<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 21, 1999
REGISTRATION NO. 333-65267
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
------------------------
AMENDMENT NO. 3
TO
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
------------------------
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
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<S> <C> <C>
DELAWARE 6799 13-3853272
(STATE OR OTHER (PRIMARY STANDARD (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
JURISDICTION OF INDUSTRIAL IDENTIFICATION NO.)
INCORPORATION OR CLASSIFICATION NO.)
ORGANIZATION)
</TABLE>
------------------------
5 EAST 59TH STREET, 3RD FLOOR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
(212) 486-4444
(ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
------------------------
DAVID J. MITCHELL
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
5 EAST 59TH STREET, 3RD FLOOR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
(212) 486-4444
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
------------------------
Copies to:
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DAVID ALAN MILLER, ESQ. DAVID LERNER, ESQ.
GRAUBARD MOLLEN & MILLER MORRISON COHEN SINGER & WEINSTEIN, LLP
600 THIRD AVENUE 750 LEXINGTON AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10016-2097 NEW YORK, NEW YORK
(212) 818-8800 (212) 735-8600
</TABLE>
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effectiveness of this Registration Statement and the
satisfaction or waiver of all other conditions to the merger (the "Merger") of
Moto Guzzi Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Guzzi Corp."), with and into North
Atlantic Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Registrant"), pursuant to
the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated as of August 18, 1998,
as amended by the First Amendment thereto, among the Registrant, Guzzi Corp. and
Trident Rowan Group, Inc. ("Trident Rowan"), described in the enclosed proxy
statement/prospectus.
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. / /.
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule
462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. / /.
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box: /x/
------------------------
<TABLE>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
PROPOSED
MAXIMUM PROPOSED
AMOUNT OFFERING MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS TO BE PRICE PER AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF
OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED SECURITY OFFERING PRICE REGISTRATION FEE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (1).... 4,250,000 -- -- $5.90(5)
Nominal Warrants (2)........................ 800,000(3) -- $7,500,000
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (4).... 800,000(3) -- $7,500,000
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (6).... 360,000 $ 8.75 $3,150,000 $929.25(8)
Class A Warrants (7)........................ 360,000(3) $0.125 $45,000 $13.28(8)
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (9).... 360,000(3) $9.00 $3,240,000 $955.80(10)
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value (11)... 30,000 $8.75 $262,500 $75.21(12)
Total Registration Fee Paid....................................................................... $1,979.44
</TABLE>
(footnotes on next page)
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR UNTIL THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION,
ACTING PURSUANT TO SUCH SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
------------------------
Pursuant to Rule 429 under the Securities Act, the prospectus contained
herein also relates to the Registrant's earlier Registration Statement on Form
SB-2 (No. 33-80647) and updates the information contained therein. Such
Registration Statement relates to, among other things, shares of Class A Common
Stock of the Registrant issuable upon the exercise of certain outstanding
Class A Warrants and Class A Common Stock and Class A Warrants issuable on
conversion of certain outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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<PAGE>
(footnotes from previous page)
(1) Represents shares of Class A Common Stock issuable in the merger.
(2) Represents the nominal warrants issuable in the merger.
(3) Pursuant to Rule 416, there are also being registered such additional
securities as may be issued pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the
nominal warrants and the Class A Warrants.
(4) Represents the Class A Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the
nominal warrants.
(5) Pursuant to Rule 457(f)(2) the registration fee on the 4,250,000 shares of
Class A Common Stock, the nominal warrants and the Class A Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of the nominal warrants, is based on one-third of
the par value of the 6,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 1,500,000 shares
of Preferred Stock being acquired from the shareholders of Guzzi Corp.
which has an accumulated deficit of approximately $8,668,000 at June 30,
1998.
(6) Represents 360,000 shares of Class A Common Stock issuable in the Class B
Common Stock recapitalization.
(7) Represents the Class A Warrants issuable in the recapitalization of the
NAAC Class B Common Stock.
(8) Pursuant to Rule 457(f)(1), the registration fee is calculated on the basis
of the market price for the securities to be received by the Registrant.
(9) Represents the shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Class A
Warrants issued in the recapitalization of the NAAC Class B Common Stock.
(10) Pursuant to Rule 457(i), the registration fee is being paid based on the
$9.00 to be paid for each share of Class A Common Stock on the exercise of
the Class A Warrants.
(11) Represents additional shares of Class A Common Stock issuable in connection
with the merger.
(12) Pursuant to Rule 457(c), the registration fee is being paid based on the
market price of a share of Class A Common Stock on a day within the five
days immediately preceding the filing of this Registration Statement.
ii
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
5 EAST 59TH STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 10, 1999
------------------------
To the Stockholders of
North Atlantic Acquisition Corp.:
The board of directors of your company invites you to attend an annual meeting
of stockholders on February 10, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. local time at the 32nd Floor,
600 Third Avenue, New York City, New York:
1. To approve a merger of Moto Guzzi Corp. with and into NAAC, with NAAC being
the surviving corporation, following which, the stockholders of Guzzi Corp. will
own 76.4% of the shares of the NAAC. The enclosed proxy statement/prospectus
provides detailed information concerning the proposed merger, including the
stockholder vote required to authorize it.
2. To approve the adoption of an amended and restated certificate of
incorporation which will implement the merger.
3. To elect eight directors of the post-merger company.
4. To approve the 1998 Stock Option Plan and 1998 Stock Plan for Outside
Directors.
5. To further amend the certificate of incorporation of NAAC to reclassify each
share of NAAC Class B Common Stock into two shares of NAAC Class A Common Stock
and two NAAC Class A Warrants.
6. To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual
meeting.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on January 8, 1999 may vote.
The board of directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote "FOR" the
merger and all of the other proposals to be presented at the annual meeting.
By Order of the board of directors,
C. THOMAS MCMILLEN
Secretary
January , 1999
IF YOU OWN NAAC CLASS A COMMON STOCK, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE WHITE
PROXY CARD. OWNERS OF NAAC CLASS B COMMON STOCK SHOULD SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE
BLUE PROXY CARD. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON, EVEN IF YOU
HAVE RETURNED A PROXY CARD.
i
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
This proxy statement/prospectus of North Atlantic Acquisition Corp. is
being sent to holders on January 8, 1999 of the NAAC common stock. It is for the
annual meeting on February 10, 1999. The board of directors is soliciting the
enclosed proxy.
NAAC stockholders are being asked to approve a merger of Moto Guzzi Corp.
into NAAC. NAAC stockholders also are being asked to approve a series of related
proposals, all of which are required for the merger to be completed.
There will be significant consequences to NAAC stockholders from the
merger. There will be a change of control, although NAAC will be the surviving
corporation. Its current stockholders will own about 23.4% and the Guzzi Corp.
security holders will own about 76.4% of the outstanding NAAC Class A common
stock after the merger and there will be a new board of directors. After the
merger, the business of NAAC will be making Italian luxury and performance
motorcycles.
NAAC stockholder approval is also being sought for the recapitalization of
the NAAC Class B common stock. If approved this class of common stock will
convert into 300,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and 300,000 NAAC
Class A warrants. The result will be to eliminate the NAAC Class B common stock
to simplify the capital structure of NAAC.
This proxy statement/prospectus also relates to the issue of NAAC
securities. These securities are:
o 3,110,058 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and warrants to purchase an
additional 592,400 shares for the nominal exercise price of $.01, issued
to the holders of Guzzi Corp. common stock and preferred stock as merger
consideration,
o 871,953 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and 166,080 nominal warrants
issued to the parent corporation of Guzzi Corp. for contributing a
portion of indebtedness owed by Guzzi Corp.,
o Up to 217,989 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and up to 41,520
nominal warrants to persons who agree to cancel and exchange their
existing Guzzi Corp. warrants, and
o 30,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock to be sold by a selling
stockholder.
The NAAC Class A common stock, NAAC Class B common stock and NAAC Class A
Warrants are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbols NACQA, NACQB and
NACQW. On August 17, 1998, the last full trading day prior to the public
announcement of the merger agreement, the last reported high bid prices for
these securities were $8.625, $9.375 and $.50, respectively. On
1999, the most recent date for which it was practicable to obtain
market price information prior to the printing of this proxy
statement/prospectus, the high bid prices for these securities were $ ,
$ and $ , respectively.
THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVE A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK. SEE "RISK FACTORS"
COMMENCING ON PAGE 11.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE DATE OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS , 1999, AND IS FIRST
BEING MAILED TO STOCKHOLDERS ON OR ABOUT JANUARY , 1999.
ii
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
NAAC has filed with the commission a registration statement on Form S-4
under the Securities Act of 1933, of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a
part. This proxy statement/prospectus does not contain all of the information in
the full registration statement and its exhibits and schedules. Statements made
in this proxy statement/prospectus about any contract, agreement or other
document are not necessarily complete. In each instance, for a more complete
description you should read the contract, agreement or other document filed as
an exhibit to the registration statement or annexed to this proxy
statement/prospectus. The registration statement shall be deemed qualified in
its entirety by this reference and the exhibits and annexes.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this proxy statement/prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to
provide you with different information. NAAC is not making an offer of these
securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume
that the information in this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any
date other than the date on the front of this proxy statement/prospectus.
NAAC ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB/A
If you would like a copy of NAAC's annual report on Form 10-KSB/A for the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1998, including the financial statements and
schedules thereto, please send us a written request to 5 East 59th Street--Third
Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention: President. There is no charge for
the report. TO OBTAIN TIMELY DELIVERY OF THIS INFORMATION, YOU MUST MAKE YOUR
REQUEST AT LEAST FIVE DAYS BEFORE YOU COMPLETE YOUR PROXY OR FINALLY DECIDE TO
INVEST IN THE SECURITIES OF NAAC. WE SUGGEST THE REQUEST BE MADE BEFORE
FEBRUARY 4, 1999.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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SECTION PAGE
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<S> <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION...................................................................................... iii
NAAC ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB/A........................................................................ iii
SUMMARY.................................................................................................... 1
NAAC................................................................................................ 1
Guzzi Corp.......................................................................................... 1
The Merger.......................................................................................... 2
Redemption Rights; No Appraisal Rights.............................................................. 4
Federal Income Tax Consequences of Merger to Guzzi Corp. Stockholders............................... 5
Accounting Treatment................................................................................ 5
The Annual Meeting.................................................................................. 5
Conflicts of Interest............................................................................... 6
Class B Recapitalization............................................................................ 6
NAAC Redemption Payment If No Business Combination.................................................. 6
Federal Income Tax Consequence of NAAC Redemption................................................... 6
Summary Guzzi Corp. Consolidated Financial Data..................................................... 7
Summary NAAC Historical Financial Data.............................................................. 9
Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet Information............................................... 10
Summary Unaudited Pro Forma Loss Per Share.......................................................... 10
RISK FACTORS............................................................................................... 11
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION PAGE
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BUSINESS OF NAAC........................................................................................... 18
Introduction........................................................................................ 18
Characteristics of a Specialized Merger and Acquisition Allocated Risk Transaction Company.......... 18
Competition......................................................................................... 19
Management.......................................................................................... 19
Properties.......................................................................................... 20
Legal Proceedings................................................................................... 20
BUSINESS OF GUZZI CORP..................................................................................... 20
Guzzi Corp. Sales................................................................................... 24
Properties.......................................................................................... 26
Legal Proceedings................................................................................... 26
Exchange Rates...................................................................................... 26
THE ANNUAL MEETING......................................................................................... 27
Purpose of the Annual Meeting....................................................................... 27
Voting Rights....................................................................................... 28
Solicitation and Revocation of Proxies.............................................................. 29
Redemption Rights................................................................................... 29
Solicitation of Proxies............................................................................. 30
PROPOSAL 1: THE MERGER..................................................................................... 30
Background of the Merger............................................................................ 30
Reasons for the Merger; Recommendations of the NAAC Board of Directors.............................. 32
Fairness Opinion of Allen & Company................................................................. 33
Reasons for the Merger; Considerations of the Guzzi Corp. Board of Directors........................ 36
Conflicts of Interest............................................................................... 37
Use of Funds Available upon Consummation of the Merger.............................................. 37
Federal Income Tax Consequences to NAAC Stockholders................................................ 38
Federal Income Tax Consequences to Guzzi Corp. Stockholders......................................... 38
Federal Income Tax Consequences to Guzzi Corp. and NAAC............................................. 39
Accounting Treatment................................................................................ 40
Resale of NAAC Class A Common Stock and Nominal Warrants; Affiliates................................ 40
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES OF GUZZI CORP. AND OF NAAC................................... 40
Guzzi Corp. Common Stock............................................................................ 41
Guzzi Corp. Preferred Stock......................................................................... 41
Guzzi Warrants...................................................................................... 42
NAAC Class A Common Stock........................................................................... 42
NAAC Class B Common Stock........................................................................... 43
NAAC Class A Warrants............................................................................... 43
Preferred Stock..................................................................................... 44
NAAC Class A Preferred Stock........................................................................ 44
Nominal Warrants.................................................................................... 44
Dividends........................................................................................... 44
Transfer Agent...................................................................................... 44
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION PAGE
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<S> <C>
THE MERGER AGREEMENT....................................................................................... 45
Merger; Consideration............................................................................... 45
Representations and Warranties...................................................................... 45
Merger Agreement Covenants.......................................................................... 47
Conditions.......................................................................................... 47
Amendment; Termination.............................................................................. 48
Expenses............................................................................................ 49
Interest of Persons After the Merger................................................................ 49
Absence of Regulatory Filings and Approvals......................................................... 50
Exchange of Stock Certificates...................................................................... 50
Fractional Shares................................................................................... 51
Management After the Merger......................................................................... 51
Lock Up Agreements.................................................................................. 51
MARKET PRICES OF NAAC SECURITIES........................................................................... 52
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT............................................. 53
Beneficial Ownership of Shares of NAAC Common Stock................................................. 53
SELECTED NAAC HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA.................................................................... 55
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF NAAC'S FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS............... 56
SELECTED GUZZI CORP. HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA................................................ 57
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF GUZZI CORP. FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.......... 59
General............................................................................................. 59
Results of Operations............................................................................... 60
Results of Operations............................................................................... 61
Liquidity and Capital Resources..................................................................... 62
Results of Operations............................................................................... 63
Results of Operations............................................................................... 64
Liquidity and Capital Resources..................................................................... 65
Future Liquidity Needs.............................................................................. 66
Potential Effects of the Year 2000 on Guzzi Corp.'s Business........................................ 67
Potential Effects of the Proposed European Common Currency on Guzzi Corp.'s Business................ 69
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEETS......................................................................... 70
PROPOSALS 2-8: ADOPTION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION............................... 74
Proposal 2: Name Change............................................................................. 74
Proposal 3: Increase in Authorized Capital.......................................................... 74
Proposal 4: Amendment or Repeal of By-Laws.......................................................... 75
Proposal 5: Classification of the NAAC Board........................................................ 75
Proposal 6: Removing Directors...................................................................... 75
Proposal 7: Filling Vacancies on the Board of Directors............................................. 76
Proposal 8: Indemnification......................................................................... 76
Anti-Takeover Considerations........................................................................ 76
PROPOSAL 9: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.......................................................................... 77
Executive Officers of the Surviving Corporation..................................................... 79
Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers.................................................... 79
NAAC Board Meetings and Committees.................................................................. 79
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act................................................... 80
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions...................................................... 80
</TABLE>
v
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
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SECTION PAGE
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PROPOSAL 10: APPROVAL OF STOCK OPTION PLANS................................................................ 80
Summary of the 1998 Stock Option Plan............................................................... 80
Federal Income Tax Consequences..................................................................... 82
1998 Stock Plan for Outside Directors............................................................... 83
PROPOSAL NO. 11: CLASS B RECAPITALIZATION.................................................................. 84
WARRANT EXCHANGE OFFER..................................................................................... 85
General............................................................................................. 85
Terms of the Warrant Exchange; Period for Tendering................................................. 85
Procedures for Tendering Guzzi Corp. Warrants....................................................... 85
Acceptance of the Guzzi Corp. Warrants for Exchange and Cancellation; Delivery of Warrants.......... 86
Conditions to the Warrant Exchange.................................................................. 86
Fees and Expenses................................................................................... 86
Transfer Taxes...................................................................................... 86
INTERCOMPANY DEBT EXCHANGE................................................................................. 86
SELLING STOCKHOLDER........................................................................................ 87
EXPERTS.................................................................................................... 87
LEGAL MATTERS.............................................................................................. 87
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS................................................................................. 88
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS...................................................................................... 88
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION........................................................................ 88
NAAC FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.................................................................................. F-1
MOTO GUZZI CORP. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...................................................................... F-15
</TABLE>
LIST OF ANNEXES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SCHEDULE
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
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<S> <C>
Annex I Merger Agreement and First Amendment (without schedules and exhibits)
Annex II Opinion of Allen & Company
Annex III Form of Nominal Warrant
Annex IV Form of Amended and Restated NAAC Certificate of Amendment
Annex V Form of 1998 Stock Option Plan
Annex VI Form of 1998 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors
Annex VII Alternative Form of Article Fourth of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to
Effectuate the Class B Recapitalization
</TABLE>
vi
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
This section highlights selected information related to the merger.
However, it may not contain all of the information that is important to you. We
urge you to read the entire document, including the appendices, and the
documents incorporated by reference. Each highlighted section heading also
points to the page in the proxy statement/prospectus where a more detailed
discussion will be found.
NAAC (PAGE 18)
NAAC was organized on August 9, 1995 as a Specialized Merger and
Acquisition Allocated Risk Transaction(Registered) company to acquire an
operating business. NAAC completed an initial public offering on August 22, 1997
and received net proceeds of approximately $8,100,000.Approximately $8,000,000
of the net proceeds was placed in an interest-bearing escrow account. As of
November 30, 1998, the escrow account aggregated about $8,557,000. These funds
will be released when the merger is completed. The mailing address of NAAC's
principal executive office is 5 East 59th Street, New York, New York 10022, and
its telephone number is (212) 486-4444.
GUZZI CORP. (PAGE 20)
Guzzi Corp. is a leading Italian manufacturer, marketer and distributor of
performance and luxury motorcycles and motorcycle parts. Its products are
marketed under the "Moto Guzzi(Registered)" brand name. Guzzi Corp. is a
Delaware corporation formed in 1996 to acquire Moto Guzzi S.p.A., its principal
operating subsidiary, and Moto America Inc., the exclusive U.S. importer and
distributor of "Moto Guzzi" brand motorcycles and parts.
Moto Guzzi will become the principal operating subsidiary of NAAC following
the merger. The mailing address of the principal executive office of Guzzi Corp.
is c/o Trident Rowan Group, Inc., Two World's Fair Drive, Somerset, New Jersey
08873, and its telephone number is (908) 868-9000.
Products and Distribution (PAGES 20 AND 23)
Moto Guzzi is one of the world's elite designers and manufacturers of
performance and luxury motorcycles. Its current product line is positioned in
the market segment of motorcycles with engines of 650 cc in size or higher.
Moto Guzzi sells its products worldwide through a network of wholly and
partially owned importers and independent dealers. In Italy, Moto Guzzi
maintains a network of over 140 independent distributors.
History and Recent Developments (PAGE 21)
Established in 1921, Moto Guzzi is one of the oldest motorcycle brands in
the world. Moto Guzzi experienced continuous losses for the last eleven years.
It suffered a loss of Lit. 10,569 million for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 and of Lit. 8,608 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998. It has not generated cash from operations for over three
years.
Since 1994, and more recently during 1997 and 1998, Moto Guzzi recruited
new senior management. The new management team:
o increased capital expenditure to improve production efficiency;
o increased research and development efforts to upgrade the product line;
o recruited additional sales and administrative personnel; and
o raised investment capital through private debt and equity offerings.
Partly as a result of these actions, unit sales volumes increased and Moto
Guzzi has also experienced significant improvements in its cost structure.
<PAGE>
Strategy (PAGE 21)
Moto Guzzi's strategy is to increase sales volumes and gross profits by:
o focusing on the breadth, quality and design of its product
offerings,
o increasing its marketing activities,
o enhancing its distribution network, and
o leveraging its brand name.
If Guzzi Corp. implements all of the projects it is currently evaluating to
pursue its strategy, it estimates that approximately Lit. 50 billion
(approximately $28.26 million) of development and capital expenditure would be
required over the next five years. Additionally, Moto Guzzi will have to make up
to Lit. 20 billion (approximately $11.3 million) of capital investments over the
next few years. These funds will be used to refurbish its plant to make it more
competitive and for investments in information technology and systems. Cash
flows from operations are not anticipated to be sufficient to entirely finance
these expenses. Guzzi Corp's actual product development programs therefore will
be partially determined by its ability to obtain further financing from outside
sources such as bank loans or equity securities offerings.
THE MERGER (PAGE 30)
The stockholders of NAAC are being asked to approve the merger of NAAC and
Moto Guzzi. If the merger happens, NAAC will be controlled by the current
stockholders of Guzzi Corp. The current stockholders of NAAC will own about
23.4% and the Guzzi Corp. security holders will own about 76.4% of the NAAC
Class A common stock. Other than from the recapitalization of the Class B common
stock, the number of NAAC shares currently held by the NAAC stockholders will
not be changed by the merger. Although NAAC is the surviving corporation, its
future business will be that of Moto Guzzi.
As part of the merger, there are several other things occurring in the
capitalization of NAAC. The first is that at the time the merger is completed,
Lit 12,919 million of debt owed by Guzzi Corp. to Trident Rowan Group, Inc. and
O.A.M. S.p.A., its current parent companies, will be canceled. Interest on the
debt since January 1, 1998 will also be canceled. Excluding the Lit. 3 billion
(approximately $1.7 million) borrowed from OAM in October, 1998, which will be
repaid at the merger, all other amounts owed to Trident Rowan and OAM in excess
of $800,000 will also be canceled. Trident Rowan and OAM will receive securities
of NAAC for these cancellations. (Page 86.) The second of these is that there is
the warrant exchange offer. This is where the Guzzi Corp. warrant holders will
have the opportunity to surrender their warrants for securities of NAAC. If they
do this, they will receive the same group of NAAC securities that the holders of
Moto Guzzi common stock and preferred stock get in the merger; if not, they will
keep their warrants, as is, with the requirement of paying the $4.00 exercise
price and not receiving registered shares. (Page 85.) The third is that the
holders of NAAC Class B common stock will be asked to recapitalize their stock
into NAAC Class A common stock and NAAC Class A warrants. (Page 84).
Also as part of the merger, there will be a number of changes to the
certificate of incorporation of NAAC. (Page 74.) The name of the company will be
"Moto Guzzi Corporation." This will better reflect the business of the company.
In the future, if stockholders want to make changes to the by-laws of the
company, fill a board vacancy or remove a director for cause, any of these
changes will have to be approved by a two-thirds vote of stockholders. There
will be a staggered board of directors and a new board will be elected with only
one of the current directors of NAAC continuing as a director after the merger.
(Page 77.)
Two new stock option plans will be adopted for employees and directors.
(Page 80.)
This list indicates the essential actions to be taken prior to the merger:
o Merger and merger agreement to be approved by holders of
NAAC Common Stock.
o Amendments to the certificate of incorporation to be
approved by holders of NAAC common stock.
o Elect eight persons nominated by NAAC and Guzzi Corp. as the
directors of NAAC after the merger.
o 1998 Stock Plan and 1998 Stock Option Plan for Outside
Directors to be approved by holders of NAAC common stock.
The following lists the actions that may happen simultaneously with the
merger but are not conditions; however, the merger must be completed for these
to happen:
o Exchange and cancellation of outstanding Guzzi Corp.
warrants.
2
<PAGE>
o Recapitalization of NAAC Class B common stock to be approved
by the holders of NAAC common stock.
The following table provides a graphical depiction of the ownership
interests of the NAAC Class A common stock and holding company structure of NAAC
immediately following completion of the merger.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
-------------------- ---------------------- ------------------ -------------------
| North Atlantic | | Old Guzzi Pfd. and | | Trident Rowan | | Daimler |
| Shareholders | | Warrant Holders | | Group, Inc. | | Chrysler AG |
-------------------- ---------------------- ------------------ -------------------
| | | \ 99.9% |
| | | \ |
| | | -------------------- |16.1%
| | | | Trident Rowan | |
| | | | Servizi, S.p.A. | |
| | | -------------------- |
| | | 83.9% | |
| | | -------------------- |
| | | | O.A.M., S.p.A. |----------
| | | --------------------
| | | | Total
| | -------------- ---------
| | |
Class A Shares(a) 1,296,000(b) 840,000(c) 3,360,000(d) 6,582,668
Percent 23.6% 16.2% 61.1% 100.0%
\ \ /
\ \ /
\ \ /
\ \ /
\ ------------------
\ | Moto Guzzi |
\ | Corporation |
---------------------| (formerly |
| NAAC) |
------------------
|
------------------------------------------
| 100.0% |
| |
----------------------- ----------------------
| Moto America, Inc. | | Moto Guzzi, S.p.A. |
----------------------- ----------------------
|
---------------------------
25.0% | | 100.0%
| |
------------ ---------------
| MGI GmbH | | Moto Guzzi |
| | | France, S.A.|
------------ ---------------
</TABLE>
- -----------
(a) Includes NAAC Class B common stock if converted.
(b) Pro forma for the recapitalization of the NAAC Class B common stock but
prior to the exercise of the NAAC Class A warrants.
(c) Assumes full acceptance of the warrant exchange and does not include shares
issuable upon the exercise of the nominal warrants.
(d) Does not include shares issuable upon the exercise of the nominal warrants.
3
<PAGE>
The following chart shows the shares of NAAC Class A common stock, NAAC
Class B common stock and the NAAC Class A warrants and other options and
warrants to purchase NAAC Class A common stock outstanding immediately after the
merger. Each column shows a different set of circumstances. The table excludes
options to be granted to employees and officers and directors under the two new
stock option plans being proposed at the annual meeting. Also shown are the
Guzzi Corp. warrants which may be outstanding immediately after the merger.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSUMES FULL ASSUMES NO
ACCEPTANCE OF WARRANT ASSUMES FULL ACCEPTANCE OF
EXCHANGE AND APPROVAL ACCEPTANCE OF ASSUMES APPROVAL OF WARRANT EXCHANGE
OF WARRANT EXCHANGE RECAPITALIZATION AND NO APPROVAL OF
RECAPITALIZATION ONLY ONLY RECAPITALIZATION
--------------------- ---------------- ------------------------ ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NAAC Class A common
stock................... 5,496,000 5,196,000 5,278,011 4,978,011
NAAC Class B common
stock................... -0- 150,000 -0- 150,000
NAAC Class A preferred
stock................... 94 94 94 94
NAAC Class A warrants..... 1,160,000 860,000 1,160,000 860,000
Nominal warrants.......... 800,000 800,000 758,480 758,480
NAAC Class A common stock
underlying other options
and warrants............ 703,333 703,333 703,333 703,333
Guzzi Corp. warrants...... -0- -0- 1,500,000 1,500,000
</TABLE>
The following chart shows the number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock
and the number of nominal warrants into which each share of Guzzi Corp. common
stock and Guzzi Corp. preferred stock will be converted in the merger. It also
shows how many shares of NAAC Class A common stock and nominal warrants each
Guzzi Corp. warrant will receive in the Guzzi Corp. warrant exchange.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAAC CLASS A NOMINAL
COMMON STOCK WARRANTS
------------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Guzzi Corp. common stock..................... .4146744 .07898667
Guzzi Corp. preferred stock.................. .4146744 .07898667
Guzzi Corp. warrants......................... .145326 .02768
</TABLE>
REDEMPTION RIGHTS; NO APPRAISAL RIGHTS (PAGE 29)
Holders of shares of NAAC Class A common stock which were issued in the
initial public offering may redeem their shares in connection with the merger.
The redemption amount is about $10.65 per share. If more than 160,000 shares are
submitted for redemption, the merger will be terminated. There will be no change
in NAAC in that event.
To obtain redemption, a stockholder must carefully follow the instructions
stated elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. The most important thing is
to give NAAC written notice of redemption on or before February 1, 1999. The
date is 10 days before the annual meeting. Failure to give notice by that date
will end the right of redemption for this merger.
Holders of NAAC common stock do not have appraisal or dissenters' rights
because of the merger.
4
<PAGE>
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF MERGER TO GUZZI CORP. STOCKHOLDERS (PAGE 38)
Guzzi Corp. stockholders will not realize any capital gain or loss because
of the merger. Their tax basis in the NAAC Class A common stock received in the
merger will equal their current tax basis.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT (PAGE 40)
The merger will be treated as a reverse acquisition of NAAC by Guzzi Corp.
In a reverse acquisition, the existing stockholders of the corporation which
survives the merger will own less than 50% of its outstanding shares. The
stockholders of Guzzi Corp. will receive approximately 76.4% of the post-merger
shares of NAAC. This percentage excludes any shares of NAAC Class A common stock
issuable upon exercise of any options or warrants. It also assumes that all
Guzzi Corp. warrants are cancelled or exchanged. Guzzi Corp. will therefore be
treated as the acquiror from an accounting standpoint. The cost of the
acquisition of NAAC will be based on the fair value of NAAC's assets and
liabilities as of the date of the merger. The historical financial statements of
the surviving corporation, for periods prior to the merger, will be those of
Guzzi Corp. rather than those of NAAC.
Since all of the production and much of the sales of Moto Guzzi, and
therefore of Guzzi Corp., occur in Italy, Guzzi Corp.'s primary financial
statements are reported in Italian Lire. This is what the generally accepted
accounting principles require. Upon completion of the merger, NAAC will report
results in Italian Lire and, from a future date to be determined, in Euros, the
new standardized European currency.
THE ANNUAL MEETING (PAGE 27)
The annual meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on February 10, 1999. These
are the proposals which NAAC stockholders will be asked to approve, the vote
needed to approve them, and where in this proxy statement/prospectus a detailed
discussion may be found:
o to approve the merger--approval by two-thirds of the outstanding NAAC
common stock (page 30);
o to approve the following seven related proposals to amend the NAAC
certificate of incorporation required by the merger agreement--approval
by a majority of the outstanding NAAC common stock:
o to change the name of NAAC to "Moto Guzzi Corporation" (page 74);
o to increase the total number of authorized shares to 25 million, of
which 20 million will be Class A common stock, 250,000 will be
Class B common stock, and 4,750,000 will be preferred stock. One
hundred shares of preferred stock will be designated as Class A
Convertible preferred stock(page 74);
o to require a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding stock or a
majority of the board of directors to amend or repeal the by-laws
(page 75);
o to classify the board of directors into three classes, serving
staggered terms (page 75);
o to prevent members of the board of directors from being removed
except for cause, and only by a vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares or by the board of directors (page 75);
o to require a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding stock to fill
vacancies on the board of directors (page 76); and
o to provide indemnification of the officers and directors, unless
prohibited by law (page 76);
o to elect eight members of the post-merger board of directors--approval by
a plurality of those voting at the annual meeting (page 77); and
o to approve two stock option plans--approval by a majority of the NAAC
common stock present at the meeting (page 80).
All of these proposals must be approved for the merger to happen. If any
single proposal is not adopted, none of them will be implemented, and the merger
will not be completed. If any of the other conditions to the merger are not
satisfied, including the decision by holders of more than 160,000 shares of NAAC
5
<PAGE>
Class A common stock to submit their shares for redemption by the Company, the
merger will not be completed.
Holders of a majority of each of the NAAC Class A common stock and the NAAC
Class B common stock will be asked to approve the recapitalization of the Class
B common stock (page 84).
Directors, officers and affiliates of NAAC have agreed to vote their
pre-IPO shares of common stock as the majority of NAAC stockholders vote.
Separately, Mr. A.J. Nasser has agreed to vote the 100,000 shares of NAAC
Class A common stock which he owns for the merger and related proposals. These
shares represent 11.6% of the outstanding common stock.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (PAGE 37)
In considering the recommendation of the NAAC board, NAAC stockholders
should be aware that members of the NAAC board and management have various
conflicts of interest arising out of their ownership of NAAC common stock and
NAAC management options and future employment arrangements.
CLASS B RECAPITALIZATION (PAGE 84)
This proxy statement/prospectus relates to NAAC stockholder approval of the
recapitalization of the NAAC Class B common stock. If approved, this class of
common stock will convert into 300,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and
300,000 NAAC Class A warrants, each at the rate of two for one. The result will
be to eliminate the NAAC Class B common stock to simplify the capital structure
of NAAC.
Currently, the NAAC Class B common stock has three principal features, all
of which will end upon its conversion or upon the recapitalization. It has the
right of two votes for each share. Upon the redemption and cancellation of the
NAAC Class A common stock and NAAC Series A preferred stock if there is no
business combination by August 22, 1999, each share will convert into two new
shares of NAAC Class A common stock. The result will be the holders of these
shares will own a public "shell" corporation. If the merger is completed, this
class of common stock has the option of converting into NAAC Class A common
stock and NAAC Class A warrants from the 90th day to the first anniversary of
the merger.
The provision about automatic conversion after August 22, 1999 has no
effect when the merger is completed. Whether or not the proposal to recapitalize
the NAAC Class B common stock is approved, NAAC expects all the shares to
optionally convert into NAAC Class A common stock after the merger. While the
recapitalization is not required for the merger, it will not occur unless the
merger is approved.
Holders of the NAAC Class B common stock need not take any further action;
their certificates will represent the converted securities for all corporate
purposes.
NAAC REDEMPTION PAYMENT IF NO BUSINESS COMBINATION (PAGE 19)
If NAAC does not complete a business combination by August 22, 1999, the
amount held in the escrow account will be distributed. The funds will only be
distributed to the holders of NAAC Class A common stock that was issued in the
initial public offering. Other holders of NAAC Class A common stock and of the
holders of NAAC Class B common stock will not receive any cash in this
particular distribution. NAAC believes the distribution amount will be slightly
more than $10.65. The actual amount will depend on a number of factors and
future events.
If the escrow account is distributed, all the NAAC Class A common stock
will be canceled. Any other assets of NAAC will be used to pay outstanding
liabilities and redeem the NAAC Series A Preferred Stock. After these actions,
the NAAC Class B common stockautomatically will be exchanged for two shares of
NAAC Class A common stock. The holders of these shares, consequently, will then
own a public "shell" corporation.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCE OF NAAC REDEMPTION (PAGE 38)
NAAC stockholders whose shares of NAAC Class A common stock are redeemed
will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount received
from NAAC and their adjusted tax basis. NAAC stockholders are urged to consult
with their own tax advisors with respect to federal, state, local, foreign and
other possible tax consequences.
6
<PAGE>
SUMMARY GUZZI CORP. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
IN MILLIONS OF ITALIAN LIRE AND THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
The following table sets forth summary financial data for Guzzi Corp. on a
consolidated historical basis for the periods and the dates indicated. The
historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the
statements of operations data for each of the years then ended are derived from
the audited financial statements of Guzzi Corp. included in the proxy
statement/prospectus. The historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 1995
and the statements of operations data for the year then ended are derived from
the unaudited financial statements of Guzzi Corp. for such year included in the
proxy statement/prospectus. The historical balance sheet data and the statements
of operations data at the end of and for the nine month periods ended
September 30, 1998 and 1997 have been derived from unaudited consolidated
financial statements and in the opinion of Guzzi Corp.'s management, include all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for such
periods. Results for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 are not
necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full fiscal year. The
information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Guzzi Corp. Financial Conditions and Results of Operations," the
financial statements, and the notes to the financial statements, included
elsewhere in the proxy statement/prospectus.
The United States dollar amounts below are translated solely for the
convenience of the reader at the approximate exchange rates of Lit. 1,652 to
$1.00 at September 30, 1998 and Lit. 1,769 to $1.00 at December 31, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED YEARS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
1998 1998 1997 1997 1997 1996 1995
$000 LIT. M LIT. M $000 LIT. M LIT. M LIT. M
------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Net sales................ $40,933 Lit.67,622 Lit.59,770 $ 45,781 Lit.80,987 Lit.77,620 Lit.64,671
Gross profit............. 7,222 11,931 7,602 5,378 9,514(1) 11,865 10,071
Selling, general and
administrative
expense................ 7,207 11,906 10,020 7,815 13,824 10,210 7,486
Research and development
expenditures........... 1,863 3,078 1,393 1,767 3,125 1,177 602
Interest Expense(2)...... 1,989 3,286 2,893 2,058 3,640 4,346 3,604
Net loss................. $(5,211) Lit.(8,608) Lit.(6,317) $ (5,976) Lit.(10,569) Lit.(1,996) Lit.(3,233)
</TABLE>
(Table continued and footnotes on next page)
7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 DECEMBER 31
---------------------- --------------------------- ------------------------------------------
AS ADJUSTED(3) ACTUAL ACTUAL
---------------------- --------------------------- ------------------------------------------
1998 1998 1998 1998 1997 1996 1995
$000 LIT. M $000 LIT. M LIT. M LIT. M LIT. M
------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash
equivalents............ $ 725 Lit.1,197 $ 725 Lit.1,197 Lit.6,352 Lit.2,210 Lit.2,718
Current assets........... 44,298 73,181 44,298 73,181 69,229 60,223 52,382
Total assets............. 55,194 91,180 55,194 91,180 84,694 73,731 58,594
Short-term debt.......... 18,852 31,144 18,852 31,144 29,012 23,173 15,637
Other current
liabilities............ 20,865 34,468 20,865 34,468 30,669 26,419 25,753
Long-term debt, net of
current portion........ 8,282 13,682 8,282 13,682 4,828 5,629 4,198
Parent Company
financing.............. -- -- 8,114 13,404 12,919 4,659 2,883
Preferred stock subject
to redemption.......... -- -- 7,591 12,540 11,629 5,101 --
Shareholder's equity..... $ 2,414 Lit.3,987 $ (13,291) Lit.(21,957) Lit.(12,366) Lit.1,596 Lit.2,822
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
1998 1998 1997 1997 1997 1996 1995
$000 LIT. M LIT. M $000 LIT. M LIT. M LIT. M
------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OTHER DATA:
Depreciation and
amortization................ $ 1,786 Lit.2,950 1,737 1,402 2,480 1,807 2,303
Capital expenditure........... 3,418 5,647 2,351 2,197 3,887 5,951 1,801
EBITDA(4)..................... (1,063) (1,756) (1,501) (2,383) (4,214) 4,189 2,774
Unit sales volumes (No. of
motorcycles)................ 4,510 4,056 5,593 6,050 5,198
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) Gross margins declined between 1996 and 1997 principally as a result of
management's decision to maintain constant price levels in an attempt to
increase market share.
(2) Interest expense includes interest on intercompany loans from Trident Rowan
and affiliates amounting to Lit. 485 million and Lit. 317 million in the
nine months ended September 30, 1998 and nine months ended September 30,
1997, respectively, and Lit. 377, Lit. 275 and Lit. 36 million in the years
ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. All interest bearing intercompany
debt as of September 30, 1998, amounting to Lit. 13,404 million, including
accrued interest, at September 30, 1998 is being contributed to capital as
part of the merger agreement.
(3) The intercompany debt exchange and exchange of Guzzi Corp. redeemable
preferred stock for NAAC equity securities contemplated as part of the
merger agreement substantially represent a recapitalization by the holders
of the intercompany debt and of the preferred stock. The "As Adjusted"
figures reflect the effects of recapitalization.
(4) EBITDA is defined as earnings before income taxes, interest expense,
depreciation and amortization. The presentation of EBITDA facilitates an
investor's understanding of a company's operations. EBITDA should not be
considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of a company's
operating performance or to cash flows as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA is
not used in the presentation of financial statements prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles and may not be comparable to
similarly titled measurements reported by other companies.
8
<PAGE>
SUMMARY NAAC HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected historical financial data as of August 31, 1998,
August 31, 1997 and for the period September 1, 1995 (inception) to August 31,
1998 and for the periods then ended are derived from the audited financial
statements of NAAC included in this proxy statement/prospectus. The selected
financial data as of November 30, 1998, November 30, 1997 and for the three
months ended November 30, 1998 and November 30, 1997 and for the period
September 1, 1995 (inception) to November 30, 1998 are derived from the
unaudited financial statements of NAAC included elsewhere in this proxy
statement/prospectus. Unaudited data includes, in management's opinion, all
normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of
operations and financial position of NAAC for such periods. Results for interim
periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for an
entire fiscal year. The data should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements, related notes, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of NAAC's
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," the pro forma financial
statements of Guzzi Corp. and NAAC and other financial information included in
this proxy statement/prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS THREE MONTHS
ENDED ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 1, 1995 SEPTEMBER 1, 1995
NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, AUGUST 31, AUGUST 31, (INCEPTION) TO (INCEPTION) TO
1998 1997 1998 1997 AUGUST 31, 1996 NOVEMBER 30, 1998
------------- ------------- ---------- ---------- ----------------- -----------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Interest income.............. $ 149 $ 105 $ 411 $ -- $ -- $ 560
General, administrative,
other expenses and
taxes ..................... 66 11 198 39 31 334
Net income (loss)............ 83 94 213 (39) (31) 226
Net income (loss) per common
share...................... .08 .09 .20 (.33) (.29) --
Weighted average common
shares outstanding......... 1,056,000 1,056,000 1,056,000 119,014 106,000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
NOVEMBER 30,
1998 AUGUST 31, 1998 AUGUST 31, 1997 AUGUST 31, 1996
------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents.... $ 1 $ 1 $ 402 $ 26
Deferred merger costs........ 215 105 -- --
U.S. Government securities
deposited in escrow account
and accrued interest
thereon.................... 8,558 8,409 7,998 --
Total assets................. 8,774 8,515 8,401 204
Liabilities.................. 350 174 283 181
Common stock subject to
possible redemption........ 1,712 1,682 1,600 --
Stockholders' equity......... 6,712 6,659 6,518 23
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
The following table sets forth summary unaudited pro forma balance sheet
information, is derived from the unaudited pro forma balance sheets found on
pages 71 and 72 of this proxy statement/prospectus and should be read in
conjunction with the schedules and historical financial information of Guzzi
Corp. and NAAC included elsewhere in this document.
The merger agreement contemplates that intercompany debt owed to Trident
Rowan and OAM, amounting to Lit. 13,404 million at September 30, 1998, will be
exchanged for NAAC securities. Directors of NAAC have also agreed to exercise
their Class B options to purchase 30,000 shares of NAAC Class B common stock.
Further, up to 160,000 of the outstanding shares of NAAC Class A common stock
could be required to be redeemed upon closing of the merger. If holders of more
than 160,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock elect for redemption of their
shares, the merger will not be completed. These events result in a
contemporaneous recapitalization of the post-merger company upon the completion
of the merger, and uncertainty as to the liquid resources and net equity of the
post-merger company due to the potential redemption of NAAC Class A common
stock.
The table below illustrates two scenarios: where there has been no exercise
of redemption by NAAC shareholders; and where the maximum of 160,000 shares of
NAAC Class A common stock has been redeemed. The actual number of shares of NAAC
Class A common stock to be redeemed could be anywhere between 0 and 160,000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSUMING NO EXERCISE OF
REDEMPTION RIGHTS BY
NAAC SHAREHOLDERS
--------------------------------------------------
US$'000(1) LIT. M
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents.................................... 9,435 15,587
Other current assets......................................... 43,574 71,984
Total current assets......................................... 53,009 87,571
Tangible fixed assets........................................ 9,722 16,060
Total assets................................................. 63,905 105,570
Short-term debt.............................................. 18,852 31,144
Other current liabilities.................................... 21,298 35,184
Total current liabilities.................................... 40,150 66,328
Long-term debt............................................... 8,282 13,682
Staff leaving indemnities.................................... 4,782 7,899
Shareholders' equity......................................... 10,691 17,661
<CAPTION>
ASSUMING MAXIMUM EXERCISE
OF REDEMPTION RIGHTS BY
NAAC SHAREHOLDERS
------------------------------------------------------
US$'000(1) LIT. M
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents.................................... 7,754 12,809
Other current assets......................................... 43,574 71,984
Total current assets......................................... 51,328 84,793
Tangible fixed assets........................................ 9,722 16,060
Total assets................................................. 62,223 102,792
Short-term debt.............................................. 18,852 31,144
Other current liabilities.................................... 21,298 35,184
Total current liabilities.................................... 40,158 66,328
Long-term debt............................................... 8,282 13,682
Staff leaving indemnities.................................... 4,782 7,899
Shareholders' equity......................................... 9,009 14,883
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) Translated solely for the convenience of the reader at the approximate
exchange rate as of September 30, 1998 of Lit. 1,652 to $1.00.
SUMMARY UNAUDITED PRO FORMA LOSS PER SHARE
Pro forma loss per share is calculated by adjusting for the interest
expense on the intercompany debt subject to the intercompany debt exchange (see
page 86) and allowing for the shares issued under the merger agreement, as if
such shares had been outstanding throughout the period, and assuming full
acceptance of the warrant exchange and approval of the recapitalization of the
NAAC Class B common stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
US$(1) LIRE M US$(2) LIRE M
----------------- ----------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSUMING NO EXERCISE OF REDEMPTION
RIGHTS BY NAAC SHAREHOLDERS
Basic pro forma loss per share (3)...... (0.89) (1,478) (1.05) (1,854)
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding in period (4)............. 5,496,000 5,496,000
ASSUMING MAXIMUM EXERCISE OF REDEMPTION
RIGHTS BY NAAC SHAREHOLDERS
Basic pro forma loss per share (3)...... (0.92) (1,522) (1.08) (1,910)
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding in period (4)............. 5,336,000 5,336,000
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Translated solely for the convenience of the reader at the approximate
exchange rate as of September 30, 1998 of Lit. 1,652 to $1.00
(2) Translated solely for the convenience of the reader at the approximate
exchange rate as of December 31, 1997 of Lit. 1,769 to $1.00
(3) Fully diluted loss per share has not been calculated as there were losses in
each period.
(4) Assuming that the Guzzi Corp. warrants were not dilutive in either period.
10
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
The following factors should be considered carefully by the stockholders of
NAAC in determining whether to vote in favor of the merger agreement. All
amounts reported in dollars are provided solely as a convenience to the reader
and is based upon a lire-dollar conversion rate of Lit. 1,769 to $1.00, the
approximate conversion rate in effect at December 31, 1997.
HISTORY OF LOSSES--GUZZI CORP. HAS A LONG HISTORY OF LOSSES AND MAY CONTINUE TO
INCUR LOSSES.
Guzzi Corp. had losses in each of the past 11 fiscal years. Guzzi Corp.
lost Lit. 10,569 million (approximately $5.9 million) in its 1997 fiscal year,
and Lit. 8,608 million (approximately $4.8 million) for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998. Guzzi Corp.'s business has seasonal fluctuations and results
for the first nine months of 1998 may not be indicative of the full year
results. It is possible that Guzzi Corp.'s operations, on a combined basis, will
not become profitable. As a result, financing may be difficult to obtain and
operations may have to be curtailed.
NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FINANCING--GUZZI CORP. WILL NEED MORE CAPITAL FOR ITS
STRATEGIC PLAN THAN WILL BE PROVIDED IN THE MERGER.
Guzzi Corp.'s strategic plan for growth in production and sales
contemplates total investments in research and product development of some Lit.
50 billion (approximately $30 million) in the five year period from 1998 through
2002. In addition, the plan calls for investments of Lit. 20 billion
(approximately $12 million) in production plant and machinery and information
systems. Much of the production machinery at Moto Guzzi's facility is aged and
in need of extensive modification, improvement or replacement.
Consummation of the merger will provide approximately $8 million of capital
to Guzzi Corp. Because of Guzzi Corp.'s short term liquidity shortages,
approximately Lit. 8.8 billion (approximately $5.0 million) of the proceeds from
NAAC will be used
o to pay down supplier arrearages,
o to repay approximately Lit. 6 billion (approximately $3.6 million) of
intercompany and some of Moto Guzzi's bank indebtedness,
o to pay up to $800,000 in other intercompany indebtedness and
o to finance working capital.
The proceeds from NAAC will only provide cash for Guzzi Corp.'s investment
program if Guzzi Corp. is able to successfully reduce its inventory levels in
1999.
FAILURE TO SECURE ADDITIONAL FINANCING--IF GUZZI CORP. IS UNABLE TO OBTAIN
ADDITIONAL CAPITAL, IT WILL JEOPARDIZE OPERATIONS AND EXPANSION PLANS.
If the merger with NAAC is completed, management will immediately seek
further financing for its capital programs. These efforts may not succeed. Moto
Guzzi has had preliminary discussions with several potential sources of such
further financing, including debt issues and inventory financing lines. Moto
Guzzi believes that continuation of these discussions and the eventual securing
of financing arrangements will be greatly facilitated after the proposed merger
when the surviving company will have a higher equity base. If additional capital
is not secured in 1999, the surviving company will have to reconsider its
capital expenditure and growth plans to take account of limited financial
resources. This may result in reduced production and revenues and related
cutbacks. The future of Moto Guzzi may be jeopardized.
Moto Guzzi has various credit arrangements with Italian institutional and
bank lenders, most of which amounts are set and may be changed at the discretion
of the bank. Among the factors considered by the lenders are:
o the amount of trade receivables,
o the availability of property for security,
o operating results,
o economic climate, and
o the availability of guarantees from government and private sources.
The absence of long-term supply contracts to Moto Guzzi may also limit the
availability of trade credit dependent on these types of customer relationships.
To the extent adequate financing is not available from its current lenders, Moto
Guzzi or NAAC will have to obtain financing from other sources. This may be from
other bank financing arrangements, debt financing or sales of equity securities.
Another potential source of
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capital is the group of currently outstanding options and warrants to acquire
NAAC Class A common stock. If all of them are exercised, these options and
warrants will raise about $15,000,000, before expenses. The exercise of these
options and warrants depends on the price of NAAC Class A common stock
increasing to levels above $11.00 for at least 10 days days in the case of the
NAAC Class A warrants and to levels between $10.00 and $12.50 for other warrants
and options. There can be no assurance that any additional financing will be
available to Moto Guzzi or NAAC on acceptable terms or at all or that any of the
outstanding options and warrants will be exercised. Significant amounts of the
property of Moto Guzzi are encumbered to current lenders and suppliers. The
inability to obtain financing will materially, adversely affect the
refurbishment, production, sales and strategic plans of Moto Guzzi. If any
future financing involves the sale of equity securities, the interest of NAAC's
then-stockholders could be substantially diluted.
DEMAND FOR PRODUCTS--SINCE MOTO GUZZI DOES NOT SELL ITS PRODUCTS UNDER LONG-TERM
PURCHASE COMMITMENTS AND MAY NOT CORRECTLY ESTIMATE DEMAND, PRODUCTION DELAYS OR
POOR MARKETING JUDGMENT COULD DIMINISH SALES.
Moto Guzzi's ability to predict future demand for its products and to
timely develop new products to meet that demand will influence its performance.
Guzzi Corp. plans annual production levels and long-term product development and
introduction based on anticipated demand. For the majority of sales, Guzzi Corp.
does not have long-term purchase commitments or non-revocable orders. Instead,
dealers and importers indicate their expected product needs approximately three
months in advance. Moto Guzzi relies on its own market assessment and regular
communication with its customers to anticipate the future volumes of purchase
orders. Changes in product demand or delays in product delivery could impair
their ability to achieve sales goals or achieve profitability.
DEPENDENCE ON THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS AND MANUFACTURERS--THE FAILURE OF THIRD
PARTIES TO SUPPLY MATERIALS OR COMPONENTS OF THE REQUIRED QUANTITY AND QUALITY
WILL DISRUPT PRODUCTION AND DEGRADE OPERATING RESULTS.
Moto Guzzi believes that there are numerous available sources of supply for
most of the motorcycle components it purchases from third parties. While Moto
Guzzi attempts to maintain alternative sources for its supplies, some important
components are available from only one or two sources. Guzzi Corp. therefore is
subject to the risk of price fluctuations and possible delays in deliveries.
Suppliers' failure to supply Moto Guzzi on commercially reasonable terms would
materially harm Moto Guzzi. There can be no assurance that adequate sources of
alternative reliable outside suppliers will be identified and engaged at
advantageous terms or on any terms at all.
Moto Guzzi generally does not maintain long-term supply agreements with its
suppliers. Rather it purchases components and raw materials by routine purchase
orders or short-term contracts in the ordinary course of business. Failure or
delay in receiving necessary raw materials and components by Moto Guzzi would
adversely affect its operations and its ability in turn to deliver its products
on a timely basis.
Moto Guzzi is more susceptable to delays than larger companies because of
the small volume of supply orders customarily placed by Moto Guzzi and is
accordingly less able to secure alternative supply sources on short notice.
PRODUCTION DELAYS--MOTO GUZZI HAS EXPERIENCED MANY PRODUCTION DELAYS, WHICH MAY
DIMINISH SALES.
Moto Guzzi has experienced frequent delays in production and shipment in
each of the past three years. Production delays may result from:
o introduction of new production procedures;
o changes in computer systems;
o increased use of outsourcing for parts;
o improper synchronization between component deliveries and manufacturing
needs;
o reengineering of components previously delivered; and
o Moto Guzzi being in arrears to some of its suppliers for delivered
components.
Moto Guzzi believes that these production delays resulted in lost sales, as
firm orders which it had expected based on importers' and dealers' earlier
estimates did not fully materialize. However, since explanations are not usually
provided by importers or dealers when firm orders are placed for fewer units
than expected, and because it cannot be determined whether late-arriving orders
merely replace the orders which might have come earlier but for the production
delays, Moto Guzzi cannot quantify the amount of sales lost due to production
delays. Moto Guzzi is able, however, to estimate that orders for 600-800 units
of
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the new "Quota" and "California Special" were lost in 1998 due to production
delays, totalling between approximately Lit. 7.5 billion (approximately
$4.2 million) and 10.0 billion (approximately $5.6 million) in revenue.
Production delays also cause increased dealer and customer dissatisfaction.
These and other delays may impair the long-term prospects of Moto Guzzi.
NEED TO EXPAND DISTRIBUTION--IF GUZZI CORP. IS UNABLE TO BETTER PENETRATE
FOREIGN MARKETS, IT WILL BE UNABLE TO GROW AS PLANNED.
Although Moto Guzzi has an important base in the Italian market, the future
growth of the company depends on achieving a significant penetration in the
French, German and United States markets and expansion in the Italian market.
For this to happen, Moto Guzzi will have to generate market demand and will have
to improve its product distribution. Related to this, Moto Guzzi will have to
improve production capacity without sacrificing quality. Without these
fundamental changes, there will be little growth and the opportunity for
corporate profitability will be impaired.
INDUSTRY CYCLICALITY--BECAUSE OF GUZZI CORP.'S CONCENTRATION IN LARGE ENGINE
MOTORCYCLES, A SHIFT IN INDUSTRY DEMAND TO SMALLER ENGINE SIZES COULD HARM
SALES.
The demand for motorcycles has been subject to substantial changes from
changing economic conditions. Over recent years, motorcycle riding has also
become established as a leisure activity in developed markets. Moto Guzzi
motorcycles, being larger and more expensive, are principally targeted at the
leisure segment of the vehicular industry. Guzzi Corp. believes that the recent
recognition of motorcycle riding as a leisure activity is one of the major
factors behind the steady growth in Moto Guzzi's market segment over the last
three years. Guzzi Corp. believes that this trend is likely to continue and that
its markets will not be subject to violent demand changes, although it is
possible that the growth of the large engine motorcycle sales may slow or
decline. Prevailing economic conditions may unfavorably affect disposable income
for leisure activities and an increase in the cost of gasoline could have a
negative effect on the cost of motorcycling. It is possible that Guzzi Corp.'s
markets will not remain in a growth phase or remain stable.
SEASONALITY--BECAUSE BOTH MARKET DEMAND AND PRODUCTION HAVE SEASONAL HIGHS AND
LOWS, THE INABILITY OF GUZZI CORP. TO REDUCE SEASONAL VARIATION, OR TO
COORDINATE PRODUCT DELIVERY TO PURCHASING DEMAND WILL DIMINISH SALES AND DELAY
THE RETURN TO PROFITABILITY.
Moto Guzzi's operations are characterized by seasonal fluctuations in
demand and production. Retail market demand is highest in the spring and early
summer, while most sales to Italian government agencies, both federal and
regional, take place in the fourth quarter. If Guzzi Corp. cannot complete and
deliver products to meet the selling seasons, it will likely lose sales, as
dealers who do not obtain the products when needed are unlikely to accept them
on a delayed basis. Additionally, production at Moto Guzzi, as at most Italian
companies, declines materially during August, the traditional vacation month. It
also declines somewhat around the Christmas holiday when inventory is taken.
Moto Guzzi's management is seeking to flatten production and sales fluctuations
to improve cash flow and reduce its reliance on short-term financing. These
plans may not be successful.
COMPETITION--GUZZI CORP. COMPETES WITH MANY OTHER WELL ESTABLISHED BRANDS WHICH
ARE BETTER ABLE TO ADAPT TO CHANGING MARKETS.
Guzzi Corp. competes with companies that are larger and better capitalized.
Many of them have international name recognition and product distinction. They
also have the resources to preserve or increase their market share. These
companies include Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Honda, the industry leaders from
Japan, Ducati of Italy, BMW of Germany and Harley Davidson of the United States.
Guzzi Corp. also believes that the manufacturers of smaller engine motorcycles,
such as Aprilia of Italy, in the future will compete with Moto Guzzi's large
engine motorcycles. The implementation of the Euro as the single European
currency may result in consolidation among some of today's independent
motorcycle companies. Consolidation will magnify the disparity in size between
Guzzi Corp. and its competitors.
Moto Guzzi competes using intangible qualities such as performance,
reputation and quality of manufacture. Increasingly, Moto Guzzi will have to
compete with new and improved products, on its ability to adapt to technological
changes, to react to industry advances in motorcycle transportation and through
improved production and distribution. Moto Guzzi is also considering entry into
the small engine motorcycle market. Other companies, and possibly new market
entrants, will compete with Moto Guzzi and one another
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on the same basis. It is possible other companies will develop new or enhanced
products with features that make those of Moto Guzzi less marketable.
Because of the financial condition of Guzzi Corp., smaller sales and many
product development and manufacturing issues, the competition in the motorcycle
industry is a significant risk to Guzzi Corp.'s growth. Guzzi Corp. considers
its markets very competitive. The inability to compete or to increase market
share will be detrimental to the business prospects and financial results of
Guzzi Corp.
NEED TO MANAGE GROWTH--IF GUZZI CORP. IS UNABLE TO CAREFULLY MANAGE ITS GROWING
EMPHASIS ON OUTSOURCING AND INTERNAL COST CONTROLS, IT MAY BE UNABLE TO CAPTURE
A LARGER MARKET SHARE AND SUCCESSFULLY CONTROL PRODUCTION.
Guzzi Corp. plans to expand motorcycle production. This will require a
commitment of significant capital and an increase of outsourcing of components
and subassemblies. Expansion may require Guzzi Corp. to implement a variety of
additional systems, procedures and controls to manage higher inventory levels,
higher levels of outsourcing and related working capital requirements. The
expansion may place significant strain on management, financial and other
resources. It is possible that expansion will not be successfully completed or
that Guzzi Corp.'s systems, procedures, controls or resources will not be
adequate to support the operations. If Guzzi Corp. cannot manage its
contemplated expansion successfully, revenue will not increase commensurately,
and its business and results of operations will be adversely affected by an
increase in fixed costs and operating expenses.
ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY AND OTHER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS--THERE ARE MANY
COMPLICATED REGULATIONS WITH WHICH GUZZI CORP. MUST COMPLY, ALL OF WHICH IMPACT
SALES AND OPERATIONS.
Motorcycles sold in the United States, the European Union and other
countries are subject to environmental emissions regulations and safety
standards. All 1998 Moto Guzzi models substantially comply with all emission
standards applicable in all countries in which they are sold. While Guzzi Corp.
designs new products to conform with the emission and safety standards that are
believed likely to be introduced, it is possible that Guzzi Corp. will not be
able to comply with those standards or any future standards. In that event,
Guzzi Corp. may be unable to achieve the market growth that it desires, or even
to sell its products.
Moto Guzzi is subject to a number of Italian governmental regulations
relating to the use, storage, discharge and disposal of minerals and alloys used
in the manufacturing processes and to the safety standards of its facilities and
processes. Moto Guzzi may be required to perform restoration and other
remediation on its current facilities and upgrade or acquire new fabrication and
assembly equipment to ensure compliance with these regulations. Any failure by
Moto Guzzi to control the use of, or adequately restrict the discharge of
hazardous substances or comply with safety requirements and legislation could
subject it to future liabilities. Although Moto Guzzi has not been subject to
material environmental or safety claims in the past, the assertion of claims or
the failure to comply with present or future regulations could result in the
assessment of damages or imposition of fines against Moto Guzzi, suspension of
production or cessation of certain activities. New regulations could require
Moto Guzzi to acquire costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses.
Any of these could have an adverse effect on the results of operations.
FOREIGN OPERATIONS RISKS--THERE MAY BE ADVERSE EFFECTS FROM TARIFFS, DUTIES, AND
OTHER RESTRAINTS ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE.
All Moto Guzzi motorcycle production is in Italy. Moto Guzzi exports a
significant percentage of its production: 63% in 1997 and 1996 and 65% in 1995.
Exports are principally to other European countries. As a result, NAAC, as
surviving corporation, could be adversely affected by events outside its control
such as increases in tariffs or duties, political circumstances and governmental
policy initiatives in Italy and the other countries which represent its actual
and target markets.
ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EURO--THE NEW EUROPEAN COMMON CURRENCY IS
EXPECTED TO INCREASE COMPETITION WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION WHERE MOST OF GUZZI
CORP.'S SALES ARE MADE AND SOME OF ITS COMPETITORS OPERATE, AND MAY REQUIRE
GUZZI CORP. TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO BASIC ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS.
Moto Guzzi expects that the European Common Currency, or the Euro, will
significantly affect its business. During the two-year implementation phase of
the Euro, both the Lira and the Euro will be valid currencies for business
transactions in Italy, although they will be linked for exchange rate purposes.
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The common currency zone represents over 80% of Moto Guzzi's 1997 net
sales. Among many consequences, the Euro is expected to increase competition
within the currency zone, as competitors operating in different countries begin
to price all of their products in a single currency. This will eliminate the
ability of companies to raise or lower prices without affecting their operating
results as valued in their home currency. Industry consolidation is also likely.
Euro-based product price-points could compel a company to re-engineer products
to compete under the new pricing regime.
The Euro may also affect Guzzi Corp.'s accounting systems which may require
significant modification or replacement. It is possible that these systems will
not be obtainable at reasonable cost, or will be installed in such a manner so
as to materially interfere with the ordinary operations of Guzzi Corp.
Moto Guzzi makes significant export sales outside the common currency zone
and the prices of some of the commodities used in its manufacturing processes
may be affected by the value of the Euro. The implementation of the Euro within
the common currency zone could have unanticipated consequences on the economies
of the participant countries which affect demand for Moto Guzzi's products.
EXPOSURE OF RESULTS TO CHANGES IN EXCHANGE RATES--FLUCTUATING EXCHANGE RATES MAY
REDUCE GUZZI CORP.'S COMPETITIVENESS AND LOWER GUZZI CORP.'S REPORTABLE AMOUNTS
IN ITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER CURRENCIES.
Fluctuations in the exchange rates of foreign currencies (principally the
U.S. Dollar) compared to the Lire or Euro could result in products and services
priced in foreign currencies becoming more expensive to Guzzi Corp.
Alternatively, they could make Guzzi Corp.'s products more expensive for
foreigners to purchase. Both possibilities may have an adverse effect on Guzzi
Corp.'s sales and operating results and the international competitiveness of its
Italian based manufacturing operations. A weakening of the currencies of the
countries in which Guzzi Corp.'s major competitors operate, such as the U.S.
Dollar and the Japanese Yen, could also hurt Guzzi Corp.'s competitive position
as products manufactured by these companies decline in cost compared to Moto
Guzzi's. Fluctuations in the Lira or Euro to dollar exchange rate will affect
Moto Guzzi's reported revenues and operating results which are reported in lire
or euro. As Moto Guzzi develops markets outside the Euro zone, its financial
results will be more and more affected by these factors.
EXPOSURE OF FINANCIAL RESULTS TO RAW MATERIAL AND COMMODITY PRICES--CHANGES IN
RAW MATERIAL AND COMMODITY PRICES MAY NOT BE RECOUPED FROM CUSTOMERS AND
ADVERSELY AFFECT FINANCIAL RESULTS.
Moto Guzzi is significantly affected by the prices of raw materials.
Commodities such as steel and aluminum, which are important in motorcycle
manufacturing, can be subject to considerable short-term variations in price due
to supply and currency fluctuations. Aluminum products have in the past
experienced sharp price increases. The last increase was in 1996; since then
prices have decreased. While Moto Guzzi seeks to pass on the effects of price
increases of raw materials to its customers, it has not always been able to do
so, and may not be able to do so, due to competitive pressures.
RELIANCE ON MAIN MANUFACTURING FACILITIES--MOTO GUZZI HAS ONE PRODUCTION
FACILITY WHICH, IF AFFECTED FOR ANY REASON, WILL ADVERSELY IMPACT FINANCIAL
RESULTS.
All manufacturing of Moto Guzzi motorcycles takes place at a single
production facility at Mandello del Lario, Italy. Any interruption of production
at this facility due to strikes or other causes could have a material adverse
effect on Moto Guzzi's business and operating results.
LACK OF PATENT OR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION--BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURE OF
MOTORCYCLES IS NOT A SECRET, GUZZI CORP. CANNOT EXCLUDE COMPETITORS ON THE
STRENGTH OF ANY EXCLUSIVE TECHNOLOGY.
Guzzi Corp. is neither protected by nor dependent upon any patents,
licenses, franchises or concessions. Guzzi Corp.'s competitive position,
therefore, is not enhanced by any technology or design from which competitors
are automatically barred. On the other hand, it is possible that a competitor of
Moto Guzzi will develop an enhancement to motorcycle transportation which will
be patentable or otherwise protected from duplication by others. Generally the
design, technology and manufacture of Moto Guzzi motorcycles are well known
techniques and include components which are not unique to its products. There
can be no assurance that competitors do not have, or will not develop,
equivalent or superior manufacturing or design skills.
PRODUCT LIABILITY--ALTHOUGH INSURED, PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS MAY DAMAGE THE
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND REPUTATION OF MOTO GUZZI.
Moto Guzzi is engaged in a business which exposes it to possible claims for
personal injury from the use of its products. Moto Guzzi maintains liability
insurance with a per-occurrence, and aggregate one-year
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claim limit of Lit. 18,000 million (approximately $10.2). Although no claims
have been made against Moto Guzzi in excess of existing insurance coverage,
there can be no assurance that such claims will not arise in the future or that
the insurance coverage will be sufficient to pay such claims. A partially or
completely uninsured claim could have a material adverse effect on NAAC as
surviving corporation.
RISKS RELATING TO NAAC
EFFECT OF REDEMPTION ON CAPITAL OF NAAC--REDEMPTIONS MAY PREVENT THE MERGER OR
REDUCE CAPITAL NEEDED FOR GUZZI CORP. OPERATIONS.
The stockholders of the NAAC Class A common stock issued in the initial
public offering have the right, in connection with the merger, to request that
those shares be redeemed by NAAC. If the merger is concluded and the maximum of
160,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock are redeemed without preventing the
merger, the amount of the funds available from the escrow account after the
merger will be reduced by approximately $1,704,000. Any reduction in available
funds will adversely impact the ability of NAAC to finance the current
operations and the future expansion and development of Guzzi Corp. It also will
cause the need for the surviving company to obtain additional capital earlier
than anticipated.
INDEMNIFICATION OF NAAC--THE ONLY MEANS OF INDEMNIFICATION IS FROM CANCELLATION
OF ISSUED SHARES OF NAAC CLASS A COMMON STOCK.
After the merger NAAC may be indemnified for a breach of the
representations and warranties made by Guzzi Corp. and Trident Rowan in the
merger agreement. Claims only may be brought (1) if the claim or claims exceed
$600,000, after application of various offsets for the sale of assets of Guzzi
Corp., and (2) within periods ending in approximately June 1999 or April 2000
depending on which specified representations and warranties are breached. Any
amount payable in respect of indemnification of NAAC will only be by a return
and cancellation of up to 200,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock issued as
part of the merger consideration. In the event of a successful claim for
indemnification, the surviving corporation will not receive any cash. It is
possible that this indemnification will be of limited value or insufficient.
CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF NAAC--PERSONS WHO ARE
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF NAAC HAVE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN
RECOMMENDING THE MERGER.
The directors and officers of NAAC have various conflicts of interest
arising out of their holdings of NAAC Class A common stock and the Class A
options and Class B options of NAAC. Unless NAAC completes the merger, the
securities held by these persons will have little or no value. Therefore, the
interests of the directors and officers of NAAC may be different than those of
the NAAC stockholders, including a desire to consummate the merger which may not
be in the full interests of the NAAC stockholders.
LIMITED PRIOR MARKET FOR NAAC COMMON STOCK AND NAAC CLASS A WARRANTS; NO MARKET
FOR THE NOMINAL WARRANTS--THERE HAS NOT BEEN A LIQUID MARKET FOR NAAC SECURITIES
AND ONE MAY NOT DEVELOP.
There has been only a limited trading market for the NAAC common stock and
NAAC Class A warrants. There is no assurance that an active or regular trading
market will develop for these securities after the merger. Consequently, the
holders of NAAC common stock and NAAC Class A warrants may not be able to sell
them at any particular time or at a price which reflects their actual value.
Although NAAC intends to apply for listing of the NAAC Class A common stock and
NAAC Class A warrants on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market, no assurance can be given
that NAAC will be able to obtain the listing of the securities on that market.
If the application is unsuccessful, the Company anticipates that its securities
will continue to trade on the OTC Bulletin Board. This market may not provide
adequate liquidity for holders of NAAC securities to be able to sell them when
they desire. Because of the few number of holders, NAAC will not apply for a
listing of the nominal warrants. NAAC does not anticipate that there will be any
market for the nominal warrants.
ADVERSE EFFECT ON MARKET PRICE RESULTING FROM SECURITIES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE
SALES--THE LARGE NUMBER OF SHARES OF NAAC CLASS A COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE IN THE
MERGER AND THEREAFTER MAY DEPRESS THE MARKET PRICE AND LIQUIDITY.
A substantial number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock will be issued
in the merger which will be freely tradeable. In addition, a substantial number
of shares of NAAC Class A common stock are subject to being issued under the
conversion and exercise rights of the NAAC Class B common stock, NAAC Class A
preferred stock, NAAC Class A warrants, nominal warrants and other options and
warrants. After the
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merger, if all these securities are converted or exercised, there will be an
additional 3,429,833 shares of NAAC Class A common stock outstanding. This
number of shares will act as an overhang on the market and may depress the
market price and hamper financing efforts by the surviving company.
About 3,360,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and 640,000 nominal
warrants, and underlying shares, will be subject to the Securities Act Rule 145
and twelve month lockup agreements. In addition, 350,000 shares issuable under a
warrant to be granted to Allen & Company will be subject to an eighteen month
lockup. This rule and the lockup agreements may mitigate the effect of the
market overhang on the price of securities.
CURRENT PROSPECTUS AND STATE BLUE SKY REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO CONVERT OR
EXERCISE OUTSTANDING SECURITIES--CONVERSIONS AND EXERCISES WILL NEED STATE
SECURITIES LAW CLEARANCE BEFORE THEY MAY BE MADE.
NAAC will be able to issue NAAC Class A common stock on conversion and
exercise of outstanding NAAC Class B common stock, NAAC Class A preferred stock,
NAAC Class A warrants and nominal warrants only if there is then a current
prospectus relating to the security being converted or exercised or if there are
appropriate exemptions available under federal and state securities laws.
Although NAAC intends to have a current prospectus available and to seek state
securities law qualification to sell the securities underlying the outstanding
convertible and exercisable securities, it is possible that NAAC will not be
able to do so. In that event, the holders of the securities may not be able to
convert or exercise them, and they may be deprived of the value of the
securities.
CHANGE OF CONTROL OF NAAC--AFTER THE MERGER, OAM WILL BE THE SINGLE LARGEST
STOCKHOLDER AND WILL BE ABLE TO INFLUENCE THE DIRECTION OF THE POST-MERGER
COMPANY.
OAM will own approximately 61.1% of the outstanding NAAC Class A common
stock following the merger. Therefore it will have the ability to control the
election of the NAAC board and stockholder decisions on all other matters. Under
the terms of the merger agreement, the initial board of directors of the merged
corporation will consist of eight persons, of which Guzzi Corp. will nominate
five persons, and NAAC will nominate two persons. The eighth member will be
mutually nominated by Guzzi Corp. and NAAC. As a result of the merger, there
will be a change of control of NAAC.
POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACT OF ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS--SOME OF THE PROPOSED
CHANGES TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MAY HAVE AN ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT
WHICH MAY NOT ULTIMATELY BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE STOCKHOLDERS.
The certificate of incorporation of NAAC following the merger will contain
provisions which may have the effect of discouraging a third party from pursuing
a non-negotiated takeover of NAAC because they have the effect of delaying,
deterring or preventing a change of control. These provisions include the
staggered board of directors, the existence of "blank check" preferred stock
with rights and preferences determined from time to time by the NAAC board
without stockholder approval, the requirement that by-laws adopted by the
stockholders be adopted by a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding stock of the
company and the limitation on removal of directors only for cause. These
provisions may work against the interests of the stockholders in the future or
adversely affect the price of the securities of NAAC.
LIMITED LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS; PERSONS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED
STATES--THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION LIMITS THE LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS TO
THE NAAC STOCKHOLDERS EXCEPT IF SPECIFIC ACTS ARE COMMITTED. EVEN IF LIABLE TO
THE COMPANY, ENFORCEMENT OF STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS MAY BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE SOME
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ARE IN FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS.
