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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 14D-9
SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(d)(4)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
WYLE ELECTRONICS
(NAME OF SUBJECT COMPANY)
WYLE ELECTRONICS
(NAME OF PERSON FILING STATEMENT)
COMMON STOCK, WITHOUT PAR VALUE
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
(TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
983051103
(CUSIP NUMBER OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)
STEPHEN D. NATCHER, ESQ.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT -- ADMINISTRATION,
GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
WYLE ELECTRONICS
15370 BARRANCA PARKWAY
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA 92618
(714) 753-9953
(NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE
NUMBER OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO
RECEIVE NOTICE AND COMMUNICATIONS ON
BEHALF OF THE PERSON FILING STATEMENT)
with a copy to:
GARY J. SINGER, ESQ.
C. JAMES LEVIN, ESQ.
O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
610 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE, SUITE 1700
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92660
(714) 760-9600
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ITEM 1. SECURITY AND SUBJECT COMPANY.
The name of the subject company is Wyle Electronics, a California
corporation (the "Company"), and the address of the principal executive offices
of the Company is 15370 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, California 92618. The title of
the class of equity securities to which this statement relates is the common
stock, without par value, of the Company, including the associated preferred
stock purchase rights (the "Rights") issued pursuant to the Company's Amended
and Restated Rights Agreement, dated February 23, 1995, between the Company and
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. (as successor to Chemical Bank), as
Successor Rights Agent, as amended by the First Amendment to Rights Agreement,
dated as of July 2, 1997 (collectively, the "Common Stock").
ITEM 2. TENDER OFFER OF THE BIDDER.
This statement relates to the tender offer (the "Offer") by EBV Electronics
Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Purchaser") and an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Raab Karcher AG, a corporation organized under the laws of the
Federal Republic of Germany ("Parent"), disclosed in a Tender Offer Statement on
Schedule 14D-1 (the "Schedule 14D-1"), dated July 9, 1997, to purchase all
outstanding shares of Common Stock at $50.00 per share (the "Offer Price"), net
to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
the Offer to Purchase included in the Schedule 14D-1 (as it may be amended from
time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"). The Offer is being made pursuant to an
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 3, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"),
among Parent, Purchaser and the Company, and as soon as practicable after the
completion of the Offer, the Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company
(the "Merger"), and the Company will become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary
of Parent (the "Surviving Corporation"). According to the Schedule 14D-1, the
address of the principal executive offices of Purchaser is
Rudolf-v.-Bennigsen-Foerder-Platz 1, 45131 Essen, Germany.
ITEM 3. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.
(a) The name and address of the Company, which is the person filing this
statement, are set forth in Item 1 above.
(b) Certain contracts, agreements, arrangements and understandings that may
pose actual or potential conflicts of interest between the Company or its
affiliates and (i) its executive officers, directors or affiliates or (ii)
Parent, Purchaser and their respective executive officers, directors or
affiliates are described in the attached Schedule I which is incorporated herein
by reference. See also "Background of the Offer; Contacts with the Company; the
Merger Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement and the Rights Agreement" in the
Offer to Purchase, attached hereto as an exhibit and incorporated herein by
reference for a description of certain such contracts, agreements, arrangements,
understandings and conflicts of interest. For a description of the background of
the transaction and recent contacts between the Parent and the Company, see Item
4 "The Solicitation or Recommendation" below.
The Merger Agreement
The summary of the Merger Agreement contained in the Offer to Purchase, a
copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 1, is incorporated herein by
reference. Such summary should be read in its entirety for a more complete
description of the terms and provisions of the Merger Agreement. The following
summarizes certain portions of the Merger Agreement, which relate to
arrangements among the Company, Parent and the Company's executive officers and
directors. The summary of the Merger Agreement contained in the Offer to
Purchase and the following summary are qualified in their entirety by reference
to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3 and is
incorporated herein by reference.
Directors of the Company. The Merger Agreement provides that promptly
following the purchase of and payment for shares of Common Stock by Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer (as defined in the Merger Agreement), Purchaser will be
entitled to designate such number of directors, rounded down to the nearest
whole number, on the Board of Directors of the Company as will give Purchaser
representation on the Board of Directors equal to the product of the total
number of directors on the Board and the percentage that the
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aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Purchaser bears
to the total number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding (on a fully
diluted basis); provided, however, that Purchaser will be entitled to designate
a number of directors equal to or greater than 50% of the total number of
directors only if Purchaser purchases 90% or more of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock pursuant to the Offer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event
that Purchaser's designees are to be appointed or elected to the Board, until
the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement), the Board of Directors
will have at least three directors who are directors on the date of the Merger
Agreement and who are not officers of the Company (the "Independent Directors");
provided, that, in such event, if the number of Independent Directors is reduced
below three for any reason whatsoever, any remaining Independent Directors (or
Independent Director, if there is only one remaining) will be entitled to
designate persons to fill such vacancies who will be deemed to be Independent
Directors for purposes of the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, an affirmative vote of a majority of the Independent Directors will
be obtained prior to the Company entering into any material transaction with
Parent, Purchaser or any affiliate thereof.
The Merger Agreement further provides that, in the event the Company's
obligation to appoint or elect designees to the Board is subject to Section
14(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder, Parent will give the Company reasonable
notice of its intention to exercise its rights under the Merger Agreement and,
after receipt of such notice, the Company will promptly take such action as may
be required pursuant to Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1 in order to fulfill its
obligations regarding directors under the Merger Agreement and will include in
the Schedule 14D-9 or a separate Rule 14f-1 Statement to shareholders such
information with respect to the Company and its officers and directors as is
required under Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1 to fulfill its obligations regarding
directors under the Merger Agreement.
Acceleration of Stock Options. The Company maintains (i) the Wyle
Laboratories 1978 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the "1978 Plan"), (ii) the
Wyle Laboratories 1982 Stock Option Plan (the "1982 Plan"), (iii) the Wyle
Laboratories 1985 Stock Option Plan (the "1985 Plan"), (iv) the Wyle
Laboratories 1988 Stock Option Plan (the "1988 Plan"), (v) the Wyle Laboratories
1992 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1992 Plan"), (vi) the Wyle Laboratories 1993
Eligible Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "1993 Plan"), (vii) the Wyle
Electronics 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1995 Plan") and (viii) the Wyle
Electronics 1996 Eligible Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "1996 Plan" and
together with the 1978 Plan, the 1982 Plan, the 1985 Plan, 1988 Plan, the 1992
Plan, the 1993 Plan and the 1995 Plan, the "Plans"). The Merger Agreement
provides that, as soon as practicable following the date of the Merger
Agreement, the Company's Board of Directors (or, if appropriate, any committee
administering the Plans) will adopt such resolutions or take such other actions
as are required to provide that each outstanding stock option to purchase shares
of Common Stock (an "Existing Stock Option") theretofore granted under the Plans
will be accelerated so as to be fully exercisable prior to the consummation of
the Offer, and the Company will assure that each such Existing Stock Option
outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Offer will be
surrendered immediately prior to the consummation of the Offer. Consistent with
the Merger Agreement, on July 2, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors approved
an acceleration of the vesting and exercise of each outstanding option under the
Plans so as to cause each Existing Stock Option to be fully exercisable, and to
provide that Existing Stock Options not exercised are cancelled immediately
prior to the consummation of the Offer. The Company's Board of Directors further
resolved to pay to each holder of an Existing Stock Option, in connection with
such surrender of his or her outstanding Existing Stock Options, an amount in
cash equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to
such Existing Stock Options immediately prior to the consummation of the Offer
and (y) the excess of the Per Share Amount (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
over the per share exercise price of such Existing Stock Option.
As of June 30, 1997, Messrs. Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz, (President and Chief
Executive Officer), Joseph A. Adamczyk (Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer), R. Van Ness Holland, Jr. (Executive Vice
President -- Finance and Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer) and James N. Smith
(Executive Vice President), held Existing Stock Options to purchase 143,598,
108,000, 93,500 and 54,882 shares of Common Stock, respectively, at weighted
average exercise prices of $29.31, $27.02, $19.78 and $30.39, respectively
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(based on exercise prices ranging from $9.25 to $38.50). Each such Existing
Stock Option will be accelerated and cancelled (if not exercised prior to the
consummation of the Offer) in accordance with the foregoing.
As of June 30, 1997, Messrs. Charles M. Clough, Michael R. Corboy, Theodore
M. Freedman, Jack S. Kilby, Stanley A. Wainer, Kirk West and Frank S. Wyle,
members of the Company's Board of Directors, held Existing Stock Options to
purchase 28,000, 18,000, 12,999, 18,000, 12,000, 17,000 and 18,000 shares of
Common Stock, respectively, at weighted average exercise prices of $28.80,
$31.47, $26.47, $23.93, $27.25, $32.29 and $23.93, respectively (based on
exercise prices ranging from $17.25 to $44.375). Each such Existing Stock Option
will be accelerated and cancelled (if not exercised prior to the consummation of
the Offer) in accordance with the foregoing.
As of June 30, 1997, employees (other than the officers named above) and
former directors held Existing Stock Options granted under the Plans to purchase
an aggregate of 370,006 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average exercise
price of $24.72 per share (based on exercise prices ranging from $9.00 to
$38.50). Each such Existing Stock Option will be accelerated and cancelled (if
not exercised prior to the consummation of the Offer) in accordance with the
foregoing.
The Company has granted shares of restricted stock to certain of its
executive officers in lieu of earned cash compensation (except for an award of
1,000 shares in 1994 to Mr. Holland) under the 1992 Plan and the 1995 Plan for a
purchase price of $1.00 per share. As of June 30, 1997, 58,737 shares of such
restricted stock had not yet become vested pursuant to the terms of such grants
(Mr. Adamczyk 9,078 shares, Mr. Holland 11,806 shares, Mr. Ozorkiewicz 26,653
shares and Mr. Smith 11,200 shares). Such shares will fully vest, free of
restrictions, in connection with the Offer.
The Merger Agreement provides that all Plans will terminate as of the
Effective Time and the provisions in any other Benefit Plan (as defined in the
Merger Agreement) providing for the issuance, transfer or grant of any capital
stock of the Company or any interest in respect of any capital stock of the
Company will be terminated as of the Effective Time, and the Company will use
its best efforts to ensure that following the Effective Time no holder of an
Existing Stock Option or any participant in any Plan will have any right
thereunder to acquire any capital stock of the Company, Parent or the Surviving
Corporation, except as provided above.
Benefit Plans. The Merger Agreement provides that, for a period of at
least through December 31, 1998, Parent will cause the Surviving Corporation to
continue to maintain the Company's existing compensation, severance, welfare and
pension benefit plans, programs and arrangements (other than any stock based
plans, programs and arrangements) for the benefit of current and former
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (subject to such modification as
may be required by applicable law or to maintain the tax exempt status of any
such plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code")); provided, however, that (i)
nothing therein prohibits Parent from replacing any such existing plan, program
or arrangement with a plan, program or arrangement which provides such employees
with benefits which are not less favorable in the aggregate than the benefits
that would have been provided under such existing plan, program or arrangement
to the extent such replacement is permitted under the terms of the applicable
plan, program or arrangement and (ii) nothing therein obligates Parent to
provide such employees with any stock based compensation (including, without
limitation, stock options or stock appreciation rights) after the Effective
Time.
In the Merger Agreement, Parent also agreed to institute during the
one-year period following the Effective Time a new performance-based incentive
compensation plan for the benefit of employees of the Surviving Corporation and
its subsidiaries.
The Merger Agreement also provides that all service credited to each
employee by the Company through the Effective Time will be recognized by Parent
for all purposes, including for purposes of eligibility, vesting and benefit
accruals under any employee benefit plan provided by the Surviving Corporation
or Parent for the benefit of the employees; provided, however, that, to the
extent necessary to avoid duplication of benefits, amounts payable under
employee benefit plans provided by the Surviving Corporation or Parent may be
reduced by amounts payable under similar Company plans with respect to the same
periods of service.
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Parent also agreed to cause the Surviving Corporation to honor (without
modification) and assume, and thereby guaranteed the Surviving Corporation's
performance of, certain employment agreements, executive termination agreements
and individual benefit arrangements set forth in the Merger Agreement or
disclosed to Parent. See "Employment Agreements" below.
Indemnification and Insurance. In the Merger Agreement, Parent and
Purchaser have agreed that all rights to indemnification for acts or omissions
occurring prior to the Effective Time now existing in favor of the current or
former directors, officers, employees and agents (the "Indemnified Parties") of
the Company and its subsidiaries as provided in their respective certificates of
incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) will survive the
Merger and will continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms
for a period of not less than six years. From and after the Effective Time and
for a period of not less than six years thereafter, Parent will, and will cause
the Surviving Corporation to, indemnify and hold harmless any and all
Indemnified Parties to the full extent such persons may be indemnified by the
Company or such subsidiaries, as the case may be, pursuant to applicable law,
their respective certificates of incorporation or bylaws (or similar
organizational documents) or pursuant to indemnification agreements as in effect
on the date of the Merger Agreement for acts or omissions occurring at or prior
to the Effective Time, and Parent will, or will cause the Surviving Corporation
to, advance litigation expenses incurred by such persons in connection with
defending any action arising out of such acts or omissions to the extent
provided by the respective terms and provisions of such certificates of
incorporation, bylaws, similar documents or indemnification agreements as in
effect on the date of the Merger Agreement.
The Merger Agreement further provides that, for not less than six years
from the Effective Time, Parent will maintain in effect the Company's current
directors' and officers' liability insurance covering those persons who are
currently covered by the Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance
policy; provided, however, that in no event will Parent be required to pay a
premium in any one year in an amount in excess of 175% of the annual premium
paid by the Company (which annual premium the Company represented to be
approximately $475,000); and provided, further, that if the annual premium of
such insurance coverage exceeds such amount, Parent will be obligated to obtain
a policy with the greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding such
amount.
Amendment to Rights Agreement
In connection with and prior to the Company's entering into the Merger
Agreement, on July 2, 1997, the Company amended its Rights Agreement to the
extent necessary to permit Parent and Purchaser to perform their obligations
under the Merger Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement without being deemed to be a "15% Shareholder" or otherwise
triggering a "Distribution Date," each as defined in the Rights Agreement, by
reason of the execution of, or consummation of the transactions contemplated in,
the Merger Agreement. If the Rights Agreement had not been so amended and if the
Offer, the Merger Agreement or any of the respective transactions contemplated
thereby had resulted in Parent being deemed the beneficial owner of 15% or more
of the shares of Common Stock outstanding, it may have resulted in a
distribution to the Company's shareholders (other than Purchaser and Parent) of
Rights certificates separate from the Common Stock.
The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Rights Agreement and the amendment to the Rights Agreement, copies of which are
respectively filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 and are incorporated herein by
reference.
The Stock Option Agreement
The consummation of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
certain conditions, including the approval of the Merger Agreement by the
requisite vote, if any, of the shareholders of the Company. See "Purpose of the
Offer; Plans for the Company After the Offer and the Merger" in the Offer to
Purchase. Under the California Corporations Code ("California Law"), if
Purchaser acquires, pursuant to the Offer, the Stock Option (as defined below)
or otherwise, at least 90% of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding,
Purchaser will be able to effect the Merger, without a vote of the Company's
shareholders. In such event,
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Parent, Purchaser and the Company have agreed in the Merger Agreement to take
all necessary and appropriate action to cause the Merger to become effective as
soon as practicable after such acquisition, without a meeting of the Company's
shareholders.
Under California Law, the Merger may not be accomplished for cash paid to
the Company's shareholders if Purchaser or Parent owns directly or indirectly
more than 50% but less than 90% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock,
unless either all the shareholders consent or the Commissioner of Corporations
of the State of California approves, after a hearing, the terms and conditions
of the Merger and the fairness thereof. Simultaneously with entering into the
Merger Agreement, and as an inducement to Parent and Purchaser to enter into the
Merger Agreement, the Company entered into a Stock Option Agreement with Parent
and Purchaser, dated as of July 3, 1997 (the "Stock Option Agreement"). Pursuant
to the Stock Option Agreement, the Company granted to Purchaser an irrevocable
option (the "Stock Option") to purchase up to the number of shares of Common
Stock (the "Option Shares") that, when added to the number of shares of Common
Stock owned by Purchaser and its affiliates following the consummation of the
Offer, would constitute 90% of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding on a
fully diluted basis (assuming the issuance of the Option Shares) at a cash
purchase price per Option Share equal to $50.00, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the Stock Option Agreement. The Stock Option may not be
exercised prior to Purchaser's acceptance for payment pursuant to the Offer of
shares of Common Stock constituting more than 50% of the shares of Common Stock
then outstanding. If the Stock Option is exercised by Purchaser (resulting in
Purchaser acquiring 90% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock),
Parent will be able to effect a short-form merger under California Law, subject
to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement. The foregoing summary is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Stock Option Agreement, a copy of
which is attached as Exhibit 4 and is incorporated herein by reference.
In the event that more than 50% of the shares of Common Stock then
outstanding are tendered pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn, but less than
90% of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding on a fully diluted basis are
acquired by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer and the Stock Option, then Purchaser
will waive the Minimum Condition and amend the Offer to reduce the number of
shares of Common Stock subject to the Offer to 6,102,321 shares of Common Stock
or such greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock as equals 49.9% of
the shares of Common Stock then outstanding (the "Revised Minimum Number") and,
if a greater number of shares of Common Stock is tendered into the Offer and not
withdrawn, purchase, on a pro rata basis, the Revised Minimum Number of shares
of Common Stock (it being understood that Purchaser shall not in any event be
required to accept for payment, or pay for, any shares of Common Stock if less
than the Revised Minimum Number of shares of Common Stock are tendered pursuant
to the Offer and not withdrawn at the expiration of the Offer). In such event,
Purchaser would own upon consummation of the Offer 49.9% of the shares of Common
Stock then outstanding and would thereafter solicit the approval of the Merger
Agreement by a vote of the shareholders of the Company. Under such
circumstances, a significantly longer period of time will be required to effect
the Merger. See "Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company After the Offer and
the Merger" in the Offer to Purchase.
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Confidentiality Agreements
The Company and Parent entered into a confidentiality agreement, dated
April 8, 1997 (the "Initial Confidentiality Agreement"). The Initial
Confidentiality Agreement was superseded by a letter agreement, executed on June
2, 1997 effective as of April 9, 1997 (as amended, the "Confidentiality
Agreement"), pursuant to which Parent agreed, among other things, (a) to keep
confidential certain information concerning the Company to be provided to Parent
in connection with Parent's evaluation of a possible transaction involving the
Company and (b) customary "standstill" provisions limiting Parent's freedom of
action with respect to proposals to acquire shares of the Common Stock and
certain other actions that would affect control of the Company. The foregoing
summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Initial Confidentiality
Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement, copies of which are filed as
Exhibits 5 and 6 hereto, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
Employment and Other Agreements
The Company has entered into agreements (the "Agreements") with its
executive officers (Messrs. Ozorkiewicz, Adamczyk, Holland and Smith). The
Agreements with Messrs. Ozorkiewicz, Adamczyk, Holland and Smith are three year
"evergreen" employment agreements which provide for minimum annual compensation
($500,000, $325,000, $265,000 and $265,000, respectively) plus 50% of the
officer's incentive target or actual incentive if less than 50% in any year.
Each of these agreements provides for termination for cause or in case of death,
illness or disability of the employee. Each Agreement provides that, upon a
termination of the individual's employment by the Company without "Just Cause"
or resignation for "Good Reason," the individual is entitled to receive (i) all
compensation and bonuses due prior to the date of discharge or resignation, and
(ii) a lump sum payment equal to the present value of the compensation which
would be received by him through the term of the agreement had the resignation
or discharge not occurred (subject to certain limits, however, calculated with
reference to Section 280G of the Code). Upon a Change in Control (as defined
below), (i) the events allowing the Company to discharge an individual under one
of the Agreements for "Just Cause" are limited to two: (x) conviction of a crime
of moral turpitude or (y) actions injurious to the Company involving moral
turpitude or actual malice, and (ii) the events allowing such an individual to
resign for "Good Reason" are expanded to include the failure of the Company or
its successor to assume the Agreement on its existing terms. Therefore, an
individual who is subject to one of the Agreements who is discharged or resigns
following a Change in Control will be more likely to be entitled to receive the
specified benefits than if he was discharged or resigned prior to a Change in
Control.
A "Change in Control" is generally defined to occur when (i) any "person"
(as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes
the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities representing 35% or more of the combined
voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities, or (ii) during any
two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period
constitute the Company's Board of Directors cease for any reason to constitute
at least a majority thereof (unless the election or nomination of each new Board
member was approved by three-fourths of the Board members then still in office
who were Board members at the beginning of such period). The consummation of the
Offer will constitute a "Change in Control."
The Company has also approved an arrangement concerning Mr. Ozorkiewicz'
termination of employment due to his physical disability. See the attached
Schedule I.
The Company has entered into Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreements
with Mr. Charles M. Clough and Mr. Theodore M. Freedman whereby Messrs. Clough
and Freedman will (unless they elect otherwise) receive, upon a Change in
Control, a lump sum payment equal to the present value of the future benefits
that they would otherwise have been paid under the terms of such agreements.
Pursuant to such agreements, the lump sum payments to Messrs. Clough and
Freedman would be approximately $854,000 and $451,000, respectively, upon
consummation of the Offer. Messrs. Clough and Freedman are permitted to elect to
continue to receive periodic benefits in lieu of such lump sums.
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The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the
agreements filed as Exhibits 10.15 through 10.28 hereto, which are incorporated
herein by reference.
Payments Under Certain Benefit Plans
The Company maintains the Wyle Electronics Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan (the "SERP") which provides for the payment of certain pension
benefits to certain employees of the Company whose retirement benefits under the
Company's basic retirement plan were reduced as a result of certain legal limits
applicable to such plan. Currently, Messrs. Adamczyk, Clough, Freedman, Holland,
Ozorkiewicz, Smith and Mr. Stanley A. Wainer participate in the SERP. The
Company also maintains the Wyle Electronics Outside Directors' Retirement Plan
(the "Outside Directors' Plan") which is an unfunded retirement plan for the
benefit of the Company's non-employee directors. Pursuant to the SERP and the
Outside Directors' Plan, benefits become fully vested upon the occurrence of a
Change in Control and the Company must (unless the participant elects otherwise)
pay the present value of a participant's lump sum benefit under such plans
within 10 days following such a Change in Control. The consummation of the Offer
will therefore accelerate the vesting and may accelerate the payment of benefits
under the SERP and the Outside Directors' Plan. If their benefits are paid in
lump sums, the benefits payable from the SERP to Messrs. Adamczyk, Clough,
Freedman, Holland, Ozorkiewicz, Smith and Wainer will total approximately
$3,958,000. The benefits payable from the Outside Directors' Plan to current
directors will total approximately $1,125,000.
The Company also maintains the Wyle Electronics Deferred Compensation Plan
for Directors (the "Directors Deferred Compensation Plan"), which provides
non-employee directors with the opportunity to voluntarily defer compensation.
See Schedule I attached hereto. The trust agreement adopted under the Directors
Deferred Compensation Plan provides that, within five days after a Change in
Control, the Company will pay the trustee under such trust agreement an amount
equal to the difference between the sum of the account balance of all the
participants in the Directors Deferred Compensation Plan less the value of the
assets in the trust as of the first day of the month in which the Change in
Control occurs. In addition, no later than 60 days after the calendar year in
which the Change in Control occurs, the Company must again make a payment equal
to such difference, determined as of the first day of such calendar year. The
Company expects to pay approximately $313,500 to the trust in order to satisfy
such obligations.
The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the
respective plans filed as Exhibits 10.11 through 10.14 hereto, which are
incorporated herein by reference.
Limited Liability Company Agreement
The Limited Liability Company Agreement (the "LLC Agreement") of Accord
Contract Services LLC, entered into as of August 8, 1996, established Accord
Contract Services LLC ("Accord LLC"), a limited liability company which is owned
50% each by the Company and by Marshall Industries ("Marshall"). Accord LLC was
established for the purpose of providing materials management services to the
Company and Marshall. Under the terms of the LLC Agreement, the change in
ownership of the Common Stock which will
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result upon the consummation of the Offer may entitle Marshall, at its option,
to initiate the dissolution of Accord LLC and thereby become entitled to receive
a termination fee in the amount of approximately $25,150,000 from the Company.
Indemnification Agreements
Pursuant to the power granted to the Company under its Bylaws, the Company
is a party to an indemnity agreement (the "Indemnification Agreement") with each
of the Directors, executive officers and certain other officers, which provides
that the indemnitee will be entitled to receive indemnification, including
advancement of expenses, to the full extent permitted by law for all expenses,
damages, liabilities, and settlement payments incurred by the indemnitee in
actions brought against the indemnitee in connection with any act taken in the
indemnitee's capacity as a director or executive officer of the Company.
ITEM 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION.
(a) Recommendation. The Board of Directors of the Company at a special
meeting held on July 2, 1997, unanimously approved the Offer and determined that
each of the Offer and the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, the
shareholders of the Company, and recommends that shareholders accept the Offer.
ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE
COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS ACCEPT THE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER.
(b) Background of the Offer.
The Company has considered continued growth in revenues and earnings as a
key part of its strategic plan. In that connection, the Company, from time to
time since 1994, has explored potential strategic combinations, including
potential mergers or acquisitions, with other industry participants. In 1995,
for instance, it entered into discussions to merge with a similarly-sized
industry participant. Such discussions terminated without achieving a
transaction. And, except for the Company's acquisition of Sylvan Ginsbury in
1996 and the formation of Accord LLC, a strategic joint venture with Marshall
Industries, in 1996, no other potential opportunities identified by the Company
yielded a transaction.
In June 1996, Dr. Ferdinand Pohl, a Member of the Board of Management of
Parent, met with Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz, President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company, in Irvine, California. Dr. Pohl was visiting the United States on
other matters, and the two executives met to introduce themselves and to discuss
the opportunities and challenges each faced within the industry. Possible
collaborative efforts, not including a business combination, were discussed in
general terms.
On October 3, 1996, Dr. Pohl, Mr. Ozorkiewicz and Charles M. Clough,
Chairman of the Board of the Company, met in Irvine, California to exchange
information regarding the respective businesses of Parent and the Company.
Again, no business combination between Parent and the Company was discussed,
although possible collaborative efforts were raised again.
In mid-January 1997, Mr. Ozorkiewicz and R. Van Ness Holland, Jr., the
Company's Executive Vice President-Finance and Treasurer, Chief Financial
Officer, contacted Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ("CSFB"), the
Company's financial advisor, to discuss potential investments or combinations
that could be undertaken by the Company with Parent and others.
In February 1997, following their attendance at an industry conference, Mr.
Ozorkiewicz, Dr. Pohl and Peter Gurtler, President of EBV Elektronik GmbH (a
subsidiary of Parent), met in Phoenix, Arizona. At the meeting, Dr. Pohl
expressed an interest by Parent in exploring the possibility of entering into a
business combination with the Company.
At its meeting of March 9, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company
discussed a number of strategic alternatives available to the Company, such as a
business combination with one or more industry participants, including the
possibility of a business combination with Parent. Also in March, Dr. Pohl
invited Mr. Ozorkiewicz and Mr. Clough to meet with Parent in Germany in April.
8
<PAGE> 10
During March and early April 1997 Mr. Ozorkiewicz explored with the Chief
Executive Officer of another industry participant (the "Other Company") whether
that company was then in a position to pursue a strategic combination with the
Company. After initial discussions, Mr. Ozorkiewicz was informed that the Other
Company was not interested in entering into further discussions with the
Company.
On April 9, 1997, Dr. Pohl met with Mr. Clough and Mr. Ozorkiewicz in
Munich, Germany to have further discussions regarding a possible business
combination between Parent and the Company. At the meeting, Messrs. Clough and
Ozorkiewicz asked that Dr. Pohl formally indicate Parent's interest in the
Company by submitting a written proposal for a possible business combination
within the ensuing four weeks. Also at that meeting, Dr. Pohl and Mr.
Ozorkiewicz each executed a preliminary confidentiality letter agreement on
behalf of his respective company.
On May 7, 1997, the Company announced that Mr. Ozorkiewicz would depart
Wyle because of a serious illness, and that the Board of Directors intended to
commence a search for his successor.
Also on May 7 (and prior to the announcement of his intended departure from
the Company) Mr. Ozorkiewicz contacted Dr. Pohl to discuss the status of
Parent's written proposal. Dr. Pohl noted that Parent had retained Goldman Sachs
to act as its financial adviser and was intending shortly to submit a proposal
valuing the Company in the low-to-mid $40 range per share of Common Stock. Mr.
Ozorkiewicz expressed his view that a proposal in the low-$40 range per share of
Common Stock would be unlikely to receive serious consideration from the
Company's Board of Directors.
On May 12, 1997, Dr. Pohl sent a letter to Mr. Ozorkiewicz expressing
Parent's continued interest in pursuing a possible business combination and
indicating a preliminary valuation, based on publicly available information, in
the mid-$40 range per share of Common Stock.
On May 13, 1997, at the annual organizational meeting of the Company's
Board of Directors, the Board reviewed Parent's proposal. The Board authorized
the Company to permit Parent to conduct its diligence investigation of the
Company and to negotiate with Parent.
On May 27, 1997, Dr. Pohl, Gunther Beuth, a Member of Parent's Management
Board and Chief Financial Officer, and representatives of Goldman Sachs and
Parent's legal counsel, Shearman & Sterling, met in California with Mr.
Ozorkiewicz, Mr. Holland, and representatives of CSFB and the Company's outside
legal counsel, O'Melveny & Myers LLP, to discuss various organizational matters,
including the timing and procedures for the conduct of due diligence.
On June 2, 1997, Parent and the Company entered into a second
Confidentiality Letter, effective as of April 9, 1997.
From June 2 through June 6, 1997, the Company provided Parent and its
representatives access to requested information at the offices of the Company's
outside legal counsel in Newport Beach, California. Parent and its
representatives continued their due diligence review of the Company through June
17, 1997.
On June 16, 1997, Parent's legal counsel delivered drafts of the Merger
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement to the Company and its legal counsel
and other representatives. On June 17, 1997, representatives of Parent's and the
Company's respective legal counsel discussed various issues concerning the draft
Merger Agreement and Stock Option Agreement.
On June 18, 1997, Georg Kulenkampff, Chairman of Parent's Management Board,
Dr. Pohl and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Shearman & Sterling met with
Mr. Ozorkiewicz, Mr. Holland, Stephen D. Natcher, Senior Vice
President-Administration, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, and
representatives of CSFB and the Company's outside legal counsel in California.
At the meeting, the parties discussed a number of outstanding issues that would
need to be addressed in order to reach agreement on a business combination.
Parent's representatives proposed that, subject to the resolution of those
issues, they would be in a position to submit a proposed price for the
acquisition of the Company by the end of the following week.
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<PAGE> 11
During the week of June 23, 1997, Parent's and the Company's respective
legal counsel continued to discuss the draft Merger Agreement and Stock Option
Agreement.
On June 24, 1997, Dr. Pohl telephoned Mr. Ozorkiewicz to inform Mr.
Ozorkiewicz that Parent was considering making an offer to acquire the Company
at between $47 and $48 per share of Common Stock.
On June 24 and 25 representatives of CSFB and Goldman Sachs exchanged views
regarding the Parent's valuation of the Company.
On June 25, 1997, Mr. Kulenkampff and Dr. Pohl telephoned Mr. Ozorkiewicz
and communicated to Mr. Ozorkiewicz Parent's view that an appropriate value for
the Company would be $50 per share of Common Stock, subject to satisfactory
completion of the negotiation of the Merger Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement, and confirmation of certain due diligence matters.
From June 26 through July 2, 1997, Parent's and the Company's respective
legal counsel continued negotiations on the terms of the Merger Agreement and
the Stock Option Agreement and addressed the remaining due diligence matters.
All remaining issues under discussion were resolved by telephone
conferences on July 2, 1997.
On July 2, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors met and approved the
Merger Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement. Following approval of the
Merger Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by Parent's Supervisory Board on
the morning of July 3, 1997, the parties executed and delivered the Merger
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement.
(c) Reasons for the Recommendation. Prior to approving the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, the Board of Directors of
the Company received presentations and reviewed the terms and conditions of the
Offer and the Merger with the Company's management, legal counsel and financial
advisor. In reaching its conclusions described in paragraph (a) above, the Board
considered many factors, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) the terms and conditions of the Offer, the Merger Agreement and
related agreements;
(ii) the fact that the Offer and the Merger are not conditioned on
Parent or Purchaser obtaining financing to consummate the Offer and the
Merger;
(iii) the relationship between the price to be paid pursuant to the
Offer and the Merger and the current and recent historical market prices
for the Common Stock (including the fact that the consideration to be
received by shareholders pursuant to the Offer and the Merger represents a
substantial premium over the average of the prices at which trades in the
Common Stock have been reported over the 90 days ending on July 3, 1997);
(iv) certain of the challenges facing the Company in the near term,
including without limitation, the need to replace its Chief Executive
Officer;
(v) information with respect to the financial condition, results of
operations and business of the Company, on both an historical and a
prospective basis, current industry, economic and market conditions and
trends (including increased competition and recently announced
consolidations by the Company's major competitors), historical market
prices, price to earnings multiples and recent trading patterns of the
Common Stock, market prices and financial data relating to other companies
engaged in the same or similar businesses as the Company and the prices and
premiums paid and other terms in recent acquisition transactions in the
industry, and the Board's belief, on the basis of such information, that
the price to be paid in the Offer and the Merger fairly reflects the
Company's prospects and the risks and uncertainties as well as the
opportunities involved in the Company's current business environment;
(vi) the fact that while the Merger Agreement prohibits the Company
from soliciting other takeover proposals, the Company may, under certain
circumstances, furnish information concerning the Company to a third party
and may engage in discussions or negotiations with a third party regarding
certain takeover proposals. The Board also noted that the Company may
terminate the Merger
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<PAGE> 12
Agreement following receipt of a Superior Proposal (as defined in the
Merger Agreement). The Board also considered the termination fee that would
be payable to Parent in the event of any such termination, and concluded
that the fee and was reasonable and necessary to induce Parent to enter
into the Merger Agreement; and
(vii) the oral opinion of CSFB, later confirmed in writing, as of July
3, 1997, to the effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to
certain matters stated in such opinion, the cash consideration to be
received by holders of Common Stock (other than Purchaser) in the Offer and
the Merger was fair from a financial point of view, to such holders. The
full text of CSFB's written opinion, which sets forth the assumptions made,
matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken by CSFB, is
attached hereto as Schedule II and is incorporated herein by reference.
