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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 20, 2000
COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
NEVADA 1-4850 95-2043126
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
2100 East Grand Avenue
El Segundo, California 90245
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (310) 615-0311
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
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Item 5. Other Events.
On June 20, 2000, the Registrant entered into an Agreement and Plan
of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Policy Management Systems Corporation
("PMSC") and Patriot Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Registrant ("Acquisition"). The Merger Agreement provides for the
acquisition of PMSC by the Registrant pursuant to a $16 per share cash tender
offer for at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of PMSC common stock
(the "Tender Offer"), followed by a merger of Acquisition with and into PMSC
(the "Merger"). Upon consummation of the Merger (i) PMSC will become a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant and (ii) each outstanding share of
common stock of PMSC will be converted into $16 cash.
Attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference are the Merger
Agreement and a joint press release of the Registrant and PMSC dated June 20,
2000 describing the Tender Offer and the Merger.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
The exhibits listed below are filed as a part of this report:
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 20, 2000 by
and among the Registrant, Policy Management Systems
Corporation and Patriot Acquisition Corp.
99.1 Joint Press Release of the Registrant and Policy Management
Systems Corporation dated June 20, 2000.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereto duly authorized.
COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION
Dated: June 20, 2000 By /s/Hayward D. Fisk
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Hayward D. Fisk
Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit
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2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 20, 2000 by and among
the Registrant, Policy Management Systems Corporation and Patriot
Acquisition Corp.
99.1 Joint Press Release of the Registrant and Policy Management Systems
Corporation dated June 20, 2000.
EXHIBIT 2.1
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
among
COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION,
PATRIOT ACQUISITION CORP.
and
POLICY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Dated as of June 20, 2000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I THE OFFER......................................................1
Section 1.1 The Offer..............................................1
Section 1.2 Company Action.........................................3
Section 1.3 Directors..............................................4
ARTICLE II THE MERGER....................................................5
Section 2.1 The Merger.............................................5
Section 2.2 Effect of the Merger...................................5
Section 2.3 Closing................................................5
Section 2.4 Consummation of the Merger.............................6
Section 2.5 Articles of Incorporation; By-Laws; Directors
and Officers.........................................6
Section 2.6 Effect on Capital Stock................................6
Section 2.7 Exchange of Certificates...............................7
Section 2.8 Stock Options..........................................8
Section 2.9 Restricted Stock.......................................8
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY................8
Section 3.1 Organization and Qualification.........................8
Section 3.2 Subsidiaries...........................................9
Section 3.3 Authority Relative to Agreements......................10
Section 3.4 Non-Contravention.....................................10
Section 3.5 Capitalization........................................10
Section 3.6 SEC Filings...........................................11
Section 3.7 Financial Statements..................................11
Section 3.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events..................12
Section 3.9 Governmental Approvals................................12
Section 3.10 Compliance with Laws; No Default......................13
Section 3.11 Information Supplied..................................14
Section 3.12 Litigation............................................14
Section 3.13 Intellectual Property; Computer Software..............15
Section 3.14 Trade Secrets.........................................16
Section 3.15 Severance Arrangements................................17
Section 3.16 Taxes.................................................17
Section 3.17 Employee Benefit Plans................................18
Section 3.18 Environmental Matters.................................20
Section 3.19 Customer Relationships................................20
Section 3.20 Certain Transactions 20
Section 3.21 Title to Properties; Absence of Liens and
Encumbrances........................................21
Section 3.22 Insurance.............................................21
Section 3.23 State Takeover Statutes; Certain Charter Provisions 21
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Section 3.24 Opinion of Financial Advisor..........................22
Section 3.25 Brokers...............................................22
Section 3.26 Termination of Existing Agreement.....................22
Section 3.27 Certain Business Practices............................22
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND ACQUISITION.....22
Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification........................22
Section 4.2 Authorization of Agreement, Non-Contravention, Etc....23
Section 4.3 Information Supplied..................................23
Section 4.4 Interim Operations of Acquisition.....................24
Section 4.5 Brokers...............................................24
Section 4.6 Financing.............................................24
ARTICLE V CERTAIN AGREEMENTS............................................24
Section 5.1 Conduct of the Company's Business.....................24
Section 5.2 Stockholder Approval; Preparation of Proxy Statement..26
Section 5.3 Access to Information.................................27
Section 5.4 Further Assurances....................................28
Section 5.5 Inquiries and Negotiations............................28
Section 5.6 Notification of Certain Matters, Etc..................31
Section 5.7 Indemnification.......................................31
Section 5.8 Employee Benefits.....................................32
Section 5.9 Section 16 Matters....................................33
Section 5.10 Works Councils........................................33
ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER.....................................33
Section 6.1 Conditions to the Obligations of the Parties..........34
ARTICLE VII TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT.................................34
Section 7.1 Termination and Abandonment...........................34
Section 7.2 Effect of Termination.................................35
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS..............................................36
Section 8.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties.........36
Section 8.2 Expenses, Etc.........................................36
Section 8.3 Publicity.............................................36
Section 8.4 Execution in Counterparts.............................36
Section 8.5 Notices...............................................36
Section 8.6 Waivers...............................................37
Section 8.7 Entire Agreement......................................38
Section 8.8 Applicable Law........................................38
Section 8.9 Binding Effect, Benefits..............................38
Section 8.10 Assignability.........................................38
Section 8.11 Amendments............................................38
Section 8.12 Interpretation........................................39
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of June 20, 2000, among COMPUTER
SCIENCES CORPORATION, a Nevada corporation ("Parent"), PATRIOT ACQUISITION
CORP., a South Carolina corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent
("Acquisition"), and POLICY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION, a South Carolina
corporation (the "Company").
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of the Company, Parent and Acquisition
each has, in light of and subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, (i) determined that a business combination between Parent and the
Company is fair to their respective shareholders and in the best interests of
such shareholders and (ii) accordingly has approved a Merger of Acquisition
with and into the Company, with the Company as the Surviving Corporation (the
"Surviving Corporation"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth herein (the "Merger");
WHEREAS, by resolutions duly adopted, the respective Boards of Directors
of the Company, Parent and Acquisition have approved and adopted this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company, Parent and Acquisition
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE OFFER
Section 1.1 The Offer.
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(a) Provided that nothing shall have occurred that, had the Offer
referred to below been commenced, would give rise to a right to terminate the
Offer pursuant to any of the conditions set forth in Annex I hereto, as
promptly as reasonably practicable after the public announcement of the terms
of this Agreement, but in no event later than one week after the date hereof,
Acquisition shall (and Parent shall cause Acquisition to) commence (within
the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act")), an offer (the "Offer") for all of the outstanding shares of
common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (individually a
"Share" and collectively, the "Shares") at a price for each Share of $16.00,
net to the seller in cash (the "Offer Price"). The obligation of Acquisition
to accept for payment and to pay for any Shares tendered shall be subject
only to (i) the condition that at least two-thirds of the Shares on a fully-
diluted basis, together with the Shares then owned by Parent and/or
Acquisition, (including for purposes of such calculation all Shares issuable
upon exercise of all vested and unvested Company Stock Options that vest
prior to the Effective Time, but excluding any Shares held by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries) be validly tendered (the "Minimum Condition"), and
(ii) the other conditions set forth in Annex I hereto. Acquisition expressly
reserves the right to increase the Offer Price or to make any other changes
in the terms
and conditions of the Offer; provided, however, that (i) the Minimum
Condition may be amended or waived only with the prior written consent of the
Company and (ii) no change may be made that changes the form of consideration
to be paid, decreases the price per Share or the number of Shares sought in
the Offer, imposes conditions to the Offer in addition to those set forth in
Annex I, extends the expiration date of the Offer beyond the initial
expiration date of the Offer (except as provided in (b), below) or makes any
other change which is adverse to the holders of the Shares. Subject to
satisfaction of the conditions contained in Annex I, Acquisition shall accept
for payment all Shares validly tendered pursuant to the Offer as soon as it
is permitted to do so under applicable law and shall pay for such Shares
promptly thereafter.
(b) The Offer shall initially be scheduled to expire 20 business
days following the commencement thereof. If, at a then-scheduled expiration
date, the conditions to the Offer have not been satisfied (other than
conditions which are not capable of being satisfied), Acquisition may extend
the Offer from time to time until December 31, 2000, without the consent of
the Company, for such amount of time as is reasonably necessary to cause such
Offer Conditions to be satisfied, no such extension to exceed ten business
days. Without limiting the right of Acquisition to extend the Offer pursuant
to the immediately preceding sentence, at the request of Company, Acquisition
shall, and Parent shall cause Acquisition to, extend the expiration date of
the Offer in one or more periods of not more than ten business days each (but
in no event later than December 31, 2000), if (i) any of the conditions set
forth in Annex I shall not have been satisfied or waived at the scheduled or
extended expiration date of the Offer, (ii) such condition is reasonably
capable of being satisfied, and (iii) Company is in material compliance with
all of its covenants in this Agreement, subject to the cure provisions of
paragraph (b)(ii) of Annex I. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Acquisition
may, without the consent of the Company, (i) extend the Offer for any period
required by any rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") applicable to the Offer and (ii) if more than 80% but less than
90% of the outstanding Shares shall have been validly tendered pursuant to
the Offer as of the scheduled or extended expiration date, extend the Offer
for an aggregate period of not more than five business days beyond the latest
expiration date that would otherwise be permitted under clause (i) of this
sentence.
(c) As soon as practicable on the date the Offer is commenced,
Parent and Acquisition shall file with the SEC a Tender Offer Statement on
Schedule TO (together with all amendments and supplements thereto, and
including all exhibits thereto, the "Schedule TO") with respect to the Offer.
The Schedule TO shall contain as an exhibit or incorporate by reference the
Offer to Purchase (or portions thereof) and forms of the related letter of
transmittal and summary advertisement. Parent and Acquisition agree that
they shall cause
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the Schedule TO, the Offer to Purchase and all amendments or supplements
thereto (which together constitute the "Offer Documents") to comply in all
material respects with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder and other Applicable Laws. Each of Parent, Acquisition and the
Company agrees promptly to correct any information provided by it for use in
the Offer Documents if and to the extent that such information shall have
become false or misleading in any material respect, and Parent and
Acquisition further agree to take all steps necessary to cause the Schedule
TO as so corrected to be filed with the SEC and the other Offer Documents as
so corrected to be disseminated to holders of Shares, in each case as and to
the extent required by applicable federal securities laws. The Company and
its counsel shall be given reasonable opportunity to review and comment on
the Offer Documents prior to the filing thereof with the SEC. Parent and
Acquisition agree to provide in writing the Company and its counsel with any
comments Parent, Acquisition or their counsel may receive from the SEC or its
staff with respect to the Offer Documents promptly after receipt of such
comments.
Section 1.2 Company Action.
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(a) The Company hereby consents to the Offer and represents that
its Board of Directors, at a meeting duly called and held, has (i)
unanimously determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to and in the best
interests of the Company's shareholders, (ii) unanimously approved and
adopted this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including
the Offer and the Merger, in accordance with the requirements of the South
Carolina Business Corporation Act ("SCBCA") and (iii) subject to its
fiduciary duties under applicable law, as determined by the Board of
Directors in good faith after consultation with counsel, unanimously resolved
to recommend acceptance of the Offer and approval and adoption of this
Agreement and the Merger by its shareholders. The Company has been advised
that all of its directors who own Shares intend to tender their Shares
pursuant to the Offer. The Company will promptly furnish Parent with a list
of its shareholders, mailing labels and any available listing or computer
file containing the names and addresses of all record holders of Shares and
lists of securities positions of Shares held in stock depositories, in each
case true and correct as of the most recent practicable date, and will
provide to Parent such additional information (including updated lists of
shareholders, mailing labels and lists of securities positions) and such
other assistance as Parent may reasonably request in connection with the
Offer. Parent and Acquisition and their agents shall hold in confidence the
information contained in any such labels, listings and files, will use such
information only in connection with the Offer and the Merger and, if this
Agreement shall be terminated, will, upon request, deliver, and will use
their reasonable efforts to cause their agents to deliver, to the Company (or
destroy) all copies and any extracts or summaries from such information then
in their possession or control.