The certificate of incorporation of NAAC following the merger limits the
liability of its directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law.
Delaware law provides that directors of a corporation will not be liable to the
corporation or its stockholders for expenses incurred in derivative or third
party actions arising from a breach of their fiduciary duties as directors,
except where they have committed specific acts against the corporation.
Accordingly, except in those circumstances, the directors will not be liable to
NAAC or its stockholders for breach of their fiduciary duty. The certificate of
incorporation also provides for indemnification and advancement of expenses
incurred by officers and directors of NAAC in connection with actions against
them involving their behavior on its behalf.
Although NAAC is incorporated, and some of its post-merger directors are
expected to be domiciled in the United States, some other directors and
executive officers will reside outside of the United States. Moreover, a
majority of NAAC's post-merger assets will be located outside of the United
States. It may be
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difficult for investors in the United States to enforce their legal rights, to
effect service of process upon directors and executive officers of NAAC after
the merger, or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon
civil liabilities of such directors or officers under United States federal
securities laws. Further, it is unclear if extradition treaties now in effect
between the United States and Italy would permit effective enforcement of the
criminal penalties of the Federal securities laws.
BUSINESS OF NAAC
INTRODUCTION
NAAC was organized on August 9, 1995 as a Specialized Merger and
Acquisition Allocated Risk Transaction company, to acquire an operating business
without limitation as to industry. Since its inception, NAAC has not engaged in
any substantive commercial business. Its sole activities have been to evaluate
and select a suitable target business and to structure, negotiate and consummate
a business combination.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A SPECIALIZED MERGER AND ACQUISITION ALLOCATED RISK
TRANSACTION COMPANY
A Specialized Merger and Acquisition Allocated Risk Transaction company has
several shareholder protections not ordinarily found in companies. Immediately
after the consummation of a business combination, none of the special provisions
set forth below will continue to apply. The proposed merger constitutes a
business combination.
Offering Proceeds Held in Escrow Account
NAAC completed its initial public offering on August 22, 1997 and received
net proceeds of approximately $8,100,000. Approximately $8,000,000 was placed in
the escrow account until the earlier of NAAC's (1) consummation of a business
combination or (2) redemption of the NAAC Class A common stock. The remaining
net proceeds of its initial public offering which were not placed in the escrow
account, and the interest, have been used by NAAC to identify, evaluate and
select a suitable target business, and structure, negotiate and consummate a
business combination, and for general, administrative and organizational
expenses. At November 30, 1998 there was approximately $8,557,000 in the escrow
account.
Fair Market Value of Target Business
NAAC is not permitted to acquire a target business unless the fair market
value of such business as determined by the NAAC board based upon standards
generally accepted by the financial community, such as earnings and earnings
potential, cash flow and book value is equal to at least 80% of the net assets
of NAAC at the time of such acquisition. The purpose of this requirement is to
ensure that any such acquisition will constitute a significant business
acquisition.
Stockholder Approval of Business Combination
NAAC, after signing a definitive agreement for the acquisition of a target
business, but prior to the consummation of any business combination, is required
to submit such transaction to holders of the NAAC common stock for approval,
even if such acquisition would not ordinarily require stockholder approval under
applicable state law. NAAC will consummate a business combination only if at
least two-thirds in interest of the outstanding shares of NAAC common stock are
voted in favor of the business combination and will not consummate a business
combination if more than 20% of the outstanding shares of NAAC Class A common
stock, excluding the pre-IPO shares, or more than 160,000 shares, are submitted
to NAAC for redemption.
18
<PAGE>
The original NAAC shareholders before the completion of its initial public
offering have agreed to vote their pre-IPO shares in the same way as the
majority in interest of all other holders of NAAC common stock vote on the
proposal to approve the merger agreement and the merger. The pre-IPO shares
represent approximately 8.8% of the outstanding shares of NAAC common stock. For
this purpose they have given their proxy to the officers of NAAC.
Redemption Rights
Holders of NAAC Class A common stock have the right to have NAAC redeem for
cash up to a maximum of 20% of the NAAC Class A common stock (160,000 shares),
other than the pre-IPO shares, if the merger agreement and merger is approved
and consummated. If the merger is not consummated, the right of redemption
terminates until a future proposed business combination. The per-share
redemption price will be approximately $10.65. The original NAAC stockholders do
not have redemption rights with respect to their pre-IPO shares. The failure of
a stockholder to comply with the redemption requirements set forth in this proxy
statement/prospectus will terminate such stockholder's redemption rights.
Escrow of the Pre-IPO Shares
The pre-IPO shares are held in escrow with Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith, Ravin,
Davis & Himmel LLP, as escrow agent, until the earlier of the consummation of
the first business combination or August 22, 1999. During the escrow period, the
original NAAC stockholders are unable to sell or otherwise transfer their pre-
IPO shares, except (1) in a transaction subsequent to consummation of a business
combination which is offered to all NAAC stockholders and (2) to family members
or under the laws of descent. Accordingly, the original NAAC stockholders cannot
separately negotiate the purchase of any portion of their pre-IPO shares as part
of a business combination.
Redemption Payment If No Business Combination
If NAAC does not consummate a business combination by August 22, 1999, NAAC
will distribute to holders of NAAC Class A common stock, other than the pre-IPO
shares, the amount in the escrow account, including any interest. NAAC believes
this amount will be modestly greater than the $10.65 amount available for the
current redemption price. The original NAAC stockholders do not have the right
to participate in any redemption payment with respect to their pre-IPO shares
and their shares of NAAC Class A common stock will be cancelled. The assets of
NAAC, if any, will be used to pay NAAC's liabilities and to redeem the
outstanding NAAC Series A preferred stock at its liquidation value. The NAAC
Class B common stock would not receive any redemption payment. In this event,
the holders of the NAAC Class B common stock would be the sole shareholders of a
public shell corporation. Following this redemption outstanding shares of NAAC
Class B common stock automatically will be exchanged for two shares of NAAC
Class A common stock.
If the merger agreement is not approved or the merger is not consummated,
NAAC believes that it will still be able to locate a target business and
complete a business combination before August 22, 1999.
COMPETITION
If the merger is consummated, NAAC will become subject to competition from
competitors of Guzzi Corp.
MANAGEMENT
The current executive officers of NAAC are David J. Mitchell (Chairman of
the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director) and C. Thomas McMillen
(Secretary, Treasurer and Director). Except as described below under "Business
of NAAC--Properties," since NAAC's inception, no executive officer has received
any cash compensation from NAAC for services rendered. After the merger,
Mr. Mitchell will receive the compensation described under "Proposal 9: Election
of Directors--Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers." Prior to the
consummation of a business combination, none of NAAC's officers or directors has
received or will receive any compensation for services other than (1) options to
purchase 50,000 units, each
19
<PAGE>
unit consisting of one share of NAAC Class A common stock and one NAAC Class A
warrant granted to each of David J. Mitchell and C. Thomas McMillen and options
to purchase 15,000 shares of NAAC Class B common stock in consideration for
their service as directors and officers of NAAC and (2) reimbursement for
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with NAAC's business. There is no
limit on the amount of such out-of-pocket expenses. There has not been and there
will not be any review of the reasonableness of expenses by anyone other than
the NAAC board, which includes persons who have received, and may seek,
reimbursement. None of NAAC's officers or directors or Initial NAAC Stockholders
or their respective affiliates will receive any consulting or finder's fee or
other compensation in connection with the introduction of NAAC to, or evaluation
of, a target business or consummation of a business combination.
PROPERTIES
Mitchell & Company, Ltd. has provided office space and office and
secretarial services to NAAC for which NAAC pays $2,500 per month. This
arrangement will terminate upon consummation of the merger.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no legal proceedings pending against NAAC.
BUSINESS OF GUZZI CORP.
Guzzi Corp., through Moto Guzzi, is a leading Italian manufacturer,
marketer and distributor of performance and luxury motorcycles and motorcycle
parts, marketed under the "Moto Guzzi(Registered)" brand name. Guzzi Corp. is a
Delaware corporation formed in 1996 to acquire Moto Guzzi, its manufacturing
subsidiary and Moto America, the exclusive U.S. importer and distributor of
"Moto Guzzi" brand motorcycles and parts.
Moto Guzzi's primary product offerings include the following models:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
o California EV Guzzi's classic custom/cruiser with a 1064 cc engine and
traditional lines.
o Nevada Club A lower riding cruiser with a 744 cc engine and chrome accents.
o V10 Centauro A custom performance bike with a powerful 992 cc 4-valve
air-cooled engine.
o 1100 Sport Corsa A sleek sports bike with modern lines and a 1064 cc engine.
o Quota Guzzi's new entrant into the street enduro segment.
o Police Bikes Variations of Moto Guzzi's models targeted at government
agencies, national and local police forces and highway patrols.
</TABLE>
The "custom" is a class of motorcycle designed for short trips in an urban
setting, and is distinguished by its very stylized design and upright seating
position. The term is commonly used in Europe. The "cruiser" class is similar to
the "custom" in use but is more commonly used in the United States. It is
somewhat more aggressive in its styling, has greater performance characteristics
and has greater variation in rider position than "custom" motorcycles. The
"street enduro" class is the motorcycling equivalent to the sport utility
vehicle class of automobiles. These motorcycles, while designed for ordinary
road riding, have some off-road capabilities, such as a taller frame with
greater ground clearance than cruiser or custom bikes, a longer travelling
suspension system to absorb off-road bumps, and a higher seat position. "Sport"
bikes are designed for high performance and imitate the design of professional
racing machines.
20
<PAGE>
History and Recent Developments
Guzzi Corp. is 80% owned by Trident Rowan, through its OAM subsidiary. OAM
owns all of Guzzi Corp.'s common stock, while approximately 45 persons own a
class of Guzzi Corp. preferred stock, together with warrants to purchase
1,500,000 additional shares of Guzzi Corp. common stock. Following the merger,
Moto Guzzi will be the principal operating unit of NAAC.
Established in 1921, Moto Guzzi is one of the oldest motorcycle brands in
the world. Between 1921 and 1966, Moto Guzzi operated as an independent
privately owned entity. In 1972, Moto Guzzi was acquired by De Tomaso
Industries, Inc., the predecessor of Trident Rowan. Because management attention
was principally focused on De Tomaso's other operating units, especially its
Maserati automobile subsidiary, limited investment was made in Moto Guzzi's
product design and development activities and its manufacturing operations.
Sales declined from a high of 46,487 units in 1971 to 3,274 units in 1993. Moto
Guzzi has experienced continuous losses for the last eleven years, including a
loss of Lit. 10,569 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 and Lit.
8,608 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, and has not
generated cash from operations for over three years.
Strategy. Moto Guzzi's strategy is to increase sales volumes and gross
profits by
o focusing on the breadth, quality and design of its product offerings,
o increasing its marketing activities,
o enhancing its distribution network and
o leveraging its brand name.
Moto Guzzi believes that its reputation and rich tradition as a technological
innovator and quality manufacturer provides a solid foundation. Moto Guzzi has
built a loyal customer base over the past 77 years through the outstanding
performance and reliability of its motorcycles, as well as its strong
distribution network. The current customer base ranges from professional
motorcycle enthusiasts to government agencies, police departments and highway
patrols around the world.
Guzzi Corp. intends to build on its existing product family platforms and
to develop new platforms which will be the basis for the Company's next
generation of motorcycles. New power trains, which represent a significant part
of planned development activities, typically require at least three years'
development time. In the interim, new motorcycles based on the current product
platforms will be periodically introduced. The focus of these intermediate
offerings will be significant improvements in quality, performance and
refinement.
The U.S. market represents the largest expansion opportunity for Moto
Guzzi. Approximately half of all motorcycles sold in the U.S. are in the
large-engine motorcycle segment. Between 1996 and 1997, U.S. registrations of
this segment of the market increased by 14.8% to 190,200 units. Moto Guzzi plans
to implement an aggressive marketing campaign targeted at U.S. consumers that is
designed to build brand value and name recognition, and to emphasize the
technical and design strengths of Moto Guzzi's motorcycles.
In the United States, Moto Guzzi also plans to expand and enhance its
distribution network. In addition to increasing the size and quality of its
dealer network, Moto Guzzi also plans to introduce new sales incentives programs
for dealers, and a floor plan financing program. Other innovations that either
have or will be introduced in the U.S. include customer purchase financing and
an extended, three year warranty program.
While public administration sales have traditionally been a stable source
of revenue for Moto Guzzi, its management believes that there are unexploited
growth opportunities in this market and plans to refocus its sales and marketing
efforts in this product category.
Finally, Moto Guzzi plans to leverage the "Moto Guzzi" brand by expanding
into new products, markets and services that also offer the opportunity to
enhance its brand awareness and brand image. Moto Guzzi currently sells a
limited line of non-motorcycle merchandise. In the future, Moto Guzzi plans to
21
<PAGE>
introduce a range of branded accessories such as hats, jackets, shirts and
luggage. Moto Guzzi also plans to exploit opportunities to license the "Moto
Guzzi" brand name to manufacturers and suppliers of other products and services.
If Guzzi Corp. were to proceed on all of the projects it is currently
evaluating to achieve its goals, it estimates that approximately Lit. 50 billion
of development and capital expenditure would be required over the next few years
to refurbish its plant to make it more competitive and for investments in
information technology and systems. Cash flows from operations, however, are not
anticipated to be sufficient to entirely finance such expenditures. The Guzzi
Corp. product development programs, therefore, will be, in part, determined by
its ability to raise further financing from outside sources.
Motorcycle Industry Generally. Historically, the motorcycle had been an
"entry level" form of transport which has been supplanted by the automobile.
Over recent years, the industry has become established as a recognized leisure
industry in developed markets and Guzzi Corp.'s current range of motorcycles,
being in the larger and more expensive segment of the market, are principally
targeted at the leisure segment of the vehicular industry. The management of
Guzzi Corp. believes that this recent recognition is one of the major factors
behind the growth in Guzzi Corp.'s market segment over the last three years.
Manufacturing. Guzzi Corp. today manufactures a high priced line of
motorcycles, and distributes parts and accessories, under the trademark "Moto
Guzzi(Registered)." Guzzi Corp. motorcycles vary in engine size from 350cc to
1,100cc. Guzzi Corp. has, in recent years, concentrated development and sales
efforts on its largest motorcycles, having engines of 750cc or larger. As part
of its growth plan, it is also considering entry into the lower-cost, small
engine market. Moto Guzzi parts were distributed through Centro Ricambi, a 100%
owned subsidiary of Moto Guzzi until it was merged into Moto Guzzi in 1997.
All motorcycle manufacturing is conducted at a factory in Mandello del
Lario, Italy. Moto Guzzi manufactures some of the required power train
components, acquires other components from outside suppliers, and performs
finishing work and assembly into motorcycle bodies. Until 1994, Moto Guzzi
internally produced a majority of the components of its motorcycles. As a result
of its decision to increase outsourcing to increase production capacity, Moto
Guzzi now produces less than 40% of all components used in the assembly of its
motorcycles.
Seasonal Nature of Business. Guzzi Corp.'s business is affected by
seasonal factors. Retail market demand is highest in the spring and early
summer, while most sales to the Italian government generally take place in the
last quarter of the year. Moto Guzzi, like most Italian companies, traditionally
shuts down production in August of each year and traditionally also has reduced
production over the Christmas holidays and in the period immediately following,
while inventory is being taken. As part of its effort to increase overall
production levels and improve cash flow, Guzzi Corp. did not suspend production
during the period of physical inventory taking in December 1997 and January
1998. Guzzi's Corp.'s sales are sensitive to successful coordination of demand
and product availability.
Compliance with Governmental Regulations. Moto Guzzi, along with other
motorcycle manufacturers, incurs substantial costs in designing and testing
products to comply with vehicle safety and combustion emissions requirements of
the various countries and localities where their products are sold. These
standards have added, and will continue to add, substantially to the price of
the vehicles. Competitive pressures, importation expenses and importers'
margins, however, have kept export prices lower than domestic Italian sales
prices.
All Moto Guzzi motorcycles produced for sale are manufactured with the
intent to comply with all applicable safety standards. All current Moto Guzzi
models comply with all emission standards applicable in all countries in which
they are sold. As new laws or regulations are adopted, Guzzi Corp. will assess
their effects on current and future models and the cost of achieving compliance
with them.
Backlogs. As of November 30, 1998, Moto Guzzi had firm orders from its
dealer network for 525 motorcycles which had not yet been shipped, at an
approximate value of Lit. 6 billion. Guzzi Corp. expects to fill all such orders
within three months. At September 30, 1997, Moto Guzzi had open unshipped orders
of 800 motorcycles, having an approximate value of Lit. 8,800 million. All such
orders were fulfilled
22
<PAGE>
by December 31, 1997. Moto Guzzi generally receives cancellable orders from its
non-Italian dealer body in anticipation of its requirements for the upcoming
year and uses these orders to plan production schedules. Portions of these
orders become firm, and other firm orders are placed, as the anticipated
shipment dates approach. Moto Guzzi uses ongoing research from its sales and
marketing departments to forecast expected order volumes from the domestic
Italian dealer network, and does not receive long term firm orders from the
domestic market.
Raw Materials and Components. There are many reliable sources for most
motorcycle raw materials, including aluminum for power train components.
However, some significant components are available from only one or two sources.
In 1996, 1997 and 1998, situations arose where Guzzi Corp.'s suppliers were
unable to make timely deliveries of needed components due to production problems
incurred by those suppliers. Because of the low volumes of components typically
ordered by Moto Guzzi, it is impractical for Moto Guzzi to indentify and secure
alternative sources on short notice. In 1998, delivery of some components was
also delayed as a result of design changes made by Moto Guzzi. All of these
delays adversely affect motorcycle production and in recent years, have likely
resulted in lost sales due to the seasonality of order placement.
While the cost of imported raw materials is affected by variations in the
value of the Italian Lira relative to the currencies of Italy's primary trading
partners, currency exchange rates have not had a significant adverse effect on
costs and price competitiveness in 1995, 1996 or 1997. When raw materials become
priced only in Euros, currency exchange rates are expected to have minimal
future effects.
Research, Development and Continuing Engineering. Guzzi Corp., while
continuously engaged in product improvement and development, has significantly
increased its commitment to develop new products. Aggregate 1997 research and
development expenditures by Guzzi Corp. were approximately Lit. 3,125 million,
compared to Lit. 1,177 million in 1996, and Lit. 602 million in 1995.
Expenditures in 1997 related primarily to development of models initially
scheduled for 1998 production but subsequently deferred or reconsidered.
On-going programs relate to specific models under development and, more
generally, developing more powerful two-cylinder air-cooled and other engines
with improved performance and durability characteristics, superior braking
systems, suspensions, frames, transmissions and other components applicable to
two-wheeled vehicles.
Sales, Marketing and Inventory. Guzzi Corp. primarily markets its products
through advertising in trade publications, participation in promotional events
and fairs, attendance at trade shows and from editorial coverage in trade and
general circulation press.
All sales are invoiced in Italian lire except sales to the United States
which are invoiced in U.S. dollars. Prices are customarily reviewed and are
increased to cover increases in production costs at periodic intervals and in
light of prevailing exchange rates. In March 1996, Guzzi Corp. increased prices
of its various models 5% on average for domestic Italian sales and for export
sales invoiced both in lire and in dollars. In 1997, Guzzi Corp. generally
maintained its selling prices in order to maintain market share, and increased
prices by approximately 5% effective April, 1998. Export sales continued to
reflect lower margins than domestic Italian sales due to importer margins and
transportation costs which cannot be passed through to consumers by higher
retail prices. But this difference did not affect Moto Guzzi's marketing
strategy or minimize the importance to it of the export market.
Guzzi Corp. is not affected by any unusual industry practices relating to
returns of merchandise or extended payment. It is obliged to maintain 10 years'
inventory of parts for all motorcycles sold to Italian government agencies. In
common with many other motor vehicle manufacturers, Guzzi Corp. maintains
significant spare parts inventories for commercial reasons. As is common in the
industry, Guzzi Corp. sells motorcycles under open purchase orders rather than
long-term contracts. By scheduling production in anticipation of fulfilling such
orders, it may end a given year with substantial inventory if orders are
canceled or deliveries not taken.
Distribution. Moto Guzzi maintains a distribution network throughout Italy
of over 120 independent dealers. No single Italian dealer accounted for more
than 5% of the sales of Moto Guzzi in 1997. The Italian dealers who distribute
Moto Guzzi motorcycles generally handle other brands as well.
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<PAGE>
In 1997, a single importer-distributor acted as exclusive
importer-distributor for Moto Guzzi in each of Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland,
Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Moto America is Guzzi Corp.'s exclusive importer-distributor in the United
States. Until 1996, when it was acquired by Trident Rowan and later transferred
to Guzzi Corp., Moto America was an independent business. Today, Moto America
distributes through a network of 100 dealers.
In November 1996, Moto Guzzi replaced its independent French
importer-distributor with a newly created wholly-owned subsidiary of Moto Guzzi
which commenced operations in February 1997, and now operates through a network
of 78 dealers.
Moto Guzzi also owns a 25% equity interest in MGI GmbH, a German
corporation which became the exclusive importer-distributor of Guzzi Corp.
motorcycles and spare parts on January 1, 1997. Moto Guzzi has the right to
acquire up to a total of 90% of the equity interest of the new distributor
within three years. Until December 1996, Moto Guzzi also owned a 25% equity
interest in A+G Motorad GmbH ("A+G"), a German corporation, the majority of the
shares of which is owned by Aprilia S.p.A., another Italian manufacturer of
motorcycles with small displacement engines. A+G distributed the motorcycles of
both Moto Guzzi and Aprilia in the German market in 1996, but was replaced as
the Moto Guzzi distributor in 1997 by MGI GmbH, which distributes through a
network of 105 German dealers.
Guzzi Corp. provides support to its worldwide dealer network by, among
other things, operating a technical training and support facility at Mandello
del Lario. All dealers are required to attend training courses at the inception
of their relationship, and periodically afterwards.
Set forth below is a chart illustrating percentage of motorcycle sales
revenues attributable to various geographic areas in the three most recent
fiscal years. Sales outside Italy in 1997 were approximately Lit.
50,000 million, representing 63% of total sales.
GUZZI CORP. SALES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31
----------------------
GEOGRAPHIC AREAS 1997 1996 1995
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Italy.......................................................................... 37% 37% 35%
Europe (other than Italy)...................................................... 46% 43% 49%
United States.................................................................. 13% 7% 6%
Elsewhere...................................................................... 4% 13% 10%
</TABLE>
Competition. Moto Guzzi is in a highly competitive business, with
competition typically coming from all powered passenger vehicles, as well as
motorcycles. The overall motorcycle market in Italy (excluding scooters) grew in
1997, with new vehicle registrations increasing by approximately 38% compared to
the same period in 1996. The market in Italy for larger motorcycles, in which
Guzzi Corp. is concentrating its sales and production efforts, increased by 29%
in 1997 compared to 1996, according to the Italian Ministry of Transportation.
Guzzi Corp. maintains an extremely small share of the world-wide motorcycle
market, which is dominated by many of the same manufacturers that predominate in
Italy. Many of such companies are far larger and better capitalized, with
greater name recognition. Guzzi Corp. competes principally through such
intangible qualities as performance, reputation and quality of manufacture,
areas in which its competitors also excel.
The Italian market today remains dominated by large, well-financed Japanese
manufacturers. A number of Italian and foreign manufacturers, principally
Ducati, Honda, BMW, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Aprilia and Suzuki, sell their products in
the Italian market. In 1997, according to data from the Italian Ministry of
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<PAGE>
Transportation, the Italian market shares of the principal competitors of Guzzi
Corp. on a unit basis, excluding scooters, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALL LARGE
MOTORCYCLES MOTORCYCLES
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Honda............................................................... 26.5% 29.9%
Yamaha.............................................................. 16.8% 18.4%
Suzuki.............................................................. 13.8% 14.7%
BMW................................................................. 8.4% 10.7%
Aprilia............................................................. 7.0% 3.7%
Kawasaki............................................................ 7.0% 5.3%
Ducati.............................................................. 6.9% 8.7%
Harley Davidson..................................................... 3.2% 4.1%
Guzzi Corp.......................................................... 2.7% 2.6%
Cagiva.............................................................. 1.6% 0.8%
Others.............................................................. 6.1% 2.1%
</TABLE>
Product Liability. Moto Guzzi's business exposes it to possible claims for
personal injury from the use of its products. Moto Guzzi maintains liability
insurance with a per-occurrence and aggregate one-year claim limit of Lit.
18,000 million.
Patents and Trademarks. Except as described below, the business of Guzzi
Corp. is not and has not been in any material respect protected by or dependent
upon patents, licenses, franchises or concessions. The component parts of
motorcycles are manufactured pursuant to well known techniques and include
components which are not unique to its products, although some of these
components are specially styled and designed. Guzzi Corp. believes that the
registered trade name "Moto Guzzi(Registered)" and the related trademarks are
well known and highly regarded throughout the world, and appropriate steps have
been taken to protect Guzzi Corp.'s rights in these trade names and trademarks
in 67 countries, including those countries representing significant markets.
Employees and Employee Relations. Relations with Guzzi employees are
considered by its management to be good. At December 31, 1997, Moto Guzzi had
360 employees, all of them unionized. This compares to 358 at December 31, 1996.
Employee data includes employees of Centro Ricambi, which merged into Moto Guzzi
in 1997. Approximately 71% of the employees were engaged in factory production
and the balance in various supervisory, sales, purchasing, administrative,
design, engineering and clerical activities. Resolution of the national metal
workers union contract in 1997 resulted in a one-time payment to workers of Lit.
900,000 in respect of periods prior to the date of the new agreement. An
increase in Guzzi Corp.'s use of outsourced components reduced overtime hours to
5.2% of total hours in 1997 compared to 7.7% in 1996.
Guzzi Corp. was not subjected to any significant local work stoppages or
strikes in 1997. In December 1997, however, Moto Guzzi experienced a work
stoppage of one hour duration prompted by reports that Moto Guzzi was
considering moving production from Mondello as part of its long term expansion
plans. In 1996, it was subjected to strikes totaling 2 1/2 production days, all
concerning the negotiation of a national contract for all workers in metal
working industries. The national strikes resulted in the loss of approximately
four production days because of additional time needed to restart production
after each strike, but no significant losses resulted. Moto Guzzi's "company"
contract was renegotiated early in 1996. Renegotiation of the "national"
contract was completed in 1997.
Under Italian law, employees acquire the right to severance pay based upon
salary and years of service. At December 31, 1997, Guzzi Corp. was obligated to
pay employees an aggregate of Lit. 8,003 million, and Lit. 7,154 million at
December 31, 1996. See Note 2 of Notes to Guzzi Corp. Consolidated Financial
Statements.
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<PAGE>
PROPERTIES
The following facilities are leased or owned by Guzzi Corp. or its
subsidiaries in the active conduct of its business:
(a) Moto Guzzi's factory and office facilities are owned in fee and
are located in Mandello del Lario, Italy in a group of one, two
and three story buildings aggregating 54,550 square meters. This
facility is currently operating at approximately 50% of
production capacity calculated as a percentage of available
space. The facilities are encumbered by bank mortgages. See
Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements.
(b) Office and warehouse facilities are owned in fee by Moto America
and are located in Angier, North Carolina. The facility
aggregates 18,300 square feet, of which 2,000 square feet are
used for office functions, and the balance as a warehouse.
(c) Moto Guzzi's spare parts distribution facility is located at a
3,683 square meter facility in Modena, Italy, under a lease
expiring in 2002. The current year lease obligation is Lit.
239 million, and is subject to incremental annual increases.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Guzzi Corp. and its subsidiaries are involved in litigation in the normal
course of business. Management does not believe that the final disposition of
such litigation will have a material adverse effect on Guzzi Corp.
EXCHANGE RATES
Since all of the production, and much of the sales of Moto Guzzi occur in
Italy, Guzzi Corp.'s primary financial statements are reported in Italian Lire,
its functional currency as defined by generally accepted accounting principles.
U.S. Dollar translations are provided solely for the reader's convenience.
Currency translations for data relating to fiscal year-end 1997 have been made
at the rate of Lit. 1,769 to U.S. $1 which approximates the rate at
December 31, 1997. Currency translations for data relating to fiscal quarter end
September 30, 1998 or as of the most recent date available, have been made at
the rate of Lit. 1,652 to U.S. $1 which approximates the rate at September 30,
1998.
The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, the high, low,
average and end of period exchange rates expressed in lire per dollar (rounded
to the nearest lira):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
END OF
CALENDAR YEAR HIGH LOW AVERAGE PERIOD
- ------------- ------ ------ ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997.................................................. 1,837 1,520 1,703 1,769
1996.................................................. 1,606 1,499 1,543 1,530
1995.................................................. 1,767 1,565 1,626 1,588
1994.................................................. 1,689 1,539 1,612 1,622
1993.................................................. 1,713 1,478 1,574 1,713
</TABLE>
Fluctuations in the exchange rates between the Italian Lira or the Euro and
the U.S. Dollar will affect the dollar equivalents of Guzzi Corp.'s, and,
therefore, NAAC's, reported revenues and earnings. Guzzi Corp. typically draws
U.S. dollars against its short term credit lines approximately 80% of amounts
invoiced in U.S. dollars, thus hedging against the effects of exchange rate
changes between the invoice date and collection. Sales in U.S. dollars are less
than 15% of total sales. All other sales are invoiced in lire.
In addition, fluctuations in the exchange rates of other foreign countries
relative to the lira may affect Guzzi Corp.'s and, therefore, NAAC's, results of
operations as a consequence of the competitiveness of Guzzi Corp. compared to
its competitors and due to effects on the cost of imported raw materials.
26
<PAGE>
THE ANNUAL MEETING
This proxy statement/prospectus is being furnished to holders of NAAC
common stock in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the NAAC board
for use at the annual meeting to be held on February 10, 1999, at 10:00 a.m.
local time, at the 32nd Floor, 600 Third Avenue, New York City, New York.
PURPOSE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
At the annual meeting, holders of NAAC common stock voting together will be
asked to consider and vote upon:
o a proposal to approve the merger agreement and the merger.
o a series of seven related proposals to approve the adoption of an
amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect the
following amendments to the current certificate of incorporation of
NAAC:
o to change the name of NAAC to "Moto Guzzi Corporation;"
o to increase the total number of shares which NAAC will have
authority to issue to twenty-five million (25,000,000), of which
o Twenty million (20,000,000) will be Class A common stock, par
value $.01 per share,
o Two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) will be Class B common
stock, par value $.01 per share, and
o Four million seven hundred fifty thousand (4,750,000) will be
preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of which one
hundred (100) will be designated Class A Convertible
preferred stock;
o to provide for classification of the board of directors into three
classes serving staggered terms;
o to require a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding stock or the
affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors to amend
or repeal the by-laws, subject to specific exceptions;
o to provide that the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding stock will be required to fill a vacancy in the board
of directors created by an increase in its size or by termination
of a director, if not otherwise filled by the remaining members of
the board of directors;
o to provide that members of the board of directors may be removed
only for cause and only by action of the board of directors or upon
the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding stock; and
o to require NAAC to indemnify its officers and directors, subject to
the exceptions required by law;
o the election of eight persons as the directors of NAAC to take office
when the merger is concluded; and
o a proposal to approve the adoption of the two stock option plans.
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At the annual meeting, holders of NAAC Common Stock, voting as separate
classes, also will be asked to approve the recapitalization of the Class B
common stock.
Approval of the merger agreement and merger is a condition to the
consummation of the merger. In addition, adoption of the amended and restated
certificate of incorporation election of the eight nominees and approval of the
two stock option plans are conditions to the consummation of the merger. If the
merger is not completed, no change will be made to the current certificate of
incorporation, the current directors will continue as the directors of NAAC and
the stock option plans will be terminated, notwithstanding stockholder approval
of the proposals. The consummation of the merger is not contingent upon approval
of the recapitalization of the NAAC Class B common stock; however, the
recapitalization of the NAAC Class B common stock is conditioned on the approval
and consummation of the merger. If the merger is not consummated, the
recapitalization of the NAAC Class B common stock will not be implemented,
notwithstanding stockholder approval.
VOTING RIGHTS
The NAAC board has fixed January 8, 1999 as the record date for the annual
meeting. Only holders of record of NAAC common stock at the close of business on
the record date will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting. Each holder of
record of NAAC Class A common stock is entitled to cast one vote for each share
held on each proposal. Each holder of record of NAAC Class B common stock is
entitled to cast two votes for each share held on each proposal including the
proposal for the recapitalization of the NAAC Class B common stock on which the
NAAC Class B common stock votes as a separate class. Other than on this
proposal, the NAAC Class A common stock and NAAC Class B common stock will vote
on all matters as a single class. The vote of the NAAC common stock is
exercisable by stockholders acting in person or by properly executed proxy at
the annual meeting. As of the close of business on the record date, there were
906,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and 150,000 shares of NAAC Class B
common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.
The presence at the annual meeting, in person or by properly executed
proxy, of the holders of a majority in interest of outstanding shares of NAAC
common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting will constitute a quorum. A
NAAC stockholder who abstains from a vote on a particular proposal by
registering an abstention will be deemed present at the annual meeting for
quorum purposes, but will not be deemed to have voted on the particular matter.
Proxies relating to "street name" shares that are voted by brokers on only some
of the proposals will be treated as present to determine a quorum on all matters
but will not be entitled to vote on any proposal as to which the broker does not
have discretionary voting power and has not received instructions from the
beneficial owner.
The affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of NAAC common
stock is required to approve the merger agreement and the merger. Those nominees
for director receiving a plurality of the votes cast at the annual meeting will
be elected as directors. A "plurality" means that the nominees who receive the
greatest number of votes are elected as the directors up to the maximum number
of directors to be elected. The affirmative vote of a majority in interest of
outstanding shares of NAAC common stock is required to approve the amendments to
the certificate of incorporation. The affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the
annual meeting is required to approve the two stock option plans. The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in interest of the outstanding
shares of NAAC Class A common stock and NAAC Class B common stock voting
separately as classes is required to approve the recapitalization of the NAAC
Class B common stock.
Abstentions may be specified on the proxy card as to each proposal. Holders
of NAAC common stock who abstain will be considered present and entitled to vote
at the annual meeting, but will not be counted as votes cast in the affirmative.
Abstentions on the proposal to approve the merger agreement and the merger will
have the effect of a negative vote because this proposal requires the
affirmative vote of two-thirds in interest of the outstanding shares of NAAC
common stock. Abstentions on the proposal to approve the amendments to the
certificate of incorporation will have the effect of a negative vote because
this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority in interest of the
outstanding shares of NAAC common stock. Abstentions on the proposal to elect
directors will have no effect because they are not counted for the
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purposes of determining a plurality. Abstentions on the proposal to approve the
two stock option plans will have the effect of a negative vote because this
proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority in interest of the shares
present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting. Abstentions on
the proposal to approve the recapitalization of the NAAC Class B common stock
will have the effect of a negative vote because this proposal requires the
affirmative vote of a majority in interest of the outstanding shares of NAAC
Class A common stock and NAAC Class B common stock voting separately as classes.
Broker non-votes on the proposal to approve the merger agreement and the
merger will have the effect of a negative vote because this proposal requires
the affirmative vote of two-thirds in interest of the outstanding shares of NAAC
common stock. Broker non-votes on the proposals to approve the amendments to the
certificate of incorporation will have the effect of a negative vote because
this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority in interest of the
outstanding shares of NAAC common stock. Broker non-votes on the proposals to
elect directors will have no effect on the vote because directors are elected by
a plurality of the votes cast. Broker non-votes on the proposal to approve the
two stock option plans will have no effect on the vote because the shares will
not be considered entitled to vote on matters as to which the brokers withhold
authority. Broker non-votes on the proposal to approve the recapitalization of
the NAAC Class B common stock will have the effect of a negative vote because
this proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority in interest of the
outstanding shares of NAAC common stock and of the NAAC Class B common stock
each voting separately as a class.
The original NAAC stockholders have agreed to vote their pre-IPO shares in
the same manner as the majority in interest of all other holders of NAAC common
stock vote on the proposal to approve the merger agreement and the merger. The
pre-IPO shares represent approximately 8.8% of the outstanding shares of NAAC
common stock. For this purpose they have given their proxy to the officers of
NAAC. Mr. A. J. Nasser, a director of NAAC, who beneficially owns 100,000 shares
of NAAC Class A common stock has agreed to vote these shares in favor of the
merger agreement and the merger. These shares represent approximately 8.3% of
the outstanding shares of NAAC common stock.
SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
All shares of NAAC common stock represented at the annual meeting by
properly executed proxies and not revoked will be voted at the annual meeting
asindicated. Holders of NAAC Class A common stock will be asked to use proxies
on white cards. Holders of NAAC Class B common stock will be asked to use
proxies on blue cards. IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED, PROXIES WILL BE VOTED
FOR EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES AND "FOR" EACH OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS TO BE
VOTED ON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. The NAAC board is not aware of any other matters
which are to come before the annual meeting. If any other matters are properly
presented at the annual meeting for consideration, the persons named in the
enclosed proxy card will have discretion to vote on them as they decide.
Any proxy can be revoked by the person giving it at any time before it is
voted. Proxies can be revoked by (1) filing with the President of NAAC, at or
before the taking of the vote at the annual meeting, a written notice of
revocation bearing a later date than the proxy, (2) duly executing a subsequent
proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it to the President of NAAC
before the annual meeting, or (3) attending the annual meeting and voting in
person. Presence at the annual meeting without further action will not revoke a
proxy. Any written notice revoking a proxy should be sent to: North Atlantic
Acquisition Corp., 5 East 59th Street, New York, New York 10022, Attention:
President, or hand delivered to the President at or prior to the vote at the
annual meeting.
REDEMPTION RIGHTS
Holders of up to 20%, or 160,000 shares, of the outstanding NAAC Class A
common stock, excluding the pre-IPO shares, have the right to have NAAC redeem
their shares for cash if the merger is approved and consummated provided they
follow the procedure set forth below. If more than 160,000 shares are submitted
for redemption, the merger will not be consummated. The per-share redemption
price will be approximately $10.65.
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A holder of eligible NAAC Class A common stock as of the record date can
give notice of his intention to have NAAC redeem his shares until the close of
business on February 1, 1999, the tenth day prior to date of the annual meeting.
A stockholder desiring to exercise the right of redemption must deliver a
written demand for redemption to NAAC at the following address: North Atlantic
Acquisition Corp., 5 East 59th Street, New York, New York 10022, Attention:
President. The failure to satisfy the notice requirement in the specified time
limit will terminate the redemption right. Redeeming stockholders should send
the redemption notice in a manner that assures it is received by NAAC in time
and provides a record of delivery. Upon timely receipt of a properly completed
redemption notice, NAAC will mail to the redeeming stockholder a letter of
transmittal and instructions to be used by such holder in forwarding
certificates representing shares to be redeemed.
The redemption notice must request redemption of the stockholder's NAAC
Class A common stock if the merger is consummated, specify the number of shares
to be redeemed and give the address to which a letter of transmittal and
instructions regarding redemption should be sent. The redemption notice must be
signed by the redeeming stockholder, or his duly authorized representative,
exactly as the holder's name appears on the proxy card accompanying this proxy
statement/prospectus. A demand for redemption of shares owned jointly by more
than one person must identify and be signed by all of such holders. Any person
signing a redemption notice on behalf of a partnership or a corporation or in
any representative capacity, such as attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, must indicate such individual's title and, if NAAC so
requests, furnish written proof of the person's capacity and authority to sign
the demand. Because only holders of record may exercise redemption rights,
persons who beneficially own shares held of record by fiduciaries, nominees or
others (e.g., "street name") who wish to exercise their redemption rights must
instruct the record holders of their shares to satisfy the conditions described
herein.
A redeeming stockholder should retain his certificates pending consummation
of the merger and receipt of instructions from NAAC on how and when to send the
certificates. Instructions will be provided to redeeming stockholders promptly
following consummation of the merger. Thereafter, NAAC will distribute to each
redeeming stockholder an amount equal to the redemption price multiplied by the
number of shares for which redemption has been requested. Upon NAAC's payment of
the aggregate redemption consideration, redeeming stockholders will cease to
have any interest in these shares.
A redeeming stockholder may withdraw a demand for redemption at any time
prior but not subsequent to the annual meeting. NAAC stockholders have no
appraisal or dissenter's rights with respect to the merger.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
In addition to solicitation by mail, directors and officers of NAAC listed
under "Proposal 9: Election of Directors" may solicit proxies by telephone,
facsimile or telegram or in person. Arrangements also will be made with
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the
forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial owners of stock, and NAAC
will reimburse these custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses.
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services will assist in the solicitation of proxies
by NAAC for a fee of approximately $5,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses.
PROPOSAL 1: THE MERGER
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
On August 23, 1997, NAAC initiated efforts to select and evaluate target
businesses. In the ensuing eleven months, NAAC analyzed approximately 60
companies. It held discussions in respect of a business combination with
representatives of approximately 30 companies. The types of businesses that were
analyzed included software, electronic commerce, distribution, finance,
manufacturing, speciality retail and communication companies. NAAC ultimately
determined not to proceed with any of these businesses either because their
financial conditions, staged development or market niche were considered
inappropriate for investment by NAAC at that time or because proposed terms were
not acceptable.
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In December 1998, NAAC signed a non-binding letter of intent with a
mortgage investment company. After further consideration by the principal
stockholder of that company, he determined that because of tax and operational
reasons it would not be in his best interest to sell his company.
In March 1998, the executives of NAAC and Guzzi Corp. commenced discussions
leading to a proposal to merge Guzzi Corp. into NAAC, with NAAC as the surviving
corporation.
During the following months, until the signing of the merger agreement,
each of the parties or its agents reviewed the assets, capital and financial
condition of the other and negotiated the terms of the merger agreement and
ancillary agreements. NAAC also sent its financial advisors, Allen & Company,
its independent accountants, BDO Seidman, LLP and its personnel to Italy to
visit and review the facilities, operations and records of Guzzi Corp.
On July 23, 1998, the NAAC Board considered the principal terms of the
merger agreement and the related documentation, and approved the merger and
merger agreement, the proposed amendments to the certificate of incorporation,
the nomination of eight persons for election as directors, the two stock option
plans and the reclassification of the NAAC Class B common stock.
The NAAC board also approved (1) the issuance of NAAC Class A common stock
and nominal warrants for the contribution of intercompany debt by Trident Rowan
and OAM to the capital of Guzzi Corp. and (2) the issuance of NAAC Class A
common stock and nominal warrants for the cancellation of the Guzzi Corp.
warrants. The NAAC board approved a class of preferred stock that was to be
issued as part of the consideration for the transactions under the terms of the
merger agreement before it was amended. The issuance of this class of securities
was eliminated in the first amendment to the merger agreement. The NAAC Board
voted to recommend unanimously that the stockholders of NAAC vote in favor of
each proposal requiring the vote of the holders of NAAC Common Stock and for the
nominees for directors.
The negotiations for the merger agreement were concluded on August 18,
1998, and the merger agreement and related agreements were executed. NAAC and
Guzzi Corp. announced the execution of the agreement through press releases
issued on August 18, 1998.
On November 30, 1998, the NAAC board considered and approved the first
amendment to the merger agreement. This amendment, among other things, modified
the consideration to be paid by NAAC for Guzzi Corp. by eliminating the new
class of preferred stock previously authorized. It also (1) restructured the
nominal warrants to provide that they will become exercisable if the surviving
corporation obtains designated levels of operating income, (2) adjusted the
number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock to be placed in escrow to provide
for indemnification of NAAC, and (3) lowered the dollar threshold of damages to
NAAC before which NAAC could seek indemnification for breach of the merger
agreement. The consideration to be paid by NAAC for the outstanding securities
of Guzzi Corp. and the exchange of intercompany debt was modified to reflect
changes occurring in Moto Guzzi after August 18, 1998. These included:
o the third quarter 1998 financial results;
o the abandonment of the plans of Moto Guzzi to move its offices and
production facilities from Mandello del Lario to another location of
Italy;
o as a result of the decision not to move facility locations, the
understanding that there will be additional expenses for refurbishing
and upgrading its current facilities;
o a significant downward revision to the 1998 production estimates and
1998 financial forecasts;
o changes in management; and
o the changes in the capitalization of Moto Guzzi.
After consideration of these changes, the NAAC board concluded that the
investment in Guzzi Corp. continued to be a significant opportunity for the
stockholders of the Company because the fundamentals of the Moto Guzzi business
continued to be good, Moto Guzzi had a valuable franchise in its designs,
reputation and position in the motorcycle industry and there was value in its
underlying assets of inventory, plant and
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machinery. Therefore, the NAAC board determined that to continue to pursue the
merger was in the best interests of the stockholders on the terms of the merger
agreement, as amended. The amendment was executed on December 3, 1998.
REASONS FOR THE MERGER; RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NAAC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In making its determination to approve the merger agreement and the merger,
the NAAC board reviewed and discussed the results of management's due diligence
investigation, and analyzed the business opportunities for NAAC and factors
relevant to the proposed transaction. The following discussion, including the
fairness opinion of Allen & Company described below and included in Annex II to
this proxy statement/prospectus, sets forth all material factors considered by
the NAAC board.
The NAAC board reviewed a number of positive factors in connection with the
merger. The NAAC board considered the long history of Moto Guzzi, the stature of
the trademark of the Moto Guzzi name, customer loyalty and the reputation of
Moto Guzzi products. The NAAC board also considered the reorganization efforts
and investment of approximately Lit. 18.8 billion into Moto Guzzi by Trident
Rowan since 1994. The fact that the management of Moto Guzzi had been
strengthened by new employees and consultants was also a positive factor. The
increase in the annual production from a low of approximately 3,300 units in
1993 to approximately 5,600 units in 1997, indicated a positive trend. The NAAC
board also noted the market acceptance of the "Nevada" and "California" cruiser
motorcycles and a sport motorcycle, and the Company's plans for an off-road
cycle and a scooter. The fact that Moto Guzzi was investing in new production
machinery, introducing new designs, and entering into a design agreement for new
engines were significant in the consideration of the NAAC board in favor of the
merger.
The NAAC board examined other companies in the motorcycle industry to
evaluate the pricing of the proposed transaction and the overall potential for
the industry in the immediate future. The NAAC Board also considered the general
market for motorcycles and how they are becoming a leisure activity apart from
being simply a source of transportation. In this connection, the NAAC board
believed the offered consideration was in line with the valuation of comparable
companies to Guzzi Corp.
The NAAC board considered the principal risks associated with the proposed
transaction. The NAAC board reviewed backlog figures, the potential for
production delays, the possibility of cancellation of orders and contracts,
including possible penalties payable by Moto Guzzi in the event of such
cancellations, and the resulting effect on the projected sales and revenues for
the 1998 fiscal year. The NAAC board also considered the effect of the overall
performance of Moto Guzzi and its financial obligations and the impact that
these might have on financing possibilities and the future of Moto Guzzi.
Although Moto Guzzi had commenced a turnaround of its manufacturing and
marketing, it was acknowledged that there were many things to be done in the
future to complete the proposed business plan and make Moto Guzzi a profitable
enterprise. The NAAC board considered various risks related to the production
facilities. These included the risks associated with the expense of and needed
investment in machinery and the expense of maintaining and improving the old
facilities, including the costs of environmental oriented improvements.
The cyclicality of the motorcycle industry and the growing reliance on
sales of larger-engined units to persons with greater disposable incomes
available for leisure activities were considered. The NAAC board also considered
the sources and the impact of competition on Moto Guzzi. The NAAC board
considered the recurrent problems of Moto Guzzi in obtaining parts from
suppliers, the limited number of suppliers for some essential parts, labor
unrest and the importance of public entity procurement programs, primarily in
Italy.
The NAAC board then considered the risks related to owning and operating a
business located in a foreign country with approximately 63% of its current
sales in many countries other than Italy. Among the specific factors considered
were the differences between financial reporting in United States dollars, using
United States GAAP as compared to the financial reporting by Guzzi Corp. in
Italian lire, currency translation and currency risks, the advent of the Euro,
the ability to find financing for foreign enterprises, the Italian labor and
other regulatory regimes which are considered substantially different than those
of the United States, the likelihood of communication differences and
difficulties, and various import and export requirements.
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Moto Guzzi's financial condition and the need for the capital of NAAC and
the potential for future financings were discussed. The NAAC board evaluated the
projected capital requirements and the potential sources of financing, including
the possible sale of some of the acquired assets, the exercise of outstanding
NAAC Class A warrants, bank loans from Italian institutional lenders and the
capital markets. The NAAC board also considered the consequences if Moto Guzzi
were to be unable to find adequate funding for its currently proposed business
plan. The capital requirements after the merger to implement the overall
business plan is expected to require about Lit. 70 billion (approximately
$42 million). The NAAC board was informed that the immediate capital
requirements of Guzzi Corp. would be satisfied by the funds in the NAAC escrow
account available after the merger and the amount to be received upon exercise
of the Class B options which Messrs. Mitchell and McMillen have agreed to
exercise upon consummation of the merger. The short-term capital requirements
include the repayment of approximately Lit. 6 billion (approximately
$3.6 million) in interim financing incurred by Moto Guzzi in October 1998,
repayment of up to $800,000 in intercompany debt immediately after the
consummation of the merger and payment of some supplier arrearages. Future
capital requirements of Moto Guzzi would be met by revenues from increased
sales, if any, additional bank lending based on revenues and sales, and the sale
of additional securities. It was noted that the NAAC Class A warrants have an
exercise price of $9.00 and are callable at a price of $.05 per NAAC Class A
Warrant if the market price of the NAAC Class A common stock is in excess of
$11.00 for at least 10 days. Because the price of the NAAC Class A common stock
in the market has been in the $8.50-$9.00 range, it was considered reasonable to
anticipate the possibility of exercises resulting in additional working capital.
In view of the variety of factors considered, the NAAC board did not find
it practicable to quantify or otherwise attempt to assign relative weights or
particular valuations to the specific factors considered in making its
determination regarding the merger. Consequently, it did not quantify the
assumptions and results of its analysis in reaching its determination that the
merger agreement and the merger are in the best interests of NAAC and its
stockholders. However, as a general matter, the NAAC board believed that the
favorable factors about the business of Moto Guzzi supported its decision to
approve the merger agreement and outweighed the various risk factors and
financial considerations relating to Moto Guzzi. The NAAC board concluded that,
notwithstanding the potentially negative factors, a business combination with
Guzzi Corp. is in the best interests of NAAC and its stockholders and is
consistent with NAAC's business objective of effecting a business combination
with a suitable target business.
In reaching its conclusion to approve the merger agreement and the merger,
the NAAC board also was aware of certain conflicts of interest of NAAC's
directors and officers, including that unless NAAC consummates the merger, these
persons' pre-IPO shares and NAAC management options would have no value and
Mr. David J. Mitchell would not be in a position to benefit from a future
consulting arrangement dependent on the merger being consummated. The NAAC board
did not consider liquidation as an alternative business strategy to consummating
the merger because it believed that the merger is in the best interests of NAAC
and its stockholders and is consistent with NAAC's business objective of
effecting a business combination with a suitable target business.
FAIRNESS OPINION OF ALLEN & COMPANY
On December 3, 1998, Allen & Company delivered to NAAC's board its written
opinion to the effect that, as of such date, the terms of the merger were fair,
from a financial point of view, to the holders of NAAC Class A Common Stock.
The full text of the written opinion of Allen & Company, dated December 3,
1998, is set forth as Annex II to this proxy statement/prospectus and describes
the assumptions made, matters considered and limits on the review undertaken.
The holders of NAAC Class A common stock are urged to read the opinion in its
entirety. Allen & Company's opinion is directed only to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, of the terms of the merger to the holders of NAAC
Class A common stock and does not constitute a recommendation of the merger over
other courses of action that may be available to NAAC or constitute a
recommendation to any holder of NAAC Class A common stock concerning how such
holder should vote with respect to the merger. The summary of the opinion of
Allen & Company set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the full text of such opinion.
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In arriving at its opinion, Allen & Company:
o reviewed the terms and conditions of the merger, including the merger
agreement and the ancillary agreements, noting that the first amendment
to the merger agreement had not been executed by the parties prior to
the delivery of Allen & Company's opinion;
o analyzed publicly available historical business and financial
information relating to NAAC, as presented in documents filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission;
o analyzed the historical business and financial information relating to
Guzzi Corp. furnished by Guzzi Corp.;
o reviewed the financial forecasts and other data provided to Allen &
Company by Guzzi Corp. relating to its business;
o conducted discussions with some members of the senior management of NAAC
and Guzzi Corp. with respect to the financial condition, business
operations, strategic objectives and prospects of NAAC and Guzzi Corp.,
as well as trends prevailing in Guzzi Corp.'s industry;
o reviewed and analyzed public information, including stock market data
and financial information relating to selected public companies in lines
of business which Allen & Company believed to be comparable to Guzzi
Corp.'s;
o reviewed trends in the motorcycle industry;
o reviewed the trading history, market data and financial information of
selected companies in industries comparable to that of Guzzi Corp.;
o reviewed public financial and transaction information relating to merger
and acquisition transactions Allen & Company deemed to be comparable to
the merger; and
o conducted such other financial analyses and investigations and reviewed
such other materials as Allen & Company deemed necessary or appropriate
for the purposes of the opinion expressed therein.
In connection with its review, Allen & Company assumed and relied on the
accuracy and completeness of the information it reviewed for the purpose of its
opinion and did not assume any responsibility for independent verification of
such information or for any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets of
NAAC or Guzzi Corp. With respect to Guzzi Corp.'s financial forecasts, Allen &
Company assumed that they had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the
best currently available estimates and judgments of the management of Guzzi
Corp., and Allen & Company expressed no opinion with respect to such forecasts
or the assumptions on which they were based. Allen & Company's opinion was
necessarily based upon business, market, economic and other conditions as they
existed on, and could be evaluated as of, the date of its opinion. Allen &
Company's opinion does not imply any conclusion as to the likely trading range
of the NAAC Class A common stock following the consummation of the merger, which
may vary depending on, among other factors, changes in interest rates, dividend
rates, market conditions, general economic conditions and other factors that
generally influence the price of securities.
The following is a summary of the presentation made by Allen & Company to
the NAAC board in connection with the rendering of Allen & Company's fairness
opinion:
Transaction Overview and Analysis. Allen & Company presented an overview of
the proposed transaction, including an analysis of the pro forma ownership of
the combined entity resulting from the merger and Guzzi Corp.'s historical
operating results for the two years ended December 31, 1997 and its projected
operating results for the two years ending December 31, 1998 and 1999.
While noting that there were few publicly traded companies directly
comparable to Guzzi Corp., Allen & Company performed a comparable company
analysis by comparing Guzzi Corp.'s operating results to the operating results
of Harley-Davidson, Inc. and KTM Motorradholding AG. Using the comparable
companies' trading multiples based upon projected 1999 operating results and
based upon Guzzi Corp.'s projected operating results for such period, Allen &
Company's analysis yielded a range of total enterprise values for Guzzi Corp. of
between approximately $78.0 million and $86.0 million. Total enterprise value is
the recent value of all equity securities plus total debt, less cash. In
addition, Allen & Company considered the
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enterprise values of two development-stage companies, Excelsior-Henderson
Motorcycle Manufacturing Company, a company publicly traded on Nasdaq
(approximately $103.9 million), and Titan Motorcycle Co. of America, a company
traded on the OTC Bulletin Board (approximately $86.2 million).
Allen & Company also performed a discounted cash flow analysis of Guzzi
Corp. based upon projections provided by Guzzi Corp. management and used other
assumptions made by Allen & Company. The discounted cash flow valuation of Guzzi
Corp. was determined by adding (1) the present value of projected unlevered cash
flow valuation of Guzzi Corp. through 2003 and (2) the present value of Guzzi
Corp.'s terminal value in the year 2003. The range of terminal values for Guzzi
Corp. was calculated by applying a range of multiples from 6.0x to 8.0x to Guzzi
Corp.'s projected EBITDA. The cash flows and terminal values of Guzzi Corp. were
discounted to present value using different discount rates from 11.0% to 13.0%
reflecting various assumptions about the costs of capital. Based upon this
analysis, Allen & Company derived a range of enterprise values for Guzzi Corp.
of between approximately $92.9 million and $133.0 million.
Allen & Company reviewed and analyzed financial and stock market
information relating to selected merger transactions occurring in the motorcycle
industry since July 1996. Allen & Company noted that the lack of available
publicly disclosed information concerning the industry transactions limited its
ability to use such transactions in evaluating the merger.
Based upon the analyses of Allen & Company described above, Allen & Company
noted that the range of enterprise values for Guzzi Corp. was from approximately
$78 million to $133 million. Allen & Company compared such valuation range to an
implied value of approximately $78 million for the total consideration offered
in the merger for Guzzi Corp. Allen & Company noted that such implied value of
the total consideration offered for Guzzi Corp. assumed that each share of NAAC
Class A common stock issued in the merger is valued at about $10.65 at
November 30, 1998, the amount which the holders of NAAC Class A common
stockwould be entitled to receive upon the exercise of their redemption right
and assumed the issuance of all of the NAAC Class A common stock underlying the
nominal warrants.
No company used in the comparable company analyses summarized above is
identical to Guzzi Corp., and no transaction reviewed in examining potential
comparable transactions is identical to the merger. Accordingly, any analysis of
the value of the consideration to be paid by NAAC the merger involves complex
considerations and judgments concerning differences in the potential financial
and operating characteristics of the comparable companies and transactions and
other factors in relation to the trading and acquisition values of the
comparable companies.
The preparation of a fairness opinion is not susceptible to partial
analysis or summary description. Allen & Company believes that its analyses and
the summary set forth above 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 an incomplete view of the processes
underlying the analysis set forth in its opinion. Allen & Company has not
indicated that any of the analyses which it performed had a greater significance
than any other.
In determining the appropriate analyses to conduct and when performing
those analyses, Allen & Company made numerous assumptions with respect to
industry performance, general business, financial, market and economic
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of NAAC or
Guzzi Corp. The analyses which Allen & Company performed are not necessarily
indicative of actual values or actual future results, which may be significantly
more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses. Such analyses were
prepared solely as part of Allen & Company's analysis of the fairness, from a
financial point of view, of the terms of the merger to the holders of NAAC
Class A common stock. The analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect
the prices at which a company might actually be sold or the prices at which any
securities may trade at the present time or at any time in the future.
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Allen & Company is a nationally recognized investment banking firm that is
continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in
connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, competitive
bids, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private
placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. NAAC
retained Allen & Company based on such qualifications as well as its familiarity
with NAAC. In addition, as a part of its investment banking and securities
trading business, Allen & Company may hold positions in and trade in the
securities of NAAC from time to time.
July 1998 Presentation. At the meeting of the NAAC board on July 23, 1998,
Allen & Company made a similar presentation to the NAAC board and delivered an
opinion of generally similar tenor to the December 3, 1998 opinion based upon
the original terms of the merger. In delivering its opinion in July 1998, Allen
& Company conducted primarily the same financial investigations and analyses as
it did in connection with its December 3, 1998 opinion, along with such other
analyses and investigations that it deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes
of its July 1998 opinion. Allen & Company's July 1998 opinion was necessarily
based upon business, market, economic and other conditions as they existed on,
and could be evaluated as of, the date of such opinion and the information
supplied by NAAC and Guzzi Corp. as of such date regarding NAAC and Guzzi Corp.
NAAC entered into a letter agreement with Allen & Company as of May 4,
1998. Allen & Company has agreed to act as NAAC's financial advisor in
connection with the merger and to render an opinion as to the fairness from a
financial point of view of the terms of the merger to the holders of NAAC
Class A common stock. NAAC will pay Allen & Company a fee of $100,000 earned
upon the delivery of its written fairness opinion to the NAAC board and payable
at the conclusion of the merger. In addition, NAAC will issue to Allen & Company
a warrant to purchase 350,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock at an exercise
price of $10.00 per share, which may be exercisable at any time prior to
July 1, 2003. The shares of NAAC Class A common stock issuable upon its exercise
may not be sold by Allen & Company prior to July 1, 2000. Whether or not the
merger is consummated, NAAC will reimburse Allen & Company for all its
out-of-pocket expenses up to $10,000, including the fees and disbursements of
its counsel and will indemnify Allen & Company against liabilities and expenses
in connection with its engagement.
REASONS FOR THE MERGER; CONSIDERATIONS OF THE GUZZI CORP. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Guzzi Corp. proceeded to negotiate with NAAC in the belief that a merger
with an entity such as NAAC would provide it with a timely and cost-effective
method of securing needed financing, since the merger, from Guzzi Corp.'s
perspective, was indistinguishable from a privately negotiated sale of
securities for cash. Guzzi Corp. did not seek or obtain an independent valuation
of its own assets, capital or financial condition. The financial advisor for
NAAC was authorized to review Guzzi Corp.'s facilities, operations and records.
Guzzi Corp. did not obtain a fairness opinion concerning the terms of the merger
agreement ultimately negotiated. Instead, based on other offers and expressions
of interest received by Guzzi Corp.'s management involving either an investment
in or acquisition of Moto Guzzi, Guzzi Corp.'s management, together with the
boards of directors of its parent entities, OAM and Trident Rowan, concluded
that the proposed merger with NAAC was the most favorable. The following
discussion includes all of the material factors considered by the Guzzi Corp.
board of directors.
After evaluating a letter written by NAAC's financial advisors to key
officers of Guzzi Corp. and of Moto Guzzi, and a meeting held with them, and in
light of the other information available to it, the board of directors of Guzzi
Corp. concluded that the merger was fair to and in the best interests of its
business and of its shareholders. In reaching its conclusion, the board of
directors considered the relative cost and timing advantages of securing cash
capital from a single source rather than negotiating and consummating separate
financing arrangements with multiple private investors, and that as a result of
the merger Guzzi Corp. would receive cash rather than securities or other
property.
In addition to the initial amount of cash which a merger would make
available for Moto Guzzi's working capital needs, Guzzi Corp.'s board of
directors also considered the existence of outstanding NAAC Class A warrants
which were likely to be exercised if the stock of the surviving corporation
exceeded $11 for at least 10 days, and, if exercised, would yield Guzzi Corp. up
to an additional $10,440,000 in capital before fees and expenses.
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The board of directors of Guzzi Corp. also considered that a merger with
NAAC would provide to Guzzi Corp.'s stockholders, including the holders of its
unregistered restricted preferred stock, publicly tradeable registered
securities which would provide liquidity for their investments. Some holders of
Guzzi Corp.'s preferred stock are holders of NAAC common stock, and thus they
have some familiarity with the organizational structure of NAAC, thereby
increasing the likelihood, in the view of the board of directors of Guzzi Corp.,
that a merger would be approved by the NAAC stockholders. This greater
probability for closure, particularly compared to the risks inherent in
consummating an initial public offering of Guzzi Corp. securities, was also
given significant weight.
The fact that the surviving company would, as a consequence of the merger,
have a class of securities registered for trading on the securities markets of
the United States was also viewed favorably for the potential of subsequent
public offerings of its securities, and for the potential of using registered
securities for possible future acquisitions if that would help implement Moto
Guzzi's turnaround and growth plans.
Guzzi Corp. also favorably weighed the fact that the a merger would be
structured as a tax-free exchange of Guzzi Corp. capital stock for NAAC capital
stock. Finally, the Guzzi Corp. board of directors weighed the terms and
conditions of the merger agreement which had been negotiated by the parties.
None of the factors was assigned a particular weight, but were all evaluated
among the entire mix of information available to the Guzzi Corp. board.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Members of the NAAC board and management have various conflicts of interest
arising out of their ownership of NAAC Class A common stock and the NAAC
management options and the possible consulting arrangement for Mr. Mitchell upon
consummation of the merger. The NAAC board was aware of these interests when it
approved the merger agreement and the merger.
The current directors and executive officers of NAAC own an aggregate of
40,000 pre-IPO shares which were acquired for an aggregate of $4,000 (or
approximately $.10 per share).
All directors and executive officers of NAAC, as a group, own a total of
140,000 shares of NAAC common stock. Two directors of NAAC, Messrs. Mitchell and
McMillen, also have Class B options to purchase an aggregate of 30,000 shares of
NAAC Class B common stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share, which they
have agreed to exercise at the conclusion of the merger. They also have Class A
options to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 units, each unit consisting of one
share of NAAC Class A common stock and one NAAC Class A warrant, at an exercise
price of $12.50 per unit, until the third anniversary of the merger. NAAC has
agreed to register the securities to be issued on the exercise of the Class A
options as soon as practicable after the merger.
If the NAAC Class A common stock, other than pre-IPO shares, is redeemed as
a result of its failure to consummate a business combination by August 22, 1999,
the current directors and executive officers of NAAC would not participate in
any distribution of assets with respect to their pre-IPO shares. Thus, unless
NAAC consummates the merger or another business combination, the NAAC securities
of these individuals will have no value. If the merger or another business
combination is consummated, these persons would participate in any subsequent
liquidation of NAAC on the same base as other security holders of NAAC.
David J. Mitchell will be engaged as a consultant after the merger and as
compensation for his services will be granted an option to purchase 30,000
shares of NAAC Class A common stock. The option will vest one third on the date
of grant and one third each on succeeding anniversaries of the date of grant and
will be exercisable at the fair market value of the NAAC Class A common stock on
the date of grant for a period of ten years after the date of grant. In
addition, as a member of the NAAC board after the merger, Mr. Mitchell will be
granted options to purchase 12,500 shares of NAAC Class common stock for each
year of service, exercisable for ten years at the price of a share in the public
market on the date of grant. If the merger is not approved, these options will
not be granted.
USE OF FUNDS AVAILABLE UPON CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
As of November 30, 1998, the escrow account contained $8,557,526 which,
together with any interest earned since that date, will be disbursed to NAAC
upon consummation of the merger. Each of Messrs. Mitchell and McMillen,
simultaneously with the consummation of the merger, have agreed to exercise the
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options they hold to acquire NAAC Class B common stock, for an aggregate
exercise price of $300,000. All these funds will be needed in the short-term:
o to pay the accrued and unpaid expenses of NAAC relating to its operations
and consummation of the merger,
o to satisfy the redemption rights of NAAC stockholders, if any,
o to repay approximately Lit. 6 billion (approximately $3.6 million)
borrowed from OAM and an Italian bank in October 1998 for working capital
purposes,
o to repay up to $800,000 in intercompany debt to Trident Rowan and OAM,
o to pay down Moto Guzzi supplier arrearages, and
o for working capital of Guzzi Corp.
If the merger is consummated and the maximum number of shares of NAAC
Class A common stock, other than the pre-IPO shares, entitled to be redeemed
without preventing the merger are in fact converted the amount of funds
available to NAAC from the escrow account would be reduced by approximately
$1,704,000.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NAAC STOCKHOLDERS
The following discussion summarizes the material federal income tax
consequences to NAAC stockholders whose stock is redeemed in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus or who receive a
distribution upon redemption of NAAC Class A Common Stock if a business
combination is not consummated by August 22, 1999. This summary does not discuss
all relevant aspects of Federal income taxation and thus, for example, may not
be applicable to NAAC stockholders who are not U.S. citizens or residents; nor
does it address the effect of any applicable state, local, foreign or other tax
laws. The discussion assumes that each NAAC stockholder holds such stock as a
capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended ("Code").
If a NAAC stockholder exercises the redemption right, redemption will
result in a complete termination of such stockholder's interest in the NAAC
Class A common stock being redeemed and will be treated as a sale or exchange
for Federal income tax purposes. If NAAC makes a redemption in consequence of
not consummating a business combination, it also will be treated as a sale or
exchange for Federal income tax purposes. In either case, a NAAC stockholder
will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between
the amount realized (the amount received from NAAC with respect to such
stockholder's shares upon redemption or liquidation) and such stockholder's
adjusted tax basis. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if
such stockholder has held such shares for more than one year.
Unless a NAAC stockholder complies with certain reporting and/or
certification procedures or is an exempt recipient under applicable provisions
of the Code and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, such stockholder
may be subject to "backup" withholding tax of 31% with respect to the amount
received upon redemption or liquidation. Foreign stockholders should consult
with their tax advisors regarding withholding taxes in general.
NAAC STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH
RESPECT TO FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN OR OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
REDEMPTION OF NAAC CLASS A COMMON STOCK.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO GUZZI CORP. STOCKHOLDERS
The following discussion summarizes the material federal income tax
consequences of the merger to the stockholders of Guzzi Corp. It does not,
however, address all aspects of federal income taxation that may be relevant to
a particular Guzzi Corp. stockholder in light of his personal investment
circumstances and to certain types of shareholders subject to special treatment
under the federal income tax laws (for example, insurance companies, tax exempt
organizations, financial institutions or broker-dealers or persons who are not
citizens or residents of the United States or who are foreign corporations,
foreign partnerships or foreign estates or trusts) and does not discuss any
aspects of state, local or foreign taxation. Further, this discussion assumes
that all Guzzi Corp. stockholders will hold their shares of Guzzi Corp. common
stock and Guzzi Corp. preferred stock as capital assets as of the date of the
merger.
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In the opinion of Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP, counsel to Guzzi
Corp., the merger should, under current law, qualify as a "reorganization"
within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the Code, and hence, for purposes of
assessing the federal income tax consequences to the Guzzi Corp. stockholders,
both Guzzi Corp. and NAAC should be parties to a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel has
relied upon written representations and covenants of Guzzi Corp. and NAAC. No
ruling has been obtained or will be sought from the Internal Revenue Service as
to the Federal income tax consequences of the merger, and the opinion of counsel
set forth below is not binding on the IRS or any court. There can be no
assurance that the IRS will not take a contrary view to those statements and
conclusions expressed herein. Moreover, legislative, judicial or administrative
changes or interpretations may be forthcoming that could alter or modify the
statements and conclusions set forth herein. Any such changes or interpretations
may or may not be retroactive and could affect the tax consequences to Guzzi
Corp. stockholders. ACCORDINGLY, EACH GUZZI CORP. STOCKHOLDER IS URGED TO
CONSULT HIS OWN TAX ADVISER AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OF THE
MERGER, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN
TAX LAWS, AND OF CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
As a reorganization under the Code, the merger would have the following
federal income tax consequences for the Guzzi Corp. stockholders:
1. No gain or loss will be recognized by holders of Guzzi Corp. common
stock and Guzzi Corp. preferred stock as a result of the exchange of such
shares, pursuant to the merger, for NAAC Class A common stock and nominal
warrants, except that: (a) a Guzzi Corp. stockholder who receives cash in
lieu of fractional shares will be treated as if such cash had been received
in redemption for such fractional shares, such redemption being treated
either as a sale or exchange resulting in capital gain or loss treatment,
or, alternatively, as a dividend, depending upon each Guzzi Corp.
stockholder's particular facts and circumstances; and (b) a portion of the
NAAC Class A common stock to be received upon the exercise of the nominal
warrants will likely be treated as taxable interest income upon such
exercise.
2. The aggregate tax basis of the NAAC Class A common stock and
nominal warrants received in the merger will be the same as the aggregate
tax basis of the Guzzi Corp. common stock and Guzzi preferred stock
surrendered in exchange therefor.
3. The holding period for the NAAC Class A common stock and nominal
warrants received in the merger will include the period during which the
Guzzi Corp. common stock and Guzzi Corp. preferred stock surrendered in
exchange therefor were held.
If the merger were not to constitute a reorganization under Section
368(a)(1) of the Code, then the Guzzi Corp. stockholders would be treated as if
they had received a distribution in complete liquidation of Guzzi Corp. and, in
general, each would recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference
between (1) the fair market value of the NAAC Class A common stock and the
nominal warrants received in the merger, and (2) his basis in his Guzzi Corp.
common stock and Guzzi Corp. preferred stock surrendered in the merger. The
basis in the NAAC Class A common stock and nominal warrants received in such
case would be equal to their fair market values on the date of the merger.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO GUZZI CORP. AND NAAC
As discussed in the preceding section, "Federal Income Tax Consequences to
Guzzi Corp. Shareholders", in the opinion of Morrison Cohen Singer &
Weinstein, LLP, counsel to Guzzi Corp., the merger should, under current law,
qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1) of the
Code and hence both Guzzi Corp. and NAAC should be parties to a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code. If the merger qualifies as
such a "reorganization", no gain or loss will be recognized for federal income
tax purposes by Guzzi Corp. or NAAC solely by reason of such merger. If for any
reason the merger were not to qualify as such a "reorganization", then the
merger would be treated for federal income tax purposes as if Guzzi Corp. had
sold all of its assets to NAAC at their fair market values. In such case, Guzzi
Corp. would recognize taxable gain equal to the excess, if any, of such values
over Guzzi Corp.'s basis in such assets.
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ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The merger will be treated as a reverse acquisition of NAAC by Guzzi Corp.
In a reverse acquisition, the shareholders of the surviving corporation will own
less than 50% of the post-merger shares. The shareholders of Guzzi Corp. will
receive approximately 76.8% of the post-merger shares of NAAC, excluding any
shares of NAAC Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of any options or
warrants including the nominal warrants. Guzzi Corp. therefore will be the
accounting acquiror. The cost of the acquisition of NAAC will be based on the
fair value of NAAC's assets and liabilities as of the date of the merger which
amounts approximate the book value. As a result of the reverse acquisition of
NAAC by Guzzi Corp., the historical financial statements of NAAC for periods
prior to the merger will be those of Guzzi Corp.Since all of the production, and
much of the sales of Moto Guzzi, and, therefore, of Guzzi Corp., occur in Italy,
Guzzi Corp.'s primary financial statements are reported in Italian Lire, its
functional currency as defined by generally accepted accounting principles. The
merged company will report results in Italian lire and, from a future date to be
determined in the Euro.
