<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant /X/
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule
14a-12
CASTLE & COOKE,
INC.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
DAVID H. MURDOCK, FLEXI-VAN LEASING, INC., CASTLE & COOKE HOLDINGS,
INC., AND CASTLE ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC. (AS PARTICIPANTS)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
</TABLE>
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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<S> <C> <C>
/ / No fee required.
/X/ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)
and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
Common Stock, no par value per share
------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
13,330,187 shares
------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how
it was determined):
$19.25 per share
------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
$256,606,099.75*
------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
$51,321.22**
------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
/X/ Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which
the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous
filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule
and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
$51,321.22
------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
005-45783
------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
David H. Murdock
------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
May 31, 2000
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</TABLE>
* A filing fee of $51,321.22 was previously paid by Mr. David H. Murdock with
respect to the tender offer for 13,330,187 shares of common stock, having no
par value, at a price per share of $19.25 in cash. Such number of shares
represents all outstanding shares of common stock of Castle & Cooke, Inc. as
of May 19, 2000 (the date upon which the tender offer commenced), less
shares already beneficially owned by Mr. Murdock and his affiliates, plus
the number of options outstanding on May 19, 2000 that according to the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 19, 2000 as amended, must be
accelerated, less the options already owned by Mr. Murdock that according to
the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 19, 2000 as amended, will
be cancelled.
** As of July 21, 2000, only 1,398,519 shares of common stock remained
outstanding and not beneficially held by Mr. Murdock. Because these shares
were previously considered in the calculation of the filing fee previously
paid in the tender offer, no filing fee is required with the current filing.
<PAGE>
CASTLE & COOKE, INC.
10900 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90024
To the Shareholders of Castle & Cooke, Inc.
A Special Meeting of Shareholders of Castle & Cooke, Inc. (the "Company")
will be held at Suite 700, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, California
90067 at 10:30 a.m. on September 6, 2000.
As described in the enclosed Proxy Statement, at the Special Meeting, you
will be asked:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt an Agreement
and Plan of Merger dated as of May 19, 2000, as amended (the "Merger
Agreement"), among Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("FLX"),
Castle & Cooke Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned
subsidiary of FLX ("Parent"), Castle Acquisition Company, Inc., a Hawaii
corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Purchaser"), and the Company
providing for, among other things, the merger of Purchaser with and into the
Company (the "Merger"). A summary of the material provisions of the Merger
Agreement is included in the enclosed Proxy Statement. The Company will be the
surviving corporation in the Merger.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Merger will constitute the second and final step of the acquisition of
the Company by FLX, Parent, Purchaser and David H. Murdock, the owner of 100% of
the outstanding stock of FLX. The first step was a tender offer (the "Offer") by
Purchaser for all of the outstanding shares of common stock, without par value
(the "Shares"), of the Company at a final purchase price of $19.25 per share in
cash. At the expiration of the Offer on July 21, 2000, 11,160,004 Shares had
been tendered for purchase (representing approximately 89% of the Shares
outstanding on such date that were not already beneficially owned by affiliates
of the Purchaser prior to commencement of the Offer).
Upon consummation of the Merger, all Shares (other than Shares owned by
Purchaser or its affiliates or Shares held by shareholders, if any, of the
Company who are entitled to and who properly exercise dissenters' rights) will
be converted into the right to receive $19.25 per Share in cash, without
interest.
As of July 21, 2000, Purchaser and its affiliates owned an aggregate of
15,661,314 Shares, representing approximately 92% of all Shares outstanding on
that date. Because the approval of a majority of the outstanding Shares is
sufficient to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement, Purchaser and its
affiliates can cause the Merger to occur without the affirmative vote of any
other holder of Shares. Purchaser and its affiliates have agreed pursuant to the
Merger Agreement to vote all Shares they beneficially own in favor of approval
and adoption of the Merger Agreement.
If you wish your vote to be considered at the meeting, please complete,
sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card(s) promptly. If you do attend the
meeting and wish to vote your Shares personally, you may revoke your proxy.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD.
Promptly after the Merger is completed, we will send you a letter of transmittal
in connection with the surrender of your stock certificates. The letter of
transmittal will include instructions on where to send your stock certificates.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ David H. Murdock
David H. Murdock
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Los Angeles, California
August 7, 2000
<PAGE>
CASTLE & COOKE, INC.
10900 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90024
---------------------------------------------------
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON
SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
---------------------------------------------------
The Special Meeting of Shareholders of CASTLE & COOKE, INC. (the "Company")
will be held at Suite 700, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, California at
10:30 a.m. on September 6, 2000 for the following purposes:
(1) To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt an Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 19, 2000, as amended by the Amendment to
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated June 27, 2000, among Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc.
("FLX"), Castle & Cooke Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of FLX
("Parent"), Castle Acquisition Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Parent, and the Company; and
(2) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed July 31, 2000 as the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special
Meeting. Accordingly, only shareholders of record at the close of business on
that date are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting or any adjournments
thereof.
All shareholders of record of the Company on the record date have the right
to dissent and obtain payment for their shares by complying with terms of
Section 415-80 and 415-81 of the Hawaii Business Corporation Act. A copy of
these Sections is set forth in the attached Proxy Statement as Exhibit C.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Roberta Wieman
Roberta Wieman
CORPORATE SECRETARY
Los Angeles, California
August 7, 2000
IMPORTANT: IF YOU CANNOT BE PRESENT AND DESIRE TO HAVE YOUR SHARES VOTED AT THE
SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD(S) AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE AND RETURN IT (THEM) IN THE ENCLOSED PRE-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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PAGE
<S> <C>
Questions and Answers About the Merger...................... 1
Summary..................................................... 3
Information Concerning the Special Meeting.................. 6
Background of the Merger.................................... 7
Purposes, Alternatives, Reasons and Effects of the Merger... 11
Voting Rights and Procedures................................ 13
Dissenters' Rights.......................................... 14
Fairness of the Transaction................................. 15
Reports, Opinions, Appraisals and Negotiations.............. 19
Interests of Certain Persons in the Offer and the Merger.... 40
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences..................... 41
Price Range of the Shares; Dividends on the Shares.......... 42
Effect of the Merger........................................ 43
Certain Information Concerning the Company.................. 43
Castle & Cooke, Inc. Selected Consolidated Financial and
Operating Data............................................ 45
Castle & Cooke, Inc. Consolidated Financial Statement
Projections(1)............................................ 47
Certain Information Concerning FLX, Parent and Purchaser.... 49
Merger Agreement............................................ 50
Source and Amount of Funds.................................. 56
Certain Legal Matters....................................... 56
Other Matters............................................... 58
Shareholder Proposals....................................... 59
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A--Fairness Opinion of Bear Stearns, Inc............
Exhibit B--Agreement and Plan of Merger, as amended.........
Exhibit C--Sections 415-80 and 415-81 of Hawaii Business
Corporation Act...........................................
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PROXY STATEMENT
DATED AUGUST 7, 2000
OF
CASTLE & COOKE, INC.,
10900 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90024
PURSUANT TO THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, AS AMENDED, AMONG FLEXI-VAN
LEASING, INC., CASTLE & COOKE HOLDINGS, INC., CASTLE ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC.,
AND CASTLE & COOKE, INC., THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CASTLE & COOKE, INC.,
MR. DAVID H. MURDOCK AND CERTAIN COMPANIES HE CONTROLS ARE SOLICITING THE
ENCLOSED PROXY, FOR USE AT THE COMPANY'S SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE
HELD ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2000 AT 10:30 A.M., LOS ANGELES TIME, AT
SUITE 700, 1999 AVENUE OF THE STARS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90067, AND AT ANY
AND ALL ADJOURNMENTS OR POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THE
ACCOMPANYING NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS.
THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD ARE FIRST BEING MAILED TO
THE SHAREHOLDERS OF CASTLE & COOKE, INC. ON AUGUST 7, 2000.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER
WHY AM I RECEIVING THESE MATERIALS?
These proxy materials give you information about how to vote in connection
with a special meeting of shareholders, which will take place at 10:30 a.m., Los
Angeles time, on September 6, 2000 at Suite 700, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Los
Angeles, California.
WHAT WILL BE VOTED ON AT THE MEETING?
Whether to approve a merger agreement under which Castle & Cooke, Inc. will
merge with Castle Acquisition Company, Inc., an affiliate of David H. Murdock.
You will have no interest in Castle & Cooke Inc. following the merger.
WHAT WILL I RECEIVE IN THE MERGER?
You will receive $19.25 per share in cash for each share of Castle & Cooke,
Inc.'s common stock owned by you.
WILL ANY OTHER MATTERS BE VOTED ON AT THE MEETING?
We are not aware of any other matter that will be considered at the special
meeting.
WHO CAN VOTE? (Pages 13-14)
All shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 31, 2000.
HOW CAN I VOTE SHARES HELD IN MY BROKER'S NAME? (Pages 13-14)
If your broker holds your shares in its name (or in what is commonly called
"street name"), then you should give your broker instructions on how to vote.
Otherwise your shares will not be voted.
CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE? (Pages 13-14)
You may change your vote at any time before the vote at the meeting. For
shares held directly in your name, you may do this by sending us a new proxy or
by coming to the meeting and voting there. Coming to the meeting alone won't
change the vote in the proxy you sent us, unless you vote at the meeting. For
shares held in "street name," you may change your vote only by giving new voting
instructions to your broker or nominee.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF I RECEIVE MORE THAN ONE PROXY OR VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD?
(Pages 13-14)
It means your shares are registered differently or are held in more than one
account. Please complete, sign, date and mail each proxy card that you receive.
1
<PAGE>
WHAT IS THE BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION? (Pages 16-39)
The board recommends that you vote your shares FOR adoption of the merger
agreement.
WHY IS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDING THAT I VOTE TO ADOPT THE MERGER
AGREEMENT? (Pages 16-39)
The merger is the second and final step in the acquisition of Castle &
Cooke, Inc. by David H. Murdock at a price that the board of directors and a
special committee of the board of directors of Castle & Cooke, Inc., after
consideration of a number of factors, believe is fair to the shareholders from a
financial point of view.
WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE MERGER AGREEMENT? (Pages 6-11)
The merger agreement requires as a condition to the merger the affirmative
vote of the holders of a simple majority of the outstanding shares. This
condition will be met since Castle Acquisition Company, Inc. currently owns
approximately 92% of the outstanding shares of Castle & Cooke, Inc.
WHEN WILL THE MERGER TAKE PLACE? (Pages 6-11)
Once the merger agreement is approved, we expect that the merger documents
will be filed promptly after the meeting to complete the merger, subject to
completion of the financing and the satisfaction of customary closing
conditions.
SHOULD I SEND IN MY STOCK CERTIFICATES NOW? (Pages 13-14)
No. After the merger is completed, we will send you written instructions
that will tell you how to exchange your certificates for $19.25 per share in
cash. PLEASE DO NOT SEND IN YOUR CERTIFICATES NOW OR WITH YOUR PROXIES. Hold
your certificates until you receive further instructions.
WILL I HAVE DISSENTERS' RIGHTS? (Pages 14-15)
Yes. You are entitled to dissenters' rights. If you do not strictly follow
the rules governing these rights, you may lose them.
WHAT ARE THESE RULES? (Pages 14-15)
If you vote in favor of the merger, you will not be entitled to exercise
dissenters' rights under Hawaii law. If you refrain from voting or vote against
the merger and properly file a notice of intention to dissent prior to the
shareholders' meeting, you will have the right to be paid the "fair value" of
your shares as determined by a Hawaii court if you properly follow the
procedures set forth in Hawaiian law. Fair value excludes any appreciation or
depreciation in anticipation of the merger, unless the exclusion would be
inequitable. Fair value so determined may be more or less than the $19.25 per
share cash consideration in the merger.
WHAT IS THE MARKET VALUE OF MY SHARES? (Pages 42-43)
On March 29, 2000, the last full trading day before Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc.
announced its proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock
of Castle & Cooke, Inc. not already owned by Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc. or its
affiliates, the closing price of Castle & Cooke, Inc.'s common stock reported on
the New York Stock Exchange was $12 1/16 per share. On May 19, 2000, such price
was $17 1/8 per share, and on August 4, 2000, it was $19 per share.
WHAT ARE THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO ME? (Pages
41-42)
Your receipt of cash for your shares in the merger generally will be taxable
for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the same way as if you sold your shares
in the market for $19.25 per share in cash. Due to the complex and individual
nature of the tax consequences of the merger, we urge you to consult your own
tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences of the merger to you.
WHAT WILL BE THE EFFECT OF THE MERGER? (Pages 11-13)
Upon consummation of the merger, Castle Acquisition Company, Inc. will be
merged with and into Castle & Cooke, Inc., pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of May 19, 2000, as amended, and Castle & Cooke, Inc. will no
longer be publicly owned. All shareholders (other than Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc.
and its affiliates) will receive $19.25 per share without interest. Flexi-Van
Leasing, Inc. indirectly will own all of the shares of Castle & Cooke, Inc., and
will have complete control over Castle & Cooke, Inc.'s business. In addition,
the shares of Castle & Cooke, Inc. will no longer be listed on the New York
Stock Exchange and Castle & Cooke, Inc. will no longer be subject to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including requirements to
file annual and other periodic reports.
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SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this document. This
summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To
understand this transaction fully and for a more complete description of the
background of this transaction and your rights, you should carefully read this
entire document, including the exhibits.
THE TRANSACTION (Pages 6-11)
The merger of Castle Acquisition Company into Castle & Cooke, Inc. will
constitute the second and final step of the acquisition of the Company by
Mr. David H. Murdock. The first step commenced with the announcement by
Mr. Murdock of his intention to acquire all of the outstanding stock of Castle &
Cooke, Inc. for $17.00 per share in cash. The terms of a merger agreement were
negotiated and the purchase price was increased to $18.50 per share in cash. The
formal tender offer commenced on May 31, 2000 by Castle Acquisition Company, a
company indirectly owned by Mr. Murdock. The purchase price was subsequently
increased to $19.25 per share in cash. Pursuant to the tender offer which
expired on July 21, 2000, Castle Acquisition Company purchased 11,160,004 shares
of Castle & Cooke, Inc.'s common stock (representing approximately 89% of the
stock outstanding on that date that was not already owned by Mr. Murdock and his
affiliates). Mr. Murdock and his affiliates owned 15,661,314 shares of Castle &
Cooke, Inc.'s common stock on the record date (representing approximately 92% of
the outstanding common stock).
MERGER CONSIDERATION
You will receive $19.25 per share in cash, without interest, for each share
of Castle & Cooke, Inc. common stock that you own, unless you properly exercise
your dissenters' rights.
RECORD DATE
The close of business on July 31, 2000 is the record date for determining who is
entitled to vote at the special meeting of shareholders of Castle & Cooke, Inc.
PURPOSE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
The purpose of the meeting is to act upon a proposal to adopt the merger
agreement and approve the merger.
SPECIAL MEETING
The special meeting of shareholders of Castle & Cooke, Inc. will be held at
10:30 a.m. on September 6, 2000 at Suite 700, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Los
Angeles, California.
VOTE REQUIRED (Pages 13-14)
A majority of Castle & Cooke, Inc.'s shares outstanding on the record date
must approve the adoption of the merger agreement and the merger. Castle
Acquisition Company and its affiliates have agreed to vote all of their shares
beneficially owned in favor on the proposal. Adoption of the merger agreement is
assured without the vote of any other shareholder because Castle Acquisition
Company and its affiliates own approximately 92% of the outstanding shares of
the Company. You may, however, vote your shares by mail or by attending the
special meeting in person.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD AND THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE (Pages 16-39)
The board of directors of Castle & Cooke, Inc. and a special committee of
the board, consisting of certain members of the board who are neither officers
or employees of Castle & Cooke, Inc. nor any of the acquiring entities,
unanimously approved the merger and the terms of the merger agreement and
recommend that you vote in favor of the transaction.
3
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FACTORS CONSIDERED BY BOARD AND SPECIAL COMMITTEE (Pages 16-39)
The decision of the board of directors and the special committee of the
board of directors to approve the terms of the merger agreement and the
amendment thereto, and to recommend that the shareholders of Castle & Cooke,
Inc. approve the merger were the product of a number of factors, including:
- A special committee of the board of directors was appointed to consider
the transaction and to negotiate the terms of the merger agreement; the
special committee was advised by independent financial and legal advisors;
none of the members of the special committee are officers or employees of
Castle & Cooke, Inc. or any of the companies owned by Mr. Murdock;
- The terms of the merger agreement permitted Castle & Cooke, Inc. to
negotiate with other interested parties;
- The fact that the merger agreement required that a minimum of 50%
(increased to 75%) of Castle & Cooke, Inc.'s outstanding shares of common
stock, not owned by Mr. Murdock and his affiliates, be tendered in the
tender offer;
- The purchase price in the merger agreement of $18.50 per share in cash
represented a premium of approximately 59% over the reported closing price
of the common stock of Castle & Cooke, Inc. on the last full trading day
before announcement by Mr. Murdock of his intention to acquire all of the
outstanding shares of Castle & Cooke, Inc.;
- The financial advisor to Castle & Cooke, Inc. delivered its opinion to the
special committee to the effect that a purchase price of $18.50 per share,
the initial offering price in the tender offer, was fair, from a financial
point of view, to the shareholders of Castle & Cooke, Inc., other than the
affiliates of the acquiror;
- The special committee reviewed information provided by the acquiror and
others regarding similar transactions, historical financial performance of
Castle & Cooke, Inc., historical market prices of the shares and other
valuation techniques;
- Following the approval of the merger agreement by the board of directors,
the purchase price was subsequently increased from $18.50 per share to
$19.25 per share in connection with the settlement of a number of
purported class action lawsuits;
- The shareholders will receive cash in the transaction;
- The likelihood that the offer might be withdrawn by the acquirors; and
- The unwillingness of Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc. to sell any shares of common
stock of Castle & Cooke, Inc. owned by it.
OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR (Pages 25-39)
Bear Stearns & Co., Inc. delivered its opinion to the special committee of
the board of directors on May 19, 2000 to the effect that a purchase price of
$18.50 per share in cash was fair from a financial point of view to the
shareholders of Castle & Cooke, Inc., other than Mr. Murdock and his affiliates.
The full text of this opinion is set forth in Exhibit A. You should carefully
read the opinion of Bear Stearns in its entirety. Bear Stearns' opinion relates
only to the fairness of the purchase price from a financial point of view to the
shareholders of Castle & Cooke, Inc., other than Mr. Murdock and his affiliates,
and does not constitute a recommendation as to how you should vote on the
merger.
EFFECTS OF THE MERGER (Pages 43)
Castle & Cooke, Inc. will be the surviving corporation in the merger and
will be 100% owned by Castle & Cooke Holdings, Inc., an affiliate of David H.
Murdock. Any shares of common stock of Castle & Cooke, Inc. outstanding at the
time of the merger will be canceled, and the holders of such shares will
4
<PAGE>
receive $19.25 for each share they own. As a result, following the merger,
shareholders other than David H. Murdock and his affiliates will no longer have
any interest in Castle & Cooke, Inc.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES (Page 41-42)
The receipt of cash by the shareholders of Castle & Cooke, Inc. pursuant to
the merger will be a taxable transaction for Federal income tax purposes upon
completion of the merger and may also be taxable under applicable state, local
and foreign tax laws. ALL SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER (Pages 50 and 56-57)
Other than approval of the merger agreement by shareholders at the special
meeting, the filing of the merger documents as required by Hawaii laws and the
closing of the permanent financing being secured by the Company concurrently
with the filing of the merger documents. Castle & Cooke, Inc. believes that all
applicable conditions and approvals have been obtained, and that, there are no
conditions to completion of the merger that have not been satisfied.
CERTAIN LITIGATION (Pages 57-58)
Following public disclosure of Mr. Murdock's intention to acquire all of the
outstanding shares of Castle & Cooke, Inc. on March 29, 2000 at a price of
$17.00 per share, which was subsequently increased to $18.50 per share on
May 22, 2000, eight purported class actions were filed. These suits alleged that
the directors of Castle & Cooke, Inc. breached their fiduciary duties and
engaged in self-dealing by failing to maximize the value of the shares. The
complaints further alleged that the value of the shares was greater than the
$17.00 per share in cash contained in the initial proposal. Subject to final
court approval, the purported class actions have been settled. Pursuant to the
terms of the settlement, Castle Acquisition Company agreed to increase the
purchase price to $19.25 per share in cash and it was agreed that the cases
would be dismissed with prejudice.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS (Pages 14-15)
Each shareholder who does not wish to accept the merger consideration of
$19.25 per share in cash and who properly exercises dissenters' rights has the
right under Hawaiian law to receive the "fair value" of his or her shares as
determined by the appropriate court in Hawaii. This right is subject to a number
of technical requirements. Because of the complexity of these procedures,
shareholders should seek the advice of counsel if they are considering
exercising dissenters' rights. Generally, in order to exercise dissenters'
rights,
- You must not vote in favor of the merger
- You must file a written demand to be paid the fair compensation for your
shares prior to the vote on the merger which can be addressed to Castle &
Cooke, Inc., 10900 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 90024,
attention: General Counsel, and
- You must thereafter follow specified statutory procedures in order to
perfect your dissenters' rights. Following the meeting, the Company will
provide further information to you regarding the additional statutory
procedures that you must follow if you satisfy the first two requirements.
Merely voting against the merger or refraining from voting on the merger
will not protect your rights. Exhibit C to this proxy statement contains the
text of the Hawaii dissenters' rights law.
5
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SPECIAL MEETING
The special meeting of shareholders (this "Special Meeting") is being called
for the purpose of considering and voting upon a proposal to approve the
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 19, 2000, as amended by the
Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 27, 2000 (as amended,
the "Merger Agreement"), among Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("FLX"), Castle & Cooke Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Parent"),
Castle Acquisition Company, Inc., a Hawaii corporation ("Purchaser") and Castle
& Cooke, Inc. (the "Company"), and the transactions contemplated thereby. The
Merger Agreement provides for, among other things, the merger of Purchaser with
and into the Company. Purchaser currently owns approximately 92% of the Company.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, following the Merger Parent will own 100% of
the Company.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on May 31, 2000, Purchaser commenced a
tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock, without par
value, (the "Shares"), of the Company at a price of $18.50 per share, which was
subsequently increased to $19.25 per share (the "Offer Price"). Over 11,160,004
Shares were tendered in response to the Offer.
The purpose of the Offer and Merger are to enable FLX, through Purchaser, to
acquire control of, and the entire equity interest in, the Company. Pursuant to
the Merger Agreement and the Hawaii Business Corporation Act ("HBCA"), as soon
as practicable after approval of the Merger Agreement by the Company's
shareholders, Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company, and the
Company will be the surviving corporation in the Merger. At the effective time
of the Merger (the "Effective Time of the Merger"), each Share then outstanding
(other than Shares held by (i) Parent or any subsidiary of Parent including the
Purchaser, or (ii) the Company or any subsidiary of the Company) will be
converted into the right to receive $19.25 in cash (the "Merger Consideration"),
without interest. The Merger Agreement is more fully described in MERGER
AGREEMENT, below.
Mr. David H. Murdock owns FLX, and so owns indirectly Parent and the
Purchaser, and will become, indirectly, the owner of the Company following the
Merger. Mr. Murdock is also the chairman of the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Company Board"). As a result of Mr. Murdock's dual status, the
Company Board appointed a special committee of independent directors (the
"Special Committee") to consider FLX's proposal to make the Offer and accomplish
the Merger. See BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER, below.
AFTER RECEIVING THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE THE COMPANY BOARD
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
THEREBY, INCLUDING THE OFFER AND THE MERGER, DETERMINED THAT THE TERMS OF THE
OFFER AND THE MERGER ARE FAIR TO, AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF, THE HOLDERS OF
SHARES, AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE COMPANY'S
SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE MERGER.
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. ("Bear Stearns") delivered to the Special Committee
its opinion, dated as of May 19, 2000 (the "Fairness Opinion"), to the effect
that, as of such date and based upon and subject to certain matters stated
therein, the purchase price of $18.50 per share was fair from a financial point
of view to such holders of the Shares (other than FLX and its affiliates). The
full text of the Fairness Opinion is attached as Exhibit A hereto. Holders of
Shares are urged to, and should, read the Fairness Opinion carefully in its
entirety.
As of July 21, 2000, there were (i) 17,059,833 Shares issued and
outstanding, of which 1,398,519 were not owned by the Purchaser and 15,661,314
were owned by the Purchaser, (ii) 3,015,764 Shares were held in the treasury of
Company, and (iii) 1,099,664 Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of
options.
Under the HBCA and pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation of the Company,
the affirmative vote of the holders of a simple majority of the outstanding
Shares is the only vote of any class or series of the Company's capital stock
that is required to approve the Merger Agreement and the Merger. Because the
Purchaser currently holds approximately 92% of the outstanding Shares, Purchaser
has enough votes to approve the Merger.
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BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
The Company became a separate publicly-held company in 1995 when the shares
of the Company were distributed by Dole Food Company, Inc. ("Dole") to its
shareholders. Dole spun the Company off to shareholders because it believed that
the Company would be better able to function as a separate real estate holding
and development company, and that having the Company's real estate-related
business combined with the food business of Dole did not permit either company
to properly focus on its respective market. Since the Company has become an
independent entity, the Shares have traded within a relatively narrow price
range. See the chart under FAIRNESS OF THE TRANSACTION.
As the Company's chairman and the owner of FLX, Mr. David H. Murdock
concluded that the Company would function better as a privately-held company for
the reasons described in PURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE
MERGER, below. Upon forming this conclusion and determining to make an offer for
the Shares not already owned by FLX, Mr. Murdock and FLX presented to the
Company Board, at a meeting held March 29, 2000, a proposal to acquire all the
Shares not already owned or controlled by Mr. Murdock through FLX and its
subsidiaries for a price of $17.00 per share (the "Proposal").
The Proposal was promptly publicly disclosed by the Company in a press
release and in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission").
Mr. Murdock stated that in view of his financial interest in the Proposal,
it would be appropriate for the Company Board to appoint a special committee to
act on behalf of the Company Board, consisting of those directors who were not
officers or employees of the Company, and who had no financial interest in, or
position with, FLX or any of its affiliates (other than their positions as
directors and their ownership of Shares). The Special Committee was appointed
consisting of Messrs. Edward Carson, Lodwrick Cook, William Dallas and Edward
Hogan, with Mr. Carson as Chairman. Subject to the limitations of Hawaii law,
the Special Committee was authorized to exercise all of the powers of the
Company Board with respect to the Proposal and any transaction that might
eventuate therefrom, including the selection and retention of legal counsel and
a financial advisor.
The Special Committee engaged Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP ("GDC") as legal
counsel, and contacted several investment banking firms with a view to select
one as its financial advisor. Following discussions with representatives of
several such firms, the Special Committee selected Bear Stearns to advise it,
subject to the negotiation of a mutually satisfactory engagement agreement.
At a meeting on April 11, 2000, the Special Committee met with its counsel
and representatives of Bear Stearns. There was a substantial discussion of the
process to be followed by Bear Stearns in considering the fairness of the
Proposal and advising the Special Committee as to possible alternatives that it
might consider. The Bear Stearns engagement letter was approved and signed. Also
at the meeting, the Special Committee was briefed concerning the allegations in
certain purported shareholder class actions which had been filed challenging the
proposed transaction. See CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS. Thereafter, the Company
provided Bear Stearns with full access to senior management and provided Bear
Stearns with copies of financial information, projections, plans and information
about the Company, its business and its assets for the purposes of helping them
assist the Special Committee.
On April 13, 2000, a group (the "Tisch Group") consisting of four brothers
and certain affiliated entities disclosed in a filing with the Commission that
it had acquired ownership of approximately 8.6% of the Shares. The Tisch Group
stated in its filing that:
"The Reporting Persons believe that the Common Stock is worth more than
$17 per share and that its value will be recognized by the market in the
future. The Reporting Persons may buy additional shares of Common Stock and
may sell any shares of Common Stock at any time."
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Except for the foregoing, the Tisch Group stated that it had no plans or
proposals for a transaction with the Company. On April 27, 2000, the Tisch Group
amended its filing with the Commission to disclose that its percentage ownership
of the Shares had increased to approximately 9.6%.
Following the Tisch Group's filing on April 13, 2000, the Tisch Group was
contacted by Bear Stearns, at the Special Committee's request, to indicate the
willingness of the Special Committee to consider any information it might wish
to provide in addition to that contained in its filing with the Commission. The
Bear Stearns' representative was advised that the Tisch Group believed it was
not the "best buyer" for the Company, and had acquired the Shares owned by it
with a view to resale at a profit as the result of an anticipated increased
price in the Proposal. However, the Tisch Group stated that if a transaction was
not materially in excess of the $17 offered by FLX, the Tisch Group would have
an interest in completing its own review of non-public information concerning
the Company and might consider possibly submitting its own proposal for an
acquisition of the Company. On May 3, 2000, the Tisch Group telephoned Bear
Stearns to reiterate this last point. The Tisch group has tendered its shares at
the $19.25 price and is no longer a shareholder of the Company.
On May 4, 2000, representatives of Bear Stearns and GDC met with certain of
the counsel for the shareholder plaintiffs in lawsuits filed to challenge the
Proposal, and with appraisal and business valuation advisors retained by them in
connection with the litigation. At the meeting, the plaintiffs' counsel and
advisors made a presentation of matters which they requested the Special
Committee to consider in connection with the Proposal. Among other things, they
described the analysis conducted by them with respect to valuation of the
Company's real estate assets. On the basis of this information, the plaintiffs'
advisors stated that the fair value of the Company's principal assets was in
excess of book value, and that a fair value in a purchase of the Company should
be in the range of approximately $34 to $40 per share. For more information on
the valuation presented by the plaintiffs' advisors, see CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS.
Later on May 4, 2000, the Special Committee met with its legal counsel and
Bear Stearns to consider the results of Bear Stearns' work to date.
Representatives of Bear Stearns made a detailed presentation of the preliminary
results of their valuation analyses of the Company.
The Bear Stearns representatives reported that, except for the Tisch Group
and one other party, which indicated that it preferred its identity not be
disclosed, following public disclosure of the Proposal on March 29, 2000, the
Special Committee had not been contacted by any person expressing an interest in
receiving non-public information and possibly presenting a competing proposal to
acquire the Company. At the Special Committee's request, they had contacted a
number of companies to ascertain whether they had an interest in considering a
proposal. Those who had responded had indicated either that they had no interest
in the Company as a whole, or that while they would consider non-public
information concerning the Company if it were made available they were not
actively considering such a proposal. There ensued an extensive discussion of
the Bear Stearns' analyses.
Among the matters discussed was the difficulty in arriving at a valuation
for the Company's property on Lana'i in view of, among other things:
- the substantial losses incurred in connection with the project since
inception;
- the magnitude of the Company's current carrying value of the project,
which currently stands at approximately $230 million;
- the need for substantial ongoing cash expenditures to maintain the
infrastructure and amenities at Lana'i;
- projected ongoing losses at Lana'i for the proximate future;
- regulatory and governmental restrictions which impose significant
obstacles to any major changes in the nature of development and
operations; and
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- the absence of transactions involving comparable properties, which might
serve as a basis of comparison.
The Bear Stearns' representatives reported that in view of the difficulties in
valuing the Company's property on Lana'i, Bear Stearns was considering the need
to obtain a limited evaluation of that property from a qualified real estate
appraiser before it could render an opinion as to the fairness of a transaction.
At the meeting, the representatives of GDC and Bear Stearns reported on
their meeting earlier in the day with plaintiffs' counsel in the shareholder
lawsuits and the financial advisors engaged on behalf of the plaintiffs.
Following discussion, the Special Committee invited Mr. Murdock and other
representatives of FLX, including Deutsche Bank, to join the meeting and to make
a presentation in support of their views concerning valuation. In the discussion
which followed, Mr. Murdock stated that FLX was not interested in a sale of its
Shares, and in its capacity as a shareholder would oppose any acquisition of the
Company by another party. Following further discussion, the FLX representatives
and Mr. Murdock left the meeting.
The Special Committee then discussed the appropriate response to
Mr. Murdock concerning the Proposal. Members of the Special Committee believed
that:
- in view of the substantial premium offered over the trading price for the
Shares, a transaction with FLX represented a superior alternative for
shareholders of the Company than remaining public;
- it was unlikely that a credible competing offer for the Company could be
obtained at a higher price than that offered by FLX; and
- there was a substantial risk that the Proposal would be withdrawn if
agreement for a transaction were not reached by its expiration date.
Accordingly, Mr. Carson was instructed to meet with Mr. Murdock and attempt to
reach an understanding with respect to an increased price for a transaction,
subject to:
- completion by Bear Stearns of its consideration and its ability to provide
an opinion as to fairness of the consideration from a financial point of
view; and
- negotiation of mutually agreeable terms and conditions in a definitive
acquisition agreement, which would not prevent the Special Committee from
considering other credible alternative proposals, if received.
Following discussions between Mr. Carson and Mr. Murdock on the evening of
May 4, 2000, Mr. Murdock and FLX indicated their willingness to offer an
increased price of $18.50 per share, subject to the conditions referred to
above. During the period May 5 through May 19, 2000, counsel for the Special
Committee, in consultation with the Company's general counsel and regular
outside counsel, engaged in negotiations with counsel for FLX concerning a
definitive agreement for the proposed transaction. Members of the Special
Committee were advised of the progress of these negotiations and provided
direction to the attorneys.
On May 12, Bear Stearns advised the Special Committee that it had concluded
it would be necessary to obtain a limited appraisal of the Company's property on
Lana'i and certain properties on Oahu before they would be in a position to
render an opinion as to fairness. On May 15, 2000, the Special Committee met
with counsel to review updated information provided by Bear Stearns and those
issues which remained unresolved concerning the terms and conditions of the
definitive agreement and FLX agreed to extend the Proposal to May 19, 2000. On
May 15, 2000 each of the Company and FLX publicly announced the extension.
On May 19, 2000, the Special Committee met with its counsel and Bear Stearns
regarding the results of the limited appraisal of the Company's property on
Lana'i and certain properties on Oahu which had
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been received by Bear Stearns, Bear Stearns' opinion as to the fairness of the
proposed transaction and the final terms and conditions of the proposed Merger
Agreement. Bear Stearns reported to the Special Committee that it was prepared
to render a written opinion to the effect that a price of $18.50 per share is
fair to the shareholders of the Company (other than FLX and its affiliates) from
a financial point of view. Bear Stearns also reported on its review of various
factors, including the limited appraisal and the status of certain updated
information. Based upon all of the information it had received, the Special
Committee unanimously determined to recommend to the full Board that the Merger
Agreement be approved and a recommendation be made to shareholders to tender all
of their Shares in the Offer. Mr. Dallas was unable to participate in the
meeting of the Special Committee at which these determinations were made, but
has advised the Company of his agreement with the conclusion reached at that
meeting.
Subsequently, the Board considered the report of the Special Committee and
unanimously agreed to accept a revised offer from FLX and the Purchaser
providing for a purchase price of $18.50 per share, and approved the Merger
Agreement. Mr. Dallas was unable to participate in the meeting at which these
determinations were made, but advised the Company of his agreement with the
conclusion reached at the meeting.
On May 22, 2000, each of the Company and FLX publicly announced the
execution of the Merger Agreement.