CSFB's opinion is directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, of the cash consideration to be received in the Offer and the Merger
by holders of Common Stock (other than Purchaser) and is not intended to
constitute, and does not constitute, a recommendation as to whether any
shareholder should tender Common Stock pursuant to the Offer. Shareholders
are urged to read such opinion carefully in its entirety.
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered and
given weight by the Board is not intended to be exhaustive. In view of the wide
variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the Offer and
the Merger, the Board of Directors did not find it practicable to, and did not,
quantify or otherwise attempt to assign relative weights to the specific factors
considered in reaching its determinations. In addition, individual members of
the Board may have given different weights to different factors.
It is expected that, if the Common Stock were not to be purchased by
Purchaser in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the Company's current
management (with the exception of Mr. Ozorkiewicz), under the general direction
of the Board, would continue to manage the Company as an ongoing business in
accordance with the Company's current long-term strategic plan.
ITEM 5. PERSONS RETAINED, EMPLOYED OR TO BE COMPENSATED.
The Company has retained CSFB as its financial advisor in connection with
Offer and the Merger. Pursuant to the terms of CSFB's engagement, the Company
has agreed to pay CSFB for its services an aggregate financial advisory fee
based on the total consideration (including liabilities assumed) payable in
connection with the offer and the Merger. The fee payable to CSFB is currently
estimated to be approximately $5.4 million. The Company also has agreed to
reimburse CSFB for reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses, including
legal fees and expenses, and to indemnify CSFB and certain related parties
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the federal securities
laws, arising out of CSFB's engagement. In the ordinary course of business, CSFB
and its affiliates may actively trade or hold the securities of the Company and
Parent for their own account or for the account of customers and, accordingly,
may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.
Except as set forth above, neither the Company nor any person acting on its
behalf has employed, retained or compensated any person to make solicitations or
recommendations to shareholders with respect to the Offer or the Merger.
ITEM 6. RECENT TRANSACTIONS AND INTENT WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES.
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule I or as described in Item 3(b) above
(the provisions of each of which are incorporated herein by reference), no
transactions in the Common Stock have been effected during the past 60 days by
the Company or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, by any executive
officer, director, affiliate or subsidiary of the Company.
(b) To the best of the Company's knowledge, each of the Company's executive
officers, directors and affiliates who own shares of Common Stock presently
intend to tender such shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Offer, except for
those shares of Common Stock, if any, which, if tendered, could cause them to
incur liability under the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and
except for shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise of Existing Stock
Options to the extent such Existing Stock Options will be
11
<PAGE> 13
cancelled in exchange for cash payments pursuant to the Merger Agreement as
referenced in Item 3(b) above.
ITEM 7. CERTAIN NEGOTIATIONS AND TRANSACTIONS BY THE SUBJECT COMPANY.
(a)-(b) None, except as set forth in "Background of the Offer; Contacts
with the Company; the Merger Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement and the
Rights Agreement;" "Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company After the Offer
and the Merger;" and "Dividends and Distributions" in the Offer to Purchase.
Additionally, the Company may have discussions with Marshall regarding the
impact, if any, of the consummation of the Offer on the LLC Agreement. See Item
3(b) "Identity and Background -- Limited Liability Company Agreement" above.
ITEM 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED.
Short Form Merger. Under California Law, if Purchaser acquires, pursuant
to the Offer, the Stock Option or otherwise, at least 90% of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, the Purchaser will be able to effect the Merger after
consummation of the Offer without a vote of the Company's shareholders. However,
if the Purchaser does not acquire at least 90% of the Common Stock pursuant to
the Offer or otherwise and a vote of the Company's shareholders is required
under California Law, a significantly longer period of time will be required to
effect the Merger.
Any necessary additional information is set forth in the Offer to Purchase.
ITEM 9. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
The following exhibits are filed herewith:
<TABLE>
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Exhibit 1 Offer to Purchase, dated July 9, 1997.*
Exhibit 2 Letter of Transmittal, dated July 9, 1997.*
Exhibit 3 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 3, 1997, among Raab Karcher
AG, EBV Electronics Inc. and Wyle Electronics (included as an exhibit to the
Offer to Purchase dated July 9, 1997, being filed as Exhibit 1 to this
Schedule 14D-9).
Exhibit 4 Stock Option Agreement, dated as of July 3, 1997, among Raab Karcher AG, EBV
Electronics Inc. and Wyle Electronics (included as an exhibit to the Offer
to Purchase dated July 9, 1997, being filed as Exhibit 1 to this Schedule
14D-9).
Exhibit 5 Initial Confidentiality Agreement, dated April 8, 1997, by and between Raab
Karcher AG and Wyle Electronics.
Exhibit 6 Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of April 9, 1997, by and between Raab
Karcher AG and Wyle Electronics, as amended June 20, 1997.
Exhibit 7 Letter to Shareholders of Wyle Electronics, dated July 9, 1997.*
Exhibit 8 Opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, dated July 3, 1997
(attached hereto as Schedule II).*
Exhibit 9 Joint Press Release, dated July 3, 1997, issued by Wyle Electronics and Raab
Karcher AG.
Exhibit 10.1 Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated February 23, 1995, between Wyle
Electronics and Chemical Bank, as Successor Rights Agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4(c) filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994).
Exhibit 10.2 Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of July 2, 1997, between Wyle
Electronics and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Successor
Rights Agent.
Exhibit 10.3 1978 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, as amended, dated June 14, 1988
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) filed with the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1989).
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
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Exhibit 10.4 1982 Stock Option Plan, as amended, dated June 14, 1988 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(b) filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1989).
Exhibit 10.5 1985 Stock Option Plan, as amended, dated June 14, 1988 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(c) filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 1989).
Exhibit 10.6 1988 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) filed
with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 1989).
Exhibit 10.7 1992 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement dated April 28, 1992 in connection with
the 1992 Annual Meeting of Shareholders).
Exhibit 10.8 1993 Eligible Directors' Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit A to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement dated March 28, 1994
in connection with the 1994 Annual Meeting of Shareholders).
Exhibit 10.9 1995 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Annex C to the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement dated March 28, 1995 in connection with
the 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders).
Exhibit 10.10 1996 Eligible Directors' Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, as filed with the SEC on July
8, 1997).
Exhibit 10.11 Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Wyle Electronics, as amended
effective May 13, 1997.
Exhibit 10.12 Wyle Electronics Executive Deferred Compensation Plan dated July 1, 1996
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(w) filed with the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996).
Exhibit 10.13 Outside Directors Retirement Plan, as amended May 13, 1997.
Exhibit 10.14 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended to date (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(o) filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993).
Exhibit 10.15 Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement between Theodore M. Freedman and
the Company dated February 1, 1985, as amended to date (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(q) filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993).
Exhibit 10.16 Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement, dated January 28, 1988, between
the Company and Charles M. Clough, as amended to date (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(s) filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993).
Exhibit 10.17 Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement, dated February 1, 1985, between
the Company and Charles M. Clough, as amended to date (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(r) filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993).
Exhibit 10.18 Compensation Agreement, dated February 10, 1981, between the Company and
Frank S. Wyle (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) filed with the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31,
1981).
Exhibit 10.19 Amendment to Compensation Agreement between Frank S. Wyle and the Company
dated November 16, 1989 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) filed
with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 1991).
Exhibit 10.20 Second Amendment to Compensation Agreement between Frank S. Wyle and the
Company dated December 23, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(h)
filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended January 31, 1992).
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
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Exhibit 10.21 Agreement, dated January 1, 1995, between the Company and Charles M. Clough
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(k) filed with the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995).
Exhibit 10.22 Amendment to Agreement, dated May 1, 1997, between Charles M. Clough and the
Company.
Exhibit 10.23 Employment Agreement between Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz and the Company dated
February 1, 1997.
Exhibit 10.24 Employment Agreement between Joseph A. Adamczyk and the Company dated
February 1, 1997.
Exhibit 10.25 Employment Agreement between R. Van Ness Holland, Jr, and the Company dated
February 1, 1997.
Exhibit 10.26 Employment Agreement between James N. Smith and the Company dated February
1, 1997.
Exhibit 10.27 Form of Indemnity Agreement entered into between the Company and each of its
directors and executive officers and each of the directors and officers of
its subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) filed with the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31,
1988).
Exhibit 10.28 Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Company and each
of its directors and executive officers and each of the directors and
officers of its subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(r)
filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended January 31, 1989).
Exhibit 10.29 Limited Liability Company Agreement of Accord Contract Services LLC between
the Company and Marshall Industries dated August 8, 1996 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10(a) filed with the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the third quarter ended September 30, 1996).
Exhibit 10.30 First, Second and Third Amendments to the Limited Liability Company
Agreement of Accord Contract Services LLC between the Company and Marshall
Industries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(al) filed with the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996).
Exhibit 10.31 Fourth Amendment to the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Accord
Contract Services LLC between the Company and Marshall Industries
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 filed with the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter ended March 31, 1997).
</TABLE>
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* Included in copies mailed to shareholders.
14
<PAGE> 16
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this Statement is true, complete and
correct.
Dated: July 9, 1997
WYLE ELECTRONICS
By: /s/ RALPH L. OZORKIEWICZ
------------------------------------
Name: Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
Title: President and Chief
Executive Officer
15
<PAGE> 17
SCHEDULE I
RECENT REVISION TO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
At a special meeting April 28, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company
determined that the employment of Mr. Ozorkiewicz would be terminated on account
of his disability. The Board of Directors has authorized the officers of the
Company to enter into an agreement with Mr. Ozorkiewicz concerning the
termination of his employment. Under terms approved by the Board of Directors,
if Mr. Ozorkiewicz provides a release of any claims against the Company, then in
lieu of any other payments under his Employment Agreement, the Company would
provide Mr. Ozorkiewicz a lump sum severance payment of $1,875,000, full vesting
of stock options and restricted stock, continued coverage under the Company's
medical benefit plan until he is eligible for Medicare, continued payment of
life insurance premiums until age 65 (subject to the right of the Company to
receive full repayment of such premiums), an increase to his retirement benefit
representing an additional three years of age and service, and transfer to him
of the Company car which he is currently using.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
The Executive Compensation Committee is charged with the determination of
compensation for non-employee directors. In September 1996, the Executive
Compensation Committee, with the assistance of Towers Perrin, the Committee's
independent compensation consultant, recommended to the Board of Directors
amendments to non-employee director compensation elements, which were approved
unanimously by the Board of Directors effective October 1, 1996. The purposes of
the amendments, as described below, were to set director cash compensation at
existing levels set forth below, to phase out the Outside Directors Retirement
Plan and, consistent with other companies of similar size, to place appropriate
emphasis on performance-based compensation elements by the adoption of the 1996
Eligible Directors Stock Option Plan covering a maximum of 250,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock.
Each non-employee director of the Company receives compensation for
services as a director at an annual rate of $27,500. Each non-employee director
is also paid $1,000 for each committee of which he is a member, $2,500 for each
committee of which he is the chairman, and a per meeting fee of $750 for each
special board and committee meeting attended.
The Company provides a Deferred Compensation Plan for its non-employee
directors. The plan provides that the directors may elect, prior to December
31st of each year, to defer all or a part of their compensation for the
following year, which deferral will continue until the election is revoked. The
compensation deferred accrues interest at the Bank of America prime rate. The
compensation deferred and any accrued interest will be paid to each participant
in 120 equal monthly installments commencing on the 15th day of the month
following the month the person ceases to be a director, absent a prior election
to receive benefits in another manner. The plan also provides for various
payment terms to beneficiaries in the event of death. The Company has entered
into agreements to secure funding of these benefits.
The Company provides an Outside Directors Retirement Plan for its retired
and non-employee directors who were serving as directors on October 1, 1996,
which includes all current non-employee directors. Participation is automatic,
and benefits become payable upon a director's serving at least five consecutive
years as a non-employee director. The plan provides for benefit payments after a
director's retirement in an amount representing 100% of the then current annual
director retainer for the number of years equal to the director's service as an
outside director, with a maximum benefit of ten years. Payments are made only
during a director's lifetime, with no survivor benefits being paid after death.
The plan provides for the acceleration of the maximum benefit to the directors
upon the occurrence of certain changes of control of the Company, unless the
directors elect otherwise. Consummation of the Offer will result in the
acceleration of benefits contemplated to occur in the event of a change of
control.
I-1
<PAGE> 18
The Company with shareholder approval established the 1996 Eligible
Directors' Stock Option Plan covering 250,000 shares of the Common Stock,
pursuant to which eligible non-employee directors who were serving as such on
October 1, 1996 will each receive on October 1, 1996 and every April 1st
thereafter nonqualified stock options covering 4,000 shares of the Common Stock
at an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of award. The
Plan further provides that eligible directors appointed or elected after October
1, 1996 (other than those directors serving as such on October 1, 1996) will
each receive a one-time grant, upon such appointment or election, of
nonqualified stock options covering 10,000 shares of the Common Stock, and every
April 1st thereafter nonqualified stock options covering 6,000 shares of the
Common Stock, all such options having an exercise price equal to the fair market
value on the date of award.
On July 31, 1984, Mr. Frank S. Wyle retired from full-time employment with
the Company and currently serves under contract (the "Compensation Agreement")
as a consultant to the Company. For his consulting services, Mr. Wyle is
entitled to compensation of $250,000 for each twelve-month period, which amount
is adjusted upward annually for any increase in the consumer price index after
December 31, 1980 (an adjusted base of $426,750 for the year ended December 31,
1996), less the sum of any amounts received pursuant to social security and
amounts received under the Company's pension plan. During the year ended
December 31, 1996, the amount paid by the Company under this agreement was
$308,162. The Compensation Agreement also provides that upon the occurrence of a
Change in Control, Mr. Wyle will receive (unless he elects otherwise) a lump sum
payment of 2.99 times his "base amount" (as defined in Section 280G of the Code)
upon the occurrence of a Change in Control. The lump sum payment is credited
against Mr. Wyle's regularly scheduled compensation under the Compensation
Agreement, and at such time as the entire lump sum has been credited against the
regularly scheduled compensation payments, the regularly scheduled compensation
payments resume. Pursuant to such agreement, the lump sum payment to Mr. Wyle
would be approximately $1,101,786 upon the consummation of the Offer. Mr. Wyle
is permitted to elect to continue to receive his regularly scheduled
compensation in lieu of such lump sum. The Compensation Agreement provides
further, among other things, for medical and life insurance coverages,
disability benefits, office space for his use and secretarial services.
Consummation of the Offer will result in the acceleration of benefits
contemplated to occur in the event of a change of control.
Effective January 1, 1995, Mr. Clough and the Company entered into an
agreement (the "Agreement") which superseded his prior employment agreement
dated February 1, 1989, as amended. Pursuant to the Agreement, Mr. Clough served
as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer until he retired as an
employee effective March 31, 1995, at which time he continued to serve as
Chairman of the Board and will serve as Chairman until the earlier of the 1998
Annual Meeting of Shareholders or June 30, 1998. He receives an annual fee of
$250,000 payable monthly inclusive of all director and committee fees. The
Agreement was amended effective May 1, 1997, to increase the annual fee to
$350,000 and to extend the term of the Agreement to the earlier of the 1999
Annual Meeting of Shareholders or June 30, 1999 in view of Mr. Clough's
increased responsibilities as a consequence of Mr. Ozorkiewicz's disability and
imminent separation from the Company. The Agreement provides further, among
other things, that in the event of certain changes of control of the Company,
Mr. Clough may be entitled to, unless he elects otherwise, an acceleration of a
portion of the payments due under the Agreement. He is also entitled to
non-employee director benefits as may be in effect from time to time, office
space and secretarial services. Consummation of the Offer will result in the
acceleration of benefits contemplated to occur in the event of a change of
control.
INSURANCE BENEFITS
The Company provides all executive officers and certain other officers with
additional life insurance benefits funded with "split dollar" insurance
contracts pursuant to which the covered persons contribute a portion of the
premium. Each covered person receives from the Company the amount necessary to
fund his portion of the premium. The policies are collaterally assigned to the
Company as security for the payments made by the Company. The Company will
receive its total premium contributions from the policy's cash value at the time
of a participant's retirement or from the proceeds payable in the event of
death. Each participant designates his own beneficiaries for the balance of the
proceeds.
I-2
<PAGE> 19
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Mr. Frank S. Wyle disposed of an aggregate of 4,400 shares of Common Stock
during June 1997 as set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NO.
DATE OF OF
DISPOSITION SHARES PRICE
- -------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
6/4/97 1,000 $37 1/8
6/13/97 1,000 37 1/4
</TABLE>
On June 4, 1997 and June 23, 1997, Mr. Wyle disposed of by gift 1,000 and
1,400 shares of Common Stock, respectively.
I-3
<PAGE> 20
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
CREDIT FIRST
SUISSE BOSTON
</TABLE>
Schedule II
July 3, 1997
The Board of Directors
Wyle Electronics
15370 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618
Dear Sirs:
You have asked us to advise you with respect to the fairness to the
stockholders of Wyle Electronics Corporation (the "Company") from a financial
point of view of the consideration to be received by such stockholders, other
than Sub (as defined below), in the Offer and the Merger (as defined below)
pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, dated as of July 3, 1997
(the "Acquisition Agreement"), among the Company, Raab Karcher AG, a corporation
organized under the laws of Germany (the "Acquiror"), and EBV Electronics Inc.,
a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror
("Sub"). The Acquisition Agreement provides for a tender offer by Sub (the
"Offer") for all of the outstanding shares of common stock, no par value, of the
Company (the "Shares") at a purchase price of $50 per Share in cash. The
Acquisition Agreement further provides that following completion of the Offer,
Sub will be merged into the Company (the "Merger") pursuant to which the Company
will become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Acquiror and each outstanding
Share, other than Shares owned by Sub, will be converted into the right to
receive $50 in cash.
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed certain publicly available
business and financial information relating to the Company, as well as the
Acquisition Agreement. We have also reviewed certain other information,
including financial forecasts, provided to us by the Company and have met with
the Company's management to discuss the business and prospects of the Company.
We have also considered certain financial and stock market data of the
Company, and we have compared that data with similar data for other publicly
held companies in businesses similar to those of the Company and we have
considered the financial terms of certain other business combinations and other
transactions which have recently been effected. We also considered such other
information, financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial,
economic and market criteria which we deemed relevant.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for
independent verification of any of the foregoing information and have relied on
its being complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect to the
financial forecasts, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on
bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
Company's management as to the future financial performance of the Company. In
addition, we have not made an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets
or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of the Company, nor have we been
furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals. Our opinion is necessarily
based upon financial, economic, market and other conditions as they exist and
can be evaluated on the date hereof.
We have acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the
Offer and the Merger and will receive a fee for our services, a significant
portion of which is contingent upon the consummation of the Offer and the
Merger.
In the past, we have performed certain investment banking services for the
Company and have received customary fees for such services.
II-1
<PAGE> 21
<TABLE>
<C> <S>
CREDIT FIRST
SUISSE BOSTON
</TABLE>
Wyle Electronics
July 3, 1997
Page 2
In the ordinary course of our business, we and our affiliates may actively
trade the debt and equity securities of both the Company and the Acquiror for
our and their own accounts and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly,
may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.
It is understood that this letter is for the information of the Board of
Directors in connection with its consideration of the Acquisition Agreement and
does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to whether or not
such stockholder should tender Shares pursuant to the Offer and is not to be
quoted or referred to, in whole or in part, in any registration statement,
prospectus or proxy statement, or in any other document used in connection with
the offering or sale of securities, nor shall this letter be used for any other
purposes, without our prior written consent.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the
date hereof, the consideration to be received by the stockholders of the
Company, other than Sub, in the Offer and the Merger is fair to such
stockholders from a financial point of view.
Very truly yours,
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
By: /s/ ROBERT L. THORNTON, JR.
----------------------------------
Robert L. Thornton, Jr.
Managing Director
II-2
<PAGE> 1
OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
ALL OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
OF
WYLE ELECTRONICS
AT
$50.00 NET PER SHARE
BY
EBV ELECTRONICS INC.
AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF
RAAB KARCHER AG
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, (I) THERE BEING VALIDLY
TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER SUCH NUMBER OF
SHARES (AS DEFINED BELOW) WHICH WOULD CONSTITUTE NOT LESS THAN 90% OF THE SHARES
THEN OUTSTANDING ON A FULLY DILUTED BASIS (THE "MINIMUM CONDITION") AND (II) ANY
WAITING PERIOD UNDER THE HART-SCOTT-RODINO ANTITRUST IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 1976
APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF THE SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER SHALL HAVE
EXPIRED OR BEEN TERMINATED. SEE SECTION 14.
IN THE EVENT THAT MORE THAN 50% OF THE SHARES THEN OUTSTANDING ARE TENDERED
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER AND NOT WITHDRAWN BUT LESS THAN 90% OF THE SHARES THEN
OUTSTANDING ON A FULLY DILUTED BASIS ARE ACQUIRED BY PURCHASER PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER AND THE STOCK OPTION DESCRIBED BELOW, PURCHASER WILL WAIVE THE MINIMUM
CONDITION AND AMEND THE OFFER TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJECT TO THE
OFFER TO 6,102,321 SHARES OR SUCH GREATER OR LESSER NUMBER OF SHARES AS EQUALS
49.9% OF THE SHARES THEN OUTSTANDING (THE "REVISED MINIMUM NUMBER") AND, IF A
GREATER NUMBER OF SHARES IS TENDERED INTO THE OFFER AND NOT WITHDRAWN, PURCHASE,
ON A PRO RATA BASIS, THE REVISED MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES (IT BEING UNDERSTOOD
THAT PURCHASER SHALL NOT IN ANY EVENT BE REQUIRED TO ACCEPT FOR PAYMENT, OR PAY
FOR, ANY SHARES IF LESS THAN THE REVISED MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES ARE TENDERED
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER AND NOT WITHDRAWN AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER).
------------------------
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE OFFER
AND DETERMINED THAT EACH OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER (AS DEFINED BELOW) IS FAIR
TO, AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF, THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY, AND
RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS ACCEPT THE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR SHARES PURSUANT
TO THE OFFER.
------------------------
IMPORTANT
Any shareholder desiring to tender all or any portion of such shareholder's
shares of Common Stock, without par value (the "Common Stock"), of Wyle
Electronics and the associated preferred stock purchase rights (together with
the Common Stock, the "Shares") should either (1) complete and sign the Letter
of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) in accordance with the instructions in
the Letter of Transmittal and mail or deliver it together with the
certificate(s) evidencing tendered Shares, and any other required documents, to
the Depositary or tender such Shares pursuant to the procedure for book-entry
transfer set forth in Section 3 or (2) request such shareholder's broker,
dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to effect the
transaction for such shareholder. Any shareholder whose Shares are registered in
the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee
must contact such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other
nominee if such shareholder desires to tender such Shares.
A shareholder who desires to tender Shares and whose certificates evidencing
such Shares are not immediately available, or who cannot comply with the
procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may tender such Shares by
following the procedure for guaranteed delivery set forth in Section 3.
Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information
Agent or to the Dealer Managers at their respective addresses and telephone
numbers set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase. Additional copies
of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery may also be obtained from the Information Agent or from
brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies.
------------------------
The Dealer Managers for the Offer are:
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
July 9, 1997
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<C> <S> <C>
INTRODUCTION......................................................................... 1
1. Terms of the Offer; Proration in Certain Circumstances; Expiration Date...... 3
2. Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares................................ 5
3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares...................... 6
4. Withdrawal Rights............................................................ 8
5. Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences...................................... 9
6. Price Range of Shares; Dividends............................................. 10
7. Certain Information Concerning the Company................................... 10
8. Certain Information Concerning Purchaser, Parent and VEBA.................... 13
9. Financing of the Offer and the Merger........................................ 17
10. Background of the Offer; Contacts with the Company; the Merger Agreement, the
Stock Option Agreement and the Rights Agreement.............................. 17
11. Purpose of the Offer; Plans for the Company After the Offer and the Merger... 30
12. Dividends and Distributions.................................................. 32
13. Effect of the Offer on the Market for the Shares, Exchange Listing and
Exchange Act Registration.................................................... 33
14. Certain Conditions of the Offer.............................................. 34
15. Certain Legal Matters and Regulatory Approvals............................... 35
16. Fees and Expenses............................................................ 38
17. Miscellaneous................................................................ 38
Schedule I. Directors and Executive Officers of VEBA and Purchaser................... I-1
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
To the Holders of Common Stock of
Wyle Electronics:
INTRODUCTION
EBV Electronics Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Purchaser") and an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Raab Karcher AG, a corporation organized under the
laws of the Federal Republic of Germany ("Parent"), hereby offers to purchase
all outstanding shares of common stock, without par value (the "Common Stock"),
of Wyle Electronics, a California corporation (the "Company"), and the
associated preferred stock purchase rights (the "Rights" and, together with the
Common Stock, the "Shares"), at a price of $50.00 per Share (such amount or any
greater amount per Share paid pursuant to the Offer (as defined below), being
hereinafter referred to as the "Per Share Amount"), net to the seller in cash,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase
and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Offer to
Purchase, constitute the "Offer"). Parent is a wholly owned subsidiary of VEBA
AG, a corporation organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany
("VEBA"). Until the Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement (as
defined below)), the Rights will be evidenced by and trade with the certificates
evidencing shares of the Common Stock.
Tendering shareholders will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or
commissions or, except as otherwise provided in Instruction 6 of the Letter of
Transmittal, stock transfer taxes with respect to the purchase of Shares by
Purchaser pursuant to the Offer. Purchaser will pay all charges and expenses of
Goldman, Sachs & Co. ("Goldman Sachs"), who are acting as Dealer Managers for
the Offer (in such capacity, the "Dealer Managers"), ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C. (the "Depositary") and Georgeson & Company Inc. (the
"Information Agent") incurred in connection with the Offer. See Section 17.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY (THE "BOARD") HAS UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED THE OFFER AND DETERMINED THAT EACH OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER (AS
DEFINED BELOW) IS FAIR TO, AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF, THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE
COMPANY, AND RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS ACCEPT THE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR
SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, (I) THERE BEING VALIDLY
TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER SUCH NUMBER OF
SHARES WHICH WOULD CONSTITUTE NOT LESS THAN 90% OF THE SHARES THEN OUTSTANDING
ON A FULLY DILUTED BASIS (THE "MINIMUM CONDITION") AND (II) ANY WAITING PERIOD
UNDER THE HART-SCOTT-RODINO ANTITRUST IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 1976 (THE "HSR ACT")
APPLICABLE TO THE PURCHASE OF THE SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER SHALL HAVE
EXPIRED OR BEEN TERMINATED.
IN THE EVENT THAT MORE THAN 50% OF THE SHARES THEN OUTSTANDING ARE TENDERED
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER AND NOT WITHDRAWN, BUT LESS THAN 90% OF THE SHARES THEN
OUTSTANDING ON A FULLY DILUTED BASIS ARE ACQUIRED BY PURCHASER PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER AND THE STOCK OPTION DESCRIBED BELOW, PURCHASER WILL WAIVE THE MINIMUM
CONDITION AND AMEND THE OFFER TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJECT TO THE
OFFER TO 6,102,321 SHARES OR SUCH GREATER OR LESSER NUMBER OF SHARES AS EQUALS
49.9% OF THE SHARES THEN OUTSTANDING (THE "REVISED MINIMUM NUMBER") AND, IF A
GREATER NUMBER OF SHARES IS TENDERED INTO THE OFFER AND NOT WITHDRAWN, PURCHASE,
ON A PRO RATA BASIS, THE REVISED MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES (IT BEING UNDERSTOOD
THAT PURCHASER SHALL NOT IN ANY EVENT BE REQUIRED TO ACCEPT FOR PAYMENT, OR PAY
FOR, ANY SHARES IF LESS THAN THE REVISED MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES ARE TENDERED
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER AND NOT WITHDRAWN AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER).
<PAGE> 4
The Offer is being made pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated
as of July 3, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement") among Parent, Purchaser and the
Company. The Merger Agreement provides that, among other things, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, and in
accordance with the California Corporations Code ("California Law") and the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("Delaware Law"), Purchaser
will be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"). Following consummation
of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Purchaser will cease and the
Company will continue as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation")
and will become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. At the effective
time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), each Share issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Shares owned by the Company
or by any subsidiary of the Company and each Share that is owned by Parent,
Purchaser or any other subsidiary of Parent, and other than Shares held by
shareholders who have demanded and perfected, and have not withdrawn or
otherwise lost, appraisal rights, if any, under California Law) will be
cancelled and converted automatically into the right to receive $50.00 in cash,
or any higher price that may be paid per Share in the Offer, without interest
(the "Merger Consideration"). The Merger Agreement is more fully described in
Section 10.
The consummation of the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
certain conditions, including the approval of the Merger Agreement by the
requisite vote, if any, of the shareholders of the Company. See Section 11.
Under California Law, if Purchaser acquires, pursuant to the Offer, the Stock
Option or otherwise, at least 90% of the Shares then outstanding, Purchaser will
be able to approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the Merger, without a vote of the Company's shareholders. In
such event, Parent, Purchaser and the Company have agreed to take all necessary
and appropriate action to cause the Merger to become effective as soon as
practicable after such acquisition, without a meeting of the Company's
shareholders.
If, however, Purchaser does not acquire at least 90% of the then
outstanding Shares on a fully diluted basis pursuant to the Offer, the Stock
Option or otherwise and Purchaser instead waives the Minimum Condition and
amends the Offer to reduce the number of Shares subject to the Offer to 49.9% of
the Shares then outstanding, Purchaser would own upon consummation of the Offer
49.9% of the Shares then outstanding and would thereafter solicit the approval
of the Merger Agreement by a vote of the shareholders of the Company. Under such
circumstances, a significantly longer period of time will be required to effect
the Merger. See Section 11.
Under California Law, the Merger may not be accomplished for cash paid to
the Company's shareholders if Purchaser or Parent owns directly or indirectly
more than 50% but less than 90% of the then outstanding shares unless either all
the shareholders consent or the Commissioner of Corporations of the State of
California approves, after a hearing, the terms and conditions of the Merger and
the fairness thereof. Accordingly, simultaneously with entering into the Merger
Agreement, and as an inducement to Parent and Purchaser to enter into the Merger
Agreement, the Company entered into a Stock Option Agreement with Parent and
Purchaser, dated as of July 3, 1997 (the "Stock Option Agreement"). Pursuant to
the Stock Option Agreement, the Company granted to Purchaser an irrevocable
option (the "Stock Option") to purchase up to the number of Shares (the "Option
Shares") that, when added to the number of Shares owned by Purchaser and its
affiliates following the consummation of the Offer, would constitute 90% of the
Shares then outstanding on a fully diluted basis (assuming the issuance of the
Option Shares) at a cash purchase price per Option Share equal to $50.00 (the
"Purchase Price"), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Stock
Option Agreement, including, without limitation, (i) that Purchaser shall have
accepted for payment Shares constituting more than 50% of the Shares then
outstanding and (ii) that the number of Shares to be issued thereunder shall not
exceed the number of authorized shares available for issuance.
If the Stock Option is exercised by Purchaser (resulting in Purchaser
acquiring 90% or more of the outstanding Shares), Parent will be able to effect
a short-form merger under California Law,
2
<PAGE> 5
subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement. Purchaser currently
intends to effect a short-form merger if it is able to do so.
The Merger Agreement provides that, promptly following the purchase of and
payment for Shares by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer, Purchaser shall be
entitled to designate up to such number of directors, rounded down to the
nearest whole number, on the Board as will give Purchaser representation on the
Board equal to the product of the total number of directors on the Board (giving
effect to any increase in the number of directors pursuant to the Merger
Agreement) and the percentage that the aggregate number of Shares beneficially
owned by Purchaser bears to the total number of Shares then outstanding (on a
fully diluted basis); provided, however, that Purchaser will be entitled to
designate a number of directors equal to or greater than 50% of the total number
of directors only if Purchaser purchases 90% or more of the outstanding Shares
pursuant to the Offer. In the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to take
all actions necessary to cause Purchaser's designees to be so appointed or
elected to the Board, with Purchaser's designees being allocated as evenly as
possible among the classes of directors. In addition, the Company agreed that,
until the Effective Time, the Board shall have at least three directors who are
directors on the date of the Merger Agreement and who are not officers of the
Company.
The Company has advised Purchaser that as of June 30, 1997, 12,229,100
Shares were issued and outstanding and 893,985 Shares were reserved for issuance
pursuant to outstanding stock options granted by the Company to employees and
directors ("Existing Stock Options"). As provided in the Merger Agreement,
Existing Stock Options will be cancelled in exchange for a cash payment
immediately prior to the consummation of the Offer. See Section 11. As a result,
as of June 30, 1997, the Minimum Condition would be satisfied if Purchaser
acquired 11,810,777 Shares (11,006,190 Shares assuming all Existing Stock
Options are cancelled prior to the consummation of the Offer). 6,114,550 Shares
would constitute 50% of the Shares issued and outstanding (assuming no Existing
Stock Options are exercised on or prior to such date).
THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE READ BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH
RESPECT TO THE OFFER.
1. TERMS OF THE OFFER; PRORATION IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; EXPIRATION
DATE. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (including, if
the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of such extension or
amendment), Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for all Shares validly
tendered prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) and not withdrawn as
permitted by Section 4. The term "Expiration Date" means 12:00 midnight, New
York City time, on Tuesday, August 5, 1997, unless and until Purchaser, in its
sole discretion (but subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger
Agreement), shall have extended the period during which the Offer is open, in
which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest time and date at
which the Offer, as so extended by Purchaser, shall expire.
