You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the shareholders of Electro Rent Corporation, a California corporation
(ELRC, the Company, we, our or us), which we will hold on [ ], 2016, at
[ ], at [ ], local time.
This proxy statement and the form of the proxy are dated [ ], 2016 and
are first being sent to ELRCs shareholders on or about [ ], 2016.
On May 27, 2016, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the merger agreement) providing for the
acquisition of the Company by Elecor Intermediate Holding II Corporation (Parent). Pursuant to the merger agreement, Elecor Merger Corporation, a California corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (Merger Sub),
will merge with and into ELRC, with ELRC surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (the merger). Following the merger, ELRC will cease to be a publicly traded company. Parent and Merger Sub are affiliates of Platinum
Equity LLC.
At the special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the following: (i) a proposal to adopt the merger
agreement and approve the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger (which we refer to as the merger agreement proposal); (ii) an advisory (non-binding) proposal to approve specified compensation that may become
payable to the named executive officers of ELRC in connection with the merger; and (iii) a proposal to approve the adjournment of the special meeting to solicit additional proxies, if necessary or appropriate, if there are insufficient votes at
the time of the special meeting to approve the merger agreement proposal.
If the merger is completed, each share of ELRC common stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (other than shares owned by Parent and Merger Sub, ELRC and any of their respective direct and indirect subsidiaries and by holders who are entitled to and properly
exercise dissenters rights under California law) will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive $13.12 in cash (the per share merger consideration), without interest and less applicable withholding taxes. The
per share merger consideration represents a premium of approximately 24.4% to ELRCs closing stock price on May 27, 2016, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the merger.
In considering the recommendation of the ELRC board of directors, you should be aware that
some of ELRCs directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, shareholders generally.
The enclosed proxy statement describes the merger agreement, the merger and related agreements
and provides specific information concerning the special meeting. In addition, you may obtain information about ELRC from documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). You should read the entire proxy statement
carefully, including the appendices, because it sets forth the details of the merger agreement and other important information related to the merger.
In connection with the entry into the merger agreement, on May 27, 2016, Daniel Greenberg, a director and our current chief executive
officer, and a member of Mr. Greenbergs immediate family, who collectively own approximately 29% of our outstanding common stock as of the date thereof, each entered into a voting agreement with Parent, agreeing to, among other things,
vote all shares of our common stock owned of record and beneficially by such persons in favor of the merger, the merger agreement and any other matters relating to and/or necessary for consummation of the merger and the other transactions
contemplated in the merger agreement and have granted to an affiliate of Platinum Equity an irrevocable proxy to vote all such shares in accordance with the voting agreement.
If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor,
[ ], by calling [ ] (toll free) or
[ ] (call collect).
On behalf of the ELRC board of directors, I
thank you for your support and appreciate your consideration of this matter.
Other Matters
ELRC does not expect that any matter other than the proposals described in this proxy statement will be brought before the special meeting. If,
however, the ELRC board of directors properly presents other matters, each of the persons named as a proxy will vote in accordance with his judgment as to matters that he believes to
-23-
be in the best interests of ELRCs shareholders. A proxy in the accompanying form or properly submitted by telephone or over the Internet will give authority to Steven Markheim and Allen
Sciarillo to vote on such matters at their respective discretion and they intend to do so in accordance with their best judgment on any such matter.
Adjournment of Special Meeting
Although
it is not expected, the special meeting may be adjourned for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies or if a quorum is not present. Our bylaws provide that the special meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned by the
affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at such meeting, either in person or by proxy. If the special meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof
are announced at the special meeting, unless a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, or unless the adjournment is for more than 45 days from the date set for the special meeting, in which case the ELRC board of directors shall set
a new record date; notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with our bylaws. At any adjourned meeting, ELRC may transact any business which might have
been transacted at the special meeting.
Householding of Special Meeting Materials
If you share an address with another shareholder, each shareholder at the same address may not receive a separate copy of this proxy statement,
though each shareholder in the household will receive a separate proxy card. This process, known as householding, reduces the volume of duplicate information received at your household and helps to reduce our expenses.
If you would like to receive your own set of our disclosure documents this year or in future years, follow the instructions described below.
Upon such request, we will promptly deliver a separate copy of the proxy materials to you. Similarly, if you share an address with another shareholder and together both of you would like to receive only a single set of our disclosure documents,
follow these instructions:
|
|
|
If your shares are registered in your own name, please contact us at Investor Relations at Electro Rent Corporation, 6060 Sepulveda Boulevard, Van Nuys, California 91411 or by calling (818) 787-2100 to inform us of
your request.
|
|
|
|
If a bank, broker or other nominee holds your shares, please contact your bank, broker or other nominee directly.
|
-24-
PARTIES TO THE MERGER
Electro Rent Corporation
6060 Sepulveda Boulevard
Van Nuys, California 91411
(818) 787-2100
Electro Rent Corporation, a California corporation, is one of the largest global organizations devoted to the rental, leasing and sales of
general purpose electronic test equipment, personal computers and servers. ELRCs website is located at www.electrorent.com. Information on the ELRC website is not part of this proxy statement.
Additional information about ELRC is contained in its public filings, which are incorporated by reference herein. See Where You Can Find
Additional Information on page 90.
Elecor Intermediate Holding II Corporation
c/o Platinum Equity
360 North Crescent Drive, South Building
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 712-1850
Elecor Intermediate Holding II Corporation, a Delaware corporation, was formed in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement. It has not engaged in any business except in furtherance of this purpose. Parent is an affiliate of Platinum Equity, LLC, a global M&A&O
®
firm specializing in the merger,
acquisition and operation of companies that provide services and solutions to customers in a broad range of business markets, including information technology, telecommunications, logistics, metals services, manufacturing and distribution. Platinum
Equitys holding companys principal executive offices are located at 360 North Crescent Drive, South Building, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, and its telephone number is
(310) 712-1850.
Elecor Merger Corporation
c/o Platinum Equity
360 North Crescent Drive, South Building
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 712-1850
Elecor Merger Corporation, a
California corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elecor Intermediate Holding II Corporation, was formed in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. It has not engaged in any business except in furtherance of this
purpose.
-25-
THE MERGER
This section describes material aspects of the merger agreement and the merger. While ELRC believes that the description covers the material
terms of the merger agreement and the merger, it may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should read carefully this entire proxy statement and the other documents referred to in this proxy statement, including the full
text of the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A hereto, for a more complete understanding of the merger agreement and the merger.
Effect of the Merger
Upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the merger agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into ELRC, with ELRC continuing as the surviving corporation. As a result of the merger, ELRC will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent, and ELRC common stock
will no longer be publicly traded. In addition, ELRC common stock will be delisted from the NASDAQ Global Select Market and deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, referred to as the Exchange Act, and we will
no longer file periodic reports with the SEC on account of ELRC common stock. If the merger is completed, you will not own any shares of the capital stock of the surviving corporation.
The time at which the merger will become effective, referred to as the effective time, will occur upon the filing of a certificate
of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of California (or at such later time as we, Parent and Merger Sub may agree and specify in the certificate of merger).
Effect on ELRC if the Merger is Not Completed
If the merger agreement proposal is not approved by ELRCs shareholders or if the merger is not completed for any other reason,
ELRCs shareholders will not receive any payment for their shares of common stock. Instead, ELRC will remain an independent public company, our common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and registered
under the Exchange Act and we will continue to file periodic reports with the SEC on account of our common stock. In addition, if the merger is not completed, ELRC expects that management will operate the business in a manner similar to that in
which it is being operated today and that ELRCs shareholders will continue to be subject to the same risks and opportunities to which they are currently subject.
Furthermore, if the merger is not completed, and depending on the circumstances that would have caused the merger not to be completed, it is
likely that the price of our common stock will decline significantly. If that were to occur, it is uncertain when, if ever, the price of our common stock would return to the price at which it traded as of the date of this proxy statement.
Accordingly, if the merger is not completed, there can be no assurance as to the effect of these risks and opportunities on the future value
of your shares of our common stock. If the merger is not completed, the ELRC board of directors will continue to evaluate and review our business operations, properties and capitalization, among other things, make such changes as are deemed
appropriate and continue to seek to identify strategic alternatives to enhance shareholder value. If the merger agreement proposal is not approved by ELRCs shareholders or if the merger is not completed for any other reason, there can be no
assurance that any other transaction acceptable to ELRC will be offered or that our business, prospects or results of operation will not be adversely impacted.
In addition, under specified circumstances, ELRC may be required to reimburse Parents expenses or pay Parent a termination fee upon the
termination of the merger agreement, as described under The Merger Agreement Effect of Termination of the Merger Agreement beginning on page 83.
-26-
Merger Consideration
If the merger is completed, you will receive $13.12 in cash, without interest and less applicable withholding taxes, for each share of ELRC
common stock that you own immediately prior to the effective time and for which you have not properly exercised dissenters rights. After the merger is completed, you will have the right to receive the per share merger consideration, but
you will no longer have any rights as a ELRC shareholder. ELRCs shareholders will receive the per share merger consideration after exchanging their ELRC stock certificates in accordance with the instructions contained in the letter of
transmittal to be sent to all ELRCs shareholders promptly after the effective time of the merger.
Background of the Merger
The ELRC board of directors (also referred to as the board of directors or the board), with input from senior
management, regularly reviews and assesses opportunities to increase shareholder value as part of its ongoing evaluation of ELRCs business. The board of directors periodically considers and evaluates strategic alternatives, and has from time
to time established special committees of disinterested and independent directors and consulted financial advisors to consider strategic alternatives available to ELRC.
Between April 2011 and January 2013, the board of directors formed special committees on two separate occasions to consider and evaluate
various potential strategic alternatives available to ELRC, including continuing its organic growth, evaluating potential acquisitions and considering the possible sale of ELRC. Both of those special committees held a number of meetings, consulted
with advisers and evaluated a number of possible transactions. In each instance, the special committee ultimately determined that it was in the best interest of ELRC and its shareholders to continue to operate as an independent going concern, and
the special committee was dissolved.
On August 12, 2014, the board of directors again determined to constitute a strategic
alternatives committee of disinterested and independent directors (referred to as the special committee) whose mandate was to (i) identify and evaluate potential strategic alternatives available to ELRC, (ii) review and
evaluate potential strategic alternatives involving a potential transaction between ELRC and a third party and (iii) take any other actions with respect thereto as authorized by its charter. The board appointed three disinterested and
independent directors of the board to serve as the special committees members: Theodore E. Guth, Joseph J. Kearns and Karen J. Curtin. Mr. Guth was appointed chairman of the special committee. The special committee was given broad
authority to conduct an evaluation of ELRCs strategic alternatives, including authority to:
|
|
|
consider and evaluate any strategic transaction, including, without limitation, the price, structure, timing and corporate governance terms, and the merits and risks thereof, involving the Company (including the
possible sale of ELRC);
|
|
|
|
determine what process to pursue in connection with the consideration and evaluation of any such strategic transaction;
|
|
|
|
determine whether it is in the best interest of ELRC and its shareholders to pursue such a strategic transaction;
|
|
|
|
at the expense of ELRC, engage and retain the services of such experts and professional advisors as the special committee deems necessary or desirable to advise and assist it in fulfilling its mandate;
|
|
|
|
negotiate the terms and conditions of any proposed transaction on behalf of ELRC; and
|
|
|
|
make a recommendation to the full board regarding what actions, if any, should be taken by ELRC with respect to any proposed transaction involving ELRC.
|
On November 4, 2014, after interviewing several investment banks, the special committee retained Houlihan Lokey as a financial advisor
with a limited engagement to provide analysis and advice regarding possible strategic alternatives that might be available to ELRC.
-27-
On December 30, 2014, the special committee met to review and discuss possible strategic
alternatives available to ELRC. At the request of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton (Sheppard Mullin), legal counsel to ELRC, attended the meeting. At the request of
the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey reviewed and discussed their preliminary analyses regarding ELRC and possible strategic alternatives.
On January 15, 2015, the special committee met to continue its ongoing review and discussion of certain strategic alternatives available
to ELRC. At the request of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. At the request of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey reviewed and discussed certain updated
information and analyses regarding ELRC and certain strategic alternatives available to ELRC.
On January 23, 2015, the special
committee met to continue its ongoing review and discussion of certain strategic alternatives available to ELRC. At the request of the special committee, a representative of Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. The special committee, with the
assistance of its legal advisor, reviewed and discussed the advice and assistance in evaluating potential strategic alternatives available to ELRC provided to the special committee by Houlihan Lokey. After consideration of the advice received to
date from Houlihan Lokey with respect to certain strategic alternatives available to ELRC, the special committee decided to engage Houlihan Lokey as financial advisor to the special committee in connection with a possible sale, merger, business
combination or other similar transaction (which we collectively refer to as a strategic transaction) involving ELRC.
On February 13,
2015, the special committee met to discuss preparation for a possible strategic transaction process. At the request of the special committee, a representative of Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. The special committee discussed the various
phases of the process and likely timing for a strategic transaction.
On February 20, 2015, the special committee met to continue its
ongoing review and discussion of a potential strategic transaction. At the request of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. The special committee, with the assistance of its legal and
financial advisors, reviewed a list of potential buyers (including private equity and strategic buyers), the development of marketing materials and the procedural steps and timing of a possible sale transaction.
On February 27, 2015, the special committee met to discuss recent developments affecting ELRCs business. At the request of the
special committee, representatives of management, including Daniel Greenberg and Steven Markheim, and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. Mr. Greenberg and Mr. Markheim reported that Keysight Technologies, Inc. (Keysight) had
informed ELRC that Keysight had determined to implement a direct sales model and that Keysight would not renew its reseller agreement with ELRC following its May 31, 2015 expiration date. Sales of new Keysight equipment represented
approximately 29.5%, 26.5% and 29.8% of ELRCs gross revenue in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Management advised the special committee that it would look to rebuild sales of new products by establishing relationships with other test
and measurement equipment manufacturers. After reviewing and discussing this development with the assistance of management, its legal and financial advisors, the special committee determined to suspend the potential sale process, pending evaluation
of the impact of the termination of the Keysight reseller agreement.
On March 3, 2015, ELRC issued a current report on Form 8-K
announcing that the reseller agreement with Keysight would not be renewed following its expiration on May 31, 2015.
On May 22,
2015, the special committee met to continue its ongoing review and discussion of a potential strategic transaction. At the request of the special committee, representatives of management, Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting.
Mr. Markheim provided the special committee with an update regarding managements efforts and progress in negotiating new reseller and sales agent arrangements with test and measurement manufacturers. The special committee, with the
assistance of its legal and financial advisors,
-28-
reviewed and discussed current market conditions and potential next steps with respect to marketing ELRC for sale, should the special committee decide again to pursue that strategic alternative.
On June 12, 2015, the special committee met to review and discuss recent developments affecting ELRC and the potential commencement
of a process that could lead to a possible sale of ELRC. At the request of the special committee, representatives of management, including Mr. Greenberg, and of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. Mr. Greenberg
provided an update to the special committee regarding ELRCs financial performance (including the May 31, 2015 fiscal year end results) and ELRCs new reseller/sales agent arrangements with Anritsu and Art-Fi. The special committee,
with the assistance of its legal and financial advisors, discussed ELRCs financial prospects and and the impact that the decline in revenues would have on a potential sale of ELRC. The special committee authorized management and its advisors
to recommence the preparation of marketing materials for a possible sale transaction so that the materials would be available should the special committee determine to approach potential buyers.
On July 16, 2015, the special committee met to review and discuss ELRCs recent financial performance and the potential commencement
of a process that could lead to a possible sale of ELRC. At the request of the special committee, representatives of management, Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. The special committee reviewed ELRCs financial
performance following the expiration of ELRCs reseller agreement with Keysight, including information on sales backlog and efforts to develop additional sources of sales revenues. The special committee assessed the possibility that additional
time would allow ELRC to develop reseller relationships with additional manufacturers and increase sales of new equipment. The special committee also assessed the competitive, general economic and market risks that, if it delayed the process, could
negatively impact the results of a potential sale process. Following that review and discussion, the special committee authorized Houlihan Lokey to initially contact eight potential financial buyers in order to assess the level of potential interest
in acquiring ELRC. The determination to limit the initial outreach to eight potential buyers was made in order to reduce the possibility of competitors learning that ELRC was considering a potential sale transaction and, in turn, reduce the related
potential for disruption to ELRCs business.
On July 29, 2015, the special committee met to review and discuss ELRCs
recent financial performance and the preliminary results of Houlihan Lokeys initial contacts with nine financial buyers that the special committee authorized Houlihan Lokey to contact (including the eight that the special committee authorized
on July 16, 2016 and an additional potential financial buyer that the special committee later directed Houlihan Lokey to approach). At the request of the special committee, representatives of management, Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin
attended the meeting. The special committee received an update from management on ELRCs recent financial performance. The representatives from Houlihan Lokey summarized the preliminary results of its initial contacts with the nine potential
financial buyers authorized by the special committee, and reported that all nine of the potential financial buyers had signed confidentiality agreements with ELRC. The special committee received advice from Sheppard Mullin concerning communication
protocols and fiduciary duties of directors in connection with a strategic transaction process.
On September 8, 2015, the special
committee met to review and discuss the results to date of Houlihan Lokeys further contacts with the nine potential financial buyers. At the request of the special committee, representatives from Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the
meeting. The representatives from Houlihan Lokey informed the special committee that, of the nine financial buyers contacted, three had submitted initial indications of interest and six had either declined to submit indications of interest or did
not otherwise move forward in the process. The three initial indications indicated the following ranges of proposed value per share: $12.44 to $14.52 per share; $15.55 to $18.25 per share; and $15.55 to $17.42 per share. The special committee, with
the assistance of its legal and financial advisors, reviewed and discussed the three indications of interest and determined that the indicative prices from the three bidders were high enough to merit further consideration of a sale process for ELRC.
The special committee authorized the scheduling of management presentations for the two potential buyers with the highest bids during the week of September 28, 2015. The special committee instructed Houlihan Lokey to communicate to the lowest
of the three bidders that ELRC was
-29-
not interested in moving forward with it at its indicated price. The special committee further directed Houlihan Lokey to prepare a list of additional potential financial buyers for review by the
special committee. The special committee again focused on financial buyers in order to minimize the risk that a competitor would learn that ELRC was in a sale process and attempt to disrupt ELRCs relationship with its customers and employees.
On September 9, 2015, the special committee met to review a list of additional potential financial buyers that Houlihan Lokey had
provided prior to the meeting. Following an initial review and discussion by the special committee of the potential buyers on the list, the special committee invited representatives of Houlihan Lokey to join the meeting. The special committee, with
the assistance of Houlihan Lokey, continued its review and discussion of the additional potential financial buyers, and then authorized Houlihan Lokey to contact an additional eighteen potential financial buyers.
Following the September 9, 2015 meeting of the special committee, at the direction of the special committee, Houlihan Lokey contacted
(a) the eighteen additional potential financial buyers and (b) two additional potential buyers, one of which was Platinum Equity and the other of which was a potential strategic buyer. The potential strategic buyer was based in Asia, and
special committee determined that approaching such potential strategic buyer did not raise significant risk of inadvertent disclosure of a potential sale process to ELRCs main competitors in the United States.
ELRC ultimately received initial indications of interest from four of the twenty parties contacted. Platinum Equity submitted an initial
indication of interest at $16.25 to $17.50 per share. Three other potential financial bidders submitted initial indications of interest as follows: $14.27 to $16.05 per share; $9.33 to $9.95 per share; and $11.25 per share. In addition, the
financial buyers that submitted indications of interest prior to September 9, 2015 in a range of $12.44 to $14.52, submitted a revised indication of interest at $14.52 per share.
At the request of the special committee, ELRC held management presentations between September and November 2015 with five potential buyers
that the special committee believed merited further consideration. These consisted of all three of the potential financial buyers that had submitted initial indications of interest prior to the September 9, 2015 special committee meeting
(including the potential financial buyer that submitted a revised, higher indication of interest) and two potential financial buyers that submitted the higher initial indications of interest following the September 9, 2015 special committee
meeting, including Platinum Equity.
On November 6, 2015, the special committee met. With the assistance of its legal and financial
advisors, the special committee reviewed and discussed the feedback provided by the potential financial buyers that had attended management presentations. Following such review and discussion, the special committee authorized the preparation of a
bid instruction letter requesting that bids be submitted by mid-December along with proposed revisions to a form of merger agreement to be distributed to potential buyers.
On November 12, 2015, at the direction of the special committee, Houlihan Lokey distributed to four bidders, including Platinum Equity,
the form of bid letter and draft merger agreement approved by the special committee. The fifth bidder, subsequent to submitting its indication of interest, informed Houlihan Lokey that it had determined to withdraw from the process. As directed by
the special committee, the deadline for submission of a bid (including a marked form of merger agreement the bidder was prepared to sign) was set as December 15, 2015.
On November 19, 2015, ELRC received an unsolicited inquiry from Bidder A. Bidder A indicated that it was a finalist in the sales process
to acquire a European-based company in the same industry as that of ELRC, which we refer to as Company X. Company X has operations in the United States that compete with ELRC. Bidder A was admitted into the process, provided access to
certain non-public information regarding ELRC and was provided a bid process letter.
On December 14, 2015, Bidder A submitted an
initial indication of interest of $15.00 per share. However, Bidder A indicated that, since it was concurrently pursuing the acquisition of Company X, it would need
-30-
additional time to complete its work on that transaction before it could complete its due diligence and related work to finalize a proposal on the ELRC transaction.
On December 16, 2015, Platinum Equity provided an updated proposal of $11.65 per share, which reflected a lower price compared to its
previous proposed value range $16.25 to $17.50 submitted in November 2015. The lower price was predicated upon Platinum Equitys due diligence findings and ELRCs financial performance.
As of December 31, 2015, Bidder A and Platinum Equity were continuing their diligence investigations of ELRC and two potential bidders
had dropped out of the process. Because Bidder As proposal included the purchase of Company X, a significant strategic competitor to ELRC, the special committee evaluated whether the proposed combination of Company X and ELRC would be able to
secure regulatory approvals. Accordingly, at the direction of the special committee, representatives from Sheppard Mullin began communicating with legal counsel to Bidder A on regulatory compliance issues in both Europe and the United States, and
related considerations. In those discussions, Sheppard Mullin advised Bidder As legal counsel of the special committees desire to address regulatory clearance strategy in advance and to avoid any significant period of time between
signing and closing in order to minimize risk that the transaction does not close or that the business becomes impaired.
On
January 11, 2016, executives of another company operating in the same industry as the Company (Bidder B) made an unsolicited inquiry to management of ELRC regarding a proposal to acquire ELRC. Management, at the direction of the
special committee, referred Bidder B to representatives of Houlihan Lokey who spoke to Bidder B on behalf of the special committee to obtain information about Bidder Bs interest in submitting a bid for ELRC.
On January 14, 2016, the special committee met to review and discuss the status of Bidder As transaction with Company X. The
committee members also reviewed the status of Bidder As and Platinum Equitys diligence investigations of the Company.
On
January 29, 2016, at the direction of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey met with executives of Bidder B. At the meeting, Bidder B verbally communicated a proposed value of approximately $11.00 per share. Subsequent to the
meeting, at the direction of the special committee, Bidder B was informed that ELRC had concerns regarding the ability to secure regulatory approval for a combination of ELRC and Bidder B and that the proposed price of $11.00 per share was not
sufficient to merit further evaluation at that time. At the direction of the special committee, Houlihan Lokey encouraged Bidder B to propose a higher price.
On February 3, 2016, the special committee met to review and discuss the status of discussions with Bidder A, Platinum Equity and Bidder
B. At the request of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. The special committee, with the assistance of Houlihan Lokey, reviewed and discussed, for each bidder, their indication of
interest, including value; the status of their diligence investigation of ELRC; the additional information they had requested; and potential next steps. The special committee, with the assistance of a representative of Sheppard Mullin, also reviewed
and discussed the differences in regulatory approvals that would need to be obtained between the financial and strategic bidders and their potential impact on the timing and closing risk of a potential transaction. Following these discussions, the
special committee authorized its legal and financial advisors to continue discussions with all three prospective bidders. The special committee further directed Sheppard Mullin to evaluate potential antitrust issues with Bidder A and Bidder B and to
prepare a revised draft of the merger agreement that addressed the increased risks related to antitrust regulatory approval in connection with a combination with a strategic buyer.
On February 15, 2016, the special committee met to review and discuss the status of discussions with Bidder A, Bidder B and Platinum
Equity. At the request of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. Representatives from Houlihan Lokey updated the special committee on discussions with all three potential bidders since the
special committees meeting on February 3, 2016. A representative from Sheppard Mullin then advised the special committee of conversations that it had with counsel
-31-
for Bidder A and Bidder B on antitrust and competition related matters. The special committee reviewed a draft of the proposed merger agreement which had been revised to include hell or
high water covenants that would require a strategic buyer to take all action necessary to secure antitrust regulatory compliance approval, including the divestiture of parts of the business. The special committee, with the assistance of
Sheppard Mullin, discussed antitrust and regulatory clearance issues that arise with strategic buyers, including the process for regulatory approval, possible covenants and remedies relating to regulatory approval and the impact on the timing and
probability of a successful closing. The special committee then authorized its legal and financial advisors to continue discussions with all three potential bidders.
On March 11, 2016, after further diligence of ELRC, Platinum Equity submitted a revised proposal to acquire ELRC for $10.70 per share,
which was lower than the proposed price of $11.65 that Platinum Equity offered on December 16, 2015.
On March 14, 2016,
Houlihan Lokey provided the special committee with information regarding Houlihan Lokeys relationships with Platinum Equity and Bidder A since January 1, 2014.
On March 15, 2016, Bidder A submitted a revised offer letter. The letter confirmed interest at an indicative price of $13.00 per share.
The letter acknowledged the special committees request in the proposed merger agreement for a hell or high water provision. Bidder A countered that any requirement for divestiture would have to be subject to reasonable caps, but
did not specify those caps. The letter also stated that Bidder A was continuing to work on its financing for the proposed acquisition of Company X and ELRC, and that it would need an additional five to eight weeks to secure a fully committed
financing and be in a position to finalize a proposed offer.
Later that same day, the special committee met to review and discuss the
status of discussions with Bidder A, Platinum Equity and Bidder B. At the request of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. The special committee, with the assistance of its legal and
financial advisors, reviewed and discussed the current status of discussions with each of the potential bidders, including Platinum Equitys revised proposal. The special committee directed Houlihan Lokey to inform Platinum Equity that its
revised proposal was too low for the special committee to consider a transaction with it. Platinum Equity indicated to Houlihan Lokey that it remained interested, and requested a counter-offer to its most recent bid. The special committee also
determined that, based on regulatory compliance and competitive concerns, it would not engage in further discussions with Bidder B absent an increased proposed price from Bidder B (which had not increased its proposed price from $11.00 per share).
On March 21, 2016 representatives from Sheppard Mullin had a telephone conference with legal counsel for Bidder A to review Bidder
As offer letter and the special committees concerns. The representatives from Sheppard Mullin requested information concerning (a) how excess cash would be treated in Bidder As proposal and the impact on price, (b) the
specific terms of Bidder As proposal on the hell or high water covenants and securing antitrust regulatory compliance, (c) the status of Bidder As financing package, (d) the interdependence of the closing with ELRC
and the closing of the transaction with Company X, and (e) any final diligence issues. The representatives from Sheppard Mullin advised the legal representatives for Bidder A that the special committee would require additional information on
those points before it would consider exclusivity or one on one negotiations.
On April 8, 2016, the special committee met to
continue their review of the status of discussions with Bidder A and Platinum Equity. At the request of the special committee, a representative of Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. The special committee also discussed the status of Bidder
As proposed transaction with Company X.
On April 14, 2016, Bidder A submitted an updated proposal to acquire ELRC for $13.00
per share, based on an assumed level of cash and subject to adjustment up or down for any excess or shortfall. The letter indicated
-32-
with respect to regulatory compliance that Bidder A would be pragmatic and was willing to accept some level of risk, but did not provide any details. The updated proposal included a
request for exclusivity to complete negotiations and prepare the necessary definitive agreements for a strategic transaction.
On
April 20, 2016, the special committee met to consider the request made by Bidder A for exclusivity and, following discussion with the assistance of its legal and financial advisors, granted exclusivity to Bidder A until May 4, 2016,
provided that the special committee could terminate exclusivity (i) on April 25, 2016, unless Bidder A provided to the special committee its draft merger agreement by that date, or (ii) on April 27. 2016, if Bidder A had not
extended its exclusivity agreement with Company X by that date.
On April 25, 2016, Bidder As legal counsel provided a draft
merger agreement to Sheppard Mullin. Bidder As version of the draft merger agreement did not contain any hell or high water provision with respect to antitrust regulatory compliance, eliminated a liquidated damages provision for
failure to secure antitrust regulatory clearance, and requested that Buyer be given up to nine months following signing to secure necessary regulatory approvals.
On April 27, 2016, the special committee met to discuss the draft merger agreement provided by Bidder As legal counsel. At the
request of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. The representative from Sheppard Mullin shared initial observations on the draft merger agreement. Following discussion, the special
committee directed Sheppard Mullin to prepare a revised draft of the merger agreement that included the hell or high water provision and related remedies and shortened the proposed time frame for closing the transaction, among other
changes.
On April 28, 2016, representatives from Sheppard Mullin had a telephone conference with representatives of Bidder As
legal counsel to review Bidder As proposed draft merger agreement. Among other things, the lawyers discussed (a) ELRCs continued request for a hell or high water commitment to secure antitrust regulatory clearances,
(b) the status of Bidder As transaction with Company X, (c) the status of Bidder As financing program, and (d) any material open diligence items.
On May 1, 2016, the special committee, with the assistance of representatives of Sheppard Mullin and Houlihan Lokey, reviewed and
discussed the recent discussions between representatives of the special committee and Bidder A and its representatives. A representative from Sheppard Mullin then reviewed with the members of the special committee a proposed response to the draft
merger agreement received from Bidder A.
On May 2, 2016, representatives from Sheppard Mullin provided a revised draft of the merger
agreement to Bidder As legal counsel. The revised draft included a hell or high water covenant on the antitrust regulatory clearance, addressed certain deal protective provisions and noted additional information was needed on the
financing program.
On May 4, 2016, the exclusivity agreement with Bidder A expired.
On May 5, 2016, representatives from Sheppard Mullin had a conference call with Bidder As legal counsel to discuss Bidder As
plans for financing the acquisition of Company X and ELRC.
Also on May 5, 2016, Houlihan Lokey received a revised offer from
Platinum Equity to acquire all of ELRCs outstanding common stock at a price of $13.00 per share. The offer was not contingent on financing. The offer requested exclusivity for Platinum Equity to complete legal diligence and negotiate the final
forms of definitive agreements for the transaction.
On May 6, 2016, the special committee met to review and discuss the status of
discussions with Bidder A and Platinum Equity. At the request of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. The special committee, with the assistance of its legal and financial advisors,
-33-
reviewed the status of negotiations with Bidder A, including continuing concerns regarding the potential closing risk in the event antitrust regulatory clearances for Bidder As acquisition
of ELRC were not obtained given the lack of a hell or high water covenant to obtain necessary antitrust regulatory clearances in Bidder As proposed form of merger agreement. The special committee, with the assistance of its legal
and financial advisors, also reviewed and discussed the proposal from Platinum Equity, including an equity commitment for the full amount of the purchase price, the absence of significant regulatory risk and the anticipated time to closing.
Following that discussion, the special committee directed Houlihan Lokey to advise Bidder A that another potential buyer had submitted a proposal that the special committee believed to be superior to that of Bidder A and ELRC would likely enter into
exclusivity with the other party if Bidder A did not improve the terms of its proposal. In addition, the special committee directed Houlihan Lokey to request that Platinum Equity complete its diligence, confirm its proposed purchase price and
provide a draft merger agreement as a predicate to any granting of exclusivity. Houlihan Lokey contacted Bidder A and Platinum Equity in accordance with the special committees instructions.
On May 8, 2016, Bidder As legal counsel delivered a revised form of merger agreement to Sheppard Mullin. The revised form of merger
agreement included a modified hell or high water covenant to make divestitures, subject to (i) limitations on the revenue loss arising from such divestitures, (ii) Bidder A being able to secure a 5x EBITDA return for any assets
divested, (iii) the divestiture not have a material adverse impact on the synergies expected from the combination of Company X and ELRC. The draft agreement also proposed again that Bidder A be given up to nine months to secure antitrust
regulatory clearance.
On May 9, 2016, representatives from Sheppard Mullin called Bidder As legal counsel to discuss concerns
over the limitations on any divestitures necessary to secure antitrust regulatory clearance, the conditionality related to Bidder As ability to close on the Company X acquisition, the covenants related to ELRCs cooperation in securing
the proposed financing of the transaction and plans for management and employee retention programs.
On May 9, 2016,
Latham & Watkins LLP (Latham & Watkins), counsel to Platinum Equity, provided to Sheppard Mullin a draft merger agreement. This draft merger agreement contemplated voting agreements being executed by Mr. Daniel
Greenberg and a member of his immediately family, who collectively own 29% of our outstanding common stock on the date hereof, to support the transaction proposed by Platinum Equity. In addition, the draft merger agreement provided for a customary
no-shop provision limiting the special committees ability to solicit competing proposals or change its recommendation of the proposed merger, and related provisions, including a termination fee of 4.0% payable by ELRC in certain
circumstances including if it accepts a superior offer, and payment of Parents expenses if the stockholders vote against the proposed merger, as well as a cap on damages, equal to 4.0% of the aggregate merger consideration, payable by Platinum
Equity and its affiliates if the merger agreement is terminated as a result of Parents breach.
On May 10, 2016,
Latham & Watkins provided to Sheppard Mullin a further revised draft merger agreement, reflecting input on tax, benefits and other discrete provisions of the agreement.
On May 10, 2016, representatives from Sheppard Mullin and Bidder As legal counsel had a telephone conference call to discuss
observations on possible antitrust review of Bidder As proposed combination of Company X and ELRC and Bidder As proposed limitations on the divestures requirements to secure antitrust regulatory compliance.
On May 11, 2016, at the direction of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey called representatives of Platinum Equity
to discuss certain aspects related to Platinum Equitys proposal. Also, on May 11, 2016, representatives from Sheppard Mullin and Latham & Watkins had a telephone conference call to discuss issues related to potential golden
parachute payments that may arise in any proposed transaction.
On May 12, 2016, representatives from Sheppard Mullin and
Latham & Watkins spoke regarding certain aspects of the draft merger agreement provided by Latham & Watkins, including the deal protective provisions: the parameters of the no-shop and the amount of the termination fee.
Representatives from Latham & Watkins
-34-
noted the long and robust sales process in which the Company had been involved and the importance of these customary deal protections to Platinum Equity. Later that day, Sheppard Mullin provided
to Latham & Watkins a revised draft merger agreement, which included an increased damage cap and greater flexibility for the special committee and the board of directors in the no shop, including a lower termination fee and the
ability to change the boards recommendation of the merger in the case of an intervening event that does not involve an acquisition proposal.
On May 13, 2016, Bidder A submitted a revised proposal. The proposal included two possible prices, either $14.00 per share or $13.00 per
share price, depending on the extent of any divestitures required in connection with securing antitrust regulatory approval. The proposal continued to include conditions to Bidder As obligations to make a divesture including a requirement that
Bidder A receive at least 5x EBITDA for any assets divested, and that the assets divested would not have a material adverse effect on the synergies that Bidder A anticipated in the transaction and a nine month period of time to secure regulatory
approval. The proposal did not provide for liquidated damages in the event of a breach of the antitrust regulatory compliance covenants.
On May 15, 2016, Platinum Equity agreed to increase their offer to $13.12 in exchange for ELRC agreeing that it would not be able to
declare or pay any dividends for the period between signing and closing.
Also on May 15, 2016, at the direction of the special
committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey called Bidder As financial advisor, and informed the advisor that the special committee continued to place a high value on certainty of completion, that Bidder As proposal was subject to
significant conditionality, and that Bidder A should make every effort to eliminate conditionality from its offer in order to best position itself in the process.
On May 16, 2016, representatives from Sheppard Mullin had a conference call with representatives from Bidder As legal counsel on
the proposed merger agreement. Sheppard Mullin reminded Bidder As legal counsel that ELRC was considering an offer from a private equity group that did not contain the same antitrust risk, and that the special committee was looking for Bidder
A to eliminate the conditionality associated with its offer. Sheppard Mullin advised Bidder As legal counsel that the proposed offer continued to have substantial restrictions on the obligation of Bidder A to make any divestiture necessary to
secure antitrust regulatory approval and did not provide any adequate remedy for a breach of a covenant related to antitrust issues. Bidder As legal counsel replied that Bidder A had made substantial concessions and was further prepared to
reduce the required threshold on divestitures from 5x EBITDA to 4x EBITDA, but did not offer other material changes.
Also on May 16,
2016, representatives from Sheppard Mullin had a conference call with representatives from Latham & Watkins regarding legal due diligence in support of Platinum Equitys offer.
Later in the day on May 16, 2016, the special committee met to review and discuss the status of discussions with Bidder A and Platinum
Equity. At the request of the special committee, representatives from Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. The special committee received an update on discussions with Bidder A and Platinum Equity from Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard
Mullin. The special committee was informed that Platinum Equity had completed its financial diligence and confirmed its price. Platinum Equity, which had requested exclusivity on prior occasions in its offer letters, was now requesting exclusivity
to complete legal due diligence, having made significant progress on diligence thus far, and to complete negotiation of the merger agreement. The special committee weighed the relative risks of the competing proposals from Bidder A and Platinum
Equity, and determined to grant Platinum Equity exclusivity until May 23, 2016, provided that such exclusivity would end earlier in the event that Platinum Equity reduced its proposed purchase price below $13.12 per share. Prior to ELRC signing
the exclusivity agreement with Platinum Equity, at the direction of the special committee, Houlihan Lokey contacted Bidder As financial adviser and informed them that ELRC was going to enter into exclusivity with another potential buyer.
Between May 16, 2016 and May 17, 2017, Sheppard Mullin and Latham & Watkins exchanged and discussed further revised drafts
of the merger agreement, in which, among other things, Platinum Equity conceded to a lower termination fee of $11.3 million and a higher damages cap of $16.2 million.
-35-
On May 17, Latham & Watkins provided to Sheppard Mullin a form of voting agreement,
which Sheppard Mullin forwarded to counsel for the Greenberg-affiliated stockholders.
On May 18, while ELRC was under exclusivity
with Platinum Equity, Bidder A sent a letter to ELRCs board stating that Bidder A was disappointed that ELRC had entered into exclusive negotiations with another bidder and that Bidder A was prepared to make changes to its proposed draft
merger agreement of May 13, 2016, including eliminating the conditional pricing, the antitrust divestiture conditions related to 4x EBITDA and the no material adverse effect on the anticipated synergies of the combination with Company X. The
letter also stated that Bidder A was prepared to offer a material increase in its per share offer price, but did not specify an amount. As required by ELRCs exclusivity agreement with Platinum Equity, ELRC provided the letter from Bidder A to
Platinum Equity.
On May 19, 2016, the special committee met to discuss the letter received from Bidder A. At the request of the
special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. The special committee also reviewed the open business terms on the proposed merger agreement with Platinum Equity.
On May 20, 2016, representatives of Sheppard Mullin, Houlihan Lokey, Latham & Watkins and Platinum Equity had a telephone
conference to, among other things, discuss the remaining open issues in the merger agreement.
On May 22, 2016, at the direction of
the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey called Platinum Equity to request that the special committee be permitted to seek to secure a revised offer from Bidder A before entering into a definitive agreement with Platinum Equity.
Later that day, representatives of Sheppard Mullin and Latham & Watkins negotiated the terms of the arrangement permitting the special committee to communicate with Bidder A regarding obtaining a revised proposal from Bidder A, while ELRC
would retain an option to enter into a merger agreement with Platinum Equity.
On May 23, 2016, the special committee met to review
and discuss Platinum Equitys proposal to acquire ELRC and the status of discussions with Platinum Equity regarding the special committees ability to seek to secure a revised proposal from Bidder A. At the request of the special
committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin also attended the meeting. Representatives of Houlihan Lokey provided the special committee with Houlihan Lokeys preliminary financial analyses with respect to ELRC and the
proposed transaction with Platinum Equity. Thereafter, the special committee approved proposed arrangements with Platinum Equity to extend the deadline for accepting Platinum Equitys proposal and permit the special committee to negotiate with
Bidder A, while ELRC retained an option to enter in a merger agreement with Platinum Equity, in exchange for agreeing to pay a fee to Platinum Equity in the event ELRC did not accept Platinum Equitys proposal.
