
notice;
(vi) any material Contract with any federal, state or local
government other than such Contracts relating to the sales of goods in
the ordinary course of business;
(vii) other than license agreements and distribution
agreements, Contracts involving annual expenditures or liabilities in
excess of $10,000,000 which are not terminable by the Company without
penalty upon 90 days or less notice;
(viii) the principal documents (excluding escrow agreements,
affiliate agreements and other ancillary documents) relating to any
merger, consolidation, business combination, share exchange, business
acquisition, or for the purchase, acquisition, sale or disposition of
any material assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries outside
the ordinary course of business which (A)(1) involves consideration to
any party in excess of $20,000,000, and (2) were entered into after
January 1, 1995, or (B) under which the Company remains obligated to
make "earnout" payments or other conditional payments of cash or stock
based on the operating results or other financial performance of the
Company or a portion of its business; and
(ix) other than as set forth in Section 3.12 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, any other Contract to be performed after the date
hereof which would be a material contract (as defined in Item
601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC).
True copies of the written Contracts identified in Section
3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (collectively with the Material
Licenses, the "Company Contracts") have been delivered or made available to
-----------------
Acquiror.
(b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, as of the date of this Agreement, (i) each of the Company Contracts is
valid and binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (and, to the
Company's best knowledge, on all other parties thereto) in accordance with its
terms and is in full force and effect, (ii) there is no material breach or
violation of or default by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any of
the Company Contracts, whether or not such breach, violation or default has been
waived, and (iii) no event has occurred with respect to the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a
material breach, violation or default, or give rise to a right of termination,
modification, cancellation, foreclosure, imposition of a lien, prepayment or
acceleration under any of the Company Contracts, which breach, violation or
default referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii), alone or in the aggregate with
other such breaches, violations or defaults referred to in clauses (ii) or
(iii), would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.15. LABOR RELATIONS. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.15 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule or as would not be reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect, (i) to the knowledge of the Company, there are no
activities or proceedings of any labor
29
union to organize any non-unionized employees; (ii) neither the Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries has breached or otherwise failed to comply with any
provision of any collective bargaining agreement or contract and there are no
grievances outstanding against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any
such agreement or contract; (iii) there are no unfair labor practice charges
and/or complaints pending against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries before
the National Labor Relations Board, or any similar foreign labor relations
governmental bodies, or any current union representation questions involving
employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (iv) there is no
strike, slowdown, work stoppage or lockout, or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threat thereof, by or with respect to any employees of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. The Company and its Subsidiaries are not parties to any collective
bargaining agreements, except for collective bargaining agreements disclosed in
Schedule 3.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule. To the knowledge of the
Company, there are no controversies pending or threatened between the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries and any of their respective employees, except for such
controversies that would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
SECTION 3.16. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries own, or are licensed or otherwise
possess, legally enforceable rights to use, all patents, trademarks, trade
names, service marks and copyrights, any applications for and registrations of
such patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights, and all
processes, formulae, methods, schematics, technology, know-how, computer
software programs or applications, tangible or intangible proprietary
information or material, waivers or licenses of publicity or privacy rights or
any other third party licenses that are necessary to conduct the business of
Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted, the absence of which would
be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect (the "Company
-------
Intellectual Property Rights").
----------------------------
(b) (i) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and consummation
of the Merger will not result in the breach of, or create on behalf of any third
party the right to terminate or modify, any license, sublicense or other
agreement relating to the Company Intellectual Property Rights, or any material
licenses, sublicenses and other agreements as to which Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party and pursuant to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is authorized to use any third party patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade
secrets, likeness or other proprietary rights, including software that is used
in the manufacture of, incorporated in, or forms a part of any product sold by
or expected to be sold by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively,
"Licenses"), the termination, modification (including without limitation any
--------
modification to the scope of any license from the scope as currently granted to
and enjoyed by the Company even if such modification is contemplated by the
agreement) or breach of which would be reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(ii) Except as set forth in Section 3.16(b)(i) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
consummation of the Merger will not result in the breach of, or create on behalf
of any third party the right to terminate or modify, any License the
termination, modification (including without limitation any modification to the
30
scope of any license from the scope as currently granted to and enjoyed by the
Company even if such modification is contemplated by the agreement) or breach of
which would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on any
Company Material Product. "Company Material Product" means any product of the
------------------------
Company which accounted for more than $3,000,000 of revenues in the United
States during the nine month fiscal period ending September 30, 1998.
(iii) Schedule 3.16(b)(iii) sets forth each License relating to
Company Material Products.
(c) All patents, registered trademarks, service marks and copyrights
which are held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries the loss or invalidity
of which would cause a Material Adverse Effect or would have a material adverse
effect on any Company Material Product ("Material Intellectual Property
------------------------------
Rights"), are valid and subsisting. Section 3.16(c) of the Company Disclosure
------
Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of all registered copyrights,
registered tradenames, patents, patent applications and the unregistered
tradenames for the twenty-five highest revenue producing products included in
the Material Intellectual Property Rights. Except as would not be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company (i) has not been sued in
any suit, action or proceeding, or received in writing any claim or notice,
which involves a claim of (w) infringement or violation of any patents,
trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade secrets, right of privacy or
publicity or any other proprietary right of any third party or (x) libel or
defamation; and (ii) has no knowledge that the manufacturing, marketing,
licensing or sale of its products infringes or violates any patent, trademark,
service xxxx, copyright, trade secret, right of privacy or publicity, or other
proprietary right of any third party.
SECTION 3.17. AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS. Except as set forth in the
Company SEC Reports and as set forth in Section 3.17 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, from January 1, 1998 through the date of this Agreement there have
been no transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings between the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Affiliates (other
than wholly owned Subsidiaries) of the Company or other Persons, on the other
hand, that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K
under the Securities Act.
SECTION 3.18. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as set forth in Section
3.18 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or the Company SEC Reports and except
for such matters that, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect: the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries (i) have obtained all applicable permits, licenses and other
authorizations which are required to be obtained under all applicable
Environmental Laws by the Company or its Subsidiaries; (ii) are in material
compliance with all terms and conditions of such required permits, licenses and
authorization, and also are in material compliance with all other limitations,
restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements, obligations,
schedules and timetables contained in or arising from applicable Environmental
Laws; (iii) have not received notice of any past or present violations of
Environmental Laws, or of any spill, release, event, incident, condition or
action or failure to act which is reasonably likely to prevent continued
compliance with such Environmental Laws, or which would give rise to any common
31
law environmental liability or liability under Environmental Laws, or which
would otherwise form the basis of any claim, action, suit or proceeding against
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries based on or resulting from the
manufacture, processing, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or
handling, or the emission, discharge or release into the environment, of any
Hazardous Material by any Person; and (iv) have taken all actions required under
applicable Environmental Laws to register any products or materials required to
be registered by the Company or its Subsidiaries thereunder.
SECTION 3.19. JOINT PROXY STATEMENT PROSPECTUS; REGISTRATION
STATEMENT. None of the information supplied by the Company or its Subsidiaries
to be included or incorporated by reference in the joint proxy
statement/prospectus to be sent to the stockholders of Acquiror and the Company
in connection with the meeting of the Company's stockholders (the "Company
-------
Stockholder Meeting") and the meeting of Acquiror's stockholders (the "Acquiror
------------------- --------
Stockholder Meeting") to consider the Agreement and the Merger (the "Joint Proxy
------------------- -----------
Statement/Prospectus") or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, will, on
--------------------
the date it becomes effective with the SEC, at the time of the mailing of the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any amendment or supplement, at the time of
the Company Stockholder Meeting and the Acquiror Stockholder Meeting and at the
Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made,
not misleading. The Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will comply as to form in
all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; provided, however, that the
Company makes no representations with respect to any information supplied or to
be supplied by the Acquiror for inclusion or incorporation by reference from
Acquiror SEC Filings in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto. None of the information supplied by the Company
or its Subsidiaries to be included or incorporated by reference from Company SEC
filings in the registration statement on Form S-4 pursuant to which shares of
Acquiror Common Stock issued in the Merger will be registered under the
Securities Act (the "Registration Statement"), of which the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus will form a part, will, at the time the Registration
------------
Statement is declared effective by the SEC, contain any untrue statement of a
---------
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
SECTION 3.20. OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. The Company has received
the written opinion of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co., Inc. (the "Company Financial
-----------------
Advisor"), dated the date of this Agreement, to the effect that, as of such date
-------
and based upon and subject to certain matters stated in such opinion, the
Exchange Ratio is fair to the holders of Company's Common Stock (including
shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Company's Preferred Stock)
from a financial point of view. The Company has been authorized by the Company
Financial Advisor to permit, subject to prior review and consent by such Company
Financial Adviser, the inclusion of such opinion (or a reference thereto) in the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
32
SECTION 3.21. BROKERS. No broker, finder or investment banker (other than
the Company Financial Adviser) is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other
fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company. The
Company has heretofore furnished to Acquiror a complete and correct copy of all
agreements between the Company and the Company Financial Adviser pursuant to
which such firm would be entitled to any payment relating to the transactions
contemplated hereby.
SECTION 3.22. VOTE REQUIRED. The approval by a majority of the voting
power represented by the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, Company
Preferred Stock and Company Special Voting Stock entitled to vote thereon, and
voting together as a single class, is the only vote of the holders of any class
or series of the Company's capital stock necessary to approve this Agreement,
the Merger and, if necessary for the consummation of the Merger, an amendment to
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, that if an
amendment to the certificate of designations relating to the Company Preferred
Stock is required to consummate the Merger as contemplated in this Agreement,
the approval (i) by the holders of 66 2/3% of the shares of Company Preferred
Stock, voting as a single class, and (ii) the approval by a majority of the
voting power represented by the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock,
Company Preferred Stock and Company Special Voting Stock entitled to vote
thereon, and voting as a single class, are the only votes of the holders of any
class or series of the Company's capital stock necessary to approve such
amendment to such certificate of designations ("Company Stockholder Approval").
----------------------------
No separate approval by the holders of the Exchangeable Shares is necessary to
approve the Merger, this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated
hereby. The Company Board, at a meeting duly called and held, by unanimous vote
of the directors present (i) determined that this Agreement and the Merger are
fair to, and in the best interests of, the stockholders of the Company, (ii)
approved this Agreement, the Merger, the Stock Option Agreement, the Stockholder
Support Agreement and the Employment Agreements, (iii) declared advisable and
resolved to recommend that the holders of the shares of the Company Stock
approve this Agreement and the Merger, and (iv) adopted any necessary resolution
having the effect of causing the Company not to be subject, to the extent
permitted by applicable law, to any state takeover law that may purport to be
applicable to the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
The Company hereby agrees to the inclusion in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus of the recommendations of the Company Board described in
this Section 3.22 (subject to the right of the Company Board to withdraw, amend
or modify such recommendation in accordance with Section 6.3(d)). The Board of
Directors of Canadian Sub has determined, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 2.7(b) of the Old Support Agreement, that the changes to the rights of
the holders of Exchangeable Shares resulting from the Merger are economically
equivalent to the changes to the rights of the holders of Company Common Stock
resulting from the Merger.
