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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
Dated as of April 12, 2006
by and among
DANAHER CORPORATION
SMILE ACQUISITION CORP.
and
SYBRON DENTAL SPECIALTIES, INC.
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this Agreement), dated as of April 12, 2006,
by and among Danaher Corporation, a Delaware corporation (Parent), Smile Acquisition
Corp., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent
(the Purchaser), and Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
Company).
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Parent, the Purchaser and the
Company have approved the acquisition of the Company by Parent on the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;
WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement the Purchaser has agreed to commence a tender
offer (the Offer) to purchase all of the Companys common stock, par value $0.01
per share, including the associated preferred stock purchase rights (the Rights)
issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2000, between the
Company and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent (the Rights Agreement)
(which Rights together with the shares of the Companys common stock are hereinafter
referred to as the Shares or the Common Shares), at a price per Share of $47.00
net to the seller in cash (such amount or any greater amount per Share paid pursuant
to the Offer being hereinafter referred to as the Offer Price);
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the Company Board) has, on
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, unanimously (i) approved
the Offer and the Merger (as hereinafter defined) in accordance with the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL), (ii) adopted this Agreement
and is recommending that the Companys stockholders accept the Offer, tender their
Shares to the Purchaser, approve the Merger, and adopt this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of the Purchaser (the Purchaser
Board) and Parent (the Parent Board) have approved the merger of the Purchaser
with and into the Company with the Company as the surviving corporation (the Merger),
in accordance with the DGCL, and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, whereby each of the issued and outstanding Common Shares
not owned directly or indirectly by Parent, the Purchaser or the Company will be
converted into the right to receive the Offer Price in cash; and
WHEREAS, Parent, the Purchaser and the Company desire to make certain representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Offer and the Merger
and also to prescribe various conditions to the Offer and the Merger;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, Parent, the Purchaser and
the Company agree as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
THE OFFER
SECTION 1.1 The Offer.
(a) Provided that this Agreement shall not have been terminated in accordance
with Article Eight hereof and none of the events set forth in Annex I hereto (the
Tender Offer Conditions) shall have occurred, as promptly as reasonably practicable,
and in any event within ten (10) calendar days, Parent shall cause the Purchaser
to commence (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,
the Exchange Act)) an offer to purchase all outstanding Shares at the Offer Price,
shall, upon commencement of the Offer but after affording the Company a reasonable
opportunity to review and comment thereon, file Schedule TO and all other necessary
documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and make all deliveries,
mailings and telephonic notices required by Rule 14d-3 under the Exchange Act, in
each case in connection with the Offer (the Offer Documents), and shall use its
reasonable best efforts to consummate the Offer, subject to the terms and conditions
thereof. The obligation of the Purchaser to accept for payment or pay for any Shares
tendered pursuant to the Offer will be subject only to the satisfaction or waiver
of the conditions set forth in Annex I hereto.
(b) Without the prior written consent of the Company, the Purchaser shall not
decrease the Offer Price or change the form of consideration payable in the Offer,
decrease the number of Shares sought to be purchased in the Offer, impose additional
conditions to the Offer or amend any other term of the Offer in any manner adverse
to the holders of Common Shares. The Offer shall remain open until the date that
is twenty (20) Business Days (as such term is defined in Rule 14d-1(c)(6) under
the Exchange Act) after the commencement of the Offer (the Expiration Date), unless
the Purchaser shall have extended the period of time for which the Offer is open
pursuant to, and in accordance with, the two succeeding sentences or as may be required
by applicable Law, in which event the term Expiration Date shall mean the latest
time and date as the Offer, as so extended, may expire; provided, however,
that the Purchaser may provide a subsequent offering period after the Expiration
Date, in accordance with Rule 14d-ll under the Exchange Act. If at any Expiration
Date, any of the Tender Offer Conditions is not satisfied or waived by the Purchaser,
the Purchaser may extend the Offer from time to time; provided, however,
that, on the scheduled expiration date of the Offer, (i) if the waiting period under
the HSR Act or under any material applicable foreign statutes or regulations applicable
to the Merger shall have not expired or been terminated, the Purchaser shall extend
the Offer from time to time until the expiration or termination under the HSR Act
or any other material applicable foreign statutes or regulations, (ii) if any of
the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) or (b) of Annex I hereto shall have occurred
and be continuing, the Purchaser shall extend the Offer from time to time until
the earlier of (A) five (5) Business Days after the time such condition or conditions
shall no longer exist or (B) such time at which the matters described in such paragraphs
(a) or (b) shall have become final and nonappealable; or (iii) if all of the Tender
Offer Conditions are satisfied and more than 50% but less than 90% of the outstanding
Common Shares on a fully diluted basis (excluding Options (as defined herein) which
are not exercisable for 60 days) have been validly tendered and not withdrawn in
the Offer, the Purchaser shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to extend
the Offer from time to time up to a maximum of ten (10) additional Business Days in the aggregate. Subject to the terms of the Offer
and this Agreement and the satisfaction of all the Tender Offer Conditions as of
any Expiration Date, the Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for all Shares
validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer as soon as practicable
after such expiration date of the Offer. Without the prior written consent of the
Company, the Purchaser shall not accept for payment or pay for any Shares in the
Offer if, as a result, Purchaser would acquire less than the number of Shares necessary
to satisfy the Minimum Condition (as defined in Annex I hereto).
(c) Parent and the Purchaser represent that the Offer Documents will comply in
all material respects with the provisions of applicable federal securities laws
and, on the date filed with the SEC and on the date first published, sent or given
to the Companys stockholders, shall not 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 made therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, except that no representation is made by Parent
or the Purchaser with respect to information supplied by the Company in writing
for inclusion in the Offer Documents. Each of Parent and the Purchaser, on the one
hand, and the Company, on the other hand, agrees promptly to correct any information
provided by it for use in the Offer Documents if and to the extent that it shall
have become false or misleading in any material respect and the Purchaser further
agrees to take all steps necessary to cause the Offer Documents as so corrected
to be filed with the SEC and to be disseminated to stockholders of the Company,
in each case, as and to the extent required by applicable federal securities laws.
SECTION 1.2 Company Actions.
(a) The Company shall, after affording Parent a reasonable opportunity to review
and comment thereon, file with the SEC and mail to the holders of Common Shares,
as promptly as practicable on the date of the filing by Parent and the Purchaser
of the Offer Documents, a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9
(together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the Schedule 14D-9) reflecting
the recommendation of the Company Board that holders of Shares tender their Shares
pursuant to the Offer (the Company Recommendation) and shall disseminate the Schedule
14D-9 as required by Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The Schedule
14D-9 will set forth, and the Company hereby represents, that the Company Board,
at a meeting duly called and held at which a quorum was present throughout, has
unanimously (i) determined that each of the transactions contemplated hereby, including
each of the Offer and the Merger, is fair to and in the best interests of the Company
and its stockholders, (ii) approved the Offer and adopted this Agreement in accordance
with the DGCL, (iii) recommended acceptance of the Offer and adoption of this Agreement
by the Companys stockholders (if such approval and adoption are required by applicable
Law), and (iv) taken all other action necessary to render Section 203 of the DGCL
and the Rights inapplicable to the Offer and the Merger; provided, however,
that the Company Recommendation may be withdrawn, modified or amended only prior
to the acceptance for payment of Common Shares pursuant to the Offer, and only to
the extent permitted by Section 6.2. The Company hereby consents to the inclusion
in the Offer Documents of the recommendations of the Company Board described in
this Section 1.2(a).
(b) The Company represents that the Schedule 14D-9 will comply in all material
respects with the provisions of applicable federal securities laws and, on the date
filed with the SEC and on the date first published, sent or given to the Companys
stockholders, shall not 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 made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, except that no representation is made by the Company
with respect to information supplied by Parent or the Purchaser in writing for inclusion
in the Schedule 14D-9. Each of the Company, on the one hand, and Parent and the
Purchaser, on the other hand, agree promptly to correct any information provided
by either of them for use in the Schedule 14D-9 if and to the extent that it shall
have become false or misleading, and the Company further agrees to take all steps
necessary to cause the Schedule 14D-9 as so corrected to be filed with the SEC and
to be disseminated to the holders of Common Shares, in each case, as and to the
extent required by applicable federal securities Law.
(c) In connection with the Offer, the Company will promptly furnish the Purchaser
with mailing labels, security position listings, non-objecting beneficial owner
lists and any available listing or computer list containing the names and addresses
of the record holders of the Common Shares as of the most recent practicable date
and shall furnish the Purchaser with such additional available information (including,
but not limited to, updated lists of holders of Common Shares and their addresses,
mailing labels and lists of security positions and non-objecting beneficial owner
lists) and such other assistance as the Purchaser or its agents may reasonably request
in communicating the Offer to the Companys record and beneficial stockholders.
Subject to the requirements of applicable Law, and except for such steps as are
necessary to disseminate the Offer Documents and any other documents necessary to
consummate the Merger, Parent, the Purchaser and their Affiliates, associates, agents
and advisors, shall keep such information confidential and use the information contained
in any such labels, listings and files only in connection with the Offer and the
Merger and, should the Offer terminate or if this Agreement shall be terminated,
will deliver to the Company all copies of such information then in their possession.