On May 24, 2016, Platinum Equity and ELRC entered into an agreement that gave ELRC the right to accept Platinum Equitys proposal by
5:00 p.m. Pacific time on May 27, 2016. The agreement also granted ELRC the right to enter into discussions with Bidder A through the earlier of (a) 12:00 pm Pacific time on May 26, 2016 or (b) ELRCs receipt of an updated
proposal from Bidder A. Under the terms of the agreement, if Bidder A provided ELRC an updated proposal, Platinum Equity would be allowed 24 hours to respond with another proposal. In exchange for Platinum Equitys willingness to provide ELRC
with an executable merger agreement, while still allowing the special committee to solicit another proposal form Bidder A, ELRC agreed to pay Platinum Equity $6,500,000 in the event that ELRC elected not to enter into a definitive transaction
agreement with Platinum Equity by 5:00 p.m. Pacific time on May 27, 2016.
On May 25, 2016, at the direction of the special
committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey sent Bidder A a bid process letter along with a revised draft of the merger agreement, and related equity commitment letter and limited guaranty, in forms that the special committee was prepared to
recommend to the ELRC board of directors.
-36-
On May 25, 2016, at the direction of the special committee, representatives from Sheppard
Mullin and Houlihan Lokey had a call with Bidder A and its legal counsel to discuss the process and the opportunity for Bidder A to submit a revised proposal. Later that same day, representatives from Sheppard Mullin and Bidder As legal
counsel had a telephone conference to review the proposed form of merger agreement.
On May 26, Bidder A telephoned Houlihan Lokey
and indicated that it would provide an updated proposal to acquire ELRC. Shortly thereafter, Bidder A telephoned Houlihan Lokey again and indicated that in order for it to submit an updated proposal, Bidder A would require ELRC to agree to pay it a
fee of $8,000,000 in the event that another party matched the amount of its proposal. Later that same day, representatives from Sheppard Mullin and Bidder As legal counsel had a conference call to review the status of Bidder As debt
financing, the anticipated timing and any conditions to signing and closing. They also reviewed the status of Bidder As purchase of Company X. Sheppard Mullin was advised that the financing was fully committed, but that there were process
issues that may delay signing and that there were a few commercial issues that needed to be resolved on the Company X acquisition. Bidder As legal counsel asked for clarification of the time frames that ELRC was working under with regard to
Platinum Equitys offer. In a separate call on May 26, 2016, representatives from Bidder As legal counsel called Sheppard Mullin to clarify the business position and proposed language related to regulatory compliance in the merger
agreement. Bidder As legal counsel indicated that Bidder A had not determined whether it would submit a revised proposal.
After
12:00 p.m. Pacific time on May 26, 2016, representatives from Sheppard Mullin advised Latham & Watkins that Bidder A had not submitted a written proposal to ELRC and, at the direction of the special committee, representatives from
Houlihan Lokey informed Platinum Equity that Bidder A had not submitted a revised proposal.
On May 27, 2016, the special committee
met to discuss the status of negotiations with Platinum Equity and Bidder A and consider Platinum Equitys proposal. At the request of the special committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended the meeting. In
addition, at the invitation of the special committee, all of the members of the board who were not members of the special committee also attended the meeting. The special committee first considered the alternative of ceasing further negotiations
with both of Platinum Equity and Bidder A and continuing to operate as an independent going concern, and determined that it was in the best interests of ELRC and its shareholders to consider a strategic transaction. The special committee then
considered the proposal from Platinum Equity, the letter from Bidder A and the opportunity for Bidder A to submit a topping bid should ELRC enter into a merger agreement on the terms proposed with Platinum Equity. At the request of the special
committee, representatives of Houlihan Lokey then reviewed and discussed their financial analyses with respect to ELRC and the proposed transaction with Platinum Equity. Thereafter, at the request of the special committee, Houlihan Lokey verbally
rendered its opinion to the special committee (which was subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery of Houlihan Lokeys written opinion addressed to the special committee dated May 27, 2016), as to, as of such date, the fairness, from a
financial point of view, to holders of ELRC common stock of the merger consideration to be received by such holders in the merger pursuant to the merger agreement. After discussion and consideration of each of the factors set forth below in
The Merger Reasons for the Merger, the special committee unanimously determined to recommend to the board that (a) the merger is fair to and in the best interests of ELRC and its shareholders and (b) the board
approve the merger and merger agreement and (c) the board recommend that ELRCs shareholders vote to approve the merger agreement at any meeting of shareholder of ELRC to be called for the purposes of acting thereon.
On May 27, 2016, following the special committee meeting, the board met. Representatives from Houlihan Lokey and Sheppard Mullin attended
the meeting at the request of the special committee. The special committee reported regarding its recommendations to the board regarding the proposed transaction with Platinum Equity. After discussion and consideration of each of the factors set
forth below in The Merger Reasons for the Merger, the board of directors unanimously (a) determined that the merger agreement and the merger are fair to and in the best interests of ELRC and its shareholders,
(b) approved the merger and merger agreement and (c) recommended that ELRCs shareholders vote to approve the merger agreement at any meeting of shareholders of ELRC to be called for the purposes of acting thereon.
-37-
After the boards meeting on May 27, 2016, the parties signed and delivered the
definitive transaction agreements, and Parent and the Greenberg-affiliated stockholders signed and delivered the voting agreements.
On
May 31, 2016, prior to the opening of trading of ELRC common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ELRC issued a press release announcing the execution of the merger agreement and filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC reporting on
the entry into the merger agreement.
Reasons for the Merger
Reasons for the Recommendation of the Special Committee
The special committee consulted with management and the special committees legal and financial advisors in connection with making its
unanimous recommendation to the ELRC board of directors that the board adopt resolutions (i) that the terms of the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby are fair to and in the best interests of ELRCs
shareholders, (ii) to adopt and declare advisable the merger agreement and approve the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, (iii) to direct that the merger agreement be submitted to the shareholders of ELRC for adoption
and approval and (iv) recommend that ELRCs shareholders vote in favor of the adoption and approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger. In reaching its decision to unanimously recommend
that the ELRC board of directors adopt the foregoing resolution, the special committee considered the following factors and potential benefits of the merger, each of which it believes supported its decision:
1.
Strategic Alternatives.
The special committee considered strategic alternatives to increase shareholder value other than a sale of
ELRC. The special committee engaged its financial advisor in November 2014 and spent several months evaluating strategic alternatives, including continued execution of its business plan and organic growth strategy. The board of directors also
evaluated the risks and potential benefits of pursuing an acquisition strategy. After consideration, the board of directors concluded that the merger is more favorable to ELRCs shareholders than such strategic alternatives.
2.
Shareholder Monetization of Investment.
The special committee considered that the merger allows ELRCs shareholders to monetize
their investment in the Company in the near future, providing shareholders with value certainty and liquidity of cash, while avoiding risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the following: risks related to the Companys business
including its ability to meet its operating goals; economic risks including changes that would impact demand for the Companys products and services in key industries such as aerospace and defense; competitive risks; changes in interest rates
and capital markets risks that may impact the Companys cost of capital or the price at which its common stock trades; and market risks related to the Companys limited float and the impact on the trading price and liquidity in the
Companys common stock.
3.
Consideration to Be Paid and Capital Structure.
The special committee considered that the
consideration to be paid in the merger is all cash, and includes payment for all outstanding common stock and restricted stock units.
4.
Unlikelihood of a Superior Offer to Parents.
The belief of the special committee, after consideration in consultation with management and its advisors, that continuing discussions with other bidders, or soliciting interest from
additional third parties, would be unlikely to lead to an equivalent or better offer and that deferring acceptance of Parents proposed offer could lead to the loss of such offer.
5.
Premium to Market Price of ELRCs Common Stock.
The special committee considered the current and historical market prices of
ELRC common stock, and the fact that the per share merger consideration represents a premium to the market price of ELRC common stock, including a premium of approximately 24.4% over the closing price on May 27, 2016, the last full trading
day prior to the public announcement of the merger agreement, a premium of 24.9% over the average closing price for the one-week period ended May 27, 2016, a
-38-
premium of 27.4% over the one-month average closing price for the period ended May 27, 2016, and a premium of 30.9% over the one-year average closing price for the period ended May 27,
2016. The special committee further considered that, if ELRC were to remain an independent, publicly traded company, the potential effects of our strategic growth plan and current capital market conditions would make it difficult for ELRC common
stock to achieve the price provided for in the merger agreement in the foreseeable future.
6.
Opinion of Financial Advisor to the
Special Committee.
The special committee considered the financial analysis reviewed by Houlihan Lokey with the special committee as well as the oral opinion of Houlihan Lokey rendered to the special committee on May 27, 2016 (which was
subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery of Houlihan Lokeys written opinion addressed to the special committee dated May 27, 2016), as to, as of such date, the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of ELRC common
stock of the merger consideration to be received by such holders in the merger pursuant to the merger agreement.
7.
Widely Marketed
Auction Process.
The special committee had conducted a broad market solicitation, in a process that solicited prospective bids beginning in July 2015. Ultimately, the special committee, with the assistance of its financial advisor, distributed a
teaser memorandum to 26 prospective bidders that expressed interest and confidentiality agreements were secured with 26 parties. That solicitation led to active evaluation by 8 prospective bidders, including strategic and financial
buyers.
8.
Likelihood the Merger Would Be Completed.
The special committee considered the likelihood that the merger would be
completed, based on, among other things:
|
|
|
the absence of a financing condition in the merger agreement, the fact that Parent had obtained committed equity financing for the merger, the number and nature of the conditions to the equity financing and the
obligation of Parent to use its reasonable best efforts to satisfy the conditions to the equity financing;
|
|
|
|
the fact that Parents receipt of debt financing is not a condition to Parents obligations under the merger agreement or Platinum Equitys obligations under the equity commitment letter;
|
|
|
|
the absence of significant required regulatory approvals;
|
|
|
|
the reputation and financial capacity of Platinum Equity; and
|
|
|
|
the termination date under the merger agreement allows for time that is expected to be sufficient to complete the merger agreement
|
9.
Ability to Consider and Enter into an Agreement with Respect to a Superior Proposal.
The special committee considered that
the merger agreement provides:
|
|
|
ELRC with the ability to consider unsolicited acquisition proposals, to provide information to and negotiate with third parties regarding such proposals, if the board of directors has determined, among other things, in
good faith following procedures specified in the merger agreement that the proposal would reasonably be expected to lead to a superior offer and failure to take such action would reasonably be likely to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties
under applicable law;
|
|
|
|
the board of directors with the ability to terminate the merger agreement to enter into a superior proposal, subject to certain conditions, including simultaneous payment of a $11.3 million termination fee; and
|
|
|
|
the ability of the board of directors under certain circumstances, following procedures specified in the merger agreement, to withdraw, qualify or modify its recommendation that ELRCs shareholders vote to approve
the merger agreement and merger.
|
10.
Availability of Statutory Dissenter Rights.
The special committee considered
the availability of dissenting shareholder rights under the CGCL to holders of ELRC common stock who comply with all of the
-39-
requirements and procedures under the CGCL, which allows such holders to seek appraisal of the fair market value of their shares of ELRC common stock as determined in California Superior Court.
The special committee also considered and balanced against the potential benefits of the transaction various risks and other potentially
negative factors concerning the transaction, but determined that these factors were outweighed by the factors supporting the transaction. These risks included the following: the risk that the transaction will not close and the Company will have
incurred substantial transaction related expenses; the risk that if the transaction closes the shareholders will not participate in future appreciation and would forego a possibly superior price if the Companys performance exceeded
expectations; and the fact that an all-cash transaction would be taxable to the Companys shareholders that are U.S. holders for federal income tax purposes.
The foregoing includes the material factors considered by the special committee in making its unanimous recommendation that the ELRC board of
directors adopt a resolution (i) that the terms of the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby are fair to and in the best interests of ELRCs shareholders, (ii) to approve and declare advisable
the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, (iii) to direct that the merger agreement be submitted to the shareholders of ELRC for adoption and approval and (iv) recommend that ELRCs
shareholders vote in favor of the adoption and approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger and is not intended to be exhaustive. In view of its many considerations, the special committee did not
find it practical to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its determination and recommendation. In addition, individual members of the special committee may have given different
weights to the various factors considered. Neither the special committee nor the board of directors made any specific determination as to whether any factor, or any particular aspect of any factor, supported or did not support its ultimate
determination. The special committee and the board of directors based its recommendation, respectively, on the totality of the information presented.
Reasons for the Decision of the ELRC Board of Directors
The ELRC board of directors consulted with management, the special committee and ELRCs legal advisors in connection with its evaluation
of the merger agreement and the merger. In reaching its decision (i) that the terms of the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby are fair to and in the best interests of ELRCs shareholders,
(ii) to adopt and declare advisable the merger agreement and approve the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, (iii) to direct that the merger agreement be submitted to the shareholders of ELRC for adoption and
(iv) recommend that ELRCs shareholders vote in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, the board of directors of ELRC considered each of the following
factors:
1. the special committees analysis of the risks and benefits of the merger, which the ELRC board of directors adopted;
2. the special committees unanimous recommendation that the ELRC board of directors adopt a resolution to (i) that the terms of the
merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby are fair to and in the best interests of ELRCs shareholders, (ii) to approve and declare advisable the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the merger, (iii) to direct that the merger agreement be submitted to the shareholders of ELRC for adoption and approval and (iv) recommend that ELRCs shareholders vote in favor of the adoption and approval of the
merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger;
3. the special committee was comprised of three
independent and disinterested directors;
4. the special committee had engaged its own financial and legal advisors to provide advice and
assistance to the special committee with respect to a potential transaction.
-40-
5. the special committee had solicited prospective bids beginning in July 2015. Ultimately, the
special committee, with the assistance of its financial advisor, distributed a teaser memorandum to 26 prospective bidders that expressed interest and confidentiality agreements were secured with 26 parties. That solicitation led to
active evaluation by 8 prospective bidders, including strategic and financial buyers.
6. the analysis and recommendation of the special
committee and the other factors considered by the special committee as described above under this section, which analysis and recommendation were adopted by the ELRC board of directors.
In view of its many considerations, the ELRC board of directors did not find it practical to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign
relative weights to the specific factors considered. In addition, individual members of ELRC board of directors may have given different weights to the various factors considered.
After considering the factors discussed above and upon the unanimous recommendation of the special committee, the ELRC board of directors
unanimously (i) determined that the terms of the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby are fair to and in the best interests of ELRCs shareholders, (ii) approved and declared advisable the
merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, (iii) directed that the merger agreement be submitted to the shareholders of ELRC for adoption and approval and (iv) recommended that ELRCs
shareholders vote in favor of the adoption and approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger. ELRCs board of directors is comprised of six directors, five of whom are independent.
Recommendation of the ELRC Board of Directors
The ELRC board of directors, upon the unanimous recommendation of a special committee, has unanimously approved, and declared to be in the best
interests of ELRC and its shareholders the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger.
The ELRC board of directors unanimously recommends that ELRCs shareholders vote FOR the merger
agreement proposal, FOR the advisory (non-binding) proposal to approve specified compensation that may become payable to the named executive officers of ELRC in connection with the merger, and FOR the proposal to adjourn the
special meeting to solicit additional proxies, if necessary or appropriate.
When you consider the recommendation of the ELRC board of
directors, you should be aware that the Companys directors and executive officers may have interests that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of the Companys shareholders generally. See The Merger Interests
of ELRC Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger. The board of directors was aware of and considered these interests in evaluating and negotiating the merger agreement, and in unanimously recommending that the merger agreement be
approved by the shareholders of the Company.
Opinion of Financial Advisor to the Special Committee
On May 27, 2016, Houlihan Lokey verbally rendered its opinion to the special committee (which was subsequently confirmed in writing by
delivery of Houlihan Lokeys written opinion addressed to the special committee dated May 27, 2016), as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of ELRC common stock of the merger consideration to be received by such
holders in the merger pursuant to the merger agreement.
Houlihan Lokeys opinion was directed to the special committee (in its
capacity as such) and only addressed the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of ELRC common stock of the merger consideration to be received by such holders in the merger pursuant to the merger agreement and did not address any
other aspect or implication of the merger or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into in connection therewith or otherwise. The summary of Houlihan Lokeys
-41-
opinion in this proxy statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of its written opinion, which is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement and describes the
procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken and other matters considered by Houlihan Lokey in connection with the preparation of its opinion. However, neither Houlihan Lokeys opinion nor the
summary of its opinion and the related analyses set forth in this proxy statement are intended to be, and do not constitute, advice or a recommendation to the special committee, the ELRC board of directors, any security holder of ELRC or any other
person as to how to act or vote with respect to any matter relating to the merger.
In arriving at its opinion, Houlihan Lokey, among other things:
|
1.
|
reviewed an execution copy of the merger agreement and the voting agreements received by Houlihan Lokey on May 26, 2016;
|
|
2.
|
reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to ELRC that Houlihan Lokey deemed to be relevant;
|
|
3.
|
reviewed certain information relating to the historical, current and future operations, financial condition and prospects of ELRC made available to Houlihan Lokey by ELRC, including financial projections (and
adjustments thereto) prepared by the management of ELRC relating to ELRC (the Projections);
|
|
4.
|
spoke with certain members of the management of ELRC and certain of its representatives and advisors regarding the business, operations, financial condition and prospects of ELRC, the merger and related matters;
|
|
5.
|
compared the financial and operating performance of ELRC with that of other companies with publicly traded equity securities that Houlihan Lokey deemed to be relevant;
|
|
6.
|
considered the publicly available financial terms of certain transactions that Houlihan Lokey deemed to be relevant;
|
|
7.
|
reviewed the current and historical market prices and trading volume for ELRC common stock and the current and historical market prices and trading volume of the publicly traded securities of certain other companies
that Houlihan Lokey deemed to be relevant; and
|
|
8.
|
conducted such other financial studies, analyses and inquiries and considered such other information and factors as Houlihan Lokey deemed appropriate.
|
Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all data, material and other
information furnished, or otherwise made available, to it, discussed with or reviewed by it, or publicly available, and did not assume any responsibility with respect to such data, material and other information. In addition, management of ELRC
advised Houlihan Lokey, and Houlihan Lokey assumed, that the Projections were reasonably prepared in good faith on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of such management as to the future financial results and
condition of ELRC, and Houlihan Lokey expressed no view or opinion with respect to such projections or the assumptions on which they were based. Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that there had been no change
in the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects of ELRC since the respective dates of the most recent financial statements and other information, financial or otherwise, provided to Houlihan
Lokey that would be material to its analyses or opinion, and that there was no information or any facts that would make any of the information reviewed by Houlihan Lokey incomplete or misleading.
Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that (a) the representations and warranties of all parties to
the merger agreement and all other related documents and instruments referred to therein were true and correct, (b) each party to the merger agreement and such other related documents and instruments would fully and timely perform all of the
covenants and agreements required to be performed by
-42-
such party, (c) all conditions to the consummation of the merger would be satisfied without waiver thereof, and (d) the merger would be consummated in a timely manner in accordance with
the terms described in the merger agreement and such other related documents and instruments, without any amendments or modifications thereto. Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that (i) the merger would
be consummated in a manner that complies in all respects with all applicable federal and state statutes, rules and regulations, and (ii) all governmental, regulatory, and other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the merger
would be obtained and that no delay, limitations, restrictions or conditions would be imposed or amendments, modifications or waivers made that would have an effect on the merger or ELRC that would be material to Houlihan Lokeys analyses or
opinion. In addition, Houlihan Lokey relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that the final form of the merger agreement would not differ in any respect from the execution copy of the merger agreement identified above.
Furthermore, in connection with its opinion, Houlihan Lokey was not requested to, and did not, make any physical inspection or independent
appraisal or evaluation of any of the assets, properties or liabilities (fixed, contingent, derivative, off-balance-sheet or otherwise) of ELRC or any other party, nor was Houlihan Lokey provided with any such appraisal or evaluation. Houlihan Lokey
did not estimate, and expressed no opinion regarding, the liquidation value of any entity or business. Houlihan Lokey did not undertake any independent analysis of any potential or actual litigation, regulatory action, possible unasserted claims or
other contingent liabilities, to which ELRC was or may have been a party or was or may have been subject, or of any governmental investigation of any possible unasserted claims or other contingent liabilities to which ELRC was or may have been a
party or was or may have been subject.
Houlihan Lokeys opinion was necessarily based on financial, economic, market and other
conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Houlihan Lokey as of, the date of the opinion. Houlihan Lokey did not undertake, and is under no obligation, to update, revise, reaffirm or withdraw its opinion, or otherwise comment
on or consider events occurring or coming to its attention after the date of its opinion.
Houlihan Lokeys opinion was furnished for
the use of the ELRC special committee (in its capacity as such) in connection with its evaluation of the merger and may not be used for any other purpose without Houlihan Lokeys prior written consent. Under the terms of its engagement by the
ELRC special committee, neither Houlihan Lokeys opinion nor any other advice or services rendered by it in connection with the proposed merger or otherwise should be construed as creating, and Houlihan Lokey should not be deemed to have, any
fiduciary duty to or agency relationship with the ELRC special committee, the ELRC board of directors, ELRC, any security holder or creditor of ELRC or any other person, regardless of any prior or ongoing advice or relationships. The opinion is not
intended to be, and does not constitute, a recommendation to the ELRC special committee, the ELRC board of directors, ELRC, any security holder or any other party as to how to act or vote with respect to any matter relating to the merger or
otherwise.
Houlihan Lokeys opinion only addressed the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of ELRC common stock
of the merger consideration to be received by such holders in the merger pursuant to the merger agreement and did not address any other aspect or implication of the merger, any related transaction or any agreement, arrangement or understanding
entered into in connection therewith or otherwise. Houlihan Lokey was not requested to opine as to, and its opinion did not express an opinion as to or otherwise address, among other things: (i) the underlying business decision of the ELRC
special committee, the ELRC board of directors, ELRC, its security holders or any other party to proceed with or effect the merger, (ii) the terms of any arrangements, understandings, agreements or documents related to, or the form, structure
or any other portion or aspect of, the merger or otherwise (other than the merger consideration to the extent expressly specified in the opinion), (iii) the fairness of any portion or aspect of the merger to the holders of any class of
securities, creditors or other constituencies of ELRC, or to any other party, except if and only to the extent expressly set forth in the last sentence of the opinion, (iv) the relative merits of the merger as compared to any alternative
business strategies or transactions that might have been available for ELRC or any other party, (v) the fairness of any portion or aspect of the merger to any one class or group of ELRCs or any other partys security holders or other
-43-
constituents vis-à-vis any other class or group of ELRCs or such other partys security holders or other constituents (including, without limitation, the allocation of any
consideration amongst or within such classes or groups of security holders or other constituents), (vi) whether or not ELRC, Parent, their respective security holders or any other party is receiving or paying reasonably equivalent value in the
merger, (vii) the solvency, creditworthiness or fair value of ELRC, Parent or any other participant in the merger, or any of their respective assets, under any applicable laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar
matters, or (viii) the fairness, financial or otherwise, of the amount, nature or any other aspect of any compensation to or consideration payable to or received by any officers, directors or employees of any party to the merger, any class of
such persons or any other party, relative to the merger consideration or otherwise. In addition, Houlihan Lokeys opinion did not address whether or not the merger consideration was the highest price per share of ELRC common stock that
could be achieved in a sale of ELRC. Furthermore, Houlihan Lokey did not express any opinion, counsel or interpretation regarding matters that require legal, regulatory, environmental, accounting, insurance, tax or other similar professional advice.
Houlihan Lokey assumed that such opinions, counsel or interpretations had been or would be obtained from the appropriate professional sources. Furthermore, Houlihan Lokey relied, with the consent of the ELRC special committee, on the assessments by
the ELRC special committee, ELRC and their respective advisors as to all legal, regulatory, accounting, insurance and tax matters with respect to ELRC, the merger or otherwise.
In preparing its opinion to the ELRC special committee, Houlihan Lokey performed a variety of analyses, including those described below. The
summary of Houlihan Lokeys analyses is not a complete description of the analyses underlying Houlihan Lokeys opinion. The preparation of such an opinion is a complex process involving various quantitative and qualitative judgments and
determinations with respect to the financial, comparative and other analytical methods employed and the adaptation and application of these methods to the unique facts and circumstances presented. As a consequence, neither Houlihan Lokeys
opinion nor its underlying analyses is readily susceptible to summary description. Houlihan Lokey arrived at its opinion based on the results of all analyses undertaken by it and assessed as a whole and did not draw, in isolation, conclusions from
or with regard to any individual analysis, methodology or factor. While the results of each analysis were taken into account in reaching Houlihan Lokeys overall conclusion with respect to fairness, Houlihan Lokey did not make separate or
quantifiable judgments regarding individual analyses. Accordingly, Houlihan Lokey believes that its analyses and the following summary must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses, methodologies and factors, without
considering all analyses, methodologies and factors, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying Houlihan Lokeys analyses and opinion.
In performing its analyses, Houlihan Lokey considered general business, economic, industry and market conditions, financial and otherwise, and
other matters as they existed on, and could be evaluated as of, the date of its opinion. No company, transaction or business used in Houlihan Lokeys analyses for comparative purposes is identical to ELRC or the proposed merger and an
evaluation of the results of those analyses is not entirely mathematical. The estimates contained in the Projections and the implied reference range values indicated by Houlihan Lokeys analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values
or predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by the analyses. In addition, any analyses relating to the value of assets, businesses or securities do not purport to be appraisals or
to reflect the prices at which businesses or securities actually may be sold, which may depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of ELRC. Much of the information used in, and accordingly the results of, Houlihan
Lokeys analyses are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty.
Houlihan Lokeys opinion was only one of many factors
considered by the ELRC special committee in evaluating the proposed merger. Neither Houlihan Lokeys opinion nor its analyses were determinative of the merger consideration or of the views of the ELRC special committee with respect to the
merger or the merger consideration. The type and amount of consideration payable in the merger were determined through negotiation between ELRC and Parent, and the decision to enter into the merger agreement was solely that of the ELRC special
committee and the ELRC board of directors.
-44-
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses performed by Houlihan Lokey in
connection with the preparation of its opinion and reviewed with the ELRC special committee on May 27, 2016. The order of the analyses does not represent relative importance or weight given to those analyses by Houlihan Lokey. The analyses
summarized below include information presented in tabular format. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the analyses. Considering the data in the tables below without considering the full narrative description of the analyses,
as well as the methodologies underlying, and the assumptions, qualifications and limitations affecting, each analysis, could create a misleading or incomplete view of Houlihan Lokeys analyses.
For purposes of its analyses, Houlihan Lokey reviewed a number of financial metrics, including:
|
|
|
Enterprise Value generally, the value as of a specified date of the relevant companys outstanding equity securities (taking into account outstanding options and other securities convertible, exercisable or
exchangeable into or for equity securities of the company) plus the amount of debt outstanding, preferred stock and non-controlling interests, and less the amount of cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet.
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA generally, the amount of the relevant companys earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for a specified time period, adjusted for certain non-recurring items.
|
Unless the context indicates otherwise, enterprise values and equity values used in the selected companies analysis
described below were calculated using the closing price of ELRCs common stock and the common stock of the selected companies listed below as of May 25, 2016, and transaction values for the selected transactions analysis described below
were calculated on an enterprise value basis based on the announced transaction equity price and other public information available at the time of the announcement. The estimates of future financial performance of ELRC relied upon for the financial
analyses described below were based on the Projections. The estimates of the future financial performance of the selected companies listed below were based on [certain] publicly available research analyst estimates for those companies.
Selected Companies Analysis
. Houlihan Lokey reviewed certain financial data for selected companies with publicly traded equity
securities that Houlihan Lokey deemed relevant. The financial data reviewed included:
|
|
|
Enterprise value as a multiple of estimated adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months, or LTM Adjusted EBITDA;
|
|
|
|
Enterprise value as a multiple of estimated adjusted EBITDA for the next fiscal year, or NFY Adjusted EBITDA; and
|
|
|
|
Enterprise value as a multiple of estimated adjusted EBITDA for the year following the next fiscal year, or NFY+ 1 Adjusted EBITDA.
|
The selected companies and corresponding multiples were:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enterprise Value / Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
|
|
LTM
|
|
|
NFY
|
|
|
NFY+1
|
|
Aggreko plc
|
|
|
6.2x
|
|
|
|
6.3x
|
|
|
|
6.3x
|
|
AMERCO
|
|
|
7.4x
|
|
|
|
7.3x
|
|
|
|
6.9x
|
|
Ashtead Group plc
|
|
|
6.5x
|
|
|
|
6.1x
|
|
|
|
5.3x
|
|
H&E Equipment Services Inc.
|
|
|
5.0x
|
|
|
|
5.0x
|
|
|
|
5.0x
|
|
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.
|
|
|
4.9x
|
|
|
|
4.6x
|
|
|
|
4.3x
|
|
McGrath Rentcorp
|
|
|
6.4x
|
|
|
|
6.3x
|
|
|
|
6.2x
|
|
Ramirent Oyj
|
|
|
5.8x
|
|
|
|
5.8x
|
|
|
|
5.3x
|
|
United Rentals, Inc.
|
|
|
5.0x
|
|
|
|
4.9x
|
|
|
|
5.0x
|
|
Vp plc
|
|
|
6.7x
|
|
|
|
6.5x
|
|
|
|
6.0x
|
|
-45-
Taking into account the results of the selected companies analysis, Houlihan Lokey applied
selected multiple ranges of 3.5x to 4.5x to ELRCs LTM Adjusted EBITDA, 3.5x to 4.5x to ELRCs estimated fiscal year NFY (2016E) Adjusted EBITDA and 3.5x to 4.5x to ELRCs estimated fiscal year NFY + 1 (2017E) Adjusted
EBITDA. The selected companies analysis indicated implied reference ranges per share of ELRC common stock of $11.77 to $14.83 based on LTM Adjusted EBITDA, $11.18 to $14.07 based on NFY Adjusted EBITDA and $11.43 to $14.39 based on NFY + 1
Adjusted EBITDA, as compared to the merger consideration of $13.12 per share of ELRC common stock in the merger pursuant to the merger agreement.
Selected Transactions Analysis
. Houlihan Lokey considered certain financial terms of certain transactions involving target
companies that Houlihan Lokey deemed relevant. The financial data reviewed included enterprise value as a multiple of LTM Adjusted EBITDA, and the selected transactions and corresponding multiples were:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
Announced
|
|
Target
|
|
Acquiror
|
|
Transaction
Value/
LTM
Adj. EBITDA
|
|
4/16
|
|
Excalibur Engineering, Inc.
|
|
Transcat Inc.
|
|
|
NA
|
|
9/15
|
|
ICS Group, Inc.
|
|
Aggreko plc
|
|
|
NA
|
|
3/15
|
|
Marais Technologies SAS
|
|
Tesmec S.p.A.
|
|
|
4.7x
|
|
9/14
|
|
Tasman Oil Tools Limited
|
|
Northbridge Industrial Services NZ Holdings Limited
|
|
|
3.8x
|
|
9/14
|
|
Lowe Refrigeration Solutions Limited
|
|
MML Capital Partners; Irish Growth Capital Fund
|
|
|
NA
|
|
3/14
|
|
National Pump & Compressor
|
|
United Rentals (North America), Inc.
|
|
|
7.6x
|
|
3/14
|
|
Lone Star Tank Rental LP and KYM Rentals, LLC
|
|
General Finance Corporation
|
|
|
NA
|
|
12/13
|
|
BlueLine Rental, LLC
|
|
Platinum Equity, LLC
|
|
|
NA
|
|
6/13
|
|
Trescal SA
|
|
AXA Private Equity (nka: Ardian)
|
|
|
10.9x
|
|
6/13
|
|
Target Rentals Ltd.
|
|
Secure Energy (Drilling Services) Inc.
|
|
|
4.4x
|
|
5/13
|
|
Accession Group Ltd.
|
|
Ashtead Plant Hire Co Ltd.
|
|
|
NA
|
|
NA refers to
not available.
Taking into account the results of the selected transactions analysis, Houlihan Lokey applied a selected multiple range of
3.8x to 4.8x to ELRCs LTM Adjusted EBITDA. The selected transactions analysis indicated an implied reference range per share of ELRC common stock of $12.68 to $15.75, as compared to the merger consideration of $13.12 per share of
ELRC common stock in the merger pursuant to the merger agreement.
Other Matters
Houlihan Lokey was engaged by the ELRC special committee to act as its financial advisor in connection with a possible merger, consolidation,
business combination, sale or other similar strategic transaction. The ELRC special committee engaged Houlihan Lokey based on Houlihan Lokeys experience and reputation. Houlihan Lokey is regularly engaged to provide financial advisory services
in connection with mergers and acquisitions, financings, and financial restructurings. Pursuant to its engagement by the ELRC special committee, Houlihan Lokey is entitled to a transaction fee based on the value of the merger currently estimated to
be approximately $3,800,000, of which $500,000 became payable to Houlihan Lokey upon the rendering of its opinion to the ELRC special committee and the remainder of which is contingent upon the consummation of the merger. In addition, the fee paid
to Houlihan Lokey in connection with Houlihan Lokeys prior engagement by the ELRC special committee in November 2014 to provide certain strategic advisory services to the ELRC special committee (the Prior Engagement) will, to the
extent previously paid, be creditable against the transaction fee payable to Houlihan Lokey with respect to the merger. ELRC has also agreed to reimburse
-46-
Houlihan Lokey for certain expenses and to indemnify Houlihan Lokey, its affiliates and certain related parties against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of or relating to Houlihan
Lokeys engagement.
In the ordinary course of business, certain of Houlihan Lokeys employees and affiliates, as well as
investment funds in which they may have financial interests or with which they may co-invest, may acquire, hold or sell, long or short positions, or trade, in debt, equity, and other securities and financial instruments (including loans and other
obligations) of, or investments in, Parent, ELRC or any other party that may be involved in the merger and their respective affiliates or any currency or commodity that may be involved in the merger.
Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates have in the past provided and are currently providing investment banking, financial advisory
and/or other financial or consulting services to Platinum Equity, LLC, an affiliate of Parent, or one or more security holders, affiliates and/or portfolio companies of investment funds affiliated or associated with Platinum (collectively, with
Platinum, the Platinum Group), for which Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates have received, and may receive, compensation, including, among other things, during the past two years (i) having acted as placement agent for MetoKote
Corporation, a member of the Platinum Group, in connection with a debt financing, which closed in June 2014 and (ii) having acted as financial advisor to an affiliate of Platinum in connection with certain financial alternatives available to a
member of the Platinum Group in 2015, for which advice and services Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates have received approximately $2,500,000 in fees in the aggregate. In addition, Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates are currently acting as financial
advisor to an ad hoc committee of creditors which includes a member of the Platinum Group and currently acting as financial advisor to a member of the Platinum Group in connection with its consideration of a possible strategic transaction. Houlihan
Lokey has in the past provided investment banking and financial advisory services to ELRC, for which Houlihan Lokey has received compensation, including, pursuant to the Prior Engagement, for which strategic advisory services Houlihan Lokey has
received approximately $100,000 in fees. Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates may provide investment banking, financial advisory and/or other financial or consulting services to ELRC, Parent, the members of the Platinum Group, other
participants in the merger or certain of their respective affiliates in the future, for which Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates may receive compensation. In addition, Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates and certain of its and their
respective employees may have committed to invest in private equity or other investment funds managed or advised by Platinum, other participants in the merger or certain of their respective affiliates, and in portfolio companies of such funds, and
may have co-invested with members of the Platinum Group, other participants in the merger or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders, and may do so in the future. Furthermore, in connection with bankruptcies, restructurings, and
similar matters, Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates may have in the past acted, may currently be acting and may in the future act as financial advisor to debtors, creditors, equity holders, trustees, agents and other interested parties
(including, without limitation, formal and informal committees or groups of creditors) that may have included or represented and may include or represent, directly or indirectly, or may be or have been adverse to, ELRC, Parent, members of the
Platinum Group, other participants in the merger or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders, for which advice and services Houlihan Lokey and such affiliates have received and may receive compensation.
Certain Financial Information
In the
course of the discussions described under Background of the Merger, the Company provided Parent and certain other potential purchasers that signed confidentiality agreements selected, non-public financial projections for fiscal
year 2016 prepared by our senior management. We have included a summary of these projections below because the projections were provided to Parent. ELRC does not as a matter of course make public projections as to future performance or earnings.
These financial projections constitute forward-looking statements. See Forward-Looking Statements.
ELRC advised the
recipients of the financial projections that such projections are subjective in many respects. The financial projections are based on a variety of estimates and assumptions made by our senior management regarding the Companys business,
industry performance, general business, economic, market and
-47-
financial conditions and other matters, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the Companys control. In recognition of such limitations, ELRC believes Parent and the other
potential purchasers applied their own independent judgment to the projections and formulated a valuation for the Company based on their independent investigation of the Companys historical performance and their views and assumptions as to the
Companys future prospects.
The financial projections were prepared by ELRCs senior management in good faith and on a
reasonable basis based on the best information available to our management at the time of their preparation and have not been updated. The financial projections are not actual results and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of
actual future results, and readers of this proxy statement are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information. Neither ELRCs independent auditors, nor any other independent accountants, have compiled, examined or performed any
procedures with respect to the financial projections set forth below, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto. The financial projections were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure or
compliance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), the published guidelines of the SEC regarding projections or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for
preparation and presentation of prospective financial information. Except as required by law, ELRC does not intend to update these financial projections or to make other projections public in the future.
While presented with numeric specificity, the assumptions upon which the financial projections were based necessarily involve judgments with
respect to, among other things, future economic and competitive conditions, many of which are difficult to predict accurately and are beyond the control of ELRCs senior management. See the risk factors included in our most recent filings on
Form 10-Q and Form 10-K. Also, the economic and business environment can and does change quickly, which adds a significant level of unpredictability and execution risk. It is expected that differences between actual and projected results will occur,
and actual results may be materially greater or less than those contained in the projections. If the merger is not consummated, the Company may not be able to achieve these financial projections. There can be no assurance that the projections, or
the assumptions underlying the projections, will be realized. Accordingly, readers of this proxy statement are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the financial projections included in this proxy statement.
-48-
The financial projections included the following consolidated forecast for fiscal 2016 (dollar
amounts in thousands, except for per share amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal 2016 Forecast
|
|
|
|
Q1
|
|
|
Q2
|
|
|
Q3
|
|
|
Q4
|
|
|
Year
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rentals
|
|
|
28,566
|
|
|
|
28,440
|
|
|
|
25,552
|
|
|
|
26,437
|
|
|
|
108,996
|
|
Leases
|
|
|
3,737
|
|
|
|
3,733
|
|
|
|
3,621
|
|
|
|
3,690
|
|
|
|
14,780
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Used
|
|
|
8,355
|
|
|
|
6,666
|
|
|
|
7,744
|
|
|
|
7,884
|
|
|
|
30,649
|
|
Resale
|
|
|
10,303
|
|
|
|
2,690
|
|
|
|
1,563
|
|
|
|
1,688
|
|
|
|
16,243
|
|
Finance lease
|
|
|
802
|
|
|
|
499
|
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
|
151
|
|
|
|
1,614
|
|
Finance lease-Resale
|
|
|
540
|
|
|
|
289
|
|
|
|
142
|
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
1,046
|
|
Other
|
|
|
1,040
|
|
|
|
994
|
|
|
|
713
|
|
|
|
690
|
|
|
|
3,437
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
53,343
|
|
|
|
43,310
|
|
|
|
39,497
|
|
|
|
40,615
|
|
|
|
176,765
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
14,601
|
|
|
|
14,340
|
|
|
|
13,744
|
|
|
|
13,231
|
|
|
|
55,916
|
|
Direct operating expenses
|
|
|
4,914
|
|
|
|
4,289
|
|
|
|
4,164
|
|
|
|
4,321
|
|
|
|
17,688
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of rentals
|
|
|
19,516
|
|
|
|
18,629
|
|
|
|
17,908
|
|
|
|
17,551
|
|
|
|
73,604
|
|
Cost of sales
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Used
|
|
|
4,945
|
|
|
|
3,965
|
|
|
|
4,820
|
|
|
|
4,652
|
|
|
|
18,382
|
|
Resale
|
|
|
8,871
|
|
|
|
2,245
|
|
|
|
1,417
|
|
|
|
1,435
|
|
|
|
13,968
|
|
Finance lease
|
|
|
580
|
|
|
|
357
|
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
|
1,155
|
|
Finance lease-Resale
|
|
|
471
|
|
|
|
246
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
|
909
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs of revenues
|
|
|
34,382
|
|
|
|
25,443
|
|
|
|
24,382
|
|
|
|
23,811
|
|
|
|
108,018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenue
|
|
|
18,962
|
|
|
|
17,867
|
|
|
|
15,115
|
|
|
|
16,804
|
|
|
|
68,747
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SG&A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operations
|
|
|
312
|
|
|
|
295
|
|
|
|
290
|
|
|
|
347
|
|
|
|
1,244
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
5,995
|
|
|
|
5,446
|
|
|
|
5,117
|
|
|
|
5,544
|
|
|
|
22,102
|
|
Corporate
|
|
|
8,414
|
|
|
|
8,611
|
|
|
|
7,798
|
|
|
|
8,002
|
|
|
|
32,824
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total SG&A
|
|
|
14,721
|
|
|
|
14,353
|
|
|
|
13,204
|
|
|
|
13,892
|
|
|
|
56,171
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBIT
|
|
|
4,241
|
|
|
|
3,514
|
|
|
|
1,911
|
|
|
|
2,911
|
|
|
|
12,577
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FX
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
314
|
|
Interest and other income
|
|
|
242
|
|
|
|
(92
|
)
|
|
|
220
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
373
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBT
|
|
|
3,951
|
|
|
|
3,542
|
|
|
|
1,491
|
|
|
|
2,905
|
|
|
|
11,889
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income Taxes
|
|
|
1,481
|
|
|
|
1,351
|
|
|
|
483
|
|
|
|
1,080
|
|
|
|
4,395
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income
|
|
|
2,470
|
|
|
|
2,191
|
|
|
|
1,008
|
|
|
|
1,825
|
|
|
|
7,494
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPS
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
EBIT and EBT are considered non-GAAP financial measures. ELRC provided this information to Parent and certain
other potential purchasers because it believed it could be useful to potential bidders in evaluating, on a prospective basis, the Companys operating performance. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a
substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP,
-49-
and non-GAAP financial measures as used in the projections may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts used by other companies. EBIT is calculated as net income (earnings), plus interest
and taxes. EBT is calculated as net income (earnings), plus taxes.