SECTION 3.23. ACCOUNTING AND TAX MATTERS. To the Company's knowledge,
neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates has taken or agreed to take any
action, or knows of any circumstances, that (without regard to any action taken
or agreed to be taken by Acquiror or any of its Affiliates) would (i) prevent
Acquiror from accounting for the business combination to be effected by the
Merger as a "pooling of interests" under GAAP and the
33
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, or (ii) prevent the Merger from
qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Sections 368(a) of the
Code.
SECTION 3.24. NO OTHER AGREEMENTS TO SELL THE COMPANY OR ITS ASSETS; NO
EXISTING DISCUSSIONS . The Company has no legal obligation, absolute or
contingent, to any other Person to sell any material portion of the assets of
the Company, to sell any material portion of the capital stock or other
ownership interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or to effect any
merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or to enter into any agreement with respect thereto. As of the date
hereof, the Company is not engaged, directly or indirectly, in any discussions
or negotiations with any other party with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or
Acquisition Transaction.
SECTION 3.25. INSURANCE. The Company has made available to Acquiror
accurate and complete copies of all material fire and casualty, general
liability, business interruption, product liability, and sprinkler and water
damage insurance policies maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(collectively, "Company Insurance Policies"). All Company Insurance policies are
--------------------------
with reputable insurance carries, provide full and adequate coverage for all
normal risks incident to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries and
their respective properties and assets, and are in character and amount at least
equivalent to that carried by Persons engaged in similar businesses and
substantially equivalent to that carried by Persons engaged in similar
businesses and subject to the same or similar perils or hazards.
SECTION 3.26. TAKEOVER PROVISIONS INAPPLICABLE . As of the date hereof and
at all times on or prior to the Effective Time, the restrictions of Section 203
of the DGCL are, and shall be, inapplicable to the Merger, this Agreement, the
Stock Option Agreement, the Stockholder Support Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 3.27. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. To the Company's knowledge, as of the
date hereof, the accounts receivable of the Company and its Subsidiaries as
reflected in the most recent financial statements contained in the Company SEC
Reports, to the extent uncollected on the date hereof, and the accounts
receivable reflected the books of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the
date hereof are valid and existing and represent monies due, and the Company as
of the date hereof, has made reserves reasonably considered adequate for
receivables not collectible in the ordinary course of business, and (subject to
the aforesaid reserves) are subject to no refunds or other adjustments and to no
defenses, rights or setoff, assignments, restrictions, encumbrances or
conditions enforceable by third parties on or affecting any thereof, except for
such refunds, adjustments, defenses, rights of setoff, assignments,
restrictions, encumbrances or conditions as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
SECTION 3.28. INVENTORY. To the Company's knowledge, as of the date
hereof, the inventories of the Company and its Subsidiaries as reflected in the
most recent financial statements contained in the Company SEC Reports, except
for normal year-end adjustments made in accordance with GAAP applied
consistently with prior periods, (i) are carried as provided in the Company SEC
Reports not in excess of the lower of cost or net realizable value
34
and (ii) do not include any inventory which is obsolete, surplus or not usable
or saleable in the lawful and ordinary course of business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as heretofore conducted, in each case net of reserves provided
therefor, except in the cases of clauses (i) and (ii) as would not, individually
or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.29. PRODUCT LIABILITY. The Company is not aware of any claim
against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for injury to person or property
of employees or any third parties suffered as a result of the sale of any
product or performance of any service by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
including claims arising out of the defective or unsafe nature of its products
or services, which could, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company. The Company and its Subsidiaries have, and at the
Effective Time will have, full and adequate insurance coverage for potential
product liability claims against it.
SECTION 3.30. STANDSTILL AGREEMENT. Except as set forth in Section 3.30 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
is a party to any material standstill agreement.
ARTICLE IV.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR
Acquiror represents and warrants to the Company that the statements
contained in this Article IV are true and correct except as set forth herein and
in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Acquiror to the Company on or before
the date of this Agreement (the "Acquiror Disclosure Schedule"). The Acquiror
----------------------------
Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the
numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in this Article IV and the disclosure
in any paragraph shall qualify other paragraphs in this Article IV only to the
extent that it is readily apparent from a reading of such disclosure that it
also qualifies or applies to such other paragraphs.
SECTION 4.1. ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. Acquiror is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization, with the corporate power and authority to own and operate its
businesses as presently conducted, except for any failure of any Subsidiaries to
be in good standing that would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Acquiror is
duly qualified as a foreign corporation or other entity to do business and is in
good standing in each jurisdiction where the character of its properties owned
or held under lease or the nature of its activities makes such qualification
necessary, except for such failures of Acquiror to be so qualified as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Acquiror has
previously made available to the Company true and correct copies of the
certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Acquiror, as currently in effect.
SECTION 4.2. AUTHORIZATION; VALIDITY AND EFFECT OF AGREEMENT. Acquiror
has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform
its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The
35
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Acquiror and the performance by
Acquiror of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by them of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by the Acquiror Board
and, other than the adoption and approval of this Agreement by the holders of
the Acquiror Common Stock and Acquiror Preferred Stock, voting together as a
single class, no other corporate proceedings on the part of Acquiror are
necessary to authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Acquiror and
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Acquiror, enforceable
against Acquiror in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, general
equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law)
and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
SECTION 4.3. CAPITALIZATION.
(a) The authorized capital stock of Acquiror consists of (i)
1,000,000,000 shares of Acquiror Common Stock, (ii) 3,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of which 772,800 shares have been
designated as Series C Mandatorily Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
("Acquiror Preferred Stock") and (iii) 20,000,000 shares of Preference Stock,
------------------------
par value $.01 per share, of which 2,000,000 shares have been designated as
Series E Junior Participating Preference Stock ("Acquiror Series E Preference
----------------------------
Stock"). As of December 8, 1998, (i) 286,283,375 shares of Acquiror Common
-----
Stock, (ii) 771,920 shares of Acquiror Preferred Stock (which are represented by
19,298,000 Series C Depositary Shares, each representing one twenty-fifth of a
share of Acquiror Preferred Stock) and (iii) no shares of Acquiror Series E
Preference Stock, were issued and outstanding. As of the date hereof, 14,098,106
shares of Acquiror Common Stock are held in the Acquiror treasury. Schedule
4.3(a) of the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule sets forth the number of shares of
Acquiror Common Stock reserved for future issuance upon exercise of any
unexpired and unexercised outstanding option, whether or not vested or
exercisable in accordance with its terms, to purchase shares of Acquiror Common
Stock ("Acquiror Options") granted and outstanding as of the date hereof under
----------------
any Acquiror stock option plan (the "Acquiror Option Plans"). As of the date of
---------------------
this Agreement, Acquiror has not granted any stock appreciation rights or any
other contractual rights the value of which is derived from the financial
performance of Acquiror or the value of shares of Acquiror Common Stock. Except
as disclosed in Schedule 4.3(a) of the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule, there are
no obligations, contingent or otherwise, of Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries
to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of Acquiror Common Stock
or the capital stock or ownership interests of any Subsidiary or to provide
funds to or make any material investment (in the form of a loan, capital
contribution or otherwise) in any such Subsidiary or any other entity other than
guarantees of bank obligations or indebtedness for borrowed money of
Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business. All of the
outstanding shares of capital stock (including shares which may be issued upon
exercise of outstanding options) or other ownership interests of each of the
Acquiror's domestic Subsidiaries are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable and, except as disclosed in Schedule 4.3(a) of the Acquiror
Disclosure Schedule, all such shares (other than director's qualify shares and
similar shares in the case of foreign Subsidiaries) are owned by the Acquiror or
another Subsidiary of Acquiror free and clear
36
of all security interests, liens, claims, pledges, agreements, limitations on
the Acquiror's voting rights, charges or other encumbrances or restrictions on
transfer of any nature (other than restrictions imposed by law).
(b) There is no Voting Debt of Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries issued
and outstanding. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.3(b) of the Acquiror
Disclosure Schedule or as reserved for future grants of options under the
Acquiror Stock Plans as of the date hereof, (i) there are no shares of capital
stock of any class of, or any security exchangeable into or exercisable for such
capital stock, issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding; (ii) there are no
options, warrants, equity securities, calls, rights, commitments or agreements
of any character to which Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (or by
which it is bound) obligating Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries to issue,
deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of
capital stock or other ownership interests (including Voting Debt) of Acquiror
or any of its Subsidiaries or obligating Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries to
grant, extend, accelerate the vesting of or enter into any such option, warrant,
equity security, call, right, commitment or agreement; and (iii) there are no
voting trusts, proxies or other voting agreements or understandings with respect
to the shares of capital stock of Acquiror to which Acquiror or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party. All shares of Acquiror Common Stock subject to issuance
as specified in this Section 4.3(b) are duly authorized and, upon issuance on
the terms and conditions specified in the instruments pursuant to which they are
issuable, shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
SECTION 4.4. SUBSIDIARIES. The only Subsidiaries of Acquiror are those
set forth in Section 4.4 of the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule. There are no
existing options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, convertible securities or
other securities, agreements, commitments or obligations of any character
relating to the outstanding capital stock or other securities of any domestic
Subsidiary of Acquiror or which would require any domestic Subsidiary of
Acquiror to issue or sell any shares of its capital stock, ownership interests
or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of its capital stock
or ownership interests.
SECTION 4.5. OTHER INTERESTS. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.5 of the
Acquiror Disclosure Schedule, neither Acquiror nor any of Acquiror's
Subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, any material interest or investment
in the equity or debt for borrowed money of any corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, business, trust or other Person (other
than Acquiror's Subsidiaries).