Following the public disclosure of the Proposal on March 29, 2000, five
purported class actions were filed in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County,
California and three purported class actions were filed in the Circuit Court of
the Second Circuit of the State of Hawaii (the "Class Actions"). The complaints
generally alleged that the Company's directors breached their fiduciary duties
and engaged in self-dealing by failing to maximize the value of the Shares. The
complaints further alleged that the value of the Shares was materially greater
than the amount contained in the Proposal. Each complaint sought certification
of a plaintiff class, declaratory and injunctive relief with respect to the
transactions contemplated by the Proposal, unspecified compensatory damages, and
attorneys' fees and costs. See CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS. Subject to final court
approval, the Class Actions were settled and a stipulation of settlement was
approved by the District court for the State of Hawaii, Second Circuit, on
July 5, 2000. Pursuant to the settlement, the Offer Price was increased to
$19.25 per share, and the cases were agreed to be dismissed with prejudice.
Separately, members of the class have been sent notices dealing with the
settlement and their rights with respect to the settlement. The settlement
permits the Merger to be accomplished regardless of whether or not the
settlement is approved.
On June 28, 2000, the Offer Price was increased, and the Merger Agreement
was amended to provide for the price per share to be $19.25. After this increase
was announced, an investment banker representing a significant real estate
company, Lowe Enterprises Inc. ("Lowe"), approached the Special Committee and
its advisors. The Special Committee determined that Lowe appeared to have
sufficient financial ability to propose and complete a transaction. After Lowe
entered into a confidentiality agreement with the Company, the Special Committee
and its advisors gave Lowe and its financial and legal advisors access to
detailed information about the Company and its business, including all the
information provided to Bear Stearns. Lowe subsequently advised that it would
not submit a bid at a price higher than $19.25 per share.
More than the minimum number of Shares required to be accepted in the Offer
were tendered for purchase. As required by the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser
made available a supplemental offering period which expired July 21, 2000,
following acceptance of all Shares which had been tendered through the close of
business on July 14, 2000. Following the supplemental offering period, a total
of 11,160,004 Shares had been tendered, resulting in an ownership by
Mr. Murdock and FLX, through Purchaser, of 15,661,314 Shares, or approximately
92% of the outstanding Shares. As required by the Merger Agreement, the Merger
is now being submitted for approval by the shareholders at the Special Meeting
to be held on September 6, 2000. Following the anticipated approval of the
shareholders, the Merger will be
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completed. The Company and the Purchaser encourage all shareholders to complete
and return their enclosed proxy voting in favor of the Merger as promptly as
possible.
PURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES, REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE MERGER
PURPOSES. The Offer, as the first step in the acquisition of the Company,
was intended to facilitate the acquisition of all outstanding Shares not already
owned by Purchaser or its affiliates. The purpose of the Merger is to acquire
all of the outstanding Shares not purchased pursuant to the Offer or otherwise
owned by Purchaser and its affiliates. Purchaser owns enough shares to approve
the Merger in accordance with the HBCA and the Company's Articles of
Incorporation without the vote of any other shareholder.
ALTERNATIVES. The Special Committee and the Company considered certain
alternatives to the Merger, including causing the Company to remain public
without having any Shares purchased by the Purchaser or FLX, and, as noted
above, seeking offers from other potential acquirors. The Special Committee
considered the fact that since announcement of the Proposal on March 29, 2000,
except as described above, no other party had contacted the Special Committee or
its financial advisor to express an interest in submitting an acquisition
proposal at a price higher than that offered in the Proposal. While the Special
Committee considered the possibility that an alternative proposal might be
obtained at a higher price if FLX were willing to sell the Shares it owns, the
Special Committee concluded that such an offer was relatively unlikely in view
of FLX's unwillingness to sell. In this regard, the Special Committee noted that
FLX and its affiliates could, with relative ease, acquire additional Shares in
open market or privately negotiated transactions sufficient to block any
acquisition by another person. In addition, the Special Committee considered
that the Proposal was subject to withdrawal at any time after May 15, 2000 (with
such date subsequently extended to May 19, 2000), and if the Special Committee
delayed action on it to allow time for solicitation of other acquisition
proposals to a greater extent than the contacts made by Bear Stearns, there was
a significant risk that the Proposal would be withdrawn. Moreover, the Special
Committee felt that rejecting the Proposal would have an immediate and perhaps
lasting adverse effect on the price of the Company's common stock considering
the lack of attractive alternatives, discussed above, and the perceived
improbability that a higher or better offer would be presented.
Before making the Proposal, FLX and Mr. Murdock considered various
alternatives to the Proposal, including those described above as considered by
the Company and the Special Committee. They also considered a liquidation of the
Company by a sale of its assets and a distribution of the net after-tax
proceeds, but determined not to give it serious consideration because of the
length of time, transaction costs and uncertainty involved.
REASONS. Mr. Murdock, and each of Parent, Purchaser and FLX believe that it
is in the Company's best interest to operate the Company as a privately held
entity. Absent the constraint of the public market's emphasis on quarterly
earnings, the Company will have greater operating flexibility to focus on
enhancing long-term value by emphasizing growth (both internally and through
acquisitions) and operating cash flow. Purchaser believes that an emphasis on
long-term growth rather than short-term earnings could eventually result in
greater business and capital market opportunities than would be available to the
Company if it remained publicly held. In addition, Purchaser believes that as a
privately held entity, the Company will be able to make decisions that may
negatively affect quarterly earnings but that may increase the value of the
Company's assets or earnings over the long-term. In a public company setting,
decisions that negatively affect earnings could significantly reduce per share
price, if analysts' short-term earnings expectations are not met or exceeded.
Furthermore, if the Company is privately held by Mr. Murdock through FLX and
Purchaser, there will no longer be the perception of a real or potential
conflict of interest between Mr. Murdock's private real estate holdings and the
interests of the Company. Although Mr. Murdock has endeavored to provide real
estate opportunities to the Company in preference to retaining them for his own
benefit, the Merger, once complete, will eliminate the need to do so in the
future. Further, the Merger may provide opportunities to
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combine the real estate operations and expertise of Mr. Murdock's privately held
companies with Company operations, thus opening the way for cost savings and
efficiencies not available while the Company is publicly held.
Finally, following the Merger, the Company will no longer be subject to the
reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), which will allow the Company to eliminate the time devoted by
its management and certain other employees to matters which relate exclusively
to the Company being a publicly held company. "Going private" will also reduce
certain costs which relate to being a public company, including legal fees, the
costs of certain accounting and auditing activities, the cost of preparing,
printing and mailing corporate reports and proxy statements, the expense of a
transfer agent and the cost of investor relations activities.
These assessments are based upon publicly available information regarding
the Company, Purchaser's and FLX's knowledge of the Company, and Mr. Murdock's
experience in investing in or managing public and private companies generally.
EFFECTS. As a result of the Merger, the entire equity interest in the
Company will be indirectly owned by Mr. Murdock and FLX through the ownership of
Parent. After the Merger is consummated, shareholders other than the Purchaser
will no longer have an equity interest in the Company and instead will have only
the right to receive cash consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement. See
MERGER AGREEMENT below. Similarly, after the Merger, shareholders of the Company
will not bear the risk of any decrease in the value of the Company.
The Shares are expected to continue trading (at low volumes) until the
Merger is consummated. However, following the Merger, the Shares will no longer
be traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and price quotations for sales
of Shares in the public market will no longer be available. Upon completion of
the Merger, the registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act will
terminate, and the Company will no longer file periodic or annual reports. The
Company's officers, directors and the owners of more than 10% of the Common
Stock will no longer be subject to the short-swing profit provisions of
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
BENEFITS. Shareholders who receive cash in the Merger will sell their
Shares for cash at a price representing a premium of approximately 59% over the
closing market price of the Shares on March 29, 2000, the last full trading day
prior to the initial public announcement of the Proposal. This will provide a
source of liquidity not otherwise available, will eliminate the shareholders'
exposure to fluctuations in market value of the Shares and will allow
shareholders to pursue other investment alternatives. An investment in the
Company on December 27, 1995 (the first day it traded as a separate public
company) would have yielded a negative return or loss of 29% as of December 31,
1999. An investment during the same time period in the S&P 500 or NASDAQ would
have yielded positive return or gain of 155% or 293%, respectively.
PLANS FOR THE COMPANY. Parent and Mr. Murdock expect to conduct a detailed
review of the Company and its business and operations with a view towards
determining how to optimally realize any potential synergies which exist between
the operations of the Company and those of Parent, its subsidiaries and
Mr. Murdock's privately-held companies. Such review is not expected to be
completed until after the consummation of the Merger, and, following such
review, Parent will consider, what, if any, changes would be desirable in light
of the circumstances then existing. Parent also may consider reincorporating the
Company under the laws of the State of Delaware.
The Merger Agreement provides that the members of the Company's Board at the
Effective Time of the Merger will, from and after the Effective Time of the
Merger, be the directors of the surviving corporation in the Merger (the
"Surviving Corporation"). FLX presently intends that upon consummation of the
Merger, it will cause the officers of the Company to be designated as the
officers of the Surviving Corporation.
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Except as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, and except as may occur in
connection with the integration of operations referred to above, neither Parent
nor Purchaser has any present plans or proposals that would result in an
extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization,
liquidation, relocation of operations, or sale or transfer of assets, involving
the Company or its subsidiaries, or any material changes in the Company's
corporate structure, business or composition of its management or personnel.
VOTING RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES
SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. Under the HBCA, the approval of the Company's Board
and the affirmative vote of the holders of a simple majority of the outstanding
Shares are required to adopt and approve the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby. Purchaser owns enough shares to give this
approval.
VOTING RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES. The Board of Directors has fixed July 31,
2000 as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of
shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting or any
adjournments thereof. On the Record Date, 17,059,833 Shares were outstanding and
entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. The Shares are the only class of stock
of the Company that is outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.
Shareholders who own Shares registered in different names or at different
addresses will receive more than one proxy card. A SHAREHOLDER WHO DOES NOT PLAN
TO ATTEND THE MEETING MUST SIGN AND RETURN EACH OF THE PROXY CARDS RECEIVED TO
ENSURE THAT ALL OF THE SHARES OWNED BY SUCH SHAREHOLDER ARE REPRESENTED AT THE
SPECIAL MEETING. Each proxy card that is properly signed and returned to the
Company and not revoked will be voted in accordance with the instructions on the
card.
Any Shareholder who gives a proxy has the power to revoke it any time before
it is exercised by delivery, either in person or by mail, of a written notice of
revocation to the Corporate Secretary of the Company, by such shareholder's
submission of a properly signed, later-dated proxy, or by its vote in person at
the Special Meeting. Attendance at the Special Meeting will not in itself
constitute revocation of the proxy.
Unless contrary instructions are given, the persons designated as proxy
holders in the accompanying proxy card(s) (or their substitutes) will vote FOR
the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement, and in the proxy holders'
discretion with regard to any other matters (of which the Company is not now
aware) that may properly be presented at the Special Meeting or any adjournments
thereof, and all matters incident to the conduct of the Special Meeting.
The presence at the Special Meeting, in person or by proxy of a majority of
the Shares outstanding on the Record Date will constitute a quorum. The
affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Shares
on the Record Date is required to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the
Merger. The Purchaser and its affiliates have agreed to vote all of their Shares
in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and approval of the Merger.
Presence of a quorum and adoption of the Merger Agreement is assured without the
vote of any other shareholder because the Purchaser and its affiliates own
approximately 92% of the Shares.
Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Special Meeting will be counted by
the persons appointed by the Company to act as the inspectors of elections for
the Special Meeting. Abstentions are counted as Shares present at the Special
Meeting for purposes of a quorum and have the effect of votes cast against any
matter as to which they are specified. "Broker nonvotes" mean Shares that are
not voted on a particular matter by a broker because the broker has no authority
to vote on the matter without instructions. Broker nonvotes on a proposal will
be treated as present for purposes of a quorum and will have the same effect as
a vote against the Merger.
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Any unmarked proxies will be voted IN FAVOR of the matters coming before the
Special Meeting, as indicated on the proxy card, except as described above for
broker nonvotes.
Each Share entitles its holder to one vote on each matter to be voted on at
the Special Meeting.
The expenses of preparing and mailing the Notice of Special Meeting, the
Proxy Statement and the proxy card(s) will be paid by the Company. The Company
does not intend to solicit any votes by any means other than the mailing of the
documents described above since approval of the Merger is already assured.
EXCHANGE AND PAYMENT PROCEDURES. The Company will appoint an exchange agent
who will make payment of the Merger Consideration in exchange for certificates
representing your Shares, unless you properly exercise dissenters' rights. The
Company will make cash available to the exchange agent in order to permit the
exchange agent to pay the Merger Consideration. The exchange agent will send you
a letter of transmittal and instructions explaining how to send your
certificates to the exchange agent. If you send your stock certificates to the
exchange agent, together with a properly completed letter of transmittal, then
promptly after the exchange agent receives and processes your documents, a check
for the Merger Consideration, without interest, will be mailed to you (subject
to any withholding tax required by law).
If you fail to surrender your stock certificates within twelve months after
the completion of the Merger, you may no longer obtain the Merger Consideration
from the exchange agent, but, subject to applicable abandonment, escheat or
similar laws, must look solely to the Company for payment.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
Holders of Shares who notify the Company in writing prior to the Special
Meeting that they intend to seek dissenters' rights and who do not vote in favor
of the Merger Agreement will have the right to dissent and demand appraisal of,
and receive payment in cash of the fair value of, their Shares outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger in accordance with
Section 415-81 of the HBCA. Holders may notify the Company of their intention to
seek dissenters' rights by mailing such notice to the Company at 10900 Wilshire
Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90024, attention General Counsel.
If dissenting shareholders do not wish to accept the Merger Consideration,
then Sections 415-80 and 415-81 of the HBCA provide that such shareholders may
elect to have the "fair value" of their Shares determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction in Hawaii. The term "fair value" refers to the value of
the Shares immediately prior to the Merger, excluding any appreciation or
depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action, unless the exclusion would
be inequitable. Under this definition, "fair value" may exclude any appreciation
of the Shares since the announcement by Mr. Murdock on March 29, 2000 of the
Proposal. If dissenting shareholders properly comply with the procedures set
forth in the law, they will be entitled to the fair value of their Shares, plus
interest from the date the Merger is completed at a rate that is fair and
equitable in the circumstances.
Sections 415-80 and 415-81 of the HBCA are set forth in their entirety in
Exhibit C of this Proxy Statement. If any shareholders of the Company wish to
exercise dissenters' rights or to preserve the right to do so, such shareholders
should carefully review these Sections. Failure to comply with these procedures
in a timely manner may result in the loss of dissenters' rights. Because of the
complexity of these procedures, shareholders should seek the advice of counsel
if they are considering exercising dissenters' rights.
IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING EXERCISING YOUR DISSENTERS' RIGHTS, YOU SHOULD BE
AWARE THAT THE FAIR VALUE OF YOUR SHARES AS DETERMINED UNDER THE PROCEDURES SET
FORTH IN THE HAWAII BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT COULD BE GREATER THAN, THE SAME
AS, OR LESS THAN THE MERGER CONSIDERATION OF $19.25 PER SHARE. THE OPINION
DELIVERED BY BEAR STEARNS IS NOT AN OPINION AS TO FAIR VALUE UNDER THE HAWAII
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT.
14
<PAGE>
THE FOREGOING SUMMARY OF THE RIGHTS OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS UNDER THE HBCA
DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A COMPLETE STATEMENT OF THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY
SHAREHOLDERS DESIRING TO EXERCISE ANY APPRAISAL RIGHTS AVAILABLE UNDER THE HBCA.
THE PRESERVATION AND EXERCISE OF APPRAISAL RIGHTS REQUIRE STRICT ADHERENCE TO
THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE HBCA. A VOTE AGAINST THE MERGER IS NOT
SUFFICIENT TO PRESERVE DISSENTERS' RIGHTS. A COPY OF SECTIONS 415-80 AND 415-81
OF THE HBCA IS ATTACHED TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT AS EXHIBIT C AND THE FOREGOING
SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBIT C. THE FOREGOING
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE HBCA IS NOT NECESSARILY COMPLETE AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE HBCA.
FAIRNESS OF THE TRANSACTION
FLX, PARENT, AND PURCHASER. Mr. Murdock, Parent, FLX, and Purchaser believe
that the terms and conditions of the Merger are both procedurally and
substantively fair to the Company and to its shareholders.
They base this belief on the following factors:
- The Special Committee, consisting of directors who are neither designees
of Purchaser or its affiliates nor officers of the Company, was appointed
to represent the interests of the shareholders of the Company other than
Mr. Murdock and his affiliates;
- The Special Committee retained and was advised by independent legal and
financial advisors;
- The Special Committee and the Company Board each determined that the
Merger Agreement and the transactions it contemplates, including the Offer
and the Merger, taken together, are in the best interests of the
shareholders of the Company other than Mr. Murdock and his affiliates, and
approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions it contemplates,
including the Offer and the Merger;
- The Offer and the Merger and the other terms and conditions of the Merger
Agreement are the result of arm's length, good faith negotiations between
Mr. Murdock, FLX, Parent and Purchaser, on the one hand, and the Company,
on the other hand;
In addition to the foregoing procedural factors, the Purchaser, Parent, FLX
and Mr. Murdock believe the fairness of the Merger is supported by the following
factors:
- After the terms of the Merger Agreement, which explicitly allowed the
Company to negotiate with other bidders, became public, only one
prospective bidder came forward. That bidder was deemed fully capable of
submitting a bid, was granted full access to Company information, and
declined to submit a competing bid for the shares.
- The Offer was accepted by the holders of over 89% of the shares not owned
by the Purchaser.
- The revised Offer Price of $19.25 per Share to be paid to holders of
Shares in the Merger represents a premium of approximately 59% over the
reported closing price for the Shares on the last full trading day prior
to the public announcement by Mr. Murdock and FLX of the Proposal;
- The Merger will provide consideration to the Company's shareholders
entirely in cash;
- Mr. Murdock, FLX, Parent and Purchaser reviewed similar precedent
transactions as well as the historical financial performance of the
Company, its financial results and historical market prices of the Shares;
and
15
<PAGE>
- Bear Stearns, financial advisor to the Special Committee, delivered its
opinion to the Special Committee to the effect that the consideration then
being proposed in the Offer of $18.50 per share was fair, from a financial
point of view, to the Company's shareholders other than FLX and its
affiliates.
Mr. Murdock, Parent, FLX and Purchaser considered a number of factors, in
addition to those stated above, including the lack of favor which real
estate-related securities have recently found in the public market and certain
factors concerning the Company's stock including the lack of active coverage by
most Wall Street analysts, lack of liquidity as evidenced by relatively low
trading volume, lack of consistent earnings and cash flow and the absence of
dividends, a need for ongoing capital investments to realize upon the potential
of the Company's assets, and the lack of a specific identity of the Company as
either a home builder, a commercial property owner or developer, a resort
operator or some other type of real estate-related company. Further, they
considered the cyclical nature of the real estate business, the long-term nature
of the assets, the high concentration of assets in Hawaii and the diversity of
the other geographic locations of Company assets, the impact of increased
interest rates and the historical price of the Company's securities. It is not
practical to attempt to state the weight assigned to each of these factors by
Mr. Murdock, Parent, FLX and the Purchaser.
Since the Company became a separate publicly held company in 1995, the chart
below shows the Company's stock has traded within a relatively narrow range and,
as indicated by the notes on the chart, has traded above $19.25 per share only
during the period of time in which the Company was making an offer to repurchase
its own shares in a "Dutch auction" format.
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE CLOSE
<S> <C>
27-Dec-95 18
28-Feb-96 14.5
30-Apr-96 16.25
1-Jul-96 16
30-Aug-96 15.25
31-Oct-96 15.375
3-Jan-97 16
6-Mar-97 15.75
7-May-97 14.375
9-Jul-97 16.5625
9-Sep-97 20.4375
7-Nov-97 17.625
12-Jan-98 15.1875
16-Mar-98 16.875
15-May-98 19.125
17-Jul-98 20.5
17-Sep-98 15.3125
17-Nov-98 15.25
21-Jan-99 16.375
24-Mar-99 14.1875
25-May-99 15.0625
27-Jul-99 15.875
27-Sep-99 14.9375
26-Nov-99 12.875
28-Jan-00 12.1875
29-Mar-00 12.0625
</TABLE>
In considering the Company's historical market performance, Mr. Murdock,
Parent, FLX and Purchaser considered the fact that the Company's stock price has
significantly underperformed the S&P 500 Index. For the last two years, using
April 13, 1998 as a base, and comparing values on March 29, 2000, immediately
prior to the Proposal, the S&P 500 had increased to approximately 135% of its
original value and the Company's stock had decreased to approximately 70% of its
original value.
COMPANY BOARD AND SPECIAL COMMITTEE. After considering the report of the
Special Committee and the Fairness Opinion, the Company Board is also of the
view that the terms and conditions of the Offer
16
<PAGE>
and Merger are fair to the shareholders of the Company, as reflected in the
Merger Agreement as amended. As noted above, a Special Committee of independent
directors was formed consisting of Mr. Carson, Mr. Cook, Mr. Dallas and
Mr. Hogan. The Special Committee promptly retained independent legal and
financial advisors and retained Bear Stearns to assist it with evaluating the
Proposal and the terms and conditions of the Offer and Merger.
The Special Committee retained Bear Stearns based upon Bear Stearns'
qualifications, experience and expertise, and because Bear Stearns is a
well-recognized investment banking and advisory firm. Bear Stearns, as part of
its investment banking and financial advisory business, is continuously engaged
in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers and
acquisitions, and has negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of
listed and unlisted securities, private placements, leveraged buyouts,
recapitalizations, and valuations for corporate and other purposes.
In the ordinary course of business, Bear Stearns and its affiliates may
actively trade in the securities of the Company for their own account and for
the accounts of their customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or
short position in such securities. For a description of the procedures followed
by Bear Stearns and a summary of its report see BEAR STEARNS' ANALYSIS, below.
The Special Committee directed Bear Stearns to make inquiries of a number of
companies who, in the belief of the Special Committee and its advisors, might
have an interest in proposing alternative transactions and directed Bear Stearns
to advise them of any unsolicited proposals or inquiries made. Further, they
provided Bear Stearns with, and considered themselves, detailed reports on the
Company's historical performance, projections, financial condition and assets
and consulted with their legal advisors about the appropriate matters to
consider in evaluating the terms of the Proposal, the Offer and the Merger. The
Special Committee had extensive discussions with, and received reports from Bear
Stearns, the Company, Mr. Murdock and other representatives of FLX (including
Deutsche Bank), and was advised of the limited appraisal conducted on the
Company's properties on the island of Lana'i and some of its property on the
island of Oahu.
In determining whether to recommend approval of the Merger Agreement and the
Offer, the Special Committee considered the following factors:
MARKET PRICE AND PREMIUM
The Special Committee considered the historical market prices and recent
trading activity of the Shares, including the fact that the consideration to be
received by shareholders in the Offer and the Merger represents a premium of
approximately 53% to the price at which the Common Stock was trading prior to
public announcement of the Proposal on March 29, 2000. The Special Committee
took note of the fact that the Company repurchased 3,015,764 Shares in
July 1998 at $19.25 per Share pursuant to a self tender offer and that the book
value per Share at March 31, 2000, was approximately $32.60. The Special
Committee also considered the fact that the Shares had not traded as high as $18
per share in any period after the self tender until announcement of the
Proposal. See PRICE RANGE OF THE SHARES; DIVIDENDS ON THE SHARES.
LACK OF ALTERNATIVE ACQUISITION PROPOSALS
The Special Committee considered the fact that since announcement of the
Proposal on March 29, 2000, except as described in PURPOSES, ALTERNATIVES,
REASONS AND EFFECTS OF THE MERGER, above, no other party had contacted the
Special Committee or its financial advisor to express an interest in submitting
an acquisition proposal at a higher price. While the Special Committee
considered it possible that an alternative proposal might be obtained at a
higher price if FLX were willing to sell its Shares, the Special Committee
concluded that such an offer was relatively unlikely in view of FLX's opposition
to any such transaction. In this connection, the Special Committee noted that
FLX and its affiliates could, with relative
17
<PAGE>
ease, acquire sufficient additional shares of the Company in open market or
privately negotiated transactions to block any acquisition by another person. In
addition, the Special Committee considered that the Proposal was subject to
withdrawal at any time after May 15, 2000 (subsequently extended to May 19,
2000), and if the Special Committee delayed action on it to allow time for more
active solicitation of acquisition proposals other than the contacts made by
Bear Stearns there was a significant risk that the Proposal would be withdrawn.
SPECIAL COMMITTEE FORMATION AND ARM'S LENGTH NEGOTIATIONS
The Special Committee considered the fact that the Merger Agreement and the
Offer are the product of arm's-length negotiations between FLX and the Special
Committee, none of whose members are employed by or affiliated with the Company
(other than as directors or shareholders of the Company), FLX or any of their
affiliates.
BEAR STEARNS FAIRNESS OPINION
The Special Committee considered the financial advice of Bear Stearns and
the Fairness Opinion to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and
based upon and subject to the assumptions, factors and limitations set forth
therein, $18.50 per Share in cash was fair, from a financial point of view, to
the Company's shareholders other than FLX and its affiliates. A COPY OF THE
FAIRNESS OPINION SETTING FORTH THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE, MATTERS CONSIDERED AND
LIMITATIONS ON THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN BY BEAR STEARNS, IS ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT A
TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. SHAREHOLDERS
ARE URGED TO, AND SHOULD, READ THE FAIRNESS OPINION CAREFULLY AND IN ITS
ENTIRETY. The Special Committee did not ask Bear Stearns to review or reaffirm
the Fairness Opinion after the Offer Price was increased to $19.25 per share or
after the Offer was accepted by the holders of over 11,160,004 Shares.
TRANSACTION STRUCTURE
The Special Committee evaluated the benefits of the transaction being
structured as a cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares, thereby
enabling shareholders to obtain cash for all of their Shares at the earliest
possible date, and the fact that the per share consideration to be paid in the
Merger is the same as in the Offer. The Committee also considered the fact that
more than 94 days from public announcement of the Proposal, and more than
39 days from public announcement of the Merger Agreement, elapsed before any
Shares could be accepted for payment in the Offer. This lapse of time provided a
sufficient period of time for any party desiring to do so to present any
alternative acquisition proposal. The Special Committee cooperated fully with
Lowe in connection with its consideration of a possible bid for the Shares.
MINIMUM CONDITION
The Special Committee considered the fact that the minimum condition in the
Offer required the tender of a majority of the outstanding Shares held by
persons other than FLX and its affiliates before Shares could be purchased in
the Offer. Following the settlement of the litigation filed in connection with
the Offer , the minimum condition was increased to more than 75% of the Shares
not held by FLX and its affiliates. The number of Shares tendered pursuant to
the Offer exceeded the minimum condition.
TERMS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The Special Committee also considered the terms of the Merger Agreement,
including the ability of the Special Committee to provide non-public information
concerning the Company to any third party who had an interest in submitting an
acquisition proposal, if the Special Committee determined that there was a
reasonable likelihood that such actions would lead to a transaction proposal
with a reasonable likelihood of completion. As noted above, this was done for
one prospective bidder, Lowe, which subsequently
18
<PAGE>
declined to make an offer. Further, if an alternative transaction proposal had
been received by the Company, the Special Committee could have terminated the
Merger Agreement if it determined that such action was required to comply with
its fiduciary duties to shareholders. In such event, FLX would have been
entitled to receive a fee equal to 2% of the consideration available to Company
shareholders in the alternative transaction proposal, but not less than
$6.8 million. The Special Committee concluded that the amount of the fee was not
of such magnitude as would constitute a meaningful obstacle to a competing
proposal if there had been a person who wished to submit one.
HISTORICAL AND PROJECTED FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND RELATED RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES
The Special Committee considered the Company's business, financial
condition, results of operations and prospects and the nature of the industry in
which the Company operates, including the prospects of the Company if it were to
remain independent. In this connection, the Special Committee considered the
projected results of operations prepared by the Company's management. The
Special Committee noted that in view of the vulnerability of the Company's
business to changes in the general economy and the cyclical nature of the
industry in which the Company operates, achievement of projected results of
operations is subject to significant uncertainties.
In addition to the matters mentioned above, the Special Committee considered
all of the terms of the Merger Agreement, the present economic environment, the
availability of dissenters' rights in the Merger, the likelihood of completion
of the Offer and the Merger, and all of the other facts and circumstances
pertaining to the proposed transaction. The Special Committee did not consider
that it was practicable or useful to quantify or otherwise assign relative
weights to the various factors considered by it. Based upon all of the
information available to it, the Special Committee concluded that the Offer and
the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of shareholders.
After considering all the information it had received, the Special Committee
unanimously determined that the terms of the Offer and Merger are fair and in
the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and recommended to the
Company Board that the Merger Agreement be approved and a recommendation be made
to shareholders (other than FLX and its affiliates) to tender all of their
Shares in the Offer. Mr. Dallas was unable to participate in the meeting of the
Special Committee on May 19, 2000, but advised the Company of his agreement with
the conclusion reached at that meeting.
APPROVAL OF DIRECTORS.
The Company Board unanimously determined that the terms of the Offer and the
Merger are fair to and in the best interests of the shareholders of the Company,
and approved the Offer and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement, and approved the Merger Agreement, including approval for
purposes of the "interested shareholder" provisions of the HBCA. As required by
Hawaii law, the vote of the Company Board was sufficient to approve the Offer,
the Merger and the Merger Agreement without considering the votes of
Mr. Murdock and one other director, Lynn Scott Safrit, because Mr. Murdock is
the owner of the Purchaser and Ms. Safrit is employed by one of Mr. Murdock's
privately held real estate companies. However, so that the Offer could be
unanimously recommended by the Company Board, Mr. Murdock and Ms. Safrit
indicated their approval. Mr. Dallas was unable to participate in the May 19,
2000 meeting but authorized the Company to state that he agrees and joins in the
resolutions of the Company Board.
REPORTS, OPINIONS, APPRAISALS AND NEGOTIATIONS
PRESENTATIONS OF DEUTSCHE BANK, FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO MR. MURDOCK AND FLX
Deutsche Bank acted as financial advisor to Mr. Murdock and FLX in
connection with the proposed acquisition by Mr. Murdock and FLX of the Shares.
In connection with Mr. Murdock's and FLX's consideration of the proposed
acquisition, FLX furnished Deutsche Bank with certain information
19
<PAGE>
describing the Company. Independently, Deutsche Bank developed information about
the Company from publicly available sources. In conversations and meetings,
Deutsche Bank, Mr. Murdock and FLX discussed the proposed acquisition and
various alternatives and evaluated preliminary information relative to a
potential transaction. On May 4, 2000, Deutsche Bank met with Mr. Murdock and
other representatives of FLX to review information materials, dated as of that
date, that Deutsche Bank had prepared on the proposed acquisition based on a
transaction price of $17 per share, including related information on valuation
and transaction alternatives available to the Company. Following the meeting,
the same group reviewed the transaction proposal with the Special Committee, its
financial advisor, Bear Stearns, and the Special Committee's legal counsel, GDC.
During the meeting with the Special Committee, Deutsche Bank presented the
information materials and discussed them with the other participants.
DEUTSCHE BANK HAS NOT ACTED AS FINANCIAL ADVISOR TO THE COMPANY, THE COMPANY
BOARD OR THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE. DEUTSCHE BANK WAS NOT REQUESTED TO, AND DID NOT,
RENDER AN OPINION WITH RESPECT TO THE FAIRNESS OF THE TRANSACTION OR THE
CONSIDERATION TO BE PAID IN THE OFFER AND MERGER, OR AS TO VALUATION OR
OTHERWISE. THE MATERIALS PREPARED BY DEUTSCHE BANK IN CONNECTION WITH THE
ACQUISITION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE MAY 4, 2000 INFORMATION MATERIALS,
ARE NOT AN OPINION AS TO THE FAIRNESS TO THE COMPANY OR ITS SHAREHOLDERS OF THE
TRANSACTION OR THE CONSIDERATION TO BE PAID IN THE OFFER AND MERGER, DO NOT
CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COMPANY OR ITS SHAREHOLDERS AS TO THE
TRANSACTION OR AS TO HOW THEY SHOULD VOTE WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSACTION, AND
SHOULD NOT BE RELIED ON AS A BASIS FOR ANY INVESTMENT DECISION.
Copies of the May 4, 2000, information materials are available for
inspection and copying at the Company's principal executive offices at 10900
Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90024, during regular business hours
by any interested shareholder of the Company or the shareholder's representative
who has been so designated in writing. FLX, Parent and Purchaser also filed
these materials with the Commission as an exhibit to the tender offer statement
on Schedule TO. Shareholders may obtain these materials from the Commission in
the same manner as set forth in CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY,
below.
In connection with Deutsche Bank's role as financial advisor to Mr. Murdock
and FLX, Deutsche Bank, among other things:
- reviewed certain publicly available financial information and other
information concerning the Company;
- reviewed certain internal analyses and other information furnished to
Deutsche Bank by Mr. Murdock, FLX and the Company;
- held discussions with Mr. Murdock, other members of the senior managements
of FLX and the Company regarding the businesses and prospects of the
Company;
- reviewed the reported prices and trading activity for the Shares;
- compared certain financial and certain stock market information for the
Company with similar information for selected companies whose securities
are publicly traded;
- reviewed the financial terms of selected recent business combinations
which Deutsche Bank deemed comparable in whole or in part to the proposed
business combination of FLX and the Company; and
- performed such other studies and analyses and considered such other
factors as Deutsche Bank deemed appropriate.
20
<PAGE>
Deutsche Bank did not assume responsibility for the independent verification
of, and did not independently verify, any information concerning FLX or the
Company, whether publicly available or furnished to Deutsche Bank, including,
without limitation, any financial information, forecasts or projections,
considered in connection with the preparation and presentation of the
information materials. Accordingly, Deutsche Bank assumed and relied upon the
accuracy and completeness of all such information. Deutsche Bank, in its role as
financial advisor to Mr. Murdock and FLX, did not conduct a physical inspection
of any of the properties or assets, and did not prepare or obtain any
independent evaluation or appraisal of any of the assets or liabilities of the
Company. With respect to the financial forecasts and projections made available
to Deutsche Bank by Mr. Murdock and FLX and used in Deutsche Bank's analysis,
Deutsche Bank assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of Mr. Murdock
and other members of the management of FLX as to the matters covered by them.
Deutsche Bank expressed no view as to the reasonableness of the financial
forecasts and projections, or the assumptions on which they are based. The
May 4, 2000 information materials prepared and presented by Deutsche Bank were
necessarily based upon economic, market and other conditions as in effect on,
and the information made available to Deutsche Bank as of, May 3, 2000 and do
not reflect any later developments or circumstances including the subsequent
increases in the offered transaction price to $18.50 and then to $19.25 per
share.
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses used by
Deutsche Bank in preparing the May 4, 2000 information materials and does not
purport to be a complete description of the analyses performed by Deutsche Bank.
The following quantitative information, to the extent it is based on market
data, is based on market data as it existed at or about May 3, 2000, and is not
necessarily indicative of current market conditions. Shareholders should
understand that the order of analyses and the results derived from these
analyses described below do not represent relative importance or weight given to
these analyses by Deutsche Bank.
OVERVIEW OF GOING PRIVATE TRANSACTION. The May 4, 2000 information
materials described in summary form the issues that the common stock of the
Company faced as a public security, as well as the benefits that the
shareholders not affiliated with Mr. Murdock and FLX, and the Company, would
realize through acceptance of the $17 per share transaction proposal. Deutsche
Bank identified benefits to the non-affiliated shareholders, including the
opportunity to achieve liquidity for the common stock at a significant premium
to the pre-announcement trading range and to eliminate the uncertainty with
respect to the future stock price in a rising interest rate environment.