You should not regard the inclusion of these projections in this proxy
statement as an indication that ELRC, Parent or any of their respective affiliates, advisors or other representatives considered or consider the projections to be necessarily predictive of actual future events. None of ELRC, Parent or any of their
respective affiliates, advisors or other representatives has made or makes any representations regarding the ultimate performance of ELRC compared to the information contained in the projections. ELRC made no representation to Parent in the merger
agreement or otherwise, concerning the financial projections.
Financing of the Merger
The Company and Parent estimate that the total amount of funds necessary to consummate the merger is approximately $325 million, including
amounts required to: (i) make payments under the merger agreement to ELRCs shareholders and to holders of outstanding ELRC restricted stock units, (ii) repay at the closing of the merger certain indebtedness of ELRC and its
subsidiaries; and (iii) pay certain fees, costs and expenses associated with closing the merger. Parent has obtained an equity financing commitment described below in connection with the merger.
There are no conditions precedent or contingencies, whether oral or written, related to the funding of the full amount of the equity
financing, other than as expressly set forth in the equity commitment letter.
Equity Financing
Parent has received an equity commitment letter, dated May 27, 2016 from Platinum Equity Capital Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership, pursuant to which Platinum Equity Capital Partners III, L.P. committed to make, or cause its affiliates to make, an equity contribution of up to $325 million to Parent, the proceeds of which will be used by Parent to consummate the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
The obligation to fund all or any part of the equity contribution pursuant to the
equity commitment letter is conditioned upon the satisfaction or waiver at the closing of the conditions to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
Debt Financing
Pursuant to the merger agreement, as an alternative to all or a portion of the equity financing provided in the equity commitment letter,
Parent and Merger Sub may obtain debt financing in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, but obtaining such debt financing is not a condition to Parents obligation to consummate the merger or Platinum Equity
Capital Partners III, L.P.s obligation to make the equity contribution.
Limited Guaranty
Concurrently with the execution of the merger agreement, Platinum Equity Capital Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the
guarantor), entered into a Limited Guaranty with ELRC pursuant to which the guarantor has unconditionally agreed to guarantee subject to the terms and conditions described below, the payment obligations of Parent for breach by Parent of
any representation, warranty or covenant in the merger agreement prior to such termination if, as and when due under, and subject to the limitations set forth in (including the $16.2 million damages cap described below), the merger agreement
(such obligations, the guaranteed obligations). A copy of the Limited Guaranty was filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the
Form 8-K
filed by ELRC with the SEC on May 31, 2016.
-50-
Limitation of Liability of Guarantor and Non-Recourse Parties
The guarantor is obligated to make payments to ELRC with respect to the Limited Guaranty, the merger agreement or the transactions contemplated
thereby only up to the amount of $16.2 million, which is the amount of the damages cap described under The Merger Agreement Fees and Expenses.
The Limited Guaranty also provides that no person has any obligations thereunder except for the guarantor, and that ELRC has no right of
recovery under the Limited Guaranty against any non-recourse parties (as defined below), through Parent or otherwise.
Non-recourse parties is defined in the Limited Guaranty to mean the (i) the former, current and future equity holders,
controlling persons, directors, officers, employees, agents, Affiliates, members, managers, general or limited partners, representatives or successors or assignees of the guarantor or Parent or (ii) any former, current or future equity holder,
controlling person, director, officer, employee, agent, Affiliate member, manager, general or limited partner, representative or successor or assignee of any of the foregoing, but not including guarantor or Parent.
Termination of Guarantors Obligations
The Limited Guaranty will remain in full force and effect until the earlier to occur of any of the following events, at which time the Limited
Guaranty terminates and the guarantor will not have any further liability thereunder:
|
|
|
the consummation of the merger under the merger agreement;
|
|
|
|
the date on which there are no further outstanding payment obligations under the merger agreement or the guarantor has made payments in respect of obligations under the Limited Guaranty that, in the aggregate, equal or
exceed the damages cap;
|
|
|
|
the termination of the merger agreement other than a termination by the Company based on a breach of representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of Parent or Merger Sub, including a failure to close;
|
|
|
|
the date that is three months after the termination of the Agreement by the Company based on a breach of representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of Parent or Merger Sub, unless ELRC has provided written notice
to the guarantor asserting a claim prior to such date, in which case the relevant termination date shall be the date that such claim is finally satisfied or otherwise resolved by agreement of the parties hereto or a final, non-appealable judgment of
a Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction.
|
In addition, upon the occurrence of any of the following events,
(i) the obligations of the guarantor under the Limited Guaranty will terminate, (ii) if any guarantor previously made any payments under the Limited Guaranty, such payment must be repaid by ELRC and (iii) none of the guarantor (nor
any non-recourse parties) will have any liability to ELRC or its affiliates, or to any of its or their direct or indirect shareholders, with respect to the merger agreement, the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or under the Limited
Guaranty:
|
|
|
ELRC, directly or indirectly, claims that the operative provisions of the Limited Guaranty, including the provisions limiting the guarantors aggregate liability to the maximum amount, are illegal, invalid or
unenforceable in whole or in part; or
|
|
|
|
ELRC asserts any theory of liability against the guarantor (or any affiliate of the guarantor) with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement (except as described below).
|
ELRC may, however, bring claims:
|
|
|
against Platinum Equity Advisors, LLC pursuant to, and in accordance with, the confidentiality agreement between it and ELRC entered into connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; or
|
-51-
|
|
|
against the guarantor under the Limited Guaranty, subject to the limitations described under Limitations of Liability of Guarantor and Non-Recourse Parties above including the damages cap; or
|
|
|
|
against Parent under the merger agreement for breach thereof.
|
Accounting Treatment
The merger will be accounted for as a purchase transaction for financial accounting purposes.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger
The following discussion describes certain United States federal income tax consequences to ELRCs shareholders who are U.S. Holders and
non-U.S. Holders (each as defined below) as a result of the exchange of their shares of ELRC common stock for cash pursuant to the merger agreement. This summary is not a complete analysis of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences, nor
does it address any tax consequences arising under any state, local or foreign tax laws or U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), United States Treasury
Regulations issued thereunder, IRS rulings and pronouncements, and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or change which could affect the tax consequences described in this proxy
statement (possibly on a retroactive basis). No IRS ruling has been or will be sought regarding any matter discussed herein, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described herein. No
opinion of counsel has been or will be rendered with respect to the tax consequences of the Merger.
This discussion assumes that holders
of ELRC common stock hold their shares as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant
to a holder of ELRC common stock in light of such holders particular circumstances, nor does it discuss the special considerations applicable to holders of ELRC common stock subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws,
such as, for example, financial institutions or broker-dealers, mutual funds, partnerships or other pass-through entities and their partners or members, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, personal holding
companies, regulated investment companies, dealers in securities or foreign currencies, traders in securities who elect mark-to-market method of accounting, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, U.S. expatriates,
holders who hold ELRC common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale or conversion transaction, and holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. This discussion does not address the impact of the Medicare contribution tax
or any aspect of foreign, state, local, alternative minimum, estate, gift or other tax law that may be applicable to a holder. In addition, this discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to dissenting shareholders or
holders of ELRC common stock who acquired their shares through stock option or stock purchase plan programs or in other compensatory arrangements.
We intend this discussion to provide only a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger to holders of
ELRC common stock. We do not intend it to be a complete analysis or description of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger.
If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds ELRC common stock, the tax treatment of a
partner in such partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, entities or arrangements treated as partnerships that hold ELRC
common stock and the partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger to them.
All shareholders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the particular tax consequences to them (including the application and
effect of any state, local or foreign income and other tax laws) of the receipt of cash in exchange for shares of ELRC common stock pursuant to the Merger.
-52-
As used herein, the term U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of ELRC common stock
that for United States federal income tax purposes is:
|
|
|
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, including an alien individual who is a lawful permanent resident of the United States or meets the substantial presence test under
Section 7701(b) of the Code;
|
|
|
|
a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
|
|
|
|
an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
|
|
|
|
a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30)
of the Code has the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or if the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.
|
As used herein, the term non-U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of ELRC common stock (other than a partnership or other entity
or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) who is not a U.S. Holder.
If a partnership (including any
entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds shares of ELRC common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A
partnership holding shares of ELRC common stock, and each partner in such partnership, should consult its own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences resulting from the exchange of their shares of ELRC common stock for cash pursuant to the
merger agreement.
Exchanging U.S. Holder
The Merger will be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss for U.S.
federal income tax purposes equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received pursuant to the Merger (determined before the deduction of any applicable withholding taxes) and such U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the
shares cancelled and converted into cash pursuant to the Merger. A U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis will generally equal the price the U.S. Holder paid for such shares. Such gain or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss, and will be
long-term capital gain or loss if the holders holding period for such shares exceeds one year as of the date of the effective time of the Merger. Long-term capital gains recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individuals,
generally will be taxable at a reduced rate. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. If a U.S. Holder acquired different blocks of ELRC common stock at different times or different prices, such U.S. Holder must determine such
holders tax basis, holding period, and gain or loss separately with respect to each block of ELRC common stock.
Exchanging
Non-U.S. Holder
Any gain realized on the receipt of cash in exchange for ELRC common stock pursuant to the Merger by a non-U.S.
Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless:
|
|
|
the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. Holders conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the non-U.S. Holder maintains a United States
permanent establishment to which such gain is attributable);
|
|
|
|
the non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met; or
|
-53-
|
|
|
the non-U.S. Holder owned (directly, indirectly or constructively) more than 5% of the Companys outstanding shares of common stock at any time during the five years preceding the Merger, and the Company is or has
been a United States real property holding corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during such non-U.S. holders ownership of more than 5% of the Companys outstanding shares of common stock. The Company
does not believe that it is or was a United States real property holding corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
|
A non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet point above will be required to pay United States federal income tax on the net gain derived
from the disposition of ELRC common stock generally in the same manner as if such non-U.S. Holder were a U.S. Holder, and, if such non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate if so
specified by an applicable income tax treaty) may apply to any effectively connected earnings and profits.
A non-U.S. Holder described in
the second bullet point above will be subject to United States federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate) on the gain derived from the disposition of ELRC common stock, which may be offset by certain U.S. source
capital losses.
A Non-U.S. Holder is encouraged to consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the United States federal income
tax consequences of exchanging his, her or its shares of ELRC common stock solely in exchange for cash pursuant to the merger agreement, as well as the applicability and effect of state, local, foreign and other tax laws.
Reporting and Backup Withholding
Payments made in connection with the merger to holders of ELRC common stock may be reported to the IRS. In addition, under the United States
federal income tax laws, backup withholding at the statutory rate (currently 28%) may apply to the amount paid to certain shareholders who are not exempt recipients. To prevent such backup United States federal income tax withholding, a
U.S. Holder who does not otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding must provide us with such shareholders taxpayer identification number (employer identification number or social security number) and provide certain other
information by completing, under penalties of perjury, the IRS Form W-9. Failure to timely provide the correct taxpayer identification number on the IRS Form W-9 may subject the shareholder to a $50 penalty imposed by the IRS.
Certain exempt recipients are not subject to these backup withholding requirements. For a non-U.S. Holder to qualify for such
exemption, such non-U.S. Holder must submit a statement (generally, an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable Form W-8), signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to such non-U.S. Holders exempt status.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Taxpayers may use amounts withheld as a credit against their United States federal income tax
liability or may claim a refund of such amounts if they timely provide certain required information to the IRS.
Payments made pursuant to
the Merger will also be subject to information reporting unless an exemption applies.
Shareholders should consult their own tax
advisors regarding the application of backup withholding to their particular circumstances and the availability of, and procedure for obtaining, an exemption from backup withholding.
THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OR
DISCUSSION OF ALL POTENTIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES RELEVANT TO COMPANY
-54-
SHAREHOLDERS. THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER MAY VARY DEPENDING UPON THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH SHAREHOLDER. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR CONCERNING THE FEDERAL, STATE,
LOCAL, FOREIGN AND/OR OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO YOU.
Regulatory Matters
Under the terms of the merger agreement, the merger cannot be completed until certain approvals, consents and consultations required to
consummate the merger pursuant to applicable U.S. and foreign antitrust laws, including the Hart Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, or the HSR Act, have been obtained or any applicable waiting period thereunder has been
terminated or has expired.
Under the HSR Act and its related rules, the merger may not be consummated unless certain filings have been
submitted to the Federal Trade Commission, or the FTC, and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, or the DOJ, and the waiting period required by the HSR Act has expired or been terminated.
Each of ELRC and Parent plan to file the appropriate notification and report forms with the FTC and the DOJ on or prior to June 13, 2016.
The FTC and the DOJ frequently scrutinize the legality under the antitrust laws of transactions like the merger. At any time before or
after the completion of the merger, the FTC or the DOJ could take any action under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or desirable in the public interest, including seeking to enjoin the completion of the merger or seeking the divestiture of
substantial assets of ELRC or Platinum Equity. In addition, certain private parties, as well as state attorneys general and other antitrust authorities, may challenge the transaction under antitrust laws under certain circumstances.
While ELRC and Platinum Equity believe that the completion of the merger will not violate any antitrust laws, there can be no assurance that a
challenge to the merger on antitrust grounds will not be made, or, if such a challenge is made, what the result will be.
Interests of ELRC Executive
Officers and Directors in the Merger
When considering ELRCs board of directors recommendation that Company shareholders
vote in favor of the merger agreement proposal, you should be aware that ELRCs directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of its shareholders generally. These
interests may present them with actual or potential conflicts of interest, and these interests, to the extent material, are described below. ELRCs board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, when
it approved the merger agreement and determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger, are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of ELRC and its shareholders.
Positions with Surviving Corporation
As of the date of this proxy statement, no members of ELRCs management have entered into any agreement, arrangement or understanding with
Parent or its affiliates regarding employment with, or the right to convert into or reinvest or participate in the equity of, the surviving corporation or Parent or its affiliates. Although it would not be unexpected that some members of ELRCs
current management team will enter into arrangements, agreements or understandings with Parent or its affiliates regarding employment (and severance arrangements) with, and the right to purchase or participate in the equity of, Parent (and/or a
subsidiary of Parent), as of the date of this proxy statement no such agreements, arrangements or understandings have been reached between members of ELRCs current management and representatives of Parent, and there can be no assurance that
any parties will reach such an agreement, arrangement or understanding. New arrangements, agreements or understandings, if any, may be entered into prior to, at or following completion of the merger and
-55-
it is currently expected that any such arrangements, agreements or understandings would not become effective until after the merger is completed. There is no present or proposed material
agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship between Parent, Merger Sub, the guarantor or any of their respective executive officers, directors, controlling persons or subsidiaries, on the one hand, and ELRC or any of its executive
officers, directors, controlling persons or subsidiaries, on the other hand.
Stock Ownership
Certain ELRC executive officers and directors beneficially own shares of ELRC common stock. For a more detailed description of these
stockholdings, see Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management on page 89.
The following table sets forth
the cash consideration that ELRC directors and executive officers, individually and as a group, will be entitled to receive under the merger agreement in consideration for the cancellation of common stock held by them. For purposes of the table
below, the number of shares of common stock of ELRC reflects the individual holdings of each director and executive officer as of May 31, 2016 (August 31, 2015 for Craig R. Jones) and it is assumed that none of the directors or executive
officers will acquire or dispose of any shares of common stock prior to the closing of the merger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Number of Shares of
Common Stock (1)
|
|
|
Consideration for
Cancellation of Common Stock
|
|
Daniel Greenberg
|
|
|
4,600,434
|
|
|
$
|
60,357,694
|
|
Craig R. Jones (2)
|
|
|
82,589
|
|
|
$
|
1,083,568
|
|
Steven Markheim
|
|
|
262,368
|
|
|
$
|
3,442,268
|
|
Herb F. Ostenberg
|
|
|
35,583
|
|
|
$
|
466,849
|
|
Allen Sciarillo
|
|
|
24,549
|
|
|
$
|
322,083
|
|
Nancy Y. Bekavac
|
|
|
49,076
|
|
|
$
|
643,877
|
|
Karen J. Curtin
|
|
|
43,046
|
|
|
$
|
564,764
|
|
Theodore E. Guth
|
|
|
18,748
|
|
|
$
|
245,974
|
|
Joseph J. Kearns
|
|
|
33,078
|
|
|
$
|
433,983
|
|
James S. Pignatelli
|
|
|
39,706
|
|
|
$
|
520,943
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
|
|
|
5,189,177
|
|
|
$
|
68,082,002
|
|
(1)
|
Such amounts include the following numbers of shares underlying unvested restricted stock units for which vesting shall accelerate for the following directors and executive officers in connection with merger as
described below: Nancy Bekavac: 1,082; Karen Curtin: 1,082; Theodore Guth: 1,082; Joseph Kearns: 1,082; James Pignatelli: 1,082; Herb Ostenberg: 11,321; Steven Markheim: 32,982; and Allen Sciarillo: 21,051.
|
(2)
|
This figure is based on the number of shares held by Craig R. Jones, as August 31, 2015, the date he resigned his employment with ELRC.
|
Restricted Stock Units
Certain of our directors and executive officers hold restricted stock units (RSUs) which were granted to them pursuant to our
stockholder-approved 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.
For executive officers, subject to the executive officers continued service to the
Company, the RSUs generally vest in pro-rata equal annual installments on each of the first three anniversaries of their grant date. For non-employee directors, subject to the directors continued service to the Company, the RSUs generally vest
in four equal quarterly installments with the first such vesting installment occurring on the grant date (which typically occurs in October) and the final installment on July 1st of the year following the year of grant.
Each RSU that becomes vested is converted on a one-for-one basis into a Company common share on the RSUs settlement date. The settlement
date is the earliest of (i) the first January 1st after the fifth anniversary of
-56-
the grant date of the RSU, (ii) a change in control of the Company, or (iii) the grantee ceasing to provide services to the Company.
Additionally, to the extent that the Company pays dividends on ELRC common shares while an RSU is outstanding: (1) a RSU holder will
receive payment on the RSUs vesting date for any such dividend amounts that were paid on an ELRC common share while the RSU was outstanding and unvested (any such additional payments to RSU holders on account of dividends being paid on ELRC
common shares are referred to herein as dividend equivalents) and (2) the holder of any previously vested RSU will receive dividend equivalents payments for such dividends on common stock at the same time that the dividends are paid
to shareholders.
In accordance with the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, each outstanding then-unvested RSU will become fully vested upon (and
the settlement date of all RSUs will be accelerated to) the effective time of the merger. Therefore, in accordance with the merger agreement and the settlement provisions for the RSUs, at the effective time of the merger, each outstanding RSU will
in turn be cancelled in exchange for an amount in cash (subject to any applicable withholding taxes) equal to the sum of (i) the merger consideration of $13.12 per share plus (ii) accrued unpaid dividend equivalents relating to such
RSU.
The following table sets forth the cash consideration that our directors and executive officers will be entitled to receive under
the merger agreement in consideration for the exchange of RSUs held by them. For purposes of the table below, the number of RSUs shown reflects the holdings of each director and executive officer as of May 31, 2016 and it is assumed that there
is no granting, forfeiture, or vesting of RSUs prior to the effective time of the merger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Number of
Vested RSUs
(1)
|
|
|
Number of
Unvested
RSUs
|
|
|
Accrued
Unpaid
Dividend
Equivalents
($)
|
|
|
Consideration for
all
RSUs (including
Dividend
Equivalents) ($)
|
|
Executive Officers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel Greenberg (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig R. Jones (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steven Markheim
|
|
|
37,825
|
|
|
|
32,982
|
|
|
|
22,354
|
|
|
|
951,342
|
|
Herb F. Ostenberg
|
|
|
16,262
|
|
|
|
11,321
|
|
|
|
9,167
|
|
|
|
371,056
|
|
Allen Sciarillo
|
|
|
2,373
|
|
|
|
21,051
|
|
|
|
7,172
|
|
|
|
314,495
|
|
Non-Employee Directors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nancy Y. Bekavac
|
|
|
14,100
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
200,270
|
|
Karen J. Curtin
|
|
|
14,100
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
200,270
|
|
Theodore E. Guth
|
|
|
15,166
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
214,256
|
|
Joseph J. Kearns
|
|
|
14,100
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
200,270
|
|
James S. Pignatelli
|
|
|
14,100
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
200,270
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group
|
|
|
128,026
|
|
|
|
70,764
|
|
|
|
44,103
|
|
|
|
2,652,228
|
|
|
(1)
|
Amounts are also included as shares in the stock ownership of the directors and executive officers as described in the Stock Ownership table on page 56.
|
|
(2)
|
Mr. Greenberg is also a member of the ELRC board of directors.
|
|
(3)
|
Mr. Jones retired on August 31, 2015. His then-unvested RSUs were forfeited. His then-vested RSUs totaled 28,390; of which 17,977 RSUs were settled in stock and 10,413 RSUs were withheld for tax purposes.
|
-57-
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
We maintain a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) for selected employees including certain of our executive officers. The
SERP is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan which was originally adopted in 1987 and which has been subsequently amended and restated. The SERP is intended to provide benefits that cannot be provided under qualified retirement programs because
of federal law limitations including the limitations imposed by Code Sections 401(k), 401(a)(4) and 415.
Under the SERP,
participants are eligible to make deferrals of their salary, bonus and/or commissions compensation which in the aggregate exceed the Code Section 401(a)(17) annual limit (such excess compensation is the SERP Compensation). Deferral
elections generally need to be made in a calendar year before the year in which the deferred compensation is earned and a participant can elect to defer up to 15% of his/her annual SERP Compensation. The Company must make a matching contribution to
a participants SERP account of 50% of the first 5% of SERP Compensation that a participant elects to defer. Any such Company contributions are subject to the same vesting conditions imposed by the Companys 401(k) plan. We intend to amend
the SERP on or before the closing of the merger to provide that on and after the effective time of the merger, the Company would no longer make any matching contributions under the SERP.
The SERP is an unfunded, unsecured promise of the Company to pay the deferred amounts to the participants but the Company has the discretion
to establish a trust fund and make contributions to such trust for the purpose of ultimately using the trust funds to satisfy the Companys financial obligations owed to participants under the SERP. Deferred amounts are either credited with
(i) interest at a rate determined by the Company or (ii) earnings/losses under the trust fund based on the participants investment elections for his/her deferrals. For clause (ii), each participant in the SERP can direct the
investment of his/her account balance in the same manner as our 401(k) plan. The Company has made investments in money market and mutual funds which mirror the SERP deferrals and participant investment decisions so that there are available funds to
pay the participants when amounts owed under the SERP are due. The vested amounts of a participants deferrals under the SERP are generally fully paid to the participant on the first day of the seventh month after the participants
termination of employment.
The following table sets forth the cash consideration that ELRC executive officers, individually and as a
group, would be entitled to receive for their vested SERP account balances hypothetically assuming a termination of employment for each individual on May 31, 2016 and assuming no further investment gains or losses after such date. As of May 31,
2016, the SERP account balances for each of the executive officers was fully vested.
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
SERP Vested Account Balance ($)
|
|
Daniel Greenberg
|
|
|
2,322,436
|
|
Craig R. Jones (1)
|
|
|
|
|
Steven Markheim
|
|
|
555,191
|
|
Herb F. Ostenberg
|
|
|
36,337
|
|
Allen Sciarillo (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers as a Group
|
|
|
2,913,964
|
|
|
(1)
|
Mr. Jones employment terminated on August 31, 2015. His SERP account balance, $138,545, was paid to him in 2016, subject to tax withholdings.
|
|
(2)
|
Mr. Sciarillo is not a participant in the SERP.
|
Employment Related Agreements
We have entered into employment, retention and/or separation agreements with certain of our executive officers. The agreements
provide, among other things, that such executive officers could be entitled to post-employment benefits if their employment is terminated under qualifying circumstances including after a change
-58-
in control of ELRC. The merger qualifies as a change in control of ELRC under these agreements. Below is a summary description of the potential post-employment benefits that each executive
officer could receive under these agreements. Mr. Ostenberg is not a party to an employment related agreement with us.
Daniel
Greenberg
Mr. Greenberg, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, has been employed by us pursuant to a written employment
agreement initially entered into on December 15, 1986, as amended and restated in July 1992 and October 2001, and further clarified in July 2012. This agreement provided for post-employment benefits if, among other things,
Mr. Greenbergs employment was involuntarily terminated after a change in control of ELRC. For purposes of Mr. Greenbergs employment agreement, a change in control, as defined in his employment agreement, occurred in
2000 and it was determined that any subsequent termination of his employment (except if terminated by the Company for cause) would qualify as an involuntary termination after a change in control and thereby entitle him to post-employment benefits
under the employment agreement.
On May 10, 2016, Mr. Greenberg voluntarily tendered his resignation of employment with his last
date of employment scheduled to be July 11, 2016. However, subject to the usual nomination and election processes for directors, Mr. Greenberg will continue to serve as a member of the Companys board of directors after his
termination of employment. Accordingly, upon Mr. Greenbergs termination of employment, in addition to other vested benefits that are accrued as of his termination date, we are obligated to:
(i) pay Mr. Greenberg an amount equal to three times his highest annual base amount (which includes
Mr. Greenbergs base salary, bonus, incentive compensation and deferred compensation) during the term of his employment agreement, payable in one lump sum on the 60th day after Mr. Greenbergs termination of employment, provided
that such amount may not exceed the product of 2.99 multiplied by his base amount (which is defined under Code Section 280G and generally means the average of Mr. Greenbergs compensation for the five calendar years
preceding the year of the change in control (or in this case 2011 through 2015));
(ii) continue providing each employee
health plan and welfare benefit plan and other fringe benefits for a period of 36 months following the date of termination (with medical coverage continuing for the lifetimes of Mr. Greenberg and his spouse); and
(iii) pay Mr. Greenbergs vested account balance under the Electro Rent Employee Stock Ownership and Savings Plan, as
well as an amount equal to the retirement contributions that would have been made on his behalf during the three years following termination.
The cash payments to Mr. Greenberg are subject to reduction, as described in clause (i) above, in order to avoid being characterized
as excess parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code provided that Mr. Greenberg shall receive an additional payment to compensate him for any excise taxes payable on any payments made to
Mr. Greenberg under his employment agreement as a result of Section 4999 of the Code.
Assuming a July 11, 2016 termination
date for Mr. Greenberg, his estimated post-employment benefits under the above clauses (i) through (iii) are shown as follows:
(i) $2,201,792;
(ii) $775,000 (at future value; includes spouse); and
(iii) $0.
The
amounts reflected in (ii) above are based on the following assumptions: (1) the Company estimated the remaining lifespan for each of Mr. Greenberg and his spouse for purposes of determining the expected relevant value of lifetime
health benefits using the Center for Disease Control statistics published in May 2016; and
-59-
(2) with regard to rate escalation for health and medical benefits, the Company assumed a five percent rate increase year over year.
Steven Markheim
Mr.
Markheim has been employed by us pursuant to a written employment agreement initially entered into on October 31, 2005 and later clarified in August 2012. Mr. Markheim currently serves as our President and Chief Operating Officer. He will
assume the responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer effective on July 11, 2016 when Mr. Greenbergs employment ends. Effective on such date, Mr. Markheims annual base salary will be increased from $348,282 to $400,000.
Under Mr. Markheims employment agreement, if at any time during the 18 months following a Material Change,
the Company terminates Mr. Markheims employment other than for Cause, or if Mr. Markheim terminates his employment for Good Reason, then he will become eligible for post-employment benefits. The merger
qualifies as a Material Change under Mr. Markheims agreement. Accordingly, upon Mr. Markheims qualifying termination of employment, in addition to other vested benefits that are accrued as of his termination date,
we are obligated to:
(i) pay Mr. Markheim an amount equal to the product of two times his annual base salary, payable
in one lump sum on the 60th day after Mr. Markheims termination of employment;
(ii) accelerate the vesting of
all of his then-outstanding unvested equity compensation awards granted by ELRC;
(iii) upon payment of Electro Rents
bonus pool (if any) for its employees for the year in which the termination occurs (the Final Bonus Pool), pay Mr. Markheim (at the same time as other bonuses from the Final Bonus Pool are paid) a share of any Final Bonus Pool equal
to his share of the comparable bonus pool for the immediately prior year multiplied by the percentage of the year which passed prior to his termination; and
(iv) reimburse Mr. Markheim for any COBRA premium payments for continued medical plan coverage that he makes for the
12 months following his termination.
The benefits owed to Mr. Markheim are subject to reduction in order to avoid being
characterized as excess parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code. Additionally, as a condition of receiving the post-employment benefits referenced above in clauses (i) through (iv), Mr. Markheim
must deliver to ELRC (on or within 45 days after his termination of employment) a signed and dated release of all claims against ELRC and its affiliates, in a form prescribed by ELRC (Release) and Mr. Markheim must not revoke
such Release and he must remain in full compliance with the terms of the Release.
If hypothetically (1) a Material Change (such as
the merger) had occurred on May 31, 2016 and (2) Mr. Markheim experienced a qualifying termination of employment on May 31, 2016, then his estimated post-employment benefits under the above clauses (i) through (iv) are
shown as follows:
|
(i)
|
$800,000 (applying Mr. Markheims annual base salary that will become effective on July 11, 2016);
|
|
(ii)
|
$455,078 (calculated based on the per share merger consideration of $13.12 plus any then-unpaid dividend equivalents on the unvested RSUs (note that this amount is provided upon the effective time of the merger
whether or not there is a qualifying termination of employment));
|
|
(iii)
|
$94,400 (reflects an estimated full year bonus for fiscal year 2016 because the hypothetical termination occurred on the final day of fiscal year 2016) (1); and
|
-60-
(1)
|
The amount shown is an estimated figure, which is subject to revision or elimination by the ELRC board of directors because the ELRC board of directors has not yet finally determined the actual amount of the bonus pool.
The actual amount which Mr. Markheim would be entitled to receive may be greater than or less than the number shown.
|
Allen Sciarillo
Mr. Sciarillo and the Company entered into a retention agreement in February 2015. Mr. Sciarillo served as our Acting Chief Financial
Officer since September 2015 and was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer effective May 10, 2016. Effective on such appointment, Mr. Sciarillos annual base salary was increased from $225,000 to $260,000.
Under Mr. Sciarillos retention agreement, if at any time during the 18 months following a Material Change, the
Company terminates Mr. Sciarillos employment other than for Cause, or if Mr. Sciarillo terminates his employment for Good Reason, then he will become eligible for post-employment benefits. The merger qualifies
as a Material Change under Mr. Sciarillos agreement. Accordingly, upon Mr. Sciarillos qualifying termination of employment, in addition to other vested benefits that are accrued as of his termination date, we are
obligated to:
(i) pay Mr. Sciarillo an amount equal to the product of two times his annual base salary, payable in
one lump sum on the 60th day after Mr. Sciarillos termination of employment;
(ii) accelerate the vesting of all
of his then-outstanding unvested equity compensation awards granted by ELRC;
(iii) upon payment of Electro Rents
bonus pool (if any) for its employees for the year in which the termination occurs (the Final Bonus Pool), pay Mr. Sciarillo (at the same time as other bonuses from the Final Bonus Pool are paid) a share of any Final Bonus Pool
equal to his share of the comparable bonus pool for the immediately prior year multiplied by the percentage of the year which passed prior to his termination; and
(iv) reimburse Mr. Sciarillo for any COBRA premium payments for continued medical plan coverage that he makes for the
12 months following his termination.
The benefits owed to Mr. Sciarillo are subject to reduction in order to avoid being
characterized as excess parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code. Additionally, as a condition of receiving the post-employment benefits referenced above in clauses (i) through (iv), Mr. Sciarillo
must deliver to ELRC (on or within 45 days after his termination of employment) a signed and dated release of all claims against ELRC and its affiliates, in a form prescribed by ELRC (Release) and Mr. Sciarillo must not revoke
such Release and he must remain in full compliance with the terms of the Release.
If hypothetically (1) a Material Change (such as
the merger) had occurred on May 31, 2016 and (2) Mr. Sciarillo experienced a qualifying termination of employment on May 31, 2016, then his estimated post-employment benefits under the above clauses (i) through (iv) are
shown as follows:
(i) $520,000;
(ii) $283,361 (calculated based on the per share merger consideration of $13.12 plus any then-unpaid dividend equivalents
on the unvested RSUs (note that this amount is provided upon the effective time of the merger whether or not there is a qualifying termination of employment));
(iii) $61,400 (reflects an estimated full year bonus for fiscal year 2016 because the hypothetical termination occurred on the
final day of fiscal year 2016) (1); and
(iv) $7,651.
-61-
(1)
|
The amount shown is an estimated figure, which is subject to revision or elimination by the ELRC board of directors because the ELRC board of directors has not yet finally determined the actual amount of the bonus pool.
The actual amount to which Mr. Sciarillo would be entitled to receive may be greater than or less than the number shown.
|
Craig R. Jones
Mr. Jones
was employed by us pursuant to a written employment agreement initially entered into on October 31, 2005 and later clarified in August 2012. Mr. Jones employment with us commenced in 1989 and he voluntarily retired from employment as
our chief financial officer effective August 31, 2015. The Company and Mr. Jones entered into a separation agreement and release, effective August 31, 2015, and also an independent contractor agreement, effective September 1,
2015.
Under the separation agreement, in recognition of Mr. Jones long and valuable service to the Company and in exchange for
the releases and other covenants set forth in the separation agreement and in addition to other vested benefits that were accrued as of his termination date, the Company agreed to provide Mr. Jones with the following benefits:
(i) a cash amount equal to his annual base salary, or $251,835, which was paid to Mr. Jones in a lump sum in 2015;
(ii) continued eligibility to participate in the Companys executive bonus pool for fiscal year 2016, on a pro-rata basis
calculated applying the amount of time he was employed by us in fiscal year 2016 and utilizing the same percentage of the bonus pool that he received for fiscal year 2015, with any payment occurring at the same time that bonuses are paid to other
executive officer participants; and
(iii) each month the Company will reimburse Mr. Jones for COBRA premium payments
for continued medical plan coverage that are made by Mr. Jones during the prior month with respect to the twelve (12) months following August 31, 2015.
The estimated total amounts owed to Mr. Jones under clauses (ii) and (iii) above are $5,400 and $2,685, respectively; provided,
that the pro-rated portion of the bonus pool that Mr. Jones is eligible to receive for fiscal year 2016 is subject to revision upon final determination of the actual amount of the bonus pool.
Under the independent contractor agreement, Mr. Jones agreed to provide various consulting services to us, including but not limited to,
facilitating the efficient transfer of his duties and responsibilities. The independent contractor agreement has a term of one year unless earlier terminated by the parties. Mr. Jones is paid $200 per hour for his services, not to exceed
$1,600 in any single day. As of May 31, 2016, ELRC has paid Mr. Jones $400 for his services under the consulting agreement.
Certain
Definitions in Agreements for Mr. Sciarillo and Mr. Markheim
Good Reason
. A Good Reason event is defined
in the agreements for Mr. Sciarillo and Mr. Markheim as the occurrence of any of the following: (i) a material breach by us of the agreement, (ii) we require the executive to relocate his principal place of work more than 20
miles from the location at which he performed his duties prior to the relocation, (iii) we fail to provide the executive with compensation and benefits in the aggregate on terms not materially less favorable in the aggregate than those enjoyed
by the executive under his agreement prior to a change in control or the subsequent material reduction of his compensation and benefits in effect at the time of the change in control unless such compensation and benefits are substantially equally
reduced for our executive officers as a group and there is less than a 10% reduction in compensation or benefits, or (iv) we assign duties to the executive which are materially and adversely inconsistent with his position prior to a change in
control, provided however that a lateral transfer within our Company or to an affiliate will not constitute good reason. Termination by the executive for good reason also requires that the executive provide written notice to us
-62-
describing the existence of the good reason event within 90 days of the date of the initial existence of the event. Upon our receipt of such timely written notice, we then have 30 days
during which we may cure or remedy the event. A resignation for good reason can only be effective if we have not cured or remedied the good reason event during the 30 day period and if the executive actually resigns his employment for good
reason within 60 days after the expiration of the 30 day cure/remedy period.
Cause.
Cause is defined in the
agreements for Mr. Sciarillo and Mr. Markheim to have occurred if any one or more of the following occur: (a) material breach by the executive of the agreement or his failure to comply with a reasonable direction of the Company, which
remains in any such case uncured for more than ten (10) days after a written warning (except in the case of a willful failure to perform his duties or a willful breach, which shall require no warning), (b) the executives breach of
his fiduciary duty to us, (c) indictment (or equivalent) of the executive for a felony or other serious crime, (d) inability of the executive for any reason to render full services for a period of twenty-six consecutive weeks, or eight
months in any twelve month period, or (e) commission by the executive of a wrongful act that would make the continuance of his employment by us materially detrimental to us. No act, or failure to act, on the executives part shall be
considered willful if it was done, or omitted to be done, by him in good faith with a reasonable belief that it was not contrary to the best interest of the Company.
Material Change
. A Material Change is defined in the agreements for Mr. Sciarillo and Mr. Markheim to have
occurred (i) upon a merger, consolidation or sale of substantially all of our assets other than in a transaction in which the holders of our common stock immediately prior to the merger, consolidation or asset sale have at least 75% ownership
of the voting capital stock of the surviving corporation, (ii) upon any person becoming the beneficial owner of 25% or more of our common stock (excluding persons and affiliates of persons who have been 5% holders of our common stock for at
least one year), or (iii) if during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the entire ELRC board of directors cease for any reason (except death) to constitute a majority thereof unless
the election, or the nomination for election by our shareholders, of each new director was approved by a vote of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period.
Internal Revenue Code Section 409A Delay in Payment
To the extent required by Code Section 409A, payments which are considered to be nonqualified deferred compensation and which are paid on
account of the executives separation from service shall be delayed until after six months following the executives termination of service if he is a Code Section 409A specified employee on his termination date. This
would apply to payments of SERP benefits and could apply to other post-employment payments that are provided on account of the executives termination.
Indemnification and Insurance
The merger agreement contains the following provisions with respect to the indemnification of, and maintenance of liability insurance policies
covering, the directors and officers of ELRC.
Until the sixth anniversary of the effective time of the merger, Parent shall cause the
surviving corporation to fulfill and honor in all respects the obligations of ELRC to its current and former directors and officers pursuant to any indemnification provisions under ELRCs articles of incorporation, bylaws and any
indemnification agreement which was provided to Parent between ELRC and its current and former directors and officers and that was in effect as of May 27, 2016 with respect to claims arising out of acts or omissions occurring prior to the
effective time of the merger. Each of ELRCs directors and executive officers are party to an indemnification agreement with ELRC as of May 27, 2016.
Prior to the effective time of the merger, Parent is required to purchase directors and officers liability insurance coverage for
a period of six years after the effective time of the merger for ELRCs current directors
-63-
and officers for acts or omissions occurring prior to the merger. The material terms of such insurance coverage, including coverage and amount, are required to be no less favorable in any
material respect to such directors and officers than ELRCs existing policies as of May 27, 2016. However, Parent is not required to pay annual premiums for such liability insurance in excess of 200% of the amount of the annual premiums
paid by ELRC for fiscal year 2016 for such purpose, provided that Parent shall nevertheless be obligated to provide as much coverage as may be obtained for such 200% amount.