(b) As soon as practicable on the day that the Offer is commenced,
the Company shall file with the SEC and disseminate to holders of Shares, in
each case as and to the extent required by applicable federal securities
laws, a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (together
with any amendments or supplements thereto, the "Schedule 14D-9") that,
subject to its fiduciary duties under applicable law, as determined by the
Board of Directors in good faith after consultation with counsel, shall
reflect the recommendations of the Company's Board of Directors referred to
above. The Company agrees that it shall cause the Schedule 14D-9 to comply
in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder and other applicable laws. The Company agrees to provide Parent
and its counsel with any comments the Company or its counsel may receive from
the SEC or its staff
3
with respect to the Schedule 14D-9 promptly after the receipt of such
comments and shall provide Parent and its counsel an opportunity to
participate in the response of the Company to such comments, including by
participating with the Company or its counsel in any discussions with the SEC
or its staff. The Company, Parent and Acquisition each agree promptly to
correct any information provided by it for use in the Schedule 14D-9 if and
to the extent that it shall have become false or misleading in any material
respect. The Company agrees to take all steps necessary to cause the
Schedule 14D-9 as so corrected to be filed with the SEC and to be
disseminated to holders of Shares, in each case as and to the extent required
by applicable federal securities laws. Parent and its counsel shall be given
an opportunity to review and comment on the Schedule 14D-9 prior to its being
filed with the SEC.
Section 1.3 Directors.
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(a) Effective upon the acceptance for payment of any Shares
pursuant to the Offer, Parent shall be entitled to designate the number of
directors, rounded up to the next whole number, on the Company's Board of
Directors that equals the product of (i) the total number of directors on the
Company's Board of Directors (giving effect to the election of any additional
directors pursuant to this Section) and (ii) the percentage that the number
of Shares beneficially owned by Parent and/or Acquisition (including Shares
accepted for payment) bears to the total number of Shares outstanding, and
the Company shall take all action necessary to cause Parent's designees to be
elected or appointed to the Company's Board of Directors, including
increasing the number of directors, and seeking and accepting resignations of
incumbent directors. At such time, to the extent requested by Parent, the
Company will also use its best efforts to cause individuals designated by
Parent to constitute the number of members, rounded up to the next whole
number, on (i) each committee of the Board and (ii) each board of directors
of each Subsidiary of the Company (and each committee thereof) that
represents the same percentage as such individuals represent on the Board of
Directors of the Company. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section
1.3, the parties hereto shall use their respective best efforts to ensure
that at least two of the members of the Company's Board of Directors shall,
at all times prior to the Effective Time, be directors of the Company who
were directors of the Company on the date hereof (the "Continuing
Directors"); provided that if there shall be in office fewer than two
Continuing Directors for any reason, the Company's Board of Directors shall
cause a person designated by the remaining Continuing Director to fill such
vacancy who shall be deemed to be a Continuing Director for all purposes of
this Agreement, or if no Continuing Directors then remain, the other
directors of the Company then in office shall designate two persons to fill
such vacancies who will not be officers or employees or affiliates of the
Company, Parent or Acquisition or any of their respective Subsidiaries and
such persons shall be deemed to be Continuing Directors for all purposes of
this Agreement.
(b) The Company's obligations to appoint Parent's designees to the
Company's Board of Directors shall be subject to Section 14(f) of the
Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder. The Company shall
promptly take all actions, and shall include in the Schedule 14D-9 such
information with respect to the Company and its officers and
4
directors, as Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1 require in order to fulfill its
obligations under this Section, so long as Parent shall have provided to the
Company on a timely basis the information referred to in the following
sentence. Parent shall supply to the Company in writing and be solely
responsible for any information with respect to itself and its nominees,
officers, directors and affiliates required by Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1.
(c) Following the election or appointment of Parent's designees
pursuant to Section 1.3(a) and until the Effective Time, the approval of a
majority of the Continuing Directors shall be required to authorize (and such
authorization shall constitute the authorization of the Company's Board of
Directors and no other action on the part of the Company, including any
action by any other director of the Company, shall be required to authorize)
any termination of this Agreement by the Company, any amendment of this
Agreement requiring action by the Company's Board of Directors, any extension
of time for performance of any obligation or action hereunder by Parent or
Acquisition, any waiver of compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions contained herein for the benefit of the Company, any consent or
action by the Board of Directors of the Company hereunder and any other
action of the Company hereunder which adversely affects the holders of Shares
(other than Parent or Acquisition).
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
Section 2.1 The Merger.
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Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at
the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), in accordance with this
Agreement and the SCBCA, Acquisition shall be merged with and into the
Company. Following the Merger, the separate existence of Acquisition shall
cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation.
Section 2.2 Effect of the Merger.
--------------------
Upon the effectiveness of the Merger, the Surviving
Corporation shall succeed to and assume all the rights and obligations of the
Company and Acquisition in accordance with the SCBCA and the Merger shall
otherwise have the effects set forth in Section 33-11-106 of the Code of Laws
of South Carolina of 1976, as amended (the "South Carolina Code").
Section 2.3 Closing.
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Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated
previously, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to
the obligations of the parties to effect the Merger set forth herein, the
consummation of the Merger (the "Closing") will take place as promptly as
practicable, but in no event later than 10:00 a.m. on the second business day
following the satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions (other than
conditions which, by their nature are to be satisfied at closing, but subject
to those conditions) to the obligations of the parties to effect the Merger
set forth herein (the "Closing Date"), at the offices of Dewey Ballantine
LLP, New York, New York 10019, unless another time, date or place is agreed
to by the parties hereto.
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Section 2.4 Consummation of the Merger.
--------------------------
Upon the Closing, the parties hereto will cause the
Merger to be consummated by filing with the Secretary of State of the State
of South Carolina properly executed articles of merger in accordance with the
SCBCA, which shall be effective upon filing or on such later date as may be
agreed by the parties and specified therein (the time of such effectiveness
being the "Effective Time").
Section 2.5 Articles of Incorporation; By-Laws; Directors and
-------------------------------------------------
Officers.
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(a) The Articles of Incorporation of Acquisition in effect at the
Effective Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation (except that such Articles of Incorporation shall be amended to
provide that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be changed) until
thereafter amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and as provided
by the SCBCA. The By-Laws of Acquisition in effect at the Effective Time
shall be the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended in
accordance with the provisions thereof, the Articles of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation and the SCBCA.
(b) From and after the Effective Time and until their respective
successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified, or until their
earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Surviving
Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, (i) the directors of
Acquisition at the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving
Corporation and (ii) the officers of Acquisition at the Effective Time shall
be the officers of the Surviving Corporation.
Section 2.6 Effect on Capital Stock.
-----------------------
As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and
without any action on the part of any holder of Shares or any shares of
capital stock of Acquisition:
(a) Common Stock of Acquisition.
---------------------------
Each share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
Acquisition that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be converted into and become one fully paid and nonassessable
share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Surviving
Corporation.
(b) Cancellation of Excluded Shares.
-------------------------------
Each Share that is owned by Acquisition or any subsidiary or
affiliate of Acquisition, or by any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) or
held in the treasury of the Company, but not Shares held in any Company
benefit plan or the Company Stock Employee Compensation Trust (collectively,
the "Excluded Shares") shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall
cease to exist, and no cash or other consideration shall be delivered or
deliverable in exchange therefor.
(c) Conversion of Shares.
--------------------
Each Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time (other than Excluded Shares) shall be converted into the right
to receive the highest price paid per share pursuant to the Offer (the
"Merger Consideration"):
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Section 2.7 Exchange of Certificates.
------------------------
(a) As of the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit with Chase
Mellon Shareholder Services, LLC, or such other agent or agents as may be
appointed by Parent and Acquisition (the "Exchange Agent"), for the benefit
of the holders of Shares, for exchange in accordance with this Article 2,
through the Exchange Agent an amount of cash equal to the aggregate Merger
Consideration payable pursuant to Section 2.6 (such amount of cash is
hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Fund"), in exchange for outstanding
Shares.
(b) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time,
the Exchange Agent shall mail to each holder of record of a certificate or
certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
outstanding Shares (the "Certificates") whose shares were converted into the
right to receive Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 2.6: (i) a letter
of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk
of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the
Certificates to the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form and have such
other provisions as Parent and the Company may reasonably specify) and (ii)
instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates in
exchange for Merger Consideration. Upon surrender of a Certificate to the
Exchange Agent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed, the
holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor
a check representing the Merger Consideration, and the Certificate so
surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. In the event of a transfer of
ownership of Shares that is not registered in the transfer records of the
Company, a check representing the proper amount of Merger Consideration may
be issued to a transferee if the Certificate representing such Shares is
presented to the Exchange Agent accompanied by all documents required to
evidence and effect such transfer and by evidence that any applicable stock
transfer taxes have been paid. Until surrendered as contemplated by this
Section 2.7, each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective
Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger
Consideration.
(c) In the event that any Certificate for Shares shall have been
lost, stolen or destroyed, the Exchange Agent shall issue in exchange
therefor, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof,
the Merger Consideration, as may be required pursuant to this Agreement;
provided, however, that Parent or the Exchange Agent, may, in its discretion,
require the delivery of a suitable bond and/or indemnity.
(d) Any portion of the Exchange Fund which remains undistributed
to the shareholders of the Company for six months after the Effective Time
shall be delivered to Parent, upon demand, and any shareholders of the
Company who have not theretofore complied with this Article 2 shall
thereafter look only to Parent as general creditors for payment of their
claims for Merger Consideration.
(e) Neither Parent nor the Company shall be liable to any holder
of Shares for amount of cash from the Exchange Fund delivered to a public
official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar
law.
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Section 2.8 Stock Options.
-------------
(a) At the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase
Shares (a "Company Stock Option or collectively "Company Stock Options")
issued pursuant to any Company stock option plan (referred to collectively as
the "Company Plans"), whether vested or unvested, shall be cancelled in
exchange for a single lump sum cash payment (less any applicable income or
employment tax withholding) payable by Parent at the Effective Time equal to
the Cash-Out Price. For purposes hereof, the Cash-Out Price shall be equal
to the product of (x) the number of Shares subject to such Company Stock
Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether vested or unvested,
and (y) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the exercise
price per Share of such Company Stock Option.
(b) Subject to Schedule 2.8(b), the parties will cooperate to take
all reasonable steps necessary to give effect to Section 2.8(a).
(c) Except as disclosed in writing to Parent prior to the date
hereof, the Company agrees that it will not grant any stock options, stock
appreciation rights, stock units, deferred stock awards or other rights to
acquire Shares or any other interest in Company common stock or any other
equity security of the Company and will not take any action to accelerate the
exercisability or vesting of Company Stock Options and/or permit cash
payments to holders of Company Stock Options with respect to such Company
Stock Options.
Section 2.9 Restricted Stock.
----------------
The Company currently has outstanding 257,146 shares of
restricted stock ("Company Restricted Stock"). At the Effective Time, each
share of Company Restricted Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on
the part of Acquisition, the Company or the holder thereof, be converted into
and shall become an amount in cash equal to the Merger Consideration. The
agreements evidencing the grants of such Company Restricted Stock shall be
cancelled.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to Acquisition that, except as set
forth in the Schedules hereto or the Company SEC Filings:
Section 3.1 Organization and Qualification.
------------------------------
The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of South Carolina
and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own or lease and
operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now
being conducted. The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to
do business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction in which the
character of its properties and assets owned or leased or the nature of its
activities makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be
so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect (as hereinafter
defined) on the Company. As used herein, "Material Adverse
8
Effect" shall mean, with respect to any party, a material adverse effect on
(i) the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or other),
prospects or operating results of such party and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, or (ii) the ability of such party to perform its obligations under
this Agreement; provided that changes in the general economy or in the public
securities markets shall not, in and of themselves, constitute a Material
Adverse Effect. The Company has heretofore made available to Acquisition
complete and correct copies of its minute books and its Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws.
Section 3.2 Subsidiaries.
------------
(a) Except for shares of, or other ownership interests in, the
Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined), the Company does not own of record or
beneficially, directly or indirectly, (i) any shares of outstanding capital
stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for
capital stock of any other corporation or (ii) any participating interest in
any partnership, joint venture or other similar non-corporate business
enterprise. Each Subsidiary is a corporation, partnership or limited
liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and has all
requisite corporate, partnership or limited liability company power and
authority to own or lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry
on its business as it is now being conducted. Each Subsidiary is duly
qualified as a foreign corporation to do business, and is in good standing,
in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties and assets
owned or leased or the nature of its activities makes such qualification
necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Each Subsidiary and its jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization is identified in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999. The Company has
heretofore made available to Acquisition complete and correct copies of the
minute books and the charter and by-laws (or other organizational documents)
of all Subsidiaries.