In the event Purchaser amends the Offer as described above such that
Purchaser offers to purchase the Revised Minimum Number of Shares, such decrease
in the number of Shares being sought will be applicable to all shareholders
whose Shares are accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer and, if at the time
notice of any such decrease in the number of Shares being sought is first
published, sent or given to holders of such Shares, the Offer is scheduled to
expire at any time earlier than the period ending on the tenth business day from
and including the date that such notice is first so published, sent or given,
the Offer will be extended at least until the expiration of such ten business
day period. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of such amended Offer,
if more than the Revised Minimum Number of Shares shall be validly tendered and
not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date, the Shares so tendered shall be
purchased as provided in Section 2 on a pro rata basis (adjusted to avoid the
purchase of fractional shares). Because of the difficulty of determining the
precise number of Shares properly tendered, Purchaser does not expect to be able
to announce the final proration factor until approximately five New York Stock
Exchange, Inc.
3
<PAGE> 6
("NYSE") trading days after the Expiration Date. Preliminary results of
proration will be announced by press release as promptly as practicable after
the Expiration Date. Shareholders can obtain such information from their
brokers. Purchaser will not pay for any Shares accepted for payment pursuant to
the Offer until the final proration factor is known.
Purchaser expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion (but subject
to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement), at any time and from time
to time, to extend for any reason the period of time during which the Offer is
open, including the occurrence of any of the conditions specified in Section 14,
by giving oral or written notice of such extension to the Depositary. During any
such extension, all Shares previously tendered and not withdrawn will remain
subject to the Offer, subject to the rights of a tendering shareholder to
withdraw his Shares. See Section 4.
Subject to the applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), Purchaser also expressly reserves the right, in
its sole discretion (but subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger
Agreement), at any time and from time to time, (i) to delay acceptance for
payment of, or, regardless of whether such Shares were theretofore accepted for
payment, payment for, any Shares pending receipt of any regulatory approval
specified in Section 15, (ii) to terminate the Offer and not accept for payment
any Shares upon the occurrence of any of the conditions specified in Section 14
prior to the Expiration Date and (iii) to delay, terminate or waive any
condition or otherwise amend the Offer in any respect, by giving oral or written
notice of such delay, termination, waiver or amendment to the Depositary and by
making a public announcement thereof. The Merger Agreement provides that,
without the consent of the Company, Purchaser will not (i) reduce the number of
Shares subject to the Offer, (ii) reduce the Per Share Amount, (iii) modify or
add conditions to the Offer in addition to those set forth in Section 14, (iv)
except as provided in the Merger Agreement, extend the term of the Offer, (v)
change the form of consideration payable in the Offer or (vi) make any other
modifications that are otherwise materially adverse to holders of Shares.
Purchaser acknowledges that (i) Rule 14e-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), requires Purchaser to pay the
consideration offered or return the Shares tendered promptly after the
termination or withdrawal of the Offer and (ii) Purchaser may not delay
acceptance for payment of, or payment for (except as provided in clause (i) of
the first sentence of this paragraph), any Shares upon the occurrence of any of
the conditions specified in Section 14 without extending the period of time
during which the Offer is open.
Any such extension, delay, termination, waiver or amendment will be
followed as promptly as practicable by public announcement thereof, such
announcement in the case of an extension to be made no later than 9:00 a.m., New
York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled
Expiration Date. Subject to applicable law (including Rules 14d-4(c) and
14d-6(d) under the Exchange Act, which require that material changes be promptly
disseminated to shareholders in a manner reasonably designed to inform them of
such changes) and without limiting the manner in which Purchaser may choose to
make any public announcement, Purchaser shall have no obligation to publish,
advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by
issuing a press release to the Dow Jones News Service.
If Purchaser makes a material change in the terms of the Offer or the
information concerning the Offer, or if it waives a material condition of the
Offer, Purchaser will extend the Offer to the extent required by Rules 14d-4(c)
and 14d-6(d) under the Exchange Act.
Subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, if, prior to the Expiration
Date, Purchaser should decide to decrease the number of Shares being sought or
to increase or decrease the consideration being offered in the Offer, such
decrease in the number of Shares being sought or such increase or decrease in
the consideration being offered will be applicable to all shareholders whose
Shares are accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer and, if at the time notice
of any such decrease in the number of Shares being sought or such increase or
decrease in the consideration being offered is first published, sent or given to
holders of such Shares, the Offer is scheduled to expire at any time
4
<PAGE> 7
earlier than the period ending on the tenth business day from and including the
date that such notice is first so published, sent or given, the Offer will be
extended at least until the expiration of such ten business day period. For
purposes of the Offer, a "business day" means any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or federal holiday and consists of the time period from 12:01 a.m.
through 12:00 midnight, New York City time.
The Company has provided Purchaser with the Company's shareholder list and
security position listings for the purpose of disseminating the Offer to holders
of Shares. This Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal will be
mailed to record holders of Shares whose names appear on the Company's
shareholder list and will be furnished, for subsequent transmittal to beneficial
owners of Shares, to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and
similar persons whose names, or the names of whose nominees, appear on the
shareholder list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing
agency's security position listing.
2. ACCEPTANCE FOR PAYMENT AND PAYMENT FOR SHARES. Upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or
amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), Purchaser
will accept for payment, and will pay for, all Shares validly tendered prior to
the Expiration Date and not properly withdrawn promptly after the latest to
occur of (i) the Expiration Date, (ii) the expiration or termination of any
applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act or any applicable foreign
competition and antitrust statutes and regulations and (iii) the satisfaction or
waiver of the conditions to the Offer set forth in Section 14. Notwithstanding
the immediately preceding sentence and subject to applicable rules of the
Commission and the terms of the Merger Agreement, Purchaser expressly reserves
the right to delay acceptance for payment of, or payment for, Shares pending
receipt of any regulatory approvals specified in Section 15 or in order to
comply in whole or in part with any other applicable law.
In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant
to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of (i) the
certificates evidencing such Shares (the "Share Certificates") or timely
confirmation (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of a book-entry transfer of such
Shares into the Depositary's account at The Depository Trust Company, the
Midwest Securities Trust Company or the Philadelphia Depository Trust Company
(each, a "Book-Entry Transfer Facility" and, collectively, the "Book-Entry
Transfer Facilities") pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3, (ii)
the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly
executed, with any required signature guarantees and (iii) any other documents
required under the Letter of Transmittal.
VEBA intends to file with the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and the
Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (the "Antitrust Division") a
Premerger Notification and Report Form under the HSR Act with respect to the
Offer on or about July 17, 1997. Assuming such filing is made on such date, it
is anticipated that the waiting period under the HSR Act applicable to the Offer
will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on August 1, 1997. If Purchaser
acquires 50% or more of the Shares then outstanding in the Offer, no separate
waiting period will apply to the subsequent purchase of Shares pursuant to the
Stock Option Agreement. Prior to the expiration or termination of any such
waiting period, the FTC or the Antitrust Division may extend any such waiting
period by requesting additional information from VEBA or the Company with
respect to the Offer or the Stock Option Agreement. If such a request is made
with respect to the purchase of Shares in the Offer, the waiting period will
expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the tenth calendar day after
substantial compliance by VEBA or the Company with such a request. Thereafter,
the FTC or Antitrust Division must obtain a court order to prevent Purchaser
from consummating the acquisition of Shares pursuant to the Offer. The waiting
period under the HSR Act may be terminated prior to its expiration by the FTC
and the Antitrust Division. VEBA intends to request early termination of the
waiting period, although there can be no assurance that this request will be
granted. See Section 15 for additional information regarding the HSR Act.
For purposes of the Offer, Purchaser will be deemed to have accepted for
payment (and thereby purchased) Shares validly tendered and not properly
withdrawn as, if and when Purchaser
5
<PAGE> 8
gives oral or written notice to the Depositary of Purchaser's acceptance for
payment of such Shares pursuant to the Offer. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Offer, payment for Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the
Offer will be made by deposit of the purchase price therefor with the
Depositary, which will act as agent for tendering shareholders for the purpose
of receiving payments from Purchaser and transmitting such payments to tendering
shareholders whose Shares have been accepted for payment. Under no circumstances
will interest on the purchase price for Shares be paid, regardless of any delay
in making such payment.
If any tendered Shares are not accepted for payment for any reason pursuant
to the terms and conditions of the Offer, or if Share Certificates are submitted
evidencing more Shares than are tendered or accepted for purchase as provided in
this Section 2, Share Certificates evidencing unpurchased Shares will be
returned, without expense to the tendering shareholder (or, in the case of
Shares tendered by book-entry transfer into the Depositary's account at a
Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 3,
such Shares will be credited to an account maintained at such Book-Entry
Transfer Facility), as promptly as practicable following the expiration or
termination of the Offer.
Purchaser reserves the right to transfer or assign, in whole or from time
to time in part, to one or more of its affiliates, the right to purchase all or
any portion of the Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, but any such transfer
or assignment will not relieve Purchaser of its obligations under the Offer and
will in no way prejudice the rights of tendering shareholders to receive payment
for Shares validly tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer.
3. PROCEDURES FOR ACCEPTING THE OFFER AND TENDERING SHARES. In order for
a holder of Shares validly to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed,
together with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required
by the Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its
addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase and either (i)
the Share Certificates evidencing tendered Shares must be received by the
Depositary at such address or such Shares must be tendered pursuant to the
procedure for book-entry transfer described below and a Book-Entry Confirmation
must be received by the Depositary, in each case prior to the Expiration Date,
or (ii) the tendering shareholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery
procedures described below.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF SHARE CERTIFICATES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH ANY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT
THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER, AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE
DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY. IF DELIVERY IS BY
MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS
RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY
DELIVERY.
Book-Entry Transfer. The Depositary will establish accounts with respect
to the Shares at the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities for purposes of the Offer
within two business days after the date of this Offer to Purchase. Any financial
institution that is a participant in the system of any Book-Entry Transfer
Facility may make a book-entry delivery of Shares by causing such Book-Entry
Transfer Facility to transfer such Shares into the Depositary's account at such
Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with such Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's procedures for such transfer. However, although delivery of Shares
may be effected through book-entry transfer at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility,
the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly
executed, together with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message
in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal, and any other required documents, must, in
any case, be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the
back cover of this Offer to Purchase prior to the Expiration Date, or the
tendering shareholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedure
described below. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
6
<PAGE> 9
Signature Guarantees. Signatures on all Letters of Transmittal must be
guaranteed by a firm which is a member of the Medallion Signature Guarantee
Program, or by any other "eligible guarantor institution", as such term is
defined in Rule 17Ad-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act (each of the foregoing
being referred to as an "Eligible Institution"), except in cases where Shares
are tendered (i) by a registered holder of Shares who has not completed either
the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions" or the box entitled "Special
Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of
an Eligible Institution. If a Share Certificate is registered in the name of a
person other than the signer of the Letter of Transmittal, or if payment is to
be made, or a Share Certificate not accepted for payment or not tendered is to
be returned, to a person other than the registered holder(s), then the Share
Certificate must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in
either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear on
the Share Certificate, with the signature(s) on such Share Certificate or stock
powers guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instructions 1 and 5 of the
Letter of Transmittal.
Guaranteed Delivery. If a shareholder desires to tender Shares pursuant to
the Offer and such shareholder's Share Certificates evidencing such Shares are
not immediately available or such shareholder cannot deliver the Share
Certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the
Expiration Date, or such shareholder cannot complete the procedure for delivery
by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, such Shares may nevertheless be
tendered, provided that all the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) such tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution;
(ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery, substantially in the form made available by Purchaser, is
received prior to the Expiration Date by the Depositary as provided below;
and
(iii) the Share Certificates (or a Book-Entry Confirmation) evidencing
all tendered Shares, in proper form for transfer, in each case together
with the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed
and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal are received by the
Depositary within three NYSE trading days after the date of execution of
such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or mail or
transmitted by telegram or facsimile transmission to the Depositary and must
include a guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in the form
of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery made available by Purchaser.
In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant
to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of the
Share Certificates evidencing such Shares, or a Book-Entry Confirmation of the
delivery of such Shares, and the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof),
properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees,
and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.
Determination of Validity. All questions as to the validity, form,
eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender
of Shares will be determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion, which
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Purchaser reserves the
absolute right to reject any and all tenders determined by it not to be in
proper form or the acceptance for payment of which may, in the opinion of its
counsel, be unlawful. Purchaser also reserves the absolute right to waive any
condition of the Offer or any defect or irregularity in the tender of any Shares
of any particular shareholder, whether or not similar defects or irregularities
are waived in the case of other shareholders. No tender of Shares will be deemed
to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured
or waived. None of Purchaser, Parent, VEBA, the Dealer Managers, the Depositary,
the Information Agent or any other person will be under any duty to give
notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or incur any liability
for failure to give any such notification. Purchaser's interpretation of the
terms and conditions of the Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal and the
instructions thereto) will be final and binding.
7
<PAGE> 10
Other Requirements. By executing the Letter of Transmittal as set forth
above, a tendering shareholder irrevocably appoints designees of Purchaser as
such shareholder's proxies, each with full power of substitution, in the manner
set forth in the Letter of Transmittal, to the full extent of such shareholder's
rights with respect to the Shares tendered by such shareholder and accepted for
payment by Purchaser (and with respect to any and all other Shares or other
securities issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after July 3,
1997). All such proxies shall be considered coupled with an interest in the
tendered Shares. Such appointment will be effective when, and only to the extent
that, Purchaser accepts such Shares for payment. Upon such acceptance for
payment, all prior proxies given by such shareholder with respect to such Shares
(and such other Shares and securities) will be revoked without further action,
and no subsequent proxies may be given nor any subsequent written consent
executed by such shareholder (and, if given or executed, will not be deemed to
be effective) with respect thereto. The designees of Purchaser will, with
respect to the Shares for which the appointment is effective, be empowered to
exercise all voting and other rights of such shareholder as they in their sole
discretion may deem proper at any annual or special meeting of the Company's
shareholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof, by written consent in
lieu of any such meeting or otherwise. Purchaser reserves the right to require
that, in order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon
Purchaser's payment for such Shares, Purchaser must be able to exercise full
voting rights with respect to such Shares.
The acceptance for payment by Purchaser of Shares pursuant to any of the
procedures described above will constitute a binding agreement between the
tendering shareholder and Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions
of the Offer.
TO PREVENT BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING WITH RESPECT TO PAYMENT TO
CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS OF THE PURCHASE PRICE OF SHARES PURCHASED PURSUANT TO THE
OFFER, EACH SUCH SHAREHOLDER MUST PROVIDE THE DEPOSITARY WITH SUCH SHAREHOLDER'S
CORRECT TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND CERTIFY THAT SUCH SHAREHOLDER IS NOT
SUBJECT TO BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING BY COMPLETING THE SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9 IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. SEE INSTRUCTION 10 OF THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL.
4. WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. Tenders of Shares made pursuant to the Offer are
irrevocable except that such Shares may be withdrawn at any time prior to the
Expiration Date and, unless theretofore accepted for payment by Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer, may also be withdrawn at any time after September 6,
1997. If Purchaser extends the Offer, is delayed in its acceptance for payment
of Shares or is unable to accept Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer for
any reason, then, without prejudice to Purchaser's rights under the Offer, the
Depositary may, nevertheless, on behalf of Purchaser, retain tendered Shares,
and such Shares may not be withdrawn except to the extent that tendering
shareholders are entitled to withdrawal rights as described in this Section 4.
Any such delay will be by an extension of the Offer to the extent required by
law.
For a withdrawal to be effective, a written, telegraphic or facsimile
transmission notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Depositary at
one of its addresses set forth on the back cover page of this Offer to Purchase.
Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered
the Shares to be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn and the name of
the registered holder of such Shares, if different from that of the person who
tendered such Shares. If Share Certificates evidencing Shares to be withdrawn
have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Depositary, then, prior to
the physical release of such Share Certificates, the serial numbers shown on
such Share Certificates must be submitted to the Depositary and the signature(s)
on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution,
unless such Shares have been tendered for the account of an Eligible
Institution. If Shares have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for
book-entry transfer as set forth in Section 3, any notice of withdrawal must
specify the name and number of the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility
to be credited with the withdrawn Shares.
8
<PAGE> 11
All questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of
any notice of withdrawal will be determined by Purchaser, in its sole
discretion, whose determination will be final and binding. None of Purchaser,
Parent, VEBA, the Dealer Managers, the Depositary, the Information Agent or any
other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or
irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to
give any such notification.
Any Shares properly withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not to have been
validly tendered for purposes of the Offer. However, withdrawn Shares may be
re-tendered at any time prior to the Expiration Date by following one of the
procedures described in Section 3.
5. CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES. The receipt of cash for
Shares pursuant to the Offer or in the Merger will be a taxable transaction for
federal income tax purposes and may also be a taxable transaction under
applicable state, local or foreign tax laws. In general, a shareholder will
recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes equal to the difference
between the amount of cash received in exchange for the Shares sold and such
shareholder's adjusted tax basis in such Shares. For federal income tax
purposes, such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss if the Shares are a
capital asset in the hands of the shareholder, and a long-term capital gain or
loss if the shareholder's holding period is more than one year as of the date
the Purchaser accepts such Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer or the
Effective Time, as the case may be.
Legislative proposals have been under consideration that would reduce the
rate of federal income taxation of certain capital gains. Such legislation, if
enacted, might apply only to gain realized on sales occurring after a date
specified in the legislation. It cannot be predicted whether any such
legislation ultimately will be enacted and, if enacted, what its effective date
will be.
THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN TYPES OF
SHAREHOLDERS, INCLUDING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, BROKER-DEALERS, SHAREHOLDERS WHO
ACQUIRED SHARES PURSUANT TO THE EXERCISE OF EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS OR OTHERWISE
AS COMPENSATION, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT CITIZENS OR RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED
STATES AND FOREIGN CORPORATIONS.
THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL
INFORMATION ONLY AND IS BASED UPON PRESENT LAW. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO
CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
OFFER AND THE MERGER TO THEM, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF THE
ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX AND STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
9
<PAGE> 12
6. PRICE RANGE OF SHARES; DIVIDENDS. The Shares are listed and
principally traded on the NYSE. The following table sets forth, for the quarters
indicated, the high and low sales prices per Share on the NYSE as reported by
the Dow Jones News Service:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
1995:
First Quarter................................................ $ 24.50 $ 19.38
Second Quarter............................................... 29.25 23.00
Third Quarter................................................ 45.38 27.38
Fourth Quarter............................................... 46.50 33.50
1996:
First Quarter................................................ $ 35.88 $ 27.38
Second Quarter............................................... 44.75 32.88
Third Quarter................................................ 34.25 28.00
Fourth Quarter............................................... 39.50 29.38
1997:
First Quarter................................................ $ 42.13 $ 32.25
Second Quarter............................................... 38.50 $ 32.25
Third Quarter (through July 8, 1997)......................... 49.88 $ 37.00
</TABLE>
On July 2, 1997, the last full trading day prior to the announcement of the
execution of the Merger Agreement and of Purchaser's intention to commence the
Offer, the closing price per Share as reported on the NYSE was $42.81. On July
8, 1997, the last full trading day prior to the commencement of the Offer, the
closing price per Share as reported on the NYSE was $49.56.
The Company has declared and paid dividends of $0.08 per Share for each
quarter since the first quarter of 1996. Prior to the first quarter of 1996, and
for each other quarter referenced above, the Company declared and paid dividends
of $0.07 per Share.
SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO OBTAIN A CURRENT MARKET QUOTATION FOR THE SHARES.
7. CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY. Except as otherwise set
forth herein, the information concerning the Company contained in this Offer to
Purchase, including financial information, has been furnished by the Company or
has been taken from or based upon publicly available documents and records on
file with the Commission and other public sources. None of Purchaser, Parent nor
VEBA assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the
information concerning the Company furnished by the Company or contained in such
documents and records or for any failure by the Company to disclose events which
may have occurred or may affect the significance or accuracy of any such
information but which are unknown to Purchaser, Parent or VEBA.
General. The Company is a California corporation with its principal
executive offices located at 15370 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, California 92618.
According to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1996 (the "Form 10-K"), the Company is an international electronics
distributor marketing semiconductors and computer products, as well as providing
value-added services. According to the Form 10-K, these services include complex
materials management systems and engineering design for application-specific
integrated circuits, including field programmable logic devices.
Historical Financial Information. Set forth below is certain selected
consolidated financial information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries
which has been excerpted or derived from the audited financial statements
contained in the Form 10-K and the unaudited financial statements contained in
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997
10
<PAGE> 13
(the "Form 10-Q"). More comprehensive financial information is included in the
Form 10-K, the Form 10-Q and other documents filed by the Company with the
Commission. The financial information that follows is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such reports and other documents, including the financial
statements and related notes contained therein. Such reports and other documents
may be examined and copies may be obtained from the offices of the Commission in
the manner set forth below.
WYLE ELECTRONICS
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
--------------------- YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
MARCH 31, MARCH 31, ----------------------------------
1997 1996 1996 1995 1994
--------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales..................................... $ 322,140 $ 326,506 $1,244,504 $1,077,467 $792,309
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales............................... 270,129 268,620 1,020,796 890,693 663,741
Selling and administrative expenses......... 37,890 37,589 150,287 124,603 103,253
Special charge.............................. -- -- -- -- 1,900
Interest expense, net....................... 1,901 1,934 7,623 3,315 1,289
Miscellaneous, net.......................... (499) (101) (673) (1,193) (604)
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
309,421 308,042 1,178,033 1,017,418 769,579
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
Income from continuing operations before
income taxes................................ 12,719 18,464 66,471 60,049 22,730
Income taxes................................ 4,922 7,461 26,256 23,839 8,750
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
Income from continuing operations............. 7,797 11,003 40,215 36,210 13,980
Discontinued operations
Income from operations, net of taxes........ -- -- -- -- 1,418
Loss on sale, net of taxes.................. -- -- -- -- (15,779)
-------- -------- ---------- ---------- --------
Net income (loss)............................. $ 7,797 $ 11,003 $ 40,215 $ 36,210 $ (381)
======== ======== ========== ========== ========
Income (loss) per share
Income from continuing operations........... $ .61 $ .86 $ 3.12 $ 2.86 $ 1.13
======== ======== ========== ========== ========
Discontinued operations
Income from operations, net of taxes...... $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ .11
======== ======== ========== ========== ========
Loss on sale, net of taxes................ $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ (1.27)
======== ======== ========== ========== ========
Net income (loss)............................. $ .61 $ .86 $ 3.12 $ 2.86 $ (.03)
======== ======== ========== ========== ========
Average common and common equivalent shares... 12,853 12,841 12,893 12,664 12,425
======== ======== ========== ========== ========
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE> 14
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
1996 1995
AT MARCH 31, -------- --------
1997
------------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents..................................... $ 12,036 $ 13,857 $ 15,694
Receivables (less allowances of $8,650, $8,487 and $6,423,
respectively)............................................... 196,124 174,530 159,829
Inventories................................................... 256,478 216,544 203,413
Prepaid expenses and deferred tax assets...................... 9,325 8,563 7,295
------------ -------- --------
Total current assets.......................................... 473,963 413,494 386,231
------------ -------- --------
Property, plant & equipment
Land.......................................................... -- 862 862
Buildings and improvements.................................... -- 24,480 22,394
Machinery and equipment....................................... -- 39,821 29,581
------------ -------- --------
69,130 65,163 52,837
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization................ 29,480 27,324 18,508
------------ -------- --------
39,650 37,839 34,329
------------ -------- --------
Goodwill, net of amortization................................... 28,049 28,236 241
------------ -------- --------
Other assets and deferred tax assets............................ 27,600 26,683 18,543
------------ -------- --------
Total assets........................................... $569,262 $506,252 $439,344
========== ======== ========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt.......................... $ 208 $ 575 $ 3,000
Accounts payable.............................................. 140,752 93,111 97,697
Accrued expenses.............................................. 46,232 39,465 30,032
------------ -------- --------
Total current liabilities..................................... 187,192 133,151 130,729
------------ -------- --------
Long-term debt, less current maturities......................... 130,144 111,845 87,600
------------ -------- --------
Other liabilities............................................... 24,986 25,111 25,345
------------ -------- --------
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, 25,000,000 shares authorized (shares
outstanding: March 31, 1997 -- 12,186,270, December 31,
1996 -- 12,588,609 and December 31, 1995 -- 12,447,946)..... 95,052 97,091 90,482
Retained earnings............................................. 132,034 139,006 105,188
Foreign currency translation adjustment....................... (146) 48 --
------------ -------- --------
226,940 236,145 195,670
------------ -------- --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity............. $569,262 $506,252 $439,344
========== ======== ========
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE> 15
Projected Financial Information. In connection with Parent's review of the
Company and in the course of the negotiations between the Company and Parent
described in Section 10, the Company provided Parent with certain business and
financial information which VEBA, Parent and Purchaser believe is not publicly
available, including the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------
ACTUAL 1996 1997 1998 1999
----------- ------ ------ ------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales......................................... $ 1,245 $1,404 $1,685 $2,022
% Growth........................................ 15.5% 12.8% 20.0% 20.0%
Gross Profit...................................... $ 224 $ 231 $ 269 $ 318
% Margin........................................ 18.0% 16.4% 15.9% 15.7%
Operating Income.................................. $ 73 $ 68 $ 86 $ 106
% Margin........................................ 5.9% 4.8% 5.1% 5.2%
Net Income........................................ $ 40 $ 37 $ 45 $ 56
% Margin........................................ 3.2% 2.6% 2.7% 2.8%
</TABLE>
PROJECTED INFORMATION OF THIS TYPE IS BASED ON ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
THAT ARE INHERENTLY SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC AND COMPETITIVE
UNCERTAINTIES AND CONTINGENCIES, ALL OF WHICH ARE DIFFICULT TO PREDICT AND MANY
OF WHICH ARE BEYOND THE COMPANY'S CONTROL. ACCORDINGLY, THERE CAN BE NO
ASSURANCE THAT THE PROJECTED RESULTS WILL BE REALIZED OR THAT ACTUAL RESULTS
WOULD NOT BE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER OR LOWER THAN THOSE SET FORTH ABOVE. IN
ADDITION, THESE PROJECTIONS DO NOT GIVE EFFECT TO THE OFFER OR THE MERGER, WERE
NOT PREPARED WITH A VIEW TO PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OR COMPLIANCE WITH THE PUBLISHED
GUIDELINES OF THE COMMISSION OR THE GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED BY THE AMERICAN
INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS REGARDING PROJECTIONS AND FORECASTS
AND ARE INCLUDED IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE ONLY BECAUSE SUCH INFORMATION WAS
MADE AVAILABLE TO PARENT BY THE COMPANY. NONE OF VEBA, PARENT, PURCHASER, THE
COMPANY OR ANY OTHER PARTY ASSUMES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR
VALIDITY OF THE FOREGOING PROJECTIONS.
Available Information. The Company is subject to the informational filing
requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, is required to
file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission relating to its business, financial condition and other matters.
Information as of particular dates concerning the Company's directors and
officers, their remuneration, stock options granted to them, the principal
holders of the Company's securities and any material interest of such persons in
transactions with the Company is required to be disclosed in proxy statements
distributed to the Company's shareholders and filed with the Commission. Such
reports, proxy statements and other information should be available for
inspection at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and also should be
available for inspection at the Commission's regional offices located at Seven
World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center,
500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. The
Commission also maintains an Internet site on the World Wide Web at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other
information. Copies of such materials may also be obtained by mail, upon payment
of the Commission's customary fees, by writing to its principal office at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The information should also be
available for inspection at the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
8. CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PURCHASER, PARENT AND VEBA. Purchaser
is a newly incorporated Delaware corporation organized in connection with the
Offer and the Merger and has not carried on any activities other than in
connection with the Offer and the Merger. The principal offices of Purchaser are
located at Rudolf-v.-Bennigsen-Foerder-Platz 1, 45131 Essen, Germany. Purchaser
is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.
Until immediately prior to the time that Purchaser will purchase Shares
pursuant to the Offer, it is not anticipated that Purchaser will have any
significant assets or liabilities or engage in activities other than those
incident to its formation and capitalization and the transactions contemplated
by
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<PAGE> 16
the Offer and the Merger. Because Purchaser is newly formed and has minimal
assets and capitalization, no meaningful financial information regarding
Purchaser is available.
Parent is a corporation organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of
Germany. Its principal offices are located at Rudolf-v.-Bennigsen-Foerder-Platz
1, 45131 Essen, Germany. Parent is engaged in wholesale distribution of
construction supplies and electronic systems and components, and provides
building-related and gasoline station engineering services. Its building
materials and tile wholesale businesses and its security and gasoline station
engineering services businesses have the largest market share in Germany, as
well as leading shares in other European countries, and it is one of the leading
European distributors of active electronic components. Parent is a wholly owned
subsidiary of VEBA.
VEBA is the fourth largest industrial group in Germany on the basis of
market capitalization at year-end 1996. VEBA is organized into five separate
business divisions: electricity, chemicals, oil, trading/transportation/services
and telecommunications.
The name, citizenship, business address, principal occupation or employment
and five-year employment history for each of the directors and executive
officers of Purchaser and VEBA and certain other information are set forth in
Schedule I hereto.
VEBA is not subject to the informational reporting requirements of the
Exchange Act, and, accordingly, does not file reports or other information with
the Commission relating to its business, financial condition and other matters.
Set forth below is certain selected consolidated financial information
relating to VEBA and its subsidiaries for VEBA's last two fiscal years. The
selected consolidated financial information has been prepared in Deutsche Mark
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the Federal
Republic of Germany ("German GAAP"). German GAAP differs in certain significant
respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
("U.S. GAAP"). A summary of the significant differences between U.S. GAAP and
German GAAP is set forth below. Parent, however, believes that the differences
are not material to a decision by a holder of Shares whether to sell, tender or
hold any Shares because any such differences would not affect the ability of
Purchaser to obtain sufficient funds to pay for Shares to be acquired pursuant
to the Offer. The amounts in the table set forth below are in Deutsche Mark
unless otherwise indicated.
14
<PAGE> 17
VEBA AG
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(IN DEUTSCHE MARK ("DM"), EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE INDICATED
IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS ("$"))
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------
1996(1) 1996 1995
------- --------- ---------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE
AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Amounts in accordance with German GAAP:
Sales..................................................... $48,444 DM74,541 DM72,372
Net income(2)............................................. 1,712 2,634 2,107
Net income available for distribution..................... 610 938 830
Amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP:
Net income(3)............................................. 1,603 2,467 2,027
Net income per share...................................... 3.23 4.97 4.12
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Amounts in accordance with German GAAP:
Liquid funds.............................................. 3,230 4,969 4,162
Currents assets........................................... 14,464 22,255 22,109
Total assets.............................................. 46,739 71,917 67,751
Long-term financial liabilities........................... 2,034 3,129 3,017
Shareholders' equity...................................... 14,974 23,041 20,953
Amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP:
Total assets.............................................. 48,685 74,911 69,864
Shareholders' equity(3)................................... 14,170 21,803 19,452
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Amounts in this column are unaudited and have been translated solely for the
convenience of the reader at an exchange rate of DM 1.5387 = $1.00, the Noon
Buying Rate on December 31, 1996. No representation is made that Deutsche
Mark have been, could have been or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at
that or any other rate.
(2) Before minority interests of DM 176 million and DM 192 million for 1996 and
1995, respectively.
(3) After minority interests.
The following represents, in the opinion of management of VEBA, the
significant differences between U.S. GAAP and German GAAP that would affect the
determination of consolidated net income and shareholders' equity of VEBA for
the periods for which the selected consolidated financial information has been
presented herein.
Capitalized Interest. German GAAP permits, but does not require, the
capitalization of interest as a part of the historical cost of acquisition of
assets that are constructed or otherwise produced for an enterprise's own use.
The capitalization of such interest costs is required by U.S. GAAP. Due to the
historical cost principle a retroactive capitalization of interest cost for
financial years up to 1995 is not allowed under German GAAP.
For purposes of the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP, interest on debt
apportionable to the construction period has been capitalized as cost of the
acquisition of qualifying assets. The capitalized interest costs relate to
property, plant and equipment up to and including 1994 as part of production
cost. The additional acquisition cost has been depreciated over the expected
useful life of the related asset.
15
<PAGE> 18
Valuation of Securities and Other Investments. Under German GAAP,
securities and other investments are valued at the lower of acquisition costs or
market value at the balance sheet date. Under U.S. GAAP, securities and other
share investments are classified into one of three categories: held-to-maturity
securities, available-for-sale securities or trading securities. VEBA securities
and other investments are considered to be available-for-sale and therefore are
required to be valued at market value at the balance sheet date. Unrealized
gains and losses are excluded from earnings and reported as an adjustment to net
equity.
Shares in Associated Companies. For purposes of the reconciliation to U.S.
GAAP, earnings of associated companies accounted for using the equity method
have been determined using valuation principles prescribed by U.S. GAAP.
Deferred Taxes. Under German GAAP, deferred taxes are calculated based on
the liability method but are recognized only to the extent that consolidated
deferred tax liabilities exceed consolidated deferred tax assets. Additionally,
deferred tax assets may not be established for net operating loss carryforwards.
Under U.S. GAAP, deferred taxes are provided for all temporary differences
between the tax and commercial balance sheets. Not all these differences that
qualify for deferred tax calculation are permissible under German accounting
principles. Under U.S. GAAP, deferred taxes are also calculated for tax loss
carryforwards and certain other adjustments using the liability method and based
on enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established when it is more
likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Minority Interests. Contrary to U.S. GAAP, under German GAAP participation
of minority shareholders at subsidiaries as well of those of VEBA is shown as
part of shareholders' equity and net income. For reconciliation purposes,
minority interests resulting from U.S. GAAP adjustments are reflected
separately.
Other. Other differences in accounting principles include adjustments for
the treatment of costs for initial public offerings and unrealized gains from
foreign currency translation and outstanding forward contracts.