SECTION 1.3 Directors.
(a) Subject to compliance with applicable Law, promptly upon the payment by the
Purchaser for Shares pursuant to the Offer representing at least such number of
Shares as shall satisfy the Minimum Condition, and from time to time thereafter,
Parent shall be entitled to designate such number of directors, rounded up to the
next whole number, on the Company Board as is equal to the product of the total
number of directors on the Company Board (determined after giving effect to the
directors elected pursuant to this sentence) multiplied by the percentage that the
aggregate number of Common Shares beneficially owned by Parent or its Affiliates
bears to the total number of Common Shares then outstanding, and the Company shall,
upon request of Parent, promptly take all actions necessary to cause Parents designees
to be so elected, including, if necessary, seeking the resignations of one or more
existing directors; provided, however, that Parent shall be entitled to designate
at least a majority of the directors on the Company Board (as long as Parent and
its Affiliates beneficially own a majority of the Common Shares of the Company);
provided further, that prior to the Effective Time (as defined in Section 2.2),
the Company Board shall always have at least two members who are not officers, directors,
employees or designees of the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates (Purchaser Insiders).
If the number of directors who are not Purchaser Insiders is reduced below two
prior to the Effective Time, the remaining director who is not a Purchaser Insider
shall be entitled to designate a Person to fill such vacancy who is not a Purchaser
Insider and who shall be a director not deemed to be a Purchaser Insider for all
purposes of this Agreement.
(b) The Companys obligations to appoint Parents designees to the Company Board
shall be subject to Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 thereunder.
The Company shall promptly take all actions required pursuant to such Section and
Rule in order to fulfill its obligations under this Section 1.3 and shall include
in the Schedule 14D-9 such information with respect to the Company and its officers
and directors as is required under such Section and Rule in order to fulfill its
obligations under this Section 1.3. Parent will supply to the Company any information
with respect to itself and its officers, directors and Affiliates required by such
Section and Rule.
(c) Following the election or appointment of Parents designees pursuant to this
Section 1.3 and prior to the Effective Time, any amendment or termination of this
Agreement by the Company, any extension by the Company of the time for the performance
of any of the obligations or other acts of Parent or the Purchaser or waiver of
any of the Companys rights hereunder, will require the concurrence of a majority
of the directors of the Company then in office who are not Purchaser Insiders (or
in the case where there are two or fewer directors who are not Purchaser Insiders,
the concurrence of one director who is not a Purchaser Insider) if such amendment,
termination, extension or waiver could be reasonably likely to have an adverse effect
on the minority stockholders of the Company.
ARTICLE TWO
THE MERGER
SECTION 2.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction
or waiver of the conditions hereof, and in accordance with the applicable provisions
of this Agreement and the DGCL, at the Effective Time the Purchaser shall be merged
with and into the Company. Following the Merger, the separate corporate existence
of the Purchaser shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation
(the Surviving Corporation), and shall continue its corporate existence under
the laws of the State of Delaware.
SECTION 2.2 Effective Time. As soon as practicable after the satisfaction
or waiver of the conditions set forth in Sections 7.1(a) and 7.1(b), but subject
to Sections 7.1(c) and 7.1(d), the Merger shall become effective as set forth in
the certificate of merger (the Certificate of Merger) which shall be filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The parties shall take such other
and further actions as may be required by Law to make the Merger effective. The
time the Merger becomes effective in accordance with applicable Law is referred
to herein as the Effective Time.
SECTION 2.3 Effects of the Merger. At and after the Effective Time the
Merger shall have the effects set forth in the DGCL. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the properties,
rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and the Purchaser shall
vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and the Purchaser shall become the
debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.
SECTION 2.4 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
(a) The Certificate of Incorporation of the Purchaser, as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation until thereafter amended, subject to the provisions of Section 6.6 of
this Agreement, in accordance with the provisions thereof and hereof and applicable
Law.
(b) The Bylaws of the Purchaser, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until amended, subject to
the provisions of Section 6.6 of this Agreement, in accordance with the provisions
thereof and applicable Law.
SECTION 2.5 Directors. Subject to applicable Law, the directors of the
Purchaser immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial directors
of the Surviving Corporation and shall hold office until their respective successors
are duly elected and qualified, or their earlier death, resignation or removal.
SECTION 2.6 Officers. The individuals specified by Parent prior to the
Effective Time shall, subject to applicable Law, be the initial officers of the
Surviving Corporation and shall hold office until their respective successors are
duly elected and qualified, or their earlier death, resignation or removal.
SECTION 2.7 Conversion of Common Shares. At the Effective Time, by virtue
of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holders thereof, each Common
Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
(i) any Common Shares held by Parent, the Purchaser, any wholly owned subsidiary
of Parent or the Purchaser, in the treasury of the Company or by any wholly owned
Subsidiary of the Company, which Common Shares, by virtue of the Merger and without
any action on the part of the holder thereof, shall be cancelled and retired and
shall cease to exist with no payment being made with respect thereto and (ii) Dissenting
Shares (as defined in Section 3.1)), shall be cancelled and retired and shall be
converted into the right to receive the Offer Price in cash (the Merger Price),
payable to the holder thereof, without interest thereon, upon surrender of the certificate
formerly representing such Common Share.
SECTION 2.8 Conversion of Purchaser Common Stock. The Purchaser has outstanding
100 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, all of which are entitled
to vote with respect to approval of this Agreement. At the Effective Time, each
share of common stock of the Purchaser issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the
part of the holder thereof, be converted into and become one validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the
Surviving Corporation.
SECTION 2.9 Options; Restricted Shares; ESPP.
(a) The following provisions shall apply to each outstanding option to purchase
Common Shares (the Options) granted under the 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the
2001 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the 2000 Outside
Directors Stock Option Plan and the 2005 Outside Directors Stock Option Plan,
(each a Stock Plan and collectively the Stock Plans), whether vested or unvested.
(b) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board shall take all actions reasonably
requested by Parent to effectuate the provisions of this Section 2.9(b) including,
the passing of appropriate resolutions and the solicitation of consent of each holder
of an Option to the conversion of such Option into the right to receive an amount
in cash as described in this Section 2.9(b). Immediately prior to the Effective
Time, the Company shall accelerate the vesting of each unvested Option and each
vested Option shall be exercisable, without payment by the Option holder, in full
settlement thereof, for the right to receive, as soon as practicable (but no later
than three (3) Business Days after the Effective Time, unless additional time is
required to process such payments under the Companys payroll systems), an amount
in cash (less any applicable withholding taxes) equal to the product of (i) the
excess, if any, of (A) the Merger Price over (B) the per share exercise price of
each Common Share subject to such Option and (ii) the number of Common Shares subject
to such Option immediately prior to the Effective Time. No person shall have any
right under the Stock Plans or the Plans to acquire equity interests of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, or with respect to the issuance or grant of any right
of any kind, contingent or accrued, to receive benefits measured by the value of,
or settleable in, Common Shares after the Effective Time.
(c) Immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board (or, if appropriate,
any committee thereof) shall adopt appropriate resolutions and take all other actions
necessary to provide for the lapse of all forfeiture provisions applicable to restricted
shares (collectively, the Company Restricted Shares) issued pursuant to the 2006
Restricted Stock Incentive Plan (the Restricted Stock Plan) (or under any individual
agreement with a Company employee or current or former director of the Company)
to the extent such forfeiture provisions have not previously lapsed in accordance
with the terms of the Restricted Stock Plan (or the terms of any individual agreement).
Each holder of Company Restricted Shares will be treated as a holder of the corresponding
number of Common Shares as of the Effective Time in accordance with Section 2.7
in the same manner as other outstanding Common Shares issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time.
(d) The Company shall take such action as may be necessary to establish a New
Exercise Date (as defined under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the ESPP)) on
the earlier of (1) last Business Day immediately prior to the Effective Time or
(2) the end of the purchase period under the ESPP outstanding on the date hereof
(the ESPP Termination Date) and to notify each participant in the ESPP in writing
of the ESPP Termination Date at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the ESPP Termination
Date. Each outstanding purchase option under the ESPP on the ESPP Termination Date
shall be exercised on such date for the purchase of Common Shares at a Purchase
Price (as defined in the ESPP) per share equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value (as
defined in the ESPP) of a Common Share on the Enrollment Date (as defined in the
ESPP) or on the ESPP Termination Date, whichever is lower. In addition, the Company
shall take any and all actions with respect to the ESPP as are necessary to provide
that (a) participation in the ESPP shall be limited to those employees who were
participants on the date hereof and (b) such participants may not increase their payroll deduction election
or purchase elections from those in effect on the date hereof.
SECTION 2.10 Stockholders Meeting.