Employee Benefits
The merger agreement requires Parent, for twelve months after the effective time of the merger (or if earlier, the date of an employees
termination of employment), to cause the surviving corporation and its subsidiaries, as applicable, to provide the employees of ELRC and its subsidiaries who remain employed immediately after the effective time of the merger with base salary and
target cash bonus opportunities (but not equity-based compensation) that are, in the aggregate, no less favorable than the base salary and target cash bonus opportunities provided by ELRC and its subsidiaries on the date of the merger agreement. The
employees covered by this provision will remain at-will employees in all respects.
The employees of ELRC and its subsidiaries that
continue to provide service after the effective date may become eligible to participate in employee benefit plans, programs, policies, and arrangements that are sponsored or maintained by Parent. Parent will use commercially reasonable efforts to,
or will cause the surviving corporation to, recognize all service of such employees, as if such service were with Parent or any of its subsidiaries for purposes of eligibility to participate, vesting and benefit levels based on seniority. However,
such service will not be recognized (i) for benefit accrual purposes under any defined benefit pension plan, or (ii) to the extent that such recognition would result in a duplication of benefits.
Golden Parachute Compensation Arrangements
As discussed above, ELRC has entered into various compensatory arrangements with its named executive officers that specify certain payments and
benefits to be provided upon various circumstances, including, among other things, upon a qualifying termination of employment after a change in control of ELRC. In accordance with the SECs disclosure compliance rules regarding golden
parachute compensation, the Golden Parachute Compensation table below sets forth the estimated amounts of compensation that each named executive officer could receive as a result of the proposed merger and which are based on or related to the
merger. The numerical estimates below are based in part on the following assumptions:
|
|
|
whether or not a RSU is vested is determined as of May 31, 2016, before taking into account any acceleration of vesting of RSUs provided at the effective time of the merger;
|
|
|
|
the merger, which will constitute a change in control of ELRC, hypothetically closed on May 31, 2016, the latest practicable date prior to the filing of this proxy statement;
|
|
|
|
all outstanding then-unvested RSUs became vested immediately prior to the effective time of the merger;
|
|
|
|
the price per share of Company common stock paid in the merger was $13.12 which is the per share price payable under the merger agreement; and
|
|
|
|
Messrs. Sciarillo and Markheim each hypothetically experienced a qualifying involuntary termination of employment (as discussed in more detail above) as of the end of the day on which the merger hypothetically closed.
|
Certain of the amounts payable may vary depending on the actual date of completion of the merger and any qualifying
involuntary termination of employment, and may be subject to additional conditions, as described in greater detail below.
-64-
No named executive officer, other than Mr. Greenberg, is entitled to any tax reimbursement
payments from ELRC. Mr. Greenbergs employment agreement provides that we will compensate him for excise taxes imposed on him under Section 4999 of the Code but it is not expected that there will be any such excise taxes.
For purposes of the below table, there are no golden parachute compensation amounts for either Mr. Greenberg or
Mr. Jones as none of their post-employment benefits described above are based on or otherwise related to the merger and they are not otherwise receiving additional compensation-based income as a result of the merger. Additionally, SERP benefits
and previously vested RSUs, as each are described above, similarly are not based on or otherwise related to the merger and therefore are not included in the below table.
Golden Parachute Compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer
|
|
Cash
(1)($)
|
|
|
Equity
(2)($)
|
|
|
Perquisites/
Benefits
(3)($)
|
|
|
Other
(4)($)
|
|
|
Total
(5)($)
|
|
Daniel Greenberg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig R. Jones
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allen Sciarillo
|
|
|
520,000
|
|
|
|
276,189
|
|
|
$
|
7,651
|
|
|
|
7,172
|
|
|
|
811,012
|
|
Steven Markheim
|
|
|
800,000
|
|
|
|
432,724
|
|
|
$
|
16,110
|
|
|
|
22,354
|
|
|
|
1,271,188
|
|
Herb Ostenberg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
148,532
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,167
|
|
|
|
157,699
|
|
(1)
|
Cash
. Messrs. Sciarillo and Markheim are parties to agreements that provide for severance benefits if the officers employment is involuntarily terminated after a Material Change, which includes
the merger (see the section above entitled
Employment Related Agreements
).
|
The figures in this column
represent, for each executive, an estimated value equal to the product of two times the executives annual base salary. This severance would be paid in a lump sum sixty days after termination of employment. As described in the section above
entitled
Employment Related Agreements
the agreements provide that such payments will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of excise taxes under the golden parachute rules of Code
Section 280G. It has been assumed that no reduction will be required.
Payment of the severance is conditioned on (i) the
executive executing a separation agreement containing a release of all claims against ELRC and affiliates (a Release) within 45 days of his termination date and (ii) the executive not breaching or revoking the Release, as
discussed in more detail above in the section entitled
Employment Related Agreements
.
Amounts included in this column
are all double trigger in nature; namely, eligibility to receive these amounts requires both the occurrence of the merger and a qualifying involuntary termination of employment within eighteen months following the merger.
(2)
|
Equity
. All outstanding and unvested RSUs shall become fully vested immediately prior to the effective time of the merger and each RSU shall be cancelled and converted into the right to receive per share
merger consideration of $13.12 plus any accrued unpaid dividend equivalents relating to such RSU upon the effective time of the merger. This means that the time of settlement for both vested and unvested RSUs will be accelerated to the effective
time of the merger.
|
The figures in this column represent the aggregate payments to be made to the executive officer in
respect of all of his outstanding RSUs which were unvested as of the day before the effective time of the merger (excluding accrued unpaid dividend equivalents) as described in greater detail above in the
Restricted Stock Units
section. See footnote (4) below regarding payment of accrued unpaid dividend equivalents.
Amounts included in this column are all
single-trigger in nature; namely, eligibility to receive the payment is conditioned solely on the occurrence of, and being employed as of the merger.
-65-
(3)
|
Perquisites/benefits
. As described above in footnote (1) to this Golden Parachute Compensation table, Messrs. Sciarillo and Markheim are parties to agreements that provide for severance benefits if the
executive officers employment is involuntarily terminated within eighteen months after a change in control. Such benefits include Company reimbursement of COBRA premiums for the executive officers continued medical plan coverage for up
to 12 months following the executives termination date.
|
The figures in this column represent an estimate of the
Companys projected cost to reimburse the executive for COBRA premiums for 12 months following the executives termination date, based on the applicable rates and benefit elections in effect of as May 31, 2016.
Amounts included in this column are all double trigger in nature; namely, eligibility to receive these amounts requires both the
occurrence of the merger and a qualifying involuntary termination of employment within eighteen months following the merger.
(4)
|
Other
. As described above in footnote (2), all outstanding and unvested RSUs shall become fully vested immediately prior to the effective time of the merger and each RSU shall be cancelled and converted into the
right to receive the per share merger consideration of $13.12 plus any accrued unpaid dividend equivalents relating to such RSU upon the effective time of the merger.
|
The figures in this column represent the aggregate accrued unpaid dividend equivalents payments to be made to the executive officer in respect
of all of his outstanding RSUs which were unvested as of immediately before the effective time of the merger.
Amounts included in this
column are all single-trigger in nature; namely, eligibility to receive the payment is conditioned solely on the occurrence of, and being employed as of the merger
(5)
|
Total
. The following table shows, for each named executive officer, the aggregate golden parachute compensation amounts which are single trigger or double trigger in nature.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Named Executive Officer
|
|
Single
Trigger
($)
|
|
|
Double
Trigger
($)
|
|
Daniel Greenberg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig R. Jones
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allen Sciarillo
|
|
|
283,361
|
|
|
|
527,651
|
|
Steven Markheim
|
|
|
455,078
|
|
|
|
816,110
|
|
Herb Ostenberg
|
|
|
157,699
|
|
|
|
|
|
-66-
DISSENTING SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
The discussion of the provisions set forth below is not a complete summary regarding your dissenting shareholder rights under California law
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law, which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex C and incorporated herein by reference. Shareholders intending to
exercise their dissenting shareholder rights to have ELRC purchase, at the fair market value, the shares of ELRCs common stock held by them should carefully review Annex C. FAILURE TO FOLLOW PRECISELY ANY OF THE STATUTORY PROCEDURES SET FORTH
IN ANNEX C MAY RESULT IN A TERMINATION OR WAIVER OF THESE RIGHTS. COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS WHO ARE CONSIDERING ASSERTING AND EXERCISING DISSENTING SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR LEGAL ADVISORS.
If the merger is completed, any holder of shares of ELRCs common stock as of the record date may, by complying with the provisions of
Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law, require ELRC to purchase such holders shares of ELRCs common stock at the fair market value in lieu of receiving the per share merger consideration for their shares. The
fair market value will be determined as of the day of, and immediately prior to, the first public announcement of the terms of the proposed merger (which occurred on the morning of May 31, 2016), excluding any appreciation or depreciation in
consequence of the proposed merger. Shareholders should be aware that an investment banking opinion as to the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration payable in a transaction such as the proposed merger is not an opinion as to,
and does not in any way address, fair market value for purposes of Chapter 13 of the California General Corporations Law.
If a
Company shareholder has a beneficial interest in shares of ELRCs common stock that are held of record in the name of another person, such as a trustee or nominee, and such shareholder desires to perfect any dissenting shareholder rights such
beneficial shareholder may have, such beneficial shareholder must act promptly to cause the holder of record to timely and properly follow all the steps summarized below. Dissenting shareholder rights cannot be validly exercised by persons other
than shareholders of record regardless of the beneficial ownership of the shares.
Exercise of your rights as a dissenting shareholder
under California law requires strict compliance with the procedures set forth in Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law. Failure to follow any of these procedures may result in a termination or waiver of dissenting shareholder
rights under California law. The applicable provisions of California law are summarized below. ELRCs shareholders who choose to exercise dissenting shareholder rights under California law must fully comply with the requirements of
Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law.
Under the California General Corporation Law, a Company shareholder may be
entitled to dissenting shareholder rights with respect to the shares of ELRCs common stock held by such shareholder if:
|
|
|
such shares were outstanding on [ ], the record date of the special meeting;
|
|
|
|
such shares were voted AGAINST the merger proposal; and
|
|
|
|
ELRC or its transfer agent has received by no later than the date of the special meeting a written demand from such shareholder that ELRC purchase such shares at their fair market value (as described below).
|
If you desire to exercise dissenting shareholder rights and receive the fair market value of your shares of our common
stock in cash instead of the per share merger consideration, your shares must be voted AGAINST the merger agreement proposal. It will not be sufficient to abstain from voting or for your shares to be subject to a broker non-vote. If
you return a signed proxy without indicating your voting preference or with instructions to vote FOR the merger agreement proposal, your shares of our common stock will be voted in favor of the merger agreement proposal and you will lose
any dissenting shareholder rights. In addition, a vote against the merger agreement proposal will not, in and of itself, constitute a written demand for dissenting shareholder rights within the meaning of Chapter 13 of the California General
Corporation Law.
-67-
Within ten days after approval of the merger agreement proposal by ELRCs shareholders at
the special meeting, each shareholder who has made a written demand for dissenters rights pursuant to Chapter 13 of the CGCL and is entitled to dissenting shareholder rights will receive a notice of such approval and a statement of the
price determined by ELRC to represent the fair market value of the shares on May 31, 2016, as of immediately prior to the first public announcement of the merger. The notice will also describe the rights to which such shareholders are entitled
and shall be accompanied by a copy of Sections 1300, 1301, 1302, 1303 and 1304 of Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law.
By no later than the date of the special meeting, ELRC or its transfer agent must have received from any dissenting shareholder a written
demand that ELRC purchase such shareholders dissenting shares. The demand must set forth the number and class of shares that such shareholder desires to be repurchased, include a statement as to what such shareholder claims to be the fair
market value of such shares as of the day of, and immediately prior to, the first public announcement of the proposed merger. The statement of fair market value in such demand by the dissenting shareholder constitutes an offer by the dissenting
shareholder to sell the dissenting shares at such price. Dissenting shareholders should send the demand to:
Electro Rent Corporation
Attention: Corporate Secretary
6060 Sepulveda Boulevard
Van Nuys,
California 91411
Such shareholder must also, within 30 days after the date on which notice of the approval of the merger agreement
proposal by ELRCs shareholders is mailed to the shareholders of dissenting shares, submit to ELRC (at the address set forth above) or its transfer agent, if the shares are certificated, any certificates representing any dissenting shares that
the dissenting shareholder demands ELRC purchase, so that such dissenting shares may either be stamped or endorsed with the statement that the shares are dissenting shares or exchanged for certificates of appropriate denomination so stamped or
endorsed, or, if the shares are uncertificated, written notice of the number of dissenting shares that the dissenting shareholder demands that ELRC purchase.
If the shareholder and ELRC agree upon the fair market value and the shares held by such shareholder qualify as dissenting shares, such ELRC
shareholder will be entitled to the agreed upon price plus the legal rate of interest on judgments from the date of such agreement. If ELRC shareholder and ELRC are unable to agree upon the fair market value of the shares or whether the shares
qualify as dissenting shares, the shareholder may file a complaint in California Superior Court seeking a determination by the court of the fair market value of the shares and/or whether the shares qualify as dissenting shares. The complaint must be
filed within six months of the date on which the notice of the approval of the merger agreement proposal was mailed to ELRCs shareholders.
After determining which shareholders are entitled to dissenting shareholder rights, the court will evaluate the shares, determining their fair
market value exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair market value. The court will then direct
payment of the fair value of the shares, together with interest, if any, to the dissenting shareholders. Any cash dividends declared and paid upon the dissenting shares after the date of approval of the merger agreement proposal by ELRCs
shareholders shall be credited against the total amount to be paid to the dissenting shareholders. The costs of proceedings may be determined by the court and shared by the parties as the court deems fit. Subject to the provisions of Chapter 13
of the California General Corporation Law, ELRCs shareholders who have exercised their dissenting shareholder rights will not have the right at law or in equity to attack the validity of the merger or to have the merger set aside or rescinded,
except in an action to test whether the number of shares required to authorize or approve the merger had been legally voted in favor of the merger. In addition, if any of ELRC shareholder initiates any action to attack the validity of the merger or
to have it set aside or rescinded, the shareholder thereafter shall have no right to demand payment for his or her shares as a holder of dissenting shares.
-68-
SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
If the merger is completed, there will be no public participation in any future meetings of ELRCs shareholders. If the merger is not
completed, you will continue to be entitled to attend and participate in ELRCs shareholder meetings, and ELRC will hold a 2016 annual meeting of shareholders.
Proposals which shareholders wish to be considered for inclusion in ELRCs proxy statement and form of proxy for ELRCs 2016 annual
meeting of shareholders must have been received at our principal office, attention: Meryl D. Evans, Secretary, no later than May 17, 2016 and must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
For any proposal, including a nomination for election to the board of directors, that is not submitted for inclusion in ELRCs 2016 proxy
statement, but is instead sought to be presented directly from the floor at ELRCs 2016 annual meeting, ELRCs amended and restated bylaws require, and SEC rules permit, that the proposal be received by ELRCs Secretary at ELRCs
principal office no earlier than the close of business on June 17, 2016 and no later than the close of business on July 18, 2016. ELRCs amended and restated bylaws specify certain requirements regarding the form and content of such a
notice.
-91-
OTHER MATTERS
Other Business
As of this time,
ELRCs board of directors knows of no other matters to be brought before the special meeting. However, if other matters properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment thereof, and if discretionary authority to vote with respect
thereto has been conferred by the enclosed proxy, the persons named in the proxy will vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment as to such matters.
Other Proxy Statement Matters
A form of
proxy is enclosed for your use. Please complete, date, sign and return the proxy at your earliest convenience in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States, or submit your proxy by telephone or over the Internet
following the instructions on the proxy card. A prompt submission of your proxy will be appreciated.
This proxy statement does not
constitute an offer to sell or to buy, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is not lawful to make any offer or solicitation in such
jurisdiction.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Meryl Evans, Secretary
[ ],
2016
-92-
A
NNEX A
EXECUTION VERSION
A
GREEMENT
AND
P
LAN
OF
M
ERGER
B
Y
A
ND
A
MONG
E
LECOR
I
NTERMEDIATE
H
OLDING
II C
ORPORATION
E
LECOR
M
ERGER
C
ORPORATION
A
ND
E
LECTRO
R
ENT
C
ORPORATION
M
AY
27, 2016
I
T
ABLE
O
F
C
ONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE I CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
|
|
|
A-1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.1
|
|
Certain Defined Terms
|
|
|
A-1
|
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
Table of Definitions
|
|
|
A-8
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE II THE MERGER
|
|
|
A-10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
The Merger
|
|
|
A-10
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
Closing
|
|
|
A-10
|
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
Effective Time
|
|
|
A-10
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
Effects of the Merger
|
|
|
A-10
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws
|
|
|
A-10
|
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
Directors
|
|
|
A-10
|
|
|
|
2.7
|
|
Officers
|
|
|
A-10
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE III EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK
|
|
|
A-11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Effect of the Merger on Capital Stock
|
|
|
A-11
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Surrender and Payment
|
|
|
A-11
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
Dissenting Shares
|
|
|
A-13
|
|
|
|
3.4
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
A-13
|
|
|
|
3.5
|
|
Withholding Rights
|
|
|
A-13
|
|
|
|
3.6
|
|
Lost Certificates
|
|
|
A-13
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
Treatment of Equity Awards
|
|
|
A-14
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
|
|
|
A-14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Organization and Good Standing
|
|
|
A-14
|
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
Subsidiaries
|
|
|
A-15
|
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
Power, Authority and Consents
|
|
|
A-16
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
No Conflict
|
|
|
A-17
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
Capitalization of the Company
|
|
|
A-17
|
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
Company SEC Filings; Financial Statements; Sarbanes-Oxley Act Compliance
|
|
|
A-18
|
|
|
|
4.7
|
|
No Undisclosed Liabilities
|
|
|
A-19
|
|
|
|
4.8
|
|
Absence of Certain Changes or Events
|
|
|
A-20
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
Taxes
|
|
|
A-20
|
|
|
|
4.10
|
|
Litigation
|
|
|
A-22
|
|
|
|
4.11
|
|
Real Property and Personal Property Matters
|
|
|
A-22
|
|
|
|
4.12
|
|
Environmental Matters
|
|
|
A-23
|
|
|
|
4.13
|
|
Contracts, Agreements, Arrangements, Commitments and Undertakings
|
|
|
A-23
|
|
|
|
4.14
|
|
Intellectual Property
|
|
|
A-25
|
|
|
|
4.15
|
|
Compliance with Laws; Permits
|
|
|
A-26
|
|
|
|
4.16
|
|
Employees, ERISA and Other Compliance
|
|
|
A-26
|
|
|
|
4.17
|
|
Insurance
|
|
|
A-28
|
|
|
|
4.18
|
|
Related Party Transactions
|
|
|
A-28
|
|
|
|
4.19
|
|
Opinion of Financial Advisor
|
|
|
A-28
|
|
|
|
4.20
|
|
Brokers Fees
|
|
|
A-28
|
|
|
|
4.21
|
|
Capital Expenditures
|
|
|
A-29
|
|
|
|
4.22
|
|
Accounts Receivable
|
|
|
A-29
|
|
|
|
4.23
|
|
Customers and Suppliers
|
|
|
A-29
|
|
|
|
4.24
|
|
FCPA; OFAC
|
|
|
A-29
|
|
-i-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB
|
|
|
A-30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
Organization and Good Standing
|
|
|
A-30
|
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
Merger Sub
|
|
|
A-30
|
|
|
|
5.3
|
|
Power, Authority and Consents
|
|
|
A-30
|
|
|
|
5.4
|
|
No Conflict
|
|
|
A-31
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
|
Ownership of Company Common Stock
|
|
|
A-31
|
|
|
|
5.6
|
|
Legal Proceedings
|
|
|
A-31
|
|
|
|
5.7
|
|
Financing Capability
|
|
|
A-31
|
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
Solvency
|
|
|
A-32
|
|
|
|
5.9
|
|
Brokers Fees
|
|
|
A-32
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VI COMPANY COVENANTS
|
|
|
A-33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.1
|
|
Advice of Changes
|
|
|
A-33
|
|
|
|
6.2
|
|
Conduct of Business
|
|
|
A-33
|
|
|
|
6.3
|
|
Reasonable Best Efforts; Regulatory Approvals
|
|
|
A-35
|
|
|
|
6.4
|
|
Acquisition Proposals
|
|
|
A-36
|
|
|
|
6.5
|
|
Preparation of Proxy Statement; Approval of Company Shareholders
|
|
|
A-40
|
|
|
|
6.6
|
|
Access to Information
|
|
|
A-41
|
|
|
|
6.7
|
|
Company Cooperation with Debt Financing Efforts
|
|
|
A-41
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
Discharge of Company Funded Indebtedness and Release of Encumbrances
|
|
|
A-42
|
|
|
|
6.9
|
|
Section 16 Matters
|
|
|
A-43
|
|
|
|
6.10
|
|
Directors
|
|
|
A-43
|
|
|
|
6.11
|
|
Public Announcements
|
|
|
A-43
|
|
|
|
6.12
|
|
Stock Exchange Delisting; Deregistration
|
|
|
A-43
|
|
|
|
6.13
|
|
Cooperation Concerning Cash Repatriation
|
|
|
A-43
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VII PARENT COVENANTS
|
|
|
A-43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.1
|
|
Advice of Changes
|
|
|
A-43
|
|
|
|
7.2
|
|
Reasonable Best Efforts; Regulatory Approvals
|
|
|
A-44
|
|
|
|
7.3
|
|
Financing
|
|
|
A-45
|
|
|
|
7.4
|
|
Proxy Statement
|
|
|
A-45
|
|
|
|
7.5
|
|
Indemnification of Company Directors and Officers
|
|
|
A-46
|
|
|
|
7.6
|
|
Employees; Benefit Plans
|
|
|
A-46
|
|
|
|
7.7
|
|
Public Announcements
|
|
|
A-47
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS TO CLOSING OF MERGER
|
|
|
A-47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
Conditions to Each Partys Obligation to Effect the Merger
|
|
|
A-47
|
|
|
|
8.2
|
|
Additional Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub
|
|
|
A-48
|
|
|
|
8.3
|
|
Additional Conditions to Obligations of the Company
|
|
|
A-49
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE IX TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
|
|
|
A-49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.1
|
|
Termination by Mutual Consent
|
|
|
A-49
|
|
|
|
9.2
|
|
Termination by Either Parent or the Company
|
|
|
A-49
|
|
|
|
9.3
|
|
Termination by the Company
|
|
|
A-49
|
|
|
|
9.4
|
|
Termination by Parent
|
|
|
A-50
|
|
|
|
9.5
|
|
Notice of Termination
|
|
|
A-50
|
|
|
|
9.6
|
|
Effect of Termination
|
|
|
A-50
|
|
|
|
9.7
|
|
Termination Fee and Expenses
|
|
|
A-51
|
|
|
|
9.8
|
|
Acknowledgement
|
|
|
A-51
|
|
|
|
9.9
|
|
Limitation on Liability
|
|
|
A-51
|
|
-ii-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS
|
|
|
A-52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Survival
|
|
|
A-52
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
Governing Law
|
|
|
A-52
|
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
Submission to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
|
|
|
A-52
|
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
Assignment
|
|
|
A-53
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Severability
|
|
|
A-53
|
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
Remedies
|
|
|
A-53
|
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
Specific Performance
|
|
|
A-53
|
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
Extension; Waiver
|
|
|
A-53
|
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
Amendments
|
|
|
A-54
|
|
|
|
10.10
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
A-54
|
|
|
|
10.11
|
|
Attorneys Fees
|
|
|
A-54
|
|
|
|
10.12
|
|
Notices
|
|
|
A-54
|
|
|
|
10.13
|
|
Interpretation; Rules of Construction
|
|
|
A-55
|
|
|
|
10.14
|
|
Third Party Beneficiary Rights
|
|
|
A-56
|
|
|
|
10.15
|
|
Entire Agreement
|
|
|
A-56
|
|
|
|
10.16
|
|
Counterparts
|
|
|
A-56
|
|
-iii-
A
GREEMENT
AND
P
LAN
OF
M
ERGER
This Agreement and Plan of Merger (this
Agreement
) is made and entered
into as of May 27, 2016 (the
Agreement Date
), by and among Elecor Intermediate Holding II Corporation, a Delaware corporation (
Parent
), Elecor Merger Corporation, a California corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Parent (
Merger Sub
), and Electro Rent Corporation, a California corporation (the
Company
).
R
ECITALS
A. The parties intend that, pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
the California General Corporation Law (the
CGCL
) and other Applicable Laws (as defined below), Merger Sub shall merge with and into the Company, with the Company to be the surviving corporation of the Merger as a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Parent.
B. The Boards of Directors of Parent and Merger Sub have (i) determined that it
is in the best interests of their respective entities and shareholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement and (ii) have approved the execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger.
C. The Board of Directors
of the Company (the
Company Board
), acting on the recommendation of the strategic alternatives committee of the Company Board (the
Special Committee
), has (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the
Company and its shareholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement, (ii) approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
Merger, and (iii) resolved to recommend adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of the Company.
D. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and as a condition and inducement to the
Companys willingness to enter into this Agreement, Platinum Equity Capital Partners III, L.P. (the
Guarantor
) has provided a limited guaranty (the
Limited Guaranty
) with respect to certain of Parents
obligations under this Agreement.
E. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
and as a condition and inducement to Parents and Merger Subs willingness to enter into this Agreement, (i) Daniel Greenberg is entering into a voting agreement with Parent and the Company in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A-1
and (ii) a member of Daniel Greenbergs immediate family is entering into a voting agreement with Parent and the Company in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A-2
, pursuant to which, among other things, and subject to the terms and
conditions contained therein, each of them has agreed to vote the shares of Company Common Stock owned by them for approval of the transactions contemplated hereby.
F. Parent, Merger Sub and the Company desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements in connection with the Merger and to prescribe various conditions to the Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the
foregoing and the mutual promises, covenants and conditions contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
1.1
Certain Defined Terms
. For purposes of this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below. Unless indicated otherwise, all mathematical calculations contemplated hereby shall be made to the fifth decimal place.
Acquisition Proposal
means any proposal or offer from any Person or group of Persons (other than Parent or Merger Sub)
relating to, in one or a series of transactions (a) the direct or indirect purchase or
A-1
acquisition by such Person or group of Persons of 20% or more of the Equity Interests in the Company (by vote or by value), (b) any merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization,
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, share exchange or similar transaction involving the Company that, if consummated, would result in the acquisition by such Person or group of Persons (or the stockholders of any Person) of 20% or more of
the outstanding Equity Interests in the Company (by vote or value) or of the surviving entity in a merger involving the Company or the resulting direct or indirect parent of the Company or such surviving entity, (c) any sale of assets,
recapitalization, equity investment, license, joint venture, liquidation, dissolution, disposition or other similar transaction which would, directly or indirectly, result in any Third Party acquiring an interest in assets representing, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of the net revenues, net income, cash flow or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (d) the acquisition (whether by merger, consolidation, equity investment, share exchange, joint venture or otherwise)
by any Third Party, directly or indirectly, of any Equity Interest in any Person that holds assets generating or representing, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the net revenues, net income, cash flow or assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (e) any tender offer, self-tender or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Third Party acquiring 20% or more of the Equity Interests in the Company (by vote or by value), or (f) any combination of the
foregoing.
Affiliate
has the meaning set forth in Rule 144(a)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act.
Antitrust Law
means the Sherman Act, as amended, the Clayton Act, as amended, the HSR Act, the Federal Trade
Commission Act, as amended, the UK Enterprise Act 2002 or any other Applicable Law that is designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or significant impediments
or lessening of competition or creation or strengthening of a dominant position through merger or acquisition, in any case that are applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Applicable Law
means, collectively, all foreign, federal, state, local or municipal laws (including common
law), statutes, ordinances, regulations, codes, and rules or regulations (including rules or regulations of any applicable national securities exchange), and all orders, writs, injunctions, awards, judgments, decrees, permits, settlements,
citations, adverse conditions or stipulations, in each case, issued, promulgated, pronounced or entered into by or with any Governmental Authority and applicable to the assets, properties, transactions or business (and any regulations promulgated
thereunder) of the applicable company or entity.
Balance Sheet Date
means May 31, 2015.
Benefit Plan
means each employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (whether or not
subject to ERISA), and any other stock option, stock appreciation right, other equity-based, phantom stock, stock purchase, profit sharing, savings, pension, change-in-control, bonus, long- or short-term incentive, or deferred compensation,
supplemental retirement, health, retiree medical, termination indemnity, jubilee payment, seniority premium, life, or disability insurance, dependent care, severance and other similar fringe or benefit or compensation plans, agreements, policies,
programs, and arrangements, in effect and that covers any current or former employees or directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the beneficiaries or dependents of any such Persons and any current employment or executive compensation
or severance agreements, written or otherwise, that are maintained, sponsored, or contributed to by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has or could have any present or future Liabilities.
Business Day
means any day, other than (i) Saturday or Sunday, (ii) any day on which banking institutions located in
Los Angeles, California are authorized or required by Applicable Law or other governmental action to close or (iii) any other day on which Fedwire Services or SWIFT are not operating.
Certificate of Merger
means the certificate of merger to be filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of
California in such appropriate form as shall be required by, and executed in accordance with, the CGCL.
A-2
Code
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company Business
means the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as presently conducted.
Company Bylaws
means the bylaws of the Company, as amended to date.
Company Charter
means the Companys Restated Articles of Incorporation, filed with the California Secretary of State
on October 3, 1984, as amended to date.
Company Common Stock
means the common stock, no par value, of the
Company.
Company Disclosure Schedule
means the disclosure schedule attached hereto and dated as of this
Agreement Date and delivered by the Company to Parent concurrent with the execution of this Agreement.
Company IP
means all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by or exclusively licensed to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Companys Knowledge
means, with respect to a particular fact, circumstance, event or other matter in question, (a) the
actual knowledge of Daniel Greenberg, Steve Markheim, Allen Sciarillo, Dennis Clark, Eric Williams and Herb Ostenberg and (b) the knowledge which any of the foregoing persons would reasonably be expected to know given their title and
responsibilities.
Company Material Contract
means any Contract required to be listed on the Company Disclosure
Schedule pursuant to
Section 4.11
.
Company Preferred Stock
means the preferred stock, $1.00 par value of the
Company.
Company SERP
means the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan of the Company, as amended to date.
Company Shareholders
means the holders of outstanding shares of Company Common Stock.
Company Stock Plan
means the Companys 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended to date.
Contract
means any written or oral contract, agreement, instrument, obligation, arrangement, permit, concession, franchise,
commitment, understanding or undertaking (including leases, licenses, mortgages, bonds, notes, debenture, guarantees, sublicenses, subcontracts, purchase or sale orders).
Damages Cap
means an amount equal to $16,200,000.00.
Encumbrance
means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, title
retention device, collateral assignment, adverse claim, restriction or other encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset (including any restriction on the voting of any security, any restriction on the transfer of any security or other asset,
any restriction on the receipt of any income derived from any asset, any restriction on the use of any asset and any restriction on the possession, exercise or transfer of any other attribute of ownership of any asset).
Environmental Laws
means any Law in effect as of the Closing Date concerning: (i) the environment, including related to
pollution, contamination, cleanup, preservation, protection, and reclamation of the environment; or (ii) any release or threatened release of any hazardous substance, including investigation, monitoring, clean up, removal, treatment, or any other
action to address such release or threatened release of, or exposure to, hazardous substances.
A-3
Equity Award
means each option to acquire shares of Company Common Stock and
each restricted stock unit then outstanding pursuant to the Company Stock Plan.
Equity Interest
of any Person means
any (a) capital stock, membership, joint venture or partnership interest or other equity or voting interest of or in such Person; (b) securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for any of the foregoing; (c) options, warrants
or other rights directly or indirectly to purchase or subscribe for any of the foregoing or securities convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable for any of the foregoing; or (d) Contracts, calls or claims of any kind relating to the issuance
of any of the foregoing or giving any Person the right to participate in or receive any payment based on the profits or performance of such Person (including any equity appreciation, phantom equity or similar plan or right).
ERISA
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
ERISA Affiliate
means any entity which is a member of (a) a controlled group of corporations, as defined
in Section 414(b) of the Code; (b) a group of entities under common control, as defined in Section 414(c) of the Code; or (c) an affiliated service group, as defined in Section 414(m) of the Code, or treasury
regulations promulgated under Section 414(o) of the Code, any of which includes the Company.
Exchange Act
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Facilities
means the facilities, improvements, buildings, and storage
facilities and other structures owned by the Company that are located on Leased Real Property or Owned Real Property and all fixtures attached or appurtenant thereto or located thereon, and all licenses, privileges and rights relating to the
foregoing (other than those included in the Leased Real Property or Owned Real Property), in each case to the extent predominately used in the operation of the Company Business.
Financing Sources
means the Guarantor, any actual or potential source of Debt Financing, or any other entities that commit
to provide or otherwise enter into financing arrangements in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including the parties to any financing commitments and any joinder agreements or credit agreements (including the definitive
agreements executed in connection with the Debt Financing) relating thereto.
GAAP
means United States generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
Governmental Authority
means any federal, state,
local, domestic, foreign, supranational or multinational court or tribunal, governmental, judicial, arbitral, legislative, executive or regulatory body (or subdivision thereof), administrative agency, self-regulatory authority, instrumentality,
agency commission or other governmental authority or body.
HSR Act
means the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
HSR Affiliates
means Affiliates of Parent as the term is defined under the HSR Act.
HSR Associates
means Associates of Parent as the
term is defined under the HSR Act.
Indebtedness
means, with respect to any Person, (a) any obligation or liability of
that Person (including any principal, premium, accrued and unpaid interest, related expenses, prepayment penalties, commitment and other fees, reimbursements and all other amounts payable in connection therewith): (i) for borrowed money, or
with respect to unearned advances of any kind to such Person, (ii) evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (iii) under any lease or similar arrangement that is, or would be required in accordance with GAAP to be accounted for
by the lessee as a capital lease, (iv) under any installment sale
A-4
contract or similar obligation given in connection with the acquisition of any property or assets, including securities, (v) for the deferred purchase price of property or services, except
current trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business, or (vi) arising out of interest rate and currency swap arrangements and any other arrangements designed to provide protection against fluctuations in interest or currency
rates and (b) all guarantees and arrangements having the economic effect of a guarantee of such Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.
Intellectual Property
means all industrial and intellectual property rights arising anywhere in the world, including: (A)
patents, patent applications, utility models, invention disclosures, and all renewals, reissues, reexaminations, divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part and extensions thereof, and other patent rights (
Patents
); (B)
logos, designs, trademarks, trade dress rights, trade names, service marks, together with the goodwill connected with the use of, and all registrations and applications for any of the foregoing (
Trademarks
); (C) Internet domain
names, Internet and World Wide Web URLs or addresses; (D) copyrights, copyright registrations and applications therefor, mask work rights, mask work registrations and applications therefor (
Copyrights
); (E) inventions, trade
secrets, know-how, customer lists, supplier lists, proprietary processes, technology and formulae (
Trade Secrets
); (F) software source code and object code, algorithms, net lists, architectures, structures, screen displays,
photographs, images, layouts, development tools, designs, blueprints, specifications, technical drawings (or similar information in electronic format); and (G) all documentation and media constituting, describing or relating to the foregoing (A)
through (F), including manuals, memoranda and records.
Intervening Event
means a material event or circumstance that
was not known or reasonably foreseeable to the Company Board prior to the execution of this Agreement, which event or circumstance becomes known to the Company Board prior to obtaining the Shareholder Vote and which event or circumstance would have
a materially favorable impact on the fair market value of the Company Common Stock (but for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) relative to the impact of such event or circumstance on other businesses operating in the industries in
which the Company and its Subsidiaries operates; provided that in no event shall (x) the receipt, existence or terms of an Acquisition Proposal or any matter relating thereto or consequence thereof or (y) the ability of the Company to exceed
internal projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings projections of industry analysts for any period constitute an Intervening Event.
Lease
means all written or oral leases, subleases and other agreements under which the Company or any Subsidiary leases,
licenses, subleases or otherwise uses or occupies, or has the right to lease, license, use or occupy, any real property, including all amendments, extensions, renewals, guaranties and other agreements with respect thereto.
Leased Real Property
means all real property that the Company or any Subsidiary leases, licenses, subleases or otherwise
uses or occupies, or has the right to lease, license, use or occupy, pursuant to a Lease.
Liabilities
means debts, liabilities and obligations of any nature, whether accrued or fixed, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, determined or determinable, known or unknown, including those arising under any Applicable Law, Action or order
issued or promulgated by a Governmental Authority and those arising under any Contract.
License
Agreement
means any Contract that provides for the grant or receipt of a license or other right with respect to or otherwise involving any Intellectual Property, except for commercially available off-the-shelf software licensed to the
Company or any Subsidiary on standard terms, in object code form, without the right to modify such software, with annual royalties or other fees not exceeding $100,000.
Material Adverse Effect
means any change, event, circumstance, occurrence, condition, state of facts or effect (each an
Effect
) that, individually or in the aggregate with all other Effects, (a) has a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business, assets, liabilities, operations or results of
A-5
operations of the Company and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) prevents or materially delays the consummation by the Company of the Merger; provided, however, that in the case of
clause (a) above only, Material Adverse Effect shall not include any Effect to the extent resulting from (i) the announcement of the existence of this Agreement (provided, that the exceptions in this clause (i) shall not be deemed to apply to
references to Material Adverse Effect in the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.4); (ii) changes in general economic or political conditions globally, political systems, currencies, securities, or financial
markets; (iii) changes generally affecting the industry in which such entity operates; (iv) acts of God, earthquakes, acts of terrorism or military actions whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war; (v) any change in
the Companys stock price or trading volume, in and of itself; (vi) any failure of the Company to meet internal projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings projections of industry analysts for any period; or, (vii) changes in Applicable Laws,
GAAP or accounting standards;
provided
, that with respect to subclause (v) or subclause (vi), the Effects giving rise to or contributing to such change that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of Material Adverse Effect
may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect;
provided further
,
however
, that any Effect referred to in clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) or (vii) may be taken into account in determining
whether or not there has been a Material Adverse Effect to the extent such Effect has a disproportionate adverse impact on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole and taking into account the relative size of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and their affected businesses as compared to other participants in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate.
NDA
means the Confidentiality Agreement entered into between Platinum Equity Advisors, LLC
and the Company on
October 14, 2015.
Owned Real Property
means all real property that the Company or any Subsidiary owns.
Parent Parties
means, collectively, (a) Parent, Merger Sub, the Guarantor, the Financing Sources and any of their
respective current, former or future Affiliates and (b) the current, former or future directors, officers, general or limited partners, shareholders, members, managers, controlling persons, employees, representatives or agents of any of the Persons
listed in the foregoing clause (a).
Permitted Encumbrances
means (a) statutory liens for Taxes that are not yet due
and payable and water, sewer and other assessments not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; (b) statutory liens to secure obligations to landlords under leases or rental
agreements incurred in the ordinary course of business relating to obligations as to which there is no default and the payment of which is not yet due; (c) deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure payment of, workers
compensation, unemployment insurance or similar programs mandated by Applicable Law; (d) statutory liens in favor of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen, to secure claims for labor, materials or supplies and other like liens incurred
in the ordinary course of business relating to obligations as to which there is no default and the payment of which is not yet due; (e) Encumbrances, matters of record, including easements, rights-of-way, covenants, restrictions, conditions,
setbacks, encroachments, gaps and gores, and other imperfections of title that are typical for the applicable property type and locality, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, materially impairs the use, value or operations of the
affected property or materially interferes with the use of such property in the conduct of the Company Business (excluding, however, any mortgage lien or other similar security interest securing any financing relating directly to the Owned Real
Property or any Companys leasehold estate in any Leased Real Property, which mortgage liens and other similar security interests shall be released and which financings shall be satisfied in full at Closing), and (f) any minor imperfection of
title or similar liens, charges or encumbrances which individually or in the aggregate with other such liens, charges and encumbrances does not materially impair the use, value or operations of the affected property subject to such lien, charge or
encumbrance or the use of such property in the conduct of the Company Business.
A-6
Person
means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company,
partnership, limited liability partnership, trust, estate, proprietorship, joint venture, association, organization, entity or Governmental Authority.
Proxy Statement
means the letter to shareholders, notice of meeting, proxy statement and form of proxy and any other
soliciting material to be distributed to the Company Shareholders in connection with the Merger (including any amendments or supplements) and any schedule required to be filed with the SEC in connection therewith.
Real Property
means, collectively, the Owned Real Property and the Leased Real Property.
Representatives
means any director, officer, employee, consultant, agent, investment banker, financial advisor, attorney,
accountant, Affiliate or other advisor or representative.