SECTION 4.6. NO CONFLICT; REQUIRED FILINGS AND CONSENTS.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 4.6 of the Acquiror Disclosure
Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the
performance by Acquiror of Acquiror's obligations hereunder, nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will: (i) conflict with
Acquiror's certificate of incorporation or bylaws or the comparable charter or
organizational documents of any of its material Subsidiaries; (ii) assuming
satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Section 4.6(b) below, violate any
statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation, applicable to Acquiror or any of
its Subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets; or
37
(iii) violate, breach, be in conflict with or constitute a default (or an event
which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under,
or permit the termination of any provision of, or result in the termination of,
the acceleration of the maturity of, or the acceleration of the performance of
any obligation of Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries under, or result in the
creation of imposition of any lien upon any properties, assets or business of
Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries under, any note, bond, indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, lease, franchise, permit, authorization, license, contract
(including, without limitation, Parent Contracts), instrument or other agreement
or commitment or any order, judgment or decree to which Acquiror or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries or any
of their respective assets or properties is bound or encumbered, or give any
Person the right to require Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries to purchase or
repurchase any notes, bonds or instruments of any kind except, in the case of
clauses (ii) and (iii), for such violations, breaches, conflicts, defaults or
other occurrences which, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Except (i) for applicable requirements, if any, of the Exchange Act,
the Securities Act and Blue Sky Laws, (ii) for the pre-merger notification
requirements of the HSR Act, (iii) for the filing of the Certificate of Merger
pursuant to the DGCL, (iv) for other governmental approvals and filings required
under the applicable laws of any foreign jurisdiction, and (v) with respect to
matters set forth in Section 4.6(a) or 4.6(b) of the Acquiror Disclosure
Schedule, no consent, approval or authorization of, permit from, or declaration,
filing or registration with, any governmental or regulatory authority, or any
other Person or entity is required to be made or obtained by Acquiror in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except where the
failure to obtain such consent, approval, authorization, permit or declaration
or to make such filing or registration would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.7. COMPLIANCE. Acquiror and each of its Subsidiaries are in
compliance with all foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations
applicable to its operations or with respect to which compliance is a condition
of engaging in the business thereof, except to the extent that failure to comply
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. To
the knowledge of Acquiror, neither Acquiror nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any notice asserting a failure, or possible failure, to comply with any
such law or regulation, the subject of which notice has not been resolved as
required thereby or otherwise to the satisfaction of the party sending the
notice, except for such failure as would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect. Acquiror and its Subsidiaries hold all permits,
licenses and franchises from governmental agencies required to conduct their
respective businesses as they are now being conducted, except for such failures
to have such permits, licenses and franchises that would not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.8. SEC DOCUMENTS.
(a) Acquiror has filed and made available to the Company true and complete
copies of each registration statement, proxy or information statement, form,
report and other documents
38
required to be filed by it with the SEC since January 1, 1995 (collectively, the
"Acquiror SEC Reports"). As of their respective dates, the Acquiror SEC Reports
--------------------
(i) complied, or, with respect to those not yet filed, will comply, in all
material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act and (ii) did not, or, with respect to those not yet filed, will
not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(b) Each of the consolidated balance sheets included in or incorporated by
reference into Acquiror SEC Reports (including the related notes and schedules)
presents fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position
of Acquiror and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of its date, and each of the
consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of Acquiror
included in or incorporated by reference into Acquiror SEC Reports (including
the related notes and schedules) presents fairly, in all material respects, the
results of operations, retained earnings or cash flows, as the case may be, of
Acquiror and its Subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the
case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments), in each
case in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved,
except as may be noted therein.
(c) Except as set forth in Section 4.8(c) of the Acquiror Disclosure
Schedule and except as set forth in the Acquiror SEC Reports, neither Acquiror
nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) that would be required to
be reflected on, or reserved against in, a balance sheet of Acquiror or in the
notes thereto, prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, except for
(i) liabilities or obligations that were so reserved on, or reflected in
(including the notes to), the consolidated balance sheet of Acquiror as of
September 30, 1998, (ii) liabilities or obligations arising in the ordinary
course of business (including trade indebtedness) since September 30, 1998, and
(iii) liabilities or obligations which would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.9. ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Except as set forth in Section
4.9 of the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule or the Acquiror SEC Reports, and except
for the transactions expressly contemplated hereby, since September 30, 1998,
Acquiror and its Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses only in
the ordinary and usual course consistent with past practices and there has not
been any change in Acquiror's business, operations, condition (financial or
otherwise), results of operations, assets or liabilities, except for changes
contemplated hereby or changes which have not, individually or in the aggregate,
had or are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set
forth in Section 4.9 of the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule, from September 30,
1998 through the date of this Agreement, neither Acquiror nor any of its
Subsidiaries has taken any of the actions prohibited by Section 5.2 hereof.
SECTION 4.10. LITIGATION. Except as set forth in Section 4.10 of the
Acquiror Disclosure Schedule or in the Acquiror SEC Reports there is no Action
instituted, pending or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened, in each case
against Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries,
39
which, individually or in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nor is there any
outstanding judgment, decree or injunction, in each case against Acquiror or any
of its Subsidiaries, or any statute, rule or order of any domestic or foreign
court, governmental department, commission or agency applicable to Acquiror or
any of its Subsidiaries which has or could reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.11. TAXES. Except as set forth in Section 4.11 of the Acquiror
Disclosure Schedule:
(a) Acquiror and its Subsidiaries have (A) duly filed (or there have been
filed on their behalf) with the appropriate governmental authorities all Tax
Returns required to be filed by them and such Tax Returns are true, correct and
complete in all respects, except for any such filings which are not reasonably
likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, and
(B) duly paid in full all Taxes, whether or not shown to be due on such Tax
Returns, except for which the failure to pay would not, individually or in the
aggregate, be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(b) No claim has ever been made by an authority in a jurisdiction where
any of Acquiror and its non-foreign Subsidiaries do not file Tax Returns that it
is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction which is reasonably likely
to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) Each of Acquiror and its non-foreign Subsidiaries has withheld and
paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with
amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor,
stockholder, or other third party, except for amounts which are not reasonably
likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(d) All federal income Tax Returns of Acquiror and its non-foreign
Subsidiaries for periods through the taxable year ended in 1991 have been
audited, and no federal or state, local or foreign audits or other
administrative proceedings or court proceedings are presently being conducted
with regard to any Taxes or Tax Returns of Acquiror or its Subsidiaries and
neither Acquiror nor its Subsidiaries has received a written notice of any
pending audits with respect to Taxes or Tax Returns of Acquiror, and neither
Acquiror nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitations with
respect to Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax
assessment or deficiency, except with respect to Taxes which are not reasonably
likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) Neither the Internal Revenue Service nor any other taxing authority
(whether domestic or foreign) has asserted against Acquiror or any of its
Subsidiaries any material deficiency or material claim for Taxes not reserved
for on the most recent balance sheet of the Acquiror as set forth in its most
recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q;
(f) There are no liens for Taxes upon any Assets of Acquiror or any
Subsidiary thereof, except for liens for Taxes not yet due and payable and liens
for Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings,
except for liens which would not be
40
reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse
Effect, and no written power of attorney that has been granted by Acquiror or
its Subsidiaries (other than to Acquiror or a Subsidiary) currently is in force
with respect to any material matter relating to Taxes except with respect to
Taxes which are not reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have
a Material Adverse Effect;
(g) Neither Acquiror nor any of its Subsidiaries has, with regard to any
assets or property held by any of them, agreed to have Section 341(f)(2) of the
Code apply to any disposition of a subsection (f) asset (as such term is defined
in Section 341(f)(4) of the Code) owned by Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries;
(h) None of Acquiror and its Subsidiaries has made any payments, is
obligated to make any payments, or is a party to any agreement that under
certain circumstances could obligate it to make any payments that will not be
deductible under Section 280G of the Code;
(i) None of Acquiror and its Subsidiaries has been a United States real
property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code
during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code;
(j) None of Acquiror and its Subsidiaries is a party to any Tax allocation
or sharing agreement; and
(k) None of Acquiror and its Subsidiaries (A) has been a member of an
affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return (other than a
group the common parent of which was Acquiror) or (B) has any Liability for the
Taxes of any Person (other than any of Acquiror and its Subsidiaries) under
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local,
or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise, other
than such Taxes which are not reasonably likely, individually or in the
aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
(a) Section 4.12 of the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule contains a complete
list of all Acquiror Pension Plans, Welfare Plans and material Benefit
Arrangements (other than those maintained outside the United States) as of the
date hereof. To the extent in the Acquiror's or its Subsidiaries' possession,
true and complete copies or descriptions of the Acquiror Pension Plans, Welfare
Plans and material Benefit Arrangements (other than those maintained outside the
United States), including, without limitation, trust instruments, if any, that
form a part thereof, and all amendments thereto have been furnished or made
available to the Company and its counsel.
(b) Except as described in Section 4.12 of the Acquiror Disclosure
Schedule, each of the Acquiror Employee Plans (other than any Multiemployer
Plan) has been administered and is in compliance with the terms of such Acquiror
Employee Plan and all applicable laws, rules and regulations except for
noncompliance which, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably likely
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
41
(c) No "reportable event" (as such term is used in section 4043 of ERISA)
for which the notice requirements to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
have not been waived, "prohibited transaction" (as such term is used in section
406 of ERISA or section 4975 of the Code) for which no exemption exists, or
"accumulated funding deficiency" (as such term is used in section 412 or 4971 of
the Code) has heretofore occurred with respect to any Pension Plan (other than
any Multiemployer Plan) of Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries except for such
events which, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably like to have
a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) There is no material action, order, writ, injunction, judgment or
decree outstanding or claim, suit litigation, proceeding, arbitral action,
governmental audit or investigation relating to or seeking benefits under any
Acquiror Employee Plan that is pending or, to Acquiror's knowledge, threatened
against Acquiror, any of its ERISA Affiliates, or any Acquiror Employee Plans
(collectively, "Claims"), other than routine claims for benefits or Claims
which, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Except as set forth in Section 4.12 of the Acquiror Disclosure
Schedule, Acquiror has not incurred any withdrawal liability with respect to any
Multiemployer Plan under Title IV of ERISA which remains unsatisfied, except for
such liabilities as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(f) With respect to the Acquiror Employee Plans, individually and in the
aggregate, there are no funded benefit obligations for which contributions have
not been made or properly accrued and there are no unfunded benefit obligations
which have not been accounted for by reserves, or otherwise properly footnoted
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, on the financial
statements of Acquiror, except for obligations which, individually or in the
aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect with
respect to Acquiror.
SECTION 4.13. TITLE TO ASSETS. The Assets of Acquiror and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are sufficient to permit Acquiror and its
Subsidiaries to conduct their business as currently being conducted with only
such exceptions as would not have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the material
Assets owned by Acquiror are owned free and clear of all Encumbrances, except as
described in Section 4.13 of the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule or Permitted
Encumbrances or when the failure to have such ownership would not have a
Material Adverse Effect .