RESALE OF NAAC CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND NOMINAL WARRANTS; AFFILIATES
Generally, the shares of NAAC Class A common stock and nominal warrants,
and the shares of NAAC Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the
nominal warrants received by holders of Guzzi Corp. common stock and Guzzi Corp.
preferred stock in the merger, will be freely transferrable. An exception to
this situation is that NAAC Class A common stock and nominal warrants and the
underlying securities received by persons who are deemed to be "affiliates," as
this term is defined under the Securities Act of 1933, of NAAC or Guzzi Corp.
prior to the merger may be resold by them only in transactions permitted by the
resale provisions of Rule 145 under the Securities Act with respect to
affiliates of Guzzi Corp., or Rule 144 under the Securities Act with respect to
persons who are or become affiliates of NAAC. Persons who may be deemed to be
affiliates of NAAC or Guzzi Corp. generally include individuals or entities that
control, are controlled by or are under common control with either NAAC or Guzzi
Corp., as the case may be, and may include their officers and directors as well
as their principal stockholders.
Guzzi Corp. is required to deliver to NAAC a letter identifying all persons
who are, in Guzzi Corp.'s reasonable judgment, affiliates, and caused each of
its affiliates to deliver to NAAC written agreements providing, among other
things, that such persons will not offer to sell, sell or otherwise dispose of
any of NAAC's stock issued to such person in the merger in violation of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 145 promulgated thereunder, as they may be
amended from time to time. In addition, certain individuals, including those
affiliates, are required to execute twelve month lockup agreements. The number
of shares of NAAC Class A common stock and the number of such shares issuable
upon exercise of nominal warrants subject to the restrictions of Rule 145 will
be 3,360,000 and 640,000, respectively, some of which will also be subject to
lockup agreements. The number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock and nominal
warrants subject to the twelve month lockup will be not less than 3,360,000 and
640,000, respectively. In addition, 350,000 shares issuable pursuant to a
warrant to be granted to Allen & Company will be subject to an eighteen month
lockup.
The NAAC Class A common stock, NAAC Class B common stock and NAAC Class A
warrants are traded on the OTC Bulletin Board. NAAC intends to apply for listing
of the NAAC Class A common stock and NAAC Class A Warrants on the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market, although no assurance can be given that the listing application
will be accepted. NAAC will not apply for the listing of the nominal warrants;
therefore no assurance can be given that these securities will be readily
tradeable.
COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES OF GUZZI CORP. AND OF NAAC
The following discussion compares the principal rights and privileges with
respect to the existing securities of Guzzi Corp. with the securities of NAAC
now existing and which will be existing following consummation of the merger.
Both Guzzi Corp. and NAAC are Delaware corporations, and therefore the merger
will not affect the law applicable to the shareholders of either corporation.
Since NAAC will be the surviving corporation, the consummation of the merger
will not have any effect on the securities owned by the NAAC stockholders.
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GUZZI CORP. COMMON STOCK
Each share of Guzzi Corp. common stock entitles the holder to one vote on
all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Since the holders of Guzzi
Corp. common stock do not have cumulative voting rights, holders of more than
50% of the outstanding shares can elect all of members of Guzzi Corp.'s board of
directors and holders of the remaining shares by themselves cannot elect any
directors. The holders of Guzzi Corp. common stock do not have preemptive rights
or rights to convert their Guzzi Corp. common stock into other securities. In
the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Guzzi Corp., holders of
the Guzzi Corp. common stock have the right to a ratable portion of the assets
remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of the
holders of any Guzzi Corp. preferred stock.
The holders of shares of Guzzi Corp. common stock are entitled to dividends
when and as declared by the Guzzi Corp. board of directors from funds legally
available for this purpose.
GUZZI CORP. PREFERRED STOCK
The Guzzi Corp. board of directors has authority to issue the authorized
2,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, each series to have
such designation and number of shares as the board of directors may fix prior to
the issuance of any shares of such series. Each series may have such preferences
other special rights, with such qualifications, limitations or restrictions, as
are stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such
series as may be adopted from time to time by the board of directors prior to
the issuance of any shares of such series. There is currently outstanding the
series of Guzzi Corp. preferred stock containing, among other preferences and
rights, the following:
Dividends. The Guzzi Corp. preferred stock does not pay dividends.
Liquidation Preferences. Upon liquidation of Guzzi Corp. (including a sale
by Guzzi Corp. of all or substantially all of its assets or a merger or
consolidation of Guzzi Corp. with another company in which Guzzi Corp. is not
the surviving entity), the holders of the Guzzi Corp. preferred stock have the
right to receive, prior to the distribution to the other security holders of
Guzzi Corp., an amount per share equal to the greater of (1) the "stated value"
of $4.00, or (2) the amount they would have received had they converted the
Guzzi Corp. preferred stock to Guzzi Corp. common stock on the business day
immediately prior to such liquidation, merger or consolidation.
Ranking. The Guzzi Corp. preferred stock, with respect to liquidation
rights, ranks senior to all other classes of the capital stock of Guzzi Corp.,
including, but not limited to, any other series of preferred stock issued by
Guzzi Corp.
Conversion. Each share of Guzzi Corp. preferred stock may be converted, at
the option of the holder, into shares of Guzzi Corp. common stock at the rate of
one share for each share of preferred stock, subject to adjustment to protect
against events of dilution as described below. Each share of Guzzi Corp.
preferred stock will be automatically converted upon the consummation by Guzzi
Corp. of an underwritten public offering of the Guzzi Corp. common stock that
raises gross proceeds of at least $8 million. The conversion rate in connection
with the qualified initial public offering will be the lesser of the
then-applicable conversion price or 75% of the per share public offering price
in a qualified initial public offering. Insofar as a qualified initial public
offering has not been consummated by June 30, 1998, the majority holders of the
Guzzi Corp. preferred stock have the right to elect a majority of the directors
of Guzzi Corp., which right, however, has not been exercised. The proposed
merger is not a qualified initial public offering.
Redemption. If not previously converted, Guzzi Corp. is required to redeem
each share of Guzzi Corp. preferred stock outstanding at the option of the
holder thereof, at any time after the fifth anniversary of its issuance at a
price of twice the then-stated value.
Voting. The holders of the Guzzi Corp. preferred stock vote with the
holders of Guzzi Corp. common stock on an as-converted basis, and, to the extent
required by law, as a separate class.
Anti-Dilution Adjustment. The conversion price is fully adjusted for stock
splits, stock dividends and any other combinations or distributions to holders
of securities of Guzzi Corp. In addition, anti-dilution adjustments must be made
to the conversion price if securities of Guzzi Corp. are issued below the then
conversion price, subject to certain limitations.
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Preemptive Rights. If at any time prior to and not in connection with the
consummation of a qualified initial public offering, Guzzi Corp. proposes to
offer or sell shares, or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares
of any class of its capital stock, Guzzi Corp. is required to offer to the
holders of the Guzzi Corp. preferred stock the preemptive right, on the same
terms as such shares or other securities are offered or sold to the third
parties, to purchase a number of such shares or other securities sufficient to
permit the holders of the Guzzi Corp. preferred stock to maintain their
proportionate economic interest in Guzzi Corp.
As a result of the merger, all holders of Guzzi Corp. preferred stock will
receive NAAC Class A common stock, which lack any provision for liquidation
preferences, ranking, conversion, redemption, antidilution adjustments or
preemptive rights.
GUZZI WARRANTS
There are 1,500,000 Guzzi Corp. warrants currently outstanding. Each Guzzi
Corp. warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of Guzzi
Corp. common stock at an exercise price equal to the lesser of $4.00, as
adjusted, or the initial public offering price of the Guzzi Corp. common stock,
exercisable for a period of three years from issuance of the Guzzi Corp.
warrant. Unless extended by Guzzi Corp. they expire at 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Standard time, on the day preceding the third anniversary date of issuance. If a
holder of the Guzzi Corp. warrants fails to exercise his or her Guzzi Corp.
warrants prior to their expiration, they will expire and the holder thereof will
have no further rights. A holder of the Guzzi Corp. warrants does not have any
rights, privileges or liabilities as a shareholder of Guzzi Corp. prior to their
exercise. Guzzi Corp. is required to keep reserved a sufficient number of
authorized shares of Guzzi Corp. common stock to permit the exercise of the
warrants. Subject to certain limitations, the exercise price and the number of
shares of Guzzi Corp. common stock issuable upon exercise of the Guzzi Corp.
warrants will be subject to a "full ratchet" adjustment to protect against
dilution in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, combinations,
subdivisions and reclassifications or the issuance of shares of Guzzi Corp.
common stock for less than the then conversion price of the preferred stock. In
the event of specified corporate events, including a merger in which Guzzi Corp.
is not the surviving entity, holders of the Guzzi Corp. warrant continue to have
the right to exercise their warrants to acquire such securities they would have
received had they exercised their warrants prior to the consummation of such
corporate events.
In connection with the merger, those Guzzi Corp. warrant holders who submit
their warrants for exchange and cancellation will receive their proportionate
interest in 217,989 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and in 41,520 nominal
warrants, as reduced to account for those persons not accepting the warrant
exchange. The securities which a Guzzi Corp. warrant holder who does not
participate in the warrant exchange may acquire upon exercise following the
merger are not being registered in this offering. These holders must rely for
market liquidity on their existing registration rights and Rule 144.
NAAC CLASS A COMMON STOCK
There are 906,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock currently
outstanding. The holders of NAAC Class A common stock are entitled to one vote
for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by holders of the
NAAC common stock voting together as a single class. The holders of NAAC
Class A common stock also are entitled to one vote for each share held, as a
separate class on all matters affecting the rights of the class independently of
all the other classes. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the
election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of all
the voting authority of the NAAC common stock voted can elect all of the
directors then being elected. The holders of NAAC Class A common stock are
entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors
out of funds legally available for their purpose. This entitlement is subject to
the dividend rights of those classes ranking superior in dividend rights. In the
event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of NAAC the holders of NAAC
Class A common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining
available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after
provision has been made for each class of stock, if any, having preference over
the NAAC Class A common stock. The initial stockholders of NAAC have agreed with
respect to any shares of pre-IPO shares to waive their rights in any
distribution relating to a liquidation of NAAC due to the failure of NAAC to
consummate a business combination. Holders of shares of NAAC Class A common
stock, as such, have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights, and
except as described under "The Annual Meeting--Redemption Rights," there are no
redemption provisions
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applicable to the NAAC Class A common stock. In the event of a redemption
because a business combination is not consummated, the NAAC Class A common stock
currently outstanding would be redeemed and canceled.
NAAC CLASS B COMMON STOCK
There are 150,000 shares of NAAC Class B common stock currently
outstanding. The holders of NAAC Class B common stock are entitled to two votes
for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by the holders of
the NAAC common stock, voting together as a single class. The holders of NAAC
Class B common stock also are entitled to vote as a separate class on all
matters affecting the rights of the class independently of all the other
classes. There is no cumulative voting with respect to the election of
directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50% of all the voting
authority of the NAAC common stock voted together as a single class can elect
all of the directors then being selected. The holders of NAAC Class B common
stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the board of
directors out of funds legally available for this purpose. This entitlement is
subject to the dividend rights of those classes ranking superior in dividend
rights. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of NAAC, the
holders of NAAC Class B common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets
remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and
after provision has been made for each class of stock, if any, having preference
over the NAAC Class B common stock. If there is a liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of NAAC prior to the consummation of a business combination the
holders of these shares would not share in any assets of NAAC but would be the
sole class of common stock outstanding after redemption and cancellation of the
NAAC Class A common stock by means of the automatic conversion of the NAAC
Class B common stock into two shares of NAAC Class A common stock for each share
of NAAC Class B common stock after redemption and cancellation. Holders of
shares of NAAC Class B common stock, as such, have no other redemption,
preemptive or subscription rights. Each share of the NAAC Class B common stock
is convertible, with no additional payment, into two shares of NAAC Class A
common stock and two NAAC Class A warrants, at any time from the 90th day after
the first business combination until the end of the first year after the first
business combination of NAAC. The proposed merger will qualify as the first
business combination.
NAAC CLASS A WARRANTS
There are 800,000 NAAC Class A warrants currently outstanding. Each NAAC
Class A warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of NAAC
Class A common stock for $9.00, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances,
at any time commencing on the consummation of a business combination and ending
at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 22, 2002, at which time the NAAC
Class A warrants expire. The Company may call the NAAC Class A warrants for
redemption, in whole and not in part, at a price of $.05 per NAAC Class A
warrant, at any time after they become exercisable, upon notice to the
warrant-holders of not less then 30 days, if the last sale price of the NAAC
Class A common stock has been at least $11.00 for the 10 consecutive trading
days ending on the day immediately prior to the day on which NAAC gives notice
of redemption. The warrant holders will have exercise rights until the close of
business on the date fixed for redemption.
The NAAC Class A warrants are issued in registered form under a warrant
agency agreement between NAAC and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as
warrant agent. The warrant agency agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part. You
should review this agreement for a complete description of the terms and
conditions of the NAAC Class A warrants.
The exercise price and the number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock
issuable on exercise of the NAAC Class A warrants are subject to adjustment in
specific circumstances, including a stock dividend, recapitalization,
reorganization, merger or consolidation of NAAC. The NAAC Class A warrants are
not subject to adjustment for issuance of shares of NAAC Class A common stock or
rights to purchase NAAC Class A common stock at prices less than the exercise
price of the NAAC Class A warrants.
The NAAC Class A warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant
certificates on or prior to the expiration date at the offices of the Warrant
Agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of the NAAC Class A warrant
certificate completed and executed as indicated. Full payment of the exercise
price for the number of NAAC Class A warrants being exercised must be made at
the timed exercise. The warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of
holders of NAAC Class A common stock prior to the exercise of the NAAC Class A
warrants.
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No NAAC Class A warrants will be exercisable unless at the time of exercise
there is a current prospectus covering the shares of NAAC Class A common stock
issuable upon exercise of such NAAC Class A warrants. Also the shares must be
qualified for sale or are exempt from qualification under the securities laws of
the state of residence of the holder of such NAAC Class A warrants being
exercised. Although NAAC intends to have all shares qualified for sale in those
states where the NAAC Class A warrants were offered for sale in its initial
public offering and to maintain a current prospectus relating to these
securities until the expiration of the NAAC Class A Warrants, there can be no
assurance that it will be able to do so.
No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of the NAAC Class A
warrants. Any fraction equal to or greater than one-half shall be rounded up to
the next full share and any fraction less than one-half shall be eliminated.
PREFERRED STOCK
The certificate of incorporation of NAAC authorizes the issuance of
1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such designations, rights and
preferences as may be determined from time to time by the NAAC board.
Accordingly, the NAAC board is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue
preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights
which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of
the NAAC common stock. NAAC is authorized to issue some or all of such shares in
connection with a business combination, but no preferred stock will be issued in
connection with the merger. In addition, the preferred stock could be utilized,
under a variety of circumstances, as a method of discouraging, delaying or
preventing a change in control of NAAC.
NAAC CLASS A PREFERRED STOCK
NAAC has designated 100 shares of the preferred stock as the NAAC Class A
preferred stock and issued 94 shares. The NAAC Class A preferred stock is
non-voting, does not have a right to dividends, and has a liquidation value of
$100.00 per share. Each share of the NAAC Class A preferred stock is convertible
into 1,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock for a period of one year
following the consummation of a business combination at the option of the
holder. In the event that a business combination does not occur prior to
August 22, 1999, the NAAC Class A preferred stock will be redeemed by NAAC for
its liquidation value of $9,400 after payment to the holders of NAAC Class A
common stock of their liquidation payment from the escrow account. NAAC has
agreed to register the NAAC Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of the
NAAC Class A preferred stock at the time of the business combination, which
shares, however, are not being registered hereunder or otherwise at this time.
Because the NAAC Class A preferred stock has been held for greater than one
year, the holder thereof may sell the shares and the underlying NAAC Class A
common stock upon conversion subject to the restrictions of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act of 1933.
NOMINAL WARRANTS
After the merger, there will be up to 800,000 nominal warrants outstanding.
Each nominal warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase a portion of a
share of NAAC Class A common stock at an exercise price of $.01 per share. The
exercise period is between April 1, 2000 and June 30, 2001, provided that the
post-merger entity has either Lit. 7,140 million in operating income for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1999 or Lit. 8,211 million in operating income
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000. The nominal warrants may be
exercised by Trident Rowan, unless the authority to exercise is specifically
withdrawn in writing by the holder. A holder of the nominal warrants will not
have any rights, privileges or liabilities as a shareholder of NAAC prior to
exercise of the nominal warrants. NAAC is required to keep reserved a sufficient
number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock issuable on exercise of nominal
warrants. The nominal warrants are subject to anti-dilution protections in the
event of stock splits, combinations, dividends and reclassifications and
reorganizations, consolidations and mergers where NAAC is not the surviving
company. The form of nominal warrant is attached to this proxy
statement/prospectus as Annex III.
DIVIDENDS
NAAC has not paid any dividends on the NAAC common stock. It is not
expected that the NAAC board will declare any dividends in the foreseeable
future.
TRANSFER AGENT
The transfer agent and registrar, and warrant agent, of the NAAC Class A
common stock, NAAC Class B common stock and NAAC Class A warrants is American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 40 Wall Street, New York, New York, 10005.
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THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The discussion below of the merger agreement, as amended, is subject to and
qualified in its entirety by reference to the merger agreement and the first
amendment, copies of which are attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as
Annex I. The merger agreement and amendment is incorporated by reference into
this proxy statement/prospectus.
MERGER; CONSIDERATION
On August 18, 1998, NAAC entered into the merger agreement, pursuant to
which Guzzi Corp. will merge with and into NAAC, with NAAC being the surviving
corporation. The merger agreement was amended on December 3, 1998. The
consideration to be paid by NAAC to the shareholders of Guzzi Corp. for their
Guzzi Corp. common stock and Guzzi Corp. preferred stock, at the consummation of
the merger, will consist of 3,110,058 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and
nominal warrants to purchase 592,400 shares of NAAC Class A common stock. The
merger agreement also provides for the issuance to Trident Rowan and OAM of
871,953 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and nominal warrants to purchase
166,080 shares of NAAC Class A common stock, and the issuance to holders of
Guzzi Corp. warrants of 217,989 shares of NAAC Class A common stock, and nominal
warrants to purchase 41,520 shares of NAAC Class A common stock. The merger
consideration and the terms of the intercompany debt exchange and warrant
exchange were determined through arm's-length negotiations between NAAC and
Guzzi Corp. The fees and expenses of the transaction, other than a portion of
the fees of Graubard Mollen & Miller, counsel to NAAC, which will be paid by the
issuance of 30,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock, and a warrant to
purchase up to 350,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock to be issued to Allen
& Company, will be paid from NAAC's liquid assets, including escrow account
proceeds.
If at the time the merger becomes effective NAAC, net of all unpaid costs
and expenses other than as may be attributable to the redemption rights of
stockholders of NAAC Class A common stock, has cash of less than $8,150,000 the
number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock issuable as merger consideration
in connection with the merger will be increased by one share for each $11.00 of
such shortfall.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The merger agreement contains various representations and warranties of
Guzzi Corp., relating to, among other things:
o due organization, capitalization, outstanding securities and similar
corporate matters,
o authorization, execution, delivery, consummation and enforceability of
the merger agreement and related matters,
o absence of any conflict with Guzzi Corp.'s certificate of incorporation
and by-laws, required consents and violations of instruments or laws,
o financial statements of Guzzi Corp.,
o absence of undisclosed liabilities,
o ownership of leasehold interests in, title to and condition of real and
personal property and intangible rights,
o existence of certain contracts and other agreements,
o absence of defaults under certain contracts and other agreements,
o compliance with applicable law and permits,
o filing of tax returns and payment of taxes,
o absence of certain changes in the business of Guzzi Corp.,
o absence of judicial or governmental orders or litigation,
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o labor relations,
o absence of illegal or improper transactions,
o related transactions,
o environmental matters and health matters,
o bank accounts,
o records,
o insurance,
o absence of brokers,
o certain disclosure, and
o the amount and parties to the interim loans incurred after August 18,
1998.
Most of these representations and warranties are subject to various limitations
based on specific criteria relating to Moto Guzzi or their material adverse
effect on Guzzi Corp. taken as a whole.
The merger agreement also contains various representations and warranties
of NAAC relating to, among other things:
o due organization and similar corporate matters with respect to NAAC,
o authorization, execution, delivery, consummation and enforceability of
the merger agreement and the related matters,
o absence of any conflict with NAAC's certificate of incorporation and
by-laws, required consents and violations of instruments or laws,
o financial statements of NAAC,
o reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
o the funds held in the escrow account will not be less than $8,391,000 and
NAAC will have no less than $8,000,000 in cash assets at the conclusion
of the merger, after payment of certain cash amounts (less payments to
redeeming NAAC Class A common stock and dissenters of Guzzi Corp.),
o absence of undisclosed liabilities,
o absence of any conflict with NAAC's certificate of incorporation and
by-laws, required consents and violations of instruments or law,
o absence of brokers' fees,
o absence of defaults under certain contracts and other agreements,
o compliance with applicable law and permits and payment of certain license
fees,
o absence of certain changes in its business,
o filing of tax returns and payment of taxes,
o absence of judicial orders or litigation,
o absence of illegal or improper transactions,
o bank accounts,
o records, and
o disclosure.
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MERGER AGREEMENT COVENANTS
Under the merger agreement, Guzzi Corp. has agreed that, prior to
consummation of the merger, unless otherwise consented to by NAAC, it will
conduct its business in the ordinary course, consistent with past practice and
use its best efforts to preserve its business. Guzzi Corp. also agreed, among
other things:
o not to sell or transfer any rights or interests in Guzzi Corp. or the
shares of common stock of Guzzi Corp.,
o not to negotiate with any other purchaser of the assets or securities of
Guzzi Corp.,
o not to sell any capital securities of Guzzi Corp., and
o not to declare any dividend or make any distribution on the outstanding
securities of Guzzi Corp.
The merger agreement also provides that:
o NAAC will be given full access to the books, records, accounts and
properties of Guzzi Corp. until the consummation of the merger,
o Guzzi Corp. confidential information will be maintained in confidence by
NAAC,
o Guzzi Corp. will not solicit, initiate or encourage submission of any
bid, offer or proposal involving the sale of all or any portion of the
stock or assets of Guzzi Corp. or any merger, consolidation or business
combination with Guzzi Corp.,
o Guzzi Corp. will maintain specified levels of insurance and make
disclosure of specific matters affecting Guzzi Corp.,
o Guzzi Corp. will provide accurate information for use in this proxy
statement/prospectus,
o Guzzi Corp. will provide lockup agreements for certain Guzzi Corp.
security holders under which they agree not to sell for six months the
NAAC securities received in the merger or intercompany debt contribution,
and
o Guzzi Corp. will conduct a lien search on various assets located in
Italy.
Notwithstanding certain of the above limitations, Guzzi Corp. may enter into
interim financing arrangements prior to the effective date of the registration
statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part if repaid when
the merger becomes effective or promptly thereafter, provided NAAC consents to
the financing. NAAC consent is not required for any interim financing where the
consideration therefor is exclusively the issuance of warrants or other equity
securities that do not reduce the equity ownership of NAAC stockholders in the
combined company on a post-merger basis.
NAAC has similarly agreed, among other things, to conduct its business only
in the ordinary course, not to solicit or negotiate any other business
combination transactions, to preserve the confidentiality of Guzzi Corp.
information and to deliver the resignation of all the members of the current
NAAC board. In addition, NAAC agreed that it will hold a stockholders' meeting
to consider the merger agreement and the merger to approve certain amendments to
its certificate of incorporation, adopt the two stock option plans and elect
eight nominees to the NAAC board of which five persons are Guzzi Corp. nominees
and one is selected by Guzzi Corp. and NAAC together and to seek the approval of
the holders of the NAAC Class B common stock for the recapitalization of the
NAAC Class B common stock.
CONDITIONS
The respective obligations of NAAC and Guzzi Corp. to consummate the merger
are subject to, among other things, satisfaction or waiver of:
o representations and warranties of the other party being true and correct
in all material respects (as defined in the merger agreement),
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o performance of and compliance in all material respects with the
covenants, agreements and conditions contained in the merger agreement to
be performed or complied with at or before completion of the merger,
o absence of any pending claim, action, suit, investigation or governmental
proceeding which would render it unlawful to consummate the merger, and
o receipt of all necessary consents, approvals or waivers.
The obligation of NAAC to complete the merger is also subject to various
conditions, including:
o that there has been no material adverse change (which includes a number
of specific events) in Guzzi Corp.'s properties, business, results of
operations, financial condition and prospects, since December 31, 1997,
subject to specific exceptions,
o approval by the stockholders of NAAC of the merger agreement and the
merger and all of the proposals to amend the certificate of
incorporation, to elect the eight nominees or directors of NAAC after the
merger and to adopt the two stock option plans by NAAC stockholders, and
o the condition that holders of NAAC Class A common stock do not exercise
their right of redemption in excess of 20% of the NAAC Class A common
stock, other than the pre-IPO shares, outstanding on the date of the
merger agreement and owned by persons other than the original NAAC
stockholders.
AMENDMENT; TERMINATION
The merger agreement can be amended, modified, altered or supplemented by
written agreement of the parties at any time prior to completion of the merger.
The merger agreement can be terminated at any time prior to completion of
the merger:
o by mutual consent of NAAC and Guzzi Corp.,
o by either party if the merger is not consummated before February 18,
1999,
o by Guzzi Corp. if the cash assets of NAAC at the time of the merger are
less than $8,000,000, after various cash expenses of NAAC,
o by the appropriate party if there is a material default or breach with
respect to the due and timely performance of any of covenants and
agreements which cannot be cured within a reasonable period of time,
subject to various limitations and exceptions relating to materiality, as
defined in the merger agreement,
o by NAAC if there has been a material adverse change, as defined in the
merger agreement, in the condition of Guzzi Corp. since the date of the
merger agreement or there is a withdrawal of the recommendation by the
Guzzi Corp. board of directors to approve the merger, or
o by Guzzi Corp. if an event occurs after the date of the merger agreement
which reflects a material adverse effect on NAAC's condition or there is
a withdrawal of the recommendation by the NAAC board to approve the
merger.
If the merger agreement is terminated as a result of a breach of a
representation, warranty or covenant by one party, the other party may seek to
recover damages therefor, but Guzzi Corp. may only seek to recover up to a
maximum amount measured by the amount of cash in excess of that deposited in the
escrow account by NAAC after its initial public offering and required to be
available for distribution to the holders of NAAC Class A common stock, and NAAC
may only seek to recover its actual documented out-of-pocket expenses. If Guzzi
Corp. enters into a business combination agreement with another party and
consummates such agreement within 365 days thereof, or refuses to consummate the
merger despite the satisfaction by NAAC of all of its conditions precedent to
closing, including its performance of all obligations under the merger
agreement, Guzzi Corp. will be obligated to pay NAAC, the greater of the sum of
$500,000 as liquidated damages in lieu of any other claim or the actual
documented out-of-pocket expenses of NAAC related solely and directly to the
terminated merger transaction. If Guzzi Corp. does not pay these amounts,
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Trident Rowan is obligated to pay them. If NAAC enters into a business
combination transaction with another party, or refuses to consummate the merger
despite the satisfaction by Guzzi Corp. of all of its conditions precedent to
closing, including its performance of all obligations under the merger
agreement, and, within 365 days thereafter consummates a business combination
with a third party, NAAC will be obligated to pay Guzzi Corp. the sum of
$500,000 as liquidated damages in lieu of any other claim at such time as it
consummates such business combination.
If the merger is consummated, most of the representations and warranties of
Guzzi Corp. will survive for approximately 60 days following the filing of the
quarterly report of the post-merger company for the quarter ended March 30,
1999. Certain other representations and warranties will survive for
approximately 60 days following the completion of the audit of the 1999 fiscal
year of the post-merger company. 200,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock to
be issued to the former Guzzi Corp. security holders will be held by Trident
Rowan in escrow. The escrow will be available to fund any claims timely asserted
by NAAC arising from a breach of such representations and warranties, to the
extent that, after resolution or adjudication of such claims the damages
sustained by NAAC exceed $600,000, net of any realized increase in value in
certain Guzzi Corp. assets owned on the merger consummation date. Damage
sustained by NAAC in excess of the value of the securities in the escrow fund
will not be indemnified.
EXPENSES
Under the merger agreement, each party is solely responsible for all
expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the preparation and
execution of the merger agreement, except that Trident Rowan will pay the
expenses of Guzzi Corp. The amount paid by Trident Rowan will be included in the
maximum $800,000 of intercompany indebtedness that may remain after the
contribution of all other intercompany indebtedness by Trident Rowan and OAM,
other than the approximately Lit. 3 billion in debt owed to OAM incurred in
October 1998. All remaining intercompany indebtedness will be paid by NAAC
promptly following the closing of the merger.
INTEREST OF PERSONS AFTER THE MERGER
Some officers and directors of Guzzi Corp. have an interest in and may
receive benefits from the merger which may differ from the interests of the
Guzzi Corp. shareholders or the benefits they may receive from the merger. Under
the merger agreement, Guzzi Corp. will deliver to NAAC a letter identifying all
persons who are, in Guzzi Corp.'s reasonable judgment, affiliates, and cause
each of its affiliates to deliver to NAAC the Guzzi Corp. affiliate agreements
providing, among other things, that such persons will not offer to sell, sell or
otherwise dispose of any of NAAC's stock issued to such person in the merger in
violation of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 145 promulgated thereunder, as
they may be amended from time to time. In addition, some individuals, including
affiliates, will execute six month lockup agreements.
Additionally, at the conclusion of the merger, NAAC, as the surviving
corporation, will enter into employment and/or consulting agreements with each
of Mark S. Hauser, Howard E. Chase, Emanuel Arbib and David Mitchell. Messrs.
Hauser, Chase and Arbib are currently directors of Guzzi Corp. and Mr. Mitchell
is currently a director of NAAC. All of these persons will be directors of NAAC
on and after the conclusion of the merger. Mr. Hauser is the president and a
director of Trident Rowan and an affiliate of Tamarix Investors, LDC, which in
turn is an affiliate of Trident Rowan. William Spier and Gianni Bulgari who will
be directors of NAAC on and after the conclusion of the merger are each
affiliates of Tamarix. Mr. Chase is the chairman of the board of directors of
Trident Rowan. Emanuel Arbib, a director of Guzzi Corp., is also a director of
Trident Rowan and an affiliate of Tamarix. A Lit. 3 billion loan made to Guzzi
Corp. by OAM was made available through a loan of equal amount by an affiliate
of Mr. Bulgari to OAM. The loan by OAM will be repaid at consummation of the
merger, which will enable OAM to repay the loan from Mr. Bulgari's affiliate. A
Lit. 3 billion facility made available to Guzzi Corp. by an Italian financial
institution was collateralized by a secured guaranty made by OAM. The collateral
for the guaranty was, in turn, made available as a result of a $2 million loan
made by an affiliate of Mr. Hauser to Trident Rowan. The bank loan will be
repaid at consummation of the merger, which will terminate the OAM guaranty and
permit the repayment of the loan from Mr. Hauser's affiliate.
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Mr. Hauser will be engaged under a three year agreement as Executive
Chairman at a salary of $90,000 per year, plus reimbursement of reasonable
expenses. Mr. Hauser may also allocate to NAAC, as surviving corporation, a
reasonable portion of his office expenses incurred at Tamarix Capital
Corporation. Mr. Hauser will be granted an option to purchase up to 150,000
shares of NAAC Class A common stock under the 1998 Stock Option Plan. The
options will vest one-third on the date of grant and one-third on each of the
two succeeding anniversaries. The options will be exercisable at the fair market
value of the NAAC Class A common stock on the date of grant for a period of ten
years after the date of grant.
Mr. Chase will be engaged under a three year agreement as Special Counsel
at compensation of $60,000 per year, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses.
Mr. Chase will be granted an option to purchase up to 45,000 shares of NAAC
Class A common stock under the 1998 Stock Option Plan. The options will vest one
third on the date of grant and one third on each of the two succeeding
anniversaries. The options will be exercisable at the fair market value of the
NAAC Class A common stock on the date of grant for a period of ten years from
the date of grant.
Mr. Arbib will be engaged as a financial consultant under a three year
agreement at compensation of $30,000 per year. Mr. Arbib will be granted an
option to purchase up to 30,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock under the
1998 Stock Option Plan. The options will vest one third on the date of grant and
one third each on succeeding anniversaries. The options will be exercisable at
the fair market value of the NAAC Class A common stock on the date of grant for
a period of ten years from the date of grant.
Mr. Mitchell will be engaged as a consultant and as consideration for these
services he will be granted an option to purchase up to 30,000 shares of NAAC
Class A common stock under the 1998 Stock Option Plan. The options will vest one
third on the date of grant and one third on each of the two succeeding
anniversaries. The options will be exercisable at the fair market value of the
NAAC Class A common stock on the date of grant for a period of ten years from
the date of grant.
Each of Messrs. Chase, Arbib, Bulgari, Spier, O'Connell, Hobbins and
Mitchell also will be granted options to purchase up to 12,500 shares of NAAC
Class A common stock under the 1998 Directors' Plan on the effective date of the
merger and, so long as they continue to serve as directors, on January 2, 2000
and each subsequent January 2 in each year in which they serve as directors.
ABSENCE OF REGULATORY FILINGS AND APPROVALS
The merger is not subject to the requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the related rules and
regulations. These requirements provide that some merger transactions may not be
consummated until required information and material have been furnished to the
Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission
and specified waiting periods have expired or been terminated. Other than
filings to be made and approvals obtained under state securities or "blue sky"
laws, there are no federal or state regulatory requirements that must be
complied with or approval obtained in connection with the merger.
EXCHANGE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES
When the merger is completed, each certificate formerly representing Guzzi
Corp. common stock and Guzzi Corp. preferred stock shall for all purposes
evidence ownership of NAAC Class A common stock and nominal warrants, all in
proportion to the individual components of the merger consideration, until
surrendered to the exchange agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
As soon as practicable after the merger is concluded, a letter of
transmittal and instructions will be mailed to each holder of record of Guzzi
securities certificates to be used by such holder in forwarding the Guzzi
securities certificates to the exchange agent. Each stockholder will be asked to
return a properly completed transmittal letter, together with any Guzzi
securities certificates listed on the transmittal letter, to the exchange agent
in order to receive a the number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock and the
number of nominal warrants to which the security holder is entitled.
STOCKHOLDERS OF GUZZI CORP. SHOULD NOT SEND THEIR CERTIFICATES TO THE EXCHANGE
AGENT UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A TRANSMITTAL LETTER.
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<PAGE>
FRACTIONAL SHARES
No fractional shares will be issued as part of the merger consideration,
but will be rounded up to the next whole share.
MANAGEMENT AFTER THE MERGER
If after the merger is completed and all the persons nominated to be
directors of NAAC are elected by the NAAC stockholders at the annual meeting,
the NAAC board will consist of Messrs. Gianni Bulgari, William Spier, Emanuel
Arbib, Howard Chase and Mark Hauser, nominees of Guzzi Corp., Messrs. David J.
Mitchell and Dr. Peter Hobbins, nominees of NAAC, and Mr. Frank J. O'Connell, a
nominee selected by both Guzzi Corp. and NAAC. After the merger is completed,
the nominees of Guzzi Corp. will represent the majority of the NAAC board. In
addition, the current officers of Guzzi Corp. and Trident Rowan will be
appointed to similar positions with NAAC and the officers and directors of the
subsidiary corporations of Guzzi Corp., including Moto Guzzi, will continue as
the officers and directors of those companies. Thus, the nominees and management
of Guzzi Corp., and Trident Rowan will be in a position to direct the business
affairs of NAAC after the merger.
LOCK UP AGREEMENTS
The current directors and officers of NAAC have agreed not to sell publicly
any of the NAAC Class A common stock of which they are the current owners, or
which they may own in the future, for a period ending on the twelve month
anniversary of the date on which the merger becomes effective. In addition,
7,500 additional shares of NAAC Class A common stock are subject to agreements
not to sell publicly such securities until August 22, 1999. Under the merger
agreement, certain of the persons to be issued NAAC Class A common stock and the
nominal warrants have agreed not to sell publicly any of the NAAC Class A common
stock received as part of the merger consideration and any shares issuable upon
exercise of the nominal warrants for a period of twelve months after the merger.
Trident Rowan and OAM have also agreed not to sell publicly any of the NAAC
Class A common stock and any shares issuable upon exercise of the nominal
warrants received as part of the Intercompany Debt Exchange for a period of
twelve months after the merger. In addition, Allen & Company have agreed not to
sell for a period of eighteen months after the merger any shares issuable
pursuant to the Allen & Co. warrant.
51
<PAGE>
MARKET PRICES OF NAAC SECURITIES
NAAC Class A common stock, NAAC Class A warrants, NAAC Class B common stock
and units are traded in the over-the-counter market and quoted on the OTC
Bulletin Board under the symbols NACQA, NACQW, NACQB, NACQU, respectively. NAAC
has not declared or paid any dividends on NAAC Common Stock since its inception.
The following table sets forth the range of high and low closing trading
prices for NAAC Class A common stock, NAAC Class A warrants, NAAC Class B common
stock and units for the period since August 22, 1997, as reported by the OTC
Bulletin Board. The OTC Bulletin Board is an inter-dealer automated quotation
system sponsored and operated by the NASD for equity securities not included in
the Nasdaq system. Such over-the-counter market quotations reflect inter-dealer
prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily
reflect actual transactions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS A
UNITS COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK WARRANTS
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
------ ----- ------ ----- ------ ----- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended August 31, 1997:
Fourth Quarter (from August 22,
1997).............................. 10.00 9.25 N/A N/A 10.00 10.00 N/A N/A
Year ended August 31, 1998:
First Quarter......................... 10.125 9.00 8.375 8.375 10.50 9.25 .50 .50
Second Quarter........................ 10.00 8.875 8.500 8.375 10.00 9.25 .50 .50
Third Quarter......................... 9.25 9.00 9.00 8.50 9.75 9.25 .50 .50
Fourth Quarter........................ 9.313 9.13 9.375 8.625 9.75 9.375 .50 .50
Year ending August 31, 1999:
First Quarter......................... 9.75 9.313 9.375 8.625 9.75 9.375 .75 .50
</TABLE>
The units were sold for $10.00 per unit, and the NAAC Class B common stock
was sold for $10.00 per share in the NAAC initial public offering. On
August 17, 1998, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement of
the execution and delivery of the merger agreement, the closing bid and ask
prices of NAAC Class A common stock, NAAC Class A warrants, NAAC Class B common
stock and units, on the OTC Bulletin Board, were (1) for NAAC Class A common
stock, a bid of $8.625 and ask of $9.375, (2) for the NAAC Class A warrants, a
bid of $.50 and ask of $.75, (3) for the NAAC Class B common stock, a bid of
$9.375 and ask of $11.375 and (4) for the units, a bid of $9.375 and ask of
$11.00.
On [ ], the most recent date for which it was practicable to
obtain market price information prior to the mailing of this proxy
statement/prospectus, the bid and ask closing prices were for (1) NAAC Class A
common stock, a bid of $[ ] and ask of $[ ], (2) for the NAAC Class A
warrants, a bid of $[ ] and ask of $[ ], (3) for the Class B common
stock, a bid of [ ] and ask of [ ] and (4) for the units, a bid of
[$ ] and ask of [$ ].
On the record date, there were approximately twenty holders of record of
NAAC Class A common stock and one holder of record of each of the NAAC Class A
warrants and of the NAAC Class B common stock. Because units are separable into
NAAC Class A common stock and NAAC Class A warrants, a transfer of units is
recorded by NAAC's transfer agent only as a transfer of NAAC Class A common
stock and NAAC Class A warrants. Consequently, the number of holders of record
of units is not available.
52
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information about beneficial ownership of
NAAC common stock as of January 8, 1999, by (1) each stockholder known by NAAC
to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of outstanding NAAC common stock,
(2) each current director and (3) all current directors and executive officers
as a group. NAAC believes that the beneficial owners of NAAC common stock listed
below, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and
voting power with respect to the shares, subject to community property laws
where applicable.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES OF NAAC COMMON STOCK
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF CLASS A
CLASS A CLASS B COMMON STOCK
NAME COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK BENEFICIALLY OWNED
- -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
David J. Mitchell(1).......................................... 172,500(2) 15,000(3) 16.2%
C. Thomas McMillen(1)......................................... 172,500(2) 15,000(3) 16.2%
A.J. Nasser(1)................................................ 115,000(4) -0- 9.5%
Barry Rubenstein.............................................. 218,000(5) 32,000 21.1%
The Maxim Group, Inc.......................................... 100,000 -0- 8.3%
All officers and directors as a group (3 persons)............. 460,000(6) 30,000(6) 30.1%
</TABLE>
- ------------------
* Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and includes voting or investment power
with respect to securities. Shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise
of options or warrants currently exercisable, or exercisable or convertible
within 60 days, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership
of the person holding such options or warrants but are not deemed outstanding
for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(1) The address of each of Messrs. Mitchell and McMillen is c/o Mitchell &
Company, 3rd Floor 5 East 59th Street, New York New York 10022. The address
of Mr. Nasser is c/o The Maxim Group, Inc., 210 Townpark Drive, Kennesaw,
Georgia 30144.
(2) Includes 50,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and the 50,000 shares of
NAAC Class A common stock underlying a like number of NAAC Class A warrants
issuable upon exercise of the Class A options. Also includes 60,000 shares
of NAAC Class A common stock issuable upon (i) conversion of the NAAC
Class B common stock and (ii) exercise of the NAAC Class A warrants, both of
which underlie the NAAC Class B common stock subject to the Class B options.
(3) Represents the NAAC Class B common stock issuable upon exercise of the Class
B option.
(4) Includes 100,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock owned by The Maxim
Group, Inc. of which Mr. Nasser is the President and Chief Executive Officer
and a director.
(5) Includes 128,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock issuable upon
(i) conversion of the NAAC Class B common stock and (ii) exercise of the
NAAC Class A warrants, both of which underlie the NAAC Class B common stock.
(6) Includes the NAAC Class A common stock and NAAC Class B common stock set
forth in Notes (2) and (3) above.
The following table sets forth information about the beneficial ownership
of NAAC common stock after giving effect to the consummation of the merger, the
acceptance of the warrant exchange and the approval and effect of the
recapitalization of the NAAC Class B common stock by (1) each stockholder known
to NAAC to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding NAAC
Class A common stock after the merger, (2) each nominee for election as a
director of NAAC, and (3) all directors and officers of NAAC after the merger as
a group. Except as otherwise indicated, NAAC believes that the beneficial owners
of the NAAC Class A common stock listed below, based on information furnished by
such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares,
subject to community property laws where applicable.
53
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAAC CLASS A COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED* AFTER
MERGER
---------------------------
NAMES NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Trident Rowan Group, Inc. ............................................................ 3,360,000(1) 61.11%
Two Worlds Fair Drive
Somerset, New Jersey 08873
Tamarix Investors LDC ................................................................ 3,360,000(2) 61.11
350 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Howard E. Chase(3).................................................................... 3,387,500(4) 61.33
Emanuel Arbib(3)...................................................................... 3,382,500(4) 61.29
Mark S. Hauser(3)..................................................................... 3,410,000 61.49
Gianni Bulgari(3)..................................................................... 3,372,500 61.22
William Spier(3)...................................................................... 3,372,500(4) 61.22
Barry Rubenstein...................................................................... 549,740(5) 10.00
Allen & Company....................................................................... 350,000(6) 5.99
David Mitchell(3)..................................................................... 182,500(7) 3.21
Peter Hobbins(3)...................................................................... 12,500 -0-
Frank J. O'Connell(3)................................................................. 12,500 -0-
All officers and directors as a group (10 persons after merger)....................... 3,692,500 63.35
</TABLE>
- ------------------
* Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and includes voting or investment power
with respect to securities. Shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise
of options or warrants currently exercisable, or exercisable or convertible
within 60 days, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership
of the person holding such options or warrants but are not deemed outstanding
for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(1) Consists of shares of NAAC Class A common stock beneficially owned by OAM, a
subsidiary of Trident Rowan.
(2) As the beneficial owner of approximately 55% of the common stock of Trident
Rowan deemed issued and outstanding for purposes of determining beneficial
ownership, Tamarix Investors LDC may be viewed as a controlling shareholder
of Trident Rowan and thus the beneficial owner of all shares of NAAC
Class A common stock of which Trident Rowan is the beneficial holder.
(3) The address of Mr. Mitchell and Dr. Hobbins is c/o Mitchell & Company Ltd.,
5 East 59th Street, 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10022. The address of
Messrs. Arbib, Chase, Spier and Hauser is Two Worlds Fair Drive, Somerset,
New Jersey 08873. The address of Mr. O'Connell is c/o Gibson Greetings,
Inc., 2100 Section Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45232. The address of Mr. Bulgari
is Via S. Valentino 21, Rome, Italy.
(4) As a director of Trident Rowan, the shareholder may also be viewed as a
beneficial owner of all shares of NAAC Class A common stock beneficially
owned by Trident Rowan. The total shown also includes shares subject to
exercisable stock options owned individually.
(5) Includes 331,740 shares of NAAC Class A Common Stock owned by Seneca
Ventures, Woodland Venture Fund, Woodland Partners, Wheatley Partners, L.P.
and Wheatley Foreign Partners, L.P. Mr. Rubenstein disclaims beneficial
ownership as to those shares which are not represented by his ownership of
the those entities.
(6) Consists of shares of NAAC Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of a
warrant to be issued at the consummation of the merger.
(7) Includes 50,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and the 50,000 shares of
NAAC Class A common stock underlying a like number of NAAC Class A warrants
issuable upon exercise of the Class A Options. Also includes 60,000 shares
of NAAC Class A common stock issuable upon (i) conversion of the NAAC
Class B common stock and (ii) exercise of the NAAC Class A warrants
underlying the NAAC Class B common stock subject to the Class B options.
Includes options to purchase an additional 22,500 shares of NAAC Class A
common stock.
(8) Includes 172,500 shares of NAAC common stock underlying exercisable options
to be issued at the conclusion of the merger.
54
<PAGE>
SELECTED NAAC HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected historical financial data as of August 31, 1998,
August 31, 1997 and for the period September 1, 1995 (inception) to August 31,
1998 and for the periods then ended are derived from the audited financial
statements of NAAC included in this proxy statement/prospectus. The selected
financial data as of November 30, 1998, November 30, 1997 and for the three
months ended November 30, 1998 and November 30, 1997 and for the period
September 1, 1995 (inception) to November 30, 1998 are derived from the
unaudited financial statements of NAAC included in this proxy
statement/prospectus. Such unaudited data includes, in management's opinion, all
normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of
operations and financial position of NAAC for such periods. Results for interim
periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for an
entire fiscal year. The data should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements, related notes, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of NAAC's
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," the pro forma financial
statements of Guzzi Corp. and NAAC and other financial information included in
this proxy statement/prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 1,
SEPTEMBER 1, 1995
THREE MONTHS THREE MONTHS 1995 (INCEPTION)
ENDED ENDED (INCEPTION) TO TO
NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, NOVEMBER 30,
1998 1997 AUGUST 31, 1998 AUGUST 31, 1997 1996 1998
------------ ------------ --------------- --------------- -------------- ------------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Interest income................ $ 149 $ 105 $ 411 $ -- $ -- $ 560
General, administrative, other
expenses and taxes........... 66 11 198 39 31 334
Net income (loss).............. 83 94 213 (39) (31) 226
Net income (loss) per common
share........................ .08 .09 .20 (.33) (.29) --
Weighted average common shares
outstanding.................. 1,056,000 1,056,000 1,056,000 119,014 106,000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS THREE MONTHS
ENDED ENDED
NOVEMBER 30, NOVEMBER 30, AUGUST 31,
1998 1997 AUGUST 31, 1998 AUGUST 31, 1997 1996
------------ ------------ --------------- --------------- ------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents...... $ 1 $ 251 $ 1 $ 402 $ 26
Deferred merger costs.......... 215 -- 105 -- --
U.S. Government securities
deposited in escrow account
and accrued interest
thereon...................... 8,558 8,103 8,409 7,998 --
Total assets................... 8,774 8,354 8,515 8,401 204
Liabilities.................... 350 133 174 283 181
Common stock subject to
possible redemption.......... 1,712 1,600 1,682 1,600 --
Stockholders' equity........... 6,712 6,621 6,659 6,518 23
</TABLE>
55
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
NAAC'S FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NAAC is a Specialized Merger and Acquisition Allocated Risk Transaction
company, the objective of which is to acquire an operating business through a
business combination. Since its inception in 1995, NAAC has engaged in
organizational activities, completed its initial public offering and identified
and evaluated target businesses with which it might effect a business
combination. In March 1998, NAAC began evaluating and negotiating a merger with
Guzzi Corp. which resulted in the signing of the merger agreement on August 18,
1998. Since August 18, 1998, NAAC has been engaged in preparing the required
documentation for the annual meeting.
NAAC consummated its initial public offering on August 27, 1997. NAAC
raised net proceeds of approximately $8,100,000, after payment of underwriting
discounts, the underwriter's non-accountable expense allowance, and other
offering costs. NAAC deposited approximately $8,000,000 of the offering proceeds
in the escrow account. At November 30, 1998, the escrow account amounted to
$8,557,000. Cumulative interest earned on the escrow account and other funds was
an aggregate of approximately $560,000 as of November 30, 1998. All income
through November 30, 1998 has been from interest.
During fiscal year 1998, substantially all of the working capital
requirements and the expenses of NAAC have been attributable to the
identification, evaluation and selection of a suitable target business and to
structure and consummate the acquisition of Guzzi Corp. NAAC has incurred and
accrued costs of approximately $334,000 in connection with its business
activities through August 31, 1998. Of this amount, $244,000 is attributable to
general and administrative expenses and debt costs and $90,000 is attributable
to income taxes due on the interest earned on the funds in the escrow account
and working capital funds. NAAC is incurring additional costs in connection with
the proposed merger. NAAC will satisfy its working capital needs from existing
cash balances, and if a business combination is consummated, from the funds in
the escrow account and payment of the exercise price of $300,000 of the Class B
options held by Messrs. Mitchell and McMillen, officers of NAAC. These persons
have agreed to exercise the Class B options on consummation of the merger. If
the merger, or any other business combination is not consummated, and NAAC
effects the redemption of the NAAC Class A common stock, other than the pre-IPO
shares, using the funds in the escrow account, the assets of NAAC will not be
sufficient to pay all of its accounts payable, taxes due and accrued expenses.
The report of the independent certified public accountants of NAAC states that
there are several factors which raise substantial doubt about NAAC's ability to
continue as a going concern.
If NAAC does not consummate a business combination by August 22, 1999, the
NAAC Class A common stock, other than the pre-IPO shares, will be redeemed by
distribution of the escrow account proceeds, inclusive of interest, to the
holders of those shares of NAAC Class A common stock. The per-share redemption
price is equal to the amount in the escrow account, including interest earned
thereon, divided by the number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock held by
stockholders entitled to share in the escrow account. The projected amount is
moderately greater than the $10.65 redemption price payable to redeeming
stockholders in connection with the merger. The pre-IPO shares do not
participate in the funds held in the escrow account and those shares of NAAC
Class A common stock will be cancelled at the time of redemption. The assets of
NAAC, if any, other than the escrowed assets, will be used to pay NAAC's
liabilities and to redeem the outstanding Series A preferred stock of NAAC at
its liquidation value. Upon redemption and cancellation of the NAAC Class A
common stock, each share of NAAC Class B common stock will automatically be
exchanged for two shares of NAAC Class A common stock, and the holders of this
stock will be the stockholders of a public shell corporation.
Holders of NAAC Class A common stock, excluding the pre-IPO shares, have
the right to redeem their shares in connection with a business combination,
provided that if more than 20% of the shares are to be redeemed, the business
combination will not be consummated and the right of redemption will terminate
until such time as another acquisition is submitted for approval of the NAAC
stockholders.
56
<PAGE>
Year 2000
NAAC has evaluated the potential impact of the situation commonly referred
to as the "Year 2000 Issue" ("Y2K"). Y2K concerns the inability of information
systems, primarily computer software programs, to properly recognize and process
date sensitive information relating to the year 2000 and beyond. Many of the
world's computer systems currently record years in a two-digit format. Such
computer systems will be unable to properly interpret dates beyond the year
1999, which could lead to business disruptions in the U.S. and internationally.
The potential costs and uncertainties associated with Y2K will depend on a
number of factors, including software, hardware and the nature of the industry
in which a company operates.
To ensure that the Company's computer systems are Y2K compliant, NAAC has
reviewed each of its systems and programs over the past year. NAAC does not have
any internal systems or operations that may be affected by Y2K. NAAC believes
its only exposure to the Y2K issue is in connection with the escrow account.
NAAC believes that the Chase Manhattan Bank N.A. systems relating to the escrow
account are Y2K compliant or will be Y2K compliant prior to the year 2000. NAAC
does not believe it will incur any expenses associated with the Y2K compliance.
SELECTED GUZZI CORP. HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected historical financial data for the years ended December 31,
1997 and 1996 are derived from the audited financial statements of Guzzi Corp.
included in this proxy statement/prospectus and should be read in conjunction
with those financial statements and notes related thereto. The selected
historical financial data for the year ended December 31, 1995 and for the nine
months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997 are derived from the unaudited
financial statements of Guzzi Corp. included in this proxy statement/prospectus
and should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and selected
information thereto. The selected historical financial data for the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1993 are derived from the unaudited financial statements
for those years, which are not included in this proxy statement/prospectus. Such
unaudited data includes, in management's opinion, all normal recurring
adjustments, necessary to present fairly the results of operations and financial
position of Guzzi Corp. for such periods. Results for interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for an entire fiscal year.
The following data should also be read in conjunction with the financial
statements, related notes, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Guzzi Corp.
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," the pro forma financial
statements of Guzzi Corp. and NAAC and other financial information included in
this proxy statement/prospectus. The U.S. dollar amounts below are translated
solely for the convenience of the reader at the approximate exchange ratio of
Lit. 1,652 to $1.00 at September 30, 1998 and Lit. 1,769 to $1.00 at December
31, 1997.
57
<PAGE>
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
1998 1998 1997 1997 1997 1996 1995
$000 LIT. M LIT. M $000 LIT. M LIT. M LIT. M
------- ------------ ---------- ------- ----------- ---------- ----------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Net sales........................ $40,933 Lit. 67,622 Lit.59,770 $45,781 Lit. 80,987 Lit.77,620 Lit.64,671
Gross profit..................... 7,222 11,931 7,602 5,378 9,514 11,865 10,071
Selling, general and
administrative
expenses....................... 7,207 11,906 10,020 7,815 13,824 10,210 7,486
Research and development
expenditure.................... 1,863 3,078 1,393 1,767 3,125 1,177 602
Interest expense................. 1,989 3,286 2,893 2,058 3,640 4,346 3,604
Net loss......................... (5,211)(4) (8,608)(4) (6,317) (5,976)(4) (10,569)(4) (1,996) (3,233)
Cash dividends per common share.. -- -- -- -- -- -- --
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Cash and cash equivalents........ 725 1,197 8,267 $ 3,591 Lit. 6,352 Lit. 2,210 Lit. 2,718
Current assets................... 44,298 73,181 72,113 39,135 69,229 60,223 52,382
Total assets..................... 55,194 91,180 86,175 47,877 84,694 73,731 58,594
Short-term debt.................. 18,852 31,144 32,180 16,401 29,012 23,173 15,637
Long-term debt, net of current
portion........................ 8,282 13,682 5,372 2,729 4,828 5,629 4,198
Parent company financing......... 8,114 13,404 12,740 7,303 12,919 4,659 2,883(2)
Preferred stock subject to
redemption..................... 7,591 12,540 10,749 6,574 11,629 5,101 --
Shareholders'
equity......................... (13,291) (21,957) (7,253) $(6,991) Lit.(12,366) Lit. 1,596 Lit. 2,822(2)
OTHER DATA
Depreciation and amortization.... 1,786 2,950 1,737 $ 1,402 Lit. 2,480 Lit. 1,807 Lit. 2,303
Capital
expenditures................... 3,418 5,647 2,351 2,197 3,887 5,951 1,801
EBITDA(3)........................ (1,063) (1,756) (1,501) (2,383) (4,214) 4,189 2,774
Number of motorcycles sold....... 4,510 4,510 4,056 5,593 5,593 6,050 5,198
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------
1994 1993
LIT. M LIT. M
---------- ----------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Net sales........................ Lit.48,849 Lit.37,484
Gross profit..................... 4,071 5,149
Selling, general and
administrative
expenses....................... 4,703 6,012
Research and development
expenditure.................... 197 409
Interest expense................. 3,533 4,969
Net loss......................... (1,671) (4,058)
Cash dividends per common share.. -- --
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Cash and cash equivalents........ Lit. 3,679 Lit. 329
Current assets................... 39,155 34,889
Total assets..................... 47,607 41,190
Short-term debt.................. 9,480 16,566(1)
Long-term debt, net of current
portion........................ 4,151 --(1)
Parent company financing......... 13,197 9,883
Preferred stock subject to
redemption..................... -- --
Shareholders'
equity......................... Lit. (7,180) Lit. (3,122)
OTHER DATA
Depreciation and amortization.... Lit. 1,967 Lit. --
Capital
expenditures................... 1,106 --
EBITDA(3)........................ 3,829 --
Number of motorcycles sold....... 4,149 3,274
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) At December 31, 1993 Moto Guzzi was past due on outstanding loans of
Lit. 5,120 which were classified as current liabilities.
(2) In 1995, Lit. 12,632 million of parent company financing was contributed to
capital.
(3) EBITDA is defined as earnings before income taxes, interest expense,
depreciation and amortization. The presentation of EBITDA facilitates an
investor's understanding of a company's operations. EBITDA should not be
considered by an investor as an alternative to net income as an indicator of
a company's operating performance or to cash flows as a measure of
liquidity. EBITDA is not used in the presentation of financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and may
not be comparable to similarly titled measurements reported by other
companies.
(4) The pro forma loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 1998
would have been Lit. 1,478, or $.89, assuming no exercise of redemption
rights by NAAC stockholders, or Lit. 1,522, or $.92, assuming maximum
exercise of redemption rights by NAAC stockholders. For the twelve months
ended December 31, 1997, the pro forma loss per share would have been
Lit. 1,854, or $1.05, assuming no exercise of redemption rights by NAAC
stockholders, or Lit. 1,910, or $1.08, assuming maximum exercise of
redemption rights by NAAC stockholders. Pro forma loss per share is
calculated by adjusting for the interest expense on the intercompany debt
subject to the intercompany debt exchange.
58
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
GUZZI CORP. FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
GENERAL
Guzzi Corp. is a Delaware corporation formed in 1996 to acquire Moto Guzzi,
its manufacturing subsidiary, and Moto America, the exclusive U.S. importer and
distributor of "Moto Guzzi"(Registered) brand motorcycles and spare parts. Guzzi
Corp. is a majority owned subsidiary of Trident Rowan.
Moto Guzzi has earned a reputation as one of the elite motorcycle
manufacturers in the world, and distributes its products worldwide through a
network of wholly or partially owned importers and independent dealers. By the
end of 1993, Moto Guzzi then operating under the name of GBM S.p.A. had been
suffering from many years of declining sales and production and increasing
losses. In 1994, Trident Rowan brought outside emergency temporary management
services to Moto Guzzi and developed a strategic plan to restore its subsidiary
to financial health.
Since that initiative, Moto Guzzi has significantly increased unit sales
from approximately 4,300 in 1994 to approximately 5,600 in 1997. In the four
fiscal quarters ended September 30, 1998, unit sales amounted to 6,052 units,
although the company continues to operate at a loss.
Since 1994, Moto Guzzi has made investments in reinforcing management and
in logistical and production control systems and has increased outsourcing of
components to qualified suppliers. It has also introduced two new models, the
"Centauro" and "Quota," and updated versions of its "California" and "Nevada"
models which have been well received by customers. In January 1996, Moto America
Inc., the exclusive U.S, importer and distributor was acquired and in February
1997, a new wholly-owned importer distributor was set-up in France as part of
Guzzi Corp.'s investments to strengthen distribution in important markets. Also,
in January 1997, distribution in Germany was transferred to a new 25% owned
affiliate, MGI GmbH. Guzzi Corp. has a 3 year option to acquire up to 90% of
this new German exclusive importer-distributor.
From 1994 through 1996, financing for Guzzi Corp. was supplied by its
parent company, Trident Rowan. In early January 1997, a private placement of
Guzzi Corp. redeemable preferred stock raising gross proceeds of $ 6 million was
completed and in June 1997, Trident Rowan committed to Guzzi Corp. approximately
$ 4 million from the proceeds of a public offering of Trident Rowan common stock
and common stock warrants. Further, in early 1998, Moto Guzzi negotiated a Lit.
10 billion (approximately $ 5.6 million) long-term credit facility, which it
drew down in April 1998. Guzzi Corp obtained Lit. 6 million of additional debt
financing in October 1998 as a result of loans or credit enhancements made to
Guzzi Corp. by OAM. These October loans, together with up to $800,000 of
indebtedness owed by Guzzi Corp. to Trident Rowan or OAM, will be repaid by NAAC
following the closing of the merger.
With the proceeds from these financings, Moto Guzzi has started to make
investments in research and model development, expenditure on which more than
doubled in 1997 compared to 1996. To enable substantial further growth in
production and sales, Guzzi Corp.'s strategic plan contemplates total
investments in research and product development of some Lit. 50 billion
(approximately $ 30 million) in the five year period from 1998 through 2002 as
well as investments of Lit. 20 billion (approximately $12 million) in production
plant and machinery and information systems. A detailed discussion of both the
short-term as well as the long-term financing needs of Guzzi Corp., including
possible methods which will be examined to obtain the needed capital, will be
found below on page 66-67.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
3 MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 COMPARED TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPT. 30,
-----------------------------------------
1998 1997
LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales............................................................... 19,633 100.0% 18,105 100.0%
Cost of sales........................................................... (16,936) (86.3%) (16,354) (90.3%)
------- -------
2,697 13.7% 1,751 9.7%
Selling, general and administrative expenses............................ (4,045) (20.6%) (3,318) (18.3%)
Research & product development.......................................... (852) (4.3%) (496) (2.7%)
Reorganization costs.................................................... (1,852) (9.4%) -- --
Other income, net....................................................... 65 0.3% 479 2.6%
------- -------
Operating loss.......................................................... (3,987) (20.3%) (1,584) (8.7%)
Interest expense........................................................ (1,080) (5.5%) (853) (4.7%)
------- -------
Loss before income taxes................................................ (5,067) (25.8%) (2,437) (13.4%)
Income taxes............................................................ (135) (0.7%) (13) (0.1%)
------- -------
Net loss................................................................ (5,202) (26.5%) (2,450) (13.5%)
------- -------
------- -------
</TABLE>
The 8.4% increase in net sales in the three months ended September 30, 1998
compared to the quarter ended September 30, 1997 results principally from an
increase of 11.7% in units sold from 1,167 units in 1997 to 1,303 in 1998. Guzzi
Corp. introduced sales incentives, principally in the United States, to reduce
inventory levels of older models and this adversely affected selling prices in
the quarter.
Sales in the quarter continued to be affected by delays in the introduction
of two revised models, the California Special and 1998 Quota 1100, principally
resulting from late supply of certain components. Guzzi Corp. estimates that as
a result of these delays and due to the seasonality of Moto Guzzi orders, some
600-800 unit sales will be lost in 1998, aggregating Lit. 7.5 billion to Lit.
10.0 billion in revenue. Net unit sales by the U.S. importer-distributor
increased to 221 in 1998 compared to 91 in 1997, due principally to incentive
programs introduced in August 1998. Net unit sales at the French
importer-distributor were 155 units in the third quarter of 1998 compared to 76
in 1997.
The increase in gross margin as a percentage of sales, to 13.7% from 9.7%,
principally reflects low margins in 1997 due to a policy in that year not to
raise sales prices but to seek to build market share. Due to the delays on the
Special and Quota, production of completed units in the third quarter of 1998
decreased to 1,056 from 1,277 in the comparable 1997 quarter. Margins in the
third quarter of 1998 fell, however, from the 19.2% margins in the first six
months of 1998 principally due to fixed production costs being absorbed over the
lower third quarter production volumes and exceptional warranty costs of
approximately Lit. 400 million.
Increases in selling, general and administrative expenses principally
reflect increases of Lit. 591 million in Italy, principally relating to new
management personnel at Moto Guzzi and increases of Lit. 136 million at the
wholly owned importers in the U.S. and France, consistent with higher business
volumes.
In mid-1997 Moto Guzzi undertook a commitment to offer a product line which
better met market expectations in terms of style, quality performance and price,
with the goal of expanding its business. Moto Guzzi concluded that a larger
range of products, including in engine size, body style and price, would enable
this company to appeal to a broader segment of the market. To meet this
objective, Moto Guzzi undertook to increase research and development to develop
the necessary products. As a result, research and development expenses in the
three months ended September 30, 1998, principally for new products for 1998 and
1999 and for new engines, was Lit. 852 million compared to Lit. 496 million in
1997.
Other income, net, in 1998 is principally composed of interest income of
Lit. 44 million in the three months ended September 30, 1998 (1997--Lit.
132 million) and foreign currency exchange differences and other minor items.
The higher amount realized in 1997 was due principally to the Lit.
6,000 million received from Trident Rowan from the proceeds of a public offering
of Trident Rowan common stock.
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Interest expense increased by 26.6% from third quarter 1997 levels due to
the draw down on long-term loans in April 1998, on increased levels of advances
from banks financing working capital and increases in loans from affiliates of
Trident Rowan. The effects of this increased indebtedness more than offset the
benefits of lower interest rates in 1998 compared to 1997.
Income tax in 1998 principally relates to operations in Italy, whereas it
related to operations in the U.S. in 1997. Despite operating losses at Moto
Guzzi in Italy, income taxes are accrued as certain business expenses,
principally finance expense and labor costs, are not deductible against income
for the purposes of a new income tax, introduced in 1998.
In April 1998 Moto Guzzi entered into an agreement with Philips S.p.A. for
the purchase by Moto Guzzi of Philips Vision Industries' plant in Monza, Italy.
The agreement, which was subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions
including the assent of certain labor unions, expired in accordance with its
terms in June 1998, though the parties continued discussions through August
1998. In September 1998, Moto Guzzi terminated the discussions as agreement with
labor unions had not been obtained and the delays in closing meant that
logistics for transfering activities were no longer favorable. Also in September
1998, the employment contract of Oscar Cecchinato, the managing director of Moto
Guzzi, was terminated.
Following these events, Guzzi Corp. reviewed its short-term strategies and
product plans, including new models whose introduction was connected with the
potential new factory as well as other new models scheduled for 1999
introduction to replace existing models. As a result of this review, Guzzi Corp.
has recorded Lit. 1,852 million of reorganization costs. The principal
components of this charge are Lit. 315 million of costs directly related to the
potential new factory, Lit. 707 million of write-offs of tooling and Lit.
750 million reserves against inventory components.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
9 MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 COMPARED TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPT. 30,
-----------------------------------------
1998 1997
LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales............................................................... 67,622 100.0% 59,770 100.0%
Cost of sales........................................................... (55,691) (82.4%) (52,168) (87.3%)
------- -------
11,931 17.6% 7,602 12.7%
Selling, general and administrative expenses............................ (11,906) (17.6%) (10,020) (16.8%)
Research & product development.......................................... (3,078) (4.6%) (1,393) (2.3%)
Reorganization costs.................................................... (1,852) (2.7%) -- --
Other income, net....................................................... 199 0.3% 573 1.0%
------- -------
Operating loss.......................................................... (4,706) (7.0%) (3,238) (5.4%)
Interest expense........................................................ (3,286) (4.9%) (2,893) (4.8%)
------- -------
Loss before income taxes................................................ (7,992) (11.8%) (6,131) (10.3%)
Income taxes............................................................ (616) (0.9%) (186) (0.3%)
------- -------
Net loss................................................................ (8,608) (12.7%) (6,317) (10.6%)
------- -------
------- -------
</TABLE>
The 13.1% increase in net sales in the nine months ended September 30, 1998
compared to the nine months ended September 30, 1997 results principally from an
11.2% increase in unit sales volumes and positive effects of price increases
implemented in March 1998, though sales prices were decreased in the U.S. in the
third quarter as part of an incentive program to reduce inventory. Units sold in
the nine months increased from 4,056 units in 1997 to 4,510 in 1998, but the
previously noted delays in the introduction of two revised models prevented the
growth rates seen in the first quarter of 1998 from continuing in the second and
third quarters. Net unit sales at the U.S. importer-distributor increased 23.1%
to 603 in 1998 compared to 490 in 1997, due principally to increased sales in
the third quarter following the introduction of the sales incentive program. Net
unit sales at the French importer-distributor, which commenced operations in
February 1997, increased 94% to 493 in 1998 compared to 254 in 1997. In the
first quarter of 1998, sales by Moto
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<PAGE>
Guzzi S.p.A. in Italy also benefitted from 312 units sold to public
adminstration customers which sales had originally been scheduled for December
1997 delivery but which were delayed until 1998 for completion of compliance
testing by the buyers.
The increase in gross margin as a percentage of sales, to 17.6% from 12.7%,
principally reflects fixed manufacturing costs spread over production volumes
which increased to 4,537 in the nine months ended September 30, 1998 from 4,355
in the comparable 1997 period and the beneficial effects of price increases
effective from March 1998. In 1997, selling prices had been maintained at 1996
levels so as to build market share. As noted above, margins fell in the third
quarter compared to the first nine months of 1998 due to lower production
volumes following production delays on two new models.
Increases in selling, general and administrative expenses in the nine
months ended September 30, 1998 compared to the 1997 period reflect increases of
Lit. 1,542 million in Italy principally relating to new management personnel at
Moto Guzzi and increases of Lit. 344 million at the wholly owned importers in
the U.S. and France.
Research and development in the nine months ended September 30, 1998,
principally on new products for 1998 and 1999 and for new engines, is at levels
more than double those incurred in the first nine months of 1997.
Reorganization costs represent the charge taken in the third quarter of
1998 relating to the Monza factory, tooling charges and inventory reserves.
Other income, net is principally comprised of interest income of Lit.
156 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and foreign exchange
differences and other minor items.
The increase in interest expense in 1998 compared to 1997, reflects
interest expense on the long-term loan drawn down in April 1998, on increased
levels of advances from banks to finance working capital and on increases in
loans from affiliates of Trident Rowan. The effects of this increased
indebtedness more than offset the benefits of lower interest rates in 1998
compared to 1997.
Income tax in the first nine months of 1998 principally relates to
operations in Italy, whereas it related entirely to operations in the U.S. in
1997. Despite operating losses at Moto Guzzi S.p.A., income taxes are accrued as
certain business expenses, principally finance expense and labor costs, are not
deductible against income for the purposes of a new income tax, introduced in
1998.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Operations and working capital
Losses from operations of Lit. 8.6 billion for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998 include depreciation and other adjustments for non-cash items
of Lit. 5.3 billion. Lit. 7.2 billion of the Lit. 10.4 billion of cash used in
operations results from changes in working capital items.
Trade and other receivables increased by approximately Lit. 4.5 billion at
September 30, 1998 compared to December 31, 1997. The increase is principally
the result of higher sales in the third quarter of 1998. Approximately
Lit. 1.0 billion relates to the U.S. and French importers and the balance to the
Italian operations. Inventories at September 30, 1998, after adjusting for
reserves made for obsolescence, increased by Lit. 6.3 billion compared to
December 31, 1997. This increase reflects principally increased levels of
components and partly assembled motorcycles at Moto Guzzi in Italy resulting
from the delays in introducing two new models. Finished motorcycle inventories
at Moto America Inc. are at substantially unchanged levels, following the
successful incentive programs in the third quarter and have increased by
approximately Lit. 1.3 billion at Moto Guzzi France S.a.r.l. due to expansion in
business volumes. Offsetting the effects of the above increases in working
capital, trade and other payables at Moto Guzzi increased by approximately Lit.
3.6 billion, reflecting increased production levels.
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<PAGE>
Investing activity
Expenditure on plant and equipment principally relates to expenditure at
the production facility of Moto Guzzi Expenditure of Lit. 5.6 billion in the
first nine months of 1998 compared to Lit. 2.4 billion in 1997, reflects the
start of investments in plant and machinery in accordance with Guzzi Corp's
strategic plan. Moto Guzzi has limited its capital expenditure program from
August 1998 in accordance with its liquidity position.
Financing activities
The increase in advances from banks of approximately Lit. 2.0 billion
principally reflects financing of the increased trade receivables. Moto Guzzi's
ability to draw on its credit lines against trade receivables has also been
limited by lower than anticipated sales levels in the third quarter--see
"Short-term liquidity requirements", below. In April 1998, Moto Guzzi drew down
Lit. 10 billion under a 10 year long-term loan facility granted by Italian
banks, with principal to be repaid over the last 8 years. Approximately Lit.
5.0 billion of these proceeds, originally destined for further investments in
product development, plant and machinery which were on deposit with local banks
at June 30, 1998 were applied in the third quarter to fund short-term liquidity
requirements as well as to make payments to capital goods suppliers, as further
discussed below.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996
LIRE M. LIRE M.