Except as described in this Offer to Purchase, (i) none of Purchaser,
Parent, VEBA nor, to the knowledge of Purchaser, Parent and VEBA, any of the
persons listed in Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase or any associate or
majority-owned subsidiary of Purchaser, Parent, VEBA or any of the persons so
listed beneficially owns or has any right to acquire, directly or indirectly,
any Shares and (ii) none of Purchaser, Parent, VEBA nor, to the knowledge of
Purchaser, Parent and VEBA, any of the persons or entities referred to above nor
any director, executive officer or subsidiary of any of the foregoing has
effected any transaction in the Shares during the past 60 days.
Except as provided in the Merger Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement
and as otherwise described in this Offer to Purchase, none of Purchaser, Parent,
VEBA nor, to the knowledge of Purchaser, Parent and VEBA, any of the persons
listed in Schedule I to this Offer to Purchase, has any contract, arrangement,
understanding or relationship with any other person with respect to any
securities of the Company, including, but not limited to, any contract,
arrangement, understanding or relationship concerning the transfer or voting of
such securities, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls,
guaranties of loans, guaranties against loss or the giving or withholding of
proxies. Except as set forth in this Offer to Purchase, since January 1, 1994,
none of Purchaser, Parent nor VEBA nor, to the best knowledge of Purchaser,
Parent and VEBA, any of the persons listed on Schedule I hereto, has had any
business relationship or transaction with the Company or any of its executive
officers, directors or affiliates that is required to be reported under the
rules and regulations of the Commission applicable to the Offer. Except as set
forth in this Offer to Purchase, since January 1, 1994, there have been no
contacts, negotiations or transactions between any of Purchaser, Parent, VEBA,
nor any of their respective subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of Purchaser,
Parent and VEBA, any of the persons listed in Schedule I to this Offer to
Purchase, on
16
<PAGE> 19
the one hand, and the Company or its affiliates, on the other hand, concerning a
merger, consolidation or acquisition, tender offer or other acquisition of
securities, an election of directors or a sale or other transfer of a material
amount of assets.
9. FINANCING OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER. The total amount of funds
required by Purchaser to consummate the Offer and the Merger and to pay related
fees and expenses is estimated to be approximately $820,000,000. Purchaser will
obtain all of such funds from Parent. Parent will obtain all of such funds from
VEBA. VEBA will supply such funds from working capital and other cash on hand.
10. BACKGROUND OF THE OFFER; CONTACTS WITH THE COMPANY; THE MERGER
AGREEMENT, THE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.
In June 1996, Dr. Ferdinand Pohl, a Member of the Board of Management of
Parent, met with Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz, President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company, in Irvine, California. Dr. Pohl was visiting the United States on
other matters, and the two executives met to introduce themselves and to discuss
the opportunities and challenges each faced within the industry. Possible
collaborative efforts, not including a business combination, were discussed in
general terms.
On October 3, 1996, Dr. Pohl, Mr. Ozorkiewicz and Charles M. Clough,
Chairman of the Board of the Company, met in Irvine, California, to exchange
information regarding the respective businesses of Parent and the Company.
Again, no business combination between Parent and the Company was discussed
although possible collaborative efforts were raised.
In February 1997, following their attendance at an industry conference, Mr.
Ozorkiewicz, Dr. Pohl and Peter Gurtler, President of EBV Elektronik GmbH (a
subsidiary of Parent), met in Phoenix, Arizona. At the meeting, Dr. Pohl
expressed an interest by Parent in exploring the possibility of entering into a
business combination with the Company.
In March 1997, Dr. Pohl invited Mr. Ozorkiewicz and Mr. Clough to meet with
Parent in Germany in April.
On April 9, 1997, Dr. Pohl met with Mr. Clough and Mr. Ozorkiewicz in
Munich, Germany to have further discussions regarding a possible business
combination between Parent and the Company. At the meeting, Messrs. Clough and
Ozorkiewicz asked that Dr. Pohl formally indicate Parent's interest in the
Company by submitting a written proposal for a possible business combination
within the ensuing four weeks. Also at that meeting, Dr. Pohl and Mr.
Ozorkiewicz each executed a preliminary confidentiality letter agreement on
behalf of his company.
On May 7, 1997, Mr. Ozorkiewicz contacted Dr. Pohl to discuss the status of
Parent's written proposal. Dr. Pohl noted that Parent had retained Goldman Sachs
to act as its financial adviser and was intending shortly to submit a proposal
valuing the Company in the low-to-mid $40 range per Share. Mr. Ozorkiewicz
expressed his view that a proposal in the low $40 range per Share would be
unlikely to receive serious consideration from the Company's Board of Directors.
On May 12, 1997, Dr. Pohl sent a letter to Mr. Ozorkiewicz expressing
Parent's continued interest in pursuing a possible business combination and
indicating a preliminary valuation, based on publicly available information, in
the mid-$40 range per Share.
On May 13, 1997, at the annual organizational meeting of the Company's
Board of Directors, the Board reviewed Parent's proposal. The Board authorized
the Company to permit Parent to conduct its diligence investigation of the
Company and to negotiate with Parent.
On May 27, 1997, Dr. Pohl, Gunther Beuth, a Member of Parent's Management
Board and Chief Financial Officer, and representatives of Goldman Sachs and
Parent's legal counsel, Shearman & Sterling, met in California with Mr.
Ozorkiewicz, R. Van Ness Holland, Jr., the Company's Executive Vice
President -- Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, and representatives
of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ("CSFB") and the Company's outside
legal counsel, O'Melveny &
17
<PAGE> 20
Myers LLP, to discuss various organizational matters, including the timing and
procedures for the conduct of due diligence.
On June 2, 1997, Parent and the Company entered into a second
Confidentiality Letter, effective as of April 9, 1997.
From June 2 through June 6, 1997, the Company provided Parent and its
representatives access to requested information at the offices of the Company's
outside legal counsel in Newport Beach, California. Parent and its
representatives continued their due diligence review of the Company through June
17, 1997.
On June 16, 1997, Parent's legal counsel delivered drafts of the Merger
Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement to the Company and its legal counsel
and other representatives. On June 17, 1997, representatives of Parent's and the
Company's respective legal counsel discussed various issues concerning the draft
Merger Agreement and Stock Option Agreement.
On June 18, 1997, Georg Kulenkampff, Chairman of Parent's Management Board,
Dr. Pohl and representatives of Goldman Sachs and Shearman & Sterling met with
Mr. Ozorkiewicz, Mr. Holland, Stephen D. Natcher, Senior Vice
President -- Administration, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company and
representatives of CSFB and the Company's outside legal counsel in California.
At the meeting, the parties discussed a number of outstanding issues that would
need to be addressed in order to reach agreement on a business combination.
Parent's representatives proposed that, subject to the resolution of those
issues, they would be in a position to submit a proposed price for the
acquisition of the Company by the end of the following week.
During the week of June 23, 1997, Parent's and the Company's respective
legal counsel continued to discuss the draft Merger Agreement and Stock Option
Agreement.
On June 24, 1997, Dr. Pohl telephoned Mr. Ozorkiewicz to inform Mr.
Ozorkiewicz that Parent was considering making an offer to acquire the Company
at between $47 and $48 per Share.
On June 24 and 25 representatives of CSFB and Goldman Sachs exchanged views
regarding Parent's valuation of the Company.
On June 25, 1997, Mr. Kulenkampff and Dr. Pohl telephoned Mr. Ozorkiewicz
and communicated to Mr. Ozorkiewicz Parent's view that an appropriate value for
the Company would be $50 per Share, subject to satisfactory completion of the
negotiation of the Merger Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement and
confirmation of certain due diligence matters.
From June 26 through July 2, 1997, Parent's and the Company's respective
legal counsel continued negotiations on the terms of the Merger Agreement and
the Stock Option Agreement and addressed the remaining due diligence matters.
All remaining issues under discussion were resolved by telephone
conferences on July 2, 1997.
On July 2, 1997, the Board met and approved the Merger Agreement and the
Stock Option Agreement. Following approval of the Merger Agreement and the Stock
Option Agreement by Parent's Supervisory Board on the morning of July 3, 1997,
the parties executed and delivered the Merger Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The following summary of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is filed as an Exhibit to
the Schedule 14D-1 and is incorporated by reference in this Offer to Purchase.
The Offer. The Merger Agreement provides for the commencement of the Offer
as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than five business days, after
the date of the public announcement of the Merger Agreement. The obligation of
Purchaser to, and of Parent to cause Purchaser to,
18
<PAGE> 21
commence the Offer and accept for payment, and pay for, the Shares tendered
pursuant to the Offer is subject to the satisfaction of (i) the Minimum
Condition prior to the expiration of the Offer and (ii) certain other conditions
described in Section 14. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger
Agreement, Purchaser, in its sole discretion, may waive any condition to the
Offer. In addition, Purchaser may modify the terms and conditions of the Offer,
except that, without the prior written consent of the Company, or as expressly
permitted by the Merger Agreement, Purchaser will not (i) reduce the number of
Shares subject to the Offer, (ii) reduce the Per Share Amount, (iii) modify or
add to the conditions described in Section 14, (iv) except as otherwise provided
in the Merger Agreement, extend the term of the Offer, (v) change the form of
consideration payable in the Offer or (vi) make any other modifications that are
otherwise materially adverse to holders of Shares. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Purchaser may, without the consent of the Company, (A) extend the
term of the Offer beyond any scheduled expiration date of the Offer if, at any
such scheduled expiration date, any of the conditions to Purchaser's obligation
to accept for payment, and pay for, Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer shall
not have been satisfied or waived; provided, however, that Purchaser may extend
the Offer under this clause (A) on not more than one occasion and for not more
than ten business days on such occasion) and (B) extend the Offer for any period
required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of the Commission
or the staff thereof applicable to the Offer or any other applicable law.
Notwithstanding any other provision contained in the Merger Agreement, in
the event the Minimum Condition is not satisfied on any scheduled expiration
date of the Offer, the Purchaser will amend the Offer to provide that, in the
event (i) the Minimum Condition is not satisfied at the next scheduled
expiration date of the Offer (after giving effect to the issuance of any Shares
theretofore issued under the Stock Option Agreement) and (ii) the number of
Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn as of such next
scheduled expiration date is not less than 50% of the then outstanding Shares,
Purchaser will waive the Minimum Condition, reduce the number of Shares subject
to the Offer to the Revised Minimum Number of Shares and, if a greater number of
Shares is tendered in the Offer and not withdrawn, purchase, on a pro rata
basis, the Revised Minimum Number of Shares (it being understood that Purchaser
shall not in any event be required to accept for payment, or pay for, any Shares
if less than the Revised Minimum Number of Shares are tendered pursuant to the
Offer and not withdrawn at the expiration of the Offer).
The Merger. The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions thereof and in accordance with Delaware Law and California
Law, Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company at the Effective Time.
Following the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of Purchaser will
cease and the Company will continue as the Surviving Corporation. Upon
consummation of the Merger, each issued and outstanding Share (other than Shares
owned by the Company or by any subsidiary of the Company and each Share that is
owned by Parent, Purchaser or any other subsidiary of Parent, and other than
Shares held by shareholders who have demanded and perfected, and have not
withdrawn or otherwise lost, appraisal rights, if any, under California Law)
will automatically be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the
Merger Consideration.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as of the Effective Time, each issued and
outstanding share of common stock of Purchaser will be converted into and become
one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, no par
value, of the Surviving Corporation.
Charter Documents; Initial Directors and Officers. The Merger Agreement
provides that, at the Effective Time, the Restated Articles of Incorporation of
the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, will be the
Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation. The Merger Agreement
also provides that the Bylaws of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Time, will be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. Pursuant to
the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, the directors of the Company
immediately prior to the Effective Time will be deemed to have resigned and the
directors of Purchaser immediately prior to the Effective Time
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<PAGE> 22
shall become the directors of the Surviving Corporation. At the Effective Time,
the officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the
officers of the Surviving Corporation.
Shareholders Meeting. The Merger Agreement provides that, if approval of
the Merger Agreement by the shareholders of the Company is required by
applicable law, the Company will, at Parent's request, as soon as practicable
following the consummation of the Offer, duly call, give notice of, convene and
hold a meeting of its shareholders (the "Company Shareholders Meeting") for the
purpose of approving the Merger. Subject to the provisions of the Merger
Agreement, the Company will, through its Board, recommend to its shareholders
approval of the Merger Agreement. If the Minimum Condition is satisfied,
Purchaser will have sufficient voting power to cause the approval of the Merger
without the affirmative vote of any other shareholder. Under California Law, if
Purchaser acquires at least 90% of the outstanding Shares, Purchaser will be
able to approve the Merger without a vote of the Company's shareholders. In the
event Purchaser or any other subsidiary of Parent shall own at least 90% of the
outstanding Shares, and provided that the other conditions set forth in the
Merger Agreement shall have been satisfied or waived, the Company, Purchaser and
Parent will take all necessary and appropriate action to cause the Merger to
become effective as soon as practicable after acceptance of the Shares for
payment pursuant to the Offer without the approval of the shareholders of the
Company in accordance with California Law.
Filings. The Merger Agreement provides that, if approval of the Merger
Agreement by the shareholders of the Company is required by applicable law, the
Company will, at Parent's request, as soon as practicable prepare and file the
Proxy Statement (as defined in the Merger Agreement) with the Commission and the
Company and Parent will cooperate in responding to any comments of the
Commission or its staff and the Company will cause a Proxy Statement to be
mailed to the Company's shareholders as promptly as practicable after responding
to all such comments to the satisfaction of the staff.
Conduct of Business. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has
covenanted and agreed that, between the date of the Merger Agreement and the
Effective Time, and until such time as Parent's designees shall constitute a
majority of the members of the Board (except as expressly contemplated or
permitted by the Merger Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement or to the extent
that Parent shall otherwise consent in writing) as follows:
Ordinary Course. The Company will, and will cause its subsidiaries
to, carry on their respective businesses in the usual, regular and ordinary
course in substantially the same manner as theretofore conducted and will
use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact their present business
organizations, keep available the services of their present officers and
employees and preserve their relationships with customers, suppliers and
others having business dealings with the Company and its subsidiaries.
Dividends; Changes in Stock. The Company will not, and will not
permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i) declare or pay any dividends on or
make other distributions in respect of any of its capital stock, except for
regular quarterly dividends on the Shares not in excess of $0.08 per share
or dividends by a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
to its parent, (ii) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock
or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any other securities in
respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock
or (iii) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital
stock of the Company or its subsidiaries or any other securities thereof or
any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares or other
securities.
Issuance of Securities. The Company will not, and will not permit any
of its subsidiaries to, issue, deliver, sell, pledge or encumber, or
authorize or propose the issuance, delivery, sale, pledge or encumbrance
of, any shares of its capital stock of any class or any securities
convertible into, or any rights, warrants, calls, subscriptions or options
to acquire, any such shares or convertible securities, or any other
ownership interest other than: (i) the issuance of Shares upon the exercise
of Stock Options (as defined below) granted under the Stock
20
<PAGE> 23
Incentive Plans (as defined below) and outstanding on the date of the
Merger Agreement and in accordance with the present terms of such Stock
Options and (ii) the issuance of Preferred Shares (as defined below) and
Common Stock upon conversion thereof, if any, pursuant to the Rights
Agreement.
Governing Documents. The Company will not, and will not permit any of
its subsidiaries to, amend or propose to amend its Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws (or comparable organizational documents).
No Acquisitions. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
subsidiaries to, acquire or agree to acquire (i) by merging or
consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial equity interest in all
or a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any
business or any corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
association or other business organization or division thereof or (ii) any
assets that are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company
and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, except purchases of inventory and
supplies in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
No Dispositions. Other than sales of its products to customers or
other dispositions, in any case in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, the Company will not, and will not permit
any of its subsidiaries to, sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise
dispose of, or agree to sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose
of, any of its assets.
Capital Expenditures. The Company will not, nor will the Company
permit any of its subsidiaries to, make or agree to make any capital
expenditures other than expenditures consistent with the Company's current
capital expenditure forecast of $12,000,000 for 1997.
Indebtedness. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
subsidiaries to, incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any
such indebtedness or issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or
rights to acquire any debt securities of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or guarantee any debt securities of others, except in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
Tax Matters. The Company will not make any tax election that would
have a material effect on the tax liability of the Company or settle or
compromise any income tax liability of the Company of any of its
subsidiaries that would materially affect the aggregate tax liability of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Company will, before filing or
causing to be filed any material tax return of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, consult with Parent and its advisors as to the positions and
elections that may be taken or made with respect to such return.
Discharge of Liabilities. The Company will not, and will not permit
any of its subsidiaries to, pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any claims,
liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or
satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business, or as otherwise disclosed
to Parent, consistent with past practice or in accordance with their terms,
of liabilities recognized or disclosed in the most recent consolidated
financial statements (or the notes thereto) of the Company included in the
documents filed by the Company with the Commission in accordance with the
Exchange Act or incurred since the date of such financial statements in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or waive the
benefits of, or agree to modify in any manner, any confidentiality,
standstill or similar agreement to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party.
Material Contracts. Except in the ordinary course of business, the
Company will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, enter
into, modify, amend or terminate any loan or credit agreement, note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, lease or other agreement, instrument, permit,
concession, franchise or license which is material to the Company and its
subsidiaries or waive, release or assign any material rights or claims.
21
<PAGE> 24
Employee Benefits. The Company will not, and will not permit any of
its subsidiaries to, (i) grant any increase in the compensation of any of
its directors, officers or employees, except for increases for officers
other than executive officers and employees in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, (ii) pay or agree to pay any
pension, retirement allowance or other employee benefit not required or
contemplated by any of the existing Benefit Plans (as defined below) as in
effect on the date of the Merger Agreement to any director, officer or
employee, (iii) enter into any new employment, severance or termination
agreement with any such director, officer or employee or (iv) except as may
be required to comply with applicable law, become obligated under any
Benefit Plan which was not in existence on the date of the Merger Agreement
or amend any such plan in existence on the date hereof.
Accounting Matters. The Company will not, and will not permit any of
its subsidiaries to, take any action, other than reasonable and usual
actions in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practice, with respect to accounting policies or procedures (including,
without limitation, procedures with respect to the payment of accounts
payable and collection of accounts receivable).
No Solicitation. The Company has agreed that it will, and will cause its
subsidiaries and their respective officers, directors, employees, consultants,
investment bankers, accountants, attorneys and other advisors, representatives
and agents ("Company Representatives") to immediately cease any discussions or
negotiations with any parties that may be ongoing with respect to any
Acquisition Proposal (as defined below). The Company will not, nor will it
permit any of its subsidiaries to, nor will it authorize or permit any Company
Representative to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit or initiate, or knowingly
encourage the submission of, any Acquisition Proposal or (ii) participate in any
discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any information
with respect to any proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to
lead to, an Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that if, prior to the
acceptance for payment of Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Board determines in
good faith, based upon advice of independent counsel, which may be the Company's
regularly engaged outside counsel ("Independent Counsel"), that not to do so
would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders
under applicable law, the Company may, in response to an unsolicited Acquisition
Proposal, and subject to compliance with the notice requirements described
below, (x) furnish information with respect to the Company pursuant to a
customary confidentiality agreement and (y) participate in discussions or
negotiations regarding such Acquisition Proposal.
For purposes of the Merger Agreement, "Acquisition Proposal" means any
proposal or offer from any person relating to any direct or indirect acquisition
or purchase of all or a substantial part of the assets of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or of over 15% of any class of equity securities of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, any tender offer or exchange offer that if
consummated would result in any person beneficially owning 15% or more of any
class of equity securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any
merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of all or substantially all
the assets, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
The Merger Agreement also provides that neither the Board nor any committee
thereof may (i) withdraw or modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, in a
manner adverse to Parent, the approval or recommendation by the Board or any
such committee of the Offer, the Merger Agreement or the Merger, (ii) approve or
recommend, or propose to approve or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal or (iii)
enter into any agreement with respect to any Acquisition Proposal.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that, prior to the time of
acceptance for payment of Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Board determines in
good faith, based upon advice of Independent Counsel, that it is necessary to do
so in order to comply with its fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders
under applicable law, the Board may (x) withdraw or modify (or propose to
withdraw or modify) its approval or recommendation of the Offer, the Merger and
the Merger Agreement or
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(y) approve or recommend (or propose to approve or recommend) a Superior
Proposal (as defined below) or terminate (or propose to terminate) the Merger
Agreement (and concurrently with or after such termination, if it so chooses,
cause the Company to enter into any agreement with respect to any Superior
Proposal), but in each of the cases set forth in this clause (y), only at a time
that is at least three business days after Parent's receipt of written notice
advising Parent that the Board has received a Superior Proposal. The Notice of
Superior Proposal must specify the amount and type of consideration to be paid
and such other terms and conditions of the Superior Proposal as the Company
determines in good faith to be material and identify the person making such
Superior Proposal. For purposes of the Merger Agreement, a "Superior Proposal"
means any bona fide proposal made by a third party to acquire, directly or
indirectly, for consideration consisting of cash and/or securities, more than
50% of the combined voting power of the Shares then outstanding or all or
substantially all the assets of the Company and otherwise on terms which the
Board determines in its good faith judgment (based on the advice of a financial
advisor of nationally recognized reputation) to be more favorable to the
Company's shareholders than the Offer and the Merger and for which financing, to
the extent required, is then committed or which, in the good faith judgment of
the Board of the Company (based on the advice of a financial advisor of
nationally recognized reputation), is reasonably capable of being financed by
such third party.
The Merger Agreement provides that the Company will promptly advise Parent
orally and in writing of the Company's receipt of any bona fide acquisition
proposal and any request for information that may reasonably be expected to lead
to or is otherwise related to any such Acquisition Proposal and the identity of
the person making such request or Acquisition Proposal. The Merger Agreement
also provides that the Company will keep Parent informed on a reasonable basis
of the status and details (including amendments) of any such request or
Acquisition Proposal, unless the Board determines in good faith, based upon
advice of Independent Counsel, that to do so would be inconsistent with its
fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders under applicable law.
Directors of the Company. The Merger Agreement provides that promptly
following the purchase of and payment for Shares by Purchaser pursuant to the
Offer, Purchaser will be entitled to designate such number of directors, rounded
down to the nearest whole number, on the Board as will give Purchaser
representation on the Board equal to the product of the total number of
directors on the Board (giving effect to any increase in the number of directors
pursuant to the Merger Agreement) and the percentage that the aggregate number
of Shares beneficially owned by Purchaser bears to the total number of Shares
then outstanding (on a fully diluted basis); provided, however, that Purchaser
will be entitled to designate a number of directors equal to or greater than 50%
of the total number of directors only if Purchaser purchases 90% or more of the
outstanding Shares pursuant to the Offer. The Company and its Board will, at
such time, take such action as may be necessary to cause Purchaser's designees
to be so appointed or elected to the Board, with Purchaser's designees being
allocated as evenly as possible among the classes of directors. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event that Purchaser's designees are to be appointed or
elected to the Board, until the Effective Time, such Board will have at least
three directors who are directors on the date of the Merger Agreement and who
are not officers of the Company (the "Independent Directors"), provided, that,
in such event, if the number of Independent Directors is reduced below three for
any reason whatsoever, any remaining Independent Directors (or Independent
Director, if there is only one remaining) will be entitled to designate persons
to fill such vacancies who will be deemed to be Independent Directors for
purposes of the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, an
affirmative vote of a majority of the Independent Directors will be obtained
prior to the Company entering into any material transaction with Parent,
Purchaser or any affiliate thereof.
The Merger Agreement further provides that, in the event the Company's
obligation to appoint or elect designees to the Board is subject to Section
14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder, Parent will
give the Company reasonable notice of its intention to exercise its rights under
the Merger Agreement and, after receipt of such notice, the Company will
promptly
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<PAGE> 26
take such action as may be required pursuant to Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1 in
order to fulfill its obligations regarding directors under the Merger Agreement
and will include in the Company's Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on
Schedule 14D-9 or a separate Rule 14f-1 Statement to shareholders such
information with respect to the Company and its officers and directors as is
required under Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1 to fulfill its obligations regarding
directors under the Merger Agreement.
Indemnification and Insurance. In the Merger Agreement, Parent and
Purchaser have agreed that all rights to indemnification for acts or omissions
occurring prior to the Effective Time now existing in favor of the current or
former directors, officers, employees and agents (the "Indemnified Parties") of
the Company and its subsidiaries as provided in their respective certificates of
incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) will survive the
Merger and will continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms
for a period of not less than six years. From and after the Effective Time and
for a period of not less than six years thereafter, Parent will, and will cause
the Surviving Corporation to, indemnify and hold harmless any and all
Indemnified Parties to the full extent such persons may be indemnified by the
Company or such subsidiaries, as the case may be, pursuant to applicable law,
their respective certificates of incorporation or bylaws (or similar
organizational documents) or pursuant to indemnification agreements as in effect
on the date of the Merger Agreement for acts or omissions occurring at or prior
to the Effective Time, and Parent will, or will cause the Surviving Corporation
to, advance litigation expenses incurred by such persons in connection with
defending any action arising out of such acts or omissions to the extent
provided by the respective terms and provisions of such certificates of
incorporation, bylaws, similar documents or indemnification agreements as in
effect on the date of the Merger Agreement.
The Merger Agreement further provides that, for not less than six years
from the Effective Time, Parent will maintain in effect the Company's current
directors' and officers' liability insurance covering those persons who are
currently covered by the Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance
policy; provided, however, that in no event will Parent be required to pay a
premium in any one year in an amount in excess of 175% of the annual premium
paid by the Company (which annual premium the Company represented to be
approximately $475,000); and provided further that if the annual premium of such
insurance coverage exceeds such amount, Parent will be obligated to obtain a
policy with the greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding such
amount.
Existing Stock Options. The Merger Agreement provides that as soon as
practicable following the date of the Merger Agreement, the Board (or, if
appropriate, any committee administering the Stock Incentive Plans) will adopt
such resolutions or take such other actions as are required to provide that each
Existing Stock Option theretofore granted under any stock option or stock
purchase plan, program or arrangement or other option agreement or contingent
stock grant plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the
"Stock Incentive Plans") will be accelerated so as to be fully exercisable prior
to the consummation of the Offer, and the Company will assure that any such
Existing Stock Options outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the
Offer will be surrendered immediately prior to the consummation of the Offer in
exchange for an amount in cash, payable at the time of such cancellation, equal
to the product of (x) the number of Shares subject to such Existing Stock Option
immediately prior to the consummation of the Offer and (y) the excess of the Per
Share Amount over the per share exercise price of such Existing Stock Option.
Any Existing Stock Option not cancelled in accordance with the Merger Agreement
immediately prior to the consummation of the Offer will be cancelled at the
Effective Time in exchange for an amount in cash, payable at the Effective Time,
equal to the amount which would have been paid had such Existing Stock Option
been surrendered immediately prior to the consummation of the Offer.
The Merger Agreement also provides that all Stock Incentive Plans will
terminate as of the Effective Time and the provisions in any other Benefit Plan
providing for the issuance, transfer or grant of any capital stock of the
Company or any interest in respect of any capital stock of the Company will be
terminated as of the Effective Time, and the Company will use its best efforts
to
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<PAGE> 27
ensure that following the Effective Time no holder of an Existing Stock Option
or any participant in any Stock Incentive Plan will have any right thereunder to
acquire any capital stock of the Company, Parent or the Surviving Corporation,
except as provided above.
Benefit Plans. The Merger Agreement provides that, for a period of at
least through December 31, 1998, Parent will cause the Surviving Corporation to
continue to maintain the Company's existing compensation, severance, welfare and
pension benefit plans, programs and arrangements (other than any stock based
plans, programs and arrangements) for the benefit of current and former
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (subject to such modification as
may be required by applicable law or to maintain the tax exempt status of any
such plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended); provided, however, that (i) nothing therein
prohibits Parent from replacing any such existing plan, program or arrangement
with a plan, program or arrangement which provides such employees with benefits
which are not less favorable in the aggregate than the benefits that would have
been provided under such existing plan, program or arrangement to the extent
such replacement is permitted under the terms of the applicable plan, program or
arrangement and (ii) nothing therein obligates Parent to provide such employees
with any stock based compensation (including, without limitation, stock options
or stock appreciation rights) after the Effective Time.
In the Merger Agreement, Parent also agreed to institute during the
one-year period following the Effective Time a new performance-based incentive
compensation plan for the benefit of employees of the Surviving Corporation and
its subsidiaries.
The Merger Agreement also provides that all service credited to each
employee by the Company through the Effective Time will be recognized by Parent
for all purposes, including for purposes of eligibility, vesting and benefit
accruals under any employee benefit plan provided by the Surviving Corporation
or Parent for the benefit of the employees; provided, however, that, to the
extent necessary to avoid duplication of benefits, amounts payable under
employee benefit plans provided by the Surviving Corporation or Parent may be
reduced by amounts payable under similar Company plans with respect to the same
periods of service.
Parent also agreed to cause the Surviving Corporation to honor (without
modification) and assume, and thereby guaranteed the Surviving Corporation's
performance of, certain employment agreements, executive termination agreements
and individual benefit arrangements set forth in the Merger Agreement or
disclosed to Parent.
Certain Litigation. In the Merger Agreement, the Company agreed that it
will not settle any litigation commenced after the date of the Merger Agreement
against the Company or any of its directors by any shareholder of the Company
relating to the Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement or the Stock Option
Agreement without the prior written consent of Parent. In addition, subject to
its rights under the Merger Agreement, the Company will not voluntarily
cooperate with any third party that may thereafter seek to restrain or prohibit
or otherwise oppose the Offer or the Merger and will cooperate with Parent and
Purchaser to resist any such effort to restrain or prohibit or otherwise oppose
the Offer or the Merger.
Representations and Warranties. The Merger Agreement contains various
customary representations and warranties of the parties thereto including
representations by the Company as to the Company's corporate organization and
qualification, the Company's subsidiaries, capitalization, authority, filings
with the Commission and other governmental authorities, financial statements,
the absence of certain changes or events concerning the Company's corporate
organization and qualification, the absence of undisclosed liabilities, the
truth of information supplied by the Company, litigation, labor matters,
employee benefit matters and ERISA, taxes, compliance with applicable laws,
environmental matters, real property, intellectual property, insurance,
amendments to the Rights Agreement, state takeover statutes, the opinion of the
Company's financial advisor with respect to the Offer and the Merger and brokers
involved in the Offer and the Merger.
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Conditions to Consummation of the Merger. The Merger Agreement provides
that the respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger are subject
to the following conditions: (i) if required by applicable law, the Merger
Agreement will have been approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Shares; (ii) no statute, rule, regulation, executive
order, decree, temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction
or other order issued by any governmental entity or other legal restraint or
prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger shall be in effect;
provided, however, that, in the case of a temporary restraining order,
injunction or other order, each of the parties has used all reasonable efforts
to prevent the entry of any such temporary restraining order, injunction or
other order and to appeal as promptly as possible any temporary restraining
order, injunction or other order that may be entered; (iii) Purchaser will have
previously accepted for payment and paid for the Shares pursuant to the Offer;
and (iv) any waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) applicable to the
consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act will have expired or been
terminated.
Termination. The Merger Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
the Effective Time: (i) by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company;
(ii) by either Parent or the Company if (A) as a result of the failure of any of
the conditions described in Section 14 the Offer has terminated or expired in
accordance with its terms without Purchaser having accepted for payment any
Shares pursuant to the Offer or (B) Purchaser has not accepted for payment any
Shares pursuant to the Offer within 90 days following the date of the Merger
Agreement; provided, however, that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement
pursuant to this clause (ii) will not be available to any party whose failure to
perform any of its obligations under the Merger Agreement results in the
failure, occurrence or existence of any such condition; (iii) by either Parent
or the Company if any governmental entity has enacted or issued any statute,
rule, regulation, executive order, decree, temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction or taken any other action permanently
enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the acceptance for payment of,
or payment for, Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Merger and such order,
decree or ruling or other action has become final and nonappealable; (iv) by
Parent or Purchaser prior to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer in the
event of a breach by the Company of any representation, warranty, covenant or
other agreement contained in the Merger Agreement which (A) would give rise to
the failure of certain of the conditions described in Section 14 and (B) cannot
be or has not been cured within 10 days after the giving of written notice to
the Company; (v) by Parent or Purchaser if either Parent or Purchaser is
entitled to terminate the Offer as a result of the occurrence of certain events
described in paragraph (d) of Section 14; (vi) by the Company in connection with
entering into a definitive agreement regarding a Superior Proposal (as described
above), provided it has complied with all applicable provisions of the Merger
Agreement relating to Superior Proposals, including the notice provisions
therein, and that it pays the Termination Fee (as defined below) immediately
prior to such termination pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Merger
Agreement; or (vii) by the Company, if Purchaser or Parent has breached in any
material respect any of their respective representations, warranties, covenants
or other agreements contained in the Merger Agreement, which failure to perform
is incapable of being cured or has not been cured within 10 days after the
giving of written notice to Parent or Purchaser, as applicable.
Fees and Expenses. The Merger Agreement provides that, except as provided
in the following paragraphs, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with
the Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby will be paid by the party incurring such fees and expenses, whether or
not the Offer or the Merger is consummated.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company will pay, or cause to be
paid, in immediately available funds to Parent the sum of $20,000,000 (the
"Termination Fee") under the circumstances and at the times set forth as
follows: (i) if Parent or Purchaser terminates the Merger Agreement pursuant to
clause (v) of the second preceding paragraph, the Company will pay the
Termination Fee upon demand; (ii) immediately prior to any termination of the
Merger Agreement pursuant to clause (vi) of the second preceding paragraph, the
Company shall pay the Termination Fee; (iii) if,
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<PAGE> 29
at the time of any termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to clause (ii)
of the second preceding paragraph (as a result of less than 50% of the
outstanding Shares being tendered), an Acquisition Proposal shall have been made
and shall be pending and the Board shall not have withdrawn or modified in a
manner adverse to Parent or Purchaser its approval or recommendation of the
Offer, and, within 12 months of such termination, (x) the Company shall enter
into an agreement providing for any Acquisition Proposal or an Acquisition
Proposal shall be consummated at a price per Share equal to or in excess of the
Per Share Amount, the Company shall pay the Termination Fee concurrently with
the earlier of the entering into of such agreement or the consummation of such
Acquisition Proposal or (y) the Company shall enter into an agreement providing
for an Acquisition Proposal or an Acquisition Proposal shall be consummated at a
price less than the Per Share Amount, the Company shall pay the Expenses (as
defined below) concurrently with the earlier of the entering into of such
agreement or the consummation of such Acquisition Proposal; and (iv) if, at the
time of any termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to clause (iv) of the
second preceding paragraph resulting from a wilful and material breach of any
covenant or agreement contained in the Merger Agreement, an Acquisition Proposal
has been made and is pending and, within 12 months of such termination, the
Company enters into an agreement providing for an Acquisition Proposal or an
Acquisition Proposal is consummated, the Company will pay the Termination Fee
concurrently with the earlier of the entering into of such agreement or the
consummation of such Acquisition Proposal.