(b) All the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other
ownership interests in, each Subsidiary are validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable (and no such shares have been issued in violation of any
preemptive or similar rights) and are owned by the Company or by a wholly-
owned Subsidiary of the Company, free and clear of any liens, claims,
charges, encumbrances or adverse claims ("Liens"), and there are no proxies
outstanding or restrictions on voting with respect to any such shares.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Subsidiary" shall mean
any corporation or other business entity of which securities or other
ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the
board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the
time owned by the Company and/or one or more other Subsidiaries.
Section 3.3 Authority Relative to Agreements.
--------------------------------
The Company has all requisite corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject (if required) to
the approval and adoption of this Agreement by a two-thirds vote of the
stockholders of the Company (the "Company Stockholder Approval"), to perform
its obligations hereunder. The
9
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the
consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly
authorized by the Company's Board of Directors and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize this
Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, other than
(if required) the approval and adoption of this Agreement by a two-thirds
vote of the stockholders of the Company. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by the Company and, subject to such stockholder
approval, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.
Section 3.4 Non-Contravention.
-----------------
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Company do not and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not (i) conflict with any provision of the Articles
of Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company; (ii) except as set forth on
Schedule 3.4, result (with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both)
in any violation of or default or loss of a benefit under, or permit the
acceleration or termination of any obligation under, any mortgage, indenture,
lease, agreement or other instrument, permit, concession, grant, franchise,
license, judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation
applicable to the Company or any Subsidiary or their respective properties;
or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or
encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any asset of the Company or any
Subsidiary; other than (in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above) such as
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company.
Section 3.5 Capitalization.
--------------
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of
(i) 75,000,000 Shares and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of Special Stock, $.01 par
value ("Special Stock"). As of June 19, 2000, 35,585,905 Shares were issued
and outstanding, all of which were duly and validly issued, are fully paid
and nonassessable and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or
similar right and no Shares were held in the Company's treasury. No shares
of Special Stock are outstanding. Each of the Company's stock option or
restricted stock plans (the "Company Stock Plans") and options to acquire
Shares or shares of restricted stock of the Company outstanding on the date
hereof (the "Company Stock Rights"), including, without limitation,
information concerning the date of vesting of such options or the lapse of
restrictions on such restricted stock, strike prices of such options and the
acceleration of such vesting or removal of such restrictions, in either case,
by virtue of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby, are
set forth on Schedule 3.5. As of June 19, 2000, 8,341,825 Shares were
reserved for issuance under the Company Stock Plans. Except for options to
purchase an aggregate 7,602,180 (as of June 19, 2000) Shares granted pursuant
to the Company Stock Plans, and except as set forth on Schedule 3.5, no
subscription, warrant, option, convertible security, stock appreciation or
other right (contingent or other) to purchase or acquire, or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, any shares of or other
interest in any class of capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary is
authorized or outstanding and there is not any commitment of the Company or
any Subsidiary to issue, or register under the Securities Act, any shares,
warrants, options or other such rights or to distribute to holders of any
class of its capital stock any evidences of indebtedness or assets. Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary has any
10
obligation (contingent or other) to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
shares of its capital stock or any interest therein or to pay any dividend or
make any other distribution in respect thereof. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.5, the Company is not party to or aware of any agreement relating
to the voting or transfer of Shares.
Section 3.6 SEC Filings.
-----------
The Company has made available to Acquisition true and
complete copies of each form, report, schedule, definitive proxy statement
and registration statement filed by the Company with the SEC subsequent to
January 1, 1998 and on or prior to the date hereof (collectively, the
"Company SEC Filings"), which are all forms, reports, schedules, statements
and other documents (other than preliminary material) that the Company was
required to file with the SEC. The Company SEC Filings (including, without
limitation, any financial statements or schedules included or incorporated by
reference therein) (i) were prepared in compliance with the requirements of
the Securities Act of 1933 (together with the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, the "Securities Act"), or the Exchange Act, as the
case may be, and (ii) did not at the time of filing (or if amended,
supplemented or superseded by a filing prior to the date hereof, on the date
of that filing) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated or incorporated by reference
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the
Subsidiaries is required to file any forms, reports, schedules, statements or
other documents with the SEC.
Section 3.7 Financial Statements.
--------------------
The consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of
December 31, 1999 (the "Audited Balance Sheet") and the related statements of
operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders equity for the year then
ended, certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (the "1999 Financials"), and
the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Company
SEC Filings have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied and consistent with prior periods,
subject, in the case of unaudited interim consolidated financial statements,
to year-end adjustments (which consist of normal recurring accruals) and the
absence of certain footnote disclosures. The consolidated balance sheets of
the Company included in the 1999 Financials and the Company SEC Filings
fairly present the consolidated financial position of the Company as of their
respective dates, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash
flows and stockholders' equity included in the 1999 Financials and the
Company SEC Filings fairly present the consolidated results of operations of
the Company for the respective periods then ended, subject, in the case of
unaudited interim financial statements, to year-end adjustments (which
consist of normal recurring accruals) and the absence of certain footnote
disclosures. None of the Company and its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or
obligations (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of a nature
required by generally accepted accounting principles to be reflected in a
consolidated balance sheet (or reflected in the notes thereto), except for
those (i) that are accrued or reserved against in the Company's financial
statements (or reflected in the notes thereto) included in the 1999
Financials and the Company SEC Filings, (ii) that were incurred subsequent to
March 31, 2000 in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
11
past practice, or (iii) that would not individually or in the aggregate have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Section 3.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.
------------------------------------
Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Filings or as set
forth on Schedule 3.8, since December 31, 1999, neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary has (i) issued any stock, bonds or other corporate securities,
(ii) borrowed any amount or incurred any material liabilities (absolute or
contingent), except in the ordinary course of business, (iii) discharged or
satisfied any lien or incurred or paid any obligation or liability (absolute
or contingent) other than current liabilities shown on the consolidated
balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 1999 and current liabilities
incurred since the date of such balance sheet in the ordinary course of
business, (iv) declared or made any payment or distribution to stockholders
or purchased or redeemed any shares of its capital stock or other securities,
(v) mortgaged, pledged or subjected to Lien any of its assets, tangible or
intangible, other than Liens for current real property taxes not yet due and
payable, (vi) sold, assigned or transferred any of its tangible assets, or
canceled any debts or claims, except in the ordinary course of business or as
otherwise contemplated hereby, (vii) sold, assigned or transferred any
patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets or other
intangible assets, (viii) made any changes in officer or executive
compensation, (ix) waived any rights of substantial value, whether or not in
the ordinary course of business, (x) entered into any transaction, except in
the ordinary course of business or as otherwise contemplated hereby, (xi)
made any material change in its accounting methods, principles or practices,
(xii) agreed, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the actions listed in
clauses (i) through (xi) above, or (xiii) suffered any Material Adverse
Effect.
Section 3.9 Governmental Approvals.
----------------------
No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, any federal, state, local or
foreign governmental or regulatory authority ("Governmental Entity") is
required to be made or obtained by the Company in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the consummation
by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (i)
compliance by the Company with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act") or similar statutes or regulations of
foreign jurisdictions, (ii) the filing of articles of merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of South Carolina in accordance with the
SCBCA, (iii) the filing with the SEC of (1) a proxy statement in definitive
form for distribution to the stockholders of the Company in advance of the
Stockholders Meeting in accordance with Regulation 14A promulgated under the
Exchange Act (such proxy statement, as amended or supplemented from time to
time, being herein referred to as the "Proxy Statement"), (2) the Schedule
14D-9 and (3) such reports under and such other compliance with the Exchange
Act and Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder as may be
required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, (iv) such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations,
declarations and filings as are listed on Schedule 3.9 and (v) such consents,
approvals, orders or authorizations which if not obtained, or registrations,
declarations or filings which if not made, would not materially adversely
affect the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby or the ability of the Surviving
12
Corporation or any Subsidiary to conduct its business after the Effective
Time substantially as currently conducted by the Company or such Subsidiary.
Section 3.10 Compliance with Laws; No Default.
--------------------------------
(a) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default under or
in violation of any order of any court, governmental authority or arbitration
board or tribunal to which the Company or such Subsidiary is or was subject
or in violation of any laws, ordinances, governmental rules or regulations
(including, but not limited to, those relating to export controls, labor and
employment matters and foreign corrupt practices) to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is or was subject, except for such defaults or violations that, in
the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has failed to obtain any licenses,
permits, franchises or other governmental authorizations necessary to the
ownership of its properties or to the conduct of its business (the "Company
Permits"), which failure would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company,
and, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, all such
licenses, permits, franchises and other governmental authorizations will
continue to be valid and in full force and effect. Except as publicly
disclosed by the Company in the Company SEC Filings, the Company and each of
its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of the Company Permits,
except where the failure so to comply would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Except as publicly
disclosed by the Company in the Company SEC Filings, the businesses of the
Company and each of its subsidiaries are not being conducted in violation of
any law, ordinance, rule or regulation of any governmental entity, except for
violations or possible violations which do not, and in the future will not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company. Except as publicly disclosed by the Company in the Company SEC
Filings, no investigation or review by any governmental entity with respect
to the Company or any of its subsidiaries is pending or, to the knowledge of
the Company, threatened, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, has any
governmental entity indicated an intention to conduct the same, other than,
in each case, those which will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(b) Except (i) as set forth on Schedule 3.10, no violation of,
default or event of default under, loss of benefit under, or right to
terminate or accelerate (a "Violation") exists (and no event has occurred
which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute a
Violation) of any term, condition or provision of (A) the certificate or
articles of incorporation or by-laws (or other organizational documents) of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) any loan or credit agreement,
note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other agreement, obligation or
commitment, instrument, permit, concession, franchise or license to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is now a party or by which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets is
bound except in the case of (A) and (B) for Violations which, in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
13
Section 3.11 Information Supplied.
--------------------
(a) Each of the Schedule 14D-9 and the other documents required to
be filed by the Company with the SEC in connection with the Offer, the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby, including the proxy or
information statement relating to the meeting of the Company's shareholders
to be held in connection with the Merger (the "Proxy Statement"), and the
information supplied by the Company to Parent for inclusion or incorporation
by reference in any such documents, will comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as
the case may be, and will not, on the date of its filing or dissemination, as
the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they are made, not misleading.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.11,
no representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to
statements made or incorporated by reference in the Schedule 14D-9 based on
information supplied by Parent or Acquisition expressly for inclusion or
incorporation by reference therein or based on information which is not made
in or incorporated by reference in such documents but which should have been
disclosed pursuant to Section 3.11.
Section 3.12 Litigation.
----------
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12, there is no action,
suit, investigation, proceeding or claim pending or, to the best knowledge of
the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary,
or their respective properties or rights, before any court or governmental
body or arbitration board or tribunal, either alone or together with other
similar actions, the outcome of which would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Except as publicly disclosed by the
Company in the Company SEC Filings, none of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is subject to any outstanding order, writ, injunction or decree
which would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company or would reasonably be expected to prevent or delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 3.13 Intellectual Property; Computer Software.
----------------------------------------
(a) Patents, Trademarks, Tradenames, Etc.
------------------------------------
Schedule 3.13 lists all material trademarks, trade names,
service marks, service names, brand names, copyrights and patents,
registrations thereof and applications therefor, owned by the Company or the
Subsidiaries. All such trademarks, trade names, service marks, service
names, brand names, copyrights, patents and registrations thereof and
applications therefor are owned by, and may be used by, the Company or the
appropriate Subsidiary free and clear of any third party rights, liens,
claims, security interests or encumbrances, except for license rights granted
to third parties in the ordinary course of business of the Company and the
Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.13, neither the Company nor
any of the Subsidiaries is violating the rights in any trademark, trade name,
service mark, service name, copyright, patent, trade secret, know-how or
14
other intangible right (collectively, "Intangible Rights") of any third
party, except where such violation would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.13, upon consummation of
the Merger, the Company and the Subsidiaries will continue to own or have the
right to use all Intangible Rights necessary to conduct their respective
businesses (other than any such Rights, the absence of which would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company). Except as disclosed on Schedule
3.13, Company is not a party to any action or proceeding (either as
plaintiff, defendant, claimant, respondent or any other capacity), nor is any
such action or proceeding now pending or threatened, involving a claim of
infringement or other wrongful use or exploitation of patent rights,
copyrights, or rights in trade names, trademark or service marks, or claim of
misappropriation, breach of confidential relationship, or misuse of secret or
confidential trade or technical information.
(b) Owned Software.