SECTION 4.14. CONTRACTS. Each Acquiror Contract is valid, binding and
enforceable and in full force and effect, except where failure to be valid,
binding and enforceable and in full force and effect would not have a Material
Adverse Effect, and there are no material defaults thereunder by Acquiror or its
Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of Acquiror, by any other party thereto
which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
42
SECTION 4.15. LABOR RELATIONS. Except as set forth on Section 4.15 of the
Acquiror Disclosure Schedule, there is no labor strike, slowdown or work
stoppage or lockout against Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries, there is no
unfair labor practice charge or complaint against or pending before the National
Labor Relations Board which if decided adversely could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, and there is no representation claim or petition pending before the
National Labor Relations Board and no question concerning representation exists
with respect to the employees of Acquiror or its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.16. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
(a) Acquiror and its Subsidiaries own, or are licensed or otherwise
possess legally enforceable rights to use, all patents, trademarks, trade names,
service marks and copyrights, any applications for and registrations of such
patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights, and all
processes, formulae, methods, schematics, technology, know-how, computer
software programs or applications, tangible or intangible proprietary
information or material, waivers or licenses of publicity or privacy rights or
any other third party licenses that are necessary to conduct the business of
Acquiror and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted, the absence of which would
be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect (the "Acquiror
--------
Intellectual Property Rights").
----------------------------
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and consummation of
the Merger will not result in the breach of, or create on behalf of any third
party the right to terminate or modify, any license, sublicense or other
agreement relating to the Acquiror Intellectual Property Rights, or any material
licenses, sublicenses and other agreements as to which Acquiror or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party and pursuant to which Acquiror or any of its
Subsidiaries is authorized to use any third party patents, trademarks,
copyrights, trade secrets, likeness or other proprietary rights, including
software that is used in the manufacture of, incorporated in, or forms a part of
any product sold by or expected to be sold by Acquiror or any of its
Subsidiaries, the termination, modification (including without limitation any
modification to the scope of any license from the scope as currently granted by
Acquiror even if such modification is contemplated by the agreement) or breach
of which would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) All patents, registered trademarks, service marks and copyrights
which are held by Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries the loss or invalidity of
which would cause a Material Adverse Effect, are valid and subsisting. Except as
would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, Acquiror (i)
has not been sued in any suit, action or proceeding, or received in writing any
claim or notice, which involves a claim of (w) infringement or violation of any
patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade secrets, right of privacy
or publicity or any other proprietary right of any third party or (x) libel or
defamation; and (ii) has no knowledge that the manufacturing, marketing,
licensing or sale of its products infringes or violates any patent, trademark,
service xxxx, copyright, trade secret, right of privacy or publicity, or other
proprietary right of any third party.
43
SECTION 4.17. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as set forth in Section 4.17
of the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule or the Acquiror SEC Reports and except for
such matters that, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably likely
to have a Material Adverse Effect, and except as has not had, and would not
reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, Acquiror and each of
its Subsidiaries (i) have obtained all applicable permits, licenses and other
authorizations which are required to be obtained under all applicable
Environmental Laws by Acquiror or its Subsidiaries; (ii) are in material
compliance with all terms and conditions of such required permits, licenses and
authorization, and also are in material compliance with all other limitations,
restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements, obligations,
schedules and timetables contained in or arising from applicable Environmental
Laws; (iii) have not received notice of any past or present violations of
Environmental Laws, or of any spill, release, event, incident, condition, action
or failure to act which is reasonably likely to prevent continued compliance
with such Environmental Laws, or which would give rise to any common law
environmental liability or liability under Environmental Laws, or which would
otherwise form the basis of any claims, action, suit or proceeding against
Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries based on or resulting from the manufacture,
processing, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling, or the
emission, discharge or release into the environment, of any Hazardous Material
by any Person; and (iv) have taken all actions required under applicable
Environmental Laws to register any products or materials required to be
registered by Acquiror or its Subsidiaries thereunder.
SECTION 4.18. JOINT PROXY STATEMENT PROSPECTUS; REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
None of the information supplied by Acquiror to be included or incorporated by
reference in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, will, on the date it became effective with the SEC, at the
time of the mailing of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto to the stockholders of Acquiror or the Company, at the time
of the Acquiror Stockholder Meeting and the Company Stockholder Meeting and at
the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are
made, not misleading. The Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will comply as to
form in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; provided, however, that
Acquiror makes no representation with respect to any information supplied or to
be supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporated by reference from
Company SEC filings in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto. None of the information supplied by Acquiror to
be included or incorporated by reference from Acquiror SEC filings in the
Registration Statement will, at the time the Registration Statement is declared
effective by the SEC, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are
made, not misleading.
SECTION 4.19. OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. Acquiror has received the
written opinion of Xxxxxxx, Sachs & Co., dated the date of this Agreement, to
the effect that the
44
consideration to be paid by Acquiror in connection with the Merger is fair to
Acquiror from a financial point of view.
SECTION 4.20. OWNERSHIP OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK. To the best knowledge of
Acquiror, neither Acquiror, nor any of its affiliates, beneficially or of
record, owns any shares of Company Stock or Exchangeable Shares, other than such
securities, if any, held by or for the account of employees or former employees
of Acquiror, or any of its respective affiliates pursuant to any Acquiror
Employee Plan.
SECTION 4.21. BROKERS. No broker, finder or investment banker (other than
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx & Co. and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated, the fees and
expenses of which shall be paid by Acquiror) is entitled to any brokerage,
finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of
Acquiror.
SECTION 4.22. VOTE REQUIRED. The approval by a majority of the voting
power represented by the outstanding shares of Acquiror Common Stock and
Acquiror Preferred Stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single
class, is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of Acquiror's
capital stock necessary to approve this Agreement, the Merger and, if necessary
for the consummation of the Merger, an amendment to Acquiror's Certificate of
Incorporation, ("Acquiror Stockholder Approval"). The Acquiror Board, at a
-----------------------------
meeting duly called and held, by unanimous vote of the directors present (i)
determined that this Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement, the Stockholder
Support Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
Merger, are fair to, and in the best interests of, the stockholders of Acquiror,
(ii) approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including
the Merger, and (iii) declared advisable and resolved to recommend that the
holders of the shares of the Acquiror Common Stock approve this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger.
SECTION 4.23. TAX AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS. To Acquiror's knowledge, neither
Acquiror nor any of its Affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action, or
knows of any circumstances, that (without regard to any action taken or agreed
to be taken by the Company or any of its Affiliates) would (i) prevent Acquiror
from accounting for the business combination to be effected by the Merger as a
"pooling of interests" under GAAP and the applicable rules and regulations of
the SEC or (ii) prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within
the meaning of Sections 368(a) of the Code.
SECTION 4.24. RIGHTS PLAN. As of the Effective Time, each share of
Acquiror Common Stock received by holders of Company Common Stock pursuant to
Section 2.7(a), or holders of Company Preferred Stock pursuant to Section
2.7(b), shall evidence and entitle the holder thereof to Acquiror Rights under
the Acquiror Rights Agreement.
45
ARTICLE V.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER
SECTION 5.1. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY PENDING THE MERGER.
During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the
earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the Effective Time, the Company
agrees as to itself and each of its Subsidiaries (except to the extent that
Acquiror shall otherwise consent in writing) to carry on its business in the
ordinary course in substantially the same manner as previously conducted, to pay
its debts and taxes when due, subject to good faith disputes over such debts or
taxes, in the ordinary course in substantially the same manner as previously
paid, to pay or perform its other obligations when due in the ordinary course in
substantially the same manner as previously paid or performed, to maintain
insurance coverages and its books, accounts and records in the usual manner
consistent with past practices, to comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws, ordinances and regulations of Governmental Entities, to
maintain and keep its properties and equipment in good repair, working order and
condition (except ordinary wear and tear), and, to the extent consistent with
such business, use all reasonable efforts consistent with past practices and
policies to preserve intact its present business organization, keep available
the services of its present officers and key employees and preserve its
relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors, and others having
business dealings with it. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and
except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, or as specifically disclosed
in Section 5.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, during the period from the
date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of
this Agreement or the Effective Time, without the written consent of Acquiror
(which will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Company shall not and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
(a) adopt or propose any amendment to its certificate of
incorporation or bylaws or comparable charter or organizational documents except
as contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) (i) issue, pledge or sell, or propose or authorize the issuance,
pledge or sale of, additional shares of capital stock of any class (other than
upon exercise of Company Stock Rights outstanding on the date of this Agreement
upon payment of the exercise price thereof or upon any exchange of Exchangeable
Shares), or securities convertible into capital stock of any class, or any
subscriptions, rights, warrants or options to acquire any convertible securities
or capital stock, or any other securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in
substitution for, shares of Company Stock outstanding on the date hereof, (ii)
amend, waive or otherwise modify any of the terms of any option, warrant or
stock option plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including without
limitation, the Company Stock Rights and the Company Stock Plans, or authorize
cash payments in exchange for any options granted under any of such plans, or
(iii) adopt or implement any stockholder rights plan;
(c) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution
(whether in cash, securities or property or any combination thereof) in respect
of any class or series of its capital stock other than between any wholly-owned
Subsidiary of the Company (or the Canadian Sub) and the Company or any other
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company (or the Canadian Sub),
46
or purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of its
capital stock (other than the Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the exchange
rights thereof);
(d) split, combine, subdivide, reclassify or redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire, or propose to redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire, any
shares of its capital stock, or any of its other securities (other than the
Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the exchange rights thereof);
(e) increase the compensation or fringe benefits payable or to become
payable to its directors, officers or employees (whether from the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries), or pay any benefit not required by any existing plan or
arrangement (including, without limitation, the granting of stock options, stock
appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock or performance units) or grant
any severance or termination pay to (except pursuant to existing agreements or
policies previously disclosed in writing to Acquiror, which shall be interpreted
and implemented in a manner consistent with past practice), or enter into any
employment or severance agreement with, any director, officer or employee of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or establish, adopt, enter into, or amend any
collective bargaining, bonus, profit sharing, thrift, compensation, stock
option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, savings, welfare, deferred
compensation, employment, termination, severance or other employee benefit plan,
agreement, trust, fund, policy or arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any
directors, officers or current or former employees, including any Benefit
Arrangement, Pension Plan or Welfare Plan, except (i) to the extent required by
