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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
December 22, 1997
Outsourcing Solutions Inc.
Delaware 333-16867 58-2197161
(State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
390 South Woods Mill Road, Suite 150, Chesterfield, Mo. 63017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(314) 576-0022
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Item 5. Other Events.
On December 23, 1997, Outsourcing Solutions Inc. ("OSI") and The Union
Corporation ("Union") issued a joint press release announcing that they had
entered into a merger agreement whereby Sherman Acquisition Corporation, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of OSI, will tender for all of the outstanding capital
stock of Union for $31.50 per share. A copy of the text of the joint press
release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. A
copy of the merger agreement is attached as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated
herein by reference. The foregoing description is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such exhibits.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) None.
(b) None.
(c) Exhibits.
2.1 Share Purchase Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
December 22, 1997, among Outsourcing Solutions Inc., Sherman
Acquisition Corporation and The Union Corporation.
99.1 Text of press release issued by Outsourcing Solutions Inc.
and The Union Corporation on December 23, 1997.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
OUTSOURCING SOLUTIONS INC.
Date: December 31, 1997 By: /s/ DANIEL J. DOLAN
----------------------------
Daniel J. Dolan
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 2.1 Share Purchase Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December
22, 1997, among Outsourcing Solutions Inc., Sherman Acquisition
Corporation and The Union Corporation.
Exhibit 99.1 Text of press release issued by Outsourcing Solutions Inc. and
The Union Corporation on December 23, 1997.
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EXHIBIT 2.1
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
OUTSOURCING SOLUTIONS INC.
SHERMAN ACQUISITION CORPORATION
AND
THE UNION CORPORATION
Dated as of December 22, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I - THE TENDER OFFER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SECTION 1.1. The Offer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SECTION 1.3. Composition of the Board of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SECTION 1.4. Stock Options and Other Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
ARTICLE II - THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 2.1. The Merger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
SECTION 2.2. Conversion of Stock.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SECTION 2.3. Dissenting Stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SECTION 2.4. Surrender of Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SECTION 2.5. Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SECTION 2.6. No Further Rights of Transfers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SECTION 2.7. Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
SECTION 2.9. Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation . . . . . . 10
SECTION 2.10. Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
SECTION 2.11. Proxy Statement, Schedule 14D-9 and
Schedule 14D-1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
ARTICLE III - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CORPORATION. . . . . . . . . . 12
SECTION 3.1. Corporate Existence and Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SECTION 3.2. Corporate Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SECTION 3.3. Consents and Approvals; No Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SECTION 3.4. Compliance with Laws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SECTION 3.5. Capitalization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECTION 3.6. Subsidiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECTION 3.7. SEC Filings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
SECTION 3.8. Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 3.9. No Undisclosed Liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 3.10. Absence of Certain Changes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SECTION 3.11. Title to Properties; Encumbrances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SECTION 3.12. Litigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 3.13. Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
SECTION 3.14. Employee Benefit Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SECTION 3.15. Brokers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SECTION 3.16. Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
SECTION 3.17. Proprietary Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
SECTION 3.18. Material Contracts and Leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
SECTION 3.19. Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SECTION 3.20. Labor Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SECTION 3.21. Voting Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 3.22. Rights Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SECTION 3.23. Customers Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
</TABLE>
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ARTICLE IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF PARENT AND SUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 4.1. Corporate Existence and Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 4.2. Corporate Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 4.3. Consents and Approvals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SECTION 4.4. No Violation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SECTION 4.5. Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SECTION 4.6. Financing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SECTION 4.7. Offer Documents; Other Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
SECTION 4.8. Litigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
ARTICLE V - CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE CORPORATION
PENDING THE CLOSING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
SECTION 5.1. Regular Course of Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
SECTION 5.2. Charter Documents and Capital Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
SECTION 5.3. Organization and Good Will. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 5.4. Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 5.5. Compliance With Laws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 5.6. SEC Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 5.7. Proxy Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 5.8. Shareholder Approval. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
SECTION 5.9. No Solicitation of Other Offers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
SECTION 5.10. Notification of Certain Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
SECTION 5.11. Rights Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
SECTION 5.12. Properties; Material Contracts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
SECTION 5.13. Dividends, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
SECTION 5.14. Full Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
ARTICLE VI - COVENANTS OF PARTIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
SECTION 6.1. Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
SECTION 6.2. Cooperation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
SECTION 6.3. Filings; Consents; Removal of Objections. . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SECTION 6.4. Public Announcements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SECTION 6.5. Employee Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
SECTION 6.6. Indemnification and Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
SECTION 6.7. Resignation of Directors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SECTION 6.8. Confidentiality Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
SECTION 6.9. Certain Actions of Parent and Sub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
ARTICLE VII - CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
SECTION 7.1. Conditions Precedent to Obligations of Parent, Sub and the
Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
ARTICLE VIII - TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 8.1. Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
SECTION 8.2. Effect of Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
</TABLE>
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ARTICLE IX - MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 9.1. Fees and Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
SECTION 9.2. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
SECTION 9.3. Termination of Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . 48
SECTION 9.4. Amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
SECTION 9.5. Waivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
SECTION 9.6. Successors and Assigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
SECTION 9.7. Governing Law and Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
SECTION 9.8. Counterparts; Effectiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
SECTION 9.9. Entire Agreement; Schedules and Exhibits. . . . . . . . . . . . 49
SECTION 9.10. Headings and Table of Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
ARTICLE X - DEFINITIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
ANNEX I to Share Purchase Agreement and Plan of Merger
Conditions to the Share Purchase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A-I
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This Share Purchase Agreement and Plan of Merger (this "Agreement") dated
as of December 22, 1997 is made by and among Outsourcing Solutions, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("Parent"), Sherman Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware
corporation and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent ("Sub"), and The
Union Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"). Capitalized
terms used herein and not otherwise defined in the Preamble or in Articles I
through IX of this Agreement shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such
terms in Article X hereto.
PREAMBLE
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent, Sub and the Corporation have
each determined that it is in the best interests of their respective
stockholders for Parent to acquire up to all of the issued and outstanding
Common Stock, par value $.50 per share, of the Corporation (the "Corporation
Stock") (all issued and outstanding shares of Corporation Stock being
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Shares") upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance thereof, it is proposed that Sub shall make a cash
tender offer (the "Offer") to acquire all of the issued and outstanding Shares
for $31.50 per share (such amount, or any greater amount per Share paid pursuant
to the Offer, being hereinafter referred to as the "Per Share Amount"), net to
the seller in cash, in accordance with the terms provided herein and in the
Offer; and
WHEREAS, to complete such acquisition, the respective Boards of Directors
of Parent, Sub and the Corporation have approved the merger of Sub with and into
the Corporation (the "Merger"), pursuant to and subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Directors of the Corporation have unanimously determined that
each of the Offer and the Merger are fair to, and in the best interests of, the
holders of Common Stock, approved the Offer and the Merger and recommended the
acceptance of the Offer and approval and adoption of this Agreement by the
shareholders of the Corporation; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations
and warranties herein set forth, and the mode of carrying the same into effect,
the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I - THE TENDER OFFER
SECTION 1.1. THE OFFER. (a) Provided that this Agreement shall not have
been terminated in accordance with Article VIII hereof and so long as none of
the events set forth in Annex I hereto (the "Tender Offer Conditions") shall
have occurred and be continuing and shall not have been waived by Parent, Parent
shall cause Sub to commence (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules
and regulations thereunder) the Offer for all issued and outstanding Shares as
promptly as reasonably practicable after the date hereof, but in no event later
than five (5) business days after the date of this Agreement. The Offer shall
remain open for a period of not less than twenty (20) business days. The
obligation of Sub to accept for payment Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer
shall be subject to the satisfaction of the Tender Offer Conditions. Parent and
Sub expressly reserve the right to waive any such condition, to increase the Per
Share Amount payable in the Offer, and to make any other change in the terms and
conditions of the Offer; provided, however, that, without the written consent of
the Corporation, no change may be made which (A) decreases the Per Share Amount
payable in the Offer, (B) reduces the number of Shares to be purchased in the
Offer, (C) imposes conditions to the Offer in addition to the Tender Offer
Conditions, (D) amends or changes the terms and conditions of the Offer in any
manner materially adverse to the holders of Shares (other than Parent and Sub
and its subsidiaries), (E) changes the consideration payable in the Offer to
anything other than all cash, (F) reduces the time period during which the Offer
shall remain open or (G) except as provided in the next sentence, extends the
time period during which the Offer shall remain open. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Parent and Sub may, without the consent of the Corporation, (i)
extend the Offer beyond the scheduled expiration date and any subsequent
scheduled expiration date (but not beyond the date referred to in Section 8.1(c)
hereof), if at such date any of the Tender Offer Conditions shall not be
satisfied or waived, until such time as such conditions are satisfied or waived,
and (ii) extend the Offer for any period required by any rule, regulation,
interpretation or position of the SEC (but not beyond the date referred to in
Section 8.1(c) hereof). The Per Share Amount shall be net to the seller in
cash, upon the terms and subject to the Tender Offer Conditions. Following the
satisfaction or waiver of the Tender Offer Conditions, Sub shall accept for
payment and pay for (hereinafter referred to as the "Share Purchase"), in
accordance with the terms of the Offer, all Shares validly tendered pursuant to
the Offer and not withdrawn, as soon as it is permitted to do so pursuant to the
Exchange Act or other applicable law or regulation, whichever is later.
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(b) As soon as practicable on the date of the commencement of the Offer,
Parent and Sub shall file with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1 (together with
all amendments and supplements thereto, the "Schedule 14D-1") with respect to
the Offer. The Schedule 14D-1 will contain an offer to purchase (the "Offer to
Purchase") and form of the related letter of transmittal and any summary
advertisement (which Schedule 14D-1, Offer to Purchase and other documents,
together with any supplements or amendments thereto, are referred to herein
collectively as the "Offer Documents"). The Corporation and its counsel shall
be given the opportunity to review and comment upon the Offer Documents prior to
their filing with the SEC. Parent, Sub and the Corporation agree promptly to
correct any information provided by any of them for use in the Offer Documents
that shall have become false or misleading in any material respect, and Parent
and Sub further agree to take all steps necessary to cause the Schedule 14D-1 as
so corrected to be filed with the SEC and the other Offer Documents as so
corrected to be disseminated to holders of Shares, in each case as and to the
extent required by applicable federal securities laws. Parent and Sub each
agree to provide the Corporation and its counsel with any comments either of
them, or their counsel, may receive from the SEC or its staff with respect to
the Offer Documents promptly after the receipt of such comments and shall
provide the Corporation and its counsel an opportunity to participate, including
by way of discussions with the SEC or its staff, in their response to such
comments.
SECTION 1.2. CORPORATE ACTION. (a) The Corporation hereby approves of
and consents to the Offer and the Merger and represents that (i) its Board of
Directors, at a meeting duly called, has unanimously (A) determined that this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best
interests of the holders of Shares, (B) approved and adopted this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby and recommends that the stockholders of the
Corporation accept the Offer, and (C) taken all other applicable action
necessary to render, so long as this Agreement remains in effect, (x) Section
203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL") and
other state takeover statutes; (y) Article FIFTH of the Corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation (except for the requirement that the Merger be
approved by the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding Shares),
and (z) the Rights Agreement dated as of March 14, 1988, as amended (the "Rights
Agreement"), inapplicable to the Offer and the Merger; and (ii) CIBC Oppenheimer
Corp. has delivered to the Board of Directors of the Corporation its written
opinion that the consideration to be received by the holders of Shares pursuant
to the Offer and the Merger is fair to the holders of Shares from a financial
point of view and Corporation has delivered to Parent a copy of said opinion.
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(b) The Corporation shall file with the SEC as soon as practicable on the
date of the commencement of the Offer a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on
Schedule 14D-9 (together with all amendments and supplements thereto, the
"Schedule 14D-9") containing, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the
recommendation of the Corporation's Board of Directors described in Section
1.2(a) and shall disseminate the Schedule 14D-9 as required by Rule 14d-9
promulgated under the Exchange Act. Parent and Sub and their counsel shall be
given the opportunity to review and comment upon the Schedule 14D-9 prior to its
filing with the SEC. The Corporation, Parent and Sub each agree promptly to
correct any information provided by any of them for use in the Schedule 14D-9
that shall have become false or misleading in any material respect, and the
Corporation further agrees to take all steps necessary to cause the Schedule
14D-9 as so corrected to be filed with the SEC and to be disseminated to holders
of Shares, in each case as and to the extent required by applicable federal
securities laws. The Corporation agrees to provide Parent and its counsel with
any comments the Corporation or its counsel may receive from the SEC or its
staff with respect to the Schedule 14D-9 promptly after the receipt of such
comments and shall provide Parent and its counsel an opportunity to participate,
including by way of discussions with the SEC or its staff, in the response of
the Corporation to such comments.
(c) The Corporation has furnished Parent with mailing labels and a list
containing the names and addresses of all record holders of Shares and will,
upon request, furnish Parent with all other available listings or computer files
containing names, addresses and security position listings of any record holders
or beneficial owners of Shares, each as of a recent date. The Corporation shall
furnish Parent with such additional information, including updated lists and
files of stockholders and security position listings, and such other related
assistance Parent or its agents may reasonably request to carry out the
transactions contemplated hereby. Subject to the requirements of applicable
law, and except for such steps as are necessary to disseminate the Offer
Documents and any other documents necessary to consummate the Share Purchase,
Parent shall hold in confidence the information contained in any of such lists
and files, shall use such information only in connection with the Offer (and the
Merger) and, if this Agreement shall be terminated, shall deliver to the
Corporation all copies of such information then in its possession. The
Corporation has been advised that each of its directors and the executive
officers intends to tender pursuant to the Offer all shares of Common Stock
owned of record and beneficially by him or her.