------------------ ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales....................................................... 80,987 100.0% 77,620 100.0%
Cost of sales................................................... (71,473) (88.3%) (65,755) (84.7%)
------- -------
9,514 11.7% 11,865 15.3%
Selling, general and administrative expenses.................... (13,824) (17.1%) (10,210) (13.2%)
Research and development........................................ (3,125) (3.9%) (1,177) (1.5%)
Other income, net............................................... 741 0.9% 1,904 2.5%
------- -------
Operating (loss)/profit......................................... (6,694) (8.3%) 2,382 3.1%
Interest expense................................................ (3,640) (4.5%) (4,346) (5.6%)
------- -------
Loss before income taxes........................................ (10,334) (12.8%) (1,964) (2.5%)
Income taxes.................................................... (235) (0.3%) (32) (0.0%)
------- -------
Net loss........................................................ (10,569) (13.1%) (1,996) (2.6%)
------- -------
------- -------
</TABLE>
Despite a 7.6% decline in unit sales in 1997 over 1996, net sales at Guzzi
Corp. increased by 4.3%, due principally to a more favorable sales mix. Total
unit sales in 1997 were 5,593 compared to 6,050 in 1996. One of the most
significant factors leading to the decrease in unit sales was lower sales to
public administration bodies, principally in Italy, which declined from 1,011
units in 1996 to 149 units in 1997. An additional 312 units had been scheduled
for sale in December 1997, representing approximately Lit. 3,800 million, but
the necessary technical checks and clearance were not completed until the first
quarter of 1998 and could not be recorded in 1997. Unit sales to the private
sector, however, in both the Italian and export markets, increased by more than
8% over 1996. Guzzi Corp. believes that the principal cause of such decrease of
public administration sales was general economic conditions affecting public
spending in Italy, including planned government expenditure reduction in order
to meet the qualification criteria for Italy's participation in the European
Common Currency. Consolidated net sales of parts increased 13% in 1997 over
1996.
Net sales of Guzzi Corp.'s exclusive U.S. importer increased by 113% to
Lit. 13,000 million, reflecting a 93% increase in local currency terms and the
effects of conversion of dollars into lire.
Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased in 1997 compared to 1996 as
a result of the Company's policy substantially not to pass on increased
component costs to customers. Approximately 2-3 percentage points of the decline
in gross margins were due to this policy. Guzzi Corp. also incurred an
additional Lit. 1,600 million of charges for inventory obsolescence in 1997
reflecting continuing moves to higher quality
63
<PAGE>
outsourced components and modifications to model specifications. Production
increased in 1997 compared to 1996 by 3.4% from 6,027 units to 6,234 units.
Guzzi Corp. also made increased investments in development of new products
in 1997 with research and development expenditure increasing from Lit.
1,177 million to Lit. 3,125 million. Research and development expenditure
encompasses projects for upgrades and restyling of models introduced in late
1997 and for proposed introduction in 1998 as well as longer-term projects
related to new motors and new models whose introduction, if at all, will be
after 1998.
Sales general and administrative expenses increased in 1997 compared to
1996 by approximately 35%, reflecting increased activities in the U.S. importer
(Lit. 1,808 million in 1997, compared to Lit. 1,064 in 1996) and the recognition
of Lit. 828 million of expense in 1997 for the newly formed French importer. The
balance of the increase was due to increased sales and marketing and general
management expense at Moto Guzzi S.p.A. as the Company seeks to redefine and
improve its operations in all areas.
The principal components of Other income, net in 1997 were currency
exchange gains of Lit. 133 million (1996--139 million), gains on sales of assets
of Lit. 489 million (1996--Lit. 552 million) and interest income of Lit.
288 million (1996--Lit. 111 million), net of other minor items aggregating Lit.
171 million (1996--income of Lit 652 million). In 1996, the Company also
received a grant for research performed in prior years of Lit. 450 million.
In summary, Guzzi Corp.'s operating loss of Lit. 6,694 million in 1997,
compared to an operating profit of Lit. 2,382 million in 1996, arose principally
from the following items discussed above: 1) the decision to maintain 1996 sales
prices to support sales objectives; 2) higher levels of inventory obsolescence
resulting from product changes and a switch to higher quality components; 3)
increased research and development expenditure; 4) increased marketing, sales
and general management in connection with expansion of operations in the U.S.
and France and plans to improve all areas of its business and 5) lower levels of
other income, net. Guzzi Corp. believes the investments made in 1997 in quality
and new model development and in building a strong management team will produce
benefits in 1998 and future years.
The decrease in interest expense in 1997 compared to 1996 is due to
decreased interest rates more than compensating for higher levels of bank
advances and loans from Trident Rowan companies in 1997 compared to the previous
year.
Income taxes relate entirely to the U.S. importer in 1997. In 1996, income
taxes reflected Lit. 92 million relative to the U.S. importer and a credit of
Lit. 60 million at Guzzi Corp. S.p.A. in Italy, representing a correction of
estimates for prior years.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1995
LIRE M. LIRE M.
------------------ ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales....................................................... 77,620 100.0% 64,671 100.0%
Cost of sales................................................... (65,755) (84.7%) (54,600) (84.4%)
------- -------
11,865 15.3% 10,071 15.6%
Selling, general and administrative expenses.................... (10,210) (13.2%) (7,486) (11.6%)
Research and development........................................ (1,177) (1.5%) (602) (0.9%)
Abandonment of Benelli production line.......................... (1,631) (2.5%)
Other income, net............................................... 1,904 2.5% 119 0.2%
------- -------
Operating profit................................................ 2,382 3.1% 471 0.7%
Interest expense................................................ (4,346) (5.6%) (3,604) (5.6%)
------- -------
Loss before income taxes........................................ (1,964) (2.5%) (3,133) (4.8%)
Income taxes.................................................... (32) (0.0%) (100) (0.2%)
------- -------
Net loss........................................................ (1,996) (2.6%) (3,233) (5.0%)
------- -------
------- -------
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
Net sales of motorcycles and parts to unaffiliated third parties increased
in 1996 over 1995 by 23.2% and 1.4% respectively. Growth in motorcycle sales
principally was attributable to increased volumes. Units sold by Guzzi Corp.
increased from 5,198 in 1995 to 6,050 in 1996 (excluding sales of old Benelli
brand small motorcycle inventory in 1995). Sales of the largest units, those
with engine displacement greater than 750cc, increased only by 6% in 1996 over
1995 as they were held back in 1996 by delays in introducing the new Centauro
model. Sales growth in 1996 is also in part attributable to the contribution of
Moto America Inc. Sales of parts by Guzzi Corp.'s Italian parts distribution
business were limited by a relocation of its warehouse during the year.
Margins in 1996 benefitted from higher volumes, which had the effect of
lowering per-unit fixed costs, but were negatively impacted by higher costs from
the outsourcing of components. Sales price increases implemented in March 1996
averaged 5%. Guzzi Corp. had hoped that the gains from volume increases in 1996
would exceed the extra cost of outsourcing, but this was not realized in 1996
due to production shortages of approximately 400 units in the autumn due to late
delivery of parts by suppliers. In September, Guzzi Corp. commenced production
of its new Centauro model which temporarily slowed production rate.
Cost of sales at Guzzi Corp. was adversely impacted by inflationary
increases in raw material prices and wages and increased costs for purchases of
components which had previously been manufactured in-house. Aluminum prices,
which had been a significant factor in raw material cost increases in 1995, were
stable in 1996, with a decrease in the second half of the year, which helped to
offset price rises of other components.
Research and product development expense increased to Lit. 1,177 million in
1996 compared to Lit. 602 million in 1995 in respect of planned new models and
continuing development of existing models.
In 1995 Guzzi Corp. made a strategic decision to wind down production of
smaller Guzzi Corp. and Benelli models leading to exceptional costs for
write-downs of tooling and inventories of Lit. 1,631 million.
The principal components of Other income, net in 1996 were currency
exchange gains of Lit. 139 million (1995--exchange losses of Lit. 442 million),
gains on sales of assets of Lit. 552 million (1995--Lit. 160 million), interest
income of Lit. 111 million (1995--Lit. 133 million), a grant for research
performed in prior years of Lit. 450 million plus other minor items aggregating
Lit. 652 million (1995--Lit. 268 million).
The increase in interest expense in 1996 compared to 1995 is due to higher
levels of bank advances, principally financing working capital, compared to
1995, compensated partly by decreases in interest rates during 1996.
In 1996, income taxes reflected Lit. 92 million relative to the U.S.
importer and a credit of Lit. 60 million at Moto Guzzi S.p.A. in Italy,
representing a correction of estimates for prior years. Income taxes in 1995
were relative to Moto Guzzi S.p.A.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Operations and working capital
Negative operating cash flow at December 31, 1997 reflects operating losses
at Moto Guzzi and working capital requirements.
The Lit. 8.2 billion decrease in trade and other receivables principally
reflects that in 1997 Guzzi Corp.'s German sales were to a new 25% owned
affiliate, resulting in a corresponding increase in related party receivables of
Lit. 5.4 billion. The decline in trade and related party receivables, taken
together, reflects the reduction in the level of motorcycle sales in the last
quarter of 1997, compared to the last quarter of 1996, principally from
decreased sales to the public sector.
Inventories increased by Lit. 10.5 billion from December 31, 1996 to
December 31, 1997, after adjusting for non-cash reserves made in 1997 of Lit.
3.2 billion. The principal causes for the increase were: 1) the delayed delivery
of 312 public sector motorcycles planned for 1997 sale but were in finished
goods inventories at year end; 2) an increase of 324 units in finished goods
destined for various markets reflecting orders awaiting credit clearance and a
build-up of buffer stocks; and 3) inventories at the newly formed French
distributor and an increase due to higher activity levels at the Guzzi Corp.'s
U.S. distributor.
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Trade payables and other payables and accruals increased by Lit. 3.8
billion at December 31, 1997, compared to December 31, 1996, reflecting longer
payment terms accepted by Guzzi Corp.'s suppliers and an increase in line with
increased operations.
Investing activities
Investments in plant, property and equipment principally relate to Guzzi
Corp.'s Italian operations where it also incurred research and product
development expenses in 1997 of Lit. 3.1 billion which are reported in the
statement of operations. In addition to the purchase of plant and equipment for
Lit. 3.9 billion, Guzzi Corp. acquired fixed assets for Lit. 760 million by way
of leasing, assuming Lit. 570 million of lease obligations at the inception of
such leases.
Financing activities
The net increase in advances from banks principally represents increases to
finance working capital. Guzzi Corp. has lines of credit, with banks and other
credit institutions amounting to approximately Lit. 4.6 billion, which credit
lines are largely secured by trade receivables. While bank advances against
receivables are invariably less than 100% of the face value of receivables, bank
advances are able to exceed consolidated trade receivables, as advances are
available against receivables from the consolidated U.S. and French importers
and also against confirmed public administration orders.
Lit. 2.9 billion was received from the sale of Guzzi Corp. convertible
preferred stock and warrants in January 1997: Lit. 5.1 billion was received in
December 1996 from such private placement for a total of Lit. 8.0 billion.
Lit. 7.8 billion of financing from Trident Rowan, principally represents
funds committed by the Board of Trident Rowan from the proceeds of its public
offering of its common stock in June 1997.
FUTURE LIQUIDITY NEEDS
Short-term liquidity requirements
Moto Guzzi finances working capital principally by way of advances from
banks against trade receivables. No financing is available in Italy for
component and other inventories, though Guzzi Corp. is in discussion with two
international financial institutions which provide financing to the motorcycle
industry. Moto Guzzi, as is customary, closed production for most of August and
experienced continuing delays in production of two new models through September
and October 1998. Sales for the third quarter were, therefore, below Moto
Guzzi's budget expectations, and its ability to draw down on its bank credit
lines has been reduced. At the same time, trade payables reflecting purchases
based on budgeted production levels are at normal levels. Accordingly, at the
end of August and in September, Moto Guzzi applied part of the remaining Lit.
5.0 billion liquidity from the proceeds of long-term debt, secured in April
1998, to finance payments to suppliers. Further, in October 1998, Guzzi Corp.
obtained an additional Lit. 6 billion in bridge loans or lines of credit
facilitated by certain Trident Rowan shareholders, as more fully described in
Note 4 to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements at
September 30, 1998.
As at October 31, 1998, Moto Guzzi was in arrears to its suppliers for
approximately Lit. 5.5 billion. Sales for November and December were expected to
be at reduced levels due to the seasonality of Moto Guzzi's business, as well as
curtailed production over the Christmas period. Advances from banks against
trade receivables from such sales will not be sufficient to pay arrears and
current payables to suppliers. Moto Guzzi also had additional cash payments to
make in December for higher payroll costs, according to Italian labor practices
and rules, for principal payments on long-term debt and for an advance payment
of income taxes. These additional payments total approximately Lit. 2 billion.
Accordingly, Moto Guzzi's financial position will deteriorate at the end of
1998.
Moto Guzzi is in ongoing discussions with its suppliers as to the timing of
such payments. If the merger is completed in early 1999, as anticipated
(although no assurance can be given that this will occur), Moto Guzzi will have
sufficient liquidity for the first quarter of 1999 and will have the ability to
pay down its arrears to suppliers. Further, Moto Guzzi will have increased
ability to draw advances against indicative 1999 sales orders from importers and
against trade receivables as sales pick up towards the main Spring-Summer
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<PAGE>
sales season. Guzzi Corp. is also actively in discussion with two specialized
financial institutions for floor plan financing and inventory financing, for the
beginning of 1999.
If the merger is not consummated as anticipated, the ability of Moto Guzzi
to continue operations will be contingent upon the success of the payment
deferral discussions and its ability quickly to obtain alternative financing.
Long-term capital requirements
To enable substantial further growth in production and sales, Guzzi Corp.'s
strategic plan contemplates total investments in research and product
development of some Lit. 50 billion (approximately $30 million) in the five year
period from 1998 through 2002. The plan also contemplates investments of Lit.
20 billion (approximately $12 million) in production plant and machinery and
information systems. Much of the production machinery at Moto Guzzi's facility
is aged and in need of extensive modification, improvement or replacement. Moto
Guzzi sought to purchase a new plant in Monza, Italy, but discontinued such
discussions in September 1998. Moto Guzzi believes that the existing plant at
Mandello del Lario, Italy has a potential production capacity that will be
sufficient for Guzzi Corp.'s needs for at least the next three years and is not
actively seeking any other alternatives at the present time. Guzzi Corp. will
have to make significant investments in the existing plant in order that it can
operate competitively. Such required modernization may result in production
interruptions.
Moto Guzzi expects that, over the next four years, significant further
capital will be required to complete the planned overhaul. While anticipated
increases in sales during the period, if realized, would provide a significant
portion of the needed capital, anticipated internally generated cash and
currently available bank financing, in the aggregate, will not be sufficient to
enable Moto Guzzi to increase production and sales rapidly enough to generate
the remaining needed capital. Moreover, in the three years ended December 31,
1997 and in the first nine months of 1998, Guzzi Corp. has not generated cash
from operations.
Consummation of the merger will result in approximately $8 million of
additional capital for Moto Guzzi operations. The exercise in full of all NAAC
outstanding warrants and options could generate aggregate proceeds to the
surviving company of about $15 million. These include the NAAC Class A warrants
which may yield aggregate proceeds of up to approximately $10 million which are
callable by NAAC for nominal value under certain conditions related to share
price performance.
Because of Guzzi Corp.'s short term liquidity shortages, however, the
proceeds from NAAC will be required to pay down arrears to suppliers, to repay
intercompany and certain bank indebtedness and finance working capital and will
only provide cash for Guzzi Corp.'s investment program if Guzzi Corp. is able to
successfully reduce its inventory levels in 1999. If, as management anticipates,
the merger with NAAC is completed, then management will immediately seek further
financing for its capital programs. Moto Guzzi has had preliminary discussions
with several potential sources of such further financing, including debt issues
and inventory financing lines. Moto Guzzi believes that continuation of such
discussions and the eventual securing of financing arrangements will be greatly
facilitated after the proposed merger when the surviving company will have a
higher equity base. In the absence of further financing during 1999, the
surviving company will have to reconsider its capital expenditure and growth
plans to take account of limited financial resources.
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THE YEAR 2000 ON GUZZI CORP.'S BUSINESS
Year 2000 Problem Overview
Many older computer systems and electronic devices are based on software
systems which, because of how dates are stored and manipulated, assume that all
years occur only in the 20th century. Consequently, after December 31, 1999,
such devices may not function correctly. Guzzi Corp., like many other businesses
and individuals, is potentially subject to adverse consequences arising both
from the incorrect functioning of any systems used in its own business such as
accounting, production control, inventory and automated equipment and also from
the incorrect functioning of systems of suppliers, customers, utilities, banks
and financial institutions and others with whom it interacts in the normal
course of its business.
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The following discussion of the effect of the Year 2000 on Guzzi Corp.'s
systems is based on management's best estimates, which were derived using
numerous assumptions of future events, including the continuing availability of
basic utilities and other resources, the availability of trained personnel at
reasonable cost, and the ability of third parties to cure noncompliant software
and hardware. There can be no guarantee that these assumptions will prove
accurate, and accordingly the actual results may materially differ from those
anticipated.
In analyzing its exposure to operational interruption resulting from the
advent of January 1, 2000, management of Guzzi Corp. segmented its data
processing systems into three segments: Production Planning and Logistics;
Accounting; and Production Equipment.
Production Planning and Logistics
Guzzi Corp. has completed its assessment of all data processing devices
involved in production planning and logistics and has concluded that these
systems are Year 2000 compliant.
Accounting
Operations at Guzzi Corp. and its Moto Guzzi subsidiary do not have unique
or custom-tailored requirements for their accounting systems. Nonetheless, their
accounting systems are not currently Year 2000 compliant. In connection partly
with routine system upgrade and maintenance, and partly accelerated upgrade
related to the Year 2000 problem, all of Guzzi Corp.'s and Moto Guzzi's
accounting systems will be upgraded during the Spring of 1999 to Year 2000
compliant status. Appropriate vendors have already been secured for this
purpose.
Production Equipment
Guzzi Corp. believes it has identified all of the items of production
machinery and related equipment which are critical to uninterrupted operations,
and, in December 1998 began to conduct a comprehensive inventory of all such
items which incorporate electronic devices, or which process dates in their
ordinary operation, to determine whether such operations will be affected by the
Year 2000 problem. Guzzi Corp. will contact the relevant vendors promptly upon
completion of the inventory assessment to upgrade all deficient items. Because
of the nature of the equipment, it is not expected that modifications other than
more current and readily available circuit boards or BIOS chips will be
required, although that assessment cannot be confirmed until completion of the
inventory early in the first quarter of 1999.
Customer or Supplier Compliance
Guzzi Corp. does not engage in material electronic data interchange with
any of its customers or component suppliers. An electronic interface is
maintained with one of Guzzi Corp.'s financial institutions. Guzzi Corp.'s
motorcycle dealers are not believed to be heavily dependent upon computer
systems other than in connection with their accounting systems.
Nevertheless, promptly following completion of its internal production
equipment compliance assessment, Guzzi Corp. will poll its suppliers and
customers to determine their own state of Year 2000 compliance, a process which
it expects to complete by July, 1999, and will at that time evaluate the level
of exposure Guzzi Corp. faces should it be determined that Year 2000 compliance
has not been achieved, and does not seem to be timely capable of achievement.
Contingency Planning
Guzzi Corp. has not established a contingency plan to deal with the advent
of January 1, 2000 without its own systems having been rendered Year 2000
compliant, because management does not believe that Guzzi Corp. faces a material
risk that such an event is likely to occur, or, if it occurs, will result in
significant interruption in its operations. Guzzi has not yet established a
contingency plan in the event a critical service or component supplier or
customer will not achieve Year 2000 compliance. Guzzi Corp. will reassess the
need to establish such a contingency plan if, following its assessment of its
customer and suppliers, it appears that one or more critical customers or
suppliers will have to curtail business with Guzzi Corp. because of that
customer or supplier's own Year 2000 exposure. Nevertheless, Guzzi Corp. assumes
that if a supplier, whether of utility services, such as electricity, or of
components, cannot provide it with written assurance of
68
<PAGE>
compliance, that compliance will not be achieved. If, in the reasonably
possible, if unlikely, event that critical services are affected, such as
utilities, telecommunications or banking or if components are unavailable and
cannot be obtained from other sources which are compliant, Guzzi Corp. will have
to curtail its operations.
Total cost to achieve Year 2000 compliance
Guzzi Corp. has, to date, spent an inconsequential amount directly
attributable to Year 2000 compliance, exclusive of routine personnel expenses.
Guzzi Corp. does not expect that the aggregate cost for Guzzi Corp. to achieve
Year 2000 compliance will exceed approximately Lit. 500 million ($283,000), an
amount which is not considered material to Guzzi Corp.'s operations. Because so
many factors are beyond the control of Guzzi Corp., however, there can be no
assurance that these costs will not be exceeded. In the worst case scenario
where essential services are lost or critical components are no longer supplied,
Guzzi Corp. will curtail its operations, in which event, the loss of revenues
will greatly exceed Year 2000 remediation expenses.
POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED EUROPEAN COMMON CURRENCY ON GUZZI CORP.'S
BUSINESS
Guzzi Corp.'s businesses are substantially located and operate in Europe
and its sole production site is in Italy. In the early part of May, 1998, Italy
confirmed its participation as one of 11 European countries in a European common
currency, the Euro.
The European Common Currency is expected to have significant effects on
Guzzi Corp.'s business. Among many potential economic factors, the proposed
common currency is expected to increase competition within the common currency
zone. Because the adoption of the Euro will require competitive businesses
located in different participating countries to price their products in a single
currency, the historical ability of such companies to increase or reduce prices
without affecting operating results in their home country's currency will be
largely eliminated.
The uniform currency will also likely result in the establishment of new
Euro-based pricing points, e.g., Euro 9,999 or Euro 19,999. These new pricing
points may differ from the current prices charged for such products, which could
be advantageous or disadvantageous to a company, depending upon whether the
Euro-based price point is higher or lower than the prices charged before the
adoption of the uniform currency. Guzzi Corp. will have to re-evaluate its
pricing policies and model specifications to most competitively deal with the
new pricing points.
Guzzi Corp. also expects that the introduction of the Euro will increase
consolidation within industries and industry sectors, as currency translation
risks and competitive opportunities diminish within the common currency zone.
National regulatory barriers are also likely to fall as participating countries
harmonize their rules to promote intra-member commerce and cross-border
information exchange.
The combination of pricing transparency and consolidation is likely to
increase competition within the common currency zone generally. To the extent
that competitors of Guzzi Corp. participate in the expected consolidation, Guzzi
Corp. may in the future face competitors which are even larger and better
capitalized than the competitors it faces now.
Additionally, interest rates are likely to stabilize across the common
currency zone. Interest rates in Italy have fallen since 1997, partly in
response to the Euro introduction.
Guzzi Corp. has not yet fully evaluated the ramifications of the adoption
of the uniform currency because the Euro-Lire exchange rate was not fixed until
January 1, 1999.
Guzzi Corp. also makes significant export sales outside the proposed common
currency zone and the prices of certain commodities used in its manufacturing
processes may be affected by the value of the Euro. The implementation of the
Euro within the common currency zone could have unanticipated consequences on
the economies of participant countries which could affect demand for the
company's products.
Adoption of the Euro is expected to take place over a two year transition
phase in which initially both the Lire and the Euro would be valid currencies
for business transactions in Italy.
The European Common Currency could have a significant effect on Guzzi
Corp.'s accounting systems which could require significant modification or
replacement. Guzzi Corp. believes that its businesses do not have unique or
custom-tailored requirements for accounting systems and that it could rapidly
and
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<PAGE>
inexpensively change to "off-the-shelf" systems at an appropriate time if
existing systems prove not to be adequate. Guzzi Corp. is not able to evaluate
these matters or the effects on international financial and payment systems with
which it interacts at the present time. Guzzi Corp. will address these issues in
1999 as further guidelines and information become available. Adoption of the
Euro would also lead to the Guzzi Corp. reporting its results in that currency
instead of the Italian Lire from some point in the future, yet to be defined.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEETS
The merger between NAAC and Guzzi Corp. will be treated as a reverse
acquisition of NAAC by Guzzi Corp. because the shareholders of Guzzi Corp. will
hold a majority of the common stock of the post-merger company. As NAAC is a
shell company with substantial cash but no operations, the substance of the
merger transaction is the sale or issuance of Guzzi Corp. stock for the cash and
other net assets of NAAC. In consequence, no pro forma financial information is
required to be presented in respect of the combination because it is not a
business combination as defined by APB 16.
The merger agreement contemplates, inter alia, an intercompany debt
exchange whereby intercompany debt owed to Trident Rowan and OAM amounting to
Lit. 13,404 million at September 30, 1998 will be exchanged for NAAC securities.
Directors of NAAC have also agreed to exercise their Class B options. Further,
up to 160,000 of the outstanding shares of NAAC Class A common stock could be
required to be redeemed upon closing of the merger. If holders of more than
160,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock elect redemption of their shares,
the merger will not be consummated. The effects of these matters are (1) a
contemporaneous recapitalization of the merged company at the time it becomes
effective; and (2) uncertainty as to the liquid resources and net equity of the
merged company in respect of the potential redemption of NAAC Class A common
stock.
The following Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheets at September 30, 1998 give
effect to the matters contemplated in the merger agreement and the merger as if
it had occurred on such date. The Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheets at
September 30, 1998 illustrate two scenarios: where no exercise of redemption
rights is made by NAAC shareholders; and where the maximum exercise of 160,000
shares of NAAC Class A common stock is made by NAAC shareholders. The actual
number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock to be redeemed could be any number
between 0 and 160,000. The Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheets at September 30,
1998 have been derived by adjusting the unaudited historical financial
statements of Guzzi Corp. and NAAC for certain transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement and for the estimated costs of the transaction, which will be
expensed to capital. The Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheets at September 30,
1998 are stated in Italian lire as this will be the functional currency of the
post-merger company and should be read in conjunction with the historical
financial statements of Guzzi Corp. and NAAC, included elsewhere in this proxy
statement/prospectus.
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MOTO GUZZI CORP.
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSUMING NO EXERCISE OF REDEMPTION RIGHTS BY NAAC SHAREHOLDERS
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAAC RECLASSIFY
ACTUAL INTERCOMPANY SHARES
MG CORP. AUG. 31, CLASS B DEBT EXCHANGE, NO LONGER
ACTUAL 1998 OPTION MERGER AND SUBJECT TO MERGER
SEPT. 30, '98 (SEE NOTE) EXERCISE REORGANIZATION REDEMPTION EXPENSES
LIT. M LIT. M(1) LIT. M LIT. M LIT. M LIT. M
------------- ------------ -------- --------------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents..................... 1,197 13,894 496(a)
Receivables................................... 26,822
Inventories................................... 43,993
Prepaid expenses.............................. 1,169 173 (173)(e)
------- ------ ---- ------- ------ ----
Total current assets.......................... 73,181 14,067 496 0 0 (173)
Property, plant and equipment................. 16,060
Other assets.................................. 1,939
------- ------ ---- ------- ------ ----
Total assets.................................. 91,180 14,067 496 0 0 (173)
------- ------ ---- ------- ------ ----
------- ------ ---- ------- ------ ----
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Advances from banks........................... 29,336
Current portion of long-term debt............. 1,808
Accounts payable.............................. 26,019
Accrued expenses and other payables........... 7,475 289 427 (e)
Amounts due to related and affiliated
parties..................................... 974
------- ------ ---- ------- ------ ----
Total current liabilities..................... 65,612 289 0 0 0 427
Long-term debt, less current position......... 13,682
Parent company loans.......................... 13,404 (13,404)(b)
Stock subject to redemption................... 12,540 2,778 (12,540)(c) (2,778)(d)
Termination indemnities....................... 7,899
Shareholders' (deficit)/equity (Note (f)...... (21,957) 11,000 496(a) 25,944 (b)(c) 2,778 (d) (600)(e)
------- ------ ---- ------- ------ ----
Total liabilities and (deficit)/equity........ 91,180 14,067 496 0 0 (173)
------- ------ ---- ------- ------ ----
------- ------ ---- ------- ------ ----
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
SEPT. 30, 1998
-----------------
LIT. M US$ 000
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents..................... 15,587 9,435
Receivables................................... 26,822 16,236
Inventories................................... 43,993 26,630
Prepaid expenses.............................. 1,169 708
------- -------
Total current assets.......................... 87,571 53,009
Property, plant and equipment................. 16,060 9,722
Other assets.................................. 1,939 1,174
------- -------
Total assets.................................. 105,570 63,905
------- -------
------- -------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Advances from banks........................... 29,336 17,758
Current portion of long-term debt............. 1,808 1,094
Accounts payable.............................. 26,019 15,750
Accrued expenses and other payables........... 8,191 4,958
Amounts due to related and affiliated
parties..................................... 974 590
------- -------
Total current liabilities..................... 66,328 40,150
Long-term debt, less current position......... 13,682 8,282
Parent company loans.......................... 0 0
Stock subject to redemption................... 0 0
Termination indemnities....................... 7,899 4,782
Shareholders' (deficit)/equity (Note (f)...... 17,661 10,691
------- -------
Total liabilities and (deficit)/equity........ 105,570 63,905
------- -------
------- -------
</TABLE>
(1) Activities since August 31, 1998 have not been significant. See NAAC
financial statements beginning at pages F-1.
Note: The balance sheet of NAAC has been converted from U.S. $ to Lire using the
approximate exchange rate at September 30, 1998 of Lit. 1,652 to the U.S.
Dollar.
In October 1998, Guzzi Corp. received bridge financing of approximately
Lit. 6 billion, as described in Note 4 to the Unaudited Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements of Guzzi Corp. The cash provided by NAAC
will be applied, in part, to repay this bridge financing.
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<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP.
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSUMING MAXIMUM PERMITTED EXERCISE OF REDEMPTION RIGHTS BY NAAC SHAREHOLDERS
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTERCOMPANY
MG CORP. NAAC DEBT REDEMPTION OF
ACTUAL ACTUAL CLASS B EXCHANGE MAXIMUM NUMBER
SEPT. 30, AUG. 31, 1998 OPTION MERGER AND OF CLASS A MERGER
'98 (SEE NOTE) EXERCISE REORGANIZATION SHARES EXPENSES
LIT. M LIT. M(1) LIT. M LIT. M LIT. M LIT. M
------------- ------------- -------- -------------- -------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents................. 1,197 13,894 496(a) (2,778)(d)
Receivables............................... 26,822
Inventories............................... 43,993
Prepaid expenses.......................... 1,169 173 (173)
------- ------- ---- -------- ------ ----
Total current assets...................... 73,181 14,067 496 0 (2,778) (173)
Property, plant and equipment............. 16,060
Other assets.............................. 1,939
------- ------- ---- -------- ------ ----
Total assets.............................. 91,180 14,067 496 0 (2,778) (173)
------- ------- ---- -------- ------ ----
------- ------- ---- -------- ------ ----
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Advances from banks....................... 29,336
Current portion of long-term debt......... 1,808
Accounts payable.......................... 26,019
Accrued expenses and other payables....... 7,475 289 427 (e)
Amounts due to related and affiliated
parties................................. 974
------- ------- ---- -------- ------ ----
Total current liabilities................. 65,612 289 0 0 0 427
Long-tern debt, less current position..... 13,682
Parent company loans...................... 13,404 (13,404)(b)
Stock subject to redemption............... 12,540 2,778 (12,540)(c) (2,778)(d)
Termination indemnities................... 7,899
Shareholders' (deficit)/equity (Note (f).. (21,957) 11,000 496(a) 25,944 (b),(c) (600)(e)
------- ------- ---- -------- ------ ----
Total liabilities and (deficit)/equity.... 91,180 14,067 496 0 (2,778) (173)
------- ------- ---- -------- ------ ----
------- ------- ---- -------- ------ ----
<CAPTION>
PRO FORMA
------------------
LIT. M US$ '000
------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents................. 12,809 7,754
Receivables............................... 26,822 16,236
Inventories............................... 43,993 26,630
Prepaid expenses.......................... 1,169 708
------- ------
Total current assets...................... 84,793 51,328
Property, plant and equipment............. 16,060 9,722
Other assets.............................. 1,939 1,173
------- ------
Total assets.............................. 102,792 62,223
------- ------
------- ------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Advances from banks....................... 29,336 17,758
Current portion of long-term debt......... 1,808 1,094
Accounts payable.......................... 26,019 15,750
Accrued expenses and other payables....... 8,191 4,958
Amounts due to related and affiliated
parties................................. 974 590
------- ------
Total current liabilities................. 66,328 40,150
Long-tern debt, less current position..... 13,682 8,282
Parent company loans...................... 0 0
Stock subject to redemption............... 0 0
Termination indemnities................... 7,899 4,782
Shareholders' (deficit)/equity (Note (f).. 14,883 9,009
------- ------
Total liabilities and (deficit)/equity.... 102,792 62,223
------- ------
------- ------
</TABLE>
(1) Activities since August 31, 1998 have not been significant. See NAAC
financial statements beginning at pages F-1.
Note: The balance sheet of NAAC has been converted from U.S. $ to Lire using the
approximate exchange rate at September 30, 1998 of Lit. 1,652 to the U.S.
Dollar.
In October 1998, Guzzi Corp. received bridge financing of approximately
Lit. 6 billion, as described in Note 4 to the Unaudited Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements of Guzzi Corp. The cash provided by NAAC
will be applied, in part, to repay this bridge financing.
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<PAGE>
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEETS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1998:
(a) Represents exercise of 30,000 Class B options for 60,000 shares of
NAAC Class A common stock and 60,000 NAAC Class A warrants by the officers
of NAAC. The proceeds of exercise will be $300,000 (Lit. 496 million).
(b) Represents the exchange of intercompany debt by OAM and Trident
Rowan due it by Guzzi Corp. of Lit. 12,919 million plus interest accrued
from January 1, 1998 for a total of Lit. 13,404 million at September 30,
1998, for 871,953 shares of NAAC Class A common stock and nominal warrants
to purchase 166,080 shares of NAAC Class A common stock. See also note
(f) below. Interest on this intercompany debt amounted to Lit. 485 million
in the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and Lit. 377 million in the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
(c) Represents the exchange of all outstanding Guzzi Corp. redeemable
convertible preferred stock, classified as outside shareholders
equity/(deficit) in the financial statements of Guzzi Corp., for 622,012
shares of NAAC Class A common stock, and nominal warrants to purchase
118,480 shares of NAAC Class A common stock. See also note (f) below.
(d) In the situation where there is no exercise of redemption rights
made by holders of shares of NAAC Class A common stock, represents
termination of such redemption rights and relief of restriction over cash
reserved for such contingent redemption.
In the situation involving the maximum exercise of redemption rights
of 160,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock are made by holders of such
shares, represents redemption of such shares.
(e) Represents estimated merger expenses to be incurred by NAAC, to be
charged to capital. In accordance with the merger agreement, merger
expenses incurred on behalf of Guzzi Corp. will be paid by Trident Rowan.
This will be accounted for as a contribution by Trident Rowan to Guzzi
Corp., recorded as a debit to merger expenses and a credit to additional
paid-in capital. As the post-merger company will charge all merger expenses
against additional paid-in capital, there will be no effect in the income
statement and no net effect on shareholder's equity.
(f) The merger will be accounted for as a reverse acquisition by Guzzi
Corp. of NAAC. Pursuant to this:
(1) Share capital and additional paid-in capital will be
restated for the issuance of a total of the 3,982,011 shares of NAAC
Class A common stock in exchange for the outstanding common stock of
Guzzi Corp. and for the shares issued in exchange for the
intercompany debt (note (b) above) and redeemable convertible
preferred stock (note (c) above) of Guzzi Corp.;
(2) The retained earnings of NAAC will be canceled against
additional paid in capital at the date of the merger; and
(3) The share capital of Guzzi Corp. will eliminate against additional paid-in
capital.
The functional currency of the merged company will be the Italian lira* as
substantially all of the post-merger company's consolidated assets and
production are in Italy and the majority of its consolidated sales will be made
from Italy. As NAAC will be the parent company, its share capital and additional
paid-in capital will be those reported for the consolidated entity. For
financial reporting purposes, the amounts in lire* to be reported for share
capital and additional paid in capital of NAAC, which maintains its accounting
records in U.S. Dollars, will be fixed at the rate of exchange prevailing at the
date of the merger.
The above accounting will be applied retrospectively for the presentation
of balance sheets at dates prior to the date of the merger.
- ------------------
* Until the company elects to or is required to report in the Euro (See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Guzzi Corp. Financial Condition and
Results of Operations: Potential Effects of the Proposed European Common
Currency on Guzzi Corp.'s Business") or unless its business circumstances
change so as to determine a change in functional currency.
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<PAGE>
PROPOSALS 2 THROUGH 8:
ADOPTION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
A series of amendments to the certificate of incorporation of NAAC is
required to be made as a condition to the merger. If the merger is not
consummated, the certificate of incorporation will not be amended even though
stockholders have approved the proposals. If the NAAC stockholders fail to
approve these proposals, the merger will not be consummated, regardless of
whether the merger was approved. In such event the current provisions of the
NAAC certificate of incorporation and the Delaware General Corporation Law will
continue to govern. The affirmative vote of a majority in interest of the
outstanding NAAC Common Shares is required to adopt each of these seven
proposals.
Collectively, the amendments will:
o change the corporate name of NAAC to "Moto Guzzi Corporation";
o increase the total number of shares which NAAC will have authority to
issue to twenty-five million (25,000,000), of which
o Twenty million (20,000,000) will be Class A common stock, par value
$.01 per share,
o Two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) will be Class B common stock,
par value $.01 per share, and
o Four million seven hundred fifty thousand (4,750,000) will be
preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of which One Hundred
(100) shall be designated Class A Convertible preferred stock;
o provide for classification of the board of directors into three classes
serving staggered terms;
o require a vote of two-thirds of the outstanding stock or the affirmative
vote of a majority of the board of directors to amend or repeal the
by-laws, subject to certain exceptions;
o provide that the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding stock
will be required to fill a vacancy in the board of directors created by
an increase in the size thereof or by termination of a director, if not
otherwise filled by the remaining members of the board of directors;
o provide that members of the board of directors may be removed only for
cause and only by action of the board of directors or upon the
affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding stock; and
o require NAAC to indemnify its officers and directors, subject to certain
exceptions required by law.
A copy of the proposed amended and restated certificate of
incorporation,incorporating all of the changes contemplated by Proposals 2
through 8, inclusive, is annexed to this proxy statement/prospectus at
Annex IV. Copies of different versions of a certificate of incorporation
containing fewer than all of the provisions enumerated in Proposals 2 through 8
have not been annexed to this proxy statement/prospectus because it is not
possible that any such instrument can be adopted. While the material terms of
each of the provisions outlined in Proposals 2 through 8 have been set forth in
the applicable proposal, reference should nevertheless be made to the text of
Annex IV for a complete presentation of each proposal and of the entire amended
and restated certificate of incorporation.
PROPOSAL NO. 2: NAME CHANGE
The NAAC board of directors believes that, following the merger, the name
"Moto Guzzi Corporation" will be more representative of the business in which
NAAC will be engaged, and has included in the amended and restated certificate
of incorporation a provision to cause the change of name.
PROPOSAL NO. 3: INCREASE IN AUTHORIZED CAPITAL
The certificate of incorporation of NAAC currently authorizes an aggregate
of 11,250,000 shares of stock, of which 10,250,000 are shares of common stock,
$.01 par value per share, and 1,000,000 are shares of preferred stock, $.01 par
value per share. Of the common stock, 10,000,000 shares are designated the
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NAAC Class A common stock, and 250,000 shares are designated the NAAC Class B
common stock. Of the preferred stock, 100 shares are designated the Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock.
The NAAC board believes that the capital structure needs to be amended in
connection with the merger to increase the NAAC Class A common stock to
20,000,000 in order to permit the issuance of shares subject to existing NAAC
options and warrants, to permit the issuance of sufficient shares to the
shareholders of Guzzi Corp. and to enable shares of NAAC Class A common stock to
be used for possible future acquisitions. The board of directors also believes
that it is appropriate to increase the number of shares of preferred stock to
4,750,000 in order to enable preferred shares to be used for possible future
acquisitions or financings. There are no present plans to make any such
acquisitions or to secure financings.
No change is being made under this proposal to the terms of the NAAC
Class A preferred stock or the NAAC Class B common stock. Under Proposal
No. 11, to be voted upon separately from this proposal, the holders of the NAAC
common stock, voting separately as classes, will be asked to amend the
certificate of incorporation to eliminate authorization of the NAAC Class B
common stock.
PROPOSAL NO. 4: AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF BY-LAWS
The proposed amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes a
provision to require a vote of two-thirds of all outstanding shares of stock to
effect the adoption of new by-laws or the amendment of any existing by-laws, in
addition to the power to amend the by-laws currently held by the NAAC board.
Absent such a provision, the vote of a simple majority of the outstanding shares
could effect such amendments. By-laws adopted by vote of the shareholders may
not thereafter be amended by the NAAC board.
PROPOSAL NO. 5: CLASSIFICATION OF THE NAAC BOARD
Under the proposed amendment to the amended and restated certificate of
incorporation, the NAAC board will consist of three classes, each class as
nearly equal as possible. Each class will serve staggered terms of three years,
after expiration of an initial term which for two classes will be less than
three years, with one class being elected each year. In order to establish three
staggered classes, certain of the directors elected at the annual meeting would
serve initial terms of less than three years: the term of one class of two
directors (Class I) would terminate at the annual meeting of stockholders to be
held during the 1999 fiscal year, the term of the second class of three
directors (Class II) would terminate at the annual meeting of stockholders to be
held during the 2000 fiscal year, and the term of the third class of three
directors (Class III) would terminate at the annual meeting of stockholders to
be held during the 2001 fiscal year. Assuming stockholder approval of this
proposal, the nominees for election to the NAAC board as recommended in
Proposal 9 would be classified, and the stockholders would vote for the nominees
for the terms set forth in such Proposal No. 9.
The NAAC board believes that the staggered three-year term of a classified
board of directors, as opposed to the one-year term that the current certificate
of incorporation provides for, will help to assure the continuity and stability
of the NAAC's policies in the future, because a majority of the directors at any
given time will have prior experience as directors of NAAC. It is, additionally,
a condition of the merger.
There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors; therefore, a
plurality of the votes cast at a meeting for directors of a class would elect
all the directors of that class. The classification provision will apply to
every election of directors, whether or not a change in a majority of the board
of directors arguably might be beneficial to NAAC and its stockholders and
whether or not a majority of the NAAC stockholders believes that such a change
might be desirable.
PROPOSAL NO. 6: REMOVING DIRECTORS
This proposed provision in the amended and restated certificate of
incorporation will permit a member of the post-merger board of directors to be
removed only for cause, and only by either a vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding stock of the post-merger company, or by a vote of a majority of the
other members of the board of directors. The NAAC board believes that this
provision facilitates attracting qualified outside directors to serve on the
NAAC board.
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PROPOSAL NO. 7: FILLING VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
This proposed provision in the amended and restated certificate of
incorporation will permit a vacancy existing on the board of directors, whether
created by the removal of an existing member, or an increase in the size of the
board itself, to be filled only by either a vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding stock of the Company, or by a vote of a majority of the other
members of the board of directors. The NAAC board believes that this provision
facilitates attracting qualified outside directors to serve on the NAAC board.
PROPOSAL NO. 8: INDEMNIFICATION
This proposed provision of the amended and restated certificate of
incorporation will require the post-merger company to indemnify its officers and
directors to the extent permitted under Delaware law. The NAAC board believes
that NAAC will be better able to attract and retain qualified outside directors
by adopting the indemnification provisions of the Delaware General Corporation
Law.
ANTI-TAKEOVER CONSIDERATIONS
Proposals 4-7, inclusive, relating to (1) the creation of a staggered board
of directors, (2) the requirement that two-thirds of the outstanding stock is
needed to amend or repeal the by-laws for the stockholders to act on such a
proposal, (3) the requirement that an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding stock is needed to fill a vacancy on the board of directors not
otherwise filled by the board of directors, and (4) the provision that directors
may only be removed for cause and only by action of the board of directors or
upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all stock, may have anti-takeover
effects. These anti-takeover effects may result from one or a combination of
these provisions. These kinds of provisions may discourage attempts by others to
acquire control of NAAC without negotiation with the NAAC board and are an
attempt to insure that transactions are on terms favorable to all the
stockholders of NAAC. For various reasons, however, these provisions may not
always be in the best interests of NAAC or its stockholders.
The overall effect of the proposed amended and restated certificate of
incorporation is to render more difficult a hostile takeover or tender offer
attempt and to make more difficult the removal of management.
None of these provisions is the result of any specific effort to accumulate
securities of NAAC or to obtain control by means of merger, tender offer,
solicitation in opposition to management or otherwise.
Increase in Capital Stock The current certificate of incorporation of NAAC
already permits the NAAC board to issue preferred stock, with rights and powers
as determined by the NAAC board in its sole discretion. These issuances may be
used as a means to discourage takeovers. The proposal to amend the certificate
of incorporation will increase the authorized NAAC Class A common stock and NAAC
preferred stock which may have anti-takeover consequences.
Classified Board. The classification of the board will apply to every
future election of directors. The classification of directors will have the
effect of making it more difficult to change the overall composition of the NAAC
board. At least two stockholders' meetings will be required for stockholders to
effect a change in a majority of the NAAC board. Currently, by operation of
Delaware law and the certificate of incorporation of NAAC, only one
stockholders' meeting would be required to effect a change in the majority of
the NAAC board. Although there has been no problem in the past with the
continuity or stability of the NAAC board, the NAAC board believes that the
longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors will
help assure continuity and stability in the management of the business and
affairs of NAAC in the future, because a majority of the directors at any given
time will have prior experience as directors of NAAC. A classified board of
directors may also provide additional time to review any proposal for a business
combination, corporate restructuring, or other significant transactions and the
alternatives to such transactions. Accordingly, there would be a greater
opportunity to assure that the interest of the NAAC stockholders are protected
to the maximum extent possible.
Under Delaware law, directors may be removed at any time without cause by
the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of
directors unless the board of directors is classified. The
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provision for a classified board of directors and to eliminate the right to
remove directors other than for cause, each independently will remove the
stockholders right to remove a director without cause.
Supermajority Provisions. The provisions of the proposed amended and
restated certificate of incorporation to provide that at least two-thirds of the
outstanding stock approve amendments to the by-laws by action of the
stockholders, to fill a vacancy on the board of directors not otherwise filled
by the board of directors, and to remove a director for cause, are designed to
prevent a person holding or controlling a majority but less than two-thirds, of
the outstanding stock of NAAC from avoiding the requirements of these proposed
amendments by simply working around them. Under the current certificate of
incorporation of NAAC and Delaware law, these actions could be taken by simple
majority vote of the outstanding stock.
THE NAAC BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF THE ADOPTION
OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION SET FORTH IN PROPOSALS
2 THROUGH 8, INCLUSIVE.
PROPOSAL 9:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the annual meeting, eight directors are to be elected to hold office
commencing upon the consummation of the merger. If the proposed amendment to the
current certificate of incorporation of NAAC providing for classification of the
NAAC board into three classes is adopted, as described under "Proposal 5:
Classification of NAAC Board," two directors (Class I) will be elected for a
term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held during the 1999
fiscal year, three directors (Class II) will be elected for a term expiring at
the annual meeting of stockholders to be held during the 2000 fiscal year and
three directors (Class III) will be elected for a term expiring at the annual
meeting of stockholders to be held during the 2001 fiscal year. The Class I
nominees are Gianni Bulgari and Frank J. O'Connell. The Class II nominees are
William Spier, Emanuel Arbib and Peter Hobbins. The Class III nominees are
Howard E. Chase, Mark S. Hauser and David J. Mitchell. Of the nominees, only
Mr. Mitchell currently serves as a director of NAAC. Upon the expiration of the
initial terms of the directors in each of the classes, their successors will be
elected for terms of three years. Those nominees for director in each class
receiving a plurality of the votes cast at the annual meeting for directors for
such class will be elected.
If the merger is not consummated, none of these nominees will serve as
directors of NAAC except Mr. Mitchell who with the two other current directors
of NAAC, Messrs. McMillen and Nasser, will continue as the board of directors of
NAAC.
Unless otherwise specified, the proxies solicited by NAAC will be voted
"FOR" the nominees mentioned above. In case any such nominee becomes unavailable
for election to the NAAC board, which is not anticipated, the persons named in
the enclosed form of proxy will have full discretion to vote or refrain from
voting for any other nominee in accordance with their best judgment.
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The nominees, their ages, the year in which each first became a director
and the positions held on the date hereof, if any, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR
NOMINEE AGE SINCE CURRENT POSITION
- ------------------------------------------- --- -------- -------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Emanuel Arbib.............................. 31 -- Director Nominee
Gianni Bulgari............................. 63 -- Director Nominee
Howard E. Chase............................ 62 -- Director Nominee
Mark S. Hauser............................. 41 -- Director Nominee
Peter Hobbins.............................. 69 -- Director Nominee
David J. Mitchell.......................... 37 1996 Chief Executive Officer and Director
Frank J. O'Connell......................... 55 -- Director Nominee
William Spier.............................. 63 -- Director Nominee
</TABLE>
Emanuel Arbib has been the Chief Financial Officer of Trident Rowan since
March 1998. He became a director of Trident Rowan on May 2, 1997. Since 1993, he
has been the Managing Director of Capital Management Ltd, an international money
management firm based in Jersey, Channel Islands. He also co-founded in 1991 and
is the Managing Director of Global Investment Advisors, a London-based
investment company. Since January 1996, he has served as Managing Director of
BioSafe Europe, an affiliate of BioSafe International Inc., a publicly traded
company engaged in waste management and landfill reclamation. Since September,
1996, he has served as a director of International Capital Growth Ltd., and its
European subsidiary Capital Growth (Europe) Ltd., investment banking firms.
Gianni Bulgari was Chairman of the Board of FILA Holdings, S.p.A., maker of
sportswear, from 1989 until April 1998. From 1966 through 1987 he served as
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of "BVLGARI", a family-owned
jewelry business.
Howard E. Chase has served as Chairman of the Board of Trident Rowan since
March 1998, as a director thereof since 1971, as Secretary and as outside
counsel from 1971 until September, 1995 and as President and Chief Executive
Officer thereof from October, 1995 to March 1998. He has also served as
vice-president of Trident Rowan from 1986 to October, 1995; a partner of
Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP, outside counsel to Trident Rowan, from
April, 1984 until September, 1995; and a director of Thoratec Laboratories,
Inc., a Nasdaq-traded company, since 1987.
Mark S. Hauser has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Trident Rowan since March 1998, and a director of Trident Rowan since May 2,
1997. Mr. Hauser, an attorney, founded Tamarix Capital Corporation in 1990,
where he serves as its Managing Director. Tamarix Capital is a New York-based
merchant and investment banking firm. Between 1986 and 1990, Mr. Hauser was
Managing Director of Ocean Capital Corporation, an international investment
banking firm. He currently serves as a director of Integrated Technologies of
Israel, Ltd., an Israeli venture capital firm, and of Direct Language
Communications, Inc., a multilingual communications services company.
Dr. Peter Hobbins has been a director of Tarimco, Ltd., a Switzerland-based
portfolio management firm since 1987. Dr. Hobbins also serves as a Member of the
Board Strategy Committee of Danzas, a Swiss based, global forwarding and
logistics corporation. From 1993 to 1995, Dr. Hobbins was a director of Corange
Ltd., a company in the health care industry, and from 1990 to 1995, he was a
director of Forum Corporation, a company in the field of management education.
Dr. Hobbins also spent 10 years with McKinsey & Company in Europe. Dr. Hobbins
is the uncle of Mr. Mitchell.
David J. Mitchell has been Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
and a director of the Company since October 1996. He also has been President of
Mitchell & Company, Ltd., a New York-based merchant banking company founded by
him in January 1991. Mr. Mitchell is a director of Kellstrom Industries, Inc.
and Bogen Communications International, Inc., both of which are traded on the
NASDAQ National Market, as well as several private companies.
Frank J. O'Connell has been Chairman of the Board of Gibson Greetings, Inc.
since April 1997 and has been Chief Executive Officer and President since
August, 1996. He was a business consultant from May 1995 to August 1996. He
served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of SkyBox International,
Inc., a trading card manufacturer, from July 1991 to May 1995. Prior to joining
SkyBox International, he was a venture capital consultant from February 1990 to
July 1991, and served as President of Reebok Brands, North America from February
1988 to February 1990.
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William Spier is a director of Trident Rowan and served as its Chairman of
the Board from May 2, 1997 until March 1998. He is a founder and Managing
Director of Tamarix Capital Corporation. From May 1991 until October 1996, he
was chairman and chief executive officer of DeSoto, Inc., a manufacturer of
household cleaners and detergents. DeSoto was acquired by Keystone Consolidated
Industries, Inc., a Texas-based manufacturer of steel and wire rods, of which
Mr. Spier is a director. Mr. Spier is also currently the chairman of the board
of directors of Geotek Communications, Inc., a wireless telecommunications
company, and acting chief executive officer and a director of Integrated
Technologies, Inc., a computer peripheral and telecommunications device and
software company. In June, 1998, Geotek Communications filed for protection from
its creditors under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Until 1982 Mr. Spier was
Vice Chairman of Phibro-Salomon, Inc.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING COMPANY
The following information concerns the executive officers of post-merger
company. The age and business history of Mark Hauser are listed immediately
above in the discussion of the director nominees.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Mark S. Hauser Executive Chairman
Dino Falciola Chief Operating Officer
Nick Speyer Chief Financial Officer
</TABLE>
Dino Falciola, 34, is currently the General Manager of Moto Guzzi. Between
November 1997 and September 1998 Mr. Falciola served as Moto Guzzi's Chief
Financial Officer. In 1997, prior to joining Moto Guzzi, Mr. Falciola was
Assistant to the Managing Director of Visibilia Group, makers of prescription
frames and sunglasses. Between 1993 and 1997, Mr. Falciola was a group financial
controller of the 3V Group, an Italian chemicals concern. Between 1990 and 1992,
he was an Assistant Central Controller of GFT S.p.A., an apparel manufacturer.
Nick Speyer, 37, is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Moto Guzzi.
Nick Speyer is a UK qualified chartered accountant. He worked with Touche Ross
and Ernst & Young in Italy from 1989 to 1994. He has been a business consultant
since 1995, working principally with companies located in Italy. He has worked
with Trident Rowan since the end of 1995 in connection with Trident Rowan and
Moto Guzzi's United States regulatory filings and reporting systems.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
No executive officer of NAAC has received any cash compensation from NAAC
since its inception for services rendered. David J. Mitchell and C. Thomas
McMillen, in consideration for their service as directors and officers of NAAC
were each granted options to purchase an aggregate of 50,000 units, each unit
consisting of one share of NAAC Class A common stock and one NAAC Class A
warrant, at an exercise price of $12.50 per unit, until the third anniversary of
a business combination and options to purchase an aggregate of 15,000 shares of
NAAC Class B common stock at $10.00 per share, which each has agreed to exercise
at the conclusion of the merger. Directors receive reimbursement for any
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with NAAC's business. NAAC does
not pay directors' fees. Under the merger agreement, non-employee directors will
annually receive options to purchase 12,500 shares of NAAC Class A common stock
commencing after the conclusion of the merger and on each January 2 in a year in
which they serve as directors, commencing on January 2, 2000. The compensation
of Mr. Hauser as Executive Chairman following the merger is discussed at
page 50. Messrs. Falciola and Speyer will each be paid approximately
Lit. 200 million per year.
NAAC BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 1998, the NAAC board met or
otherwise took other action on one occasion. All the members of the NAAC board
attended the meeting. The NAAC board has established no committees. The NAAC
board has no compensation policies required to be disclosed as none of its
executive officers receives any compensation.
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COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act of 1934 requires officers, directors and
persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of equity
securities of NAAC to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors and 10% stockholders
also are required to furnish NAAC with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they
file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms furnished to it,
and written representations that no other reports were required, NAAC believes
that during the fiscal year ended August 31, 1998, each of its officers,
directors and 10% stockholders complied with the Section 16(a) reporting
requirements.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
NAAC pays $2,500 per month to Mitchell & Company, Ltd. for office space and
certain office and secretarial services. David J. Mitchell, a director, Chairman
of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer of NAAC, also controls Mitchell &
Company, Ltd. NAAC management believes that this arrangement is on terms at
least as favorable as would be available from an unaffiliated third party. This
agreement will terminate upon conclusion of the merger.
Upon conclusion of the merger directors and executive officers of NAAC will
receive compensation for their services which will include stock options and
reimbursement of expenses.
THE NAAC BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ELECTION OF THE EIGHT NOMINEES LISTED
ABOVE AS DIRECTORS.
PROPOSAL 10:
APPROVAL OF STOCK OPTION PLANS
On July 23, 1998, the NAAC board adopted two stock option plans, subject to
stockholder approval and conclusion of the merger. The 1998 Stock Option Plan
provides for the grant of options to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,250,000
shares of NAAC Class A common stock to be made to employees, officers, directors
and consultants of NAAC and its subsidiaries after the merger. An aggregate of
approximately 255,000 of such options will be granted on the date the merger
becomes effective. The 1998 Stock Plan for Outside Directors provides for the
grant of options to the non-employee directors of NAAC to purchase up to an
aggregate of 400,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock. Each grant will be for
the purchase of 12,500 shares of NAAC Class A common stock. The first grant will
be made on the date the merger becomes effective and then on each January 2,
beginning January 2, 2000. The stock option plans are intended to assist NAAC
and its subsidiaries after the merger in attracting, retaining and motivating
employees, officers, directors and consultants of particular merit.
The affirmative vote of a majority in interest of shares of NAAC common
stock present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting is
required to approve the stock option plans. Approval of the stock option plans
by the NAAC stockholders is a condition to the merger. The following summaries
of each plan are subject in all respects to the full texts thereof attached as
Annex V and VI hereto.
THE NAAC BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF THE STOCK
OPTION PLANS.
SUMMARY OF THE 1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Administration
The 1998 Stock Option Plan will be administered by the board of directors
or by a committee appointed by the board of directors, whose members will serve
at the pleasure of the board of directors. If appointed, the committee will have
two or more members, each of whom will be a "non-employee director" within the
meaning of the Exchange Act of 1934. A non-employee director is a person who is
not an officer of the issuer, receives no compensation other than as a director,
has no interest in any transactions or any engagement in business relationships
with the issuer or its subsidiaries requiring disclosure under the Exchange Act
of 1934, and is an "outside director" within the meaning of the Code. If no
committee is so designated, then the 1998 Stock Option Plan will be administered
by the board of directors. The board of directors or the committee, has full
authority, subject to the provisions of the 1998 Stock Option Plan, to
(1) grant options and determine their exercise price, (2) designate options as
incentive stock options or non-qualified stock option, and (3) determine the
grantees of the options.
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The committee cannot, without approval of the board of directors,
(1) accelerate the vesting of any options, (2) alter the exercise price or
(3) alter any other term of an option after grant. The interpretation and
construction by the board of directors or the committee of any provisions of,
and the determination of any questions arising under, the 1998 Stock Option Plan
or any rule or regulation established by the board of directors or the committee
pursuant to the 1998 Stock Option Plan will be final, conclusive and binding on
all persons interested in the 1998 Stock Option Plan.
Shares Subject to the Plan; General Terms
The 1998 Stock Option Plan provides for the issuance of options to purchase
up to 1,250,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock. In order to prevent the
dilution or enlargement of the rights of grantees under the 1998 Stock Option
Plan, the number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock authorized by the 1998
Stock Option Plan is subject to adjustment by the board of directors in the
event of any increase or decrease in the number of shares of outstanding NAAC
Class A common stock resulting from such events as a stock dividend, stock
split, merger, recapitalization or other change in corporate structure affecting
the NAAC Class A common stock. If any option granted under the 1998 Stock Option
Plan is forfeited or terminated, the shares of NAAC Class A common stock that
were available pursuant to such award of options will again be available for
distribution in connection with awards subsequently granted under the 1998 Stock
Option Plan.
Eligibility
Subject to the provisions of the 1998 Stock Option Plan, awards of options
may be granted to key employees, officers, directors, consultants and other
persons who are deemed to have rendered or to be able to render significant
services to the company or its subsidiaries and are deemed to have contributed
or to have the potential to contribute to their success. Incentive options may
be awarded only to persons who, at the time of such awards, are employees of the
company or its subsidiaries.
Types of Options
The 1998 Stock Option Plan provides both for "incentive stock options" as
defined in Section 422 of the Code, and for non-qualified options, both of which
may be granted with any other stock-based award under the 1998 Stock Option
Plan. The board of directors or the committee will determine the exercise price
for each share of NAAC Class A common stock purchasable under an incentive or
non-qualified option. The exercise price of a non-qualified option may be less
than 100% of the fair market value on the last trading day before the date of
the grant. The exercise price of an incentive option may not be less than 100%
of the fair market value on the last trading day before the date of grant or, in
the case of an incentive option granted to a person possessing at the time of
grant more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
of the company, not less than 110% of such fair market value.
The board of directors or the committee determines when options are to be
granted and when they may be exercised. However, options may only be granted
within a ten-year period commencing on July 23, 1998. Incentive options may only
be exercised within ten years of the date of the grant or within five years in
the case of an incentive option granted to a person who, at the time of the
grant, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the company or of its parent or any subsidiary. Subject
to any limitations or conditions of the 1998 Stock Option Plan and as imposed by
the board of directors or the committee, options may be exercised, in whole or
in part, during the term of the option by giving written notice of exercise to
the company specifying the number of shares of NAAC Class A common stock to be
purchased. Such notice must be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase
price, either in cash or in securities of the company, or by a combination
thereof. Options granted under the 1998 Stock Option Plan are exercisable only
by the grantee during his or her lifetime and may not be transferred other than
by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Generally, if the grantee received an option as an employee of NAAC or a
subsidiary, no option, or any portion thereof, granted under the 1998 Stock
Option Plan may be exercised by the grantee unless he or she is employed by NAAC
or a subsidiary at the time of the exercise and has been so employed
continuously from the time the option was granted and for the 60 days following
termination unless terminated for cause. However, in the event the holder's
employment with NAAC is terminated due to disability, the grantee may
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still exercise his or her option for a period of one year or such other lesser
period as the board or the committee may specify at the time of grant, from the
date of such termination or until the expiration of the stated term of the
option, whichever period is shorter. Similarly, if a grantee die while in the
employment of NAAC or a subsidiary, his or her legal representative or legatee
under his or her will may exercise the decedent grantee's option for a period of
two years from death, or such other greater or lesser period as the NAAC board
or the committee specifies at the time of grant, or until the expiration of the
stated term of the option, whichever is shorter.
Withholding Taxes
Upon the exercise of any option granted under the 1998 Stock Option Plan,
the grantee may be required to remit to NAAC an amount sufficient to satisfy all
Federal, state and local withholding tax requirements prior to delivery of any
certificate or certificates for NAAC Class A common shares. Subject to certain
stringent limitations under the 1998 Stock Option Plan and at the discretion of
NAAC, the grantee may satisfy these requirements by electing to have NAAC
withhold a portion of the shares to be received upon the exercise of the option
having a value equal to the amount of the withholding tax due under applicable
Federal, state and local laws.
Agreements
Options granted under the 1998 Stock Option Plan will be evidenced by
agreements consistent with the 1998 Stock Option Plan in such form as the board
or the committee may prescribe. Neither the 1998 Stock Option Plan nor
agreements thereunder confer any right to continued employment upon any grantee.
Term and Termination of the 1998 Stock Option Plan
The 1998 Stock Option Plan will be effective as of July 23, 1998, subject
to the approval of the 1998 Stock Option Plan by the stockholders of NAAC.
Unless terminated by the NAAC board, the 1998 Stock Option Plan shall continue
to remain effective until such time as no further options may be granted and all
Awards granted under the 1998 Stock Option Plan are no longer outstanding.
Amendments to the 1998 Stock Option Plan
The NAAC board may at any time, and from time to time, amend, alter,
suspend or discontinue any of the provisions of the 1998 Stock Option Plan, but
no amendment, alteration, suspension or discontinuance shall be made that would
impair the rights of a grantee of any option theretofore granted, without his or
her consent.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion of the Federal income tax consequences of
participation in the 1998 Stock Option Plan is only a summary of the general
rules applicable to the grant and exercise of stock options and does not purport
to give specific details on every variable and does not cover, among other
things, state, local and foreign tax treatment of participation in the 1998
Stock Option Plan. The information is based on present law and regulations,
which are subject to being changed prospectively or retroactively.
Incentive Options
The participant will recognize no taxable income and the company will not
qualify for any deduction upon the grant or exercise of an incentive option.
Upon a disposition of the shares underlying the option after the later of two
years from the date of grant or one year after the issuance of the shares to the
optionee, the optionee will recognize the difference, if any, between the amount
realized and the exercise price as long-term capital gain or long-term capital
loss (as the case may be) if the shares are capital assets. The excess, if any,
of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise of an incentive
option over the exercise price will be treated as an item of adjustment in
computing the alternative minimum tax for an optionee's taxable year in which
the exercise occurs and may result in an alternative minimum tax liability for
the optionee. If shares of NAAC Class A common stock are acquired upon the
exercise of an incentive option are disposed of before expiration of the
necessary holding period of two years from the date of the grant of the option
and one year after the exercise of the option, (1) the optionee will recognize
ordinary compensation income in the taxable year of disposition in an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of the lesser
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of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise or the amount
realized on the disposition of the shares, over the exercise price paid for such
shares; and (2) the company will qualify for a deduction equal to any such
amount recognized, subject to the limitation that the compensation be
reasonable. To the extent the aggregate fair market value of stock with respect
to which options are exercised for the first time by an individual during any
calendar year exceeds $100,000, such options will not qualify as incentive
options. The optionee will recognize the excess, if any, of the amount realized
over the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise, if the shares
are capital assets, as short-term or long-term capital gain, depending on the
length of time that the optionee held the shares, and NAAC will not qualify for
a deduction with respect to such excess. In the case of a disposition of shares
in the same taxable year as the exercise of the option, where the amount
realized on the disposition is less than the fair market value of the shares on
the date of exercise, there will be no adjustment since the amount treated as an
item of adjustment, for alternative minimum tax purposes, is limited to the
excess of the amount realized on such disposition over the exercise price, which
is the same amount included in regular taxable income and certain limitations
that apply with respect to highly compensated officers.
Non-qualified Options
With respect to non-qualified options (1) upon grant of the option, the
optionee will recognize no income; (2) upon exercise of the option (if the
shares of NAAC Class A common stock are not transferable or subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture), the optionee will recognize ordinary
compensation income in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market
value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price, and NAAC
will qualify for a deduction in the same amount, subject to the requirement that
the compensation be reasonable; and (3) NAAC will be required to comply with
applicable Federal income tax withholding requirements with respect to the
amount of ordinary compensation income recognized by the optionee. On a
disposition of the shares, the optionee will recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized and the sum of the exercise price and the
ordinary compensation income recognized. Such gain or loss will be treated as
capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets and as short-term or
long-term capital gain or loss, depending upon the length of time that the
optionee held the shares.
If the shares acquired upon exercise of a non-qualified option are not
transferable and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the optionee will
recognize income at the time when the shares become transferable or the
substantial risk of forfeiture is removed and the company will qualify for a
corresponding deduction at such time.
1998 STOCK PLAN FOR OUTSIDE DIRECTORS
The following summary of the principal provisions of the 1998 Stock Option
Plan for Outside Directors. The 1998 Directors Plan provides for the issuance of
options to purchase up to 400,000 shares of NAAC Class A common stock. All
options will be non-incentive options. The number of shares of NAAC Class A
common stock are subject to adjustment by the NAAC board in the event of any
increase or decrease resulting from such events as a stock dividend, stock
split, merger, consolidation or other change in corporate structure affecting
the NAAC Class A common stock.
All non-employee directors will annually receive, on the conclusion of the
merger and on each January 2 beginning in 2000, options to purchase 12,500
shares under this plan.
Each option will be nontransferable except in the event of death and will
expire upon the earlier of ten years following the date of grant or three months
following the date on which the grantee ceases to serve as a director.
All options will be exercisable at the reported closing price of the NAAC
Class A common stock on the last trading day before the date of grant.
The authority to grant options under the 1998 Directors Plan will terminate
on the earlier of December 31, 2008 or upon the issuance of the maximum number
of shares of stock reserved for issuance under the plan.
The plan may be amended by the NAAC board except that provisions thereof
concerning granting of options may not be amended more than once every six
months unless necessary to comply with the Code or the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act. Amendments which require shareholder approval under
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Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act of 1934 shall be submitted for such approval, but
failure to obtain such approval will not invalidate the amendment.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
Options granted under the 1998 Directors Plan are intended to be
non-qualified stock options for federal income tax purposes. No taxable income
results to an optionee upon the grant of such stock options. Section 83 of the
Code requires that upon exercise of an option, the optionee recognizes ordinary
income in an amount equal to the difference between the option's exercise price
and the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise. Such amount,
subject to certain limitations, is deductible as an expense by the company for
federal income tax purposes. The ordinary income resulting from the exercise of
such options is subject to applicable withholding taxes. Any profit or loss on
the subsequent disposition of such shares shall be treated as a short-term or
long-term capital gain or loss, depending upon the holding period for the
shares.
Under the changes made by the Securities and Exchange Commission to the
rules adopted under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act of 1934, the exercise
(more than six months after the date of the issuance of the option) of an
"in-the-money" stock option is no longer deemed to be a purchase under
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. Accordingly, as long as a non-qualified stock
option has been held for more than six months from the date of the grant, an
optionee subject to Section 16 is now able to sell the underlying shares
immediately following the exercise of such an option without triggering
potential liability under that Section 16(b). If a non-qualified option is
exercised by a person subject to Section 16 less than six months after the date
of grant, the taxable event will be deferred until the date which is six months
after the date of grant unless the optionee files an election to be taxed on the
date of exercise.
PROPOSAL NO. 11:
CLASS B RECAPITALIZATION
NAAC has issued 150,000 shares of NAAC Class B common stock. The NAAC
Class B common stock has rights identical to the NAAC Class A common stock with
the following exceptions: (1) it is convertible at the option of the holder from
the 90th day anniversary to the one year anniversary of the consummation of a
business combination into two shares of NAAC Class A common stock and two
Class A NAAC warrants, (2) until conversion, it carries the right to cast two
votes on any matter on which the NAAC Class A common stock may vote and (3) it
is not redeemable in the event a business combination is consummated before
August 22, 1999. Under this proposal, Article FOURTH, paragraph (a) of the
amended and restated certificate of incorporation will be amended to eliminate
any reference to the NAAC Class B common stock, paragraph (c) will be deleted,
and references to paragraph (c) in other paragraphs of Article FOURTH will be
eliminated. Article FOURTH, paragraph (c) sets forth the rights of the NAAC
Class B common stock; these are the rights of conversion and voting rights set
forth above. The full text of such revised Article FOURTH is annexed to this
proxy statement/prospectus as Annex VII.
Upon the elimination of authorization of the NAAC Class B common stock,
NAAC will issue to such holders two shares of NAAC Class A Common Stock and two
NAAC Class A warrants for each outstanding share of NAAC Class B common stock.
The approval of the merger and of the other proposals before the holders of NAAC
common stock is not conditioned upon the adoption of this proposal. The adoption
of this proposal, however, is conditioned upon conclusion of the merger and the
filing of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of NAAC. The
NAAC board believes that the elimination of the NAAC Class B common stock will
result in a capital structure which is more customary in an operating
manufacturing company of the size and nature of NAAC after the merger, and thus
will find greater acceptance in the public securities markets. The affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of each of the NAAC Class A common
stock and NAAC Class B common stock is required to approve this Proposal
No. 11.
If the recapitalization of the NAAC Class B common stock is approved, the
holders need not take any further action: their certificates will represent the
converted securities for all corporate purposes. Each holder will be sent a
transmittal letter with which he may submit his certificate representing the
NAAC Class B common stock for reissuance as the NAAC Class A common stock and
NAAC Class A warrants into which it was converted. It is recommended that the
holders of the NAAC Class B common stock submit their certificates for
conversion.
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THE NAAC BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF THE
RECAPITALIZATION OF THE NAAC CLASS B COMMON STOCK.
WARRANT EXCHANGE OFFER
GENERAL
Each Guzzi Corp. warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one
share of Guzzi Corp. common stock at an exercise price equal to the lesser of
$4.00, as adjusted, until January 17, 2000. The holders of the Guzzi Corp.
warrants do not have any rights, privileges or liabilities as a stockholder of
Guzzi Corp. prior to exercise of the Guzzi Corp. warrants. Guzzi Corp. is
required to keep reserved a sufficient number of authorized shares of common
stock to permit the exercise of the Guzzi Corp. warrants.
If Guzzi Corp. warrants are not submitted to Guzzi Corp. or NAAC for
exchange and cancellation for the offered securities of NAAC pursuant to the
warrant exchange, then upon consummation of the merger, the merger agreement and
the warrant agreement under which the Guzzi Corp. warrants were issued provides
that each Guzzi Corp. warrant will be exercisable for such number of shares of
NAAC Class A Common Stock and nominal warrants at an exercise price of $4.00, as
adjusted, as would have been obtained if such Guzzi Corp. warrant had been
exercised immediately prior to the merger and the remaining terms and provisions
of the Guzzi Corp. warrant will continue in full force and effect, with NAAC
having replaced Guzzi Corp. in the warrant agreement. The Guzzi Corp. warrants
and the underlying securities are not now and will not be registered for resales
in the public securities markets, but the holders of the Guzzi Corp. warrants
have demand and "piggyback" registration rights for the underlying securities
issuable on exercise as set forth in the warrant agreement under which the Guzzi
Corp. warrants were issued.
TERMS OF THE WARRANT EXCHANGE; PERIOD FOR TENDERING
NAAC is offering to exchange each Guzzi Corp. warrant for .145326 share of
NAAC Class A common stock and a nominal warrant to purchase .02768 share of NAAC
Class A common stock. The expiration date of the warrant exchange will be
March 30, 1999, unless the warrant exchange is extended without further notice
in the sole discretion of NAAC, in which case the expiration date will be the
latest date and time to which the warrant exchange is extended. Tenders of the
Guzzi Corp. warrants may not be withdrawn. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus and in the agreement
which holders of Guzzi Corp. warrants will execute as part of the warrant
exchange, NAAC will exchange and cancel each Guzzi Corp. warrant properly
tendered on or prior to the expiration date.