For the purposes of the Merger Agreement, "Expenses" means documented
out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred or paid by or on behalf of Parent or
Purchaser in connection with the Offer or the Merger, the preparation and
negotiation of the Merger Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement and the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or
the Stock Option Agreement, including, without limitation, all fees and expenses
of law firms, commercial banks, investment banking firms, accountants, printing
firms, information agents, proxy solicitors, experts and consultants to Parent;
provided, however, that in no event will such fees and expenses exceed
$5,000,000.
The Merger Agreement also provides that, in the event the Company fails to
pay the Termination Fee or Expenses when due, the amount of any such Termination
Fee or Expenses will be increased to include the costs and expenses actually
incurred or accrued by Parent (including, without limitation, fees and expenses
of counsel) in connection with the collection of such unpaid Termination Fee or
Expenses, together with interest on such unpaid Termination Fee or Expenses,
commencing on the date that such Termination Fee or Expenses became due, at a
rate equal to the rate of interest publicly announced by Citibank, N.A., from
time to time, in The City of New York as such bank's base rate plus 3.00%.
THE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
The following summary of the Stock Option Agreement is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Stock Option Agreement, a copy of which is filed as
an Exhibit to the Schedule 14D-1 and is incorporated by reference in this Offer
to Purchase.
Grant of Stock Option. Pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement, the Company
granted to Purchaser the Stock Option to purchase the Option Shares at the
Purchase Price, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Stock
Option Agreement; provided, however, that the Stock Option will not be
exercisable if the number of Shares subject thereto exceeds the number of
authorized Shares available for issuance.
Exercise of Stock Option. The Stock Option Agreement provides that,
subject to the conditions set forth in the Stock Option Agreement and to any
additional requirements of law, the Stock Option may be exercised by Purchaser,
in whole but not in part, at any time or from time to time after the occurrence
of an Exercise Event (as defined below) and prior to the Termination Date (as
defined below). For the purpose of the Stock Option Agreement, an "Exercise
Event" would occur upon
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<PAGE> 30
Purchaser's acceptance for payment pursuant to the Offer of Shares constituting
more than 50% of the Shares then outstanding but less than 90% of the Shares
then outstanding on a fully diluted basis, and the "Termination Date" would
occur upon the first to occur of any of the following: (i) the Effective Time;
(ii) the date which is 10 business days after the occurrence of an Exercise
Event (unless prior thereto the Stock Option has been exercised); or (iii) the
termination of the Merger Agreement.
Conditions to Closing. The Stock Option Agreement provides that the
obligation of the Company to deliver Option Shares upon any exercise of the
Stock Option is subject to the following conditions: (a) such delivery would not
in any material respect violate, or otherwise cause the material violation of,
Section 312.03(c) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual or any material law,
including, without limitation, the HSR Act, applicable thereto; (b) no
preliminary or permanent injunction or other final, non-appealable judgment by a
court of competent jurisdiction preventing or prohibiting such exercise of such
Stock Option or the delivery of the Option Shares; and (c) the Company has
available from its authorized Shares such number of Shares as is sufficient to
issue the Option Shares; provided, however, that the Company will have fully
complied with the terms of the Stock Option Agreement.
Representations and Warranties. The Stock Option Agreement contains
various representations and warranties of the parties thereto, including
representations by the Company as to the Company's corporate organization and
authority relative to the Stock Option Agreement, the Company's authority to
issue the Option Shares and the absence of any conflicts and the obtaining of
all applicable filings and consents.
Termination. The Stock Option Agreement, other than certain obligations of
the parties specified in the Stock Option Agreement, will terminate on the
Termination Date.
THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT
In 1989, the Company implemented a Rights Agreement between the Company and
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. (as successor to Chemical Bank), as
successor Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement") and declared a dividend to
shareholders of one Right for each outstanding share of the Company's common
stock. One Right was issued for each share of the Company's common stock
outstanding on October 16, 1989, and as long as the Rights have not expired,
been redeemed or become exercisable, for each share of common stock issued
thereafter.
Upon becoming exercisable, each Right will entitle the holder to purchase
from the Company, at any time after the Distribution Date (as defined below) and
prior to the Expiration Date or the redemption of the Rights by the Board,
1/100(th) of a share of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred
Stock, without par value (a "Preferred Share"), at a purchase price of $85.00
per Right (subject to adjustment, the final price being the "Rights Purchase
Price").
For purposes of the Rights Agreement, the "Distribution Date" refers to the
earlier of (i) the 10th business day following the date of, the commencement of
or the first public announcement of the intent of any person (other than the
Company) to commence a tender offer or exchange offer, the consummation of which
would cause any person to become an owner of 15% or more of the shares of the
Company's outstanding common stock (a "15% Shareholder"), (ii) a public
announcement (including the filing of a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d)
of the Exchange Act) by the Company or a 15% Shareholder containing the facts
detailing how such person became a 15% Shareholder or (iii) any date after a
person becomes a 15% Shareholder and the Company either (y) merges with another
company or (z) sells assets equalling at least 50% of the earning power of the
Company.
The Rights will expire on February 23, 2005 (the "Rights Expiration Date")
or any earlier date if redeemed or exchanged by the Board as described below.
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In the event that a person becomes a 15% Shareholder, each holder of a
Right has a right to receive, upon payment of the Rights Purchase Price, such
number of shares of common stock of the Company as shall equal the result
obtained by multiplying the then current Rights Purchase Price by the then
number of 1/100(ths) of a Preferred Share for which the right was exercisable
immediately prior to a person becoming a 15% Shareholder and dividing that
product by 50% of the current market price of the Company's common stock on the
date that such person becomes a 15% Shareholder.
In the event that, at any time after a person becomes a 15% Shareholder
(and such ownership is publicly announced), and prior to the earlier of the
Redemption Date or the Rights Expiration Date, the Company (i) merges or
combines with or into any other entity and the Company is not the surviving or
continuing entity, (ii) any entity merges or combines with or into the Company
and the Company is the surviving or continuing entity and, in connection with
such transaction, all or part of the Company's common stock is exchanged for
stock or other securities of the other entity or (iii) the Company sells or
transfers assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or
earning power of the Company to another entity (all such entities identified in
(i), (ii) and (iii) above being a "Surviving Entity" and any transaction being a
"Business Combination"), then each holder of a Right has the right to receive,
upon payment of the Rights Purchase Price, such number of shares of common stock
of the Surviving Entity as shall be equal to a fraction, the numerator of which
is the product of the then current Rights Purchase Price multiplied by the
number of 1/100(ths) of a Preferred Share purchasable upon the exercise of one
Right immediately prior to the event whereby the person becomes a 15%
Shareholder, and the denominator of which is 50% of the current market price of
the Surviving Entity's common stock on the date of such Business Combination.
After completion of any Business Combination, the Surviving Entity will
thereafter be liable for and shall assume all the obligation and duties of the
Company pursuant to the Rights Agreement.
Until the earliest of (i) a public announcement of a person becoming a 15%
Shareholder, (ii) a merger of the Company or any sale of more than 50% of the
Company's assets after a person becomes a 15% Shareholder or (iii) the Rights
Expiration Date, a majority, but not less than three, of the Independent
Directors (as defined below) may, at their option, redeem all, but not less than
all, of the then outstanding Rights at a price of $.01 per Right (the date of
such redemption being the "Redemption Date").
For purposes of the Rights Agreement, an "Independent Director" is any
director of the Company who (i) became a director of the Company prior to any
person becoming a 15% Shareholder or (ii) became a director after a person has
become a 15% Shareholder, was recommended to become a director of the Company by
a majority of the Independent Directors then in office and is not (A) a 15%
Shareholder (or any affiliate or associate thereof), (B) an officer, director or
employee of such 15% Shareholder or (C) a relative or nominee of any of the
foregoing.
The Board may, at its option, at any time after a person becomes a 15%
Shareholder, exchange all or part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights
for common stock at a ratio of one share of the Company's common stock per
Right.
Until the earliest of (i) a public announcement of a person becoming a 15%
Shareholder, (ii) a merger of the Company or any sale of more than 50% of the
Company's assets after a person becomes a 15% Shareholder, (iii) the Redemption
Date or (iv) the Rights Expiration Date, a majority, but not less than three, of
the Independent Directors may, without the approval of any Rights holders, amend
any provision of the Rights Agreement in any manner, even if such amendment is
adverse to Rights holders. Prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date or the
Rights Expiration Date, a majority, but not less than three, of the Independent
Directors may, without the approval of any Rights holders, amend any provision
of the Rights Agreement in any manner, provided that such amendment does not
materially and adversely affect the holders of Rights.
The Rights Agreement was amended and restated on February 23, 1995.
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<PAGE> 32
In connection with and prior to the Company entering into the Merger
Agreement, on July 2, 1997, the Company amended its Rights Agreement to the
extent necessary to permit Parent and Purchaser to perform their obligations
under the Merger Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement without being deemed to be a 15% Shareholder or otherwise
triggering a Distribution Date by reason of the execution of, or consummation of
the transactions contemplated in, the Merger Agreement. If the Rights Agreement
had not been so amended and if the Offer, the Merger Agreement or any of the
respective transactions contemplated thereby had resulted in Parent being deemed
the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock outstanding,
it may have resulted in a distribution to the Company's shareholders (other than
Parent and Purchaser) of Rights certificates separate from the Common Stock.
11. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER; PLANS FOR THE COMPANY AFTER THE OFFER AND THE
MERGER.
Purpose of the Offer. The purpose of the Offer and the Merger is for
Parent to acquire control of, and the entire equity interest in, the Company.
The purpose of the Merger is for Parent to acquire all Shares not purchased
pursuant to the Offer. Upon consummation of the Merger, the Company will become
an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. The Offer is being made pursuant
to the Merger Agreement.
Plans for Merger Consummation. Under California Law, the approval of the
Board and the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
Shares is required to approve the Merger Agreement. The Board has unanimously
approved the Merger Agreement, and, unless the Merger is consummated pursuant to
the short-form merger provisions under California Law described below, the only
remaining required corporate action of the Company is the approval of the Merger
Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Shares.
Accordingly, if the Minimum Condition is satisfied, Purchaser will have
sufficient voting power to cause the approval of the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby without the affirmative vote of any other
shareholder.
In the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to take all action
necessary to convene a meeting of its shareholders as soon as practicable after
the consummation of the Offer for the purpose of considering and taking action
on the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, if such
action is required by California Law. Parent and Purchaser have agreed that all
Shares owned by them and their subsidiaries will be voted in favor of the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
If Purchaser purchases Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Merger Agreement
provides that Purchaser will be entitled to designate representatives to serve
on the Board in proportion to Purchaser's ownership of Shares following such
purchase; provided, however, that Purchaser will be entitled to designate a
number of directors equal to or greater than 50% of the total number of
directors only if Purchaser purchases 90% or more of the outstanding Shares. See
Section 10. Purchaser expects that such representation would permit Purchaser to
exert substantial influence over the Company's conduct of its business and
operations.
Under California Law, if Purchaser acquires, pursuant to the Offer, the
Stock Option or otherwise, at least 90% of the outstanding Shares, Purchaser
will be able to effect the Merger without a vote of the Company's shareholders.
In such event, Parent, Purchaser and the Company have agreed in the Merger
Agreement to take all necessary and appropriate action to cause the Merger to
become effective as soon as practicable after such acquisition, without a
meeting of the Company's shareholders.
In the event that more than 50% of the Shares then outstanding are tendered
pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn, but less than 90% of the Shares then
outstanding on a fully diluted basis are acquired by Purchaser pursuant to the
Offer and the Stock Option, Purchaser will waive the Minimum Condition and amend
the Offer to reduce the number of Shares subject to the Offer to the Revised
Minimum Number of Shares and, if a greater number of Shares is tendered into the
Offer
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and not withdrawn, purchase, on a pro rata basis, the Revised Minimum Number of
Shares (it being understood that Purchaser shall not in any event be required to
accept for payment, or pay for, any Shares if less than the Revised Minimum
Number of Shares are tendered pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn at the
expiration of the Offer).
The Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that the affirmative vote
of the holders of not less than 80% of the total voting power of the Company's
outstanding voting securities is required to approve (i) any merger (other than
a short-form merger effected in accordance with applicable California Law),
consolidation, combination or reorganization of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries with any other corporation if such other corporation is a
Substantial Shareholder (as defined below) or an associate of a Substantial
Shareholder or (ii) the issuance or delivery of any stock or other securities of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries in exchange for payment for any (A) cash
or other properties or assets of such Substantial Shareholder or associate
thereof or (B) securities of such Substantial Shareholder or associate thereof.
This supermajority voting requirement is not applicable, however, to any such
merger, consolidation, combination or reorganization or issuance or delivery of
stock or other securities which is approved by resolution duly adopted by a
majority of the Continuing Directors (as defined below). For the purpose of the
Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation, "Substantial Shareholder" means
any person or group of two or more persons who have agreed to act together for
the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of securities
representing 10% or more of the voting power of all shares of voting securities
of the Company. For the purpose of the Company's Restated Articles of
Incorporation, "Continuing Director" means, with reference to any Substantial
Shareholder, any member of the Board who (A) is not an affiliate of and is not
the Substantial Shareholder and (B) was a member of the Board prior to July 1,
1986 or thereafter become a member of the Board prior to the time the
Substantial Shareholder become a Substantial Shareholder, and any successor of a
Continuing Director who is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a
majority of Continuing Directors then on the Board. Parent believes that the
described supermajority voting requirement is not applicable to this Offer or
the Merger.
Dissenters' Rights. Holders of Shares do not have dissenters' rights as a
result of the Offer. However, in connection with the Merger, holders of Shares,
by complying with the provisions of Chapter 13 of California Law, may have
certain rights to dissent and to require the Company to purchase their Shares
for cash at fair market value. In general, holders of Shares will be entitled to
exercise "dissenters' rights" under California Law only if the holders of five
percent or more of the outstanding Shares properly file demands for payment or
if the Shares held by such holders are subject to any restriction on transfer
imposed by the Company or any law or regulation ("Restricted Shares").
Accordingly, any holder of Restricted Shares and, if the holders of five percent
or more of the Shares properly file demands for payment, all other such holders
who fully comply with all other applicable provisions of Chapter 13 of
California Law will be entitled to require the Company to purchase their Shares
for cash at their fair market value if the Merger is consummated. In addition,
if immediately prior to the Effective Time, the Shares are not listed on a
national securities exchange or on the list of OTC margin stocks issued by the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board"),
holders of Shares may likewise exercise their dissenters' rights as to any or
all of their Shares entitled to such rights. If the statutory procedures under
California Law relating to dissenters' rights were complied with, such rights
could lead to a judicial determination of the fair market value of the Shares.
The "fair market value" would be determined as of the day before the first
announcement of the terms of the proposed Merger, excluding any appreciation or
depreciation in consequence of the Merger. The value so determined could be more
or less than the Merger Consideration.
Rule 13e-3. The Commission has adopted Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act,
which is applicable to certain "going private" transactions and which may under
certain circumstances be applicable to the Merger or another business
combination following the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer in which
Purchaser seeks to acquire the remaining Shares not held by it.
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Purchaser believes, however, that Rule 13e-3 will not be applicable to the
Merger. Rule 13e-3 requires, among other things, that certain financial
information concerning the Company and certain information relating to the
fairness of the proposed transaction and the consideration offered to minority
shareholders in such transaction be filed with the Commission and disclosed to
shareholders prior to consummation of the transaction.
Plans for the Company. It is expected that, initially following the
Merger, the business and operations of the Company will, except as set forth in
this Offer to Purchase, be continued by the Company substantially as they are
currently being conducted. Parent will continue to evaluate the business and
operations of the Company during the pendency of the Offer and after the
consummation of the Offer and the Merger, and will take such actions as it deems
appropriate under the circumstances then existing. Parent intends to seek
additional information about the Company during this period. Thereafter, Parent
intends to review such information as part of a comprehensive review of the
Company's business, operations, capitalization and management with a view to
optimizing exploitation of the Company's potential in conjunction with Parent's
businesses. It is expected that the business and operations of the Company would
form an important part of Parent's future business plans.
Except as indicated in this Offer to Purchase, Parent does not have any
present plans or proposals which relate to or would result in an extraordinary
corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation,
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or transfer of a
material amount of assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any
material change in the Company's capitalization or dividend policy or any other
material changes in the Company's corporate structure or business, or the
composition of the Board or the Company's management.
12. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. The Merger Agreement provides that the
Company will not, and will not permit any of its subsidiaries to, between the
date of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time, without the prior written
consent of Parent, issue, deliver, sell, pledge or encumber, or authorize or
propose the issuance, delivery, sale, pledge or encumbrance of, any shares of
its capital stock of any class or any securities convertible into, or any
rights, warrants, call, subscriptions or options to acquire, any such shares or
convertible securities, or any other ownership interest other than the issuance
of Shares upon the exercise of the Existing Stock Options granted under the
Stock Incentive Plans and outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement and in
accordance with the terms of such Existing Stock Options as of the date of the
Merger Agreement. See Section 11. In addition, the Company will not, and will
not permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i) declare or pay any dividends on or
make other distributions in respect of any of its capital stock, except for
regular quarterly dividends on Shares not in excess of $0.08 per Share or
dividends by a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to its
parent, (ii) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or
authorize or propose the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu
of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock or (iii) repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock of the Company or its
subsidiaries or any other securities thereof or any rights, warrants or options
to acquire any such shares or other securities.
If, on or after July 3, 1997, the Company should declare or pay any
dividend on the Shares or make any other distribution (including the issuance of
additional shares of capital stock pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split,
the issuance of other securities or the issuance of rights for the purchase of
any securities) with respect to the Shares that is payable or distributable to
shareholders of record on a date prior to the transfer to the name of Purchaser
or its nominee or transferee on the Company's stock transfer records of the
Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer other than regular quarterly dividends on
the Shares declared and paid at times consistent with past practice and in an
amount not in excess of $0.08 per Share, then, without prejudice to Purchaser's
rights under Section 14, (i) the purchase price per Share payable by Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer will be reduced (subject to the Merger Agreement) to the
extent any such dividend or distribution is
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payable in cash and (ii) any non-cash dividend, distribution or right shall be
received and held by the tendering shareholder for the account of Purchaser and
will be required to be promptly remitted and transferred by each tendering
shareholder to the Depositary for the account of Purchaser, accompanied by
appropriate documentation of transfer. Pending such remittance and subject to
applicable law, Purchaser will be entitled to all the rights and privileges as
owner of any such non-cash dividend, distribution or right and may withhold the
entire purchase price or deduct from the purchase price the amount or value
thereof, as determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion.
13. EFFECT OF THE OFFER ON THE MARKET FOR THE SHARES, EXCHANGE LISTING AND
EXCHANGE ACT REGISTRATION. The purchase of Shares by Purchaser pursuant to the
Offer will reduce the number of Shares that might otherwise trade publicly and
will reduce the number of holders of Shares, which could adversely affect the
liquidity and market value of the remaining Shares held by the public.
Depending upon the number of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer and the
Stock Option, the Shares may no longer meet the requirements of the NYSE for
continued listing and may be delisted from the NYSE. Parent intends to seek the
delisting of the Shares by the NYSE following consummation of the Offer.
According to the NYSE's published guidelines, the NYSE would consider
delisting the Shares if, among other things, the number of record holders of at
least 100 Shares (or of a unit of trading if less than 100 Shares) should fall
below 1,200, the number of publicly-held Shares (exclusive of holdings of
officers, directors and their families and other concentrated holdings of 10% or
more ("NYSE Excluded Holdings")) should fall below 600,000 or the aggregate
market value of publicly-held Shares (exclusive of NYSE Excluded Holdings)
should fall below $5,000,000. The Company has advised Purchaser that, as of June
30, 1997, there were 12,229,100 Shares outstanding, held by approximately 1,918
holders of record. If, as a result of the purchase of Shares pursuant to the
Offer or otherwise, the Shares no longer meet the requirements of the NYSE for
continued listing and the listing of the Shares is discontinued, the market for
the Shares could be adversely affected.
If the NYSE were to delist the Shares, it is possible that the Shares would
continue to trade on another securities exchange or in the over-the-counter
market and that price or other quotations would be reported by such exchange or
through the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
System ("NASDAQ") or other sources. The extent of the public market therefor and
the availability of such quotations would depend, however, upon such factors as
the number of shareholders and/or the aggregate market value of such securities
remaining at such time, the interest in maintaining a market in the Shares on
the part of securities firms, the possible termination of registration under the
Exchange Act as described below, and other factors. Purchaser cannot predict
whether the reduction in the number of Shares that might otherwise trade
publicly would have an adverse or beneficial effect on the market price for or
marketability of the Shares or whether it would cause future market prices to be
greater or less than the Merger Consideration.
The Shares are currently "margin securities", as such term is defined under
the rules of the Federal Reserve Board, which has the effect, among other
things, of allowing brokers to extend credit on the collateral of such
securities. Depending upon factors similar to those described above regarding
listing and market quotations, following the Offer it is possible that the
Shares might no longer constitute "margin securities" for purposes of the margin
regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, in which event such Shares could no
longer be used as collateral for loans made by brokers.
The Shares are currently registered under the Exchange Act. Such
registration may be terminated upon application by the Company to the Commission
if the Shares are not listed on a national securities exchange and there are
fewer than 300 record holders. The termination of the registration of the Shares
under the Exchange Act would substantially reduce the information required to be
furnished by the Company to holders of Shares and to the Commission and would
make certain provisions of the Exchange Act, such as the short-swing profit
recovery provisions of Section 16(b), the requirement of furnishing a proxy
statement in connection with shareholders' meetings and the requirements of Rule
13e-3 under the Exchange Act with respect to "going
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private" transactions, no longer applicable to the Shares. In addition,
"affiliates" of the Company and persons holding "restricted securities" of the
Company may be deprived of the ability to dispose of such securities pursuant to
Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. If registration of the Shares
under the Exchange Act were terminated, the Shares would no longer be "margin
securities" or be eligible for NASDAQ reporting. Purchaser currently intends to
seek to cause the Company to terminate the registration of the Shares under the
Exchange Act as soon after consummation of the Offer as the requirements for
termination of registration are met.
14. CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER. Notwithstanding any other term of
the Offer or the Merger Agreement, Purchaser will not be required to accept for
payment or, subject to any applicable rules and regulations of the Commission,
including Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act (relating to Purchaser's
obligation to pay for or return tendered Shares after the termination or
withdrawal of the Offer), to pay for any Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer
unless (i) the Minimum Condition has been satisfied, (ii) any waiting period
under the HSR Act applicable to the purchase of the shares pursuant to the Offer
or the Stock Option Agreement shall have expired or been terminated and (iii)
the satisfaction of any applicable foreign competition and antitrust statutes
and regulations, including the approval of the German Federal Cartel Office
pursuant to the German Act Against Restraint of Competition. Furthermore,
notwithstanding any other term of the Offer or the Merger Agreement, Purchaser
will not be required to accept for payment or, subject as aforesaid, to pay for
any Shares not theretofore accepted for payment or paid for, and may terminate
the Offer if, at any time on or after the date of the Merger Agreement and
before the acceptance of such Shares for payment or, subject to applicable rules
and regulations of the Commission, the payment therefor, any of the following
events occur (other than as a result of any action or inaction of Parent or any
of its subsidiaries which constitutes a breach of the Merger Agreement):
(a) any order, preliminary or permanent injunction, decree, judgment
or ruling in any suit, action or proceeding is entered that (i) makes
illegal or otherwise directly or indirectly restrains or prohibits the
acquisition by Parent or Purchaser of any Shares under the Offer or the
making or consummation of the Offer or the Merger, the performance by the
Company of any of its obligations under the Merger Agreement or the
consummation of any purchase of Shares contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, (ii) prohibits or limits the ownership or operation by the
Company, Parent or any of their respective subsidiaries of a material
portion of the business or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or Parent and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or
compels the Company or Parent to dispose of or hold separate any material
portion of the business or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or Parent and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as a
result of the Offer or the Merger, (iii) imposes material limitations on
the ability of Parent or Purchaser to acquire or hold, or exercise full
rights of ownership of, any Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the
Offer, including, without limitation, the right to vote such Shares on all
matters properly presented to the shareholders of the Company or (iv)
prohibits Parent or any of its subsidiaries from effectively controlling in
any material respect the business or operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or
(b) any Law is enacted, entered, enforced, promulgated or deemed
applicable to the Offer or the Merger, or any other action is taken by any
governmental entity, other than the application to the Offer or the Merger
of applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act, that results, directly or
indirectly, in any of the consequences referred to in clauses (i) through
(iv) of paragraph (a) above; or
(c) any Material Adverse Change (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
has occurred; or
(d) (i) the Board or any committee thereof withdraws or modifies in a
manner adverse to Parent or Purchaser its approval or recommendation of the
Offer, the Merger or the Merger
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Agreement, or approves or recommends any Acquisition Proposal or (ii) the
Company enters into any agreement to consummate any Acquisition Proposal;
or
(e) any of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth
in the Merger Agreement that are qualified as to materiality are not true
and correct or any such representations and warranties that are not so
qualified are not true and correct in any respect that is reasonably likely
to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement), in
each case at the date of the Merger Agreement and at the scheduled
expiration of the Offer; or
(f) the Company fails 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 Company to be performed or complied with by it
under the Merger Agreement; or
(g) (i) any general suspension of trading in, or limitation on prices
for, securities on the NYSE (excluding any coordinated trading halt
triggered solely as a result of a specified decrease in a market index),
(ii) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in
respect of banks in the United States or the Federal Republic of Germany,
(iii) commencement of a war or armed hostilities or other national or
international calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States
or the Federal Republic of Germany which in any case is reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect or to materially adversely affect
Parent's or Purchaser's ability to complete the Offer or the Merger or
materially delay the consummation of the Offer, the Merger or both or (iv)
in case of any of the foregoing existing on the date of the Merger
Agreement, material acceleration or worsening thereof, occurs and continues
to exist for at least three business days; or
(h) the Merger Agreement is invalidated or terminated.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Purchaser and Parent
and may, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, be waived by Purchaser
and Parent in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in their sole
discretion. The failure by Parent or Purchaser at any time to exercise any of
the foregoing rights will not be deemed a waiver of any such right, the waiver
of any such right with respect to particular facts and circumstances will not be
deemed a waiver with respect to any other facts and circumstances and each such
right will be deemed an ongoing right that may be asserted at any time and from
time to time.
15. CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS AND REGULATORY APPROVALS.
General. Based upon its examination of publicly available information with
respect to the Company and the review of certain information furnished by the
Company to Parent and discussions of representatives of Parent with
representatives of the Company during Parent's investigation of the Company (see
Section 10), neither Purchaser nor Parent is aware of any license or other
regulatory permit that appears to be material to the business of the Company and
its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, which might be adversely affected by the
acquisition of Shares by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer or, except as set forth
below, of any approval or other action by any domestic (federal or state) or
foreign governmental, administrative or regulatory authority or agency which
would be required prior to the acquisition of Shares by Purchaser pursuant to
the Offer. Should any such approval or other action be required, it is
Purchaser's present intention to seek such approval or action. Purchaser does
not currently intend, however, to delay the purchase of Shares tendered pursuant
to the Offer pending the outcome of any such action or the receipt of any such
approval (subject to Purchaser's right to decline to purchase Shares if any of
the conditions in Section 14 shall have occurred). There can be no assurance
that any such approval or other action, if needed, would be obtained without
substantial conditions or that adverse consequences might not result to the
business of the Company, Purchaser or Parent or that certain parts of the
businesses of the Company, Purchaser or Parent might not have to be disposed of
or held separate or other substantial conditions complied with in order to
obtain such approval or other action or in the event that such approval was not
obtained or such other action was not taken. Purchaser's obligation
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under the Offer to accept for payment and pay for Shares is subject to certain
conditions, including conditions relating to the legal matters discussed in this
Section 15. See Section 14.
State Takeover Laws. The Company's principal executive offices are located
in, and the Company is incorporated under the laws of, the State of California,
which currently has no takeover statute that would apply to the Offer or to the
Merger. However, there can be no assurances that California will not, prior to
the completion of the Offer, adopt such a statute. Under California Law, the
Merger may not be accomplished for cash paid to the Company's shareholders if
Purchaser or Parent owns directly or indirectly more than 50% but less than 90%
of the then outstanding Shares unless either all the shareholders consent or the
Commissioner of Corporations of the State of California approves, after a
hearing, the terms and conditions of the Merger and the fairness thereof. The
purpose of the Offer is to obtain 90% or more of the Shares (on a fully diluted
basis) and to enable Parent and Purchaser to acquire control of the Company.
In the event that more than 50% of the Shares then outstanding are tendered
pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn, but less than 90% of the Shares then
outstanding on a fully diluted basis are acquired by Purchaser pursuant to the
Offer and the Stock Option Agreement, Purchaser will waive the Minimum Condition
and amend the Offer to reduce the number of Shares subject to the Offer to the
Revised Minimum Number of Shares and, if a greater number of Shares is tendered
into the Offer and not withdrawn, purchase, on a pro rata basis, the Revised
Minimum Number of Shares (it being understood that Purchaser shall not in any
event be required to accept for payment, or pay for, any Shares if less than the
Revised Minimum Number of Shares are tendered pursuant to the Offer and not
withdrawn at the expiration of the Offer). In the event that Purchaser acquires
the Revised Minimum Number of Shares, it may have, as a practical matter the
ability to ensure approval of the Merger by the Company's shareholders.
A number of other states have adopted laws and regulations applicable to
attempts to acquire securities of corporations which are incorporated, or have
substantial assets, shareholders, principal executive offices or principal
places of business, or whose business operations otherwise have substantial
economic effects, in such states. In Edgar v. MITE Corp., the Supreme Court of
the United States invalidated on constitutional grounds the Illinois Business
Takeover Statute, which, as a matter of state securities law, made takeovers of
corporations meeting certain requirements more difficult. However, in 1987, in
CTS Corp. v. Dynamics Corp. of America, the Supreme Court held that the State of
Indiana may, as a matter of corporate law and, in particular, with respect to
those aspects of corporate law concerning corporate governance, constitutionally
disqualify a potential acquiror from voting on the affairs of a target
corporation without the prior approval of the remaining shareholders. The state
law before the Supreme Court was by its terms applicable only to corporations
that had a substantial number of shareholders in the state and were incorporated
there.
The Company, directly or through subsidiaries, conducts business in a
number of states throughout the United States, some of which have enacted
takeover laws. Purchaser does not know whether any of these laws will, by their
terms, apply to the Offer or the Merger and has not complied with any such laws.
Should any person seek to apply any state takeover law, Purchaser will take such
action as then appears desirable, which may include challenging the validity or
applicability of any such statute in appropriate court proceedings. In the event
it is asserted that one or more state takeover laws are applicable to the Offer
or the Merger, and an appropriate court does not determine that it is
inapplicable or invalid as applied to the Offer, Purchaser might be required to
file certain information with, or receive approvals from, the relevant state
authorities. In addition, if enjoined, Purchaser might be unable to accept for
payment any Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, or be delayed in continuing
or consummating the Offer, and the Merger. In such case, Purchaser may not be
obligated to accept for payment any Shares tendered. See Section 14.
Antitrust. Under the HSR Act and the rules that have been promulgated
thereunder by the FTC, certain acquisition transactions may not be consummated
unless certain information has been
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furnished to the Antitrust Division and the FTC and certain waiting period
requirements have been satisfied. The acquisition of Shares by Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer and the Stock Option Agreement are subject to such
requirements. See Section 2.
Pursuant to the HSR Act, VEBA intends to file a Premerger Notification and
Report Form in connection with the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer and
the Stock Option Agreement with the Antitrust Division and the FTC on or about
July 17, 1997. Under the provisions of the HSR Act applicable to the Offer, the
purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer may not be consummated until the
expiration of a 15-calendar day waiting period following the filing by Parent.
Assuming such filing is made on such date, the waiting period under the HSR Act
applicable to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will expire at 11:59
p.m., New York City time, on August 1, 1997, unless such waiting period is
earlier terminated by the FTC and the Antitrust Division or extended by a
request from the FTC or the Antitrust Division for additional information or
documentary material prior to the expiration of the waiting period. If Purchaser
acquires 50% or more of the Shares in the Offer, then no separate waiting period
would apply to the subsequent purchase of Shares pursuant to the Stock Option.
Pursuant to the HSR Act, VEBA intends to request early termination of the
waiting period applicable to the Offer. There can be no assurance, however, that
the 15-day HSR Act waiting period will be terminated early. If either the FTC or
the Antitrust Division were to request additional information or documentary
material from VEBA or the Company with respect to the Offer or the Stock Option
Agreement, the waiting period with respect to the Offer would expire at 11:59
p.m., New York City time, on the tenth calendar day after the date of
substantial compliance by VEBA or the Company with such request. Thereafter, the
FTC or the Antitrust Division must obtain a court order to prevent Purchaser
from consummating the acquisition of Shares pursuant to the Offer. If the
acquisition of Shares is delayed pursuant to a request by the FTC or the
Antitrust Division for additional information or documentary material pursuant
to the HSR Act, the Offer may, but need not, be extended and, in any event, the
purchase of and payment for Shares will be deferred until 10 days after the
request is substantially complied with, unless the extended period expires on or
before the date when the initial 15-day period would otherwise have expired, or
unless the waiting period is sooner terminated by the FTC and the Antitrust
Division. Only one extension of such waiting period pursuant to a request for
additional information is authorized by the HSR Act and the rules promulgated
thereunder, except by court order. Any such extension of the waiting period will
not give rise to any withdrawal rights not otherwise provided for by applicable
law. See Section 4. It is a condition to the Offer that the waiting period
applicable under the HSR Act to the Offer expire or be terminated. See Section 2
and Section 14.