HISTORICAL STOCK PERFORMANCE. The May 4, 2000 information materials
reflected Deutsche Bank's analysis of the historical trading of the Company's
common stock relative to certain industry indices, the price/volume relationship
of the last twelve months trading in the Company's common stock, as well as the
liquidity of the Company's common stock.
GOING PRIVATE TRANSACTION PREMIA. In preparing the May 4, 2000 information
materials Deutsche Bank reviewed and analyzed the financial terms, to the extent
publicly available, of ten going private transactions completed since April 1,
1995, in which the acquirer owned at least 20% but not more than 50% of the
target prior to announcement. Deutsche Bank determined that the selected going
private transactions were effected at a premium to the acquired companies' per
share market price 1 day, 5 days and 60 days prior to the announcement of the
transaction, and calculated the corresponding premia for the
21
<PAGE>
Company that are implied in Mr. Murdock's and FLX's $17 per share transaction
proposal. The following table summarizes the results of this analysis:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIA IMPLIED IN PROPOSED
ACQUISITION OF COMPANY BY MR. MEDIAN PREMIA FOR SELECTED
MURDOCK AND FLX AT TRANSACTIONS WITH SIGNIFICANT
$17.00(1) SHAREHOLDERS(2)
----------------------------- -----------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 day.......................... 40.9% 18.9%
5 days......................... 36.7 25.5
60 days........................ 39.5 36.5
</TABLE>
--------------------------
(1) Based on the Company's stock price before announcement on March 29, 2000.
(2) Source: Factset and SDC. Premia based on trading prices 1 day, 5 trading
days and 60 trading days prior to announcement of the relative transaction.
ANALYSIS OF SELECTED COMPANIES AND PRECEDENT TRANSACTION ANALYSIS. In the
May 4, 2000 information materials, Deutsche Bank reviewed and analyzed certain
financial information for the Company and for several public companies in the
homebuilding, real estate investment trust ("REIT") and diversified real estate
industries, which Deutsche Bank deemed to be comparable, in whole or in part, to
the operations of the Company. Additionally, Deutsche Bank reviewed and analyzed
the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of several transactions
involving companies in the homebuilding, REIT and diversified real estate
industries. Deutsche Bank compared the trading multiples calculated for the
comparable companies and the transaction multiples calculated for the selected
transactions to the multiple implied by Mr. Murdock's and FLX's $17 per share
transaction proposal. The results of this analysis are summarized below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELECTED VALUATION METRICS TEV(1)/LTM EBITDA(2)
-------------------------- --------------------
<S> <C>
CASTLE & COOKE AT OFFER PRICE ($17.00)...................... 11.8x
SELECTED PUBLIC COMPANIES (MEDIAN VALUATIONS):
Homebuilders.............................................. 4.3x
REITs..................................................... 7.5
Diversified real estate................................... 9.8
SELECTED TRANSACTIONS (MEDIAN VALUATIONS):
Homebuilders.............................................. 7.6x
REITs and diversified real estate......................... 12.6
</TABLE>
--------------------------
(1) Total enterprise value (TEV) equals equity value plus total debt less cash
and equivalents.
(2) Latest twelve months (LTM) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization (EBITDA).
SEGMENT VALUATION ANALYSIS. Deutsche Bank prepared a summary segment
valuation analysis assuming a going private transaction of the Company. The
analysis used selected data from the analysis of selected transactions referred
to above. In valuing the Company's business segments, Deutsche Bank applied
valuation metrics to calculate multiple ranges and other metric ranges as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RANGE OF VALUATION
MULTIPLE OR
VALUATION METRIC OTHER VALUATION METRIC
---------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Homebuilding................................... LTM EBITDA multiple 5.0x - 6.5x
Resort operations.............................. "Per key" analysis $310,000 - $460,000
Commercial and other operations................ Capitalization rate 10.5% - 9.5%
LTM SG&A expense (deduct)...................... LTM EBITDA multiple 5.0x - 7.0x
</TABLE>
For resort operations transactions among the selected transactions, Deutsche
Bank used a "per key" analysis, which determines enterprise value calculated on
a per guest room basis as determined by reference to resort property sales.
Deutsche Bank determined that this type of analysis resulted in a higher
22
<PAGE>
valuation than a discounted cash flow analysis, since the Company's resort
operations have not historically generated, and are not expected to generate,
meaningful cash flow over the projection period reviewed by Deutsche Bank.
Deutsche Bank explained in its presentation during the May 4, 2000 meeting of
the Special Committee that the Company's resort operations, if valued on a
discounted cash flow basis as determined by the Company's projections, would be
valued at significantly lower values than based on a "per key" analysis.
Deutsche Bank also cautioned that the "per key" analysis was subject to inherent
limitations, due to the unique aspects of any specific resort property selected
for review as compared with the Company's resort operations.
From these enterprise value multiple ranges and other metric ranges,
Deutsche Bank derived the Company's implied total enterprise value range on a
segment-by-segment basis, including the overhead burden of the Company's sales,
general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses, and subtracted net debt as of
December 31, 1999 of $264.9 million to calculate an implied equity value range
for the Company of $172.1 million to $275.3 million. The equity value was
distributed among the fully diluted shares of the Company, resulting in a per
share value range of $10.09 to $16.14, where the bottom value implied a 16.4%
discount, and the top value implied a 33.8% premium, to the Company's
pre-announcement stock price, and the range implied a discount to the $17 per
share transaction price in the Proposal.
Deutsche Bank also prepared a summary segment valuation analysis assuming
the Company remained public. The analysis used selected data from the analysis
of selected companies referred to above. In valuing the Company's business
segments, Deutsche Bank applied valuation metrics to calculate multiple ranges
and other metric ranges as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RANGE OF VALUATION
MULTIPLE OR
VALUATION METRIC OTHER VALUATION METRIC
---------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Homebuilding................................... LTM EBITDA multiple 3.5x - 5.0x
Resort operations.............................. "Per key" analysis $130,000 - $150,000
Commercial and other operations................ Capitalization rate 10.5% - 9.5%
LTM SG&A expense (deduct)...................... LTM EBITDA multiple 5.0x - 7.0x
</TABLE>
From these enterprise value multiple ranges and other metric ranges, Deutsche
Bank derived the Company's total enterprise value on a segment-by-segment basis,
including the overhead burden of the Company's SG&A expenses, as described above
and subtracted net debt as of December 31, 1999 of $264.9 million to calculate
an implied equity value range for the Company of $72.8 to $130.3 million. The
equity value was distributed among the fully diluted shares of the Company,
resulting in a per share value range of $4.27 to $7.64, implying a 64.6% to
36.7% discount to the Company's pre-announcement stock price, and a discount to
the $17 per share transaction price then proposed.
The foregoing summary describes analyses and factors that Deutsche Bank
deemed material in its presentation at the May 4, 2000 meeting of the Special
Committee, but it is not a comprehensive description of all analyses performed
and factors considered by Deutsche Bank in connection with the presentation and
its role as financial advisor to Mr. Murdock and FLX. The determination of
approaches to valuation in an acquisition is a complex process involving the
application of subjective business judgment in determining the most appropriate
and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of those methods
to the particular circumstances and, therefore, is not readily susceptible to
summary description. Deutsche Bank believes that its analyses must be considered
as a whole and that considering any portion of the analyses and of the factors
considered without considering all analyses and factors could create a
misleading view of the process underlying the presentation. In preparing its
May 4, 2000 information materials and formulating its May 4, 2000 presentation
as to the ranges of values of the Company, Deutsche Bank did not assign specific
weights to any particular analyses.
23
<PAGE>
In conducting its analyses, Deutsche Bank utilized a variety of generally
accepted valuation methods. The analyses were prepared solely for the purpose of
enabling Deutsche Bank to provide information to Mr. Murdock and FLX, and to the
Special Committee and its advisors, as to the ranges of values for the Shares
under different assumptions and valuation methodologies, as compared to the $17
per share price then offered by FLX. The analyses do not purport to be
appraisals or necessarily reflect the prices at which businesses or securities
actually may be sold, which are inherently subject to uncertainty. In connection
with its analyses, Deutsche Bank made, and was provided by Mr. Murdock, FLX and
the Company with numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance,
general business and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are
beyond the control of Mr. Murdock, FLX or the Company. Analyses based on
estimates or forecasts of future results are not necessarily indicative of
actual past or future values or results, which may be significantly more or less
favorable than suggested by the analyses. Because the analyses are inherently
subject to uncertainty, being based upon numerous factors or events beyond the
control of Mr. Murdock, FLX or the Company or their respective advisors, none of
Mr. Murdock, FLX, their affiliates, Deutsche Bank or any other person assumes
responsibility if future results or actual values are materially different from
these forecasts or assumptions.
The terms of the Offer and Merger under the Merger Agreement were determined
through negotiations between Mr. Murdock, FLX and the Special Committee and
their respective representatives. Although Deutsche Bank provided advice to
Mr. Murdock and FLX during the course of these negotiations, the decision to
enter into the Merger Agreement was solely that of Mr. Murdock and FLX. Deutsche
Bank did not review the terms of the Offer and Merger under the Merger Agreement
for purposes of preparing the May 4, 2000 information materials or any other
materials and their presentation. Deutsche Bank's advice was only one of a
number of factors taken into consideration by Mr. Murdock and FLX in making
their determination to approve the transaction.
Mr. Murdock and FLX selected Deutsche Bank, an affiliate of Deutsche Bank
AG, which together with its affiliates comprises Deutsche Bank Group, as
financial advisor in connection with the proposed acquisition by Mr. Murdock and
FLX of the Company based on Deutsche Bank's qualifications, expertise,
reputation and experience in mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Murdock and FLX have
retained Deutsche Bank under an engagement letter dated March 29, 2000. As
compensation for Deutsche Bank's services in connection with the proposed
acquisition, a cash fee of $100,000 became payable by Mr. Murdock and FLX to
Deutsche Bank upon signing of the engagement letter, and an additional cash fee
of $500,000 became payable upon execution of the Merger Agreement. Contingent on
the consummation of the Offer and Merger, Mr. Murdock and FLX will pay Deutsche
Bank a fee of approximately $2.6 million, against which amount the previously
paid cash fees will be credited. Regardless of whether the Offer or the Merger
is consummated, Mr. Murdock and FLX have agreed to reimburse Deutsche Bank for
reasonable fees and disbursements of Deutsche Bank's counsel (not to exceed
$150,000) and all of Deutsche Bank's reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with the transaction or otherwise arising out of
the retention of Deutsche Bank under the engagement letter. Mr. Murdock, FLX and
certain of their affiliates have also agreed to indemnify members of Deutsche
Bank Group and certain related persons to the full extent lawful against certain
liabilities, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws
arising out of its engagement or the merger.
Deutsche Bank is an internationally recognized investment banking firm
experienced in providing advice in connection with mergers and acquisitions and
related transactions. One or more members of the Deutsche Bank Group have, from
time to time, provided investment banking, commercial banking (including
extension of credit) and other financial services to Mr. Murdock, FLX, the
Company and their respective affiliates for which one or more members of the
Deutsche Bank Group have received compensation. In this transaction, Bankers
Trust Company, a Deutsche Bank affiliate, is acting as administrative agent and
collateral agent for a syndicate of lenders, and as lender, committing to Parent
and Purchaser bank loan facilities in the aggregate amount of $415 million to
finance the Offer and to refinance certain existing indebtedness of the Company.
Deutsche Bank is acting as advisor and arranger
24
<PAGE>
for these bank loan facilities. Mr. Murdock, FLX, Parent and Purchaser have
retained Deutsche Bank as Dealer Manager in connection with the Offer. In the
ordinary course of business, members of the Deutsche Bank Group may actively
trade in the securities and other instruments and obligations of the Company or
other affiliates of Mr. Murdock for their own accounts and for the accounts of
their customers. Accordingly, members of the Deutsche Bank Group may at any time
hold a long or short position in such securities, instruments and obligations.
BEAR STEARNS' ANALYSIS
On May 19, 2000, the Special Committee met to review the Offer and the terms
of the Merger Agreement. During this meeting, Bear Stearns orally rendered its
opinion, that, as of that date, based upon and subject to the various
considerations set forth in the Bear Stearns opinion, a purchase price of $18.50
per share is fair to shareholders of the Company, other than FLX and its
affiliates, from a financial point of view. The Fairness Opinion was provided
following the meeting.
The Special Committee retained Bear Stearns to act as its financial advisor
in connection with the Offer. Bear Stearns was selected by the Special Committee
based on Bear Stearns' qualifications, expertise and reputation. Bear Stearns is
an internationally recognized investment banking, advisory and securities firm.
Bear Stearns, as part of its investment banking business, is continuously
engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers
and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and
valuations for corporate or other purposes. In the ordinary course of its
business, Bear Stearns may actively trade the securities and loans of the
Company and its affiliates for its own account and for the accounts of its
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities or loans.
THE FULL TEXT OF THE FAIRNESS OPINION, WHICH SETS FORTH, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE, PROCEDURES FOLLOWED, MATTERS CONSIDERED, AND
QUALIFICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS ON THE SCOPE OF THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN BY BEAR
STEARNS IN RENDERING THE FAIRNESS OPINION, IS ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT A TO THIS
DOCUMENT. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO, AND SHOULD, READ THE FAIRNESS OPINION
CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY. THE FAIRNESS OPINION WAS DELIVERED TO THE SPECIAL
COMMITTEE FOR ITS USE IN CONNECTION WITH ITS CONSIDERATION OF THE OFFER AND
ADDRESSES ONLY, AS OF THE DATE OF THE FAIRNESS OPINION, THE FAIRNESS OF THE
INITIAL OFFER CONSIDERATION FROM A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW, TO BE RECEIVED BY
THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY, OTHER THAN FLX AND ITS AFFILIATES. THE FAIRNESS
OPINION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE, A RECOMMENDATION TO THE
SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE COMPANY. THE FAIRNESS OPINION DOES NOT ADDRESS THE
UNDERLYING BUSINESS DECISION OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND THE OFFER TO
THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERLYING BUSINESS DECISION OF THE
COMPANY TO ENTER INTO THE MERGER AGREEMENT, THE RELATIVE MERITS OF THE OFFER AS
COMPARED TO ANY ALTERNATIVE BUSINESS STRATEGIES THAT MIGHT EXIST FOR THE COMPANY
OR THE EFFECTS OF ANY OTHER TRANSACTION IN WHICH THE COMPANY MIGHT ENGAGE. THE
SUMMARY OF THE FAIRNESS OPINION SET FORTH IN THIS DOCUMENT IS QUALIFIED BY
REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF THE FAIRNESS OPINION.
The Fairness Opinion related to the $18.50 per share offer price at May 19, 2000
and was not updated or revised in connection with the increase in the Offer
price to $19.25 per share. It was based on facts and information known at
May 19, 2000 and does not relate to or consider any changes including changes in
economic or market conditions, since that date.
In the course of its review and analyses for rendering the Fairness Opinion,
Bear Stearns performed the following:
- reviewed a draft form of the Agreement dated as of May 18, 2000;
- reviewed the Company's Annual Reports to Shareholders and Annual Reports
on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 1997-1999, its Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2000 and its Reports on
Form 8-K for the three years ended December 31, 1999 and from
December 31, 1999 to the date hereof;
25
<PAGE>
- reviewed certain operating and financial information, including
projections for the five years ended December 31, 2004, provided to Bear
Stearns by management of the Company relating to the Company's business
and prospects;
- met with certain members of the Company's senior management to discuss the
Company's business, operations, historical and projected financial results
and future prospects;
- met with Mr. Murdock and representatives of the financial advisor to FLX,
Deutsche Bank, to discuss the Offer and their views as to the Company's
business;
- reviewed a letter dated March 29, 2000 and a draft letter dated May 19,
2000, of Deutsche Bank regarding the financing of the Offer by FLX;
- met with attorneys for the plaintiffs in certain lawsuits which have been
filed with respect to the Offer, together with certain consultants and
advisors to such counsel;
- met with the Special Committee and discussed, among other things, the
Special Committee's view of the financial projections of the Company
furnished to Bear Stearns by the Company's management;
- reviewed the historical prices, trading multiples and trading volumes of
the outstanding shares of the Company;
- reviewed publicly available financial data, stock market performance data
and trading multiples of companies which Bear Stearns deemed generally
comparable to the Company;
- reviewed the terms of recent merger and acquisition transactions which
Bear Stearns deemed generally comparable to the Company and the Offer;
- performed discounted cash flow analyses on the various segments of the
business of the Company based on the projections for such segments of the
Company furnished to Bear Stearns by the Company;
- reviewed certain Schedule 13D's and amendments thereto filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Company, including
such schedules filed by Mr. Murdock, Tweedy, Browne Company LLC and the
Tisch Group;
- reviewed certain appraisals of real properties owned by the Company or its
subsidiaries furnished to Bear Stearns by the Company;
- reviewed limited appraisals dated May 18, 2000, with respect to the real
property owned by the Company and located on the Island of Lana'i in the
State of Hawaii, and certain real property owned by the Company and
located on the Island of Oahu in the State of Hawaii, which appraisals
were prepared at Bear Stearns' request by The Hallstrom Group Inc.,
Honolulu, Hawaii;
- contacted, at the Special Committee's direction, various third parties to
determine whether they had any interest in a transaction with the Company;
- conducted such other studies, analyses, inquiries and investigations as
Bear Stearns deemed appropriate.
In the course of Bear Stearns performing its review and analyses for
rendering its opinion, Bear Stearns relied upon and assumed, without independent
verification, the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other
information, including, without limitation, the projections, provided to Bear
Stearns by the Company. With respect to the Company's projected financial
results, Bear Stearns assumed that they have been reasonably prepared based on
the best currently available estimates and judgments of the senior management of
the Company as to the expected future performance of the Company. Bear Stearns
does not assume any responsibility for the independent verification of any such
information or of the projections
26
<PAGE>
provided to it, and further relied upon the assurances of senior management of
the Company that they are unaware of any facts that would make the information
and projections provided to Bear Stearns incomplete or misleading. In addition,
except for those appraisals referred to herein above, Bear Stearns has not
performed or obtained any independent appraisals of the assets or liabilities of
the Company, nor been furnished with any such appraisals.
In preparing the Fairness Opinion, Bear Stearns performed a variety of
financial and comparative analyses. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a
complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or
summary description. Bear Stearns believes that its analyses must be considered
as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and the factors
considered by it, without considering all analyses and factors, could create a
misleading view of the processes underlying the Fairness Opinion. No company or
transaction used in the analysis performed by Bear Stearns as a comparison is
identical to the Company or the contemplated transaction. In addition, Bear
Stearns may have given various analyses more or less weight than other analyses,
and may have deemed various assumptions more or less probable than other
assumptions, so that the range of valuation resulting from any particular
analysis described below should not be taken to be Bear Stearns' view of the
actual value of the Company. In performing its analyses, Bear Stearns made
numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, general business and
economic conditions and other matters including, among other things, assumptions
relating to the continuation of general levels of economic activity, continued
relative stability in the capital markets and the continued viability of the
real estate industry in which the Company operates. Bear Stearns realized that
many of those assumptions were beyond the control of the Company. The analyses
performed by Bear Stearns are not necessarily indicative of actual values or
actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than
suggested by such analyses. In addition, analyses relating to the value of
businesses or assets do not purport to be appraisals or necessarily reflect the
prices at which businesses or assets may actually be sold. Bear Stearns is not a
real estate appraisal firm, and its engagement did not contemplate appraisals of
the Company's real estate holdings. The analyses performed were prepared solely
as part of Bear Stearns' analysis of the fairness of the consideration to be
received by the shareholders of the Company, other than FLX and its affiliates,
and were provided to the Special Committee in connection with the delivery of
the Fairness Opinion.
The following is a summary of material analyses performed by Bear Stearns in
connection with the preparation of the Fairness Opinion, and reviewed with the
Special Committee at a series of meetings culminating in a meeting held on
May 19, 2000. In analyzing the Company, Bear Stearns (a) analyzed (i) the Offer
premium relative to the Company's common stock price, (ii) the historical
trading prices of the Company's common stock, (iii) the recent performance of
the Company's common stock compared to that of other companies in the real
estate industry and (iv) potential future trading values of the Company's common
stock, and (b) separated the Company's businesses into five primary business
segments and applied analyses to each segment, which included comparable
companies analysis, merger and acquisition comparable transactions analysis,
capitalization of stabilized cash flow analysis, discounted cash flow analysis
and, third party real estate appraisals in select instances. The five segments
analyzed were:
- Mainland Residential
- Hawaii Residential
- Mainland Commercial
- Hawaii Commercial
- Lana'i
Shareholders should note that this was based on the $18.50 per share and not the
$19.25 per share offer and the Company did not ask Bear Stearns to update or
revise the Fairness Opinion.
27
<PAGE>
PREMIUM, HISTORICAL STOCK PRICE, COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICE AND POTENTIAL FUTURE
TRADING VALUE ANALYSES
(a) PREMIUM ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns observed that, based on the proposed
transaction price to the public shareholders of $18.50 per share, the following
premiums were applicable as of March 29, 2000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRANSACTION PREMIUM
PERIOD PRIOR TO TRANSACTION ANNOUNCEMENT BASED ON THE OFFER
---------------------------------------- -------------------
<S> <C>
One-Day Prior............................................. 51%
One-Month Prior........................................... 45
20 Trading Days Average................................... 44
One-Year Average.......................................... 31
52-Week High.............................................. 4
52-Week Low............................................... 57
</TABLE>
Bear Stearns reviewed publicly available premiums paid in 30 going private
transactions between January 1, 1998 and April 24, 2000. Such analysis compared
the average premiums paid in each transaction over the 20 day stock price
trading average, one day preceding the public announcement of each transaction.
Bear Stearns noted that the Offer premium of 44% over the prior 20 trading day
average is well above the average 28% premium for the going private transactions
reviewed.
(b) HISTORICAL STOCK PRICE ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns analyzed the prices at
which common stock traded since December 28, 1995, when the Company was spun off
from Dole and the stock began trading on the NYSE, through to March 28, 2000.
Bear Stearns noted that the all-time high price for the common stock of the
Company was $21.38 on July 8, 1998 and the all-time low price for the common
stock was $11.81 on February 1, 2000. Bear Stearns noted that 52% of common
stock trades during the latest twelve months preceding the public announcement
of the initial offer from FLX, dated March 29, 2000, were for a price below
$14.00, 44% were trades for a price between $14.00 to $17.00 and 4% were trades
above $17.00 per share.
(c) COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE. As part of its analyses, Bear
Stearns reviewed the recent stock price performance of the Company and compared
such performance with that of other companies involved in the commercial
property, REIT, lodging, home building and land development industries.
Commercial property companies include, Brandywine Realty Trust, Mack Cali Realty
Corp., Center Trust Inc., Highwoods Properties Inc., Koger Equity Inc., Kimco
Realty Corp., Kranzo Realty Trust, Keystone Property Trust, Corporate Office
Properties Trust, Prime Group Realty Trust, Parkway Properties Inc., Pan Pacific
Retail Properties Inc. and PS Business Park Inc. REIT companies consist of the
Morgan Stanley REIT Index. Lodging companies include Choice Hotels
International Inc., Four Seasons Hotels, Hilton Hotels Corp., Starwood Hotels &
Resorts Worldwide Inc., Marriott International Inc. and Prime Hospitality Corp.
Home building and land developers include Avatar Holdings Inc, Beazer Homes USA
Inc, Catellus Development Corp., Centex Corp., D R Horton Inc., Kaufman & Broad
Home Corp, Lennar Corp., Newhall Land & Farming Co., Pulte Corp., Schuler
Homes Inc., Standard Pacific Corp., Toll Brothers Inc and Del Webb Corp. Bear
Stearns noted that during the observed period the common stock under-performed
all of the comparable industry indexes and the S&P 500.
(d) POTENTIAL FUTURE TRADING VALUE ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns computed the
present value per share of common stock of the Company under several future
trading periods and based on an assumed 7.5 times to 8.5 times EBITDA multiple.
Such analysis was based upon the Company's expected EBITDA in fiscal years 2002,
2003 and 2004 utilizing the Company's projections. Bear Stearns computed implied
future values per share for 2002 through 2004 and discounted such values to
arrive at present values using discount rates of 11%, 12%, 13% and 14%. The
potential trading value analysis implied a range of values per share of common
stock of the Company of $15.36 to $27.92. Bear Stearns noted that the
consideration of $18.50 proposed at the time of its analysis to be paid to
holders of the common stock in the Offer is within the range indicated by this
analysis.
28
<PAGE>
ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS SEGMENTS
MAINLAND RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT
(a) COMPARABLE COMPANIES ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns developed a set of
comparable public companies and compared certain information to the Company's
Mainland Residential segment. The set of comparable companies was developed
after reviewing the following factors, among others: business comparability and
market segmentation, relative size of market capitalization and liquidity,
growth parameters and other relevant business and financial characteristics.
This set of comparables includes homebuilders and land developers and consists
of the following companies:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HOMEBUILDERS LAND DEVELOPERS
------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
- Beazer Homes USA Inc. - Pulte Corp. - Avatar Holdings Inc.
- Centex Corp. - Schuler Homes Inc. - Catellus Development Corp.
- D R Horton Inc. - Standard Pacific - Newhall Land & Farm Corp.
- Kaufman & Broad Home Corp. - Toll Brothers Inc.
- Lennar Corp. - Del Webb Corp.
</TABLE>
This comparable companies analysis included information such as share price
as a multiple of latest twelve months ("LTM") earnings per share ("EPS"),
projected 2000 EPS and book value and enterprise value as a multiple of latest
twelve months and projected 2000 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization ("EBITDA"). When deriving multiples on projected measures of
financial performance, Bear Stearns based the estimates of future financial
performance on Wall Street research analyst estimates. The following table sets
forth the comparable companies analysis for the Mainland Residential segment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE
VALUE/EBITDA P/E
------------------- ------------------- PRICE/
LTM 2000P LTM 2000P BOOK
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Home Builders Harmonic Mean............... 5.3x 5.2x 5.4x 5.1x 0.9x
Land Developers Harmonic Mean............. 12.0x 8.9x 10.6x 13.5x 3.1x
Home Builders and Land Developers Harmonic
Mean.................................... 6.1 5.8x 5.9x 5.9x 1.5x
</TABLE>
(b) MERGER AND ACQUISITION COMPARABLE TRANSACTIONS. Bear Stearns reviewed
the publicly available financial terms of relevant precedent transactions in the
Mainland Residential segment. The following table sets forth the applicable
comparable transactions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE
ANNOUNCED TARGET ACQUIROR
--------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Homebuilder 12/19/97 Continental Homes Holding D R Horton Inc.
2/17/00 US Home Corp Lennar Corp
6/10/97 Pacific Greystone Corp Lennar Corp
10/4/99 Newmark Homes Technical Olympic USA
Timeshare 1/24/00 Fairfield Communities Inc. Carnival Corp
10/9/99 Vistana Inc. Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Worldwide Inc.
</TABLE>
For each of these transactions, Bear Stearns analyzed various multiples
based on the purchase price paid by the acquiror, including Enterprise Value/LTM
EBITDA, Enterprise Value/LTM EBIT and Equity
29
<PAGE>
Value/LTM Net Income. The following table sets forth the comparable transactions
analysis for the Mainland Residential segment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE
VALUE/LTM EQUITY VALUE/
------------------- LTM
SEGMENT EBITDA EBIT NET INCOME
------- -------- -------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Homebuilders Harmonic Mean................... 6.6x 7.0x 7.9x
Time Share Harmonic Mean..................... 7.3x 9.0x 14.9x
Homebuilders and Time Share Harmonic Mean.... 6.8x 7.5x 9.3x
</TABLE>
(c) DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns performed a discounted cash
flow analysis based on an analysis of the present value of future cash flows
potentially realizable from the continuing operation of the Mainland Residential
segment. This analysis was based on estimates and guidance provided by the
Company's management for estimated Mainland Residential segment operating
results through the end of fiscal year 2004. Bear Stearns computed the present
value of the free cash flows of the Company's Mainland Residential segment for
the five fiscal years from 2000 through 2004 by applying a range of discount
rates of 12% to 14% per year. These discount rates were based on the weighted
average cost of capital ("WACC") for homebuilders using the Capital Asset
Pricing Model ("CAPM"). However, Bear Stearns noted that over the past several
years, homebuilders have significantly underperformed the market and have very
low betas. Therefore, Bear Stearns calculated the Mainland Residential segment's
WACC, assuming a market beta. Bear Stearns also computed the present value of
the terminal value of the Mainland Residential segment at the end of fiscal year
2004 by applying a range of EBITDA multiples of 5 times to 7 times the Mainland
Residential segment's estimated fiscal year 2004 EBITDA and applying these
terminal values to a range of discount rates of 12% to 14% per year. The range
of terminal EBITDA multiples was determined by analyzing the current and
historical EBITDA multiples of the Company and comparable companies and
transactions and factoring in the expected growth prospects of the Company at
the end of fiscal 2004. Because the Mainland Residential segment shows no EBITDA
growth from 2002 to 2004, the terminal value multiple was in line with
comparable homebuilder average EBITDA multiples.
SUMMARY OF ANALYSES REGARDING MAINLAND RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT
The table below displays the enterprise value ranges for each of the
analyses performed:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE VALUE
-------------------
LOW HIGH
-------- --------
($ IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C>
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis............................... $106 $137
Comparable Companies Analysis............................... $ 72 $183
M&A Comparable Transactions Analysis........................ $ 70 $121
</TABLE>
In examining each of the comparable companies, merger and acquisition
comparable transactions and discounted cash flow analyses, Bear Stearns noted
that the mainland homebuilding segment was expecting moderate growth over the
next several years and therefore weighted the discounted cash flow analysis more
heavily, as it takes into account higher expected future earnings. However, as
stated above, the comparable companies and transactions analysis was relied on
to determine the terminal value of the Mainland Residential segment. As a
result, this analysis implied a range of enterprise values for the Mainland
Residential segment from $100 million to $130 million.
HAWAII RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT
As the Hawaii Residential segment includes a considerable amount of
unentitled and unzoned land on Oahu, Bear Stearns analyzed the current
development projects separately from this unentitled and unzoned land. To
analyze the current development projects, Bear Stearns used comparable
companies,
30
<PAGE>
mergers and acquisition comparable transactions and discounted cash flow
analyses. To assist in analyzing the unentitled and unzoned land, Bear Stearns
obtained a limited real estate appraisal from The Hallstrom Group Inc.,
Honolulu, Hawaii.
(a) COMPARABLE COMPANIES ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns used the same set of
comparable public companies it developed for the Mainland Residential segment
analysis (see Mainland Residential segment analysis for full discussion) and
compared certain information to the Company's Hawaii Residential segment.
(b) MERGER AND ACQUISITION COMPARABLE TRANSACTIONS. Bear Stearns reviewed
the publicly available financial terms of the precedent transactions used for
the Mainland Residential segment analysis (see Mainland Residential segment
analysis for full discussion).
(c) DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns performed a discounted cash
flow analysis based on an analysis of the present value of future cash flows
potentially realizable from the continuing operation of the Hawaii Residential
segment. This analysis was based on estimates and guidance provided by the
Company's management for estimating the Hawaii Residential segment operating
results through the end of fiscal year 2004. Bear Stearns computed the present
value of the free cash flows of the Company's Hawaii Residential segment for the
five fiscal years from 2000 through 2004 by applying a range of discount rates
of 12% to 14% per year. These discount rates were based on the WACC for
homebuilders using the CAPM. However, Bear Stearns noted that over the past
several years, homebuilders have significantly underperformed the market and
have very low betas. Therefore, Bear Stearns calculated the Hawaii Residential
segment's WACC, assuming a market beta. Bear Stearns also computed the present
value of the terminal value of the Hawaii Residential segment at the end of
fiscal year 2004 by applying a range of EBITDA multiples of 5 times to 7 times
the Hawaii Residential segment's estimated fiscal year 2004 EBITDA and applying
these terminal values to a range of discount rates of 12% to 14% per year. The
range of terminal EBITDA multiples was determined by analyzing the current and
historical EBITDA multiples of the Company and comparable companies and
transactions and factoring in the expected growth prospects of the Company at
the end of fiscal 2004.
SUMMARY OF ANALYSES REGARDING CURRENT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OF HAWAII
RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT
The table below sets forth the enterprise value ranges for each of the
analyses performed on the current development projects of the Hawaii Residential
segment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE VALUE
-------------------
LOW HIGH
-------- --------
($ IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C>
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis............................... $155 $194
Comparable Companies Analysis............................... $ 51 $130
M&A Comparable Transactions Analysis........................ $ 64 $109
</TABLE>
In examining each of the comparable company, merger and acquisition
transactions and discounted cash flow analyses, Bear Stearns noted the very high
level of growth in management's forecasts and therefore weighted the discounted
cash flow more heavily. As stated above, the comparable companies and
transactions analysis was relied on to determine the terminal value of the
Hawaii Residential segment. However, Bear Stearns noted that an investor may
view achieving all of the growth projected in the forecast period as unlikely
and would therefore be unwilling to value this segment at such a high value
relative to near term earnings potential. As a result, Bear Stearns discounted
the results of the discounted cash flow analysis and valued the current
operations of the Hawaii Residential segment at a range of enterprise values
from $135 million to $160 million.
LIMITED APPRAISAL OF UNENTITLED AND UNZONED LAND IN THE HAWAII RESIDENTIAL
SEGMENT. In addition, Bear Stearns obtained a limited real estate appraisal from
The Hallstrom Group Inc. for the 10,072 acres of unentitled and unzoned land on
the island of Oahu, of which 5,520 acres is conservation land and 4,552 acres is
agricultural land. The appraisal resulted in a valuation of $45 million and
noted that "the highest
31
<PAGE>
and best use of the selected Oahu properties are conservation (5,520 acres) or
agriculture (4,552 acres), with certain of the agriculture holdings having some
urban potential over the next five to 20-plus years." However, any cash flow
from the development and sale of this land would require governmental approvals
and a time period of many years. Further, this appraisal assumes that the
Company can achieve the required entitlements and other approvals from
governmental authorities to develop currently owned unentitled land. Given this
uncertainty and extremely long-term outlook, Bear Stearns has estimated this
unentitled and unzoned land to have a valuation ranging from $20 million to
$45 million.
SUMMARY VALUATION OF THE THE TOTAL HAWAII RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT. Bear Stearns
noted that the combined enterprise valuation range, including current operations
and unentitled and unzoned land, of the Hawaii Residential segment is from
$155 million to $205 million.
MAINLAND COMMERCIAL SEGMENT
(a) COMPARABLE COMPANIES ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns developed a set of
comparable public companies and compared certain information to the Company's
Mainland Commercial segment. The set of comparable companies was developed after
reviewing the following factors, among others: business comparability and market
segmentation, relative size of market capitalization and liquidity, growth
parameters and other relevant business and financial characteristics. Bear
Stearns noted that nearly all of the public companies in the commercial real
estate sector are real estate investment trusts ("REIT") and therefore have
different accounting, tax and operating structures. This set of comparable
companies includes office and retail real estate companies and consists of the
following companies:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OFFICE RETAIL
------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
- Brandywine Realty Trust - Mack Cali Realty Corp. - Center Trust
- Corporate Office Properties - Parkway Properties Inc. - Kimco Realty Corp.