NAAC reserves the right to amend or terminate the warrant exchange and not
to accept for exchange any Guzzi Corp. warrants not accepted upon the occurrence
of any of the conditions of the exchange offer (see "Certain Conditions to the
Warrant Exchange"). If the exchange offer is terminated, the Guzzi Corp.
warrants not accepted for exchange and cancellation will be returned without
expense to the tendering holder as promptly as practicable. NAAC will give
prompt written notice of any amendment, non-acceptance, or termination to the
registered holder of the Guzzi Corp. warrants.
Acceptance of the warrant exchange by one or more of the holders of the
Guzzi Corp. warrants is not a condition to the merger.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING GUZZI CORP. WARRANTS
The tender by a holder of any Guzzi Corp. warrants and the acceptance of a
tender by NAAC will constitute a binding agreement between the tendering holder
and NAAC upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this proxy
statement/prospectus and in the conversion agreement. A holder who wishes to
tender Guzzi Corp. warrants for exchange and cancellation must transmit the
Guzzi Corp. warrants, together with a properly completed and duly executed
conversion agreement, to NAAC, or to Trident Rowan for delivery to NAAC, at Two
Worlds Fair Drive, Somerset, N.J., on or prior to the expiration of the warrant
exchange. The method of delivery of the Guzzi Corp. warrants, letters of
transmittal, and all other required documents is at the election and risk of the
holders. If such delivery is by mail, it is recommended that registered mail,
properly insured, with return receipt requested, be used. In all cases,
sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely delivery.
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All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance, and withdrawal of the Guzzi Corp. warrants tendered for
exchange and cancellation will be determined jointly by NAAC and Trident Rowan.
NAAC and Trident Rowan, jointly, reserve the sole right to reject any and all
tenders of any of the Guzzi Corp. warrants. NAAC and Trident Rowan also jointly
reserve the sole right to waive any defects or irregularities in the tender or
conditions of the warrant exchange. The interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the warrant exchange by NAAC and Trident Rowan shall be final and
binding on all parties. Any defects or irregularities must be cured within the
time NAAC and Trident Rowan determine. Neither NAAC, Trident Rowan nor any other
person shall be under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities
with respect to tenders of Guzzi Corp. warrants for exchange and cancellation,
nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
Tenders of the Guzzi Corp. warrants will not be deemed to have been made until
irregularities have been cured or waived.
If any conversion agreement, endorsement, or other document is signed by a
trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a
corporation, or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
that person should indicate that status when signing, and unless waived by NAAC
or Trident Rowan, proper evidence satisfactory to NAAC or Trident Rowan of the
person's authority to so act must be submitted.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE GUZZI CORP. WARRANTS FOR EXCHANGE AND CANCELLATION; DELIVERY
OF WARRANTS
After the merger and upon satisfaction or waiver of all other conditions to
the warrant exchange, NAAC promptly will issue the shares of NAAC Class A Common
Stock and nominal warrants in exchange for the Guzzi Corp. warrants.
If any tendered Guzzi Corp. warrants are not accepted for any reason set
forth in the terms and conditions of the warrant exchange or if less than all of
the Guzzi Corp. warrants are submitted by a holder for exchange and
cancellation, such unaccepted Guzzi Corp. warrants will be returned without
expense to the tendering warrant holder as promptly as practicable after the
rejection of tender or the expiration date.
CONDITIONS TO THE WARRANT EXCHANGE
Under no circumstances will NAAC be required to accept for exchange, or to
issue the NAAC Class A Common Stock and nominal warrants in exchange for, any
Guzzi Corp. warrants if the merger agreement is terminated.
In addition, NAAC will not accept for exchange any Guzzi Corp. warrants
tendered, and no securities of NAAC will be issued in exchange for any such
Guzzi Corp. warrants if, at such time, any stop order shall be threatened or in
effect with respect to the registration statement of which this proxy
statement/prospectus is a part.
FEES AND EXPENSES
NAAC will not make any payments to brokers, dealers, or others soliciting
acceptances of the warrant exchange.
TRANSFER TAXES
NAAC will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of
Guzzi Corp. warrants pursuant to the warrant exchange. If, however, tendered
Guzzi Corp. warrants are registered in the name of any person other than the
person signing the letter of transmittal or if a transfer tax is imposed for any
reason other than the exchange of Guzzi Corp. warrants pursuant to the warrant
exchange, the amount of any such transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered
holder or any other person) will be payable by the tendering holder. If
satisfactory evidence of payment of such tax or exemption therefrom is not
submitted, the amount of such transfer tax will be billed directly to such
tendering holder.
INTERCOMPANY DEBT EXCHANGE
If the merger is consummated, Trident Rowan and OAM will contribute to the
capital of Guzzi Corp. the outstanding balances of intercompany loans to Guzzi
Corp. of Lit. 12,919 million, plus interest due from January 1, 1998. At
September 30, 1998, the intercompany debt was approximately
Lit. 13,404 million. Trident Rowan and OAM will also contribute any amount of
intercompany payables due to them by Guzzi
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Corp. and subsidiaries in excess of $800,000 other than the Lit. 3 billion loan
made by OAM to Moto Guzzi on October 1, 1998 for working capital purposes. In
consideration for the contributions, Trident Rowan and OAM will be issued an
aggregate of 871,953 shares of NAAC Class A Common Stock and nominal warrants to
purchase 166,080 shares of NAAC Class A Common Stock. The remaining intercompany
debt of up to $800,000 and the Lit. 3 billion loan from OAM will be paid
promptly after the merger. Additionally, a bank line of credit to Moto Guzzi of
up to Lit. 3 billion, obtained in October 1998, and secured and guaranteed by
OAM, will be repaid promptly after the merger.
SELLING STOCKHOLDER
In connection with the merger, NAAC entered into a fee agreement with
Graubard Mollen & Miller, its legal counsel, to pay a portion of its fees by
issuing shares of NAAC Class A Common Stock. NAAC has registered these shares
for resale on the registration statement of which this proxy
statement/prospectus is a part. Graubard Mollen & Miller possesses sole voting
and investment power with respect to the shares of NAAC Class A Common Stock
shown on the table below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES AFTER OFFERING
BENEFICIALLY --------------------------------
OWNED PRIOR TO NUMBER OF SHARES NUMBER OF SHARES
NAME OFFERING TO BE SOLD BENEFICIALLY OWNED % OF CLASS
- -------------------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ------------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Graubard Mollen & Miller 30,000 30,000 -0- -0-
</TABLE>
The shares of NAAC Class A common stock may be offered and sold from time
to time by Graubard Mollen & Miller as market conditions permit in the
over-the-counter market, or otherwise, at prices and terms then prevailing or at
prices related to the then current market price, or in negotiated transactions.
The shares of NAAC Class A common stock may be sold by one or more of the
following methods, without limitation: (1) a block trade in which a broker or
dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and
resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;
(2) purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or
dealer for its account pursuant to this proxy statement/prospectus;
(3) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
solicits purchases; and (4) face-to-face transactions between sellers and
purchasers without a broker/dealer. In effecting sales, brokers or dealers
engaged by Graubard Mollen & Miller (including Allen & Company) may arrange for
other brokers or dealers to participate. Such brokers or dealers may receive
commissions or discounts from Graubard Mollen & Miller in amounts to be
negotiated. These brokers and dealers and any other participating brokers or
dealers may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities
Act, in connection with such sales. From time to time, Graubard Mollen & Miller
may pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in some or all of the
securities owned by them, and the pledgees, secured parties or persons to whom
such securities have been hypothecated shall, upon foreclosure in the event of a
default, be deemed to be a selling stockholder for purposes hereof.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Moto Guzzi Corp. as of December
31, 1997 and 1996, have been audited by Arthur Andersen, LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are included
herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said
report.
The financial statements of NAAC as of August 31, 1998 and for each of the
periods then ended have been audited by BDO Seidman, LLP, independent certified
public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto (which
contains an explanatory paragraph regarding NAAC's ability to continue as a
going concern), and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving such report.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the merger and the tax
consequences to the holders of Guzzi Corp. securities will be passed upon by
Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein LLP, counsel to Guzzi Corp. Certain legal
matters in connection with the merger and the validity of the securities offered
hereby will be passed upon by Graubard Mollen & Millen, counsel to NAAC.
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The portions of this proxy statement/prospectus that relate to future
plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements. The words
"anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "plan," "intend" and similar
expressions identify some of these statements. Actual results, events or
performance may differ materially. Investors are cautioned that all such
statements involve risks and uncertainties, including (1) the need for
additional financing to achieve sales growth goals, (2) the acceptability of the
products and services of Guzzi Corp. in an intensely competitive marketplace,
(3) the ability of Guzzi Corp. timely to deliver current and new products of
acceptable quality, (4) relationships with domestic and foreign distributors,
(5) the impact of changes in world currency rates compared to the Italian lire,
(6) domestic labor relations, and (7) general economic conditions. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus. NAAC undertakes no
obligation to release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking
statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of
this proxy statement/prospectus, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any NAAC stockholder who wishes to submit a proposal for presentation to
the 1999 annual meeting of stockholders must submit the proposal to North
Atlantic Acquisition Corp., 5 East 59th Street, New York, New York 10022,
Attention: President, no later than September 20, 1999, for inclusion, if
appropriate, in NAAC's proxy statement and the form of proxy relating to the
1999 annual meeting. NAAC reserves the right to exclude any proposal which does
not meet all requirements for inclusion established by the commission in effect
at that time.
Stockholders are advised that management will be permitted to exercise
discretionary voting authority under proxies it solicits and obtains for the
1999 annual meeting of stockholders with respect to any proposal presented by a
stockholder at such meeting, without any discussion of the proposal in the
company's proxy statement for such meeting, unless the company receives notice
of such proposal at its principal office in New York, New York not later than
November 27, 1999.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are
available to the public over the internet at the commission's web site at
http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the
commission's public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549. These documents are also available at the public reference rooms at the
commission's regional offices in New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois.
Please call the commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the
public reference rooms.
The commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we
file with it. This means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
an important part of this proxy statement/prospectus, and information that we
file later with the commission will automatically update and supersede this
information. This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates by reference our
documents listed below and any future filings we make with the commission under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until
all the securities discussed in this proxy statement/prospectus are sold by NAAC
or the selling shareholder.
o Annual Report on Form 10-KSB (as amended) for the year ended August 31,
1998
o Quarterly Report on Form 10-KSB for the quarter ended November 30, 1998.
o Current Report on Form 8-K for the event dated December 3, 1998,
reporting the first amendment to the merger agreement.
By Order of the board of directors,
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
C. THOMAS MCMILLEN
Secretary
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NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 1998 AND 1997
AND THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997 (UNAUDITED)
F-1
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----------
<S> <C>
Report of independent certified public accountants................................................. F-3
Financial statements:
Balance sheet as of August 31, 1998 and November 30, 1998 (unaudited)............................ F-4
Statements of operations for the years ended August 31, 1998 and 1997 and the three months ended
November 30, 1998 and 1997 (unaudited)........................................................ F-5
Statements of stockholders' equity for the years ended August 31, 1998 and 1997 and the three
months ended November 30, 1998 (unaudited).................................................... F-6
Statements of cash flows for the years ended August 31, 1998 and 1997 and the three months ended
November 30, 1998 and 1997 (unaudited)........................................................ F-7
Notes to financial statements.................................................................... F-9 - F-14
</TABLE>
F-2
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
North Atlantic Acquisition Corp.
New York, New York
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of North Atlantic Acquisition
Corp. (formerly Orion Acquisition Corp. I) (a corporation in the development
stage) as of August 31, 1998, and the related statements of operations,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended August 31, 1998 and
1997, and the period September 1, 1995 (date of inception) to August 31, 1998.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of North Atlantic Acquisition
Corp. as of August 31, 1998, and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for the years ended August 31, 1998 and 1997, and the period September 1,
1995 (date of inception) to August 31, 1998, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Notes 1 and 2 to the
financial statements, the Company is unable to use escrow funds to pay general
and administrative expenses and merger costs. Currently, the Company has
insufficient funds to pay its liabilities and its future general and
administrative expenses and merger costs, nor has the Company completed its
pending merger (see Note 3). These factors raise substantial doubt about the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do
not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.
BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
New York, New York
October 12, 1998
F-3
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOVEMBER 30, AUGUST 31,
1998 1998
------------ ----------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current:
Cash................................................................................. $ 691 $ 1,079
Cash held in escrow.................................................................. 324 324
Investment in United States Government Treasury securities held in escrow
(Notes 2 and 5)................................................................... 8,557,526 8,408,801
Deferred merger costs................................................................ 215,000 105,000
---------- ----------
$8,773,541 $8,515,204
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Accrued expenses..................................................................... $ 350,027 $ 174,496
---------- ----------
Total liabilities................................................................. 350,027 174,496
---------- ----------
Commitments (Note 6)
Common stock subject to possible redemption, 160,000 shares at redemption value
(Note 2)............................................................................. 1,711,570 1,681,825
Stockholders' equity (Notes 1, 2, 4 and 8):
Convertible preferred stock, $.01 par value--shares authorized 1,000,000, outstanding
94; liquidation value--$9,400..................................................... 1 1
Subscription receivable.............................................................. (100) (100)
Class A common stock, $.01 par value--shares authorized 10,000,000; outstanding
906,000........................................................................... 9,060 9,060
Class B common stock, $.01 par value--shares authorized 250,000; issued and
outstanding 150,000............................................................... 1,500 1,500
Additional paid-in capital........................................................... 6,586,948 6,586,948
Retained earnings during the development stage....................................... 114,535 61,474
---------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity........................................................ 6,711,944 6,658,883
---------- ----------
$8,773,541 $8,515,204
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD FROM
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 1, 1995
NOVEMBER 30, YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, (INCEPTION) TO
--------------------------- ---------------------- NOVEMBER 30,
1998 1997 1998 1997 1998
----------- ----------- ---------- -------- -----------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income...................... $ 148,750 $ 105,000 $ 411,393 $ -- $ 560,143
General and administrative expenses
and debt costs..................... 40,944 11,000 133,089 38,920 244,038
Income taxes......................... 25,000 -- 65,000 -- 90,000
----------- ----------- ---------- -------- ---------
Net income (loss).................... $ 82,806 94,000 $ 213,304 $(38,920) $ 226,105
----------- ----------- ---------- -------- ---------
----------- ----------- ---------- -------- ---------
Net income (loss) per common
share--Basic and diluted........... $ .08 $ .09 $ .20 $ (.33)
----------- ----------- ---------- --------
----------- ----------- ---------- --------
Weighted average common shares
outstanding........................ 1,056,000 1,056,000 1,056,000 119,014
----------- ----------- ---------- --------
----------- ----------- ---------- --------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RETAINED
PREFERRED CLASS A CLASS B EARNINGS
STOCK COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL DURING THE TOTAL
-------------- SUBSCRIPTION --------------- --------------- PAID-IN DEVELOPMENT STOCKHOLDERS'
SHARES AMOUNT RECEIVABLE SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL STAGE EQUITY
------ ------ ------------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ------------ ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Issuance of founders'
shares............. -- $ -- $ -- 86,000 $ 860 -- $ -- $ 7,740 $ -- $ 8,600
Sale of common
stock............ -- -- -- 20,000 200 -- -- 44,800 -- 45,000
Subscription
receivable....... 94 1 (9,400) -- -- -- -- 9,399 -- --
Net loss........... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (31,085) (31,085)
-- ---- -------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------------ --------- -----------
Balance, August 31,
1996............... 94 1 (9,400) 106,000 1,060 -- -- 61,939 (31,085) 22,515
Net loss........... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (38,920) (38,920)
Sale of common
stock, net....... -- -- -- 800,000 8,000 150,000 1,500 8,125,009 -- 8,134,509
Reclassification to
redeemable common
stock............ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (1,600,000) -- (1,600,000)
-- ---- -------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------------ --------- -----------
Balance, August 31,
1997............... 94 1 (9,400) 906,000 9,060 150,000 1,500 6,586,948 (70,005) 6,518,104
Subscription
paid............. -- -- 9,300 -- -- -- -- -- -- 9,300
Net income......... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 213,304 213,304
Accretion to
redemption value
of common stock.. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (81,825) (81,825)
-- ---- -------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------------ --------- -----------
Balance, August 31,
1998............... 94 $ 1 $ (100) 906,000 $9,060 150,000 $1,500 $ 6,586,948 $ 61,474 $ 6,658,883
-- ---- -------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------------ --------- -----------
Net income
(unaudited)........ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 82,806 82,806
Accretion to
redemption value of
common stock
(unaudited)........ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (29,745) (29,745)
Balance, November 30,
1998............... 94 $ 1 $ (100) 906,000 $9,060 150,000 $1,500 $ 6,586,948 $ 114,535 $ 6,711,944
-- ---- -------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------------ --------- -----------
-- ---- -------- ------- ------ ------- ------ ------------ --------- -----------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
NOVEMBER 30,
---------------------------
1998 1997
------------ -----------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)................................................................ $ 82,806 $ 94,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Amortization of deferred debt costs........................................... --
Amortization of discount on notes payable..................................... --
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accrued expenses............................................................ 175,531 (49,332)
Interest on receivable on investments....................................... (106,725) (105,000)
------------ -----------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES...................... 151,612 (60,332)
------------ -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of treasury securities in escrow........................................ (6,520,000) --
Sale of treasury securities in escrow............................................ 6,478,000 --
Decrease (increase) in cash held in escrow....................................... -- --
------------ -----------
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES.................................... (42,000) --
------------ -----------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of common stock............................................... --
Subscription paid................................................................ 9,300
Deferred costs:
Registration.................................................................. --
Merger costs.................................................................. (110,000) --
Debt.......................................................................... --
Repayment of notes payable.................................................... (100,000)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable.......................................... --
------------ -----------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES...................... (110,000) (90,700)
------------ -----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH.................................................... (388) (151,032)
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD.......................................................... 1,079 400,535
------------ -----------
CASH, END OF PERIOD................................................................ $ 691 $ 249,503
------------ -----------
------------ -----------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES FOR CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for:
Interest...................................................................... $ -- $ --
Taxes......................................................................... -- --
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-7
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD FROM
SEPTEMBER 1, 1995
YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, (INCEPTION) TO
--------------------------- NOVEMBER 30,
1998 1997 1998
------------ ----------- -----------------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)............................................. $ 213,304 $ (38,920) $ 226,105
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Amortization of deferred debt costs........................ -- -- 9,800
Amortization of discount on notes payable.................. -- 17,088 35,000
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accrued expenses......................................... (7,935) 84,332 111,928
Interest on receivable on investments.................... (271,654) -- (230,280)
------------ ----------- -------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES... (66,285) 62,500 142,553
------------ ----------- -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of treasury securities in escrow..................... (10,635,874) (7,998,324) (25,154,198)
Sale of treasury securities in escrow......................... 10,497,051 -- 16,973,375
Decrease (increase) in cash held in escrow.................... 1,352 (1,676) 1,352
------------ ----------- -------------
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES................. (137,471) (8,000,000) (8,179,471)
------------ ----------- -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of common stock............................ -- 8,134,509 8,188,109
Subscription paid............................................. 9,300 -- 9,300
Deferred costs:
Registration............................................... -- 177,792 90,000
merger costs............................................... (105,000) -- (215,000)
Debt....................................................... -- -- (9,800)
Repayment of notes payable................................. (100,000) -- (100,000)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable....................... -- -- 65,000
------------ ----------- -------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES... (195,700) 8,312,301 8,027,609
------------ ----------- -------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH................................. (399,456) 374,801 691
CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD....................................... 400,535 25,734 --
------------ ----------- -------------
CASH, END OF PERIOD............................................. $ 1,079 $ 400,535 691
------------ ----------- -------------
------------ ----------- -------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES FOR CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for:
Interest................................................... $ -- $ -- $ --
Taxes...................................................... -- -- --
</TABLE>
In fiscal 1996, the Company received a note for subscribed preferred stock
amounting to $9,400, which is a noncash financing activity.
In fiscal 1996, the Company has recorded a $90,000 liability relating to
the purchase of a license agreement, which is a noncash financing activity.
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-8
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the
Company will continue as a going concern which contemplates the consummation of
the pending merger (see Note 3). If the pending merger is not consummated, the
Company will be unable to pay its liabilities and its future general and
administrative expenses and merger costs.
Management cannot be assured that the Company will be able to continue as a
going concern due to the uncertainty in completing the pending merger. The
Company's continued existence is dependent upon its ability to complete the
pending merger.
The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result
from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Income Taxes
North Atlantic Acquisition Corp. (the "Company" or "NAAC") follows
Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 109 Accounting for
Income Taxes. This statement requires that deferred income taxes be recorded
following the liability method of accounting and be adjusted periodically when
income tax rates change.
Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Interim Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements as of November 30, 1998 and for the
three months ended November 30, 1998 and 1997 are presented as unaudited. In the
opinion of management, these financial statements include all adjustments
necessary to present fairly the information set forth therein. These adjustments
consist solely of normal recurring accruals. The interim results of operations
for the three months ended November 30, 1998 and 1997 are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or for any other
interim period.
Earnings Per Share
During 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share," which provides for
the calculation of "basic" and "diluted" earnings per share. This Statement,
effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after December 15,
1997, requires restatement of all prior-period EPS data presented. Basic
earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing income
available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect, in periods in
which they have a dilutive effect, the effect of common shares issuable upon
exercise of stock options. All periods presented have been restated to comply
with the provisions of SFAS No. 128.
F-9
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
Basic and diluted net earnings/loss per share are based upon the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings/loss per share did
not include the assumed exercise of common stock options and warrants because
the effect was anti-dilutive.
Accounting for Stock-based Compensation
In October 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-based
Compensation". Beginning in 1996, SFAS No. 123 requires expanded disclosures of
stock-based compensation arrangements with employees and encourages, but does
not require, the recognition of employee compensation expense related to stock
compensation based on the fair value of the equity instrument granted. Companies
that do not adopt the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 and
continue to follow the existing APB Opinion No. 25 rules to recognize and
measure compensation will be required to disclose the pro forma amounts of net
income and earnings per share that would have been reported had the Company
elected to follow the fair value recognition rules of SFAS No. 123. The Company
has elected to continue to use the intrinsic value-based method of APB Opinion
No. 25, and has adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123.
2. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
The Company was incorporated in Delaware on August 9, 1995 to acquire an
operating business. Operations did not occur until September; accordingly,
financial statements have been presented commencing on September 1, 1995.
The Registration Statement for the Company's Initial Public Offering (the
"offering") became effective August 22, 1997. The Company consummated the
Offering on August 27, 1997 and raised net proceeds of approximately $8,100,000
(see Note 4). The Company's management has broad discretion with respect to the
specific application of the net proceeds of this Offering, although
substantially all of the net proceeds of this Offering are intended to be
generally applied toward consummating a business combination (see Note 3) with
an operating business ("business combination"). There is no assurance that the
Company will be able to successfully effect a business combination. An aggregate
of $8,000,000 of the net proceeds was placed in an escrow account which has been
invested in short-term United States Government Securities, including treasury
bills and cash and cash equivalents ("proceeds escrow account"), subject to
release at the earlier of (i) consummation of its first business combination or
(ii) redemption of the Class A stock (see below). The remaining proceeds from
the offering will be used to pay for business, legal and accounting, due
diligence on prospective acquisitions, costs relating to the public offering and
continuing general and administrative expenses in addition to other expenses.
The Company, prior to the consummation of any business combination, will
submit such transaction to the Company's stockholders for their approval, even
if the nature of the acquisition is such as would not ordinarily require
stockholder approval under applicable state law. All of the Company's prior
stockholders, including all directors and the Company's executive officers, have
agreed to vote their respective shares of Class A stock in accordance with the
vote of the majority of the shares voted by all other stockholders of the
Company ("nonaffiliated public stockholders") with respect to any such business
combination. A business combination will not be consummated unless approved by a
vote of two-thirds of the shares of common stock owned by nonaffiliated public
stockholders.
At the time the Company seeks stockholder approval of any potential
business combination, the Company will offer ("redemption offer") each of the
nonaffiliated public Class A stockholders the right, for a specified period of
time not less than 20 calendar days, to redeem his shares of Class A stock. The
per share redemption price will be determined by dividing the amount in the
proceeds escrow account (including all interest earned
F-10
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
2. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS--(CONTINUED)
thereon) by the number of shares of Class A stock held by such nonaffiliated
public stockholders. In connection with the redemption offer, if nonaffiliated
public stockholders holding less than 20% or 160,000 shares of the Class A stock
elect to redeem their shares, the Company may proceed with such business
combination. If nonaffiliated public stockholders holding 20% or more of the
Class A stock elect to redeem their shares, the Company will not proceed with
such potential business combination and will not redeem such shares.
Accordingly, a portion of the net proceeds from the Offering (20% of the cash
and treasury securities held in escrow) has been classified as common stock
subject to possible redemption in the accompanying balance sheet at the
estimated value.
Class A stock subject to possible redemption are carried at redemption
value and are presented outside of stockholders' equity. Changes in the carrying
value of these shares are charged or credited directly to stockholders' equity.
All shares of the escrowed stock outstanding immediately prior to the date
of the offering have been placed in escrow until the earlier of (i) the
occurrence of the first business combination, (ii) 18 months from the effective
date of the offering or (iii) 24 months from the effective date of the offering
(August 22, 1999) if prior to the expiration of such 18 month period the Company
has become a party to a letter of intent or a definitive agreement to effect a
business combination, in which case such period shall be extended six months.
During the escrow period, the holders of escrowed shares of Class A stock will
not be able to sell or otherwise transfer their respective shares of Class A
stock (with certain exceptions), but will retain all other rights as
stockholders of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to vote
escrowed shares of Class A stock, subject to their agreement to vote their
shares in accordance with a vote of a majority of the shares voted by
nonaffiliated public stockholders with respect to a business combination or
liquidation proposal.
If the Company does not effect a business combination within 18 months from
the effective date or 24 months from the effective date if the extension
criteria have been satisfied, the Company will distribute the amount held in the
escrow account to all non-affiliated public stockholders in respect of their
Class A stock. The Class A stock of the affiliated stockholders will be
cancelled. After the redemption and cancellation of the Class A stock, the
assets of NAAC, if any, will be used to pay its liabilities and redeem the
outstanding Series A preferred stock at its liquidation value. Thereafter each
outstanding share of Class B stock will be exchanged for two shares of Class A
stock and the holders will be the stockholders of a public shell.
3. PENDING MERGER
On August 18, 1998, the Company, Moto Guzzi Corp., a Delaware corporation
("Guzzi Corp."), and for certain provisions, Trident Rowan Group, Inc., a
Maryland corporation ("Trident Rowan"), entered into a definitive Agreement and
Plan of Merger and Reorganization, as amended ("merger agreement"), pursuant to
which Guzzi Corp. would merge with and into NAAC, with NAAC being the surviving
corporation ("merger"). Trident Rowan and its partially-owned subsidiary, O.A.M.
S.p.A. together own all the outstanding common stock of Guzzi Corp. Guzzi Corp.,
is a leading Italian manufacturer, marketer and distributor of performance and
luxury motorcycles and motorcycles parts, marketed under the "Moto
Guzzi(Registered)" brand name.
The merger will be treated as a reverse acquisition of the Company by Guzzi
Corp. In a reverse acquisition, the shareholders of NAAC will own, after the
merger, less than 50% of the post-merger shares. The shareholders of Guzzi Corp.
will receive approximately 76.4% of the post-merger shares of the Company,
excluding any shares of the Company's Class A common stock issuable upon
exercise of any options or warrants, and Guzzi Corp. , therefore, will be the
accounting acquirer. The cost of the acquisition of the Company will be based on
the fair value of the Company's assets and liabilities as of the date of the
merger (which amounts approximate book
F-11
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
3. PENDING MERGER--(CONTINUED)
value). The Company anticipates completing the merger by February 1, 1999. The
merger is subject to shareholder approval and certain other conditions.
4. PUBLIC OFFERING
On August 27, 1997, the Company sold 800,000 units ("units") in the
Offering and 150,000 shares of Class B exchangeable common stock. Each unit
consists of one share of the Company's Class A common stock and one Class A
redeemable common stock purchase warrant ("Class A warrant"). Each Class A
warrant entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one share of Class A
stock at an exercise price of $9.00; each Class B stock entitles the holder to
receive two units in exchange 90 days after the date of a business combination.
The Class A warrants are redeemable, as a class, in whole and not in part, at a
price of $.05 per warrant upon 30 days' notice at any time provided that the
Company's stockholders have approved a business combination and the last sale
price of the Class A stock has been $11.00 or higher for 10 of the trading days
prior to the day on which the Company gives notice of redemption.
Concurrent with the offering, the Company amended and restated its
certificate of incorporation to increase its authorized common stock to
10,250,000 shares, of which 10,000,000 shares are designated Class A stock and
250,000 shares are designated Class B stock. The Company also increased its
authorized preferred stock to 1,000,000 shares.
5. UNITED STATES TREASURY SECURITIES HELD IN ESCROW
Treasury securities held in escrow at August 31, 1998 consist of the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MATURITY INTEREST MATURITY
COST AMOUNT RATE DATE
---------- ---------- -------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Treasury bill......................................... $6,423,585 $6,478,000 5.23% October 22, 1998
Treasury note......................................... 1,985,216 2,018,000 5.00 February 15, 1999
---------- ---------- ----
Total treasury securities held in escrow......... $8,408,801 $8,496,000
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
</TABLE>
At August 31, 1998, the cost of each of the above-listed treasury
securities approximated its market value.
6. COMMITMENTS
The Company has entered into an oral agreement with David J. Mitchell,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, to lease office space, as well as certain
office and secretarial services. The Company pays $2,500 per month to
Mr. Mitchell for such services. The expense was $30,000 and $20,000 for 1998 and
1997, respectively.
7. INCOME TAXES
The fiscal 1998 income tax provision of $65,000 is net of a benefit of
$27,000 due to the utilization of the prior years net operating loss
carryforwards. The tax expense consists of federal current income taxes.
8. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(a) Private Placement
In November 1995, the Company completed a private offering to a limited
group of investors which consisted, in the aggregate, of $100,000 in unsecured
promissory notes bearing interest at 8% per annum. The notes were payable upon
the earlier of May 1998 or the completion of an initial public offering. As of
August 31,
F-12
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
8. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY--(CONTINUED)
1998, the notes, together with accrued interest, were repaid. In addition, the
Company also issued to the private placement investors 20,000 shares of common
stock for $10,000. The notes were recorded at a discount of $35,000 for
financial reporting purposes as a result of additional fair value attributed to
the common stock issued to the private placement shareholders. The effective
interest rate on the notes was approximately 45%.
(b) Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of "blank check"
preferred stock with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences
as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors.
The Company has outstanding 94 shares of Series A preferred stock, owned by
CDIJ Capital Partners, L.P., an indirect affiliate of Bright Licensing Corp. The
purchase price for such shares, $100.00 per share or $9,400 in the aggregate, is
payable to the Company, without interest, upon the earlier of November 15, 1996
or the closing of the offering. As of August 31, 1998, $9,300 has been received
by the Company. The Series A preferred stock is nonvoting, does not bear a
dividend and has a liquidation value of $100.00 per share. Each share of Series
A preferred stock will be convertible into 1,000 shares of common stock for a
period one year following the consummation of a business combination. In the
event that a business combination does not occur within 18 months from the
effective date or 24 months from the effective date if the extension criteria
are satisfied, the Series A preferred stock will be redeemed by the Company for
its liquidation value.
(c) Options
The Company granted options to purchase 100,000 units to the founders, in
consideration for their service as directors, and officers of the Company. The
options are exercisable for a period of three years from the date of a business
combination at an exercise price of $12.50 per unit. The options are fully
vested. The shares issuable upon exercise of the options and underlying warrants
may not be sold or otherwise transferred until 120 days after the first business
combination.
In October 1996, the Company cancelled the 100,000 options and granted
additional options to purchase 133,333.3 units to the Company's two new
directors and to a founder. The options are exercisable for a period of three
(3) years from the date of a business combination at an exercise price of $12.50
per unit.
The Company has granted options to purchase 30,000 shares of the Company's
Class B stock to two directors at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. The
options will expire, if not sooner exercised, upon consummation of a business
combination.
On July 23, 1998, the Company adopted the 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "1998
Plan"), subject to stockholder approval and consummation of the merger. The 1998
Plan provides for the grant of options to purchase up to an aggregate of
1,250,000 shares of the Company's Class A common stock to be made to employees,
officers, directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries after
the merger. An aggregate of 900,000 of such options will be granted at the
effective time of the merger. The 1998 Plan provides both for incentive stock
options ("incentive options"), and for options not qualifying as incentive
options ("nonqualified options"). The Company's board of directors or a board
committee will determine the exercise price for each share of the Company's
Class A common stock purchasable under an incentive or nonqualified option
(collectively "options"). The exercise price of a nonqualified option may be
less than 100% of the fair market value on the last trading day before the date
of the grant. The exercise price of an incentive option may not be less than
100% of the fair market value on the last trading day before the date of grant
(or, in the case of an incentive option granted to a person possessing at the
time of grant more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company, not less than 110% of such fair market value). Options may
only be
F-13
<PAGE>
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
(FORMERLY ORION ACQUISITION CORP. I)
(A CORPORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT STAGE)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
8. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY--(CONTINUED)
granted within a ten-year period commencing on July 23, 1998 and incentive
options may only be exercised within ten years of the date of the grant (or
within five years in the case of an incentive option granted to a person who, at
the time of the grant, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of its parent or any
subsidiary).
The 1998 Plan for Outside Directors provides for the grant of non-incentive
options to purchase up to an aggregate of 400,000 shares of the Company's
Class A common stock, to the non-employee directors of the Company, each grant
to be on the effective date of the merger and on each January 2, beginning
January 2, 2000, of options to purchase 12,500 shares of Company's Class A
common stock. The options will expire upon the earlier of ten years following
date of grant or three months following the date on which the grantee ceases to
serve as a director.
(d) Warrants
Class A warrants entitle the holder to purchase one share of Class A common
stock at a price of $9.00 per share. These warrants will become separable and
transferable and can be redeemed by the Company at a price of $.05 per warrant
any time after the consummation of a business combination.
The underwriters engaged by the Company in the offering received a warrant
to purchase 80,000 shares of Class A common stock with 80,000 Class A warrants,
at an exercise price of $11.00 per share and warrant and to purchase 15,000
shares of Class B common stock for $11.00 per share.
Upon closing of the pending merger the Company will issue a warrant to
Allen & Company (Fairness Opinion) to purchase 350,000 shares of Class A common
stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. The warrant may be exercisable
at any time prior to July 1, 2003.
F-14
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP.
AUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 1995
F-15
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----------
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants........................................................... F-17
Consolidated Balance Sheets--Assets................................................................ F-18
Consolidated Balance Sheets--Liabilities and Shareholders' (Deficit)/Equity........................ F-18
Consolidated Statements of Operations.............................................................. F-19
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity/(Deficit)............................... F-20
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.............................................................. F-21
F-22 -
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements......................................................... F-30
</TABLE>
F-16
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
of Moto Guzzi Corp.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Moto Guzzi
Corp., a Delaware holding company, and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and
1996, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders'
equity and cash flows for the years then ended, expressed in Italian Lire. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Moto Guzzi Corp. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN
Milan, Italy July 16, 1998
F-17
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
-------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents................................................. $ 3,591 Lit. 6,352 Lit. 2,210
Receivables............................................................... 13,254 23,446 27,017
Trade, less allowance of Lit. 1,903 (1996, Lit. 1,065).................. 7,596 13,437 24,202
Receivables from related parties........................................ 3,162 5,594 217
Other receivables....................................................... 2,496 4,415 2,598
Inventories............................................................... 22,222 39,311 30,741
Raw material, spare parts and work-in-progress.......................... 12,944 22,898 21,275
Finished products....................................................... 9,278 16,413 9,466
Prepaid expenses.......................................................... 68 120 255
-------- ----------- -----------
CURRENT ASSETS............................................................ 39,135 69,229 60,223
-------- ----------- -----------
Property, plant and equipment............................................. 8,109 14,345 12,483
Land.................................................................... 424 750 750
Buildings............................................................... 1,495 2,644 2,554
Machinery and equipment................................................. 19,050 33,699 31,567
-------- ----------- -----------
20,968 37,093 34,871
Less allowances for depreciation........................................ (12,859) (22,748) (22,388)
-------- ----------- -----------
Goodwill, net of amortization of Lit. 104 (1996, Lit. 52)................. 89 158 210
Other assets.............................................................. 544 962 815
-------- ----------- -----------
ASSETS.................................................................... $47,877 Lit. 84,694 Lit. 73,731
-------- ----------- -----------
-------- ----------- -----------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Advances from banks....................................................... $15,456 Lit. 27,341 Lit. 21,801
Current portion of long-term debt......................................... 945 1,671 1,372
Accounts payable.......................................................... 13,401 23,707 19,592
Amounts due to related parties............................................ 596 1,055 411
Accrued expenses and other payables....................................... 3,340 5,907 6,416
-------- ----------- -----------
CURRENT LIABILITIES....................................................... 33,737 59,681 49,592
-------- ----------- -----------
Long-term debt, less current portion...................................... 2,729 4,828 5,629
Loans from parent company and affiliates.................................. 7,303 12,919 4,659
Termination indemnities................................................... 4,525 8,003 7,154
Preferred stock subject to redemption..................................... 6,574 11,629 5,101
SHAREHOLDERS' (DEFICIT)/EQUITY............................................ (6,991) (12,366) 1,596
Series "A" preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; Authorized
1,500,000 shares, 1,500,000 (1996, 978,125) shares issued and
outstanding.......................................................... -- -- --
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; Authorized 20,000,000
shares, 6,000,000 (1996, 6,000,000) shares issued and outstanding.... 51 91 91
Additional paid in capital.............................................. 1,665 2,945 2,945
Accretion expense and related foreign exchange.......................... (2,032) (3,595) --
Cumulative translation adjustment....................................... 127 225 23
Accumulated deficit..................................................... (6,802) (12,032) (1,463)
-------- ----------- -----------
$47,877 Lit. 84,694 Lit. 73,731
-------- ----------- -----------
-------- ----------- -----------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-18
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996, AND 1995 (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996 1995
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M. LIRE M.
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
UNAUDITED
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales................................ $ 45,781 Lit. 80,987 Lit. 77,620 Lit. 64,671
Cost of sales............................ (40,403) (71,473) (65,755) (54,600)
--------- ------------- ------------- -------------
5,378 9,514 11,865 10,071
Selling, general and administrative
expenses............................... (7,815) (13,824) (10,210) (7,486)
Research and development expense ........ (1,767) (3,125) (1,177) (602)
Abandonment of Benelli production line... -- -- -- (1,631)
--------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Other income, net........................ 419 741 1,904 119
--------- ------------- ------------- -------------
(3,785) (6,694) 2,382 471
Interest expense......................... (2,058) (3,640) (4,346) (3,604)
--------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Loss before income taxes................. (5,843) (10,334) (1,964) (3,133)
Income taxes............................. (133) (235) (32) (100)
--------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Net loss................................. $ (5,976) Lit. (10,569) Lit. (1,996) Lit. (3,233)
--------- ------------- ------------- -------------
--------- ------------- ------------- -------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-19
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY/(DEFICIT)
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADDITIONAL CUMULATIVE
PREFERRED COMMON PAID-IN ACCRETION TRANSLATION ACCUMULATED
STOCK STOCK CAPITAL EXPENSE ADJUSTMENT DEFICIT TOTAL
--------- ------ ---------- --------- ---------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
AT JANUARY 1, 1996................ Lit.m -- 91 2,731 -- -- -- 2,822
Net loss.......................... -- -- (533) -- -- (1,463) (1,996)
Translation adjustment............ -- -- (18) -- 23 -- 5
Contribution of Moto America...... -- -- 765 -- -- -- 765
----- ------ ------ ------- ---- --------- --------
AT DECEMBER 31, 1996.............. Lit.m -- 91 2,945 -- 23 (1,463) 1,596
Net loss.......................... -- -- -- -- -- (10,569) (10,569)
Translation adjustment............ -- -- -- -- 202 -- 202
Accretion expense................. -- -- -- (3,595) -- -- (3,595)
----- ------ ------ ------- ---- --------- --------
AT DECEMBER 31, 1997.............. Lit.m -- 91 2,945 (3,595) 225 (12,032) (12,366)
----- ------ ------ ------- ---- --------- --------
----- ------ ------ ------- ---- --------- --------
AT DECEMBER 31, 1997.............. $'000 -- 51 1,665 (2,032) 127 (6,802) (6,991)
----- ------ ------ ------- ---- --------- --------
----- ------ ------ ------- ---- --------- --------
</TABLE>
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' (DEFICIT)/EQUITY
DECEMBER 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADDITIONAL
COMMON PAID-IN
STOCK CAPITAL TOTAL
------ ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
AT JANUARY 1, 1995......................................... Lit.m 91 (7,271) (7,180)
Contribution of debt....................................... -- 12,632 12,632
Purchase of minorities..................................... -- 603 603
Net loss................................................... -- (3,233) (3,233)
------ -------- --------
AT DECEMBER 31, 1995....................................... Lit.m 91 2,731 2,822
------ -------- --------
------ -------- --------
</TABLE>
In July 1995, an increase of capital of Moto Guzzi S.p.A. was made as required
under Italian corporate law as there was a deficit in equity as calculated
according to Italian accounting principles. The increase was made by
contribution by Trident Rowan Group, Inc. of intercompany debt of Lit.
12,632 million. At the same time, the preemptive rights of minority shareholders
to participate in the recapitalization of Moto Guzzi S.p.A. were acquired by
Trident Rowan Group, Inc. for Lit. 603 million, being the fair value of 30,000
shares of its common stock issued to effect the purchase.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/LOSS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995
1997 1997 1996 LIT. M
US$000 LIT. M LIT. M UNAUDITED
------ ------- ------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss..................................................................... (5,976) (10,569) (1,996) (3,233)
Cumulative translation adjustment............................................ 114 202 5 --
Accretion expense and related foreign currency translations effects.......... (2,032) (3,595) -- --
------ ------- ------- -------
Total other comprehensive loss............................................... (1,918) (3,393) 5 --
------ ------- ------- -------
Comprehensive loss........................................................... (7,894) (13,962) (1,991) (3,233)
------ ------- ------- -------
------ ------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-20
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996, AND 1995 (UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996 1995
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss.................................................... $(5,976) Lit. (10,569) Lit. (1,996) Lit. (3,233)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization............................. 1,402 2,480 1,807 2,303
Gain on sales of operating assets......................... (276) (489) (552) --
Reserves for termination indemnities...................... 690 1,221 1,132 1,128
Payments of termination indemnities....................... (210) (372) (1,279) (882)
Reserves for inventories and receivables.................. 1,833 3,243 122 2,111
Other operating activities................................ 317 559 (479) (13)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade and other receivables............................... 4,638 8,205 (6,916) (3,575)
Related party receivables................................. (3,080) (5,448) 2,724 (1,420)
Inventories............................................... (5,945) (10,516) (3,754) (9,092)
Prepaid expenses.......................................... (37) (65) (65) (63)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses..................... 2,131 3,769 826 6,867
Related party payables.................................... 113 200 (1,199) (453)
------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash used in operating activities....................... (4,400) (7,782) (9,629) (6,322)
------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
Investing activities:
Purchase of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired............ -- -- 555 --
Proceeds on disposal of operating assets.................. 350 619 567 --
Purchases of property, plant and equipment................ (2,197) (3,887) (5,951) (1,801)
------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash used in investing activities....................... (1,847) (3,268) (4,829) (1,801)
------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
Financing activities:
Net increase/(decrease) in advances from banks............ 3,132 5,540 7,214 5,107
Proceeds from share issues................................ 1,658 2,933 5,101 --
Loans from parent company and affiliates.................. 4,409 7,800 1,500 2,580
Proceeds from long-term debt.............................. 120 212 1,248 --
Principal payments of long-term debt...................... (761) (1,347) (1,113) (525)
------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by financing activities................... 8,558 15,138 13,950 7,162
------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents............ 2,311 4,088 (508) (961)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents............................................... 31 54 (22) --
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year................ 1,249 2,210 2,740 3,679
------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year...................... $ 3,591 Lit. 6,352 Lit. 2,210 Lit. 2,718
------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
</TABLE>
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES ON NON-CASH ACTIVITIES
Fixed assets for Lit. 760 million were acquired in 1997 and for Lit.
1,830 million in 1996 by way of finance leases, assuming lease obligations at
inception of Lit. 570 million in 1997 and Lit. 1,573 million in 1996.
Trident Rowan issued 30,000 shares of its common stock valued at Lit.
471 million in 1996 to effect the acquisition of Moto America Inc. Cash acquired
amounted to Lit. 555 million. See Note 4.
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Interest paid amounted to Lit. 3,268 million, Lit. 4,071 million in 1997 and
1996, respectively.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-21
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997
1. BACKGROUND AND ORGANIZATION
Activities
Moto Guzzi Corp. is a Delaware incorporated holding company whose
subsidiaries manufacture and distribute "Moto Guzzi" brand motorcycles, parts
and accessories in Italy, Europe and elsewhere in the world. The Company has a
single manufacturing site at Mandello del Lario, Lecco, Italy.
Corporate background
Moto Guzzi S.p.A., the Italian manufacturer of Moto Guzzi motorcycles, had
been a subsidiary of Trident Rowan Group, Inc. ("TRG") since 1972 and a owned
wholly subsidiary of TRG from July 1995. Effective January 1, 1996, TRG acquired
100% of the outstanding capital of Moto America Inc., the exclusive importer of
Moto Guzzi motorcycles in the United States. On October 9, 1996, TRG formed Moto
Guzzi Corp. as a holding company for its interests in the Moto Guzzi motorcycle
operations and transferred its 100% interests in Moto Guzzi S.p.A. and Moto
America Inc. to Moto Guzzi Corp. in exchange for 6,000,000 shares of common
stock.
Private Offering of Convertible Preferred Securities in 1996/1997
In December 1996 and January 1997, Moto Guzzi Corp. consummated a private
offering of redeemable convertible preferred stock and common stock purchase
warrants which raised an aggregate of approximately $5,218,000 (Lit. 8,034
million at the then prevailing exchange rates), net of expenses.
Moto Guzzi Corp. issued 1,500,000 units, each consisting of one share of
Class A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and one common stock purchase
warrant exercisable for three years for the lesser of $4.00 or the initial
public offering price of the common stock. The preferred stock is convertible at
the option of the holder into an equal number of shares of common stock, subject
to adjustment to protect against events of dilution and is automatically
converted upon consummation of an initial public offering of Moto Guzzi Corp.
common stock which raises gross proceeds of at least $8,000,000. The conversion
rate for the preferred stock in such event will be the lesser of the then
applicable conversion rate or 75% of the per share initial offering price. If
such an initial public offering is not consummated by June 30, 1998, the holders
of a majority of the shares of preferred stock will have the right to select a
majority of the Moto Guzzi Corp. board of directors. The holders of the
preferred stock also have a right to redeem their shares at $8.00 per share if
no public offering is completed on or before January 16, 2002.
The convertible preferred stock was recorded in the consolidated balance
sheet outside shareholders' equity as "preferred stock subject to redemption" in
the amount of Lit. 5,101 million at December 31, 1996 and a further Lit. 2,933
million was recorded in January 1997 as a result of the completion of the
private placement. At December 31, 1997, the Company has recorded Lit. 3,595
million as accretion expense to reflect amortization of the difference between
the net proceeds received and the contingent redemption of such shares in
January 2002 and the effects of changing exchange rates on such repurchase
commitment.
Reporting currency
The primary financial statements are shown in Italian Lire because
substantially all the Company's material operations are based and operate in
Italy. Translation of lire amounts into U.S. Dollar amounts is included solely
for the convenience of the readers of the financial statements and has been
calculated at the rate of Lit. 1,769 to $1.00, the approximate exchange rate at
December 31, 1997. It should not be construed that the assets and liabilities,
expressed in U.S. dollar equivalents, can actually be realized in or
extinguished in U.S. dollars at that or any other rate. All currency amounts in
these financial statements are in Lire unless specifically designated in other
currencies.
F-22
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting principles
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Transfer by TRG of operating subsidiaries
The financial statements include the effects of the 1996 acquisition of
Moto America Inc. as such transaction was reflected in the financial statements
of the parent company, TRG. Additionally, the issuance of 6,000,000 shares of
the Company's common stock to TRG in exchange for the outstanding shares of Moto
Guzzi S.p.A. and Moto America Inc. was accounted for at TRG's carrying value of
the consolidated net assets of such companies at the effective date of
October 1, 1996. See Notes 3 and 4.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its majority owned subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Foreign currency translation
The financial statements of non-Italian entities have been translated from
the applicable functional currency to Italian lire using the year-end exchange
rate for balance sheet items and the average exchange rate for the year for
statement of operation items. The translation differences resulting from the
change in exchange rates from year to year have been reported separately as a
component of shareholders' equity.
Foreign currency transactions
Transactions, receivables and payables denominated in currencies other than
the functional currency are recorded at the exchange rate in effect on the
transaction date. Such receivables and payables are adjusted to current exchange
rates as of the date paid or the balance sheet date, whichever is earlier. Gains
and losses are included in "other income, net" in the statements of operations.
Cash equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of
three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Revenue recognition
Revenues from sale of products are recorded upon shipment, which is when
title passes.
Research and development
The Company is continuously engaged in company-sponsored programs of
product improvement and development. Research and development costs are expensed
as they are incurred.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost being
determined principally by the last- in, first-out (LIFO) method applying average
cost of the year to increases in inventory quantities. If inventories had been
determined by the lower of cost or market value using the first-in, first-out
(FIFO) method, which
F-23
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
approximates current cost, inventories would have been greater by approximately
Lit. 3,000 million in 1997 and Lit. 2,000 million in 1996.
Long-lived assets
The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement
No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-lived Assets and for Long-lived
Assets to be Disposed of" in 1996. This statement requires impairment losses to
be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators of
impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated
by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amounts and also addresses
the accounting for long-lived assets that are expected to be disposed of. The
effect of the initial adoption of FASB Statement No. 121 in 1996 was not
material. The Company continually reviews the carrying value of long-lived
assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of.
Goodwill
On purchases of businesses, the excess of the purchase price over the fair
value of assets acquired is accounted for as goodwill and is amortized on a
straight-line basis over a period determined by the Company taking into
consideration the nature of the business acquired.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is
provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
assets. Buildings are depreciated over 30 years and plant and machinery, tooling
and computer equipment over lives ranging from 3 to 10 years.
Termination indemnities
All employees of the Company's Italian subsidiary are entitled to receive
severance pay in accordance with the terms of applicable national labor law and
contracts. The liability for severance pay is accrued for service to date and is
payable immediately on termination. The liability is calculated in accordance
with the individual employee's length of service, employment category and
compensation and is adjusted annually by a cost of living index provided by the
Italian Government. There is no vesting period or funding requirement associated
with the liability. The liability recorded in the consolidated balance sheets is
the amount that the employee would be entitled to if the employee separates from
the Company immediately.
Income taxes
Income taxes are provided by each entity included in the consolidation in
accordance with local laws. Deferred income taxes have been provided using the
liability method in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, "Accounting for
Income Taxes."
Statements of cash flows
Advances from banks arise primarily under the Company's short-term lines of
credit with its banks. These short-term obligations are payable on demand. The
cash flows for these items are included in the caption "Net increase in advances
from banks" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Comprehensive income
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("SFAS 130"), which is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. Reclassification of financial
statements for earlier periods is required. In the Company's case, comprehensive
income includes net losses, unrealized gains/losses from translation and
accretion expense (including related foreign currency translation effects) in
respect of shares of preferred stock subject to repurchase.
F-24
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
Changes in components of comprehensive loss:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCRETION
EXPENSE & ACCUMULATED
CUMULATIVE RELATED OTHER
TRANSLATION CURRENCY COMPREHENSIVE
ADJUSTMENT TRANSLATION LOSS
---------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
JANUARY 1, 1996.............................................. Lit. m -- -- --
Change for period............................................ 5 -- 5
Charged to additional paid-in capital for period prior to
incorporation.............................................. 18 -- 18
------ ------- -------
DECEMBER 31, 1996............................................ Lit. m 23 -- 23
Change for period............................................ 202 (3,595) (3,393)
------ ------- -------
DECEMBER 31, 1997............................................ Lit. m 225 (3,595) (3,370)
------ ------- -------
------ ------- -------
DECEMBER 31, 1997............................................ US$000 127 (2,032) (1,905)
------ ------- -------
------ ------- -------
</TABLE>
3. ACQUISITION OF MOTO GUZZI S.P.A.
TRG (then Rowan Industries Inc. and subsequently De Tomaso Industries Inc.
from 1972 through August 1996) acquired a controlling interest in Moto Guzzi in
December 1972 and subsequently made further investments in 1974 and 1975 before
purchasing the remaining minority interests in 1995.
The original purchase of a controlling interest in Moto Guzzi (then
S.E.I.M.M.) in 1972 was part of a series of related transactions in which TRG
first loaned money to Fratelli Benelli Fabbrica Motocicli e Costruzioni
Meccaniche S.p.A. (Benelli) to enable this company to purchase S.E.I.M.M. and
then TRG subsequently purchased a controlling interest in Benelli. Benelli was
an Italian motorcycle manufacturer whose operations and facilities were later
disposed of, though Moto Guzzi S.p.A. continued to manufacture motorcycles under
the Benelli brand name until 1995. The initial 1972 acquisition of a controlling
interest in Benelli and Moto Guzzi was accounted for as a purchase. The fair
value of the consolidated net assets of Benelli were in excess of the fair value
of the TRG shares issued to consummate the transaction and the excess was
applied to reduce the fair value of trademarks, goodwill and other intangible
assets acquired. In 1974 and 1975, further shares in Benelli were purchased by
TRG and the fair value of the shares issued as consideration was again less than
the fair value of consolidated assets and the excess applied to further reduce
intangible assets.
On purchase of the minority interest in Moto Guzzi in July 1995, which was
consummated by the issue of 30,000 shares of its common stock by TRG to purchase
the rights of the minority shareholders to participate in the recapitalization
of Moto Guzzi S.p.A. then required by local law, the fair value of the shares
issued of Lit. 603 million for such preemption rights was allocated to land and
buildings.
The Financial Statements include the effects of stating the tangible assets
of Moto Guzzi S.p.A., primarily land and buildings, at their fair values at the
date of purchase and the reduction of the values of long-term intangible assets
acquired in respect of the excess of assets acquired over the fair value of the
consideration given, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. All
intangible assets acquired were fully amortized prior to 1996.
4. ACQUISITION OF MOTO AMERICA INC.
Effective January 1, 1996, TRG completed its acquisition of the outstanding
shares of Moto America Inc., the sole distributor of Moto Guzzi motorcycles in
the United States. The acquisition was consummated by the issuance of 30,000
shares of common stock of TRG and the purchase price of Lit. 471 million
reflected the shares issued at their fair value at such date. The acquisition
has been accounted for as a purchase and the excess of the purchase
consideration over the fair value of assets acquired has been accounted for as
goodwill, determined in
F-25
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
4. ACQUISITION OF MOTO AMERICA INC.--(CONTINUED)
the amount of Lit. 262 million, which is being amortized over 5 years.
Subsequently, TRG purchased from Moto Guzzi S.p.A. a receivable of U.S.$
190,614, equal to Lit. 294 million at the then prevailing exchange rate, and
made an additional investment in Moto America Inc. by way of contribution of
such receivable.
The results of Moto America Inc. are included in the consolidated financial
statements from January 1, 1996. Goodwill amortization amounted to Lit.
52 million in each of 1997 and 1996. The effects of the acquisition are not
material to the operations of the Company.
5. RECEIVABLES FROM RELATED PARTIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
MGI Motorcycle GmbH........................................................ 3,043 5,383 --
Finproservice S.p.A........................................................ 113 201 30
Trident Rowan.............................................................. 6 10 187
----- ----- -----
3,162 5,594 217
----- ----- -----
----- ----- -----
</TABLE>
The amount at December 31, 1997 due from MGI Motorcycle GmbH, a 25% owned
entity acquired in 1997, resulted from the purchase of products and services
from the Company. Sales to MGI Motorcycle GmbH, consisting primarily of
motorcycles and parts were Lit. 14,410 million in 1997.
Finproservice S.p.A. is a factoring subsidiary of TRG. The amounts above
relates to residual balances collected by Finproservice from receivables sold to
it by Moto Guzzi S.p.A. Management believe the charges for the factoring
arrangements, which have been discontinued in 1998, are in line with market
prices.
The balance due from TRG relates to a receivable purchased from Moto Guzzi
S.p.A., at book value, in 1996, less amounts offset by advances made by TRG to
meet certain expenses of Moto Guzzi S.p.A. in 1997.
6. ADVANCES FROM BANKS AND CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS
The Company's subsidiary, Moto Guzzi S.p.A., has lines of credit
arrangements with a number of Italian banks and financial institutions. Under
these, the Company, at December 31, 1997, could have borrowed up to
approximately Lit. 46,000 million. The line of credit arrangements do not have
termination dates and are periodically reviewed. The average interest rate on
advances from banks was approximately 8.25% and 12.25% at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.
7. AMOUNTS DUE TO RELATED PARTIES
Current liabilities
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Trident Rowan............................................................... 596 1,055 197
T.I.M. S.p.A................................................................ -- -- 37
OAM S.p.A................................................................... -- -- 177
----- ------- -----
596 1,055 411
----- ------- -----
----- ------- -----
</TABLE>
The balance due to TRG is primarily for costs incurred on behalf of Moto
Guzzi Corp. in connection with the private placement of Moto Guzzi Corp.
convertible preferred stock in December 1996 and January 1997 and advances by
TRG during 1997. T.I.M. S.p.A. and OAM S.p.A. are subsidiaries of TRG.
Loans from parent company and affiliates
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OAM S.p.A................................................................... 7,303 12,919 4,659
----- ------- -----
----- ------- -----
</TABLE>
F-26
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
7. AMOUNTS DUE TO RELATED PARTIES--(CONTINUED)
The loans carry interest calculated in reference to market rates. Interest
amounted to Lit. 377 million and Lit. 275 million in 1997 and 1996,
respectively. No payments of interest were made in either 1997 or 1996.
8. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER PAYABLES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Salaries, wages and related items........................................... 2,440 4,316 3,614
Value added and other non income taxes...................................... 204 361 1,692
Other accrued expenses...................................................... 696 1,230 1,110
----- ------- -----
3,340 5,907 6,416
----- ------- -----
----- ------- -----
</TABLE>
9. LONG-TERM DEBT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Notes payable, secured by second mortgage over properties of
Moto Guzzi S.p.A.:
Interest 12.40%, payable in semi-annual installments through 2001......... 1,780 3,149 4,198
Industry Ministry L. 46/82, 1.9875% through 2002 and 7.95% thereafter,
payable in installments commencing from 2002.............................. 496 878 878
Mortgage note secured by property of Moto America Inc., interest 8.25%,
payable monthly through 2011.............................................. 231 409 365
Finance leases.............................................................. 1,027 1,817 1,512
Sundry notes payable........................................................ 139 246 48
----- ------- -------
3,673 6,499 7,001
Less current portion........................................................ (945) (1,671) (1,372)
----- ------- -------
2,728 4,828 5,629
----- ------- -------
----- ------- -------
</TABLE>
Maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
US$'000 LIRE M
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
1998........................................................................ 945 1,671
1999........................................................................ 965 1,707
2000........................................................................ 840 1,486
2001........................................................................ 163 289
2002........................................................................ 121 214
Subsequent to 2002.......................................................... 639 1,133
----- -------
3,673 6,499
----- -------
----- -------
</TABLE>
In February 1998, Moto Guzzi S.p.A. obtained a new 10 year loan facility
from Centrobanca and Banca Agricola Mantovana collateralized by a third mortgage
on its properties in Mandello del Lario, Lecco, Italy. The entire amount of the
facility of Lit. 10,000 million was drawn down in April 1998. The loan is
repayable in quarterly installments from May 2000 through February 2008 and
bears interest at 6% through May 2000 and thereafter at the ROLINT rate plus
1.25%.
F-27
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
10. OTHER INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996 1995
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- ------- ------- ---------
UNAUDITED
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Currency exchange gain......................................... 75 133 139 (442)
Gains on sale of assets........................................ 276 489 552 160
Government grants.............................................. -- -- 450 --
Interest income................................................ 163 288 111 133
Other expense/(income)......................................... (95) (171) 652 268
------- ------- ------- -------
419 741 1,904 119
------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
11. INCOME TAXES
(Loss)/Income before income taxes consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996 1995
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- ------- ------- ---------
UNAUDITED
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
United States.................................................. (145) (255) 204 --
Foreign, principally Italy..................................... (5,698) (10,079) (2,168) (3,133)
------- ------- ------- -------
(5,843) (10,334) (1,964) (3,133)
------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
The provision/(credit) for income taxes consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996 1995
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- ------- ------- ---------
UNAUDITED
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
United States................................................ 133 235 92 --
Foreign...................................................... -- -- (60) 100
------- ------- ------- -------
133 235 32 100
------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- -------
Deferred: ..................................................... -- -- -- --
------- ------- ------- -------
Total.......................................................... 133 235 32 100
------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Valuation allowances have
been recorded for the deferred tax assets as management believes it more likely
than not that these assets will not be realized. Significant components of the
Company's deferred tax assets are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Short-term reserves............................................ 1,773 3,136 1,678
Carrying value of fixed assets................................. 996 1,762 1,632
Net operating loss carryforwards............................... 722 1,277 1,430
Research expenses capitalized for tax purposes................. 1,129 1,997 978
------- ------- -------
4,620 8,172 5,718
Valuation allowance............................................ (4,620) (8,172) (5,718)
------- ------- -------
Net deferred tax assets........................................ -- -- --
------- ------- -------
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
F-28
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
11. INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)
The effective provision for income taxes varied from the income tax credit
calculated at the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997 1996 1995
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- ------- ------- ---------
UNAUDITED
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Computed tax credit at U.S. federal rate....................... (2,045) (3,617) (688) (1,097)
Losses and timing differences for which valuation allowance
provided..................................................... 1,969 3,483 556 821
Elimination of intercompany profits............................ 75 132 326 496
Government grant............................................... -- -- (158) --
Non-deductible expenses and other.............................. 120 213 36 (120)
Prior year adjustment.......................................... -- -- (60) --
Local taxes.................................................... 14 24 20 --
------- ------- ------- -------
133 235 32 100
------- ------- ------- -------
------- ------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1997 the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for
Italian federal income tax purposes which expire as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1997
US$'000 LIRE M.
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
2002..................................................................... 1,950 3,450
------- -------
------- -------
</TABLE>
As a result of the merger of Centro Ricambi Srl and Moto Guzzi S.p.A. in
1997, approximately Lit. 3,259 million of Italian net operating loss
carryforwards were forfeited.
12. EXPORT SALES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Export sales
The Company's motorcycle business exports its products throughout the
world. Sales of motorcycles by geographic destination were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Italy.............................................................................. 37% 37% 35%
Europe other than Italy............................................................ 46% 43% 49%
United States...................................................................... 13% 7% 6%
Elsewhere.......................................................................... 4% 13% 10%
</TABLE>
Sales to Germany represented approximately 17.8% of motorcycle sales in
1997 (19% and 14% in 1996 and 1996 respectively). No other country represented
over 10% of motorcycle sales.
Transfers of products between geographical areas
Sales of motorcycles and parts from the Italian production facilities of
the Company's motorcycle business to its U.S. exclusive importer, Moto America
Inc., amounted to Lit. 10,631 million in 1997 (1996--Lit. 5,800 million). Prior
to 1996, Moto America Inc. was an unaffiliated company. Sales to the French
exclusive importer, Moto Guzzi France Sarl, constituted in 1997, amounted to
Lit. 6,959 million in 1997. Sales prices are accounted for on a basis comparable
to those for non affiliated customers.
F-29
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
12. EXPORT SALES AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION--(CONTINUED)
Identifiable assets
At 31 December 1997 and 1996, all material operating assets of the Company
were located in Italy.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in litigation in the normal
course of business. Management does not believe that the final settlement of
such litigation will have an adverse effect on the Company's consolidated
financial statements as of December 31, 1997.
Contingent preferred stock redemption obligation.
As more fully described in Note 1, the Company's convertible preferred
stock is redeemable at the holders behest if the Company does not complete an
initial public offering of its common stock by January 16, 2002.
14. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISKS
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are
limited due to the large number of entities in the customer base. Sales to
governmental bodies in Italy are significant as a whole, but no single
government body represents more than 10% of net sales.
The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents, and short and long term
investments with various financial institutions of national standing in Italy
and the United States.
15. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company does not enter into foreign exchange contracts in the normal
course of its operating activities. Moto Guzzi S.p.A. makes all its sales in
Lire except those to Moto America Inc. which are expressed in U.S. Dollars. Moto
Guzzi S.p.A. typically draws down U.S. Dollar advances up to 80% of outstanding
invoices to Moto America Inc. on its short-term bank credit lines, see Note 6,
thus effectively hedging 80% of short-term exchange risk through collection.
Fair value of financial instruments
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
estimating its fair value disclosure for financial instruments.
Cash and cash equivalents: the carrying amount of cash and cash
equivalents reported by the Company approximates their fair value.
Short and long term debt: the carrying amount of the Company's borrowings
under its short-term credit arrangements approximates their fair value. The fair
values of the Company's long-term debt are estimated using cash flow analyses,
based on the Company's incremental borrowing rates for similar types of
borrowing arrangements.
F-30
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
F-31
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPT. 30, SEPT. 30,
1998 1998 DEC. 31,
US$'000' LIRE M. 1997
UNAUDITED UNAUDITED LIRE M.
----------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents.............................................. $ 725 Lit. 1,197 Lit. 6,352
Receivables............................................................ 16,236 26,822 23,446
Trade, less allowance of Lit. 1,903.................................. 10,689 17,658 13,437
Receivables from related parties..................................... 3,485 5,757 5,594
Other receivables.................................................... 2,062 3,407 4,415
Inventories............................................................ 26,630 43,993 39,311
Raw material, spare parts and work-in-progress....................... 15,954 26,356 22,898
Finished products.................................................... 10,676 17,637 16,413
Prepaid expenses....................................................... 707 1,169 120
--------- ------------ ------------
CURRENT ASSETS......................................................... 44,298 73,181 69,229
--------- ------------ ------------
Property, plant and equipment.......................................... 9,722 16,060 14,345
Land................................................................. 454 750 750
Buildings............................................................ 1,600 2,644 2,644
Machinery and equipment.............................................. 22,977 37,957 33,699
--------- ------------ ------------
25,031 41,351 37,093
Less allowances for depreciation..................................... (15,309) (25,291) (22,748)
--------- ------------ ------------
Goodwill, net of amortization of Lit. 143 (1997, Lit. 104)............. 72 119 158
Other assets........................................................... 1,102 1,820 962
--------- ------------ ------------
TOTAL ASSETS........................................................... $ 55,194 Lit. 91,180 Lit. 84,694
--------- ------------ ------------
--------- ------------ ------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Advances from banks.................................................... $ 17,758 Lit. 29,336 Lit. 27,341
Current portion of long-term debt...................................... 1,094 1,808 1,671
Accounts payable....................................................... 15,750 26,019 23,707
Amounts due to related parties......................................... 590 974 1,055
Accrued expenses and other payables.................................... 4,525 7,475 5,907
--------- ------------ ------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES.................................................... 39,717 65,612 59,681
--------- ------------ ------------
Long-term debt, less current portion................................... 8,282 13,682 4,828
Loans from parent company and affiliates............................... 8,114 13,404 12,919
Termination indemnities................................................ 4,781 7,899 8,003
Preferred stock subject to redemption.................................. 7,591 12,540 11,629
SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT.................................................. (13,291) (21,957) (12,366)
Series 'A' preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; Authorized
1,500,000 shares, 1,500,000 shares issued and outstanding.......... -- -- --
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; Authorized 20,000,000
shares, 6,000,000 shares issued and outstanding.................... 55 91 91
Additional paid in capital........................................... 1,783 2,945 2,945
Accretion expense and related foreign exchange....................... (2,728) (4,506) (3,595)
Cumulative translation adjustment.................................... 93 153 225
Accumulated deficit.................................................. (12,494) (20,640) (12,032)
--------- ------------ ------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT.................................. $ 55,194 Lit. 91,180 Lit. 84,694
--------- ------------ ------------
--------- ------------ ------------
</TABLE>
Note: The balance sheet as at December 31, 1997 has been derived from the
audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting
principles.
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-32
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
3 MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPT. 30 SEPT. 30 SEPT. 30
1998 1998 1997
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales................................................... $ 11,884 Lit. 19,633 Lit. 18,105
Cost of sales............................................... (10,252) (16,936) (16,354)
-------- ------------ ------------
1,632 2,697 1,751
Selling, general and administrative expenses................ (2,449) (4,045) (3,318)
Research and development expense............................ (516) (852) (496)
Reorganization costs........................................ (1,121) (1,852) -
Other income, net........................................... 39 65 479
-------- ------------ ------------
(2,415) (3,987) (1,584)
Interest expense............................................ (654) (1,080) (853)
-------- ------------ ------------
Loss before income taxes.................................... (3,069) (5,067) (2,437)
Income taxes................................................ (82) (135) (13)
-------- ------------ ------------
Net loss.................................................... $ (3,151) Lit. (5,202) Lit. (2,450)
-------- ------------ ------------
-------- ------------ ------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
F-33
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
9 MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPT. 30,
SEPT. 30, 1998 1998 SEPT. 30, 1997
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales............................................................ $ 40,933 Lit. 67,622 Lit. 59,770
Cost of sales........................................................ (33,711) (55,691) (52,168)
-------- ------------ ------------
7,222 11,931 7,602
Selling, general and administrative expenses......................... (7,207) (11,906) (10,020)
Research and development expense..................................... (1,863) (3,078) (1,393)
Reorganization costs................................................. (1,121) (1,852) --
Other income, net.................................................... 120 199 573
-------- ------------ ------------
(2,849) (4,706) (3,238)
Interest expense..................................................... (1,989) (3,286) (2,893)
-------- ------------ ------------
Loss before income taxes............................................. (4,838) (7,992) (6,131)
Income taxes......................................................... (373) (616) (186)
-------- ------------ ------------
Net loss............................................................. $ (5,211) Lit. (8,608) Lit. (6,317)
-------- ------------ ------------
-------- ------------ ------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
F-34
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
9 MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPT. 30 SEPT. 30 SEPT. 30
1998 1998 1997
US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
------- --------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss................................................................... $(5,211) Lit. (8,608) Lit. (6,317)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities:........................................................... (1,107) (1,830) (4,197)
------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash used in operating activities.................................... (6,318) (10,438) (10,514)
------- --------------- ---------------
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment............................... (3,418) (5,647) (2,351)
------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash used in investing activities...................................... (3,418) (5,647) (2,351)
------- --------------- ---------------
Financing activities:
Net increase in advances from banks...................................... 1,208 1,995 8,829
Proceeds from share issues............................................... -- -- 2,933
Loans from parent company and affiliates................................. -- -- 7,800
Proceeds fron long-term debt............................................. 6,053 10,000 --
Principal payments of long-term debt..................................... (594) (981) (700)
------- --------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by financing activities.................................. 6,667 11,014 18,862
------- --------------- ---------------
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents........................... (3,069) (5,071) 5,797
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents............... (51) (84) 60
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period............................. 3,845 6,352 2,210
------- --------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period................................... $ 725 Lit. 1,197 Lit. 8,267
------- --------------- ---------------
------- --------------- ---------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
F-35
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been
condensed or omitted. For a summary of the Company's accounting principles, and
other footnote information, reference is made to the Company's 1997 audited
financial statements. All adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the
results of operations for the interim periods covered by this report have been
included. All of such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The
results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 are
not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.
The primary financial statements are shown in Italian lire because all of
the Company's material operating entities are based and operate in Italy.
Translation of lire amounts into U.S. Dollar amounts is included solely for the
convenience of the readers of the financial statements and has been made at the
rate of Lire 1,652 to U.S. $1, the approximate exchange rate at September 30,
1998. It should not be construed that the assets and liabilities, expressed in
U.S. dollar equivalents, can actually be realized in or extinguished by U.S.
dollars at that or any other rate.
2. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" ("SFAS 130"), which is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. Reclassification of financial
statements for earlier periods is required. In the Company's case, comprehensive
income includes net losses, unrealized gains/losses from translation and
accretion expense (including related foreign currency translation effects) in
respect of shares of preferred stock subject to repurchase.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
3 MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997
1998 US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss................. (3,151) (5,202) (2,450)
------ ------ ------
Cumulative translation
adjustment............. (43) (72) 20
Accretion expense and
related foreign
currency translation
effects................ 210 346 (732)
------ ------ ------
Total other comprehensive
loss................... 167 274 (712)
------ ------ ------
Comprehensive loss....... (2,984) (4,928) (3,162)
------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
9 MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997
1998 US$'000 LIRE M. LIRE M.
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net loss................. (5,211) (8,608) (6,317)
------ ------ ------
Cumulative translation
adjustment............. (43) (72) 183
Accretion expense and
related foreign
currency translation
effects................ (552) (911) (2,715)
------ ------ ------
Total other comprehensive
loss................... (595) (983) (2,532)
------ ------ ------
Comprehensive loss....... (5,806) (9,591) (8,849)
------ ------ ------
------ ------ ------
</TABLE>
F-36
<PAGE>
MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--
(CONTINUED)
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
2. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME--(CONTINUED)
Changes in components of comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September
30, 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCUMULATED
CUMULATIVE OTHER
TRANSLATION ACCRETION COMPREHENSIVE
ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE LOSS
---------- --------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1, 1998................ 225 (3,595) (3,370)
Change for period....................... (72) (911) (983)
---- ------- -------
Balance, September 30, 1998............. 153 (4,506) (4,353)
---- ------- -------
---- ------- -------
</TABLE>
3. REORGANIZATION CHARGES
In April 1998 Moto Guzzi S.p.A. entered into an agreement with Philips
S.p.A. for the purchase by Moto Guzzi of Philips Vision Industries' plant in
Monza, Italy. The agreement, which was subject to the fulfilment of certain
conditions including the assent of certain labor unions, expired in accordance
with its terms in June 1998, though the parties continued discussions through
August 1998. In September 1998, Moto Guzzi S.p.A. terminated the discussions as
agreement with labor unions had not been obtained and the delays in closing
meant that logistics for transfering activities were no longer favorable. Also
in September 1998, the employment contract of Oscar Cecchinato, the managing
director of Moto Guzzi S.p.A., was terminated.