--------------
Schedule 3.13 also lists all software owned by the Company
that is currently licensed to third parties by the Company or the
Subsidiaries (the "Owned Software"). Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.13,
(i) the Company or one of the Subsidiaries has sole title to the Owned
Software, free of all claims including claims or rights of employees,
independent contractors, agents, consultants or other parties involved in the
development, creation, marketing, maintenance, enhancement or licensing of
such Software; (ii) the Owned Software does not contain any Licensed Software
(as hereinafter defined) or any other software (other than third party
operating systems), or derivatives of any of the foregoing; and (iii) the
Company has the right to use, market, distribute, sublicense, modify and copy
the Owned Software, free and clear of any limitations or encumbrances
(including any obligations to pay royalties). Schedule 3.13 also lists all
the licensees of the Owned Software. Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.13,
the Company is not infringing any Intangible Rights of any other person with
respect to the Owned Software, and, to the best knowledge of the Company, no
other person is infringing any Intangible Rights of Company with respect to
the Owned Software.
(c) Licensed Software.
-----------------
Schedule 3.13 lists all material software (other than off-the-
shelf or otherwise readily commercially available software) for which the
Company or one of the Subsidiaries is a licensee, lessee or otherwise has
obtained from a third party the right to use, market, distribute, sublicense
or otherwise transfer the right to use such software (the "Licensed
Software"). The Company and the Subsidiaries have made use of all copies of
the Licensed Software in their possession as permitted by the respective
license agreements in all material respects. Except as disclosed on Schedule
3.13, the Company and the Subsidiaries have complied with all material
provisions of the license, lease or other similar agreement pursuant to which
they have rights to use the Licensed Software, except where non-compliance
would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(d) Software Used in Business.
-------------------------
The transactions contemplated hereby will not cause a breach
of, default under or otherwise trigger a right to terminate the license
agreement by which the Company or one of the Subsidiaries licenses any
Licensed Software or Owned Software or impair the Company's or the relevant
Subsidiary's ability to use the Licensed Software or license the Owned
Software in the same manner as such Software is
15
currently used or licensed in the business of the Company and the
Subsidiaries, except where such breach, default or right would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(e) Contracts.
---------
The Company or one of the Subsidiaries and, to the best
knowledge of the Company, the other parties to any contract under which the
Company or such Subsidiary is the licensor, lessor or has otherwise granted
the rights to use any Owned Software are in compliance therewith and are not
in breach of their obligations with respect thereto, except where non-
compliance or breach would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(f) Viruses.
-------
To the best knowledge of the Company, (x) there are no viruses
in the Owned Software and there are no defects in the Owned Software that
would prevent such software from performing in all material respects the
tasks and functions that it was intended to perform except those that can be
cured or otherwise corrected without a Material Adverse Effect on the Company
and (y) the Owned Software is free from any problems associated with changes
in the calendar date from December 31, 1999 to January 1, 2000 and no
material customer of the Company or any Subsidiary has experienced any
problems associated with changes in the calendar date from December 31, 1999
to January 1, 2000 that would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Section 3.14 Trade Secrets.
-------------
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14, since December 31,
1998, no third party has claimed or notified the Company or any Subsidiary
that any person employed by or otherwise affiliated with the Company or any
Subsidiary has, in respect of his or her activities to date, violated any of
the terms or conditions of his or her employment contract with any third
party, or disclosed or utilized any trade secrets or proprietary information
or documentation of any third party, or interfered in the employment
relationship between any third party and any of its employees, and to the
knowledge of the Company, no person employed by or otherwise affiliated with
the Company or any Subsidiary has employed any trade secrets or any
information or documentation proprietary to any former employer, or violated
any confidential relationship which such person may have had with any third
party, in connection with the development or sale of any products of the
Company or any Subsidiary.
Section 3.15 Severance Arrangements.
----------------------
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15, neither the Company
nor any Subsidiary is party to any agreement with any employee (i) the
benefits of which (including, without limitation, severance benefits) are
contingent, or the terms of which are materially altered, upon the occurrence
of a transaction involving the Company or any Subsidiary of the nature of any
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) providing
severance benefits in excess of those generally available under the Company's
severance policies as in effect on the date hereof (which are described on
Schedule 3.15), or which are conditioned upon a change of control, after the
termination of employment of such employees regardless of the reason for such
termination of employment. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15, neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to any employment agreement or
compensation guarantee extending for a period longer than one year from the
date hereof.
16
Section 3.16 Taxes.
-----
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, each of the Company and
its Subsidiaries has (i) timely filed all material Tax Returns (as
hereinafter defined) required to be filed by it in respect of any Taxes (as
hereinafter defined), which Tax Returns were true, correct and complete in
all material respects, (ii) timely paid or withheld all material Taxes that
are due and payable with respect to the Tax Returns referred to in clause (i)
(other than Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and are adequately reserved for in the Company's most recent
consolidated financial statements included in the Company SEC Filings), (iii)
established reserves that are adequate for the payment of all material Taxes
not yet due and payable with respect to the results of operations of the
Company and the Subsidiaries through the date hereof, and (iv) to the best
knowledge of the Company, complied in all material respects with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to the payment and
withholding of Taxes and has timely withheld from employee wages and paid
over to the proper governmental authorities all material amounts required to
be so withheld and paid over.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, (i) there is no
deficiency, claim, audit, action, suit, proceeding or investigation now
pending or threatened against or with respect to the Company or any
Subsidiary in respect of any material Taxes, and (ii) there are no requests
for rulings or determinations in respect of any Taxes pending between the
Company or any Subsidiary and any taxing authority.
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, (i) within the last five
years, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has been a member of an
affiliated group filing consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Returns other
than a group for which the Company was the common parent and (ii) neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary has any material liability for Taxes of any other
person under Treasury regulations Section 1.1502-6, as a transferee or
successor, by contract or otherwise.
(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary has executed or entered into (or prior to the Effective Time
will execute or enter into) with the Internal Revenue Service or any taxing
authority (i) any agreement or other document extending or having the effect
of extending the period for assessments or collection of any material Taxes
for which the Company or any Subsidiary would be liable, which period has not
since expired, or (ii) a closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the
Code, or any predecessor provision thereof or any similar provision of
foreign, state or local Tax law that relates to the assets or operations of
the Company or any Subsidiary.
(e) For purposes of this Agreement, "Tax" (and with correlative
meaning, "Taxes") shall mean all federal, state, local, foreign or other
taxing authority net income, franchise, sales, use, ad valorem, property,
payroll, withholding, excise, severance, transfer, employment, alternative or
add-on minimum, stamp, occupation, premium, environmental or windfall profits
taxes, and other taxes, charges, fees, levies, imposts, customs, duties,
licenses or
17
other assessments, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to
tax or additional amounts imposed by any taxing authority.
(f) For purposes of this Agreement, "Tax Return" means all
federal, state, local and foreign tax returns, estimates, information
statements and reports relating to Taxes.
Section 3.17 Employee Benefit Plans.
----------------------
(a) Schedule 3.17 lists or by June 30, 2000, will list all
employee benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")), and all bonus, stock
purchase, incentive, deferred compensation, supplemental retirement,
severance and other similar fringe or employee benefit plans, programs or
arrangements, and any severance agreements, written or otherwise, for the
benefit of, or relating to, any current or former employee or director of the
Company or any Subsidiary (together, the "Plans"), except where the cost to
the Company that could reasonably be incurred pursuant to any plan not so
listed would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company. The Company has made available, or by June 30, 2000,
will make available, to Parent, if applicable, a copy of (i) the three (3)
most recent annual reports on Form 5500 filed with the Internal Revenue
Service for each disclosed Plan, including any actuarial and auditor reports
required to be filed with the annual reports, (ii) the most recent plan
documents and related trust documents, adoption agreements, nondiscrimination
test reports for the last three (3) years, and all amendments thereto for
each such Plan, including, in the case of any Plan not set forth in writing,
a written description thereof, (iii) the most recent summary plan
descriptions for each Plan, (iv) the most recent favorable IRS determination
letter and antecedent application materials, and (v) the most recent funding
and service agreements and most current insurance policies or contracts with
respect to the Plans.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17, each of the Company and
the Subsidiaries has complied and currently is in compliance in all material
respects, both as to form and operation, with all applicable law, including
but not limited to, provisions of ERISA and the Code with respect to each
Plan disclosed in Schedule 3.17.
(c) Each Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code
and each trust intended to qualify under Section 501(a) of the Code is so
qualified and to the knowledge of the Company no event has occurred and no
condition or circumstance has existed or exists which would result in the
disqualification of such Plan.
(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17, neither the Company nor
any Subsidiary has ever maintained, adopted or established, contributed or
been required to contribute to, or otherwise participated in or been required
to participate in, a "multiemployer plan" (as defined in Section 3(37) of
ERISA). No amount is due or owing from the Company or any of the
Subsidiaries on account of a "multiemployer plan" (as defined in Section
3(37) of ERISA) or on account of any withdrawal therefrom.
18
(e) Other than routine claims for benefits and liability for
premiums due to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, neither the Company
nor any Subsidiary has incurred any material liability with respect to a Plan
that is currently due and owing and has not yet been satisfied, including,
without limitation, under ERISA (including, without limitation, Title I or
Title IV thereof), the Code or other applicable law, and no event has
occurred, and, to the best knowledge of the Company, there exists no
condition or set of circumstances (other than the accrual of benefits under
the normal terms of the Plans), that could result in the imposition of any
material liability on the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to a Plan,
including, without limitation, under ERISA (including, without limitation,
Title I or Title IV of ERISA), the Code or other applicable law with respect
to a Plan.
(f) Except as required by applicable law or as set forth on
Schedule 3.17, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has committed itself,
orally or in writing, (x) to provide or cause to be provided to any person
any payments or provision of any "welfare" or "pension" benefits (as defined
in Sections 3(1) and 3(2) of ERISA) in addition to, or in lieu of, those
payments or benefits set forth under any Plan, (y) to continue the payment
of, or accelerate the payment of, benefits under any Plan, except as
expressly set forth thereunder, or (z) to provide or cause to be provided any
severance or other post-employment benefit, salary continuation, termination,
disability, death, retirement, health or medical benefit to any person
(including, without limitation, any former or current employee), except as
set forth under any Plan.
(g) With respect to each Plan which is subject to any laws,
regulations, or jurisdiction outside the United States, (collectively, the
"Non-U.S. Plans"), each of the following is true, except to the extent the
failure to be true would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company:
(i) Each Non-U.S. Plan is in compliance with the laws and
regulations applicable to such plan, including but not limited to, any
reporting, disclosure, funding, or registration requirements;
(ii) Each Non-U.S. Plan and related funding arrangement that
is intended to qualify for tax-favored status has been reviewed and approved
for such status by the appropriate governmental authority (or has been
submitted for such review and approval within the applicable time period),
and nothing has occurred and no condition exists that may cause the loss or
denial of such tax-favored status; and
(iii) The consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement will not create or otherwise result in any liability with
respect to any Non-U.S. Plan.
Section 3.18 Environmental Matters.
---------------------
Each of the Company and its subsidiaries conducts its
business and operations in material compliance with all applicable federal,
state and local laws, ordinances and regulations relating to pollution or
protection of human health or the environment (collectively, "Environmental
Laws"), and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received
notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing or investigation,
19
based on or related to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use,
treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling, or the emission,
discharge, release or threatened release into the environment, of any
pollutant, contaminant, hazardous or toxic material, waste, or any other
substance regulated by any Environmental Law (collectively, an "Environmental
Event") by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the outcome of which could
reasonably be expected to have Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of
the Company, no notice of any material Environmental Event was given to any
person or entity that occupied any of the premises occupied by or used by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the date such premises were so
occupied. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the knowledge
of the Company, neither the Company nor any subsidiary has disposed of or
placed on or in any property or facility used in its business any waste
materials, hazardous materials, hazardous substances or any other substance
regulated by any Environmental Law in violation of law, which would have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Section 3.19 Customer Relationships.
----------------------
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19, neither the Company
nor any Subsidiary has, since January 1, 1999, lost, or been notified that it
will lose or suffer diminution in its relationship with any material customer
(defined as the top fifteen (15) customers measured by revenue), and, to the
best knowledge of the Company, no representative of any material customer has
notified the Company or any Subsidiary that, in the event of a change of
ownership of the Company such as contemplated by this Agreement, the Company
or any Subsidiary would, lose or suffer diminution in its relationship with
any such material customer.
Section 3.20 Certain Transactions.
--------------------
Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Filings or as set
forth on Schedule 3.20, there are no material transactions or arrangements
between the Company or any Subsidiary and (i) any director or executive
officer of the Company or (ii) any other person or entity controlling or
under common control with the Company.