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SECTION 1.3. COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Promptly upon the
Share Purchase, Sub shall be entitled to designate such number of directors on
the Board of Directors of the Corporation, rounded up to the next whole number,
as will give Sub, subject to compliance with Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act,
representation on such Board of Directors equal to at least that number of
directors which equals the product of the total number of directors on the Board
of Directors (giving effect to the directors elected pursuant to this sentence)
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares
of Common Stock so accepted for payment and paid for or otherwise acquired or
owned by Sub or Parent and the denominator of which shall be the number of
shares of Common Stock then outstanding, and the Corporation and its Board of
Directors shall, at such time, take any and all such action needed to cause
Sub's designees to be appointed to the Corporation's Board of Directors
(including to cause directors to resign). Promptly upon the Share Purchase,
Corporation and its Board of Directors shall take such further action as may be
requested by Sub to cause Sub's designees to constitute at least a majority of
the Board of Directors of each direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Corporation
(other than Allied Bond & Collection Agency, Inc.). Subject to applicable law,
the Corporation shall take all action requested by Parent which is reasonably
necessary to effect any such election, including mailing to its shareholders an
Information Statement containing the information required by Section 14(f) of
the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder, and the Corporation
agrees to make such mailing with the mailing of the Schedule 14D-9 so long as
Sub shall have provided to the Corporation on a timely basis all information
required to be included in such Information Statement with respect to Sub's
designees. In furtherance thereof, the Corporation will increase the size of
the Corporation's Board of Directors, or use its reasonable efforts to secure
the resignation of directors, or both, as is necessary to permit Sub's designees
to be elected to the Corporation's Board of Directors. Upon the Share Purchase
(as defined in Section 1.1 hereof) all directors of the Corporation, other than
Sub's designees and two directors of Corporation, and, unless otherwise agreed,
all officers of the Corporation shall resign.
SECTION 1.4. STOCK OPTIONS AND OTHER PLANS. (a) As soon as practicable
following the date hereof, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall adopt
appropriate resolutions and cause the Corporation to take all actions necessary
to obtain the consent of each holder of an outstanding option to purchase Shares
("Options") to the effect that, upon the Share Purchase, each Option, whether or
not then vested or exercisable, shall no longer be exercisable for the purchase
of Shares but shall entitle each holder thereof, in cancellation and settlement
therefor, to a payment in cash (subject to any applicable withholding taxes, the
"Cash Payment"), equal to the product of
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(x) the total number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Option as to
which such Option could have been exercised and (y) the excess of the Per Share
Amount over the exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to such Option,
each such Cash Payment to be paid to each holder (or, without duplication, the
beneficial owner) of an outstanding Option on the date of the Share Purchase;
and
(b) All stock option plans of the Corporation ("Stock Plans") shall
terminate as of the Effective Time and the provisions in any other Employee
Benefit Plan providing for the issuance, transfer or grant of any capital stock
of the Corporation or any interest in respect of any capital stock of the
Corporation shall be deleted as of the Effective Time, and the Corporation shall
ensure that following the Effective Time no holder of an Option or any
participant in any Stock Plan shall have any right thereunder to acquire any
capital stock of the Corporation, Parent or the Surviving Corporation. The
Corporation will ensure that neither the Corporation nor any of its Subsidiaries
is or will be bound by any Options, other options, warrants, rights or
agreements which would entitle any Person, other than Parent or its affiliates,
to own any capital stock of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries
or to receive any payment in respect thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the holders of Options who did not receive the Cash Payment on the date of the
Share Purchase shall thereafter be entitled to receive the Cash Payment in
cancellation and settlement of such Options as provided in the preceding
paragraph (a).
ARTICLE II - THE MERGER AND RELATED MATTERS
SECTION 2.1. THE MERGER. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, at the time of the Closing (as defined in Section 2.11 hereof), a
certificate of merger (the "Certificate of Merger") shall be duly prepared,
executed and acknowledged by Sub and the Corporation in accordance with the DGCL
and shall be filed on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 2.11 hereof). The
Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the
provisions and requirements of the DGCL. The date and time when the Merger
shall become effective is hereinafter referred to as the "Effective Time".
(b) At the Effective Time, Sub shall be merged with and into the
Corporation and the separate corporate existence of Sub shall cease, and the
Corporation shall continue as the surviving corporation under the laws of the
State of
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Delaware under the name of "The Union Corporation" (the "Surviving
Corporation").
(c) From and after the Effective Time, the Merger shall have the
effects set forth in Section 259 of the DGCL.
SECTION 2.2. CONVERSION OF STOCK. At the Effective Time:
(a) Each share of Common Stock then issued and outstanding other than
(i) any shares of Common Stock which are held by any Subsidiary of the
Corporation or in the treasury of the Corporation, or which are held,
directly or indirectly, by Parent or any direct or indirect subsidiary of
Parent (including Sub), all of which shall be cancelled and none of which
shall receive any payment with respect thereto and (ii) shares of Common
Stock held by Dissenting Shareholders (as defined in Section 2.3 hereof)
shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the
holder thereof, be converted into and represent the right to receive an
amount in cash, without interest, equal to the Per Share Amount (the
"Merger Consideration"); and
(b) Each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Sub
then issued and outstanding shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of the holder thereof, become one fully paid and
nonassessable share of common stock, $0.50 par value, of the Surviving
Corporation.
SECTION 2.3. DISSENTING STOCK. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to the contrary but only to the extent required by DGCL, shares of Common Stock
that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and are
held by holders of Common Stock who comply with all the provisions of Delaware
law concerning the right of holders of Common Stock to dissent from the Merger
and require appraisal of their shares of Common Stock ("Dissenting
Shareholders") shall not be converted into the right to receive the Merger
Consideration but shall become the right to receive such consideration as may be
determined to be due such Dissenting Shareholder pursuant to the laws of the
State of Delaware; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) if any Dissenting Shareholder
shall subsequently deliver a written withdrawal of his or her demand for
appraisal (with the written approval of the Surviving Corporation, if such
withdrawal is not tendered within 60 days after the Effective Time), or (ii) if
any Dissenting Shareholder fails to establish and perfect his or her entitlement
to appraisal rights as provided by applicable law, then such Dissenting
Shareholder or Shareholders, as the case may be, shall forfeit the right to
appraisal of such shares and such
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shares shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted into the right to
receive, as of the Effective Time, the Merger Consideration, without interest.
The Corporation shall give Parent and Sub (A) prompt notice of any written
demands for appraisal, withdrawals of demands for appraisal and any other
related instruments received by the Corporation, and (B) the opportunity to
direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for appraisal.
The Corporation will not voluntarily make any payment with respect to any
demands for appraisal and will not, except with the prior written consent of
Parent, settle or offer to settle any demand.
SECTION 2.4. SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES. (a) Concurrently with or prior
to the Effective Time, Parent shall designate a bank or trust company located in
the United States to act as paying agent (the "Paying Agent") for purposes of
making the cash payments contemplated hereby. As soon as practicable after the
Effective Time, Parent shall cause the Paying Agent to mail and/or make
available to each holder of a certificate theretofore evidencing shares of
Common Stock (other than those which were held by any Subsidiary of the
Corporation or in the treasury of the Corporation or which are held directly or
indirectly by Parent or any direct or indirect subsidiary of Parent (including
Sub)) a notice and letter of transmittal advising such holder of the
effectiveness of the Merger and the procedure for surrendering to the Paying
Agent such certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective
Time represented outstanding Common Stock (the "Certificates") in exchange for
the Merger Consideration deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Article
II. Upon the surrender for cancellation to the Paying Agent of such
Certificates, together with a letter of transmittal, duly executed and completed
in accordance with the instructions thereon, and any other items specified by
the letter of transmittal, the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Person
entitled thereto the Merger Consideration deliverable in respect thereto. Until
so surrendered, each Certificate shall be deemed, for all corporate purposes, to
evidence only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger Consideration
deliverable in respect thereof to which such Person is entitled pursuant to this
Article II. No interest shall be paid or accrued in respect of such cash
payments.
(b) If the Merger Consideration (or any portion thereof) is to be
delivered to a Person other than the Person in whose name the Certificate
surrendered in exchange therefor are registered, it shall be a condition to the
payment of the Merger Consideration that the Certificates so surrendered shall
be properly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers and otherwise in
proper form for transfer, that such transfer otherwise be proper and that the
Person requesting such transfer pay to the Paying Agent any transfer or other
taxes payable by
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reason of the foregoing or establish to the satisfaction of the Paying Agent
that such taxes have been paid or are not required to be paid.
(c) In the event any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming
such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Paying Agent will issue in
exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the Merger Consideration
deliverable in respect thereof as determined in accordance with this Article II,
provided that, the Person to whom the Merger Consideration is paid shall, as a
condition precedent to the payment thereof, give the Surviving Corporation a
bond in such sum as it may direct or otherwise indemnify the Surviving
Corporation in a manner satisfactory to it against any claim that may be made
against the Surviving Corporation with respect to the Certificate claimed to
have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
SECTION 2.5. PAYMENT. Concurrently with or immediately prior to the
Effective Time, Parent or Sub shall deposit in trust with the Paying Agent cash
in United States dollars in an aggregate amount equal to the product of (i) the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time (other than shares of Common Stock which are held by any Subsidiary of the
Corporation or in the treasury of the Corporation or which are held directly or
indirectly by Parent or any direct or indirect subsidiary of Parent (including
Sub) or a Person known at the time of such deposit to be a Dissenting
Shareholder) and (ii) the Merger Consideration (such amount being hereinafter
referred to as the "Payment Fund"). The Payment Fund shall be invested by the
Paying Agent as directed by Parent only in direct obligations of the United
States, obligations for which the full faith and credit of the United States is
pledged to provide for the payment of principal and interest, commercial paper
rated of the highest quality by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. or Standard &
Poor's Ratings Group or certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements or
bankers' acceptances of a commercial bank having at least $100,000,000 in assets
(collectively, "Permitted Investments") or in money market funds which are
invested in Permitted Investments, and any net earnings with respect thereto
shall be paid to Parent as and when requested by Parent. The Paying Agent
shall, pursuant to irrevocable instructions, make the payments referred to in
Section 2.2(a) hereof out of the Payment Fund. The Payment Fund shall not be
used for any other purpose except as otherwise agreed to by Parent. Promptly
following the date which is three months after the Effective Time, the Paying
Agent shall return to Parent all cash, certificates and other instruments in its
possession that constitute any portion of the Payment Fund (other than net
earnings on the Payment Fund which shall be paid to Parent), and the Paying
Agent's duties shall
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terminate. Thereafter, each holder of a Certificate may surrender such
Certificate to the Surviving Corporation and (subject to applicable abandoned
property, escheat and similar laws) receive in exchange therefor the Merger
Consideration, without interest, but shall have no greater rights against the
Surviving Corporation or Parent than may be accorded to general creditors of the
Surviving Corporation or Parent under applicable law. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, neither the Paying Agent nor any party hereto shall be liable to a
holder of shares of Common Stock for any Merger Consideration delivered to a
public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat and similar
laws.
SECTION 2.6. NO FURTHER RIGHTS OF TRANSFERS. At and after the Effective
Time, each holder of a Certificate shall cease to have any rights as a
shareholder of the Corporation, except for, in the case of a holder of a
Certificate (other than shares to be cancelled pursuant to Section 2.2(a) hereof
and other than shares held by Dissenting Shareholders), the right to surrender
his or her Certificate in exchange for payment of the Merger Consideration or,
in the case of a Dissenting Shareholder, to perfect his or her right to receive
payment for his or her shares pursuant to Delaware law if such holder has
validly perfected and not withdrawn his or her right to receive payment for his
or her shares, and no transfer of shares of Common Stock shall be made on the
stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation. Certificates presented to
the Surviving Corporation after the Effective Time shall be cancelled and
exchanged for cash as provided in this Article II. At the close of business on
the day of the Effective Time the stock ledger of the Corporation with respect
to Common Stock shall be closed.
SECTION 2.7. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION.
The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation and shall be amended such that it is substantially in the
form of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation attached hereto as
Exhibit 2.7.
SECTION 2.8. BY-LAWS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION. The By-Laws of Sub, as
in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the By-Laws of the
Surviving Corporation.
SECTION 2.9. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION. At the
Effective Time, the directors of Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, each of such directors to
hold office, subject to the applicable provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation, until the next annual
shareholders' meeting of the Surviving Corporation
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and until their respective successors shall be duly elected or appointed and
qualified. At the Effective Time, the officers of the Corporation immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall, subject to the applicable provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation, be the
officers of the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors shall be
duly elected or appointed and qualified.
SECTION 2.10. CLOSING. The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall
take place at the offices of White & Case, 1155 Avenue of the Americas, New
York, New York, as soon as practicable after the last of the conditions set
forth in Article VII hereof is fulfilled or waived (subject to applicable law)
but in no event later than the fifth business day thereafter, or at such other
time and place and on such other date as Parent and the Corporation shall
mutually agree (the "Closing Date").
SECTION 2.11. PROXY STATEMENT, SCHEDULE 14D-9 AND SCHEDULE 14D-1. The
definitive proxy statement and related materials, if required, to be furnished
to the holders of Common Stock in connection with the Merger pursuant to Section
5.7 hereof (the "Proxy Statement") will comply in all material respects with the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and any other applicable
laws. If at any time prior to the Effective Time any event occurs which should
be described in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement, the
Corporation will file and disseminate, as required, an amendment or supplement
which complies in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder and any other applicable laws. None of the information
supplied by the Corporation for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i)
the Offer Documents or (ii) the Proxy Statement, will, in the case of the Offer
Documents, at the respective times the Offer Documents are filed with the SEC,
or, in the case of the Proxy Statement, at the date such information is supplied
and at the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made,
in light of the circumstance under which they are made, not misleading. None of
the information in the Schedule 14D-9, at the respective times the Schedule 14D-
9 is filed with the SEC, will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of
the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no representation or warranty is made by Corporation with respect
to any information with respect to Parent, Sub or their officers, directors or
affiliates provided to the Corporation by Parent or Sub in writing for inclusion
in the Schedule 14D-9. The Schedule 14D-9 will comply in all material respects
with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and any other
applicable laws. If at any time prior to the expiration or termination of the
Offer any event occurs which should be described in an
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amendment or supplement to the Schedule 14D-9 or any amendment or supplement
thereto, the Corporation will file and disseminate, as required, an amendment or
supplement which complies in all material respects with the Exchange Act the
rules and regulations thereunder and any other applicable laws. Prior to its
filing with the SEC, the amendment or supplement shall be delivered to Parent
and Sub and their counsel.
ARTICLE III - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CORPORATION
The Corporation represents and warrants to Parent and Sub that:
SECTION 3.1. CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND POWER. The Corporation is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware and has all corporate power, authority and legal right
to conduct its business as it is now being conducted and to own the properties
and assets it now owns. Except as shown in Paragraph 3.1 of the Disclosure
Letter ("DL") heretofore prepared by the Corporation and delivered to Parent,
the Corporation is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign
corporation and is in good standing in every jurisdiction, both domestic and
foreign, where the character of the property owned or leased by it or the nature
of its activities makes such qualification necessary, except where the continued
failure to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Corporation. The Corporation has previously
delivered to Purchaser true and correct copies of the Corporation's Certificate
of Incorporation and By-Laws, as currently in effect.