applicable law or regulation, (ii) pursuant to any collective bargaining
agreements or Company Employee Plan as in effect on the date of this Agreement
consistent with past practices, (iii) for salary and benefit increases in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice to employees other
than executive officers of the Company, (iv) pursuant to Section 2.8 or (v) the
grant of options consistent with past practice to new or promoted employees
other than executive officers, which options represent in the aggregate the
right to acquire no more than 500,000 shares (net cancellations) of Company
Common Stock;
(f) (i) sell, pledge, lease, dispose of, grant, encumber, or otherwise
authorize the sale, pledge, disposition, grant or encumbrance of any of the
properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including stock
of Subsidiaries), except for (A) sales of assets in the ordinary course of
business, (B) sales of assets aggregating less than $5,000,000, (C) sales of
accounts receivable under agreements with Fleet Bank and Sanwa Bank in effect as
of the date hereof consistent with past practice, (D) sales of marketable
securities aggregating less than $20,000,000, and (E) sales of assets under
sale/leaseback arrangements with Fleet Bank in effect as of the date hereof
consistent with past practice, or (ii) acquire (including, without limitation,
by merger, consolidation, lease or acquisition of stock or assets) any
corporation, partnership, other business organization or any division thereof
(or a substantial portion of the assets thereof) or any other assets, except for
acquisitions of assets in the ordinary course of business and except for
acquisitions involving an aggregate purchase price not in excess of $10,000,000;
(g) (i) incur, assume or pre-pay any debt for borrowed money, other
than pursuant to credit agreements, accounts receivable facilities, factoring
arrangements and sale/leaseback arrangements in effect as of the date hereof
consistent with past practice, (ii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise
become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise)
47
for the obligations of any other person (other than wholly-owned subsidiaries),
(iii) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in,
any other person (including advances to employees), except for loans, advances,
capital contributions or investments between any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the
Company and the Company or another wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company or
which are reasonable, necessary, in the ordinary course and consistent with past
practice, or (iv) enter into any "keep well" or other agreement to maintain the
financial condition of another entity (other than the Company or any of its
wholly-owned Subsidiaries);
(h) authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to adopt a
plan of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, other than in connection with the dissolution, merger or
liquidation of inactive Subsidiaries;
(i) make or rescind any material express or deemed election relating to
Taxes, settle or compromise any material claim, action, suit, litigation,
proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or controversy relating to Taxes,
amend any material Tax Return except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, or except as may be required by applicable law,
make any change to any of its material methods of reporting income or deductions
(including, without limitation, any change to its methods or basis or write-offs
of accounts receivable) for federal income tax purposes from those employed in
the preparation of its federal income tax return for the taxable year ending
January 3, 1998;
(j) pay, discharge or satisfy any material claims, liabilities or
obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted, unasserted, contingent or otherwise),
other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice of liabilities reflected or reserved
against in the consolidated financial statements of the Company;
(k) other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
past practice, waive any rights of substantial value or make any payment, direct
or indirect, of any material liability of the Company or of any of its
Subsidiaries before the same comes due in accordance with its terms;
(l) fail to maintain its existing insurance coverage of all types in
effect or, in the event any such coverage shall be terminated or lapse, to the
extent available at reasonable cost, procure substantially similar substitute
insurance policies which in all material respects are in at least such amounts
and against such risks as are currently covered by such policies;
(m) enter into any collective bargaining agreement (other than as
required by law or extensions of existing agreements in the ordinary course of
business);
(n) change its methods of accounting as in effect on October 3, 1998
except as required by GAAP, or take any action, other than reasonable and usual
actions in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice,
with respect to accounting policies or procedures, unless required by GAAP or
the SEC;
48
(o) modify, amend or terminate any of the Company Contracts or waive,
release or assign any material rights or claims, except in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice;
(p) take, or agree to commit to take, any action that would cause the
representations and warranties of the Company contained herein, individually or
in the aggregate, not to be true and correct in all material respects;
(q) close, shut down, or otherwise eliminate any facility or office
containing more than 20,000 square feet;
(r) make or commit to make any capital expenditures that exceed
$10,000,000 in the aggregate or, except as required pursuant to commitments
existing on the date hereof or made without violation of this Section 5.1, make
any cash disbursement not in the ordinary course of business exceeding
$5,000,000 for any single item or related series of items;
(s) initiate, compromise, or settle any material litigation or
arbitration proceeding except in connection with the Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby;
(t) enter into an agreement, contract, commitment or arrangement to do any
of the foregoing; and
(u) modify, amend, restate or terminate the Amended and Restated
Employment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx or the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of
the date hereof, between the Company and Xxxxx X'Xxxxx, or waive, release or
assign any material rights or claims thereunder.
SECTION 5.2. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF ACQUIROR PENDING THE MERGER. During
the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of
the termination of this Agreement or the Effective Time, Acquiror agrees as to
itself and each of its Subsidiaries (except to the extent that the Company shall
otherwise consent in writing) to carry on its business in the ordinary course in
substantially the same manner as previously conducted, to pay its debts and
taxes when due, subject to good faith disputes over such debts or taxes, in the
ordinary course in substantially the same manner as previously paid, to pay or
perform its other obligations when due in the ordinary course in substantially
the same manner as previously paid or performed, to maintain insurance coverages
and its books, accounts and records in the usual manner consistent with past
practices, to comply in all material respects with all applicable laws,
ordinances and regulations of Governmental Entities, to maintain and keep its
properties and equipment in good repair, working order and condition (except
ordinary wear and tear), and, to the extent consistent with such business, use
all reasonable efforts consistent with past practices and policies to preserve
intact its present business organization, keep available the services of its
present officers and key employees and preserve its relationships with
customers, suppliers, distributors, and others having business dealings with it.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as expressly
contemplated by this Agreement, or as specifically disclosed in Section 5.2 of
the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule, during the period
49
from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the
termination of this Agreement or the Effective Time, without the written consent
of the Company, Acquiror shall not and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to:
(a) adopt or propose any amendment to its certificate of incorporation
or bylaws or comparable charter or organizational documents, except as
contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) split, combine, subdivide, reclassify or redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire, or propose to redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire, any
shares of its capital stock, or any of its other securities; and
(c) enter into an agreement, contract, commitment or arrangement to do
any of the foregoing.
ARTICLE VI.
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
SECTION 6.1. PREPARATION OF FORM S-4 AND THE PROXY STATEMENT; STOCKHOLDER
MEETING.
(a) As promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement,
the Company and Acquiror shall cooperate, prepare and file with the SEC, the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement in which the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be included as a prospectus, provided that
Acquiror may delay the filing of the Registration Statement until approval of
the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus by the SEC. The Company and Acquiror will
cause the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement to
comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Each
of Acquiror and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to have or cause
the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be cleared by the SEC and to cause the
Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as practicable. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the Company and Acquiror
shall, and shall cause its respective Representatives to, fully cooperate with
the other party and its respective Representatives in the preparation of the
Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement, and shall, upon
request, furnish the other party with all information concerning it and its
affiliates, directors, officers and stockholders as the other may reasonably
request in connection with the preparation of the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement. The Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus with respect to the Merger shall include the determination
and recommendation of the Company Board (subject to Section 6.3(d)) and the
Acquiror Board that their respective stockholders vote in favor of the approval
and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger. The Company and Acquiror shall
use reasonable best efforts to take all actions required under any applicable
foreign, federal or state securities or Blue Sky Laws in connection with the
issuance of shares of Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to the Merger. As promptly
as practicable after the Registration Statement with respect to the Merger shall
have become
50
effective, the Company and Acquiror shall cause the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus with respect to the Merger to be mailed to their respective
stockholders.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) the Company
and Acquiror shall notify each other as promptly as practicable upon becoming
aware of any event or circumstance which should be described in an amendment of,
or supplement to, the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Registration
Statement, and (ii) the Company and Acquiror shall each notify the other as
promptly as practicable after the receipt by it of any written or oral comments
of the SEC on, or of any written or oral request by the SEC for amendments or
supplements to, the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus or the Registration
Statement, and shall promptly supply the other with copies of all correspondence
between it or any of its representatives and the SEC with respect to any of the
foregoing filings.
(c) The Company shall take all action necessary to convene and hold a
meeting of its stockholders as promptly as practical for the purpose of
obtaining the Company Stockholder Approval. Subject to Section 6.3, the Company
shall, through the Company Board, recommend to its stockholders the adoption of
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and shall use its best
efforts to solicit from its stockholders proxies in favor of adoption of this
Agreement and to take all other lawful action necessary to secure the Company
Stockholder Approval. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Company agrees that its obligations pursuant to this Section 6.1(c) shall not be
affected by the commencement, public proposal or communication to the Company of
any Acquisition Proposal, subject to Section 6.3 below.
(d) Acquiror shall take all action necessary in accordance with
applicable law and its certificate of incorporation and bylaws to convene and
hold a meeting of its stockholders as promptly as practical for the purpose of
obtaining the Acquiror Stockholder Approval. Acquiror shall, through the
Acquiror Board, recommend to its stockholders the adoption of this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby and shall use its best efforts to solicit
from its stockholders proxies in favor of adoption of this Agreement and to take
all other lawful action necessary to secure the Acquiror Stockholder Approval.
Neither the Acquiror Board nor any committee thereof shall withdraw or modify,
or propose publicly to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to the Company,
the approval or recommendation by the Acquiror Board of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(e) The Company and Acquiror shall coordinate and cooperate with each
other with respect to the timing of the Company Stockholder Meeting and the
Acquiror Stockholder Meeting and shall use their best efforts to hold such
meeting on the same day and as soon as practicable after the date hereof.
SECTION 6.2. COOPERATION; NOTICE; CURE. Subject to compliance with
applicable law, from the date hereof until the Effective Time, each of Acquiror
and the Company shall confer on a regular and frequent basis with one or more
representatives of the other party to report on the general status of ongoing
operations. Each of Acquiror and the Company shall promptly notify the other in
writing of, and will use reasonable best efforts to cure before the
51
Closing Date, any event, transaction or circumstance, as soon as practical after
it becomes known to such party, that causes or will cause any covenant or
agreement of Acquiror or the Company, as the case may be, under this Agreement
to be breached in any material respect or that renders or will render untrue in
any material respect any representation or warranty of Acquiror or the Company
contained in this Agreement. No notice given pursuant to this paragraph shall
have any effect on the representations, warranties, covenants or agreements
contained in this Agreement for purposes of determining satisfaction of any
condition contained herein.
SECTION 6.3. NO SOLICITATION.
(a) The Company shall immediately cease and terminate any existing
solicitation, initiation, encouragement, activity, discussion or negotiation
with any Persons conducted heretofore by the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective Representatives with respect to any proposed, potential or
contemplated Acquisition Transaction.