Section 3.21 Title to Properties; Absence of Liens and Encumbrances.
------------------------------------------------------
Except as reflected in the most recent balance sheet
(including any related notes thereto) contained in the Company SEC Reports,
as set forth in Schedule 3.21 or with respect to assets disposed of since
December 31, 1999 in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practice, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has good and valid title
to all its owned assets and properties, in each case free and clear of all
liens, claims, charges, security interests or other encumbrances, other than
(x) liens for taxes not yet delinquent or (y) security interests securing
indebtedness not in default for the purchase price of or lease rental
payments on property purchased or leased under capital lease arrangements in
the ordinary course of business or (z) such imperfections and irregularities
of title or Liens as do not affect the use of the properties or assets
subject thereto or affected thereby or otherwise materially impair business
operations at such properties, in either case in such a manner as to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Any real property and buildings held
under lease by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are held by them under
valid, subsisting and enforceable leases, and there is not, to the knowledge
of the Company, under any such leases, any existing material default or event
of default by any party thereto (or
20
event which with notice of lapse of time, or both, would constitute a
material default), with such exceptions as are not material and would not
individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of
such property and buildings.
Section 3.22 Insurance.
---------
Schedule 3.22 sets forth a list of all material insurance
policies of the Company and the Subsidiaries (the "Insurance Policies"). The
Insurance Policies are in full force and effect and provide insurance in such
amounts and against such risks as are customary for companies of similar size
in the same business as the Company and the Subsidiaries. All premiums with
respect to the Insurance Policies have been paid, and no notice of
cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such
Insurance Policy. With respect to each of the litigation matters set forth
on Schedule 3.12, no carrier of any Insurance Policy has asserted any denial
of coverage. The Insurance Policies will remain in full force and effect and
will not in any way be affected by, or terminate or lapse by reason of, any
of the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 3.23 State Takeover Statutes; Certain Charter Provisions.
---------------------------------------------------
Prior to the date hereof, the Board of Directors of the
Company has approved this Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby, and such approval is sufficient to render inapplicable
to the Merger the provisions of Title 35 of the South Carolina Code and the
provisions of Article 9(j) of the Company's Articles of Incorporation.
Section 3.24 Opinion of Financial Advisor.
----------------------------
The Company has received the opinion of Credit Suisse
First Boston Corporation, dated June 20, 2000, substantially to the effect
that the consideration to be received in the Offer and the Merger by the
holders of Shares is fair to such holders from a financial point of view, a
copy of which opinion has been (or promptly will be) delivered to Parent.
Section 3.25 Brokers.
-------
No person is entitled to any brokerage or finder's,
financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and as a result of any action
taken by or on behalf of the Company, other than Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation pursuant to an engagement letter dated March 17, 2000, a copy of
which has been furnished to Parent.
Section 3.26 Termination of Existing Agreement.
---------------------------------
The Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated as of April 27, 2000 ("WCAS Agreement") by and among Politic
Acquisition Corp. ("Politic") and the Company and any other related
agreements have been duly terminated without liability or expense of the
Company other than payment of the fee and expenses referred to at Section
5.05(b) thereof.
Section 3.27 Certain Business Practices.
--------------------------
Except where the amount of losses, penalties, claims and
damages that could reasonably be incurred as a result of such conduct would
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company, none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any directors,
officers, agents or employees of the Company
21
or any of its subsidiaries has (i) used any funds for unlawful contributions,
gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political
activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government
officials or employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or
campaigns or violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of
1977, as amended, or (iii) made any other unlawful payment.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND ACQUISITION
Parent and Acquisition represent and warrant to the Company as follows:
Section 4.1 Organization and Qualification.
------------------------------
Each of Parent and Acquisition is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state
of incorporation and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own
or lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business
as it is now being conducted. Each of Parent and Acquisition is duly
qualified as a foreign corporation to do business, and is in good standing,
in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties and assets
owned or leased or the nature of its activities makes such qualification
necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on Parent.
Section 4.2 Authorization of Agreement, Non-Contravention, Etc.
--------------------------------------------------
Each of Parent and Acquisition has all requisite
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
perform its obligations hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement by each Parent and Acquisition and the consummation by it
of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate and stockholder action on the part of each of Parent and
Acquisition. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of
Parent and Acquisition and constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of each of Parent and Acquisition, enforceable against each of
Parent and Acquisition in accordance with its terms. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by each of Parent and Acquisition does not, and
the consummation by Acquisition of the transactions contemplated hereby will
not, (i) conflict with any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or By-
Laws of Parent or Acquisition; (ii) result (with the giving of notice or the
lapse of time or both) in any violation of or default or loss of a benefit
under, or permit the acceleration of any obligation under any mortgage,
indenture, lease, agreement or other instrument, permit, concession, grant,
franchise, license, judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or
regulation applicable to Parent, its subsidiaries or their respective
properties; or (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge
or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any asset of Parent, its
subsidiaries or their respective properties, other than (in the case of
clauses (ii) and (iii) above) such as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent. No consent, approval,
order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any
Governmental Entity is required to be made or obtained by Parent or
Acquisition in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by Parent or Acquisition or the consummation by Parent or Acquisition of the
transactions contemplated hereby, except for (i) compliance by
22
Parent with the HSR Act, (ii) the filing of articles of merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of South Carolina in accordance with the
SCBCA, and (iii) the filing with the SEC of (1) the Offer Documents and (2)
such reports under and such other compliance with the Exchange Act and
Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder as may be required in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. As
of the date hereof, Parent does not beneficially own any Shares.
Section 4.3 Information Supplied.
--------------------
(a) Each of the Offer Documents and the other documents required
to be filed by Parent with the SEC in connection with the Offer, the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby, and the information supplied
by Parent to the Company in connection with the Schedule 14D-9, will comply
as to form, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Exchange
Act and the Securities Act, as the case may be, and will not, on the date of
its filing or dissemination, as the case may be, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.3,
no representation or warranty is made by Parent with respect to statements
made or incorporated by reference in the Offer Documents based on information
supplied by the Company expressly for inclusion or incorporation by reference
therein or based on information which is not made in or incorporated by
reference in such documents but which should have been disclosed pursuant to
Section 4.3.
Section 4.4 Interim Operations of Acquisition.
---------------------------------
Acquisition was formed solely for the purpose of engaging
in the transactions contemplated hereby, has engaged in no other business
activities and has conducted its operations only as contemplated hereby.
Section 4.5 Brokers.
-------
No person is entitled to any brokerage, finder's,
financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and as a result of any action
taken by or on behalf of Parent or any of its subsidiaries, other than
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Section 4.6 Financing.
---------
Parent has, or will have, sufficient funds available to
purchase, or to cause Acquisition to purchase, all the Shares pursuant to the
Offer and the Merger and to pay all fees and expenses related to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE V
CERTAIN AGREEMENTS
Section 5.1 Conduct of the Company's Business.
---------------------------------
Without the consent of Parent, not to be unreasonably
withheld, and except as contemplated by this Agreement or as described in
Schedule 5.1, during the period from the date hereof to the Effective Time,
the Company will,
23
and will cause each of its subsidiaries to, conduct its operations in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and, to the extent
consistent therewith, with no less diligence and effort than would be applied
in the absence of this Agreement, seek to preserve intact its current
business organizations, seek to keep available the service of its current
officers and employees and seek to preserve its relationships with customers,
suppliers and others having business dealings with it to the end that its
goodwill and ongoing businesses shall be unimpaired at the Effective Time.
The Company covenants and agrees that, prior to the Effective Time, unless
Parent shall otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed) or as set forth in Schedule 5.1 or as
otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement:
(a) the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries shall be
conducted only in, and the Company and the Subsidiaries shall not take any
action except in, the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practice;
(b) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall, directly or
indirectly, do any of the following: (i) sell, pledge, dispose of or
encumber (or permit any Subsidiary to sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber)
any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, except sell or dispose of
inventory, immaterial assets or in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice; (ii) except as contemplated hereby, amend or
propose to amend its Certificate or Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws (or
similar organizational documents); (iii) split, combine or reclassify any
outstanding shares of its capital stock, or declare, set aside or pay any
dividend payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise with respect to such
shares (except for any dividends paid in the ordinary course to the Company
or to any wholly-owned Subsidiary); (iv) redeem, purchase, acquire or offer
to acquire (or permit any Subsidiary to redeem, purchase, acquire or offer to
acquire) any shares of its capital stock; or (v) enter into any contract,
agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect to any of the matters set
forth in this paragraph (b);
(c) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall (i) issue, sell,
pledge or dispose of, or agree to issue, sell, pledge or dispose of, any
additional shares of, or securities convertible or exchangeable for, or any
options, warrants or rights of any kind to acquire any shares of, its capital
stock of any class or other property or assets whether pursuant to the
Company Stock Plans or otherwise; provided that the Company may issue Shares
upon the exercise of currently outstanding Company Stock Rights that are
stock options; (ii) acquire (by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock
or assets) any corporation, partnership or other business organization or
division thereof (except an existing wholly-owned Subsidiary); (iii) incur
any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any debt securities in an amount
exceeding $100,000 in the aggregate, except for working capital loans in the
ordinary course of business and any amounts necessary to pay the amounts
pursuant to Section 5.05(b) of the WCAS Agreement; (iv) enter into or modify
any material contract, lease, agreement or commitment, except in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practice; (v) terminate, modify,
assign, waive, release or relinquish any contract rights or amend any
24
material rights or claims not in the ordinary course of business or (vi)
settle or compromise any claim, action, suit or proceeding pending or
threatened against the Company, or, if the Company may be liable or obligated
to provide indemnification, against the Company's directors or officers,
before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator, except in the ordinary
course of business; provided that nothing herein shall require any action
that might impair or otherwise affect the obligation of any insurance carrier
under any insurance policy maintained by the Company;
(d) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall grant any
increase in the salary or other compensation of its employees except (i)
pursuant to the terms of employment agreements in effect on the date hereof
and previously disclosed to Parent and (ii) in the case of employees who are
not executive officers of the Company, in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice, or grant any bonus to any employee other than
bonuses that are immaterial in amount to employees who are not executive
officers of the Company or enter into any employment agreement or make any
loan to or enter into any material transaction of any other nature with any
employee of the Company or any Subsidiary;
(e) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall (except for
salary increases for employees who are not executive officers of the Company
in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice) adopt
or amend, in any respect, except as contemplated hereby or as may be required
by applicable law or regulation, any collective bargaining, bonus, profit
sharing, compensation, stock option, restricted stock, pension, retirement,
deferred compensation, employment or other employee benefit plan, agreement,
trust, fund, plan or arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any directors,
officers or employees (including, without limitation, any such plan or
arrangement relating to severance or termination pay);
(f) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall take any action
that would make any representation or warranty of the Company hereunder
inaccurate in any respect at, or as of any time prior to, the Effective Time,
or omit to take any action necessary to prevent any such representation or
warranty from being inaccurate in any respect at any such time; and
(g) each of the Company and the Subsidiaries shall use its best
efforts, to the extent not prohibited by the foregoing provisions of this
Section 5.1, to maintain its relationships with its suppliers and customers,
and if and as requested by Parent, the Company shall schedule, and the
management of the Company shall participate in, meetings of representatives
of Parent with employees of the Company or any Subsidiary;
(h) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall adopt a plan of
complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation,
restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of the Company or any
or its subsidiaries (other than the Merger);
(i) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall alter through
merger, liquidation, reorganization, restructuring or in any other fashion
the corporate structure or ownership of any subsidiary; and
25
(j) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall make any Tax
election or settle or compromise any Tax liability material to the Company
and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section 5.2 Stockholder Approval; Preparation of Proxy Statement.
----------------------------------------------------
(a) If the Company Stockholder Approval is required by law, the
Company shall, as promptly as practicable following the expiration of the
Offer, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its
stockholders (the "Stockholders Meeting") for the purpose of obtaining the
Company Stockholder Approval. Subject to its fiduciary duties under
applicable law, as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith after
consultation with counsel, the Company shall, through its Board of Directors,
recommend to its stockholders that the Company Stockholder Approval be given.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Parent or Acquisition shall acquire
beneficial ownership of at least 90% of the outstanding Shares, the parties
shall take all necessary and appropriate action to cause the merger of
Acquisition and the Company to become effective as soon as practicable after
the expiration of the Offer without a Stockholders Meeting in accordance with
the short form merger provisions of the SCBCA.