The FTC and the Antitrust Division frequently scrutinize the legality under
the antitrust laws of transactions such as the proposed acquisition of Shares by
Purchaser pursuant to the Offer or the Stock Option Agreement. At any time
before or after the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer or the Stock Option
Agreement by Purchaser, the FTC or the Antitrust Division could take such action
under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or desirable in the public
interest, including seeking to enjoin the purchase of Shares pursuant to the
Offer or the Stock Option Agreement or seeking the divestiture of Shares
purchased by Purchaser or the divestiture of substantial assets of VEBA, Parent,
the Company or their respective subsidiaries. Private parties and state
attorneys general may also bring legal action under federal or state antitrust
laws under certain circumstances. Based upon an examination of information
available to VEBA and Parent relating to the businesses in which VEBA, Parent,
the Company and their respective subsidiaries are engaged, VEBA, Parent and
Purchaser believe that neither the Offer nor the Stock Option Agreement will
violate the antitrust laws. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that a
challenge to the Offer or the Stock Option Agreement on antitrust grounds will
not be made or, if such a challenge is made, what the result would be. See
Section 14 for certain conditions to the Offer, including conditions with
respect to litigation.
Foreign Laws. According to publicly available information, the Company
also owns property and conducts business in a number of other countries and
jurisdictions, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Finland
and Denmark. In connection with the acquisition of the Shares pursuant to the
Offer, the laws of certain foreign countries and jurisdictions may require the
37
<PAGE> 40
filing of information with, or the obtaining of the approval of, governmental
authorities in such countries and jurisdictions. In addition, the waiting period
prior to consummation of the Offer associated with such filings or approvals may
extend beyond the scheduled Expiration Date.
The governments in such countries and jurisdictions might attempt to impose
additional conditions on the Company's operations conducted in such countries
and jurisdictions as a result of the acquisition of the Shares pursuant to the
Offer or the Merger. There can be no assurance that the Purchaser will be able
to cause the Company or its subsidiaries to satisfy or comply with such laws or
that compliance or noncompliance will not have adverse consequences for the
Company or any subsidiary after purchase of the Shares pursuant to the Offer or
the Merger.
16. FEES AND EXPENSES. Except as set forth below, Purchaser will not pay
any fees or commissions to any broker, dealer or other person for soliciting
tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer.
Goldman Sachs are acting as Dealer Managers in connection with the Offer
and have provided certain financial advisory services in connection with the
acquisition of the Company. Parent has agreed to pay Goldman Sachs a fee of
$5,000,000 in the event that Parent acquires at least 50% of the Shares or
assets of the Company or, in certain circumstances, determines to proceed with
the acquisition with a view to achieving a business combination with the
Company. If the Merger Agreement is terminated under circumstances requiring the
Company to pay a Termination Fee to Parent, Parent has agreed to pay to Goldman
Sachs an amount equal to 25% of such Termination Fee. Parent has also agreed to
reimburse Goldman Sachs for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
Goldman Sachs, including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel, and
to indemnify Goldman Sachs against certain liabilities and expenses in
connection with its engagement, including certain liabilities under the federal
securities laws.
Purchaser and Parent have retained Georgeson & Company Inc., as the
Information Agent, and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as the
Depositary, in connection with the Offer. The Information Agent may contact
holders of Shares by mail, telephone, telecopy, telegraph and personal interview
and may request banks, brokers, dealers and other nominee shareholders to
forward materials relating to the Offer to beneficial owners.
As compensation for acting as Information Agent in connection with the
Offer, Georgeson & Company Inc. will be paid a fee of $15,000 and will also be
reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses and may be indemnified against
certain liabilities and expenses in connection with the Offer, including certain
liabilities under the federal securities laws. Purchaser will pay the Depositary
reasonable and customary compensation for its services in connection with the
Offer, plus reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses, and will indemnify the
Depositary against certain liabilities and expenses in connection therewith,
including under federal securities laws. Brokers, dealers, commercial banks and
trust companies will be reimbursed by Purchaser for customary handling and
mailing expenses incurred by them in forwarding material to their customers.
17. MISCELLANEOUS. Purchaser is not aware of any jurisdiction where the
making of the Offer is prohibited by any administrative or judicial action
pursuant to any valid state statute. If Purchaser becomes aware of any valid
state statute prohibiting the making of the Offer or the acceptance of Shares
pursuant thereto, Purchaser will make a good faith effort to comply with any
such state statute. If, after such good faith effort, Purchaser cannot comply
with any such state statute, the Offer will not be made to (nor will tenders be
accepted from or on behalf of) the holders of Shares in such state. In any
jurisdiction where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Offer to
be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer shall be deemed to be made on
behalf of Purchaser by the Dealer Managers or by one or more registered brokers
or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF PURCHASER OR THE COMPANY NOT CONTAINED IN THIS OFFER
38
<PAGE> 41
TO PURCHASE OR IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED.
Pursuant to Rule 14d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act, VEBA, Parent and Purchaser have filed with the Commission the
Schedule 14D-1, together with exhibits, furnishing certain additional
information with respect to the Offer. The Schedule 14D-1 and any amendments
thereto, including exhibits, may be inspected at, and copies may be obtained
from, the same places and in the same manner as set forth in Section 7 (except
that they will not be available at the regional offices of the Commission).
EBV ELECTRONICS INC.
July 9, 1997
39
<PAGE> 42
SCHEDULE I
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF
VEBA AND PURCHASER
1. Directors and Executive Officers of VEBA. The following table sets
forth the name, current business address, citizenship and present principal
occupation or employment, and material occupations, positions, offices or
employments and business addresses thereof for the past five years of each
director and executive officer of VEBA. Unless otherwise indicated, the current
business address of each person is VEBA, Bennigsenplatz 1, D-40474, Dusseldorf,
Germany. Unless otherwise indicated, each such person is a citizen of the
Federal Republic of Germany and has held his or her present position as set
forth below for the past five years. Unless otherwise indicated, each occupation
set forth opposite an individual's name refers to employment with VEBA.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND CURRENT BUSINESS PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT
ADDRESS AND FIVE-YEAR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- -------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
SUPERVISORY BOARD
Hermann Josef Strenger.......... Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Bayer AG
Chairman of the Supervisory Board (since 1993)
Bayer AG, Kaiser-Wilhelm-
Allee, Gebaude Q 26, 51368
Leverkusen, Germany
Hans Berger(1).................. 1st Chairman, Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau and Energie
Industriegewerkschaft Berbau und Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board (since 1996)
Energie, Alte Hattinger Strasse
19, 44789 Bochum, Germany
Dr. Marcus Bierich.............. Chairman of the Supervisory Board,
Robert Bosch GmbH, Robert- Robert Bosch GmbH (since 1994); Managing Director
Bosch-Platz 1, 70839 Gerlingen- Robert Bosch GmbH (through 1993)
Schillerhohe, Stuttgart, Germany
Ralf Blauth(1).................. Industrial Clerk, HULS AG
HULS AG, Paul-Baumann-
Str. 1, 45764 Marl, Germany
Dr. Rolf-E. Breuer.............. Spokesman of the Board of Management,
Deutsche Bank AG, Deutsche Bank AG
Taunusanlage 12, 60325
Frankfurt, Germany
Dr. Gerhard Cromme.............. Chairman of the Board of Management, Fried.
Fried. Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp, Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp
Altendorfer Strasse 103, 45143
Essen, Germany
Rainer Ducker(1)................ Power plant worker, PREUSSENELEKTRA AG
PREUSSENELEKTRA AG,
Betriebsstelle Lubeck,
Bargerbruck 4, 23617
Stockelsdorf, Germany and
Tresckowstrasse 5, 30457
Hannover, Germany
Hartmut Kaminski(1)............. Lathe operator, VEBA Kraftwerke Ruhr AG
VEBA Kraftwerke Ruhr AG,
Bergmannsgluckstrasse 41-43,
45896 Gelsenkirchen-Buer,
Germany
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 43
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND CURRENT BUSINESS PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT
ADDRESS AND FIVE-YEAR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- -------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Dr. Horst Klose................. Vice President, Deutsche Schutzvereinigung
Deutsche Schutzvereinigung fur fur Wertpapierbesitz e.V.
Wertpapierbesitz e.V., MERO-
Firmengruppe, Leitengraben 2,
97084 Wurzburg, Germany
Dr. h.c. Andre Leysen........... Chairman of the Administrative Board,
Geveart N.V., Septestraat 27, Geveart N.V.
B-2640
Mortsel, Belgium
(a citizen of Belgium)
Dr. Klaus Liesen................ Chairman of the Supervisory Board,
Ruhrgas AG, Huttropstrasse 60, Ruhrgas AG
45138 Essen, Germany Chairman of the Board of Management, Ruhrgas AG (through
1996)
Helga Lissek-Roza(1)............ Archivist, Parent
Raab Karcher AG, Rudolf-v.-
Bennigsen-Foerder-Platz 1,
45131 Essen, Germany
Herbert Mai(1).................. Chairman, Gewerkschaft Offentliche Dienste,
Gewerkschaft Offentliche Transport and Verkehr (since 1995); District
Dienste, Transport und Verkehr, Chairman, Gewerkschaft Offentliche Dienste,
Theodor-Heuss-Strasse 2, 70174 Transport and Verkehr Hessen (through 1995)
Stuttgart, Germany
Dagobert Millinghaus(1)......... Accounting and administration manager,
BRENNTAG AG, Humboldtring 15, BRENNTAG AG
45472 Mulheim/Ruhr, Germany
Hubertus Schmoldt(1)............ Chairman, Industriegewerkschaft
Industriegewerkschaft Chemie- Chemie-Papier-Keramik (since 1995)
Papier Keramik, Konigsworther Member of Management Board,
Platz 6, 30167 Industriegewerkschaft Chemie-Papier-Keramik
Hannover, Germany (through 1995)
Dr. Henning Schulte-Noelle...... Chairman of the Board of Management,
Allianz AG, Koniginstrasse 28, Allianz AG
80802 Munchen, Germany
Kurt F. Viermetz................ Vice Chairman, J.P. Morgan & Co. Inc.
J.P. Morgan & Co Inc.,
60 Wall Street, 20th Floor,
New York, New York 10260
(a citizen of the United States
of America)
Dr. Bernd Voss.................. Member of the Board of Management,
Dresdner Bank AG Dresdner Bank AG
Jurgen-Ponto-Platz 1, 60329
Frankfurt/Main, Germany
Dr. Peter Weber(1).............. Director of the Legal Department, HULS AG
HULS AG, Paul-Baumann-Strasse 1,
45764 Marl, Germany
Kurt Weslowski(1)............... Chemical Worker, VEBA OEL AG
VEBA OEL AG, Pawiker Strasse 30,
45896 Gelsenkirchen, Germany
- ---------------
(1) Elected by the employees.
</TABLE>
I-2
<PAGE> 44
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND CURRENT BUSINESS PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT
ADDRESS AND FIVE-YEAR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- -------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
MANAGEMENT BOARD
Ulrich Hartmann................. Chairman of the Board of Management (since 4/1993);
Member of the Board of Management
Wilhelm Bonse-Geuking........... Member of the Board of Management (since 1995); Chairman
of the Board of Management of VEBA OEL AG (since 1995);
Member of the Board of Management of VEBA OEL AG,
Gelsenkirchen (through 1994)
Dr. Hans Michael Gaul........... Member of the Board of Management; Vice Chairman of the
Board of Management of PREUSSENELEKTRA AG, Hannover
(since 1993); Member of the Board of Management of
PREUSSENELEKTRA AG, Hannover (through 1993)
Dr. Hans-Dieter Harig........... Member of the Board of Management; Chairman of the Board
of Management of PREUSSENELEKTRA AG, Hannover (since
1993); Chairman of the Board of Management of VEBA
KRAFTWERKE RUHR AG, Gelsenkirchen (through 1993)
Dr. Hermann Kramer.............. Member of the Board of Management; Chairman of the Board
of Management of PREUSSENELEKTRA AG, Hannover (through
1993)
Dr. Manfred Kruper.............. Member of the Board of Management (since 7/96); Member of
the Board of Management of VEBA OEL AG, Gelsenkirchen
(through 6/96)
Georg Kulenkampff............... Member of the Board of Management (since 7/96); Chairman
of the Board of Management of Raab Karcher AG, Essen
(since 7/96); Member of the Board of Management of Raab
Karcher AG, Essen (through 6/1996)
Helmut Mamsch................... Member of the Board of Management (since 1993); Chairman
of the Board of Management of STINNES AG, Mulheim (since
7/96); Chairman of the Board of Management of Raab
Karcher AG, Essen (through 6/96)
Dr. Erhard Meyer-Galow.......... Member of the Board of Management (since 1993); Chairman
of the Board of Management of HULS AG, Marl (since 1993);
Member of the Board of Management of STINNES AG, Mulheim
(through 1993)
</TABLE>
2. Directors and Executive Officers of Purchaser. The following table
sets forth the name, current business address, citizenship and present principal
occupation or employment and employment history for the past five years for each
of the directors and executive officers of Purchaser. Unless otherwise
indicated, the current business address of each person is c/o Purchaser, Rudolf-
v.-Bennigsen-Foerder-Platz 1, 45131 Essen, Germany. Unless otherwise indicated,
each such person has held his or her present position as set forth below for the
past five years, and each such person does not beneficially own Shares. Each
such person is a citizen of the
I-3
<PAGE> 45
Federal Republic of Germany except Michael J. Rohleder, who is a citizen of the
United States of America and Colin Stevens, who is a citizen of the United
Kingdom.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT
NAME AND CURRENT BUSINESS ADDRESS AND FIVE-YEAR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Dr. Ferdinand Pohl.......................... Member of Management Board of Parent
Michael J. Rohleder,........................ President and Chief Executive Officer of
Raab Karcher North America, Raab Karcher North America (since 1996)
9980 Huennekens, San Diego, CA 92121 President of Insight Electronics, Inc.
(through 1996)
Colin Stevens,.............................. Finance Director of Memec Plc
Memec Plc, 17 Thame
Park Road, Thame,
OX93D, United Kingdom
Gunther Beuth............................... Member of Management Board and Deputy
Chairman Member of Management Board and
Chief Financial Officer of Parent.
</TABLE>
I-4
<PAGE> 46
Facsimiles of the Letter of Transmittal will be accepted. The Letter of
Transmittal and certificates evidencing Shares and any other required documents
should be sent or delivered by each shareholder or his broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to the Depositary at one of its
addresses set forth below.
The Depositary for the Offer is:
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
By Mail: By Hand: By Overnight Courier:
ChaseMellon Shareholder ChaseMellon Shareholder ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C. Services, L.L.C. Services, L.L.C.
PO Box 3301 120 Broadway, 13th Floor 85 Challenger Road -- Mail
South Hackensack, New York, Drop-Reorg
New Jersey 07606 New York 10271 Ridgefield Park,
Attn: Reorganization Attn: Reorganization New Jersey 07660
Department Department Attn: Reorganization
Department
By Facsimile:
(201) 329-8936
Confirm by Telephone:
(201) 296-4860
</TABLE>
Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information
Agent or the Dealer Manager at their respective addresses and telephone numbers
listed below. Additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of
Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the
Information Agent. A shareholder may also contact brokers, dealers, commercial
banks or trust companies for assistance concerning the Offer.
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
(LOGO)
Toll Free: (800) 223-2064
Wall Street Plaza
New York, New York 10005
Bankers and Brokers call collect:
(212) 440-9800
All others call toll free:
(800) 223-2064
The Dealer Managers for the Offer are:
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
(800) 323-5678
<PAGE> 47
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
Among
RAAB KARCHER AG,
EBV ELECTRONICS INC.
and
WYLE ELECTRONICS
Dated as of July 3, 1997
<PAGE> 48
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
- ------- ----
ARTICLE I
THE OFFER
1.01. The Offer ........................................................ 2
1.02. Company Actions .................................................. 4
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
2.01. The Merger ....................................................... 5
2.02. Effective Time; Closing........................................... 5
2.03. Effects of the Merger............................................. 6
2.04. Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws............................. 6
2.05. Directors......................................................... 6
2.06. Officers ......................................................... 6
ARTICLE III
EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK
OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
3.01. Effect on Capital Stock........................................... 7
3.02. Exchange of Certificates.......................................... 8
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
4.01. Organization...................................................... 10
4.02. Subsidiaries...................................................... 10
4.03. Capitalization.................................................... 10
4.04. Authority......................................................... 11
4.05. Noncontravention; Filings and Consents............................ 12
4.06. SEC Documents; Financial Statements............................... 13
4.07. Absence of Certain Changes or Events.............................. 14
4.08. No Undisclosed Liabilities........................................ 14
4.09. Information Supplied.............................................. 15
4.10. Litigation........................................................ 15
4.11. Labor Matters..................................................... 16
4.12. Employee Benefits; ERISA.......................................... 16
<PAGE> 49
ii
Section Page
- ------- ----
4.13. Taxes.......................................................... 19
4.14. Compliance with Applicable Laws................................ 19
4.15. Environmental Matters.......................................... 20
4.16. Real Property.................................................. 20
4.17. Intellectual Property.......................................... 21
4.18. Insurance...................................................... 21
4.19. Amendment of Rights Agreement.................................. 22
4.20. State Takeover Statutes........................................ 22
4.21. Opinion of Financial Advisor................................... 22
4.22. Brokers........................................................ 22
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND PURCHASER
5.01. Organization................................................... 22
5.02. Authority ..................................................... 23
5.03. Noncontravention; Filings and Consents......................... 23
5.04. Information Supplied........................................... 24
5.05. Financing...................................................... 24
5.06. Interim Operations of Purchaser................................ 24
5.07. Litigation..................................................... 24
5.08. Brokers ....................................................... 25
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
6.01. Conduct of Business ........................................... 25
6.02. Other Actions ................................................. 28
6.03. No Solicitation ............................................... 28
ARTICLE VII
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
7.01. Shareholders Meeting; Preparation of the Proxy Statement....... 30
7.02. Access to Information; Confidentiality......................... 31
7.03. Reasonable Efforts ............................................ 32
7.04. Stock Options.................................................. 32
7.05. Benefit Plans.................................................. 33
7.06. Indemnification and Insurance.................................. 34
7.07. Directors of the Company....................................... 35
7.08. Fees and Expenses ............................................. 36
7.09. Public Announcements........................................... 37
<PAGE> 50
iii
Section Page
- ------- ----
7.10. Notification..................................................... 37
7.11. Certain Litigation ............................................. 37
7.12. Other Actions ................................................... 38
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
8.01. Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect the Merger....... 38
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
9.01. Termination ..................................................... 39
9.02. Effect of Termination............................................ 40
9.03. Amendment ....................................................... 40
9.04. Extension; Waiver................................................ 40
9.05. Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension or Waiver........ 40
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
10.01. Nonsurvival of Representations.................................. 41
10.02. Notices ........................................................ 41
10.03. Definitions .................................................... 42
10.04. Interpretation ................................................. 43
10.05. Counterparts ................................................... 43
10.06. Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries..................... 43
10.07. Assignment...................................................... 43
10.08. Governing Law .................................................. 44
10.09. Enforcement .................................................... 44
10.10. Severability ................................................... 44
Exhibit A Conditions of the Offer
Exhibit B Form of Agreement of Merger
<PAGE> 51
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
Defined Term Section
AARC Section 4.05(b)
acquisition proposal Section 6.03(a)
affiliate Section 10.03(a)
Agreement Preamble
Benefit Plans Section 4.12(a)
Certificates Section 3.02(b)
CCC Recitals
Code Section 4.12(a)
Commonly Controlled Entity Section 4.12(a)
Company Preamble
Company Common Stock Recitals
Company Filed SEC Documents Section 4.07
Company Permits Section 4.14
Company Preferred Stock Section 4.03
Company Representatives Section 6.03(a)
Company SEC Documents Section 4.06
Company Shareholder Vote Section 4.04
Company Shareholders Meeting Section 7.01(a)
Confidentiality Agreement Section 7.02
control Section 10.03(b)
controlled by Section 10.03(b)
DGCL Recitals
Disclosure Schedule Article IV
Dissenting Shares Section 3.01(d)
Effective Time Section 2.02
Environmental Laws Section 4.15
ERISA Section 4.12(a)
Exchange Act Section 1.01(d)
Expenses Section 7.08(b)
FCO Section 4.05(b)
Governmental Entity Section 4.05(b)
Hazardous Substance Section 4.15
HSR Act Section 4.05(b)
Indemnified Parties Section 7.06(a)
Independent Counsel Section 1.02(a)
Independent Directors Section 7.07(a)
Information Statement Section 4.09
Intellectual Property Rights Section 4.17
IRS Section 4.12(a)
<PAGE> 52
Defined Term Section
- ------------ -------
Law Section 4.05(a)
Leased Real Property Section 4.16(b)
Lien Section 10.03(c)
Material Adverse Change Section 10.03(d)
Material Adverse Effect Section 10.03(d)
Merger Recitals
Merger Consideration Section 3.01(c)
Merger Documents Section 2.02
Minimum Condition Exhibit A
Notice of Superior Proposal Section 6.03(b)
Offer Recitals
Offer Documents Section 1.01(d)
Owned Real Property Section 4.16(a)
Parent Preamble
Paying Agent Section 3.02(a)
PBGC Section 4.12(d)
Pension Plans Section 4.12(a)
Per Share Amount Recitals
person Section 10.03(e)
Preferred Stock Section 4.03
Proxy Statement Section 4.05(b)
Purchaser Preamble
Real Property Section 4.16(b)
Revised Minimum Number Section 1.01(b)
Rights Agreement Section 4.03
Schedule 14D-9 Section 1.02(b)
SEC Section 1.01(a)
Securities Act Section 4.06
Significant Subsidiary Section 4.01
Specified Court Section 10.09
Stock Incentive Plans Section 7.04(a)
Stock Option Section 7.04(a)
Stock Option Agreement Recitals
subsidiary Section 10.03(f)
Superior Proposal Section 6.03(b)
Surviving Corporation Section 2.01
taxes Section 4.13
Termination Fee Section 7.08(b)
under common control with Section 10.03(b)
WARN Section 4.12(g)
Welfare Plans Section 4.12(a)
<PAGE> 53
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of July 3, 1997 (this
"Agreement"), among RAAB KARCHER AG, a corporation organized under the laws of
Germany ("Parent"), EBV ELECTRONICS INC., a Delaware corporation and an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Purchaser"), and WYLE ELECTRONICS, a
California corporation (the "Company").
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Parent,
Purchaser and the Company have each determined that it is in the best interests
of their respective shareholders for Parent to acquire the Company upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;
WHEREAS, in furtherance of such acquisition, Parent proposes
to cause Purchaser to make a tender offer (as it may be amended from time to
time as permitted under this Agreement, the "Offer") to purchase all the
outstanding shares of common stock, no par value, of the Company (the "Company
Common Stock"), at a purchase price of US$50.00 per share (such amount, or any
greater amount to be paid per share of Company Common Stock in the Offer, being
referred to as the "Per Share Amount"), net to the seller in cash, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the
Offer; and the Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously approved the
Offer and is recommending that the Company's shareholders accept the Offer and
tender their shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer;
WHEREAS, also in furtherance of such acquisition, the
respective Boards of Directors of Parent, Purchaser and the Company have
approved the merger of Purchaser with and into the Company (the "Merger") upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in
accordance with the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the
"DGCL") and the California Corporations Code (the "CCC"), whereby each share of
Company Common Stock, other than shares owned directly or indirectly by Parent
or by the Company and other than Dissenting Shares (as defined in Section
3.01(d)), will be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Amount;
WHEREAS, as an inducement to Parent to enter into this
Agreement, Parent, Purchaser and the Company have entered into a Stock Option
Agreement (the "Stock Option Agreement") pursuant to which the Company has
granted to Parent an option to purchase newly issued shares of Company Common
Stock under certain circumstances;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the
mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, and intending to be legally
bound hereby, Parent, Purchaser and the Company hereby agree as follows:
<PAGE> 54
ARTICLE I
THE OFFER
SECTION 1.01. The Offer. (a) Subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, as promptly as practicable but in no event later than five business
days after the date of the public announcement of this Agreement, Purchaser
shall, and Parent shall cause Purchaser to, commence the Offer. The obligation
of Purchaser to, and of Parent to cause Purchaser to, commence the Offer and
accept for payment, and pay for, any shares of Company Common Stock tendered
pursuant to the Offer shall be subject to the conditions set forth in Exhibit A
(any of which may be waived in whole or in part by Purchaser in its sole
discretion), and to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Purchaser
expressly reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions of the Offer,
except that, without the prior written consent of the Company or as expressly
permitted by this Agreement, Purchaser shall not (i) reduce the number of shares
of Company Common Stock subject to the Offer, (ii) reduce the Per Share Amount,
(iii) modify or add to the conditions set forth in Exhibit A, (iv) except as
provided in the following sentence or in Section 1.01(b), extend the term of the
Offer, (v) change the form of consideration payable in the Offer or (vi) make
any other modifications that are otherwise materially adverse to holders of
Company Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser may, without the
consent of the Company, (A) extend the term of the Offer beyond any scheduled
expiration date of the Offer if, at any such scheduled expiration date, any of
the conditions to Purchaser's obligation to accept for payment, and pay for,
shares of Company Common Stock tendered pursuant to the Offer shall not have
been satisfied or waived (provided, however, that Purchaser may extend the Offer
under this clause (A) on not more than one occasion and for not more than ten
business days on such occasion) and (B) extend the Offer for any period required
by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or the staff thereof applicable to the Offer or
any other applicable Law.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein,
including, without limitation, Section 1.01(a), in the event the Minimum
Condition (as defined in Exhibit A) is not satisfied on any scheduled expiration
date of the Offer, the Purchaser may either (x) extend the Offer pursuant to
clause (A) of the last sentence of Section 1.01(a) or (y) amend the Offer to
provide that, in the event (i) the Minimum Condition is not satisfied at the
next scheduled expiration date of the Offer (after giving effect to the issuance
of any shares of Company Common Stock theretofore issued under the Stock Option
Agreement) and (ii) the number of shares of Company Common Stock tendered
pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn as of such next scheduled expiration
date is more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of Company Common Stock,
Purchaser must waive the Minimum Condition and amend the Offer to reduce the
number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the Offer to 49.9% of the
shares of Company Common Stock then outstanding (the "Revised Minimum Number")
and, if a greater number of shares is tendered into the Offer and not withdrawn,
purchase, on a pro rata basis, the Revised Minimum Number of shares (it being
understood that Purchaser shall not in any event be required to accept for
payment,
<PAGE> 55
3
or pay for, any shares of Company Common Stock if less than the Revised Minimum
Number of shares are tendered pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn at the
expiration date).
(c) The Per Share Amount shall, subject to applicable
withholding of taxes, be net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions of the Offer. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer
and this Agreement, Purchaser shall, and Parent shall cause Purchaser to, pay
for all shares of Company Common Stock validly tendered and not withdrawn
pursuant to the Offer promptly after the expiration of the Offer. Parent shall
provide or cause to be provided to Purchaser on a timely basis the funds
necessary to pay for any shares of Company Common Stock that Purchaser becomes
obligated to accept for payment, and pay for, pursuant to the Offer.
(d) On the date of commencement of the Offer, Parent and
Purchaser shall file with the SEC a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1
with respect to the Offer, which shall contain an offer to purchase and a
related letter of transmittal and summary advertisement (such Schedule 14D-1 and
the documents included therein pursuant to which the Offer will be made,
together with any supplements or amendments thereto, the "Offer Documents").
Parent and Purchaser agree that the Offer Documents shall comply as to form in
all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder and, on the date filed with the SEC and when first published, sent or
given to the Company's shareholders, shall not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that no
representation is made by Parent or Purchaser with respect to information
supplied by the Company for inclusion in the Offer Documents or incorporated
therein by reference to any statement, report or other document filed by or on
behalf of the Company with the SEC. Each of Parent, Purchaser and the Company
agrees to correct promptly any information provided by it for use in the Offer
Documents if and to the extent that such information shall have become false or
misleading in any material respect, and each of Parent and Purchaser further
agrees to take all steps necessary to amend or supplement the Offer Documents
and to cause the Offer Documents as so amended or supplemented to be filed with
the SEC and to be disseminated to the Company's shareholders, in each case as
and to the extent required by applicable federal securities laws. The Company
and its counsel shall be given reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon
the Offer Documents and all amendments and supplements thereto prior to their
filing with the SEC or dissemination to shareholders of the Company. Parent and
Purchaser agree to provide the Company and its counsel any comments Parent,
Purchaser 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 Company and its counsel an opportunity to participate in the
response of Parent and/or Purchaser to such comments.
<PAGE> 56
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SECTION 1.02. Company Actions. (a) The Company hereby approves
of and consents to the Offer and represents that the Board of Directors of the
Company, at a meeting duly called and held, has unanimously adopted resolutions
(i) approving this Agreement, the Offer, the Merger and the Stock Option
Agreement, (ii) determining that the terms of the Offer and the Merger are fair
to, and in the best interests of, the Company's shareholders, and (iii)
recommending that the Company's shareholders accept the Offer, tender their
shares pursuant to the Offer and approve this Agreement. Subject to the
fiduciary duties of the Board under applicable law as advised by independent
counsel (which may be the Company's regularly engaged outside counsel)
("Independent Counsel"), the Company hereby consents to the inclusion in the
Offer Documents of the recommendation of the Board described in the immediately
preceding sentence. The Company has been advised by each of its directors and
executive officers that they intend to tender all shares of Company Common Stock
beneficially owned by them to Purchaser pursuant to the Offer.
(b) On the date the Offer Documents are filed with the SEC, or
as soon thereafter as is practicable, the Company shall file with the SEC a
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the
Offer (such Schedule 14D-9, as amended from time to time, the "Schedule 14D-9")
containing, subject to the fiduciary duties of the Board under applicable law as
advised by Independent Counsel, the recommendation described in Section 1.02(a)
and shall mail the Schedule 14D-9 to the shareholders of the Company. The
Company agrees that the Schedule 14D-9 shall comply as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder and, on the date filed with the SEC and when first
published, sent or given to the Company's shareholders, shall not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except
that no representation is made by the Company with respect to information
supplied by Parent or Purchaser for inclusion in the Schedule 14D-9. Each of the
Company, Parent and Purchaser agrees to correct promptly any information
provided by it for use in the Schedule 14D-9 if and to the extent that such
information shall have become false or misleading in any material respect, and
the Company further agrees to take all steps necessary to amend or supplement
the Schedule 14D-9 and to cause the Schedule 14D-9 as so amended or supplemented
to be filed with the SEC and disseminated to the Company's shareholders, in each
case as and to the extent required by applicable federal securities laws. Parent
and its counsel shall be given reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon
the Schedule 14D-9 and all amendments and supplements thereto prior to their
filing with the SEC or dissemination to shareholders of the Company. The Company
agrees to provide Parent and its counsel with any comments the Company or its
counsel may receive from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Schedule 14D-9
promptly after the receipt of such comments and shall provide Parent and its
counsel an opportunity to participate in the response of the Company to such
comments.
<PAGE> 57
5
(c) In connection with the Offer, the Company shall cause its
transfer agent to furnish Purchaser promptly with mailing labels containing the
names and addresses of the record holders of Company Common Stock as of the most
recent practicable date and of those persons becoming record holders subsequent
to such date, together with copies of all lists of shareholders, security
position listings and computer files and all other information in the Company's
possession or control regarding the beneficial owners of Company Common Stock,
and shall furnish to Purchaser such information and assistance (including
updated lists of shareholders, security position listings and computer files) as
Parent may reasonably request in communicating the Offer to the Company's
shareholders. 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 Merger, Parent and Purchaser shall hold in
confidence the information contained in any such labels, listings and files,
will use such information only in connection with the Offer and the Merger and,
if this Agreement shall be terminated, will, upon request, deliver to the
Company all copies of such information then in their possession or control.
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
SECTION 2.01. The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in accordance with the DGCL and the
CCC, Purchaser shall be merged with and into the Company at the Effective Time
(as defined in Section 2.03). Following the Effective Time, the separate
corporate existence of Purchaser shall cease and the Company shall continue its
corporate existence under the laws of the State of California as the surviving
corporation (the "Surviving Corporation").
SECTION 2.02. Effective Time; Closing. As promptly as
practicable after the satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions
set forth in Article VIII, the parties will cause the Merger to be consummated
by delivering to the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware a certificate
of merger or a certificate of ownership and merger and by filing with the
Secretary of State of the State of California a duly executed agreement of
merger, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and, if
applicable, a certificate of satisfaction by the California Franchise Tax Board
with respect to the Company, together with the requisite officer's certificates
or a certificate of ownership, each in such form or forms as may be required by,
and executed and acknowledged in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the
DGCL and the CCC (such documents being referred to collectively as the "Merger
Documents"), and shall make all other filings and recordings required by the
DGCL and the CCC in connection with the Merger. The Merger shall become
effective at the time of filing of the appropriate Merger Documents with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the Secretary of State of the
State of California, or at such later time,
<PAGE> 58
6
which shall be as soon as reasonably practicable, specified as the effective
time in the Merger Documents (the "Effective Time"). Prior to such filing, a
closing shall be held at the offices of Shearman & Sterling, 599 Lexington
Avenue, New York, New York 10022, unless another date, time or place is agreed
to in writing by the parties hereto, for the purpose of confirming the
satisfaction or waiver, as the case may be, of the conditions set forth in
Article VIII.
SECTION 2.03. Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the
effects set forth in Section 259 of the DGCL and Section 1107 of the CCC.
SECTION 2.04. Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. (a) The
Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company as in effect immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation until thereafter amended as provided therein and as permitted by law
and this Agreement.
(b) The Bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation upon
completion of the Merger and remain the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation
until thereafter amended as provided therein and as permitted by law and this
Agreement.