- Highwoods Properties Inc. - Prime Group Realty Trust - Kranzco Realty Trust
- Keystone Property Trust - PS Business Parks - Pan Pacific Retail
Corp. Properties
- Koger Equity Inc.
</TABLE>
This set of comparables includes information such as share price as a
multiple of latest twelve months Funds From Operations ("FFO"), projected 2000
FFO and book value and enterprise value as a multiple of latest twelve months
and projected 2000 EBITDA. When deriving multiples on projected measures of
financial performance, Bear Stearns based the estimates of future financial
performance on Wall Street research analyst estimates. Bear Stearns noted that
this segment should be valued in the mid-range of comparable companies due to
underlying property characteristics, such as relatively strong asset and average
tenant quality, relative age and occupancies, limited required capital
expenditures and average lease terms. The following table sets forth the
comparable companies analysis for the Mainland Commercial segment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE
VALUE/EBITDA P/FFO
------------------- ------------------- PRICE/
LTM 2000P LTM 2000P BOOK
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Office Harmonic Mean......................... 10.7x 9.5x 7.7x 7.2x 1.2x
Retail Harmonic Mean......................... 10.8x 9.7x 6.3x 6.1x 0.8x
Office and Retail Harmonic Mean.............. 10.6x 9.5x 7.3x 6.9x 1.1x
</TABLE>
32
<PAGE>
(b) MERGER AND ACQUISITION COMPARABLE TRANSACTIONS.Bear Stearns reviewed the
publicly available financial terms of relevant precedent transactions in this
segment. The following table sets forth the comparable transactions for the
Mainland Commercial segment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE
ANNOUNCED TARGET ACQUIROR
--------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Retail 5/29/98 Mid-America Realty Investments Bradley Real Estate Inc.
11/13/97 Horizon Group, Inc. Prime Retail, Inc.
8/25/97 Arbor Property Trust Vornado Realty Trust
3/26/96 DeBartolo Realty Corp. Simon Property Group Inc.
10/30/95 Tucker Properties Corp. Bradley Real Estate Inc.
3/14/95 McArthur/Glen Realty Corp. Horizon Outlet Centers Inc.
Office 9/8/97 Shidler Group-Mid-Atlantic Royale Investments Inc.
9/15/97 Beacon Properties Corp. Equity Office Properties Trust
4/29/96 Crocker Realty Trust Inc. Highwoods Properties Inc.
REIT Leveraged Buyout ("LBO")/ 12/2/98 Irvine Apartment Communities TIC Acquisition L.L.C.
Management Buyout ("MBO") 3/4/99 Berkshire Realty Co. Inc. Aptco L.L.C.
4/5/99 SunStone Hotel Investors Inc. SHP Acquisition L.L.C.
6/7/99 Burnham Pacific Properties Inc. Schottenstein Stores Corp.
9/24/99 Walden Residential Properties Oly Hightop
Inc.
Multi-Family/Apartment 7/8/98 Merry Land & Investment Co Inc. Equity Residential Prop. Trust
Communities 3/9/98 Avalon Properties Inc. Bay Apartment Communities Inc.
12/2/98 Irvine Apartment Communities Irvine Co.
12/23/97 Ambassador Apartments, Inc. Apartment Investment and
Management Co.
12/17/97 Oasis Residential, Inc. Camden Property Trust
8/28/97 Evans Withycombe Residential, Equity Residential Prop. Trust
Inc.
8/4/97 Columbus Realty Trust Post Properties, Inc.
1/16/97 Wellsford Residential Property Equity Residential Prop. Trust
Trust
12/16/96 Paragon Group Inc. Camden Property Trust
10/1/96 South West Property Trust Inc. United Dominion Realty Trust
Inc.
7/18/96 ROC Communities Inc. Chateau Properties Inc.
10/12/95 Real Estate Investment Trust of BRE Properties
California
2/27/95 America First Real Estate Mid-America Apartment
Investment Trust Communities Inc.
8/3/94 Holly Residential Properties Wellsford Residential Prop.
Inc. Trust
12/7/94 Security Capital Pacific Trust Property Trust of America
Other 6/17/94 Health Equity Properties Inc. Omega Healthcare Investors Inc.
4/26/95 Copley Properties Inc. EastGroup Properties
10/31/96 Bay Meadows/California Jockey Patriot American Hospitality
Club Inc.
</TABLE>
For each of these transactions, Bear Stearns analyzed various multiples
based on the purchase price paid by the acquiror, including: Enterprise
Value/LTM EBITDA, Enterprise Value/LTM EBIT and Equity
33
<PAGE>
Value/LTM FFO. The following table sets forth the comparable transactions
analysis for the Mainland Commercial segment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE
VALUE/LTM
------------------- EQUITY VALUE/
EBITDA EBIT LTM FFO
-------- -------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Retail Harmonic Mean........................................ 11.1x 18.8x 8.9x
Office Harmonic Mean........................................ 18.7x 25.6x 9.1x
REIT LBO/MBO Harmonic Mean.................................. 12.5x 18.5x 9.1x
Multi-Family/Apartment Communities Harmonic Mean............ 11.0x 15.7x 8.1x
Other....................................................... 11.7x 17.3x 11.4x
Mainland Commercial Comparable Transactions Harmonic Mean... 11.7x 17.4x 8.8x
</TABLE>
(c) DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns performed a discounted cash
flow analysis based on a review of the present value of future cash flows
potentially realizable from the continuing operation of the Mainland Commercial
segment. This analysis was based on estimates and guidance provided by the
Company's management for estimated Mainland Commercial segment operating results
through the end of fiscal year 2004. Bear Stearns computed the present value of
the free cash flows of the Company's Mainland Commercial segment for the five
fiscal years from 2000 through 2004 by applying a range of discount rates of 10%
to 12% per year. Such discount rates take into account the quality of the
Mainland Commercial segment's underlying properties and the risk associated with
attracting tenants to various new properties. Bear Stearns also computed the
present value of the terminal value of the Mainland Commercial segment at the
end of fiscal year 2004 by applying a range of Adjusted Net Operating Income
("NOI") multiples of 9.5 times to 10.5 times the Mainland Commercial segment's
estimated fiscal year 2004 NOI and applying these terminal values to a range of
discount rates of 10% to 12% per year. The range of terminal NOI multiples was
determined by analyzing the current and historical NOI multiples of the Company
and comparable companies and transactions and factoring in the stabilized cash
flows prospects of the Company at the end of fiscal 2004.
(d) CAPITALIZATION RATE ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns performed a capitalization
rate analysis since the Company projects stabilized NOI in 2001 due to projected
fully leased underlying properties. Bear Stearns computed the present value of
this segment by applying a range of capitalization rates of 9.5% to 10.5% to
2001 NOI and applying these values to a range of discount rates of 9.5% to
10.5%. The capitalization and discount rates applied are based on the industry
and reflect a mix of underlying property quality in the Mainland Commercial
segment.
SUMMARY OF ANALYSES REGARDING MAINLAND COMMERCIAL SEGMENT
The table below sets forth the enterprise value ranges for each of the
analyses performed:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE VALUE
-------------------
LOW HIGH
-------- --------
($ IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C>
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis............................... $186 $219
Comparable Companies Analysis............................... $165 $259
M&A Comparable Transactions Analysis........................ $159 $343
Capitalization Rate Analysis................................ $209 $233
</TABLE>
In examining each of the comparable companies, merger and acquisition
comparable transactions, discounted cash flow and capitalization rate analyses,
Bear Stearns weighted the capitalization rate analysis more heavily. This
resulted in a range of enterprise values for the Mainland Commercial segment
from $210 million to $235 million.
34
<PAGE>
HAWAII COMMERCIAL SEGMENT
(a) COMPARABLE COMPANIES ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns used the same set of
comparable public companies it developed for the Mainland Commercial segment
analysis (see Mainland Commercial segment analysis for full discussion) and
compared certain information to the Company's Hawaii Commercial segment. Bear
Stearns noted that this segment should be valued toward the lower range of
comparable companies due to the overall softness of the commercial and retail
market, the lesser quality of the assets and the above-average risk of the
underlying projected cash flows.
(b) MERGER AND ACQUISITION COMPARABLE TRANSACTIONS. Bear Stearns reviewed
the publicly available financial terms of the precedent transactions used for
the Mainland Commercial segment analysis (see Mainland Commercial segment
analysis for full discussion).
(c) DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns performed a discounted cash
flow analysis based on a review of the present value of future cash flows
potentially realizable from the continuing operation of the Hawaii Commercial
segment. This analysis was based on estimates and guidance provided by the
Company's management for estimating the Hawaii Commercial segment operating
results through the end of fiscal year 2004. Bear Stearns computed the present
value of the free cash flows of the Company's Hawaii Commercial segment for the
five fiscal years from 2000 through 2004 by applying a range of discount rates
of 11% to 13% per year. Such discount rates take into account the quality of the
Hawaii Commercial segment's underlying properties and the risk associated with
attracting tenants to various vacant properties. Bear Stearns also computed the
present value of the terminal value of the Company at the end of fiscal year
2004 by applying a range of NOI multiples of 9.5 times to 10.5 times the Hawaii
Commercial segment's estimated fiscal year 2004 NOI and applying these terminal
values to a range of discount rates of 11% to 13% per year. The range of
terminal NOI multiples was determined by analyzing the current and historical
NOI multiples of the Company and comparable companies and transactions and
factoring in the stabilized cash flows prospects of the Company at the end of
fiscal 2004. Bear Stearns noted that this segment should be discounted back at a
higher rate than the comparables due to the overall softness of the commercial
and retail market, the lesser quality of the assets and the above-average risk
of the underlying projected cash flows.
(d) CAPITALIZATION RATE ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns performed a capitalization
rate analysis and used the Hawaii Commercial segment's 1999 NOI as the basis for
stabilized free cash flow. Bear Stearns noted, that while the Company's
projections show EBITDA increasing significantly from 2000-2003, during the
course of its due diligence and in discussions with management, management
acknowledged that their projections for this segment are aggressive and assume
significant lease-up of select properties that they have been unable to find
tenants for. Therefore, 1999 NOI was used as the appropriate base year for
calculating a capitalization rate value. Bear Stearns computed the value of this
segment by applying a range of capitalization rates of 9.0% to 10.0% to the NOI
amount in 1999. The capitalization rates applied are based on the industry and
reflects the quality of the underlying properties and markets.
SUMMARY OF ANALYSES REGARDING HAWAII COMMERCIAL SEGMENT
The table below sets forth the enterprise value ranges for each of the
analyses performed:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE VALUE
-------------------
LOW HIGH
-------- --------
($ IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C>
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis............................... $128 $150
Comparable Companies Analysis............................... $ 89 $139
M&A Comparable Transactions Analysis........................ $101 $217
Capitalization Rate Analysis................................ $110 $120
</TABLE>
35
<PAGE>
In examining each of the comparable companies, merger and acquisition
comparable transactions, discounted cash flow and capitalization rate analyses,
Bear Stearns weighted the capitalization rate analysis more heavily. As a
result, this analysis implied a range of enterprise values for the Hawaii
Commercial segment from $110 million to $120 million.
LANA'I SEGMENT
Bear Stearns reviewed the Lana'i segment as one business comprised of the
resorts, homebuilding and amenities. Bear Stearns noted that this is an
extremely long-term asset with limited near-term cash flows and that there was a
large degree of uncertainty in determining the value of Lana'i due to several
issues relating to the segment. Bear Stearns noted general issues pertaining to
the island as a whole, which include difficulty of access to the island,
inability of the island's small airport to handle trans-oceanic commercial jets,
extremely limited shopping venues and limited amenities other than golf courses
and sport shooting. Bear Stearns also noted that the use of fresh water on the
island is highly regulated and such regulations could impede further development
of the Lana'i segment. Bear Stearns noted that while the resorts may have a
luxurious profile, the Company has been unable to generate positive cash flow,
even with its new marketing relationship with Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Bear
Stearns noted that the homebuilding products have been substantially below
expectations and that management's expectations for improvement would require an
increase in lot sales substantially above historical results. Bear Stearns noted
that the unentitled agricultural and conservation land holdings have limited
value due to their current classification and entitlement process. Bear Stearns
noted that a majority of the issues described above are evidenced by the absence
of earnings in this segment historically.
Bear Stearns performed the following analyses on the Lana'i segment and
noted that the resulting broad range of values exhibits the difficulty in
valuing this segment:
(a) COMPARABLE COMPANIES ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns developed a set of
comparable public companies and compared certain information to the Company's
Lana'i segment. While Bear Stearns did not believe the Lana'i segment was
particularly comparable to any public company, Bear Stearns did examine a set of
lodging companies which consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
- Choice Hotels - Hilton Hotels - Prime Hospitality
- Four Seasons Hotels - Marriott Intl. Inc. - Starwood Hotels & Resorts
</TABLE>
This set of comparable companies includes information such as share price as
a multiple of latest twelve months EPS, projected 2000 EPS and book value and
enterprise value as a multiple of latest twelve months and projected 2000
EBITDA. When deriving multiples on projected measures of financial performance,
Bear Stearns based the estimates of future financial performance on Wall Street
research analyst estimates. The following table sets forth the comparable
companies analysis for the Lana'i segment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE
VALUE/EBITDA P/E
------------------- ------------------- PRICE/
SEGMENT LTM 2000P LTM 2000P BOOK
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Lodging Companies Harmonic Mean.............. 8.9x 8.1x 14.6x 12.9x 1.6x
</TABLE>
36
<PAGE>
(b) MERGER AND ACQUISITION COMPARABLE TRANSACTIONS.Bear Stearns reviewed the
publicly available financial terms of relevant precedent transactions in this
segment. The following table sets forth the comparable transactions for the
Lana'i segment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE
ANNOUNCED TARGET ACQUIROR
--------- ---------------------------- -------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Select Transactions 9/7/99 Promus Hotel Corp. Hilton Hotels
2/18/97 Renaissance Hotel Group Marriot International
4/14/97 Wyndham Hotel Corp. Patriot American Hospitality
Inc.
9/3/97 Doubletree Corp. Promus Hotel Corp
9/9/97 Westin Hotels Starwood Lodging Trust
10/20/97 ITT Corp. Starwood Lodging Trust
12/2/97 Interstate Hotels Corp Patriot American Hospitality
Inc.
8/28/96 Red Lion Hotels Inc. Doubletree Corp
2/21/98 Inter-Continental Bass PLC
</TABLE>
For each of these transactions, Bear Stearns analyzed various multiples
based on the purchase price paid by the acquiror, including: Enterprise
Value/LTM EBITDA, Enterprise Value/LTM EBIT and Equity Value/LTM Net Income. The
following table sets forth the comparable transactions analysis for the Lana'i
segment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE VALUE/
LTM EQUITY VALUE/
------------------- LTM
EBITDA EBIT NET INCOME
-------- -------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Lana'i Segment M&A Comparable Transactions Harmonic Mean.... 14.4x 19.1x 24.2x
</TABLE>
(c) SELECT NON-ECONOMIC TRANSACTIONS. Bear Stearns analyzed several recent
large land acquisitions by government and charitable organizations. Such
acquisitions tie to environmental value rather than economic value. Bear Stearns
noted that due to the uniqueness of such transactions and situations,
traditional valuation techniques cannot be employed. However, while management
stated that no such opportunity currently exists for the Company's Lana'i
segment, Bear Stearns noted that it is conceivable that a government or
environmental entity may have an interest in acquiring the island of Lana'i. In
addition, Bear Stearns noted that there is a potential trophy premium to unique
properties such as these. The following table sets forth a review of selected
non-economic transactions for the Lana'i segment:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE PROPERTY NAME ACRES PRICE BUYER DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY/TRANSACTION
---- ----------------- -------- --------------- --------------------- -----------------------------------
($ IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
5/00 Palmyra Island 15,000 $ 37 The Nature An island 1,000 miles south of
Conservancy Hawaii. Home to migrating birds.
15,000 acres is composed of 680
acres of dry land on 52 islands and
14,320 acres of coral reef.
2/00 Headwaters Forest 10,000 $480 State and Federal The owner, Pacific Lumber, rejected
Government the proposal. Headwaters Forest is
an old redwood forest located in
Humboldt County, California.
</TABLE>
37
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE PROPERTY NAME ACRES PRICE BUYER DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY/TRANSACTION
---- ----------------- -------- --------------- --------------------- -----------------------------------
($ IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
2/00 Sterling Forest 2,200 $ 10 State and Land adjacent to state park and has
Environmental a conference center and limited
Trusts infrastructure. The vast majority
of the land is developed.
3/98 Sterling Forest 15,800 $ 55 Charity groups, State Located 40 miles northwest of New
and York City, it was acquired to
Federal Government protect a watershed for the
reservoir system which provides
water to two million people in
northern New Jersey.
9/94 Hamakua Sugar 29,883 $ 21 Kamehameha Schools Located on the island of Hawaii.
Company Lands Land was classified as
conservation, agriculture and
urban, the vast majority being
agriculture.
</TABLE>
(d) APPRAISAL VALUE. Bear Stearns noted that the book value of approximately
$230 million assigned to the Lana'i segment by the Company, which reflects
historical cost, is not a reliable indicator of value since this segment of the
Company has enormously underperformed relative to its expectations at the time
development of this segment began. Therefore, Bear Stearns obtained a limited
real estate appraisal from The Hallstrom Group Inc. for the properties of the
Company on the island of Lana'i. The appraisal resulted in a valuation of
$160 million, of which $55 million is attributable to undeveloped land and
$105 million is attributable to Lana'i City properties, hotels and golf course
assets and project districts (surrounding resort development land). Such
valuation is based upon the most probable price, to a single buyer, which the
property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions
requisite to a fair sale. The appraiser noted, "the developed holdings to be
currently underperforming relative to their cost or intrinsic real estate value;
however, our limited appraisal estimates market value based on underlying asset
value." Bear Stearns noted that substantial uncertainty exists as to whether a
buyer could be found and this valuation realized. Bear Stearns also noted that
this asset could be donated to a government, charitable or other organization
and be deemed a charitable contribution, which may provide tax benefits to the
Company.
(e) DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Bear Stearns performed a discounted cash
flow analysis based on an analysis of the present value of future cash flows
potentially realizable from the continuing operation of the Lana'i segment. This
analysis was based on estimates and guidance provided by the Company's
management for estimating the Lana'i segment operating results through the end
of fiscal year 2004. Bear Stearns computed the present value of the free cash
flows of the Company's Lana'i segment for the five fiscal years from 2000
through 2004 by applying a range of discount rates of 11% to 13% per year. These
discount rates were based on the WACC for both the Residential segment and the
Lana'i segment's comparable companies. As noted previously, because the
Residential segment comparable companies have such low betas, Bear Stearns
calculated the Residential segment comparable companies WACC assuming a market
beta. Bear Stearns also computed the present value of the terminal value of the
Lana'i segment at the end of fiscal year 2004 by applying a range of unlevered
free cash flow multiples of 5 times to 7 times the Lana'i segment's estimated
fiscal year 2004 EBITDA and applying these terminal values to a range of
discount rates of 11% to 13% per year. The range of terminal unlevered free cash
flow multiples was determined by analyzing the current and historical unlevered
free cash flow multiples of the Company and comparable homebuilder companies and
transactions and factoring in the extremely long-term aspect of this asset and
the limited near-term cash flows.
38
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF ANALYSES REGARDING LANA'I SEGMENT
The table below sets forth the enterprise value ranges for each of the
analyses performed:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE VALUE
-------------------
LOW HIGH
-------- --------
($ IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C>
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis............................... $ 33 $ 49
Comparable Companies Analysis............................... $ 8 $ 24
M&A Comparable Transactions Analysis(1)..................... -- --
Real Estate Appraisal....................................... $160
</TABLE>
------------------------
(1) M&A Comparable Transactions Analysis resulted in negative values
In examining each of the comparable companies, merger and acquisition
comparable transactions, selected non-economic transactions, appraisal, book
value and discounted cash flow analyses, Bear Stearns concluded that the
approximate value of this asset is difficult to determine. As stated above, Bear
Stearns noted that this segment contains many issues which create substantial
uncertainty in determining its valuation. As a result, Bear Stearns primarily
relied on the discounted cash flow analysis for the lower end of the valuation
range and the appraisal value for the higher end of the valuation range,
resulting in an enterprise valuation for the Lana'i segment from $60 million to
$160 million.
SUMMARY OF SEGMENT VALUATION ANALYSIS
Bear Stearns computed the total valuation for the Company through adding all
of the segment enterprise value ranges described above, subtracting corporate
overhead and net debt and other liabilities and dividing the sum by the
Company's total fully diluted shares outstanding. Bear Stearns noted that this
calculation results in an implied valuation range of $17.54 to $30.75 and that
the Offer price is within such valuation range. The table below sets forth Bear
Stearns' summary valuation range:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ENTERPRISE VALUE
-------------------
LOW HIGH
-------- --------
($ IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C>
Mainland Residential........................................ $ 100 $ 130
Hawaii Residential.......................................... 155 205
Mainland Commercial......................................... 210 235
Hawaii Commercial........................................... 110 120
Lana'i Segment.............................................. 60 160
Subtotal.................................................... $ 635 $ 850
Less: Corporate Overhead.................................... $ (50) $ (30)
Less: Net Debt and Other Liabilities........................ (273) (273)
Equity Value................................................ $ 312 $ 547
Value per share(1).......................................... $17.54 $30.75
</TABLE>
------------------------
(1) Based on fully diluted shares outstanding of 17.794 million
As described above, Bear Stearns' opinion and presentation to the Special
Committee were some of the many factors taken into consideration by the Special
Committee in making its determination to recommend the Offer, the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby. Consequently, the analyses
described above should not be viewed as determinative of the opinion of the
Special Committee, the Company Board or the Company's management with respect to
the value of the Company or whether the Special Committee would have been
willing to recommend a transaction at a different level of consideration.
39
<PAGE>
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE OFFER AND THE MERGER
David H. Murdock, the Company's Chairman, owns 100% of FLX. FLX owns 100% of
Parent. Parent owns 100% of the Purchaser. In addition, one of the directors of
the Company, Ms. Safrit, is employed by one of Mr. Murdock's privately held real
estate companies. The Merger Agreement was approved pursuant to the "interested
shareholder" provisions of the HBCA. In addition, a special committee of outside
directors was appointed to negotiate the terms of the Merger Agreement and to
recommend whether the Board should approve or disapprove the Offer and the
Merger.
The officers and directors of the Company own Shares and hold options to
acquire Shares or vested stock units under the terms of the Company's Stock
Option and Deferred Stock Compensation Plans. To that extent their interest in
the Merger is the same as the other Shareholders of the Company. Information on
the number of Shares and options held by each executive officer and director of
the Company is included in the table below. The Company also has a deferred
compensation plan for certain executive officers and certain other highly
compensated executives pursuant to which the participants may defer certain
amounts payable to them, including cash payable in respect of unexercised stock
options.
Under the change in control provisions of the Company's Stock Option Plan,
if the Merger is consummated, each option holder will be entitled to receive an
amount in cash equal to the difference between the option exercise price and the
Merger Consideration of $19.25 per Share. Under the Company's Deferred Stock
Compensation Plan for non-employee directors, each non-employee director will
have a right to receive cash in an amount equal to the Merger Consideration
multiplied by the number of vested stock units held, with interest accrued at
the applicable federal rate on deferred balances, payable upon the earlier of a
termination of services or the affected director's death or disability. Each
non-employee director holds 2,983.422 stock units (other than William D. Dallas
who holds 554.785 stock units). For further information, see MERGER AGREEMENT.
The Surviving Corporation has agreed to defend, indemnify and hold harmless
the officers and directors of the Company from acts or omissions occurring prior
to the completion of the Merger. For further information, see MERGER AGREEMENT.
Pursuant to an indemnification agreement, dated April 11, 2000, among the
Company and the members of the Special Committee, the Company also agreed to
indemnify all of the members of the Special Committee for their service on the
Special Committee in connection with the Merger. Subject to certain limitations,
the Company is obligated to indemnify the Special Committee members from any
reasonable expenses incurred by them, and amounts they may be legally obligated
to pay, as a result of actual or threatened claim or claims, or any
investigation or court or administrative proceeding (whether civil or criminal)
arising from the Merger. The rights to indemnification provided in the agreement
are in addition to any right provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation and
bylaws of the Company, any insurance policy, agreement or otherwise.
As of July 21, 2000, there were 17,059,833 Shares outstanding. The following
table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Shares as of such date by (i) each
person known by the Company to own 5% or more of its outstanding Shares, and
(ii) each of the Company's executive officers and directors as of such
40
<PAGE>
date. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the persons named below has sole
ownership and investment power with respect to the Shares beneficially owned.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF PERCENT OF
TITLE OF CLASS NAME, TITLE AND ADDRESS(1) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(2) CLASS(3)
-------------- --------------------------------------------- ----------------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock David H. Murdock--Chairman of the Board, 15,889,314 shares(4) 91.91%
Chief Executive Officer, Director
Common Stock William D. Dallas--Director 1,950 *
Common Stock Lynn Scott Safrit--President--North American 71,000(5) *
Operations, Director
Common Stock Wallace S. Miyahira--Director 52,492(5) *
Common Stock Edward J. Hogan--Director 0 *
Common Stock Patrick J. Birmingham--Chief Executive 42,000(5) *
Officer--Hawaii Operations, Director
Common Stock Edward M. Carson--Director 0 *
Common Stock Lodwrick M. Cook--Director 0 *
Common Stock Roberta Wieman--Vice President and Corporate 45,000(5) *
Secretary
Common Stock Dean R. Estrada--Treasurer 12,000(5) *
Common Stock Harry A. Saunders--Senior Vice President 29,500(5) *
Common Stock Edward C. Roohan--Vice President and Chief 73,000(5) *
Financial Officer
Common Stock Mary J. Garnett--Vice President, General 10,000(5) *
Counsel and Assistant Secretary
Common Stock John Petri--Corporate Controller 0(5) *
Common Stock Bruce M. Freeman--Senior Vice President 89,000(5) *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a 16,204,723(5) 92.12%
Group
</TABLE>
------------------------
(1) The mailing address of all individuals listed is c/o the Company, at
10900 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90024.
(2) Unless otherwise indicated in these notes, each person has sole voting and
dispositive power with respect to the shares shown. Some directors and
executive officers may share the voting and dispositive power over their
shares with their spouses as community property, joint tenants or tenants in
common, and some of them may hold the shares through revocable living trusts
of which they are trustees solely for their benefit during their lifetimes
or through family trusts of which they are a trustee and under which they
and immediate family members are beneficiaries and/or trustees.
(3) The percentages set forth above are calculated within the meaning of
Rule 13d-3(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on
the basis of 17,059,833 shares of Common Stock outstanding on July 21, 2000,
plus, where applicable, stock options granted under the Company's stock
option plans that will be accelerated in the Merger.
(4) Includes 228,000 options to purchase shares of common stock. The options
will be canceled in the Merger pursuant to the terms of the Merger
Agreement. Includes 15,661,314 shares beneficially owned by Purchaser,
Parent, and FLX.
(5) Shares reported include shares subject to non-transferable, non-voting
employee stock options.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax
consequences of the Merger relevant to holders whose Shares are converted to
cash in the Merger. The discussion is for general
41
<PAGE>
information only and does not purport to consider all aspects of federal income
taxation that might be relevant to beneficial holders of Shares. The discussion
is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), existing, proposed and temporary regulations promulgated
thereunder, rulings, administrative pronouncements and judicial decisions,
changes to which could materially affect the tax consequences described herein
and could be made on a retroactive basis. The discussion applies only to
beneficial holders of Shares in whose hands Shares are capital assets within the
meaning of Section 1221 of the Code and may not apply to beneficial holders
(i) who acquired their Shares pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options
or other compensation arrangements with the Company, and (ii) who are subject to
special tax treatment under the Code (such as dealers in securities, insurance
companies, other financial institutions, regulated investment companies and
tax-exempt entities). In addition, this discussion does not address the federal
income tax consequences to a beneficial holder of Shares who, for United States
federal income tax purposes, is a non-resident alien individual, a foreign
corporation, a foreign partnership or a foreign estate or trust, nor does it
consider the effect of any foreign, state or local tax laws.
The receipt of cash for Shares pursuant to the Merger will be a taxable
transaction for United States federal income tax purposes and may also be a
taxable transaction under applicable state, local and foreign income and other
tax laws. In general, a beneficial holder who receives cash in exchange for
Shares pursuant to the Merger will recognize gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received
and the beneficial holder's adjusted tax basis in the Shares surrendered for
cash pursuant to the Merger. Gain or loss will be determined separately for each
block of Shares (i.e., Shares acquired at the same cost in a single transaction)
surrendered for cash pursuant to the Merger. Such gain or loss will be long-term
capital gain (or loss) provided that a beneficial holder's holding period for
such Shares is more than 12 months at the time of consummation of the Merger, as
the case may be.
BECAUSE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES MAY DIFFER, EACH BENEFICIAL HOLDER OF
SHARES IS URGED TO CONSULT SUCH BENEFICIAL HOLDER'S OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE
PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH BENEFICIAL HOLDER OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING
THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS.
PRICE RANGE OF THE SHARES; DIVIDENDS ON THE SHARES
The Shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol "CCS." The following
table shows the high and low reported closing price per Share on the NYSE for
the first two quarters of 2000, and for each quarterly period in 1999 and 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
1998
First Quarter............................................... 17.31 14.19
Second Quarter.............................................. 19.19 16.63
Third Quarter............................................... 21.38 14.75
Fourth Quarter.............................................. 16.44 13.63
1999
First Quarter............................................... 16.94 13.38
Second Quarter.............................................. 17.63 13.25
Third Quarter............................................... 17.75 14.25
Fourth Quarter.............................................. 15.50 12.00
2000
First Quarter............................................... 16.88 11.81
Second Quarter.............................................. 19.75 16.62
</TABLE>
42
<PAGE>
On March 29, 2000, the last full trading day prior to the public
announcement of the Proposal, the last reported sales price of the Shares on the
NYSE was $12 1/16 per Share. On May 19, 2000, such price was $17 1/8 per Share
and on August 4, 2000 it was $19 per Share. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO OBTAIN A
CURRENT MARKET QUOTATION FOR THE SHARES.
The Company did not declare or pay any cash dividends on its common stock
during any of the periods indicated in the above table. In addition, under the
terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company is not permitted to declare or pay
dividends with respect to the Shares without the prior written consent of
Purchaser.
EFFECT OF THE MERGER
MARKET FOR THE SHARES. The purchase of Shares by Purchaser pursuant to the
Offer reduced the number of Shares that might otherwise trade publicly and
reduced the number of holders of Shares, which could adversely affect the
liquidity and market value of the remaining Shares held by the public. The
Merger will eliminate public trading in the Shares.
EXCHANGE ACT REGISTRATION. The Shares are currently registered under the
Exchange Act. The Merger will allow the Shares no longer to be so registered.
Termination of registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act will
substantially reduce the information required to be furnished by the Company to
its shareholders and to the Commission and would make certain provisions of the
Exchange Act no longer applicable to the Company, such as the short-swing profit
recovery provisions of Section 16(b), the requirement of furnishing a proxy
statement pursuant to Section 14(a) in connection with shareholders' meetings,
the related requirement of furnishing an annual report to shareholders, and the
requirements of Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act with respect to "going
private" transactions. Furthermore, the ability of "affiliates" of the Company
and persons holding "restricted securities" of the Company to dispose of such
securities pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), may be impaired or eliminated.
MARGIN REGULATIONS. The Shares presently are "margin securities" under the
regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the
"Federal Reserve Board"), which status has the effect, among other things, of
allowing brokers to extend credit on the collateral of such securities.
Following the Merger, the Shares will no longer constitute "margin securities"
for the purposes of the margin regulations of the Federal Reserve Board and
therefore may no longer be used as collateral for loans made by brokers.
NYSE QUOTATION. The Shares presently are traded on the NYSE. If the NYSE
listing and the Exchange Act registration of the Shares are not terminated prior
to the Merger, then the Shares will be delisted from the NYSE and the
registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act will be terminated following
the consummation of the Merger.
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY
GENERAL. The Company is a diversified real estate operating company engaged
in three principal businesses: residential real estate, resorts and commercial
real estate. The Company has real estate holdings in Arizona, California,
Hawaii, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina and is one of the largest developers
and builders of single and multi-family homes in Hawaii and one of the largest
developers of residential real estate in Bakersfield, California and Sierra
Vista, Arizona.
The Company operates in part through its subsidiary companies. The address
and telephone numbers of the principal executive offices of the Company are
10900 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024, (310) 208-3636.
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Set forth below is certain selected
historical consolidated financial information with respect to the Company,
excerpted from (i) the audited financial statements of the
43
<PAGE>
Company in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1998, and December 31, 1999, and (ii) the unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements of the Company in the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 1999 and March 31,
2000.
Additional financial information is included in the reports and other
documents filed by the Company with the Commission. The following summary is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such reports and other documents and
all of the financial information (including any related notes) contained
therein. Such reports and other documents may be inspected and copies may be
obtained from the Commission in the manner set forth below.
44
<PAGE>
CASTLE & COOKE, INC.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1ST QUARTER CALENDAR YEAR
----------------------- -----------------------
MARCH 2000 MARCH 1999 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA
Residential and other property sales $ 37,434 $ 30,802 $ 179,877 $ 165,635
Resort revenues 24,984 19,821 76,598 72,452
Commercial and other revenues 16,261 13,064 60,380 52,103
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues 78,679 63,687 316,855 290,190
Cost of residential and other property sales 31,445 26,915 156,256 142,533
Cost of resort operations 22,519 20,951 84,482 81,969
Cost of commercial and other operations 10,570 7,861 39,967 33,566
General and administrative expenses 4,027 3,224 13,406 13,986
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total Cost of Operations 68,561 58,951 294,111 272,054
Operating income 10,118 4,736 22,744 18,136
Net income 5,656 2,791 13,451 10,798
========== ========== ========== ==========
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.33 $ 0.16 $ 0.79 $ 0.58
========== ========== ========== ==========
Weighted average shares outstanding 17,060 17,031 17,048 18,494(1)
========== ========== ========== ==========
OPERATING DATA
Total homes delivered 92 80 496 416
Total homesites delivered 238 198 833 857
Average price per home $ 249 $ 277 $ 272 $ 269
Average price per homesite $ 56 $ 43 $ 49 $ 49
New orders--homes 132 137 456 458
New orders--homesites 115 322 854 1,046
Number of units in backlog--homes 88 145 48 88
Number of units in backlog--homesites 492 718 615 594
Aggregate sales value of backlog--homes $ 25,381 $ 39,966 $ 12,160 $ 25,143
Aggregate sales value of backlog--homesites(2) $ 25,450 $ 29,612 $ 31,118 $ 22,074
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Real estate developments $ 499,855 $ 505,488 $ 499,013 $ 501,147
Property and equipment, net 538,651 507,113 527,866 500,000
Total assets 1,108,619 1,066,758 1,088,791 1,054,105
Total debt 273,283 272,399 267,537 260,044
Total common shareholders' equity 556,356 539,634 550,700 536,786
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.3 1.5 1.8 1.5
BOOK VALUE PER SHARE
Book value per share as of March 31, 2000 $ 32.62
</TABLE>
------------------------
(1) The Company purchased 3,015,764 Shares in a "Dutch Auction" self-tender
offer completed in July 1998.
(2) Included in backlog at March 31, 2000, are homesites to be sold to builders
under option contracts, pursuant to which approximately 153 homesites with
an aggregate sales price of approximately $6.4 million are expected to close
after March 31, 2001.