(a) If required by applicable Law in order to consummate the Merger, the Company,
acting through the Company Board, shall, in accordance with applicable Law:
(i) duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a special meeting of its stockholders
(the Special Meeting) as soon as practicable following the acceptance for payment
of and payment for Common Shares by the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer for the
purpose of considering and taking action upon this Agreement;
(ii) prepare and file with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement relating to
this Agreement, and use its reasonable efforts (x) to obtain and furnish the information
required to be included by the SEC in the Proxy Statement (as hereinafter defined)
and, after consultation with Parent, to respond promptly to any comments made by
the SEC with respect to the preliminary proxy statement and cause a definitive proxy
statement (the Proxy Statement) to be mailed to its stockholders and (y) to obtain
the necessary approvals of the Merger and this Agreement by its stockholders;
(iii) subject to the fiduciary duties of the Company Board, include in the Proxy
Statement the Company Recommendation that stockholders of the Company vote in favor
of the approval of this Agreement; and
(iv) include in the Proxy Statement the opinion of Credit Suisse Securities USA
LLC (CS) referred to in Section 4.21.
(b) Parent agrees that it will vote, or cause to be voted, all of the Common
Shares then owned by it, the Purchaser or any of its other subsidiaries in favor
of the approval of the Merger and of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.11 Merger Without Meeting of Stockholders. Notwithstanding Section
2.10, in the event that Parent, the Purchaser or any other subsidiary of Parent
shall acquire at least 90% of the outstanding Common Shares pursuant to the Offer
or otherwise, the parties hereto agree to take all necessary and appropriate action
to cause the Merger to become effective as soon as practicable after the acceptance
for payment of and payment for Common Shares by the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer
without a meeting of stockholders of the Company, in accordance with Section 253
of the DGCL.
ARTICLE THREE
DISSENTING SHARES; PAYMENT FOR SHARES
SECTION 3.1 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding Section 2.7, Common Shares
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by a holder who has
not voted in favor of the Merger or consented thereto in writing and who has demanded
appraisal for such Common Shares in accordance with the DGCL (Dissenting Shares)
shall not be converted into a right to receive the Merger Price, unless such holder fails to perfect or withdraws
or otherwise loses his right to appraisal. If after the Effective Time such holder
fails to perfect or withdraws or loses his right to appraisal, such Common Shares
shall be treated as if they had been converted as of the Effective Time into a right
to receive the Merger Price. The Company shall give Parent prompt notice of any
demands received by the Company for appraisal of Common Shares, and Parent shall
have the right to participate in and to control all negotiations and proceedings
with respect to such demands. The Company shall not, except with the prior written
consent of Parent, make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle,
any such demands.
SECTION 3.2 Payment for Common Shares.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, such bank or trust company as shall be
designated by Parent and reasonably acceptable to the Company shall act as paying
agent (the Paying Agent) in effecting the payment of the Merger Price in respect
of certificates (the Certificates) that, prior to the Effective Time, represented
Common Shares entitled to payment of the Merger Price pursuant to Section 2.7. Promptly
following the Effective Time, Parent or the Purchaser shall deposit, or cause to
be deposited, with the Paying Agent the aggregate Merger Price to which holders
of Common Shares shall be entitled at the Effective Time pursuant to Section 2.7.
(b) Promptly after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Paying Agent to
mail to each record holder of Certificates that immediately prior to the Effective
Time represented Common Shares (i) 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 Paying Agent and
shall be in such form and have such other provisions as Parent may reasonably specify),
and (ii) instructions for use in surrendering such Certificates and receiving the
Merger Price in respect thereof. Upon the surrender of each such Certificate, the
Paying Agent shall pay the holder of such Certificate the Merger Price multiplied
by the number of Common Shares formerly represented by such Certificate, in consideration
therefor, and such Certificate shall forthwith be cancelled. Until so surrendered,
each such Certificate (other than Certificates representing Common Shares held by
Parent or the Purchaser, any wholly owned subsidiary of Parent or the Purchaser,
in the treasury of the Company or by any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company
or Dissenting Shares) shall represent solely the right to receive the Merger Price
relating thereto. No interest or dividends shall be paid or accrued on the Merger
Price. If the Merger Price (or any portion thereof) is to be delivered to any Person
other than the Person in whose name the Certificate formerly representing Common
Shares surrendered therefor is registered, it shall be a condition to such right
to receive such Merger Price that the Certificate so surrendered shall be properly
endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and that the Person surrendering
such Common Shares shall pay to the Paying Agent any transfer or other similar taxes
required by reason of the payment of the Merger Price to a Person other than the
registered holder of the Certificate surrendered, or shall establish to the satisfaction
of the Paying Agent that such tax has been paid or is not applicable.
(c) Promptly following the date which is 180 days after the Effective Time, the
Paying Agent shall deliver to the Surviving Corporation all cash, Certificates and
other documents in its possession relating to the transactions described in this
Agreement, and the Paying Agents duties shall terminate. Thereafter, each holder
of a Certificate formerly representing a Common Share may surrender such Certificate to the Surviving Corporation
and (subject to applicable abandoned property, escheat and similar laws) receive
in consideration therefor the Merger Price relating thereto, without any interest
thereon.
(d) After the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer
books of the Surviving Corporation of any Common Shares which were outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates formerly
representing Common Shares are presented to the Surviving Corporation or the Paying
Agent, they shall be surrendered and cancelled in return for the payment of the
Merger Price relating thereto (subject to applicable abandoned property, escheat
and similar laws), as provided in this Article Three.
SECTION 3.3 Certificates; Withholding; Lost Certificates. Until surrendered
as contemplated by Section 3.2, each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after
the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the
Merger Price. Each of the Surviving Corporation and Parent shall be entitled to
deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement
to any holder of Common Shares such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold
with respect to the making of such payment under any provision of applicable tax
Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by the Surviving Corporation or
Parent, as the case may be, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes
of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of such Common Shares in respect
of which such deduction and withholding was made by Parent or the Surviving Corporation,
as the case may be. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed,
upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate
to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Corporation or
Parent, the posting by such Person of a bond in such amount as the Surviving Corporation
may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect
to such Certificate and entry into any other agreements or undertakings required
by the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent will issue, in exchange for such lost, stolen
or destroyed Certificate, the Merger Price.
ARTICLE FOUR
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to Parent and the Purchaser that, except
as disclosed in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2005, the Companys Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended December 31, 2005 and the Companys Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January
13, 2006, February 7, 2006, February 14, 2006 and March 29, 2006 (in each case,
as such reports have been amended as of the date hereof, and including any documents
filed as exhibits, annexes or schedules thereto) or described in the section of
the Company Disclosure Schedule corresponding to the section of this Article Four
to which exception is being taken or in another section of the Company Disclosure
Schedule to the extent that (1) such other section is reasonably cross-referenced
in the section of the Company Disclosure Schedule to which the exception is being
taken or (2) the applicability of such disclosure is reasonably apparent:
SECTION 4.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries. The Company
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware. Each of the Companys Subsidiaries is a corporation or other business
entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing or has comparable status
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization. The Company
and each of its Subsidiaries has the requisite corporate or similar organizational
power and authority to own, operate or lease its properties and to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted and is duly qualified or licensed to do business,
and is in good standing or has comparable status, in each jurisdiction in which
the nature of its business or the properties owned, operated or leased by it makes
such qualification, licensing or good standing (or comparable status) necessary,
except where the failure to have such power or authority, or the failure to be so
qualified, licensed or in good standing (or to have comparable status), would not
reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company. The Company has heretofore provided or made available to
Parent and the Purchaser a complete and correct copy of the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated Bylaws or comparable organizational
documents, each as amended to the date hereof, of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries,
and has provided a complete and correct copy of the Rights Agreement.
SECTION 4.2 Capitalization; Subsidiaries.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 250,000,000 Common
Shares and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $.01 per share (Preferred
Shares). As of the close of business on April 7, 2006, 40,553,055 Common Shares
were issued and outstanding, and no Common Shares were held in treasury. Since such
time and date, no additional Common Shares were issued, and the number of Common
Shares held in treasury has not changed, except, in each case, for exercises of
Options in accordance with their terms after the date hereof and the issuance of
shares in connection with the exercise of rights to purchase Common Shares under
the ESPP in accordance with its terms and the provisions of this Agreement. The
Company has no Preferred Shares issued or outstanding, and no Preferred Shares are
reserved for issuance or otherwise designated as a series or class other than 2,500,000
shares of Series A Preferred Stock reserved under the Rights Agreement. No awards
have been made under the Restricted Stock Plan. No Common Shares are reserved for
issuance other than 11,100,000 Common Shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the
Stock Plans (consisting of 7,073,556 shares subject to outstanding Options and 4,026,444
shares available for future grants), 500,000 shares reserved for issuance under
the ESPP, and 100,000 shares reserved for issuance under the Restricted Stock Plan.