Required Information
means, as of any date, (a) such
financial statements, financial data and other information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries of the type required in registration statements on
Form S-1
by Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K under
the Securities Act (including pro forma financial information, provided that it is understood that assumptions underlying the pro forma adjustments to be made are the responsibility of Parent) for registered offerings of non-convertible debt
securities, to the extent the same is of the type and form customarily included in private placements under Rule 144A under the Securities Act to consummate the offering of secured or unsecured senior notes and/or senior subordinated notes
(including, even if not required by Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, pro forma and other financial data for the pertinent last twelve (12) month periods), made on any date during the relevant period, (b) (i) such other
information required by the Debt Commitment Letters, including such information and data as are otherwise necessary in order to receive customary comfort letters with respect to the financial statements and data referred to in clause (a)
of this definition (including negative assurance comfort) from the independent auditors of the Company and its Subsidiaries on any date during the relevant period and (ii) drafts of such comfort letters which such auditors
are prepared to issue upon completion of customary procedures, each in form and substance customary for high yield debt securities offerings, and (c) all pertinent and customary (as compared to other transactions of this size and nature) information
regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries customarily included in information memoranda or other marketing documents used to syndicate credit facilities of the type to be included in the Debt Financing.
SEC
means
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act
means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Subsidiary
of a Person means a corporation or other Person (a) in which such first Person owns, directly or indirectly, at
least a 50% interest or (b) that is otherwise, directly or indirectly, controlled by such Person (which shall be deemed the case if such first Person has the power to elect more than 50% of the board of directors or other governing body of such
Person), or (c) is or would be consolidated in such partys financial statements pursuant to GAAP.
Superior
Proposal
means a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that the Company Board determines in its good faith judgment (after consultation with outside legal counsel and the Company Financial Advisor) is more favorable from a financial point
of view to the holders of Company Common Stock than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, taking into account (a) all financial considerations, (b) the identity of the third party making such Acquisition Proposal, (c) the anticipated
timing, conditions (including any financing condition or the reliability of any debt or equity funding commitments) and likelihood for completion of such Acquisition Proposal, (d) the other terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal and the
implications thereof on the Company, including relevant legal, regulatory and other aspects of such Acquisition
A-7
Proposal deemed relevant by the Company Board and (e) any revisions to the terms of this Agreement and the Merger proposed by the Parent during the Notice Period set forth in
Section 6.4
;
provided
that for purposes of the definition of Superior Proposal, the references to 20% in the definition of Acquisition Proposal shall be deemed to be references to 50%.
Tax
(and, with correlative meaning,
Taxes
) means (a) any net income, alternative or add-on minimum tax,
gross income, gross receipts, branch profits, capital stock, sales, use, lease, service, ad valorem, transfer, recording, registration, escheat, franchise, profits, net worth, gains, license, withholding, payroll, employment, unemployment, social
security, retirement, disability, estimated, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, real or personal property, environmental or windfall profit tax, custom duty or other tax, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind
whatsoever, together with any interest or any penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental Authority responsible for the imposition of any such tax (domestic or foreign); (b) any Liability for the payment of any amounts
of the type described in clause (a) of this sentence as a result of being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or aggregate group for any taxable period (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-6 or
comparable provisions of state, local or foreign tax law); and (c) any Liability for the payment of any amounts of the type described in clause (a) or (b) of this sentence as a result of being a transferee of or successor to any Person or as a
result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other Person.
Tax Return
means any report, return,
election, notice, estimate, declaration, information statement, claim for refund or other form or document (including all schedules, exhibits and other attachments thereto) relating to and filed or required to be filed with a Governmental Authority
in connection with any Tax, and shall include any amendment to any of the foregoing.
Taxable Period
means any taxable
year (or portion thereof) or any other period that is treated as a taxable year (or other period, or portion thereof, in the case of a Tax imposed with respect to such other period) with respect to which any Tax may be imposed under any Applicable
Law.
Termination Fee
means an amount equal to $11,300,000.00
.
Third Party
shall mean any Person or group other than the Company, the Subsidiaries, Parent or any Affiliate of Parent.
Third Party
Lease
means all written or oral leases, subleases and other agreements under which the Company or
any Subsidiary leases, licenses, subleases or otherwise authorizes the use or occupancy, or grants the right to lease, license, use or occupy, to any Third Party any portion of the Real Property, including all amendments, extensions, renewals,
guaranties and other agreements with respect thereto.
Other capitalized terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement and not defined in this
Article I
shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in this Agreement.
1.2
Table of Definitions
. The following terms have the meanings set forth in the Sections
referenced below.
|
|
|
Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement
|
|
Section 6.4(b)
|
Action
|
|
Section 4.10
|
Adverse Recommendation
|
|
Section 6.4(e)
|
Agreement
|
|
Preamble
|
Agreement Date
|
|
Preamble
|
Board Recommendation
|
|
Section 4.3(c)
|
Book-Entry Shares
|
|
Section 3.1(b)
|
Certificate
|
|
Section 3.1(b)
|
A-8
|
|
|
CGCL
|
|
Recitals
|
Closing
|
|
Section 2.2
|
Closing Date
|
|
Section 2.2
|
Common Share
|
|
Section 3.1(b)
|
Company
|
|
Preamble
|
Company Acquisition Agreement
|
|
Section 6.4(b)
|
Company Board
|
|
Recitals
|
Company Continuing Employees
|
|
Section 7.6(a)
|
Company Indemnified Parties
|
|
Section 7.5(a)
|
Company Material Contract
|
|
Section 4.13
|
Company SEC Reports
|
|
Section 4.6(a)
|
Company Stock Award
|
|
Section 3.7(b)
|
Company Subsidiary Securities
|
|
Section 4.2(c)
|
Consent
|
|
Section 4.3(b)
|
Debt Commitment Letters
|
|
Section 6.7
|
Debt Financing
|
|
Section 6.7
|
Dissenting Shares
|
|
Section 3.3
|
DOJ
|
|
Section 6.3(b)
|
Effective Time
|
|
Section 2.3
|
End Date
|
|
Section 9.2(a)
|
Equity Financing
|
|
Section 5.7
|
Equity Financing Commitment
|
|
Section 5.7
|
Exchange Agent
|
|
Section 3.2(a)
|
Excluded Stock
|
|
Section 3.1(a)
|
FCPA
|
|
Section 4.24
|
FTC
|
|
Section 6.3(b)
|
Governmental Permits
|
|
Section 4.15(b)
|
Guarantor
|
|
Recitals
|
Insurance Policies
|
|
Section 4.17)
|
IT Systems
|
|
Section 4.14(f)
|
Letter of Transmittal
|
|
Section 3.2(a)
|
Limited Guaranty
|
|
Recitals
|
Merger
|
|
Section 2.1
|
Merger Consideration
|
|
Section 3.1(b)
|
Merger Sub
|
|
Preamble
|
Notice Period
|
|
Section 6.4(f)
|
OFAC
|
|
Section 4.24
|
Parent
|
|
Preamble
|
Parent Benefit Plans
|
|
Section 7.6(b)
|
Payment Fund
|
|
Section 3.2(a)
|
Payoff Letters
|
|
Section 6.8
|
Premium Cap
|
|
Section 7.5(c)
|
Requested Intercompany Loan
|
|
Section 6.13
|
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
|
|
Section 4.6(a)
|
Shareholder Vote
|
|
Section 4.3(a)
|
Shareholders Meeting
|
|
Section 6.5(g)
|
Special Committee
|
|
Recitals
|
Surviving Corporation
|
|
Section 2.1
|
A-9
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
2.1
The Merger
. On the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the CGCL, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company (the
Merger
). As a result of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will
cease and the Company will continue its corporate existence under the CGCL as the surviving corporation in the Merger (the
Surviving Corporation
).
2.2
Closing
. The closing of the Merger (the
Closing
) will
take place at 7:00 AM Pacific Time on the third Business Day after satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted by Applicable Law) of all conditions to the Merger set forth in
Article VIII
(other than those conditions that by their nature
are to be satisfied by deliveries made at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted hereunder, waiver of all such conditions), unless this Agreement has been terminated pursuant to and in accordance with
Article
IX,
or another date and time is agreed to in writing by Parent and the Company. The Closing shall be held at the offices of Latham & Watkins LLP, 555 11
th
Street N.W., Suite 1000,
Washington, D.C., 20004, unless another place is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto. The actual date of the Closing is hereinafter referred to as the
Closing Date
.
2.3
Effective Time
. As soon as practicable on the Closing Date, the Company,
Parent and Merger Sub will cause the Certificate of Merger to be executed, acknowledged and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of California in accordance with the relevant provisions of the CGCL. The Merger will become effective at the
time the Certificate of Merger is duly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of California or at such later time as Parent and the Company shall agree and specify in the Certificate of Merger (the time at which the Merger becomes effective
being hereinafter referred to as the
Effective Time
).
2.4
Effects of the
Merger
. The Merger shall have the effects set forth herein and in the applicable provisions of the CGCL, including Section 1107 of the CGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, at the Effective Time all property,
rights, privileges, immunities, powers, franchises, licenses and authority of each of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions and duties of each of the Company and
Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions and duties of the Surviving Corporation.
2.5
Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws
. At the Effective Time (a) the articles
of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended and restated to be identical to the articles of incorporation of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time, except that Article I of the articles of incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation shall read as follows: The name of this corporation is Electro Rent Corporation; and (b) the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation shall be amended and restated to be identical to the bylaws of Merger Sub immediately
prior to the Effective Time, except that all references to Merger Sub in the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation shall be changed to refer to Electro Rent Corporation, in each case in the case of clauses (a) and (b), until thereafter
amended as provided therein or by Applicable Law.
2.6
Directors
. The directors of
Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the directors of the Surviving Corporation until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death,
resignation or removal in accordance with the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
2.7
Officers
. The officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall,
from and after the Effective Time, be the officers of the Surviving Corporation until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the certificate of
incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
A-10
ARTICLE III
EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON CAPITAL STOCK
3.1
Effect of the Merger on Capital Stock
. At the Effective Time, as a result of the
Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company or the holder of any capital stock of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company, the following shall occur:
(a)
Excluded Stock
. Each share of Company Common Stock that is owned of record immediately
prior to the Effective Time by Parent, Merger Sub or the Company or any of their respective direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiaries (the
Excluded Stock
) shall not represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration and
(x) if held of record directly by the Company or Parent, shall be automatically cancelled and will cease to exist without any conversion thereof, and no consideration will be delivered in exchange for such cancellation, and (y) if held of record by
any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company or of Parent (including Merger Sub), will be, at the election of Parent, either (i) converted into that number of shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation that bears the
same ratio to the aggregate number of outstanding shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation as the number of shares of Company Common Stock held by such subsidiary bore to the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Company Common Stock
immediately prior to the Effective Time, or (ii) cancelled and (in the case of this clause (ii)) will cease to exist without any conversion thereof, and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange for such cancellation.
(b)
Conversion of Company Common Stock
. Each share of Company Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Company Common Stock cancelled or converted into shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation in accordance with
Section 3.1(a)
and Dissenting Shares) (each
such share, a
Common Share
) will be converted automatically into and shall thereafter represent the right to receive in cash $13.12
per Common Share, payable to the holder
thereof, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes (the
Merger Consideration
). Upon conversion at the Effective Time, all such Common Shares will no longer be outstanding, will automatically be cancelled and
will cease to exist, and, subject to
Section 3.3
, each holder of a certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented any Common Shares (each, a
Certificate
) and each holder of book-entry shares which
immediately prior to the Effective Time represented Common Shares (the
Book-Entry Shares
) will cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except only the right to receive the Merger Consideration allocable thereto in
accordance with, and subject to the conditions of, this
Article III
.
(c)
Conversion of Merger
Sub Capital Stock
. Each share of common stock, no par value, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become one newly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable
share of common stock, no par value, of the Surviving Corporation.
3.2
Surrender and Payment
.
(a) Prior to the Closing Date, Parent, at its sole expense, shall appoint Computershare Trust Company
N.A.
or such other exchange agent as reasonably acceptable to the Company and Parent (the
Exchange Agent
) to act as the agent for the purpose of exchanging the Merger Consideration for: (i) the Certificates, or (ii)
Book-Entry Shares. At the Closing, Parent shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with the Exchange Agent, for the benefit of the holders of Common Shares, sufficient funds to pay the aggregate Merger Consideration that is payable in
respect of all of the Common Shares represented by the Certificates and the Book-Entry Shares (the
Payment Fund
) in amounts and at the times necessary for such payments. If for any reason (including losses) the Payment Fund
is inadequate to pay the Merger Consideration that is payable in respect of all of the Common Shares represented by the Certificates and the Book-Entry Shares, Parent shall take all steps necessary to enable or cause the Surviving Corporation
promptly (and in any case, within five (5) Business Days) to deposit, or cause to be deposited, in trust additional cash with the Exchange Agent sufficient to make all remaining payments required to be made under this Section 3.2 and Parent and the
Surviving Corporation shall in any event be liable for the payment thereof. Any net profit resulting from, or interest or income produced by, investments of the Payment Fund by the Exchange Agent shall be payable to the Surviving
A-11
Corporation or Parent, and any amounts in excess of the amounts payable pursuant to
Section 3.1
shall be promptly returned to the Surviving Corporation or Parent, in each case as directed
by Parent. The Surviving Corporation shall pay all charges and expenses of the Exchange Agent incurred in connection with the exchange of Common Shares for the Merger Consideration. The Payment Fund shall not be used for any purpose other than
to pay the Merger Consideration that is payable in respect of all of the Common Shares represented by the Certificates and the Book-Entry Shares. Promptly after the Effective Time (and in any case, within five (5) Business Days), the Surviving
Corporation shall cause the Exchange Agent to send to each record holder of Common Shares at the Effective Time, a letter of transmittal in a customary form to be mutually agreed to by the Company and Parent (the
Letter of
Transmittal
) and instructions (which shall specify that the delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates or transfer of the Book-Entry Shares to the Exchange Agent) for
use in effecting the surrender of such Certificates or transfer of the Book-Entry Shares to the Exchange Agent in exchange for payment of the Merger Consideration.
(b) Each holder of Common Shares that have been converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration
shall, subject to Section 3.2(f), be entitled to receive the Merger Consideration in respect of the Common Shares represented by a Certificate or Book-Entry Share upon (i) surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Certificate, together with a duly
completed and validly executed Letter of Transmittal and such other documents as may reasonably be requested by the Exchange Agent, or (ii) receipt of an agents message by the Exchange Agent or such other evidence, if any, of
transfer as the Exchange Agent may reasonably request in the case of Book-Entry Shares. After the Effective Time and until so surrendered or transferred, each such Certificate or Book-Entry Share shall represent only the right to receive the
Merger Consideration payable in respect thereof. No interest shall be paid or accrued on the cash payable upon the surrender or transfer of any Certificate or Book-Entry Share.
(c) If any portion of the Merger Consideration is to be paid to a Person other than the Person in whose name
the surrendered Certificate or the transferred Book-Entry Share is registered, it shall be a condition to such payment that (i) such Certificate shall be properly endorsed or shall otherwise be in proper form for transfer or such Book-Entry Share
shall be properly transferred, and (ii) the Person requesting such payment shall pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or other Tax required as a result of such payment to a Person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or Book-Entry
Share or establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such Tax has been paid or is not payable.
(d) All Merger Consideration paid upon the surrender of Certificates or transfer of Book-Entry Shares in
accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificate or Book-Entry Shares. The stock transfer books of the Company
shall be closed immediately upon the Effective Time and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers of Company Common Stock on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates
or Book-Entry Shares are presented to the Surviving Corporation, they shall be cancelled and exchanged for the Merger Consideration in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Article III
.
(e) Any portion of the Merger Consideration made available to the Exchange Agent in respect of any
Dissenting Shares shall be returned to Parent, upon demand.
(f) Any portion of the Payment Fund which
remains undistributed to the holders of Company Common Stock for six (6) months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation upon demand, and any holders of Company Common Stock who have not theretofore complied with this
Article III
shall (subject to the remainder of this Section 3.2(f)) thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation for the Merger Consideration, without any interest thereon but subject to any applicable withholdings. If any
Certificates or Book-Entry Shares shall not have been exchanged prior to two years after the Effective Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which the related Merger Consideration would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any
Governmental Authority) any such Merger Consideration in respect thereof shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation, free and clear of all claims or interest of any Person previously entitled
thereto. None of Parent, the Company or the Surviving Corporation
A-12
shall be liable to any holder of Company Common Stock for any cash from the Payment Fund delivered to a public official pursuant to any abandoned property, escheat or similar Applicable Law.
(g) No dividends or other distributions with respect to capital stock of the Surviving Corporation with a
record date on or after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificates.
3.3
Dissenting Shares
. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, shares of Company Common Stock which were outstanding on the date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote on the Merger (other than shares cancelled or converted into shares of common stock of the Surviving Corporation in
accordance with
Section 3.1(a)
), which were not voted in favor of the Merger, and the holders of which (i) have properly demanded that the Company purchase such shares of Company Common Stock at their fair market value in accordance with
Section 1301 of CGCL, (ii) have properly submitted such shares for endorsement in accordance with Section 1302 of CGCL and (iii) have not otherwise failed to perfect or shall not have effectively withdrawn or lost their rights to be entitled to
require the Company to purchase their shares under CGCL (such shares of Company Common Stock being referred to collectively as the
Dissenting Shares
) shall not be converted into a right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant
to Section 3.1(b) allocable to such Dissenting Shares, but instead shall be entitled to only such rights as are granted by Section 1300
et. seq.
of the CGCL;
provided
,
however
, that if such holder fails to perfect, withdraws or
loses such holders right to appraisal pursuant to Section 1300
et. seq.
of the CGCL or if a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that such holder is not entitled to the relief provided by Section 1300
et. seq.
of the
CGCL, such shares of Company Common Stock shall be treated as if they had been converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with
Section 3.1(b)
, without interest thereon but subject to
any applicable withholdings, upon surrender of such Certificate formerly representing such share or transfer of such Book-Entry Share, as the case may be. The Company shall provide Parent prompt written notice of any demands received by the
Company for appraisal of Company Common Stock, any withdrawal of any such demand and any other demand, notice or instrument delivered to the Company prior to the Effective Time pursuant to the CGCL that relates to such demand. Parent shall have
the opportunity and right to direct all negotiations, petitions and proceedings with respect to any such demands. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Parent, make any payment with respect to,
or settle or offer to settle, any such demands, or agree to do any of the foregoing.
3.4
Adjustments
. If, at any time during the period between the Agreement Date and the
Effective Time, any change in the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company shall occur (other than the issuance of additional shares of capital stock of the Company as expressly permitted by this Agreement) by reason of any
reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including reverse stock split) or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock dividend or distribution paid in stock, the Merger Consideration and any other amounts payable pursuant
to this Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such change and to provide to the holders of Company Common Stock the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such change.
3.5
Withholding Rights
. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each of the
Exchange Agent, Parent, Merger Sub and the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable to any Person pursuant to this
Article III
such amounts as may be required to be deducted and
withheld with respect to the making of such payment under any provision of any applicable Tax law. All amounts deducted and withheld shall be treated as having been paid to the Person in respect of whom such deduction and withholding was made.
3.6
Lost Certificates
. 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 Parent or the Exchange Agent, the posting by such Person of a bond in such amount as Parent or the
Exchange Agent may determine is reasonably necessary as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it or the Surviving Corporation with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent will issue, in exchange for such lost,
A-13
stolen or destroyed Certificate, the allocable Merger Consideration to be paid in respect of the shares formerly represented by such Certificate as contemplated under this
Article III
.
3.7
Treatment of Equity Awards
.
(a) The Company shall take all requisite action so that, at the Effective Time, each restricted stock unit
award under the Company Stock Plan (each, a
Company Stock Award
) immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether or not then vested or exercisable, shall be, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent,
Merger Sub, the Company, the holder of that Company Stock Award or any other Person, cancelled and converted into the right to receive from Parent and the Surviving Corporation (through the applicable payroll system), as promptly as reasonably
practicable after the Effective Time, an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product of (x) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock in respect of such Company Stock Award multiplied by (y) the Merger Consideration, less any
Taxes required to be withheld in accordance with
Section 3.5
. In addition, each restricted stock unit that was unvested prior to the Effective Time shall be entitled to receive an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the dividends
that have been accrued and unpaid with respect to such unvested restricted stock units, as set forth on Section 4.5(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, less applicable Taxes required to be withheld under
Section 3.5
.
(b) At or prior to the Effective Time, the Company, the Company Board and the Companys Compensation
Committee shall adopt such resolutions and take such other actions as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of
Section 3.7(a)
. The Company shall take all actions necessary to (i) terminate the Company Stock Plan and (ii) amend
the Company SERP to remove the requirement for employer matching contributions (such amendment to be in form reasonably acceptable to Parent), in each case of clause (i) and (ii), effective immediately prior to the Effective Time (it being
understood and agreed that no further awards or other rights with respect to shares of Company Common Stock shall be granted under the Company Stock Plan and no further employer contributions shall be required under the Company SERP following the
Effective Time).
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby makes to Parent and Merger Sub the representations and warranties contained in this
Article IV
; provided, however
that the representations and warranties shall be modified to the extent of the disclosure set forth in (a) the most recent annual report on Form 10-K included in the Company SEC Reports (as modified, superseded or supplemented by the most recent
quarterly report on Form 10-Q) included in the Company SEC Reports filed with the SEC and publicly available prior to the Agreement Date, other than disclosures in the exhibits thereto or in the Risk Factors section thereof and any other
disclosures contained therein relating to information, factors or risks that are predictive, cautionary or forward looking in nature, including any forward looking statements (provided that no such exception otherwise available pursuant
to this clause (a) shall be deemed to apply to or qualify Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.19 or 4.20) or (b) in the corresponding section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Schedule (it being agreed that the disclosure of any information in a
particular section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed disclosure of such information with respect to any other section or subsection of this Agreement to which the relevance of such information is readily apparent on
its face).
4.1
Organization and Good Standing
.
(a)
Organization
. The Company is a corporation, duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of California and has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease, and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each
Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company (as set forth in Section 4.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule), duly organized, validly subsisting or existing, in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization, except where the failure to be in good standing
A-14
would not be material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company, and has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease, and operate its properties and assets and to carry on
its business as it is now being conducted in all material respects. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed as a foreign corporation, limited partnership, or limited liability company (as applicable) to do
business, and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties and assets makes such qualification or licensing necessary except where the failure to be so
qualified or licensed and in good standing, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b)
Charter
. The Company has made available to Parent true and complete copies of the
currently effective Company Charter and Company Bylaws and the articles of incorporation and bylaws (or comparable organizational documents) of each of its Subsidiaries required to be listed on
Section 4.2
of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
each as amended to date. The Company is not in violation of any provision of the Company Charter or Company Bylaws. No Subsidiary of the Company is in violation of its respective organizational documents, each as amended to date, in any
material respect.
4.2
Subsidiaries
.
(a)
Section 4.2(a)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists each Subsidiary of the Company,
including: (i) name, (ii) jurisdiction of organization, (iii) authorized and issued and outstanding shares, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interests, as the case may be, and (iv) the record and beneficial owner of its
equity interests.
(b) (i) Except for the entities listed on
Section 4.2(a)
of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not have any Subsidiaries, or own or hold any Equity Interest in any Person, and (ii) the Company is not under any current or prospective obligation to form or participate in, provide funds to, make any
loan, capital contribution, guarantee, credit enhancement or other investment in, or assume any Liability or obligation of, any Person.
(c) All of the outstanding capital stock of, or other equity or voting securities or ownership or voting
interests in, each Subsidiary of the Company, is (i) duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and (ii) owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any Encumbrance or any other limitation or
restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital stock or other equity or voting securities or ownership or voting interests. There are no issued or outstanding (A) securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other equity or voting securities of or ownership or voting interests in any Subsidiary of the Company, including any agreements granting any preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights,
rights of first refusal or similar rights with respect to any equity or voting securities of or ownership or voting interest in any Subsidiary of the Company, or (B) restricted shares, share appreciation rights, performance units, contingent
value rights, phantom stock or similar securities or rights issued by any Subsidiary of the Company that are derivative of, or provide economic benefits based, directly or indirectly, on the value or price of, any capital stock of, or
other equity or voting securities of or ownership or voting interests in, any Subsidiary of the Company (the items in clauses (A) and (B) being referred to collectively as the
Company Subsidiary Securities
). There are no
outstanding agreements or obligations, contingent or otherwise, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the Company Subsidiary Securities. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party
to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the voting of any Company Subsidiary Securities (including voting trusts and proxies) or sale or transfer of any Company Subsidiary Securities. There are no registration rights, rights
agreement, poison pill anti-takeover plan or other similar agreements, arrangements or understandings to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or they are bound with respect to any Company Subsidiary
Securities. There is no outstanding class of Company Subsidiary Securities registered under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
A-15
4.3
Power, Authority and Consents
.
(a)
Power and Authority
. The affirmative vote or consent (in person or by proxy) of the
holders of at least a majority of the Company Common Stock outstanding on the record date of the Shareholders Meeting, voting together as a single class, to adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger (the
Shareholder Vote
) is the
only vote or consent of the holders of any class or series of the Companys capital stock necessary to adopt this Agreement, approve the Merger and consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. The Company has all
requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and, upon receipt of the Shareholder Vote, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company other than, in
the case of consummation of the Merger, the Shareholder Vote and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company, pursuant to the CGCL or otherwise, are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement or to
consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due and valid execution and delivery by Parent and Merger Sub, constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar Applicable Laws affecting
creditors rights generally and by general principles of equity.
(b)
No
Consents
. Subject to the receipt of the Shareholder Vote, no consent, approval, waiver, order or authorization of, or registration, notice, declaration, or filing with (any of the foregoing being a
Consent
) any
Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required to be made or obtained by the Company to enable the Company to lawfully execute and deliver, enter into, and perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the
Merger, except for (i) the filing and recordation of the Certificate of Merger with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of California, (ii) filing of the Proxy Statement with the SEC in accordance with the Exchange Act, and such other
documents under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iii) such Consents as may be required under any Antitrust Laws and
compliance with other applicable requirements of the Antitrust Laws, and (iv) such Consents as may be required and compliance with the requirements under applicable state securities or blue sky laws and the securities laws of any foreign
country or the rules and regulations of The NASDAQ Stock Market.
(c)
Company Board
Approval
. The Company Board, at a meeting duly called and held at which all of the directors of the Company were present, acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee duly adopted unanimous resolutions (i) determining that
the terms of this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of the Companys stockholders, (ii) approving and declaring advisable the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, (iii) directing that this Agreement be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for adoption and approval at a meeting of the shareholders of the
Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (iv) resolving to recommend that the Company Shareholders vote in favor of the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger (the
Board Recommendation
), which resolutions have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way, subject only to any future recession, modification or withdrawal as may be permitted by
Section 6.4
.
(d)
Anti-Takeover Provisions
. The Company is not party to any stockholder rights
agreement, poison pill or similar anti-takeover agreement or plan. The Company Board has taken all necessary action so that any takeover, anti-takeover, moratorium, fair price, control share or other similar
Law of the State of California applicable to the Company does not, and will not, apply to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
A-16
4.4
No Conflict
. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by the Company, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, do not and will not contravene or conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of, or
default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or alter the rights or obligations of any Third Party under, or give rise to a right of termination, modification, cancelation or acceleration of any obligation or to the loss of
any benefit under: (i) the Company Charter, Company Bylaws or the charter documents of any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) subject to compliance with the requirements set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) of
Section 4.3(b)
and, in the case of the
consummation of the Merger, obtaining the Shareholder Vote, any Applicable Law with respect to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets; (iii) any Contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is a party or otherwise bound; or (iv) result in the creation of an Encumbrance (other than Permitted Encumbrances) on any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except, in the case of each of clauses (ii), (iii) and
(iv), for any conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, alterations, terminations, amendments, accelerations, cancellations or Encumbrances, or where the failure to obtain any Consents, in each case, would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
4.5
Capitalization of the Company
.
(a)
Authorized and Outstanding Capital Stock
. The authorized capital stock of the
Company consists of 40,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. A total of 24,195,408 shares of Company Common Stock and no shares of preferred stock are issued and outstanding as of the Agreement Date.
All issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, were not issued in violation of and are not subject to any right of rescission, right of first refusal or
preemptive right, and have been offered, issued, sold and delivered by the Company in material compliance with all requirements of Applicable Law. No Subsidiary owns any Company Common Stock.
(b)
Equity Awards
. The Company has reserved an aggregate of 295,933
shares of
Company Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the Company Stock Plan. A total of 460,944 shares of Company Common Stock are issuable pursuant to Company Stock Awards issued and outstanding as of the Agreement Date.
Section 4.5(b)
of the
Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete (x) list for each such Company Stock Award of (i) the holder, (ii) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to each such Company Stock Award, (iii) the exercise price, if any,
(iv) the date of grant, (v) the vesting schedule and (vi) the expiration date and (y) the aggregate value of any accrued and unpaid dividend equivalents or similar rights with respect to such Company Stock Awards. All of the outstanding Company
Stock Awards were granted in compliance with the terms of the Company Stock Plan. All shares of Company Common Stock subject to issuance under the Company Stock Plan, upon issuance in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the
instruments pursuant to which they are issuable, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(c)
Voting Debt
. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have issued
any bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness (i) having the right to vote on any matters on which shareholders or equityholders of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may vote (or which is convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities
having such right), or (ii) the value of which is directly based upon or derived from the capital stock, voting securities or other ownership interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(d)
Subscription Rights
. Except as set forth above in this
Section 4.5
and except
for changes since the close of business on the Agreement Date resulting from the settlement of restricted stock units described in
Section 4.5(b)
, as of the Agreement Date, there are (i) no outstanding shares of capital stock or other voting
securities or Equity Interests of the Company, (ii) no outstanding securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of capital stock of the Company or other voting securities or
Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) no stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights, performance units, interests in or rights to the ownership or earnings of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
or other equity equivalent or equity-based awards or rights, (iv) no subscriptions, options,
A-17
warrants, calls, commitments, Contracts or other rights to acquire from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, any shares of
capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, voting securities, equity interests or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (v) no obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities or to issue, grant, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, granted, delivered or sold, any such
securities and (vi) no other obligations by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any payments based on the price or value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or dividends paid thereon. Neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any voting agreement with respect to any capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
4.6
Company SEC Filings; Financial Statements; Sarbanes-Oxley Act Compliance
.
(a)
Company SEC Filings
. The Company has timely filed with or furnished to, as applicable,
the SEC all of the forms, reports (including reports on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K), statements (including proxy statements), schedules and registration statements of the Company, and other documents required to be filed or furnished by the Company
with the SEC under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act since May 31, 2012 together with all exhibits and schedules to the foregoing materials and all information incorporated therein by reference and all certifications required pursuant to the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (collectively, the
Company SEC Reports
). As of their respective filing dates (or, if amended or superseded by a subsequent filing, as of the date of the last such amendment or superseding filing prior to
the Agreement Date), each Company SEC Report (including all Company SEC Documents that become effective, are filed or are furnished after the date hereof) complied or, if not yet effective, filed or furnished, will comply, as to form in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
)
and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder applicable to such
Company SEC Report. None of the Company SEC Reports, including any financial statements, schedules or exhibits included or incorporated by reference therein at the time they were filed (or, if amended or superseded by a subsequent filing, as of
the date of the last such amendment or superseding filing prior to the Agreement Date), contained or, if not yet effective, filed or furnished, will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or, if not yet effective, filed or
furnished, will omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or, if applicable, will be made, not
misleading. None of the Companys Subsidiaries is required to file or furnish any forms, reports or other documents with the SEC. As of the Agreement Date, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments received from the SEC staff
with respect to any of the Company SEC Reports.
(b)
Financial
Statements
. Each of the consolidated financial statements (including, in each case, any related notes thereto) contained in or incorporated by reference into the Company SEC Reports: (i) complied or, if not yet filed or
furnished, will comply as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as of their respective dates; (ii) was or will be, as the case may be,
prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto and, in the case of unaudited interim financial statements, as may be permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to such Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q) applied on a consistent basis during the period involved; and (iii) fairly presented or will fairly present, as the case may be, in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries at
the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of the Companys and its consolidated Subsidiaries operations and cash flows for the periods indicated therein, subject, in the case of unaudited interim financial statements, to
normal and recurring year-end audit adjustments that were not, or are not expected to be, material in amount or nature, all in accordance with GAAP and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC.
(c)
Internal Controls
. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has
established and maintains a system of internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) as required by Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act that is sufficient to provide
reasonable assurance (i) regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, (ii) that receipts and expenditures of the Company and its
A-18
Subsidiaries are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the Company Board, and (iii) regarding prevention or timely detection of the unauthorized acquisition, use or
disposition of the Companys and its Subsidiaries assets that could have a material effect on the Companys financial statements.
(d)
Disclosure Controls
. The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and
procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed and maintained to ensure that information relating to the
Company, including its consolidated Subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in the Companys reports under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and
that all such material information is accumulated and communicated to the Companys principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others in the Company or its Subsidiaries to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure under the Exchange Act and to make the certifications required pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company has disclosed to the Companys auditors and the audit committee of the Company Board (and made
summaries of such disclosure(s) available to Parent) (i) any signifcant deficiency or material weaknesses (as such terms are defined in Rule 1-02(a)(4) of Regulation S-X) in the design or operation of internal controls over
financial reporting that could adversely affect in any material respect the Companys ability to timely record, process, summarize and report financial information, and (ii) any fraud or allegation of fraud Known to the Company, whether or not
material, that involves management or other employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries who have a significant role in the Companys internal controls over financial reporting.
(e)
Sarbanes Oxley Compliance
. Each of the principal executive officer and the principal
financial officer of the Company (or each former principal executive officer and each former principal financial officer of the Company, as applicable) has made all certifications required by Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the Exchange Act and Sections
302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley with respect to the Company SEC Documents, and the statements contained in such certifications are true and accurate in all material respects. For purposes of this Agreement, principal executive officer
and principal financial officer shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding (nor has arranged or modified since the enactment of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act) any extensions of credit (within the meaning of Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) to directors or executive officers (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The
Company is otherwise in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the applicable listing and corporate governance rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, except for any non-compliance that would not reasonably be expected to
be, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(f)
Off-balance
Sheet Arrangements
. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to, is subject to, or has any commitment to become a party to or subject to, any off balance sheet partnership or any similar Contract (including any Contract or
arrangement relating to any transaction or relationship between or among the Company and any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated Affiliate, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or
Person, on the other hand, or any off balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act)) where the result, purpose or effect of such Contract or arrangement is to avoid disclosure of any
material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the Company SEC Reports or in the Companys or such Subsidiarys published financial statements.
4.7
No Undisclosed Liabilities
. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, known or unknown, whether due or to become due and whether or not required to be recorded or reflected on a balance sheet under GAAP, except (a) to
the extent accrued or reserved against in the unaudited consolidated balance sheet (including the notes thereto) of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of February 29, 2016, included in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof,
(b) for liabilities and obligations incurred since February 29, 2016 in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (c) for liabilities and obligations incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (but only to the extent permitted by this Agreement) or (d) as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.g
A-19
4.8
Absence of Certain Changes or
Events
. Since the Balance Sheet Date, (a) the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in the ordinary course consistent with past practice; (b) there has not been any Effect that has had or would
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action that, if taken after the Agreement Date, would constitute a breach of any
of the covenants set forth in
Section
6.2
.
4.9
Taxes
.
(a)
Tax Returns and Payment of Taxes
. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries
have duly and timely filed or caused to be filed (taking into account any valid extensions) all federal, state, local and foreign income Tax Returns and other material Tax Returns required to be filed by them. Such Tax Returns are true, complete and
correct in all material respects. Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return other than extensions of time to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice. All material Taxes due and owing by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been timely paid or, where payment is not yet due, the Company has made an adequate
provision for such Taxes in the Companys financial statements (in accordance with GAAP). The Companys most recent financial statements reflect an adequate reserve (in accordance with GAAP) for all material Taxes payable by the Company
and its Subsidiaries through the date of such financial statements. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any material Liability for Taxes since the date of the Companys most recent financial statements outside the
ordinary course of business.
(b)
Withholding
. The Company and each
of its Subsidiaries have withheld and timely paid each material Tax required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any Employee, independent contractor, creditor, customer, shareholder or other party, and
materially complied with all information reporting and backup withholding provisions of Applicable Law. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has properly classified all individuals providing services to such entity as employees or non-employees
for all relevant purposes.
(c)
Liens
. There are no liens or other security
interests upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for Taxes, other than liens that arise by operation of law for Taxes not yet due and payable.
(d)
Deficiencies and Audits
. No deficiency for any material amount of Taxes which
has been proposed, asserted or assessed in writing by any taxing authority against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries remains unpaid. There are no waivers or extensions of any statute of limitations currently in effect with respect to Taxes of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. There are no audits, suits, proceedings, investigations, claims, examinations or other administrative or judicial proceedings ongoing, or, to the Companys Knowledge, pending or threatened with respect to
any material Taxes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(e)
Jurisdictions
. No claim has ever been made by any Governmental
Authority with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in a jurisdiction where the Company or such Subsidiary does not file a Tax Return that the Company or such Subsidiary is or may be subject to Taxes by that jurisdiction that would be
covered by or the subject of such Tax Return.
(f)
Statute of
Limitations
. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency.
(g)
Consolidated Groups
. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has (i)
been a member of group filing Tax Returns on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis, other than the group of which the Company is the common parent or (ii) any material Liability for the Taxes of another Person (other than the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by Contract or otherwise, or (iii) is a party to any Contract,
A-20
agreement, plan or arrangement relating to allocating or sharing the payment of, indemnity for, or Liability for, Taxes with respect to any Taxable Period, other than Contracts entered into in
the ordinary course of business that do not primarily relate to Taxes.
(h)
Change in
Accounting Method
. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has agreed or is required to include in income any adjustment under either Section 481(a) or Section 482 of the Code (or an analogous provision of state,
local, or foreign law) by reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise.
(i)
Section
355
. During the three-year period ending on the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (or any of their predecessors) has been a distributing corporation or a controlled
corporation within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code in connection with a distribution described in Section 355 of the Code.
(j)
Post-Closing Items
. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required
to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any Taxable Period ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) accounting method change or closing agreement as described in Section
7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) installment sale, open transaction disposition or other transaction made on or prior to the Closing Date,
(iii) prepaid amount received on or prior to the Closing Date, (iv) intercompany transaction or excess loss account described in Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Tax law or (v) election under
Section 108(i) of the Code.
(k)
U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation
. The Company is
not, and 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.
(l)
Reportable Transactions
. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has engaged in any reportable transaction within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.6011-4(b) (or any corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Tax law).
(m)
Ownership Changes
. Without regard to this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries has undergone an ownership change within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Tax law).
(n)
Entity Classification
. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a partner for Tax
purposes with respect to any joint venture, partnership, or other arrangement or Contract which is treated as a partnership for Tax purposes. No entity classification election pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3 has been filed with
respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(o)
Transfer Pricing
. The
Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all transfer pricing Applicable Laws and regulations, including the execution and maintenance of contemporaneous documentation substantiating the transfer pricing practices and methodology of the
Company and its Subsidiaries. All intercompany agreements have been adequately documented, and such documents have been duly executed in a timely manner. The prices for any property or services (or for the use of any property) provided by or to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries are arms-length prices for purposes of all transfer pricing Applicable Laws, including Section 482 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
(p) For the period commencing on the first day of any Taxable Period which begins on or prior to the Closing Date
and ends after the Closing and ending at the close of business on the Closing Date, no foreign Subsidiary of the Company has any item of income which could constitute subpart F income within the meaning of Section 952 of the Code.
(q) As of the Closing Date, no foreign Subsidiary of the Company will hold assets which constitute U.S. property
within the meaning of Section 956 of the Code.
A-21
4.10
Litigation
. There is no and, for the past three
years there has been no, litigation, action, suit, claim, arbitration, audit, inquiry, grievance or investigation, alternative dispute resolution proceeding or any other proceeding in Applicable Law or in equity (each, an
Action
)
pending or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any of their respective properties, assets, products or services, or any present or former officer, director or employee of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in such individuals capacity as such, other than any Action that (a) does not seek material injunctive or other non-monetary relief and (b) individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective properties, assets, products or services is subject to any outstanding order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree
of any Governmental Authority. There is no Action pending or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened seeking to prevent, hinder, modify, delay or challenge the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.11
Real Property and Personal Property Matters
.
(a)
Owned Real Property
. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries has good and marketable fee simple title to the Owned Real Property, free and clear of any Encumbrances other than the Permitted
Encumbrances.
Section 4.11(a
) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list, as of the Agreement Date, of the Owned Real Property. As of the date hereof, except as set forth on
Section 4.11(a
) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) currently lease, license, or otherwise permit the use or occupancy of all or any part of the Owned Real Estate by any Third Party, or (ii) has received written notice of any
pending, and to the Companys Knowledge there is no threatened, condemnation proceeding with respect to any of the Owned Real Property.