(b) From and after the date hereof, without the prior written consent
of Acquiror, the Company will not authorize or permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause any and all of its or
their respective officers, directors, employees, financial advisors, agents or
representatives (each a "Representative") not to, directly or indirectly, (i)
--------------
solicit, initiate, or encourage any inquiries or proposals that constitute, or
could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, or (ii) engage
in negotiations or discussions with any person (or group of persons) other than
Acquiror or its respective affiliates (a "Third Party") concerning, provide any
non-public information to any person or entity relating to, an Acquisition
Proposal, or (iii) enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle or
any acquisition agreement or other similar agreement with respect to any
Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section
6.3(b) shall prevent the Company or the Company Board from furnishing non-public
information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any Third
Party in connection with an unsolicited, bona fide written proposal for an
Acquisition Proposal by such Third Party, if and only to the extent that (1)
such Third Party has made a written proposal to the Company Board to consummate
an Acquisition Proposal, (2) the Company Board determines in good faith, after
consultation with a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation, that
such Acquisition Proposal is reasonably capable of being completed on
substantially the terms proposed, and would, if consummated, result in a
transaction that would provide greater value to the holders of Company Common
Stock than the transaction contemplated by this Agreement (a "Superior
--------
Proposal"), (3) the failure to take such action would, in the reasonable good
--------
faith judgment of the Company Board, after consultation with outside legal
counsel, be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders
under applicable law, and (4) prior to furnishing such non-public information
to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such person or entity,
the Company Board receives from such person or entity an executed
confidentiality and standstill agreement with material terms no less favorable
to the Company than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement. The
Company agrees not to release any Third Party from, or waive any provision of,
any standstill agreement to which it is a party or any confidentiality agreement
between it and another person who has made, or who may reasonably be considered
likely to make, an Acquisition Proposal, unless the failure to take such action
would, in the reasonable good faith
52
judgment of the Company Board, after consultation with outside legal counsel, be
inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to the Company's stockholders under
applicable law. For purposes of this Agreement, "Acquisition Proposal" shall
--------------------
mean, with respect to the Company, any proposal or offer from any Person (other
than Acquiror or any of its Subsidiaries) relating to any (i) direct or indirect
acquisition or purchase of a business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
that constitutes 20% or more of the consolidated net revenues, net income or
assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) direct or indirect acquisition
or purchase of 20% or more of any class of equity securities of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries whose business constitutes 20% or more of the
consolidated net revenues, net income or assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, (iii) tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would
result in any Person beneficially owning 20% or more of the capital stock of the
Company, or (iv) merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries whose business constitutes 20% or more of the consolidated net
revenues, net income or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Each of the
transactions referred to in clauses (i) - (iv) of the definition of Acquisition
Proposal, other than any such transaction to which Acquiror or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party, is referred to as an "Acquisition Transaction."
-----------------------
(c) The Company shall notify Acquiror promptly after receipt by the
Company or the Company's knowledge of the receipt by any of its advisors of any
Acquisition Proposal or any request for non-public information in connection
with an Acquisition Proposal or for access to the properties, books or records
of the Company by any person or entity that informs such party that it is
considering making or has made an Acquisition Proposal. Such notice shall be
made orally and in writing and shall indicate the identity of the offeror and
the terms and conditions of such proposal, inquiry or contact. The Company shall
keep Acquiror informed of the status (including any change to the material
terms) of any such Acquisition Proposal or request for non-public information.
(d) The Board of Directors of the Company may not withdraw or modify,
or propose to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Acquiror the approval
or recommendation by the Company Board of this Agreement or the Merger unless,
following the receipt of a Superior Proposal, in the reasonable good faith
judgment of the Company Board, after consultation with outside legal counsel,
the failure to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to the
Company's stockholders under applicable law; provided however, that, the Board
of Directors of the Company shall submit this Agreement to the Company's
stockholders for approval, whether or not the Board of Directors of the Company
at any time subsequent to the date hereof determines that this Agreement is no
longer advisable or recommends that the stockholders of the Company reject it or
otherwise modifies or withdraws its recommendation. Unless the Board of
Directors of the Company has withdrawn its recommendation of this Agreement in
compliance herewith, the Company shall use its best efforts to solicit from
stockholders of the Company proxies in favor of the approval and adoption of
this Agreement and the Merger and to secure the vote or consent of stockholders
required by the DGCL and its certificate of incorporation and bylaws to approve
and adopt this Agreement and the Merger.
53
(e) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company from
complying with Rule 14e-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to a
tender or exchange offer or from making any other disclosures to its
stockholders to the extent required by law.
SECTION 6.4. ACCESS TO INFORMATION. Upon reasonable notice, each of
Acquiror and the Company (and each of their respective Subsidiaries) shall
afford to the other party and its Representatives reasonable access, during
normal business hours during the period prior to the Effective Time, to all its
personnel, properties, books, contracts, commitments and records and, during
such period, each of Acquiror and the Company shall, and shall cause each of its
respective Subsidiaries to, furnish promptly to the other (a) a copy of each
report, schedule, registration statement and other documents filed or received
by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal or state
securities laws and (b) all other information concerning its business,
properties and personnel as the other party may reasonably request. Each party
making such requests will hold any such information furnished to it by the other
party which is nonpublic in confidence in accordance with the Confidentiality
Agreement dated as of November 10, 1998, between Acquiror and the Company (the
"Confidentiality Agreement"). No information or knowledge obtained in any
-------------------------
investigation pursuant to this Section 6.4 shall affect or be deemed to modify
any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or the conditions to
the obligations of the parties to consummate the Merger.
SECTION 6.5. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS.
(a) The parties hereto shall cooperate with each other and use their
reasonable best efforts to promptly prepare and file all necessary
documentation, to effect all applications, notices, petitions and filings, to
obtain as promptly as practicable all permits, registrations, licenses,
consents, variances, exemptions, orders, approvals and authorizations of all
third parties and Governmental Entities which are necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, all
filings required under the HSR Act or any applicable foreign anti-trust law or
regulation ("Governmental Approvals"), and to comply with the terms and
----------------------
conditions of all such Governmental Approvals. Each of the parties hereto shall
use their reasonable best efforts to, and shall use their reasonable best
efforts to cause their respective officers, directors and affiliates to, file
within 30 days after the date hereof, and in all events shall file within 60
days after the date hereof, all required initial applications and documents in
connection with obtaining the Governmental Approvals and shall act reasonably
and promptly thereafter in responding to additional requests in connection
therewith. Acquiror and the Company shall have the right to review in advance,
and to the extent practicable, each will consult the other on, in each case
subject to applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, all the
information relating to Acquiror and the Company, as the case may be, and any of
their respective Subsidiaries, directors, officers and stockholders which appear
in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, any third party or
any Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, each of Acquiror and the Company (the
"Notifying Party") will notify the other promptly of the receipt of comments or
---------------
requests from Governmental Entities relating to Governmental Approvals, and will
supply the other party with copies of all correspondence
54
between the Notifying Party or any of its representatives and Governmental
Entities with respect to Governmental Approvals.
(b) Acquiror and the Company shall promptly advise each other upon
receiving any communication from any Governmental Entity whose consent or
approval is required for consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement which causes such party to believe that there is a reasonable
likelihood that any approval needed from a Governmental Entity will not be
obtained or that the receipt of any such approval will be materially delayed.
Acquiror and the Company shall take any and all actions reasonably necessary to
vigorously defend, lift, mitigate and rescind the effect of any litigation or
administrative proceeding adversely affecting this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, including, without limitation, promptly
appealing any adverse court or administrative order or injunction to the extent
reasonably necessary for the foregoing purposes.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this
Agreement, Acquiror shall have no obligation or affirmative duty under this
Section 6.5 to cease or refrain from the ownership of any assets or properties,
or the association with any person or entity which association is material to
the operations of Acquiror, whether on the date hereof or at any time in the
future.
SECTION 6.6. PUBLICITY. Acquiror and the Company shall agree on the
form and content of the initial press release regarding the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereafter shall consult with each other before issuing,
and use all reasonable efforts to agree upon, any press release or other written
public statement with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby and
shall not issue any such press release or make any such written public statement
or filings prior to such consultation, except as may be required by law.
SECTION 6.7. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, Acquiror agrees that it will
indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director and officer of the
Company and its Subsidiaries (the "Indemnified Parties"), against any costs or
-------------------
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or amounts paid in settlement incurred in
connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a "Proceeding")), arising out
----------
of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective
Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, to
the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law. The obligations of Acquiror
under this Section 6.7(a) shall include the obligation to advance expenses as
incurred prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.
(b) Acquiror shall, until the fifth anniversary of the Effective Time
(or such earlier date as may be mutually agreed upon by Acquiror, and the
applicable Indemnified Party) cause to be maintained in effect, to the extent
available, the policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance
maintained by the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof (or
policies of at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms that are not
less advantageous to the
55
insured parties) with respect to claims arising from facts that occurred on or
prior to the Effective Time, including without limitation all claims based upon,
arising out of, directly or indirectly resulting from, in consequence of, or in
any way involving the Merger and any and all related events. In lieu of the
purchase of such insurance by the Acquiror, Acquiror may purchase a five year
extended reporting period endorsement ("Reporting Tail Coverage") under the
Company's existing directors' and officers' liability insurance coverage,
providing that such Reporting Tail Coverage shall extend the directors' and
officers' liability coverage in force as of the date hereof for a period of at
least five (5) years from the Effective Time for any claim based upon, arising
out of, directly or indirectly resulting from, in consequence of, or any way
involving wrongful acts or omissions occurring or prior to the Effective Time,
including without limitation all claims based upon, arising out of, directly or
indirectly resulting from, in consequence of, or any way involving the Merger or
any and all related events. In no event shall the Acquiror be obligated to
expend in order to maintain or procure insurance coverage pursuant to this
Section 6.7(b) an amount per year in excess of $727,500 per annum. The Company
represents and warrants that the current premium on its directors' and officers'
liability insurance for the three year period commencing June, 1997 is
$1,091,850.
(c) The provisions of this Section 6.7 are intended to be an addition
to the rights otherwise available to the current officers and directors of the
Company by law, charter, statute, bylaw or agreement, and shall operate for the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the Indemnified Parties, their
heirs and their representatives.