Section 4.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth as of the date hereof
the holders of all outstanding Options and the number, exercise prices and expiration
dates of each grant to such holders. All the outstanding Common Shares are, and
all Common Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of outstanding Options
will, when issued in accordance with the respective terms of the applicable Options,
be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are not and
will not be subject to or issued in violation of, any preemptive rights. There are
no bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness having voting rights (or convertible
into securities having such rights) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (Voting
Debt), whether issued by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other Person,
issued and outstanding. Except for the Options set forth on Section 4.2(a) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule and rights to purchase Common Shares under the ESPP,
there are no options, warrants, calls, subscriptions or other rights, agreements,
arrangements or commitments of any character obligating the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to issue, transfer or sell or cause to be issued, transferred or sold
any capital stock or Voting Debt of, or other equity interest in, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or equity interests or obligating
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to grant, extend or enter into any such option,
warrant, call, subscription or other right, agreement, arrangement or commitment.
There are no outstanding contractual obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Common Shares or other capital stock
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. No Subsidiary of the Company owns any
capital stock of the Company.
(b) Section 4.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists all the Subsidiaries
of the Company, whether consolidated or unconsolidated. All outstanding shares of
capital stock in each Subsidiary: (i) are owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company; (ii) have been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable (subject,
in the case of non-assessability of capital stock of any Subsidiary that is organized
or qualified to do business under the laws of Wisconsin, to Section 180.0622(2)(b)
of the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law, as judicially interpreted, to the extent
applicable); (iii) are owned directly or indirectly by the Company free and clear
of all pledges, claims, liens, charges, encumbrances or security interests of any
kind or nature whatsoever (collectively, Liens); and (iv) are free of any other
restriction (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose
of such capital stock or other ownership interests) that would prevent the operation
by the Surviving Corporation of such Subsidiarys business as currently conducted.
Other than the Subsidiaries of the Company, the Company does not own or control,
directly or indirectly, a 5% or greater equity interest in any Person.
SECTION 4.3 Authority Relative to this Agreement and Related Matters.
The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and (subject to receipt of the Company Stockholder Approval) to perform
its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the performance of
its obligations hereunder and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized and approved by the Company
Board and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries are necessary to authorize or approve this Agreement or to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby (other than, with respect to the Merger, the
Company Stockholder Approval and the filing of the Certificate of Merger in each
case pursuant to the requirements of the DGCL). This Agreement has been duly and
validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due and valid authorization,
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and the Purchaser, constitutes
a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding Common Shares in favor of approval of the Merger Agreement (the
Company Stockholder Approval) is the only vote of the holders of any capital stock
of the Company or any Company Subsidiary necessary to approve this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger. The Company has taken
all appropriate actions so that the restrictions on business combinations contained
in Section 203 of the DGCL will not apply with respect to or as a result of the
Offer, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger,
and that no further action on the part of the stockholders or the Company Board
is required to effect such non-application of Section 203 of the DGCL. No other
state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation applies or purports to apply
to the Offer, the Merger or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 4.4 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(a) None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the
performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by
the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) conflict with or violate
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws of the
Company or the comparable organizational documents of any of its Subsidiaries, (ii)
assuming that all Consents described in Section 4.4(b) have been made or obtained
and the Company Stockholder Approval is received, conflict with or violate any federal,
state, local, foreign or supranational Law, statute, ordinance, code, rule, regulation,
order, judgment, decree, stipulation, writ, injunction, award, permit or license
(collectively, Law) applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or by
which any of them or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound or
affected, or (iii) result in a violation or breach of or constitute a default (or
an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under,
or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation
of, or result in any loss of any benefit, or the creation of any Lien on any of
the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (any of the foregoing
referred to in clause (ii) above or this clause (iii) being a Company Violation)
pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license,
permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation 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 properties or assets may be bound or affected, other
than, in the case of clause (ii) or clause (iii) above, any such Company Violations
that would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(b) Other than (i) the filing with the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust
Division of the Department of Justice of a premerger notification and report form
by the Company under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended (the HSR Act), (ii) the requirements of the Exchange Act and any applicable
state securities, blue sky or takeover Law, and (iii) the filing of the Certificate
of Merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware, none of the execution and delivery
of this Agreement by the Company, the performance by the Company of its obligations
hereunder or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby
does or will require any consent, waiver, approval, authorization or permit of,
or registration or filing with or notification to (any of the foregoing being a
Consent), any domestic, foreign or supranational government or subdivision thereof,
administrative, governmental or regulatory authority, agency, commission, tribunal
or body or self-regulatory organization (each a Governmental Entity), except for
any such Consents, the failure of which to be made or obtained, would not reasonably
be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company.
SECTION 4.5 SEC Reports and Financial Statements.
(a) The Company has filed with the SEC all forms, reports, schedules, registration
statements, proxy statements, certifications and other documents required to be
filed by the Company or its directors and executive officers (in their capacity
as such) with the SEC since January 1, 2002 (as they have been amended since the
time of their filing, and including any documents filed as exhibits, annexes or
schedules thereto, collectively, the Company SEC Reports) and complete and correct
copies of all such Company SEC Reports are available to Parent through public sources. As of their respective dates, the Company SEC
Reports (including but not limited to any financial statements or schedules included
or incorporated by reference therein) complied as to form in all material respects
with the requirements of the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder) (the Securities
Act) applicable, as the case may be, to such Company SEC Reports, and none of the
Company SEC Reports contained, as of the date of filing and of any amendment or
supplement and, in the case of any proxy statement, at the date mailed to stockholders
and at the date of the meeting, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. The financial statements of the Company included in the Company
SEC Reports comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable accounting
requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto,
have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except
as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and present fairly in all material respects
the consolidated financial position and the consolidated results of operations and
cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates or for
the periods presented therein. The Company has heretofore furnished to Parent a
complete and correct copy of any amendments or modifications which have not yet
been filed with the SEC to agreements, documents or other instruments which previously
had been filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act.
(b) There are no outstanding loans made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) or director
of the Company. Since the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any loans to any executive officer
or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(c) The management of the Company has (i) implemented disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) to ensure that material
information relating to the Company, including its Subsidiaries, is made known to
the management of the Company by others within those entities, which disclosure
controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level in timely
alerting the Companys principal executive officer and its principal financial officer
to material information required to be included in the Companys periodic reports
required under the Exchange Act, and (ii) has disclosed, based on its most recent
evaluation, to the Companys outside auditors and the audit committee of the Company
Board (A) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f)
of the Exchange Act) which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Companys
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and (B) any fraud,
whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in the Companys internal control over financial reporting. A summary
of any of those disclosures made by management to the Companys auditors and audit
committee has previously been provided to Parent.
(d) Since January 1, 2002, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
nor, to the Companys knowledge, any director, officer, employee, auditor, accountant
or representative of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received or otherwise
had or obtained knowledge of any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim,
whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures,
methodologies or methods of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective
internal accounting controls, including any complaint, allegation, assertion, or
claim that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in questionable accounting
or auditing practices, and (ii) no attorney representing the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, whether or not employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
has reported evidence of a material violation of securities Laws, breach of fiduciary
duty or similar violation by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective officers, directors, employees or agents to the Company Board or any
committee thereof or to any director or officer of the Company.
SECTION 4.6 Undisclosed Liabilities; Absence of Certain Changes.
(a) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations
of any nature, whether or not accrued, contingent or otherwise, except for (i) liabilities
and obligations that are specifically disclosed on the audited balance sheet of
the Company as of September 30, 2005 (the Company Balance Sheet) or in the notes
thereto, and (ii) liabilities and obligations incurred in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice since September 30, 2005, that are not and
would not, individually or in the aggregate with all other liabilities and obligations
of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than those disclosed on the Company Balance
Sheet), reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Company Balance Sheet reflects reasonable reserves
in accordance with GAAP for contingent liabilities relating to pending litigation
and other contingent obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including
liabilities under escheat and similar Laws).
(b) Since September 30, 2005, (i) there has not been any Material Adverse Effect
on the Company or any change, effect, event, occurrence or state of facts that would
reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company, (ii) the businesses of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
have been conducted only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, and (iii) there has not been any action taken by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries during the period from September 30, 2005 through the date of this
Agreement that, if taken during the period from the date of this Agreement though
the Effective Time, would constitute a breach of Sections 6.1(b)(i) (except as contemplated
by Section 4.18 of this Agreement), (ii), (iii) (except for issuances under the
ESPP), (vi) (with respect to the period from January 1, 2006 through the date of
this Agreement), (vii), (viii), (ix) (other than subsection 6.1(b)(ix)(E)), (xv),
(xviii) and (xix).
SECTION 4.7 Environmental Matters.