45
<PAGE>
CERTAIN FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS. The Company does not ordinarily make public
projections as to anticipated future property, resort or commercial operations
revenue or earnings. The following preliminary five-year projections were
prepared as part of the Company's regular budgeting process. The 2000 Budget and
2001 through 2004 projections were presented to the Company Board in
December 1999 and have not been updated since the December meeting. Forms of
both the budget and the Company's projections were made available to the Special
Committee and its advisors, and management discussed with the advisors various
assumptions built into the projections. Management does not intend to update or
otherwise revise the projections to reflect changing circumstances existing
after the preparation of the projections included herein or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.
The projections were not prepared with a view to complying with published
guidelines of the Commission or the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants regarding projections or generally accepted accounting principles
regarding projections. While presented with numerical specificity, the
projections are based upon a variety of assumptions relating to the business of
the Company. Subject to the discussion set forth below regarding the effect on
such projections of any future property acquisitions, such assumptions were
considered reasonable by the Company. Such assumptions are, however, subject to
significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, some of
which are beyond the Company's control. The Company's real estate operations are
cyclical and highly sensitive to changes in general and local economic
conditions, such as employment and income levels, consumer confidence,
availability of financing and interest rates and demand for housing and
commercial space. The variability of these general economic conditions makes it
difficult to project results of operations with any degree of certainty.
ACCORDINGLY, NEITHER PARENT NOR THE COMPANY CAN PREDICT WHETHER THE ASSUMPTIONS
MADE IN PREPARING SUCH PROJECTIONS WILL PROVE ACCURATE. SUCH PROJECTIONS ARE
INHERENTLY IMPRECISE, AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCES THAT THEY WILL BE REALIZED.
ALSO, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THERE WILL BE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ACTUAL AND PROJECTED
RESULTS, AND ACTUAL RESULTS MAY VARY MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN SUCH
PROJECTIONS.
As noted above, the 2000 Budget and 2001 through 2004 projections were
prepared as part of the Company's normal budgeting process. As such, they only
include projected results related to properties that currently are owned or
controlled by the Company. They do not include the effects of any properties the
Company may acquire in the future. As a result, the projections do not show the
Company replacing its existing inventory of properties, but rather show the
effect of an orderly build-out of its existing owned and controlled assets.
Although the Company has acquired additional properties in the past and is
likely to do so in the future, management has not made it a practice to project
the results of any such acquisitions until they are specifically identified and
subject to a purchase agreement or letter of intent. To the extent that
additional properties are acquired, management would expect real estate
development and notes payable balances to be higher, and revenues, interest
expense and net income to change.
The projections were not prepared with a view to public disclosure. The
information concerning the projections is included in this Proxy Statement
solely because such information was furnished to FLX and the Special Committee
and its advisors. The inclusion of the projections herein should not be regarded
as a representation by the Company, the Purchaser, the Parent, FLX or any other
entity or person that the projected results will be achieved. The Company's
independent auditors have not examined or compiled the projections presented
herein and, accordingly, assume no responsibility for them. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on this data.
Set forth below are consolidated financial statement data for the Company
for fiscal years 1998 and projected financial statement data for fiscal years
1999 through 2004. The significant assumptions underlying these projections are
described in the footnotes following the projections. The projections should be
read together with the information contained in the consolidated financial
statements of the Company available in its filings with the Commission, and the
information set forth above.
46
<PAGE>
CASTLE & COOKE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT PROJECTIONS(1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROJECTIONS
EST '99 BUDGET ---------------------------------------------
1998 TOTAL(2) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
--------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT
Revenues
Property Sales............................. $ 165,635 $ 173,207 $213,366 $ 239,876 $ 276,457 $ 288,251 $ 294,690
Resort Operations.......................... 72,452 76,173 87,020 89,241 91,916 94,672 97,510
Commercial and Other Operations............ 52,103 60,029 69,962 78,678 84,767 88,887 90,720
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total Revenues(3)........................ 290,190 309,409 370,348 407,795 453,140 471,810 482,920
Cost of Operations
Cost of Property Sales..................... 142,142 150,723 187,297 213,176 243,627 252,058 255,917
Cost of Resort Operations.................. 73,802 76,642 83,469 85,571 87,773 89,938 92,193
Cost of Commercial and Other Oper.......... 24,793 28,602 33,732 34,161 35,936 36,774 37,553
Depreciation in cost of sales.............. 16,591 16,945 18,623 19,429 19,896 20,179 20,304
Amortization of Leasing Costs.............. 739 935 1,336 1,534 1,649 1,626 1,620
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total cost of operations................... 258,067 273,847 324,457 353,071 388,881 400,575 407,587
Gross margin............................. 32,123 35,562 45,891 53,924 64,259 71,235 75,333
General and Administrative Expenses........ 13,986 13,726 14,258 15,814 16,523 16,377 16,789
Total Cost of operations................. 272,053 287,573 338,715 369,685 405,404 416,952 424,376
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating Income(4).......................... 18,137 21,836 31,633 38,110 47,735 54,859 58,545
Interest and Other Income, Net............... 3,898 6,995 2,833 3,957 4,338 4,570 4,661
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Earnings before int & taxes................ 22,035 28,831 34,466 42,067 52,073 59,429 63,206
Interest Expense, Net(5)..................... (5,919) (11,449) (12,117) (10,638) (6,595) 145 8,217
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Income Before Income Taxes................... 16,116 17,382 22,349 31,429 45,478 59,574 71,423
Income Tax Provision......................... (5,318) (5,215) (6,705) (9,429) (13,643) (17,872) (21,427)
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income(6)................................ 10,798 12,167 15,644 22,000 31,835 41,702 49,996
Earnings Per Common Share.................... $ 0.58 $ 0.72 $ 0.92 $ 1.29 $ 1.87 $ 2.45 $ 2.94
========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
CASH FLOW PROJECTION
EBIT......................................... 22,035 28,831 34,466 42,067 52,073 59,429 63,206
Add cost of sales............................ 137,764 149,131 189,679 210,945 239,825 251,241 253,241
Add depreciation............................. 17,543 17,876 19,586 20,410 20,855 20,659 20,776
Add amortization of leasing costs............ 739 935 1,336 1,534 1,649 1,626 1,620
Less developmental expenditures.............. (117,489) (133,016) (174,461) (198,686) (209,229) (191,816) (156,351)
Less capital expenditures(7)................. (51,686) (53,686) (45,047) (16,153) (10,876) (8,055) (6,940)
FAS 13 rent adjustments...................... 3,690 (3,782) (2,540) (2,118) (1,683 (1,846) (1,458)
Other adjustments............................ (4,736) 5,830 1,747 (5,383) (3,057) (1,575) (2,216)
Other debt activity-net...................... 1,943 (1,633) (780) (2,620) (2,823) (3,039) (3,160)
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Cash flow before interest and taxes........ 9,803 10,486 23,986 49,997 86,734 126,624 168,718
Interest charges incurred.................... (16,877) (21,937) (25,494) (22,800) (18,800) (11,200) (240)
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Cash flow before taxes..................... (7,074) (11,451) (1,508) 27,197 67,934 115,424 168,478
Income tax (payments)........................ (7,224) (4,702) (8,897) (12,283) (19,351) (27,332) (31,838)
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash flow before real estate estate
investments and debt activity............ (14,298) (16,153) (10,405) 14,914 48,583 88,092 136,640
</TABLE>
------------------------------
(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION: The projections assume that no acquisitions take
place during the five-year business plan. For the Company's existing
properties, the projections assume an orderly development and sale.
Development and capital expenditures are projected to be funded with
operating cash flow and existing credit lines.
(2) Actual figures for 1999 are found on page 45.
(3) REVENUE: In general, the projections generally assume that the markets in
which the Company operates maintain their current demand and price levels or
improve modestly. In Hawaii, the projections assume that the market improves
significantly over 1999 results and that the sales unit activity in existing
projects increase 26%, 37%, 46% 66% and 93% over the 1999 results for years
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. The Hawaii residential
property sales are projected to increase based on an assumption that the
Hawaii economy has a meaningful recovery. The resort revenues increase
throughout the projection period
47
<PAGE>
as it is assumed that the hotel occupancy continues to improve and that
luxury residential sales continue to increase. The luxury residential sales
on Lanai are projected to increase 41%, 47%, 51%, 55% and 60% over the 1999
results for years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. The
commercial and other operations revenues are projected to increase 16%, 31%,
41%, 48% and 51% over the 1999 results for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,
and 2004 respectively. The key assumptions that underlie that increase is
that leasing improves at the Dole Cannery and that the commercial golf
courses add significant revenue as they become more established.
(4) OPERATING INCOME: The projections assume that operating income increases
45%, 75%, 119%, 151%, and 168% over the estimated 1999 results for years
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. This increase is attributable
to the assumptions noted in Note 2.
(5) INTEREST EXPENSE: The projections assume a constant rate interest of 8%
throughout the projection period.
(6) NET INCOME: The projections assume an effective income tax rate of 30%
throughout the projection period.
(7) CAPITAL EXPENDITURES: The projections assume that capital expenditures
decrease in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 as it is assumed that no new
commercial developments or acquisitions are undertaken during the projection
period.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION. The Company is subject to the informational filing
requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, is obligated to
file reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission
relating to its business, financial condition and other matters. Information as
of particular dates concerning the Company's directors and officers, their
remuneration, options granted to them, the principal holders of the Company's
securities and any material interests of such persons in transactions with the
Company is required to be disclosed in proxy statements distributed to the
Company's shareholders and filed with the Commission. Reports, proxy statements
and other information filed with the Commission can be inspected and copied at
the public reference facilities of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional offices of the Commission located at
Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, NY 10048 and Citigroup Center,
500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60661. Copies of such
information can also be obtained by mail upon payment of the Commission's
prescribed rates by writing to the Commission's Public Reference Section at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission also maintains a
website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other
information relating to the Company which have been filed via the EDGAR System.
The Company incorporates herein by reference the following documents filed
with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act:
- Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2000 as amended on
Form 10-K/A filed on June 7, 2000 for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1999
- Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on March 31,
2000
- Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 15, 2000 for the fiscal quarter
ended March 31, 2000
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this proxy statement and prior to
the date of the special meeting shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
into this proxy statement and to be a part hereof from the dates of filing such
documents or reports. Any statement contained herein or in a document
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this proxy statement to the extent that a statement contained
herein or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this proxy statement.
Any report, opinion or appraisal described in REPORTS, OPINIONS, APPRAISALS
AND NEGOTIAIONS is available for inspection or copying at the Company's
principal executive offices at 10900 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California,
during regular business hours by a shareholder or representative who has been
designated by a shareholder in writing. The Company will also provide copies of
such reports, opinions and appraisals at the written request of a shareholder to
such shareholder or representative thereof designated in writing, at the expense
of the shareholders.
48
<PAGE>
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING FLX, PARENT AND PURCHASER
FLX, a Delaware corporation, is engaged in the business of leasing chassis
used in international shipping. FLX has no subsidiaries other than Parent,
Purchaser, Flexi-Van Mexico ("FVM") and Flexi-Van Canada ("FVC"). FVC is engaged
in the same lines of business as FLX; FVM is presently inactive.
Purchaser is a newly formed Hawaii corporation organized in connection with
the Offer and the Merger and has not carried on any activities other than in
connection with the Offer and the Merger. All of the outstanding capital stock
of Purchaser is directly owned by Parent. Parent is a newly formed Delaware
corporation organized in connection with the Offer and the Merger and has not
carried on any activities other than in connection with the Offer and the
Merger. All of the outstanding capital stock of Parent is directly owned by FLX.
Except with respect to the Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, Purchaser
does not have any significant assets or liabilities and has not engaged in
activities other than those incident to its formation and capitalization and the
transactions contemplated by the Offer and the Merger.
The principal office of FLX is located at 251 Monroe Avenue, Kenilworth, New
Jersey, 07033. The telephone number of FLX is (908) 276-8000. The principal
offices of each of Parent and Purchaser are located at 10900 Wilshire Boulevard,
Los Angeles, CA 90024. The telephone number of each of Parent and Purchaser is
(310) 208-6055.
49
<PAGE>
MERGER AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Merger Agreement.
The summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the complete text of the Merger Agreement, as amended, a copy of
which is attached as Exhibit B hereto. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined
below shall have the meanings set forth in the Merger Agreement. The Merger
Agreement may also be examined and copies may be obtained at the places set
forth in this Proxy Statement in CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING FLX, PARENT AND
PURCHASER, above.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. In the Merger Agreement, the Company has
made customary representations and warranties to Parent and Purchaser with
respect to, among other things, corporate organization, capital stock, options
or other rights to acquire Shares, authority to enter into the Merger Agreement,
required consents, no conflicts between the Merger Agreement and the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company or applicable laws or agreements to
which the Company or its assets may be subject, compliance with laws, brokers'
and finders' fees, votes required to approve the Merger Agreement, disclosures
in proxy statement and tender offer documents and the absence of material
adverse changes.
In the Merger Agreement, each of Parent and Purchaser has made customary
representations and warranties to the Company with respect to, among other
things, corporate organization, authority to enter into the Merger Agreement,
required consents, no conflicts between the Merger Agreement and the Articles or
Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and other constituent documents of Parent
or Purchaser or laws applicable to Parent and Purchaser or agreements to which
Parent or Purchaser are subject, brokers' fees and disclosures in proxy
statement and tender offer documents.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER. The respective obligations of Parent and
Purchaser, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, to effect the
Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following
conditions: (i) shareholder approval shall have been obtained if required by
applicable law; (ii) the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable
to the Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act ("HSR Act") shall have been
terminated or shall have expired; (iii) no temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any Governmental
Entity (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or other legal restraint or
prohibition shall be in effect preventing or prohibiting the acceptance for
payment of, or payment for, Shares pursuant to the Offer, or the consummation of
the Merger, provided, however, that the parties shall use all reasonable efforts
to have any such injunction, order, restraint or prohibition vacated; (iv) no
statute, rule, order, decree or regulation shall have been enacted or
promulgated by any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction which prohibits
the consummation of the Merger; and (v) a definitive settlement agreement in
connection with the Class Actions shall have been executed, submitted to a court
for preliminary approval, or approved on a preliminary basis by the court to
which it has been submitted. The obligation of Parent and Purchaser to effect
the Merger also was subject to (i) Parent or Purchaser having been obligated to
purchase Shares in the Offer, and (ii) expiration of the waiting period under
the Hawaii Environmental Disclosure Act. These conditions have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding anything in the Merger Agreement to the contrary, the
affirmative vote of the Special Committee is required to (i) approve any
amendment, modification or waiver by the Company of any provisions of the Merger
Agreement or (ii) approve any other action by the Company that adversely affects
the interests of the shareholders of the Company (other than Parent, Purchaser
or any affiliate thereof) with respect to the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement, including without limitation, any actions which would
constitute a breach by the Company of its representations, warranties or
covenants contained in the Merger Agreement. The foregoing provisions of the
Merger Agreement do not limit any rights which Parent, Purchaser or their
affiliates may have as holders or beneficial owners of Shares with respect to
the election of directors or otherwise.
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SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING; PROXY STATEMENT. The Company has agreed, through the
Company Board, to recommend to its shareholders approval of the Merger and seek
to obtain all votes and approvals thereof by the shareholders, provided however
that such recommendation and other action may be withdrawn, modified or amended
if the Company determines in good faith, based on advice of its outside counsel,
that such action is necessary in order for the Company Board to comply with its
fiduciary duties under applicable law. Such recommendation, together with a copy
of the Fairness Opinion, is included in this Proxy Statement. At the Special
Meeting, Purchaser will cause all Shares then owned by it, Parent or any
affiliate thereof to be voted in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement
and favor of any other resolution necessary to approve the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. The Merger Agreement provides that, for a period of
twelve months following the Effective Time of the Merger, Parent shall maintain
employee benefits plans and arrangements (directly or in conjunction with
Purchaser) which, in the aggregate, will provide a level of benefits to
continuing employees of the Company substantially comparable in the aggregate to
those provided to similarly situated employees of Parent in the United States
under Parent's benefit plans as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time of the Merger (other than discretionary benefits), provided that Parent may
make modifications to such benefit plans and arrangements to the extent
necessary to comply with applicable law or to reflect widespread adjustments in
benefits (or costs thereof) provided to employees under compensation and benefit
plans of Parent and its subsidiaries, and no specific compensation and benefit
plans need be provided. For purposes of determining eligibility and vesting
under certain benefit plans, Parent shall use each employee's hire date with the
Company or such other date as has been previously determined by the Company for
credit for prior employment with any predecessor or ERISA Affiliate (as defined
in the Merger Agreement) of the Company.
The Merger Agreement does not prohibit the Company or Purchaser from
terminating the employment of any employee at any time with or without cause
(subject to, and in accordance with the terms of, any existing employment
agreements), nor shall it be construed or applied to restrict the ability of
Purchaser or Parent to establish such types and levels of compensation and
benefits as they determine to be appropriate.
OPTIONS AND STOCK UNITS The Merger Agreement provides that, as soon as
practicable following the date of the Merger Agreement, the Company Board shall:
(i) adjust the terms of all Company stock options to provide that, at the
Effective Time of the Merger, each Company stock option outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall vest as a consequence of the
Merger and shall be canceled in exchange for a payment from the Company after
the Merger (subject to any applicable withholding taxes and any deferral
elections under the Company's deferred compensation plan) equal to the product
of (1) the total number of Shares subject to such Company stock option,
multiplied by (2) the excess of the merger consideration of $19.25 per share
over the exercise price per Share subject to such Company stock option, payable
in cash immediately upon the Effective Time of the Merger; and (ii) except as
provided in the Merger Agreement or as otherwise agreed to by the parties, the
Company's stock option plan and any other plan, program or arrangement providing
for the issuance or grant of any other interest in respect of the capital stock
of the Company or any subsidiary shall terminate as of the Effective Time of the
Merger, and the Company shall ensure that, following the Effective Time of the
Merger, no holder of a Company stock option nor any participant in any stock
option plan shall have any right thereunder to acquire equity securities of the
Surviving Corporation following the Merger, except for the rights set forth in
clause (i) above. It also provides that Stock Units (as such term is defined in
the Deferred Stock Compensation Plan) under the Company's Deferred Stock
Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors will be converted into only a right
to receive cash at a future date.
INTERIM OPERATIONS; COVENANTS. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, during the
period from May 19, 2000 to the Effective Time of the Merger, the Company has
agreed that, except as expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the
Company shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries to, act and carry on their
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respective businesses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during such period,
the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, without
the prior written consent of Parent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld:
a. declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other
distributions in respect of, any of its capital stock, other than
dividends and distributions by a subsidiary of the Company to its parent
in accordance with applicable law;
b. split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or
authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of
or in substitution for shares of its capital stock;
c. purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other securities thereof or any
rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or other
securities, except for the cash-out of Company stock options outstanding
on the date of the Merger Agreement;
d. authorize for issuance, issue, deliver, sell, pledge or otherwise
encumber any shares of its capital stock or the capital stock of any of
its subsidiaries, any other voting securities or any securities
convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such
shares, voting securities or convertible securities or any other
securities or equity equivalents (including without limitation stock
appreciation rights) other than the issuance of Shares upon the exercise
of Company stock options outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement
and in accordance with their present terms;
e. amend its certificates or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other
comparable charter or organizational documents;
f. subject to the provisions of the Merger Agreement and except as
described therein, acquire or agree to acquire by merging or
consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial portion of the stock
or assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association or other business organization;
g. incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any such
indebtedness of another person in an amount in excess of $1,000,000,
issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or other rights to acquire
any debt securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, guarantee
any debt securities of another person, enter into any "keep well" or
other agreement to maintain any financial statement condition of another
person or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of
the foregoing, except for borrowings under current credit facilities and
for lease obligations, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice;
h. make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in,
any other person, other than to the Company or any direct or indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company in an amount exceeding $100,000;
i. adopt resolutions providing for or authorizing a liquidation or a
dissolution except as part of a Transaction Proposal (as defined below);
or
j. authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any of, the foregoing
actions.
ADDITIONAL UNDERTAKINGS; NOTIFICATION. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement,
FLX, Parent, Purchaser and the Company have agreed to use their reasonable
efforts and cooperate with one another in promptly (i) determining whether any
filings are required to be made or consents, approvals, waivers, licenses,
permits or authorizations are required to be obtained (or, which if not
obtained, would result in a breach, or violation, or an event of default,
termination or acceleration of any agreement or any put right under
52
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any agreement) under any applicable law or regulation or from any governmental
entities or third parties in connection with the Offer or the Merger and
(ii) making any such filings, furnishing information required in connection
therewith and timely seeking to obtain any such consents, approvals, permits or
authorizations. The Merger Agreement provides that the Company shall make,
subject to the condition that the transactions contemplated in the Merger
Agreement actually occur, any undertakings (including undertakings to make
divestitures, provided, in any case, that such divestitures need not themselves
be effective or made until after the transactions contemplated in the Merger
Agreement actually occur) required in order to comply with the antitrust
requirements or laws of any Governmental Entity, including the HSR Act, in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. All
consents required in connection with the Merger pursuant to the HSR Act have
been obtained, and all applicable waiting periods have expired.
OTHER PROPOSALS. The Merger Agreement does not prohibit the Company, its
subsidiaries, and their respective officers, directors, employees,
representatives, agents or affiliates (including, without limitation, any
investment banker, attorney, or accountant retained by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries) (collectively "Responsible Parties") from supplying any
information to or conducting discussions or negotiations with any person or
entity if the Special Committee determines that (i) such exchange of
information, discussions or negotiations has a reasonable likelihood of leading
to a Transaction Proposal, (ii) the Special Committee has received satisfactory
evidence of such party's financial capacity to complete such proposed
Transaction, and (iii) any such Transaction Proposal would have a reasonable
probability of completion. Prior to taking such action the Company must obtain
from such person an executed confidentiality agreement containing terms and
provisions, which, when taken in the aggregate, are adequate in the reasonable
judgment of the Special Committee to prevent disclosures or use of proprietary
information to the Company's detriment.
"Transaction Proposal" shall mean any of the following (other than the
transactions between the Company, and FLX, Parent and Purchaser contemplated by
the Offer and the Merger Agreement) involving the Company or any of its
subsidiaries:
(i) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, recapitalization, business
combination, or other similar transaction;
(ii) except in the ordinary course of business, any sale, lease, exchange,
mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of 20% or more of the
assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in a
single transaction or series of related transactions;
(iii) any tender offer or exchange offer for, or the acquisition of (or right
to acquire) "beneficial ownership" by any person, "group" or entity (as
such terms are defined under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), of 20%
or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company or
the filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act in
connection therewith; or
(iv) any public announcement of a proposal, plan or intention to do any of
the foregoing or any agreement to engage in any of the foregoing or
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Prior to the Special Committee withdrawing or modifying its approval or
recommendation of the Merger Agreement or the Merger, approving or recommending
a Transaction Proposal, or entering into an agreement with respect to a
Transaction Proposal, the Special Committee shall provide Purchaser with a
written notice (a "Notice of Takeover Proposal") advising Purchaser that the
Special Committee has received a Transaction Proposal, specifying the material
terms and conditions of such Transaction Proposal and identifying the person
making such Transaction Proposal, and neither the Company nor any subsidiary
shall enter into an agreement with respect to a Transaction Proposal until
48 hours after the first Notice of Takeover Proposal with respect to a given
third party was given to Purchaser. In addition, if the Company proposes to
enter into an agreement with respect to any Transaction Proposal, it shall, if
required in
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accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, concurrently with entering
into such agreement pay, or cause to be paid, to Purchaser certain expenses and
fees, including those referred to under "Compensation Fee" below.
INDEMNIFICATION. The Merger Agreement provides that, at all times following
the Effective Time of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall indemnify all
present and former directors or officers of the Company and its subsidiaries
("Indemnified Parties") against any costs or expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities
(collectively, "Costs") incurred in connection with any final resolution of a
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to matters
existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, whether
asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time of the Merger, to
the fullest extent as would have been permitted in their respective articles of
incorporation or bylaws consistent with applicable law, to the extent such Costs
have not been paid for by insurance and shall, in connection with defending
against any action for which indemnification is available hereunder, reimburse
such Indemnified Parties from time to time upon receipt of sufficient supporting
documentation, for any reasonable costs and expenses reasonably incurred by such
Indemnified Parties; provided that any determination required to be made with
respect to whether an Indemnified Party's conduct complies with the standards
set forth in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company or its
subsidiaries, as applicable, consistent with applicable law shall be made by
independent counsel mutually acceptable to Surviving Corporation and the
Indemnified Party; and provided, further, that such reimbursement shall be
conditioned upon such Indemnified Parties' agreement promptly to return such
amounts to Parent if a court of competent jurisdiction shall ultimately
determine that indemnification of such Indemnified Parties is prohibited by
applicable law.
The Surviving Corporation will maintain for a period of not less than six
years from the Effective Time of the Merger the Company's current directors' and
officers' insurance and indemnification policy (or a policy providing
substantially similar coverage) for all persons who are directors and officers
of the Company on the date of the Merger Agreement; provided that the Surviving
Corporation shall not be required to spend as an annual premium for such
insurance an amount in excess of 200% of the annual premium paid for such
insurance in effect prior to the date of the Merger Agreement; and provided
further that the Surviving Corporation shall nevertheless be obligated to
provide such coverage as may be obtained for such amount. These provisions of
the Merger Agreement are intended for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable
by, each Indemnified Party and his or her heirs and representatives.
TERMINATION. The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated therein abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time of the
Merger, whether before or after approval of the matters presented in connection
with the Merger by the shareholders of the Company:
(a) by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company; or
(b) by either Parent or the Company, if any Governmental Entity shall have
issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently
enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting, or if there shall be in
effect any other legal restraint or prohibition preventing or
prohibiting, the acceptance for payment of, or payment for, Shares
pursuant to the Offer or the consummation of the Merger, and such order,
decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and non-appealable
(other than due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate the
Merger Agreement to perform its obligations under the Merger Agreement
required to be performed at or prior to the Effective Time of the
Merger); or
(c) by the Company, if Purchaser shall not have (i) commenced the Offer on
or before June 1, 2000, or (ii) accepted for payment any Shares pursuant
to the Offer (other than due to the failure of the Company to perform its
obligations under the Merger Agreement) (x) on or prior to August 15,
2000, or, (y) if any necessary approvals required under the HSR Act shall
not have
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been obtained by such date, on or prior to the earlier of ten business
days after receipt of all necessary approvals under the HSR Act; or
(d) by the Company, substantially concurrently with the execution, prior to
Purchaser's acquisition of Shares pursuant to the Offer, of a binding
agreement with a third party with respect to a Transaction Proposal,
provided that it has complied with all provisions of the Merger
Agreement, including the notice provisions in the Merger Agreement, and
that it pays the Compensation Fee pursuant to the provisions of the
Merger Agreement described under COMPENSATION FEE, below; or
(e) by Parent, prior to Purchaser's acquisition of any Shares pursuant to
the Offer, in the event of a material breach or failure to perform in any
material respect by the Company of any covenant or other agreement
contained in the Merger Agreement or in the event of a breach of any
representation or warranty of the Company that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger
Agreement), in each case which cannot be or has not been cured within
fifteen days after the giving of written notice to the Company; or
(f) by the Company, prior to Purchaser's acquisition of any Shares pursuant
to the Offer, in the event of a material breach or failure to perform in
any material respect by FLX, Parent, or Purchaser of any covenant or
other agreement contained in the Merger Agreement or in the event of a
breach of any representation or warranty of FLX, Parent, or Purchaser
that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, in
each case which cannot be or has not been cured within fifteen days after
the giving of written notice to FLX, Parent, or Purchaser; or
(g) by Parent, if the Company Board or the Special Committee, shall
(i) withdraw or modify in any adverse manner its approval or
recommendation of the Merger Agreement, the Offer or the Merger,
(iii) approve or recommend any Transaction Proposal, or (iii) resolve to
take any of the actions specified in clause (i) above;
(h) by Parent or the Company, after two business days' notice to the other
party if the Offer expires without renewal; or
(i) by Parent or the Company, if the lenders of Parent and Purchaser fail to
advance funds pursuant to their commitments in an amount sufficient to
pay the Merger Consideration.
Certain of these reasons for termination no longer apply now that the Offer
has been successfully concluded.
COMPENSATION FEE. If any person (other than Purchaser or any of its
affiliates) shall have made, proposed, communicated or disclosed a Transaction
Proposal in a manner which is or otherwise becomes public and the Merger
Agreement is terminated pursuant to any of the following provisions:
(i) by the Company pursuant to clause (d) under "Termination" above; or
(ii) by Parent, pursuant to clause (g) under "Termination" above;
then the Company shall, simultaneously with such termination of the Merger
Agreement, pay to Purchaser, in cash, a fee equal to two percent (2%) of the
consideration offered to, or available to, the Company's shareholders as a
result of the Transaction Proposal, which amount shall be payable in same day
funds (the "Compensation Fee"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation
Fee shall not be less than $6,800,000.
In no event shall the Company be required to pay more than one Compensation
Fee pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
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SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS
Purchaser has obtained a written commitment from Bankers Trust Company
("BTC"), an affiliate of Deutsche Bank, for a permanent loan facility of up to
$390 million (the "Loan"). The Loan consists of (i) a senior secured credit
facility (the "Senior Secured Loan") comprised of a $100 million term loan and a
revolving credit line in the amount not to exceed $200 million, and (ii) a $90
million senior subordinated term loan (the "Senior Subordinated Loan"). The
Senior Secured Loan will have a three year term with a variable interest rate at
a margin of 250 to 300 basis points (depending on the value of the Company's
borrowing base) over either the LIBOR rate, or, if chosen by Company, the higher
of BTC's prime rate or the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points. The Senior
Subordinated Loan will have a term of 48 months and a variable interest rate
equal to 300 basis points over either the LIBOR rate, or, if chosen by Company,
the higher of BTC's prime rate or the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points.
Both the Senior Secured Loan and the Senior Subordinated Loan have financial and
other affirmative and negative covenants that may effect the Company's ability
to borrow the full amounts available under the Loan. The Loan will be secured by
substantially all of the assets of the Company. The Loan will provide funds
sufficient to repay the bridge loan which financed the purchase of Shares in the
Offer, and to refinance the Company's outstanding indebtedness which will become
due as a result of the Merger. The obligation of BTC to provide the Loan is
subject to certain conditions including the execution by Parent and its
affiliates of financing documents evidencing the Loan, in forms acceptable to
BTC. There are no alternative financing plans other than the Loan.
CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS
GENERAL. Except as described in this Section, based on information provided
by the Company, none of the Company, FLX, Purchaser or Parent is aware of (i)
any license or regulatory permit that appears to be material to the business of
the Company that might be adversely affected by the Merger or (ii) any approval
or other action by a domestic or foreign governmental, administrative or
regulatory agency or authority that would be required for the acquisition and
ownership of the Shares by Purchaser as contemplated herein. Should any such
approval or other action be required, Purchaser and Parent presently contemplate
that such approval or other action will be sought, except as described below
under STATE ANTI-TAKEOVER STATUTES.
STATE ANTI-TAKEOVER STATUTES. A number of states have adopted laws and
regulations that purport to apply to attempts to acquire corporations that are
incorporated in such states, or whose business operations have substantial
economic effects in such states, or which have substantial assets, security
holders, employees, principal executive offices or principal places of business
in such states. In 1982, in EDGAR V. MITE CORP., the Supreme Court of the United
States (the "Supreme Court") invalidated on constitutional grounds the Illinois
Business Takeover statute, which, as a matter of state securities law, made
certain corporate acquisitions more difficult. However, in 1987, in CTS CORP. V.
DYNAMICS CORP. OF AMERICA, the Supreme Court held that the State of Indiana may,
as a matter of corporate law and, in particular, with respect to those aspects
of corporate law concerning corporate governance, constitutionally disqualify a
potential acquiror from voting on the affairs of a target corporation without
the prior approval of the remaining shareholders. The state law before the
Supreme Court was by its terms applicable only to corporations that had a
substantial number of shareholders in the state and were incorporated there.
The State of Hawaii has enacted both a control share acquisition statute and
an anti-takeover statute. The control share acquisition statute permits a
corporation's articles of incorporation to provide that the statute shall not
apply to the corporation or its shares. The Company's Articles of Incorporation
contain such a provision; therefore the control share acquisition statute does
not apply to FLX, Purchaser or the Merger and it is not described in this
statement. Similarly, the Hawaii anti-takeover statute does not apply to a
transaction which has been approved by the target company's board of directors.
The Company Board has approved the Merger; therefore the anti-takeover statute
does not apply to the Merger.
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ANTITRUST. The Offer was subject to the HSR Act, which provides that
acquisition transactions meeting the filing threshold may not be consummated
unless certain information has been furnished to the Antitrust Division of the
Department of Justice (the "DOJ") and the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC"),
and certain waiting period requirements have been satisfied.
On May 24, 2000 Parent and the Company filed their Notification and Report
Forms with respect to the Offer under the HSR Act. The waiting period under the
HSR Act with respect to the Offer expired on June 7, 2000 and there is no
additional waiting period with respect to the Merger.
HAWAII ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE STATUTE. Chapter 343D of the Hawaii Revised
Statutes prohibits a beneficial owner of ten percent or more of any class of
securities of any Hawaii corporation from purchasing more than an additional
five percent of such security during any twelve-month period without first
submitting a filing to the Office of Environment Quality Control ("OEQC") in
compliance with the statute. The filing must describe (i) all judicial and
administrative proceedings during the preceding five years to which the person
was a party, and which involved any environmental matters, and (ii) a detailed
history of such person's compliance with all applicable environmental laws or
regulations. There is an initial fifteen day waiting period with respect to the
filing, which may be extended if the OEQC requires additional information from
the filing party. FLX, Parent and Purchaser filed the required disclosures with
the OEQC on May 17, 2000 and the waiting period expired on or about May 31,
2000.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THE MERGER. Following the public disclosure
of the Proposal on March 29, 2000, five purported class actions were filed in
the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, California and three purported class
actions were filed in the Circuit Court of the Second Circuit of the State of
Hawaii. The complaints generally alleged that the Company's directors had
breached their fiduciary duties and engaged in self-dealing by failing to
maximize the value of the Shares. The complaints further alleged that the value
of the Shares is materially greater than the amount contained in the Proposal.
Each complaint sought certification of a plaintiff class, declaratory and
injunctive relief with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Proposal,
unspecified compensatory damages, and attorneys' fees and costs. In addition to
naming the Company's directors as defendants, seven of the lawsuits named the
Company as a defendant and two of the lawsuits named FLX as a defendant. The
defendants believed that the actions were without merit.
In the litigation filed in Hawaii, plaintiffs filed a declaration of Ms.
Karen Char, President and Chief Executive Officer of John Child & Company, Inc.