(b) If the Company Stockholder Approval is required by law, the
Company shall, as soon as practicable following the expiration of the Offer,
prepare and file a preliminary Proxy Statement with the SEC and shall use all
reasonable efforts to respond to any comments of the SEC or its staff and to
cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the Company's stockholders as
promptly as practicable. The Company shall notify Parent promptly of the
receipt of any comments from the SEC or its staff and of any request by the
SEC or its staff for amendments or supplements to the Proxy Statement or for
additional information and will supply Parent with copies of all
correspondence between the Company or any of its representatives, on the one
hand, and the SEC or its staff, on the other hand, with respect to the Proxy
Statement or the Merger. The Company shall give Parent an opportunity to
comment on any correspondence with the SEC or its staff or any proposed
material to be included in the Proxy Statement prior to transmission to the
SEC or its staff and shall not transmit any such material to which Parent
reasonably objects. If at any time prior to the Stockholders Meeting there
shall occur any event that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement
to the Proxy Statement, the Company shall promptly prepare and mail to its
stockholders such an amendment or supplement.
(c) Parent agrees to cause all Shares owned by Parent or any
subsidiary of Parent to be voted in favor of the Company Stockholder
Approval.
Section 5.3 Access to Information.
---------------------
(a) The Company shall, and shall cause the Subsidiaries and its
and their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and
agents to, afford, from the date hereof to the Effective Time, the officers,
employees, representatives and agents of Acquisition reasonable access during
regular business hours to its officers, employees, agents, properties, books,
records and workpapers, and shall promptly furnish Acquisition all financial,
operating
26
and other information and data as Acquisition, through its officers,
employees or agents, may reasonably request.
(b) Except as required by law, Acquisition shall hold, and will
cause its respective officers, employees, representatives and agents to hold,
any confidential information of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in
accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement between the Company and Parent.
(c) No investigation pursuant to this Section 5.3 or belief
contemplated by Section 5.6(c) shall affect, add to or subtract from any
representations or warranties of the parties hereto or the conditions to the
obligations of the parties hereto to effect the Merger.
(d) Between the date hereof and the Effective Time, the Company
shall furnish to Parent, within 30 business days after the end of each
calendar month (commencing with June 2000), an unaudited consolidated balance
sheet of the party furnishing such information as of the end of such month
and the related consolidated statements of earnings and shareholders' equity
(deficit) for such period, and, within 45 business days after the end of each
calendar quarter, a statement of cash flows for the quarter then ended, each
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in
conformity with the practices consistently applied by the Company with
respect to its monthly and quarterly financial statements. All the foregoing
shall be in accordance with the books and records of the Company and shall
fairly present its consolidated financial position (taking into account the
differences between the monthly and quarterly statements prepared by the
Company in conformity with its past practices) as of the last day of the
period then ended.
Section 5.4 Further Assurances.
------------------
Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each
of the parties hereto agrees to use all reasonable efforts to take, or cause
to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things
reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and
regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement as promptly as practicable, including, without limitation, (i)
cooperating in the preparation and filing of the Offer Documents, any filings
that may be required under the HSR Act or similar governmental legal
requirements, and any amendments to any thereof; (ii) obtaining consents of
all third parties and Governmental Entities necessary, proper or advisable
for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(iii) contesting any legal proceeding relating to the Merger; and (iv)
executing any additional instruments necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Parent and the Company agree to use all reasonable efforts to cause the
Effective Time to occur as soon as practicable after the shareholder vote
with respect to the Merger. In case at any time after the Effective Time any
further action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, the
proper officers and directors of each party hereto shall take all such
necessary action. Parent shall cause Acquisition to comply with its
obligations under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, if requested by any governmental authority, Parent and the Company
shall agree to divest, sell, dispose of, hold
27
separate or otherwise take or commit to take any action that limits its
freedom of action with respect to its or its subsidiaries ability to retain
or operate, any of the businesses, product lines or assets of Parent, the
Company or their respective subsidiaries, provided that (i) any such action
is conditioned on the consummation of the Offer or the Merger and (ii) such
action would not be material in the context of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section 5.5 Inquiries and Negotiations.
--------------------------
(a) In connection with any Alternative Transaction (as hereinafter
defined), from the date hereof until the termination of this Agreement, the
Company, the Subsidiaries and their respective officers, directors,
employees, representatives and other agents will not, directly or indirectly,
solicit or initiate any discussions, submissions of proposals or offers or
negotiations with, or continue any pre-existing discussions with, or
participate in any negotiations or discussions with, or provide any
information or data of any nature whatsoever to, or otherwise cooperate in
any other way with, or assist or participate in, facilitate or encourage any
effort or attempt by, any person, corporation, entity or "group" (as defined
in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) other than Parent and its affiliates,
representatives and agents (each, a "Third Party"). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if required by the fiduciary duties of the Company's Board of
Directors as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors after
consultation with counsel, and if solely in connection with a Superior
Proposal (as hereinafter defined) or a proposal that is reasonably likely to
lead to a Superior Proposal, then but only then may the Company take any of
the foregoing actions. The Company shall promptly notify Parent if any
proposal, offer, inquiry or other contact is received by, any information is
requested from, or any discussions or negotiations, including discussions or
negotiations commenced prior to the date hereof, are sought to be initiated
or continued with, the Company in respect of an Alternative Transaction, and
shall, in any such notice to Parent, indicate the identity of the Third Party
and the terms and conditions of any proposals or offers or the nature of any
inquiries or contacts, and thereafter shall keep Parent informed, on a
current basis, of all material developments affecting the status and terms of
any such proposals or offers or the status of any such discussions or
negotiations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company
shall provide Parent with not less than two business days' notice prior to
the execution by the Company of any definitive agreement with respect to any
Alternative Transaction or any public announcement relating to the approval
of any Alternative Transaction. Prior to furnishing any non-public
information to, or entering into negotiations or discussions with, any Third
Party, the Company shall obtain an executed confidentiality agreement from
such Third Party on terms substantially the same as, or no less favorable to
the Company in any material respect than, those contained in the
Confidentiality Agreement; provided such agreement need not contain a
"standstill" provision or otherwise restrict the ability of the Third Party
to make a proposal to the Company's Board of Directors. The Company shall
not release any Third Party from, or waive any provision of, any such
confidentiality agreement or any other confidentiality or standstill
agreement to which the Company is a party, other than any such provision that
would prevent or otherwise restrict the ability of a Third Party to make a
proposal to the Company's Board of Directors. As of the date hereof, the
Company shall cease, and shall use best efforts to cause the
28
Subsidiaries and the officers, directors, employees, representatives and
other agents of the Company and the Subsidiaries, to cease, all discussions,
negotiations and communications with all Third Parties and demand the
immediate return of all confidential information previously provided to Third
Parties, except with respect to a Third Party which has made a proposal as to
which the Board of Directors has made the determinations contemplated by the
second sentence of this Section 5.5(a). As used in this Agreement, the term
"Alternative Transaction" shall mean any (i) merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, tender or exchange offer, debt restructuring or similar
transaction involving the Company or its Shares, (ii) the sale of more than
25% of the common stock or other capital stock of the Company or (iii) sale
of assets (including stock of subsidiaries) representing more than 25% of the
assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As used in
this Agreement, a "Superior Proposal" means any bona fide proposal to
acquire, directly or indirectly, for consideration consisting of cash and/or
securities, more than two-thirds of the Shares then outstanding or all or
substantially all the consolidated assets of the Company and otherwise on
terms which the Company Board by a majority vote determines in its good faith
judgment (after consultation with a financial adviser of nationally
recognized reputation and with the advice of such financial adviser as to the
financial ability of the potential acquiror) to be more favorable to the
Company's shareholders than the Merger.
(b) If a Payment Event (as hereinafter defined) occurs, the
Company shall pay to Parent or its designated beneficiary within two business
days following such Payment Event, (i) a fee of $19 million in cash, plus
(ii) all documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Parent, including,
without limitation, financing fees, fees and expenses of counsel,
accountants, investment bankers and other advisors, filling fees and printing
expenses up to a maximum of $5 million. In the event that this Agreement
shall be terminated for any other reason and the Company shall have failed to
comply with or perform, or shall have breached, in any material respect, any
of its covenants or agreements contained herein, the Company shall pay to
Parent or its designated beneficiary, within two business days following such
termination, the fees and expenses referred to in clause (ii) of the
preceding sentence; provided that such fees and expenses shall not be so
payable if Parent shall have failed to comply with or perform, or shall have
breached, in any material respect, any of its covenants or agreements
contained herein.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Payment Event" shall
mean (w) the termination of this Agreement by Parent pursuant to Section
7.1(d); (x) the Company's entering into a written agreement with respect to
an Alternative Transaction, as contemplated by Section 7.1(c)(i), or the
termination of this Agreement by the Company in connection with the
commencement of a tender offer by a Third Party, pursuant to Section
7.1(c)(i); (y) within 12 months of the date of termination of this Agreement
(other than by reason of Parent's failure to comply with or perform, or its
breach of, in any material respect any of its agreements or covenants
contained herein), the agreement of the Company to enter into, or the
consummation of, a transaction that is the subject of an inquiry, proposal or
offer that is an Alternative Transaction that was publicly announced or
submitted to the Company prior to the termination of this Agreement; or (z)
the termination of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to Section 7.1(e)
and within 12 months of the date of termination of this Agreement (other than
by reason of
29
Parent's failure to comply with or perform, or its breach of, in any material
respect, any of its agreements or covenants contained herein), the Company
agrees to enter into, or consummates, a transaction that is an Alternative
Transaction.
(d) The Company acknowledges that the agreements contained in this
Section 5.5 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and that, without these agreements, Parent would not enter into
this Agreement; accordingly, if the Company fails to promptly pay any amount
due pursuant to this Section 5.5, and, in order to obtain such payment, the
other party commences a suit that results in a judgment against the Company
for the fee or fees and expenses set forth in this Section 5.5, the Company
shall also pay to Parent its costs and expenses incurred in connection with
such litigation.
(e) This Section 5.5 shall survive any termination of this
Agreement, however caused and is intended to benefit Parent and shall be
binding on the successors and assigns of the Company.
Section 5.6 Notification of Certain Matters, Etc.
------------------------------------
(a) The Company shall give prompt notice to Parent, and Parent
shall give prompt notice to the Company, of (i) the occurrence, or failure to
occur, of any event that such party believes would be likely to cause any of
its representations or warranties contained in this Agreement to be untrue or
inaccurate in any material respect at any time from the date hereof to the
Effective Time and (ii) any material failure of the Company or Parent, as the
case may be, or any officer, director, employee or agent thereof, to comply
with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or
satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that failure to give such
notice shall not constitute a waiver of any defense that may be validly
asserted.
(b) Parent shall not take any action that would make any
representation or warranty of Parent hereunder inaccurate in any respect at,
or as of any time prior to, the Effective Time, or omit to take any action
necessary to prevent any such representation or warranty from being
inaccurate in any respect at any such time.
Section 5.7 Indemnification.
---------------
(a) Parent will provide, until the sixth anniversary of the
Closing Date, the directors and officers of the Company who are currently
covered by the Company's existing insurance and indemnification policy an
insurance and indemnification policy that provides coverage for events
occurring prior to the Effective Time (the "D&O Insurance") that is no less
favorable than the Company's existing policy or, if substantially equivalent
coverage is unavailable, the best available coverage; provided, that Parent
shall not be required to pay an annual premium for the D&O Insurance in
excess of 200% of the last annual premium paid by the Company prior to the
date hereof, but in such case shall purchase as much coverage as possible for
such amount.
30
(b) After the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
indemnify and hold harmless each person who is now, or has been prior to the
date hereof or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, an officer or
director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (the "Indemnified
Persons") against (i) all losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses (including
without limitation counsel fees and expenses), settlement, payments or
liabilities arising out of or in connection with any claim, demand, action
suit, proceeding or investigation based in whole or in part on, or arising in
whole or in part out of, the fact that such person is or was an officer or
director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, whether or not pertaining
to any matter existing or occurring at or prior o the Effective Time and
whether or not asserted or claimed prior to or at or after the Effective Time
(the "Indemnified Liabilities") and (ii) all Indemnified Liabilities based in
whole or in part on, or arising in whole or in part out of, or pertaining to,
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, in each case to the
fullest extent required or permitted under applicable law or under the
Surviving Corporation's certificate of incorporation or bylaws. Each
Indemnified Person is intended to be a third party beneficiary of this
Section 5.7 and may specifically enforce its terms. This Section 5.7 shall
not limit or otherwise adversely affect any rights any Indemnified Person may
have under any agreement with the Company or under the Company's certificate
of incorporation or bylaws.