Following these events, the Company reviewed its short-term strategies and
product plans, including new models whose introduction was connected with the
potential new factory as well as other new models scheduled for 1999
introduction to replace existing models. As a result of this review, the Company
has recorded Lit. 1,852 million of reorganization costs. The principal
components of this charge are Lit. 315 million of costs directly related to the
potential new factory, Lit. 707 million of write-offs of tooling and Lit.
750 million reserves against inventory components.
4. LIQUIDITY AND BRIDGE FINANCING FROM AFFILIATES
The Company experienced delays in the introduction of two new models at the
end of the second quarter of 1998 and these delays, principally related to
certain components, continued through the third quarter and into October. A
significant number of sales orders in this period were for the new models and
the Company estimates that it has lost sales of 600-800 units which cannot be
recovered in 1998. A major part of the Company's short-term bank facilities are
against accounts receivable and the decreased sales resulting from production
delays has limited the Company's ability to draw on such credit lines. The
Company had also anticipated certain capital expenditures and research and
development programs in the expectation of obtaining financing in the third or
fourth quarter of 1998--See also Note 6--Merger Agreement with North Atlantic
Acquisition Corp.
These factors have led to a liquidity shortage at the end of the third
quarter and continuing into the fourth quarter. On October 2, 1998, the Company
received Lit. 3 billion bridge financing from a TRG subsidiary. This bridge
financing was provided to the TRG subsidiary by certain of TRG's shareholders.
In October 1998, TRG also deposited collateral to secure a new bank credit line,
of Lit. 3 billion for the Company, with such collateral being provided following
a $2 million loan from TRG shareholders to TRG at the beginning of October, of
which Lit. 2.5 billion was drawn down at November 30, 1998.
The two loans made by certain TRG shareholders to TRG and to its subsidiary
are due on March 31, 1999, are each secured by 500,000 shares of the Company and
bear interest at 10% per annum, payable together with a 1% arrangement fee. The
Company has agreed to pay the costs of this financing to TRG and its
subsidiaries equal
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MOTO GUZZI CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--
(CONTINUED)
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
4. LIQUIDITY AND BRIDGE FINANCING FROM AFFILIATES--(CONTINUED)
to the cost incurred by those companies. The terms and conditions were reviewed
and approved by the Company's and TRG's boards of directors who also sought
similar finance from other third party sources.
As of October 31, 1998, the Company was in arrears with its suppliers for
approximately Lit. 5.5 billion. The Company is in constant discussion with these
suppliers as to the timing of such payments. If the pending transaction between
the Company and North Atlantic Acquisition Corp. (NAAC) is completed in early
1999, as management anticipates (though no assurance can be given that this will
occur), the Company will have sufficient liquidity for the first quarter of
1999. Further, the Company will have increased ability to draw advances against
indicative 1999 sales orders from importers and against trade receivables as
sales pick up towards the main Spring-Summer sales season. The Company is also
actively in discussion with two specialized financial institutions for floor
plan financing and inventory financing, from the beginning of 1999.
The condensed financial statements do not include any adjustments that
might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
5. MERGER AGREEMENT WITH NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
On August 18, 1998, Moto Guzzi Corp., and for limited purposes TRG, entered
into a merger agreement to merge with North Atlantic Acquisition Corp. (NAAC).
NAAC was organized in August 1995 as a specialized merger and acquisition
allocated risk company with the objective of acquiring an operative business.
NAAC has not engaged in any substantive commercial business and will, at the
effective time of the merger, have approximately $8 million in cash, net of
merger expenses, to finance the operations of the merged company, although such
amount could be reduced by up to $1.7 million pursuant to certain redemption
rights of existing NAAC shareholders. In addition, NAAC has outstanding warrants
and options, certain of which can be redeemed by NAAC for a nominal sum, subject
to the achievement of certain share price performance criteria, which could
potentially provide further cash of approximately $10.4 million.
If consummated, Moto Guzzi Corp. will merge with and into NAAC with NAAC
being the surviving corporation. Moto Guzzi Corp. shareholders will receive NAAC
Class A Common Stock and Nominal Warrants entitling the holder, depending on
future performance of the merged company in 1999 or 2000, to purchase additional
shares of NAAC Class A Common Stock on payment of a nominal amount. The merger
agreement provides that certain parent company loans, shown in Moto Guzzi
Corp.'s balance sheet at September 30, 1998 at Lit. 13,404 million, would be
exchanged for NAAC securities and also entitles holders of outstanding Moto
Guzzi Corp. warrants, exercisable at $4.00 through January 17, 2000, to cancel
their warrants or otherwise exchange them for NAAC equity securities ("the
Warrant Exchange"). Certain other parent company loans or parent
company-guaranteed lines of credit will be repaid at closing. The merger is
subject, among other conditions, to approval by NAAC shareholders. If
consummated, the merged company intends to apply for a listing on NASDAQ, though
there can be no assurance that such application would be successful.
If consummated, the shareholders of Moto Guzzi Corp. will own approximately
76.4% of the merged company, assuming the warrant exchange is fully accepted,
that there is no exercise of any outstanding options or warrants of NAAC, and
without including any shares of NAAC stock which may be acquired upon exercise
of the warrants issued to the Moto Guzzi Corp. shareholders. The transaction
will be accounted for as a reverse acquisition of NAAC by Moto Guzzi Corp. As a
result of the reverse acquisition, the historical financial statements of the
merged company will be those of Moto Guzzi Corp. and the primary financial
statements will continue to be reported in Italian Lire.
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ANNEX I
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION, dated August 18, 1998,
among NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation, ("North"), MOTO
GUZZI CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Motoguzzi") and, as to those applicable
provisions of ARTICLE II, ARTICLE III, ARTICLE V, ARTICLE VI, ARTICLE VIII,
ARTICLE X, ARTICLE XI AND ARTICLE XIII hereof, TRIDENT ROWAN GROUP, INC., a
Maryland corporation ("TRG") and significant shareholder of Motoguzzi.
WHEREAS, North was formed to serve as a vehicle to effect a merger,
exchange of capital stock, acquisition or other business combination with an
operating business;
WHEREAS, Motoguzzi, through its wholly and partially owned subsidiaries is
in the business of designing, manufacturing and selling motorcycles, spare parts
and similar products;
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and Plan of
Merger and Reorganization ("Agreement"), the Parties desire to consummate a
merger, as contemplated herein, pursuant to which Motoguzzi will merge with and
into North, with North being the surviving corporation (North, after the
consummation of the Merger, the "Surviving Corporation"); and
WHEREAS, for Federal income tax purposes, the parties intend, by approving
resolutions authorizing this Agreement, that such merger qualify as a
reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the United States
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
IT IS AGREED:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
SECTION 1.01 Definitions. Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement
shall have the meanings specified in ARTICLE XII.
SECTION 1.02 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
hereof and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), at the Effective Time (as defined
herein) North and Motoguzzi shall consummate a merger ("Merger") of Motoguzzi
with and into North. Following the Merger, (i) North shall continue as the
surviving corporation and shall continue its existence under the laws of the
State of Delaware and (ii) the separate corporate existence of Motoguzzi shall
cease.
SECTION 1.03 Effective Time. On the Closing Date, North and Motoguzzi
shall file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance
with the DGCL an executed copy of the Certificate of Merger in the form of
Exhibit A hereto (the "Certificate of Merger"). The Merger shall become
effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger is filed with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware (the "Effective Time").
SECTION 1.04 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set
forth in Section 259 of the DGCL.
SECTION 1.05 Changes to Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the
Surviving Corporation. The Certificate of Merger will also amend the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation to effect a change in
the name of North from "North Atlantic Acquisition Corp." to "Moto Guzzi
Corporation", to increase the authorized capital stock of the Surviving
Corporation, to authorize the issuance of one or more classes of preferred stock
and to provide for a board of directors with staggered terms of three years, in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. The By-Laws of Moto Guzzi Corp. shall be
the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation. The Certificate of Incorporation as so
modified and such By-Laws shall be the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
of the Surviving Corporation.
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SECTION 1.06 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation After the
Effective Time. At the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of the Surviving
Corporation shall consist of eight persons, of which two will be nominated by
the management of North, five will be nominated by Motoguzzi and one will be a
nominee mutually acceptable to both Motoguzzi and North, each to serve until his
successor is elected and qualified. Such persons, and the classes in which they
shall serve, as well as certain compensation arrangements and certain options to
purchase shares of Class A Common Stock to be granted to certain directors and
executive officers of the Surviving Corporation (the "Executive Options") are
listed in Schedule 1.06. The officers of North at the Effective Time shall
consist of the persons listed in Schedule 1.06, each to serve until his or her
successor is elected. Each of North and Motoguzzi may, at any time prior to the
Effective Time, change their nominees.
SECTION 1.07 The Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall take place at a closing (the "Closing") to
be held at 10:00 a.m., local time, on the third Business Day after the date on
which the last of the conditions to Closing set forth in Article IX hereof is
fulfilled or waived by the appropriate Party, as the case may be, at the offices
of Graubard Mollen & Miller, 600 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10016, or at
such other time, date or place as the Parties may agree upon in writing. The
date on which the Closing occurs is referred to herein as the "Closing Date."
SECTION 1.08 Tax Free Reorganization. The parties intend to adopt this
Agreement as a tax-free plan of reorganization and to consummate the Merger in
accordance with the provisions of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code, and shall
not take a position on any tax return inconsistent therewith. In addition, North
represents now, and as of the Closing, that it presently intends to continue
Motoguzzi's historic business or use a significant portion of Motoguzzi's
business assets in a business, in each case within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.368-1(d).
ARTICLE II
CONVERSION OF SHARES AND RELATED MATTERS
SECTION 2.01 Outstanding Stock of North. Upon consummation of the Merger,
the outstanding capital stock of North shall continue to be the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the Surviving Corporation.
SECTION 2.02 Conversion of Outstanding Stock of Motoguzzi.
(a) Except as provided in Section 2.03, upon consummation of the Merger,
(i) the shares of common stock, $.01 par value, ("Old Motoguzzi Common Stock")
of Motoguzzi outstanding on the date of this Agreement and immediately prior to
the Effective Time and the shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value, ("Old
Motoguzzi Preferred Stock") of Motoguzzi outstanding on the date of this
Agreement and immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, and subject to
reduction in accordance with Section 2.03 below and increase in accordance with
Section 2.02(c) below, be converted into and exchanged for (A) 3,702,450 shares
of the Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value ("Class A Common Stock") of North,
subject to adjustment as herein provided, (B) 234,489 shares of Class B
Convertible Preferred Stock having such rights and preferences as are described
in the amended Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation ("Class
B Preferred Stock"), and (C) warrants in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto
(the "Nominal Warrants") to purchase such number of shares of Class A Common
Stock as is equal to 74.05% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock
which may be purchased under the "Maximum Nominal Warrants" (as defined below),
(ii) in consideration of the contribution to the capital of Motoguzzi of certain
intercompany indebtedness described in Section 2.06(b) there shall be issued to
the holders of such indebtedness 1,038,040 shares of Class A Common Stock,
65,743 shares of Class B Preferred Stock and Nominal Warrants to purchase 20.76%
of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock which may be purchased under the
Maximum Nominal Warrants, and (iii) if all outstanding Warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock at $4.00 per share
(the "Old Motoguzzi Warrants") are surrendered (as provided in Section 2.06(a))
there shall be issued to such surrendering warrant holders 259,510 shares of
Class A Common Stock, 16,436 shares of Class B Preferred Stock and Nominal
Warrants to purchase 5.19% of the number of shares of Class A Common Stock which
may be purchased under the Maximum Nominal Warrants. The Class A Common Stock,
the Class B Preferred Stock and the Nominal Warrants are together referred to
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herein as the "Merger Consideration". The number of shares of Class A Common
Stock, Class B Preferred Stock and the number of Nominal Warrants payable as the
Merger Consideration shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number of
shares or warrants. If the holders of less than all Old Motoguzzi Warrants
surrender same, then the Merger Consideration described in the preceding
clause (iii) shall be reduced by multiplying the Merger Consideration in clause
(iii) by the percentage of Old Motoguzzi Warrants so surrendered and each Old
Motoguzzi Warrant not so surrendered shall, after the Effective Time, have such
continuing rights as are provided by the terms thereof. The term "Maximum
Nominal Warrants" shall mean Nominal Warrants to purchase such number of shares
of Class A Common Stock as would be acquired hereunder if all Old Motoguzzi
Warrants are surrendered as provided in Section 2.06(a).
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and except for shares
with respect to which the holder thereof votes against the Merger ("Dissenter")
and ultimately receives payment thereon pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL
("Dissenter Securities"), each share of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock outstanding
on the date hereof and immediately prior to the Effective Time and each share of
Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock outstanding on the date hereof and immediately
prior to the Effective Time will be converted into .4937 shares of Class A
Common Stock, .0313 shares of Class B Preferred Stock and Nominal Warrants for
such number of shares of Class A Common Stock as equals the number of shares of
Class A Common Stock which may be purchased under 74.05% of the Maximum Nominal
Warrants multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is 1 and the
denominator of which is 7,500,000.
(c) If Available Cash (as defined in Section 4.05 below) is less than
$8,150,000 at the Effective Time, the number of shares of Class B Preferred
Stock issued as part of the Merger Consideration shall be increased by one share
for each $15 of such shortfall, allocable pro rata as provided in
Section 2.02(a).
SECTION 2.03 Dissenters.
(a) The Merger Consideration will be reduced, on a pro rata basis, as a
result of any Dissenter seeking the appraisal rights pursuant to Section 262 of
the DGCL, with respect to his shares of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock or Old
Motoguzzi Preferred Stock.
(b) If after the Effective Time a Dissenter loses the right to receive
payment pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL, the Dissenter Securities held by
the Dissenter will be treated as if they had been converted as of the Effective
Time into the Merger Consideration.
(c) Motoguzzi will promptly provide North with copies of any written demand
for payment to be received by a Dissenter, and North will have the right to
participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to any demand by a
Dissenter. Motoguzzi will not, except with the prior written consent of North or
as may be required by law, make any payment prior to the Effective Time with
respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any demand of a Dissenter. All
Dissenter Securities acquired by Motoguzzi or by the Surviving Corporation will
be canceled after payment therefor has been made in accordance with the DGCL.
SECTION 2.04 Surrender and Payment.
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, North will appoint American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company, New York, New York, as its agent ("Exchange Agent") for the
purpose of exchanging certificates representing the Old Motoguzzi Common Stock,
Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock and Old Motoguzzi Warrants ("Motoguzzi
Securities") for certificates of Class A Common Stock, Class B Preferred Stock
and Nominal Warrants representing the appropriate portion of the Merger
Consideration. Promptly after the Effective Time, North will cause the Exchange
Agent to send, to each holder of Motoguzzi Securities being exchanged a letter
of transmittal for use in the exchange. North will make available to the
Exchange Agent, as needed, stock certificates and Nominal Warrant certificates
representing the Merger Consideration to be issued in respect of the Motoguzzi
Securities.
(b) Except as provided in Section 10.02, for each Motoguzzi Security being
exchanged, upon the surrender of the certificate or certificates representing
them together with a properly completed letter of transmittal, the holder will
be entitled to receive certificates for the Class A Common Stock, Class B
Preferred Stock and Nominal Warrants representing that portion of the Merger
Consideration issuable in respect of the Motoguzzi
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Securities. Until so surrendered, each such certificate will, after the
Effective Time, represent for all purposes, only the right to receive a
proportionate amount of the Merger Consideration.
(c) After the Effective Time, there will be no further registration of
transfers of Motoguzzi Securities held prior to the Effective Time, except as
may be permitted by Section 262 of the DGCL. After the Effective Time, all
certificates formerly representing Motoguzzi Securities which are presented to
North or the Exchange Agent will be canceled and exchanged for the consideration
provided for in this Article II.
SECTION 2.05 Adjustments. If, notwithstanding Section 7.01 hereof, at any
time during the period between the date of this Agreement and the Effective
Time, the outstanding shares of the capital stock of North is changed into a
different number of shares or a different class by reason of any stock dividend,
subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange
of shares, the Merger Consideration will be appropriately adjusted to reflect
such stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split,
combination or exchange of shares.
SECTION 2.06 Surrender of Old Motoguzzi Warrants and Contribution of
Intercompany Indebtedness.
(a) Each holder of an Old Motoguzzi Warrant who wishes to surrender such
warrant (a "Surrendered Warrant") shall do so prior to the Closing Date by
delivering same to TRG together with a Warrant Surrender Agreement and such
other documents as TRG and North shall reasonably require.
(b) TRG covenants and agrees that Lit 12,719 million principal amount of
indebtedness, plus interest thereon, owed by Motoguzzi to TRG and/or to O.A.M.
S.p.A., a subsidiary of TRG ("OAM"), shall be contributed to the capital of
Motoguzzi, simultaneously with the consummation of the Merger. After such
capital contribution, the amount of indebtedness owed by Motoguzzi and its
subsidiaries to TRG and its subsidiaries other than Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi
Subsidiaries at the Effective Time, including all interest, will not be greater
than $800,000, and if such indebtedness exceeds such amount, any excess
automatically and without any action on the part of TRG, OAM or TRG's
subsidiaries shall be contributed to the capital of Motoguzzi at the Effective
Time with no adjustment in the Merger Consideration set forth in
Section 2.02(a)(ii) and the Surviving Corporation will be under no obligation
whatsoever to pay same. TRG shall cause OAM to evidence its agreement to such
capital contribution by executing the form of acknowledgment annexed hereto as
Exhibit C.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF MOTOGUZZI AND TRG
Motoguzzi represents and warrants to North as follows:
SECTION 3.01 Organization.
(a) Motoguzzi. Motoguzzi is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Except as
described on any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules attached hereto,
Motoguzzi does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other
securities of any issuer or any equity interest in any other entity, including
any partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, business trust
and any other business entity, and is not a party to any agreement to acquire
any such securities or interest. Motoguzzi is qualified to do business in each
state where the nature of the business it conducts or the properties it owns,
leases or operates requires it to so qualify (which states are listed in
SCHEDULE 3.01(ii)), except where the failure to so qualify would not, singly or
in the aggregate, have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect. Motoguzzi has all
requisite corporate power to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry
on its business as now being conducted and as presently contemplated by
Motoguzzi to be conducted in the future.
(b) Subsidiaries of Motoguzzi. Each Motoguzzi Subsidiary is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation. Each Motoguzzi Subsidiary is qualified to do
business in each jurisdiction where the nature of the business it conducts or
the properties it owns, leases or operates requires it to so qualify (which
jurisdictions are listed in SCHEDULE 3.01 (iii)), except where the failure to so
qualify would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse
Effect. Each Motoguzzi Subsidiary has all requisite corporate power to own,
lease and operate its properties and to carry on its
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business as now being conducted and as presently contemplated by each of the
Motoguzzi Subsidiaries in the future. Motoguzzi owns, directly or indirectly,
the shares of each Motoguzzi Subsidiary as set forth in SCHEDULE 3.01(i) free
and clear of any Liens.
(c) Holding Company. Motoguzzi is a holding company, the only assets of
which are the shares of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries. Motoguzzi has no material
liabilities other than the liabilities of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries. Motoguzzi
does not conduct any material business through any entity other than the
Motoguzzi Subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.02 Authority; Corporate Action. Motoguzzi has all necessary
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
Merger and other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. All action,
corporate and otherwise, necessary to be taken by Motoguzzi to authorize the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other agreements
and instruments delivered by Motoguzzi in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby has or at the Closing will have been duly and
validly taken. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, this Agreement and
the other agreements and instruments delivered by Motoguzzi in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby shall constitute the valid, binding and
enforceable obligation of Motoguzzi enforceable against it in accordance with
their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or
similar laws of general application now or hereafter in effect affecting the
rights and remedies of creditors and by general principles of equity (regardless
of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).
SECTION 3.03 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement (and the other agreements
contemplated hereby) by Motoguzzi does not, and the performance by Motoguzzi of
its obligations under this Agreement (and any other agreement contemplated
hereby) will not, (i) conflict with or violate its Certificate of Incorporation,
By-laws or other organizational documents (ii) conflict with or violate any law,
statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to
Motoguzzi or any Motoguzzi Subsidiary or by which any of their respective
properties or assets is bound or affected, or (iii) result in any breach of, or
constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both
would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien
on any of the properties or assets of Motoguzzi or any Motoguzzi Subsidiary
pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease,
license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which Motoguzzi
or any Motoguzzi Subsidiary is a party or by which Motoguzzi or any Motoguzzi
Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets is bound or affected,
except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), above, for any such conflicts,
violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences that would not have, either
singly or in the aggregate, a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement (and the other agreements
contemplated hereby) by Motoguzzi does not, and the performance of this
Agreement (and the other agreements contemplated hereby) by Motoguzzi will not,
require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or
notification to, any Governmental Entity, except for (i) compliance with the
applicable requirements, if any, of the DGCL and Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws of Motoguzzi (including but not limited to, the approval of this
Agreement and the Merger by the stockholders of Motoguzzi), (ii) filing and
recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the laws of the State
of Delaware, (iii) those consents, approvals, authorizations, permits, filings
or notifications applicable to Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries listed
in SCHEDULE 3.03(b), and (iv) where failure to obtain such consents, approvals,
authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications, would not
(a) have either singly or in the aggregate, a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect
or (b) affect the ability of Motoguzzi to consummate the Merger and other
agreements contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 3.04 Motoguzzi Capitalization. The total authorized capital stock
of Motoguzzi consists of 20,000,000 shares of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock and
2,000,000 shares of Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock, of which 6,000,000 shares of
Old Motoguzzi Common Stock and 1,500,000 shares of Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock
are issued and outstanding. Except for Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock and Old
Motoguzzi Warrants, there are no existing options, warrants, calls, commitments
or other rights of any character including conversion or
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preemptive rights relating to the acquisition of any issued or unissued capital
stock or other securities of Motoguzzi. The outstanding Old Motoguzzi Warrants
have been duly and validly authorized and issued. All of the outstanding shares
of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock and Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock are duly and
validly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable. SCHEDULE
3.04(a) correctly sets forth the record owners of all of the Old Motoguzzi
Common Stock, Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock and Old Motoguzzi Warrants.
Motoguzzi complied with all applicable federal and state securities laws and
regulations in connection with the offer and sale of all of the outstanding Old
Motoguzzi Common Stock, Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock and Old Motoguzzi
Warrants, and there are no rescission rights relating thereto except for such of
the foregoing as would not have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect. There are
no options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights permitting or
requiring the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries to issue, or which give anyone the right to
purchase any securities of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries or rights convertible into
securities of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries have not
agreed to issue or sell any shares of their capital stock or securities
convertible into their capital stock.
SECTION 3.05 Licenses and Permits; Compliance with Laws. Each of Motoguzzi
and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries hold all permits, licenses and approvals
(collectively, the "Permits") from all federal, state and local governmental
authorities in the United States, Italy, and other countries necessary for it to
own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as now
being conducted, except for such of the foregoing, the absence of which would
not have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect. Motoguzzi has no knowledge that
any such Permit has been rescinded and, to its knowledge, all such Permits are
in full force and effect and listed on SCHEDULE 3.05. Except as set forth in any
of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules attached hereto, the business of each of
Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries is being and has been conducted in
compliance with the Permits and all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances,
regulations judgments, orders, decrees, concessions, grants and other
authorizations of any governmental authority except where any non compliance,
singly or in the aggregate would not have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect.
Neither Motoguzzi nor the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries is in default under any of such
Permits and no event has occurred and no condition exists which, with the giving
of notice, the passage of time, or both, would constitute a default thereunder
which would result in a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect. Neither the execution
and delivery of this Agreement or any of the other documents contemplated
hereby, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
nor compliance by Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries with any of the
provisions hereof or thereof, will result in any suspension, revocation,
impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal of any Permit, and all of which shall be in
effect as of the Closing, except for such of the foregoing, the absence of which
would not have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.06 Financial Statements.
(a) Motoguzzi has caused to be delivered to North consolidated financial
statements of Motoguzzi for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 audited
and reported on by Arthur Andersen, LLP, and unaudited consolidated financial
statements of Motoguzzi for the year ended December 31, 1995 and for the three
months ended March 31, 1998 and March 31, 1997 and summary unaudited
consolidated financial statements for the three and six month periods ended June
30, 1998 and June 30, 1997 (collectively, the "Motoguzzi Financial Statements").
The Motoguzzi Financial Statements, including all related notes and schedules
thereto, fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial
position of Motoguzzi as at the respective dates thereof and the results of
operations and cash flows of Motoguzzi for the periods indicated in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on
a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may be noted
therein) and subject, in the case of interim financial statements, to normal
year-end adjustments, and in the case of summary financial statements, to
omission of certain items customarily included in interim financial statements.
(b) Except for liabilities, costs, expenses, debts, commitments or
obligations arising in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, or resulting from actions taken in furtherance of the
transactions identified in Items 1 through 4 of SCHEDULE 3.08 of the Motoguzzi
Disclosure Schedules attached hereto, to the knowledge of Motoguzzi, Motoguzzi,
on a consolidated basis, has no debts, liabilities, commitments or obligations
(including, without limitation, unasserted claims), whether absolute or
contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, or due or to become due or otherwise
except for liabilities and obligations (a) reflected as liabilities on the March
31, 1998 balance sheet ("Balance Sheet"), (b) that have arisen since March 31,
1998
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in the ordinary course of business of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries,
(c) that are described herein or in any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules
attached hereto, or (d) which singly or in the aggregate do not have a Motoguzzi
Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.07 Real Property.
(a) SCHEDULE 3.07 contains a true, correct and complete list and brief
description of all real property owned, leased or subleased by Motoguzzi and the
Motoguzzi Subsidiaries, all of which are hereinafter referred to as the "Real
Property." Motoguzzi has made available to North true, correct and complete
copies of the deeds and leases of the Real Property.
(b) Except as set forth in any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules
attached hereto, all buildings, structures, improvements, fixtures, facilities,
equipment, all components of all buildings, structures and other improvements
included within the Real Property owned by Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi
Subsidiaries conforms in all material respects to all applicable statutes,
rules, regulations, ordinances, orders, writs, injunctions, judgments, decrees,
awards and restrictions of every governmental authority having jurisdic tion
over any of the Real Property owned by Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries,
and every instrumentality or agency thereof (including, without limitation,
applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions relating to
zoning, land use, safety, health, environment, hazardous substances, pollution
controls, employment and employment practices and access by the handicapped)
(collectively, "Laws"), except where nonconformance would not have a Motoguzzi
Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except as set forth in any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules
attached hereto, the use and operation of the Real Property owned by Motoguzzi
and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries is in full compliance with all Laws, covenants,
conditions, restrictions, easements, disposition agreements and similar matters
affecting the Real Property except where non compliance would not have a
Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect. Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries have
not received any notice of any violation (or claimed violation) of or
investigation regarding any Laws except where such violation or claimed
violation would not have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Except as set forth in any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules,
Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries have not received notice of, or
otherwise have knowledge of, any condemnation, fire, health, safety, building,
environmental, hazardous substances, pollution control, zoning or other land use
regulatory proceedings, either instituted or planned to be instituted, which
would have an adverse effect on the use and operation of any portion of the Real
Property or the value of any material portion of the Real Property, nor have
Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries received notice of any special
assessment proceedings affecting any of the Real Property except for such of the
foregoing which would not have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect.
(e) Motoguzzi has made available for inspection by North true, correct and
complete title policies and surveys with respect to the Real Property.
SECTION 3.08 Material Contracts.
(a) SCHEDULE 3.08(a) sets forth a complete and correct list of all
agreements, including without limitation, leases, currently in effect which are
material to the assets, financial condition, business or operations of Motoguzzi
and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (collectively, the "Material
Contracts"); when the foregoing representation is restated as of the Closing
Date, any change to SCHEDULE 3.08(a) shall not be deemed a breach of such
representation, for purposes of Article IX or Article XI hereof, unless such
change, either singly or in the aggregate, would cause a Motoguzzi Material
Adverse Effect. True and complete copies of all Material Contracts have been
delivered to North or made available for inspection.
(b) Except as set forth in any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules
attached hereto, all Material Contracts are valid and in full force and effect
and neither Motoguzzi nor any of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries has received notice
from any other party thereto that it has violated any provision of, or committed
or failed to perform any act which with or without notice, lapse of time or both
would constitute a default under the provisions of, any Material Contract,
except for defaults which would not have, either singly or in the aggregate, a
Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect. None of the rights of Motoguzzi or any of the
Motoguzzi Subsidiaries under any of the
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Material Contracts are subject to any Liens of record, except for Liens granted
in the ordinary course of business and Liens which, either singly or in the
aggregate do not have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth
in any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules, neither Motoguzzi nor any of the
Motoguzzi Subsidiaries received notice from any other party thereto that it has
breached any express or implied representations, warranties or covenants in
connection with the sale or provision of its services or goods, except for
breaches that, either singly or in the aggregate, will not have a Motoguzzi
Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.09 Litigation. Except as set forth in any of the Motoguzzi
Disclosure Schedules attached hereto, there are no actions, suits, arbitrations,
mediation or other proceedings pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against
Motoguzzi or any of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries at law or in equity before any
court, Federal, state, municipal or other governmental department or agency or
other tribunal and neither Motoguzzi nor any of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries, nor
any of their respective properties, is subject to any order, judgment,
injunction or decree; when the foregoing representation is restated as of the
Closing Date, any change to any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules shall not
be deemed a breach of such representation, for purposes of Article IX or Article
XI hereof, unless such change is reasonably likely to have, either singly or in
the aggregate, a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.10 Taxes, Tax Returns and Audits. Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi
Subsidiaries have (or, in the case of returns becoming due after the date hereof
and on or before the Effective Time, will have prior to the Effective Time)
filed or caused to be filed, or have properly filed extensions for, all tax
returns which are required to be filed and have paid or caused to be paid all
taxes required therein to be paid and all assessments received by them to the
extent that such taxes have become due, except taxes the validity or amount of
which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with
respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside and except for such of
the foregoing as would not cause a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect. Motoguzzi
and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries have or will have established adequate reserves
on its books and records and financial statements (including the Balance Sheet)
for such payment in accordance with GAAP. Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi
Subsidiaries have withheld from each payment made to any of its present or
former employees, officers, directors or other party all amounts required by law
to be withheld and have, where required, remitted such amounts within the
applicable periods to the appropriate governmental authorities. Motoguzzi and
the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries have paid or caused to be paid, or have established
reserves that they reasonably believe to be adequate in all material respects,
for all tax liabilities applicable to them for all fiscal years which have not
been examined and reported on by the taxing authorities (or closed by applicable
statutes).
SECTION 3.11 Absence of Certain Changes. Since March 31, 1998, except as
set forth in any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules attached hereto, and
except for costs, expenses or liabilities incurred or actions taken in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (which
costs, expenses and liability are to be paid by TRG), or action taken in
furtherance of the transactions identified in Items 1 through 4 of SCHEDULE 3.08
of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules attached hereto, neither Motoguzzi nor any
of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries has:
(a) issued, delivered or agreed to issue any stock, bonds or other
corporate securities (whether authorized and unissued or held in the treasury),
or granted or agreed to grant any options (including employee stock options),
warrants or other rights for the issue thereof;
(b) borrowed or agreed to borrow any funds except in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practices;
(c) incurred any obligation or liability, absolute, accrued, contingent or
otherwise, whether due or to become due, except current liabilities incurred in
the ordinary course of business consistent with prior practice and liabilities
to TRG which, together with other liabilities to TRG, OAM and their subsidiaries
(other than Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries) shall not exceed $800,000
in the aggregate as of the Closing Date, or, when the foregoing representation
is restated as of the Closing Date, such obligations or liabilities as do not
either singly or in the aggregate, have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect;
(d) sold, transferred, leased to others or otherwise disposed of any assets
outside of the ordinary course of business or canceled or compromised any debt
or claim, or waived or released any right of substantial value;
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(e) received any notice of termination of any Material Contract or Permit
or suffered any damage, destruction or loss if not covered by insurance, which,
as to any of the foregoing, has resulted in a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect:
(f) encountered any labor union organizing activity, labor disputes or had
any material change in its relations with its employees or agents, clients or
insurance carriers which has resulted in a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect;
(g) paid any monies to TRG or OAM or any of their subsidiaries;
(h) suffered any Motoguzzi Material Adverse Change.
SECTION 3.12 Labor Relations. Except as set forth in any of the Motoguzzi
Disclosure Schedules attached hereto, neither Motoguzzi nor any of the Motoguzzi
Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other contract
or agreement with any labor organization or other representative of any of the
employees of Motoguzzi and/or any of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries. Motoguzzi and
the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all
laws relating to the employment or the workplace, including, without limitation,
provisions relating to wages, hours, collective bargaining, safety and health,
work authorization, equal employment opportunity, immigration and the
withholding of income taxes, unemployment compensation, worker's compensation,
employee privacy and right to know and social security contributions, except
where noncompliance would not have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect. There
are no pending or, to its knowledge, threatened, proceedings or grievances with
respect to labor matters concerning Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries
which would have, either singly or in the aggregate, a Motoguzzi Material
Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.13 Insurance Policies; Claims. SCHEDULE 3.13 sets forth all
insurance policies and bonds maintained by or on behalf of Motoguzzi and the
Motoguzzi Subsidiaries. There are no unresolved claims have been made against
Motoguzzi and/or any of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries in respect of allegedly
defective products and Motoguzzi does not know of any written assertion of any
such claim, except for such of the foregoing which, if proven, would not have a
Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.14 Intellectual Property.
(a) Right, Title and Interest. Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries own
or possess sufficient right, title and interest in and to, or a valid and
enforceable license in or other right to use all of the Intellectual Property
(as defined below) to entitle them to conduct their businesses as heretofore
conducted and as presently intended to be conducted in the future, except for
such of the foregoing, the absence of which would not have a Motoguzzi Material
Adverse Effect. To its knowledge, Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries have
not infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated any Intellectual Property
of any other person except for such of the foregoing as would not have a
Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect. To its knowledge, no person is infringing
upon any Intellectual Property right of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries
except for such of the foregoing as would not have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) "Intellectual Property" means all patents, patent applications and
patent disclosures; all inventions (whether or not patentable and whether or not
reduced to practice); all trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade names
and corporate names and all the goodwill associated therewith; all registered
and unregistered statutory and common law copyrights; all registrations,
applications and renewals for any of the foregoing; all protocols, codes and
operating systems; and all trade secrets, confidential information, know-how,
technical and computer data, software, and related proprietary property. All of
the material Intellectual Property of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries
is listed on SCHEDULE 3.14(b) hereto. SECTION 3.15 Properties; Assets. Except as
provided in any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules attached hereto, Motoguzzi
and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries (a) have good and marketable title to all the
properties and assets reflected on the Balance Sheet as being owned by Motoguzzi
and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries (except properties sold or otherwise disposed of
since the date thereof in the ordinary course of business or properties sold or
disposed of after the date hereof, which does not cause a Motoguzzi Material
Adverse Effect), and those properties acquired after the date thereof and not
thereafter disposed of, free and clear of all Liens, except (i) statutory liens
securing payments not yet due, and (ii) such imperfections or irregularities of
title, claims, liens, charges, security interests or encumbrances which do not
materially affect the use or marketability of the properties or assets subject
thereto or affected thereby or
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otherwise materially impair business operations at such properties, and (b) is
the lessee of all personal property reflected on the Balance Sheet as being
leased by it as of March 31, 1998 (except for leases that have expired by their
terms since March 31, 1998) and those properties leased after the date thereof.
Except as set forth in any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules attached
hereto, the assets and properties of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries
are in good operating condition and repair (ordinary wear and tear excepted)
except for such of the foregoing as do not represent a Motoguzzi Material
Adverse Effect, and constitute all of the assets, right and properties which are
necessary for the businesses and operations of Motoguzzi as a whole to be
conducted as presently conducted. There are no Liens on any assets of Motoguzzi
or of any of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries securing indebtedness of TRG or any
subsidiary thereof (other than Motoguzzi or any Motoguzzi Subsidiary;
"Intercompany Liens").
SECTION 3.16 Bank Accounts. SCHEDULE 3.16 sets forth the name of each bank
in which Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries have an account or safe
deposit box, vault, lock-box or other arrangement, the account number and
description of each account at each bank and the names of all persons authorized
to draw thereon or to have access thereto; and the names of all persons, if any,
holding tax or other powers of attorney from Motoguzzi and/or any of the
Motoguzzi Subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.17 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled
to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or
on behalf of Motoguzzi.
SECTION 3.18 Records. The books of account, minute books, stock
certificate books and stock transfer ledgers of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi
Subsidiaries are complete and correct in all material respects, and there have
been no material transactions involving Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries
of the type typically recorded in such records which were not so recorded.
SECTION 3.19 No Illegal or Improper Transactions. Neither Motoguzzi and
the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries nor any officer, director, employee, agent or
affiliate of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries has offered, paid or
agreed to pay to any person or entity (including any governmental official) or
solicited, received or agreed to receive from any such person or entity,
directly or indirectly, any money or anything of value for the purpose or with
the intent of (i) obtaining or maintaining business for the benefit of Motoguzzi
and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries, (ii) illegally or improperly facilitating the
purchase or sale of any product or service, or (iii) avoiding the imposition of
any fine or penalty, in any manner which is in violation of any applicable
ordinance, regulation or law.
SECTION 3.20 Related Transactions. Except as set forth in any of the
Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules attached hereto, and for compensation and related
arrangements with employees or consultants for services rendered consistent with
past practices, no current or former director, officer or, to Motoguzzi's
knowledge, employee of Motoguzzi and/or any of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries is
presently, or during the last two fiscal years has been, (a) a party to any
transaction with Motoguzzi and/or any of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries, (including,
but not limited to, any contract, agreement or other arrangements providing for
the furnishing of services by, or rental of real or personal property from, or
otherwise requiring payments to, any such director, officer, employee or
shareholder), or (b) the direct or, to Motoguzzi's knowledge, indirect owner of
an interest in any corporation, firm, association or business organization which
is a current (or potential) competitor, supplier or customer of Motoguzzi and/or
any of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries, nor, to Motoguzzi's knowledge, does any such
person receive income from any source other than Motoguzzi and/or any of the
Motoguzzi Subsidiaries which relates to the business of, or should properly
accrue to, Motoguzzi and/or any of the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.21 Disclosure. No representation or warranty by Motoguzzi
contained in this Agreement and no information contained in any schedule,
financial statement or other instrument furnished or to be furnished by
Motoguzzi to North pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, contains or will contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading.
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SECTION 3.22 Environmental, Health and Safety Matters. Except as set forth
in any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules attached hereto:
(a) Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries are in compliance with
Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements, except for such noncompliance as
would not reasonably be expected to have, either singly or in the aggregate, a
Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries have not received any written
notice, report or other information regarding any actual or alleged material
violation of Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements, or any material
liabilities or potential material liabilities (whether accrued, absolute,
contingent, unliquidated or otherwise), including any investigatory, remedial or
corrective obligations, relating to Motoguzzi or its property arising under
Environmental, Health, and Safety Requirements, the subject of which would
reasonably be expected to have, either singly or in the aggregate, a Motoguzzi
Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.23 Year 2000 Compliance. Third parties have been engaged by
Motoguzzi to evaluate and, if required, upgrade, all operating codes, programs,
utilities and other software, as well as all hardware and systems, utilized by
Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries in their businesses, or in the
provisions of services, or comprising software, hardware and/or systems sold by
Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries to third parties, in order to record,
store, process, and present calendar dates falling on or after January 1, 2000
in the same manner, and with the same functionality, as provided on or before
December 31, 1999. and Motoguzzi is relying exclusively upon the expertise of
such third parties to achieve such operability.
TRG represent and warrants to North as follows:
SECTION 3.24 Organization. TRG (i) is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Maryland and (ii) owns
1,500,000 shares of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock, and OAM owns 4,500,000 shares of
Old Motoguzzi Common Stock, representing 25% and 75%, respectively, of the
outstanding shares on the date hereof of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock.
SECTION 3.25 Authority; Corporate Action. TRG has all necessary corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate such of the
transactions contemplated hereby as are applicable to TRG. All action, corporate
and otherwise, necessary to be taken by TRG for the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the other agreements and instruments delivered
by TRG in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby has or
at the Closing will have been duly and validly taken. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, this Agreement and the other agreements and instruments
delivered by TRG in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall
constitute the valid, binding and enforceable obligation of TRG enforceable
against it in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
fraudulent transfer or similar laws of general application now or hereafter in
effect affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and by general principles
of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or
in equity).
SECTION 3.26 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement (and the other agreements contemplated hereby) by TRG
does not, and the performance by TRG of its obligations under this Agreement
(and any other agreement contemplated hereby) will not, (i) conflict with or
violate its Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws or other organizational
documents (ii) conflict with or violate any law, statute, ordinance, rule,
regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to TRG or by which any of its
properties or assets is bound or affected, or (iii) result in any breach of, or
constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both
would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien
on any of the properties or assets of TRG pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other
instrument or obligation to which TRG is a party or by which TRG or any of its
properties or assets is bound or affected, except, in the case of clauses (ii)
and (iii), above, for any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults or
other occurrences that would not have, either singly or in the aggregate, a
material adverse effect on TRG and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
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SECTION 3.27 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled
to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or
on behalf of TRG.
SECTION 3.28 Disclosure. No representation or warranty by TRG contained in
this Agreement and no information contained in any schedule, financial statement
or other instrument furnished or to be furnished by TRG to North pursuant to
this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,
contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or
will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
contained herein or therein not misleading.
SECTION 3.29 Voting Agreement. TRG and OAM have each executed and
delivered to North an agreement in the form of EXHIBIT D hereto with respect to
voting in favor of the consummation of the Merger at any meeting of shareholders
of Motoguzzi.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NORTH
North represents and warrants to Motoguzzi as follows:
SECTION 4.01 Organization. North is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. North
does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other securities of
any issuer or any equity interest in any other entity, including any
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, business trust or
any other business entity, and is not a party to any agreement to acquire any
such securities or interest. North is qualified to do business in each state
where the nature of the business it conducts or the properties it owns, leases
or operates requires it to so qualify, except where the failure to so qualify
would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a North Material Adverse Effect.
North has all requisite corporate power to own, lease and operate its properties
and to carry on its business.
SECTION 4.02 Authority; Corporate Action. North has all necessary
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the other
agreements contemplated by this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby. All action, corporate and otherwise, necessary
to be taken by North to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and all other agreements delivered or to be delivered by North in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby has, or at the
Closing will have been, duly and validly taken. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, this Agreement and all the other agreements contemplated
hereby constitute valid, binding and enforceable obligations of North, as the
case may be, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
fraudulent transfer or similar laws of general application now or hereafter in
effect affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and by general principles
of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or
in equity).
SECTION 4.03 No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents.
(a) The execution and delivery of this Agreement (and the other agreements
contemplated hereby) by North does not, and the performance by North of its
obligations under this Agreement (and any other agreement contemplated hereby)
will not, (i) conflict with or violate the Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws
or other organizational documents of North, (ii) conflict with or violate any
law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable
to North or by which any of its properties or assets is bound or affected, or
(iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event which with
notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others
any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result
in the creation of a Lien on any of the properties or assets of North pursuant
to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license,
permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which North is a party or
by which North or any of its properties or assets is bound or affected, except,
in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), above, for any such conflicts,
violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences that would not have, either
singly or in the aggregate, a North Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and all the other
agreements contemplated hereby by North does not, and the performance of this
Agreement and all the other agreements contemplated hereby by
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North will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or
filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except for
(i) compliance with the applicable requirements, if any, of the Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of North (including, but not limited to, the approval
of this Agreement and the Merger by the Stockholders of North), Exchange Act,
Securities Act, state securities laws, state takeover laws, Nasdaq and
(ii) filing and recordation of appropriate merger documents as required by the
laws of the State of Delaware, and (iii) where failure to obtain such consents,
approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications,
would not have, either singly or in the aggregate, a North Material Adverse
Effect.
SECTION 4.04 North Capitalization. The number of authorized and issued
shares of capital stock of North is set forth on SCHEDULE 4.04 which amount will
be increased on or before the Effective Time by 30,000 shares of Class B Common
Stock of North upon exercise of the Class B Options and payment to North of the
aggregate of $300,000 Class B Option exercise price; (such shares of Class B
Common Stock to be converted into 60,000 shares of Class A Common Stock either
(i) as of the Effective Time if all of the actions described in Section 7.06 are
approved, or (ii) if not, within 90 days of the Effective Time in accordance
with the agreement attached hereto as EXHIBIT E). North does not have any
treasury stock. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 4.04 and except for (x) the
Executive Options and (y) a warrant to purchase 350,000 shares of Class A Common
Stock to be issued at the Effective Time to Allen & Company (the Executive
Options and such warrant, collectively the "Closing Date Options"), there are no
options, warrants, calls, commitments or other rights of any character including
conversion or preemptive rights relating to the acquisition of any issued or
unissued capital stock or other securities of North. All of the outstanding
shares of common stock and preferred stock of North are duly and validly
authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable. SCHEDULE 4.04 correctly
sets forth the record owners of all of the options of North. North has complied
with all applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations in
connection with the offer and sale of all of the common stock, preferred stock,
warrants and options of North and there are no rescission rights relating
thereto except for such of the foregoing as would not have a North Material
Adverse Effect. SCHEDULE 4.04 sets forth the registration rights of all holders
of securities of North, either on a "demand" or a "piggyback" basis.
SECTION 4.05 Escrow Account. As of the date hereof and at the Closing
Date, North has and covenants that it will have no less than $8,391,000 invested
in government securities in an escrow account with Chase Manhattan Bank. Upon
consummation of the Merger, all conditions to the release of such funds from
escrow will be satisfied. Immediately prior to the Closing Date, after provision
for (i) all unpaid costs, expenses and liabilities of North heretofore incurred
or hereafter incurred at any time prior to the Closing Date, all of which (other
than those described in clause (ii) hereof) to the best of North's knowledge are
set forth in SCHEDULE 4.05 hereto, and (ii) all unpaid costs and expenses
incurred by North in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement in an aggregate amount, to the extent payable in cash, of not more
than $625,000, all of which, or reasonable estimates thereof, together with all
documentation in North's possession related thereto are also set forth on
SCHEDULE 4.05 (the net amount of cash so remaining is referred to herein as
"Available Cash"), North covenants that it will have not less than $8,000,000 of
Available Cash, less only such amounts, if any, as North is required to pay
stockholders who are not officers and directors of North who elect to have their
shares redeemed in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation of North. SCHEDULE 4.05 also lists all costs and expenses incurred
by North in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
paid by North.
SECTION 4.06 North Securities and Exchange Commission Reports; Financial
Statement.
(a) North has filed all forms, reports, statements and other documents
required to be filed with the Commission when and as required to be filed, and
has heretofore made them available to Motoguzzi, in the same form as filed with
the Commission, together with any amendments thereto, copies of its (i) Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1997 and all Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q filed since August 31, 1997, and (ii) all reports on Form 8-K since
August 31, 1997 (collectively, the "North Reports"). As of their respective
filing dates, the North Reports (i) complied as to form in all material respects
with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act and (ii) did
not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
Except as disclosed in a filing subsequently made in accordance with the
requirements of the Exchange Act prior to the date hereof and except for such
filing of a report on Form 8-K as may be required to disclose this Agreement and
the transactions as contemplated by this
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Agreement, no event has occurred subsequent to the date of filing of each such
North Report as would make any statement contained therein materially untrue or
misleading or would make any omission therefrom materially misleading in light
of the occurrence of such event.
(b) The financial statements of North for the year ended August 31, 1997,
audited and reported on by BDO Seidman, LLP and unaudited financial statements
of North for the nine months ended May 31, 1998 (collectively, the "North
Financial Statements") are contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended August 31, 1997 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended May 31, 1998, respectively, each of which has been delivered to TRG as
part of the North Reports. The North Financial Statements , including all
related notes and schedules thereto, fairly present in all material respects the
consolidated financial position of North as at the respective dates thereof and
the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of North for the periods
indicated in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the
periods involved (except as may be noted therein) and subject, in the case of
interim financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments.
(c) Other than as set forth on the May 31, 1998 balance sheet contained in
the North Financial Statements and such of the following as are incurred in
connection with the negotiation and consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, estimates of which are set forth in SCHEDULE
4.05, North has, on the date hereof and North covenants that it will have as of
the Closing Date, no debts, liabilities, financial commitments or financial
obligations (including, without limitation, unasserted claims) whether absolute
or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, or due or to become due or otherwise,
except those incurred in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practices, since the date of such balance sheet which are set forth in SCHEDULE
4.05.
SECTION 4.07 North Material Contracts.
(a) SCHEDULE 4.07(a) sets forth a complete and correct list of all
agreements which are material to the assets, financial condition, business or
operations of North. True and complete copies of all Material Contracts have
been delivered to Motoguzzi or made available for inspection.
(b) Except as set forth in any of the North Disclosure Schedules, all
Material Contracts are valid and in full force and effect and North has not
received notice from any other party thereto that it has violated any provision
of, or committed or failed to perform any act which with or without notice,
lapse of time or both would constitute a default under the provisions of, any
Material Contract, except for defaults that would not reasonably be expected to
have, either singly or in the aggregate, a North Material Adverse Effect. None
of the rights of North under any of the Material Contracts is subject to any
Liens of record. Except as set forth in any of the North Disclosure Schedules,
North has not received notice from any other party thereto that it has breached
any express or implied representations, warranties or covenants in connection
with such Material Contracts, except for breaches that, individually and in the
aggregate, will not have a North Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.08 Litigation Other than as set forth on any of the North
Disclosure Schedules, there are no actions, suits, arbitrations, mediations or
other proceedings pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against North at law
or in equity before any court, Federal, state, municipal or other governmental
department or agency or other tribunal. Neither North nor its property is
subject to any order, judgment, injunction or decree which could have either
singly or in the aggregate, a North Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.09 Bank Accounts. SCHEDULE 4.09 sets forth the name of each bank
in which North has an account, safe deposit, vault, lock-box or other
arrangement, the account number and description of each account at each bank and
the names of all persons authorized to draw thereon or to have access thereto
and the names of all persons, if any, holding powers of attorney over such
accounts from North.
SECTION 4.10 Disclosure. No representation or warranty by North contained
in this Agreement and no information contained in any schedule, financial
statement or other instrument furnished or to be furnished to Motoguzzi by North
pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, when taken together with the North Reports, contains or will contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not
misleading.
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SECTION 4.11 Investment Bankers. Other than fees payable to and expenses
of Allen & Company Incorporated, which fees and expenses will be paid solely by
North, in cash and warrants as provided herein and in the North Disclosure
Schedules, no broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage,
finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of
North.
SECTION 4.12 Securities Issued as Merger Consideration. The Class A Common
Stock, Class B Preferred Stock and Nominal Warrants, when issued as a result of
the Merger shall be duly authorized and issued by North and the Class A Common
Stock and Class B Preferred Stock will be fully paid and non-assessable shares
of capital stock of North. The shares of Class A Common Stock purchasable upon
exercise of the Nominal Warrants and the Continuation Warrants have been duly
reserved for issuance and, when issued in accordance with the terms of the
Nominal Warrants and the Continuation Warrants, shall be duly authorized and
issued by North and fully paid and non-assessable.
SECTION 4.13 Licenses and Permits; Compliance with Laws. North holds all
permits, licenses and approvals from all federal, state and local governmental
authorities, foreign or domestic, necessary for it to own its properties and to
carry on its business as now being conducted except for such of the foregoing,
the absence of which would not have a North Material Adverse Effect. North is
not an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended ("Investment Company Act") and is not, and has not been,
required to register under the Investment Company Act.
SECTION 4.14 Records. The books of account, minutes books, stock
certificate ledger and stock transfer ledger of North are complete and correct
in all material respects , and there have been no material transactions
involving North of the type typically recorded in such records which were not so
recorded.
SECTION 4.15 No Illegal or Improper Transactions. Neither North, nor any
officer, director, employee, agent or affiliate of North, has offered, paid or
agreed to pay to any person or entity (including any governmental official) or
solicited, received or agreed to receive from any such person or entity,
directly or indirectly, any money or anything of value for the purpose or with
the intent of (i) obtaining or maintaining business for the benefit of North,
(ii) illegally or improperly facilitating the purchase or sale of any product or
service, or (iii) avoiding the imposition of any fine or penalty, in any manner
which is in violation of any applicable ordinance, regulation or law.
SECTION 4.16 License Fee. All fees payable in connection with the use of
the "Sma2rt" and or other related trademarks have been paid by North.
SECTION 4.17 Indemnification Agreements. Other than as provided in the
Certificate of Incorporation or By Laws of North, North is not a party to any
agreement, undertaking, understanding or obligation, express or implied, to
indemnify any current or former director of North arising out of any acts or
events occurring prior the date hereof.
SECTION 4.18 Taxes, Tax Returns and Audits. North has (or, in the case of
returns becoming due after the date hereof and on or before the Effective Time,
will have prior to the Effective Time) filed or caused to be filed, or have
properly filed extensions for, all tax returns which are required to be filed
and have paid or caused to be paid all taxes required therein to be paid and all
assessments received by them to the extent that such taxes have become due,
except taxes the validity or amount of which is being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves have been
set aside. North has or will have established adequate reserves on its books and
records and financial statements (including the May 31, 1998 balance sheet) for
such payment in accordance with GAAP. North has withheld from each payment made
to any of its present or former employees, officers, directors or other party
all amounts required by law to be withheld and has, where required, remitted
such amounts within the applicable periods to the appropriate governmental
authorities. North has paid or caused to be paid, or has established reserves
that it reasonably believes to be adequate in all material respects, for all tax
liabilities applicable to it for all fiscal years which have not been examined
and reported on by the taxing authorities (or closed by applicable statutes).
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ARTICLE V
NATURE AND SURVIVAL OF
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTIES.
SECTION 5.01 Survival. Each statement, representation, warranty, covenant
and agreement made by any Party to another under this Agreement shall remain in
effect continuously until the Closing, and the representations, warranties,
covenants, and agreements made by Motoguzzi and TRG shall survive the Closing
and shall terminate at such time as the right of North to assert claims against
the Remedy Fund (as hereinafter defined) under such statement, representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement as provided in ARTICLE X so terminates, provided
that such termination shall not affect North's rights in respect of any claims
asserted in accordance with ARTICLE X prior to such termination, and provided
further that nothing contained herein shall limit any Party's rights and
remedies under ARTICLE XI.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF MOTOGUZZI AND TRG
SECTION 6.01 Conduct of Business. Motoguzzi covenants and agrees that,
from the date hereof through the Closing Date, except as otherwise set forth in
or as contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation the actions
described in SECTION 6.13, and except for actions taken in furtherance of any
transaction specified in any of the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules attached
hereto, Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries shall:
(a) conduct their businesses only in the ordinary course and in a
manner consistent with the current practice of such business, preserve
substantially intact the business organization of Motoguzzi and the
Motoguzzi Subsidiaries, use their best efforts to preserve the current
relationships of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries with customers
and other persons with which Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries have
significant business relations, taken as a whole, preserve the goodwill of
Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and comply with
all requirements of law, the violation of which are reasonably likely to
have a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect;
(b) not sell, transfer or dispose of all or any part of its capital
stock;
(c) not (i) issue any shares of its capital stock nor any options,
obligations, rights, warrants or other securities convertible into or
exchangeable for its capital stock or any other class of equity securities
of Motoguzzi; or (ii) amend or otherwise modify the terms of any such
securities, options, obligations, rights or warrants in a manner
inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement or if the effect thereof
shall be to make such terms more favorable to the holders thereof;
(d) not declare any dividend or make any distribution in cash,
securities or otherwise on the outstanding shares of its capital stock, or
directly or indirectly redeem or purchase any such capital stock except for
dividends or distributions by a Motoguzzi Subsidiary to Motoguzzi, or
redemptions or purchases of capital stock of Motoguzzi Subsidiaries;
(e) not, in any manner whatsoever, advance, transfer (other than in
payment for goods received or services rendered in the ordinary course of
business), or distribute to any security holder of Motoguzzi, including
without limitation TRG, OAM or any of their affiliates, or otherwise
withdraw, cash or cash equivalents in any manner inconsistent with its
established cash management practices, except to pay existing obligations
of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries in accordance with their terms;
(f) not change any of its methods of accounting in effect at March 31,
1998;
(g) not prepay, before the scheduled maturity thereof, any of its
long-term debt, or incur any obligation for borrowed money, whether or not
evidenced by a note, bond, debenture or similar instrument, other than
indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practices and as contemplated by this Agreement;
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(h) not enter into, or modify in any material respect or terminate any
Material Contract or Permit if same would cause a Motoguzzi Material
Adverse Effect, except as required by applicable law;
(i) not take any action that will, or could reasonably be expected to,
result in any of its representations and warranties set forth in this
Agreement being inaccurate as of the Closing Date or in any of the
conditions to the Merger not being satisfied, if such inaccuracy or
non-satisfaction of condition would permit termination of this Agreement by
North in accordance with ARTICLE IX hereof; or
(j) not agree in writing or otherwise to do any of the foregoing.
SECTION 6.02 Access to Information; Confidentiality.
(a) Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Motoguzzi will
(i) permit North and their Representatives reasonable access to all of the
books, records, reports and other related materials, offices and other
facilities and properties of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries;
(ii) permit North and their Representatives to make such inspections thereof as
they may reasonably request; and (iii) furnish North and their Representatives
with such financial and operating data (including without limitation the work
papers of Motoguzzi's accountants) and other information with respect to
Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries as North may from time to time
reasonably request.
(b) TRG and Motoguzzi shall hold and shall cause their affiliates and
Representatives to hold in strict confidence, unless compelled to disclose by
judicial or administrative process or by other requirements of law, all
documents and information concerning North furnished to them by North or their
Representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (except to the extent that such information can be shown to have been
(i) previously known by TRG or Motoguzzi, (ii) in the public domain through no
fault of TRG or Motoguzzi or (iii) later lawfully acquired by TRG or Motoguzzi
from another source, which source shall not be the agent of North or person
under confidentiality obligation to North) and, except as otherwise required by
applicable law, rule or regulation, neither TRG nor Motoguzzi shall release or
disclose such information to any other person, except its auditors, actuaries,
attorneys, financial advisors, bankers and other consultants and advisors who
need to know same in connection with this Agreement.
SECTION 6.03 Maintenance of Insurance. Through the Closing Date, Motoguzzi
shall maintain insurance policies providing insurance coverage for its
consolidated business and the assets of Motoguzzi of substantially the same
kinds, in substantially the same amounts and against substantially the same
risks as are in effect on the date hereof to the extent that such coverage is
available at a cost not greater than 200% of the present cost of such coverage.
SECTION 6.04 No Other Negotiations. Unless and until this Agreement shall
have been terminated pursuant to its terms, neither Motoguzzi nor any of its
Representatives, officers, directors or affiliates shall, directly or
indirectly, solicit, institute, initiate, or pursue or respond to any inquiries
or enter into discussions, proposals or negotiations with any person concerning
any merger, sale of substantial assets, tender offer, sale of shares of stock or
similar transaction involving Motoguzzi or any of its assets or disclose,
directly or indirectly, other than to the shareholders of Motoguzzi, any
information not customarily disclosed to the public or such shareholders
concerning Motoguzzi, or except as required by law, afford to any other person
access to the properties, books or records of Motoguzzi, or otherwise assist any
person preparing to make or who has made such an offer, or enter into any
agreement with any third party providing for a business combination transaction,
equity investment or sale of significant amount of assets of Motoguzzi or
recommend to its shareholders any of the foregoing. Motoguzzi shall promptly
notify North of any direct or indirect inquiries, discussions, proposals or
negotiations.
SECTION 6.05 No Securities Transactions. Neither Motoguzzi nor any of its
affiliates shall engage in any transactions involving the securities of North
prior to the Closing Date.
SECTION 6.06 Fulfillment of Conditions. TRG and Motoguzzi shall use its
respective commercially reasonable efforts to fulfill, or cause to be fulfilled,
the conditions specified in ARTICLES VIII AND IX applicable to it to the extent
that the fulfillment of such conditions is within its respective control. The
foregoing obligation includes taking or refraining from such reasonable actions
as may be necessary to fulfill such conditions (including Motoguzzi and the
Motoguzzi Subsidiaries conducting their businesses in such manner that
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on the Closing Date the representations and warranties of TRG and Motoguzzi
contained herein shall be accurate as though then made, except as contemplated
or permitted by the terms hereof).
SECTION 6.07 Disclosure of Certain Matters. During the period from the
date hereof through the Closing Date, each of TRG and Motoguzzi shall give North
prompt written notice of any event or development that occurs that (a) had it
existed or been known on the date hereof would have been required to be
disclosed under this Agreement, (b) would cause its respective representations
and warranties contained herein to be inaccurate or otherwise misleading in a
material respect, (c) could reasonably be expected to give North any reason to
believe that any of the conditions set forth in ARTICLE IX will not be
satisfied, or (d) is of a nature that such constitutes or may constitute a
Motoguzzi Material Adverse Change.
SECTION 6.08 Assignment or Transfer of Contracts, Leases and
Permits. Motoguzzi shall, in consultation with North and its Representatives,
promptly take all necessary action to, and shall use its commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain consents under all Material Contracts and Permits which
require the consent of any other party or person to the assignment or transfer
thereof either by the terms thereof or as a matter of law to the extent that any
assignment or transfer thereof would be deemed to have occurred thereunder by
reason of the consummation of the Merger.
SECTION 6.09 Information for Proxy Statement. Motoguzzi will cooperate
with North in the preparation of North's Proxy and Registration Statement
referred to in SECTION 7.05 and furnish to North all information concerning
itself and its officers and directors as North or its counsel may reasonably
request and that is required or customary for inclusion in such Proxy and
Registration Statement. Motoguzzi covenants that all of such information which
has been approved by TRG, Motoguzzi or their counsel (which approval will be
evidenced by a writing identifying the document, by draft date or otherwise,
prior to filing thereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission) and is
included in such Proxy and Registration Statement and any other written
information furnished by Motoguzzi for inclusion in the Proxy and Registration
Statement will comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") and will not at the time of
the effectiveness of the Proxy and Registration Statement and any amendments
thereof or supplements thereto and at the time of the North stockholders meeting
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein and necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading or necessary to correct any statement in any earlier filing with the
Commission of such Proxy and Registration Statement or any amendment thereof or
any supplement thereto or any earlier communication to the stockholders of North
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 6.10 Cold Comfort Letter. Upon North providing Arthur Andersen,
LLP, the accountants for Motoguzzi ("Motoguzzi Accountants"), with a
representation letter in accordance with paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of the Statement
on Auditing Standards regarding Letters for Underwriters, Motoguzzi shall cause
to be delivered to North a letter of Motoguzzi's Accountants, dated the
effective date of the Proxy and Registration Statement, and addressed to North,
in form and substance satisfactory to North (with such changes to which North
shall consent, it being understood that such consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld), to the effect that:
(a) they are independent certified public accountants with respect to
Motoguzzi within the meaning of the Exchange Act, including the applicable
published regulations thereunder;
(b) the consolidated financial statements of Motoguzzi certified by
them and included in the Proxy and Registration Statement comply as to form
in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
Exchange Act, including the published regulations thereunder; and
(c) they have carried out procedures to a specified date not more than
five business days prior to the date of the Proxy and Registration
Statement that do not constitute an audit in accordance with GAAP of the
consolidated financial statements of Motoguzzi, as follows: (i) read the
unaudited financial statements of Motoguzzi included in the Proxy and
Registration Statement, (ii) read the unaudited consolidated financial
statements of Motoguzzi for the period from the date of the most recent
financial statements included in the Proxy and Registration Statement
through the date of the latest available interim financial statements,
(iii) read the minutes of the meetings of stockholders and Boards of
Directors of Motoguzzi from the date of the most recent financial
statements of Motoguzzi included in the Proxy and Registration Statement to
such
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date not more than five business days prior to the date of the Proxy and
Registration Statement and (iv) consulted with certain officers of
Motoguzzi responsible for financial and accounting matters as to whether
any of the changes or decreases referred to below has occurred, and based
on such procedures, nothing has come to their attention which would cause
them to believe that (A) any unaudited financial statements of Motoguzzi
included in the Proxy and Registration Statement do not comply as to form
in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
Exchange Act and of the published regulations thereunder; (B) such
unaudited financial statements are not fairly presented in conformity with
GAAP applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited
consolidated financial statements of Motoguzzi included in the Proxy and
Registration Statement; (C) as of such date not more than five business
days prior to the date of the Proxy and Registration Statement, there was
not, except as set forth in such letter, any (1) change in capital stock,
treasury stock or long-term debt of Motoguzzi or (2) any decrease in
capital in excess of par value, retained earnings, net assets, net current
assets or investments of Motoguzzi, in each case as compared with the
amounts shown in the most recent balance sheet of Motoguzzi included in the
Proxy and Registration Statement or (D) for the period from the date of
such balance sheet to the end of the month immediately preceding the date
of the Proxy and Registration Statement, there were not, except as set
forth in such letter, any decreases, as compared with the corresponding
period in the preceding year, in revenues or in the total or per share
amounts of income before extraordinary items, income before income taxes or
net income of Motoguzzi.
SECTION 6.11 Rule 145. Prior to the Closing Date Motoguzzi will identify
in a certificate from its president to North all persons who he reasonably
believes at the Effective Time will be deemed to be "affiliates" of Motoguzzi
for the purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act. The certificates
representing any securities to be issued pursuant to this Agreement to such
"affiliates" will bear an appropriate legend reflecting the requirements of
Rule 145. Prior to the Closing Date Motoguzzi will use its best efforts to cause
each such person to enter into an agreement in form and substance reasonably
acceptable to North pursuant to which each such person acknowledges his or its
responsibilities as an "affiliate."
SECTION 6.12 Lock-Up Agreements. At the Closing Date, Motoguzzi will
deliver to North agreements from such of its common stockholders and preferred
stockholders as set forth in SCHEDULE 6.12 to the effect that the those persons
will not publicly sell any of the Class A Common Stock to be received upon the
Merger or receivable upon conversion of the Class B Preferred Stock for a period
of six months from the Effective Time without the consent of the Independent
Committee (as hereinafter defined) of the Surviving Corporation. The
certificates representing any securities subject to these agreements will bear
an appropriate legend reflecting the terms of the agreement.
SECTION 6.13 Interim Financing. Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries
may enter into negotiations to obtain financing and may enter into such loan
agreements and other agreements related thereto, including without limitation
issuance of warrants or other equity securities, as Motoguzzi determines,
provided that (i) neither Motoguzzi nor the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries shall enter
into any such agreements unless North has consented thereto in writing, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that such consent shall not
be required for the issuance of (and notwithstanding anything to the contrary
provided in this Agreement, Motoguzzi may issue) warrants or other equity
securities issued in connection therewith if such issuance does not reduce the
equity ownership by North's stockholders in the Surviving Corporation (in which
event appropriate adjustment shall be made to the amount of Merger Consideration
allocated among the holders of outstanding Motoguzzi securities, but the
aggregate Merger Consideration shall not be increased), provided further that
North's consent shall be required and same may be withheld in North's sole
discretion, for the issuance of any warrants or other equity securities which
would reduce the equity ownership of North's stockholders in the Surviving
Corporation, (ii) such financing shall be repaid by Surviving Corporation
contemporaneously with or promptly following the Closing Date, unless otherwise
agreed to by North in writing and (iii) such financing shall not be entered into
after the Proxy and Registration Statement has been declared effective and
mailed to North's Stockholders.
SECTION 6.14 Lien Search. Motoguzzi shall use its best efforts to cause a
search to be made to ascertain whether there are any Intercompany Liens on any
assets of any Motoguzzi Subsidiary in Italy, provided that such kind of search
is generally available in Italy and the cost thereof is not greater than
$10,000.
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ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS OF NORTH
SECTION 7.01 North Conduct of Business. North covenants and agrees that,
from the date hereof through the Closing Date, except as otherwise set forth in
this Agreement, it will:
(a) conduct its business only in the ordinary course and in a manner
consistent with the current practice of such business, preserve
substantially intact the business organization of North, keep available the
services of the current employees of North, preserve the current
relationships with which North has significant business relations, preserve
the goodwill of North and comply with all requirements of law, the
violation of which could have a material adverse effect on the business or
operation of North; practices of such business;
(b) except for the granting of the Closing Date Options and for the
issuance of shares of stock as described in SECTION 4.04, not pledge, sell,
transfer, dispose of, or otherwise encumber or grant any rights or
interests to others of any kind with respect to, all or any part of its
capital stock or enter into any discussions or negotiations with any other
party to do so;
(c) not (i) issue any shares of its capital stock nor any options
(other than the Closing Date Options and the issuance of shares of stock as
described in SECTION 4.04), obligations, rights, warrants or other
securities convertible into or exchangeable for its capital stock, or any
other class of securities, whether debt or equity; or (ii) amend or
otherwise modify the terms of any such securities, options, obligations,
rights or warrants in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this
Agreement or if the effect thereof shall be to make such terms more
favorable to the holders thereof;
(d) not declare any dividend or make any distribution in cash,
securities or otherwise on the outstanding shares of its capital stock, or
directly or indirectly redeem or purchase any such capital stock or except
as required by the Certificate of Incorporation of North in connection with
the redemption of less than 20% of the outstanding shares of Class A Common
Stock from persons who are not directors or officers of North.
(e) not, in any manner whatsoever, advance, transfer (other than in
payment for goods received or services rendered in the ordinary course of
business and as set forth on Schedule 4.05), or distribute to any security
holders of North or any of their affiliates, or otherwise withdraw, cash or
cash equivalents in any manner inconsistent with established cash
management practices, except to pay existing obligations of North in
accordance with its terms;
(f) not change any of its methods of accounting in effect at August
31, 1997;
(g) except pursuant to this Agreement, not prepay, before the
scheduled maturity thereof, any of its long-term debt, or incur any
obligation for borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by a note, bond,
debenture or similar instrument, other than indebtedness incurred in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices;
(h) not enter into or modify in any material respect any material
contract or lease of North;
(i) not take any action that will, or could reasonably be expected to,
result in any of its representations and warranties set forth in this
Agreement being inaccurate as of the Closing Date or in any of the
conditions to the Merger not being satisfied, if such inaccuracy or
non-satisfaction of condition would permit termination of this Agreement by
Motoguzzi or TRG in accordance with ARTICLE IX hereof;
(j) not agree in writing or otherwise to do any of the foregoing; of
(k) not incur any expenses or liabilities except to the extent
contemplated herein and described in SCHEDULE 4.05, without the prior
written consent of Motoguzzi.
SECTION 7.02 Fulfillment of Conditions. North shall use its best efforts
to fulfill the conditions specified in ARTICLES VIII AND IX to the extent that
the fulfillment of such conditions is within its control. The foregoing
obligation includes taking or refraining from such actions as may be necessary
to fulfill such conditions (including conducting the business of North in such
manner that on the Closing Date the representations and warranties of North
contained herein shall be accurate as though then made).
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SECTION 7.03 Filing of Initial Listing Application with Nasdaq. As soon as
practicable after the execution of this Agreement, North shall file with Nasdaq
an application to approve listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market of the shares of
Class A Common Stock and North shall take such actions as it reasonably deems
appropriate to cause such application to be approved.
SECTION 7.04 Access to Information; Confidentiality.
(a) Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, North
will (i) permit Motoguzzi and its Representatives reasonable access to all
of the books, records, reports and other related materials, offices and
other facilities and properties of North; (ii) permit Motoguzzi and its
Representatives to make such inspections thereof as they may reasonably
request; and (iii) furnish Motoguzzi and its Representatives with such
financial and operating data (including without limitation the work papers
of North's accountants) and other information with respect to North as
Motoguzzi may from time to time reasonably request.
(b) North shall hold and shall cause their Representatives to hold in
strict confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or
administrative process or by other requirements of law, all documents and
information concerning TRG or its affiliates furnished to them by Motoguzzi
or its Representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (except to the extent that such information can be shown to
have been (i) previously known by North, (ii) in the public domain through
no fault of North, or (iii) later lawfully acquired by North from another
source, which source shall not be the agent of North or person under
confidentiality obligation to Motoguzzi or its affiliates) and, except as
otherwise required by applicable law, rule or regulation, North shall not
release or disclose such information to any other person, except its
auditors, actuaries, attorneys, financial advisors, bankers and other
consultants and advisors who need to know same in connection with this
Agreement.
SECTION 7.05 Proxy and Registration Statement.