(a) The business and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries comply, and
have complied since January 1, 2003, with all applicable Environmental Laws; the
Company and its Subsidiaries have obtained all Governmental Permits relating to
Environmental Laws necessary for the operation of their businesses; and all such
Governmental Permits are in full force and effect and the Company and its Subsidiaries
are in compliance with such permits, except, in the case of each of the foregoing,
for such events as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice of,
or, to the knowledge of the Company, is subject to, any investigation by, order
from or written claim by any Person (including any Governmental Entity or prior
owner or operator of any of the Company Property) respecting (i) any Environmental
Law, (ii) any remedial action or (iii) any claim arising from the Release or threatened
Release of a Contaminant into the environment except as would not reasonably be
expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been served with
any pending judicial or administrative proceeding, order, judgment or decree, or
entered into a settlement alleging or addressing a violation of or liability under
any Environmental Law, except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually
or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has (i) reported a Release
of a hazardous substance pursuant to Section 103(a) of CERCLA, or any state equivalent;
(ii) filed a notice pursuant to Section 103(c) of CERCLA; or (iii) filed any notice
under any applicable Environmental Law reporting a violation of any applicable Environmental
Law. There is not now with respect to the operations of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, nor to the knowledge of the Company has there ever been, on or in
any Company Property: (A) any Release, (B) any treatment, recycling, disposal or
storage, other than short term storage prior to removal by a licensed transporter
for off-site disposal, of any hazardous waste, as that term is defined under RCRA
or any state equivalent, or (C) any underground storage tank or surface impoundment
or landfill or waste pile, except, in the case of each of the foregoing, for such
events which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company.
(c) There is not now on or in any Company Property any polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCB) used in the Companys operations in pigments, hydraulic oils, electrical transformers
or other equipment except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(d) For purposes of this Section:
(i) CERCLA means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act, 42 USC §9601 et seq., as amended, and any regulations promulgated
thereunder.
(ii) Company Property means any real property, plant, building or facility
now or previously owned, leased, used or operated by the Company or any of its present
or former Subsidiaries or their respective predecessors.
(iii) Contaminant means any pollutant, hazardous or toxic substance or waste,
petroleum, petroleum-based substance, special waste, hazardous material or any constituent
of any such substance, waste or material, in each case to the extent regulated by
Environmental Law.
(iv) Environmental Law means all foreign, federal, state and local Laws relating
to or addressing the environment or health and safety as related to Contaminants,
including but not limited to CERCLA, OSHA and RCRA and any foreign or state equivalent
thereof.
(v) Governmental Permits means any permits, licenses, certificates, orders,
consents, authorizations, and other approvals from, or required by, any Governmental
Entity that are used by, or are necessary to own and to operate, the business of
the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently configured and operated, together
with any applications for the issuance, renewal, modification or extension thereof
and all supporting information and analyses.
(vi) OSHA means the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended, and any
regulations promulgated thereunder.
(vii) RCRA means the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 USC §6901 et
seq., as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(viii) Release means release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, injection,
deposit, disposal or discharge of a Contaminant into the environment, including
through or in the air, soil, surface water or groundwater of Company Property.
SECTION 4.8 Compliance with Applicable Laws.
(a) Except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company: each of the Company and its Subsidiaries
holds all permits, registrations, clearances, franchises, authorizations, licenses,
variances, exemptions, orders and approvals of all Governmental Entities necessary
for it to own, lease or operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business
in the manner currently conducted in all respects (the Company Permits); no Person
or entity other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof owns or has any proprietary,
financial or other interest (direct or indirect) in any of the Company Permits;
each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance in all respects with the
terms of the Company Permits, and all such Company Permits are in full force and
effect; and the businesses and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries and
their respective predecessors have been and are being conducted in compliance in
all respects with all Laws of any Governmental Entity.
(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries
have caused any of their respective directors, officers, employees, consultants,
joint venture partners and/or representatives (including resellers), in connection
with such Persons relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, to
make, promise, offer, or authorize any payment or transfer of anything of value,
directly or indirectly, to any government official, employee or agent for the purpose
of (i) influencing such government official, employee or agent to take any action
or decision or to omit to take any action, in his or her official capacity, (ii)
inducing such government official, employee or agent to use his or her influence
with a government or instrumentality to affect any act or decision of the government
or instrumentality, or (iii) securing any improper advantage.
SECTION 4.9 Material Contracts.
(a) Except as set forth in the exhibit index for the Companys Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2005 or as permitted pursuant to Section
6.1, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by (i)
any agreement relating to the incurring of Indebtedness by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $2,000,000 in the aggregate, including
any such agreement which contains provisions that restrict, or may restrict, the
conduct of business of the issuer thereof as currently conducted (collectively,
Instruments of Indebtedness), (ii) any material contract (as such term is defined
in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC), (iii) any non-competition or exclusive
dealing agreement, or any other agreement or obligation which purports to limit
or restrict in any material respect (A) the ability of the Company or its Subsidiaries
to solicit customers or (B) the manner in which, or the localities in which, all
or any portion of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or, following
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Parent and its
Subsidiaries, is or would be conducted, or any non-competition or exclusive dealing
agreement, or any other agreement or obligation of the type described in (A) or
(B) of this clause (iii) which following the Closing would purport to apply to Parent
or any of its Affiliates other than the Company and its Subsidiaries, (iv) any agreement
providing for the indemnification, in excess of $1,000,000, by the Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company of any Person other than standard form indemnity provisions
in agreements with customers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) any
joint venture or partnership agreement, (vi) any agreement that grants any right
of first refusal or right of first offer or similar right or that limits or purports
to limit the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to own, operate,
sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any material assets or business,
(vii) any contract or agreement providing for any payments in excess of $1,000,000
that are conditioned, in whole or in part, on a change of control of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, (viii) any collective bargaining agreement, (ix) any
agreement material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, pertaining
to the use of or granting any right to use or practice any rights under any Intellectual
Property, (x) any agreements pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
leases any material real property or leases any material real property to third
parties, (xi) any contract or agreement material to the Company and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, providing for the outsourcing or provision of servicing of customers,
technology or product offerings of the Company or its Subsidiaries, (xii) any contract
or other agreement to which Apogent Technologies Inc. (Former Company Parent)
or any of its present or former Subsidiaries is a party or otherwise bound, and
(xiii) any other contract or other agreement not made in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice that (A) is material to the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (B) would reasonably be expected to materially
delay or prevent the consummation of the Merger or any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement (the agreements, contracts and obligations listed in clauses (i)
through (xiii) being referred to herein as Company Material Contracts). None of
the Company Material Contracts contains a most favored nation clause or other
term providing preferential pricing or treatment to a third party. Section 4.9(a)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth as of the date hereof all of the Company
Material Contracts.
(b) Each Company Material Contract is valid and binding on the Company (or, to
the extent a Subsidiary of the Company is a party, such Subsidiary) and, to the
knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, and each Company Material Contract
is in full force and effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
in breach or default under any Company Material Contract or is aware of any condition
that with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would result in such
a breach or default, except in each case where any such breaches or defaults would
not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company
knows of, or has received written notice of, any breach or default under (nor, to
the knowledge of the Company, does there exist any condition which with the passage
of time or the giving of notice or both would result in such a breach or default
under) any Company Material Contract by any other party thereto except where any
such violation or default would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(c) There are no provisions in any Instrument of Indebtedness that provide any
restrictions on the repayment of the outstanding Indebtedness thereunder, or that
require that any financial payment (other than payment of outstanding principal
and accrued interest) be made in the event of the repayment of the outstanding Indebtedness
thereunder prior to expiration. For purposes of this Agreement, Indebtedness of
a Person shall mean (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii)
all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes and similar
instruments, (iii) all leases of such Person capitalized in accordance with GAAP,
and (iv) all obligations of such Person under sale-and-lease back transactions,
agreements to repurchase securities sold and other similar financing transactions.
SECTION 4.10 Litigation. There are no suits, claims, actions, proceedings
or investigations pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Except
as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement,
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any outstanding orders,
writs, injunctions or decrees that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
SECTION 4.11 Information. None of the information supplied by the Company
specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the Offer Documents,
(ii) the Proxy Statement or (iii) any other document to be filed with the SEC or
any other Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (the Other Filings) will, at the respective times filed with the
SEC or other Governmental Entity and, in addition, in the case of the Proxy Statement,
at the date it or any amendment or supplement is mailed to stockholders, at the
time of the Special 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 made therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. The Proxy Statement will comply as to
form in all material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder, except that no representation is made by the Company
with respect to statements made therein based on information supplied by Parent
or the Purchaser in writing specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement.
SECTION 4.12 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) Section 4.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule includes a complete list
of all material Employee Benefit Arrangements and all Material Employment Agreements.
(b) With respect to each Plan, the Company has delivered or made available to
Parent a true, correct and complete copy of: (i) each writing constituting a part
of such Plan, including all plan documents, employee communications, benefit schedules,
trust agreements, and insurance contracts and other funding vehicles; (ii) the most
recent Annual Report (Form 5500 Series) and accompanying schedule, if any; (iii)
the current summary plan description and any material modifications thereto, if
any (in each case, whether or not required to be furnished under ERISA); (iv) the
most recent annual financial report, if any; (v) the most recent actuarial report,
if any; and (vi) the most recent determination letter from the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS), if any. The Company has delivered or made available to Parent a
true, correct and complete copy of each Material Employment Agreement. Except as
specifically provided in the foregoing documents delivered to Parent, there are
no amendments to any Plan or Material Employment Agreement that have been adopted
or approved nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries committed to make any
such amendments or to adopt or approve any new Plan or Material Employment Agreement.