(b)
Leased Real Property
. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has a valid and subsisting leasehold estate in each parcel of Leased Real Property for the full term of the respective Lease, free and clear of any
Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances.
Section 4.11(b)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and correct list, as of the date hereof, of the Leased Real Property including with respect to each such Lease the date of
such Lease and any material amendments thereto. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (i) all Leases are valid and in full force and effect, and (ii) neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Companys Knowledge, any Third Party, has violated any provision of, or committed or failed to perform any act which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both would constitute a default under the
provisions of, any Lease. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has assigned, pledged, mortgaged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred any Lease nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries entered into with any other Person (other than
another wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company) any sublease, license or other agreement that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that relates to the use or occupancy of all or any portion of the Leased Real
Property. The Company has delivered or otherwise made available to Parent true and complete copies of all Leases (including all material modifications, amendments, supplements, waivers and side letters thereto) pursuant to which the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries thereof leases, subleases, licenses, uses or otherwise occupies any Leased Real Property.
(c)
Third Party Leases
. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Third Party Leases are valid and in full force and effect, and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Companys Knowledge, any Third Party, has
violated any provision of, or committed or failed to perform any act which, with or without notice, lapse of time or both would constitute a default under the provisions of, any Third Party Lease. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
assigned, pledged, mortgaged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred any Third Party Lease. The Company has delivered or otherwise made available to Parent true and complete copies of all Third Party Leases (including all material modifications,
amendments, supplements, waivers and side letters thereto) pursuant to
A-22
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries thereof leases, subleases, licenses, or otherwise grants rights for the use or occupancy of the Real Property to any Third Party.
(d)
Personal Property
. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has good title to, or a valid and binding leasehold interest in, all the personal property purported to be owned or leased by it (as applicable), free and clear of
all Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances.
4.12
Environmental Matters.
The Company and its Subsidiaries are, and have been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws, which compliance includes the possession,
maintenance of, compliance with, or application for, all Permits required under applicable Environmental Laws for the operation of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has received written notice of and there is no Action pending, or to the Companys Knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, alleging any Liability or responsibility under or non-compliance with any
Environmental Law or seeking to impose any financial responsibility for any investigation, cleanup, removal, containment or any other remediation or compliance under any Environmental Law. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject
to any Order or written agreement by or with any Governmental Authority or third party imposing any material Liability or obligation with respect to any of the foregoing. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has caused (or is otherwise
responsible for) any release of hazardous substances that reasonably could be expected to result in a material liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under Environmental Laws.
4.13
Contracts, Agreements, Arrangements,
Commitments and Undertakings
.
For purposes of this Agreement,
Company Material Contract
shall mean the following 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 is bound:
(a) any Contract that is or would be required to be filed by the Company as a material contract
(as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act);
(b) any
employment or consulting Contract (in each case with respect to which the Company has continuing obligations as of the date hereof) with any current or former (i) executive officer of the Company, (ii) member of the Company Board, or (iii) Company
Employee providing for total annual compensation in excess of $150,000, change in control or similar bonus or that cannot be terminated without the Company or any of its Subsidiaries incurring a liability of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or
greater;
(c) any Contract providing for indemnification or any guaranty by the Company or any
Subsidiary thereof, in each case that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than (i) any guaranty by the Company or a Subsidiary thereof of any of the obligations of the Company or another wholly-owned Subsidiary
thereof or (ii) any Contract providing for indemnification of customers pursuant to Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(d) any Contract that purports to limit in any material respect the right of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (or, at any time after the consummation of the Merger, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries) (i) to engage in any line of business, (ii) to practice any Company IP or (iii) to compete with any Person or operate in any geographical
location;
(e) any Contract (i) entered into after May 31, 2014, or not yet consummated, relating to
the disposition or acquisition, directly or indirectly (by merger or otherwise), by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of assets or Equity Interests of any Person for aggregate consideration under such Contract in excess of $500,000 (other than
acquisitions of rental equipment or inventory or sales of inventory, in each case, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) or (ii) for any disposition or acquisition, directly or
A-23
indirectly (by merger or otherwise), of assets or capital stock or other equity interests of any Person, pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has continuing earn
out or other contingent payment or indemnification obligations;
(f) any Contract that
obligates the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to conduct business on an exclusive or preferential basis with any third party or upon consummation of the Merger will obligate Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective
Subsidiaries to conduct business on an exclusive or preferential basis with any third party;
(g) any
partnership, joint venture or similar Contract, other than sales agent and referral agreements in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(h) any Contract which (x) provides for Indebtedness of (or a guarantee of Indebtedness by) the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries having an outstanding or committed amount in excess of $50,000, other than Indebtedness solely between or among any of the Company and any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, (y) grants an Encumbrance, other than a Permitted
Encumbrance, on any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (z) restricts the granting of Encumbrances on any properties or assets of the Company or its
Subsidiaries that, when aggregated, are material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(i) any Contract that (individually or collectively with one or more related Contracts) obligates the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any capital commitment, loan or expenditure in an amount in excess of $500,000;
(j) any Contract with any labor union or any collective bargaining agreement or similar Contract with
its employees;
(k) any Contract which is a settlement or similar Contract (A) with any Governmental
Authority or (B) pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to pay consideration after the date of this Agreement in excess of $50,000;
(l) any Contract which relates to hedging, factoring, derivatives or similar arrangements;
(m) any material Lease;
(n) any Contract which prohibits the payment of dividends or distributions in respect of the Equity
Interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, prohibits the pledging of the capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or prohibits the issuance of guarantees by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(o) any Contract with any Affiliate or that would be required to be disclosed by Section 404(a) of
Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act;
(p) any Contract containing any standstill or similar agreement
pursuant to which one party has agreed not to acquire assets or securities of another Person, except for any such Contract that is a confidentiality, non-disclosure or similar type of agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice;
(q) any Contract with (A) any of the customers listed on
Section
4.23(a)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule or (B) any customer of the Company or any Subsidiary or any other Person pursuant to which the Company and its Subsidiaries would reasonably expect to receive aggregate payments in excess of $500,000 in
any calendar year;
(r) any Contract with (A) any of the suppliers listed on
Section
4.23(b)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule or (B) any supplier of the Company or any Subsidiary or any other Person pursuant to which the Company and its Subsidiaries reasonably expect to make aggregate payments in excess of $500,000 in any
calendar year;
A-24
(s) any License Agreement; or
(t) any Contract relating to the sale, issuance, grant, exercise, award, purchase, repurchase or
redemption of any shares of its capital stock or other securities or any options, warrants or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any such shares of capital stock, other securities or options, warrants or other rights therefor, except for
those Contracts in substantially the form of the standard agreements evidencing Equity Awards under the Company Stock Plan.
Section
4.13
of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list as of the date hereof of all Company Material Contracts. The Company has made available to Parent correct and complete copies of all Company Material Contracts,
including any amendments thereto. Each Company Material Contract is valid and binding on the Company and any of its Subsidiaries to the extent such Subsidiary is a party thereto, as applicable, and to the Companys Knowledge, each other
party thereto, and is in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries, and, to the Companys Knowledge, each other party thereto, has performed all material obligations required to
be performed by it under each Company Material Contract. There exists no default or event of default or event, occurrence, condition or act, with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Companys Knowledge, with
respect to any other contracting party, which, with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or the happening of any other event or conditions, would reasonably be expected to (i) become a default or event of default under any Company
Material Contract; or (ii) give any Third Party (A) the right to accelerate the maturity or performance of any obligation of the Company under any Company Material Contract, or (B) the right to cancel or terminate any Company Material Contract, nor
has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries received any notice or any such default, event, occurrence, condition or act.
4.14
Intellectual Property
.
(a)
Company Intellectual Property
.
Section 4.14(a)
of the
Company Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list, as of the date hereof, of all: (i) Company-owned Intellectual Property that is the subject of any issuance, registration, certificate, application or other filing by, to or with any
Governmental Authority or authorized private registrar, including registered Trademarks, registered Copyrights, issued Patents, domain name registrations and pending applications for any of the foregoing; and (ii) material unregistered Company-owned
Intellectual Property.
(b)
Right to Use; Title
. The Company or one of its
Subsidiaries is the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title and interest in and to, or has the valid right to use all material Intellectual Property used or held for use in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as
currently conducted. The Company IP is free and clear of all Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances, except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(c)
Validity and Enforceability
. The Company and its Subsidiaries rights in the
Company IP are valid, subsisting and enforceable, except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has taken reasonable steps to maintain the
Company IP and to protect and preserve the confidentiality of all Trade Secrets included in the Company IP, except where the failure to take such actions would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect. To the Companys Knowledge, there has been no unauthorized disclosure or use by employees, directors, or consultants of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any third party of any Trade Secrets that are material to the conduct of the
businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries as presently conducted.
(d)
Non-Infringement
. To the Companys Knowledge, except as would not be reasonably
be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect: (i) the conduct of the businesses of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries has not infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, and is not infringing,
misappropriating or otherwise violating, any Intellectual Property of any other Person; and (ii) no third party is infringing upon, violating or misappropriating any Company IP.
A-25
(e)
IP Legal Actions and Orders
. There are
no Legal Actions pending or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened: (i) alleging any infringement, misappropriation or violation of the Intellectual Property of any Person by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) challenging the
validity, enforceability or ownership of any Company IP except for such Legal Actions that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries are not subject to any
outstanding Order that restricts or impairs the use of any Company IP, except where compliance with such Order would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(f)
I
nformation Technology
Systems
. The software, hardware, telecommunications, and other information technology systems (collectively,
IT Systems
), that are used or relied on by the Company and its Subsidiaries are
sufficient in all material respects for the present needs of their businesses, and the IT Systems have not suffered any material disruptions or outages in the past twelve (12) months. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable steps
in accordance with industry standards (or, as applicable, required their service providers) to protect the IT Systems from unauthorized intrusions, security breaches, and other losses or impairments of data and software, and, to the knowledge of the
Company, there have been no unauthorized intrusions or breaches of the security of the IT Systems, or losses or impairment of data or software, since May 31, 2013. The Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented reasonable backup and disaster
recovery technology processes consistent with industry practices and test such processes on a regular basis for effectiveness.
4.15
Compliance with Laws; Permits
.
(a)
Compliance
. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is and, since May 31, 2013, has been in
compliance with, all Applicable Laws applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses or properties is bound, except for such non-compliance that would not
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Since May 31, 2013, no Governmental Authority has issued, or threatened to issue, any notice or notification stating that the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is not in compliance with any Applicable Law, except where such non-compliance would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries holds and, since May 31, 2013, have held, to the extent legally required
to operate their respective businesses as such businesses are being operated as of the date hereof (or were being operated as of such prior time, as applicable), all applications, permits, licenses, franchises, certificates, clearances,
authorizations and approvals from Governmental Authorities (collectively,
Governmental Permits
), except for any Permits for which the failure to obtain or hold would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. No suspension or cancellation of any Governmental Permits of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is pending or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened, except for any such suspension or cancellation
which would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is and, since May 31, 2013, has been in compliance with the terms of all Governmental Permits,
except where the failure to be in such compliance would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
4.16
Employees, ERISA and Other Compliance
.
(a)
Employment Compliance
. The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable
Laws and all Contracts relating to employment, employment practices, immigration (including form I-9 completion and retention), wages, hours, worker classification, eligibility for and payment of overtime and terms and conditions of employment. To
the Knowledge of the Company, each employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries working in the United States is a United States citizen or has a current and valid work visa or otherwise has the lawful right to work in the United States. To the
Knowledge of the Company, the Company has in its files a Form I-9 that was completed in accordance with Applicable Law for each employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or whom such form is required under Applicable Law.
A-26
(b)
Labor
. Neither Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is party to, or subject to, any collective bargaining agreement or other agreement with any labor organization, work council or trade union with respect to any of its or their operations. No material work stoppage, slowdown or labor
strike against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is pending, threatened or has occurred in the last three (3) years. As of the date hereof, none of the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are represented by a labor organization,
work council or trade union and, to the Companys Knowledge, there is no organizing activity, Action, election petition, union card signing or other union activity or union corporate campaigns of or by any labor organization, trade union or
work council directed at the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. As of the date hereof, there are no Actions, government investigations, or material labor grievances pending, or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened relating to any employment
related matter involving any employee or applicant of the Company of any of its Subsidiaries. With respect to the current and former employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Company or the applicable Subsidiary (i) has withheld all
material amounts required by Applicable Law, collective bargaining agreements or any Benefit Plan to be withheld from the wages, salaries or other payments to such current or former employees of the Companies, and (ii) is not liable for any material
payment to any fund or any Governmental Authority with respect to social security for any amounts other than payments not yet due, in each case under any applicable provisions of any Benefit Plan and any other Applicable Law.
(c)
Benefit Plan Documents
.
Section 4.16(c)
of the Company
Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list of each of the Benefit Plans. The Company has provided or made available to Parent a current, accurate and complete copy of all Benefit Plans. With respect to each Benefit Plan, the
Company has made available to Parent a current, accurate and complete copy of, to the extent applicable: (i) any related trust agreement or other funding instrument; (ii) the most recent determination or opinion letter, if applicable; (iii) the most
recent summary plan description and summaries of material modifications; (iv) the three most recent Forms 5500 and attached schedules; (v) actuarial valuation reports and audited financial statements for the past three years; and (vi) any material
and non-routine correspondence to or from a Governmental Authority with respect to any Benefit Plan. The Company has provided or made available to Parent a true and complete list of all employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and for each
such employee the position, base compensation payable, bonus opportunity, date of hire, location, employment status and job classification (exempt or non-exempt).
(d)
Compliance
. Each Benefit Plan has been operated and administered in accordance with
its terms and in compliance in all material respects with Applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code. Each Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination from the
Internal Revenue Service stating that such Benefit Plan is so qualified or is based on a prototype plan to whose sponsor a favorable opinion letter has been issued by the Internal Revenue Service and, to the Companys Knowledge, no fact,
circumstance or event has occurred or exists that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of such Benefit Plan.
(e)
Pension Plans
. No Benefit Plan is (i) a pension plan that is subject to
Code Section 412 or Title IV of ERISA, or (ii) a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, and neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has ever sponsored, maintained, contributed or been obligated to contribute to or
incurred any Liability with respect to any pension plan subject to Code Section 412 or Title IV of ERISA, or a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.
(f)
Post-Employment Obligations
. Except as disclosed in Section 4.16(f) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, no Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits (whether or not insured), with respect to current or former employees or directors of the Company beyond their retirement or other termination of service, other than
health continuation coverage as required by COBRA or Applicable Law.
(g)
Claims
. Other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course, there is no claim,
proceeding or litigation pending against, or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened with respect to any Benefit Plan.
(h)
Effect of Agreement
. Except as disclosed in
Section 4.16(h)
of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger will not, either
A-27
alone or in combination with any other event, (i) entitle any current or former employee, officer, director or consultant to change in control, retention, severance pay or any other similar
payment, or (ii) accelerate the time of payment, funding or vesting, or increase the amount of or otherwise enhance any benefit or compensation due any such current or former employee, officer, director or consultant.
(i) Except as disclosed in
Section 4.16(i)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Contract, plan (including any Benefit Plan) or arrangement that has resulted or could result, separately or in the aggregate in the payment of any amounts that could be characterized as
parachute payments within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except as disclosed in
Section 4.16(i)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there is no
agreement, plan or other arrangement to which the Company is a party or by which it is otherwise bound to compensate any person in respect of taxes or other penalties pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code or Section 409A of the Code.
(j)
409A Compliance
. Each Benefit Plan that constitutes in any part a
nonqualified deferred compensation plan within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code has been operated and maintained in operational and documentary compliance with Section 409A of the Code and all IRS guidance promulgated thereunder.
4.17
Insurance
. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is, and for the past three years has been,
covered by valid and effective insurance policies issued in favor of the Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries that are in a form and amount which the Company reasonably believes is adequate for the operation of its and its Subsidiaries
business and cover against the risks normally insured against by entities in the same or similar lines of business and locations in which the Company operates.
Section 4.17
of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth, as of the Agreement
Date, a true and complete list of all insurance policies issued in favor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a named insured or otherwise a beneficiary, as well as any historic
incurrence-based policies still in force (the
Insurance Policies
). All Insurance Policies are valid, enforceable and in full effect, all premiums due thereunder have been paid, and there is no existing default or event which, with
the giving of notice of lapse or time or both, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. No notice of cancellation or termination has been received with
respect to any Insurance Policy. To the Knowledge of the Company, for the past three years, no material insurance claims of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been denied or disputed by its or their insurers.
4.18
Related Party Transactions
. No present officer, director or employee of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or any Person owning 5% or more of the shares of Company Common Stock (or any of such Persons immediate family members or Affiliates) is a party to any Contract with or binding upon the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets, rights or properties or has any interest in any property or assets owned or leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or has engaged in any transaction with any of the foregoing within the last
twenty-four (24) months.
4.19
Opinion of Financial Advisor
. The Special Committee has received
the opinion of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc., dated the date of the Special Committee resolution to recommend that the Company Board approve this Agreement,
to the effect that, as of date of such
opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and other matters considered in connection with the preparation of such opinion, the Merger Consideration to be received by holders of Company Common Stock in the
Merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders, and, as of the date of this Agreement, such opinion has not been withdrawn, revoked or modified. A signed copy of such opinion will promptly be provided to Parent after the
execution of this Agreement and receipt thereof; it being agreed that neither Parent nor Merger Sub shall be entitled to rely on such opinion.
4.20
Broker
s Fees
. Except for Houlihan Lokey Capital Inc., the fees and expenses
of which will be paid by the Company, no broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any brokers,
A-28
finders, financial advisors or other similar fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company has made available to Parent prior to the date hereof a true and complete copy of any contract between the Company, on the one hand, and any broker, investment bank, financial advisor or other Person,
on the other hand, pursuant to which such advisor could be entitled to any payment from the Company relating to any future business from the Company or any of its Affiliates.
4.21
Capital Expenditures
.
Section 4.21
of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth (i) the
consolidated capital budget of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ending May 31, 2016 and May 31, 2017, (ii) an accurate and complete statement of the capital equipment purchased by the Company and its Subsidiaries during the
first eleven (11) months of the fiscal year ending May 31, 2016, indicating for each the date purchased and a brief description of the item purchased and (iii) an accurate and complete statement of all capital expenditures which the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company committed to make from and after April 30, 2016. The consolidated capital budget for the fiscal years ending May 31, 2016 and May 31, 2017 has been prepared in good faith based on reasonable assumptions and the best
available information to the Company and its Subsidiaries.
4.22
Accounts
Receivable
. Since May 31, 2012, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has changed its business practices in such a manner as would reasonably be expected to result in an accounts receivable portfolio that,
in amount or character, is materially different than that maintained by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, prior to such date. All accounts receivable, notes and other receivables
reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference into the Company SEC Reports have arisen in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, and represent
bona fide sales and valid obligations of the counterparties thereto and, subject to the allowance for doubtful accounts, are not subject to any valid defense, offset or credit.
4.23
Customers and Suppliers
. Section 4.23 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth
a complete and accurate list of the names of (a) the twenty (20) largest customers (by revenue) of the Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) for each of (i) the most recently completed fiscal year and (ii) the nine months ended
February 29, 2016, showing the aggregate total sales to each such customer during each such period and (b) the ten (10) largest suppliers (by dollar value of total purchases) of the Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) for each of
(i) the most recently completed fiscal year and (ii) the nine months ended February 29, 2016 showing the aggregate total purchases from each such supplier during each such period. As of the Agreement Date, except as disclosed in Section 4.23 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any communication from any customer or supplier required to be named in Section 4.23 of the Company Disclosure Schedule of any intention or threat to terminate
or materially reduce purchases from or supplies to, or change in any material respect their relationship with, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Companys Knowledge, is any such action being considered.
4.24
FCPA; OFAC
. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective Representatives have (a) used any corporate, Company (and/or Company Subsidiary) funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (b) unlawfully offered or provided,
directly or indirectly, anything of value to any foreign or domestic government employee or official; or (c) violated any Applicable Law related to anti-corruption, including any provision of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977,
as amended, and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder (
FCPA
). The Company and its Subsidiaries make and keep books, records, and accounts that accurately and fairly reflect transactions and the distribution of the
Companys and its Subsidiaries assets, and have devised and maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that transactions are taken in accordance with managements directives and are
properly recorded, in each case in accordance with the FCPA. The Company
A-29
and its Subsidiaries have effective disclosure controls and procedures and an internal accounting controls system that is sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that violations of the FCPA
and/or any similar Law will be prevented, detected and deterred.
(b) Neither the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their respective Representatives has directly or indirectly taken any action in violation of any export restrictions, anti-boycott regulations, embargo regulations or other similar Applicable
Laws. To the Knowledge of the Company, none of the Companys or any of its Subsidiaries Representatives is a specially designated national or blocked person under United States sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign
Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (
OFAC
). Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has engaged in any business with any person with whom, or in any country in which, it is prohibited for a United
States person to engage under applicable Law or under applicable United States sanctions administered by OFAC.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB
Parent and Merger Sub hereby make to the Company the representations and warranties contained in this
Article V
.
5.1
Organization and Good Standing
.
(a)
Organization
. Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted. Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California.
(b)
Charter
. Parent has made available to the Company true and complete copies of the
currently, as of the Agreement Date, effective certificate of incorporation and bylaws of Parent and articles of incorporation and bylaws of Merger Sub. Neither Parent nor Merger Sub is in violation of its respective certificate of
incorporation (or, articles of incorporation, in the case of Merger Sub) or bylaws.
5.2
Merger
Sub
. All of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Merger Sub is owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent. Merger Sub was formed by Parent solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and has engaged in no business activities other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.3
Power, Authority and Consents
.
(a)
Power and Authority
. Parent has all requisite corporate power and
authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger. The execution, delivery and performance by Parent of this Agreement and all other agreements, transactions and actions
contemplated hereby or thereby have been duly and validly approved and authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Parent and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Parent are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery
of this Agreement or to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. Merger Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to
consummate the Merger. The execution, delivery and performance by Merger Sub of this Agreement and all other agreements, transactions and actions contemplated hereby or thereby have been duly and validly approved and authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of Merger Sub and, except for the approval of the Merger by Parent in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub (which approval shall be provided by the written consent of Parent), no other corporate proceedings
on the part of the Merger Sub are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement or to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.
A-30
(b)
No Consents or Required Filings
. No
Consent of, filing with or notification to any Governmental Authority is necessary or required to be made or obtained by Parent or Merger Sub to enable Parent and Merger Sub to lawfully execute and deliver, enter into, and perform its obligations
under this Agreement or to consummate the Merger, except for (i) such Consents, if any, that if not made or obtained by Parent or Merger Sub would not be material to Parents or Merger Subs ability to consummate the Merger or to perform
their respective obligations under this Agreement, (ii) the filing and recordation of the Certificate of Merger with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of California, (iii) the filing of the Proxy Statement with the SEC in accordance
with the Exchange Act, and such other documents under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) such Consents as may be
required under any Antitrust Laws and compliance with other applicable requirements of the Antitrust Laws, or (v) such Consents as may be required and compliance with the requirements under applicable state securities or blue sky laws
and the securities laws of any foreign country or the rules and regulations of The NASDAQ Stock Market.
(c)
Enforceability
. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and
Merger Sub and assuming due execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against Parent and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability
may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including all Applicable Laws related to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium and other similar Applicable Laws affecting creditors rights generally and by general principles of equity.
5.4
No Conflict
. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Parent or Merger Sub, does not, and the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the Merger or any other transactions contemplated hereby, will not conflict with, or result in or give rise to a right of a termination, cancellation,
modification or acceleration of any obligation or the loss of a material benefit under, breach, impairment or violation of, constitute a default under, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance in or upon any of the properties, assets or rights
of Parent or Merger Sub under, or give rise to any increased, additional, accelerated or guaranteed rights or entitled under, or require any Consent of any Person pursuant to: (a) any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Parent
or Merger Sub, each as currently in effect; (b) subject to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in
Section 5.2(b)
, any Applicable Law; or (c) any material Contract to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party or by which Parent
or Merger Sub or any of their respective material assets or properties are bound, except, in the case of each of clauses (b) and (c), for any conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults, alterations, terminations, amendments, accelerations or
cancellations, or where the failure to obtain any Consents, in each case, would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Parents and Merger Subs ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
5.5
Ownership of Company Common Stock
. Neither Parent nor any of its
Affiliates beneficially owns (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act) any shares of Company Common Stock.
5.6
Legal Proceedings
. As of the Agreement Date, there is no pending or, to the knowledge
of Parent, threatened, Action against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, including Merger Sub, nor is there any injunction, order, judgment, ruling or decree imposed upon Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, including Merger Sub, in each case, by or
before any Governmental Authority, that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on Parents and Merger Subs ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.7
Financing
Capability
. As of the date hereof, Parent has delivered to the Company
duly executed copies of the equity commitment letter, dated as of May
27
, 2016 between Parent and Guarantor (the
Equity Financing Commitment
), pursuant to which such Person has committed to invest, subject solely to the
terms and conditions set forth therein, the amount set forth therein (the
Equity Financing
). Assuming that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 8.1 have been satisfied, (y) the representations and warranties made by the Company
are true and correct (without giving effect to any Material Adverse Effect or materiality qualifier or
A-31
exception contained therein), and (z) the Company has performed and complied with all covenants and agreements required to be performed by it hereunder, the aggregate proceeds contemplated to be
disbursed pursuant to the Equity Financing Commitment together with cash and cash equivalents available to Parent, will, in the aggregate, be sufficient for Parent to consummate the Merger, to pay the total Merger Consideration, to repay or
refinance in full existing Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with the Payoff Letters, and to pay the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. As of the Agreement Date, the
Equity Financing Commitment, in the form provided to the Company, is a legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of Parent and, to the knowledge of Parent, the other parties thereto, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally and general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). As of the Agreement Date,
the Equity Financing Commitment is in full force and effect and has not been amended, modified, withdrawn or rescinded in any respect. As of the Agreement Date, there are no conditions precedent or contingencies, whether oral or written, related to
the funding of the full amount of the Equity Financing, other than as expressly set forth in the Equity Financing Commitment. As of the Agreement Date, no event has occurred which would result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default
(or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) by Parent under the Equity Financing Commitment, and, assuming the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Sections
8.1
and
8.2
,
as of the Agreement Date, Parent does not have any reason to believe that any of the conditions to the Equity Financing will not be satisfied or that the Equity Financing will not be available to Parent on the Closing Date.
5.8
Solvency
. Assuming (w) the accuracy of the representations and warranties
contained in
Article IV
hereof (without giving effect to any knowledge, materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifiers), (x) satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to Parents obligation to consummate the Merger, (y)
compliance with the Companys obligations in this Agreement, and (z) any estimates, projections or forecasts of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been prepared by them in good faith based upon assumptions that were and continue to be
reasonable, after taking into account consummation of the Merger, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the way Merger Sub intends that the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries be operated after the Effective Time, the
Surviving Corporation and each of its Subsidiaries, considered as a whole, (a) will be able to pay its debts, including its stated and contingent liabilities as they mature, (b) will not have unreasonably small capital for the business in which it
is and will be engaged, and (c) will be Solvent. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term
Solvent
, when used with respect to any person, means that, as of any date of determination, the amount of the fair saleable
value of the assets of such person will, as of such date, exceed the sum of (a) the value of all liabilities of such person, including contingent and other liabilities, as of such date, as such quoted terms are generally determined
in accordance with applicable Laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, and (b) the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of such person, as of such date, on its existing debts (including contingent and other
liabilities) as such debts become absolute and mature. For purposes of this definition, not have unreasonably capital for the business in which it is and will be engaged and able to pay its debts, including its stated and
contingent liabilities as they mature means that such person will be able to generate enough cash from operations, asset dispositions or refinancing, or a combination thereof, to meet its obligations as they become due.
5.9
Broker
s Fees
. Neither Parent, Merger Sub nor any Affiliate of
Parent or Merger Sub is obligated for the payment of any fees, commission or expenses of any investment banker, broker, finder, financial advisor or similar Person for which the Company could be responsible in connection with the origin, negotiation
or execution of this Agreement or in connection with the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement, other than those that become payable by the Surviving Corporation following consummation of the Merger.
A-32
ARTICLE VI
COMPANY COVENANTS
Except
as set forth specifically in this
Article VI
, during the time period from the Agreement Date until the earlier to occur of (a) the Effective Time and (b) the termination of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of
Article
IX
, the Company covenants and agrees with Parent as follows:
6.1
Advice
of Changes
. The Company shall promptly advise Parent in writing of (a) any event occurring subsequent to the Agreement Date that would render any representation or warranty of the Company contained in
Article IV
to be untrue or
inaccurate such that the condition set forth in
Section
8.2(a)
would not be satisfied; (b) any material breach of any covenant or obligation of the Company pursuant to this Agreement such that the condition set forth in
Section
8.2(b)
would not be satisfied; (c) any Material Adverse Effect; (d) any Effect that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or cause any of the conditions set forth in
Section 8.2
not to be satisfied; (e) any notice or other communication received by the Company from any Person alleging that the consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (f) any notice or
other communication received by the Company from any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (g) any Action commenced or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened that (x) if pending on the
Agreement Date, would have been required to have been disclosed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement or (y) otherwise relates to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the delivery of
any notice pursuant to this
Section 6.1
shall not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to Parent.
6.2
Conduct of Business
. The Company shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, during the period from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as required by Applicable Law or with the prior written consent of Parent, conduct its business in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and, to the extent consistent therewith, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, use its reasonable best efforts to preserve substantially intact its and its
Subsidiaries business organization, to keep available the services of its and its Subsidiaries current officers and employees, to preserve its and its Subsidiaries present relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors,
licensors, licensees, Governmental Authorities, and other Persons having business relationships with it. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, between the Agreement Date and the Effective Time, except as otherwise expressly contemplated
by this Agreement or as set forth on Section 6.2 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or as required by Applicable Law, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, without the prior written consent of Parent (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed):
(a) amend or otherwise change its articles of
incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational documents);
(b) split, combine, reclassify or
otherwise amend the terms of any of its Equity Interests or issue or authorize the issuance of any other Equity Interests in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for its Equity Interests;
(c) (i) declare, set aside or pay any cash or stock dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock
or property) in respect of its Equity Interests or (ii) redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire or offer to redeem, repurchase or acquire any of its capital stock or other securities;
(d) issue, sell, deliver, transfer, dispose of, create, authorize, pledge or otherwise encumber or subject
to any Encumbrance any shares of its capital stock of any class or series or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for any such shares or other Equity Interests, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such
shares or other Equity Interests, or any stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights, performance units, rights to receive shares of capital stock of the Company on a deferred basis or other rights
A-33
linked to the value of Company Common Stock, including pursuant to Contracts as in effect on the Agreement Date, other than as provided for by this Agreement;
(e) except as required by Applicable Law or by any existing Benefit Plan, (i) increase the compensation or
benefits payable or that could become payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to current or former directors, officers or employees, other than increases in compensation made to employees (other than executive officers) in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice with a maximum 2.5% increase in the aggregate and a 5.0% increase cap for any one employee, except for any employee promoted in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, which
increase cap for any such employee shall be 10%, (ii) enter into any new or amend any existing employment, severance, retention or change in control agreement with any of its past or present officers, directors or employees, (iii) promote any
officers or employees, except to non-officer positions in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practices, or as the result of the termination or resignation of any officer or employee, or (iv) establish, adopt, enter into, amend,
terminate, exercise any discretion under, or take any action to accelerate rights under any Benefit Plan, or make any contribution to any Benefit Plan, other than contributions required by Applicable Law, the terms of such Benefit Plan, or that are
made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(f) acquire or commit to
acquire by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets, or otherwise, Equity Interests of any Person or any business or division of any Person or all or substantially all of the assets of any Person (or business or division thereof), or
make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or other investments in, any other person, other than (i) to the Company or any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, or (ii) for expense and travel advances in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice to employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(g) make, incur or commit to incur any capital expenditure or any obligation or liability in respect
thereof that, individually or in the aggregate, exceeds $1,500,000 in any calendar month, except the Company may make excess capital expenditures in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice if, after taking into account payment
of all such capital expenditures, the cash balance of the Company and its Subsidiaries equals or exceeds the balances set forth in the forecast set forth on Schedule 6.2(g);
(h) incur assume or modify the terms of any Indebtedness (other than borrowings under the existing credit
line set forth in Schedule 6.2(h) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) or guarantee any Indebtedness of another Person or issue or sell any debt securities or guarantee any debt securities of another Person;
(i) place or allow the creation of any Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) on any of its
assets or properties;
(j) enter into, amend in any material respect, terminate, renew or waive any
material rights under (A) any material provision of any Company Material Contract, or any Contract that would have been a Company Material Contract if it had been entered into prior to the Agreement Date, or (B) any provision under any Company
Material Contract, or any Contract that would have been a Company Material Contract if it had been entered into prior to the Agreement Date, in a manner that would reasonably be expected to materially delay or prevent the consummation of the Merger
or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby;
provided
,
however
, that the Company and its Subsidiaries may (subject to the other restrictions in this
Section 6.2
) enter into Contracts in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice if such Contracts (if entered into prior to the date of this Agreement) would (x) not be a Company Material Contract or (y) would be a Company Material Contract solely pursuant to
Section 4.13(a)
,
Section
4.13(m)
,
Section 4.13(q)
or
Section 4.13(r)
;
(k) make any material change in any
method of financial accounting principles or practices, in each case except for any such change required by a change in GAAP or Applicable Law;
(l) (i) settle or compromise any Tax claim, notice, audit report or audit assessment by any Governmental
Authority of an amount exceeding $150,000; (ii) make or change any material election in respect
A-34
of Taxes or adopt or change any material accounting method in respect of Taxes; (iii) amend any material Tax Returns or file claims for material Tax refunds; (iv) fail to file any material Tax
Return when due (after giving effect to any applicable extensions) or fail to cause such Tax Returns when filed to be complete and accurate in all material respects; or (v) enter into any closing agreement or Tax allocation, sharing or indemnity
agreement, surrender any right to claim, or forgo any claim to, a material Tax refund, offset or other reduction in Tax liability or consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any material Tax claim or assessment, in
each case, relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(m) institute, settle or compromise any
Actions pending or threatened before any arbitrator, court or other Governmental Authority made by or against the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its officers and directors in their capacities as such in an amount in excess of $150,000,
other than (i) any Action brought against Parent or Merger Sub arising out of a breach or alleged breach of this Agreement by Parent or Merger Sub, and (ii) the settlement of claims, liabilities or obligations reserved against on the most recent
balance sheet of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents;
provided that
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall settle or agree to settle any Action which settlement involves (x) payment or other consideration (in cash
or other assets, including Intellectual Property) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of the amounts reserved for such claims, liabilities or obligations on such balance sheet of the Company and (y) a conduct remedy or injunctive or
similar relief or has a restrictive impact on the Companys business;
(n) dispose of any material
assets, except for sales of inventory and equipment in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice);
(o) adopt or enter into a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring,
recapitalization or other reorganization;
(p) take any action that would be reasonably likely to cause
or materially contribute to, or fail to take any action that would be reasonably likely to prevent, the lapsing or revocation of, or the materially adverse modification of any obligations under, any material Permits of, or materially adverse
treatment of any application for a material Permit by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(q) enter into any material new line of business;
(r) fail to maintain in full force and effect the material Insurance Policies; or
(s) agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.
6.3
Reasonable Best Efforts; Regulatory Approvals
.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company and its
Subsidiaries shall use their reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions that are necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including using reasonable best efforts to accomplish the following: (i) the obtaining of all permits, waivers, consents, approvals and actions or non-actions required of the Company from Governmental
Authorities and the making of all necessary registrations and filings with Governmental Authorities, including filings under applicable Antitrust Law, and the taking of all steps necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action
or proceeding by, any Governmental Authorities; (ii) promptly execute and file, or join Parent in the execution and filing of, any application, notification or other document that may be necessary in order to obtain the authorization, approval or
consent of any Governmental Authority which may be required in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) the obtaining of all consents or waivers from third parties required
pursuant to Company Material Contracts; and (iv) the execution and delivery of any additional instruments necessary to consummate the Merger and to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement
(b) The Company shall (i) as soon as reasonably practicable (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days
following the date of this Agreement) file with the United States Federal Trade Commission (the
A-35
FTC
) and the United States Department of Justice (the
DOJ
) the notification and report form, if any, required for the transactions
contemplated hereby and to supply as promptly as practicable any supplemental information requested in connection therewith pursuant to the HSR Act and (ii) as soon as reasonably practicable (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following
the date of this Agreement) make all filings under other applicable Antitrust Laws, if any, required for the transactions contemplated hereby, and shall take all other actions necessary, proper or advisable to cause the expiration or termination of
the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act and the applicable Antitrust Laws. Any such antitrust notification and report form or filing and supplemental information shall be in substantial compliance with the requirements of the HSR Act or
the applicable Antitrust Laws, as the case may be. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts (i) to comply promptly with any inquiries or requests for additional information from the FTC, the DOJ, and any other Governmental
Authority having jurisdiction and (ii) to take such actions as are necessary or advisable to obtain prompt approval of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by any Governmental Authority or expiration of applicable
waiting periods.
(c) In the event that any administrative or judicial action or proceeding is
instituted by a Governmental Authority or private party challenging the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement, or any other agreement contemplated hereby, the Company shall cooperate in all respects with Parent and Merger
Sub and shall vigorously contest and resist any such action or proceeding and seek to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that could prohibit, prevent or restrict
consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including promptly appealing any adverse court or administrative decision.
(d) Subject to Applicable Law and the instructions of any Governmental Authority, the Company shall (i)
supply Parent and Merger Sub with any information and reasonable assistance that Parent or Merger Sub may reasonably request in connection with this Section 6.3 or Parent and Merger Subs obligations under Section 7.2; and (ii) promptly provide
outside counsel for Parent with copies of all filings made by the Company, and all correspondence between the Company (and its advisors) with any Governmental Authority, or, in connection with any proceeding by a private party, and any other
information supplied by such party and such partys Affiliates to a Governmental Authority in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Subject to Applicable Law, the Company shall permit outside
counsel for Parent and Merger Sub reasonable opportunity to review in advance, and shall consider in good faith the views of Parent and Merger Sub in connection with, any proposed written or, if practicable, oral communication to any Governmental
Authority relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company agrees not to participate in any substantive meeting or discussion, either in person or by telephone, with any Governmental Authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement unless it consults with Parent and Merger Sub in advance and, to the extent not prohibited by such Governmental Authority, gives Parent and Merger Sub the opportunity to attend and participate.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to Closing neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall
be required, nor shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries be permitted without the prior consent of Parent, in respect of any provision of this Agreement (i) to pay or offer to pay any fees, expenses or other amounts to any Governmental
Authority or any party to a Contract, (ii) to suspend or modify or offer to suspend or modify its operations, or divest any portion of its assets, or (iii) offer or grant or propose to offer or grant any accommodation (financial or otherwise) to any
third party.
6.4
Acquisition Proposals
.