SECTION 6.8. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS MATTERS. From the Effective Time until
December 31, 1999, the Surviving Corporation shall provide the employees of the
Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries (who were, prior to the Merger,
employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries) Employee Benefits which, in the
aggregate, are no less favorable to such employees, than the Employee Benefits
provided to the employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries immediately prior
to the Effective Time. Acquiror and the Company agree that the Company and the
Surviving Corporation shall pay promptly or provide when due all compensation
and benefits required to be paid pursuant to the terms of any individual
agreement with any employee, former employee, director or former director in
effect and disclosed to Acquiror as of the date hereof. For all Employee
Benefits (including, without limitation, Employee Plans and other programs of
Acquiror and its affiliates after the Effective Time), all service with the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time of employees
(excluding employees covered by collective bargaining agreements) shall be
treated as service with Acquiror and its affiliates for purposes of eligibility,
vesting, benefits accrued (other than for the purposes of any pension plan) and
determination of benefit levels to the same extent that such service is taken
into account by the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof, except
to the extent such treatment will result in duplication of benefits. Acquiror
will, or will cause the Surviving Corporation to, (i) waive all limitations as
to preexisting conditions, exclusions and waiting periods with respect to
participation and coverage requirements applicable to the Company's employees
under any Employee Plans that such employees may be eligible to participate in
after the Effective Time, other than limitations, exclusions or waiting periods
that are already in effect with respect to such employees and that have not been
satisfied as of the Effective Time under any Employee Plan maintained for such
employees immediately
56
prior to the Effective Time and (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to provide
such employees credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid prior to the
Effective Time in satisfying any applicable deductible or out of pocket
requirements under any Welfare Plans that such employees are eligible to
participate in after the Effective Time. "Employee Benefits" shall mean the
-----------------
following benefits: any medical, health, dental, life insurance, long-term
disability, severance, pension, retirement or savings plan, policy or
arrangement, including those such plans for which coverage is generally limited
to officers or a select group of highly compensated employees of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries. Nothing herein shall require the continued employment
of any person or prevent the Company and/or the Surviving Corporation from
taking any action or refraining from taking any action which the Company could
take or refrain from taking prior to or after the Effective Time, including,
without limitation, any action the Company or the Surviving Corporation could
take to terminate any plan under its terms as in effect as of the date hereof.
Immediately at the Effective Time, Acquiror shall and hereby does, assume those
employment agreements, Company Employee Plans and Employee Benefits arrangements
as are set forth in Section 6.8 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
SECTION 6.9. AFFILIATE AGREEMENTS. Upon the execution of this
Agreement, the Company and Acquiror shall provide each other a list identifying,
to the Company's or Acquiror's respective best knowledge, those persons who are
"affiliates" of the Company or Acquiror, respectively, within the meaning of
Rule 145 (each such person who is an "affiliate" of the Company within the
meaning of Rule 145 is referred to as a "Company Affiliate" and each such person
-----------------
who is an "affiliate" of the Acquiror is referred to as an "Acquiror Affiliate")
------------------
promulgated under the Securities Act ("Rule 145"). The Company and Acquiror
--------
shall provide each other such information and documents as each shall reasonably
request for purposes of reviewing such list and shall notify the other party in
writing regarding any change in the identity of its Affiliates prior to the
Closing Date. The Company and Acquiror shall each use their respective
reasonable best efforts to deliver or cause to be delivered to each other prior
to the Effective Time an executed Affiliate Agreement from each of its
Affiliates substantially in the Form attached hereto as Exhibit C (in the case
of the Company Affiliates) and Exhibit D (in the case of the Acquiror
Affiliates).
SECTION 6.10. POOLING ACCOUNTING. The parties shall use their
reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to be accounted for as a pooling of
interests under GAAP and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, from and after the
date hereof and until the Effective Time, neither the Company nor Acquiror, nor
any of their respective Subsidiaries or other Affiliates, shall knowingly take
any action, or knowingly fail to take any action, that is reasonably likely to
jeopardize the treatment of the Merger as a pooling of interests for accounting
purposes under GAAP and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.
Acquiror and the Company shall each provide reasonable cooperation to
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to enable it to issue the pooling letters referenced
in Sections 6.14 and 6.15. As soon as is reasonably practicable but in no event
later than 45 days after the end of the first month ending at least 30 days
after the Effective Time, Acquiror will publish results including at least 30
days of combined operations of Acquiror and the Company as referred to in the
written agreements provided for by Section 6.9.
57
SECTION 6.11. TAX TREATMENT OF REORGANIZATION
(a) The parties intend the Merger to qualify as a reorganization under
Section 368(a) of the Code and shall use their best efforts (and shall cause
their respective Subsidiaries to use their best efforts) to cause the Merger to
so qualify. Neither the Company nor Acquiror, nor any of their respective
Subsidiaries or other affiliates, shall take any action, or fail to take any
action, that is not specifically provided for by this Agreement that would or
would be reasonably likely to adversely affect the treatment of the Merger as a
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code. Acquiror and the Company shall,
and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to, take the position for all
purposes that the Merger qualifies as a reorganization under that Section of the
Code.
(b) Acquiror and the Company shall cooperate and use their best efforts
in obtaining the opinions of Xxxx and Xxxx LLP, counsel to the Company, and
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, counsel to Acquiror, dated as of the Closing Date, to the
effect that the Merger will qualify for federal income tax purposes as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
SECTION 6.12. FURTHER ASSURANCES AND ACTIONS
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions herein, each of the parties
hereto agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all appropriate action, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary,
proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make
effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without
limitation, (i) using their respective reasonable best efforts to obtain all
licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and
orders of Governmental Entities and parties to contracts with each party hereto
as are necessary for consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and (ii) to fulfill all conditions precedent applicable to such party
pursuant to this Agreement.
(b) In case at any time after the Effective Date any further action is
necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest the Surviving
Corporation with full title to all properties, assets, rights, approvals,
immunities, franchises of any of the parties to the Merger, the proper officers
and/or directors of Acquiror and the Company shall take all such necessary
action.
SECTION 6.13. STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING. Acquiror shall use its best
efforts to list on the NYSE prior to the Effective Time, subject to official
notice issuance, the shares of Acquiror Common Stock to be issued as Merger
Consideration and to be issued from time to time upon exchange of the
Exchangeable Shares.
SECTION 6.14. LETTER OF THE COMPANY'S ACCOUNTANTS. The Company
shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to Acquiror a letter
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company's independent auditors, dated a date
within two business days before the date on which the Registration Statement
shall become effective and addressed to Acquiror, in form reasonably
satisfactory to Acquiror and customary in scope and
58
substance for letters delivered by independent public accountants in connection
with registration statements similar to the Registration Statement.
SECTION 6.15. LETTER OF ACQUIROR'S ACCOUNTANTS. Acquiror shall use all
reasonable efforts to cause to be delivered to the Company a letter of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Acquiror's independent auditors, dated a date within
two business days before the date on which the Registration Statement shall
become effective and addressed to the Company, in form reasonably satisfactory
to the Company and customary in scope and substance for letters delivered by
independent public accountants in connection with registration statements
similar to the Registration Statement.
ARTICLE VII.
CONDITIONS OF MERGER
SECTION 7.1. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF EACH PARTY TO EFFECT THE
MERGER . The respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger shall be
subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions:
(a) this Agreement and the Merger shall have been approved by the
stockholders of the Company and the stockholders of Acquiror in the manner
required under the DGCL and the certificate of incorporation of the Company and
Acquiror, respectively;
(b) no statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling,
injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) shall
have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any court or governmental
authority of competent jurisdiction which prohibits, restrains, enjoins or
restricts the consummation of the Merger; provided, however, that the parties
shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause any such decree, ruling,
injunction or other order to be vacated or lifted;
(c) any waiting period applicable to the Merger under the HSR Act shall
have terminated or expired;
(d) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective
amendment thereto shall have become effective under the Securities Act and shall
not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order, and
any material Blue Sky Laws applicable to the registration of the Acquiror Common
Stock to be exchanged for Company Stock shall have been complied with;
(e) the shares of Acquiror Common Stock issuable to the holders of
Company Stock pursuant to this Agreement, and upon exchange of the Exchangeable
Shares from time to time, shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE,
subject to official notice of issuance; and
(f) Acquiror and the Company shall have each received letters from
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to the effect that the Merger qualifies for "pooling
of interests," accounting treatment if consummated in accordance with this
Agreement.
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SECTION 7.2. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY TO EFFECT THE
MERGER. The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger shall be subject to
the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the following additional
conditions:
(a) each of the representations and warranties of Acquiror contained in
this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects, as of the
Effective Time as though made on and as of the Effective Time, except (i) for
changes specifically permitted or required by this Agreement, and (ii) that
those representations and warranties which address matters only as of a
particular date (other than the date of this Agreement) shall remain true and
correct as of such particular date, and (iii) where the failure to be so true
and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or be reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror;
(b) Acquiror shall have performed or complied in all material respects
with all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by them at or prior to the Effective Time;
(c) the Company shall have received a certificate executed on behalf of
the Acquiror by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the
Acquiror to the effect set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 7.2; and
(d) the Company shall have received an opinion of Xxxx and Xxxx LLP,
dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Company, substantially to the effect that, on the basis of facts,
representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion that are consistent
with the state of facts existing as of such time, for federal income tax
purposes, the Merger will constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code; in rendering such opinion, Xxxx and Xxxx LLP may
receive and rely upon representations including those contained in this
Agreement or in certificates of officers of the parties hereto and others.
SECTION 7.3. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR TO EFFECT THE
MERGER . The obligations of Acquiror to effect the Merger shall be subject to
the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the following additional
conditions:
(a) each of the representations and warranties of the Company contained
in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the Effective Time as though
made on and as of the Effective, Time, except (i) for changes specifically
permitted or required by this Agreement, (ii) that those representations and
warranties which address matters only as of a particular date (other than the
date of this Agreement) shall remain true and correct as of such particular
date, and (iii) where the failure to be so true and correct would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have or be reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect;
(b) the Company shall have performed or complied in all material
respects with all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be
performed or complied with by it at or prior to the Effective Time;
60
(c) Acquiror shall have received a certificate executed on behalf of
the Company by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the
Company to the effect set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 7.3;
(d) Acquiror shall have received an opinion of Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, dated
as of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Acquiror, substantially to the effect that, on the basis of facts,
representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion that are consistent
with the state of facts existing as of such time, for federal income tax
purposes, the Merger will constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx may
receive and rely upon representations including those contained in this
Agreement or in certificates of officers of the parties or others;
(e) all consents, appeals, releases or authorizations from, and all
filings and registrations ("Consents") to or with, any Person, including but not
--------
limited to any Governmental Entity set forth in Section 7.3(e) of the Acquiror
Disclosure Schedule shall have been made or obtained;
(f) Acquiror shall have received an opinion of Xxxxxx, Xxxx & Xxxx, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Acquiror, substantially to the
effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth in
such opinion that are consistent with the state of facts existing as of such
time, no approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares is required by the
Old Support Agreement, the Old Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement or the
provisions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares or the Business Corporations Act
(Ontario) (being the statute by which Canadian Sub is governed) in order for the
Company to effect the Merger or for Acquiror to enter into the Support Agreement
Amendment or the Voting and Exchange Trust Supplement or for either to them to
perform their other obligations hereunder and that, on and after the Effective
Time, the Exchangeable Shares will be, by their terms, exchangeable for Acquiror
Common Shares rather than Company Common Shares without any approval of the
holders of the Exchangeable Shares; and
(g) No holder of Company Special Voting Stock shall have exercised and
not withdrawn any appraisal rights under the DGCL. The holders of no more than
12,500 shares of Company Preferred Stock shall have exercised and not withdrawn
any appraisal rights under the DGCL.