(c) Section 4.12(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule identifies each Plan that
is intended to be a qualified plan within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the
Code (Qualified Plans). The IRS has issued a favorable determination letter with
respect to each Qualified Plan and the related trust that has not been revoked,
or there is pending, or time remaining in which to file, an application for such
a determination letter, and the Company knows of no existing circumstances
and no events have occurred that could adversely affect the qualified status of
any Qualified Plan or the related trust and which would not be correctible under
the Employee Plans Correction Resolution System without material cost to the Company
and its Subsidiaries. Section 4.12(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule identifies
each trust funding to any Plan which is intended to meet the requirements of Code
Section 501(c)(9), and each such trust meets such requirements and provides no disqualified
benefits (as such term is defined in Code Section 4976(b)).
(d) All contributions required to be made to any Plan by applicable Law or by
any plan document or other contractual undertaking, and all premiums due or payable
with respect to insurance policies funding any Plan, for any period through the
date hereof have been timely made or paid in full. Each Plan that is an employee
welfare benefit plan under Section 3(1) of ERISA either (i) is funded through an
insurance company contract and is not a welfare benefit fund with the meaning
of Section 419 of the Code or (ii) is unfunded.
(e) With respect to each Plan, the Company and its Subsidiaries have complied,
and are now in compliance, in all material respects, with all provisions of ERISA,
the Code and all Laws applicable to such Plans. Each Plan has been administered
in all material respects in accordance with its terms. There is not now, nor do
any circumstances exist that could give rise to, any requirement for the posting
of security with respect to a Plan or the imposition of any lien on the assets of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under ERISA or the Code.
(f) With respect to each Plan that is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA
or Section 412 or 4971 of the Code: (i) there does not exist any accumulated funding
deficiency within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA,
whether or not waived; (ii) the fair market value of the assets of such Plan exceeds
the present value of the accumulated benefit obligation as determined in accordance
with U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 87, as reflected in
the 2005 Financial Statements; (iii) no reportable event within the meaning of Section
4043(c) of ERISA for which the thirty (30)-day notice requirement has not been waived
has occurred since January 2, 2000, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this agreement will not result in the occurrence of any such reportable event;
(iv) all premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the PBGC) have
been timely paid in full; (v) no liability (other than for premiums to the PBGC)
under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries; and (vi) the PBGC has not instituted proceedings to terminate
any such Plan and, to the Companys knowledge, no condition exists that presents
a risk that such proceedings will be instituted or which would constitute grounds
under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee
to administer, any such Plan.
(g) (i) No Employee Benefit Arrangement is a multiemployer plan within the
meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA (a Multiemployer Plan) or a plan that has
two or more contributing sponsors at least two of whom are not under common control,
within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA (a Multiple Employer Plan); (ii) none
of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates
has, at any time during the last six (6) years, contributed to or been obligated
to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan; and (iii) none
of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates
has incurred any Withdrawal Liability that has not been satisfied in full.
(h) There does not now exist, nor do any circumstances exist that could result
in, any Controlled Group Liability that would be a liability of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries following the Effective Time. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their
respective ERISA Affiliates, has engaged in any transaction described in Section
4069 or Section 4204 or 4212 of ERISA.
(i) The Company and its Subsidiaries have no liability for life, health, medical
or other welfare benefits to former employees or beneficiaries or dependents thereof,
except for health continuation coverage as required by Section 4980B of the Code
or Part 6 of Title I of ERISA, premiums for which are either paid by the employee
or other qualified beneficiary or, are not, in the aggregate, material. There has
been no communication to employees by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which
could reasonably be interpreted to promise or guarantee such employees retiree health
or life insurance or other retiree death benefits on a permanent basis.
(j) Section 4.12(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth an accurate
and complete list of any Plan or Material Employment Agreement under which the execution
and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby or any related event could (either alone or in conjunction with any other
event) result in, cause the accelerated vesting, funding or delivery of, or increase
the amount or value of, any payment or benefit to any employee, officer or director
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or could limit the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to amend, merge, terminate
or receive a reversion of assets from any Plan or related trust or any Material
Employment Agreement or related trust. As of the date hereof, the Company has provided
to Parent, with respect to each of Messrs. Pickrell, Tomassi, Even, Pitz, Semmelmayer,
Zee, Trapani and Yorba (i) the number, vesting dates, exercise price (to the extent
applicable), and term (to the extent applicable) of all equity and equity-based
compensation awards held by each such individual, (ii) the annual base salary as
of the date hereof, annual bonus amounts for each of 2003, 2004 and 2005 of each
such individual (except for Mr. Pitzs 2005 bonus amount which has been annualized
for his partial year of employment) for 2006, the pro rata bonus for each such individual,
in each case, that may be paid or provided in connection with the Merger (alone
or in conjunction with any other events) and (iii) total gross income listed on
each individuals W-2 for each of the last five taxable years (2001-2005), or for
any shorter period during which each individual was employed by the Company. No
employee other than the employees named in this Section 4.12(j) is entitled to a
gross-up payment with respect to the imposition of any tax under Section 4999 of
the Code.
(k) None of the Company and its Subsidiaries nor any other Person, including
any fiduciary, has engaged in any prohibited transaction (as defined in Section
4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA), which could subject any of the Plans
or their related trusts, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Person that
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an obligation to indemnify, to any material
tax or penalty imposed under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502 of ERISA.
(l) There are no pending or threatened claims (other than claims for benefits
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), lawsuits or arbitrations
which have been asserted or instituted, and, to Companys knowledge, no set of circumstances
exists which may reasonably give rise to a claim or lawsuit, against the Plans,
any fiduciaries thereof with respect to their duties to the Plans or the assets
of any of the trusts under any of the Plans which could reasonably be expected to
result in any material liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the Department of Treasury, the Department
of Labor, any Multiemployer Plan, any Plan, any participant in a Plan, or any other
party.
(m) All material Employee Benefit Arrangements subject to the Law of any jurisdiction
outside of the United States (i) have been maintained in all material respects in
accordance with all applicable requirements, (ii) if they are intended to qualify
for special tax treatment meet all necessary requirements for such treatment, and
(iii) if they are intended to be funded and/or book-reserved are fully funded and/or
book-reserved, as appropriate, based upon reasonable actuarial assumptions.
(n) Each Option has been granted with an exercise price no less than the fair
market value (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) of a Common Share
as of the grant date and the term of no Option has been extended after the grant
date of such Option (except for extensions that would not result in the imposition
of taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code).
SECTION 4.13 Labor Matters.
(a) As of the date of this Agreement, no employees of the Company or of any of
its Subsidiaries are represented by any labor union or any collective bargaining
organization. As of the date of this Agreement, no labor organization or group of
employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has made a pending demand for
recognition or certification, and there are no representation or certification proceedings
or petitions seeking a representation proceeding presently pending or, to the Companys
knowledge, threatened to be brought or filed, with the National Labor Relations
Board or any other labor relations tribunal or authority. To the Companys knowledge
as of the date hereof no facts or event exists that is likely to give rise to a
violation of Section 4.13 on or before the Effective Time.
(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, with respect to employees of and service
providers of the Company: the Company complies and has complied in all material
respects with all applicable Laws respecting employment and employment practices,
terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, including any such Law respecting
employment discrimination, workers compensation, family and medical leave, the
Immigration Reform and Control Act, and occupational safety and health requirements,
and no claims or investigations are pending or, to the Companys knowledge, threatened
with respect to such Law, either by private individuals or by governmental agencies;
and all United States employees are at will.
(c) To the Companys knowledge, it is not, nor has it been, engaged in any material
unfair labor practice within the past three (3) years. There is not now, nor within
the past three (3) years has there been, any unfair labor practice complaint against
the Company pending or, to the Companys knowledge, threatened, before the National
Labor Relations Board or any other comparable foreign or domestic authority or any
workers council, except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(d) No material grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under collective
bargaining agreements or employment relationships (involving more than one employee)
is pending, and no claims therefor exist or have, to the Companys knowledge, been
threatened; no labor strike, lock-out, slowdown, or work stoppage is pending or,
to the Companys knowledge, threatened against or directly affecting the Company.
(e) All Persons who are or were performing services for the Company and are or
were classified as independent contractors do or did satisfy and have satisfied
the requirements of Law to be so classified, and the Company has fully and accurately
reported their compensation on IRS Forms 1099 when required to do so, except where
any such failure would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
SECTION 4.14 Intellectual Property.
(a) Set forth on Section 4.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule is a list
of all material patents, patent applications, trademark registrations and trademark
applications, service mark registrations and service mark applications, certification mark
registrations and certification mark applications, copyright registrations and copyright
registration applications, domain names, mask works registrations and mask works
registration applications, both domestic and foreign, that are owned by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries. Section 4.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule also
lists any inter partes proceedings or actions before any court, tribunal (including
the United States Patent and Trademark Office), Internet registration authority
or equivalent authority anywhere in the world related thereto. The items set forth
on Section 4.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and all other material computer
software, trade secrets, trademarks, trade names, service marks, certification marks,
copyrights, know-how, methods, processes, procedures, apparatus, equipment, industrial
property, discoveries, inventions, patent disclosures, designs, drawings, plans,
specifications, engineering data, manuals, development projects, research and development
work in progress, technology or other proprietary rights or confidential information,
whether foreign or domestic, that are owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
are referred to as the Owned Intellectual Property. The Company and its Subsidiaries
own all right, title and interest in and to the Owned Intellectual Property validly
and beneficially, free and clear of all material Liens, with the sole and exclusive
right to use the same, subject to those licenses granted to others by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries and listed on Section 4.14(b) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule.