(a) [Intentionally omitted]
(b) Except as permitted by
Section
6.4(c)
, the Company shall, and shall cause its
controlled Affiliates and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause its and their respective Representatives (which for all purposes of this
Section
6.4
shall include the investment bankers acting on behalf of the Company
and its controlled Affiliates in connection with the Transactions) to:
A-36
(i) immediately cease and cause to be
terminated any solicitation, encouragement, discussions or negotiations with any Persons that may be ongoing with respect to an Acquisition Proposal;
(ii) immediately request that all confidential information previously furnished to any
such third parties and their respective Representatives be returned or destroyed promptly and shut down any data room or analogous access to information; and
(iii) from the Agreement Date until the Effective Time or, if earlier, the valid
termination of this Agreement in accordance with
Article IX
, not directly or indirectly (A) solicit, initiate, knowingly facilitate or encourage (including by way of furnishing non-public information) any Acquisition Proposal or any
inquiries regarding, or the making, disclosure or submission of, any proposal or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, (B) engage in, knowingly facilitate, encourage or otherwise
participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal, or any proposal, inquiry or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, or furnish to any Person any non-public
information or otherwise afford access to the Companys books and records in connection therewith, (C) terminate, amend, release, modify or fail to enforce any provision (including any standstill or other provision) of, or grant any
permission, waiver or request under, any confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement, (D) enter into any agreement in principle, letter of intent, term sheet, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, joint venture
agreement, partnership agreement or other Contract relating to any Acquisition Proposal (each, a
Company Acquisition Agreement
), or (E) resolve, agree or propose to do any of the foregoing.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
Section
6.4(b)
but
subject to the Companys compliance in all material respects with the other provisions of this Section 6.4, if at any time on or after the Agreement Date and prior to obtaining the Shareholder Vote the Company or any of its Representatives
receives a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal from any Person or group of Persons, which Acquisition Proposal did not result from any breach of this
Section
6.4
and the Company Board reasonably determines in good faith,
after consultation with the Companys outside legal counsel and financial advisor, that (A) such Acquisition Proposal constitutes or would reasonably be expected to become a Superior Proposal, and (B) with respect to such written
Acquisition Proposal, that the failure to take the actions set forth in the following clauses (1) or (2) of this
Section
6.4
would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under Applicable
Law, then the Company and its Representatives may, following the execution of an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement with the Person or group of Persons making the Acquisition Proposal, (1) furnish, pursuant to such Acceptable Confidentiality
Agreement, non-public information with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries to the Person or group of Persons who has made such Acquisition Proposal; provided, that the Company shall, substantially concurrently (and in any event within 48
hours) with providing written non-public information to such Person, provide to Parent any such written non-public information which was not previously provided to Parent or its Representatives and (2) engage in or otherwise participate in
discussions or negotiations with such Person or group of Persons with respect to such written Acquisition Proposal;
provided
that as promptly as reasonably practicable following the Company taking any of the actions (and in any event within
48 hours thereof) described in clauses (1) and (2) above, the Company shall (x) provide written notice to Parent of the determination(s) of the Company Board provided above and (y) furnish to Parent a true and correct copy of any confidentiality or
other agreement entered into with such Person or group of Persons. As used in this Agreement, the term
Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement
) means any confidentiality agreement entered into by the Company from and
after the date hereof that contains provisions that are not more favorable or less restrictive in any material respect to the Companys counterparty thereto than those contained in the NDA.
A-37
(d) The Company shall advise Parent promptly (and in any event
within 48 hours) of the receipt by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Representatives of any inquiries, proposals or offers, requests for information or requests for discussions or negotiations regarding any
Acquisition Proposal, or any inquiry, proposal or offer by any Person with respect to or relating to, constituting or which is intended to or is reasonably expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal and shall provide to Parent a copy of any
written Acquisition Proposal and provide to Parent the material terms and conditions thereof. The Company shall keep Parent informed on a reasonably current basis of the status and terms and conditions of any Acquisition Proposal, or any
inquiry, proposal or offer by any Person with respect to or relating to, constituting or which is intended to or is reasonably likely to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, including the price and form of consideration and all material terms and
conditions of such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry, proposal or offer with respect to or relating to, constituting or which is intended to or is reasonably expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, and any material developments, discussions or
negotiations in connection therewith, or any material modifications to the financial or other terms and conditions of any such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry, proposal or offer with respect to or relating to, constituting or which is intended to or
is reasonably likely to lead to an Acquisition Proposal. The Company represents and warrants that the Company and its Subsidiaries have not entered into, and agrees that the Company and its Subsidiaries will not enter into, any confidentiality or
other agreement with any Person that prohibits the Company from providing any information to Parent in accordance with this
Section
6.4
or from complying with the terms of this Agreement.
(e) Except as expressly permitted by this
Section
6.4(e)
or
Section
6.4(f)
, the Company Board (or any committee thereof) shall not (i) (A) fail to include the Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement, (B) change, amend, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, or publicly
propose to change, amend, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Parent or Merger Sub, or otherwise publicly make any statement or proposal inconsistent in any material respect with, the Board Recommendation,
(C) authorize, cause or permit the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to execute or enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement or enter into an agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to any Acquisition Proposal (other than, solely
when permitted by
Section 6.4(c)
, an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement), or require the Company to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the Merger, (D) within five Business Days following a written request by Parent to the Company
following the date any Acquisition Proposal or any material modification thereto is first published or sent, given or communicated to the shareholders of the Company, fail to issue a press release that reaffirms the Board Recommendation,
(E) subject to
Section
6.4(f)
, fail to recommend against any Acquisition Proposal subject to Regulation 14D under the Exchange Act in a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 within ten
Business Days after the commencement of such Acquisition Proposal;
provided
that a customary stop, look and listen communication during such ten-Business Day period will not constitute a failure to recommend against an Acquisition
Proposal
provided
that the Company Board expressly publicly reaffirms the Board Recommendation in such disclosure, (F) authorize, adopt, approve, endorse, declare advisable or recommend, or publicly propose to authorize, adopt, approve,
endorse, declare advisable or recommend to shareholders of the Company an Acquisition Proposal, or (G) resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing (any of the actions described in this clause (i) being referred to as an
Adverse
Recommendation
) or (ii) take any action pursuant to
Section
9.3(a)
.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in
Section
6.4(e)
but
subject to prior compliance with the provisos set forth below), as applicable, prior to the time the Shareholder Vote is obtained, the Company Board may, (x) in response to the occurrence of an Intervening Event, make an Adverse Recommendation in
accordance with this
Section
6.4(f)
, or (y) in response to a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that did not result from any breach of this
Section 6.4
and has not been withdrawn, make an Adverse Recommendation
in accordance with this
Section
6.4(f)
, or (in the case of this clause (y)) terminate this Agreement to concurrently enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement pursuant to
Section
9.3(a)
in
connection with such Acquisition Proposal, but only if (in the case of clauses (x) and (y)), prior to taking any such action:
(i) the Company Board shall have reasonably determined in good faith, after
consultation with the Companys outside legal counsel and financial advisor, that (A) such
A-38
Intervening Event has occurred or such written Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal, and (B) that the failure to make such Adverse Recommendation or, in the case of a written
Acquisition Proposal that constitutes a Superior Proposal, the failure to terminate this Agreement to concurrently enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement pursuant to
Section
9.3(a)
in connection with such Superior
Proposal, would be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the Company Board under Applicable Law;
(ii) the Company shall have first provided written notice to Parent, at least three
(3) Business Days in advance of taking such action, notifying Parent that it is prepared to make (A) an Adverse Recommendation in accordance with this
Section
6.4(f)
, or (B) terminate this Agreement to
concurrently enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal, which notice shall include (x) in the case of a Superior Proposal, the identity of the Person making such Superior Proposal, the material terms and
conditions of the transaction that constitutes the Superior Proposal and a copy of all of the material transaction documents in respect of such Acquisition Proposal and (y) in the case of an Intervening Event, a written description of such
Intervening Event and the Company Boards determination of the anticipated materially favorable impact on the fair market value of the Company Common Stock;
(iii) the Company shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, during the three
(3) Business Days after the Parents receipt of such notice (it being understood that any material revision, amendment, update or supplement to the terms and conditions of an Acquisition Proposal that constitutes a Superior Proposal shall
require a new notice and an additional three (3) Business Day period) (any such notice period, the
Notice Period
), negotiate with Parent and its Representatives, to the extent Parent and its Representatives wish to negotiate, in
good faith to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement so that (x) such Acquisition Proposal no longer constitutes a Superior Proposal or (y) in connection with an Intervening Event, the failure to make such Adverse
Recommendation would no longer be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the Company Board under Applicable Law; and
(iv) Parent has not, within the Notice Period, made a proposal that the
Company Board reasonably determines in good faith, after consultation with the Companys legal counsel and financial advisor, causes (x) the Acquisition Proposal that was previously determined to constitute a Superior Proposal to no longer
constitute a Superior Proposal or (y) in connection with an Intervening Event the failure to make such Adverse Recommendation to no longer be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the Company Board under Applicable Law;
provided
,
however
, that the Company shall not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section
6.4(f)
, and any such purported termination shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, be void and of no force or effect,
unless (A) at or concurrently with such termination the Company pays the Termination Fee in full and otherwise complies with the provisions of
Section
9.7)
, and (B) the Company, its Subsidiaries and their
respective Representatives have not breached this
Section
6.4
in any material respect (or this
Section 6.4(f)
in any respect).
(g) In the event any Representative of the Company takes any action which, if taken by the Company, would
constitute a breach of this
Section 6.4
, and the Company does not take reasonable action to seek to cure such breach within three (3) Business Days of the date on which the Company obtains Knowledge of such breach, then the Company shall be
deemed to be in breach of this
Section 6.4
.
A-39
6.5
Preparation of Proxy Statement; Approv
al of
Company Shareholders
.
(a) The Company shall, as promptly as practicable, and in any event within
five (5) Business Days, following the Agreement Date, (i) prepare and file with the SEC the Proxy Statement to seek the Shareholder Vote in preliminary form as required by the Exchange Act and (ii) in consultation with Parent, set a record date for
the Shareholders Meeting and commence a broker search pursuant to
Section 14a-13
of the Exchange Act in connection therewith. The Company shall cause the Proxy Statement to comply as to form and substance
in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC and The NASDAQ Stock Market. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to have the Proxy Statement cleared by the SEC as promptly as
practicable after the filing thereof, including responding as promptly as practicable to any comments made by the SEC with respect to the Proxy Statement and causing the Proxy Statement in definitive form to be mailed to the Company Shareholders as
promptly as reasonably practicable after the Proxy Statement is cleared by the SEC and, in any event within four (4) Business Days after such clearance by the SEC.
(b) The information included or incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement will not, at the time it
is first mailed to the Company Shareholders, at the time of any amendments or supplements thereto and at the time of the Shareholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to
make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Proxy Statement based on information supplied by or on behalf of Parent or Merger Sub specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.
(c) If, at any time prior to the Shareholder Vote, the Company, Parent or Merger Sub discovers information
relating to (x) the Merger or (y) it, or any of its respective partners, members, stockholders, directors, officers or other Affiliates, in each case, which should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement so that such
document would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the party hereto which discovers
such information shall promptly notify the other parties hereto and the Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC an appropriate amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement and, to the extent required by Applicable Law or the SEC or
its staff, disseminate such amendment or supplement to the Company Shareholders.
(d) Unless the
Company Board shall have effected an Adverse Recommendation in accordance with the terms of
Section
6.4(f)
, (a) the Company and its Affiliates shall not (x) file with the SEC the Proxy Statement or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or (y) correspond or otherwise communicate with the SEC or its staff with respect to the Proxy Statement in any such case referenced in the preceding clause (x) or (y) without providing Parent and Merger Sub a
reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon and consider in good faith including in such filing, amendment or communication comments reasonably provided by Parent; and (b) the Company shall advise Parent and Merger Sub, promptly after the
Company receives notice thereof, of any receipt of a request by the SEC or its staff for an amendment or revisions to the Proxy Statement, any receipt of comments from the SEC or its staff on the Proxy Statement, or any receipt of a request by the
SEC or its staff for additional information in connection therewith.
(e) As promptly as practicable
following the date on which the Proxy Statement is cleared by the SEC for mailing to the Company Shareholders and in any event within twenty-one (21) Business Days following dissemination of the Proxy Statement to the Company Shareholders, the
Company shall, in accordance with Applicable Law and the Company Charter and the Company Bylaws, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of the Company Shareholders to consider and vote upon approval of this Agreement (the
Shareholders Meeting
). Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company may adjourn, recess or postpone the Shareholders Meeting solely (i) after consultation with Parent, to the extent necessary
to ensure that any required supplement or amendment to the Proxy Statement is provided to the shareholders of the Company within a reasonable amount of time in advance of the Shareholders Meeting or (ii) if as of the time for which the
Shareholders Meeting is originally scheduled (as set forth in the Proxy Statement) there are insufficient shares of Company Common Stock represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the
Shareholders Meeting.
A-40
(f) Unless the Agreement has been terminated in accordance
with
Article IX
, the Company shall (notwithstanding any Adverse Recommendation) (i) establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Shareholders Meeting and, except in the case of an Adverse Recommendation
specifically permitted by
Section 6.4(f)
, the Company, through the Company Board, shall (i) solicit from the holders of Company Common Stock proxies in favor of the adoption of this Agreement in accordance with the CGCL, (ii) submit this
Agreement for adoption and recommend to the Company Shareholders that they adopt this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) include such recommendation in the Proxy Statement and (iv) use its commercially reasonable efforts
to secure the Shareholder Vote at the Shareholders Meeting.
6.6
Access to Information
. The
Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, afford Parent, Merger Sub, Parents Financing Sources and their respective Representatives access during regular business hours, so long as reasonable advance notice is provided, to
all of their respective files, books, Tax Returns, records, Contracts, personnel, properties, assets and offices of the Company, including without limitation any and all information relating to the Companys Taxes, Contracts, Liabilities,
financial condition and real, personal and intangible property, and the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, furnish promptly to Parent, Parents Financing Sources and their respective Representatives: (a) a copy of each
report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed or received by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities laws and (b) all other information concerning its business, properties and personnel
as Parent, Merger Sub, Parents Financing Sources and their respective Representatives may reasonably request (including Tax Returns filed and those in preparation and the workpapers of its auditors). All such information shall be held subject
to the terms of the NDA. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may in its sole discretion restrict Parents access to (i) documents that are attorney-client privileged, or (ii) documents that relate to the Company Boards
consideration of this Agreement or alternatives thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that the Company does not provide access or information in reliance on clause (i) of the immediately preceding sentence, it shall provide
notice to Parent that it is withholding such access or information and shall use its reasonable efforts to communicate, to the extent feasible, the applicable information in a way that would not violate such obligation of confidentiality or risk
waiver of such privilege. No investigation pursuant to this Section 6.6 shall affect or be deemed to modify, limit or supplement any representation or warranty made by the Company herein.
6.7
Company Cooperation with Debt Financing Efforts
. From the Agreement Date through the Closing
Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and its and their respective Representatives to, use reasonable best efforts to, provide to Parent all cooperation (including
with respect to timeliness) reasonably requested by Parent in connection with Parents arrangement of any debt financing in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
Debt Financing
), including using
reasonable best efforts to cause the officers, employees, advisors and other Representatives of the Company and its Subsidiaries to provide such cooperation. Such reasonable efforts shall include, without limitation (i) making appropriate officers
available for participation in meetings, due diligence sessions, presentations, drafting sessions, sessions with ratings agencies and prospective financings sources and road shows, assistance in the preparation of offering memoranda, private
placement memoranda, prospectuses and similar documents and the execution and delivery of any definitive financing documents as may be reasonably requested by Parent or any prospective lender to Parent, (ii) furnishing Parent and its Financing
Sources with the Required Information and such other financial and operating data and other information with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries as is reasonably requested by Parent or any prospective lender to Parent and is customarily
required for completion of debt financings similar to the Debt Financing, (iii) cooperation with the marketing efforts of Parent and its Financing Sources for all or any portion of the Debt Financing, (iv) providing and executing documents as may be
reasonably requested by Parent, including (A) documents requested by Parent or its Financing Sources relating to the repayment of the existing Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the release of related Encumbrances, including
customary payoff letters and (to the extent required) evidence that notice of such repayment has been timely delivered to the holders of such debt; (B) at least five (5) Business Days before the Closing, all documentation and other information
required by bank regulatory authorities under applicable know-your-customer and anti-money laundering rules
A-41
and regulations, including the Patriot Act; (C) a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Company with respect to solvency matters in customary form as may be required by one or more
debt commitment letters entered into in connection with the Debt Financing (the
Debt Commitment Letters
); and (D) agreements, documents or certificates that facilitate the creation, perfection or enforcement of Encumbrances
securing the Debt Financing (including original copies of all certificated securities (with transfer powers executed in blank), control agreements, surveys, title insurance, landlord consent and access letters) as are requested by Parent or its
Financing Sources, (v) using reasonable best efforts to satisfy the conditions precedent set forth in the Debt Commitment Letters or any definitive documentation relating to the Debt Financing to the extent the satisfaction of such conditions
requires the cooperation of or is within the control of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (vi) using reasonable best efforts to cooperate with the Financing Sources due diligence investigation, to the extent customary and reasonable and
not unreasonably interfering with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (vii) providing requested authorization letters to the Financing Sources (including with respect to absence of material non-public information in the public-side
version of documents distributed to prospective Financing Sources) and (viii) using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain accountants comfort letters and legal opinions reasonably requested by the Purchaser and customary for financings
similar to the Debt Financing, including issuing any customary representations letters to accountants. The Company hereby consents to the use of its and its Subsidiarys names, logos and trademarks solely in connection with the Debt
Financing. Parent shall promptly upon any request by the Company reimburse the Company and its Subsidiaries for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Company or its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective representatives in connection with their compliance with Section 6.7 (such reimbursement to be made promptly upon the earlier of Closing and termination of this Agreement) and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its
Subsidiaries, and each of their respective representatives from and against all losses, damages, claims, costs or expenses suffered or incurred by any of them in connection with the arrangement of the Debt Financing and any information used in
connection therewith, except with respect to any historical information provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries expressly for the purpose of the Debt Financing and except to the extent such losses, damages, claims, costs or expenses arise
from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Representatives; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall bear all costs and expenses incurred by the Company
and its Affiliates and their respective Representatives related to its obligations with respect to the preparation, review, audit and delivery of historical financial statements. Nothing contained in this
Section 6.7
shall require the
Company or its Subsidiaries to be an issuer or other obligor with respect to the Debt Financing or to authorize or approve the Debt Financing prior to the Closing. All material, non-public information regarding the Company and the Subsidiaries
provided to Parent or its Representatives pursuant to this
Section 6.7
shall be kept confidential by them in accordance with the NDA except for disclosure to potential lenders and investors as required in connection with the Debt Financing
subject to customary confidentiality protections. The NDA is hereby amended to allow Parent, Merger Sub, the Guarantor and their respective Representatives (as defined in the NDA) to make disclosures contemplated by the immediately preceding
sentence. The execution of this Agreement shall constitute written consent by the Company pursuant to the NDA to all actions by Parent, Merger Sub, the members of Parent and their respective affiliates permitted or contemplated by this
Agreement. Each Affiliate of Guarantor that is a party to the NDA is an express, intended third party beneficiary of each waiver to, or amendment of, the NDA contained herein.
6.8
Discharge of Company Funded Indebtedness and Release of Encumbrances
. No less than two (2)
Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall obtain from each lender or holder of Indebtedness set forth on
Schedule 6.8
and deliver to Parent a letter signed by such lender or holder, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Parent, (a) specifying all amounts of such Indebtedness owed to such lender or holder, as well as any other amounts required to fully pay off all of such Indebtedness on the Closing Date, and (b) agreeing that, upon such
lenders or holders receipt of the applicable payoff amount, (i) all outstanding obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries arising under or related to the applicable Indebtedness shall be repaid and discharged in full and (ii) any
Encumbrances such lender or holder may have in connection therewith shall be released (collectively, the
Payoff Letters
).
A-42
6.9
Section 16 Matters
. Prior to the Effective
Time, the Company Board shall take all such steps as may be necessary or appropriate to cause the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any dispositions of shares of Company Common Stock (including derivative securities with respect
to such shares) resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by each individual who is or will be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act with respect to the Company, to be exempt under Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act.
6.10
Directors
. At the Closing, the Company shall
cause each member of the Company Board to execute a letter effectuating his or her resignation as a director of the Company, effective, in each case, at the Effective Time.
6.11
Public Announcements
. The Company shall consult with Parent before issuing, and give
Parent a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon, any employee communication, press release or other public statements with respect to this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and shall not issue any such
communication, press release or make any public announcement without the prior consent of Parent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except as may be required by Applicable Law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing
agreement with any national securities exchange or national securities quotation system.
6.12
Stock
Exchange Delisting; Deregistration
. The Company shall take such actions reasonably required prior to the Effective Time to cause the Companys securities to be de-listed from The NASDAQ Stock Market and de-registered under the Exchange
Act as soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Time.
6.13
Cooperation Concerning
Cash Repatriation
. If requested in writing by Parent not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, at Parents cost and expense, use commercially reasonable best
efforts to take such reasonable action as may be necessary to cause Electro Rent Europe, NV to loan to the Company as of the Closing
cash in the amount reasonably designated in writing by Parent, pre-payable without
penalty and on such other reasonable terms and conditions as are designated in writing by Parent (any such intercompany loan, a
Requested Intercompany Loan
); provided that in the good faith judgment of the
Company: (i) there is sufficient available cash to make such Requested Intercompany Loan (after consideration of necessary working capital requirements), (ii) such Requested Intercompany Loan will not violate any Law or require pre-approval by
any Governmental Authority that has not been obtained in order for such loan to be made in compliance with applicable Law, and (iii) there is no material risk that such Requested Intercompany Loan would result in the imposition of Taxes on the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (assuming repayment of the Requested Intercompany Loan in accordance with its terms). Any such Requested Intercompany Loan shall be made in U.S. dollars or the currency of the lending
entity;
provided
,
further
,
that, if the loan is not made in U.S. dollars, the Company shall use reasonable efforts to cause the proceeds of such loan to be exchanged for an equivalent amount in U.S.
dollars prior to the Effective Time. If the Company determines that any Requested Intercompany Loan cannot reasonably be made prior to the Closing in compliance with the conditions set forth in this paragraph, the Company shall notify
Parent in writing of its inability to make such Requested Intercompany Loan as soon as practical. If the Closing does not occur for any reason, Parent shall indemnify the Company for any cost, expense or damage incurred by it (including any Tax) as
a result of the Companys actions under this
Section 6.13
.
ARTICLE VII
PARENT COVENANTS
Except
as set forth specifically in this
Article VII
, during the time period from the Agreement Date until the earlier to occur of (a) the Effective Time and (b) the termination of this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of
Article
IX
, Parent covenants and agrees with the Company as follows:
7.1
Advice of
Changes
. Parent shall promptly advise the Company in writing of (a) any event occurring subsequent to the Agreement Date that would render any representation or warranty of Parent or Merger Sub contained in
Article V
untrue or
inaccurate such that the condition set forth in
Section
8.3(a)
would not be
A-43
satisfied; (b) any material breach of any covenant or obligation of Parent or Merger Sub pursuant to this Agreement such that the condition set forth in
Section
8.3(b)
would not be satisfied; (c) any change, event, circumstance, condition or effect that would reasonably be expected to cause any of the conditions set forth in
Section 8.3
not to be satisfied; (d) any notice or other communication received by
Parent from any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (e) any Action commenced or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened that (i) if pending on the Agreement Date, would have been required to
have been disclosed by Parent pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) otherwise relates to this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this
Section 7.1
shall not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to the Company.
7.2
Reasonable
Best Efforts; Regulatory Approvals
.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Agreement, each of Parent, Merger Sub and their respective Subsidiaries shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions that are necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, in the most
expeditious manner practicable, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including using reasonable best efforts to accomplish the following: (i) the obtaining of all permits, waivers, consents, approvals and actions or
non-actions required of Parent and/or Merger Sub, as applicable, from Governmental Authorities and the making of all necessary registrations and filings with Governmental Authorities, including filings under the applicable Antitrust Law, and the
taking of all steps necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or proceeding by, any Governmental Authorities; (ii) promptly execute and file, or join the Company in the execution and filing of, any application,
notification or other document that may be necessary in order to obtain the authorization, approval or consent of any Governmental Authority which may be required in connection with the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) the obtaining of all consents or waivers from third parties required pursuant to material contracts to which Parent and/or Merger Sub is a party; and (iv) the execution and delivery of any additional instruments
necessary to consummate the Merger and to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
(b) Parent
and Merger Sub shall (i) as soon as reasonably practicable (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following the date of this Agreement) file with the FTC and the DOJ the notification and report form, if any, required for the transactions
contemplated hereby and to supply as promptly as practicable any supplemental information requested in connection therewith pursuant to the HSR Act and (ii) as soon as reasonably practicable make all filings under other applicable Antitrust Laws, if
any, required for the transactions contemplated hereby, and shall take all other actions necessary, proper or advisable to cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act and the applicable Antitrust
Laws. Any such antitrust notification and report form or filing and supplemental information shall be in substantial compliance with the requirements of the HSR Act or the applicable Antitrust Laws, as the case may be. Parent and Merger
Sub shall use their reasonable best efforts to comply promptly with any inquiries or requests for additional information from the FTC, the DOJ, and any other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction and (ii) to take such actions as are necessary
or advisable to obtain prompt approval of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by any Governmental Authority or expiration of applicable waiting periods.
(c) In the event that any administrative or judicial action or proceeding is instituted by a Governmental
Authority or private party challenging the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement, or any other agreement contemplated hereby, the Parent and Merger Sub shall cooperate in all respects with the Company and shall contest and
resist any such action or proceeding and seek to have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any order, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent, that is in effect and that could prohibit, prevent or restrict consummation of the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including promptly appealing any adverse court or administrative decision.
(d) Subject to Applicable Law and the instructions of any Governmental Authority, Parent and Merger Sub
shall (i) supply the Company with any information and reasonable assistance that the Company may reasonably request in connection with this Section 7.2 or the Companys obligations under Section 6.3 and (ii) promptly provide outside counsel for
the Company with copies of all filings made by Parent or Merger Sub, and
A-44
all correspondence between Parent and Merger Sub (and its advisors) with any Governmental Authority, or, in connection with any proceeding by a private party, and any other information supplied
by such party and such partys Affiliates to a Governmental Authority in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Subject to Applicable Law, Parent and Merger Sub shall permit outside counsel for
the Company reasonable opportunity to review in advance, and shall consider in good faith the views of the Company in connection with, any proposed written or, if practicable, oral communication to any Governmental Authority relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of Parent and Merger Sub agrees not to participate in any substantive meeting or discussion, either in person or by telephone, with any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement unless it consults with the Company in advance and, to the extent not prohibited by such Governmental Authority, gives the Company the opportunity to attend and participate. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Agreement, neither Parent nor Merger Sub will be required to share with the Company any information that (I) does not relate to the Company and its Subsidiaries, or (II) reveals Parents (or its affiliates) valuation or
negotiating strategy with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.
(e) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, without Parents prior written consent, and neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, without the Companys prior written
consent, discuss or commit to any extension of any waiting period under any Applicable Law or any agreement not to consummate the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) in no event shall the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries be permitted to (and in no event shall Parent or Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates be required to) offer or agree to sell or otherwise dispose of, or hold separate, agree to conduct, license or otherwise limit the use
of any of the assets, categories of asset or businesses or other segments of the Company or Parent or eithers respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or to agree to any other restriction or condition that would reasonably be expected to
materially and adversely affect the operation of the business of the Company, Parent or eithers respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, and (iii) Parent and Merger Sub shall not be required to, make or agree to any payments or other
consideration to any third party, or agree to modify the terms of any Contract, waive any right or grant any concession, in each case, to obtain any consent, waiver or release.
(f) Parent represents and warrants that Parent and its HSR Affiliates and HSR Associates do not own any
interest in assets or a business that would reasonably be expected to cause execution of this Agreement or consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby to result in any legislative, administrative or judicial action (including any suit
instituted (or threatened to be instituted) by the FTC, the DOJ or any other applicable Governmental Authority or any private party) challenging any of the transactions contemplated hereby as violative of the HSR Act or any Antitrust Laws or that
would otherwise reasonably be expected to materially impair or delay the satisfaction of the condition set forth in in
Section 8.1(a)
. Without limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, during the period from the date of this
Agreement until the satisfaction of the condition in
Section 8.1(a)
, Parent shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and HSR Affiliates and HSR Associates to not, enter into any commitment, undertaking, obligation, or agreement to acquire
any material amounts of assets of or equity in any other Person or any business or division thereof if such acquisition or agreement would be reasonably expected to create a material risk of making it more difficult to obtain Consent of the FTC or
the DOJ or any other Governmental Authority required to satisfy the condition set forth in
Section 8.1(a)
.
7.3
Financing
. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, but
subject to
Article IX
, Parent expressly acknowledges and agrees that Parents obligations under this Agreement are not conditioned in any manner whatsoever upon the Purchaser obtaining any financing.
7.4
Proxy Statement
. The information included or incorporated by reference in the Proxy
Statement supplied by Parent or Merger Sub in writing expressly for inclusion or incorporation therein will not, at the time it is first mailed to the Company Shareholders, at the time of any amendments or supplements thereto and at the time of the
Shareholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
A-45
were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Parent nor Merger Sub makes any representation or warranty with respect to any statements included or incorporated by
reference in the Proxy Statement based on information supplied by or on behalf of the Company specifically for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.
7.5
Indemnification of Company Directors and Officers
.
(a) If the Merger is consummated, then until the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time, Parent shall
cause the Surviving Corporation to fulfill and honor in all respects the obligations of the Company to its current and former directors and officers (the
Company Indemnified Parties
) pursuant to any indemnification provisions
under the Companys Charter, Company Bylaws and any indemnification agreement which has been provided to Parent between the Company and such Company Indemnified Parties, as in effect on the Agreement Date, with respect to claims arising out of
acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time. Any claims for indemnification made under this
Section
7.5(a)
on or prior to the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time shall survive such anniversary until the
final resolution thereof.
(b) This
Section
7.5
shall survive the
consummation of the Merger, is intended to benefit each Company Indemnified Party, shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation and Parent, and, notwithstanding
Section 10.14
shall be enforceable by the Company
Indemnified Parties.
(c) Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall purchase directors and
officers liability insurance coverage for a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time for the Companys current directors and officers for acts or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time, the material terms of which,
including coverage and amount, are no less favorable in any material respect to such directors and officers than the Companys existing policies as of the Agreement Date and provided further, that in no event shall Parent be required to pay
annual premiums for insurance under this
Section
7.5(c)
in excess of 200% of the amount of the annual premiums paid by the Company for fiscal year 2016 for such purpose (which fiscal year 2016 premiums are hereby
represented and warranted by the Company to be as set forth in
Section
7.5(c)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule) (200% of such current annual premium, the
Premium Cap
), it being understood that Parent
shall provide or cause to be provided a policy for the applicable individuals with the best coverage as is then available at a cost up to but not exceeding the Premium Cap. In lieu of maintaining the existing directors and officers
liability insurance contemplated by this Section 7.5(c), the Company may (or if requested by Parent, the Company shall) purchase a six-year prepaid tail policy with respect to matters arising on or prior to the Effective Time, covering
without limitation the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (i) for an aggregate cost not in excess of the Premium Cap, (ii) having aggregate coverage limits over the term of such tail policy with respect to
directors and officers liability coverage in an amount not to exceed the annual aggregate coverage limit under the Companys existing directors and officers liability insurance policies and (iii) on terms and conditions
no less favorable in any material respect to such directors and officers than the Companys existing policies as of the Agreement Date or, if the aggregate cost of such a policy would exceed the Premium Cap, on terms and conditions providing
the best coverage as is then available at a cost up to, but not exceeding, the Premium Cap.
7.6
Employees; Benefit Plans
.
(a) During the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the date which is twelve (12) months
after the Effective Time (or if earlier, the date of the employees termination of employment with Parent and its Subsidiaries), Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation and each of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, to provide the employees
of the Company and its Subsidiaries who remain employed immediately after the Effective Time (collectively, the
Company Continuing Employees
) with base salary and target cash bonus opportunities (but not, for the avoidance of
doubt, equity-based compensation or specific performance targets) that are, in the aggregate, no less favorable to the base salary and target cash bonus opportunities provided by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the Agreement Date. Nothing
contained in this Agreement shall confer upon any employee any right with respect to continued employment by Parent or Surviving Corporation, nor shall anything herein interfere with the right of Parent or Surviving Corporation to terminate the
employment
A-46
of any employee (including any Company Continuing Employee) at any time, with or without cause, following the effective date of his or her employment with Parent or Surviving Corporation.
(b) With respect to any employee benefit plan, program, policy or arrangement that is sponsored, maintained
or contributed to by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively,
Parent Benefit Plans
) in which any Company Continuing Employees are or may become eligible to participate in on or following the Effective Time, Parent shall
use commercially reasonable efforts to, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, to the extent permitted by the terms of the Parent Benefit Plans, recognize all service of the Company Continuing Employees with the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, as if such service were with Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, for purposes of eligibility to participate, vesting and benefit levels based on seniority;
provided, that
, such service shall not be recognized
(i) for benefit accrual purposes under any Parent Benefit Plan that is a defined benefit pension plan, or (ii) to the extent that such recognition would result in a duplication of benefits.
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall create any third party beneficiary rights in any Company
Continuing Employee or other employee of the Company, or any beneficiary or dependents thereof, with respect to any right of employment (including, without limitation, the compensation, terms and conditions of employment and benefits) or any other
legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall amend, or be deemed to amend, any Parent Benefit Plan or any Benefit Plan, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is
intended to, or does, constitute the establishment of, or an amendment to, any Parent Benefit Plan or any Benefit Plan.
7.7
Public Announcements
. Parent shall consult with Company before issuing, and give the
Company a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon, any employee communication, press release or other public statements with respect to this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and shall not issue any such
communication, press release or make any public announcement without the prior consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except as may be required by Applicable Law. This Section shall not restrict Parents
disclosure of information regarding the transactions contemplated hereby, including any information related to Parents determination to enter into this Agreement, to investors or prospective investors in Parent so long as such disclosures are
made pursuant to a confidentiality agreement containing customary terms. The parties hereto agree that the initial press release to be issued with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby following execution of this Agreement shall be a
joint release in the form heretofore agreed to by Parent and the Company.
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING OF MERGER
8.1
Conditions to Each Partys Obligation to Effect the Merger
. The respective obligations of
each party to this Agreement to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction or (to the extent permitted by Applicable Law) waiver as of the Effective Time of the following conditions:
(a)
Governmental Approvals
. Any applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the
HSR Act and any similar foreign Applicable Law relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have expired or been terminated.
(b)
Shareholder Vote
. The Shareholder Vote shall have been obtained and shall be in full force
and effect and this Agreement shall have been adopted thereby in accordance with Applicable Law and the Company Charter and Company Bylaws.
(c)
No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality
. No temporary restraining order, preliminary or
permanent injunction or other order issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority or other legal or regulatory restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger shall be in effect, nor shall there be
any statute, rule, regulation, Applicable Law or order enacted, entered, promulgated enforced or deemed applicable to the Merger which prohibits, restrains or makes the consummation of the Merger illegal.
A-47
8.2
Additional Conditions to Obligations of Parent and
Merger Sub
. The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions as of the Effective Time, any of which may be waived in writing exclusively by Parent and Merger Sub:
(a)
Representations and Warranties
. Each of (i) the representations and warranties of the
Company set forth in: the first sentence of
Section 4.1
(Organization and Good Standing),
Section 4.2
(Subsidiaries),
Sections 4.3(a)
and
(c)
(Power, Authority and Consents),
Section 4.5
(Capitalization of the
Company) and
Section 4.8(b)
(Absence of Certain Changes), shall be true and correct in each case as of the Agreement Date and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and
warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date);
provided
,
however
, in the case of
Sections 4.2(c)
and
4.5
, subject to any changes that are de minimis in amount or significance; (ii)
the remaining representations and warranties that are not qualified by Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct (disregarding any materiality or words of similar import set forth therein) in all material respects, in
each case as of the Agreement Date and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date); and
(iii) the remaining representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct (disregarding all qualifications or limitations as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect and words of
similar import set forth therein), in each case as of the Agreement Date and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which
case as of such earlier date, except, in the case of this clause (iii), where the failure of such representations to be so true and correct, individually and in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect); and Parent shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by a senior executive officer of the Company to such effect.
(b)
Performance of Obligations of the Company
. The Company shall have performed or complied
with in all material respects all obligations required to be performed or complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time; and Parent shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by a senior executive
officer of the Company to such effect.
(c)
Litigation
. There shall not
be pending any Action by any Governmental Authority, or by any other Person (i) having a reasonable likelihood of success, and that (ii) if successful would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
(d)
FIRPTA Certificate
. The Company shall have furnished to
Parent a certification in accordance with Treasury Regulation § 1.1445-2(c), and otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent, certifying that an interest in the Company is not a real property interest because the Company
is not and has not been a United States real property holding corporation (as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code) during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code, and an associated form of notice to the Internal
Revenue Service prepared in accordance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation § 1.897-2(h)(2).
(e)
Payoff Letters
. The Company shall have delivered to Parent duly executed
copies of the Payoff Letters.
(f)
Absence of Material Adverse
Effect
. Since the Agreement Date there shall not have occurred any Effect that, individually or in the aggregate with all other Effects since the Agreement Date, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(g)
Exercise of Appraisal Rights
. The holders of no more
than twenty five (25%) percent of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock shall have exercised such holders right to appraisal pursuant to Section 1300
et. seq.
of the CGCL.
A-48
8.3
Additional Conditions to Obligations of the
Company
. The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions as of the Effective Time, any of which may be waived, in writing, exclusively by the Company:
(a)
Representations and Warranties
. The representations and warranties
of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement that are qualified by materiality shall be true and correct (as so qualified), and the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement that are not so qualified
shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case as of the Agreement Date and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an
earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), except in each case for any failure to be so true and correct as of such particular date that would not, individually or in the aggregate, prevent the Merger or prevent or materially delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the ability of Parent and Merger Sub to fully perform their respective covenants and obligations under this Agreement; and the Company shall have received a certificate signed on
behalf of Parent by an authorized officer of Parent to such effect.
(b)
Performance of Obligations
of Parent and Merger Sub
. Parent and Merger Sub shall have performed or complied with in all material respects all obligations required to be performed or complied with by them under this Agreement at or prior to the
Effective Time; and the Company shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by an authorized officer of Parent to such effect.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
OF AGREEMENT
9.1
Termination by Mutual Consent
. This Agreement may
be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after the Shareholder Vote shall have been obtained, by mutual written consent of the Company and Parent.
9.2
Termination by Either Parent or the Company
. This Agreement may be
terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after the Shareholder Vote shall have been obtained, by action taken or authorized by Parent or the Company if:
(a) the Effective Time shall not have occurred by 5:00 p.m. Pacific time on September 27, 2016
(the
End Date
);
provided
,
however
, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 9
.2(a)
shall not be available to (i) Parent, if the Company has the right to terminate
this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.3(c) or (ii) the Company, if Parent has the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.4(b);
(b) the Shareholders Meeting shall have been duly convened, held and completed and the Shareholder Vote
shall have failed to have been obtained (after giving effect to all adjournments or postponements of the Shareholders Meeting); or
(c) if (i) any court or other Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have issued a
judgment, order, injunction, rule or decree, or taken any other action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such judgment, order, injunction, rule, decree or other action shall
have become final and non-appealable, or (ii) there shall be any Applicable Law that makes the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby illegal or otherwise prohibited.
9.3
Termination by the Company
. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after (except as otherwise provided below) the Shareholder Vote shall have been obtained, by the Company if:
(a) prior to the Shareholder Vote having been obtained, the Company Board has authorized the Company to
enter into a Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal, and concurrently
A-49
with the termination of this Agreement, the Company enters into a Company Acquisition Agreement with respect to such Superior Proposal;
provided
that the right of the Company to terminate
this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 9.3(b)
is conditioned on and subject to (i) the Companys compliance in all material respects with
Section 6.4
(including compliance in all respects with
Section 6.4(f)
) and (ii) the
prior or concurrent payment to Parent by the Company of the Termination Fee in accordance with
Section 9.7
;
(b) (i) the Company has satisfied (or Parent has waived) each of the conditions to Parents and Merger
Subs obligations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to
Sections 8.1
and
8.2
hereof, (ii) the Company has confirmed by written notice to Parent that all conditions set forth in Section 8.3
are satisfied (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied by actions taken at the Closing, provided that such conditions would be satisfied if such date were the Closing Date) or that it has waived any unsatisfied conditions
in Section 8.3, and that the Company is ready, willing and able to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement throughout the three Business Days after the delivery of such notice and (iii) the Parent and Merger Sub fail to
consummate the Closing by the third Business Day after the delivery of such notice (other than due to a breach by the Company); or
(c) there has been a breach of any other representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by Parent or
Merger Sub in this Agreement, such that the conditions set forth in
Section 8.3(a)
would not be satisfied, and such breach or failure to be true and correct is not cured by the earlier of (1) the End Date and (2) thirty (30) calendar days
following receipt of written notice from the Company of such breach or failure.
9.4
Termination by
Parent
. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after the Shareholder Vote shall have been obtained, by Parent if:
(a) (i) there has been an Adverse Recommendation, (ii) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall have
entered into a Company Acquisition Agreement (other than, solely when permitted by
Section 6.4(c)
, an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement), (iii) the Company shall have breached or failed to perform any of its material obligations set
forth in
Section 6.4
(including compliance in all respects with
Section 6.4(f)
), (iv) the Company Board fails to include in the Proxy Statement, when mailed, the Board Recommendation or to reaffirm (publicly, if so requested
by Parent) the Board Recommendation within ten (10) Business Days after the date any Acquisition Proposal (or material modification thereto) is first publicly disclosed by the Company or the Person making such Acquisition Proposal, (v) a tender
offer or exchange offer relating to Company Common Stock shall have been commenced by a Person unaffiliated with Parent and the Company shall not have sent to its shareholders pursuant to Rule 14e-2 under the Securities Act, within ten (10) Business
Days after such tender offer or exchange offer is first published, sent or given, a statement reaffirming the Board Recommendation and recommending that shareholders reject such tender or exchange offer, or (vi) the Company or the Company Board (or
any committee thereof) shall have formally resolved or publicly authorized or proposed to take any of the foregoing actions; or
(b) there has been a breach of any other representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the
Company in this Agreement such that the conditions set forth in
Section 8.2(a)
would not be satisfied, if occurring or continuing at the Effective Time, and such breach or failure to be true and correct is not cured by the earlier of (i) the
End Date and (ii) thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of written notice from Parent of such breach or failure.