(a) North will prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("Commission") as soon as reasonably practicable after the date
hereof a proxy statement to be filed under the Exchange Act ("Proxy and
Registration Statement") by North, to be distributed by North in connection
with the North stockholder meeting and may be distributed by Motoguzzi in
connection with the Motoguzzi stockholder meeting and to register the
Merger Consideration, including shares of Class A Common Stock of North
issuable upon conversion of the Class B Preferred Stock and upon exercise
of the Nominal Warrants. During the course of the preparation of the Proxy
and Registration Statement, Motoguzzi will be given reasonable opportunity
to review and comment upon drafts of the Proxy and Registration Statement
and the comments of the Commission thereon and responses thereto.
(b) North covenants to Motoguzzi that the Proxy and Registration
Statement will comply in all material respects with the applicable
provisions of the Exchange Act and will not at the time of the
effectiveness of the Proxy and Registration Statement and any amendments
thereof or supplements thereto and at the time of the North stockholder
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 light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading or necessary to correct any statement in any
earlier filing with the Commission of such Proxy and Registration Statement
or any amendment thereof or any supplement thereto or any earlier
communication to the stockholders of North with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that no representation,
covenant or agreement is made by North with respect to information supplied
or approved by or on behalf of Motoguzzi or its affiliates for inclusion in
the Proxy and Registration Statement, as provided in SECTION 6.09 hereof.
Subject to the fiduciary duty of the Board of Directors of North, the Proxy
and Registration Statement shall contain statements, where appropriate, to
the effect that the Board of Directors of North has approved this Agreement
and the Merger and unanimously recommends that the stockholders of North
vote in favor of approving this Agreement and the Merger and the other
proposals presented in the Proxy and Registration Statement.
SECTION 7.06 Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation and Stock Option
Plan. The Proxy and Registration Statement will include provisions for the
adoption of amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation of North to change
the name of North from "North Atlantic Acquisition Corp." to "Moto Guzzi
Corporation,"
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to increase the authorized capital stock of North, to authorize the issuance of
one or more classes of preferred stock and to provide for a board of directors
with staggered terms of three years (five of whom are to be nominees of
Motoguzzi, two of whom are to be nominees of North and one of whom is to be a
nominee mutually acceptable to both Motoguzzi and North) and for the approval of
one or more stock option plans which will include the Closing Date Options,
conditioned upon the consummation of the Merger. The Proxy and Registration
Statement will also include provisions for the voting by shareholders for the
elimination of North's Class B Common Stock, which shall be recommended by
North's Board of Directors, but the consummation of the Merger shall not be
conditioned upon such action being approved by North's stockholders.
SECTION 7.07 No Securities Transactions. Neither North nor any of its
Representatives or affiliates shall engage in any transactions involving the
securities of TRG or Motoguzzi prior to the Closing Date.
SECTION 7.08 No Other Negotiations. Until this Agreement shall have been
terminated pursuant to its terms, neither North nor any of its Representatives,
officers, directors or affiliates shall, directly or indirectly, solicit,
institute, initiate, pursue or respond to any inquiries or enter into any
discussions, proposals or negotiations with any person concerning any merger,
sale of substantial assets, tender offer, sale of shares of stock or similar
transaction involving North or any of its assets or disclose, directly or
indirectly, other than to the shareholders of North, any information not
customarily disclosed to the public or such shareholders concerning North, or
except as required by law, afford to any other person access to the properties,
books or records of North, or otherwise assist any person preparing to make or
who has made such an offer, or enter into any agreement with any third party
providing for a business combination transaction, equity investment or sale of
significant amount of assets of North or recommend to its shareholders any of
the foregoing. North shall promptly notify Motoguzzi of any direct or indirect
inquiries, discussions, proposals or negotiations.
SECTION 7.09 Disclosure of Certain Matters. During the period from the
date hereof through the Closing Date, North shall give Motoguzzi prompt written
notice of any event or development that occurs that (a) had it existed or been
known on the date hereof would have been required to be disclosed under this
Agreement, (b) would cause its of the representations and warranties contained
herein to be inaccurate or otherwise misleading, (c) could reasonably be
expected to give Motoguzzi any reason to believe that any of the conditions set
forth in ARTICLE IX will not be satisfied, or (d) is of a nature that is or may
be materially adverse to the operations, prospects or condition (financial or
otherwise) of North.
SECTION 7.10 Blue Sky Compliance. North shall make such filings in each
jurisdiction wherein resides a shareholder of Motoguzzi as may be necessary
under the laws of such jurisdiction to permit the issuance of the Merger
Consideration thereto to the extent the laws of such jurisdiction permit such
issuance.
SECTION 7.11 Filing of Current Reports on Form 8-K. Promptly after
execution of this Agreement, North shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K with
the Commission to report the proposed Merger and the terms thereof.
SECTION 7.12 Directors' and Officers' Resignations. North will obtain the
resignations of all of the members of its Board of Directors and all of its
officers, effective at the Effective Time.
SECTION 7.13 Cold Comfort Letter. Upon Motoguzzi providing BDO Seidman,
the accountants for North ("North Accountants"), with a representation letter in
accordance with paragraphs 5, 6 and 7 of the Statement on Auditing Standards
regarding Letters for Underwriters, North shall cause to be delivered to
Motoguzzi a letter of North's Accountants, dated the effective date of the Proxy
and Registration Statement, and addressed to Motoguzzi, in form and substance
satisfactory to Motoguzzi (with such changes to which Motoguzzi shall consent,
it being understood that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), to
the effect that:
(a) they are independent certified public accountants with respect to
North within the meaning of the Exchange Act, including the applicable
published regulations thereunder;
(b) the consolidated financial statements of North certified by them
and included in the Proxy and Registration Statement comply as to form in
all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
Exchange Act, including the published regulations thereunder; and
(c) they have carried out procedures to a specified date not more than
five business days prior to the date of the Proxy and Registration
Statement that do not constitute an audit in accordance with GAAP of the
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consolidated financial statements of North, as follows: (i) read the
unaudited financial statements of North included in the Proxy and
Registration Statement, (ii) read the unaudited consolidated financial
statements of North for the period from the date of the most recent
financial statements included in the Proxy and Registration Statement
through the date of the latest available interim financial statements,
(iii) read the minutes of the meetings of stockholders and Boards of
Directors of North from the date of the most recent financial statements of
North included in the Proxy and Registration Statement to such date not
more than five business days prior to the date of the Proxy and
Registration Statement and (iv) consulted with certain officers of North
responsible for financial and accounting matters as to whether any of the
changes or decreases referred to below has occurred, and based on such
procedures, nothing has come to their attention which would cause them to
believe that (A) any unaudited financial statements of North included in
the Proxy and Registration Statement do not comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the
Exchange Act and of the published regulations thereunder; (B) such
unaudited financial statements are not fairly presented in conformity with
GAAP applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited
consolidated financial statements of North included in the Proxy and
Registration Statement; (C) as of such date not more than five business
days prior to the date of the Proxy and Registration Statement, there was
not, except as set forth in such letter, any (1) change in capital stock,
treasury stock or long-term debt of North or (2) any decrease in capital in
excess of par value, retained earnings, net assets, net current assets or
investments of North, in each case as compared with the amounts shown in
the most recent balance sheet of North included in the Proxy and
Registration Statement or (D) for the period from the date of such balance
sheet to the end of the month immediately preceding the date of the Proxy
and Registration Statement, there were not, except as set forth in such
letter, any decreases, as compared with the corresponding period in the
preceding year, in revenues or in the total or per share amounts of income
before extraordinary items, income before income taxes or net income of
North.
SECTION 7.14 Lock-Up Agreements. At the Closing Date, North will deliver
to Motoguzzi agreements from all of its officers and directors to the effect
that those persons will not publicly sell any of the securities of the Surviving
Corporation for a period of six months from the Effective Time without the
consent of the Surviving Corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
JOINT COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
SECTION 8.01 Further Action. Each of the Parties shall promptly execute
such documents and other papers and take such further actions as may be
reasonably required or desirable to carry out the provisions hereof and the
transactions contemplated hereby. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
hereof, each of the Parties shall use its best efforts to take, or cause to be
taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done and make effective as promptly
as practicable the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 8.02 Schedules. The Parties shall have the obligation to
supplement or amend the schedules being delivered concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement and annexed hereto with respect to any matter
hereafter arising or discovered which, if existing or known at the date of this
Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described in the
schedules. Supplementation or amendment of a representation or warranty that has
a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect qualifier shall not create a right to
terminate this Agreement under SECTION 11.01(b) or 11.01(c) unless such
supplementation or amendment reflects a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect. The
obligations of the Parties to amend or supplement the schedules being delivered
herewith shall terminate on the Closing Date. Notwithstanding any such amendment
or supplementation, for purposes of ARTICLE X hereof, the representations and
warranties of the Parties shall be made with reference to the schedules as they
exist at the time of execution of this Agreement.
SECTION 8.03 Regulatory and Other Authorizations. The Parties will
promptly make all necessary filings and use their best efforts to obtain all
authorizations, consents, orders and approvals of all Federal, state and other
regulatory bodies and officials that are required for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including but not limited to the
Securities and Exchange Commission and self-regulatory agencies, and will
cooperate fully with each other in connection therewith.
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SECTION 8.04 Committees of the Board of Surviving Corporation. Prior to
the Closing Date, the Parties will designate (i) three persons from among the
proposed directors of the Surviving Corporation to be elected to a committee
("Independent Committee") of the Board of Directors of the Surviving
Corporation, which will have the authority, among other things to determine if
any action should or should not be instituted to recover Damages from the Remedy
Fund and (ii) such other committees of the Board of Directors as would be
required by Nasdaq if the Class A Common Stock were traded on Nasdaq. The
Independent Committee shall be comprised of persons who are not and have not
been during the ten years prior to the Effective Time employed by, affiliated
with or a shareholder of TRG, OAM, Motoguzzi or any Motoguzzi Subsidiary.
SECTION 8.05 Indemnification and Director and Officer Liability Insurance.
(a) North and Motoguzzi agree that all rights to indemnification for acts
or omissions occurring prior to the Effective Time now existing in favor of the
current directors and officers of North and Motoguzzi as provided in the
certificate of incorporation or bylaws of North and Motoguzzi, respectively,
shall survive the Merger and shall continue in full force and effect in
accordance with their terms.
(b) For a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall cause to be maintained in effect the current policies of
directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained by Motoguzzi, or by TRG
to the extent that such policies provide coverage for Motoguzzi directors and
officers (or policies of at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms
and conditions that are no less advantageous) with respect to claims arising
from facts or events that occurred before the Effective Time; provided, however,
that the Surviving Corporation shall not be obligated to make annual premium
payments for such insurance to the extent that such premiums exceed an amount
equal to 200% of the annual premiums paid as of the date hereof for such
insurance and if such premiums exceed such amount the Surviving Corporation
shall purchase insurance policies in amounts and with coverage as reasonably can
be purchased for such amount.
(c) The Surviving Corporation agrees to remain liable for any
indemnification obligations to North's and Motoguzzi's current directors and
officers, in all capacities in which such directors or officers served North and
Motoguzzi prior to the Effective Time, as set forth in North's and Motoguzzi's
certificate of incorporation and bylaws to the extent such indemnification by
North and Motoguzzi is permitted under the DGCL.
(d) In the event the Surviving Corporation or any of its successors or
assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not be
the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or
merger, or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties
and assets to any person, then, and in each such case, to the extent necessary,
proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the
Surviving Corporation assume the obligations set forth in this SECTION 8.05.
(e) The provisions of this SECTION 8.05 are intended to be for the benefit
of, and shall be enforceable by, each indemnified party and his or her heirs and
representatives.
SECTION 8.06 Payment of Intercompany Indebtedness. All indebtedness owed
by Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries to TRG and its subsidiaries, up to
$800,000, remaining after the actions described in SECTION 2.06(b) are taken,
subject to reduction in accordance with SECTION 11.01(b), shall be paid by
Motoguzzi to TRG as soon after the Effective Time as practicable.
ARTICLE IX
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
SECTION 9.01 Conditions to Each Party's Obligations. The respective
obligations of each Party to consummate the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment, or waiver by
the other Party, at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a) Approval by North's Stockholders. This Agreement shall have been
approved by a vote of two-thirds in interest of the Class A Common Stock
and Class B Common Stock (the latter of which is entitled to two votes per
share), voting together as a single class in accordance with the DGCL and
the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of North, the other
transactions contemplated hereby (other than those described in the last
sentence of SECTION 7.06) shall have been approved by such vote of the
Class A Common
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Stock and the Class B Common Stock as is required by the DGCL and the
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of North, and the aggregate number
of shares of Class A Common Stock of North held by stockholders who are not
officers and directors of North who exercise their right to have North
redeem the shares of Class A Common Stock owned by them for cash in
accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation of North shall not be more
than 20% of the Class A Common Stock owned by such persons, outstanding as
of the record date for approval of the transaction.
(b) Approval by Motoguzzi Stockholders. The Merger will have been
approved and adopted by the holders of the Old Motoguzzi Common Stock and
Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class in
accordance with the DGCL and Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of
Motoguzzi.
(c) Directors and Officers of Surviving Corporation. The persons
listed in SCHEDULE 1.06 shall have been elected or appointed the directors
or officers of Surviving Corporation, effective upon consummation of the
Merger.
(d) No Governmental Order or Regulation. There shall not be in effect
any order, decree or injunction (whether preliminary, final or appealable)
of a United States Federal or state court of competent jurisdiction, and no
regulation shall have been enacted or promulgated by any governmental
authority or agency, that prohibits consummation of the Merger.
(e) Dissenters. At the Closing Date, persons who are Dissenters and
persons who reside in jurisdictions in which North may not legally offer
the Merger Consideration will be the holders of such number of issued and
outstanding Old Motoguzzi Common Stock and Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock as
would entitle them to receive, if they were not Dissenters, no more than
10% of the Merger Consideration.
(f) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. The Proxy and
Registration Statement shall have been declared effective under the
Securities Act, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Proxy and
Registration Statement shall have been issued, and no proceedings for that
purpose shall have been instituted.
(g) Blue Sky. There shall be delivered to North and Motoguzzi a Blue
Sky Memorandum prepared by North's counsel indicating the jurisdictions in
which the Merger Consideration may be paid to holders of Old Motoguzzi
Common Stock, Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock and Old Motoguzzi Warrants,
based upon, among other things, their mailing addresses.
SECTION 9.02 Conditions to Obligations of Motoguzzi and TRG. The
obligations of Motoguzzi to consummate the Merger and the obligations of
Motoguzzi and TRG to consummate the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment or waiver by Motoguzzi and TRG, as
applicable, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties; Covenants. Without supplementation
after the date hereof, the representations and warranties of North
contained in this Agreement shall be, with respect to those representations
and warranties qualified by any materiality standard, true and correct in
all respects as of the Closing Date, and with respect to all other
representations and warranties, true and correct in all material respects
as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made as of the
Closing Date, and all the covenants contained in this Agreement to be
complied with by North on or before the Closing Date shall have been
complied with in all material respects, and Motoguzzi shall have received a
certificate from an appropriate officer of North to such effect.
(b) Legal Opinion. Motoguzzi shall have received from Graubard Mollen
& Miller, counsel to North, a legal opinion addressed to Motoguzzi and
dated the Closing Date, in the form of EXHIBIT F annexed hereto.
(c) Necessary Proceedings. All proceedings, corporate or otherwise, to
be taken by North in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been duly and validly taken, and
copies of all documents, resolutions and certificates incident thereto,
duly certified by officers of North as of the Closing, shall have been
delivered to Motoguzzi and TRG.
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(d) Lock-Up Agreements. Motoguzzi shall have received from North the
lock up agreements from all of North's officers and directors which provide
that their securities of the Surviving Corporation may not be publicly sold
for six months after the Effective Time unless such public sale is approved
by the Surviving Corporation.
(e) Cold Comfort Letter. TRG and Motoguzzi shall have received the
cold comfort letter referred to in SECTION 7.13.
(f) Inducement Letters. Motoguzzi shall have received from David
Mitchell, in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of North, and from each other North director, acting in such
capacity, a letter, reasonably satisfactory to Motoguzzi, to the effect
that such person has not taken any actions and is not aware of any actions
taken by any other party acting on behalf of North which would cause any of
the representations, warranties and agreements of North contained herein to
be breached in any material respect.
(g) Tax Opinion. Motoguzzi shall have received an opinion of Morrison
Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP to the effect that the Merger will constitute
a tax-free reorganization pursuant to Code Section 368(a)(1)(A) (and the
officers of North and Motoguzzi shall have delivered to such counsel
customary representation certificates of a kind reasonably necessary to
support such an opinion).
SECTION 9.03 Conditions to Obligations of North. The obligations of North
to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject to the fulfillment or waiver by North, at or prior to
the Closing, of each of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties; Covenants. Without supplementation
after the date hereof, except as permitted by SECTION 8.02, the
representations and warranties of TRG and Motoguzzi contained in this
Agreement shall be, with respect to those representations and warranties
qualified by any materiality standard, true and correct in all respects as
of the Closing Date, and with respect to all other representations and
warranties, true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing
Date with the same force and effect as if made as of the Closing Date, and
all the covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement to be complied
with by TRG or Motoguzzi on or before the Closing Date, shall have been
complied with in all material respects by TRG and Motoguzzi, respectively,
except that TRG and Motoguzzi shall not be in breach of their obligation
contained herein as a result of non-compliance with a covenant or agreement
which is substantively the same as a representation and warranty unless
such representation and warranty is not true and correct as provided above,
when restated as of the Closing Date, and North shall have received
certificates from an appropriate officer of each of TRG and Motoguzzi,
respectively, to such effect.
(b) Legal Opinion. North shall have received from Morrison Cohen
Singer & Weinstein, LLP, counsel to Motoguzzi, a legal opinion addressed to
North dated the Closing Date, in the form of EXHIBIT G-1 annexed hereto.
North shall have received from Italian counsel to Motoguzzi, a legal
opinion relating to matters of Italian law addressed to North dated the
Closing Date, in the form of EXHIBIT G-2 annexed hereto. North shall have
received a legal opinion addressed to TRG and North from Maryland counsel
to TRG, a copy of which is attached as EXHIBIT G-3.
(c) Consents. Motoguzzi shall have obtained and delivered to North
consents to the Merger of such third parties, if any, as are necessary to
ensure the uninterrupted continuation of the Material Contracts, Leases and
Permits with respect to the business of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi
Subsidiaries.
(d) No Motoguzzi Material Adverse Change. At the Closing, there shall
have been no Motoguzzi Material Adverse Change.
(e) Necessary Proceedings. All proceedings, corporate or otherwise, to
be taken by TRG and Motoguzzi in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been duly and
validly taken, and copies of all documents, resolutions and certificates
incident thereto, duly certified by the officers of TRG and Motoguzzi as of
the Closing, shall have been delivered to North.
(f) Rule 145 List. North shall have received from Motoguzzi the list
of deemed "affiliates" under Rule 145.
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(g) Lock-Up Agreements. North shall have received from Motoguzzi the
lock up agreements from the specified holders of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock
and Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock which provides that their Merger
Consideration may not be publicly sold for six months after the Effective
Time unless such public sale is approved by the Independent Committee.
(h) Cold Comfort Letter. North shall have received from Arthur
Andersen LLP, the comfort letter referred to in SECTION 6.10.
(i) Fairness Opinion. North shall have received from Allen & Company
Incorporated a fairness opinion dated on or prior to the effective date of
the Proxy and Registration Statement in customary form stating in substance
that the terms of the proposed transaction are fair, from a financial point
of view, to the holders of North's Class A Common Stock.
ARTICLE X
REMEDIES OF NORTH FOLLOWING MERGER
SECTION 10.01 Scope of Article. This ARTICLE X shall apply solely in the
event the Merger is consummated in accordance with this Agreement. This ARTICLE
X is the sole and exclusive remedy for any Damages which may be suffered by any
of the Parties or by the Surviving Corporation in connection with or relating to
this Agreement, from and after consummation of the Merger.
SECTION 10.02 Establishment of Remedy Fund. Contemporaneous with the
consummation of the Merger, the Exchange Agent shall deliver in escrow to TRG,
as escrow agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement attached hereto as EXHIBIT H
and subject to the provisions of SECTION 10.03, below, (x) all of the
certificates for shares of Class B Preferred Stock comprising part of the Merger
Consideration, (the "Preferred Escrow Shares") and (y) certificates for 100,000
shares of Class A Common Stock comprising part of the Merger Consideration
registered in the name of TRG (the "TRG Escrow Shares"; together with the
Preferred Escrow Shares, collectively the "Remedy Fund"). To facilitate the
transfer of the Preferred Escrow Shares pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, TRG is
hereby designated and appointed by each holder of Class B Preferred Stock as the
agent with irrevocable power of attorney to execute such stock powers as may be
required to effectuate any transfer of the Preferred Escrow Shares. The Remedy
Fund shall also include any and all stock distributions made in respect of the
securities in the Remedy Fund, such distributions to be held pursuant to the
Escrow Agreement. Subject to the limitations set forth in this ARTICLE X,
hereof, from and after the Effective Time, (i) the entire Remedy Fund shall be
available to compensate the Surviving Corporation for any Damages which may be
sustained, suffered or incurred by it, whether as a result of any Third Party
Claim or otherwise, which arise from or are in connection with or are
attributable to (x) the breach of any of the covenants, representations,
warranties, agreements, obligations or undertakings of Motoguzzi contained in
this Agreement, or (y) any judgment, order, government notice, government demand
or other government sanction, including any remediation or other action taken in
response thereto, arising out of or based upon any condition existing at the
Closing Date which is not described in the Ecoservice Srl report identified in
the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules and which violates any Laws, regardless of
whether the representation in SECTION 3.07 (b) or (c) is breached, and (ii) the
TRG Escrow Shares and such of the Preferred Escrow Shares as are owned by TRG
shall also be available to compensate the Surviving Corporation for any Damages
which may be sustained, suffered or incurred by it, whether as a result of any
Third Party Claim or otherwise, which arise from or are in connection with or
are attributable to the breach of any of the covenants, representations,
warranties, agreements, obligations or undertakings of TRG contained in this
Agreement. Upon final adjudication or resolution of a claim under this ARTICLE
X, TRG shall first deliver to the Surviving Corporation, such full number of the
Preferred Escrow Shares held in the Remedy Fund as equals or fractionally
exceeds the adjudicated or resolved amount of such claim divided by the Market
Price (as defined below) of the Class A Common Stock plus $1.00, and if the
claim is not fully recompensed by the delivery of the Preferred Escrow Shares,
then, additionally, that full number of TRG Escrow Shares held in the Remedy
Fund as equals or fractionally exceeds the amount of such claim remaining after
delivery of the Preferred Escrow Shares divided by the Market Price of the
Class A Common Stock. The "Market Price" of a share of Class A Common Stock will
be deemed to be the average of the last sales prices of the Class A Common Stock
for the ten business days ending on the day immediately prior to the final
adjudication or resolution of a claim under this ARTICLE X, as reported by The
Nasdaq Stock Market or any other United States stock
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exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed, or in the absence of such
reported prices, the determination of Market Price shall be made jointly by TRG
and the Independent Committee. Any TRG Escrow Shares and Preferred Escrow Shares
delivered to the Surviving Corporation in settlement of a claim under this
ARTICLE X will be canceled and returned to the status of authorized and
un-issued shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation. If the Merger is
consummated, TRG shall not, in any event, have any liability to North, the
Surviving Corporation, their respective stockholders or any other person for any
Damages except to the extent of its interest in the Remedy Fund.
SECTION 10.03 Claims Against Remedy Fund. TRG is hereby designated the
agent of holders of Class B Preferred Stock for purposes of prosecuting,
defending or settling any claim brought under this ARTICLE X. Actions taken or
omitted to be taken, and or consents given, or omitted to be given, by TRG in
connection with any such claim shall bind the interests of all of such holders
of Class B Preferred Stock in respect of such claim. Upon determination by the
Independent Committee that an event giving rise to a claim under SECTION 10.02
above has occurred, the Independent Committee shall give notice to TRG of such
determination, specifying (i) the covenant, representation or warranty,
agreement, undertaking or obligation contained herein which it asserts has been
breached, (ii) in reasonable detail, the nature and dollar amount of any claim
the Surviving Corporation may have against the Remedy Fund as a result thereof,
and (iii) whether such claim arises from the commencement of a Third Party
Claim. The Independent Committee and TRG shall, in good faith, attempt to
resolve any such claim. If, within 30 days of its notification to TRG, any claim
has not been resolved, the Independent Committee or TRG, individually and as
agent for all holders of Class B Preferred Stock, shall have the right, but not
the obligation, to seek to have the claim resolved by mediation by submission to
JAMS/Endispute or its successor, and if the matter is not resolved through such
mediation process within the first to occur of (i) the expiration of 60 days
from such submission, or (ii) the holding of two meetings of TRG and North
(acting by such independent Committee) with such mediator, then such claim shall
be submitted to final and binding arbitration, provided, however, that (x)
except for an action arising out of a breach by TRG of any of the
representations or warranties made, or covenants given, by TRG hereunder, no
mediation or arbitration shall be brought against TRG except solely in its
capacity as agent for the holders of Class B Preferred Stock and (y) any claim
which arises from a Third Party Claim shall not be resolved or submitted to
mediation or arbitration until 30 days following resolution of such Third Party
Claim, and TRG, as agent for the Surviving Corporation, (i) shall have the right
to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim, by counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Independent Committee, the cost thereof to be borne by the
Surviving Corporation, subject to reimbursement if it is determined that the
claim is compensable to the Surviving Corporation as provided in this ARTICLE X,
in which event such costs shall constitute part of the Damages, recoverable as
and to the extent provided in this ARTICLE X and (ii) TRG may settle any such
Third Party Claim on behalf of the Surviving Corporation, subject to the
reasonable approval of the Independent Committee. Upon final adjudication or
settlement of any claim under SECTION 10.02, TRG shall deliver to the Surviving
Corporation that number of Preferred Escrow Shares and TRG Escrow Shares
sufficient to recompense Surviving Corporation in satisfaction of such claim as
calculated in SECTION 10.02 above, from the Remedy Fund; provided, however, that
the TRG Escrow Shares shall not be so delivered unless and until all of the
Preferred Escrow Shares have been so delivered. In any action or proceeding
between the Parties hereto, each Party shall bear its own costs and expense,
except as otherwise provided in SECTION 10.08.
SECTION 10.04 Duration of Remedy Fund. Other than claims for breach of the
representations and warranties made by Motoguzzi under SECTIONS 3.01, 3.02,
3.04, 3.10, 3.22 and the first sentence of SECTION 3.15 (collectively "Core
Claims"), no notice of claim against the Remedy Fund may be given and shall not
be valid if given, after the 60th day following the mailing by certified mail,
return receipt requested, or delivery by hand, to each then-serving member of
the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation of the audited financial
statements of the Surviving Corporation for its fiscal year ending December 31,
1998, together with the executed report of the auditors, and on such 60th day,
there shall be released to TRG the TRG Escrow Shares except to the extent of the
amount by which the aggregate dollar amount of all claims then asserted under
this ARTICLE X exceeds the value of the Preferred Escrow Shares then remaining
in the Remedy Fund as calculated in SECTION 10.02 above. Notice of Core Claims
against the Remedy Fund may not be given, and shall not be valid if given, after
the 60th day following the mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested,
or delivery by hand, to each then-serving member of the Board of Directors of
the Surviving Corporation of the audited financial statements of the Surviving
Corporation for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999, together
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with the executed report of the auditors. Except as provided hereinabove in
respect of the TRG Escrow Shares, the Remedy Fund will remain in place until the
later of (i) the date of final settlement or adjudication of any pending claims
made against the securities in the Remedy Fund and delivery of the appropriate
securities, or (ii) the date after which no notice of claims may be given. After
delivery of securities from the Remedy Fund to the Surviving Corporation in full
settlement of any claims, TRG shall deliver to the registered owners thereof all
shares then held by it in the Remedy Fund.
SECTION 10.05 Amount of Claim. No claim may be brought against the Remedy
Fund unless, and then and only to the extent that, the amount of Damages
suffered in respect of all claims asserted, without duplication, net of any
offsets pursuant to SECTION 10.06 below exceeds $750,000.
SECTION 10.06 Offset. There shall be offset against the amount of Damages
otherwise recoverable under this ARTICLE X, an amount equal to the difference
obtained (not less than $0) by subtracting (x) the Book Value (as defined below)
of all Specified Assets (as defined below) which are sold or disposed of as
provided in clause (y), from (y) the aggregate consideration paid and agreed to
be paid (after deduction for sales commissions, sale expenses and sales and
income taxes and any similar deductions) to Motoguzzi from the sale to a bona
fide, third party purchaser in an arms-length transaction, of such Specified
Assets or the receipt by Motoguzzi of insurance or condemnation proceeds in
respect of the total or partial loss of or condemnation in respect of such
Specified Assets, in all events at any time after December 31, 1997 and prior to
resolution of any claim brought against the Remedy Fund, less the amount of any
loss sustained upon a sale of a Specified Asset or upon a destruction or
condemnation of a Specified Asset from the Book Value of that Specified Asset.
The amount of such offset shall be further reduced by the amount of any
consideration for any Specified Asset agreed to be paid to the extent that such
consideration must be discounted in accordance with GAAP. In no event shall the
amount of offset hereunder be less than $0. The Book Value of a Specified Asset
shall be derived from the Motoguzzi Consolidated Balance Sheet as at December
31, 1997, increased by any amount actually expended by Motoguzzi since December
31, 1997 to improve its cash sale value. The Specified Assets shall include only
those assets of Motoguzzi as of December 31, 1997 in the following categories:
real property, fixtures, plant, equipment and machinery, and those items
comprising the Motoguzzi Museum, none of which has been sold as of the date
hereof, except for non-material sales which, in the aggregate, have resulted in
a gain of not more than $15,000.
SECTION 10.07 Representations and Warranties. For purposes of this
ARTICLE X, for breach of a representation or warranty of a Party under this
Agreement, the representations and warranties shall be the representations and
warranties of a Party made herein, on the date hereof, without subsequent
supplementation, modification or amendment.
SECTION 10.08 Mediation and Arbitration. Subject to the provisions of
Section 10.03, the Parties agree that any and all disputes, claims or
controversies arising out of or relating to the Escrow Fund or any other claim
for Damages under this ARTICLE X, including without limitation the validity of
such claim or the amount of Damages, if not resolved by the Parties, will be
submitted to JAMS/Endispute, or its successor, for mediation, and if the matter
is not resolved through mediation, then it will be submitted for final and
binding arbitration. Any such arbitration shall be final and binding
arbitration, conducted in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of
the American Arbitration Association, and shall be held in New York City. The
costs of mediation and arbitration shall be allocated by the mediator or by
order of the arbitrators, as the case may be.
ARTICLE XI
TERMINATION
SECTION 11.01 Methods of Termination. The transactions contemplated herein
may be terminated and/or abandoned at any time prior to the Closing only as
follows:
(a) By mutual written consent of North on the one hand and Motoguzzi
and TRG on the other hand;
(b) By either Motoguzzi or TRG on the one hand or North on the other
hand (if the terminating party is not then in material breach of its
obligations hereunder) if (i) a material default or breach shall be made by
the other Party with respect to the due and timely performance of any of
its covenants and agreements contained herein and such default cannot be
cured within a reasonable period of time, provided, however,
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that with respect to those covenants and agreements made by Motoguzzi or
TRG which are substantively the same as representations and warranties of
Motoguzzi or TRG, the foregoing shall be limited to only those covenants
and agreements, the non-performance of which also results in such
representation and warranty not being true and correct as provided in
clause (ii) hereof, or (ii) if any of the other Party's representations and
warranties (x) made without any materiality standard, are not true and
correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date or (y) made with
any materiality standard, are not true and correct as of the Closing Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, on the Closing Date there are any
Intercompany Liens, then (A) if such Intercompany Liens secure indebtedness
in an aggregate amount greater than U.S. $1,500,000 then North may
terminate this Agreement and (B) if such Intercompany Liens secure
indebtedness in an aggregate amount greater than U.S. $550,000, then for
purposes of this SECTION 11.01(b) neither Motoguzzi nor TRG shall be deemed
to have breached any representation or warranty contained in this
Agreement, provided that such indebtedness in excess of U.S. $550,000 shall
be reduced by reduction of the $800,000 intercompany indebtedness described
in Section 2.06(b), on a dollar-for-dollar basis, and application of the
amount of such reduction of intercompany indebtedness to reduce the
indebtedness in excess of $550,000 which is secured by such Intercompany
Liens.
(c) By North if (i) Motoguzzi makes an amendment or supplement to any
Schedule hereto in accordance with SECTION 8.02 hereof and such amendment
or supplement reflects a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect after the date
hereof, or (ii) a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Change shall have occurred
after the date hereof, or (iii) Motoguzzi enters into any agreement to
effect any transaction described in SECTION 6.04 or Motoguzzi's Board of
Directors withdraws its recommendation of the Merger or recommends to
Motoguzzi's shareholders the approval of any such transaction other than
the Merger;
(d) By Motoguzzi if (i) North makes an amendment or supplement to any
schedule hereto in accordance with SECTION 8.02 hereof and such amendment
or supplement reflects a North Material Adverse Effect, after the date
hereof, or (ii) North enters into any agreement to effect any transaction
described in SECTION 7.08 or North's Board of Directors withdraws its
recommendation of the Merger or recommends to North shareholders the
approval of any such transaction other than the Merger;
(e) By Motoguzzi or TRG on the one hand or North on the other hand if
the Effective Time has not occurred within six months following the date of
this Agreement for any reason unless the Parties agree to an extension in
writing, provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this
Paragraph (e) shall not be available to a Party that is in breach of any
representation, warranty or covenant in this Agreement, which breach would
entitle any other Party to terminate this Agreement;
SECTION 11.02 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination pursuant
to SECTION 11.01 hereof, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the
other Parties and all obligations (except as set forth in this SECTION 11.02) of
the Parties shall terminate and no Party shall have any right against any other
Party hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if this Agreement is so
terminated by any Party under SECTION 11.01(b), (c) or (d) above, (other than a
termination resulting from a breach of a representation or warranty which was
true when made, but which cannot subsequently be restated as true as a result of
the occurrence of events or circumstances beyond the control of the representing
Party), it is expressly agreed and understood that the terminating Party's right
to pursue all legal remedies for breach of contract or otherwise, including,
without limitation, Damages (other than consequential damages, which damages
shall not be recoverable), relating thereto, shall survive such termination
unimpaired, subject however to SECTION 11.03 and to the extent North recovers
any Damages against Motoguzzi, TRG will pay such Damages if not paid promptly by
Motoguzzi; or (ii) if this Agreement is terminated by North under
SECTION 11.01(c)(iii) and within 365 days thereafter Motoguzzi consummates any
transaction described in SECTION 6.04, or if Motoguzzi refuses to consummate the
Merger despite the satisfaction of all conditions precedent to Motoguzzi's
obligation to do so, or Motoguzzi does not in good faith use its commercially
reasonable efforts to satisfy all the conditions precedent to North's obligation
to consummate the Merger which are within Motoguzzi's control, and provided that
North is not in material breach of its obligations contained in this Agreement,
Motoguzzi shall pay to North in lieu of any other right or remedy of North or
any claim for any Damages which North might otherwise have, the greater of
(A) the sum of $500,000 as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, or (B) the
actual documented out-of-pocket expenses of North related solely and directly to
the transaction contemplated by this Agreement (such applicable amount being
referred to as the "Motoguzzi Breakup Fee") promptly following demand therefor
by North and if
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Motoguzzi fails to do so, then TRG shall pay the Motoguzzi Break-Up Fee; or
(iii) if this Agreement is terminated by Motoguzzi under
SECTION 11.01(d)(ii) or if North refuses to consummate the Merger despite the
satisfaction of all conditions precedent to North's obligation to do so, or
North does not in good faith use its commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy
all the conditions precedent to Motoguzzi's obligation to consummate the Merger
which are within North's control, and provided that Motoguzzi is not in material
breach of its obligations contained in this Agreement and if, but only if, in
any such event, within 365 days thereafter North consummates any transaction
described in SECTION 7.08, North shall pay to Motoguzzi, as liquidated damages
and not as a penalty, and in lieu of any other right or remedy of Motoguzzi or
any claim for Damages which Motoguzzi or TRG might otherwise have, the sum of
$500,000 ("North Breakup Fee") promptly following demand therefor by Motoguzzi.
If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are terminated and/or
abandoned as provided herein:
(a) Each Party hereto will return all documents, work papers and other
material (and all copies thereof) of the other Party, relating to the
transactions contemplated hereby, whether so obtained before or after the
execution hereof, to the Party furnishing the same; and
(b) All confidential information received by either Party hereto with
respect to the business of the other Party shall be treated in accordance
with SECTIONS 6.02(b) and 7.04(b) hereof which sections shall survive
termination and abandonment.
SECTION 11.03 Limitation on Damages. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, neither TRG Motoguzzi, any Motoguzzi
Subsidiary or any officers, directors, affiliates, agents or Representatives of
any of the foregoing will make any monetary claim against North to the extent
that such claim would adversely affect the amount of funds available for
distribution to North's Class A stockholders from the escrow funds held by Chase
Manhattan Bank established with part of the proceeds of the public offering by
North in August 1997, except in the circumstances in which North would be
obligated to pay the North Breakup Fee (and in such event only to the extent of
such North Breakup Fee). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in
this Agreement, if the Merger is not consummated, neither North, nor any
officers, directors, affiliates, agents or Representatives of North will make
any monetary claim against Motoguzzi or TRG in excess of the actual documented
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by North in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except in the circumstances in
which Motoguzzi would be obligated to pay the Motoguzzi Breakup Fee (and in such
event only to the extent of the Motoguzzi Breakup Fee).
ARTICLE XII
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 12.01 Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:
"Business Day" means a day of the year on which banks are not required
or authorized to be closed in the City of New York.
"Damages" means the dollar amount of any loss, damage, expense or
liability, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and
disbursements incurred by a Party in any action or proceeding between such
Party and the other Party or Parties hereto or between such Party and a
third party, which is determined (as provided in ARTICLE X or ARTICLE XI)
to have been sustained, suffered or incurred by a Party and to have arisen
from or in connection with an event or state of facts which is subject to
claim under such ARTICLE X or ARTICLE XI; the amount of Damages shall be
the amount finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction or
appropriate governmental administrative agency (after the exhaustion of all
appeals) or the amount agreed to upon settlement in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.
"Environmental, Health, and Safety Requirements" means all federal,
state, local and foreign statutes, regulations, and ordinances concerning
public health and safety, worker health and safety, and pollution or
protection of the environment, including without limitation all those
relating to the presence, use, production, generation, handling,
transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, distribution, labeling,
testing,
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processing, discharge, release, threatened release, control, or cleanup of
any hazardous materials, substances or wastes, as such requirements are
enacted and in effect on or prior to the Closing Date.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Lien" means any lien, claim, charge, option, security interest,
restriction or encumbrance.
"Motoguzzi Material Adverse Change" means any material adverse change
in the condition, financial or otherwise, of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from such condition as it existed at
December 31, 1997, and as reflected in Motoguzzi's December 31, 1997
Financial Statements, excluding, however, (i) any suspension of operations
of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries, taken as a whole unless such
suspension continues for more than 30 consecutive business days, (ii) any
decrease in sales of Motoguzzi motorcycles to unaffiliated third parties
unless such decrease is at a rate, determined on a cumulative basis for the
period January 1, 1998 through the end of the month immediately preceding
the month in which a determination is made (the "Operating Period"), which
is greater than 900 motorcycles below the Motoguzzi 1998 motorcycles sales
budget for the Operating Period, provided that motorcycles which are sold
at more than 30% off of Motoguzzi's suggested retail price shall not be
deemed sold for purposes hereof, (iii) any recall of motorcycles unless
such recall is for more than 1,000 motorcycles and requires that repairs be
made which will cost greater than 20% of Motoguzzi's suggested retail price
of such motorcycles, (iv) any interruption in supply of material components
or other materials necessary for the manufacture and assembly of
motorcycles, unless such interruption lasts for more than 60 days and
results in a decrease in production of more than 500 motorcycles, or
(v) the assertion after the date hereof of any claims, the incurring after
the date hereof of any liabilities or the occurrence after the date hereof
of any other event or circumstance unless such claims or liabilities, or
losses or costs related to such events or circumstances, individually or in
the aggregate are in excess of $3 million after reduction to the extent of
any applicable insurance coverage and (A) if it is a claim or liability, it
has a manifestly reasonable likelihood of success, and (B) if it is a claim
or liability which results from a notice or demand by any governmental
agency, (x) such governmental agency shall have competent jurisdiction and
(y) the ability of such governmental agency to enforce against Motoguzzi
any claim or liability in respect thereof would not terminate as a result
of Motoguzzi relocating its manufacturing and assembly operations away from
its present premises at Mondello, Italy or the substance of such claim
would not be cured by Motoguzzi incurring capital expenditures which are
included in its capital expenditure budget.
"Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on
the results of operations, financial condition, business, assets or
prospects of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries (as defined
hereinafter) taken as a whole; provided that if the foregoing has a
financial effect then a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect shall be deemed
to exist if such financial effect is greater than $750,000; provided
further, that if the applicable event, circumstance or occurrence is
included in any of clauses (i) through (v) of the definition of Motoguzzi
Material Adverse Change, then only for purposes of determining whether the
condition in SECTION 9.03(a) has been satisfied and whether this Agreement
may be terminated as provided in SECTION 11.01(b) or SECTION 11.01(c), a
Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect shall not be caused thereby unless a
Motoguzzi Material Adverse Change would have resulted therefrom.
"Motoguzzi Subsidiaries" means Motoguzzi S.p.A, Moto Guzzi France
S.A., and Moto America, Inc.
"North Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on the
results of operations, financial condition, business, assets or prospects
of North.
"Party" means each of North, Motoguzzi and TRG (collectively, the
"Parties").
"Representatives" of either Party means such Party's employees,
accountants, auditors, actuaries, counsel, financial advisors, bankers,
investment bankers and consultants.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Tax" or "Taxes" means all income, gross receipts, sales, stock
transfer, excise, bulk transfer, use, employment, franchise, profits,
property or other taxes, fees, stamp taxes and duties, assessments, levies
or charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any
penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any taxing
authority with respect thereto.
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"Third Party Claim" means a claim, demand, suit, proceeding or action
by a person, firm, corporation or government entity other than a Party or
any affiliate of such Party.
ARTICLE XIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 13.01 Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, all costs and
expenses, including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of
Representatives, incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Party incurring such costs and
expenses, whether or not the Closing shall have occurred. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the Closing shall occur, then such costs and expenses incurred by
TRG, Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries shall be paid by TRG and the
amount thereof shall be included in the intercompany indebtedness referred to in
Section 8.06. Motoguzzi and TRG acknowledge and agree that in SCHEDULE 4.05
North has disclosed that it is obligated and will become further obligated for
fees and expenses (including without limitation the fees and expenses of
Graubard Mollen & Miller, its counsel, Allen & Company, its investment bankers,
and BDO Seidman, LLP its independent accountants) incurred by it in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. It is understood and
agreed that, subject to the limitations set forth in SECTIONS 4.05 and 7.01(k)
hereof, certain of such fees and expenses may be paid by North prior to the
execution of this Agreement. Motoguzzi and TRG agree to refrain from taking any
action which would prevent or delay the timely payment by North of reasonable
fees duly and lawfully incurred, to the extent consistent with the limitations
set forth in ARTICLE IV hereof. Subject to the foregoing, the Surviving
Corporation shall take all action necessary to pay promptly all of the foregoing
fees and expenses incurred, but not paid, by North prior to the Effective Time.
SECTION 13.02 Notices. All notices and other communications given or made
pursuant hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
or made as of the date delivered if delivered personally or by telecopy, one day
after delivery to a nationally recognized courier, or three business days after
mailed by registered mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), in each
case, to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a
Party as shall be specified by like notice, except that notices of changes of
address shall be effective upon receipt):
(a) If to TRG or Motoguzzi,
c/o Trident Rowan Group, Inc.
Two Worlds Fair Drive
Franklin Township, Somerset, New Jersey 08873
in all cases with a copy to:
Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP
750 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: David Lerner, Esq.
Telecopier # 212-735-8708
(b) If to North:
North Atlantic Acquisition Corp.
5 East 59th Street
Third Floor
New York, New York 10022
Attention: David Mitchell
Telecopier No.: 212-588-0286
with a copy to: Graubard Mollen & Miller
600 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10016
Attention: David Alan Miller, Esq.
Telecopier No.: 212-818-8881
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SECTION 13.03 Press Release; Public Announcements. Promptly after
execution of this Agreement, North and TRG may issue press releases in the form
attached hereto as EXHIBIT I. The Parties shall not make any other public
announcements in respect of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
herein without prior consultation and approval by the other Party as to the form
and content thereof, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Party may make any disclosure which its
counsel advises is required by applicable law or regulation, in which case the
other Party shall be given such reasonable advance notice as is practicable in
the circumstances and the Parties shall use their best efforts to cause a
mutually agreeable release or announcement to be issued.
SECTION 13.04 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified
except by an instrument in writing signed by the Parties.
SECTION 13.05 Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing, either Party may
(a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts
of the other Party, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto and (c)
waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained herein. Any
such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed by the Party to be bound thereby.
SECTION 13.06 Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
SECTION 13.07 Severability. If any term or other provision of this
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law
or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall
nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal
substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision
is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate
in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of
the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that
transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.
SECTION 13.08 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the schedules and
exhibits hereto and the documents executed contemporaneously herewith constitute
the entire agreement and supersede all prior agreements and undertakings, both
written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, are not intended to confer
upon any other person any rights or remedies hereunder.
SECTION 13.09 Benefit; Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the
Parties. This Agreement is not assignable by any Party without the express
written consent of the other Parties.
SECTION 13.10 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Specific
Performance. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the law of the State of New York, regardless of the laws that might
otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of law. Each Party
hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts (city, state and
federal) located in the County of New York, State of New York, for any action,
proceeding or claim brought by any other Party pursuant to this Agreement or any
other agreement, instrument or other document executed and delivered in
connection with this Agreement or pursuant hereto and waives any objection to
the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding and the right to assert that
such forum is not a convenient forum. Service of process in any such action or
proceeding brought against a Party may be made by registered mail addressed to
such Party at the address set forth in SECTION 13.02 or to such other address as
such Party shall notify the other Party in writing is to be used for such
purpose pursuant to SECTION 13.02. Any Party may enforce any right arising
hereunder by action or other appropriate proceeding, either in equity or at law,
and may seek specific performance of any of the obligations arising hereunder.
SECTION 13.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, and by the different Parties in separate counterparts, each of
which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which when
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
as of the date first written above.
MOTO GUZZI CORP. NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ HOWARD CHASE By: /s/ DAVID J. MITCHELL
--------------------------- ----------------------------
Name: Howard Chase Name: David J. Mitchell
Authorized Signatory Title: Chairman of the Board
TRIDENT ROWAN GROUP, INC.
(With respect to applicable portions of Articles II, III, V, VI, VIII, X, XI
and XIII only)
By: /s/ HOWARD CHASE
---------------------
Name: Howard Chase
Title: President
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<PAGE>
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION, dated
December 3, 1998, among NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware
corporation, ("North"), MOTO GUZZI CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Motoguzzi")
and TRIDENT ROWAN GROUP, INC., a Maryland corporation ("TRG").
WHEREAS, the parties hereto are all of the parties to an Agreement and Plan
of Merger and Reorganization dated August 18, 1998 ("Original Agreement"), and
the parties desire to amend certain provisions thereof as provided herein.
IT IS AGREED:
ARTICLE I
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1.01 Definitions. All capitalized terms used in this First
Amendment and not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the
Original Agreement.
SECTION 1.02 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided in the
Original Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
SECTION 1.03 Section 2.02 of the Original Agreement shall be amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
"SECTION 2.02 Conversion of Outstanding Stock of Motoguzzi.
(a) Except as provided in Section 2.03 of the Original Agreement, upon
consummation of the Merger, (i) the shares of common stock, $.01 par value,
("Old Motoguzzi Common Stock") of Motoguzzi outstanding on the date of this
First Amendment and immediately prior to the Effective Time and the shares
of preferred stock, $.01 par value, ("Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock") of
Motoguzzi outstanding on the date of this First Amendment and immediately
prior to the Effective Time, shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of the holder thereof, and subject to reduction in
accordance with Section 2.03 of the Original Agreement and increase in
accordance with Section 2.02(c) below, be converted into and exchanged for
(A) 3,110,058 shares of the Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value ("Class A
Common Stock") of North, subject to adjustment as herein provided and (B)
warrants in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto (the "Nominal Warrants")
to purchase 592,400 shares of Class A Common Stock, (ii) in consideration
of the contribution to the capital of Motoguzzi of certain intercompany
indebtedness described in Section 2.06(b) of the Original Agreement there
shall be issued to the holders of such indebtedness 871,953 shares of Class
A Common Stock and Nominal Warrants to purchase 166,080 shares of Class A
Common Stock, and (iii) if all outstanding Warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock at $4.00 per
share (the "Old Motoguzzi Warrants") are surrendered (as provided in
Section 2.06(a) of the Original Agreement) there shall be issued to such
surrendering warrant holders 217,989 shares of Class A Common Stock and
Nominal Warrants to purchase 41,520 shares of Class A Common Stock. The
Class A Common Stock and the Nominal Warrants are together referred to
herein as the "Merger Consideration". The number of shares of Class A
Common Stock and the number of Nominal Warrants payable as the Merger
Consideration shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole number of
shares or warrants. If the holders of less than all Old Motoguzzi Warrants
surrender same, then the Merger Consideration described in the preceding
clause (iii) shall be reduced by multiplying the Merger Consideration in
clause (iii) by the percentage of Old Motoguzzi Warrants so surrendered and
each Old Motoguzzi Warrant not so surrendered shall, after the Effective
Time, have such continuing rights as are provided by the terms thereof.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and except for
shares with respect to which the holder thereof votes against the Merger
("Dissenter") and ultimately receives payment thereon pursuant to Section
262 of the DGCL ("Dissenter Securities"), each share of Old Motoguzzi
Common Stock
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<PAGE>
outstanding on the date hereof and immediately prior to the Effective Time
and each share of Old Motoguzzi Preferred Stock outstanding on the date
hereof and immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into
.4146744 shares of Class A Common Stock and Nominal Warrants for .07898667
shares of Class A Common Stock.
(c) If Available Cash (as defined in Section 4.05 of the Original
Agreement) is less than $8,150,000 at the Effective Time, the number of
shares of Class A Common Stock issued as part of the Merger Consideration
shall be increased by one share for each $11 of such shortfall, allocable
pro rata as provided in Section 2.02(a) of the Original Agreement as
amended by this First Amendment; provided, however that the foregoing shall
not apply to the extent that Available Cash is reduced by amounts paid to
stockholders of North who are not officers and directors of North, who
elect to have their shares redeemed in accordance with North's Certificate
of Incorporation."
SECTION 1.04 Section 2.06(b) of the Original Agreement shall be amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
"(b) TRG covenants and agrees that Lit 12,919 million principal amount
of indebtedness, plus interest thereon, owed by Motoguzzi to TRG and/or to
O.A.M. S.p.A., a subsidiary of TRG ("OAM"), shall be contributed to the
capital of Motoguzzi, simultaneously with the consummation of the Merger.
After such capital contribution, the amount of indebtedness owed by
Motoguzzi and its subsidiaries to TRG and its subsidiaries other than
Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries at the Effective Time, including
all interest, will not be greater than $800,000, and if such indebtedness
exceeds such amount, any excess automatically and without any action on the
part of TRG, OAM or TRG's subsidiaries shall be contributed to the capital
of Motoguzzi at the Effective Time with no adjustment in the Merger
Consideration set forth in Section 2.02 (a)(ii) of the Original Agreement
as amended by this First Amendment and the Surviving Corporation will be
under no obligation whatsoever to pay same, except as otherwise provided in
Section 6.13 of the Original Agreement as amended hereby. TRG has caused
OAM to evidence its agreement to such capital contribution by executing the
form of acknowledgment annexed hereto as Exhibit C."
SECTION 1.05 Schedule 3.04(a) to the Original Agreement is hereby amended
to indicate that the record owner of all of the Old Motoguzzi Common Stock is
OAM and such transfer shall not be deemed a breach of any provision of the
Original Agreement as amended by this First Amendment.
SECTION 1.06 The following shall be added to the end of Section 3.21 of the
Original Agreement:
"The statements of fact contained in Section 1.08 of this First
Amendment are true and correct."
SECTION 1.07 Section 3.24 of the Original Agreement shall be amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
"SECTION 3.24 Organization. TRG is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Maryland and OAM
owns 6,000,000 shares of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock, representing 100% of
the outstanding shares on the date hereof of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock."
SECTION 1.08 The following shall be added to the end of Section 6.13 of the
Original Agreement:
"The parties acknowledge that subsequent to the date of the Original
Agreement, interim financing of (a) 3 billion lire has been provided by
Banco Nazionale del Lavoro to Motoguzzi S.p.A., supported by a guarantee
and/or collateral of OAM and (b) 3 billion lire has been provided by OAM to
Motoguzzi S.p.A., without the issuance of any equity securities of
Motoguzzi; that such amounts shall be repaid by Motoguzzi contemporaneously
with or promptly following the Closing Date; that repayment of such amounts
will enable OAM to repay loans to OAM or to TRG, which loans were made by
Persons who are affiliates of stockholders of TRG; and that the up to
$800,000 of intercompany indebtedness required to be paid by Motoguzzi to
TRG pursuant to Section 8.06 of the Original Agreement, is in addition
thereto."
SECTION 1.09 Section 7.05(b) of the Original Agreement shall be amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
"North covenants to Motoguzzi that the Proxy and Registration
Statement will comply in all material respects with the applicable
provisions of the Exchange Act and will not at the time of the
effectiveness of
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<PAGE>
the Proxy and Registration Statement and any amendments thereof or
supplements thereto and at the time of the North stockholder 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 light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading or necessary to correct any statement in any earlier
filing with the Commission of such Proxy and Registration Statement or any
amendment thereof or any supplement thereto or any earlier communication to
the stockholders of North with respect to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement; provided, however, that no representation, covenant or
agreement is made by North with respect to information supplied or approved
by or on behalf of Motoguzzi or its affiliates for inclusion in the Proxy
and Registration Statement, as provided in Section 6.09 of the Original
Agreement. Subject to the fiduciary duty of the Board of Directors of
North, the Proxy and Registration Statement shall contain statements, where
appropriate, to the effect that the Board of Directors of North has
approved this Agreement and the Merger and unanimously recommends that the
stockholders of North vote in favor of approving this Agreement and the
Merger and the other proposals presented in the Proxy and Registration
Statement and North will, subject to applicable securities laws and subject
to the provisions of certain escrow agreements entered into prior to or in
connection with NAAC's initial public offering, cause its directors to (i)
vote their shares of North in support thereof and (ii) obtain proxies in
support thereof from all North stockholders which are affiliates of such
directors."
SECTION 1.10 Section 10.02 of the Original Agreement shall be amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
"SECTION 10.02 Establishment of Remedy Fund. Contemporaneous with the
consummation of the Merger, the Exchange Agent shall deliver in escrow to
TRG as escrow agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement attached to the
Original Agreement as Exhibit H and subject to the provisions of Section
10.03 of the Original Agreement as amended by this First Amendment,
certificates for 200,000 shares of Class A Common Stock comprising part of
the Merger Consideration, (the "Remedy Fund"), which Remedy Fund shall
reduce, pro rata, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock to be
received by the holders of Old Motoguzzi Common Stock, Old Moto Guzzi
Preferred Stock and Old Moto Guzzi Warrants which are surrendered as
provided in Section 2.06(a) of the Original Agreement. To facilitate the
transfer of the shares in the Remedy Fund pursuant to the Escrow Agreement,
TRG is hereby designated and appointed by each holder of Class A Common
Stock comprising part of the Merger Consideration as the agent with
irrevocable power of attorney to execute such stock powers as may be
required to effectuate any transfer of such shares in the Remedy Fund. The
Remedy Fund shall also include any and all stock distributions made in
respect of the securities in the Remedy Fund, such distributions to be held
pursuant to the Escrow Agreement. Subject to the limitations set forth in
Article X of the Original Agreement as amended by this First Amendment,
from and after the Effective Time, (i) the entire Remedy Fund shall be
available to compensate the Surviving Corporation for any Damages which may
be sustained, suffered or incurred by it, whether as a result of any Third
Party Claim or otherwise, which arise from or are in connection with or are
attributable to (x) the breach of any of the covenants, representations,
warranties, agreements, obligations or undertakings of Motoguzzi contained
in this Agreement, or (y) any judgment, order, government notice,
government demand or other government sanction, including any remediation
or other action taken in response thereto, arising out of or based upon any
condition existing at the Closing Date which is not described in the
Ecoservice Srl report identified in the Motoguzzi Disclosure Schedules and
which violates any Laws, regardless of whether the representation in
Section 3.07 (b) or (c) of the Original Agreement is breached and (ii) that
portion of the Remedy Fund which consists of shares of Class A Common Stock
owned by TRG or OAM shall be available to compensate the Surviving
Corporation for any Damages which may be sustained, suffered or incurred by
it, whether as a result of any Third Party Claim or otherwise, which arise
from or are in connection with or are attributable to the breach of any of
the covenants, representations, warranties, agreements, obligations or
undertakings of TRG contained in this Agreement. Upon final adjudication or
resolution of a claim under Article X of the Original Agreement as amended
by this First Amendment, TRG shall deliver to the Surviving Corporation,
such full number of the shares held in the Remedy Fund as equals or
fractionally exceeds the adjudicated or resolved amount of such claim
divided by the Market Price (as defined below) of the Class A Common Stock.
The "Market Price" of a share of Class A Common Stock will be deemed to be
the average of the last sales prices of the Class A Common Stock for the
ten business days ending on the day immediately prior to the final
adjudication or
A-I-38
<PAGE>
resolution of a claim under Article X of the Original Agreement as amended
by this First Amendment, as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market or any
other United States stock exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is
listed, or in the absence of such reported prices, the determination of
Market Price shall be made jointly by TRG and the Independent Committee.
Any shares delivered to the Surviving Corporation in settlement of a claim
under Article X or the Original Agreement as amended by this First
Amendment, will be canceled and returned to the status of authorized and
un-issued shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation. If the
Merger is consummated, TRG shall not, in any event, have any liability to
North, the Surviving Corporation, their respective stockholders or any
other person for any Damages except to the extent of its interest in the
Remedy Fund."
SECTION 1.11 Section 10.03 of the Original Agreement shall be amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
"SECTION 10.03 Claims Against Remedy Fund. TRG is hereby designated
the agent of the holders of the shares in the Remedy Fund for purposes of
prosecuting, defending or settling any claim brought under Article X of the
Original Agreement as amended by this First Amendment. Actions taken or
omitted to be taken, and or consents given, or omitted to be given, by TRG
in connection with any such claim shall bind the interests of all of such
holders of such shares in respect of such claim. Upon determination by the
Independent Committee that an event giving rise to a claim under Section
10.02 above has occurred, the Independent Committee shall give notice to
TRG of such determination, specifying (i) the covenant, representation or
warranty, agreement, undertaking or obligation contained herein which it
asserts has been breached, (ii) in reasonable detail, the nature and dollar
amount of any claim the Surviving Corporation may have against the Remedy
Fund as a result thereof, and (iii) whether such claim arises from the
commencement of a Third Party Claim. The Independent Committee and TRG
shall, in good faith, attempt to resolve any such claim. If, within 30 days
of its notification to TRG, any claim has not been resolved, the
Independent Committee or TRG, individually and as agent for all holders of
the shares in the Remedy Fund, shall have the right, but not the
obligation, to seek to have the claim resolved by mediation by submission
to JAMS/Endispute or its successor, and if the matter is not resolved
through such mediation process within the first to occur of (i) the
expiration of 60 days from such submission, or (ii) the holding of two
meetings of TRG and North (acting by such independent Committee) with such
mediator, then such claim shall be submitted to final and binding
arbitration, provided, however, that (x) except for an action arising out
of a breach by TRG of any of the representations or warranties made, or
covenants given, by TRG hereunder, no mediation or arbitration shall be
brought against TRG except solely in its capacity as agent for the holders
of the shares in the Remedy Fund and (y) any claim which arises from a
Third Party Claim shall not be resolved or submitted to mediation or
arbitration until 30 days following resolution of such Third Party Claim,
and TRG, as agent for the Surviving Corporation, (i) shall have the right
to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim, by counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Independent Committee, the cost thereof to be borne by
the Surviving Corporation, subject to reimbursement if it is determined
that the claim is compensable to the Surviving Corporation as provided in
Article X of the Original Agreement as amended by this First Amendment, in
which event such costs shall constitute part of the Damages, recoverable as
and to the extent provided in Article X of the Original Agreement as
amended by this First Amendment and (ii) TRG may settle any such Third
Party Claim on behalf of the Surviving Corporation, subject to the
reasonable approval of the Independent Committee. Upon final adjudication
or settlement of any claim under Section 10.02, TRG shall deliver to the
Surviving Corporation such number of shares from the Remedy Fund as is
sufficient to recompense Surviving Corporation in satisfaction of such
claim as calculated in Section 10.02 above. In any action or proceeding
between the Parties hereto, each Party shall bear its own costs and
expenses, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.08 of the Original
Agreement"
SECTION 1.12 Section 10.04 of the Original Agreement shall be amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
"SECTION 10.04. Duration of Remedy Fund. Other than claims for breach
of the representations and warranties made by Motoguzzi under Sections
3.01, 3.02, 3.04, 3.10, 3.22 of the Original Agreement and the first
sentence of Section 3.15 of the Original Agreement (collectively "Core
Claims"), no notice of claim against the Remedy Fund may be given and shall
not be valid if given, after the 60th day following the mailing by
certified mail, return receipt requested, or delivery by hand, to each
then-serving member of the
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<PAGE>
Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation of the reviewed financial
statements of the Surviving Corporation for its fiscal quarter ending March
31, 1999. Notice of Core Claims against the Remedy Fund may not be given,
and shall not be valid if given, after the 60th day following the mailing
by certified mail, return receipt requested, or delivery by hand, to each
then-serving member of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation
of the audited financial statements of the Surviving Corporation for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1999, together with the executed report of
the auditors. The Remedy Fund will remain in place until the later of (i)
the date of final settlement or adjudication of any pending claims made
against the securities in the Remedy Fund and delivery of the appropriate
securities, or (ii) the date after which no notice of claims may be given.
After delivery of securities from the Remedy Fund to the Surviving
Corporation in full settlement of any claims, TRG shall deliver to the
registered owners thereof all shares then held by it in the Remedy Fund."
SECTION 1.13 Section 10.05 of the Original Agreement shall be amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:
"Section 10.05 Amount of Claim. No claim may be brought against the
Remedy Fund unless, and then only to the extent that, the amount of Damages
suffered in respect of all claims asserted, without duplication, net of any
offsets pursuant to SECTION 10.06 of the Original Agreement exceeds
$600,000."
SECTION 1.14 The following definitions contained in Article XII of the
Original Agreement are hereby amended and restated in their entirety as follows:
"Motoguzzi Material Adverse Change" means any material adverse change
in the condition, financial or otherwise, of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from such condition as it existed at
December 31, 1997, and as reflected in Motoguzzi's December 31, 1997
Financial Statements, excluding, however, (i) any suspension of operations
of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries, taken as a whole unless such
suspension continues for more than 30 consecutive business days, (ii) any
decrease in sales of Motoguzzi motorcycles to unaffiliated third parties
unless such decrease is at a rate, determined on a cumulative basis for the
period January 1, 1998 through the end of the month immediately preceding
the month in which a determination is made (the "Operating Period"), which
is greater than 900 motorcycles below the Motoguzzi 1998 motorcycles sales
budget, as amended through the date of this First Amendment, for the
Operating Period, provided that motorcycles which are sold at more than 30%
off of Motoguzzi's suggested retail price shall not be deemed sold for
purposes hereof, (iii) any recall of motorcycles unless such recall is for
more than 1,000 motorcycles and requires that repairs be made which will
cost greater than 20% of Motoguzzi's suggested retail price of such
motorcycles, (iv) any interruption in supply of material components or
other materials necessary for the manufacture and assembly of motorcycles,
unless such interruption lasts for more than 60 days and results in a
decrease in production of more than 500 motorcycles, or (v) the assertion
after the date hereof of any claims, the incurring after the date hereof of
any liabilities or the occurrence after the date hereof of any other event
or circumstance unless such claims or liabilities, or losses or costs
related to such events or circumstances, individually or in the aggregate
are in excess of $3 million after reduction to the extent of any applicable
insurance coverage and (A) if it is a claim or liability, it has a
manifestly reasonable likelihood of success, and (B) if it is a claim or
liability which results from a notice or demand by any governmental agency,
(x) such governmental agency shall have competent jurisdiction and (y) the
ability of such governmental agency to enforce against Motoguzzi any claim
or liability in respect thereof would not terminate as a result of
Motoguzzi relocating its manufacturing and assembly operations away from
its present premises at Mondello, Italy or the substance of such claim
would not be cured by Motoguzzi incurring capital expenditures which are
included in its capital expenditure budget.
"Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on
the results of operations, financial condition, business, assets or
prospects of Motoguzzi and the Motoguzzi Subsidiaries (as defined
hereinafter) taken as a whole; provided that if the foregoing has a
financial effect then a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect shall not be
deemed to exist unless such financial effect is greater than $600,000;
provided further, that if the applicable event, circumstance or occurrence
is included in any of clauses (i) through (v) of the definition of
Motoguzzi Material Adverse Change, then only for purposes of determining
whether the condition in Section 9.03(a) of the Original Agreement has been
satisfied and whether the Original
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<PAGE>
Agreement, as amended by this First Amendment, may be terminated as
provided in Section 11.01(b) or Section 11.01(c) of the Original Agreement,
a Motoguzzi Material Adverse Effect shall not be caused thereby unless a
Motoguzzi Material Adverse Change would have resulted therefrom.
SECTION 1.15 All references in the Original Agreement and the Exhibits and
Schedules thereto to and related to Class B Preferred Stock, including without
limitation references thereto in Sections 2.04, 4.12 and 7.05, shall be and
hereby are removed and deleted. Exhibit H to the Original Agreement shall be
amended and restated in the form of Exhibit H attached hereto.
ARTICLE II
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 2.01 This First Amendment may be executed in one or more
counterparts, and by the different Parties in separate counterparts, each of
which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of which when
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 2.02 The Original Agreement, as amended by this First Amendment,
shall continue in full force and effect. In the event of any inconsistency
between the Original Agreement and the Exhibits and Schedules thereto and this
First Amendment, the provisions of this First Amendment shall prevail.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this First Amendment to be
executed as of the date first written above.
MOTO GUZZI CORP. NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
By: /s/ HOWARD E. CHASE By: /s/ DAVID J. MITCHELL
--------------------- -----------------------
Name: Howard E. Chase Name: David J. Mitchell
Title: Director Title: President
TRIDENT ROWAN GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ HOWARD CHASE
---------------------
Name: Howard Chase
Title: Chairman
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<PAGE>
ANNEX II
December 3, 1998
Board of Directors
North Atlantic Acquisition Corporation
5 East 59th Street
3rd Floor
New York, NY 10022
Members of the Board of Directors:
You have requested our opinion, as of this date, as to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, to the holders of the outstanding shares of Class A
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Class A Common Stock"), of North
Atlantic Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), of the
terms of the Proposed Transaction referred to hereinafter.
Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated
August 18, 1998, as proposed to be amended by the First Amendment (the
"Amendment") thereto (as so amended, the "Merger Agreement"), to be entered into
by and among the Company, Moto Guzzi Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Moto
Guzzi") and certain shareholders of Moto Guzzi, the Company will enter into a
business combination transaction pursuant to which Moto Guzzi will be merged
with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the merger (the "Proposed
Transaction"). Pursuant to the Proposed Transaction, the outstanding shares of
common stock, preferred stock and warrants of Moto Guzzi will be converted into
the right to receive a combination of shares of Class A Common Stock and
warrants of the Company, as is more fully set forth in the Merger Agreement. In
addition, shares of Class A Common Stock will be issued in consideration of the
contribution to the capital of Moto Guzzi of certain intercompany indebtedness
to the holders of such indebtedness, as is more fully set forth in the Merger
Agreement. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all capitalized terms
used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger
Agreement.
We understand that all approvals required for the consummation of the
Proposed Transaction have been or, prior to consummation of the Proposed
Transaction, will be obtained. As you know, Allen & Company Incorporated
("Allen") will receive a fee for its services to the Company pursuant to the
letter agreement dated May 4, 1998. From time to time in the ordinary course of
its business as a broker-dealer, Allen may hold positions and trade in
securities of the Company.
In arriving at our opinion, we have among other things:
(i) reviewed the terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction,
including the Merger Agreement and the agreements ancillary thereto (of
which the Amendment had not been executed by the parties prior to the
delivery of this opinion);
(ii) analyzed publicly available historical business and financial
information relating to the Company, as presented in documents filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission;
(iii) analyzed certain historical business and financial information
relating to Moto Guzzi furnished by Moto Guzzi;
(iv) reviewed certain financial forecasts and other data provided to
us by Moto Guzzi relating to its business;
(v) conducted discussions with certain members of the senior
management of the Company and Moto Guzzi with respect to the financial
condition, business operations, strategic objectives and prospects of the
Company and Moto Guzzi, as well as trends prevailing in Moto Guzzi's
industry;
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<PAGE>
(vi) reviewed and analyzed public information, including certain stock
market data and financial information relating to selected public companies
in lines of business which we believe to be comparable to Moto Guzzi's;
(vii) reviewed trends in the motorcycle industry;
(viii) reviewed the trading history, market data and financial
information of selected companies in industries comparable to that of Moto
Guzzi;
(ix) reviewed public financial and transaction information relating to
merger and acquisition transactions we deemed to be comparable to the
Proposed Transaction; and
(x) conducted such other financial analyses and investigations as we
deemed necessary or appropriate for the purposes of the opinion expressed
herein.
In rendering our opinion, we have assumed and relied upon the accuracy and
completeness of the financial and other information respecting the Company and
Moto Guzzi and any other information provided to us, and we have not assumed any
responsibility for any independent verification of such information or any
independent valuation or appraisal of any of the assets of the Company or Moto
Guzzi. With respect to the financial forecasts referred to above, we have
assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best
currently available information and the good faith estimates and judgments of
the management of Moto Guzzi as to the future financial performance of Moto
Guzzi.
In addition to our review and analysis of the specific information set
forth above, our opinion herein reflects and gives effect to our assessment of
general economic, monetary and market conditions existing as of the date hereof
as they may affect the business and prospects of the Company and Moto Guzzi.
Our engagement and the opinion expressed herein are for the benefit of the
Board of Directors of the Company in its evaluation of the Proposed Transaction
and may not be used for any other purpose without our prior written consent,
except that this opinion may be included in its entirety and referred to in any
filing made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission with
respect to the Proposed Transaction. Furthermore, the opinion rendered herein
does not constitute a recommendation that the Company pursue the Proposed
Transaction over any other alternative transactions which may be available to
the Company or that any stockholder of the Company vote to approve the Proposed
Transaction.
Based on and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, as of
this date, the terms of the Proposed Transaction are fair, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of the Company's Class A Common Stock.
Very truly yours,
ALLEN & COMPANY INCORPORATED
By: /s/ ROBERT COSGRIFF
-------------------------
A-II-2
<PAGE>
ANNEX III
This Warrant entitles the Registered
Holder thereof to purchase shares of
Class A Common Stock. [(i) for Warrants
issued under Section 2.02(a)(i), the
product of (x) 592,400 multiplied by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of shares of capital stock of
Moto Guzzi Corp. owned by the
Registered Holder at the Merger
Effective Time, and the denominator of
which is 7,500,000; (ii) for Warrants
issued under Section 2.02(a)(ii),
166,080; and (iii) for Warrants issued
under Section 2.02(a)(iii), the product
of (x) 41,520 multiplied by (y) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of Old Moto Guzzi Warrants
surrendered by the Registered Holder at
the Merger Effective Time and the
denominator of which is 1,500,000.]
No.
WARRANT FOR THE PURCHASE OF
SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK
OF
MOTO GUZZI CORPORATION
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
Moto Guzzi Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby
certifies that for value received, of , or his, her or its
registered assigns (the "Registered Holder"), is entitled, subject to the terms
set forth below, to purchase from the Company, at any time or from time to time
during the period commencing on April 1, 2000 and ending at 5:00 p.m. E.S.T. on
June 30, 2001 ("Expiration Date"), shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par
value, of the Company ("Common Stock"), at a purchase price per share equal to
$.01 ("Purchase Price"). The number of shares of Common Stock which may be
acquired upon exercise of this Warrant, as adjusted from time to time pursuant
to the provisions of this Warrant, is hereinafter referred to as the "Warrant
Shares". All rights granted hereunder shall expire on the Expiration Date.
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
(a) "Actual Operating Income" shall mean the profit before interest,
taxes, minority interests, extraordinary items and the cumulative effects
of changes in accounting policies, of the Company, on a consolidated basis,
derived from the Company's audited Statements of Income/Loss for such
fiscal year, prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles consistently applied, expressed in Lire.
(b) "1999 Minimum Operating Income" shall mean Lit. 7,140,000,000.
(c) "2000 Minimum Operating Income" shall mean Lit. 8,211,000,000.
2. CONDITION TO EXERCISE OF WARRANT. Exercise of this Warrant shall be
subject to and conditioned upon either (i) the Company's Actual Operating Income
for its 1999 fiscal year being not less than the 1999 Minimum Operating Income,
or (ii) the Company's Actual Operating Income for its 2000 fiscal year being not
less than the 2000 Minimum Operating Income.