(b) Set forth on Section 4.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule is a list
of (i) all material licenses, assignments and other transfers of rights or interests
in or to Owned Intellectual Property granted to others by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, other than shrinkwrap license agreements, and (ii) all material
licenses, assignments and other transfers of rights or interests in or to patents,
patent applications, trademark registrations and trademark applications, service
mark registrations and service mark applications, certification mark registrations
and certification mark applications, copyright registrations and copyright registration
applications, domain names, mask works registrations, mask works registration applications,
computer software, trade secrets, trademarks, trade names, service marks, certification
marks, copyrights, know-how, methods, processes, procedures, apparatus, equipment,
industrial property, discoveries, inventions, patent disclosures, designs, drawings,
plans, specifications, engineering data, manuals, development projects, research
and development work in progress, technology or other proprietary rights or confidential
information, whether foreign or domestic, granted to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
by others, other than as granted pursuant to the Companys or its Subsidiaries
provision of products or services in the ordinary course of business or shrinkwrap
license agreements (such items in this clause (ii), Licensed Intellectual Property,
and, together with the Owned Intellectual Property, the Intellectual Property).
None of the material Intellectual Property is subject to termination or cancellation
or change in its terms or provisions as a result of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) To the knowledge of the Company, there is no material unauthorized use, infringement
or misappropriation of any Intellectual Property. The Intellectual Property constitutes
all the intellectual property necessary or appropriate to conduct the businesses
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as presently conducted, except where the failure
to have such Intellectual Property would not reasonably be expected to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, and upon consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Parent and its Subsidiaries
shall (i) have good, valid and unencumbered title to all Owned Intellectual Property and (ii) have valid right
to use all Licensed Intellectual Property to the same extent such Licensed Intellectual
Property and Owned Intellectual Property are currently used in the businesses of
the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(d) No material claim has been asserted or, to the knowledge of the Company,
is threatened by any Person nor does the Company have knowledge of any valid ground
for any bona fide claims (i) to the effect that the manufacture, sale, offer for
sale, importation or use of any trademark, service mark, certification mark, domain
name, product, service or process as used (currently or in the past) or offered
or proposed for manufacture, use, offer for sale, importation or sale by the Company
infringes, misappropriates, violates, dilutes or constitutes the unauthorized use
of any copyright, trade secret, patent, trademark, tradename or other intellectual
property right of any Person, (ii) against the Company relating to the use of any
Intellectual Property, or (iii) challenging the ownership, scope, validity or enforceability
of any Intellectual Property. To the knowledge of Company, all items set forth on
Section 4.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule are valid, enforceable and subsisting.
(e) No Intellectual Property is subject to any Law or agreement restricting in
any manner the licensing, assignment or other transfer, use or enforceability thereof
by the Company. The Company has not entered into any agreement to indemnify any
other Person against any charge of infringement of any Intellectual Property, except
indemnities agreed to in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
in connection with the sale, delivery or transfer of Company products and services
or included as part of the Companys license agreements. The Company or its Subsidiaries
have the exclusive right to file, prosecute and maintain all applications and registrations
with respect to Intellectual Property owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.15 Taxes.
(a) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has filed all federal, state, local
and foreign income Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and all other material
Tax Returns required to be filed by it. All such Tax Returns were true, correct
and complete in all material respects. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries
has paid or caused to be paid all material Taxes in respect of the periods covered
by such Tax Returns. The 2005 Financial Statements of the Company reflect an adequate
reserve in accordance with GAAP for all Tax liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries
through the date thereof. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has timely withheld
and paid all material Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection
with amounts paid or owing to any employee, creditor, independent contractor, stockholder
or other third party. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is currently
the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any material Tax Return.
There are no material security interests on any of the assets of Company or any
of its Subsidiaries that arose in connection with any failure to pay any Tax. There
is no claim or dispute concerning any material Tax liability of the Company or its
Subsidiaries either (i) claimed or raised by any authority in writing or (ii) as
to which any of the directors and officers (and employees responsible for Tax matters)
of the Company and its Subsidiaries has knowledge based on personal contact with
any agent of such authority. No issue has been raised in writing in any examination
by any authority with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary which, by application
of similar principles, reasonably could be expected to result in a proposed material increase in Tax, in excess of that provided for in any reserve for Taxes, for
any other period not so examined. All income Tax Returns required to be filed by
or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries through the year ended
September 30, 2001 have been examined by the IRS or other appropriate taxing authority
and the examination concluded, or are Tax Returns with respect to which the period
during which any assessments may be made by the IRS or other appropriate taxing
authority has expired (taking into account any extension or waiver thereof). All
material deficiencies and assessments asserted as a result of such examinations
or other audits by federal, state, local or foreign taxing authorities have been
paid, fully settled or adequately provided for in the Companys financial statements,
and no issue or claim has been asserted in writing for material Taxes by any taxing
authority for any prior period, other than those heretofore paid or provided for
in the Companys financial statements. There are no outstanding agreements or waivers
extending the statutory period of limitation applicable to any Tax Return of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
(i) has been a member of a group filing consolidated returns for federal income
Tax purposes (except for the group of which the Company is the common parent), (ii)
has any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries)
under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local
or foreign Law), as a transferor or successor, by contract or otherwise, or (iii)
is a party to a Tax sharing or Tax indemnity agreement or any other agreement of
a similar nature involving a material amount of Taxes that remains in effect. The
Company has not constituted either a distributing corporation or a controlled
corporation (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution
of stock intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code
(i) in the two (2) years prior to the date of this Agreement (or will constitute
such a corporation in the two (2) years prior to the Effective Time) or (ii) in
a distribution that otherwise constitutes part of a plan or series of related
transactions (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction
with the Merger. The Company has not 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. The Company has complied
in all material respects with the Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreement, dated
as of December 11, 2000, by and between Former Company Parent and the Company. None
of the Companys foreign Subsidiaries has been a member of any group that has filed
a combined, consolidated or unitary Tax Return, other than such Tax Returns for
which the period of assessment has expired (taking into account any extension or
waiver thereof). None of the Companys foreign Subsidiaries is (i) engaged in a
United States trade or business for United States federal income tax purposes or
(ii) a passive foreign investment company (within the meaning of Section 1297
of the Code).
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the terms Tax or Taxes mean all taxes,
charges, fees, levies or other assessments, including, income, gross receipts, excise,
property, sales, transfer, license, payroll, withholding, capital stock and franchise
taxes, imposed by the United States or any state, local or foreign government or
subdivision or agency thereof, including any interest, penalties or additions thereto.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term Tax Return means any report, return or
other information or document required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection
with Taxes.
SECTION 4.16 Insurance. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries maintain
all forms of insurance as, in its good faith judgment, are reasonable and customary
in amount and scope for companies in the industry in which they operate. Each of such policies
and other forms of insurance is in full force and effect on the date hereof and
shall (or comparable replacement or substitutions therefor shall) be kept in full
force and effect by the Company through the Effective Time. All premiums with respect
thereto due and payable on or prior to the Effective Time have been paid or will
be paid prior to the Effective Time, and no written (or to the knowledge of the
Company other) notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect
to any such policy.
SECTION 4.17 Relationships with Customers, Suppliers, Distributors and Sales
Representatives. The Company has not received any written (or to the knowledge
of the Company other) notice that any customer, supplier, distributor or sales representative
intends to cancel, terminate or otherwise modify or not renew its relationship with
the Company or any Subsidiary, and, to the Companys knowledge, no such action has
been threatened, which individually or in the aggregate, would in any such case
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
SECTION 4.18 Rights Agreement. The Company has amended the Rights Agreement
so that (a) Parent and the Purchaser are each exempt from the definition of Acquiring
Person contained in the Rights Agreement, and no Stock Acquisition Date or Distribution
Date or Triggering Event (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement)
will occur as a result of the execution or delivery of this Agreement, the making
of the Offer, the acquisition of Common Shares pursuant to the Offer or the consummation
of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (b)
the Rights Agreement will terminate and the Rights will expire immediately prior
to the Effective Time. The Rights Agreement, as so amended, has not been further
amended or modified. True and complete copies of all such amendments to the Rights
Agreement have been previously provided to Parent.
SECTION 4.19 Product Recalls. Except as would not reasonably be expected
to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company:
(a) the Company is not aware of any pattern or series of claims against the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries which has resulted in or reasonably could be expected
to result in a generalized product recall relating to products sold by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, regardless of whether such product recall is formal,
informal, voluntary or involuntary and (b) there is no material design, manufacturing
or other defect in any product or product category of the Company or any Subsidiary
or any specifications relating thereto.