ARTICLE VIII.
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 8.1. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any
time before the Effective Time (except as otherwise provided) as follows:
(a) by mutual written consent of each of Acquiror and the Company;
(b) by either the Company or Acquiror, if the Effective Time shall not
have occurred on or before September 30, 1999 (the "Termination Time"); provided
----------------
however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b)
shall not be available to any party whose
61
failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the cause of, or
resulted in, the failure of the Effective Time to occur on or before the
Termination Date;
(c) by either the Company or Acquiror, if a Governmental Entity shall
have issued an order, decree or injunction having the effect of making the
Merger illegal or permanently prohibiting the consummation of the Merger, and
such order, decree or injunction shall have become final and nonappealable (but
only if the terminating party shall have used its reasonable best efforts to
cause such order, decree or injunction to be lifted or vacated);
(d) by either the Company or Acquiror, if there shall have been a
material breach by the other of any of its (x) representations or warranties
contained in this Agreement, which breach would result in the failure to satisfy
one or more of the conditions set forth in Section 7.2(a) (in the case of a
breach by Acquiror) or Section 7.3(a) (in the case of a breach by the Company),
or (y) covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach would
result in the failure to satisfy one or more of the conditions set forth in
Section 7.2(b) (in the case of a breach by Acquiror) or Section 7.3(b) (in the
case of a breach by the Company), and in any such case such breach shall be
incapable of being cured or, if capable of being cured, shall not have been
cured within 30 days after written notice thereof shall have been received by
the party alleged to be in breach;
(e) by either the Company or Acquiror, if the required approvals of the
stockholders of the Company or Acquiror shall not have been obtained at a duly
held stockholders' meeting, including any adjournments or postponements; or
(f) by Acquiror (i) if the Board of Directors of the Company fails to
recommend approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger by the
stockholders of the Company or withdraws or modifies (or publicly announces an
intention to withdraw or modify) in any adverse manner its approval or
recommendation of this Agreement or the Merger; (ii) if the Board of Directors
of the Company makes any public recommendation with respect to any Acquisition
Proposal other than a recommendation to reject such Acquisition Proposal or as
may be required to comply with Rule 14e-2 under the Exchange Act; (iii) if the
Company engages in a solicitation of an Acquisition Proposal prohibited by
Section 6.3; or (iv) if the Board of Directors of the Company resolves to take
any of the actions specified above.
SECTION 8.2. EFFECT OF TERMINATION.
(a) In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to this
Article VIII, this Agreement (other than as set forth in Section 9.1) shall
become void and of no effect with no liability on the part of any party hereto
(or of any of its Representatives); provided, however, no such termination shall
relieve any party hereto from (x) any liability for damages resulting from any
willful or intentional breach of this Agreement (whether or not any fees
contemplated by this Section 8.2 are payable) or (y) any obligation to pay the
termination fees provided for below or Fees and Expenses (as defined) pursuant
to this Section 8.2.
(b) In the event that (i) this Agreement is terminated by Acquiror
pursuant to Section 8.1(f) or (ii) prior to the meeting of the Company's
stockholders duly convened and held
62
to vote in respect of this Agreement and the Merger, a bona fide Acquisition
Proposal shall have been made to the Company and made known to its stockholders
generally or shall have been made directly to its stockholders generally, or any
Person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional)
to make a bona fide Acquisition Proposal (whether or not such proposal shall
have been rejected or shall have been withdrawn), and thereafter (x) this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(e) by reason of the failure of
the stockholders of the Company to approve this Agreement or the Merger at such
meeting or (y) this Agreement is terminated by Acquiror pursuant to 8.1(d)(y) by
reason of a breach by the Company of its covenants or agreements hereunder,
then, in the case of either clause (i) or clause (ii), the Company shall,
simultaneously with such termination, pay to Acquiror a fee equal to $35,000,000
(the "Initial Termination Fee"). In addition, in the event that this Agreement
-----------------------
is terminated under circumstances in which the Initial Termination Fee becomes
payable, and within twelve months of such termination, the Company enters into
an agreement with any Person with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or an
Acquisition Proposal is consummated, then, upon the signing of such agreement,
or if no agreement is signed, then at the closing (and as a condition to the
closing, which condition may not be waived without the express written consent
of Acquiror) of such Acquisition Proposal, the Company shall pay to Acquiror an
additional termination fee equal to $75,000,000 (the "Additional Termination
----------------------
Fee").
---
(c) In the event that this Agreement is terminated by Acquiror pursuant
to Section 8.1(f) or pursuant to Section 8.1(e) by reason of the failure of the
Company's stockholders to approve this Agreement or the Merger at the Company
Stockholder Meeting, or pursuant to Section 8.1(d), the Company shall promptly
upon such termination (following receipt of a statement therefor) reimburse
Acquiror for all fees and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and
expenses of counsel, financial advisors, accountants, consultants and other
advisors and Representatives) ("Fees and Expenses"), up to a maximum of
-----------------
$3,000,000, incurred and paid by Acquiror in connection with this Agreement and
the Merger. In the event that this Agreement is terminated by the Company
pursuant to Section 8.1(e) by reason of the failure of Acquiror's stockholders
to approve this Agreement or the Merger at the Acquiror Stockholder Meeting, or
pursuant to Section 8.1(d), Acquiror shall promptly upon such termination
(following receipt of a statement therefor) reimburse the Company for all Fees
and Expenses, up to a maximum of $3,000,000, incurred by the Company in
connection with this Agreement and the Merger.
(d) Reimbursements of Fees and Expenses hereunder and any Initial
Termination Fee or Additional Termination Fee payable hereunder shall be payable
by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
(e) The parties acknowledge that the agreements contained in this
Section 8.2 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and that, without these agreements, the parties would not enter into
this Section 8.2, and, if in order to obtain such payment, Acquiror commences a
suit which results in a judgment against the Company for such amount (or any
portion thereof), the Company shall pay the costs and expenses (including
attorneys' fees) of Acquiror in connection with such suit, together with
interest on such amount
63
in respect of the period from the date such amount became due until the date
such amount is paid at the prime rate of The Chase Manhattan Bank in effect from
time to time during such period.
SECTION 8.3. EXPENSES. The Surviving Corporation shall pay all
charges and expenses, including those of the Exchange Agent, in connection with
the transactions contemplated in Article II. Except as otherwise specifically
provided herein, each party shall bear its own expenses in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 8.4. AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the parties
hereto by action taken by or on behalf of their respective Boards of Directors
at any time before or after any required approval of matters presented in
connection with the Merger by the stockholders of the Company; provided,
however, that after any such approval, there shall be made no amendment that by
law requires further approval by such stockholders without the further approval
of such stockholders. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument
in writing signed by the parties hereto.
SECTION 8.5. WAIVER. At any time prior to the Closing Date, any party
hereto may (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of the other parties hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties contained herein or in any document delivered
pursuant hereto and (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions contained herein. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid if set
forth in an instrument in writing signed by the party or parties to be bound
thereby. The failure of any party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights
under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
ARTICLE IX.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 9.1. NON-SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND
AGREEMENTS. The representations, warranties and agreements in this Agreement
shall terminate at the Effective Time or upon the termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 8.1, as the case may be, except that (a) the agreements set
forth in Sections 2.10, 2.11(b), 2.11(c), 2.11(e), 2.11(f), 2.13, 2.14, 6.7,
6.8, 6.12 and 9.6 shall survive the Effective Time and (b) the agreements set
forth in the Confidentiality Agreement and in Sections 8.2 and 9.6 shall survive
termination indefinitely.
SECTION 9.2. NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and
other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall
be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by cable,
telecopy, telegram or telex, by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid,
return receipt requested), or by overnight courier, to the respective parties at
the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be
specified by like notice):
64
if to Acquiror:
000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxx Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
with an additional copy to:
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
if to the Company:
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to:
Xxxx and Xxxx LLP
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
SECTION 9.3. SEVERABILITY. If any term or other provision of this
agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law
or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall
nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal
substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision
is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall
negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original
intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end
that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent
possible.
SECTION 9.4. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement (including
the Company Disclosure Schedule and the Acquiror Disclosure Schedule), together
with the Confidentiality Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement, constitutes
the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral,
among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the
65
subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party by
operation of law or otherwise without the express written consent of each of the
other parties.
SECTION 9.5. PARTIES IN INTEREST. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto, and, except for
Section 6.7, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or
shall confer upon any other person any rights, benefits or remedies of any
nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.6. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without
reference to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
SECTION 9.7. HEADINGS. The descriptive headings contained in this
Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in
any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.8. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. Each of the parties hereto
acknowledges and agrees that the other parties hereto would be irreparably
damaged in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed
in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly,
each of the parties hereto agrees that they each shall be entitled to an
injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this
Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and the terms and
conditions hereof in any action instituted in any court of the United States or
any state having competent jurisdiction, in addition to any other remedy to
which such party may be entitled, at law or in equity.
SECTION 9.9. ALTERNATIVE TRANSACTION STRUCTURE. At the request of
Acquiror, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be restructured in
the form of a "butterfly" reorganization or similar structure, or such other
form as Acquiror may determine to be appropriate, provided that any such
alternative transaction structure does not (i) delay the consummation of the
Merger in any material respect, or (ii) result in any adverse consequences (tax
or otherwise) to the Company or its shareholders.
SECTION 9.10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
[Signature page follows.]
66
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Acquiror and the Company have caused this
Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective
officers thereunto duly authorized.
MATTEL, INC.
By:__________________________
Name:
Title:
THE LEARNING COMPANY, INC.
By:__________________________
Name:
Title:
By:__________________________
Name:
Title:
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