9.5
Notice of Termination
. The party desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Article IX
shall give written notice of such termination to the other parties hereto specifying the provision or provisions of this
Article IX
pursuant to which such termination is purportedly effected and including reasonable detail
of the circumstances giving rise to such termination, and any such termination shall be effective immediately upon delivery of such written notice to the other party.
9.6
Effect of Termination
. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this
Article
IX
, this Agreement shall become void and of no effect, without any liability on the part of any party hereto or any of their respective
A-50
representatives;
provided that
, (a) the NDA, the Limited Guaranty (only to the extent reflected therein) and the provisions of
Section 4.20
,
Section 5.9
,
Section
6.13
, this
Section 9.6
,
Section 9.7
,
Section 9.8
,
Section 9.9
and
Article X
shall survive the termination hereof and remain in effect, and (b) no such termination shall relieve any party from any liability or
damages resulting from a material breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or fraud, in which case the non-breaching party shall be entitled to all rights and remedies available at law or
in equity. Notwithstanding the forgoing, in no event (other than in the case of fraud) shall any party hereto be liable for punitive damages, except to the extent the non-breaching party owes such damages to a Third Party.
9.7
Termination Fee and Expenses
. In the event that:
(a) (1) an Acquisition Proposal has been made, proposed or communicated after the date hereof and
prior to the completion of the Shareholders Meeting (or prior to the termination of this Agreement if there has been no Shareholders Meeting), (2) following the occurrence of an event described in the preceding clause (1), this Agreement
is terminated by the Company or Parent pursuant to Section 9.2(a) or 9.2(b) or by Parent pursuant to Section 9.4(b) and (3) within twelve months of the date this Agreement is terminated, the Company consummates an Acquisition Proposal
or enters into a Contract in respect of an Acquisition Proposal which is thereafter consummated (whether or not such Acquisition Proposal was the same Acquisition Proposal referred to in clause (1));
provided
, that for purposes of
clause (3) of this Section 9.7(a), the references to 20% in the definition of Acquisition Proposal shall be deemed to be references to 50%;
(b) this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to
Section 9.3(a)
; or
(c) this Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to
Section 9.4(a)
;
then the Company shall pay to Parent (or its designees) a fee in an amount equal to the Termination Fee in cash, (x) in the case of
Section 9.7(a), within two Business Days after the consummation of such Acquisition Proposal, (y) in the case of Section 9.7(b), prior to or concurrently with such termination or (z) in the case of Section 9.7(c), within five Business Days
after such termination. In no event shall the Company be required to pay the Termination Fee on more than one occasion.
9.8
Acknowledgement
. Each Party acknowledges that (a) the agreements
contained in this
Article IX
are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) without the agreements contained in this
Article IX
, neither Parent nor the Company would have entered into this Agreement
and that the Termination Fee is not a penalty, but rather is liquidated damages in a reasonable amount that will compensate Parent and Merger Sub in the circumstances in which such Termination Fee is payable for the efforts and resources expended
and opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement and in reliance on this Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, which amount would otherwise be impossible to calculate with
precision. Accordingly, if the Company fails to promptly pay any amount due pursuant to
Section 9.7
or and, in order to obtain such payment, Parent and/or Merger Sub commences an Action that results in a judgment against the Company for
the amount set forth in
Section 9.7
or any portion thereof, Parent and/or Merger Sub shall recover from the Company its costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses) incurred by it and its Affiliates in
connection with such suit, together with interest on such amount or portion thereof until the date of payment at the prime lending rate as published in
The Wall Street Journal
in effect on the date such payment was required to be
made. Any interest payable hereunder shall be calculated on a daily basis from the date such amounts were required to be paid until (but excluding) the date of actual payment, and on the basis of a 360-day year.
9.9
Limitation on Liability
. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement:
(a) No Parent Party, except Parent, Merger Sub and the Guarantor (but only to the extent
set forth in the Limited Guaranty), shall have any liability for any obligation or liability to the Company, any of its Affiliates or any of its or their direct or indirect shareholders for any claim for any loss suffered as a result of any breach
of
A-51
this Agreement, the Limited Guaranty or the Equity Financing Commitment (including any willful and material breach), or the failure of the Merger or any other transaction contemplated hereby or
thereby to be consummated, or in respect of any oral representation made or alleged to be have been made in connection herewith or therewith, whether in equity or at law, in contract, in tort or otherwise;
(b) Without limiting the right of the Company to seek specific performance in accordance with Section 10.7,
the maximum aggregate liability of Parent, Merger Sub and the Guarantor for any loss suffered as a result of any breach of this Agreement, the Limited Guaranty or the Equity Financing Commitment (including any willful and material breach), or the
failure of the Merger or any other transaction contemplated hereby or thereby to be consummated, or in respect of any oral representation made or alleged to be have been made in connection herewith or therewith, whether in equity or at law, in
contract, in tort or otherwise, shall be limited to the amount of the Damages Cap, and in no event shall the Company seek to, and the Company shall cause its Affiliates and its and their direct and indirect shareholders not to seek to, recover any
money damages (including consequential, indirect or punitive damages) in excess of such amount; and
(c) Without in any way limiting the generality of
Section 9.9(a)
, upon payment of damages in an
amount equal to the Damages Cap, no Parent Party shall have any further liability or obligation to the Company, any of its Affiliates or any of its or their direct or indirect stockholders relating to or arising out of this Agreement, the Limited
Guaranty or the Equity Financing Commitment, or the failure of the Merger or any other transaction contemplated hereby or thereby to be consummated, whether in equity or at law, in contract, in tort or otherwise, and in such event, the Company shall
not seek to, and shall cause its Affiliates and its and their direct and indirect stockholders not to seek to, recover any money damages (including consequential, indirect or punitive damages, or damages on account of a willful and material breach)
from any Parent Party.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1
Survival
. None of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or
in any instrument delivered under this Agreement will survive the Effective Time. None of the covenants or agreements of the parties in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time, other than those covenants and agreements contained herein
which by their terms apply, or that are to be performed in whole or in part, after the Effective Time, which shall survive the consummation of the Merger until fully performed.
10.2
Governing
Law
. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws and judicial decisions of the State of
California applicable to agreements executed and performed within such state, irrespective of its conflicts of law principles.
10.3
Submission to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
.
(a) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits itself to the personal jurisdiction of any court of
proper subject matter jurisdiction in the State of California, City of Los Angeles (and any appellate court therefrom) in the event any dispute arises out of this Agreement or the Merger, and agrees that it will not bring any Action relating to
this Agreement or the Merger in any court other than such a court in the State of California, other than Actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court. Each of the parties hereto
hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion or as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any Action related to or arising out of this Agreement or the Merger, that (i) the Action in any such court is
brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such Action is improper or (iii) this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such courts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the parties hereto agrees that it
will not bring or support any action, cause of action, claim, cross-claim or third-party claim of any kind or description, whether in law or in equity, against the Financing Sources in any way relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby, including any dispute arising out of or relating in any way to the Debt Commitment Letter or the performance thereof, in any forum other than (except as may be expressly permitted in any Debt
A-52
Commitment Letter) the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, or, if under applicable Law exclusive jurisdiction is vested in the Federal courts, the United States District
Court for the Southern District of New York (and appellate courts thereof).
(b) EACH OF PARENT, THE
COMPANY AND MERGER SUB HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE EQUITY FINANCING COMMITMENT, THE
LIMITED GUARANTY, ANY DEBT COMMITMENT LETTER OR THE ACTIONS OF PARENT, COMPANY OR MERGER SUB, THE GUARANTOR OR ANY FINANCING SOURCE IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF OR THEREOF.
10.4
Assignment
. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors
and assigns of Parent, including any successor to, or assignee of, all or substantially all of the business and assets of Parent. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, no party hereto may assign or delegate, in whole or in part, any of
its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto. Any assignment in violation of this provision shall be void. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
10.5
Severability
. If any provision of this Agreement, or the application
thereof, shall for any reason and to any extent be invalid or unenforceable under any Applicable Law or jurisdiction, then (a) such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such
jurisdiction, and the (b) remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
parties intend that the remedies and limitations thereon contained in this Agreement, including Section 9.7 and 9.9, shall be construed as an integral provision of this Agreement and that such remedies and limitations shall not be severable in any
manner that increases a partys liability or obligations hereunder or under the Equity Financing Commitment or the Limited Guaranty or any Debt Commitment Letter. The parties further agree to replace such void or unenforceable provision of this
Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that shall achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of the void or unenforceable provision.
10.6
Remedies
. The rights and remedies of the parties hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any
rights or remedies that they would otherwise have hereunder. The exercise by a party to this Agreement of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise by it of any other remedy. The failure or delay of any party to enforce any of the
provisions hereof shall not be construed to be a waiver of the right of such party thereafter to enforce such provisions, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce
such right or power, or any course of conduct, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.
10.7
Specific Performance
. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.9, the parties hereto agree that irreparable
damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement or to
enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof in any federal court located in the State of California or any California state court, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
10.8
Extension; Waiver
. At any time prior to the Effective Time, each of Company and Parent, may, to the extent
authorized by their respective Board of Directors and to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties made to it contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, and (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions for its benefit contained herein; provided, however, that after the Shareholder Vote has been
obtained, no waiver may be made that pursuant to Applicable Law requires further approval or adoption by the shareholders of the Company without
A-53
such further approval or adoption. No such waiver or extension shall be effective unless signed in writing by the party against whom such waiver or extension is asserted.
10.9
Amendments
. At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement may be amended or supplemented in any
and all respects, whether before or after receipt of the Shareholder Vote, by written agreement signed by each of the parties hereto;
provided, however,
that following the receipt of the Shareholder Vote, there shall be no amendment or
supplement to the provisions of this Agreement which by Law or in accordance with the rules of any relevant self-regulatory organization would require further approval by the holders of Company Common Stock without such
approval. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
Sections
9.5
,
9.6
,
9.9
,
10.1
,
10.3
,
10.4
,
10.13(a)
and this
Section
10.9
may not
be modified, waived or terminated in a manner that impacts or is adverse in any respect to the Financing Sources without the prior written consent of the Financing Sources.
10.10
Expenses
. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 9.7
, each party shall bear its respective legal,
accountants, and financial advisory fees and other expenses incurred with respect to this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby, whether or not the Merger is consummated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of
termination of this Agreement by either party pursuant to Section 9.2(b) (or a termination by the Company pursuant to a different section of Section 9.2 at a time when this Agreement was terminable pursuant to Section 9.2(b)), then the Company shall
promptly, but in no event later than three Business Days after being notified of such by Parent, pay Parent or Parents designee all of the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including all fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, investment
bankers, Financing Sources, hedging counterparties, escrow agents, experts and consultants) incurred by Parent, Merger Sub and their respective Affiliates in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the
Equity Financing and any Debt Financing), by wire transfer of same day funds.
10.11
Attorneys Fees
. In any
legal proceeding to enforce or interpret any part of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover, as an element of the costs of suit and not as damages, reasonable attorneys fees to be fixed by the court (including costs,
expenses and fees on any appeal); provided, however that any such recovery from Parent is subject, together with any other damages recoverable from Parent pursuant to this Agreement, to the Damages Cap. The prevailing party shall be entitled to
recover its costs of suit, regardless of whether such suit proceeds to final judgment.
10.12
Notices
. All
notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be either hand delivered in person, sent by email, or sent by nationally recognized express courier service. Such notices and other
communications shall be deemed duly given (a) when delivered by hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) on the date sent by e-mail (with confirmation of receipt) if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and on the next
Business Day if sent after normal business hours of the recipient, or (c) when delivered to the addressee if sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (receipt requested), to the address set forth below or such other addresses as any party
may notify the other parties in accordance with this
Section
10.12
:
If to Parent or Merger Sub:
Elecor Intermediate Holding II Corporation
c/o Platinum Equity, LLC
52
Vanderbilt Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Louis Samson
Email:
lsamson@platinumequity.com
A-54
and
c/o Platinum Equity, LLC
360
North Crescent Drive, South Building
Beverly Hills, California 90210
Attention: Eva M. Kalawski
Email: ekalawski@platinumequity.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice pursuant to this
Section 10.12
) to:
Latham & Watkins LLP
555
11
th
Street, N.W., Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20004
Attention: David I. Brown
Email: david.brown@lw.com
If to the Company:
Electro
Rent Corporation
6060 Sepulveda Boulevard
Van Nuys, California 91411-2512
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Email: smarkheim@electrorent.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice pursuant to this
Section 10.12
) to:
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
333 South Hope Street
Forty-Third Floor
Los Angeles,
CA 90071
Attention: Lawrence Braun, Esq. and James A. Mercer III, Esq.
Email: lbraun@sheppardmullin.com; jmercer@sheppardmullin.com
10.13
Interpretation; Rules of Construction
. When a reference is made in this Agreement to Exhibits,
Sections or Articles, such reference shall be to an Exhibit to, Section of or Article of this Agreement, respectively, unless otherwise indicated. The words include, includes and including when used herein
shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words without limitation. The words hereof, herein and hereunder and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to the
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision in this Agreement. The term or is not exclusive. The word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word
shall. References to days mean calendar days unless otherwise specified. All references to dollars or $ or US$ in this Agreement refer to United States dollars, which is the currency used for
all purposes in this Agreement. All words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require. The headings and table of contents contained in this Agreement or in any Exhibit or Schedule
hereto are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as
if set forth herein. The parties hereto agree that they have been represented by legal counsel during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction
providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document shall be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document. When a reference is made in this Agreement or the Company Disclosure Schedule to information or documents
being provided, made available or disclosed to Parent or its Affiliates, such information or documents shall include only information or documents contained in the Companys virtual data room
A-55
established at
https://datasite.merrilcorp.com
that has been used for due diligence in connection with the Merger, but only to the extent such information or documents were accessible to
Parent on May 20, 2016.
10.14
Third Party Beneficiary Rights
.
(a) Except as expressly provided herein, no provisions of this Agreement are intended, nor shall be
interpreted, to provide or create any third party beneficiary rights or any other rights of any kind in any client, customer, employee, Affiliate, shareholder, partner or any party hereto or any other Person unless specifically provided otherwise
herein and, except as so provided, all provisions hereof shall be personal solely between the parties to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the provisions of
Section 9.9(a)
and
9.9(c)
shall be enforceable against
the Company (but not Parent or Merger Sub) by each Financing Source and its successors and assigns, (ii) each Parent Party shall be a third party beneficiary of
Sections 9.9(a)
,
9.9(c)
,
10.3
,
10.5
and
10.9
,
(iii) the Guarantor shall be a third party beneficiary of
Section
9.9(b),
(iv) the Affiliates of Guarantor party to the NDA shall be a third party beneficiary of
Section 6.7
, and (v) the director and officers of the
Company shall be third party beneficiaries of
Section 7.5
.
(b) The representations and
warranties in this Agreement are the product of negotiations among the parties hereto and are for the sole benefit of the parties hereto. Any inaccuracies in such representations and warranties are subject to waiver by the parties hereto
without notice or liability to any other Person. In some instances, the representations and warranties in this Agreement may represent an allocation among the parties hereto of risks associated with particular matters regardless of the
knowledge of any of the parties hereto. Consequently, Persons other than the parties hereto may not rely upon the representations and warranties in this Agreement as characterizations of actual facts or circumstances as of the Agreement Date or
as of any other date.
10.15
Entire Agreement
. This Agreement, the exhibits and schedules hereto and the
Limited Guaranty constitute the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements or understandings, inducements or conditions, express or
implied, written or oral, between the parties with respect hereto other than the NDA, which shall continue to be in full force and effect following the execution of this Agreement.
10.16
Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in any number of original counterparts, and may be
delivered by electronic mail in portable document format or other means intended to preserve the original graphic content of a signature. Each such counterpart shall be an original as regards any party whose signature appears thereon and all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all parties reflected hereon as signatories.
[
S
IGNATURE
P
AGE
F
OLLOWS
]
A-56
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E
LECOR
I
NTERMEDIATE
H
OLDING
II C
ORPORATION
|
|
|
|
E
LECTRO
R
ENT
C
ORPORATION
|
|
|
|
By:
/s/ Eva M. Kalawski
|
|
|
|
By:
/s/ Steven Markheim
|
|
|
|
Name:
Eva M. Kalawski
|
|
|
|
Name:
Steven Markheim
|
|
|
|
Title:
Vice President and Secretary
|
|
|
|
Title:
President &
COO
|
|
|
|
E
LECOR
M
ERGER
C
ORPORATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
/s/ Eva M. Kalawski
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name:
Eva M. Kalawski
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
Vice President and Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
[
S
IGNATURE
P
AGE
TO
A
GREEMENT
AND
P
LAN
OF
M
ERGER
]
ANNEX B
[Letterhead of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc.]
May 27, 2016
Electro Rent Corporation
6060 Sepulveda Blvd
Van Nuys, CA 91411
Attn: The Strategic Alternatives Committee of the Board of Directors
Dear Members of the Strategic Alternatives Committee:
We understand that Electro Rent Corporation (the Company) intends to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the
Agreement) by and among Elecor Intermediate Holding II Corporation (the Acquiror), Elecor Merger Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Acquiror (Merger Sub), and the Company pursuant to which, among other
things (i) Merger Sub will merge with the Company (the Transaction), (ii) each outstanding share of common stock, no par value (Common Stock), of the Company will be converted into the right to receive $13.12
per share in cash (the Consideration) and (iii) the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Acquiror.
The Strategic Alternatives Committee (the Committee) of the Board of Directors (the Board) of the Company has
requested that Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. (Houlihan Lokey) provide an opinion (the Opinion) to the Committee as to whether, as of the date hereof, the Consideration to be received by the holders of Common Stock in the
Transaction pursuant to the Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.
In connection with this Opinion, we have
made such reviews, analyses and inquiries as we have deemed necessary and appropriate under the circumstances. Among other things, we have:
|
1.
|
reviewed an execution copy of the Agreement received by us on May 26, 2016;
|
|
2.
|
reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to the Company that we deemed to be relevant;
|
|
3.
|
reviewed certain information relating to the historical, current and future operations, financial condition and prospects of the Company made available to us by the Company, including financial projections (and
adjustments thereto) prepared by the management of the Company relating to the Company (the Projections);
|
|
4.
|
spoken with certain members of the management of the Company and certain of its representatives and advisors regarding the business, operations, financial condition and prospects of the Company, the Transaction and
related matters;
|
|
5.
|
compared the financial and operating performance of the Company with that of other companies with publicly traded equity securities that we deemed to be relevant;
|
|
6.
|
considered the publicly available financial terms of certain transactions that we deemed to be relevant;
|
|
7.
|
reviewed the current and historical market prices and trading volume for Common Stock and the current and historical market prices and trading volume of the publicly traded securities of certain other companies that we
deemed to be relevant; and
|
|
8.
|
conducted such other financial studies, analyses and inquiries and considered such other information and factors as we deemed appropriate.
|
II
|
|
|
The Strategic Alternatives Committee of the Board of Directors of Electro Rent Corporation
May 27, 2016
|
|
B-2
|
We have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness
of all data, material and other information furnished, or otherwise made available, to us, discussed with or reviewed by us, or publicly available, and do not assume any responsibility with respect to such data, material and other information. In
addition, managements of the Company has advised us, and we have assumed, that the financial projections (and adjustments thereto) reviewed by us have been reasonably prepared in good faith on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates
and judgments of such management as to the future financial results and condition of the Company, and we express no opinion with respect to such projections or the assumptions on which they are based. We have relied upon and assumed, without
independent verification, that there has been no change in the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects of the Company since the respective dates of the most recent financial statements and
other information, financial or otherwise, provided to us that would be material to our analyses or this Opinion, and that there is no information or any facts that would make any of the information reviewed by us incomplete or misleading.
We have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that (a) the representations and warranties of all parties to the
Agreement and all other related documents and instruments that are referred to therein are true and correct, (b) each party to the Agreement and such other related documents and instruments will fully and timely perform all of the covenants and
agreements required to be performed by such party, (c) all conditions to the consummation of the Transaction will be satisfied without waiver thereof, and (d) the Transaction will be consummated in a timely manner in accordance with the
terms described in the Agreement and such other related documents and instruments, without any amendments or modifications thereto. We have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that (i) the Transaction will be consummated
in a manner that complies in all respects with all applicable federal and state statutes, rules and regulations, and (ii) all governmental, regulatory, and other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the Transaction will be
obtained and that no delay, limitations, restrictions or conditions will be imposed or amendments, modifications or waivers made that would have an effect on the Transaction or the Company that would be material to our analyses or this Opinion. In
addition, we have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, that the final form of the Agreement will not differ in any respect from the execution copy of the Agreement identified above.
Furthermore, in connection with this Opinion, we have not been requested to make, and have not made, any physical inspection or independent
appraisal or evaluation of any of the assets, properties or liabilities (fixed, contingent, derivative, off-balance-sheet or otherwise) of the Company or any other party, nor were we provided with any such appraisal or evaluation. We did not
estimate, and express no opinion regarding, the liquidation value of any entity or business. We have undertaken no independent analysis of any potential or actual litigation, regulatory action, possible unasserted claims or other contingent
liabilities, to which the Company is or may be a party or is or may be subject, or of any governmental investigation of any possible unasserted claims or other contingent liabilities to which the Company is or may be a party or is or may be subject.
This Opinion is necessarily based on financial, economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available
to us as of, the date hereof. We have not undertaken, and are under no obligation, to update, revise, reaffirm or withdraw this Opinion, or otherwise comment on or consider events occurring or coming to our attention after the date hereof.
This Opinion is furnished for the use of the Committee (in its capacity as such) in connection with its evaluation of the Transaction and may
not be used for any other purpose without our prior written consent. This Opinion is not intended to be, and does not constitute, a recommendation to the Committee, the Board, the Company, any security holder or any other party as to how to act or
vote with respect to any matter relating to the Transaction or otherwise.
In the ordinary course of business, certain of our employees
and affiliates, as well as investment funds in which they may have financial interests or with which they may co-invest, may acquire, hold or sell, long or
|
|
|
The Strategic Alternatives Committee of the Board of Directors of Electro Rent Corporation
May 27, 2016
|
|
B-3
|
short positions, or trade, in debt, equity, and other securities and financial instruments (including loans and other obligations) of, or investments in, the Company, the Acquiror or any other
party that may be involved in the Transaction and their respective affiliates or any currency or commodity that may be involved in the Transaction.
Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates have in the past provided and are currently providing investment banking, financial advisory
and/or other financial or consulting services to Platinum Equity, LLC (Platinum), an affiliate of the Acquiror, or one or more security holders, affiliates and/or portfolio companies of investment funds affiliated or associated with
Platinum (collectively, with Platinum, the Platinum Group), for which Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates have received, and may receive, compensation, including, among other things, (i) having acted as placement agent for MetoKote
Corporation, a member of the Platinum Group, in connection with a debt financing, which closed in June 2014, (ii) having acted as financial advisor to an affiliate of Platinum in connection with certain financial alternatives available to a
member of the Platinum Group in 2015, (iii) currently acting as financial advisor to an ad hoc committee of creditors which includes a member of the Platinum Group, and (iv) currently acting as financial advisor to a member of the Platinum
Group in connection with its consideration of a possible strategic transaction. Houlihan Lokey has in the past provided investment banking and financial advisory services to the Company, for which Houlihan Lokey has received compensation, including,
having previously provided certain strategic advisor services to the Committee pursuant to a letter agreement, dated November 4, 2014 (the Prior Engagement), among Houlihan Lokey, the Committee and the Company. Houlihan Lokey and
certain of its affiliates may provide investment banking, financial advisory and/or other financial or consulting services to the Company, the Acquiror, the members of the Platinum Group, other participants in the Transaction or certain of their
respective affiliates in the future, for which Houlihan Lokey and its affiliates may receive compensation. In addition, Houlihan Lokey and certain of its affiliates and certain of our and their respective employees may have committed to invest in
private equity or other investment funds managed or advised by Platinum, other participants in the Transaction or certain of their respective affiliates, and in portfolio companies of such funds, and may have co-invested with members of the Platinum
Group, other participants in the Transaction or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders, and may do so in the future. Furthermore, in connection with bankruptcies, restructurings, and similar matters, Houlihan Lokey and
certain of its affiliates may have in the past acted, may currently be acting and may in the future act as financial advisor to debtors, creditors, equity holders, trustees, agents and other interested parties (including, without
limitation, formal and informal committees or groups of creditors) that may have included or represented and may include or represent, directly or indirectly, or may be or have been adverse to, the Company, the Acquiror, members of the
Platinum Group, other participants in the Transaction or certain of their respective affiliates or security holders, for which advice and services Houlihan Lokey and such affiliates have received and may receive compensation.
Houlihan Lokey has also acted as financial advisor to the Committee in connection with, and has participated in certain of the negotiations
leading to, the Transaction and will receive a fee for such services contingent upon the consummation of the Transaction which will be based on the value of the Transaction. In addition, we will receive a fee for rendering this Opinion, which is not
contingent upon the successful completion of the Transaction. The fee paid to Houlihan Lokey in connection with the Prior Engagement will, to the extent previously paid, be creditable against the transaction fee payable to Houlihan Lokey with
respect to the Transaction. The Company has agreed to reimburse certain of our expenses and to indemnify us and certain related parties for certain potential liabilities arising out of our engagement.
This Opinion only addresses the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Common Stock of the Consideration to be received
by such holders in the Transaction pursuant to the Agreement and does not address any other aspect or implication of the Transaction, any related transaction or any agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into in connection therewith or
otherwise. We have not been requested to opine as to, and this Opinion does not express an opinion as to or otherwise address, among other things: (i) the underlying business decision of the Committee, the Board, the Company, its security
holders or any other party to proceed with or effect the Transaction, (ii) the terms of any arrangements, understandings, agreements or documents
|
|
|
The Strategic Alternatives Committee of the Board of Directors of Electro Rent Corporation
May 27, 2016
|
|
B-4
|
related to, or the form, structure or any other portion or aspect of, the Transaction or otherwise (other than the Consideration to the extent expressly specified herein), (iii) the fairness
of any portion or aspect of the Transaction to the holders of any class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of the Company, or to any other party, except if and only to the extent expressly set forth in the last sentence of this
Opinion, (iv) the relative merits of the Transaction as compared to any alternative business strategies or transactions that might be available for the Company or any other party, (v) the fairness of any portion or aspect of the
Transaction to any one class or group of the Companys or any other partys security holders or other constituents vis-à-vis any other class or group of the Companys or such other partys security holders or other
constituents (including, without limitation, the allocation of any consideration amongst or within such classes or groups of security holders or other constituents), (vi) whether or not the Company, the Acquiror, their respective security
holders or any other party is receiving or paying reasonably equivalent value in the Transaction, (vii) the solvency, creditworthiness or fair value of the Company, the Acquiror or any other participant in the Transaction, or any of their
respective assets, under any applicable laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar matters, or (viii) the fairness, financial or otherwise, of the amount, nature or any other aspect of any compensation to or
consideration payable to or received by any officers, directors or employees of any party to the Transaction, any class of such persons or any other party, relative to the Consideration or otherwise. In addition, this opinion does not address
whether or not the Consideration is the highest price per share of Common Stock that could be achieved in a sale of the Company. Furthermore, we are not expressing any opinion, counsel or interpretation regarding matters that require legal,
regulatory, environmental, accounting, insurance, tax or other similar professional advice. It is assumed that such opinions, counsel or interpretations have been or will be obtained from the appropriate professional sources. Furthermore, we have
relied, with the consent of the Committee, on the assessments by the Committee, the Company and their respective advisors, as to all legal, regulatory, accounting, insurance and tax matters with respect to the Company, the Transaction or otherwise.
The issuance of this Opinion was approved by a committee authorized to approve opinions of this nature.
Based upon and subject to the
foregoing, and in reliance thereon, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Consideration to be received by the holders of Common Stock in the Transaction pursuant to the Agreement is fair to such holders from a financial point of view.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc.
HOULIHAN LOKEY CAPITAL, INC.
ANNEX C
Chapter 13 of the California General Corporation Law
§ 1300.
(a) If the approval of the
outstanding shares (Section 152) of a corporation is required for a reorganization under subdivisions (a) and (b) or subdivision (e) or (f) of Section 1201, each shareholder of the corporation entitled to vote on the
transaction and each shareholder of a subsidiary corporation in a short-form merger may, by complying with this chapter, require the corporation in which the shareholder holds shares to purchase for cash at their fair market value the shares owned
by the shareholder which are dissenting shares as defined in subdivision (b). The fair market value shall be determined as of the day of, and immediately prior to, the first announcement of the terms of the proposed reorganization or short-form
merger, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in consequence of the proposed reorganization or short-form merger, as adjusted for any stock split, reverse stock split, or share dividend that becomes effective thereafter.
(b) As used in this chapter, dissenting shares means shares to which all of the following apply:
(1) That were not, immediately prior to the reorganization or short-form merger, listed on any national securities exchange certified by the
Commissioner of Corporations under subdivision (o) of Section 25100, and the notice of meeting of shareholders to act upon the reorganization summarizes this section and Sections 1301, 1302, 1303 and 1304; provided, however, that this
provision does not apply to any shares with respect to which there exists any restriction on transfer imposed by the corporation or by any law or regulation; and provided, further, that this provision does not apply to any shares where the holder of
those shares is required, by the terms of the reorganization or short-form merger, to accept for the shares anything except: (A) shares of any other corporation, which shares, at the time the reorganization or short-form merger is effective,
are listed on any national securities exchange certified by the Commissioner of Corporations under subdivision (o) of Section 25100; (B) cash in lieu of fractional shares described in the foregoing subparagraph (A); or (C) any
combination of the shares and cash in lieu of fractional shares described in the foregoing subparagraphs (A) and (B).
(2) That were
outstanding on the date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote on the reorganization and (A) were not voted in favor of the reorganization or, (B) if described in paragraph (1), were voted against the reorganization, or
were held of record on the effective date of a short-form merger; provided, however, that subparagraph (A) rather than subparagraph (B) of this paragraph applies in any case where the approval required by Section 1201 is sought by
written consent rather than at a meeting.
(3) That the dissenting shareholder has demanded that the corporation purchase at their fair
market value, in accordance with Section 1301.
(4) That the dissenting shareholder has submitted for endorsement, in accordance with
Section 1302.
(c) As used in this chapter, dissenting shareholder means the recordholder of dissenting shares and
includes a transferee of record.
§ 1301.
(a) If, in the case of a reorganization, any shareholders of a corporation have a right under Section 1300, subject to compliance with
paragraphs (3) and (4) of subdivision (b) thereof, to require the corporation to purchase their shares for cash, that corporation shall mail to each of those shareholders a notice of the approval of the reorganization by its
outstanding shares (Section 152) within 10 days after the date of that approval, accompanied by a copy of Sections 1300, 1302, 1303, and 1304 and this section, a statement of the price
III
determined by the corporation to represent the fair market value of the dissenting shares, and a brief description of the procedure to be followed if the shareholder desires to exercise the
shareholders right under those sections. The statement of price constitutes an offer by the corporation to purchase at the price stated any dissenting shares as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 1300, unless they lose their
status as dissenting shares under Section 1309.
(b) Any shareholder who has a right to require the corporation to purchase the
shareholders shares for cash under Section 1300, subject to compliance with paragraphs (3) and (4) of subdivision (b) thereof, and who desires the corporation to purchase shares shall make written demand upon the
corporation for the purchase of those shares and payment to the shareholder in cash of their fair market value. The demand is not effective for any purpose unless it is received by the corporation or any transfer agent thereof (1) in the case
of shares described in subdivision (b) of Section 1300, not later than the date of the shareholders meeting to vote upon the reorganization, or (2) in any other case, within 30 days after the date on which the notice of the
approval by the outstanding shares pursuant to subdivision (a) or the notice pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1110 was mailed to the shareholder.
(c) The demand shall state the number and class of the shares held of record by the shareholder which the shareholder demands that the
corporation purchase and shall contain a statement of what the shareholder claims to be the fair market value of those shares as determined pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1300. The statement of fair market value constitutes an
offer by the shareholder to sell the shares at that price.
§ 1302.
Within 30 days after the date on which notice of the approval by the outstanding shares or the notice pursuant to subdivision (h) of
Section 1110 was mailed to the shareholder, the shareholder shall submit to the corporation at its principal office or at the office of any transfer agent thereof, (a) if the shares are certificated securities, the shareholders
certificates representing any shares which the shareholder demands that the corporation purchase, to be stamped or endorsed with a statement that the shares are dissenting shares or to be exchanged for certificates of appropriate denomination so
stamped or endorsed or (b) if the shares are uncertificated securities, written notice of the number of shares which the shareholder demands that the corporation purchase. Upon subsequent transfers of the dissenting shares on the books of the
corporation, the new certificates, initial transaction statement, and other written statements issued therefor shall bear a like statement, together with the name of the original dissenting holder of the shares.
§ 1303.
(a) If the corporation and
the shareholder agree that the shares are dissenting shares and agree upon the price of the shares, the dissenting shareholder is entitled to the agreed price with interest thereon at the legal rate on judgments from the date of the agreement. Any
agreements fixing the fair market value of any dissenting shares as between the corporation and the holders thereof shall be filed with the secretary of the corporation.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 1306, payment of the fair market value of dissenting shares shall be made within 30 days
after the amount thereof has been agreed or within 30 days after any statutory or contractual conditions to the reorganization are satisfied, whichever is later, and in the case of certificated securities, subject to surrender of the
certificates therefor, unless provided otherwise by agreement.
§ 1304.
(a) If the corporation denies that the shares are dissenting shares, or the corporation and the shareholder fail to agree upon the fair market
value of the shares, then the shareholder demanding purchase of such shares as dissenting shares or any interested corporation, within six months after the date on which notice of the approval by the outstanding shares (Section 152) or notice
pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1110 was mailed to the
C-2
shareholder, but not thereafter, may file a complaint in the superior court of the proper county praying the court to determine whether the shares are dissenting shares or the fair market value
of the dissenting shares or both or may intervene in any action pending on such a complaint.
(b) Two or more dissenting shareholders may
join as plaintiffs or be joined as defendants in any such action and two or more such actions may be consolidated.
(c) On the trial of
the action, the court shall determine the issues. If the status of the shares as dissenting shares is in issue, the court shall first determine that issue. If the fair market value of the dissenting shares is in issue, the court shall determine, or
shall appoint one or more impartial appraisers to determine, the fair market value of the shares.
§ 1305.
(a) If the court appoints an appraiser or appraisers, they shall proceed forthwith to determine the fair market value per share. Within
the time fixed by the court, the appraisers, or a majority of them, shall make and file a report in the office of the clerk of the court. Thereupon, on the motion of any party, the report shall be submitted to the court and considered on such
evidence as the court considers relevant. If the court finds the report reasonable, the court may confirm it.
(b) If a majority of the
appraisers appointed fail to make and file a report within 10 days from the date of their appointment or within such further time as may be allowed by the court or the report is not confirmed by the court, the court shall determine the fair
market value of the dissenting shares.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 1306, judgment shall be rendered against the
corporation for payment of an amount equal to the fair market value of each dissenting share multiplied by the number of dissenting shares which any dissenting shareholder who is a party, or who has intervened, is entitled to require the corporation
to purchase, with interest thereon at the legal rate from the date on which judgment was entered.
(d) Any such judgment shall be payable
forthwith with respect to uncertificated securities and, with respect to certificated securities, only upon the endorsement and delivery to the corporation of the certificates for the shares described in the judgment. Any party may appeal from the
judgment.
(e) The costs of the action, including reasonable compensation to the appraisers to be fixed by the court, shall be assessed or
apportioned as the court considers equitable, but, if the appraisal exceeds the price offered by the corporation, the corporation shall pay the costs (including in the discretion of the court attorneys fees, fees of expert witnesses and
interest at the legal rate on judgments from the date of compliance with Sections 1300, 1301 and 1302 if the value awarded by the court for the shares is more than 125 percent of the price offered by the corporation under subdivision
(a) of Section 1301).
§ 1306.
To the extent that the provisions of Chapter 5 prevent the payment to any holders of dissenting shares of their fair market value, they
shall become creditors of the corporation for the amount thereof together with interest at the legal rate on judgments until the date of payment, but subordinate to all other creditors in any liquidation proceeding, such debt to be payable when
permissible under the provisions of Chapter 5.
§ 1307.
Cash dividends declared and paid by the corporation upon the dissenting shares after the date of approval of the reorganization by the
outstanding shares (Section 152) and prior to payment for the shares by the corporation shall be credited against the total amount to be paid by the corporation therefor.
C-3
§ 1308.
Except as expressly limited in this chapter, holders of dissenting shares continue to have all the rights and privileges incident to their
shares, until the fair market value of their shares is agreed upon or determined. A dissenting shareholder may not withdraw a demand for payment unless the corporation consents thereto.
§ 1309.
Dissenting shares lose
their status as dissenting shares and the holders thereof cease to be dissenting shareholders and cease to be entitled to require the corporation to purchase their shares upon the happening of any of the following:
(a) The corporation abandons the reorganization. Upon abandonment of the reorganization, the corporation shall pay on demand to any dissenting
shareholder who has initiated proceedings in good faith under this chapter all necessary expenses incurred in such proceedings and reasonable attorneys fees.
(b) The shares are transferred prior to their submission for endorsement in accordance with Section 1302 or are surrendered for
conversion into shares of another class in accordance with the articles.
(c) The dissenting shareholder and the corporation do not agree
upon the status of the shares as dissenting shares or upon the purchase price of the shares, and neither files a complaint or intervenes in a pending action as provided in Section 1304, within six months after the date on which notice of the
approval by the outstanding shares or notice pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1110 was mailed to the shareholder.
(d) The
dissenting shareholder, with the consent of the corporation, withdraws the shareholders demand for purchase of the dissenting shares.
§
1310.
If litigation is instituted to test the sufficiency or regularity of the votes of the shareholders in authorizing a
reorganization, any proceedings under Sections 1304 and 1305 shall be suspended until final determination of such litigation.
§ 1311.
This chapter, except Section 1312, does not apply to classes of shares whose terms and provisions specifically set forth the
amount to be paid in respect to such shares in the event of a reorganization or merger.
§ 1312.
(a) No shareholder of a corporation who has a right under this chapter to demand payment of cash for the shares held by the shareholder shall
have any right at law or in equity to attack the validity of the reorganization or short-form merger, or to have the reorganization or short-form merger set aside or rescinded, except in an action to test whether the number of shares required to
authorize or approve the reorganization have been legally voted in favor thereof; but any holder of shares of a class whose terms and provisions specifically set forth the amount to be paid in respect to them in the event of a reorganization or
short-form merger is entitled to payment in accordance with those terms and provisions or, if the principal terms of the reorganization are approved pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1202, is entitled to payment in accordance with the
terms and provisions of the approved reorganization.
(b) If one of the parties to a reorganization or short-form merger is directly or
indirectly controlled by, or under common control with, another party to the reorganization or short-form merger, subdivision (a) shall not
C-4
apply to any shareholder of such party who has not demanded payment of cash for such shareholders shares pursuant to this chapter; but if the shareholder institutes any action to attack the
validity of the reorganization or short-form merger or to have the reorganization or short-form merger set aside or rescinded, the shareholder shall not thereafter have any right to demand payment of cash for the shareholders shares pursuant
to this chapter. The court in any action attacking the validity of the reorganization or short-form merger or to have the reorganization or short-form merger set aside or rescinded shall not restrain or enjoin the consummation of the transaction
except upon 10 days prior notice to the corporation and upon a determination by the court that clearly no other remedy will adequately protect the complaining shareholder or the class of shareholders of which such shareholder is a member.
(c) If one of the parties to a reorganization or short-form merger is directly or indirectly controlled by, or under common control with,
another party to the reorganization or short-form merger, in any action to attack the validity of the reorganization or short-form merger or to have the reorganization or short-form merger set aside or rescinded, (1) a party to a reorganization
or short-form merger which controls another party to the reorganization or short-form merger shall have the burden of proving that the transaction is just and reasonable as to the shareholders of the controlled party, and (2) a person who
controls two or more parties to a reorganization shall have the burden of proving that the transaction is just and reasonable as to the shareholders of any party so controlled.
§ 1313.
A conversion pursuant to
Chapter 11.5 (commencing with Section 1150) shall be deemed to constitute a reorganization for purposes of applying the provisions of this chapter, in accordance with and to the extent provided in Section 1159.
C-5