SECTION 3.2. CORPORATE AUTHORIZATION. The Corporation has full corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the
necessary approval of the Merger by its stockholders, to carry out the
transactions contemplated hereby. The Board of Directors of the Corporation has
taken all actions required by applicable law and its Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws to authorize the execution and delivery by the
Corporation of this Agreement and, subject to obtaining the approval of the
Merger by the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares, the
performance by the Corporation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Corporation
and no other corporate action is necessary in connection therewith (other than
the approval of the Merger by the holders of a two- thirds of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock entitled to vote), and this Agreement (assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery hereof by Parent and Sub) is a legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Corporation enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms,
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except to the extent that enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement
is sought in equity or at law).
SECTION 3.3. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATIONS. Assuming (i) the
filings required under the HSR Act are made and the waiting period thereunder
has been terminated or has expired, (ii) the requirements of the Exchange Act
relating to the Proxy Statement (if required) and the Offer are met, (iii) the
filing of the Certificate of Merger and other appropriate merger documents, if
any, as required by DGCL are made and (iv) approval of the Merger by holders
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote, if
required by the DGCL, is received, the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Corporation and the consummation by the Corporation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not: (1) violate any provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-Laws of the Corporation or the comparable governing
documents of any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, as amended; (2) violate any
statue, ordinance, rule, regulation, order or decree of any court or of any
governmental or regulatory body, agency or authority applicable to the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any of their respective
properties or assets may be bound; (3) except as set forth in DL 3.3, require
any filing with, or permit, consent or approval of, or the giving of any notice
to, any governmental or regulatory body, agency or authority; or (4) except as
set forth in DL 3.3, result in a violation or breach of, conflict with,
constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or
give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, payment or acceleration)
under, or result in the creation of any mortgage, pledge, lien, security
interest, encumbrance or charge of any kind (each an "Encumbrance") upon any of
the properties or assets of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries under,
any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, license, franchise, permit, agreement, lease, franchise agreement or
other instrument or obligation to which the Corporation or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party, or by which it or any of their respective properties or
assets are bound or subject, except for in the case of clauses (3) and (4) above
for any such filing, permit, consent, approval, violation, breach or Encumbrance
which would not reasonably be expected to (a) have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) prevent or
materially delay consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
SECTION 3.4. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Subject to Section 3.16 and except as
set forth in DL 3.4, the Corporation and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with
all applicable laws, regulations, orders, judgements and decrees (including, but
not
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limited to, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and any state or local
counterpart or equivalent) except where the failure to so comply would not be
reasonably likely to (i) have a Material Adverse Effect on the Corporation and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (ii) prevent or materially delay
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 3.5. CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of the
Corporation consists of 15,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.50 per
share, and 500,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.50 per share. As of
December 22, 1997, there were issued and outstanding 5,802,641 shares of such
common stock (not including 2,944,837 shares held in the Corporation's
treasury), all of which are of one class, and no shares of such preferred stock.
All issued and outstanding shares of Corporation Stock have been duly authorized
and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are not subject to,
nor were they issued in violation of, any preemptive rights. As of December 22,
1997, 728,548 shares of Corporation Stock were issuable upon exercise of Options
to purchase such stock, which
Options were issued pursuant to the Stock Plans (as defined in Section 1.4),
which plans are listed in DL 3.5(i). Except as set forth in this Section, in DL
3.5(i) or in the Rights Agreement, as of the date hereof there are no, and at
the Effective Time there will be no, (i) other outstanding shares of, (ii)
securities of the Corporation convertible into or exchangeable for, (iii)
options or other rights (including any pre-emptive rights) to acquire from the
Corporation, or (iv) other contracts, understandings, arrangements or
obligations (whether or not contingent) providing for the issuance or sale by
the Corporation, directly or indirectly, of, any capital stock or other equity
or debt security of the Corporation. As of the date hereof, except as set forth
in DL 3.5(i) or in connection with the exercise of any Options, there are no,
and at the Effective Time there will be no, outstanding contractual obligations
of the Corporation to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding
shares of Corporation Stock or other securities issued by the Corporation.
SECTION 3.6. SUBSIDIARIES. Attached hereto as DL 3.6 is a true and
complete list of each subsidiary of the Corporation (the "Subsidiaries"), and
except as set forth on DL 3.6, each of the Subsidiaries is duly incorporated and
validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation, with full corporate power and authority to
conduct its business as it is now conducted and to own the properties and assets
it now owns. Except as set forth in DL 3.6, each of the Subsidiaries is duly
qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good
standing in every jurisdiction, both domestic and foreign, where the character
of the property owned or leased by it or the nature of its activities makes such
qualification necessary, except where
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the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole. All Subsidiaries are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation. Except for the Subsidiaries or as set forth in DL 3.6, the
Corporation does not own, directly or indirectly, securities or other ownership
interests in any other entity and except as set forth in DL 3.6, neither the
Corporation nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any obligation or
requirement to provide funds for or to make any investment (in the form of a
loan, capital contribution or otherwise) to or in any entity other than a
Subsidiary. All of the shares of capital stock of the Subsidiaries have been
duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, are not
subject to, nor were they issued in violation of, any preemptive rights, and are
owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation free and clear of all
Encumbrances, options or claims whatsoever. No shares of capital stock of any
of the Subsidiaries are reserved for issuance and there are no outstanding or
authorized options, warrants, rights, subscriptions, claims of any character,
agreements, obligations, rights of redemption, convertible or exchangeable
securities, or other commitments, contingent or otherwise, relating to the
capital stock of any Subsidiary, pursuant to which such Subsidiary is or may
become obligated to issue any shares of capital stock of such Subsidiary or any
securities convertible into, exchangeable for, or evidenced in the right to
subscribe for, any shares of such Subsidiary. Except as set forth in DL
3.6(ii), there are no restrictions of any kind which prevent the payment of
dividends by any of the Subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.7. SEC FILINGS. (a) The Corporation has previously delivered to
Parent a true, correct and complete copy of the Corporation's Annual Reports on
Form 10-K for the years ended June 30, 1996 and June 30, 1997 (the "Corporation
10-Ks"), the Corporation's proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of
stockholders to be held on November 19, 1997, all other reports or registration
statements filed by the Corporation with the SEC since June 30, 1996, and all
amendments and supplements to the foregoing (the "Corporation Filings"). Each
of the Corporation Filings has been timely filed, subject to any allowable
extensions, and was prepared in all material respects in accordance with the
requirements of the Securities Act or a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. The Corporation Filings constitute all of the documents required to
be filed by the Corporation with the SEC since June 30, 1996.
(b) None of the information supplied to Parent by the Corporation for
inclusion in the Offer Documents will, at the respective times such Offer
Documents or any amendments or
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supplements thereto are filed with the SEC or are first published, sent or given
to stockholders, as the case may be, contain any untrue statement of 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.
SECTION 3.8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The financial statements (including
the notes thereto) (the "Corporation Financial Statements") of the Corporation
and its Subsidiaries included in the Corporation Filings fairly present, in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Corporation and
its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results
of its operations, cash flows and stockholders' equity for the respective
periods then ended, all in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles applied on a consistent basis ("GAAP"), except as indicated in the
notes thereto.
SECTION 3.9. NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as set forth in DL 3.9
(the "Corporation Disclosed Liabilities"), the Corporation has no liabilities,
claims or other obligations (absolute, accrued, or contingent) (herein referred
to as the "Corporation Liabilities") except (a) Corporation Liabilities which
are accrued or otherwise reflected on the Corporation Financial Statements or
disclosed in the notes thereto, (b) Corporation Liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business since June 30, 1997 (the "Balance Sheet Date"), (c)
Corporation Liabilities which are otherwise disclosed in the Corporation
Filings, (d) Corporation Liabilities otherwise permitted by this Agreement, and
(e) Corporation Liabilities which would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.10. ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Except as set forth in DL 3.10,
since the Balance Sheet Date, neither the Corporation nor any of the
Subsidiaries has:
(a) suffered any Material Adverse Effect;
(b) except for transactions contemplated by this Agreement, made any
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution with
respect to its capital stock, except dividends from Subsidiaries to Corporation;
(c) made any change in accounting principles except for the adoption
of such accounting principles which have, pursuant to the rules of the
Financial Accounting Standards Board or the SEC, become effective for the
Corporation's fiscal year ending June 30, 1998;
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(d) granted any general increase in the compensation of its directors,
officers or employees or any increase in compensation payable to or to be
payable to any such director, officer, or employee, except for increases in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or as previously
disclosed to Parent;
(e) made any capital expenditures (other than (i) capital expenditures
in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, (ii) as
provided in Section 5.1(b)(iii), and (iii) as otherwise provided in any Material
Contracts listed in DL 3.18);
(f) incurred any material increase in net borrowings outstanding under
the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and between the Corporation and The
First National Bank of Boston (now, Bank of Boston Connecticut) dated as of
December 31, 1994, as amended by the Amendment dated October 23, 1996 (the
"Credit Agreement") or incurred any other indebtedness (except in each case in
the ordinary course of business);
(g) taken any action referred to in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.13, except
as permitted thereby; or
(h) agreed, whether in writing or otherwise, to take any action
described in this Section, except as otherwise contemplated herein.
SECTION 3.11. TITLE TO PROPERTIES; ENCUMBRANCES.
Except as set forth in DL 3.11:
(a) the Corporation and each of the Subsidiaries have good and
marketable title to their respective material properties and assets reflected on
the Corporation's balance sheet included in the Corporation's Form 10-K, for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1997 (the "1997 10-K"), except for (i) assets
related to capitalized leases and (ii) properties and assets sold or disposed of
since the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business;
(b) none of the properties or assets of the Corporation or any of the
Subsidiaries is subject to any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest,
encumbrance or charge of any kind (collectively referred to herein as "Liens")
except the following (herein called "Permitted Liens"): (i) Liens reflected on
the Corporation Financial Statements (including the notes thereto), (ii) public
or statutory Liens or liens of lessors, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
suppliers, materialmen, repairmen or other like Liens arising in the ordinary
course of business, (iii) Liens incurred or deposits made in connection with
workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security
benefits, (iv) Liens
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which individually or in the aggregate do not materially detract from the value,
use or enjoyment of such properties or assets or otherwise would have a Material
Adverse Effect on the business operations of the Corporation and the
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and (v) Liens with respect to taxes, assessments
and charges not yet due or the validity of which are being contested in good
faith by appropriate actions.
SECTION 3.12. LITIGATION. Subject to Section 3.16 and except as set forth
in DL 3.12 or as disclosed in the Corporation Filings, there are no actions,
suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the knowledge of the
Corporation, threatened against the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries
before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official
which (i) are reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Corporation and the Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, (ii) question or challenge the validity of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby, or (iii) would be reasonably likely to prevent
or materially delay consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 3.13. TAXES. Except as set forth in DL 3.13 or where such failure
to duly file or pay would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole:
(i) TAX RETURNS. The Corporation and each of its Subsidiaries has timely
filed or caused to be timely filed with the appropriate taxing authorities all
Federal and other returns, statements, forms and reports for Taxes (as
hereinafter defined) ("Returns") that are required to be filed by, or with
respect to, the Corporation and such Subsidiaries. The Returns reflect
accurately all liability for Taxes of the Corporation and such Subsidiaries for
the periods covered thereby. "Taxes" means all taxes, assessments, charges,
duties, fees, levies or other governmental charges, including, without
limitation, all Federal, state, local, foreign, and other income, franchise,
profits, capital gains, capital stock, transfer, sales, use, occupation,
property, excise, severance, windfall profits, stamp, license, payroll,
withholding and other taxes, assessments, charges, duties, fees, levies or other
governmental charges of any kind whatsoever (whether payable directly or by
withholding and whether or not requiring the filing of a Return), all estimated
taxes, deficiency assessments, additions to tax, penalties and interest and
shall include any liability for such amounts as a result either of being a
member of a combined, consolidated, unitary or affiliated group or of a
contractual obligation to indemnify any person or other entity;
(ii) PAYMENT OF TAXES. All Taxes and Tax liabilities of the Corporation
and its Subsidiaries have been timely paid or
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adequately disclosed and fully provided for as a liability on the consolidated
financial statements of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries in accordance with
GAAP; and
(iii) OTHER TAX MATTERS. (A) DL 3.13(iii)(A) sets forth (1) each taxable
year or other taxable period of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries for
which an audit or other examination of Taxes by the appropriate tax authorities
of any nation, state or locality is currently in progress (or, to the knowledge
of the Corporation, scheduled to be conducted) together with the names of the
respective tax authorities conducting (or scheduled to conduct) such audits or
examinations and a description of the subject matter of such audits or
examinations, (2) the most recent taxable year or other taxable period for which
an audit or other examination relating to Federal income taxes of the
Corporation and its Subsidiaries has been finally completed and the disposition
of such audit or examination, (3) the taxable years or other taxable periods of
the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries which will not be subject to the
normally applicable statute of limitations by reason of the existence of
circumstances that would cause any such statute of limitations for applicable
Taxes to be extended, (4) the amount of any proposed adjustments (and the
principal reason therefor) relating to any Returns for Tax liability of the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries which have been proposed or assessed by
any taxing authority and (5) a list of all notices received by the Corporation
or any of its Subsidiaries from any taxing authority relating to any issue which
could affect the Tax liability of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries,
which issue has not been finally determined and which, if determined adversely
to the Corporation or any such subsidiaries, could result in a Tax liability.
(B) Except as shown in DL 3.13(iii)(B), neither the Corporation nor
any of its Subsidiaries has been included in any "consolidated," "unitary" or
"combined" Return (other than Returns which include only the Corporation and any
Subsidiaries of the Corporation) provided for under the law of the United
States, any foreign jurisdiction or any state or locality with respect to Taxes
for any taxable period for which the statute of limitations has not expired.
(C) All Taxes which the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries is (or
was) required by law to withhold or collect have been duly withheld or
collected, and have been timely paid over to the proper authorities to the
extent due and payable.
(D) Except as previously disclosed to Parent, the Corporation is not a
party to any agreement that would require it to make any payment that would
constitute an "excess parachute
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payment" for purposes of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code").