3. NOTICE OF EXERCISE.
(a) The Registered Holder hereby appoints Trident Rowan Group, Inc.
("TRG"), with full power of substitution, as the attorney in fact of the
Registered Holder and authorizes TRG to deliver to the Company any notice
of exercise which may be given hereunder. Such authority shall be deemed
null and void if the Registered Holder delivers written notice to TRG
revoking such authority at any time prior to the date on
A-III-1
<PAGE>
which TRG delivers any notice of exercise hereunder. This Warrant may be
exercised by the Registered Holder, in whole but not in part, or by TRG as
agent for the Registered Holder, by the surrender of this Warrant (with the
Notice of Exercise Form attached hereto as Exhibit I duly executed by such
Registered Holder) at the principal office of the Company, or at such other
office or agency as the Company may designate, accompanied by payment in
full, in lawful money of the United States, of an amount equal to the then
applicable Purchase Price multiplied by the whole number of Warrant Shares
which may be purchased upon such exercise, together with any and all
applicable taxes due in connection with such exercise. This Warrant may not
be exercised by, or shares of Common Stock issued to, any Registered Holder
in any state in which such exercise would be unlawful.
(b) Each exercise of this Warrant shall be deemed to have been
effected immediately prior to the close of business on the day on which
this Warrant shall have been surrendered to the Company as provided in
subsection 3(a) above. At such time, the person or persons in whose name or
names any certificates for Warrant Shares shall be issuable upon such
exercise as provided in subsection 3(c) below shall be deemed to have
become the holder or holders of record of the Warrant Shares represented by
such certificates.
(c) As soon as practicable after the exercise of the purchase right
represented by this Warrant, the Company at its expense will use its best
efforts to cause to be issued in the name of, and delivered to, the
Registered Holder, or, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, to such
other individual or entity as such Registered Holder (upon payment by such
Registered Holder of any applicable transfer taxes) may direct a
certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Warrant Shares
to which such Registered Holder shall be entitled upon such exercise plus,
in lieu of any fractional share to which such Registered Holder would
otherwise be entitled, cash in an amount determined pursuant to Section 5
hereof.
4. ADJUSTMENTS.
(a) Split, Subdivision or Combination of Shares. If the Company, after
the date on which this Warrant becomes initially exercisable and prior to
exercise, fixes a record date for the effectuation of a split or
subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or the determination
of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive a dividend or other
distribution payable in additional shares of Common Stock without payment
of any consideration by such holder for the additional shares of Common
Stock, then, as of such record date (or the date of such dividend
distribution, split or subdivision if no record date is fixed), the
Purchase Price shall be appropriately decreased and the number of Warrant
Shares which may be acquired hereunder shall be increased in proportion to
such increase in the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding. If the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any
time after the date hereof is decreased by a combination of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock or otherwise, then, following the record date of
such combination or other event, the Purchase Price shall be appropriately
increased and the number of Warrant Shares which may be acquired hereunder
shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in the aggregate number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding.
(b) Reclassification, Reorganization, Consolidation or Merger. In the
case of any reclassification of the Common Stock (other than a change in
par value or a subdivision or combination as provided for in subsection
4(a) above), or any reorganization, consolidation or merger of the Company
with or into another corporation (other than a merger or reorganization
with respect to which the Company is the continuing corporation and which
does not result in any reclassification of the Common Stock), or a transfer
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the payment of
a liquidating distribution then, as part of any such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or liquidating distribution,
lawful provision shall be made so that the Registered Holder of this
Warrant shall have the right thereafter to receive upon the exercise hereof
(to the extent, if any, still exercisable) the kind and amount of shares of
stock or other securities or property which such Registered Holder would
have been entitled to receive if, immediately prior to any such
reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or
liquidating distribution, as the case may be, such Registered Holder had
held the number of shares of Common Stock which were then purchasable upon
the exercise of this Warrant or if this Warrant shall not then be
exercisable, such other consideration as the Board of Directors of the
Company shall reasonably determine to be of comparable value. In any such
case, appropriate adjustment (as reasonably determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company) shall be made in the application of the
provisions set forth herein with respect
A-III-2
<PAGE>
to the rights and interests thereafter of the Registered Holder of this
Warrant such that the provisions set forth in this Section 4 (including
provisions with respect to the Purchase Price) shall thereafter be
applicable, as nearly as is reasonably practicable, in relation to any
shares of stock or other securities or property thereafter deliverable upon
the exercise of this Warrant.
(c) Price Reduction. Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in
this Warrant, at any time and from time to time during the period that this
Warrant is exercisable the Company in it sole discretion may reduce the
Purchase Price.
(d) No Impairment. The Company will not, by amendment of its
Certificate of Incorporation or through any reorganization,
recapitalization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution,
issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to
avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or
performed hereunder by the Company but will at all times in good faith
assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Section 4 and in
the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order
to protect against impairment of the rights of the Registered Holder of
this Warrant to adjustments in the Purchase Price.
(e) Notice of Adjustment. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or
readjustment of the Purchase Price or the number of Warrant Shares which
may be acquired hereunder, the Company, at its expense, shall promptly
compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof
and prepare and furnish written notice thereto to the Registered Holder of
this Warrant within a reasonable amount of time from the adjustment or
readjustment stating the adjustment or readjustment and showing in
reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is
based.
5. NOTICES OF RECORD DATE.
In case:
(a) the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock
(or other stock or securities at the time deliverable upon the exercise of
this Warrant) for the purpose of entitling or enabling them to receive any
dividend or other distribution (other than a dividend or distribution
payable solely in capital stock of the Company or out of funds legally
available therefor), or to receive any right to subscribe for or purchase
any shares of any class or any other securities, or to receive any other
right, or
(b) of any capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification
of the capital stock of the Company, any consolidation or merger of the
Company with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or
merger in which the Company is the surviving entity), or any transfer of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or
(c) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up of the Company,
then, and in each such case, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the
Registered Holder of this Warrant a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i)
the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend,
distribution or right, and stating the amount and character of such dividend,
distribution or right, or (ii) the effective date on which such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up is to take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which
the holders of record of Common Stock (or such other stock or securities at the
time deliverable upon the exercise of this Warrant) shall be entitled to
exchange their shares of Common Stock (or such other stock or securities) for
securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or
winding-up. Such notice shall be mailed at least twenty (20) days prior to the
record date or effective date for the event specified in such notice, provided
that the failure to mail such notice shall not affect the legality or validity
of any such action.
6. RESERVATION OF STOCK. The Company will at all times reserve and keep
available, solely for issuance and delivery upon the exercise of this Warrant,
such shares of Warrant Shares and other stock, securities and property, as from
time to time shall be issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant.
7. REPLACEMENT OF WARRANTS. Upon receipt of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
this Warrant and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) upon
A-III-3
<PAGE>
delivery of an indemnity agreement (with surety if reasonably required) in an
amount reasonably satisfactory to the Company, or (in the case of mutilation)
upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company will issue, in lieu
thereof, a new Warrant of like tenor.
8. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF WARRANTS.
(a) The Company will maintain a register containing the names and
addresses of the Registered Holders of this Warrant. Any Registered Holder
may change its, his or her address as shown on the warrant register by
written notice to the Company requesting such change, given in accordance
with Section 14 hereof.
(b) Until any transfer of this Warrant is made in the warrant
register, the Company may treat the Registered Holder of this Warrant as
the absolute owner hereof for all purposes; provided, however, that if and
when this Warrant is properly assigned in blank, the Company may (but shall
not be obligated to) treat the bearer hereof as the absolute owner hereof
for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.
(c) The Company shall register the transfer from time to time, of this
Warrant upon the register maintained by the Company for such purpose, upon
surrender of this Warrant for transfer, upon written instructions with
signatures guaranteed. Upon any such transfer, a new Warrant representing
an equal aggregate Percentage Interest shall be issued and this Warrant
shall be canceled.
(d) This Warrant may be surrendered to the Company, together with a
written request for exchange, and thereupon the Company shall issue in
exchange therefor one or more new Warrants as requested by the Registered
Holder of this Warrant, representing in the aggregate an equal Percentage
Interest; provided, however, that in the event that this Warrant bears a
restrictive legend, the Company shall not cancel this Warrant nor issue a
new Warrant in exchange therefor unless the Company has received an opinion
of counsel stating that such transfer may be made and indicating whether
the new Warrant(s) must also bear a restrictive legend.
9. NO RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER. Until the exercise of this Warrant, the
Registered Holder of this Warrant shall not have or exercise any rights by
virtue hereof as a shareholder of the Company.
10. CHANGE OR WAIVER. Any term of this Warrant may be changed or waived
only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement
of the change or waiver is sought.
11. HEADINGS. The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of reference
only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of any provision of
this Warrant.
12. GOVERNING LAW. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York as such laws are applied to
contracts made and to be fully performed entirely within that state between
residents of that state.
13. JURISDICTION AND VENUE. The Company (i) agrees that any legal suit,
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Warrant shall be
instituted exclusively in New York State Supreme Court, County of New York or in
the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii)
waives any objection to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding and the
right to assert that such forum is not a convenient forum, and (iii) irrevocably
consents to the jurisdiction of the New York State Supreme Court, County of New
York, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
in any such suit, action or proceeding, and the Company further agrees to accept
and acknowledge service or any and all process which may be served in any such
suit, action or proceeding in New York State Supreme Court, County of New York
or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and
agrees that service of process upon it mailed by certified mail to its address
shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon it in any
suit, action or proceeding.
14. MAILING OF NOTICES, etc. All notices and other communications under
this Warrant (except payment) shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently
given if delivered to the addressees in person, by Federal
A-III-4
<PAGE>
Express or similar receipt delivery, by facsimile delivery or, if mailed,
postage prepaid, by certified mail, return receipt requested, as follows:
Registered Holder: To his or her address on page 1 of this Warrant.
Moto Guzzi Corporation
c/o Trident Rowan Group, Inc.
Two Worlds Fair Drive
Franklin Township
Somerset, NJ 08873
Attn: Mr. Mark S. Hauser, President
The Company: Fax: (732) 868-0193
In either case, with a copy to:
Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP
750 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Attn: David Lerner, Esq.
Fax: (212) 735-8708
or to such other address as any of them, by notice to the others may designate
from time to time. Time shall be counted to, or from, as the case may be, the
delivery in person or by mailing.
MOTO GUZZI CORPORATION
By: __________________________________
Print Name: __________________________
Title: _______________________________
A-III-5
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT I
NOTICE OF EXERCISE
To: Moto Guzzi Corporation
c/o Trident Rowan Group, Inc.
Two Worlds Fair Drive
Franklin Township
Somerset, NJ 08873
1. The undersigned hereby elects to purchase such number of shares of the
Common Stock of Moto Guzzi Corporation, pursuant to the terms of the attached
Warrant, as equals the undersigned's entire interest in this Warrant, and
tenders herewith payment of the purchase price of such shares in full, together
with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.
2. Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of
the Common Stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is
specified below:
______________________________________
(Name)
______________________________________
(Address)
______________________________________
Taxpayer Identification Number)
______________________________________
[print name of Registered Holder]
By: __________________________________
Title: _______________________________
Date: ________________________________
A-III-6
<PAGE>
ANNEX IV
CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
OF
MOTO GUZZI CORP.
WITH AND INTO
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
Pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the
undersigned corporations DO HEREBY CERTIFY that:
FIRST: The name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent
corporations of the merger is as follows:
NAME STATE OF INCORPORATION
- ---- ----------------------
Moto Guzzi Corp. Delaware
North Atlantic Acquisition Corp. Delaware
SECOND: An Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization dated as of
, among Moto Guzzi Corp., a Delaware corporation, North
Atlantic Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, and Trident Rowan Group,
Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Agreement and Plan of Merger"), has been
adopted, approved, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the
constituent corporations to the merger in accordance with the requirements of
Section 251 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
THIRD: The name of the surviving corporation of the merger is North
Atlantic Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Surviving Corporation"),
whose name shall be changed to Moto Guzzi Corporation.
FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of Surviving Corporation is hereby
amended and restated to read as set forth on Exhibit A hereto.
FIFTH: The executed Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at the
principal place of business of Surviving Corporation. The address of said
principal place of business is 5 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022.
SIXTH: A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the
Surviving Corporation on request and without cost to any stockholder of either
constituent corporation.
Dated: ____________________________________
Attest: NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
___________________________________ By:________________________________
Title:
Attest: MOTO GUZZI CORP.
___________________________________ By:________________________________
Title:
A-IV-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
FIRST: The name of this corporation is:
MOTO GUZZI CORPORATION
SECOND: The name and address of the registered agent of the corporation in
the State of Delaware is:
The Corporation Trust Company
1209 Orange Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
THIRD: The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation
Law of Delaware.
FOURTH: (a) The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have
authority to issue is Twenty-five Million (25,000,000) of which (i) Twenty
Million (20,000,000) shares, par value $.01 per share shall be Class A Common
Stock (hereinafter (250,000) shares, par value $.01 per share shall be Class B
Exchangeable Common Stock (hereinafter called "Class B Common Stock"; the
Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, hereinafter collectively, the
"Common Stock"), and (iii) Four Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand
(4,750,000) shares, par value $.01 per share shall be Preferred Stock
(hereinafter called "Preferred Stock"). One Hundred (100) shares of the
Preferred Stock shall be designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
(hereinafter called "Class A Preferred Stock").
(b) The Common Stock shall have the following rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions:
(1) The holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such
dividends as may be declared thereon from time to time by the Board of
Directors, in its discretion, from any assets legally available for the
payment of dividends, provided that no dividends may be paid on the Common
Stock unless all accrued and unpaid dividends on all Preferred Stock are
paid.
(2) In the event of the dissolution of the Corporation, whether
voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to
share ratably in the distribution of the assets of the Corporation after
payment or provision for payment of such amounts as the holders of
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive.
(3) Except as provided in Section (c)(1) of Article FOURTH hereof, and
as otherwise required by law, all shares of Common Stock shall have equal
voting rights and shall have one vote, in person or by proxy, for each
share thereof held.
(c) The holders of the Class B Common Stock shall have the following
rights:
(1) Each share of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to two votes
per share in the election of directors and on any other matter presented to
the shareholders.
(2) The Class B Common Stock is exchangeable into two Units, each
consisting of one share of Class A Common Stock and one Class A Purchase
Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock
at a purchase price of $9.00 per share, subject to adjustment, 90 days
after the date on which this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation is the State of Delaware, or any earlier date that H.J.
Meyers & Co., Inc., as underwriter in the initial public offering of the
Common Stock of the Company, in its sole discretion so elects. This
conversion privilege shall expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
first anniversary of the date on which this Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation is filed with the Security of State of the
State of Delaware.
A-1
<PAGE>
(d) The Class A Preferred Stock shall have the following rights,
preferences, privileges and restrictions:
(1) The holder of shares of Class A Preferred Stock shall not be
entitled to vote with respect to the election of directors or on any other
matter submitted to stockholders, unless required by law.
(2) Each share of the Class A Preferred Stock is convertible into
Class A Common Stock of the Company at any time until 5:00 p.m. New York
City time, on the first anniversary of the date on which this Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation is filed with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware.
(3) In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation,
the rights of the holders of the Corporation's Common Stock are subordinate
to the rights of the holders of the Class A Preferred Stock.
(e) The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed
by law and the provisions of this Article FOURTH, to provide for the issuance of
the shares of Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to
the applicable law of the State of Delaware, to establish from time to time the
number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation,
powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The holders of shares of
the Preferred Stock of each such series shall be entitled to receive, when and
as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the
payment of dividends, dividends (if any) at the rates fixed by the Board of
Directors for such series, and no more, before any cash dividends shall be
declared and paid, or set apart for payment, on the Common Stock with respect to
the same dividend period. The holders of shares of the Preferred Stock of each
such series shall be entitled upon liquidation or dissolution or upon the
distribution of the assets of the Corporation to such preferences as provided in
the resolution or resolutions creating such series of Preferred Stock, and no
more, before any distribution of the assets of the Corporation shall be made to
the holders of shares of the Common Stock. Whenever the holders of shares of the
Preferred Stock of each such series shall have been paid the full amounts to
which they shall be entitled, the holders of shares of the Common Stock shall be
entitled to share ratably in all remaining assets of the Corporation.
The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each such series
shall include, but not be limited to, the determination or fixing of the
following:
(1) The distinctive designation and number of shares comprising such
series, which number may (except where otherwise provided by the Board of
Directors in creating such series) be increased or decreased (but not below
the number of shares then outstanding) from time to time by like action of
the Board of Directors;
(2) The dividend rate of such series, the conditions and time upon
which such dividends shall be payable, the relation which such dividends
shall bear to the dividends payable on any other class or classes of stock
or series thereof, or any other series of the same class, and whether such
dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The conditions upon which the shares of such series shall be
subject to redemption by the Corporation and the times, prices and other
terms and provisions upon which the shares of the series may be redeemed
including the date or date upon or after which they may be redeemed, and
the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary
under different conditions and at different redemption dates;
(4) Whether or not the shares of the series shall be subject to the
operation of a retirement or sinking fund to be applied to the purchase or
redemption of such shares and, if such retirement or sinking fund be
established, the annual amount thereof and the terms and provisions
relative to the operation thereof;
(5) Whether or not the shares of the series shall be convertible into
or exchangeable for shares of any other class or classes, with or without
par value, or of any other series of the same class, and, if provision is
made for conversion or exchange, the times, prices, rates, adjustments, and
other terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange as the Board of
Directors shall determine;
(1) Whether or not the shares of the series shall have voting
rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and, if so,
the terms of such voting rights;
A-2
<PAGE>
(2) The rights of the shares of the series in the event of
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of
the Corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment
of shares of that series;
(3) Any other powers, preferences and relative participating,
optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series, as the Board of
Directors may deem advisable and as shall not be inconsistent with the
provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation.
FIFTH: The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
SIXTH: New By-laws may be adopted or the By-laws may be amended or repealed
by a vote of holders of two-thirds (66-2/3%) of the outstanding stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote thereon. By-laws may also be adopted, amended or
repealed by resolutions adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors and as provided or permitted by law; provided, however, that (a) the
Board of Directors may not repeal or amend a Bylaw adopted by the shareholders;
and (b) any By-law amendment adopted, amended or repealed by the Board of
Directors increasing or reducing the authorized number of directors shall
require a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds
(66-2/3%) of the directors.
SEVENTH: (a) The number of directors of the Corporation shall be the number
fixed from time to time in the manner provided by the By-laws of the
Corporation, pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number
of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously
authorized directorships at the time such resolution in presented to the Board
for adoption), but in no event shall such number be fewer than three (3) nor
more than ten (10).
(b) The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes with each
class to be as nearly equal in number as possible, with the term of office of
the first class to expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders held after
the annual or special meeting of stockholders at which the Board is first
classified, the term of office of the second class to expire at the second
annual meeting of stockholders held after the annual or special meeting of
stockholders at which the Board is first classified and the term of office of
the third class to expire at the third annual meeting of stockholders held after
the annual or special meeting of stockholders at which the Board is first
classified. At each annual meeting following that at which the Board is
initially classified and elected in three classes, directors elected to succeed
those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term expiring at the
third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election, and until
their successors shall be elected and qualified. No increase in the number of
directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
(c) Except as otherwise fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article SEVENTH
hereof, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of
directors and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death,
resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled (i) by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office even
though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining
director, or (ii) by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two thirds
(66-2/3%) of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of stock entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors. Any director elected in
accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of
the full term of the directorship for which the vacancy occurred and until such
director's successor shall have been elected and qualified. No decrease in the
number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term
of any incumbent directors.
(d) Except as otherwise fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article SEVENTH
hereof, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from
office at any time only for cause and only (i) by the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than two-thirds (66- 2/3%) of the total voting power of all
outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting together as a single class, or (ii) by action of the Board of
Directors.
EIGHTH: A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) under section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper
personal
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benefit. The Corporation shall indemnify any and all of its directors or
officers or former directors, or officers or any person who may have served at
its request as a director or officer of another corporation in which it owns
shares of capital stock or of which it is a creditor, against expenses actually
and necessarily incurred by them in connection with the defense of any action,
suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, in which they, or any of them, are made
parties, or a party, by reason of being or having been directors or officers or
a director or officer of the Corporation, or of such other corporation, except
in relation to matters as to which any such director or officer or former
director or officer or person shall be adjudged in such action, suit or
proceeding, civil or criminal, to be liable for any breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, for acts or omissions
not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law, under section 174 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or for any
transaction from which such officer or director derived an improper benefit.
Such indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which
those hereby indemnified may be entitled, under any By-law, agreement, vote of
stockholders or otherwise.
NINTH: No holder of any share or shares of any class of stock of the
Corporation shall have any preemptive right to subscribe for any shares of stock
of any class of the Corporation now or hereafter authorized or for any bonds,
debentures, or other evidences of indebtedness whether or not convertible into
or exchangeable for shares of stock of any class or for any securities, warrants
or options convertible into or carrying any rights to purchase any shares of
stock of any class of the Corporation now or hereafter authorized; provided,
however, that no provision of this Certificate of Incorporation shall be deemed
to deny to the Board of Directors the right, in its discretion, to grant to its
employees and to the holders of shares of any class of stock at the time
outstanding the right to purchase or subscribe for shares of stock of any class
or any other securities or any evidence of indebtedness of the Corporation now
or hereafter authorized, at such prices and upon such other terms and conditions
as the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may fix.
TENTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal
any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now
or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred on stockholders
herein are granted subject to this reservation. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the provisions set forth in Articles FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH and this
Article TENTH may not be repealed or amended in any respect unless such repeal
or amendment is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
two thirds (66 2/3%) of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of
voting stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting as
a single class.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
has been duly executed by the Corporation as of the day of , 1998.
NORTH ATLANTIC ACQUISITION CORP.
By: __________________________________
Name:
Title:
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ANNEX V
MOTO GUZZI CORPORATION
1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
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MOTO GUZZI CORPORATION
1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN
ARTICLE 1
ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES
1.1 Establishment and Effective Date. Moto Guzzi Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), hereby establishes a stock option plan to be
known as the Moto Guzzi Corporation 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). The
Plan shall become effective as of July 23, 1998, subject to the approval of the
stockholders of the Corporation (which is to be obtained within twelve (12)
months from the effective date of the Plan). Upon approval of the Plan by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board"), awards may be made through
the agency of the committee appointed by the Board under Article 3 of the Plan
(the "Committee"). In the event that such stockholder approval is not obtained
within such 12 month period, any awards made hereunder shall be canceled and all
rights of optionees hereunder ("Optionees") with respect to such awards shall
thereupon automatically cease.
1.2 Purposes. The purposes of the Plan are (i) to encourage and enable
employees, directors and consultants (subject to such requirements as may be
prescribed by the Committee) of the Corporation, its subsidiaries and its
affiliates to acquire a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of
the Corporation, (ii) to generate an increased incentive for key employees,
directors and consultants to contribute to the Corporation's future success and
prosperity (as well as the success and prosperity of its subsidiaries and
affiliates), thus enhancing the value of the Corporation for the benefit of its
stockholders, and (iii) to enhance the ability of the Corporation, its
subsidiaries and its affiliates to attract and retain key employees, directors
and consultants who are essential to the progress, growth and profitability of
the Corporation, its subsidiaries and its affiliates, in each case through the
ownership of the Corporation's common stock ("Common Stock"), and certain other
rights relating to the Common Stock.
1.3 References to Law. References to specific provisions of law shall be
deemed to include references to amendments or supplements thereto or subsequent
provisions of law of similar import.
ARTICLE 2
AWARDS
2.1 Form of Awards. Awards under the Plan may be granted in either or both
of the following forms: (i) incentive stock options ("Incentive Stock Options")
meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code") and the terms of Sections 5.3 and 5.7 of this Plan.; and
(ii) non-qualified stock options ("Non-qualified Stock Options") (unless
otherwise indicated, references in the Plan to "Options" shall include both
Incentive Stock Options and Non-qualified Stock Options).
2.2 Maximum Shares Available; Maximum Annual Awards. The maximum aggregate
number of shares of Common Stock available for award under the Plan (pursuant to
the granting of Options) is 1,250,000, subject to adjustment pursuant to Article
8 hereof. The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be
awarded under the Plan (pursuant to the granting of Options) to any individual
during any calender year is 210,000, subject to the limitations of Section 5.7
as to Incentive Stock Options and also subject to adjustment pursuant to Article
8 hereof. Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan (pursuant to the granting
of Options) may be either authorized but unissued shares or issued shares
reacquired by the Corporation. In the event that prior to the end of the period
during which Options may be granted under the Plan, any Option under the Plan
expires unexercised or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without being
exercised in whole or in part for any reason, then such unexercised shares shall
be available for subsequent awards under the Plan upon such terms and conditions
as the Committee may determine.
2.3 Return of Prior Awards. As a condition to any subsequent award to an
Optionee under the Plan, the Committee shall have the right, in its sole
discretion, to require the Optionee to return to the Corporation awards
previously granted under the Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, such
new award shall be upon such terms and conditions as are specified by the
Committee at the time the new award is granted.
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ARTICLE 3
ADMINISTRATION
3.1 Committee. Awards of Options shall be determined, and the Plan shall
be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall be appointed from time to
time by the Board and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Committee
shall consist solely of two or more persons, each of whom shall qualify as
(i) a "Non-Employee Director", as that term is defined in subparagraph
(b)(3)(i) of Rule 16b-3 ("Rule 16b-3") promulgated under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and (ii) an "outside director", within
the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
3.2 Powers of the Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the
Plan, the Committee shall have the power and authority: (i) to grant Options and
to determine the purchase price of the shares of Common Stock covered by each
Option, the term of each Option, the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each Option, the time or times at which each Option shall become
exercisable and the duration of the exercise period applicable to each Option;
(ii) to designate Options as Incentive Stock Options or Non-qualified Stock
Options; (iii) to determine the employees, directors and consultants to whom,
and the time or times at which, Options shall be granted or made and; and (iv)
to take all other actions contemplated to be taken by the Committee under the
Plan, including, but not limited to, interpreting the Plan and authorizing any
written agreement relating to any award made hereunder, as well as any amendment
thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) any acceleration of vesting as set
forth herein, (ii) any change in the purchase price per share of Common Stock
under an Option and (iii) any change in any of the provisions of any Option
after such Option has been granted, if effectuated by the Committee, must be
approved by the Board, in addition to the Committee.
3.3 Delegation. The Committee may delegate to one or more of its
respective members or to any other person or persons such ministerial duties
hereunder as it may deem advisable; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Committee may
not delegate any of its responsibilities hereunder to any person who is not both
a "Non-Employee Director", as that term is defined in subparagraph (b)(3)(i) of
Rule 16b-3, and an "outside director", within the meaning of Section 162(m) of
the Code. The Committee may also employ attorneys, consultants, accountants or
other professional advisors and shall be entitled reasonably to rely upon the
advice opinions or valuations of any such advisors.
3.4 Interpretations. The Committee shall have discretionary authority to
interpret the terms of the Plan, to adopt and revise rules, regulations and
policies to administer the Plan and to make any other factual determinations
which it believes to be necessary or advisable for the administration of the
Plan. All actions taken and interpretations and determinations made by the
Committee in good faith shall be final and binding upon the Corporation, all
Optionees and all other interested persons.
3.5 Liability; Indemnification. No member of the Board or the Committee,
nor any person to whom ministerial duties have been delegated, shall be
personally liable for any action, interpretation or determination made with
respect to the Plan or awards made thereunder, and each member of the Committee
shall be fully indemnified, held harmless and protected by the Corporation with
respect to any liability he or she may incur with respect to any such action,
interpretation or determination, to the extent permitted by applicable law and,
in addition, to the extent provided in the Corporation's articles of
incorporation and by-laws, as amended from time to time, or under any agreement
between any such member and the Corporation.
ARTICLE 4
ELIGIBILITY
Awards may be made to all full-time or part-time employees and all
directors of and all consultants to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries
or affiliates (subject to such requirements as may be prescribed by the
Committee). In determining the employees, directors and consultants to whom
awards shall be granted and the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered
by each award the Committee shall take into account the nature of the services
rendered by such employees, directors and consultants, their present and
potential contributions to the success of the Corporation, its subsidiaries and
its affiliates and such other factors as the Committee in its sole discretion
shall deem relevant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only employees of the
Corporation and any corporation which is a "subsidiary corporation" of the
Corporation (as such term is defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) shall be
eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options.
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ARTICLE 5
STOCK OPTIONS
5.1 Grant of Options. Options may be granted under the Plan for the
purchase of shares of Common Stock. Options shall be granted in such form and
upon such terms and conditions, including the satisfaction of corporate or
individual performance objectives and other vesting standards as the Committee
shall from time to time determine.
5.2 Designation as Non-qualified Stock Option or Incentive Stock
Option. In connection with any grant of Options, the Committee shall designate
in the written agreement required pursuant to Article 10 hereof whether the
Options granted shall be Incentive Stock Options or Non-qualified Stock Options,
or in case both are granted, the number of shares of Common Stock of each.
5.3 Purchase Price. The purchase price per share of Common Stock under
each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than the Market Price (as
hereinafter defined) of the Common Stock on the date the Incentive Stock Option
is granted. The purchase price per share of Common Stock under each
Non-Qualified Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee. In the case of
an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee owning (actually or
constructively under Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation or of a
subsidiary (a "10% Stockholder"), the purchase price shall not be less than 110%
of the Market Price of the Common Stock on the date of grant. "Market Price"
shall mean the per share value of the Common Stock and shall be determined as
follows: (i) if the Common Stock is not listed on a national stock exchange,
quoted on NASDAQ or reported on by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc., the
Market Price on any day shall be the fair market value of one share of Common
Stock on such day as determined by the Committee, which shall take into account
any valuation of the Common Stock by an independent valuation firm made within
90 days of such determination; (ii) if the Common Stock is listed on a national
securities exchange or quoted through the NASDAQ National Market System, the
Market Price on any day shall be, in the sole discretion of the Committee,
either (x) the average of the high and low reported consolidated trading sales
prices, or if no such sale is made on such day, the average of the closing bid
and asked prices reported on the consolidated trading listing for such day or
(y) the closing price reported on the consolidated trading listing for such day;
(iii) if the Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ interdealer quotation system,
the Market Price on any day shall be the average of the representative bid and
asked prices at the close of business for such day; or (iv) if the Common Stock
is not listed on a national stock exchange or quoted on NASDAQ, the Market Price
on any day shall be the average of the high bid and low asked prices reported by
the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. for such day. In no event shall the Market
Price of a share of Common Stock subject to an Incentive Stock Option be less
than the fair market value as determined for purposes of Section 422(b)(4) of
the Code.
5.4 Exercise and Payment. Options may be exercised in whole or in part.
Shares of Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of Options shall be paid for
at the time of purchase. Such payment may be made as follows (or by any
combination of the following), in the sole discretion of the Committee: (i) in
United States currency by delivery of a certified check, bank draft or postal or
express money order payable to the order of the Corporation, (ii) by surrender
of a number of Mature Shares (as defined below) of Common Stock held by the
optionee exercising the Option equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A)
the aggregate purchase price payable with respect to the Options then being
exercised by (B) the Market Price on the date of exercise or (iii) if the
Corporation has established a program for the cashless exercise of Options
through a broker or other similar arrangements or programs, then in accordance
with the terms and conditions of such programs and arrangements. Any shares so
delivered shall be valued at their Market Price on the date of exercise. Upon
receipt of a notice of exercise and payment in accordance with procedures set
forth above, the Corporation or its agent shall deliver to the persons
exercising the Option(s) (or his or her designee) a certificate for such Shares.
In the event that payment for exercised Options is made through the surrender of
Mature Shares of Common Stock, the Committee in accordance with procedures
established by it may grant Non-qualified Stock Options ("Restoration Options")
to the person exercising the Option(s) for the purchase of a number of shares
equal to the number of shares of Common Stock delivered to the Corporation in
connection with the payment of the exercise price of the Option(s) and the
payment of or surrender of shares for any withholding taxes due upon such
exercise. The purchase price per share under each Restoration Option shall be
the Market Price of the Common Stock on the date the Restoration Option is
granted. "Mature Shares" shall mean shares of Common Stock owned by the
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optionee for a period of at least six consecutive months prior to the exercise
of the Option(s) in question. The Committee may in its sole discretion, pursuant
to a general program established by it in connection with the Plan and made
available to all Optionees under the Plan, lend money to an optionee, the
proceeds of which shall be used by the Optionee to exercise all or a portion of
the Options granted hereunder. If a loan is made by the Corporation to the
Optionee as contemplated in the foregoing sentence, the Optionee shall execute a
promissory note evidencing such loan and such note shall (i) provide for full
recourse to the maker, (ii) be secured by collateral which is satisfactory to
the Committee (other than the pledge of the shares of Common Stock issued upon
exercise of the option), (iii) bear interest at a rate no less than the
applicable Federal rate (within the meaning of Section 1274 of the Code, and
(iv) contain such other terms as the Committee in its sole discretion shall
require.
5.5 Vesting. Options granted to Optionees shall vest in whole when granted
or in such number of periodic installments as the Committee may establish.
5.6 No Rights as a Stockholder. A recipient of Options shall have no
rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares issuable or transferable upon
exercise thereof until the date a stock certificate representing such shares is
issued to such recipient. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or
by the Committee, no adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights
for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued.
5.7 Incentive Stock Options. The terms of any Incentive Stock Option
granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of
Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, and any regulations
promulgated thereunder and the Plan shall be interpreted accordingly. The
aggregate Market Price (determined at the time of grant of the Incentive Stock
Option) of the Common Stock with respect to which the Incentive Stock Options
become exercisable for the first time by an optionee in any calendar year (under
all plans of the Corporation and its subsidiaries) shall not exceed $100,000.
Any Option grants that exceed such amount shall be granted as Non-qualified
Options. No grant of an Incentive Stock Option shall be made under the Plan more
than ten (10) years after the effective date of the Plan, nor shall any
Incentive Stock Option be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years
from the date such Option is granted, or 5 years from the date the Option is
granted in the case of a 10% Stockholder (as defined in Section 5.3).
5.8 Conversion of Incentive Stock Options. The Committee, at the written
request of any Optionee, may in its discretion, take such actions as may be
necessary to convert such Optionee's Incentive Stock Options (or any portions
thereof) that have not been exercised on the date of conversion into
Non-qualified Options at any time prior to the expiration of such Incentive
Stock Options. At the time of such conversion, the Committee may impose such
conditions on the exercise of the resulting Non-qualified Options, consistent
with this Plan, as the Committee in its discretion may determine. Nothing in the
Plan shall be deemed to give any Optionee the right to have such Optionee's
Incentive Stock Options converted into Non-qualified Options.
ARTICLE 6
NONTRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS
No Option may be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated (whether by
operation of law or otherwise), except as provided by will or the applicable
laws of descent and distribution, and no Option shall be subject to execution,
attachment or similar process. Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge,
hypothecation or other disposition of an Option not specifically permitted
herein shall be null and void and without effect. An Option may be exercised
only by the recipient during his or her lifetime, or following his or her death
pursuant to Section 7.3 hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the
preceding paragraph, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, cause the
written agreement relating to any Non-qualified Stock Options granted hereunder
to provide that the recipient of such Non-qualified Stock Options may transfer
any of such Non-qualified Stock Options other than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution in any manner authorized under applicable law;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event may the Committee permit any transfers which
would cause the Plan to fail to satisfy the applicable requirements of
Rule 16b-3 under the 1934 Act or which would cause any recipient of awards
hereunder to fail to be entitled to the benefits Rule 16b-3 or other exemptive
rules under Section 16 of the 1934 Act or be subject to liability thereunder.
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ARTICLE 7
EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, DISABILITY, RETIREMENT, OR DEATH
7.1 General Rule. Except as expressly provided in the written agreement
relating to any Option or as otherwise expressly determined by the Committee in
its sole discretion, in the event an Optionee ceases to be an employee or
director of the Corporation, its subsidiaries or affiliates (a "Terminated
Person") for any reason other than Disability or Retirement (as hereinafter
defined) or death, any Options which were held by such Terminated Person on the
date on which he or she ceased to be an employee or director (the "Termination
Date") and which were otherwise exercisable on such date shall terminate unless
exercised within the period of 60 days following the Termination Date, but in no
event after the expiration of the exercise period of such Options. Except as
expressly provided in the written agreement relating to the Options or as
otherwise expressly determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, it may
cause any Option to be forfeited upon an employee's termination of employment or
a director's removal from the Board or any board of directors of a subsidiary or
affiliate of the Corporation, or termination of a consultant's engagement by the
Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Corporation if the Optionee
was terminated for "cause". For purposes of this Section 7.1, the term "cause"
shall mean any one (or more) of the following: (i) the Optionee's commission of
any fraud, misappropriation or misconduct which causes demonstrable injury to
the Corporation or a subsidiary or affiliate; or (ii) an act of dishonesty by
the Optionee resulting or intended to result, directly or indirectly, in gain or
personal enrichment at the expense of the Corporation or a subsidiary or
affiliate; or (iii) in the case of an employee or consultant such meaning, if
any, as set forth in any employment agreement or consulting agreement between
the employee or the consultant, respectively, and the Corporation. It shall be
within the sole discretion of the Committee to determine whether an employee's
termination was for one of the foregoing reasons, and its decision shall be
final and conclusive.
7.2 Disability or Retirement. Except as expressly provided otherwise in
the written agreement relating to any Options granted under the Plan or as
otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, in the event of a
termination of employment arrangement of a Terminated Person due to the
Disability (as defined below) or Retirement (as defined below) of such Person,
any Options which were held by such Person on the Termination Date and which
were otherwise exercisable on such date shall expire unless exercised within the
period of 365 days following such date, but in no event after the expiration
date of the exercise period of such Options; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any
Incentive Stock Option of such Terminated Person shall no longer be treated as
an Incentive Stock Option unless exercised within three (3) months of the
Termination Date (or within one (1) year of the Termination Date, in the case of
an employee whose termination of employment occurs by reason of a Disability).
"Disability" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
"Retirement" shall mean a termination of employment or consulting arrangement
with the Corporation or a subsidiary or affiliate with the written consent of
the Committee in its sole discretion. The decision of the Committee shall be
final and conclusive.
7.3 Death. Except as expressly provided in the written agreement relating
to the Options or as otherwise expressly determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion, in the event of the death of a recipient of Options, any Options
which were held by such Terminated Person at the date of death and which were
otherwise exercisable on such date shall be exercisable by the beneficiary
designated by the Optionee for such purpose (the "Designated Beneficiary") or if
no Designated Beneficiary shall be appointed or if the Designated Beneficiary
shall predecease the Optionee, by the Optionee's personal representatives, heirs
or legatees for a period of two (2) years from the date of death, but in no
event later than the expiration date of the exercise period of such Options, at
which time such Options shall expire.
7.4 Termination of Unvested Options. All Options which were not
exercisable by a Terminated Person as of the Termination Date of such Terminated
Person shall terminate as of such date, except as expressly provided in the
written agreement relating to the Options or as otherwise expressly determined
by the Committee in its sole discretion. Options shall not be affected by any
change of employment so long as the recipient continues to be employed by either
the Corporation or a subsidiary or affiliate.
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ARTICLE 8
ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, ETC.
8.1 Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in
subparagraphs 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4, an Optionee's rights with respect to Options
shall be adjusted as and to the extent hereinafter required, unless otherwise
specifically provided in the written agreement between the Optionee and the
Corporation relating to such Option.
8.2 Stock-dividends and Stock Splits. If the shares of Common Stock shall
be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the
Corporation shall issue any shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on its
outstanding Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
the exercise of Options shall be appropriately increased or decreased
proportionately and appropriate adjustments shall be made in the purchase price
per share to reflect such subdivision, combination or stock dividend.
8.3 Consolidation, Acquisition or Merger. If the Corporation is to be
consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a merger, sale of all or
substantially all of the Corporation's assets or otherwise (an "Acquisition"),
the Committee or the board of directors of any entity assuming the obligations
of the Corporation hereunder (the "Successor Board"), shall, as to outstanding
Options, either (i) make appropriate provision for the continuation of such
Options by substitution on an equitable basis for the shares then subject to
such Options the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of
Common Stock in connection with the Acquisition; (ii) upon written notice to the
Optionees, provide that all Options must be exercised, to the extent then
exercisable (or in the discretion of the Committee or the Successor Board, also
provide that all unvested options shall be, or become at the time which the
Committee shall determine, either immediately exercisable or immediately
terminate), within a specified number of days of the date of such notice, at the
end of which period the Options shall terminate; or (iii) terminate all Options
in exchange for a cash payment or other consideration equal to the excess of the
Market Price of the shares subject to such Options (to the extent then
exercisable, or in the discretion of the Committee or the Successor Board,
whether or not then exercisable) over the exercise price thereof.
8.4 Recapitalization or Reorganization. In the event of a recapitalization
or reorganization of the Corporation (other than a transaction described in
subparagraph 8.3 above) pursuant to which securities of the Corporation or of
another corporation are issued with respect to the outstanding shares of Common
Stock, an Optionee upon exercising an Option shall be entitled to receive for
the purchase price paid upon such exercise, the securities he would have
received if he had exercised his Option immediately prior to such
recapitalization or reorganization.
8.5 Modification of ISOs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any adjustments
made pursuant to subparagraphs 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4 with respect to Incentive Stock
Options shall be made only after the Committee, after consulting with counsel
for the Corporation, determines whether such adjustments would constitute a
"modification" of such Incentive Stock Options (as that term is defined in
Section 424 of the Code) or would cause any adverse tax consequences for the
holders of such Incentive Stock Options. If the Committee determines that such
adjustments made with respect to Incentive Stock Options would constitute a
modification of such Incentive Stock Options, it may refrain from making such
adjustments.
8.6 Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution
or liquidation of the Corporation, each Option will terminate immediately prior
to the consummation of such proposed action or at such other time and subject to
such other conditions as shall be determined by the Committee.
8.7 Issuances of Securities. Except as expressly provided herein, no
issuance by the Corporation of shares of stock of any class, or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment
by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares
subject to Options. No adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in cash or
in property other than securities of the Corporation.
8.8 Fractional Shares. No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan
and the Optionee shall receive from the Corporation cash in lieu of such
fractional shares.
8.9 Adjustments. Upon the happening of any of the events described in
subparagraphs 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4 above, the class and aggregate number of shares
set forth in Section 2.2 hereof that are subject to Options which previously
have been or subsequently may be granted under the Plan shall also be
appropriately adjusted to reflect the events described in such subparagraphs. If
changes in the capitalization of the Corporation shall occur
A-V-7
<PAGE>
other than those referred to above in this Article 8, the Committee shall make
such adjustments, if any, in the number of shares covered by each Option and in
the per share purchase price as the Committee in its discretion may consider
appropriate. The Committee or, if applicable, the Successor Board, shall
determine the specific adjustments to be made under this Section 8 and its
determination shall be conclusive.
ARTICLE 9
TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
No Option shall be granted under the Plan after the earlier of (i) ten (10)
years from the effective date of the Plan, or (ii) the termination of the Plan
pursuant to this Article 9. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the
Plan or in an applicable written agreement required pursuant to Article 10, any
Option theretofore granted may extend beyond such date, and any authority of the
Committee to amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any such Option, or
to waive any conditions or rights under any such Option and the authority of the
Board to amend the Plan, shall extend beyond such date. The Board may suspend,
terminate, modify or amend the Plan, provided that any amendment that would (i)
materially increase the aggregate number of shares which may be issued under the
Plan, (ii) materially increase the benefits accruing to Optionees under the
Plan, or (iii) materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for
participation in the Plan, shall be subject to the approval of the Corporation's
stockholders, except that any such increase or modification that may result from
adjustments authorized by Article 8 hereof shall not require such stockholder
approval. If the Plan is terminated, the terms of the Plan shall,
notwithstanding such termination, continue to apply to awards granted prior to
such termination. No suspension, termination, modification or amendment of the
Plan may, without the consent of the Optionee to whom an award shall theretofore
have been granted, adversely affect the rights of such under such award and
provided further that if any amendment would require stockholder approval to
satisfy the requirements of Rule 16 b-3 under the 1934 Act, then such amendment
shall be presented to stockholders for approval, provided however that failure
to obtain such approval shall not affect the validity of this Plan or the
options granted hereunder.
ARTICLE 10
WRITTEN AGREEMENT
Each award of Options shall be evidenced by a written agreement containing
such restrictions, terms and conditions, if any, as the Committee may require.
In the event of any conflict between a written agreement and the Plan, the terms
of the Plan shall govern.
ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
11.1 Tax Withholding. The Corporation shall have the right to require
Optionees or their beneficiaries or legal representatives to remit to the
Corporation an amount sufficient to satisfy Federal, state and local withholding
tax requirements, or to deduct from all payments under the Plan amounts
sufficient to satisfy all withholding tax requirements. Whenever payments under
the Plan are to be made to an Optionee in cash, such payments shall be net of
any amounts sufficient to satisfy all Federal, state and local withholding tax
requirements. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit an Optionee to
satisfy his or her tax withholding obligations either by (i) surrendering of
Common Stock owned by the Optionee or (ii) having the Corporation withhold from
shares of Common Stock, or other compensation, otherwise deliverable or payable
to the Optionee. Shares of Common Stock surrendered or withheld shall be valued
at their Market Price as of the date on which income is required to be
recognized for income tax purposes.
11.2 Securities Laws. Each Option granted under the Plan shall be subject
to the requirement that, if at any time the Board shall determine, in its sole
discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of the shares of
Common Stock issuable or transferable upon exercise thereof upon any securities
exchange or under any state or Federal law, including without limitation the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the consent or approval of any
governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in
connection with, the granting of such Option or the issue, transfer, or purchase
of the shares of Common Stock thereunder, such Option may
A-V-8
<PAGE>
not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration,
qualification, consent, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of
any conditions not acceptable to the Board. The foregoing shall not be construed
to require the Corporation to effect or obtain any such listing, registration,
qualification, consent or approval. The Committee may, in connection with the
granting of any Option, require the individual to whom the Option is to be
granted to enter into an agreement with the Corporation stating that as a
condition precedent to each exercise of the Option, in whole or in part, such
individual shall if then required by the Corporation, represent to the
Corporation in writing that such exercise is for investment only and not with a
view to distribution, and also setting forth such other terms and conditions as
the Committee may prescribe.
11.3 Compliance with Section 16(b). In the case of Optionees who are or
may be subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act, it is the intent of the
Corporation that the Plan and any award granted hereunder satisfy and be
interpreted in a manner that satisfies the applicable requirements of
Rule 16b-3 so that such persons will be entitled to the benefits of Rule 16b-3
or other exemptive rules under Section 16 of the 1934 Act and will not be
subjected to liability thereunder. If any provision of the Plan or any award
would otherwise conflict with the intent expressed herein, that provision, to
the extent possible, shall be interpreted and deemed amended so as to avoid such
conflict. To the extent of any remaining irreconcilable conflict with such
intent, such provision shall be deemed void as applicable to Optionees who are
or may be subject to Section 16 of the 1934 Act.
11.4 Successors. The obligations of the Corporation under the Plan shall
be binding upon any successor corporation or organization resulting from the
merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the Corporation, or upon any
successor corporation or organization succeeding to all or substantially all of
the assets and business of the Corporation. In the event of any of the
foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion prior to the consummation of the
transaction and subject to Article 8 hereof, cancel, offer to purchase,
exchange, adjust or modify any outstanding awards, at such time and in such
manner as the Committee deems appropriate and in accordance with applicable law.
11.5 General Creditor Status. Optionees shall have no right, title, or
interest whatsoever in or to any investments which the Corporation may make to
aid it in meeting its obligations under the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan,
and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to
create a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Corporation
and any Optionee, beneficiary or legal representative of such Optionee. To the
extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Corporation
under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured
general creditor of the Corporation. All payments to be made hereunder shall be
paid from the general funds of the Corporation and no special or separate fund
shall be established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure
payment of such amounts except as expressly set forth in the Plan.
11.6 No Right to Employment. Nothing in the Plan or in any written
agreement entered into pursuant to Article 10 hereof, nor the grant of any
award, shall confer upon any Optionee any right to continue in the employ of or
engagement by the Corporation or a subsidiary or affiliate or to be entitled to
any remuneration or benefits not set forth in the Plan or such written agreement
or interfere with or limit the right of the Corporation or a subsidiary or
affiliate to modify the terms of or terminate such Optionee's employment or
engagement at any time.
11.7 Notices. Notices required or permitted to be given under the Plan
shall be sufficiently given if in writing and personally delivered to the
Optionee or sent by regular mail addressed (a) to the Optionee at the Optionee's
address as set forth in the books and records of the Corporation or its
subsidiaries or affiliates, or (b) to the Corporation or the Committee at the
principal office of the Corporation clearly marked "Attention: Compensation
Committee."
11.8 Severability. In the event that any provision of the Plan shall be
held illegal or invalid for any reason, such illegality or invalidity shall not
affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and
enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
11.9 Governing Law. To the extent not preempted by Federal law, the Plan,
and all agreements hereunder, shall be construed in accordance with and governed
by the laws of the state of Delaware.
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<PAGE>
ANNEX VI
MOTO GUZZI CORPORATION
1998 STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR OUTSIDE DIRECTORS
I. PURPOSE.
The purpose of the Moto Guzzi Corporation ("Company") 1998 Stock Option
Plan for Outside Directors (the "Outside Directors' Option Plan") is to promote
the growth and profitability of the Company and to provide outside directors of
the Company with an incentive to achieve the long-term objectives of the
Company, attract and retain non-employee directors of outstanding competence and
to provide such outside directors with an opportunity to acquire an equity
interest in the Company. Options granted under the Outside Directors' Option
Plan are not intended to be characterized as incentive stock options under
Internal Revenue Code Section 422.
II. GRANT OF OPTIONS.
(a) Initial Grant. Each member of the Board of Directors of the Company
who is not an employee of the Company ("Outside Director") shall, on the
earliest practicable date following shareholder approval of this plan, be
granted stock options to purchase 12,500 shares of the Company's Class A Common
Stock, $0.001 par value per share (as such par value may be changed from time to
time, "Common Stock"), subject to adjustment as provided in Section IV (the
"Initial Grant"). The purchase price per share of the Common Stock deliverable
upon the exercise of each stock option shall be the Fair Market Value (as
defined below) of the Common Stock on the date of the grant of the option being
exercised. As used herein, "Fair Market Value" shall mean the closing price of
the Common Stock as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers
(as published by the Wall Street Journal, if published).
(b) Grants Subsequent to Initial Grant. Each person who is an Outside
Director of the Corporation on the effective date of the merger of Moto Guzzi
Corp. with and into the Corporation shall be granted on such effective date, and
each person who is an Outside Director on January 2 of each calendar year
subsequent to the year in which the shareholders have approved this Outside
Directors' Option Plan, other than January 2, 1999, shall be granted on each
such January 2 stock options to purchase 12,500 shares of Common Stock, subject
to adjustment pursuant to Section IV. The purchase price per share of the Common
Stock deliverable upon the exercise of each such option shall be the Fair Market
Value of the Common Stock on the date of the grant of the option being
exercised.
(c) Ineligibility. An option under the Outside Directors' Option Plan
shall not be granted to any Outside Director who at any previous time was an
employee of the Company or was eligible to receive any options to purchase
Common Stock.
(d) Continuing Plan. The Outside Directors' Option Plan and the grant of
options subsequent to the Initial Grant pursuant thereto are part of a
continuing plan.
III. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
(a) Option Agreement. Each option shall be evidenced by a written option
agreement between the Company and the Outside Director specifying the number of
shares of Common Stock that may be acquired through its exercise and containing
such other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with the terms of
this Outside Directors' Option Plan.
(b) Termination of Option. Each option shall expire upon the earlier of
(i) ten (10) years following the date of grant, or (ii) three (3) months
following the date on which the Outside Director ceases to serve in such
capacity for any reason other than removal for cause. If the Outside Director
dies before fully exercising any portion of an option then exercisable, such
option may be exercised by such Outside Director's personal representative(s),
designee(s), heir(s) or devisee(s) at any time within the one (1) year period
following his or her death; provided, however, that in no event shall the option
be exercisable more than ten (10) years after the date of its grant. If the
Outside Director is removed for cause all options awarded to him shall expire
upon such termination.
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<PAGE>
(c) Limitations on and Manner of Exercise. Each option may be exercised,
in whole or part, in accordance with the terms of the instrument of grant.
Subject to the foregoing, any option may be exercised from time to time, in
whole or in part, by delivering a written notice of exercise to the Chief
Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Such notice is
irrevocable and must be accompanied by full payment of the purchase price in
cash or shares of previously acquired Common Stock of the Company. If previously
acquired shares of Common Stock are tendered in payment of all or part of the
exercise price, the value of such shares shall be the Fair Market Value of such
shares determined as of the date of such exercise.
(d) Transferability. Each option granted hereby is not transferable by the
optionee and may be exercised only by the Outside Director to whom it is issued
or in the event of the Outside Director's death, his or her personal
representative(s) designee(s), heir(s), or devisee(s) pursuant to the terms of
Section III(b).
(e) Six Month Holding Period. In accordance with Rule 16b-3(c)(1)
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), Outside Directors shall not be permitted to dispose of Common Stock
underlying an option granted pursuant to this Outside Directors' Option Plan
during the six month period commencing from the date of the acquisition of such
option.
(f) Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares of Common Stock. No shares of
Common Stock shall be delivered pursuant to the exercise of any option granted
under this Outside Directors' Option Plan unless the delivery of such shares
shall comply (in the opinion of counsel to the Company) with all relevant
provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, any
applicable state securities laws, and the requirements of any stock exchange
upon which the Common Stock may then be listed. As a condition to the exercise
of an option, the Company may require the exercising optionee to make such
written representations and warranties as may be necessary to assure the
availability of an exemption from any registration requirements of federal or
state securities laws. Certificates representing shares of Common Stock issued
upon the exercise of any option may bear a legend restricting transfer of the
shares except in compliance with federal and state securities statutes or an
exemption therefrom, if available. The failure of any certificates to contain
such a legend shall not constitute a waiver by the Company of any such
registration requirements.
IV. COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE OUTSIDE DIRECTORS' OPTION PLAN.
The shares of Common Stock which shall be issued and delivered upon
exercise of options granted under the Outside Directors' Option Plan may be
either authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock or authorized and issued
shares of Common Stock held by the Company as treasury stock. The number of
shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Outside Directors' Option
Plan shall not exceed four hundred thousand (400,000) shares of the Common Stock
of the Company subject to adjustment pursuant to this Section IV. Any shares of
Common Stock subject to an option which for any reason either terminates
unexercised or expires, shall again be available for issuance under the Outside
Directors' Option Plan.
In the event of any change or changes in the outstanding Common Stock of
the Company by reason of any stock dividend or split, recapitalization,
reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-off, combination or any similar
corporate change, or other increase or decrease in such shares effected without
receipt or payment of consideration by the Company, the number of shares of
Common Stock which may be issued under this Outside Directors' Option Plan, the
number of shares of Common Stock subject to options granted under this Outside
Directors' Option Plan and the option price of such options, shall be
automatically adjusted to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights granted
to an Outside Director under the Outside Directors' Option Plan.
V. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN; STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL.
The Outside Directors' Option Plan has been adopted by the Board of
Directors and shall become effective on the date that the Outside Directors'
Option Plan is approved by the vote of the Company's stockholders holding a
majority of the shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon. The Outside
Directors' Option Plan shall be presented to stockholders of the Company for
approval for purposes of obtaining favorable treatment under Section 16(b) of
the Exchange Act.
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<PAGE>
VI. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
The right to grant options under the Outside Directors' Option Plan shall
terminate upon the earlier of December 31, 2008 and the issuance of the Common
Stock or exercise of options equal to the maximum number of shares of Common
Stock reserved for under this Outside Directors' Option Plan.
VII. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN.
The Outside Directors' Option Plan may be amended, from time to time, by
the Board of Directors of the Company, provided that Section II, "Grant of
Options", shall not be amended more than once every six months other than to
comport with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules promulgated
thereunder. Except as provided in Section IV hereof, rights and obligations
under any option granted before an amendment shall not be altered or impaired by
such amendment without the written consent of the optionee. If the Outside
Directors' Option Plan becomes qualified under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act and an amendment would require stockholder approval under such Rule
16b-3 to retain the Outside Directors' Option Plan's qualification, then such
amendment shall be presented to stockholders for approval; provided, however,
the failure to obtain stockholder approval shall not affect the validity of this
Outside Directors' Option Plan as so amended and the options granted thereunder.
VIII. APPLICABLE LAW.
This Outside Directors' Plan shall be administered, construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to principles of conflict of laws.
IX. ADMINISTRATION.
Awards of options under this Outside Directors' Option Plan are automatic.
This Outside Directors' Option Plan is intended to be a "Formula Award" plan as
recognized by Rule 16b-3(c)(2)(ii) promulgated under the Exchange Act, and shall
be interpreted accordingly.
X. REGISTRATION OF SHARES.
Nothing contained in this Outside Directors' Option Plan shall be construed
to require the Company to register under the Act any shares of Common Stock
underlying options granted under this Outside Directors' Option Plan.
XI. HEADINGS.
The headings contained herein are for the purpose of convenience only and
are not intended to define or limit the contents of this Outside Directors'
Option Plan.
A-VI-3
<PAGE>
ANNEX VII
ALTERNATIVE FORM OF ARTICLE FOURTH OF AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
(TO EFFECTUATE CLASS B RECAPITALIZATION)
FOURTH: (a) The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have
authority to issue is Twenty-Five Million (25,000,000) of which (i) Twenty
Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand (20,250,000) shares, par value $.01 per share
shall be Common Stock (hereinafter called "Common Stock"), and (ii) Four Million
Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand (4,750,000) shares, par value $.01 per share
shall be Preferred Stock (hereinafter called "Preferred Stock"). One Hundred
(100) shares of the Preferred Stock shall be designated as Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock (hereinafter called "Class A Preferred Stock").
(b) The Common Stock shall have the following rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions:
(1) The holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such
dividends as may be declared thereon from time to time by the Board of
Directors, in its discretion, from any assets legally available for the
payment of dividends, provided that no dividends may be paid on the Common
Stock unless all accrued and unpaid dividends on all Preferred Stock are
paid.
(2) In the event of the dissolution of the Corporation, whether
voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to
share ratably in the distribution of the assets of the Corporation after
payment or provision for payment of such amounts as the holders of
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive.
(3) All shares of Common Stock shall have equal voting rights and
shall have one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share thereof held.
(c) [Reserved]
(d) The Class A Preferred Stock shall have the following rights,
preferences, privileges and restrictions:
(1) The holder of shares of Class A Preferred Stock shall not be
entitled to vote with respect to the election of directors or on any other
matter submitted to stockholders, unless required by law.
(2) Each share of the Class A Preferred Stock is convertible into
Common Stock of the Company at any time until 5:00 p.m. New York City time,
on the first anniversary of the date on which this Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation is filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware.
(3) In the event of a liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation,
the rights of the holders of the Corporation's Common Stock are subordinate
to the rights of the holders of the Class A Preferred Stock.
(e) The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed
by law and the provisions of this Article FOURTH, to provide for the issuance of
the shares of Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to
the applicable law of the State of Delaware, to establish from time to time the
number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation,
powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The holders of shares of
the Preferred Stock of each such series shall be entitled to receive, when and
as declared by the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the
payment of dividends, dividends (if any) at the rates fixed by the Board of
Directors for such series, and no more, before any cash dividends shall be
declared and paid, or set apart for payment, on the Common Stock with respect to
the same dividend period. The holders of shares of the Preferred Stock of each
such series shall be entitled upon liquidation or dissolution or upon the
distribution of the assets of the Corporation to such preferences as provided in
the resolution or resolutions creating such series of Preferred Stock, and no
more, before any distribution of the assets of the Corporation shall be made to
the holders of shares of the Common Stock. Whenever the holders of shares of the
Preferred Stock of each such series shall have been paid the full amounts to
which they shall be entitled, the holders of shares of the Common Stock shall be
entitled to share ratably in all remaining assets of the Corporation.
A-VII-1
<PAGE>
The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each such series
shall include, but not be limited to, the determination or fixing of the
following:
(1) The distinctive designation and number of shares comprising
such series, which number may (except where otherwise provided by the
Board of Directors in creating such series) be increased or decreased
(but not below the number of shares then outstanding) from time to time
by like action of the Board of Directors;
(2) The dividend rate of such series, the conditions and time upon
which such dividends shall be payable, the relation which such dividends
shall bear to the dividends payable on any other class or classes of
stock or series thereof, or any other series of the same class, and
whether such dividends shall be cumulative or non-cumulative;
(3) The conditions upon which the shares of such series shall be
subject to redemption by the Corporation and the times, prices and other
terms and provisions upon which the shares of the series may be redeemed
including the date or date upon or after which they may be redeemed, and
the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may
vary under different conditions and at different redemption dates;
(4) Whether or not the shares of the series shall be subject to the
operation of a retirement or sinking fund to be applied to the purchase
or redemption of such shares and, if such retirement or sinking fund be
established, the annual amount thereof and the terms and provisions
relative to the operation thereof;
(5) Whether or not the shares of the series shall be convertible
into or exchangeable for shares of any other class or classes, with or
without par value, or of any other series of the same class, and, if
provision is made for conversion or exchange, the times, prices, rates,
adjustments, and other terms and conditions of such conversion or
exchange as the Board of Directors shall determine;
(6) Whether or not the shares of the series shall have voting
rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and, if so,
the terms of such voting rights;
(7) The rights of the shares of the series in the event of
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of
the Corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment
of shares of that series;
(8) Any other powers, preferences and relative participating,
optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series, as the Board of
Directors may deem advisable and as shall not be inconsistent with the
provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation.
(f) All outstanding shares of "Class B Common Stock" as described in
and authorized under the Certificate of Incorporation in effect prior to
the effective date of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the Company which includes this Article FOURTH shall be automatically
converted as of such effective date, without any action having to be taken
by the holders thereof, into such securities of the Company into which the
Class B Common Stock was convertible in accordance with the Certificate of
Incorporation as in effective prior to the effective date of the Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
A-VII-2
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICER
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("Section 145") permits
indemnification of directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling
persons of a corporation under certain conditions and subject to certain
limitations. Section 145 empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or
agent of the corporation or another enterprise if serving at the request of the
corporation. Depending on the character of the proceeding, a corporation may
indemnify against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding if the person indemnified acted in good faith
and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to, the best
interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In the
case of an action by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification may
be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall
have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent
that the court of chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought
shall determine that despite the adjudication of liability such person is fairly
and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall
deem proper. Section 145 further provides that to the extent a director or
officer of a corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit
or proceeding referred to above or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter
therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
Section 3.13 of the Company's By-laws (Exhibit 3.2 hereto) provides for the
indemnification of directors, officers and other authorized representatives of
the Company to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation
Law, as may be amended (but in the case of such amendment, only to the extent
that such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification
rights than the law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to the Amendment)
against all expense, loss and liability (including, without limitation,
judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including
attorneys' fees), actually and necessarily incurred or suffered by such person
in connection with the defense of or as a result of such proceeding, or in
connection with any appeal therein. Section 3.13 of the Company's By-laws permit
it to purchase insurance for the indemnification of directors, officers and
employees to the full extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
The By-laws provide that the right to indemnification conferred in the
By-laws are contract rights and shall include the right to be paid by the
Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of
its final disposition; provided, however, that if the Delaware General
Corporation Law requires: the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or
officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other
capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or
officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in
advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon
delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director
or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be
determined that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under
this Bylaw or otherwise.
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Exhibits:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
2.1++ Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated August 18, 1995
2.2++ First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated
December 3, 1998
3.1 amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Registrant
(Exhibit 3.1)(1)
</TABLE>
II-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
3.2 By-laws of the Registrant (Exhibit 3.2)(1)
3.3++ By-laws of the Registrant upon consummation of the merger
4.1 Warrant Agency Agreement dated May 28, 1996 between American Stock
Transfer & Company and the Registrant (Exhibit 4.2)(1)
4.2 Form of Representative's Warrant Agreement of Registrant
(Exhibit 4.5)(1)
4.3 Form of Class A Common Stock Certificate of Registrant
(Exhibit 4.1)(1)
4.4 Form of Class B Stock Certificate of the Registrant (Exhibit 4.4)(1)
4.5 Form of Class A Common Stock Purchase Warrant Certificate of the
Registrant (Exhibit 4.3)(1)
4.6++ Form of Warrant (nominal warrant) to Purchase Shares of Class A Common
Stock
5.1++ Opinion of Graubard Mollen and Miller
8.1* Opinion of Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP re tax matters
10.1 Underwriting Agreement (Exhibit 1.1)(1)
10.2 Form of Escrow Agreement for proceeds from sale of Units
(Exhibit 10.1)(1)
10.3 amended and restated License Agreement, dated May 9, 1997, between
Bright Capital, Ltd. and the Company (Exhibit 10.3)(1)
10.4 Management Unit Purchase Option Plan (Exhibit 10.4)(1)
10.5 Form of Class B Stock Option Agreement (Exhibit 10.5)(1)
10.6++ Form of Registration Rights Agreement, undated
10.7 Form of Escrow Agreement for outstanding Common Stock (Exhibit
10.2)(1)
10.8++ Form of Subscription Agreement, dated August 29, 1995 between the
Company and Investors
10.9++ Form of Escrow Agreement for Class B Preferred Stock and certain
shares of Class A Common Stock to be dated the merger Effective Time.
23.1++ Consent of Graubard Mollen & Miller (included in its opinion filed as
Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
23.2* Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP regarding the Registrant
23.3* Consent of Arthur Andersen, LLP regarding Moto Guzzi
23.4++ Consent of Allen & Company regarding their Fairness Opinion (included
in its opinion filed as Annex II to the proxy statement/prospectus)
23.5* Consent of Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP (included in its
opinion as Exhibit 8.1 hereto)
24.1++ Powers of Attorney (included on signature page of original filing)
27.1* Financial Data Schedule
99.1++ Forms of Proxy Card
</TABLE>
- ------------------
* Filed herewith.
++ Previously filed.
(1) Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
SB-2 (No. 33-80647) declared effective August 22, 1997.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules:
All schedules are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which
they are required or because the required information is given in the financial
statements or notes thereto.
II-2
<PAGE>
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
(1) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the registration
statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (1)(a)(ii) do not apply if
the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registration pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
(b) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(2) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to
any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information
called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by
persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called
for by the other items of the applicable form.
(3) The registrant undertakes that every prospectus (a) that is filed
pursuant to paragraph (2) immediately preceding, or (b) that purports to meet
the requirements of section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is used
in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed
as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used
until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(4) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plans, annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-3
<PAGE>
(5) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
(6) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in
a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
(4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such
request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other
equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed
subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date
of responding to the request.
(8) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
II-4
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS
BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK, ON
JANUARY 21, 1999.
By: /s/ DAVID J. MITCHELL
-------------------------------
DAVID J. MITCHELL
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN
THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATE INDICATED.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- ------------------------ --------------------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ DAVID J. MITCHELL CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, CHIEF JANUARY 21, 1999
- ------------------------ EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR
DAVID J. MITCHELL (PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
* SECRETARY, TREASURER AND DIRECTOR JANUARY 21, 1999
- ------------------------ (PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER AND
C. THOMAS MCMILLEN PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER)
* DIRECTOR JANUARY 21, 1999
- ------------------------
A. J. NASSER
* BY ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
/S/ DAVID J. MITCHELL
- ------------------------
DAVID J. MITCHELL
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
2.1++ -- Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated August 18, 1995
2.2++ -- First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated
December 3, 1998
3.1 -- amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Registrant
(Exhibit 3.1)(1)
3.2 -- By-laws of the Registrant (Exhibit 3.2)(1)
3.3++ -- By-laws of the Registrant upon consummation of the merger
4.1 -- Warrant Agency Agreement dated May 28, 1996 between American Stock
Transfer & Company and the Registrant (Exhibit 4.2)(1)
4.2 -- Form of Representative's Warrant Agreement of Registrant
(Exhibit 4.5)(1)
4.3 -- Form of Class A Common Stock Certificate of Registrant
(Exhibit 4.1)(1)
4.4 -- Form of Class B Stock Certificate of the Registrant
(Exhibit 4.4)(1)
4.5 -- Form of Class A Common Stock Purchase Warrant Certificate of the
Registrant (Exhibit 4.3)(1)
4.6++ -- Form of Warrant (nominal warrant) to Purchase Shares of Class A
Common Stock
5.1++ -- Opinion of Graubard Mollen and Miller
8.1* -- Opinion of Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP
10.1 -- Underwriting Agreement (Exhibit 1.1)(1)
10.2 -- Form of Escrow Agreement for proceeds from sale of Units
(Exhibit 10.1)(1)
10.3 -- amended and restated License Agreement, dated May 9, 1997, between
Bright Capital, Ltd. and the Company (Exhibit 10.3)(1)
10.4 -- Management Unit Purchase Option Plan (Exhibit 10.4)(1)
10.5 -- Form of Class B Stock Option Agreement (Exhibit 10.5)(1)
10.6++ -- Form of Registration Rights Agreement, undated
10.7 -- Form of Escrow Agreement for outstanding Common Stock (Exhibit
10.2)(1)
10.8++ -- Form of Subscription Agreement, dated August 29, 1995 between the
Company and Investors
10.9++ -- Form of Escrow Agreement for Class B Preferred Stock and certain
shares of Class A Common Stock to be dated the merger Effective
Time.
23.1++ -- Consent of Graubard Mollen & Miller (included in its opinion filed
as Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
23.2* -- Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP regarding the Registrant
23.3* -- Consent of Arthur Andersen, LLP regarding Moto Guzzi
23.4++ -- Consent of Allen & Company regarding their Fairness Opinion
(included in its opinion filed as Annex II to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus)
23.5* -- Consent of Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP (included in its
opinion as Exhibit 8.1 hereto)
24.1++ -- Powers of Attorney (included on signature page of original filing)
27.1* -- Financial Data Schedule
99.1++ -- Form of Proxy Card
</TABLE>
- ------------------
* Filed herewith.
++ Previously filed.
(1) Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2
(No. 33-80647) declared effective August 22, 1997.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 8.1
(212) 735-8735
January 20, 1999
Moto Guzzi Corp.
Two Worlds Fair Drive
Franklin Township
Summerset, New Jersey 08873
Re: North Atlantic Acquisition Corp.
Registration Statement on Form S-4
----------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Moto Guzzi Corp., a Delaware
corporation ("Guzzi Corp.") in connection with the proposed merger (the
"Merger") of Guzzi Corp. with and into North Atlantic Acquisition Corp., a
Delaware corporation ("NAAC"), pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan
of Merger and Reorganization dated August 18, 1998, as amended by the First
Amendment thereto dated December 3, 1998 (the "Merger Agreement") by and among
NAAC, Guzzi Corp., and Trident Rowan Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation
("TRG"), as described in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed by NAAC
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 2, 1998, as amended (the
"Registration Statement"). This opinion is being rendered pursuant to the
requirements of Form S-4 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Capitalized terms used in this letter shall have the same meanings as the terms
used in the Registration Statement.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined and are
familiar with originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of (i) the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, as
amended, (ii) the Registration Statement, and (iii) such other documents as we
have deemed necessary or appropriate in order to enable us to render the
opinions below. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of
all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies,
and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. This opinion is further
subject to the receipt by
<PAGE>
Moto Guzzi Corp.
January 20, 1999
Page 2
us, prior to the Effective Date, of certain written representations and
covenants of Guzzi Corp., NAAC, and TRG.
Our opinion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
currently in effect, Treasury Regulations proposed or promulgated thereunder,
and judicial decisions, all of which are subject to change either prospectively
or retroactively. Any change in applicable law or in any of the facts or
circumstances described in the Registration Statement, or inaccuracies in any
of the statements or assumptions upon which we have relied, may affect the
conclusions expressed herein. We also note that the tax matters relating to the
transactions described in the Registration Statement are complex and are
subject to varying interpretations. Thus, there can be no assurance that the
Internal Revenue Service will not take a position in conflict with the opinion
we express herein, which position might ultimately be sustained by the courts.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, in our view, the
discussion in the Registration Statement under the headings "Federal Income Tax
Consequences to Guzzi Corp. Stockholders" and "Federal Income Tax Consequences
to Guzzi Corp. and NAAC" fairly and accurately reflects our opinion as to the
Federal income tax matters discussed therein.
This opinion is furnished to you solely for use in connection
with the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this
opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name
under the captions "Federal Income Tax Consequences to Guzzi Corp.
Stockholders" and "Federal Income Tax Consequences to Guzzi Corp. and NAAC" in
the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
MORRISON COHEN SINGER
& WEINSTEIN, LLP
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
North Atlantic Acquisition Corp.
New York, New York
We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting a part of this
Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated October 12, 1998 relating
to the financial statements of North Atlantic Acquisition Corp., appearing in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended August 31, 1998,
which is contained in that prospectus. Our report contains an explanatory
paragraph regarding uncertainties about the Company's ability to continue as a
going concern.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption "Experts" in the
Prospectus.
BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
New York, New York
January 21, 1999
<PAGE>
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
-----------------------------------------
To Moto Guzzi Corp.:
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our reports
and to all references to our firm included in or made a part of this prospectus.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN
Milan, Italy
January 21, 1999
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> NOV-30-1998
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1998
<CASH> 1,015
<SECURITIES> 8,557,526
<RECEIVABLES> 0
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 8,773,541
<PP&E> 0
<DEPRECIATION> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 8,773,541
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 350,027
<BONDS> 0
0
1
<COMMON> 10,560
<OTHER-SE> 6,586,948
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 8,773,541
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 148,750
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 0
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 40,944
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<INCOME-PRETAX> 0
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 0
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 82,806
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0.80
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.00
</TABLE>