(c) This Section 5.7 shall survive the consummation of the Merger,
is intended to benefit the Company, the Surviving Corporation and the
Indemnified Parties, and shall be binding on the successors and assigns of
Parent and the Surviving Corporation.
Section 5.8 Employee Benefits.
-----------------
(a) From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
and its Subsidiaries will honor in accordance with their terms all existing
employment, severance, consulting and salary continuation agreements between
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any current or former executive
officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of a type
required to be filed (or described in a document filed) with the SEC pursuant
to the Exchange Act, which agreements are described on Schedule 5.8 or
included in the Company SEC Filings, subject to any modifications thereto
agreed to by any such officers or directors with the Surviving Corporation.
(b) From and after the Effective Time, employees of the Company
shall participate in all benefit plans of Parent to the same extent as
similarly situated employees of Parent. To the extent permitted under
applicable law, each employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries shall be
given credit for all service with the Company or its Subsidiaries (or service
credited by the Company or its Subsidiaries) under all employee benefit
plans, programs, policies and arrangements maintained by the Surviving
Corporation in which they participate or in which they become participants
for purposes of eligibility, vesting and benefit accrual including, without
limitation, for purposes of determining (i) short-term and long-term
disability benefits, (ii) severance benefits, (iii) vacation benefits and
(iv) benefits under any retirement plan.
31
(c) If there is a material reduction, in the aggregate, in the
employee benefits provided to employees of the Company six months after the
Effective Time as compared to the benefits provided on the date hereof there
will be a one-time equitable cash adjustment for those affected employees.
(d) Effective as of immediately prior to the purchase of Shares in
the Offer, the Company shall cause (i) every plan intended to be qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code which has a cash or deferred arrangement
under Section 401(k) of the Code (the "Retirement Plans") to be terminated in
accordance with applicable law and the terms of such Retirement Plans and
(ii) the account of each participant in each Retirement Plan as of
termination date to become one hundred percent (100%) vested and
nonforfeitable. Parent will cause there to be no gap in 401(k) plan
availability.
Section 5.9 Section 16 Matters.
------------------
Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall take all
such steps as may be required to cause any dispositions of Shares (including
derivative securities with respect to the Shares) resulting from the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement by each individual who is 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, such steps to be taken in accordance with the No-Action Letter,
dated January 12, 1999, issued by the SEC to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher &
Flom LLP.
Section 5.10 Works Councils.
--------------
Prior to the Effective Time, the Company and Parent shall
notify all works councils, as appropriate, as to the transactions
contemplated hereby, shall reasonably consult with such works council to the
extent required, and shall make such changes to this Agreement as are
mutually agreed by Parent and the Company as required as a result of such
consultations.
Section 5.11 Promissory Notes.
----------------
(a) Within one business day following the execution and delivery
of promissory notes substantially in a form attached as Exhibit 5.11 hereto
with respect to each such payment, Parent will (i) make a payment to Politic
or its designated beneficiary, on behalf of Company, of the amount required
to be paid by Company pursuant to Section 5.05(b)(i) of the WCAS Agreement;
and (ii) make a payment to Politic or its designated beneficiary, on behalf
of Company, of the amount required to be paid by Company pursuant to Section
5.05(b)(ii) of the WCAS Agreement.
(b) Following the execution and delivery of a revolving promissory
note substantially in the form of Exhibit 5.11, with such differences thereto
to be mutually agreed between the parties in good faith promptly after the
date hereof, Parent will loan to Company, upon request from the Company from
time to time, funds for use as working capital up to the aggregate amount of
Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000). Notwithstanding the foregoing, such
promissory note shall have the following terms: (i) interest, repayment and
default provisions substantially as provided in Exhibit 5.11; (ii) a $1
million minimum draw-down; (iii) a minimum
32
three business day's notice of a draw-down; and (iv) all draw-downs to be
subject to actual need as reasonably demonstrated by Company to Parent
pursuant to a form of takedown letter to be mutually agreed between the
parties in good faith. Company represents to Parent that it does not
presently anticipate requiring a draw-down prior to July 31, 2000.
(c) Immediately prior to the occurance of the "Event of Default"
as described and defined in Section 6.1(k) of the Credit Agreements (as the
term "Credit Agreements" is defined in the subordination agreement (the
"Subordination Agreement") of even date herewith by and among Company, Parent
and Bank of America, N.A., as agent for the Senior Lenders, as defined
therein), and notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the
promissory notes referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.11
will be accelerated and paid in full. Company will take all steps required
to comply with the Subordination Agreement in order to comply with this
Section 5.11(c).
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
Section 6.1 Conditions to the Obligations of the Parties.
--------------------------------------------
The respective obligations of the parties to consummate
the Merger are subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Effective Time
of the following conditions:
(a) if required by applicable law, this Agreement shall have been
duly approved by the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding Shares, in
accordance with applicable law and the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
of the Company;
(b) no statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling
or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by
any United States court or United States governmental authority which
prohibits, restrains or enjoins the consummation of the Merger, provided that
the party invoking this condition shall have complied with its obligations
under Section 5.4 hereof; and
(c) Acquisition shall have accepted for payment and paid for
Shares pursuant to the Offer, provided that Parent and Acquisition may not
assert this condition if the failure to accept Shares for payment was in
breach of this Agreement or related to a breach by Parent or Acquisition.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
Section 7.1 Termination and Abandonment.
---------------------------
This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be
abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after
approval by the stockholders of the Company:
(a) by mutual action of the Boards of Directors of Parent and the
Company;
33
(b) by either the Company or Parent if the Offer has expired
without the acceptance of Shares thereunder, or the purchase of Shares
pursuant to the Offer shall not have occurred on or prior to the close of
business on December 31, 2000; unless, in any case, each such event has been
caused by the breach of this Agreement by the party seeking such termination;
(c) by the Company if, prior to purchase of Shares in the Offer,
(i) the Company shall enter into a definitive written agreement with respect
to an Alternative Transaction with a Third Party, or a Third Party has
commenced a tender offer which, in either case, the Board of Directors of the
Company believes in good faith is a Superior Proposal; provided, that the
Company has complied with Section 5.5 and all amounts payable under Section
5.5 hereof shall have been paid prior to such termination; or (ii) the
representations and warranties of Parent contained in this Agreement shall
not be true and correct (except to the extent that the aggregate of all
breaches thereof would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent) at the
date hereof and as of the consummation of the Offer with the same effect as
if made at and as of the consummation of the Offer (except to the extent such
representations specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such
representations shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, and in any
event, subject to the foregoing Material Adverse Effect qualification), or
Parent shall have failed to perform in all material respects its covenants
and obligations contained in this Agreement, which failure to perform has not
been cured within ten business days after the giving of written notice to
Parent;
(d) by Parent, if, prior to the purchase of Shares in the Offer,
the Board of Directors of the Company shall have withdrawn, modified or
amended in a manner adverse to Acquisition its approval or recommendation of
the Merger or approved, recommended or endorsed any proposal for, or
authorized the Company to enter into, an Alternative Transaction; or
(e) by the Company on or following August 20, 2000 and prior to
the purchase of Shares in the Offer if (i) the waiting period with respect to
the purchase of Shares in the Offer under the HSR Act or similar statutes or
regulations of foreign jurisdictions shall not have expired or been
terminated, (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine in
good faith, after consultation with counsel, that it believes that there is a
substantial likelihood that the conditions set forth in clause (i) will not
be satisfied by December 31, 2000, and (iii) the Company has provided Parent
with at least two weeks' notice prior to termination.
Any party desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1
shall give notice to the other party in accordance with Section 8.5.
Section 7.2 Effect of Termination.
---------------------
Except as provided in Sections 5.5, 5.11(c) and 8.2, in
the event of the termination of this Agreement and the abandonment of the
Merger pursuant to Section 7.1, this Agreement shall thereafter become void
and have no effect, and no party hereto shall have any liability to any other
party hereto or its stockholders or directors or
34
officers in respect thereof, except that nothing herein shall relieve any
party from liability for any willful breach hereof.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties.
---------------------------------------------
None of the representations and warranties in this
Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the
Effective Time, provided that this Section 8.1 shall not limit any covenant
or agreement of the parties that by its terms contemplates performance after
the Effective Time.
Section 8.2 Expenses, Etc.
-------------
(a) Subject to Section 5.5, in the event that the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated, neither the Company, on
the one hand, nor Acquisition, on the other hand, shall have any obligation
to pay any of the fees and expenses of the other incident to the negotiation,
preparation and execution of this Agreement, including the fees and expenses
of counsel, accountants, investment bankers and other experts; provided,
however, that if this Agreement shall have been terminated as a result of the
willful and material misrepresentations by a party or the willful and
material breach by a party of any of its covenants and agreements contained
herein, such party shall pay the costs and expenses incurred by the other
parties in connection with this Agreement.
(b) In the event that the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement are consummated, the Company shall pay all of the fees and expenses
of Acquisition incident to the negotiation, preparation and execution of this
Agreement, including the fees and expenses of counsel, accountants,
investment bankers and other advisors.
Section 8.3 Publicity.
---------
The Company and Acquisition agree that they will not
issue any press release or make any other public announcement concerning this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior consent
of the other party, except that the Company may make such public disclosure
that it believes in good faith to be required by law (in which event such
party shall consult with the other prior to making such disclosure).
Section 8.4 Execution in Counterparts.
-------------------------
For the convenience of the parties, this Agreement may be
executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
Section 8.5 Notices.
-------
All notices that are required or may be given pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficient in
all respects if given in writing and delivered by hand or national overnight
courier service, transmitted by telecopy or mailed by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, as follows:
If to Parent or Acquisition to:
35
Computer Sciences Corporation
2100 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, CA 90245
Telecopy: (310) 322-9767
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy to:
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Jamboree Center
4 Park Plaza
Irvine, CA 92614-8557
Telecopy: (949) 451-4220
Attention: Ronald S. Beard
If to the Company, to:
Policy Management Systems Corporation
One PMSC Center
Columbia, SC 29202
Telecopy: (803) 333-4747
Attention: President
with a copy to:
Dewey Ballantine LLP
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019-6092
Telecopy: (212) 259-6333
Attention: Morton A. Pierce
Richard D. Pritz
or such other address or addresses as any party hereto shall have designated
by notice in writing to the other parties hereto.
Section 8.6 Waivers.
-------
The Company, on the one hand, and Parent, on the other
hand, may, by written notice to the other, (i) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other actions of the other under
this Agreement; (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations or
warranties of the other contained in this Agreement or in any document
delivered pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) waive compliance with any of the
conditions of the other contained in this Agreement; or (iv) waive
performance of any of the obligations of the other under this Agreement.
Except as provided in the preceding sentence, no action taken pursuant to
this Agreement, including, without limitation, any investigation by or on
behalf of
36
any party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such
action of compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants or
agreements contained in this Agreement. The waiver by any party hereto of a
breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed
as a waiver of any subsequent breach.
Section 8.7 Entire Agreement.
----------------
This Agreement, its Exhibits and Schedules and the other
documents executed at the Effective Time in connection herewith constitute
the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral and
written, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof. No representation, warranty, promise, inducement or statement of
intention has been made by any party that is not embodied in this Agreement
or such other documents, and none of the parties shall be bound by, or be
liable for, any alleged representation, warranty, promise, inducement or
statement of intention not embodied herein or therein.
Section 8.8 Applicable Law.
--------------
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina, without regard to
principles of conflict of laws.
Section 8.9 Binding Effect, Benefits.
------------------------
Except as otherwise stated herein, this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective permitted successors and assigns. Except as otherwise stated
herein, nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to
confer on any person other than the parties hereto or their respective
permitted successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement; provided, however, that the
provisions of Section 5.7 hereof shall accrue to the benefit of, and shall be
enforceable by, each of the current and former directors and officers of the
Company.
Section 8.10 Assignability.
-------------
Neither this Agreement nor any of the parties' rights
hereunder shall be assignable by any party hereto without the prior written
consent of the other party hereto.
Section 8.11 Amendments.
----------
This Agreement may be varied, amended or supplemented at
any time before or after the approval and adoption of this Agreement by the
stockholders of the Company by action of the respective boards of directors
of the Company and Acquisition, without action by the stockholders thereof;
provided that, after approval and adoption of this Agreement by the Company's
stockholders, no such variance, amendment or supplement shall, without
consent of such stockholders, reduce the amount or alter the form of the
consideration that the holders of the capital stock of the Company shall be
entitled to receive upon the Effective Time pursuant to Article II hereof.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement may only be
amended, varied or supplemented by an instrument in writing, signed by the
parties hereto.