(E) There are no tax sharing, allocation, indemnification or similar
agreements or arrangements in effect as between the Corporation, any Subsidiary,
or any predecessor or affiliate thereof and any other party under which Parent,
Sub or the Corporation (or any of its Subsidiaries) could be liable for any
Taxes or other claims of any other party under such agreements or arrangements.
(F) No indebtedness of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries
consists of "corporate acquisition indebtedness" within the meaning of Section
279 of the Code.
(G) Neither the Corporation nor any of its Subsidiaries will be
required to include in income any adjustment pursuant to Section 481 of the Code
by reason of a voluntary change in accounting method initiated by the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof and during the
period ending at the time of the Share Purchase, and the Internal Revenue
Service has not initiated or proposed any such adjustment or change in
accounting method.
SECTION 3.14. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Set forth in DL 3.14 is an accurate
and complete list of each domestic and foreign employee benefit plan, within the
meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder ("ERISA"), whether or not
subject to ERISA, and each stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted
stock, incentive, bonus, profit-sharing, savings, deferred compensation, health,
medical, life, disability, accident, supplemental unemployment or retirement,
employment, severance or salary or benefits continuation plan, program,
arrangement or agreement maintained by the Corporation or any of its
Subsidiaries or affiliates (including, for this purpose and for the purpose of
all of the representations in this Section 3.14, any predecessors to the
Corporation or to any such Subsidiaries or affiliates and all employers (whether
or not incorporated) that would be treated together with the Corporation and/or
any of its Subsidiaries as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414
of the Code, or to which the Corporation or any such Subsidiary or affiliate
contributes (or has any obligation to contribute), has any liability or is a
party (collectively, the "Employee Benefit Plans"). Except to the extent that
any breach of the following representations could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Corporation or as disclosed in DL 3.14,(i)
each Employee Benefit Plan (and each related trust, insurance contract or fund)
is in compliance with applicable law (including, without limitation, ERISA and
the Code) and has been administered and operated in all respects in accordance
with its terms;(ii) except as set forth
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in DL 3.14, each Employee Benefit Plan which is intended to be "qualified"
within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable
determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service, and no event has
occurred and no condition exists which could reasonably be expected to result in
the revocation of any such determination;(iii) no complete or partial
termination of any Employee Benefit Plan covered by Title IV of ERISA has
occurred and no proceedings have been instituted to terminate or appoint a
trustee to administer any such Employee Benefit Plan, and no such Employee
Benefit Plan has been the subject of a "reportable event" (as defined in Section
4043 of ERISA) for which the 30-day notice requirement has not been waived by
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the "PBGC"); (iv)neither the
Corporation nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any unsatisfied liability
to the PBGC with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan which is an "employee
pension benefit plan" (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA), including,
without limitation, any liability under Section 4069 of ERISA or any penalty
imposed under Section 4071 of ERISA, or otherwise incurred any liability under
Title IV of ERISA or Chapter 43 of the Code with respect to any such Employee
Benefit Plan, and no event has occurred and no condition or circumstance has
existed that would give rise to any such liability;(v) no Employee Benefit Plan
subject to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA has incurred any
accumulated funding deficiency within the meaning of such sections of the Code
or ERISA or obtained or applied for a waiver of any minimum funding standards or
an extension of any amortization period under Section 412 of the Code or Section
303 or 304 of ERISA;(vi) the actuarial present value of the accumulated plan
benefits under any Employee Benefit Plan that is an "employee pension benefit
plan" (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA), whether or not vested and
determined in accordance with PBGC actuarial methods, factors and assumptions
applicable to such a plan terminating on the Closing Date, does not exceed the
fair value of the assets allocable thereto;(vii) no Employee Benefit Plan is a
"multi-employer plan" (as defined in the Code or Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) or
a "multiple employer plan" (within the meaning of the Code or ERISA) and neither
the Corporation nor any Subsidiary contributes to or has contributed to, or had
any liability or obligation with respect to any multi-employer plan;(viii) full
payment has been timely made of all amounts which the Corporation or any of its
Subsidiaries is required under applicable law or under any Employee Benefit Plan
or related agreement to have paid as of the last day of the most recent fiscal
year, of such Employee Benefit Plan or related agreement ended prior to the date
hereof, and the Corporation and its Subsidiaries have made adequate provisions,
in accordance with GAAP, in their financial statements for all obligations and
liabilities under all Employee Benefit Plans that have accrued but have not been
paid because they are not yet due under the terms of any such Employee Benefit
Plan, related agreement, or applicable law;(ix) neither the Corporation nor
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any of its Subsidiaries have any unfunded liabilities pursuant to any Employee
Benefit Plan which is an "employee pension benefit plan" (within the meaning of
Section 3(2) of ERISA) that is not intended to be qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Code; (x) the applicable requirements of Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I
of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code have been met with respect to each
Employee Benefit Plan that is a "group health plan" (as such term is defined in
Section 607(1) of ERISA or Section 5000(b)(1) of the Code);(xi) no Employee
Benefit Plan provides for post-employment or retiree health, life insurance or
other welfare benefits which could result in a material liability of the
Corporation or any Subsidiary;(xii) neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary,
nor any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or, to
Corporation's knowledge, any other "disqualified person" or "party in interest"
(as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code and Section 3(14) of ERISA,
respectively) has engaged in any transaction, act or omission to act in
connection with any Employee Benefit Plan that could reasonably be expected to
result in the imposition of a penalty or fine pursuant to Section 502 of ERISA,
damages pursuant to Section 409 of ERISA or a tax pursuant to Section 4975 of
the Code;(xiii) no plan or agreement to which the Corporation or any Subsidiary
is a party or by which it may be bound will or may, by reason of the execution
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
(either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent event),
result in any payment, "parachute payment" (as such term is defined in Section
280G of the Code), severance, bonus, retirement or job security or similar-type
benefit, or increase any benefits or accelerate the payment or vesting of any
benefits to any employee or former employee or director of the Corporation or
any Subsidiary, and no Employee Benefit Plan provides for the payment of
severance, termination, change in control or similar-type payments or benefits;
and (xiv) no liability, claim, action, audit, examination or litigation is
pending or, to the Corporation's knowledge, threatened with respect to any
Employee Benefit Plan (other than routine claims for benefits payable in the
ordinary course).
SECTION 3.15. BROKERS. There is no investment banker, broker, finder or
other intermediary other than CIBC Oppenheimer Corp. which or who has been
retained by, or is authorized to act for, the Corporation in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or is otherwise entitled to payment
of any fee or commission.
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SECTION 3.16. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
(a) PROVISION CONTROLS. Anything elsewhere in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, this Section 3.16 contains the entire agreement and
understanding of the parties relating to environmental representations and
warranties concerning the Corporation and the Subsidiaries.
(b) ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURES. DL 3.16 sets forth all environmental
matters that are within the scope of the specific categories set forth below
which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
Materially Adverse Effect on the Corporation and the Subsidiaries taken as a
whole:
(1) all permits, licenses and other authorizations possessed by the
Corporation and the Subsidiaries issued under Federal, state or local laws
relating to pollution or protection of worker or public health, safety or the
environment (collectively, the "Environmental Permits"), whether based on
statute, regulation, common law, equity or any other legal theory (the
"Environmental Laws") including, but not limited to, those relating to
emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances,
pollutants, contaminants, or hazardous or toxic material or wastes into ambient
air, surface water, groundwater or land ("Releases"). Each of such Releases and
violations of an Environmental Law is referred to herein as an "Environmental
Incident";
(2) to the knowledge of the Corporation, all violations by the
Corporation or any Subsidiary of the terms and conditions of any Environmental
Permits or Environmental Laws or of any other limitations, restrictions,
conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements, obligations, schedules and
timetables contained in Environmental Laws; applicable orders, agreements,
variances, injunctions, decrees, writs, judgments, awards or arbitration awards
relating thereto; and all past or present events, conditions, circumstances,
activities, practices, incidents, actions or plans concerning the business or
operations of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or any entity that was
formerly a subsidiary or a controlled affiliate of the Corporation which may
give rise to any legal liability of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries
under any Environmental Law or otherwise from any claim, action, suit,
proceeding, hearing or investigation in connection with any Environmental
Incident;
(3) all orders (including, without limitations, decrees, writs,
judgments, awards or notice or demand letters) or agreements issued, entered,
promulgated or approved by any Person under or in connection with Environmental
Laws which bind, restrict, obligate, or otherwise apply to the Corporation or
any
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of the Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, which
remain in effect or which were issued or effective during the five years prior
to the date of this Agreement;
(4) all actions, claims, suits, proceedings or investigations under
any Environmental Laws either pending or, to the knowledge of the Corporation,
threatened against the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties or assets before any court or arbitrator or any
Governmental Authority;
(5) all agreements (including, but not limited to, consent orders and
agreements among potentially responsible parties) to which the Corporation or
any of the Subsidiaries is a party and which relate to benefits (including, but
not limited to, indemnification) or obligations of the Corporation or any of the
Subsidiaries in connection with Environmental Laws or any Environmental
Incident, and any effect that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
will have on the benefits (including, without limitation, indemnification)
granted to the Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries under any such agreements
including any assignments or approvals required in connection with such
benefits;
(6) any Owned Real Property or Leased Real Property, whether or not
set forth in DL 3.11, that is subject to any applicable law that conditions,
restricts, prohibits, or requires any notification or disclosure in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby for environmental reasons
("Environmental Property Transfer or Disclosure Law"). To the extent an
Environmental Property Transfer or Disclosure Law is applicable to any such
Owned Real Property or Leased Real Property in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby, as and when appropriate the Corporation will take (or
cooperate with Parent in taking), such action as is necessary to fully comply
with the requirements of such laws; and
(7) any proceeding or investigation concerning criminal violations of
any Environmental Law to which the Corporation and its Subsidiaries or any
entity that was formerly a subsidiary or controlled affiliate of the
Corporation, are, or have been, subject at any time during the past 10 years.
(c) CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE CORPORATION PENDING THE EFFECTIVE TIME.
Anything elsewhere in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Corporation retains the right, with prior notice to Parent, to take only the
actions and make only the payouts set forth in DL 3.16A, if required, with
respect to environmental matters.
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SECTION 3.17. PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. Except as set forth in DL 3.17, as of
the date hereof the Corporation has received no notice that it or any of its
Subsidiaries has infringed, and to the knowledge of the Corporation neither it
nor any of its Subsidiaries is now infringing, on any patent, trade name,
trademark, service mark, copyright, trade secret, technology, know-how or
process (collectively, the "Proprietary Rights") belonging to any other person,
which infringement, in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Except as set forth in
DL 3.17, (i) the Corporation is not aware of any infringement by any third party
of any Proprietary Rights of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, and
(ii) neither the Corporation nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any
material license, agreement or arrangement with respect to any Proprietary
Rights. DL 3.17 lists all the Proprietary Rights owned by the Corporation or
any of the Subsidiaries that are composed of registered patents, trade names,
trademarks, service marks or copyrights that are material to its business and
sets forth, if and as applicable, the registration number, country, application,
registration and expiration dates, and class with respect to such Proprietary
Rights.
SECTION 3.18. MATERIAL CONTRACTS AND LEASES. The list of agreements set
forth in DL 3.18 includes all the Material Contracts (as defined below) that the
Corporation or any of the Subsidiaries is party to, or is bound by. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Material Contract" shall mean (i) any contract,
lease or other agreement (except for purchase orders entered into in the
ordinary course of business and contracts and agreements cancelable by the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries at will or on notice of 30 days or less)
to which the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries is bound, which by its terms calls for
the payment by either party to such contract or agreement of $250,000 or more in
any fiscal year or is material to the business, operations or financial
condition of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,(ii) any
material agreement, contract or commitment not in the ordinary course of
business, (iii)any agreement, indenture or other instrument which contains
restrictions with respect to payment of dividends or any other distribution in
respect of its capital stock,(iv) any agreement, contract or commitment to be
performed relating to capital expenditures in excess of $100,000 in any calendar
year, or in the aggregate requiring expenditures in excess of $1,000,000,(v) any
material agreement, indenture or instrument relating to indebtedness for
borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of property (excluding trade
payables in the ordinary course of business, intercompany indebtedness,
intercompany transfers, and operating leases),(vi) any loan or advance to (other
than advances to employees in the ordinary course of business in amounts of
$25,000 or less to any individual and $100,000 in the
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aggregate to all employees), or investment in (other than investments in
Subsidiaries), any Person, or any agreement, contract or commitment relating to
the making of any such loan, advance or investment or any agreement, contract or
commitment involving a sharing of profits (except for bonus or commission
arrangements with employees entered into in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice),(vii) any guarantee or other contingent liability
in respect of any indebtedness or obligation of any Person (other than in the
ordinary course of business and other than with respect to any indebtedness or
obligation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary),(viii) any management service,
consulting or any other similar type of contract (other than contingent fee
agreements with collection attorneys), involving payments of more than $150,000
annually, unless terminable by the Corporation or Subsidiary on not more than 90
days notice,(ix) any agreement, contract or commitment limiting the ability of
the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any line of business or
to compete with any Person,(x) any warranty, guaranty or other similar
undertaking with respect to a contractual performance extended by the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of
business, or (xi) any agreement, contract or commitment to employ any of its
officers or employees, and (xii) any material amendment, modification or
supplement in respect of any of the foregoing. Neither the Corporation nor any
of its Subsidiaries is in default under any Material Contract, except for such
defaults which will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Except as shown in DL 3.18, no approval or consent of, or notice to, any person
is needed in order that each such Material Contract shall continue in full force
and effect in accordance with its terms without penalty, acceleration or rights
of early termination by reason of the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 3.19. INSURANCE. DL 3.19 sets forth a list of all material
policies of insurance maintained on the date hereof by the Corporation and each
of its Subsidiaries with respect to their respective businesses, which policies
are currently in full force and effect. As of the date hereof, except as set
forth in DL 3.19, neither the Corporation nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received notice of cancellation or refusal to renew with respect to any
insurance policy set forth in DL 3.19.