("Child"), a professional corporation that specializes in real estate appraisal
and consulting. Ms. Char's declaration described the analysis her firm performed
to determine the reasonableness of the reported book value of the Company's real
estate assets, $1.027 billion as of December 31, 1999. Based on the information
available to Child, including appraisal reports, real property tax assessments
and reports of market analysts, Ms. Char stated that in her opinion a
conservative market value for the Company's real estate was in the range of
$1.18 billion to $1.34 billion, or a value of
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15% to 31% greater than book value. Ms. Char's declaration provides the
following preliminary minimum market value estimates for the Company's real
estate:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED
MINIMUM
PROPERTY MARKET VALUE % OF TOTAL
-------- ------------------- -------------------
($ IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Hawaii (all properties)..................................... $ 730 $ 890 62 66
Residential development
California................................................ 153 153 13 11
Florida................................................... 20 20 2 2
Arizona................................................... 56 56 5 4
Operating property.......................................... 208 208 18 16
Undeveloped land holdings................................... 16 16 1 1
Total mainland............................................ 453 453 39 34
Total Hawaii and mainland, rounded........................ $1,180 $1,340 100 100
</TABLE>
In addition, some of the plaintiffs cited in their complaints a Sutro & Co.
report dated March 30, 2000 written by Craig Silvers, which stated, in part,
that Sutro & Co. valued the Company at approximately $29 per Share and
calculated the book value of the assets of the Company at just over $32 per
Share.
Plaintiffs also filed a declaration of Dr. Scott Hakala, a principal of
Business Valuation Services, Inc., a national business valuation and financial
advisory firm. Dr. Hakala stated that in his view the proper way to value the
Shares of the Company was to determine the net asset value of the Company. He
said the net asset value is calculated by determining the fair market value of
each of the Company's assets, comparing the amount of the Company's liabilities,
and dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding. Based on his review
of records of the Company, Ms. Char's analysis, reports by market analysts
(including Craig Silvers of Sutro & Co.) and other factors, Dr. Hakala stated
that the fair value of the Company's principal assets was in excess of book
value and that the fair value in a sale of the Company would be in the range of
approximately $34 to $40 per share. He further stated that the current market
price of the Shares did not properly reflect the true value of the Company
because, among other reasons, the public had inadequate information about the
value of the underlying assets.
Subject to final court approval, the purported class actions were settled
and a settlement (the "Settlement") was approved by the District Court for the
State of Hawaii, Second Circuit, on July 5, 2000. Pursuant to the Settlement,
the Offer Price was increased to $19.25 per share, and the cases would be
dismissed with prejudice. Separately, members of the class have been sent
notices dealing with the Settlement and their rights under it. The Settlement
permits the Merger to be accomplished regardless of whether or not the
Settlement is approved.
OTHER MATTERS
If any other matters properly come before the Special Meeting, it is the
intention of the proxy holders to vote in their discretion on such matters
pursuant to the authority granted in the proxy and to the extent permitted under
applicable law.
58
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Company does not expect to hold another annual meeting of shareholders.
There are therefore no deadlines for submitting shareholder proposals at the
Company's next annual meeting.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ Roberta Wieman
Roberta Wieman
CORPORATE SECRETARY
August 7, 2000
59
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
May 19, 2000
Special Committee of the Board of Directors
Castle & Cooke, Inc.
10900 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We understand that Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc., a Delaware corporation
wholly-owned by David H. Murdock, Castle & Cooke Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Flexi-Van ("Buyer"), and Castle
Acquisition Company, Inc., a Hawaii corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Buyer ("MergerCo."), on the one hand, and Castle & Cooke, Inc., a Hawaii
corporation ("C&C") on the other hand, intend to enter into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger (the "Agreement") pursuant to which MergerCo. has agreed to make
a tender offer to purchase (the "Offer") all of the outstanding shares (the
"Shares") of Common Stock, no par value, of C&C, other than any such Shares
owned beneficially by Flexi-Van or its affiliates, at a purchase price per share
of $18.50 payable in cash (the "Purchase Price") and, subject to the conditions
specified in the Agreement, to cause MergerCo. to enter into a merger (the
"Merger") with C&C in which MergerCo. shall continue as the surviving
corporation and in which each of the Shares (other than Shares then owned by
Flexi-Van or its affiliates) would be converted into the right to receive $18.50
in cash (the "Merger Consideration"). The Purchase Price in the Offer and the
Merger Consideration are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Consideration" and the Offer and the Merger are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Transaction."
You have asked us to render our opinion as to whether the Consideration is
fair, from a financial point of view, to shareholders of C&C, other than
Flexi-Van and its affiliates.
In the course of performing our review and analyses for rendering this
opinion, we have:
- reviewed a draft form of the Agreement dated as of May 18, 2000;
- reviewed C&C's Annual Reports to Shareholders and Annual Reports on
Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 1997-1999, its Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2000 and its Reports
on Form 8-K for the three years ended December 31, 1999 and from
December 31, 1999 to the date hereof;
- reviewed certain operating and financial information, including
projections for the five years ended December 31, 2004, provided to us by
management of C&C relating to C&C's business and prospects;
- met with certain members of C&C's senior management to discuss C&C's
business, operations, historical and projected financial results and
future prospects;
- met with Mr. David H. Murdock and representatives of the financial advisor
to Flexi-Van, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., to discuss the Transaction
and their views as to C&C's business;
- reviewed a letter dated March 29, 2000 and a draft letter dated May 19,
2000, of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. regarding the financing of the
Transaction by Flexi-Van;
- met with attorneys for the plaintiffs in certain lawsuits which have been
filed with respect to the Transaction, together with certain consultants
and advisors to such counsel;
- met with the Special Committee and discussed, among other things, the
Special Committee's view of the financial projections of C&C furnished to
us by C&C's management;
- reviewed the historical prices, trading multiples and trading volumes of
the Shares;
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- reviewed publicly available financial data, stock market performance data
and trading multiples of companies which we deemed generally comparable to
C&C;
- reviewed the terms of recent merger and acquisition transactions of
companies which we deemed generally comparable to C&C and the Transaction;
- performed discounted cash flow analyses on the various segments of the
business of C&C based on the projections for such segments of C&C
furnished to us by C&C;
- reviewed certain Schedule 13D's and amendments thereto filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to C&C, including such
schedules filed by Mr. David H. Murdock, Tweedy, Browne Company LLC and
Messrs. Daniel R. and Thomas J. Tisch (the "Tisch Group");
- reviewed certain appraisals of real properties owned by C&C or its
subsidiaries furnished to us by C&C;
- reviewed limited appraisals dated May 18, 2000, with respect to the real
property owned by C&C and located on the island of Lana'i in the State of
Hawaii, and certain real property owned by C&C and located on the Island
of Oahu in the State of Hawaii, which appraisals were prepared at our
request by the Hallstrom Group Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii;
- conducted such other studies, inquiries and investigations as we deemed
appropriate.
We have relied upon and assumed, without independent verification, the
accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information, including
without limitation the projections, provided to us by C&C. With respect to C&C's
projected financial results, we have assumed that they have been reasonably
prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and
judgments of the senior management of C&C as to the expected future performance
of C&C. We have not assumed any responsibility for the independent verification
of any such information or of the projections provided to us, and we have
further relied upon the assurances of the senior management of C&C that they are
unaware of any facts that would make the information and projections provided to
us incomplete or misleading.
In arriving at our opinion, except for those appraisals referred to
hereinabove in this letter, we have not performed or obtained any independent
appraisal of the assets or liabilities of C&C, nor have we been furnished with
any such appraisals other than those previously referred to in this letter. We
note for the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of C&C the inherent
difficulty in valuing C&C's assets and operations on the island of Lana'i given
the historical lack of profitability and uncertainty regarding C&C's business
plan with respect to such assets. During the course of our engagement, we were
asked by the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of C&C to contact
various third parties, including the Tisch Group, regarding a potential
transaction with C&C, and we have considered the results of such discussions in
rendering our opinion. We have assumed that the Transaction will be consummated
in a timely manner and in accordance with the terms of the Offer and the
Agreement without any regulatory limitations, restrictions, conditions,
amendments or modifications. Pursuant to the instructions of the Special
Committee, we have not performed any analysis with respect to, nor do we express
any opinion on, the ability of Flexi-Van and its affiliates to finance the
Transaction.
We have acted as financial advisor to the Special Committee of the Board of
Directors of C&C in connection with the Transaction and will receive a customary
fee for such services, a substantial portion of which is contingent on
successful consummation of the Transaction. In the ordinary course of business,
we may actively trade the equity and debt securities of C&C for our own account
and for the account of our customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a
long or short position in such securities.
It is understood that this letter is intended solely for the benefit and use
of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of C&C and does not
constitute a recommendation to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors
of C&C. This opinion does not address the underlying business decision of the
Special Committee of the Board of Directors of C&C to recommend the Transaction
to the shareholders of C&C
A-2
<PAGE>
or the underlying business decision of C&C to enter into the Merger, the
relative merits of the Transaction as compared to any alternative business
strategies that might exist for C&C or the effects of any other transaction in
which C&C might engage. This letter is not to be used for any other purpose, or
be reproduced, disseminated, quoted from or referred to at any time, in whole or
in part, without our prior written consent. Our opinion is subject to the
assumptions and conditions contained herein and is necessarily based on
economic, market and other conditions, and the information made available to us,
as of the date hereof. We assume no responsibility for updating or revising our
opinion based on circumstances or events occurring after the date hereof.
Based on and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the
date hereof, the Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to
shareholders of C&C, other than Flexi-Van and its affiliates.
Very truly yours,
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
By: _________/s/ Cary Thompson________
Senior Managing Director
A-3
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AMONG
FLEXI-VAN LEASING, INC.
CASTLE & COOKE HOLDINGS, INC.
CASTLE ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC.
AND
CASTLE & COOKE, INC.
DATED AS OF MAY 19, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
--------
<C> <S> <C>
ARTICLE I THE OFFER................................................... B-1
1.1 The Offer................................................... B-1
1.1.1 General.............................................. B-1
1.1.2 Securities Law Compliance............................ B-3
1.1.3 Termination of the Offer............................. B-3
1.2 Action by Company........................................... B-3
1.2.1 Approval and Recommendation of the Board............. B-3
1.2.2 Securities Law Compliance............................ B-4
1.2.3 Shareholder Lists.................................... B-4
ARTICLE II THE MERGER.................................................. B-4
2.1 The Merger.................................................. B-4
2.2 Closing..................................................... B-5
2.3 Effective Time of the Merger................................ B-5
2.4 Effects of the Merger....................................... B-5
2.5 Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws........................... B-5
2.6 Directors................................................... B-5
2.7 Officers.................................................... B-5
ARTICLE III EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT
CORPORATIONS................................................ B-5
3.1 Effect on Capital Stock..................................... B-5
3.2 Stock Options and Rights.................................... B-6
3.3 Exchange of Certificates.................................... B-7
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY................... B-9
4.1 Organization, Standing and Corporate Power.................. B-9
4.2 Subsidiaries................................................ B-9
4.3 Capital Structure........................................... B-9
4.4 Authority; Noncontravention................................. B-10
4.5 Information Supplied........................................ B-10
4.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events........................ B-10
4.7 Brokers..................................................... B-11
4.8 Opinion of Financial Advisor................................ B-11
4.9 Required Company Vote....................................... B-11
4.10 State Takeover Statutes..................................... B-11
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FLX, BUYER AND MERGERCO... B-11
5.1 Organization, Standing and Corporate Power.................. B-11
5.2 Authority; Noncontravention................................. B-11
5.3 Brokers..................................................... B-12
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
--------
<C> <S> <C>
5.4 Offer Documents and Schedule 14D-9.......................... B-12
5.5 Information Supplied........................................ B-12
5.6 Financing................................................... B-12
5.7 Ownership of Shares......................................... B-13
ARTICLE VI COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PRIOR TO MERGER... B-13
6.1 Conduct of Business of Company.............................. B-13
ARTICLE VII ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS....................................... B-14
7.1 Notification of Results; Extension of Offer................. B-14
7.2 Preparation of Proxy or Information Statement: Shareholder
Meeting..................................................... B-14
7.3 Access to Information, Confidentiality...................... B-15
7.4 Additional Undertakings..................................... B-15
7.5 Indemnification............................................. B-16
7.6 Public Announcements........................................ B-17
7.7 Permitted Response to Other Proposals....................... B-17
7.8 Employee Benefits........................................... B-18
7.9 Notification of Certain Matters............................. B-18
7.10 State Takeover Laws......................................... B-19
7.11 Contributions by FLX and Buyer.............................. B-19
ARTICLE VIII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT........................................ B-19
8.1 Conditions to Each Party's Obligation....................... B-19
8.2 Conditions to Buyer's and MergerCo's Obligation............. B-19
ARTICLE IX TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER........................... B-20
9.1 Termination................................................. B-20
9.2 Effect of Termination....................................... B-21
9.3 Amendment................................................... B-21
9.4 Extension; Waiver........................................... B-21
9.5 Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver... B-21
ARTICLE X GENERAL PROVISIONS.......................................... B-21
10.1 Nonsurvival of Representations and Warranties............... B-21
10.2 Fees and Expenses........................................... B-22
10.3 Notices..................................................... B-22
10.4 Interpretation.............................................. B-23
10.5 Counterparts................................................ B-23
10.6 Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiaries.............. B-23
10.7 GOVERNING LAW............................................... B-23
10.8 Assignment.................................................. B-23
10.9 Enforcement................................................. B-24
ANNEX I CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER........................................... B-25
APPENDIX A DEFINITIONS.................................................... B-27
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement") is entered into as of
this 19th day of May, 2000 by and among Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("FLX"), Castle & Cooke Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and
wholly-owned subsidiary of FLX ("Buyer"), and Castle Acquisition Company, Inc.,
a Hawaii corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer ("MergerCo"), on the
one hand, and Castle & Cooke, Inc., a Hawaii corporation ("Company"), on the
other hand. All capitalized terms not defined herein are defined in Appendix A
hereto.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Company, Buyer and MergerCo
have determined that the merger of MergerCo with and into Company (the
"Merger"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, is advisable and in the best interests of their respective companies
and shareholders, and such Boards of Directors have approved such Merger,
pursuant to which each share of common stock, without par value, of Company
("Company Common Stock") issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger (other than shares of Company Common Stock owned,
directly or indirectly, by Company or any Subsidiary of Company, FLX, Buyer or
MergerCo) will be converted into the right to receive cash;
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in
furtherance of the Merger, FLX will contribute 4,501,310 shares of Company's
common stock and $25,000,000 in cash to Buyer, Buyer will contribute such shares
and cash to MergerCo, and MergerCo will make a tender offer to acquire any and
all shares of Company Common Stock (the "Offer");
WHEREAS, consummation of the Merger contemplated by this Agreement requires
the vote of a simple majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Company
Common Stock for the approval thereof (the "Company Shareholder Approval"); and
WHEREAS, FLX, Buyer, MergerCo and Company desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
Offer and the Merger and also to prescribe various terms of, and conditions to,
the Offer and the Merger;
WHEREAS, a special committee of outside directors of the Company (the
"Special Committee"), consisting solely of persons who are independent with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, was appointed and has approved
and recommended the Merger, the Offer, and this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
THE OFFER
1.1 THE OFFER.
1.1.1 GENERAL. Provided that this Agreement shall not have been
terminated in accordance with Article IX, MergerCo shall commence, within
the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), an Offer to acquire any and all shares of
Company Common Stock for a cash price per share equal to the Merger
Consideration (the "Offer Price"), as promptly as reasonably practicable
after the date hereof, but no later than May 26, 2000 unless the Special
Committee otherwise agrees. For purposes of this Article I, MergerCo shall
be referred to as the "Offeror."
(a) Offeror may not accept any shares of Company Common Stock
tendered for purchase in response to the Offer unless it accepts all such
shares that are properly tendered in accordance with the terms thereof.
Acceptance by Offeror of shares of Company Common Stock for payment
pursuant to the Offer shall be irrevocable.
B-1
<PAGE>
(b) The Offer shall be subject only: (i) to the condition that there
shall be validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Offer prior
to the expiration date of the Offer and not withdrawn, a number of shares
of Company Common Stock which, equals more than 50% of all outstanding
shares of Company Common Stock beneficially owned by persons other than
FLX, Buyer, MergerCo, and their Affiliates (the "Minimum Condition") and
(ii) to the other conditions set forth in Annex I attached hereto
(collectively, the "Offer Conditions"). Buyer and MergerCo expressly
reserve the right to waive any of the conditions to the Offer; provided
that, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary,
without the express written consent of the Company, neither Buyer nor
MergerCo may waive the Minimum Condition if they would hold less than a
majority of the outstanding shares following the acceptance of shares.
Buyer and MergerCo agree not to waive the Minimum Condition without
consulting with the Special Committee.
(c) Buyer and MergerCo agree that upon the initial expiration date of
the Offer, as the same may be extended in accordance with this paragraph,
if the Offer Conditions have been satisfied or waived, Offeror shall
promptly accept and pay for the shares of Company Common Stock properly
tendered for purchase. At or prior to such time, Offeror will take all
steps necessary to provide its paying agent any funds necessary to make
the payments contemplated by the Offer.
(d) Without the prior written consent of Company (with the consent of
the Special Committee), no change may be made by Offeror which
(i) reduces the maximum number of shares of Company Common Stock to be
purchased in the Offer, (ii) reduces the Offer Price, (iii) changes the
form of consideration to be paid in the Offer, (iv) reduces the Minimum
Condition, except as provided in Section 1.1(b) above, (v) imposes
conditions to the Offer in addition to the Offer Conditions or modifies
the Offer Conditions in a manner adverse to the holders of shares of
Company Common Stock (except that a waiver of a condition may be made
subject to terms or conditions which are no more onerous than the
condition being waived), or (vi) amends any other term of the Offer in a
manner adverse to the holders of shares of Company Common Stock.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Offeror may, subject to Company's
right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Article IX, without the
consent of Company, (i) extend the Offer on one or more occasions beyond
the then scheduled expiration date (the initial scheduled expiration date
being June 30, 2000 or such later date as is required by applicable law)
if at the then scheduled expiration date of the Offer any of the
conditions to Offeror's obligation to accept for payment and pay for the
shares of Company Common Stock shall not be satisfied or waived and
(ii) extend the Offer for any period required by any rule, regulation,
interpretation or position of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") or the staff thereof applicable to the Offer. Further, Offeror
agrees that, if all conditions to an initial acceptance of Shares are
met, but fewer shares than necessary to accomplish a "short-form" merger
under Section 415-75.5 of the Hawaii Business Corporation Act, as amended
(the "HBCA") have been tendered, Offeror, after an initial acceptance of
shares, will extend the Offer to provide a subsequent offering period of
up to 20 business days pursuant to Rule 14d-11.
(f) At the request of the Company, if at the then scheduled
expiration date of the Offer, any of the conditions to Offeror's
obligation to accept for payment, and pay for, the tendered shares of
Company Common Stock have not been satisfied or waived, Offeror agrees to
extend the Offer for additional periods not to exceed 60 days from the
date of commencement of the Offer unless Offeror is entitled to terminate
this Agreement in accordance with the terms of Article IX and exercises
this right or waives any conditions not satisfied and accepts for
payment, and pays for, all shares of Company Common Stock validly
tendered; provided that, without
B-2
<PAGE>
consulting with the Special Committee, neither Buyer nor MergerCo may
waive the Minimum Condition.
(g) The Offer Price shall, subject to reduction for applicable
withholding of taxes, be net to the seller in cash, payable upon the
terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
(h) Upon the execution of this Agreement, the Merger Consideration
shall be the amount set forth in Section 3.1(c) payable without interest
thereon, and such initial Merger Consideration shall be adjusted only in
accordance with the following provisions: (x) the Merger Consideration
and the Offer Price payable in connection with the Offer shall
automatically be adjusted appropriately for any stock dividend, split or
any conversion or reclassification in respect of Company Common Stock
occurring after the date hereof and prior to the date of consummation of
the Offer, which shall occur only in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement; and (y) Buyer and MergerCo shall have the right to increase
the Merger Consideration in effect hereunder at any time, in which case
the Offer Price shall also be so increased to be identical with the
Merger Consideration.
1.1.2 SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. On the date of commencement of the Offer,
Offeror shall file with the SEC a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO
(together with all amendments and supplements thereto, the "Schedule TO") with
respect to the Offer. The Schedule TO shall contain or shall incorporate by
reference an offer to purchase (the "Offer to Purchase") and forms of the
related letter of transmittal and any related summary advertisement (the
Schedule TO, the Offer to Purchase and such other documents, together with all
supplements and amendments thereto, being referred to herein collectively as the
"Offer Documents"). The Offer Documents will comply in all material respects as
to form and content with the requirements of applicable federal securities laws
(including Rule 13e-3). Offeror and Company agree to promptly correct any
information provided by either of them for use in the Offer Documents which
shall have become false or misleading in any material respect, and Offeror
further agrees 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 of Company Common Stock, in each case as
and to the extent required by applicable federal securities laws. Company and
its counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon
the Offer Documents and any amendments or supplements thereto, in each case
prior to the filing thereof with the SEC or, if applicable, the dissemination
thereof to any shareholders of Company. Offeror agrees to provide Company with a
written copy of any comments or other communications it or its counsel may
receive from time to time from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Offer
Documents promptly after receipt of such comments.
1.1.3 TERMINATION OF THE OFFER. Offeror shall not, without the prior
written consent of Company, (i) terminate the Offer, except in accordance
with the terms of Annex I attached hereto, or (ii) extend the expiration
date of the Offer, except as specifically provided herein.
1.2 ACTION BY COMPANY.
1.2.1 APPROVAL AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD. Company hereby
approves of and consents to the making of the Offer and represents that the
Board of Directors of Company (hereafter, the "Company Board"), at a meeting
duly called and held on May 19, 2000, unanimously in accordance with the
recommendation of the Special Committee, adopted resolutions
(i) determining that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Merger and the Offer, taken together, are fair to, and
in the best interests of, Company and the holders of Company Common Stock
(other than FLX, Buyer, MergerCo and their Affiliates), (ii) approving and
adopting this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including
but not limited to the Offer), and (iii) recommending that the shareholders
of Company accept the Offer and tender their shares of Company Common Stock
pursuant to the Offer, subject to the Company Board's right to withdraw,
modify or amend such recommendation if the Company Board determines in good
faith, after receipt of the advice of its outside counsel, that such action
is necessary in order for the Company Board to
B-3
<PAGE>
comply with its fiduciary duties under applicable law. Bear, Stearns &
Co., Inc. has delivered to the Company Board its opinion on May 19, 2000 to
the effect that, as of such date, the consideration to be received by the
holders of shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer and the
Merger, taken together, is fair to the holders of shares of Company Common
Stock from a financial point of view. Subject to the provisions of
Section 7.7 hereof and the other provisions of this Agreement, Company
hereby consents to the inclusion in the Offer Documents of the
recommendation of the Company Board described in the immediately preceding
sentence, subject to the Company Board's right to withdraw, modify or amend
its recommendation, as described above.
1.2.2 SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. Promptly following the filing of the
Offer Documents with the SEC, Company shall file with the SEC a
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (together with all
amendments and supplements thereto, the "Schedule 14D-9") containing,
subject to the provisions of Section 7.7 hereof and the other provisions of
this Agreement, the recommendation of the Company Board described in
Section 1.2.1 and shall mail the Schedule 14D-9 to the shareholders of
Company. The Schedule 14D-9 will comply in all material respects as to form
with the requirements of applicable federal securities laws. Company and
Offeror agree to correct promptly any information provided by any of them
for use in the Schedule 14D-9 which shall have become false or misleading in
any material respect, and Company further agrees to take all steps necessary
to cause the Schedule 14D-9 as so corrected to be filed with the SEC and
disseminated to holders of shares of Company Common Stock, in each case as
and to the extent required by applicable federal securities laws. Buyer and
its counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment
upon the Schedule 14D-9 and all amendments and supplements thereto prior to
their filing with the SEC or, if applicable, dissemination to any
shareholders of Company. Company agrees to provide Offeror with a written
copy of any comments or other communications it or its counsel may receive
from time to time from the SEC or its staff with respect to the
Schedule 14D-9, promptly after receipt of such comments.
1.2.3 SHAREHOLDER LISTS. In connection with the Offer and the Merger,
Company shall furnish Offeror with mailing labels containing the names and
addresses of all record holders of shares of Company Common Stock and with
security position listings of shares of Company Common Stock held in stock
depositories, each as of a recent date, and of those persons becoming record
holders subsequent to such date. Company shall furnish Offeror with all such
additional information (including, but not limited to, updated lists of
holders of shares of Company Common Stock and their addresses, mailing
labels and lists of security positions) and such other assistance as Offeror
or its agents may reasonably request in communicating the Offer to the
record and beneficial owners of shares of Company Common Stock. Subject to
the requirements of applicable law, and except for such steps as are
necessary to disseminate the Offer Documents and any other documents
necessary to consummate the Offer or the Merger, Offeror shall hold in
confidence in accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement the
information contained in such labels, listings and files, and shall use such
information only in connection with the Offer and the Merger. If this
Agreement is terminated, Offeror will deliver to Company all copies of such
information (and extracts and summaries thereof) then in its or its agent's
or advisor's possession in accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality
Agreement.
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
2.1 THE MERGER. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Agreement, and in accordance with the HBCA, MergerCo shall be merged with
and into Company at the Effective Time of the Merger. Upon the Effective Time of
the Merger, the separate existence of MergerCo shall cease and Company shall
continue as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation").
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<PAGE>
2.2 CLOSING. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated and the
transactions herein contemplated shall have been abandoned pursuant to
Section 9.1, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set
forth in Article VIII, the closing of the Merger (the "Closing") will take place
at 10:00 a.m. on the second business day after satisfaction or waiver of the
conditions set forth in Article VIII (the "Closing Date"), at the offices of
Pacific Holding Company, 10900 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
90024, unless another date, time or place is agreed to in writing by the parties
hereto.
2.3 EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER. On the Closing Date, the Surviving
Corporation shall file articles of merger or a plan of merger, as applicable
(collectively, the "Articles of Merger") executed in accordance with the HBCA,
with the Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs of the
State of Hawaii (the "Director"), and the Merger shall become effective at such
time as the Articles of Merger are duly filed with the Director or at such other
time as is specified in the Articles of Merger to which MergerCo and Company
shall have agreed (the time the Merger becomes effective being the "Effective
Time of the Merger").
2.4 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in
the HBCA, including, without limitation, that at the Effective Time of the
Merger, all the properties, rights, privileges, powers and franchises for
Company and MergerCo shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts,
liabilities and duties of Company and MergerCo shall become the debts,
liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.
2.5 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION; BYLAWS.
(a) The Articles of Incorporation of MergerCo, as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, shall become the Articles of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation except that the name of MergerCo.
shall be changed to "Castle & Cooke, Inc." and, as so amended, until
thereafter further amended as provided therein and under the HBCA, the
Articles of Incorporation of MergerCo shall be the Articles of Incorporation
of the Surviving Corporation following the Merger.
(b) The Bylaws of MergerCo as in effect at the Effective Time of the
Merger shall be the Bylaws of Surviving Corporation following the Merger
until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or by applicable
law.
2.6 DIRECTORS. The directors of Company at the Effective Time of the
Merger shall be the directors of Surviving Corporation following the Merger,
until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.
2.7 OFFICERS. The officers of Company at the Effective Time of the Merger
shall be the officers of Surviving Corporation following the Merger, until the
earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are
duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.
ARTICLE III
EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF THE
CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS
3.1 EFFECT ON CAPITAL STOCK. As of the Effective Time of the Merger, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any
shares of Company Common Stock or any shares of capital stock of MergerCo:
(a) COMMON STOCK OF MERGERCO. Each share of common stock of MergerCo
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger
shall remain outstanding and shall be converted into one share of the common
stock, without par value, of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) CANCELLATION OF TREASURY STOCK. Each share of Company Common Stock
that is owned by Company or by any wholly owned Subsidiary of Company shall
automatically be canceled and retired
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and shall cease to exist, and no cash or other treasury stock consideration
shall be delivered or deliverable in exchange therefor.
(c) CONVERSION OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK. Except as otherwise provided
herein and subject to Section 3.3, each issued and outstanding share of
Company Common Stock, other than (i) shares owned by FLX, Buyer, MergerCo or
any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of Buyer, Company or any wholly
owned Subsidiary of Company, or any Affiliate of FLX, Buyer, MergerCo, or
Company (but for this purpose not treating David H. Murdock, Jr. or Justin
Murdock as Affiliates) (collectively, the "Excluded Shares"), (ii) shares
held by dissenting shareholders, and (iii) Company's treasury stock, shall
be converted into the right to receive in cash from the Surviving
Corporation following the Merger an amount equal to $18.50 (the "Merger
Consideration"), without interest, upon surrender of the certificates
formerly representing such shares pursuant to Section 3.3. The term "Merger
Consideration" shall mean the per share amount in reference to the
consideration designated on a per share basis, and otherwise shall refer to
the aggregate consideration represented by the per share amount multiplied
by the total number of shares of Company Common Stock then outstanding.
(d) CANCELLATION AND RETIREMENT OF EXCLUDED SHARES. Each Excluded
Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall,
by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder
thereof, cease to be outstanding, shall be canceled and retired without
payment of any consideration therefor and shall cease to exist.
(e) CANCELLATION AND RETIREMENT OF COMPANY COMMON STOCK. As of the
Effective Time of the Merger, all shares of Company Common Stock (other than
shares referred to in Section 3.1(b) and (c)) issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, shall no longer be
outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease
to exist, and each holder of a certificate representing any such shares of
Company Common Stock shall, to the extent such certificate represents such
shares, cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to
receive the Merger Consideration applicable thereto, without interest, upon
surrender of such certificate in accordance with Section 3.3.
3.2 STOCK OPTIONS AND RIGHTS.
(a) STOCK OPTIONS AND RIGHTS. As soon as practicable following the
date of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of Company (or, if
appropriate, any committee administering the applicable plan) shall adopt
such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required to effect or
confirm the following:
(i) all outstanding stock options to purchase shares of Company
Common Stock except those options held by David H. Murdock, which shall
be cancelled ("Company Stock Options") granted under Company's 1995 Stock
Option and Award Plan (the "Stock Option Plan") shall, as of the
Effective Time of the Merger vest as a consequence of the Merger and
shall be canceled in exchange for a reasonably prompt payment from
Company after the Merger (subject to any applicable withholding taxes)
equal to the product of (1) the total number of shares of Company Common
Stock subject to such Company Stock Option, multiplied by (2) the excess
of the Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of Company
Common Stock subject to such Company Stock Option, payable in cash
immediately upon the Effective Time of the Merger;
(ii) all outstanding rights and Stock Units with respect to Common
Stock of the Company under the Deferred Stock Compensation Plan for
Non-Employee Directors (as amended), as of the Effective Time of the
Merger, shall as a consequence of the Merger be converted into unfunded,
unsecured rights to receive payment in cash from the Company equal to the
product of (1) the number of Stock Units multiplied by (2) the per share
cash consideration payable in the Merger, which amount shall be payable
by the Company at the time(s) contemplated by the Plan (including
applicable elections thereunder), with interest at a rate equal to the
applicable federal rate on deferred balances from the Effective Time of
the Merger; and
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(iii) except as provided herein or as otherwise agreed to by the
parties, the Stock Option Plan and any other plan, program or arrangement
providing for the issuance or grant of any other interest in respect of
the capital stock of Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall terminate
as of the Effective Time of the Merger, and Company shall ensure that,
following the Effective Time of the Merger, no holder of a Company Stock
Option or Stock Unit nor any participant in the Stock Option Plan or
other incentive compensation plan of the Company shall have any right
thereunder to acquire equity securities of Surviving Corporation or any
other equity-based benefit following the Merger.
(b) NO POST-MERGER RIGHTS. Company hereby represents and warrants that
upon taking of the actions specified above, immediately following the
Effective Time of the Merger, and after giving effect to the payments
described in this Section 3.2, no holder of a Company Stock Option nor any
participant in the Stock Option Plan or any other incentive compensation
plan of the Company shall have the right thereunder to acquire equity
securities of Surviving Corporation, or any other equity-based benefit,
after the Merger, except for the rights set forth in paragraphs (a)(i) and
(ii) above.
3.3 EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES.
(a) EXCHANGE AGENT. Prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, Buyer
shall designate a bank or trust company to act as agent for the holders of
Company Common Stock in connection with the Merger (the "Exchange Agent")
(who shall be reasonably acceptable to Company) to receive the funds to
which holders of the shares of Company Common Stock are entitled pursuant to
this Article III. Buyer and MergerCo shall, from time to time, make
available to the Exchange Agent funds in amounts and at times necessary for
the payment of the Merger Consideration as provided herein. Promptly after
the Effective Time of the Merger, the Exchange Agent shall mail to each
record holder of shares of Company Common Stock, as of the Effective Time of
the Merger, a letter of transmittal and instructions for use in effecting
the surrender of the certificate or certificates which, immediately prior to
the Effective Time of the Merger, represented outstanding shares of Company
Common Stock (the "Certificates") for payment therefor (or such other
documents as may reasonably be required in connection with such surrender)
in customary form to be agreed to by MergerCo and Company prior thereto.
(b) EXCHANGE PROCEDURES.
(i) After the Effective Time of the Merger, each holder of a
Certificate or Certificates shall, upon surrender to the Exchange Agent
of such Certificate or Certificates and acceptance thereof by the
Exchange Agent, be entitled to receive the amount of cash into which the
shares of Company Common Stock represented by such Certificate or
Certificates surrendered shall have been converted pursuant to this
Agreement.
(ii) After the Effective Time of the Merger, there shall be no
further transfer on the records of Company or its transfer agent of
Certificates, and if Certificates are presented to Company for transfer,
they shall be canceled against delivery of cash. If Merger Consideration
is to be remitted to a name other than that in which the Certificates
surrendered for exchange are registered, it shall be a condition of such
exchange that the Certificates so surrendered shall be properly endorsed,
with signature guaranteed, or otherwise in proper form for transfer and
that the person requesting such exchange shall pay to Company or its
transfer agent any transfer or other taxes required or establish to the
satisfaction of Company or its transfer agent that such tax has been paid
or is not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this
Section 3.3(b), each Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the
Effective Time of the Merger to represent only the right to receive upon
such surrender the Merger Consideration applicable thereto as
contemplated by Section 3.1. From and after the Effective Time of the
Merger, the holders of Certificates evidencing ownership of the shares
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger shall
cease to have any rights with respect to such shares, except as otherwise
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provided for herein or by applicable law. No interest will be paid or
will accrue on any cash payable as Merger Consideration or in lieu of any
fractional shares of Company Common Stock. The right of any shareholder
to receive the Merger Consideration shall be subject to reduction to
reflect any applicable withholding obligation for taxes.
(iii) In the event that any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen
or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person
claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if
required by Buyer, the posting by such person of a bond in such amount as
Buyer may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against
it with respect to such Certificate, or the provision of other reasonable
assurances requested by Buyer, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange
for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration
deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) NO FURTHER OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN COMPANY COMMON STOCK EXCHANGED FOR
CASH. The Merger Consideration paid upon the surrender for exchange of
Certificates in accordance with the terms of this Article III shall be
deemed to have been issued and paid in full satisfaction of all rights
pertaining to such shares.
(d) TERMINATION OF EXCHANGE FUND. Any portion of the Merger
Consideration deposited with the Exchange Agent pursuant to this
Section 3.3 (the "Exchange Fund") which remains undistributed to the holders
of the Certificates for 12 months after the Effective Time of the Merger
shall be delivered to Buyer, upon demand, and any holders of shares of
Company Common Stock prior to the Merger who have not theretofore complied
with this Article III shall thereafter look only to Buyer (who shall
thereafter act as Exchange Agent) and only as general creditors thereof for
payment of their claims for cash, if any, to which such holders may be
entitled.
(e) NO LIABILITY. None of FLX, Buyer, MergerCo, Company or the
Exchange Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any Merger
Consideration from the Exchange Fund delivered to a public official pursuant
to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
(f) INVESTMENT OF EXCHANGE FUND. The Exchange Agent shall invest any
cash included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by Buyer, on a daily basis.
Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be paid
to Buyer. Nothing in this paragraph (f) shall in any way limit the
obligation of FLX, Buyer and MergerCo to pay the full amount of the Merger
Consideration in accordance with the remaining provisions of this Agreement,
and the risk of any investments referred to in this paragraph (f) shall be
borne solely by FLX, Buyer and MergerCo.
(g) DISSENTING SHARES. If the Merger is submitted to a vote at a
meeting of the Company's shareholders, the notice of meeting shall notify
all shareholders that they have a right to dissent and obtain payment for
their shares by complying with the terms of Section 415-81 of the HBCA. If
the Merger occurs without a shareholder vote, the Surviving Corporation
shall send to all shareholders who did not vote in favor of the Merger the
notice contemplated by Section 415-81 of the HBCA. Holders of dissenting
shares complying with the requirements of Section 415-81 of the HBCA shall
be entitled to receive payment for their shares of Company common stock in
an amount equal to the "fair value" of such shares, as determined according
to the HBCA. The holders of such dissenting shares shall be entitled only to
such rights as are granted by Sections 415-80 and 415-81 of the HBCA without
considering paragraph (c) of Section 415-80. Each holder of dissenting
shares who becomes entitled to payment for such shares pursuant to Sections
415-80 and 415-81 of the HBCA shall receive payment therefor from the
Surviving Corporation in accordance with the HBCA; provided, however, that
if any such holder of dissenting shares (x) shall have failed to establish
such holder's entitlement to payment as a dissenting shareholder as provided
in Section 415-81 of the HBCA, (y) shall have effectively withdrawn such
holder's demand for payment as a dissenting shareholder with respect to such
shares or (z) lost such holder's right to payment as a dissenting
shareholder under Section 415-81
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of the HBCA, such holder shall not be entitled to payment as a dissenting
shareholder with respect to such shares of Company Common Stock.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF COMPANY
Company hereby represents and warrants to Buyer and MergerCo as follows:
4.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND CORPORATE POWER. Each of Company and each
of its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated and has the
requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as it is now
being conducted. Each of Company and each of its Subsidiaries is duly qualified
or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes
such qualification or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions
where the failure to be so qualified or licensed (individually or in the
aggregate) would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Company has made available
to Buyer complete and correct copies of the Articles of Incorporation, as
amended, and Bylaws, as amended, of Company. Company has made available to
MergerCo complete and correct copies of the Articles or Certificates of
Incorporation and Bylaws of each of its Subsidiaries, in each case as amended to
the date of this Agreement.
4.2 SUBSIDIARIES. The only direct or indirect Subsidiaries of Company are
those listed in Section 4.2 of the schedule delivered to MergerCo by Company at
the time of the execution of this Agreement (the "Disclosure Schedule"). All the
outstanding shares of capital stock of each such Subsidiary have been validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and, except as set forth in
Section 4.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, are owned (of record and beneficially)
by Company, free and clear of all pledges, claims, liens, charges, encumbrances
and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever (collectively, "Liens").
Except for the ownership interests set forth in Section 4.2 of the Disclosure
Schedule, Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or
other ownership interest in any corporation, partnership, business association,
joint venture or other entity.
4.3 CAPITAL STRUCTURE. The authorized capital stock of Company consists of
50,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, without par value, 1,000,000 shares
of "preferential stock" of Company, without par value ("Preferential Stock"),
and 1,000,000 shares of "preference stock" of Company, without par value
("Preference Stock"). Subject to any Permitted Changes (as defined in
Section 6.1(d)) there were, as of the close of business on May 15, 2000:
(i) 17,058,833 shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding; (ii) no
shares of either Preferential Stock or Preference Stock issued and outstanding;
(iii) 3,015,764 shares of Company Common Stock held in the treasury of Company;
and (iv) 1,000,664 shares of Company Common Stock reserved for issuance upon
exercise of outstanding Company Stock Options. Company has made available to
Buyer and MergerCo the exercise price for the outstanding Company Stock Options.
Except as set forth above or in Section 4.3 of the Disclosure Schedule, no
shares of capital stock or other equity securities of Company are issued,
reserved for issuance or outstanding. All outstanding shares of capital stock of
Company are, and all shares which may be issued pursuant to the Stock Option
Plan including any increases pursuant to existing contractual obligations will
be, when issued, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable
and not subject to preemptive rights. Except as set forth on Section 4.3 of the
Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other
indebtedness or other securities of Company having the right to vote (or
convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on
any matters on which shareholders of Company may vote. Except as set forth
above, there are no outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls, rights,
commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound
obligating Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or
cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or
other equity or voting securities of Company or of any of its Subsidiaries or
obligating Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, grant, extend or enter
into any such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment,
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agreement, arrangement or undertaking. There are no outstanding contractual
obligations, commitments, understandings or arrangements of Company or any of
its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or make any payment
in respect of any shares of capital stock of Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
To the knowledge of Company, there are no irrevocable proxies with respect to
shares of capital stock of Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
4.4 AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION. Company has the requisite corporate power
and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to Company Shareholder
Approval, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Company and the consummation by Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by the
Company Board, which constitutes all necessary corporate action on the part of
Company, subject, in the case of the Merger, to Company Shareholder Approval.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Company and constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of Company, enforceable against Company in
accordance with its terms, except to the extent that its enforceability may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by
general equitable or fiduciary principles (the "Enforceability Exception"). No
consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or
filing with, or notice to, any Federal, state or local government or any
domestic court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental
authority or agency (a "Governmental Entity"), or any other person under any
material agreement, indenture or other instrument to which Company or any
Subsidiary is a party or to which any of its properties is subject, is required
by or with respect to Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Company or the consummation by
Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (i) the filing of a
pre-merger notification and report form by Company under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), (ii) the filing
with the SEC of (x) a proxy statement or information statement under
Section 14(c) of the Exchange Act relating to Company Shareholder Approval (such
proxy statement as amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Proxy
Statement"), and (y) such reports under the Exchange Act as may be required in
connection with the Offer and this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, (iii) the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Director
and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which
Company is qualified to do business and (iv) such other consents, approvals,
orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations, filings or notices as are
set forth in Section 4.4 of the Disclosure Schedule and which the failure to
obtain or make would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect.
4.5 INFORMATION SUPPLIED. The information provided by the Company for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement will not, at the date it is first mailed to
Company's shareholders or at the time of the Shareholders Meeting, 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
the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. No
representation or warranty is made by Company with respect to the information
supplied or to be supplied by MergerCo or any affiliate of MergerCo in writing
specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement. Neither the Schedule 14D-9
nor any information supplied by Company for inclusion in the Offer Documents
will, at the respective times the Schedule 14D-9, the Offer Documents or any
amendments or supplements thereto are filed with the SEC or are first published,
sent or given to shareholders of Company, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements contained therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (except to the extent
of information supplied by MergerCo or any affiliate of MergerCo in writing
specifically for inclusion therein). The Schedule 14D-9 shall comply in all
material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
4.6 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES OR EVENTS. Except as disclosed in the
reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents filed with the SEC by
Company, or in Section 4.6 of the Disclosure
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Schedule, since the date of the Balance Sheet, Company has conducted its
business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, and there is
not and has not been: (i) any fact or circumstance which has had a Material
Adverse Effect on or with respect to Company; (ii) any events set forth in
Section 6.1; or (iii) any condition, event or occurrence which would reasonably
be expected to prevent or materially delay the ability of Company to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.7 BROKERS. Except for Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc., no broker, investment
banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any broker's, finder's,
financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or
on behalf of Company.
4.8 OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. The Special Committee has received the
opinion of Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc., dated May 19, 2000, to the effect that as
of the date of this Agreement the consideration to be received in the Offer and
the Merger by Company's shareholders (other than FLX and its affiliates) is fair
to holders of Company Common Stock (other than FLX and its affiliates) from a
financial point of view, a signed copy of which opinion has been delivered to
Buyer.
4.9 REQUIRED COMPANY VOTE. Company Shareholder Approval, being the
affirmative vote of a simple majority of the outstanding shares of Company
Common Stock, is the only vote of the holders of any class or series of
Company's securities necessary to approve this Agreement, the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated hereby.
4.10 STATE TAKEOVER STATUTES. Company has taken all actions necessary to
satisfy or render inapplicable the restrictions on business combinations
contained in the Hawaii Corporate Take-Overs Act (Chapter 417E of the Hawaii
Revised Statutes) (the "Take-Over Statute") with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby, including each of the Offer and the Merger. To the
knowledge of the Company, aside from the Hawaii Environmental Disclosure Act, no
other state takeover statute or similar statute or regulation of the State of
Hawaii, or any other domestic state or jurisdiction, applies or purports to
apply to Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or to this Agreement, the Offer,
the Merger, or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby. Neither
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any rights plan, outstanding preferred
stock or similar arrangement which have any of the aforementioned consequences
in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
FLX, BUYER AND MERGERCO
FLX, Buyer and MergerCo hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant
to Company as follows:
5.1 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND CORPORATE POWER. FLX, Buyer and MergerCo
are corporations duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware, with respect to FLX and Buyer, and the State of
Hawaii, with respect to MergerCo, and each has the requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each of FLX, Buyer
and MergerCo has delivered to Company complete and correct copies of its
certificate and/or articles of incorporation and bylaws (or other organizational
documents). Each of FLX, Buyer and MergerCo is duly qualified or licensed to do
business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its
business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualifications
or licensing necessary.
5.2 AUTHORITY; NONCONTRAVENTION. Each of FLX, Buyer and MergerCo has all
requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Offer, the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of FLX, Buyer and MergerCo and
the consummation by each of them of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part
of each of FLX, Buyer and MergerCo. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by and constitutes a valid and binding
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obligation of each of FLX, Buyer and MergerCo., enforceable against each of FLX,
Buyer and MergerCo in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability
Exception. Except as disclosed in Section 5.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, the
execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and compliance with the provisions
of this Agreement will not, conflict with, or result in (a) any breach or
violation of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both)
under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration or
"put" with respect to any obligation or (b) the loss of a benefit, or other
right or the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of any of
FLX, Buyer or MergerCo under (i) the certificate and/or articles of
incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of FLX, Buyer or
MergerCo, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, note purchase agreement,
bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other agreement, instrument, permit,
concession, franchise or license applicable to FLX, Buyer or MergerCo or their
respective properties or assets or (iii) subject to the governmental filings and
other matters referred to in the following sentence, any judgment, order,
decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation or arbitration award
applicable to FLX, Buyer or MergerCo or their respective properties or assets,
other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such conflicts, breaches,
violations, defaults, rights, losses or Liens that would not prevent or
materially delay the ability of Buyer and/or MergerCo to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No consent, approval, order or
authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any
Governmental Entity or any other Person under any agreement, indenture or other
instrument to which Buyer or MergerCo is a party or to which any of its
respective properties is subject, is required by or with respect to FLX, Buyer
or MergerCo in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
FLX, Buyer or MergerCo or the consummation by FLX, Buyer and MergerCo of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for (x) the filing of a
pre-merger notification and report form under the HSR Act, (y) the filing of an
environmental disclosure report with the Office of Environmental Quality Control
of the State of Hawaii (the "Environmental Filing"), and (z) the filing with the
SEC of (A) the Offer Documents and (B) such reports under the Exchange Act as
may be required in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
5.3 BROKERS. Except for Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., no broker,
investment banker, financial advisor or other Person is entitled to any
broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon
arrangements made by or an behalf of Buyer or MergerCo.
5.4 OFFER DOCUMENTS AND SCHEDULE 14D-9. None of the Offer Documents nor
any of the information supplied by Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries in writing
specifically for inclusion in the Schedule 14D-9 shall, at the respective time
the Offer Documents or the Schedule 14D-9 or any amendments or supplements
thereto are filed with the SEC or are first published, sent or given to
shareholders of Company, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (except to the extent
information contained therein is based upon information supplied in writing
solely by Company). The Offer Documents shall comply in all material respects
with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
5.5 INFORMATION SUPPLIED. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by FLX, Buyer, MergerCo or their affiliates in writing specifically for
inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement will, at the time
the Proxy Statement is first mailed to Company's shareholders or at the time of
the Shareholders Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading.
5.6 FINANCING. Buyer and MergerCo have received commitments from Bankers
Trust Company, copies of which have been provided to Company, to timely provide
sufficient funds in U.S. currency to
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(a) acquire all of the shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, (b) pay the Merger
Consideration pursuant to the Merger and (c) pay related fees and Expenses.
5.7 OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. FLX represents that, on the date of this
Agreement, it owns beneficially and of record, 4,501,310 shares of Company's
common stock.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PRIOR TO MERGER
6.1 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF COMPANY. During the period from the date of
this Agreement to the Effective Time of the Merger (except as otherwise
specifically required by the terms of this Agreement), or the earlier
termination of this Agreement, Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries
to, act and carry on their respective businesses in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective
Time of the Merger, or the earlier termination of this Agreement, Company shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, without the prior written
consent of Buyer or MergerCo, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld:
(a) declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other
distributions in respect of, any of its capital stock, other than dividends
and distributions by a Subsidiary of Company to Company in accordance with
applicable law;
(b) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or
authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or
in substitution for shares of its capital stock;
(c) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any other securities thereof or any
rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or other securities
outstanding on the date of this Agreement, except for the cash-out of
Company Stock Options as provided in Section 3.2 of this Agreement;
(d) authorize for issuance, issue, deliver, sell, pledge or otherwise
encumber any shares of its capital stock or the capital stock of any of its
Subsidiaries, any other voting securities or any securities convertible
into, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such shares, voting
securities or convertible securities or any other securities or equity
equivalents (including without limitation stock appreciation rights) other
than the issuance of Company Common Stock upon the exercise of Company Stock
Options outstanding on the date of this Agreement and in accordance with
their present terms (such issuances, together with the acquisitions of
shares of Company Common Stock permitted under clause (c) above, being
referred to herein as "Permitted Changes");
(e) amend its certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other
comparable charter or organizational documents;
(f) subject to the provisions of Section 7.7 hereof, and except in the
ordinary course of business, acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by
purchasing a substantial portion of the stock or assets of, or by any other
manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association or other business organization which would be material to the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
(g) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any such
indebtedness of another Person in an amount in excess of $1,000,000, issue
or sell any debt securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt
securities of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, guarantee any debt
securities of another Person, enter into any "keep well" or other agreement
to maintain any financial statement condition of another Person or enter
into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing,
except for borrowings under current credit facilities and for lease
obligations, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice;
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(h) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments
in, any other Person, other than to Company or any Subsidiary of Company, in
an amount exceeding $100,000;
(i) adopt resolutions providing for or authorizing a liquidation or a
dissolution except as part of a Transaction Proposal; or
(j) authorize any of, or commit or agree to take any of, the foregoing
actions.
ARTICLE VII
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
7.1 NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS; EXTENSION OF OFFER. Buyer and MergerCo will
promptly advise Company once a sufficient number of shares of Company Common
Stock has been tendered, and not withdrawn, such that the Minimum Condition is
satisfied. At such time, subject to satisfaction of the Offer Conditions,
MergerCo will accept and promptly pay for all validly tendered shares, and, if
fewer than the number of shares required to permit a short-form merger under
HBCA Section 415-75.5 have been tendered, will extend the Offer pursuant to this
Agreement and in accordance with Rule 14d-11, and will file with the SEC all
required documents to effect such extension for a period of not less than five
(5) and not more than twenty (20) days, in order to provide the holders of
Company Common Stock additional time to tender their shares.
7.2 PREPARATION OF PROXY OR INFORMATION STATEMENT: SHAREHOLDER MEETING.
(a) Not later than the acceptance for payment of and payment for shares
(as evidenced by delivery of cash sufficient to pay the Offer Price with
respect to each share of Company Common Stock tendered to the Exchange Agent
with irrevocable instructions to pay to tendering shareholders) of the
Company Common Stock by Offeror pursuant to the Offer, and if required by
applicable law, Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a preliminary
proxy or information statement in accordance with the Exchange Act relating
to the Merger and this Agreement and use all reasonable efforts to obtain
and furnish the information required to be included by the Exchange Act and
the SEC in such preliminary proxy or information statement and, after
consultation with Buyer and MergerCo, to respond promptly to any comments
made by the SEC with respect to such preliminary proxy or information
statement and cause a definitive proxy or information statement, including
any amendment or supplement thereto, to be mailed to Company's shareholders,
provided that no amendment or supplement to such preliminary proxy or
information statement will be made by Company without consultation with
Buyer, MergerCo and their counsel. If, at any time prior to the Shareholders
Meeting, any event with respect to Company, its Subsidiaries, directors,
officers, and/or the Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby
shall occur, which is required to be described in the Proxy Statement,
Company shall so describe such event and, to the extent required by
applicable law, shall cause it to be disseminated to Company's shareholders.
(b) Company will promptly notify MergerCo and Buyer of (i) the receipt
of any comments from the SEC regarding the Proxy Statement and (ii) the
clearance of the Proxy Statement by the SEC. MergerCo and Buyer shall be
given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on all filings with the
SEC and all mailings to Company's shareholders in connection with the Merger
prior to the filing or mailing thereof.
(c) If adoption of this Agreement is required by applicable law, Company
will, as promptly as practicable following the acceptance for payment of and
payment for shares (as evidenced by delivery of cash sufficient to pay the
Offer Price with respect to each share of Company Common Stock tendered to
the Exchange Agent with irrevocable instructions to pay to tendering
shareholders) of the Company Common Stock by Offeror pursuant to the Offer
and in consultation with MergerCo and Buyer, duly call, give notice of,
convene and hold a meeting of the Company's shareholders (the
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"Shareholders Meeting") for the purpose of approving this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Company will, through its Board
of Directors, recommend to its shareholders approval of the foregoing
matters and (unless an information statement has been filed) seek to obtain
all votes and approvals thereof by the shareholders, as set forth in
Section 4.9; provided, however, that the obligations contained herein shall
be subject to the provisions of Section 7.7 of this Agreement and, provided
further that such recommendation and other action may be withdrawn, modified
or amended if Company determines in good faith, after receipt of the advice
of its outside counsel, that such action is necessary in order for the Board
of Directors of the Company to comply with its fiduciary duties under
applicable law. Subject to the foregoing, such recommendation, together with
a copy of the opinion referred to in Section 4.8 shall be included in the
Proxy Statement. Company will use all reasonable efforts to hold such
Shareholders Meeting as soon as practicable after the date hereof. At the
Shareholders Meeting, Offeror shall cause all shares of Company Common Stock
then owned by Buyer, MergerCo or any affiliate thereof to be voted in favor
of the adoption of this Agreement and in favor of any other resolution
necessary to approve the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Offeror shall acquire at least 90%
of the outstanding Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer, Buyer may
cause the Merger to occur without a Shareholders Meeting and in accordance
with Section 415-75.5 of the HBCA; provided, however, that in such event,
the rights of shareholders of Company under this Agreement (including,
without limitation, the right to receive the Merger Consideration) shall not
be adversely affected thereby (other than the right to receive the Proxy
Statement, attend the Shareholders Meeting and vote on the Merger, which
shall no longer be applicable).
(e) Company will cause its transfer agent to make stock transfer records
relating to Company available to the extent reasonably necessary to
effectuate the intent of this Agreement.
7.3 ACCESS TO INFORMATION, CONFIDENTIALITY. Subject to the Confidentiality
Agreement, Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries, officers, employees,
counsel, financial advisors and other representatives to, afford to FLX, Buyer,
MergerCo and their representatives reasonable access during normal business
hours, in a manner initially coordinated with the chief executive officer of
Company, and thereafter coordinated with those persons designated in writing by
the chief executive officer, during the period prior to the earlier of the
Effective Time of the Merger and the Termination Date, to its properties, books,
contracts, commitments, personnel and records (including, without limitation, to
the extent available, the work papers of Company's and its Subsidiaries
independent public accountants) and, during such period, Company shall, and
shall cause its Subsidiaries, officers, employees, counsel, financial advisors
and other representatives to, furnish promptly to FLX, Buyer and MergerCo (i) a
copy of each report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed
by such Person during such period pursuant to the requirements of Federal or
state securities laws and (ii) all other information concerning its business,
properties, financial condition, operations and personnel as FLX, Buyer and
MergerCo may from time to time reasonably request. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing herein shall require Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
disclose any information that would cause a violation of any contractual
confidentiality obligation existing on the date hereof. Except as required by
law, each of Company, FLX, Buyer and MergerCo will hold, and will cause its
respective directors, officers, employees, accountants, counsel, financial
advisors and other representatives and affiliates to hold, any nonpublic
information in confidence.
7.4 ADDITIONAL UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement, each of the parties hereto agrees to use its reasonable best
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to
be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all
things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective, in
the most expeditious manner practicable,
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the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including reasonable best efforts to complete the financing
needed to complete the Offer and the Merger. Buyer, MergerCo and Company
will use all reasonable efforts and cooperate with one another in promptly
(i) determining whether any filings are required to be made or consents,
approvals, waivers, licenses, permits or authorizations are required to be
obtained (or, which if not obtained, would result in a breach or violation,
or an event of default, termination or acceleration of any agreement or any
put right under any agreement) under any applicable law or regulation or
from any Governmental Entity or third parties, including parties to loan
agreements or other debt instruments, in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including the Offer and the Merger and
(ii) making any such filings, in furnishing information required in
connection therewith and in timely seeking to obtain any such consents,
approvals, permits or authorizations.
(b) Company shall make, subject to the condition that the transactions
contemplated herein actually occur, any undertakings (including undertakings
to make divestitures, provided, in any case, that such divestitures need not
themselves be effective or made until after the transactions contemplated
hereby actually occur) required in order to comply with the antitrust
requirements or laws of any Governmental Entity, including the HSR Act, in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, or any other covenant herein contained, in
connection with the receipt of any necessary approvals under the HSR Act,
neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to divest or
hold separate or otherwise take or commit to take any action that materially
limits the ownership or operation by Company, Buyer or any of their
respective Subsidiaries of a material portion of the business or assets of
Company, Buyer and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or compels Company
or Buyer or any of their respective Subsidiaries to dispose of or hold
separate a material portion of the business or assets of Company, Buyer and
their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
7.5 INDEMNIFICATION. At all times following the Merger, the Surviving
Corporation shall indemnify all present and former directors or officers of
Company and its Subsidiaries ("Indemnified Parties") against any costs or
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses,
claims, damages, penalties or liabilities (collectively, "Costs") incurred in
connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining
to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time of the
Merger, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time of
the Merger, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to the extent such Costs
have not been paid for by insurance and shall, in connection with defending
against any action for which indemnification is available hereunder, reimburse
such Indemnified Parties from time to time upon receipt of sufficient supporting
documentation, for any reasonable costs and expenses reasonably incurred by such
Indemnified Parties; provided that such reimbursement shall be conditioned upon
such Indemnified Parties' agreement promptly to return such amounts to Company
if a court of competent jurisdiction shall ultimately determine that
indemnification of such Indemnified Parties is prohibited by applicable law. The
foregoing rights shall be in addition to any rights to which any Indemnified
Party may be entitled by reason of the bylaws or articles of incorporation of
the Company, any contract, and/or any applicable law. Surviving Corporation will
maintain for a period of not less than six years from the Effective Time of the
Merger, Company's current D&O Insurance and indemnification policy (or a policy
providing substantially similar coverage) (the "D&O Insurance") for all persons
who are directors and officers of Company on the date of this Agreement;
provided that Surviving Corporation shall not be required to spend as an annual
premium for such D&O Insurance an amount in excess of 200% of the annual premium
paid for D&O Insurance in effect prior to the date of this Agreement; and
provided further that Surviving Corporation shall nevertheless be obligated to
provide such coverage as may be obtained for such amount. The provisions of this
Section are intended for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each
Indemnified Party and his or her heirs and representatives.
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7.6 PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. Neither MergerCo nor Buyer, on the one hand, nor
Company, on the other hand, will issue any press release or public statement
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the
Offer and the Merger, without the other party's prior consent, except as may be
required by applicable law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any
listing agreement with, or rule of, NYSE, and in any event, to the extent
practicable, Buyer, MergerCo and Company will consult with each other before
issuing, and provide each other the opportunity to review and comment upon, any
such press release or other public statements with respect to such transactions.
The parties agree that the initial press release or releases to be issued with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be mutually
agreed upon prior to the issuance thereof.
7.7 PERMITTED RESPONSE TO OTHER PROPOSALS.
(a) From and after the date hereof until the termination of this
Agreement, neither Company, any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their
respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents or
affiliates (including, without limitation, any investment banker, attorney
or accountant retained by Company or any of its Subsidiaries) (collectively,
"Responsible Parties") will be prohibited from supplying any information to,
responding to any inquiry from, or conducting discussions or negotiations
with, any party if the Special Committee determines that (i) such exchange
of information, discussions or negotiations has a reasonable likelihood of
leading to a Transaction Proposal, (ii) the Special Committee has received
satisfactory evidence of such party's financial capacity to complete such
proposed Transaction, and (iii) any such Transaction Proposal would have a
reasonable probability of completion. Prior to taking such action the
Company shall obtain from such Person an executed confidentiality agreement
containing terms and provisions, when taken in the aggregate, adequate in
the reasonable judgment of the Special Committee to prevent disclosures or
use of proprietary information to the Company's detriment. Nothing contained
in this Agreement shall prohibit the Special Committee from, prior to the
acceptance for payment of, and payment for, Company Common Stock pursuant to
the Offer but subject to compliance with Section 7.7(b): (i) failing to make
or withdrawing or modifying its recommendation referred to in Section 1.2.1
if there exists a Transaction Proposal and the Special Committee, after
consultation with its financial advisors and after receipt of advice from
independent outside legal counsel, determines in good faith that such action
is necessary for the Special Committee to comply with its fiduciary duties
to shareholders under applicable law in connection with such Transaction
Proposal; or (ii) making to Company's shareholders any recommendation and
related filing with the SEC as required by Rule 14e-2 and 14d-9 under the
Exchange Act, with respect to any tender offer, or taking any other legally
required action with respect to such tender offer (including, without
limitation, the making of public disclosures as may be necessary or
reasonably advisable under applicable securities laws) if the Special
Committee, after consultation with its financial advisors and receipt of
advice from independent outside legal counsel determines in good faith that
such action is necessary for the Special Committee to comply with its
fiduciary duties to shareholders under applicable law. Company agrees not to
release any third party from, or waive any provisions of, any standstill
agreement to which it is a party or any confidentiality agreement between it
and another Person who has made, or who may reasonably be considered likely
to make, a Transaction Proposal. In the event of an exercise of Company's or
the Special Committee's rights under clauses (i) or (ii) above and subject
to compliance with this Section 7.7, notwithstanding anything contained in
this Agreement to the contrary, such exercise of rights shall not constitute
a breach of this Agreement by Company. For purposes of this Agreement
"Transaction Proposal" shall mean any of the following (other than the
transactions between Company, FLX, Buyer and MergerCo contemplated by the
Offer and this Agreement) involving Company or any of its Subsidiaries:
(w) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, recapitalization, business
combination, or other similar transaction; (x) except in the ordinary course
of business, any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other
disposition of 20% or more of the assets of Company and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, in a single transaction or series of related transactions;
(y) any tender offer or exchange offer for, or the acquisition of (or right
to acquire)
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"beneficial ownership" by any person, "group" or entity (as such terms are
defined under Section 13 (d) of the Exchange Act), of 20% or more of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of Company or the filing of a
registration statement under the Securities Act in connection therewith; or
(z) any public announcement of a proposal, plan or intention to do any of
the foregoing or any agreement to engage in any of the foregoing or
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving
Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) Prior to the Special Committee withdrawing or modifying its approval
or recommendation of the Offer, this Agreement or the Merger, approving or
recommending a Transaction Proposal, or entering into an agreement with
respect to a Transaction Proposal, the Special Committee shall provide Buyer
with a written notice (a "Notice of Takeover Proposal") advising Buyer that
the Special Committee has received a Transaction Proposal, specifying the
material terms and conditions of such Transaction Proposal and identifying
the person making such Transaction Proposal, and neither Company nor any
Subsidiary shall enter into an agreement with respect to a Transaction
Proposal until 48 hours after the delivery of the first Notice of Takeover
Proposal with respect to a given third party was given to Buyer. In
addition, if Company or any Subsidiary proposes to enter into an agreement
with respect to any Transaction Proposal, Company shall, if required in
accordance with the terms hereof, concurrently with entering into such
agreement pay, or cause to be paid, to Buyer the expenses, fees and the
Compensation Fee (as provided in and defined in Section 10.2).
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 7.7 or any other provision
to the contrary in this Agreement, prior to the termination of this
Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall not take any
action which would render invalid or ineffective, or otherwise vacate or
withdraw, the approval of the transactions contemplated hereby by the Board
for purposes of the Take-Over Statute and shall not take any action that
would cause the Company to breach its representation and warranty, as of the
taking of such action, set forth in the first sentence of Section 1.2.1 of
this Agreement.
7.8 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Buyer agrees that, for a period of 12 months
following the Effective Time of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall
maintain employee benefits plans and arrangements (directly or in conjunction
with Buyer or MergerCo) which, in the aggregate, will provide a level of
benefits to continuing employees of Company and its Subsidiaries substantially
comparable in the aggregate to those provided to similarly situated employees as
in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger (other than
discretionary benefits); provided, however, that Buyer may cause modifications
to be made to such benefit plans and arrangements to the extent necessary to
comply with applicable law. Nothing in this Section 7.8 shall prohibit Company
or the Surviving Corporation from terminating the employment of any employee at
any time with or without cause (subject to, and in accordance with, the terms of
any existing employment agreements), or shall be construed or applied to
restrict the ability of Buyer or Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to
establish such types and levels of compensation and benefits as they determine
to be appropriate. Buyer agrees to cause the Surviving Corporation (or the
applicable Subsidiary employer) to honor the existing employment agreements that
are set forth in Section 7.8 of the Disclosure Schedule.
7.9 NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS. Company shall give prompt notice to
Buyer and MergerCo, and Buyer and MergerCo shall give prompt notice to Company
of: (i) the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event, the occurrence or
non-occurrence of which does or would be likely to cause (A) any representation
or warranty contained in this Agreement to be untrue or inaccurate in any
material respect, or (B) any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this
Agreement not to be complied with or satisfied; and (ii) any material failure of
Company on the one hand, or Buyer or MergerCo on the other hand, to comply with
or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied
by it hereunder; provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to
this Section 7.9 shall not limit or otherwise affect the remedies available
hereunder to the party receiving such notice.
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7.10 STATE TAKEOVER LAWS. If any "fair price" or "control share
acquisition" statute or other similar statute or regulation shall become
applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the
Offer or the Merger, Company and Buyer, and their respective Boards of Directors
shall use all reasonable efforts to grant such approvals and to take such other
actions as are necessary so that the transactions contemplated hereby may be
consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and
shall otherwise use all reasonable efforts to eliminate the effects of any such
statute or regulation on the transactions contemplated hereby.
7.11 CONTRIBUTIONS BY FLX AND BUYER. FLX agrees to contribute to Buyer,
at or before the expiration of the Offer period, 4,501,310 shares of Company's
Common Stock and $25,000,000 cash, and Buyer agrees to contribute such shares
and cash to MergerCo, provided the Offer Conditions are met at such time.
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
8.1 CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATION. The respective obligation of
each party to effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or
prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) COMPANY SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. Company Shareholder Approval shall
have been obtained if required by applicable law, provided that Buyer and
Affiliates and MergerCo shall vote all of their shares of Company Common
Stock in favor of the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(b) HSR ACT. The waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable
to the Merger under the HSR Act shall have been terminated or shall have
expired.
(c) NO INJUNCTIONS OR RESTRAINTS. No temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any
Governmental Entity or other legal restraint or prohibition shall be in
effect preventing or prohibiting the acceptance for payment of, or payment
for, shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer, or the
consummation of the Merger; provided, however, that the parties hereto
shall, subject to the last sentence of Section 7.4(a) hereof, use all
reasonable efforts to have any such injunction, order, restraint or
prohibition vacated.
(d) STATUTES; CONSENTS. No statute, rule, order, decree or regulation
shall have been enacted or promulgated by any Governmental Entity of
competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of the Merger.
8.2 CONDITIONS TO BUYER'S AND MERGERCO'S OBLIGATION. The obligation of
Buyer and MergerCo to effect the Merger is subject to the following conditions:
(a) OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE SHARES. Buyer or MergerCo having been
obligated to purchase shares of Company Common Stock in the Offer in
accordance with the provisions hereof.
(b) ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE FILING. The waiting period (and any
extension thereof) applicable to the Offer and Merger with respect to the
Environmental Filing shall have been terminated or shall have expired.
(c) ADEQUATE FINANCING. The lenders to Buyer and MergerCo shall not
have refused to advance funds pursuant to their commitments, and shall have
advanced sufficient amounts to provide, together with the amounts
contributed pursuant to Section 7.11 of this Agreement, the amounts required
to pay all of the Merger Consideration.
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ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
9.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated and abandoned at any
time prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, whether before or after approval
of matters presented in connection with the Merger by the shareholders of
Company:
(a) by mutual written consent of Buyer and Company; or
(b) by either Buyer or Company, if any Governmental Entity shall have
issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently
enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting, or if there shall be in
effect any other legal restraint or prohibition preventing or prohibiting,
the acceptance for payment of, or payment for, shares of Company Common
Stock pursuant to the Offer or the consummation of the Merger, and such
order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and
nonappealable (other than due to the failure of the party seeking to
terminate this Agreement to perform its obligations under this Agreement
required to be performed at or prior to the Effective Time of the Merger);
or
(c) by Company, if Offeror shall not have (i) commenced the Offer on or
before June 1, 2000, or (ii) accepted for payment any shares of Company
Common Stock pursuant to the Offer (other than due to the failure of Company
to perform its obligations under this Agreement) by August 15, 2000, or, if
any necessary approvals required under the HSR Act shall not have been
obtained on such date, by such date ten business days after receipt of all
necessary approvals under the HSR Act; or
(d) by Company, substantially concurrently with the execution, prior to
Offeror's purchase of shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer,
of a binding agreement with a third party with respect to a Transaction
Proposal, provided that it has complied with all provisions of this
Agreement, including the notice provisions herein, and that it pays the
Compensation Fee as provided by and defined in Section 10.2 hereof; or
(e) by Buyer, prior to Offeror's purchase of any shares of Company
Common Stock pursuant to the Offer, in the event of a material breach or
failure to perform in any material respect by Company of any covenant or
other agreement contained in this Agreement or in the event of a breach of
any representation or warranty of Company that could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect, in each case which cannot be or has not
been cured within 15 days after the giving of written notice to Company; or
(f) by Company, prior to Offeror's purchase of any shares of Company
Common Stock pursuant to the Offer, in the event of a material breach or
failure to perform in any material respect by FLX, MergerCo or Buyer of any
covenant or other agreement contained in this Agreement or in the event of a
breach of any representation or warranty of FLX, MergerCo, or Buyer that
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, in each case
which cannot be or has not been cured within 15 days after the giving of
written notice to FLX, MergerCo or Buyer; or
(g) by Buyer, if the Company Board or the Special Committee shall
(i) withdraw or modify in any adverse manner its approval or recommendation
of this Agreement, the Offer or the Merger, (ii) approve or recommend any
Transaction Proposal, or (iii) resolve to take any of the actions specified
in clause (i) above; or
(h) by Buyer or Company, in each case after two Business Day's notice to
the other party if the Offer expires pursuant to terms consistent with
Section 1.1.1; or
(i) by Buyer or Company, if the lenders of Buyer and MergerCo fail to
advance funds pursuant to their commitments.