Section 8.12 Interpretation.
--------------
As used herein, "best efforts" or similar formulations
shall mean "all commercially reasonable efforts." References to the
"knowledge" of the Company, or
37
similar formulations, shall mean to the actual knowledge of the executive
officers of the Company. As used herein, "including" or similar formulations
shall mean "including without limitation."
38
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this
Agreement and Plan of Merger as of the day and year first above written.
POLICY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By /s/ Stephen G. Morrison
----------------------------------
Name: Stephen G. Morrison
Title: Executive Vice President
COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION
By /s/ Paul T. Tucker
----------------------------------
Name: Paul T. Tucker
Title: Vice President
PATRIOT ACQUISITION CORP.
By /s/ Paul T. Tucker
----------------------------------
Name: Paul T. Tucker
Title: Vice President
39
ANNEX I
CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer or this Agreement, and
in addition to (and not in limitation of) Acquisition's rights to extend and
amend the Offer (subject to the provisions of this Agreement), and subject to
any applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including Rule 14e-1(c)
relating to Acquisition's obligation to pay for or return tendered shares
after termination of the Offer, Acquisition shall not be required to accept
for payment or pay for any Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, may delay
the acceptance for payment of any Shares pursuant to Section 1.1(b) of this
Agreement, may extend the Offer by one or more times, in all cases subject to
Section 1.1(b), and may terminate the Offer at any time after the expiration
date thereof, subject to the right of the Company pursuant to Section 1.1(b)
to request that Acquisition extend the Offer, if (i) less than two-thirds of
the outstanding Shares on a fully-diluted basis (including for purposes of
such calculation all Shares issuable upon exercise of all vested Company
Stock Options and unvested Company Stock Options that vest prior to the
Effective Time, but excluding any Shares held by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries) have been tendered pursuant to the Offer by the expiration of
the Offer and not withdrawn; (ii) any applicable waiting period under the HSR
Act or similar statutes or regulations of foreign jurisdictions has not
expired or terminated; (iii) all necessary consents and approvals from all
Governmental Entities shall not have been obtained on terms and conditions
reasonably satisfactory to Parent; or (iv) at any time after the date of this
Agreement, and before acceptance for payment of any Shares, any of the
following events shall occur and be continuing:
(a) there shall have been any action taken, or any statute, rule,
regulation, judgment, order or injunction promulgated, entered, enforced,
enacted, issued or deemed applicable to the Offer or the Merger by any
domestic or foreign court or other Governmental Entity which directly or
indirectly (i) prohibits, or makes illegal, the acceptance for payment,
payment for or purchase of Shares or the consummation of the Offer, the
Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) renders
Acquisition unable to accept for payment, pay for or purchase some or all of
the Shares or (iii) imposes material limitations on the ability of Parent
effectively to exercise full rights of ownership of the Shares, including the
right to vote the Shares purchased by it on all matters properly presented to
the Company's shareholders, except in each case as contemplated by the final
sentence of Section 5.4 of the Merger Agreement;
(b) (i) the representations and warranties of the Company
contained in this Agreement shall not be true and correct (except to the
extent that the aggregate of all breaches thereof would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company) at the date hereof and as of the consummation
of the Offer with the same effect as if made at and as of the consummation of
the Offer (except to the extent such representations specifically relate to
an earlier date, in which case such representations shall be true and correct
as of such earlier date, and in any event, subject to the foregoing Material
Adverse Effect qualification), (ii) the Company shall have failed to perform
in all material respects its covenants and obligations contained in this
Agreement, which failure to perform has not been cured within ten business
days after the giving of written notice to the Company, or (iii) except as
disclosed in the Company SEC Filings or Schedule 3.8, there shall have
occurred since March 31, 2000 any events or changes which
constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, other than as a result
of the announcement or expectation of the Merger;
(c) (1) a tender offer or exchange offer for 15% or more of the
outstanding Shares is commenced, and the Company Board, within ten business
days after such tender offer or exchange offer is so commenced, either fails
to recommend against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by its
shareholders or takes no position with respect to the acceptance of such
tender offer or exchange offer by its shareholders; or (2) any person or
group shall have entered into a definitive agreement or agreement in
principle with Company with respect to a Third Party Acquisition;
(d) the Company Board shall have withdrawn, or modified or changed
in a manner adverse to Parent and Acquisition (including by amendment of the
Schedule 14D-9), its recommendation of the Offer, this Agreement or the
Merger, or recommended another proposal or offer, or the Company Board, shall
have resolved to do any of the foregoing; or
(e) this Agreement shall have terminated in accordance with its
terms,
which in the good faith judgment of Parent, in any such case, and regardless
of the circumstances (including any action or inaction by Parent) giving rise
to such condition makes it inadvisable to proceed with the Offer or the
acceptance for payment of or payment for the Shares.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Parent and Acquisition
and may be waived by Parent and Acquisition, in whole or in part at any time
and from time to time, in the sole discretion of Parent and Acquisition. The
failure by Parent and Acquisition at any time to exercise any of the
foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such
right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and
from time to time.
EXHIBIT 99.1
Contact: Frank Pollare FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Director, Public Information Moved on PR Newswire
Corporate June 20, 2000
Computer Sciences Corporation
310.615.1601
fpollare@csc.com
Bill Lackey Jackie VanErp
Director, Investor Relations Vice President, Global Marketing
Corporate Financial Services Group
Computer Sciences Corporation Computer Sciences Corporation
310.615.1700 512.338.7090
blackey3@csc.com jvanerp@csc.com
Timothy Williams
Chief Financial Officer
Mynd
803.333.5638
timvwilliams@mynd.com
CSC TO ACQUIRE MYND, FORMERLY POLICY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS;
Acquisition to Enhance CSC's Product and Service Offerings
NOTE: CSC will host a teleconference for members of the investment
community on Tuesday, June 20 at 8:30 A.M. EDT. Industry analysts and media
are invited to listen. Those interested in participating should call
1.888.740.8770 by 8:20 A.M.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., and COLUMBIA, S.C., June 20 -- Computer Sciences
Corporation (NYSE: CSC) and Policy Management Systems Corporation
(NYSE: PMS), d/b/a Mynd, announced they have entered into an agreement
whereby CSC will acquire Columbia, S.C.-based Mynd for $16 per share in an
all-cash transaction.
With approximately 35,500,000 PMS shares outstanding, the offer has an
equity valuation of about $568 million. The agreement was approved by Mynd's
board of directors.
The acquisition of Mynd, a provider of systems, services, sourcing and
e-business solutions to the global insurance and related financial services
industries, enhances CSC's ability to service its clients in those
industries. Mynd will become part of CSC's global Financial Services Group
headquartered in Austin, Texas.
The transaction is structured as a $16 per share cash tender offer for
at least two thirds of the outstanding Mynd shares, followed by a merger at
the same price per share. The consummation of the tender offer is subject to
customary conditions, including expiration of applicable waiting periods
under the antitrust/merger control laws of the United States and several
other countries. CSC expects to commence the tender offer by June 27, and
under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, the offer must be held
open for a minimum of twenty business days.
The final merger would require the approval of Mynd's shareholders at a
special meeting called for such purpose unless CSC acquires at least
90 percent of the Mynd shares in the tender offer, in which case the merger
can be effected promptly after the consummation of the tender offer. In this
case, at the close of the tender offer, CSC would own a sufficient number of
shares to approve the merger without the approval of any other Mynd
shareholders.
Synergies will be realized through reductions in costs and expenses
associated with redundant functions, including workforce reductions and
consolidation of computing and operating facilities. Additionally, R&D
operations of the two companies will be combined to achieve maximum
effectiveness, while CSC's global purchasing power will provide further
savings. Including the benefits of these synergies, the transaction will be
accretive in CSC's current fiscal year with the full effects realized in the
fiscal year ending March 29, 2002.
CSC will finance the acquisition with short-term securities, including
floating rate notes and commercial paper. CSC intends to replace the
short-term securities with the proceeds of capital markets transactions and
expects to maintain its current "A" credit ratings.
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Mynd, which until earlier this year did business as Policy Management
Systems Corporation, had revenues of $644 million for the company's fiscal
year ended December 31, 1999. Once the merger is completed, CSC will have
global revenues of over $2.7 billion in the financial services information
technology (IT) industry.
"The acquisition of Mynd is motivated by CSC's long-term commitment to
the global financial services industry and by our goal to create value for
the clients, employees and shareholders of both companies," said Van B.
Honeycutt, CSC's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Combining
the strengths of the two companies presents us with an opportunity to provide
expanded IT solutions more cost effectively.
"Mynd's solid portfolio of insurance-related products and service
offerings and its prestigious client base will benefit from CSC's
capabilities in consulting, systems integration and IT and application
outsourcing," he added.
CSC has long served the financial services industry, which currently
spends an estimated $200 billion per year on IT services. CSC enhanced its
presence in the financial services industry in 1996 with the acquisition of
The Continuum Company. Since that acquisition, the company's revenues from
the financial services industry have more than doubled, making it CSC's
largest commercial vertical, Honeycutt said.
"Our merger with Mynd will provide us with greater opportunities to
leverage CSC's specialized industry and outsourcing expertise," added Pete
Boykin, president of CSC's Financial Services Group. "In addition, Mynd's
technology and services offerings expand and complement our ability to
deliver end-to-end solutions for insurers and other firms in the converging
financial services industries around the world."
In addition to its headquarters facilities in Columbia, Mynd has offices
in 23 countries in the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific area.
Mynd's products include an array of software programs for various segments of
the insurance industry including property and casualty, life and annuity, and
claims and risk management.
According to CSC, Mynd's Columbia headquarters is expected to become the
company's Center of Excellence for the global property and casualty industry.
Additionally, Mynd's 49,000 square-foot data center there will become part of
CSC's global network of data centers that provide technology infrastructure
management services to clients.
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"We will examine all of the resources within Mynd to determine how they
best complement those we presently have within CSC," Boykin said. "With the
additional Mynd resources, particularly those in the e-business, customer
relationship management and outsourcing areas, CSC will be able to deploy a
broader base of personnel and IT solutions. After the merger, CSC will have
in excess of 15,000 people serving 1,200 clients in the financial services
industry in more than 60 countries."
CSC expects to commence the cash tender offer by June 27 and will file a
Tender Offer Statement with the SEC and mail a copy to each Mynd shareholder.
On the same day, Mynd expects to file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement
with the SEC that will also be mailed to its shareholders. Mynd shareholders
are advised to read the Tender Offer Statement and the
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement when they become available because they
will contain important information that shareholders should consider before
making any decision regarding tendering their shares.
Investors can access the Tender Offer Statement, the Solicitation/
Recommendation Statement and other documents filed with the SEC at no charge
at its Web site (www.sec.gov). Copies of CSC's Tender Offer Statement,
Mynd's Solicitation/Recommendation Statement and other CSC SEC filings will
be available at no charge by telephoning CSC's shareholder services and
automated literature request line at 800.542.3070.
About CSC
CSC, one of the world's leading consulting and IT services firms, helps
clients in industry and government achieve strategic and operational
objectives through the use of technology. Having guided clients through
every major wave of change in IT for more than 40 years, CSC today is well
positioned to develop and apply IT strategies and technologies, particularly
in the e-business area, based on its full range of capabilities in management
and IT consulting; systems design and integration; applications software; Web
and application hosting; and IT and business process outsourcing.
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Since its formation in 1959, CSC has been known for its flexibility and
customer-centric culture. Through numerous agreements with hardware and
software firms, the company develops and manages solutions specifically
tailored to each client's needs. With 58,000 employees in locations
worldwide, CSC had revenues of $9.4 billion for the twelve months ended
March 31, 2000. It is headquartered in El Segundo, California. For more
information, visit the company's Web site at www.csc.com.
The description of the transaction in this press release is necessarily
incomplete. For a complete description, please refer to the Agreement and
Plan of Merger, which will be attached as an exhibit to the Current Report on
Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today.
All statements in this press release that do not directly and
exclusively relate to historical facts constitute "forward-looking
statements." These statements represent the intentions, plans, expectations
and beliefs of CSC and Mynd, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and
other factors, many of which are outside their control. These factors could
cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking
statements. For a description of these factors, see the section titled
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of
Operations" in CSC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2000, and in the same section of Mynd's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.
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