SECTION 3.20. LABOR RELATIONS. Neither the Corporation nor any of its
Subsidiaries is currently party to any collective bargaining agreement with
respect to any of its employees. The Corporation has previously furnished or
made available to Parent a true, complete and correct copy of the handbooks and
administrative policies and practices relating to employees of the Corporation
and its Subsidiaries and any other material agreement regarding its relationship
with the
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Corporation's employees or those of its Subsidiaries. Except as set forth in DL
3.20 and except for any violations which, individually or in the aggregate,
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each of the
Corporation and its Subsidiaries is in substantial compliance with all federal,
state or other applicable laws respecting employment and employment practices,
terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, and has not and is not
engaged in any unfair labor practice. Except as disclosed in DL 3.20 or in the
Corporation Filings, there exist no employment, consulting, severance,
indemnification agreements or deferred compensation agreements between the
Corporation and any director, officer or employee of the Corporation or any
agreement that would give any Person the right to receive any payment from the
Corporation as a result of the Offer or the Merger.
SECTION 3.21. VOTING REQUIREMENTS. After the Share Purchase, the
affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
Corporation Common Stock entitled to be cast approving this Agreement is the
only vote of the holders of any class or series of the Corporation's capital
stock necessary to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
SECTION 3.22. RIGHTS AGREEMENT. The Corporation and the Board of
Directors of the Corporation have taken and will maintain in effect during the
term of this Agreement all necessary action to (i) render the Rights Agreement
inapplicable with respect to the Offer, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and (ii) ensure that (x) neither Parent, nor
Sub, nor any of their Affiliates, or Associates (each as defined in the Rights
Agreement) is considered to be an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights
Agreement) and (y) the provisions of the Rights Agreement, including the
occurrence of a Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement), are not
and shall not be triggered by reason of the announcement or consummation of the
Offer, the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
Corporation has delivered to Parent a complete and correct copy of the Rights
Agreement as amended and supplemented to the date of this Agreement. The Board
of Directors of the Corporation, at a meeting duly called and held, has resolved
that the Rights shall be redeemed immediately prior to, and subject to, the
acceptance for payment and purchase of not less than two-thirds of the
outstanding Shares pursuant to the Offer in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.
SECTION 3.23. CUSTOMERS RELATIONS. Except as disclosed on DL 3.23, none
of the top twenty customers of the Corporation (based on the Corporation's
consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997) has notified the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries that it intends to either (i)
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terminate or modify in a manner materially adverse to the Corporation or any of
its Subsidiaries its contractual arrangements with the Corporation or any of its
Subsidiaries or (ii) substantially curtail the amount of business it currently
does with the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 3.24. OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR. The Corporation has received
the opinion of CIBC Oppenheimer Corp., to the effect that, as of the date of
this Agreement, the consideration to be received in the Offer and the Merger by
the Corporation's shareholders is fair to the Corporation's shareholders form a
financial point of view, and a complete and correct signed copy of such opinion
has been, or promptly upon receipt thereof will be, delivered to Parent.
ARTICLE IV - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF PARENT AND SUB
Each of Parent and Sub represents and warrants to the Corporation that:
SECTION 4.1. CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND POWER. Each of Parent and Sub is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of Delaware, and each has all corporate power, authority and legal right to
conduct its business as it is now being conducted and to own the properties and
assets it now owns. Parent and Sub have delivered to Corporation true, compete
and correct copies of their respective certificates of incorporation and
by-laws.
SECTION 4.2. CORPORATE AUTHORIZATION. Each of Parent and Sub (a) has full
corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the
transactions contemplated hereby, (b) has taken all action required by
applicable law and its Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, including the
authorization of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby by
their respective Boards of Directors and (if required) stockholders, to
authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by
Parent and Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby, (c) has duly and validly
executed and delivered this Agreement and no other corporate action is necessary
in connection therewith. This Agreement (assuming the due authorization,
execution and delivery hereof by the Corporation) is a legal, valid and binding
obligation of each of Parent and Sub enforceable against each of them in
accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforcement may be limited
by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles
(regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).
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SECTION 4.3. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Except as contemplated by Section
4.6 hereof and except for the requirements of the federal and state securities
laws and the HSR Act, and assuming the filing of the Certificate of Merger and
other appropriate merger documents, if any, as required by the laws of the State
of Delaware, no consent, approval or authorization of, or declaration, filing or
registration with, any United States or foreign governmental or regulatory
authority or any other person or entity is required to be made or obtained by
Parent or any of its affiliates in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
SECTION 4.4. NO VIOLATION. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement by Parent and Sub and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby (a) will not violate any provision of the respective
Certificates of Incorporation or By-Laws of Parent or Sub or any of their
affiliates, (b) except as set forth in the Disclosure Letter heretofore prepared
by Parent and delivered to the Corporation, will not violate, or be in conflict
with, or constitute a default under any material contract, lease, loan
agreement, license, permit or other agreement to which Parent or any of its
affiliates is a party, or by which Parent or any of its affiliates is bound or
to which it or any of them is subject and (c) will not violate any law,
judgment, decree, order, regulation or rule of any court or governmental
authority by which Parent or any of its affiliates is bound or any of their
respective properties is subject, except in any case where the violation or
default would not materially adversely affect Parent's or Sub's ability to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without
limitation, its ability to complete the Share Purchase pursuant to the Offer).
SECTION 4.5. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The audited financial statements
(including the notes thereto, the "Parent Audited Financial Statements") of
Parent for its most recently completed fiscal year, a copy of which has
previously been delivered to the Corporation, present fairly, in all material
respects, the consolidated financial position of Parent and its subsidiaries as
of the date thereof and their consolidated results of operations, cash flows and
stockholders' equity for the period then ended, all in conformity with GAAP.
The unaudited financial statements (including the notes thereto) of Parent for
the period ended June 30, 1997, a copy of which has been previously delivered to
the Corporation, were prepared in a manner consistent with the basis of
presentation used in the Parent Audited Financial Statements and in accordance
with GAAP, and fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of Parent and its subsidiaries as at and for the periods
indicated, subject to normal recurring year-end adjustments.
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SECTION 4.6. FINANCING. Parent and Sub have obtained letters (copies of
which have been delivered to the Corporation) from responsible financial
institutions providing for, subject to certain conditions set forth therein,
commitments to provide all funds necessary, together with funds available to the
Parent and Sub, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 4.7. OFFER DOCUMENTS; OTHER INFORMATION. None of the information
contained in any of the Offer Documents (excluding information described therein
as being supplied by the Corporation with respect to itself) will, at the
respective times such Offer Documents or any amendments or supplements thereto
are filed with the SEC or are first published, sent or given to stockholders, as
the case may be, contain any untrue statement of 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.
SECTION 4.8. LITIGATION. There are no actions, suits, proceedings or
investigations pending or, to the knowledge of Parent or Sub, threatened against
Parent or Sub or any of their affiliates before any court or arbitrator or any
governmental body, agency or official which are reasonably likely, individually
or in the aggregate, to materially adversely affect Parent's or Sub's ability to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or which questions or challenges
the validity of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE V - CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE CORPORATION PENDING THE CLOSING
From the date hereof until immediately after the Closing (or, if sooner,
the termination of this Agreement), and except as otherwise consented to or
approved by Parent in writing, which consent or approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed:
SECTION 5.1. REGULAR COURSE OF BUSINESS. (a) The Corporation will, and
will cause its Subsidiaries to, conduct business substantially in the same
manner as heretofore conducted and neither the Corporation nor any of its
Subsidiaries will engage in any transaction or activity, enter into any
agreement or make any commitment (or materially amend any Material Contract
existing on the date hereof), except (i) as set forth on DL 5.1(a),(ii) in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices or pursuant to an
agreement to which the Corporation or any of such Subsidiaries is a party on the
date hereof (it being understood that transactions in the call center
outsourcing business shall be deemed to be within the ordinary
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course of business of the Corporation and any Subsidiary which is engaged in
such business as of the date hereof),(iii) as contemplated by this Agreement, or
(iv) which would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, the Corporation will not, and
will cause the Subsidiaries not to, intentionally take any action that would
cause, or intentionally omit to take any reasonable action that in all
likelihood would prevent, any of the representations and warranties contained in
Article III which are qualified as to materiality to fail to be true and correct
in any respect or any representation or warranty not so qualified to fail to be
true and correct in all material respects, as if such representations and
warranties were deemed to be made at and as of the Closing (except to the extent
any such representation or warranty was expressly made only as of a different
date).
(b) Without limiting the generality of subsection (a) of this Section, the
Corporation will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, except pursuant to
this Agreement or as otherwise permitted by DL 5.1(b): (i) acquire (by merger,
consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets) any corporation, partnership or
other business organization or division thereof, make any material investment in
any other entity which is not a wholly owned affiliate of the Corporation or
relinquish any material contract rights; (ii) acquire (including by lease) any
material assets or properties or dispose of, mortgage or encumber any of its
material assets or properties (except in each case in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice or pursuant to an agreement to which
the Corporation or any Subsidiary is a party on the date hereof); (iii) make or
commit to make any capital expenditures in excess of $150,000, (iv) make any
change in accounting principles (except as may be required by generally accepted
accounting principles or SEC regulations, in which event, the Corporation will
fully disclose any such change and the reason(s) therefor); (v) sell or pledge
or agree to sell or pledge any stock owned by it in any of its Subsidiaries;
(vi) except to the extent required under existing employee and director benefit
plans, agreements or arrangements as in effect on the date of this Agreement,
increase the compensation or fringe benefits of any of its directors, officers
or employees, except for increases in salary, wages or commissions of employees
of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries who are not officers of the Corporation
in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice, or grant
any severance or termination pay not currently required to be paid under
existing severance plans or agreements or enter into any employment, consulting
or severance agreement or arrangement with any present or former director,
officer or other employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or
establish, adopt, enter into or amend or terminate any collective bargaining,
bonus, profit sharing, thrift, compensation, stock option, restricted stock,
pension, retirement, deferred compensation, employment, termination,
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severance or other plan, agreement, trust, fund, policy or arrangement for the
benefit of any directors, officers or employees; (vii) except for transactions
between the Corporation and Subsidiaries or in the ordinary course of business,
transfer, lease, license, guarantee, sell, mortgage, pledge, dispose of,
encumber or subject to any lien, any material assets or incur or modify any
indebtedness or other liability (other than indebtedness incurred under the
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31, 1994, between the
Corporation and Bank of Boston, Connecticut (the "Existing Credit Facility");
PROVIDED that there shall not be any material increase in the amounts
outstanding under the Existing Credit Facility, other than in the ordinary
course of business, or otherwise as an accommodation, except for guarantees by
Corporation of obligations of Subsidiaries or guarantees by Subsidiaries of
obligations of Subsidiaries, become responsible for the obligations of any
person or, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, make any loan or other extension of credit except for intercompany
transactions between Corporation and Subsidiaries and between Subsidiaries;
(viii) agree to the settlement of any material claim or litigation (including,
but not limited to, any claim or litigation in respect of, related to or arising
out of any Environmental Law, Environmental Permit or Pollution Incident); (ix)
make any material tax election or settle or compromise any material tax
liability; (x) permit any insurance policy naming it as beneficiary or a loss
payable payee to be cancelled without notice to Parent, except for the
cancellation of insurance policies required to be maintained by third parties
for the benefit of the Corporation or any Subsidiary of which such cancellation
neither the Corporation nor any Subsidiary has notice; (xi) adopt a plan of
complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation,
restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of the Corporation or
any of its Subsidiaries not constituting an inactive Subsidiary (other than the
Merger); or (xii) agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the foregoing
actions.
SECTION 5.2. CHARTER DOCUMENTS AND CAPITAL CHANGES. Except as expressly
authorized by this Agreement or required by Section 1.2, neither the Corporation
nor any of its Subsidiaries will (a) change or amend its Certificate of
Incorporation, By-Laws or the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of any of
its Subsidiaries, (b) issue or sell any shares of its capital stock (other than
shares issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options), nor issue
options (other than automatic issuances pursuant to the terms of a plan in
effect on the date hereof or pursuant to the terms of any existing employment
agreement), warrants to purchase, or rights to subscribe to, any shares of its
capital stock, or enter into any arrangement or contract with respect thereto,
or (c) make any other material changes in its capital structure, other than
dividends and other
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intercompany transfers, allocations and transactions in the ordinary course of
business between any wholly-owned Subsidiary and the Corporation or any other
wholly-owned Subsidiary.
SECTION 5.3. ORGANIZATION AND GOOD WILL. Except as set forth in DL 5.3,
the Corporation will use all reasonable efforts to preserve the business,
business organization and good will of the Corporation and each of its
Subsidiaries, keep in place their present executive officers and key employees,
and preserve their present relationships with persons having business dealings
with them.
SECTION 5.4. INSURANCE. The Corporation will use all commercially
reasonable efforts to maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain,
insurance substantially at current levels on all property, real, personal and
mixed, owned or leased by them.
SECTION 5.5. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Corporation will use its best
efforts to duly comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to duly comply, in
all material respects with all laws applicable to them and their respective
properties, operations, business and employees, except where the failure to do
so is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Corporation.
SECTION 5.6. SEC REPORTS. The Corporation will duly file all reports
required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act and will
submit copies thereof to Parent simultaneously with the time of filing thereof.
SECTION 5.7. PROXY STATEMENT. If shareholder approval of the Merger is
required by law, as promptly as practicable following the Share Purchase, the
Corporation will prepare and file a preliminary Proxy Statement with the SEC and
will use its best efforts to respond to the comments of the SEC in connection
therewith and to furnish all information required to prepare the definitive
Proxy Statement (including, without limitation, financial statements and
supporting schedules and certificates and reports of independent public
accountants). Promptly following the Share Purchase, if required by the DGCL in
order to consummate the Merger, the Corporation will cause the definitive Proxy
Statement to be mailed to the shareholders of the Corporation and, if necessary,
after the definitive Proxy Statement shall have been so mailed, promptly
circulate amended, supplemental or supplemented proxy material and, if required
in connection therewith, resolicit proxies.
SECTION 5.8. SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. (a) Promptly following the Share
Purchase, if required by DGCL in order to consummate the Merger, the
Corporation, acting through its Board of Directors, shall, in accordance with
applicable law, duly
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call, convene and hold a special meeting of the holders of Common Stock for the
purpose of voting upon this Agreement and the Merger and the Corporation agrees
that this Agreement and the Merger shall be submitted at such special meeting.
The Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to solicit from its
shareholders proxies, and shall take all other action necessary and advisable,
to secure the vote of shareholders required by applicable law to obtain the
approval for this Agreement and the Merger. Subject to Section 5.9 of this
Agreement, the Corporation agrees that it will include in the Proxy Statement
the recommendation of its Board of Directors that holders of Common Stock
approve and adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger. Parent will cause all
shares of Common Stock owned by Parent and its subsidiaries to be voted in favor
of the Merger.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Sub shall acquire at
least 90% of the outstanding Corporation Common Stock, the Corporation agrees,
subject to Article VII, to take all necessary and appropriate action to cause
the Merger to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable after such
acquisition, without a meeting of the Corporation's shareholders, in accordance
with Section 253 of the DGCL.
SECTION 5.9. NO SOLICITATION OF OTHER OFFERS. (a) The Corporation and its
affiliates and each of their respective officers, directors, employees,
representatives and agents shall immediately cease any discussions or
negotiations with any other parties that may be ongoing with respect to any
Acquisition Proposal (as defined below). Neither the Corporation nor any of its
affiliates, shall, directly or indirectly, take (and the Corporation shall not
authorize or permit its or its affiliates, officers, directors, employees,
representatives, consultants, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants or
other agents or affiliates, to so take) any action to (i) encourage, solicit or
initiate the making of any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) enter into any agreement
with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or (iii) participate in any way in
discussions or negotiations with, or furnish or disclose any information to, any
Person (other than Parent or Sub or their representatives) in connection with,
or take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any
proposal (including without limitation by taking any action (except as required
by Section 1.2) that would make the Rights Agreement, Section 203 of the DGCL or
the provisions of Article FIFTH of the Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation inapplicable to an Acquisition Proposal) that constitutes, or may
reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal, PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the Corporation, in response to an unsolicited Acquisition Proposal and in
compliance with its obligations under Section 5.9(b) hereof, may participate in
discussions or negotiations with or furnish information to any third party which
proposes a transaction which the Board of
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Directors of the Corporation reasonably determines will result in a Superior
Proposal if the Board of Directors believes (and has been advised in writing by
independent outside counsel) that failing to take such action would constitute a
breach of its fiduciary duties under applicable law. In addition, neither the
Board of Directors of the Corporation nor any Committee thereof shall (x)
withdraw or modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to
Parent or Sub the approval and recommendation of the Offer and this Agreement or
(y) approve or recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, any Acquisition
Proposal, provided that the Corporation may recommend to its shareholders an
Acquisition Proposal and in connection therewith withdraw or modify its approval
or recommendation of the Offer or the Merger if (i) the Board of Directors of
the Corporation has determined that the Acquisition Proposal is a Superior
Proposal, (ii) all the conditions to the Corporation's right to terminate this
Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1(e) have been satisfied (including the
expiration of the three day period described therein and the payment of all
amounts required pursuant to Section 9.1), (iii) simultaneously with such
withdrawal, modification or recommendation, this Agreement is terminated in
accordance with Section 8.1(e) and (iv) the Acquisition Proposal does not
provide for any breakup fee or other inducement to the acquiror other than
reimbursement of out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with such
Acquisition Proposal. Any actions permitted under, and taken in compliance
with, this Section 5.9 shall not be deemed a breach of any other covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement.
"Acquisition Proposal" shall mean any inquiry, proposal or offer from any
Person relating to any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a
substantial amount of assets of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or of
over 10% of any class of equity securities of the Corporation or any of its
Subsidiaries, any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would
result in any person beneficially owning 10% or more of any class of equity
securities of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, any merger,
consolidation, business combination, sale of substantially all the assets,
recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, other than the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, or any other transaction the consummation of which could
reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, prevent or materially delay
the Offer or the Merger or which would reasonably be expected to dilute
materially the benefits to Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby.
"Superior Proposal" shall mean a BONA FIDE proposal made by a third party to
acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Corporation pursuant to a tender
offer, a merger or a sale of all of the assets of the Corporation (x) on terms
which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation
determines in its good faith reasonable judgement
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(based on the advice of independent outside financial and legal advisors) to be
more favorable to the Corporation and its shareholders than the transactions
contemplated hereby, (y) for which in the good faith reasonable judgement of the
Board of Directors adequate financing or other consideration is then available
and (z) which does not provide for any breakup fee or other inducement to the
acquiror other than reimbursement of documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in connection with the Superior Proposal.
(b) In addition to the obligations of the Corporation set forth in
paragraph (a), on the date of receipt thereof, the Corporation shall advise
Parent of any request for information or any Acquisition Proposal, or any
inquiry or proposal with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, and the material
terms and conditions of such request or takeover proposal.
(c) Immediately following the Share Purchase, the Corporation will request
each person who has heretofore executed a confidentiality agreement in
connection with its consideration of acquiring the Corporation or any portion
thereof (the "Confidentiality Agreements") to return all confidential
information heretofore furnished to such person by or on behalf of the
Corporation.
SECTION 5.10. NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS. The Corporation shall give
prompt notice to Parent of: (a) any notice of, or other communication relating
to, a default or event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become
a default, received by the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries subsequent to
the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time, under any Material
Contract to which the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or is
subject; and (b) any change or occurrence in the Corporation and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole which has had a Material Adverse Effect on the
Corporation and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the occurrence of any
event which is reasonably likely to result in such a Material Adverse Effect.
Each of the Corporation and Parent shall give prompt notice to the other party
of any notice or other communication from any third party alleging that the
consent of such third party is or may be required in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.11. RIGHTS AGREEMENT. The Corporation shall not redeem the
Rights or amend (other than to delay the Distribution Date (as defined therein)
or to render the Rights inapplicable to the Offer and the Merger) or terminate
the Rights Agreement prior to the Effective Time without the consent of the
Parent unless required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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SECTION 5.12. PROPERTIES; MATERIAL CONTRACTS. The Corporation will use,
and will cause its Subsidiaries to use, all reasonable efforts to (a) maintain
and keep their respective properties in their current condition in all material
respects, except for ordinary wear and tear and damage due to casualty or other
extraordinary occurrence, and (b) perform in all material respects their
respective obligations under the Material Contracts.
SECTION 5.13. DIVIDENDS, ETC. Prior to the Closing, the Corporation will
not declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend or distributions,
including a distribution of rights, in respect of its capital stock or redeem,
purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock, except as
contemplated by this Agreement, in connection with the cancellation or exercise
of stock options, or any such dividends, distributions or payments made by or to
any Subsidiary.
SECTION 5.14. FULL ACCESS. The Corporation will, until the Closing afford
to Parent, its counsel, accountants and other authorized representatives, full
and complete access, upon reasonable notice and in a reasonable manner, to the
offices, properties, books and records of the Corporation and each of its
Subsidiaries in order that Parent may have full opportunity to make such
reasonable investigations as it shall desire as to the business and affairs of
the Corporation and its Subsidiaries. The Corporation will also cause its
officers, accountants and attorneys to furnish, upon reasonable notice and in a
reasonable manner, such additional financial and operating data and other
information as Parent shall from time to time reasonably request. Parent shall,
and shall cause its directors, officers, employees, partners, agents, counsel,
accountants and other authorized representatives and any proposed lender,
placement agent or underwriter to, keep confidential any and all information
(whether in writing or otherwise) obtained or developed pursuant to this
Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.1 hereof.
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ARTICLE VI - COVENANTS OF PARTIES
The Corporation hereby covenants and agrees with Parent and Sub, and Parent
and Sub hereby covenant and agree with the Corporation, that:
SECTION 6.1. CONFIDENTIALITY. (a) Until the Closing Time, or, in the
event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII, for a
period of three years from the date of such termination, the Corporation, Parent
and Sub and their respective affiliates, consultants, advisors, officers,
employees, directors and agents ("Representatives") shall hold in strictest
confidence and not divulge, use or make available to any other person any
information of the other obtained from any investigation of the other in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (including all data,
reports, interpretations, electronic images, computer software, forecasts and
records), or given to them by the other or by others performing services for
them or the other or in a confidential relationship with the other (herein
collectively referred to as "Information"), except to the extent (i) such party
is compelled to disclose such Information by judicial or administrative process
or, in the opinion of its counsel, by other requirements of law (provided such
disclosing party provides the other parties hereto with prompt notice of such
proposed disclosure so that such other parties may seek a protective order or
other appropriate remedy), (ii) such Information becomes generally available to
the public other than as a result of a breach of this Section or is otherwise
available from third parties not under a duty to keep such Information
confidential, (iii) such Information was at the time of its disclosure to such
person previously known to it, (iv) such disclosure is permitted by Section 6.4
(relating to public announcements) or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, or
(v) such Information is divulged to such party's Representatives (provided that
each such person agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section). Neither
Parent, Sub nor the Corporation, nor any of their respective Representatives,
will misuse to the detriment of the other, any Information obtained from the
other. If the Share Purchase does not occur, upon the request of the
Corporation or Parent and Sub, the party to whom such request is made shall as
directed by the requesting party destroy or return to the requesting party any
and all copies of written Information covered by this Section furnished to such
non-requesting party or its representatives by, or on behalf of, the requesting
party or otherwise obtained, prepared or developed by or on behalf of the
non-requesting party, and such destruction shall be certified in writing to the
requesting party.
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(b) For a period of three years from the date of the termination of this
Agreement, if the Share Purchase does not occur, Parent (and any affiliate
thereof) will not (i) solicit for hire or employ any person who on the date
hereof or on the date of such termination was an employee of the Corporation or
any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) cause any individual engaged as an independent
contractor by the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries to breach or void such
individual's independent contractor agreement with the Corporation.
(c) Contemporaneous with the Share Purchase, Parent shall make or cause
the Corporation and each of its Subsidiaries to make, by certified or bank check
or other means acceptable to the payee thereof, all payments which are required
to be made on or after such time under any agreement in effect on the date
hereof between the Corporation or any of such Subsidiaries and (i) any officer
or other employee thereof as a result of a "change of control" (as defined in
any such agreement) having occurred or as a result of the termination of such
officer's or employee's employment, whether voluntary or otherwise, and (ii) all
non-employee directors of the Company with respect to deferred compensation,
including, without limitation the severance, bonus and other payments listed in
DL 6.1, which amounts have been reviewed and approved by Parent and Sub.
SECTION 6.2. COOPERATION. The Corporation and Parent will cooperate with
each other and each such party shall take all reasonable actions that may be
necessary or desirable to consummate the transactions contemplated pursuant to
this Agreement, including, but not limited to, furnishing to each other, or
reviewing, the information relating to each of them required by applicable
statutes, rules and regulations for the purpose of preparing the Offer
Documents, any federal and state securities law filings and any filings under
the HSR Act. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, Parent will provide the
Corporation with a copy in draft form of the Offer Documents and will make
available a final copy of the Offer Documents prior to filing with the SEC.
Each party covenants that all such information furnished to the other or
reviewed by it will be true and correct in all material respects to the
knowledge of such party. Parent and the Corporation will promptly notify the
other party hereto of any comments or requests for additional information from
the SEC or state securities law administrators or relating to any filing under
the HSR Act relating to the Offer, and will upon request supply the other
parties hereto with copies of all correspondence between them or their
representatives and the SEC or members of its staff or state securities law
administrators with respect to the transaction contemplated hereby or relating
to any filing under the HSR Act relating thereto.
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SECTION 6.3. FILINGS; CONSENTS; REMOVAL OF OBJECTIONS. Each party hereto
agrees to exert all reasonable efforts to consummate the Offer and the Merger at
the earliest practicable time, including, without limitation, (i) preparing and
filing all requisite applications, documents and notifications (including filing
with the FTC and the DOJ the Notification and Report Forms under the HSR Act and
cooperating with each other with respect to the filing of any additional
information with respect thereto) in connection with the transaction
contemplated herein required by applicable law, (ii) responding as promptly as
practicable to all inquiries in connection therewith, (iii) removing or
satisfying, if reasonably practicable, any objections to the validity or
legality of the Share Purchase, and (iv) satisfying the conditions to the
consummation of the Share Purchase set forth herein.
SECTION 6.4. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. Parent, Sub and the Corporation will
consult with each other before issuing any press release or making any public
statement with respect to the Offer or this Agreement and, except as may be
required by applicable law or the NYSE Rules, will not issue any such press
release or make any such public statement without the prior consent of the other
party hereto, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
SECTION 6.5. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. (a) Until the first anniversary of the
Effective Time, Parent shall ensure that all employees and officers of the
Corporation and Subsidiaries receive compensation and benefits in the aggregate
substantially comparable to the compensation and benefits received by such
individuals immediately prior to the date hereof. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, following the Effective Time, the Parent may terminate the employment
of any employee (subject to the payment of severance benefits payable to the
employee in connection with such termination).
(b) Until the first anniversary of the Effective Time, Parent shall keep in
effect all severance policies that are applicable to employees and officers of
the Corporation and its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the date hereof.
(c) Following the Effective Time, (i) Parent shall ensure that no employee
welfare benefit plan adopted by the Corporation or the Subsidiaries shall have
any preexisting condition limitations and (ii) Parent shall honor all premiums
and deductibles paid by the employees, officers and directors of the Corporation
and Subsidiaries under all Employee Benefit Plans up to (and including) the
Effective Time.
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(d) Following the Effective Time, for purposes of eligibility and vesting,
Parent shall honor all service credit accrued by the employees, officers and
directors of the Corporation and Subsidiaries under all Employee Benefit Plans
up to (and including) the Effective Time.
SECTION 6.6. INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. (a) From and after the Share
Purchase, Parent shall cause the Corporation to (i) maintain in effect in the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation the provisions with respect to
the indemnification set forth in Article VII of the Certificate of Incorporation
of the Corporation as in effect at the Share Purchase, which provisions shall
not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for a period of six (6) years
from the Effective Time in any manner that would adversely affect the rights
thereunder of individuals (or their estates) who at the date of this Agreement
and/or as of the closing of the Share Purchase are or were directors, officers,
employees or agents of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries, unless such
modification is required by law and (ii) maintain in effect for a period of six
(6) years from the Share Purchase each Indemnification Agreement in effect (as
of such date) between the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries and officers
and directors of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, which Indemnification
Agreement shall not be amended or modified during such period in any manner that
would adversely affect the rights of the individual who is a party thereto.
(b) Prior to the Share Purchase, the Corporation shall purchase a six year
"tail" insurance policy with its current carrier substantially identical in all
respects to the Corporation's current directors' and officers' liability
insurance coverage (and providing coverage for an amount not less than
$30,000,000 and providing for two reinstatement options, exercisable at any time
during such six year tail period of $30,000,000) covering those persons who are
currently covered on the date of this Agreement by the Corporation's directors'
and officers' liability insurance policy (a copy of which has been heretofore
delivered to Parent) (the "Indemnified Parties").