SECTION 2.05. Directors. At the Effective Time, the directors
of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to have
resigned. At the Effective Time, the directors of Purchaser immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall become the directors of the Surviving Corporation,
until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be.
SECTION 2.06. Officers. The officers of the Company
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving
Corporation, until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their
respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be, or as
otherwise provided in the Bylaws of the Company.
<PAGE> 59
7
ARTICLE III
EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK
OF THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
SECTION 3.01. Effect on Capital Stock. As of the Effective
Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder
of any shares of Company Common Stock or any shares of capital stock of
Purchaser:
(a) Capital Stock of Purchaser. Each issued and outstanding
share of capital stock of Purchaser shall be converted into and become
one fully paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock, no par value,
of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) Cancellation of Parent Owned Stock. Each share of Company
Common Stock that is owned by the Company or by any subsidiary of the
Company and each share of Company Common Stock that is owned by Parent,
Purchaser or any other subsidiary of Parent shall automatically be
cancelled and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be
delivered in exchange therefor.
(c) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Subject to Section
3.01(d), each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding
(other than shares to be cancelled in accordance with Section 3.01(b))
shall be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Amount in
cash, without interest (the "Merger Consideration"). As of the
Effective Time, all such shares of Company Common Stock shall no longer
be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to
exist, and each holder of a certificate representing any such shares of
Company Common Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect
thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without
interest.
(d) If, pursuant to the CCC, an affirmative vote of the
Company's shareholders is required to approve the Merger, then
notwithstanding Section 3.01(c), shares of Company Common Stock held by
a holder who, subject to and in accordance with Section 1300 et seq. of
the CCC, has demanded and perfected such holder's right to an appraisal
of such holder's shares of Company Common Stock and has not effectively
withdrawn or lost the right to such appraisal ("Dissenting Shares"),
shall not be converted into a right to receive the Merger
Consideration, unless such holder withdraws or otherwise loses the
right to appraisal for such holder's shares of Company Common Stock. If
after the Effective Time of the Merger such holder withdraws or loses
the right to appraisal for such holder's shares of Company Common
Stock, such shares of Company Common Stock shall be treated as if they
had been converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive
the Merger
<PAGE> 60
8
Consideration payable in respect of such shares of Company Common Stock
pursuant to Section 3.01(c).
(e) If Parent is not required under the CCC to obtain the
approval of the other shareholders of the Company in order to effect
the Merger and effects the Merger without holding a meeting of the
shareholders, then, prior to consummating the Merger, Parent will
provide notice, as required by the CCC, that the Merger will become
effective on or after a specified date and that shareholders are
entitled to exercise their dissenters' rights.
SECTION 3.02. Exchange of Certificates. (a) Paying Agent.
Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall designate a bank or trust company
reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as paying agent in the Merger (the
"Paying Agent"), and, from time to time, prior to or after the Effective Time,
Parent shall make available, or cause the Surviving Corporation to make
available, to the Paying Agent cash in amounts and at the times necessary for
the payment of the Merger Consideration upon surrender of certificates
representing Company Common Stock as part of the Merger pursuant to Section
3.01. The Paying Agent shall invest portions of the Merger Consideration as
Parent directs (it being understood that any and all interest earned on funds
made available to the Paying Agent pursuant to this Agreement shall be the
property of, and shall be turned over to, Parent), provided that such
investments shall be in obligations of or guaranteed by the United States of
America or of any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the
United States of America, in commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or
better by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation,
respectively, or in deposit accounts, certificates of deposit or banker's
acceptances of, repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements with, or Eurodollar
time deposits purchased from, commercial banks with capital, surplus and
undivided profits aggregating in excess of US$100 million (based on the most
recent financial statements of such bank which are then publicly available at
the SEC or otherwise). The Merger Consideration shall not be used for any other
purpose, except as provided in this Agreement.
(b) Exchange Procedure. As soon as reasonably practicable
after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Paying Agent
to mail to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates which
immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of
Company Common Stock (the "Certificates") whose shares were converted into the
right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to Section 3.01, (i) a letter
of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of
loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the
Certificates to the Paying Agent and shall be in such form and have such other
provisions as Parent may specify) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the
surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the Merger Consideration. Upon
surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the Paying Agent or to such other
agent or agents as may be appointed by Parent, together with such letter of
<PAGE> 61
9
transmittal, duly executed, and such other documents as may reasonably be
required pursuant to such instructions, the holder of such Certificate shall be
entitled to receive in exchange therefor the amount of cash into which the
shares of Company Common Stock theretofore represented by such Certificate shall
have been converted pursuant to Section 3.01, and the Certificate so surrendered
shall forthwith be cancelled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of Company
Common Stock which is not registered in the transfer records of the Company,
payment may be made to a person other than the person in whose name the
Certificate so surrendered is registered if such Certificate shall be properly
endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and the person requesting
such payment shall pay any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the
payment to a person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or
establish to the satisfaction of Parent that such tax has been paid or is not
applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 3.02, each
Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent
only the right to receive upon such surrender the amount of cash, without
interest, into which the shares of Company Common Stock theretofore represented
by such Certificate shall have been converted pursuant to Section 3.01. No
interest will be paid or will accrue on the cash payable upon the surrender of
any Certificate.
(c) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. All
cash paid upon the surrender of Certificates in accordance with the terms of
this Article III shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all
rights pertaining to the shares of Company Common Stock theretofore represented
by such Certificates, and, from and after the Effective Time, there shall be no
further registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of the Surviving
Corporation of the shares of Company Common Stock which were outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time,
Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation or the Paying Agent for
any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Article
III.
(d) No Liability. At any time following the twelfth month
after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to require
the Paying Agent to deliver to it any funds which had been made available to the
Paying Agent and not disbursed to holders of shares of Company Common Stock
(including, without limitation, all interest and other income received by the
Paying Agent in respect of all funds made available to it), and thereafter such
holders shall be entitled to look to the Surviving Corporation (subject to
abandoned property, escheat and other similar laws) only as general creditors
thereof with respect to any Merger Consideration that may be payable upon due
surrender of the Certificates held by them. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
neither the Surviving Corporation nor the Paying Agent shall be liable to any
holder of a share of Company Common Stock for any Merger Consideration properly
delivered in respect of such Share to a public official as required pursuant to
any abandoned property, escheat or other similar law.
<PAGE> 62
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ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and
Purchaser as follows (with such exceptions thereto as are set forth in the
disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent on the date hereof (the
"Disclosure Schedule") with reference to particular Sections of this Agreement):
SECTION 4.01. Organization. The Company and each of its
Significant Subsidiaries (as defined below) is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation and has all requisite power and authority and governmental
approvals to own, lease or operate its properties and to carry on its business
as now being conducted, except when the failure to be so organized, existing or
in good standing, or to have such power, authority and governmental approvals
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect (as
defined in Section 10.03). The Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries
is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction in which the properties owned, leased or operated by it or the
nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing
necessary, except in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified,
licensed and in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect. For
purposes of this Agreement, a "Significant Subsidiary" means any subsidiary of
the Company that constitutes a significant subsidiary within the meaning of Rule
1-02 of Regulation S-X of the SEC. The Company has delivered to Parent complete
and correct copies of its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws and the articles
of incorporation and by-laws (or other comparable organizational documents) of
its Significant Subsidiaries, in each case as amended to the date of this
Agreement.
SECTION 4.02. Subsidiaries. Section 4.02 of the Disclosure
Schedule lists each subsidiary of the Company. All the outstanding shares of
capital stock or other ownership interest of each such subsidiary are owned by
the Company (or by another wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) free and
clear of all Liens (as defined in Section 10.03), and are duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Except for the capital stock of
its subsidiaries or as set forth in Section 4.02 of the Disclosure Schedule, the
Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other
ownership interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
joint venture or other entity.
SECTION 4.03. Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of
the Company consists of 25,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock and 500,000
shares of Preference Stock, no par value, of the Company ("Company Preferred
Stock"). As of June 30, 1997, 12,229,100 shares of Company Common Stock and no
shares of Company Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding. Pursuant to a
Rights Agreement, dated as of February 23,
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1995, as amended, between the Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder Service LLC
(as successor to Chemical Bank) as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement") the
Company has issued to the shareholders certain rights to purchase shares of
Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Preferred
Stock") which Preferred Stock is, under certain circumstances, convertible into
Company Common Stock. As of June 30, 1997, 902,985 shares of Company Common
Stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding Stock Options (as
defined in Section 7.04). Except as set forth in Section 4.03 of the Disclosure
Schedule and as set forth above, as of the date of this Agreement, no shares of
capital stock or other voting securities of the Company were issued, reserved
for issuance or outstanding. All outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company are, and all shares which may be issued will, when issued, be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to
preemptive rights. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness
of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable
for, securities having the right to vote) on any matters on which shareholders
of the Company may vote. Except as set forth in Section 4.03 of the Disclosure
Schedule and as set forth above, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no
securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments, agreements,
arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound obligating the Company
or any of its subsidiaries to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or other voting securities
of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries or obligating the Company or any of
its subsidiaries to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security,
option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking.
Except as set forth above and as set forth in Section 4.03 of the Disclosure
Schedule, there are not as of the date hereof and there will not be at the
Effective Time any shareholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or
understandings to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound relating
to the voting, registration or disposition of any shares of the capital stock of
the Company (including any such agreements or understandings that may limit in
any way the solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of the Company from, or the
casting of votes by, the shareholders of the Company with respect to the Merger)
or granting to any person or group of persons the right to elect, or to
designate or nominate for election, a director to the Board of Directors of the
Company. Except as set forth above and as set forth in Section 4.03 of the
Disclosure Schedule, there are not any outstanding contractual obligations of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries (i) to repurchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
(ii) to vote or to dispose of any shares of the capital stock of any of the
Company's subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.04. Authority. The Company has all requisite
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the
Stock Option Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, subject to, in
the case of the Merger, the approval of this Agreement by the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
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Company Common Stock (the "Company Shareholder Vote") to the extent required by
the CCC. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, subject to, with respect
to the Merger, the Company Shareholder Vote (to the extent required by the CCC).
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming
the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by Parent and Purchaser,
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms.
SECTION 4.05. Noncontravention; Filings and Consents. (a)
Except as set forth in Section 4.05 of the Disclosure Schedule, the execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by the Company do
not, and the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and
thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby and compliance with the provisions hereof and thereof will not, (i)
conflict with or violate the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws or equivalent
organizational documents of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries,
(ii) assuming that all consents, approvals, orders and authorizations described
in Section 4.05(b) have been obtained and all registrations, declarations,
filings and notifications described in Section 4.05(b) have been made, conflict
with or violate any United States federal, state or local or any foreign
statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, order, or any other requirement
or rule of law (a "Law"), applicable to the Company or any subsidiary or by
which any property or asset of the Company or any subsidiary is bound or
affected, or (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event
which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or
give to others any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation
of, or result in the creation of a Lien on any property or asset of the Company
or any subsidiary pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract,
agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation,
other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such conflicts,
violations, breaches, defaults, rights or Liens that individually or in the
aggregate would not (x) have a Material Adverse Effect or (y) prevent or
materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or the performance by the Company of any
of its material obligations hereunder or thereunder.
(b) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any United States
federal, state or local or any foreign government or any court, administrative
or regulatory agency or commission or other governmental authority or agency,
domestic or foreign (a "Governmental Entity"), is required by the Company or any
of its subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement by the Company, the performance by the
Company of its obligations hereunder and thereunder or the consummation by the
Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except for (i) the
filing of a
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premerger notification and report form by the Company under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR
Act"), and the expiration or termination of the waiting period thereunder, (ii)
the filing with the SEC of (x) the Schedule 14D-9 and any Information Statement,
(y) a proxy statement relating to any required approval by the Company's
shareholders of this Agreement (as amended or supplemented from time to time,
the "Proxy Statement") and (z) such reports under Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the Stock Option
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (iii)
shareholder approval of the Merger, if required by the CCC, and the filing of
the applicable Merger Documents with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware and the Secretary of State of the State of California, and appropriate
documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which the Company is
qualified to do business, (iv) as may be required by any applicable state
securities or "blue sky" laws, (v) the filing of reports with the U.S.
Department of Commerce regarding foreign direct investment in the United States,
(vi) notification under the German Law Against Restraints of Competition (the
"AARC") and the approval of the German Federal Cartel Office (the "FCO")
thereunder and any filings or notifications under other similar laws throughout
the world and (vii) such other consents, approvals, orders, authorizations,
registrations, declarations, filings and notices, the failure of which to be
obtained or made would not, individually or in the aggregate, (x) have a
Material Adverse Effect or (y) prevent or materially delay the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or
the performance by the Company of any of its material obligations hereunder or
thereunder.
SECTION 4.06. SEC Documents; Financial Statements. The Company
and each of its subsidiaries has filed with the SEC, and has heretofore made
available to Parent true and complete copies of, all forms, reports, schedules,
statements and other documents required to be filed by it since December 31,
1993 under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act") (such forms, reports, schedules, statements and other
documents, including any financial statements or schedules included therein, are
referred to as the "Company SEC Documents"). Each of the Company SEC Documents,
at the time it was filed, (i) did not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading and (ii) complied in all material respects
with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as
the case may be, and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.
Except to the extent that information contained in any Company SEC Document has
been revised or superseded by a subsequently filed Company Filed SEC Document
(as defined in Section 4.07) (a copy of which has been made available to Parent
prior to the date hereof), none of the Company SEC Documents contains an untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a 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. The financial
statements of the Company included in the Company
<PAGE> 66
14
SEC Documents comply as to form in all material respects with applicable
accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with
respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved
(except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited
statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) and fairly present (subject,
in the case of the unaudited statements, to normal, recurring audit adjustments)
the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated
subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of their
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended.
SECTION 4.07. Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except for
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and except as disclosed in
Section 4.07 of the Disclosure Schedule or in the Company SEC Documents filed
and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement (the "Company Filed
SEC Documents"), since December 31, 1996, the Company and its subsidiaries have
conducted their respective businesses only in the ordinary course in a manner
consistent with past practice, and there has not been (i) any Material Adverse
Change, (ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other
distribution with respect to the Company's capital stock or any redemption,
purchase or other acquisition of any of its capital stock, other than regular
quarterly dividends on Company Common Stock not in excess of US$0.08 per share,
(iii) any split, combination or reclassification of any of its capital stock or
any issuance or the authorization of any issuance of any other securities in
respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for, shares of its capital stock, (iv)
(x) any granting by the Company or any of its subsidiaries to any director,
officer, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any
increase in compensation or benefits, except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, (y) any granting by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries to any such director, officer, employee or consultant of any
increase in severance or termination pay, except as part of a standard
employment package to any person promoted or hired, or (z) except employment
agreements in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice with
employees other than any executive officer of the Company, any entry by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries into any employment, consulting, severance,
termination or indemnification agreement with any such employee or executive
officer, (v) any damage, destruction or loss, whether or not covered by
insurance, that has or reasonably could be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, (vi) any change in accounting methods, principles or practices by the
Company or (vii) any entry by the Company or any of its subsidiaries into any
commitment or transaction material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as
a whole.
SECTION 4.08. No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as and to the
extent set forth in Section 4.08 of the Disclosure Schedule or in the Company's
Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
(including the financial statements included therein), as of December 31, 1996,
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
<PAGE> 67
15
had any liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether or not accrued,
contingent or otherwise, that would be required by generally accepted accounting
principles to be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and
its subsidiaries (including the notes thereto). Since December 31, 1996, except
as and to the extent set forth in Section 4.08 of the Disclosure Schedule or in
the Company Filed SEC Documents, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
has incurred any liabilities of any nature, whether or not accrued, contingent
or otherwise, other than liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business
which would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.09. Information Supplied. None of the information
supplied or to be supplied by the Company for inclusion in (i) the Offer
Documents, (ii) the information to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule
14f-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act and Section 7.07 hereof (the
"Information Statement") or (iii) the Proxy Statement, will, in the case of the
Offer Documents and the Information Statement, at the respective times the Offer
Documents and the Information Statement are filed with the SEC or first
published, sent or given to the Company's shareholders, or, in the case of the
Proxy Statement, at the time the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the
Company's shareholders or at the time of the Company Shareholders Meeting (as
defined in Section 7.01), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they are made, not misleading. The Information Statement and the Proxy Statement
will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, except that no
representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to statements
made therein based on information supplied by Parent or Purchaser for inclusion
therein. The information set forth in Section 4.09 of the Disclosure Schedule is
true and correct in all material respects.
SECTION 4.10. Litigation. Except as disclosed in the Company
Filed SEC Documents or as set forth in Section 4.10 of the Disclosure Schedule,
there is no suit, claim, action, proceeding or investigation (whether judicial,
administrative, regulatory, arbitral or otherwise) pending or, to the knowledge
of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries that
could reasonably be expected to (x) have a Material Adverse Effect or (y)
prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or the performance by the Company
of any of its material obligations hereunder or thereunder. Except as disclosed
in the Company Filed SEC Documents, as of the date of this Agreement, neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any outstanding judgment,
order, writ, injunction or decree that could reasonably be expected to (x) have
a Material Adverse Effect or (y) prevent or materially delay the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or
the performance by the Company of any of its material obligations hereunder or
thereunder.
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16
SECTION 4.11. Labor Matters. Except as set forth in Section
4.11 of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) there are no material controversies pending
or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened between the Company or any
subsidiary and any of their respective employees, (ii) neither the Company nor
any subsidiary is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor
union contract applicable to persons employed by the Company or any subsidiary,
nor, to the knowledge of the Company, are there any activities or proceedings of
any labor union to organize any such employees, (iii) there are no unfair labor
practice complaints pending against the Company or any subsidiary before the
National Labor Relations Board or any current union representation questions
involving employees of the Company or any subsidiary and (iv) there is no
strike, slowdown, work stoppage or lockout, or, to the knowledge of the Company,
any threat thereof, by or with respect to any employees of the Company or any
subsidiary. The Company and each subsidiary is in material compliance with all
applicable Laws relating to the employment of labor, including, without
limitation, those relating to wages, hours, collective bargaining and the
payment and withholding of taxes and other sums as required by appropriate
Governmental Entities and has withheld and paid to the appropriate Governmental
Entities all amounts required to be withheld from employees of the Company and
its subsidiaries and is not liable for any arrears of wages, taxes, penalties or
other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing, except where such
failure would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.12. Employee Benefits; ERISA. (a) Section 4.12(a) of
the Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all "employee pension benefit plans"
(as defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("ERISA")) (sometimes referred to herein as "Pension Plans"),
"employee welfare benefit plans" (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA)
(sometimes referred to herein as "Welfare Plans"), and each other material plan,
material arrangement or material policy (written or oral) providing for bonuses,
pensions, profit sharing, stock options, stock purchases, compensation, deferred
compensation, incentive compensation, severance, disability, retiree medical or
life insurance, supplemental retirement, death benefits, hospitalization,
medical or dental benefits, fringe benefits or other employee benefits, in each
case maintained, or contributed to, by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
any other person or entity that, together with the Company is treated as a
single employer (each, together with the Company, a "Commonly Controlled
Entity") under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), for the benefit of any current or former
employees, officers, consultants, agents or directors of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries (all of the foregoing being herein called "Benefit Plans"). The
Company has delivered to Parent true and complete copies of (i) each Benefit
Plan (or, in the case of any unwritten Benefit Plans, descriptions thereof),
(ii) the most recent annual report on Form 5500 (and related schedules and
financial statements or opinions required in connection therewith) filed with
the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") with respect to each Benefit Plan (if
any such report was required), (iii) the most recent actuarial report and
financial statement with respect to each Benefit Plan, as applicable, (iv) the
most recent summary plan
<PAGE> 69
17
description (or similar document) for each Benefit Plan for which a summary plan
description is required or was otherwise provided to plan participants or
beneficiaries, (v) the most recent IRS determination letter, if any, for each
Benefit Plan and (vi) each trust agreement and group annuity contract relating
to any Benefit Plan.
(b) All Pension Plans and related trusts that are intended to
be tax-qualified plans have been the subject of determination letters from the
IRS to the effect that such Pension Plans and related trusts are qualified and
exempt from federal income taxes under Sections 401(a) and 501(a), respectively,
of the Code, and no such determination letter has been revoked nor, to the
knowledge of the Company, has revocation been threatened; no event has occurred
and no circumstances exist that would adversely affect or would reasonably be
likely to adversely affect the tax qualification of such Pension Plan nor has
any such Pension Plan been amended since the date of its most recent
determination letter or application therefor in any respect that would adversely
affect or would reasonably be likely to adversely affect its qualification or
materially increase its costs or require security under Section 302 of ERISA.
(c) Each Benefit Plan has been administered in all material
respects in accordance with its terms. The Benefit Plans are, and have been
operated, in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of ERISA, the Code and all other applicable Laws. All material contributions or
payments required to be made to or in respect of the Benefit Plans has been
timely made or provided for. No Benefit Plan has incurred an "accumulated
funding deficiency" (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412
of the Code), whether or not waived. All contributions, premiums or payments
required to be made with respect to any Benefit Plan are fully deductible for
income tax purposes and no such deduction previously claimed has been challenged
by any Governmental Entity; provided, however, that no benefits under any
nonqualified pension or deferred compensation plan are deductible until actually
paid. There are no investigations by any Governmental Entity, termination
proceedings or other claims (except claims for benefits payable in the normal
operation of the Benefit Plans), suits or proceedings against or involving any
Benefit Plan or asserting any rights to or claims for benefits under any Benefit
Plan that could give rise to any material liability, and there are not any facts
or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material
liability in the event of any such investigation, claim, suit or proceeding.
(d) No Commonly Controlled Entity is required to contribute to
any "multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or has
withdrawn or expects to withdraw from any such multiemployer plan where such
withdrawal has resulted or would result in any material "withdrawal liability"
(within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA) that has not been fully paid. None
of the Company, any of its subsidiaries, any officer of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or any of the Benefit Plans which are subject to ERISA,
including the Pension Plans, any trusts created thereunder or any trustee or
<PAGE> 70
18
administrator thereof, has engaged in a "prohibited transaction" (as such term
is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or any other
breach of fiduciary responsibility that could subject the Company, any of its
subsidiaries or any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to any
material tax or penalty on prohibited transactions imposed by such Section 4975
of ERISA or to any material liability under Section 502(i) or (l) of ERISA.
Neither any of such Benefit Plans nor any of such trusts has been terminated,
nor has there been, nor is there expected to be, any "reportable event" (as that
term is defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) as to which notice would be required
with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the "PBGC") with respect thereto,
during the last five years, except that the Company's acquisition of Sylvan
Ginsbury was reported to the PBGC under Section 4043(c)(10) of ERISA.
(e) Neither the Company nor any subsidiary has or reasonably
expects to incur liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than for the payment
of premiums, none of which are overdue). Each Benefit Plan subject to Title IV
of ERISA is fully funded in accordance with the actuarial assumptions used by
the PBGC to determine the level of funding required in the event of the
termination of such plan. No Commonly Controlled Entity has completely or
partially terminated a plan subject to Title IV of ERISA within the last five
years. None of the assets of the Company or any subsidiary is the subject of any
lien arising under Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412(n) of the Code; neither
the Company nor any subsidiary has been required to post any security under
Section 307 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29) of the Code; and no fact or event
exists which could give rise to any such lien or requirement to post any such
security.
(f) Except as set forth in Section 4.12(f) of the Disclosure
Schedule, no employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries will be entitled
to any additional benefits or any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting
of any benefits under any Benefit Plan as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(g) The Company and its subsidiaries have not incurred any
liability under, and have complied in all respects with, the Worker Adjustment
Retraining Notification Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
("WARN") and do not reasonably expect to incur any such liability as a result of
actions taken or not taken prior to the Effective Time. The Company will advise
Parent and Purchaser in writing of any material terminations, layoffs and
reductions in hours from the date hereof through the Effective Time and will
provide Parent and Purchaser with any related information that they may
reasonably request.
(h) Except as disclosed in Section 4.12(h) of the Disclosure
Schedule, since December 31, 1996 there has not been any adoption or amendment
in any material respect by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any Benefit
Plan.
<PAGE> 71
19
(i) Except as disclosed in Section 4.12(i) of the Disclosure
Schedule, there exist no employment, consulting, severance, termination or
indemnification agreements, arrangements or understandings between the Company
or any of its subsidiaries and any current or former employee, officer, director
or consultant of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and there is no oral or
written understanding or arrangement to enter into any such agreement with any
such individual.
(j) The Commonly Controlled Entities have complied in all
material respects with the requirements of Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of
ERISA and of Code Section 4980B.
SECTION 4.13. Taxes. The Company and each of its subsidiaries
has filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns and reports required
to be filed by it. All such returns and reports are complete and correct in all
material respects. The Company and each of its subsidiaries has paid (or the
Company has paid on its subsidiaries' behalf) all taxes required to be paid by
it, and the most recent financial statements contained in the Company Filed SEC
Documents reflect reserves sufficient to cover all taxes payable by the Company
and its subsidiaries for all taxable periods and portions thereof through the
date of such financial statements except where such failure to pay or to reflect
such reserves would not have a Material Adverse Effect. No material deficiencies
for any taxes have been proposed, asserted or assessed against the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, and no requests for waivers of the time to assess any
such taxes are pending. The federal income tax returns of the Company and each
of its subsidiaries consolidated in such returns have been examined by and
settled with the IRS for all years through January 31, 1992. As used in this
Agreement, "taxes" shall include all federal, state, local and foreign income,
property, sales, excise and other taxes, tariffs or governmental charges of any
nature whatsoever.
SECTION 4.14. Compliance with Applicable Laws. The Company and
its subsidiaries hold all permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders and
approvals of all Governmental Entities necessary for the lawful conduct of their
respective businesses (the "Company Permits"), except where the failure to hold
such permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals would not
have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries are in
compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Company Permits.
Except as disclosed in the Company Filed SEC Documents, to the knowledge of the
Company, the businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries are not being
conducted in violation of any Law. Except as set forth in the Company Filed SEC
Documents, as of the date of this Agreement, no investigation or review by any
Governmental Entity with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, other than, in each
case, those the outcome of which would not be reasonably expected to (x) have a
Material Adverse Effect or (y) prevent or materially delay the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option
<PAGE> 72
20
Agreement or the performance by the Company of any of its material obligations
hereunder or thereunder.
SECTION 4.15. Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in
Section 4.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has (i) placed, held, located, released, transported or disposed of
any Hazardous Substances (as defined below) on, under, from or at any of the
Company's or any of its subsidiaries' properties or any other properties, other
than in a manner that could not, in all such cases taken individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii)
any knowledge or reason to know of the presence of any Hazardous Substances on,
under or at any of the Company's or any of its subsidiaries' properties or any
other property but arising from the Company's or any of its subsidiaries'
current or former properties or operations, other than in a manner that could
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii)
received any written notice (A) of any violation of or liability under any Law
relating to any matter of pollution, protection of the environment or natural
resources, environmental regulation or control or regarding Hazardous Substances
(collectively, "Environmental Laws") on, under or emanating from any of the
Company's or any of its subsidiaries' current or former properties or operations
or any other properties, (B) of the institution or pendency of any suit, action,
claim, proceeding or investigation by any Governmental Entity or any third party
in connection with any such violation or liability, (C) requiring the response
to or remediation of Hazardous Substances at or arising from any of the
Company's or any of its subsidiaries' current or former properties or operations
or any other properties, (D) alleging noncompliance by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries with the terms of any permit required under any Environmental Law
in any manner reasonably likely to require material expenditures or to result in
material liability or (E) demanding payment for response to or remediation of
Hazardous Substances at or arising from any of the Company's or any of its
subsidiaries' current or former properties or operations, as to clauses (A)
through (E) of this Section 4.15(iii), other than for matters that could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "Hazardous Substance" shall mean any toxic or hazardous
materials or substances, including asbestos, buried contaminants, chemicals,
flammable explosives, radioactive materials, petroleum and petroleum products
and any substances defined or regulated as a pollutant or contaminant under any
Environmental Law.
SECTION 4.16. Real Property. (a) Section 4.16(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all the real property
owned by the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Owned Real Property").
(b) Section 4.16(b) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a
true and complete list of the real property leased by the Company and the
Subsidiaries (the "Leased Real Property" and, together with the Owned Real
Property, the "Real Property").
<PAGE> 73
21
(c) The Company and its subsidiaries have sufficient title to
all their properties and assets to conduct their respective businesses as
currently conducted or as contemplated to be conducted, with only such
exceptions as individually or in the aggregate would not have a Material Adverse
Effect.
(d) Each parcel of Real Property (i) is owned or leased free
and clear of all Liens, other than Liens and other imperfections of title which
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect and
(ii) is neither subject to any governmental decree or order to be sold nor is
being condemned, expropriated or otherwise taken by any public authority with or
without payment of compensation therefor, nor, to the knowledge of the Company,
has any such condemnation, expropriation or taking been proposed.
(e) All leases of real property leased for the use or benefit
of the Company or any subsidiary to which the Company or any subsidiary is a
party requiring rental payments in excess of US$400,000 during the period of the
lease, and all amendments and modifications thereto, are in full force and
effect and have not been modified or amended, and there exists no default under
any such lease by the Company or any subsidiary, nor any event which with notice
or lapse of time or both would constitute a default thereunder by the Company or
any subsidiary, except as, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.17. Intellectual Property. The Company and its
subsidiaries own, or are validly licensed or otherwise have the legal right to
use, all patents, patent rights, trademarks, trade names, service marks,
copyrights, know-how and other proprietary intellectual property rights and
computer programs (collectively, "Intellectual Property Rights") that are
material to the conduct of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Section 4.17 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a description of all
Intellectual Property Rights that are material to the conduct of the business of
the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. No claims that would have a
Material Adverse Effect are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is infringing or
otherwise adversely affecting the rights of any person with regard to any
Intellectual Property Right, and the Company is not aware of any basis for any
such claims. To the knowledge of the Company, no person is infringing the rights
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to any material
Intellectual Property Right, except where such infringement would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.18. Insurance. The Company and its subsidiaries have
obtained and maintained in full force and effect public liability insurance,
insurance against claims for personal injury or death or property damage
occurring in connection with the activities of the Company or its subsidiaries
or any properties owned, occupied or controlled by the Company
<PAGE> 74
22
or its subsidiaries and other insurance, in each case, with responsible and
reputable insurance companies or associations in such amounts, on such terms and
covering such risks as reasonably deemed necessary by the Company and its
subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.19. Amendment of Rights Agreement. The Rights
Agreement has been duly and validly amended to the extent necessary to permit
Parent and Purchaser to perform their obligations under this Agreement and
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 4.20. State Takeover Statutes. Except for Section 1101
of the CCC, to the knowledge of the Company, no state takeover statute or
similar statute applies or purports to apply to the Offer, the Merger, this
Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement.
SECTION 4.21. Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Company has
received an opinion from Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, to the effect
that, as of the date of this Agreement, the consideration to be received in the
Offer and the Merger by the Company's shareholders is fair to the Company's
shareholders from a financial point of view, and a true and correct signed copy
of such opinion has been, or promptly upon receipt thereof will be, delivered to
Parent.
SECTION 4.22. Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial
advisor or other person, other than Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, the
fees and expenses of which will be paid by the Company, is entitled to any
broker's, finder's, financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon
arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company. The Company has provided
Parent a true and correct copy of the agreement between the Company and Credit
Suisse First Boston Corporation.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND PURCHASER
Parent and Purchaser hereby, jointly and severally, represent
and warrant to the Company as follows:
SECTION 5.01. Organization. Each of Parent and Purchaser is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its incorporation.
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23
SECTION 5.02. Authority. Each of Parent and Purchaser has all
requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and the Stock Option Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and
thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by
Parent and Purchaser and the consummation by Parent and Purchaser of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Parent and
Purchaser. This Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement have been duly and
validly executed and delivered by Parent and Purchaser and, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Company, constitute the
legal, valid and binding obligations of Parent and Purchaser, enforceable
against each of Parent and Purchaser in accordance with their respective terms.
SECTION 5.03. Noncontravention; Filings and Consents. (a) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement by
Parent and Purchaser do not, and the performance by Parent and Purchaser of
their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and compliance with the
provisions hereof and thereof will not, (i) conflict with or violate the
Certificate of Incorporation or by-laws or equivalent organizational documents
of Parent or Purchaser, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals, orders and
authorizations described in Section 5.03(b) have been obtained and all
registrations, declarations, filings and notifications described in Section
5.03(b) have been made, conflict with or violate any Law applicable to Parent or
Purchaser or by which any property or asset of Parent or Purchaser is bound or
affected or (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event
which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or
give to others any right of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation
of, or result in the creation of a Lien on any property or asset of Parent or
Purchaser pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement,
lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation, other than,
in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such conflicts, violations, breaches,
defaults, rights or Liens that would not prevent or materially delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock
Option Agreement or the performance by Parent or Purchaser of any of their
respective material obligations hereunder or thereunder.
(b) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Entity
is required by Parent or Purchaser in connection with the execution and delivery
of this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement by Parent and Purchaser, the
performance by Parent and Purchaser of their respective obligations hereunder
and thereunder or the consummation by Parent or Purchaser of any of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except for (i) the filing of a
premerger notification and report form under the HSR Act, and the expiration or
termination of the waiting period thereunder, (ii) the filing with the SEC of
(x) the Offer
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24
Documents and (y) such reports under the Exchange Act as may be required in
connection with this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (iii) shareholder approval of the
Merger, if required by the CCC, and the filing of the applicable Merger
Documents with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the Secretary
of State of the State of California, and the filing of appropriate documents
with the relevant authorities of other states in which the Company is qualified
to do business, (iv) as may be required by any applicable state securities or
"blue sky" laws, (v) the filing of reports with the U.S. Department of Commerce
regarding foreign direct investment in the United States, (vi) notification
under the AARC and the approval of the FCO thereunder and any filings or
notifications under other similar laws throughout the world and (vii) such other
consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declaration, filings
and notices the failure of which to be obtained or made would not prevent or
materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or the performance by Parent or
Purchaser of any of their respective material obligations hereunder or
thereunder.