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9.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this Agreement
by either Company or Buyer as provided in Section 9.1, this Agreement shall
forthwith become void and have no effect, without any continuing obligation on
the part of Buyer, MergerCo or Company, other than the provisions of the last
sentence of Section 7.3, Section 9.1, this Section 9.2 and Article X.
9.3 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the parties at any time
before or after any required approval of matters presented in connection with
the Merger by the shareholders of Company; provided, however, that after any
such approval, there shall be made no amendment that by law requires further
approval by such shareholders without the further approval of such shareholders.
This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of each of the parties hereto.
9.4 EXTENSION; WAIVER. Subject to the terms of this Agreement to the
extent that they expressly restrict the following, at any time prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger, the parties may (a) extend the time for the
performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other parties,
(b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained in
this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or
(c) subject to the provisions of Section 9.3, waive compliance with any of the
agreements or conditions contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part
of a party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in
an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any
party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or
otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
9.5 PROCEDURE FOR TERMINATION, AMENDMENT, EXTENSION OR WAIVER. A
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1, an amendment of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 9.3 or an extension or waiver pursuant to
Section 9.4 shall, in order to be effective, require (a) in the case of
MergerCo, action by its Board of Directors or the duly authorized designee of
its Board of Directors, and (b) in the case of Company, action by the Special
Committee.
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
10.1 NONSURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
(a) None of the representations or warranties in this Agreement or in
any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the
Effective Time of the Merger and all such representations and warranties
will be extinguished on consummation of the Merger and none of Company,
Buyer and MergerCo, nor any officer, director or employee or shareholder
thereof shall be under any liability whatsoever with respect to any such
representation or warranty after such time. This Section 10.1 shall not
limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which by its terms
contemplates performance after the Effective Time of the Merger.
(b) Each of the parties is a sophisticated legal entity that was advised
by knowledgeable counsel and, to the extent it deemed necessary, other
advisors in connection with this Agreement. Accordingly, each of the parties
hereby acknowledges that (i) no party has relied or will rely upon any
document or written or oral information previously furnished to or
discovered by it or its representatives, other than this Agreement or in the
Disclosure Schedule or any certificates delivered at the Effective Time of
the Merger pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) there are no representations
or warranties by or on behalf of any party hereto or any of its respective
affiliates or representatives other than those expressly set forth in this
Agreement or in the Disclosure Schedule or in any certificates delivered at
the Effective Time of the Merger pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) The representations and warranties made in this Agreement by Company
will be deemed for all purposes to be qualified by the disclosures made in
any section of the Disclosure Schedule, whether or not in the case of any
particular representation or warranty such representation or warranty refers
to the Section in which the disclosure is made or to any other Section. All
references in this
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Agreement to the "knowledge of Company" (or any similar phrase) will be
deemed to be references solely to the actual knowledge of the executive
officers of Company. The inclusion of any matter on any disclosure schedule
will not be deemed an admission by any party that such listed matter is
material or that such listed matter has or would have a Material Adverse
Effect.
10.2 FEES AND EXPENSES.
(a) If any person (other than MergerCo or any of its affiliates) shall
have made, proposed, communicated or disclosed a Transaction Proposal in a
manner which is or otherwise becomes public and this Agreement is terminated
pursuant to any of the following provisions:
(i) by Company pursuant to Section 9.1(d) or
(ii) by Buyer under Section 9.1(g);
then Company shall, simultaneously with such termination of this Agreement,
pay MergerCo, as compensation for its costs and expenses, and for the
benefits conferred on the Company's shareholders pursuant to this Agreement,
a fee equal to two percent of the consideration offered to, or available to,
the Company's Shareholders as a result of such Transaction Proposal in cash,
but not less than $6,800,000, which amount shall be payable in same day
funds (the "Compensation Fee").
(b) Company agrees that the agreements contained in Section 10.2(a)
above are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and constitute liquidated damages and not a penalty. If Company
fails to promptly pay to Buyer any Compensation Fee due under such
Section 10.2(a), Company shall pay the costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) in connection with any action, including
the filing of any lawsuit or other legal action, taken to collect payment
thereof, together with interest on the amount of any unpaid Compensation Fee
at the annual rate of four percent above the publicly announced prime rate
of Citibank, N.A. (or, if lower, the maximum rate permitted by law) from the
date such Compensation Fee was required to be paid to the date of payment.
(c) Except as provided otherwise in paragraphs (a) and (b) above and in
Section 9.2, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the
party incurring such expenses, except that Company shall pay all costs and
expenses (i) in connection with printing and mailing the Proxy Statement and
(ii) of obtaining any consents of any third party.
10.3 NOTICES. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
given if delivered personally or sent by overnight courier) to the parties at
the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be
specified by like notice):
(a) if to MergerCo or Buyer, to
Castle & Cooke Holdings, Inc.
c/o Pacific Holding Company
10900 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1600
Los Angeles, California 90024
Attn: John Cocke, Esq.
with a copy to:
Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP
695 Town Center Drive, 17th Floor
Costa Mesa, California 92626
Attn: Peter J. Tennyson, Esq.
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(b) if to Company, to
Castle & Cooke, Inc.
10900 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1600
Los Angeles, California 90024
Attn: Mary J. Garnett, Esq.
with a copy to:
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
153 E. 53rd Street
New York, New York 10022-4611
Attn: Charles F. Niemeth, Esq.
and to:
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
333 South Grand Avenue, 47th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1504
Attn: Andrew E. Bogen, Esq.
10.4 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this Agreement to a
Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall be to a Section of, or an
Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of
contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or "including" are used in
this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation."
10.5 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of
the parties and delivered to the other parties.
10.6 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement and
the other agreements referred to herein constitute the entire agreement, and
supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among
the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. This
Agreement, other than Sections 7.5 and 7.8, is not intended to confer upon any
Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies.
10.7 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF HAWAII GOVERN THE MERGER, REGARDLESS OF THE LAWS THAT MIGHT
OTHERWISE GOVERN UNDER APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. THE PARTIES
HERETO AGREE THAT ANY APPROPRIATE STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN THE STATE OF
DELAWARE SHALL HAVE JURISDICTION OVER ANY CASE OR CONTROVERSY ARISING HEREUNDER
OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND SHALL BE THE PROPER AND EXCLUSIVE FORUM IN WHICH
TO ADJUDICATE SUCH CASE OR CONTROVERSY. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES TO BE SUBJECT
TO SUCH JURISDICTION AND VENUE. EACH PARTY AGREES THAT IT WILL, WITHIN FIVE
BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE DATE HEREOF, ENTER INTO ARRANGEMENTS (WHICH SHALL BE
REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE OTHER PARTY) TO APPOINT AN AGENT FOR SERVICE OF
PROCESS IN EACH SUCH JURISDICTION, AND EACH IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO EACH SUCH
JURISDICTION.
10.8 ASSIGNMENT. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests
or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by
operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties without the prior written
consent of the other parties. provided, however, that Buyer may assign its
rights
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to purchase shares, but not its obligations, to any wholly owned subsidiary of
Buyer. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon,
inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective
successors and assigns.
10.9 ENFORCEMENT. The parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in
the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in
accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is
accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, FLX, Buyer, MergerCo and Company have caused this
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
all as of the date first written above.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
FLEXI-VAN LEASING, INC.
By: /s/ DAVID H. MURDOCK
-----------------------------------------
David H. Murdock
CASTLE & COOKE HOLDINGS, INC.
By: /s/ DAVID H. MURDOCK
-----------------------------------------
David H. Murdock
CASTLE ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ DAVID H. MURDOCK
-----------------------------------------
David H. Murdock
CASTLE & COOKE, INC.
By: /s/ EDWARD C. ROOHAN
-----------------------------------------
Edward C. Roohan
By: /s/ MARY J. GARNETT
-----------------------------------------
Mary J. Garnett
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
ANNEX I
CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer or this Agreement, and
subject to any applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including
Rule 14e-1(c) relating to MergerCo's obligation to pay for or return tendered
shares after termination of the Offer, Buyer and MergerCo shall not be required
to accept for payment or pay for any shares of Company Common Stock tendered
pursuant to the Offer and may delay acceptance for payment or may terminate the
Offer if:
(a) less than 6,278,762 of the Outstanding Shares of Company Common
Stock have been tendered pursuant to the Offer by the expiration of the
Offer and not withdrawn (the "Minimum Condition");
(b) any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act has not expired or
terminated;
(c) any applicable waiting period with respect to the Environmental
Filing has not expired or terminated;
(d) at any time after the date of this Agreement, and before acceptance
for payment of any shares of Company Common Stock, any of the following
events shall occur and be continuing:
(i) there shall be any statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or
injunction enacted, entered, promulgated or deemed applicable to the
Offer or the Merger pursuant to authoritative interpretation by or on
behalf of a Governmental Entity that (A) prohibits the acquisition by
Buyer or MergerCo of any shares of Company Common Stock under the Offer,
or restrains or prohibits the making or consummation of the Offer or the
Merger, (B) prohibits or materially limits the ownership or operation by
Company, Buyer or any of their respective Subsidiaries of a material
portion of the business or assets of Company, Buyer and their
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or compels Company or Buyer or any of the
respective Subsidiaries to dispose of or hold separate any material
portion of the business or assets of such Person, in each case as a
result of the Offer or the Merger or (C) imposes material limitations on
the ability of Buyer or MergerCo to acquire or hold, or exercise full
rights of ownership of, any shares of Company Common Stock to be accepted
for payment pursuant to the Offer including, without limitation, the
right to vote such shares of Company Common Stock on all matters properly
presented to the shareholders of Company or (D) prohibits Buyer or any of
its Subsidiaries from effectively controlling in any material respect any
material portion of the business or operations of Company, Buyer, or
their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(ii) any of the representations and warranties of Company contained
in the Agreement shall not be true and correct in all material respects
at and as of the date of consummation of the Offer (except to the extent
such representations and warranties speak to an earlier date), as if made
at and as of the date of consummation of the Offer, in each case except
as contemplated or permitted by this Agreement and with respect to any
representations or warranties not qualified by "Material Adverse Effect,"
unless the inaccuracies under such representations and warranties, taking
all the inaccuracies under all such representations and warranties
together in their entirety, do not individually or in the aggregate,
result in a Material Adverse Effect on Company.
(iii) Company shall have failed to perform in all material respects
the obligations required to be performed by it under the Agreement at or
prior to the date of expiration of the Offer, including but not limited
to its obligations pursuant to Section 7.7 hereof, except for such
failures to perform as have not had or would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect or materially adversely affect
the ability of Company to consummate the Merger or the Offeror to accept
for payment or pay for shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the
Offer;
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(iv) The Special Committee and/or the Company Board shall have
(A) withdrawn, modified or amended in any respect adverse to Buyer or
MergerCo its approval or recommendation of the Agreement, the Offer or
the Merger, (B) recommended or approved any Transaction Proposal from a
person other than Buyer, MergerCo or any of their respective affiliates,
or (C) resolved to do any of the foregoing;
(v) the Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its
terms;
(vi) Company shall have entered into a definitive agreement or
agreement in principle with any Person with respect to a Transaction
Proposal or similar business combination with Company or any Subsidiary
of Company, which in the reasonable judgment of Buyer or MergerCo in any
such case, and regardless of the circumstances giving rise to such
condition, makes it inadvisable to proceed with the Offer and/or with
such acceptance for payment; or
(e) The lenders of Buyer and MergerCo refuse to advance funds pursuant
to their commitments in an amount sufficient to pay the Merger
Consideration.
The foregoing conditions (other than the Minimum Condition) are for the sole
benefit of Buyer and MergerCo and, subject to the Merger Agreement, may be
waived by Buyer or MergerCo, in whole or in part at any time and from time to
time in the sole discretion of Buyer or MergerCo.; provided that, without the
express written consent of Company, neither Buyer nor MergerCo may waive the
Minimum Condition.
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<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
DEFINITIONS
"Affiliate" of any person means another person that directly or indirectly,
through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with, such first person.
"Agreement" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble
hereto
"Articles of Merger" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.3
"Articles" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.3(a)
"Business Day" means any day, other than Saturday, Sunday or a federal
holiday, and shall consist of the time period from 12:01 a.m. through 12:00
midnight Central time. In computing any time period under Section 14(d)(5) or
Section 14(d)(6) of the Exchange Act or under Regulation 14D or Regulation 14E,
the date of the event which begins the running of such time period shall be
included except that if such event occurs on other than a Business Day such
period shall begin to run on and shall include the first Business Day
thereafter.
"Buyer" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble
"Certificate(s)" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.3(a)
"Closing" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.2
"Closing Date" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.2
"Company" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble
"Company Common Stock" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
Recitals to the Agreement
"Company Shareholder Approval" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in the Recitals
"Company Stock Options" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.2(a)(i)
"Compensation Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 10.2(a)
"Confidentiality Agreement" shall mean the Confidentiality Agreement, dated
March 29, 2000, by and between Company and FLX.
"Costs" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.4
"Disclosure Schedule" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 4.2
"D&O Insurance" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.4
"Effective Time of Merger" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.3
"Enforceability Exception" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 4.4
"Exchange Act" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 1.1.1
"Exchange Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.3(a)
"Exchange Fund" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.3(d)
"Excluded Shares" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.1(c)
"FLX" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals
"Fully Diluted Shares" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 1.1.1
"Governmental Entity" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 4.4
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<PAGE>
"HBCA" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.1.1
"HSR Act" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.4
"Indemnified Parties" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 7.4
"Knowledge" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.1(c)
"Liens" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.2
"Material Adverse Effect" means, when used in connection with Company, any
effect that either individually or in the aggregate with all other such effects
is materially adverse to the business, financial condition, or results of
operations of Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and the terms
"material" and "materially" shall have correlative meanings; provided, however,
that no Material Adverse Effect shall be deemed to have occurred as a result
solely of (i) general economic conditions affecting generally the industry in
which Company competes, (ii) general market conditions in the United States and
(iii) effects, events, circumstances or conditions attributable to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
"Material Contracts" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 4.12
"Merger" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals
"MergerCo" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble
"Merger Consideration" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.1(c)
"Minimum Condition" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Annex I
"Notice of Takeover Proposal" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 7.7(b)
"Offer" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Recitals
"Offer Conditions" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 1.1.1
"Offer Documents" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 1.1.2
"Offer Price" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.1.1
"Offer to Purchase" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 1.1.2
"Offeror" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.1.1
"Permitted Changes" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 6.1(d)
"Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity
"Preference Shares" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 4.3
"Preferential Shares" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 4.3
"Proxy Statement" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 4.4
"Responsible Parties" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 7.7(a)
"Schedule TO" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.1.2
"Schedule 14D-9" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 1.2.2
"SEC" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.1.1
"Securities Act" mean the Securities Act of 1933
"Shareholders Meeting" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 7.2(c)
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<PAGE>
"Special Committee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
Recitals
"Stock Option Plan" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.2(a)(i)
"Stock Units" shall mean units granted under the Company's Deferred Stock
Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
"Subsidiary" of any person means another person an amount of the voting
securities, other voting ownership or voting partnership interests of which is
sufficient to elect at least a majority of its Board of Directors (or other
governing body) or, if there are no such voting interests, 50% or more of the
equity interests of which is owned directly or indirectly by such first person
or any entity, in which such first person is a general partner.
"Surviving Corporation" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.1
"Transaction Proposal" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 7.7(a)
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<PAGE>
AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND
PLAN OF MERGER
This Amendment (the "Amendment") to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated
as of May 19, 2000 by and among Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("FLX"), Castle & Cooke Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned
subsidiary of FLX ("Buyer"), and Castle Acquisition Company, a Hawaii
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer ("MergerCo"), on the one hand,
and Castle and Cooke, Inc., a Hawaii corporation ("Castle"), on the other hand
(the "Merger Agreement"), is entered into as of the 27th day of June, 2000, by
and among FLX, Buyer, MergerCo and Castle.
WHEREAS, the parties to this Amendment have previously entered into the
Merger Agreement, which provided for certain transactions, including the
commencement by Buyer and MergerCo of an offer to purchase all of the
outstanding shares of common stock, having no par value, of Castle (the
"Offer"), and following the consummation of the Offer, the merger of MergerCo
with and into Castle (the "Merger") which would result in Castle becoming a
wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of FLX, subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in the Merger Agreement; and
WHEREAS, each of Castle, the directors of Castle, FLX and David H. Murdock,
the sole shareholder of FLX and Chairman of Castle, have been named as
defendants in eight purported class actions in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Offer (the "Pending Actions"); and
WHEREAS, counsel to Castle and FLX, FLX, Castle, and the representatives of
the plaintiffs in the Pending Actions have reached an agreement in principle,
providing for, among other things, the settlement of the Pending Actions and, in
connection therewith, an increase in the consideration payable in the Offer and
the Merger, and appropriate amendments to the Merger Agreement and other
documents prepared in connection with the Offer; and
WHEREAS, Section 1.1.1(d) of the Merger Agreement provides that the consent
of Castle and the Special Committee shall be required to impose additional
conditions on the Offer, which consent has been obtained, and Section 9.3 of the
Merger Agreement provides that the Merger Agreement may be amended or
supplemented pursuant to a writing executed by the parties; and
WHEREAS, FLX, Buyer and MergerCo desire to amend the terms of the Offer, and
FLX, Buyer, MergerCo and Castle desire to amend the corresponding provisions of
the Merger Agreement in order to reflect the changed circumstances of the Offer:
THEREFORE, in consideration of the execution of the Merger Agreement and the
mutual premises and covenants contained therein, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined shall have the meaning set forth
in the Merger Agreement.
2. Section 1.1.1(b)(i) of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
"more than 50%," and replacing it with "more than 75%," with respect to
defining the Minimum Condition.
3. Section 3.1(c)(iii) of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
the reference to the $18.50 Merger Consideration, and replacing such
reference with $19.25.
4. Section 3.2(a) of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety, as follows:
"STOCK OPTIONS AND RIGHTS.
(a) STOCK OPTIONS AND RIGHTS. As soon as practicable following the date
of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of Company (or, if appropriate,
any committee administering the applicable plan)
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<PAGE>
shall adopt such resolutions or take such other actions as may be required
to effect or confirm the following:
(i) all outstanding stock options to purchase shares of Company
Common Stock except those options held by David H. Murdock, which shall
be canceled, ("Company Stock Options") granted under Company's 1995 Stock
Option and Award Plan, as amended (the "Stock Option Plan") shall, as of
the Effective Time of the Merger, vest as a consequence of the Merger and
shall be canceled upon the Effective Time of the Merger in exchange for
the right to the payment in cash from the Company upon the Effective Time
of the Merger in an amount equal to the product of (1) the total number
of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Stock Options,
multiplied by (2) the excess of the Merger Consideration over the
respective exercise prices per share of Company Common Stock subject to
such Company Stock Options, such amount to be paid promptly after the
Merger, subject to any applicable payroll or withholding taxes and any
deferral elections under the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan;
(ii) all outstanding rights and Stock Units with respect to Common
Stock of the Company under the Deferred Stock Compensation Plan for
Non-Employee Directors (as amended), as of the Effective Time of the
Merger, shall as a consequence of the Merger be converted into unfunded,
unsecured rights to receive payment in cash from the Company equal to the
product of (1) the number of Stock Units multiplied by (2) the per share
cash consideration payable in the Merger, which amount shall be payable
by the Company at the time(s) contemplated by the Plan (including
applicable elections thereunder), with interest at a rate equal to the
applicable federal rate on deferred balances from the Effective Time of
the Merger; and
(iii) except as provided herein or as otherwise agreed to by the
parties, the Stock Option Plan and any other plan, program or arrangement
providing for the issuance or grant of any other interest in respect of
the capital stock of Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall terminate
as of the Effective Time of the Merger, and Company shall ensure that,
following the Effective Time of the Merger, no holder of a Company Stock
Option or Stock Unit nor any participant in the Stock Option Plan or
other incentive compensation plan of the Company shall have any right
thereunder to acquire equity securities of Surviving Corporation or any
other equity-based benefit based on the equity of the Company following
the Merger."
5. The Offer Conditions set forth on Annex I to the Merger Agreement are hereby
amended as follows:
(a) By substituting "9,418,893" for "6,278,762" in subsection (a) of Annex
I; and
(b) By adding the following after subsection (e) on Annex I:
"If a definitive settlement agreement by and among FLX, Buyer, MergerCo,
David H. Murdock, the Company, and the other parties thereto in
connection with the Pending Actions (the "Settlement Agreement") (i) has
not been executed, or (ii) has not been submitted to a court for
preliminary approval, or (iii) has not been approved on a preliminary
basis by the court to which it is submitted, then Buyer and MergerCo
shall not be required to accept for payment, or pay for, any shares of
Company Common Stock tendered pursuant to the Offer, but shall extend the
Offer (but not to a date beyond August 15, 2000) to permit execution,
submission, and preliminary approval of the Settlement Agreement."
6. The Definitions set forth in Appendix A to the Merger Agreement are hereby
amended as follows:
(a) by adding the following immediately after the defined term "Offeror":
"Pending Actions" shall mean the eight purported class actions brought in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and
the Offer against each of Castle, the directors of Castle, FLX and David
H. Murdock.
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(b) by adding the following immediately after the defined term "Securities
Act":
"Settlement Agreement" shall mean the definitive settlement agreement in
connection with the Pending Actions.
7. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto with respect to this Amendment
shall be as set forth in the Merger Agreement.
8. This Amendment may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and
the same agreement. Facsimile signatures shall be treated as if they were
originals.
[signature page follows]
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of
the date set forth above.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
FLEXI-VAN LEASING, INC.
By: /s/ DAVID H. MURDOCK
-----------------------------------------
David H. Murdock
CASTLE & COOKE HOLDINGS, INC.
By: /s/ DAVID H. MURDOCK
-----------------------------------------
David H. Murdock
CASTLE ACQUISITION COMPANY, INC.
By: /s/ DAVID H. MURDOCK
-----------------------------------------
David H. Murdock
CASTLE & COOKE, INC.
By: /s/ DEAN R. ESTRADA
-----------------------------------------
Dean R. Estrada
By: /s/ MARY J. GARNETT
-----------------------------------------
Mary J. Garnett
</TABLE>
B-33
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EXHIBIT C
SECTIONS 415-80 AND 415-81 OF
THE HAWAII BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
SECTION 415-80 RIGHT OF SHAREHOLDERS TO DISSENT. (A) ANY SHAREHOLDER OF A
CORPORATION SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISSENT FROM, AND TO OBTAIN PAYMENT FOR
HIS SHARES IN THE EVENT OF, ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CORPORATE ACTIONS:
(1) Any plan of merger or consolidation to which the corporation is a party,
except as provided in subsection (c);
(2) Any sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the property and assets
of the corporation not made in the usual and regular course of its business,
including a sale in dissolution, but not including a sale pursuant to an order
of a court having jurisdiction in the premises or a sale for cash on terms
requiring that all or substantially all of the net proceeds of sale be
distributed to the shareholders in accordance with their respective interests
within one year after the date of sale;
(3) Any plan of exchange to which the corporation is a party as the corporation
the shares of which are to be acquired;
(4) Any amendment of the articles of incorporation which materially and
adversely affects the rights appurtenant to the shares of the dissenting
shareholder in that it:
(A) Alters or abolishes a preferential right of the shares;
(B) Creates, alters, or abolishes a right in respect of the redemption of
the shares, including a provision respecting a sinking fund for the
redemption or repurchase of the shares;
(C) Alters or abolishes a preemptive right of the holder of the shares to
acquire shares or other securities; or
(D) Excludes or limits the right of the holder of the shares to vote on any
matter, or to cumulate his votes, except as the right may be limited by
dilution through the issuance of shares or other securities with similar
voting rights; or
(5) Any other corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote with respect
to which the articles of incorporation, the bylaws, or a resolution of the
board of directors directs that dissenting shareholders shall have a right to
obtain payment for their shares.
(b) (1) A record holder of shares may assert dissenters' rights as to less than
all of the shares registered in his name only if the record holder dissents
with respect to all the shares beneficially owned by any one person, and
discloses the name and address of the person or persons on whose behalf the
record holder dissents. In that event, the record holder's rights shall be
determined as if the shares as to which the record holder has dissented and the
record holder's other shares were registered in the names of different
shareholders.
(2) A beneficial owner of shares who is not the record holder may assert
dissenters' rights with respect to shares held on the beneficial owner's
behalf, and shall be treated as a dissenting shareholder under the terms of this
section and section 415-31 [sic] if the beneficial owner submits to the
corporation at the time of or before the assertion of these rights a written
consent of the record holder.
(c) The right to obtain payment under this section shall not apply to the
shareholders of the surviving corporation in a merger if a vote of the
shareholders of the corporation is not necessary to authorize the merger.
C-1
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(d) A shareholder of a corporation who has a right under this section to obtain
payment for the shareholder's shares shall have no right at law or in equity
to attack the validity of the corporate action that gives rise to the
shareholder's right to obtain payment, nor to have the action set aside or
rescinded, except when the corporate action is unlawful or fraudulent with
regard to the complaining shareholder or to the corporation. [Last amended by
Act 135, L-97.]
SECTION 415-81 RIGHTS OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS. (A) AS USED IN THIS SECTION:
"Dissenter" means a shareholder or beneficial owner who is entitled to and does
assert dissenters' rights under section 415-80, and who has performed every act
required up to the time involved for the assertion of such rights.
"Corporation" means the issuer of the shares held by the dissenter before the
corporate action, or the successor by merger or consolidation of that issuer.
"Fair value" of shares means their value immediately before the effectuation of
the corporate action to which the dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation
or depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action unless the exclusion
would be inequitable.
"Interest" means interest from the effective date of the corporate action until
the date of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the corporation on
its principal bank loans, or, if none, at such rate as is fair and equitable
under all of the circumstances.
(b) If a proposed corporate action which would give rise to dissenters' rights
under section 415-80(a) is submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders,
the notice of meeting shall notify all shareholders that they have or may have a
right to dissent and obtain payment for their shares by complying with the terms
of this section, and shall be accompanied by a copy of sections 415-80 and
415-81 of this chapter.
(c) If the proposed corporate action is submitted to a vote at a meeting of
shareholders, any shareholder who wishes to dissent and obtain payment for
the shareholder's shares must file with the corporation, prior to the vote, a
written notice of intention to demand that the shareholder be paid fair
compensation for the shareholder's shares if the proposed action is effectuated
and shall refrain from voting the shareholder's shares in approval of the
action. A shareholder who fails in either respect shall acquire no right to
payment for the shareholder's shares under this section or section 415-80.
(d) If the proposed corporate action is approved by the required vote at a
meeting of shareholders, the corporation shall mail a further notice to all
shareholders who gave due notice of intention to demand payment and who
refrained from voting in favor of the proposed action. If the proposed corporate
action is to be taken without a vote of shareholders, the corporation shall send
to all shareholders who are entitled to dissent and demand payment for their
shares a notice of the adoption of the plan of corporate action. The notice
shall: (1) state where and when a demand for payment must be sent and
certificates of certificated shares must be deposited in order to obtain
payment; (2) inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of
shares will be restricted from the time that demand for payment is received;
(3) supply a form for demanding payment which includes a request for
certification of the date on which the shareholder, or the person on whose
behalf the shareholder dissents, acquired beneficial ownership of the shares;
and (4) be accompanied by a copy of sections 415-80 and 415-81 of this chapter.
The time set for the demand and deposit shall not be less than thirty days from
the mailing of the notice.
(e) A shareholder who fails to demand payment, or fails (in the case of
certificated shares) to deposit certificates, as required by a notice
pursuant to subsection (d) shall have no right under this section or
section 415-80 to receive payment for the shareholder's shares. If the shares
are not represented by certificates, the corporation may restrict their transfer
from the time of receipt of demand for payment until effectuation of the
proposed corporate action, or the release of restrictions under the terms of
subsection (f). The dissenter shall retain all other rights of a shareholder
until these rights are modified by effectuation of the proposed corporate
action.
C-2
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(f) (1) Within sixty days after the date set for demanding payment and
depositing certificates, if the corporation has not effectuated the proposed
corporate action and remitted payment for shares pursuant to paragraph (3), it
shall return any certificates that have been deposited, and release
uncertificated shares from any transfer restrictions imposed by reason of the
demand for payment.
(2) When uncertificated shares have been released from transfer restrictions,
and deposited certificates have been returned, the corporation may at any
later time send a new notice conforming to the requirements of subsection (d),
with like effect.
(3) Immediately upon effectuation of the proposed corporate action, or upon
receipt of demand for payment if the corporate action has already been
effectuated, the corporation shall remit to dissenters who have made demand and
(if their shares are certificated) have deposited their certificates the amount
which the corporation estimates to be the fair value of the shares, with
interest if any has accrued. The remittance shall be accompanied by:
(A) The corporation's closing balance sheet and statement of income for a
fiscal year ending not more than sixteen months before the date of
remittance, together with the latest available interim financial statements;
(B) A statement of the corporation's estimate of fair value of the shares;
and
(C) A notice of the dissenter's right to demand supplemental payment,
accompanied by a copy of sections 415-80 and 415-81 of this chapter.
(g) (1) If the corporation fails to remit as required by subsection (f), or if
the dissenter believes that the amount remitted is less than the fair value
of the dissenter's shares, or that the interest is not correctly determined, the
dissenter may send the corporation the dissenter's own estimate of the value of
the shares or of the interest, and demand payment of the deficiency.
(2) If the dissenter does not file such an estimate within thirty days after the
corporation's mailing of its remittance, the dissenter shall be entitled to
no more than the amount remitted.
(h) (1) Not more than sixty days after receiving a demand for payment pursuant
to subsection (g), if any such demands for payment remain unsettled, the
corporation shall file in an appropriate court a petition requesting that the
fair value of the shares and interest thereon be determined by the court.
(2) An appropriate court shall be a court of competent jurisdiction in the
county of this State where the principal office of the corporation is
located. If, in the case of a merger or consolidation or share exchange, the
corporation is a foreign corporation without a principal office in this State,
the petition shall be filed in the county where the registered office of the
domestic corporation was last located.
(3) All dissenters, wherever residing, whose demands have not been settled shall
be made parties to the proceeding as in an action against their shares. A
copy of the petition shall be served on each dissenter; if a dissenter is a
nonresident, the copy may be served on the dissenter by registered or certified
mail or by publication as provided by law.
(4) The jurisdiction of the court shall be plenary and exclusive. The court may
appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend
a decision on the question of fair value. The appraisers shall have such power
and authority as shall be specified in the order of their appointment or in any
amendment thereof. The dissenters shall be entitled to discovery in the same
manner as parties in other civil suits.
(5) All dissenters who are made parties shall be entitled to judgment for the
amount by which the fair value of their shares is found to exceed the amount
previously remitted, with interest.
C-3
<PAGE>
(6) If the corporation fails to file a petition as provided in paragraph (1) of
this subsection, each dissenter who made a demand and who has not already
settled the dissenter's claim against the corporation shall be paid by the
corporation the amount demanded by the dissenter, with interest, and may sue
therefor in an appropriate court.
(i) (1) The costs and expenses of any proceeding under subsection (h), including
the reasonable compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the
court, shall be determined by the court and assessed against the corporation,
except that any part of the costs and expenses may be apportioned and assessed
as the court may deem equitable against all or some of the dissenters who are
parties and whose action in demanding supplemental payment the court finds to be
arbitrary, vexatious, or not in good faith.
(2) Fees and expenses of counsel and of experts for the respective parties may
be assessed as the court may deem equitable against the corporation and in
favor of any or all dissenters if the corporation failed to comply substantially
with the requirements of this section, and may be assessed against either the
corporation or a dissenter, in favor of any other party, if the court finds that
the party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily,
vexatiously, or not in good faith in respect to the rights provided by this
section and section 415-80.
(3) If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were of
substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and should not
be assessed against the corporation, it may award to these counsel reasonable
fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded to the dissenters who were
benefitted.
(j) (1) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the
corporation may elect to withhold the remittance required by subsection
(f) from any dissenter with respect to shares of which the dissenter (or the
person on whose behalf the dissenter acts) was not the beneficial owner on the
date of the first announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of
the proposed corporate action. With respect to such shares, the corporation
shall, upon effectuating the corporate action, state to each dissenter its
estimate of the fair value of the shares, state the rate of interest to be used
(explaining the basis thereof), and offer to pay the resulting amounts on
receiving the dissenter's agreement to accept them in full satisfaction.
(2) If the dissenter believes that the amount offered is less than the fair
value of the shares and interest determined according to this section, the
dissenter may within thirty days after the date of mailing of the corporation's
offer, mail to the corporation the dissenter's own estimate of fair value and
interest, and demand their payment. If the dissenter fails to do so, the
dissenter shall be entitled to no more than the corporation's offer.
(3) If the dissenter makes a demand as provided in paragraph (2), the provisions
of subsections (h) and (i) shall apply to further proceedings on the
dissenter's demand. [Last amended by Act 373, L '88 effective 6-15-88]
C-4
<PAGE>
REVOCABLE PROXY
CASTLE & COOKE, INC.
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
SEPTEMBER 6, 2000
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints David H. Murdock, Edward C. Roohan and Mary
J. Garnett, and each of them, with full powers of substitution to act as
attorneys and proxies for the undersigned to vote all shares of common stock
of Castle & Cooke, Inc. (the "Company") which the undersigned is entitled to
vote at the special meeting of shareholders ("Special Meeting") to be held at
Suite 700, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, California on September 6,
2000, at 10:30 a.m. local time.
This proxy will be voted as directed, but if no instructions are specified,
this proxy will be voted FOR the approval of the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, as amended, between the Company, Flexi-Van Leasing, Inc. ("FLX"),
Castle & Cooke Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of FLX ("Parent"),
and Castle Acquisition Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent
("Acquisition"). If any other business is presented at the Special Meeting,
this proxy will be voted by the proxy holders in their discretion.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company prior to the execution
of this proxy of a Notice of Special Meeting and of a Proxy Statement dated
August 7, 2000.
This Proxy is continued and to be signed on the reverse side.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the listed proposal.
1. The approval of the Agreement and Plan of FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
Merger (the "Merger Agreement") dated as of
May 19, 2000, as amended by the Amendment
to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June
27, 2000, between Company, FLX, Parent, and
Acquisition, pursuant to which each outstanding / / / / / /
share of common stock of Company (other than
shares as to which dissenters' rights have been
asserted and duly perfected in accordance with
Hawaii law) shall be converted into the right to
receive a payment, in cash of $19.25.
2. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as many properly come before the meeting.
Should the undersigned be present and elect to vote at the Special Meeting or
at any adjournment thereof and after notification to the Secretary of the
Company at the Special
<PAGE>
Meeting of the shareholder's decision to terminate this proxy, then the power
of said attorneys and proxies shall be deemed terminated and of no further
force and effect. This proxy may also be revoked by sending written notice to
the Secretary of the Company at the address set forth on the Notice of
Special Meeting of Shareholders, or by the filing of a later dated proxy
prior to a vote being taken on a particular proposal at the Special Meeting.
PLEASE DATE
------------------------------------------
Date
------------------------------------------
Signature
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Signature if held jointly
Please sign exactly as your name appears on this card. When signing as
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full
title. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign, but only one
signature is required.
Please complete, sign and date this proxy and return it promptly in the
enclosed postage-prepaid envelope.