(c) In the event the Corporation or Parent or any of their respective
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 all or substantially all of its
properties and assets to any person, then and in each such case, proper
provisions shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the Corporation
or Parent, as the case may be, shall assume the obligations set forth in this
Section.
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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be construed to
relieve Parent or the Corporation of their respective obligations to any
Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section, and each of the Indemnified Parties
shall be entitled to enforce such obligations (including the right to
indemnification) directly against the Parent or the Corporation without first
making any claim with respect thereto against any applicable successor or
assign.
(e) This Section 6.6 shall survive the consummation of the Share Purchase
and the Merger, if necessary, is intended to benefit the Corporation and the
Indemnified Parties, and shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the
Corporation and the Parent. Parent shall cause the Corporation to honor its
obligations pursuant to this Section 6.6 from and after the Share Purchase.
SECTION 6.7. RESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS. The Corporation shall cause each
of the persons who are members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation or
of the Board of Directors of the Subsidiaries (other than Allied Bond &
Collection Agency, Inc.) immediately prior to the Closing to deliver their
resignations as directors of the Corporation and such Subsidiaries, which
resignations shall be effective as of the Closing.
SECTION 6.8. CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT. Purchaser and the Corporation
hereby agree that as of the date hereof the Confidentiality Agreement dated
August 18, 1997 between Purchaser and the Corporation shall in all respects be
terminated.
SECTION 6.9. CERTAIN ACTIONS OF PARENT AND SUB. Parent and Sub will not
take any action, or omit to take any reasonable action, which in all likelihood
would (i) have a Material Adverse Effect on the ability of Parent or Sub to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, or (ii) cause any of the
representations and warranties contained in Article IV which are qualified as to
materiality to fail to be true and correct in any respect or any such
representation or warranty which is not so qualified to fail to be true and
correct in all material respects, as if such representations and warranties were
made at and as of the Closing, except to the extent any such representation or
warranty was expressly made only as of a different date.
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ARTICLE VII - CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
SECTION 7.1. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF PARENT, SUB AND THE
CORPORATION. The respective obligations of Parent and Sub, on the one hand, and
the Corporation, on the other hand, to effect the Merger are subject to the
satisfaction or waiver (subject to applicable law) at or prior to the Effective
Time of each of the following conditions:
(a) APPROVAL OF CORPORATION'S SHAREHOLDERS. To the extent required
by applicable law, this Agreement and the Merger shall have been approved
and adopted by holders of the requisite number of outstanding shares of the
Common Stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in accordance with
applicable law (if required by applicable law) and the Corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws;
(b) HSR ACT. Any waiting period (and any extension thereof) under
the HSR Act applicable to the Merger shall have expired or been terminated;
(c) INJUNCTION. No preliminary or permanent injunction or other
order shall have been issued by any court or by any governmental or
regulatory agency, body or authority which prohibits the consummation of
the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and which is
in effect at the Effective Time, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in the case of a
decree, injunction or other order, each of the parties shall have used
reasonable efforts to prevent the entry of any such injunction or other
order and to appeal as promptly as possible any decree, injunction or other
order that may be entered; and
(d) STATUTES. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree
or order of any kind shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or
enforced by any court or governmental authority which prohibits the
consummation of the Merger or has the effect of making the purchase of the
Common Stock illegal.
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ARTICLE VIII - TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
SECTION 8.1. TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the
Share Purchase and the Merger may be abandoned after the Share Purchase:
(a) by mutual written consent of the Corporation, on the one hand,
and of Parent and Sub, on the other hand;
(b) by either Parent, on the one hand, or the Corporation, on the
other hand, if any governmental or regulatory agency shall have issued an
order, decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently enjoining,
restraining or otherwise prohibiting the acceptance for payment of, or
payment for shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Offer and such order,
decree or ruling or other action shall have become final and nonappealable;
(c) by Parent, on the one hand, or the Corporation, on the other
hand, if the Share Purchase shall not have occurred within 120 days after
commencement of the Offer, unless the Share Purchase shall not have
occurred because of a material breach of any representation, warranty,
obligation, covenant, agreement or condition set forth in this Agreement on
the part of the party seeking to terminate this Agreement;
(d) by the Parent, in the event of a breach by the Corporation of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement
which (A) would give rise to the failure of a condition set forth in
paragraph (d) or (f) of Annex I to this Agreement, and (B) cannot or has
not been cured prior to the earlier of (i) 15 days after the giving of
written notice of such breach to the Corporation and (ii) two business days
prior to the date on which the Offer expires;
(e) by either Parent, on the one hand, or the Corporation, on the
other hand, if the Board of Directors of the Corporation determines that an
Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal and the Board believes
(and has been advised by independent outside counsel) that a failure to
terminate this Agreement and enter into an agreement to effect the Superior
Proposal would constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, the Corporation may not terminate this Agreement pursuant
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to this Section 8.1(e) unless and until three days have elapsed following
delivery to Parent of a written notice of such determination by the Board
of Directors and during such three day period the Corporation has fully
cooperated with the Parent, including, without limitation, informing the
Parent of the terms and conditions of such Superior Proposal with the
intent of enabling both parties to agree to a modification of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement so that the transactions contemplated hereby
may be effected; and PROVIDED FURTHER that at the end of such three day
period the Board of Directors of the Corporation determines that the
Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal and the Board
continues to believe (and has again been advised by independent outside
counsel) that a failure to terminate this Agreement and enter into an
agreement to effect the Superior Proposal would constitute a breach of its
fiduciary duties; PROVIDED FURTHER that this Agreement shall not terminate
pursuant to this Section 8.1(e) unless (i) prior to such termination Parent
has received all fees and expenses set forth in Section 9.1 by wire
transfer in same day funds and (ii) simultaneously with such termination
the Corporation enters into a definitive acquisition, merger or similar
agreement to effect the Superior Proposal which acquisition agreement (x)
permits the Corporation to terminate the acquisition agreement in the event
the Board of Directors of the Corporation determines to effect a
transaction with Parent and (y) does not provide for breakup fee or other
inducement to the acquiror other than reimbursement of documented out of
pocket expenses incurred in connection with such Superior Proposal;
(f) by the Corporation, in the event of a breach by the Parent or Sub
of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this
Agreement which cannot or has not been cured within 15 days after the
giving of written notice of such breach to the Parent and Sub, except, in
any case where such failure is not reasonably likely to affect adversely
Parent's or Sub's ability to complete the Offer and/or Merger.
SECTION 8.2. EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of the termination of
this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof by Parent or Sub, on the one hand,
or the Corporation, on the other hand, written notice thereof shall forthwith be
given to the other party or parties specifying the provision hereof pursuant to
which such termination is made, and this Agreement shall become void and have no
effect, and there shall be no liability hereunder on the part of Parent, Sub or
the Corporation, except that Sections 6.1, 6.4, 9.1 and this Section
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8.2 hereof shall survive any termination of this Agreement. Nothing in this
Section 8.2 shall relieve any party to this Agreement of liability for breach of
this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX - MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.1. FEES AND EXPENSES. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b)
below, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party
incurring such costs and expenses.
(b) If this Agreement is terminated:
(i) by Parent because of an event set forth in clause (iv)(e) of
Annex I of this Agreement; or
(ii) by Parent or the Corporation in accordance with the terms of
Section 8.1(e) of this Agreement; or
(iii) by the Corporation pursuant to Section 8.1(c), if, prior to such
termination, the Corporation shall have directly or indirectly notified any of
its stockholders that a third party has made an Acquisition Proposal or a third
party shall have announced an Acquisition Proposal, and within twelve months
after such termination, the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries enters into
an agreement with respect to any merger or any other business combination, sale
or other disposition of any material amount of assets, sale of shares of capital
stock which would give the acquirors not less than 10% of the issued Shares, a
tender offer or exchange offer or similar transaction involving the Corporation
or one or more of its Subsidiaries accounting for more than 10% of the
Corporation's consolidated income in its prior fiscal year (a "Third Party
Acquisition"), or a Third Party Acquisition occurs within twelve months after
the Corporation's termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(c),
involving any such party (or any affiliate or associate thereof) (x) with whom
the Corporation or any Subsidiary (or their respective representatives) during
the term of this Agreement had any discussions with respect to a Third Party
Acquisition, (y) to whom the Corporation or any Subsidiary (or any of their
respective representatives) during the term of this Agreement furnished
information with respect to or with a view toward a Third Party Acquisition, or
(z) who during the term of this Agreement had submitted a proposal or expressed
any interest publicly or to the Corporation or any Subsidiary (or their
respective representatives) in a Third Party Acquisition, which Third Party
Acquisition contemplates a direct or indirect consideration for shares of Common
Stock in excess of the Merger
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Consideration, in the case of each of clauses (x), (y) and (z) prior to such
termination;
then the Corporation shall (except as required to be earlier paid in accordance
with Section 8.1(e)) pay to Parent in same day funds Seven Million Seven Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($7,700,000.00), which shall be deemed to include reimbursement
for all out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by Parent or on its behalf in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 9.2. NOTICES. All notices, requests and other communications to
any party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by personal delivery,
reputable overnight courier service, certified mail (postage prepaid, return
receipt requested), facsimile (with a copy sent via prepaid first class mail) or
first class mail, as follows:
If to the Corporation, to:
The Union Corporation
211 King Street
Suite 100
Charleston, South Carolina 29401
Attention: William B. Hewitt, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Fax: (803) 958-3850
with a copy to:
Zimet, Haines, Friedman & Kaplan
460 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Robert H. Haines, Esq.
Fax: (212) 223-1151
If to Parent and Sub, to:
c/o Outsourcing Solutions Inc.
390 South Woods Mill Road
Suite 150
Chesterfield, MO 63017
Attention: Timothy G. Beffa, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Fax: (314) 576-1867
with a copy to:
White & Case
1155 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
Attention: Frank L. Schiff, Esq.
Fax: (212) 819-7817
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or to such other address as such party may hereafter specify by notice to the
other party hereto delivered in accordance with this Section. Each such notice,
request or other communication shall be effective (a) if personally delivered,
when presented, (b) if by reputable overnight courier, the next business day
following the delivery thereof to such courier (or such later date as is
demonstrated by a BONA FIDE receipt therefor), (c) if given by certified mail
(postage prepaid, return receipt requested), three business days after deposit
in the mails, (d) if given by facsimile, when the appropriate answerback or
other confirmation of receipt is received, or (e) if given by any other means,
when received.
SECTION 9.3. TERMINATION OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The
representations and warranties contained herein shall terminate at the Share
Purchase and neither the Corporation nor any officer, director, employee,
stockholder, fiduciary or agent of the Corporation shall be under any liability
or obligation whatsoever with respect to any such representation or warranty
after such time. This Section shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the
parties hereto which by its terms contemplates performance after the Share
Purchase.
SECTION 9.4. AMENDMENTS. Subject to applicable law, this Agreement may be
amended, modified or supplemented only by the mutual written agreement of the
parties hereto at any time prior to the Effective Time with respect to any of
the terms contained herein; except that Sections 6.1(c), 6.5 and 6.6 above may
not be amended or supplemented to the detriment of any intended third party
beneficiary thereof without the express written consent of such beneficiary.
SECTION 9.5. WAIVERS. At any time prior to the Closing, Parent, on the
one hand, and the Corporation, on the other hand, may (a) extend the time for
the performance of any agreement of the other party hereto, (b) waive any
inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the other party contained
herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or (c) waive compliance with
any agreement of the other party or any condition contained herein (unless
pursuant hereto such condition may not be waived) to be satisfied by such other
party. Any agreement on the part of any party to any such extension, and any
such waiver, shall be effective only if set forth in a writing signed on behalf
of such party and delivered to the other party hereto.
SECTION 9.6. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns; PROVIDED, that no party may assign or
otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without
the prior written consent of the other party hereto and any attempt to so assign
such right or obligation shall be void AB INITIO.
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This Agreement shall be binding upon and is solely for the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and
nothing in this Agreement is intended to confer upon any other person any rights
or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement,
except that (i) in the event that the Share Purchase shall be consummated, then
from and after the Share Purchase the provisions of Sections 6.1(c), 6.5 and 6.6
shall inure to the benefit of the employees, option holders and other persons
specified therein, who, as the intended beneficiaries of such Sections, shall
each be entitled to enforce his or her rights under such Sections and (ii) the
provisions of Section 6.6 shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnified Parties,
who, as the intended beneficiaries of such Section 6.6, shall each be entitled
to enforce his or her rights under such Section.
SECTION 9.7. GOVERNING LAW AND FORUM. This Agreement shall be construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts
made and to be performed entirely therein, except that, with respect to matters
of corporate law, Delaware law shall apply.
SECTION 9.8. COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS. This Agreement may be signed in
any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same
force and effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same
instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall
have received counterparts hereof signed by the other parties hereto.
SECTION 9.9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS. This Agreement,
including the Schedules and Annex I hereto (which are hereby made a part of this
Agreement), contains all of the terms, conditions and representations and
warranties agreed upon by the parties relating to the subject matter of this
Agreement and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations,
correspondence, undertakings and communications of the parties, oral or written,
respecting such subject matter.
SECTION 9.10. HEADINGS AND TABLE OF CONTENTS. The headings in this
Agreement and the Table of Contents are included herein for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
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ARTICLE X - DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
respective meanings ascribed to such terms in this Article.
(a) "Balance Sheet Date" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 3.9.
(b) "Cash Payment" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
1.4.
(c) "Certificate of Merger" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
in Section 2.1.
(d) "Certificates" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
2.4.
(e) "Closing" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
2.10.
(f) "Closing Date" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
2.10.
(g) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(h) "Corporation Filings" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 3.7.
(i) "Corporation Financial Statements" shall have the meaning ascribed to
such term in Section 3.8.
(j) "Corporation Stock" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
the preamble to this Agreement.
(k) "Corporation 10-Ks" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 3.7.
(l) "Credit Agreement" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 3.10.
(m) "DGCL" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.2.
(n) "DL" is the Disclosure Letter.
(o) "DOJ" shall mean the United States Department of Justice.
(p) "Dissenting Shareholders" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
in Section 2.3.
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(q) "Effective Time" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 2.1.