SECTION 4.20 Brokers. Except for the engagement of CS, none of the Company,
any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors or employees
has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees,
commissions or finders fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. The Company has previously disclosed to Parent the Companys fee
arrangements with CS pursuant to its engagement letter, as amended or modified,
and any related agreements.
SECTION 4.21 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company Board has received
the written opinion of CS to the effect that, as of April 11, 2006, the consideration
to be received by the holders of Common Shares (other than Parent and its Affiliates)
pursuant to the Offer and the Merger, is fair to such holders from a financial point
of view.
ARTICLE FIVE
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF PARENT AND THE PURCHASER
Parent and the Purchaser hereby represent and warrant to the Company that, except
as described in the section of the Parent Disclosure Schedule corresponding to the
section of this Article Five to which exception is being taken or in another section
of the Parent Disclosure Schedule to the extent that (1) such other section is reasonably
cross-referenced in the section of the Parent Disclosure Schedule to which the exception
is being taken or (2) the applicability of such disclosure is clearly apparent on
its face:
SECTION 5.1 Organization and Qualification. Parent is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and
each material Subsidiary of Parent is a corporation or other business entity duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction
of its organization. The Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware. Each of Parent, its
material Subsidiaries and the Purchaser has the requisite corporate or similar organizational
power and authority to own, operate or lease its properties and to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted and is duly qualified or licensed to do business,
and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business
or the properties owned, operated or leased by it makes such qualification, licensing
or good standing necessary, except where the failure to have such power or authority,
or the failure to be so qualified, licensed or in good standing, would not prevent
or materially delay the consummation of the Offer or the Merger.
SECTION 5.2 Authority Relative to this Agreement. The Parent and the Purchaser
have all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and the Purchaser,
the performance of their obligations hereunder and the consummation by Parent and
the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly
authorized and approved by the Parent Board, the Purchaser Board and by the sole
stockholder of the Purchaser, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of
Parent or the Purchaser are necessary to authorize or approve this Agreement or
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (other than the filing of the
Certificate of Merger pursuant to the requirements of the DGCL). This Agreement
has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Parent and the Purchaser and,
assuming the due and valid authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Company, constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Parent and the Purchaser,
enforceable against the them in accordance with its terms.
SECTION 5.3 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(a) None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent or the Purchaser,
the performance by Parent or the Purchaser of their respective obligations hereunder
and the consummation by Parent and the Purchaser of the transactions contemplated
hereby will (i) conflict with or violate their respective certificates of incorporation
or bylaws, (ii) assuming that all Consents described in Section 5.3(b) have been made or obtained, conflict
with or violate any Law applicable to Parent or the Purchaser, or by which any of
them or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound or affected, or
(iii) result in a violation or breach of or constitute a default (or an event which
with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others
any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result
in any loss of any benefit, or the creation of any Lien on any of the properties
or assets of Parent or the Purchaser (any of the foregoing referred to in clause
(ii) or clause (iii) above being a Parent Violation) pursuant to, any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other
instrument or obligation to which Parent or the Purchaser is a party or by which
Parent or the Purchaser or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound
or affected, other than, in the case of clause (ii) or clause (iii) above, any such
Parent Violations that would not reasonably be expected to prevent or materially
delay the consummation of the Offer or the Merger.
(b) Other than (i) the filing with the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust
Division of the Department of Justice of a premerger notification and report form
by the Company under the HSR Act, and (ii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger
with the Secretary of State of Delaware, none of the execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Parent and the Purchaser, the performance by Parent or the Purchaser
of their obligations hereunder or the consummation by Parent or the Purchaser of
the transactions contemplated hereby does or will require any Consent of any Governmental
Entity except for any such Consents, the failure of which to be made or obtained,
would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of Parent or Purchaser to
timely consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.4 Information. None of the information supplied by Parent or
the Purchaser specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Other
Filings will, at the respective times filed with the SEC or other Governmental Entity,
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 made
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading,
except that no representation is made by the Parent or the Purchaser with respect
to statements made therein based on information regarding the Company supplied by
the Company in writing specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference
therein.
SECTION 5.5 The Purchaser. The Purchaser was formed solely for the purpose
of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. As of the Effective
Time, all of the outstanding capital stock of the Purchaser will be owned directly
by Parent. As of the date hereof and the Effective Time, except for obligations
or liabilities incurred in connection with its incorporation or organization and
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Purchaser has not and will
not have incurred, directly or indirectly, through any Subsidiary or Affiliate,
any obligations or liabilities or engaged in any business activities of any type
whatsoever or entered into any agreements or arrangements with any Person, except
as would not reasonably be expect to have a material adverse effect on the ability
of the Purchaser to timely consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.6 Litigation. There is no claim, action, suit, arbitration,
alternative dispute resolution action or any other judicial or administrative proceeding
pending against (or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against or naming as
a party thereto) Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent, nor, to the knowledge of Parent, is there any investigation
pending or threatened against Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent, and none of Parent
or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any outstanding order, writ, injunction
or decree, in each case, which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material
adverse effect on the ability of Parent or Purchaser to timely consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.7 Cash Availability. Parent has possession of, or shall have
available to it, sufficient funds to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, and will cause the Purchaser to have sufficient funds available
to consummate the Offer and the Merger.
ARTICLE SIX
COVENANTS
SECTION 6.01 Conduct of Business of the Company.
(a) Except as expressly required by this Agreement or required by applicable
Law or otherwise with the prior written consent of Parent, during the period from
the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company will, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, conduct its operations only in the ordinary and usual
course of business consistent with past practice and will use its reasonable best
efforts, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to use its reasonable best efforts,
to preserve intact the business organization of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries,
to keep available the services of its and their present officers and key employees,
and to preserve the good will of those having business relationships with it, including
maintaining satisfactory relationships with suppliers, distributors, customers,
licensors and others having business relationships with the Company.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and except as otherwise
required by this Agreement or as set forth on Section 6.1 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
prior to the Effective Time, without the prior written consent of Parent:
(i) adopt any amendment to its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or comparable
organizational documents or the Rights Agreement;
(ii) sell, transfer, dispose of, pledge, hypothecate, grant a security interest
in or otherwise encumber any capital stock or other securities owned by it in any
of its Subsidiaries;
(iii) (A) issue, reissue or sell, or authorize the issuance, reissuance or sale
of (1) shares of capital stock of any class, or securities convertible into capital
stock of any class, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any convertible
securities or capital stock, other than the issuance of Common Shares, pursuant
to the exercise of Options outstanding on the date hereof in accordance with the
terms of such Options or pursuant to the exercise of rights to purchase Common Shares
under the ESPP in accordance with its terms and the provisions of this Agreement
or (2) any other securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in substitution for, Common Shares outstanding on the date hereof,
or (B) make any other changes in its capital structure;
(iv) 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 except for dividends by any wholly owned Subsidiary
of the Company to the Company or another wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company;
(v) 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;
(vi) (A) increase the compensation or benefits payable or to become payable to
its current or former directors, officers or employees (whether from the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries), (B) pay or award any payment or benefit not required
by any existing plan or arrangement to any officer, director or employee (including
the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock
or performance units pursuant to the Stock Plans or otherwise), (C) grant any severance
or termination pay to any officer or director of the Company, or, other than grants
of severance or termination pay in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice to employees whose employment is terminated in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice, or other employee of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries (other than as required by existing agreements), (D) enter into
any employment or severance agreement with, any director, officer or other employee
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (E) establish, adopt, enter into, amend
or waive any performance or vesting criteria or accelerate vesting, exercisability
or funding under any 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 of the Company or its Subsidiaries (any of the foregoing
being an Employee Benefit Arrangement), except, in each case, (1) to the extent
required by applicable law or regulation or existing term of any such Employee Benefit
Arrangement described in the Company Disclosure Schedule, and (2) arrangements for
newly hired individuals that are in the ordinary course consistent with existing
policies and practice;
(vii) mortgage, encumber, sell, transfer, lease, license or otherwise dispose
of, or subject to any material Lien, (A) any assets or property (including material
Intellectual Property) or securities with a value of $500,000 individually or, (B)
taking all such matters in the aggregate, assets or property (including material
Intellectual Property) or securities with a value of $3,000,000, in each case, except
pursuant to existing contracts or commitments or the sale of goods in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;
(viii) acquire (whether by merger, consolidation, recapitalization, acquisition
of stock or assets or any other form of transaction) any corporation, partnership
or other business organization or division thereof or, except in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice or in accordance with the 2006 budget plan previously
provided to Parent, (A) any assets with a value of $500,000 individually or, (B)
taking all such acquisitions in the aggregate, assets with a value of $3,000,000;
(ix) (A) incur, assume or pre-pay any Indebtedness, (B) assume, guarantee, endorse
or otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or otherwise)
for the obligations of any other Person (including any Indebtedness), (C) pay, discharge
or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, contingent
or otherwise), except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
and in accordance with their terms, (D) make any loans, advances or capital contributions
to, or investments in, any other Person, 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, (E) vary the Companys payment,
collection or inventory practices in any material respect from the Companys past
practices or (F) cancel or forgive |