(r) "ERISA" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.14.
(s) "Exchange Act" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
1.1.
(t) "FTC" shall mean the Federal Trade Commission.
(u) "GAAP" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.8.
(v) "HSR Act" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act
of 1976, as amended.
(w) "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any change in or effect on the
applicable corporation that either is, or in all reasonable likelihood will be,
materially adverse to the business, operations, financial condition, results of
operations, assets, liabilities or reserves of such corporation and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
(x) "Material Contracts" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 3.18.
(y) "Merger" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble
of this Agreement.
(z) "Merger Consideration" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 2.2.
(aa) "NYSE Rules" shall mean the rules and regulations promulgated by the
New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
(bb) "Offer" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble
of this Agreement.
(cc) "Offer Documents" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 1.1(b).
(dd) "Options" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.4.
(ee) "Parent Audited Financial Statements" shall have the meaning ascribed
to such term in Section 4.5.
(ff) "Paying Agent" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
2.4.
(gg) "Person" shall mean and include an individual, a partnership, a joint
venture, a corporation, a limited liability company, a trust, an unincorporated
organization, a group and a government or other department or agency thereof.
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(hh) "Per Share Amount" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the
preamble to this Agreement.
(ii) "Proxy Statement" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 2.11.
(jj) "Rights Agreement" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 1.2.
(kk) "Schedule 14D-1" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 1.1(b).
(ll) "Schedule 14D-9" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 1.2(b).
(mm) "SEC" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(nn) "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(oo) "Share Purchase" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 1.1.
(pp) "Shares" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the preamble
to this Agreement.
(qq) "Subsidiaries" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
3.6.
(rr) "Surviving Corporation" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
in Section 2.1(b).
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first
above written.
ATTEST: THE UNION CORPORATION
By: /s/ MELVIN S. COOPER
- ----------------------------- ----------------------------------
Name: Name: Melvin S. Cooper
Title: Title: Chairman of the Board
ATTEST: OUTSOURCING SOLUTIONS INC.
By: /s/ TYLER T. ZACHEM
- ----------------------------- ----------------------------------
Name: Name: Tyler T. Zachem
Title: Title: Vice President
ATTEST: SHERMAN ACQUISITION CORPORATION
By: /s/ TYLER T. ZACHEM
- ----------------------------- ----------------------------------
Name: Name: Tyler T. Zachem
Title: Title: Vice President and Treasurer
<PAGE>
ANNEX I
TO SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
CONDITIONS TO THE SHARE PURCHASE
The capitalized terms used in this Annex I shall have the meanings set
forth in the Agreement to which it is annexed.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer or the Agreement, Sub
shall not be required to accept for payment or, subject to any applicable rules
and regulations of the SEC, including Rule 14e-1c under the Exchange Act, pay
for any shares of Common Stock tendered pursuant to the Offer and may terminate
the Offer or amend the Offer as and to the extent provided in Section 1.1 of the
Agreement and may postpone the acceptance of, and payment for, shares of Common
Stock, if (i) there shall not have been validly tendered and not withdrawn prior
to the expiration of the Offer a number of shares of Common Stock which
represent two-thirds of the total voting power of all shares of capital stock of
the Corporation outstanding on a fully-diluted basis, (ii) any applicable
waiting period under the HSR Act shall not have expired or been terminated,
(iii) Parent shall not have received financing necessary for it and Sub to
consummate the Offer and the other transactions contemplated by the Agreement in
accordance with the terms of the bank commitment letter dated December 22, 1997,
to Parent from The Chase Manhattan Bank, Chase Securities Inc. and Goldman Sachs
Credit Partners L.P. or (iv) if, at any time on or after the date of the
Agreement and at or before the Share Purchase any of the following shall occur:
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(a) there shall be instituted or pending any action or proceeding by
any government or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, or
by any other Person, domestic or foreign, before any court or governmental
authority or agency, domestic or foreign, (i) challenging or seeking to, or
which could reasonably be expected to make illegal, impede, delay or
otherwise directly or indirectly materially restrain, prohibit or make more
costly the Offer or the Merger or seeking to obtain material damages, (ii)
seeking to prohibit or materially limit the ownership or operation by
Parent or Sub of all or any material portion of the business or assets of
the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or to compel
Parent or Sub to dispose of or hold separately all or any material portion
of the business or assets of Parent or Sub or the Corporation or any of its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole or seeking to impose any material limitation
by reason of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement on the ability
of Parent or Sub to conduct its business or own such assets, (iii) seeking
to impose limitations on the ability of Parent or Sub effectively to
exercise full rights of ownership of the shares of Common Stock, including,
without limitation, the right to vote any shares of Common Stock acquired
or owned by Sub or Parent on all matters properly presented to the
Corporation's shareholders, (iv) seeking to require divestiture by Parent
or Sub of any shares of Common Stock, (v) otherwise directly or indirectly
relating to the Offer or the Merger and which, could reasonably be expected
to materially adversely affect the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries
or Sub or Parent, or (vi) otherwise having a Material Adverse Effect on the
Corporation and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(b) there shall be any action taken, or any statute, rule,
regulation, legislation, interpretation, judgment, order or injunction
proposed, enacted, enforced, promulgated, amended, issued or deemed
applicable to (i) Parent, Sub, the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the
Corporation or (ii) the Offer or the Merger, by any legislative body,
court, government or governmental, administrative or regulatory authority
or agency, domestic or foreign, other than the routine application of the
waiting period provisions of the HSR Act to the Offer or to the Merger,
which could reasonably be expected to directly or indirectly, result in any
of the consequences referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of paragraph
(a) above;
A-II
<PAGE>
(c) any change (other than as a result of general economic
conditions) shall have occurred, or Parent shall have become aware of any
fact, that is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Corporation and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(d) any of the representations or warranties made by the Corporation
in the Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall be untrue or
incorrect in any respect or any of such representations and warranties that
are not so qualified shall be untrue or incorrect in any material respect
as of the date of this Agreement or immediately prior to the Share
Purchase;
(e) the Corporation's Board of Directors shall have withdrawn,
modified or amended in any respect adverse to Parent or Sub its
recommendation of the Offer or the Merger, or shall have resolved to do so;
(f) the Corporation shall have failed to perform in any material
respect any material obligation or to comply in any material respect with
any material agreement or material covenant of the Corporation to be
performed or complied with by it under this Agreement; or
(g) the Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its
terms;
which, in the reasonable judgment of Sub, makes it inadvisable to proceed with
such acceptance for payment or payment.
The foregoing conditions (including those set forth in clauses (i)-(iv)
above) are for the sole benefit of the Parent and Sub and may be asserted by any
of them, or may be waived by the Parent or Sub, in whole or in part at any time
and from time to time in its sole discretion. The failure by the Parent or Sub
at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver
of any such right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may
be asserted at any time and from time to time.
A-III
<PAGE>
THE UNION CORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
-----------------------
ARTICLE I
CORPORATE NAME
The name of the Corporation is THE UNION CORPORATION (hereinafter
called the "Corporation").
ARTICLE II
REGISTERED OFFICE; REGISTERED AGENT
The address of the current registered office is 1013 Centre Road, City
of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19805-1297. The name of the
current registered agent is CSC The United States Corporation Company.
ARTICLE III
CORPORATE PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage, directly or indirectly,
in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as from time to time in effect.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL STOCK
The total authorized capital stock of the Corporation shall be 100
shares of Common Stock, all of which are $0.01 par value.
ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The business of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction
of the Board of Directors except as otherwise provided by law. The number of
Directors of the Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by, or in the
manner provided in, the By-Laws. Election of Directors need not be by written
ballot unless the By-Laws of the Corporation shall so provide.
ARTICLE VI
BY-LAWS
The Board of Directors may make, alter or repeal the By-Laws of the
Corporation except as otherwise provided in the By-Laws adopted by the
Corporation's stockholders.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION
To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation
Law as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, a
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director of this Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as director.
Without limiting the foregoing in any respect, a director of this Corporation
shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as 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 an improper personal benefit.
A. RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION. (1) Each person who was or is made
party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit
or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person
of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer
of the Corporation, including service with respect to employee benefit plans,
whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity
as a director, officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving
as a director, officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held
harmless by the Corporation to the fullest
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extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or
may hereafter be amended (but, in case of any such amendment, only to the extent
that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification
rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such
amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees,
judgments, fines, ERISA exercise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be
paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection
therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased
to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of
his or her heirs, executors, and administrators, and (2) the Corporation may
indemnify and hold harmless in such manner any person who was or is made a party
or is threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by reason of the fact that
he, she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was
serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation or a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise; provided, however, that except as provided in Section B of this
Article, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification
in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only
if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors of
the Corporation. In the event a director or officer of the Corporation shall
serve as a director, officer, employee
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<PAGE>
or agent of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise in which the Corporation maintains an investment, it shall be
conclusively presumed for purposes of the indemnification provided for in
subsection (2) above that such service has been undertaken at the request of the
Corporation. The foregoing presumption shall apply regardless of whether such
director or officer is serving such entity at the request of a third party or
that his or her service with such entity was commenced prior to the
effectiveness of this article of the certificate of incorporation or prior to
his or her becoming an officer or director of the Corporation. The right to
indemnification conferred in subsection (1) above shall be a contract right
based upon an offer from the Corporation which shall be deemed to be accepted by
such person's service or continued service with the Corporation for any period
after the adoption of this article of the certificate of incorporation 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
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<PAGE>
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 Section or otherwise. The
Corporation may, by action of its board of directors, provide indemnification to
employees or agents of the Corporation with the same scope and effect as the
foregoing indemnification of directors and officers.
B. RIGHT OF CLAIMANT TO BRING SUIT. If a claim under Section A(1)
of this Article is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty days after
a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any
time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount
of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be
entitled to be paid also the expenses (including attorneys' fees) of prosecuting
such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action
brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in
advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any is
required, has been rendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met
the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the Delaware General
Corporation Law for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for amount
claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation.
Neither the failure of the Corporation
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(including its board of directors, independent legal counsel, or its
stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances
because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation
(including its board of directors, independent legal counsel, or its
stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct,
shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has
not met the applicable standard of conduct.
C. NONEXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. The right to indemnification and the
payment of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final
disposition conferred in this Section shall not be exclusive of any other right
which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of
the certificate of incorporation, by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.
D. INSURANCE. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its
expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the
Corporation would have the power to indemnify such
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<PAGE>
person against such expense, liability or loss under the liability Delaware
General Corporation Law.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENT
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 upon stockholders
herein are granted subject to this reservation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Union Corporation has caused this certificate
to be signed by [__________], its Chairman of the Board of Directors and
attested by [__________], its Secretary, this __th day _________, 19__.
THE UNION CORPORATION
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
Title: Chairman of the
Board of Directors
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<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.1
OUTSOURCING SOLUTIONS INC. AGREES TO ACQUIRE
THE UNION CORPORATION FOR APPROXIMATELY $190 MILLION,
CREATING ONE OF THE LARGEST RECEIVABLES MANAGEMENT
COMPANIES IN THE COUNTRY
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (December 23, 1997)--Outsourcing Solutions Inc. and The
Union Corporation (NYSE:UCO), Charleston, S.C., announced today that they
have entered into a definitive Merger Agreement whereby OSI will tender for
all of the outstanding capital stock of Union for $31.50 per share, or
approximately $190 million. The Board of Directors of Union has unanimously
approved the tender offer and the merger, and has recommended that all
shareholders of Union accept the offer. The transaction is subject to certain
conditions, including Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance and the completion of
committed financing.
With this acquisition, OSI, a McCown De Leeuw & Co. portfolio company,
will become one of the largest receivables management company in the United
States with pro forma 1997 revenue of approximately $450 million. The
combination of OSI and Union will create a receivables management company that
is capable of offering services across the entire spectrum of the receivables
management market, from credit usage and management, to outsourcing of
pre-charge-off receivables, to contingent collection of delinquent debts, to
purchasing portfolios of charged-off debt.
Union, which posted $121.7 million in revenue in the year ended June 30,
1997, operates in three primary market segments through its Transworld
Systems division, the largest collection agency serving small businesses;
Allied Bond & Collection Agency and Capital Credit Corporation, both
contingent collection agencies; and Interactive Performance and High
Performance Services, units which provide leading-edge credit usage and
receivables management outsourcing services to major corporations.
Timothy G. Beffa, OSI's president and chief executive officer, noted the
excellent strategic fit of the acquisition. "This transaction is a significant
step in OSI's strategy toward creating the leading full-service receivables
management firm," he said. "The addition of Union will expand our ability to
provide superior service to clients in all the major credit-granting
industries."
Union chairman Melvin L. Cooper and president and chief executive
officer William B. Hewitt echoed Beffa's comments. "The combination of OSI
and Union creates an entity with the broadest capabilities to serve the needs
of credit grantors nationwide, given the depth and breadth of our human,
financial and information resources," they said.
OSI was formed in September 1995 by McCown De Leeuw & Co., a private
equity firm with offices in New York City and Menlo Park, California, to
become one of the leading companies is the highly fragmented and rapidly
consolidating collections industry. OSI serves credit grantors in a wide
range of industries including banking, retailing, health care, government and
education, direct marketing, telecommunications and utilities.
The Union transaction represents OSI's seventh acquisition since its
formation and its third in the last months. In November, OSI acquired
Accelerated Bureau of Collections, Englewood, Colorado, an agency that
specializes in contingent collections, primarily for bank card issuers. In
October, OSI acquired North Shore Agency, Inc., Great Neck, N.Y., one of the
largest providers of letter series collection and billing services to direct
marketers, utilities and cable companies. Earlier acquisitions include
Account Portfolios Inc., Atlanta, a portfolio purchasing firm; The
Continental Alliance, Seattle, a contingent collection agency; A.M. Miller,
Minneapolis, a contingent collection agency, and Payco American Corp.,
Milwaukee, a multi-line firm providing contingent collections and outsourcing
services to credit grantors in a wide range of industries.
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For more information, contact:
Timothy G. Beffa, President and CEO, OSI
314-514-2600
Daniel J. Dolan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, OSI
314-514-2614
Peter D. Waldstein, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, OSI
314-514-2603
Melvin L. Cooper, Chairman of the Board, Union
212-751-6422
William B. Hewitt, President and CEO, Union
803-958-3801
Nicholas P. Gill, Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Chief
Financial Officer, Union
203-629-0505