SECTION 5.04. Information Supplied. None of the information
supplied or to be supplied by Parent or Purchaser for inclusion in (i) the
Schedule 14D-9, (ii) the Information Statement or (iii) the Proxy Statement
will, in the case of the Schedule 14D-9 and the Information Statement, at the
respective times the Schedule 14D-9 and the Information Statement are filed with
the SEC or first published, sent or given to the Company's shareholders, or, in
the case of the Proxy Statement, at the time the Proxy Statement is first mailed
to the Company's shareholders or at the time of the Company Shareholders
Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading.
SECTION 5.05. Financing. Parent and Purchaser have funds
available sufficient to consummate the Offer and the Merger on the terms
contemplated by this Agreement, and at the expiration of the Offer and the
Effective Time, Parent and Purchaser will have available all of the funds
necessary (i) for the acquisition of all shares of Company Common Stock pursuant
to the Offer and the Merger, as the case may be and (ii) to repay all the
outstanding debt that may become due and payable as a result of the Offer or the
Merger, as set forth in Section 5.05 of the Disclosure Schedule.
SECTION 5.06. Interim Operations of Purchaser. Purchaser was
formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any
operations other than in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 5.07. Litigation. There is no suit, claim, action,
proceeding or investigation (whether judicial, administrative, regulatory,
arbitral or otherwise) pending or,
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25
to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent or Purchaser that could
reasonably be expected to prevent or materially delay the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or the
performance by Parent and Purchaser of their respective obligations hereunder
and thereunder. Neither Parent nor Purchaser is subject to any outstanding
judgment, order, writ, injunction or decree that could reasonably be expected to
prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement or the performance by Parent and
Purchaser of their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder.
SECTION 5.08. Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial
advisor or other person, other than Goldman, Sachs & Co., the fees and expenses
of which will be paid by Parent, is entitled to any broker's, finder's,
financial advisor's or other similar fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by or
on behalf of Parent or Purchaser.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
SECTION 6.01. Conduct of Business. Until such time as Parent's
designees shall constitute a majority of the members of the Board of Directors
of the Company, the Company agrees (except as expressly contemplated or
permitted by this Agreement, the Stock Option Agreement or to the extent that
Parent shall otherwise consent in writing) as follows:
(a) Ordinary Course. The Company shall and shall cause its
subsidiaries to carry on their respective businesses in the usual,
regular and ordinary course in substantially the same manner as
heretofore conducted and shall use all reasonable efforts to preserve
intact their present business organizations, keep available the
services of their present officers and employees and preserve their
relationships with customers, suppliers and others having business
dealings with the Company and its subsidiaries.
(b) Dividends; Changes in Stock. The Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i) declare or pay any
dividends on or make other distributions in respect of any of its
capital stock, except for regular quarterly dividends on Company Common
Stock not in excess of US$0.08 per share or dividends by a direct or
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company to its parent, (ii)
split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or
authorize or propose the issuance of any other securities in respect
of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock or
(iii) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any
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26
shares of capital stock of the Company or its subsidiaries or any other
securities thereof or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any
such shares or other securities.
(c) Issuance of Securities. The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its subsidiaries to, issue, deliver, sell, pledge or
encumber, or authorize or propose the issuance, delivery, sale, pledge
or encumbrance of, any shares of its capital stock of any class or any
securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants, calls,
subscriptions or options to acquire, any such shares or convertible
securities, or any other ownership interest other than: (i) the
issuance of shares of Company Common Stock upon the exercise of Stock
Options granted under the Stock Incentive Plans and outstanding on the
date of this Agreement and in accordance with the present terms of such
Stock Options and (ii) the issuance of Preferred Stock and Company
Common Stock upon conversion thereof, if any, pursuant to the Rights
Agreement.
(d) Governing Documents. The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its subsidiaries to, amend or propose to amend its
Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws (or comparable organizational
documents).
(e) No Acquisitions. The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its subsidiaries to, acquire or agree to acquire (i) by
merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial equity
interest in all or a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any
other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, association or other business organization or
division thereof or (ii) any assets that are material, individually or
in the aggregate, to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole,
except purchases of inventory and supplies in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice.
(f) No Dispositions. Other than sales of its products to
customers or other dispositions, in any case in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, the Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, sell, lease, license,
encumber or otherwise dispose of, or agree to sell, lease, license,
encumber or otherwise dispose of, any of its assets.
(g) Capital Expenditures. The Company shall not, nor shall the
Company permit any of its subsidiaries to, make or agree to make any
capital expenditures other than expenditures consistent with the
Company's current capital expenditure forecast of US$12,000,000 for
1997.
(h) Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and shall not permit
any of its subsidiaries to, incur any indebtedness for borrowed money
or guarantee any such
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27
indebtedness or issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or rights
to acquire any debt securities of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or guarantee any debt securities of others, except in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
(i) Tax Matters. The Company shall not make any tax election
that would have a material effect on the tax liability of the Company
or settle or compromise any income tax liability of the Company of any
of its subsidiaries that would materially affect the aggregate tax
liability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Company shall,
before filing or causing to be filed any material tax return of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, consult with Parent and its
advisors as to the positions and elections that may be taken or made
with respect to such return.
(j) Discharge of Liabilities. The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its subsidiaries to, pay, discharge, settle or
satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued,
asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than the
payment, discharge or satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business
or as otherwise set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, consistent with
past practice or in accordance with their terms, of liabilities
recognized or disclosed in the most recent consolidated financial
statements (or the notes thereto) of the Company included in the
Company Filed SEC Documents or incurred since the date of such
financial statements in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, or waive the benefits of, or agree to modify in any
manner, any confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement to which
the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party.
(k) Material Contracts. Except in the ordinary course of
business, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its
subsidiaries to, enter into, modify, amend or terminate any loan or
credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other
agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise or license which
is material to the Company and its subsidiaries or waive, release or
assign any material rights or claims.
(l) Employee Benefits. The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i) grant any increase in the
compensation of any of its directors, officers or employees, except for
increases for officers other than executive officers and employees in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) pay
or agree to pay any pension, retirement allowance or other employee
benefit not required or contemplated by any of the existing Benefit
Plans as in effect on the date hereof to any director, officer or
employee, (iii) enter into any new employment, severance or termination
agreement with any such director, officer or employee or (iv) except as
may be required to comply with applicable Law, become
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28
obligated under any Benefit Plan which was not in existence on the date
hereof or amend any such plan in existence on the date hereof.
(m) Accounting Matters. The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its subsidiaries to, take any action, other than
reasonable and usual actions in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice, with respect to accounting policies or
procedures (including, without limitation, procedures with respect to
the payment of accounts payable and collection of accounts receivable).
SECTION 6.02. Other Actions. (a) The Company shall not, and
shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, take any action that would, or that
would reasonably be expected to, result in (i) any of the representations and
warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement that are qualified as to
materiality becoming untrue, (ii) any of such representations and warranties
that are not so qualified becoming untrue in any material respect, (iii) except
as otherwise permitted by Section 6.03, any of the conditions to the Offer set
forth in Exhibit A, or any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article
VIII, not being satisfied or (iv) a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The Company shall promptly advise Parent of any change or
event having, or which, insofar as can reasonably be foreseen, could have, a
Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 6.03. No Solicitation. (a) The Company shall, and
shall cause its subsidiaries and their respective officers, directors,
employees, consultants, investment bankers, accountants, attorneys and other
advisors, representatives and agents ("Company Representatives") to immediately
cease any discussions or negotiations with any parties that may be ongoing with
respect to any "acquisition proposal" (as defined below in this Section
6.03(a)). The Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its subsidiaries to,
nor shall it authorize or permit any Company Representative to, directly or
indirectly, (i) solicit or initiate, or knowingly encourage the submission of,
any acquisition proposal or (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations
regarding, or furnish to any person any information with respect to any proposal
that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, an acquisition
proposal; provided, however, that if, prior to the acceptance for payment of
shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer, the Board of Directors
determines in good faith, based upon advice of Independent Counsel, that not to
do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to the Company's
shareholders under applicable Law, the Company may, in response to an
unsolicited acquisition proposal, and subject to compliance with Section
6.03(c), (x) furnish information with respect to the Company pursuant to a
customary confidentiality agreement and (y) participate in discussions or
negotiations regarding such acquisition proposal. Without limiting the
foregoing, it is understood that any violation of the restrictions set forth in
the preceding sentence by any subsidiary of the Company or any Company
Representative, whether or not such person is
<PAGE> 81
29
purporting to act on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
otherwise, shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 6.03(a) by the
Company. For purposes of this Agreement, "acquisition proposal" means any
proposal or offer from any person relating to any direct or indirect acquisition
or purchase of all or a substantial part of the assets of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or of over 15% of any class of equity securities of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries, any tender offer or exchange offer that if
consummated would result in any person beneficially owning 15% or more of any
class of equity securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any
merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of all or substantially all
the assets, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Except as set forth in this Section 6.03, neither the
Board of Directors of the Company nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw
or modify, or propose to withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Parent, the
approval or recommendation by the Board of Directors or any such committee of
the Offer, this Agreement or the Merger, (ii) approve or recommend, or propose
to approve or recommend, any acquisition proposal or (iii) enter into any
agreement with respect to any acquisition proposal. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event that, prior to the time of acceptance for payment of
shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer, the Board of Directors of
the Company determines in good faith, based upon advice of Independent Counsel,
that it is necessary to do so in order to comply with its fiduciary duties to
the Company's shareholders under applicable Law, the Board of Directors of the
Company may (subject to this and the following sentences) (x) withdraw or modify
(or propose to withdraw or modify) its approval or recommendation of the Offer,
the Merger and this Agreement or (y) approve or recommend (or propose to approve
or recommend) a Superior Proposal (as defined below) or terminate (or propose to
terminate) this Agreement (and concurrently with or after such termination, if
it so chooses, cause the Company to enter into any agreement with respect to any
Superior Proposal), but in each of the cases set forth in this clause (y), only
at a time that is at least three business days after Parent's receipt of written
notice (a "Notice of Superior Proposal") advising Parent that the Board of
Directors of the Company has received a Superior Proposal. The Notice of
Superior Proposal shall specify the amount and type of consideration to be paid
and such other terms and conditions of the Superior Proposal as the Company
determines in good faith to be material and identifying the person making such
Superior Proposal. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Superior Proposal" means
any bona fide proposal made by a third party to acquire, directly or indirectly,
for consideration consisting of cash and/or securities, more than 50% of the
combined voting power of the shares of Company Common Stock then outstanding or
all or substantially all the assets of the Company and otherwise on terms which
the Board of Directors of the Company determines in its good faith judgment
(based on the advice of a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation)
to be more favorable to the Company's shareholders than the Offer and the Merger
and for which financing, to the extent required, is then committed or which,
<PAGE> 82
30
in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company (based on
the advice of a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation), is
reasonably capable of being financed by such third party.
(c) In addition to the obligations of the Company set forth in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 6.03, the Company shall promptly advise
Parent orally and in writing of the Company's receipt of any bona fide
acquisition proposal and any request for information that may reasonably be
expected to lead to or is otherwise related to any such acquisition proposal and
the identity of the person making such request or acquisition proposal. The
Company will keep Parent informed on a reasonable basis of the status and
details (including amendments) of any such request or acquisition proposal,
unless the Board of Directors determines in good faith, based upon advice of
Independent Counsel, that to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary
duties to the Company's shareholders under applicable Law.
(d) Nothing contained in this Section 6.03 shall prohibit the
Company from taking and disclosing to its shareholders a position contemplated
by Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act, issuing a communication
meeting the requirements of Rule 14d-9(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act or
from making any disclosure to the Company's shareholders if, in the good faith
judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, based upon written advice of
Independent Counsel, failure so to disclose would be inconsistent with its
fiduciary duties to the Company's shareholders under applicable Law; provided,
however, neither the Company nor its Board of Directors nor any committee
thereof shall, except as permitted by Section 6.03(b), withdraw or modify, or
propose publicly to withdraw or modify, its position with respect to the Offer,
this Agreement or the Merger or to approve or recommend, or propose to approve
or recommend, an acquisition proposal.
ARTICLE VII
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
SECTION 7.01. Shareholders Meeting; Preparation of the Proxy
Statement. (a) If approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of the Company
is required by applicable Law, the Company shall, at Parent's request, as soon
as practicable following the consummation of the Offer, duly call, give notice
of, convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders (the "Company Shareholders
Meeting") for the purpose of approving this Agreement. Subject to the provisions
of Section 6.03(b), the Company shall, through its Board of Directors, recommend
to its shareholders approval of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if Purchaser or any other subsidiary of Parent shall own at least 90% of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, and provided that the
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31
conditions set forth in Section 8.01 shall have been satisfied or waived, the
parties shall take all necessary and appropriate action to cause the Merger to
become effective as soon as practicable after acceptance of shares of Company
Common Stock for payment pursuant to the Offer without the approval of the
shareholders of the Company in accordance with the CCC.
(b) If approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of the
Company is required by applicable Law, the Company shall, at Parent's request,
as soon as practicable prepare and file a preliminary Proxy Statement with the
SEC and the Company and Parent will cooperate in responding to any comments of
the SEC or its staff and the Company shall cause the Proxy Statement to be
mailed to the Company's shareholders as promptly as practicable after responding
to all such comments to the satisfaction of the staff. The Company shall notify
Parent promptly of the receipt of any comments from the SEC or its staff and of
any request by the SEC or its staff for amendments or supplements to the Proxy
Statement or for additional information and will supply Parent with copies of
all correspondence between the Company or any of the Company Representatives, on
the one hand, and the SEC or its staff, on the other hand, with respect to the
Proxy Statement or the Merger. If at any time prior to the Company Shareholders
Meeting there shall occur any event that should be set forth in an amendment or
supplement to the Proxy Statement, the Company shall promptly prepare (and if
relating to Parent, Parent will also promptly cooperate with the Company in
preparing) and mail to its shareholders such an amendment or supplement. The
Company will not file or mail any Proxy Statement, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, to which Parent reasonably objects.
(c) If approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of the
Company is required by applicable Law, Parent shall cause all of the shares of
Company Common Stock then actually or beneficially owned by Parent, Purchaser or
any of their subsidiaries, or as to which Parent, Purchaser or any of their
subsidiaries has voting rights by proxy or otherwise, to be voted in favor of
the approval of this Agreement.
SECTION 7.02. Access to Information; Confidentiality. The
Company shall afford to Parent, and to Parent's officers, directors, employees,
consultants, investment bankers, accountants, counsel and other advisors,
representatives and agents, reasonable access during normal business hours
during the period prior to the Effective Time to all the properties, books,
contracts, commitments and records of the Company and its subsidiaries and,
during such period, the Company shall furnish promptly to Parent (a) a copy of
each report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed by it or
its subsidiaries during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal or
state securities laws and (b) all other information concerning its or its
subsidiaries' business, properties and personnel as Parent or any of its
officers, directors, employees, consultants, investment bankers, accountants,
counsel or other advisors, representatives or agents may reasonably request.
Except as otherwise agreed to by the Company, unless and until Parent or
Purchaser shall
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32
have purchased a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, and
notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the terms of the
confidentiality agreement dated April 9, 1997 (the "Confidentiality Agreement")
between Parent and the Company shall apply to all information concerning the
Company made available to Parent or Purchaser under this Agreement. No
investigation pursuant to this Section 7.02 shall affect any representation or
warranty in this Agreement of any party hereto or any condition to the
obligations of the parties hereto; provided, however, that Parent and Purchaser
shall promptly provide to the Company any information that Parent or Purchaser
obtains that conflicts with any representation or warranty of the Company under
this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement.
SECTION 7.03. Reasonable Efforts. Except as otherwise
contemplated in this Agreement, each of the Company, Parent and Purchaser agree
to use all commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
actions necessary to comply promptly with all legal requirements that may be
imposed with respect to the Offer and the Merger (which actions shall include
furnishing all information required under the HSR Act and in connection with
approvals of or filings with any other Governmental Entity) and shall promptly
cooperate with and furnish information to each other in connection with any such
requirements imposed upon any of them or any of their subsidiaries in connection
with the Offer and the Merger. Except as otherwise contemplated in this
Agreement, each of the Company, Parent and Purchaser shall, and shall cause its
subsidiaries to, use all commercially reasonable efforts to take all reasonable
actions necessary to obtain (and shall cooperate with each other in obtaining)
any consent, approval, order or authorization of, or any exemption by or waiver
from, any Governmental Entity or other public or private third party required to
be obtained or made by Parent, Purchaser, the Company or any of their respective
subsidiaries in connection with the Offer and the Merger or the taking of any
action contemplated thereby or by this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement,
except that no party need waive any substantial rights or agree to any
substantial limitation on its operations or to dispose of any assets having more
than a de minimus value.
SECTION 7.04. Stock Options. (a) As soon as practicable
following the date of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of the Company (or,
if appropriate, any committee administering the Stock Incentive Plans (as
defined below) shall adopt such resolutions or take such other actions as are
required to provide that each outstanding stock option to purchase shares of
Company Common Stock (a "Stock Option") heretofore granted under any stock
option or stock purchase plan, program or arrangement or other option agreement
or contingent stock grant plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
(collectively, the "Stock Incentive Plans") shall be accelerated so as to be
fully exercisable prior to the consummation of the Offer, and the Company shall
assure that any such Stock Options outstanding immediately prior to the
consummation of the Offer shall be surrendered immediately prior to the
consummation of the Offer in exchange for an amount in cash, payable at the time
of such cancellation, equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of
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33
Company Common Stock subject to such Stock Option immediately prior to the
consummation of the Offer and (y) the excess of the Per Share Amount over the
per share exercise price of such Stock Option. Any Stock Option not cancelled in
accordance with this paragraph (a) immediately prior to the consummation of the
Offer shall be cancelled at the Effective Time in exchange for an amount in
cash, payable at the Effective Time, equal to the amount which would have been
paid had such Stock Option been surrendered immediately prior to the
consummation of the Offer. A listing of all outstanding Stock Options as of June
30, 1997, showing the portions of such Stock Options that are exercisable as of
such date, the dates upon which such Stock Options expire and the exercise price
of such Stock Options, is set forth in Section 7.04 of the Disclosure Schedule.
(b) All Stock Incentive Plans shall terminate as of the
Effective Time and the provisions in any other Benefit Plan providing for the
issuance, transfer or grant of any capital stock of the Company or any interest
in respect of any capital stock of the Company shall be terminated as of the
Effective Time, and the Company shall use its best efforts to ensure that
following the Effective Time no holder of a Stock Option or any participant in
any Stock Incentive Plan shall have any right thereunder to acquire any capital
stock of the Company, Parent or the Surviving Corporation, except as provided in
Section 7.04(a).
SECTION 7.05. Benefit Plans. (a) For a period of at least
through December 31, 1998, Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to
continue to maintain the Company's existing compensation, severance, welfare and
pension benefit plans, programs and arrangements (other than any stock based
plans, programs and arrangements) for the benefit of current and former
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (subject to such modification as
may be required by applicable law or to maintain the tax exempt status of any
such plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code);
provided, however, that (i) nothing herein shall prohibit Parent from replacing
any such existing plan, program or arrangement with a plan, program or
arrangement which provide such employees with benefits which are not less
favorable in the aggregate than the benefits that would have been provided under
such existing plan, program or arrangement to the extent such replacement is
permitted under the terms of the applicable plan, program or arrangement and
(ii) nothing herein shall obligate Parent to provide such employees with any
stock based compensation (including, without limitation, stock options or stock
appreciation rights) after the Effective Time.
(b) In light of Parent's desire that the Surviving Corporation
provide appropriate employee incentives in the future, Parent agrees to
institute during the one-year period following the Effective Time a new
performance-based incentive compensation plan for the benefit of employees of
the Surviving Corporation and its subsidiaries.
(c) All service credited to each employee by the Company
through the Effective Time shall be recognized by Parent for all purposes,
including for purposes of
<PAGE> 86
34
eligibility, vesting and benefit accruals under any employee benefit plan
provided by the Surviving Corporation or Parent for the benefit of the
employees; provided, however, that, to the extent necessary to avoid duplication
of benefits, amounts payable under employee benefit plans provided by the
Surviving Corporation or Parent may be reduced by amounts payable under similar
Company plans with respect to the same periods of service.
(d) Parent hereby agrees to cause the Surviving Corporation to
honor (without modification) and assume, and hereby guarantees the Surviving
Corporation's performance of, the employment agreements, executive termination
agreements and individual benefit arrangements listed in Section 4.12(h) of the
Disclosure Schedule, all as in effect on the date hereof or as amended after the
date hereof with Parent's consent pursuant to Section 6.01.
SECTION 7.06. Indemnification and Insurance. (a) Parent and
Purchaser agree that all rights to indemnification for acts or omissions
occurring prior to the Effective Time now existing in favor of the current or
former directors, officers, employees and agents (the "Indemnified Parties") of
the Company and its subsidiaries as provided in their respective articles of
incorporation or by-laws (or similar organizational documents) shall survive the
Merger and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their
terms for a period of not less than six years. From and after the Effective Time
and for a period of not less than six years thereafter, Parent shall, and shall
cause the Surviving Corporation to, indemnify and hold harmless any and all
Indemnified Parties to the full extent such persons may be indemnified by the
Company or such subsidiaries, as the case may be, pursuant to applicable law,
their respective certificates of incorporation or by-laws (or similar
organizational documents) or pursuant to indemnification agreements as in effect
on the date of this Agreement for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the
Effective Time, and Parent shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to,
advance litigation expenses incurred by such persons in connection with
defending any action arising out of such acts or omissions to the extent
provided by the respective terms and provisions of such certificates of
incorporation, by-laws, similar documents or indemnification agreements as in
effect on the date hereof.
(b) For not less than six years from the Effective Time,
Parent shall maintain in effect the Company's current directors' and officers'
liability insurance covering those persons who are currently covered by the
Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance policy (a copy of which
has been heretofore delivered to Parent); provided, however, that in no event
shall Parent be required to pay a premium in any one year in an amount in excess
of 175% of the annual premium paid by the Company (which annual premium the
Company represents and warrants to be approximately US$475,000); and provided
further that if the annual premiums of such insurance coverage exceed such
amount, Parent shall be obligated to obtain a policy with the greatest coverage
available for a cost not exceeding such amount.
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35
(c) This Section 7.06 shall survive the consummation of the
Merger, is intended to benefit the Company, Parent, the Surviving Corporation
and the Indemnified Parties, and shall be binding on all successors and assigns
of Parent and the Surviving Corporation.
SECTION 7.07. Directors of the Company. (a) Promptly following
the purchase of and payment for shares of Company Common Stock by Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer, Purchaser shall be entitled to designate such number of
directors, rounded down to the nearest whole number, on the Board of Directors
of the Company as will give Purchaser representation on the Board of Directors
equal to the product of the total number of directors on the Board (giving
effect to any increase in the number of directors pursuant to this Section
7.07(a)) and the percentage that the aggregate number of shares of Company
Common Stock beneficially owned by Purchaser bears to the total number of shares
of Company Common Stock then outstanding (on a fully diluted basis); provided,
however, that Purchaser shall be entitled to designate a number of directors
equal to or greater than 50% of the total number of directors only if Purchaser
purchases 90% or more of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock pursuant
to the Offer. The Company and its Board of Directors shall, at such time, take
such action as may be necessary to cause Purchaser's designees to be so
appointed or elected to the Company's Board of Directors, with Purchaser's
designees being allocated as evenly as possible among the classes of directors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Purchaser's designees are to be
appointed or elected to the Board of Directors, until the Effective Time, such
Board of Directors shall have at least three directors who are directors on the
date of this Agreement and who are not officers of the Company (the "Independent
Directors"), provided that, in such event, if the number of Independent
Directors shall be reduced below three for any reason whatsoever, any remaining
Independent Directors (or Independent Director, if there shall be only one
remaining) shall be entitled to designate persons to fill such vacancies who
shall be deemed to be Independent Directors for purposes of this Agreement. An
affirmative vote of a majority of the Independent Directors shall be obtained
prior to the Company entering into any material transaction with Parent,
Purchaser or any affiliate thereof.
(b) In the event the Company's obligation to appoint or elect
designees to the Board shall be subject to Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and
Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder, Parent shall give the Company reasonable
notice of its intention to exercise its rights under Section 7.07(a) and, after
receipt of such notice, the Company shall promptly take such action as may be
required pursuant to Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1 in order to fulfill its
obligations under this Section 7.07 and shall include in the Schedule 14D-9 or a
separate Rule 14f-1 Statement to shareholders such information with respect to
the Company and its officers and directors as is required under Section 14(f)
and Rule 14f-1 to fulfill its obligations under this Section 7.07. Parent shall
provide to the Company and be solely responsible for all information relating to
Parent and Purchaser and their nominees, officers, directors and affiliates
required by Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1.
<PAGE> 88
36
SECTION 7.08. Fees and Expenses. (a) Except as provided below
in this Section 7.08, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
Offer, the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall
be paid by the party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not the Offer
or the Merger is consummated.
(b) The Company shall pay, or cause to be paid, in immediately
available funds to Parent, the sum of US$20,000,000 (the "Termination Fee")
under the circumstances and at the times set forth as follows:
(i) if Parent or Purchaser terminates this Agreement pursuant
to Section 9.01(e), the Company shall pay the Termination Fee upon
demand;
(ii) immediately prior to any termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 9.01(f), the Company shall pay the Termination Fee;
(iii) if, at the time of any termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 9.01(b) (as a result of less than 50% of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock being tendered), an
acquisition proposal shall have been made and shall be pending and the
Board of Directors of the Company shall not have withdrawn or modified
in a manner adverse to Parent or Purchaser its approval or
recommendation of the Offer, and, within 12 months of such termination,
(x) the Company shall enter into an agreement providing for an
acquisition proposal or an acquisition proposal shall be consummated at
a price per share equal to or in excess of the Per Share Amount, the
Company shall pay the Termination Fee concurrently with the earlier of
the entering into of such agreement or the consummation of such
acquisition proposal or (y) the Company shall enter into an agreement
providing for an acquisition proposal or an acquisition proposal shall
be consummated at a price less than the Per Share Amount, the Company
shall pay the Expenses concurrently with the earlier of the entering
into of such agreement or the consummation of such acquisition
proposal; and
(iv) if, at the time of any termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 9.01(d) resulting from a wilful and material breach
of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement, an
acquisition proposal shall have been made and shall be pending and,
within 12 months of such termination, the Company shall enter into an
agreement providing for an acquisition proposal or an acquisition
proposal shall be consummated, the Company shall pay the Termination
Fee concurrently with the earlier of the entering into of such
agreement or the consummation of such acquisition proposal.
"Expenses" shall mean documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred or
paid by or on behalf of Parent or Purchaser in connection with the Offer or the
Merger, the preparation
<PAGE> 89
37
and negotiation of this Agreement and the Stock Option Agreement and the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
including without limitation all fees and expenses of law firms, commercial
banks, investment banking firms, accountants, printing firms, information
agents, proxy solicitors, experts and consultants to Parent; provided, however,
that in no event shall such fees and expenses exceed US$5,000,000.
(c) In the event that the Company shall fail to pay the
Termination Fee or the Expenses when due, the amount of any such Termination Fee
or the Expenses shall be increased to include the costs and expenses actually
incurred or accrued by Parent (including, without limitation, fees and expenses
of counsel) in connection with the collection under and enforcement of this
Section 7.08, together with interest on such unpaid Termination Fee or the
Expenses, commencing on the date that such Termination Fee or the Expenses
became due, at a rate equal to the rate of interest publicly announced by
Citibank, N.A., from time to time, in The City of New York as such bank's base
rate plus 3.00%.
SECTION 7.09. Public Announcements. The initial press release
concerning the Merger shall be a joint press release and, thereafter, Parent and
the Company shall consult with each other before issuing any press release or
otherwise making any public statements with respect to this Agreement or the
Merger and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public
statement without the prior written approval of the other, except to the extent
required by applicable Law or the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange,
in which case the issuing party shall use its reasonable efforts to consult with
the other party before issuing any such release or making any such public
statement.
SECTION 7.10. Notification. The Company shall give prompt
notice to Parent of (i) any representation or warranty made by it contained in
this Agreement that is qualified as to materiality becoming untrue or inaccurate
in any respect or any such representation or warranty that is not so qualified
becoming untrue or inaccurate in any material respect or (ii) the failure by it
to comply with or satisfy in any material respect any covenant, condition or
agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this Agreement; provided,
however, that no such notification shall affect the representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements of the parties or the conditions to the obligations of
the parties under this Agreement.
SECTION 7.11. Certain Litigation. The Company agrees that it
shall not settle any litigation commenced after the date hereof against the
Company or any of its directors by any shareholder of the Company relating to
the Offer, the Merger, this Agreement or the Stock Option Agreement without the
prior written consent of Parent. In addition, subject to its rights under
Section 6.03, the Company shall not voluntarily cooperate with any third party
that may hereafter seek to restrain or prohibit or otherwise oppose the Offer or
the Merger and shall cooperate with Parent and Purchaser to resist any such
effort to restrain or prohibit or otherwise oppose the Offer or the Merger.
<PAGE> 90
38
SECTION 7.12. Other Actions. (a) Parent and Purchaser shall
not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries to, take any action that
would, or that would reasonably be expected to, result in (i) any of the
representations and warranties of Parent and Purchaser set forth in this
Agreement that are qualified as to materiality becoming untrue, (ii) any of such
representations and warranties that are not so qualified becoming untrue in any
material respect or (iii) any of the conditions to the Offer set forth in
Exhibit A, or any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VIII, not
being satisfied.
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
SECTION 8.01. Conditions to Each Party's Obligation to Effect
the Merger. The respective obligations of each party to effect the Merger are
subject to the satisfaction or waiver on or prior to the Closing Date of the
following conditions:
(a) Company Shareholder Approval. If required by applicable
law, this Agreement shall have been approved by the Company Shareholder
Vote.
(b) No Injunctions or Restraints. No statute, rule,
regulation, executive order, decree, temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by any
Governmental Entity or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing
the consummation of the Merger shall be in effect; provided, however,
that, in the case of a temporary restraining order, injunction or other
order, each of the parties shall have used all reasonable efforts to
prevent the entry of any such temporary restraining order, injunction
or other order and to appeal as promptly as possible any temporary
restraining order, injunction or other order that may be entered.
(c) Purchase of Shares. Purchaser shall have previously
accepted for payment and paid for shares of Company Common Stock
pursuant to the Offer.
(d) HSR Act. Any waiting period (and any extensions thereof)
applicable to the consummation of the Merger under the HSR Act shall
have expired or been terminated.
<PAGE> 91
39
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
SECTION 9.01. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at
any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after approval of this
Agreement by the shareholders of the Company:
(a) by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company;
(b) by either Parent or the Company if (i) as a result of the
failure of any of the conditions set forth in Exhibit A to this
Agreement the Offer shall have terminated or expired in accordance with
its terms without Purchaser having accepted for payment any shares of
Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer or (ii) Purchaser shall not
have accepted for payment any shares of Company Common Stock pursuant
to the Offer within 90 days following the date of this Agreement;
provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant
to this Section 9.01(b) shall not be available to any party whose
failure to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement results
in the failure, occurrence or existence of any such condition;
(c) by either Parent or the Company if any Governmental Entity
shall have enacted or issued any statute, rule, regulation, executive
order, decree, temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent
injunction or taken any other action permanently enjoining, restraining
or otherwise prohibiting the acceptance for payment of, or payment for,
shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer or the Merger and
such order, decree or ruling or other action shall have become final
and nonappealable;
(d) by Parent or Purchaser prior to the purchase of shares of
Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer in the event of a breach by
the Company of any representation, warranty, covenant or other
agreement contained in this Agreement which (A) would give rise to the
failure of a condition set forth in paragraph (e) or (f) of Exhibit A
and (B) cannot be or has not been cured within 10 days after the giving
of written notice to the Company;
(e) by Parent or Purchaser if either Parent or Purchaser is
entitled to terminate the Offer as a result of the occurrence of any
event set forth in paragraph (d) of Exhibit A to this Agreement;
(f) by the Company in connection with entering into a
definitive agreement in accordance with Section 6.03(b), provided it
has complied with all provisions
<PAGE> 92
40
thereof, including the notice provisions therein, and that it makes
immediately prior to such termination payment of the Termination Fee
pursuant to Section 7.08(b); or
(g) by the Company, if Purchaser or Parent shall have breached
in any material respect any of their respective representations,
warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement,
which failure to perform is incapable of being cured or has not been
cured within 10 days after the giving of written notice to Parent or
Purchaser, as applicable.
SECTION 9.02. Effect of Termination. In the event of
termination of this Agreement by either the Company or Parent as provided in
Section 9.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect,
without any liability or obligation on the part of Parent, Purchaser or the
Company, other than the provisions of Section 4.22 [Brokers], Section 5.08
[Brokers], the last sentence of Section 7.02 [Confidentiality], Section 7.08
[Fees], this Section 9.02 and Article X and except to the extent that such
termination results from the wilful and material breach by a party of any of its
covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement.
SECTION 9.03. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the
parties at any time before or after any required approval of this Agreement by
the shareholders of the Company; provided, however, that after any such
approval, there shall not be made any amendment that by law requires further
approval by such shareholders without the further approval of such shareholders.
This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of each of the parties.
SECTION 9.04. Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the
Effective Time, the parties may (a) extend the time for the performance of any
of the obligations or other acts of the other parties, (b) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement
or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or (c) subject to the
proviso of Section 9.03, waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a party to
any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in any instrument
in writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this
Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall
not constitute a waiver of those rights.
SECTION 9.05. Procedure for Termination, Amendment, Extension
or Waiver. In the event Purchaser's designees are appointed or elected to the
Board of Directors of the Company as provided in Section 7.07, the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Independent Directors shall be required by the Company
to (i) amend or terminate this Agreement, (ii) exercise or waive any of the
Company's rights or remedies under this Agreement or (iii) extend the time for
performance of Parent's and Purchaser's obligations under this Agreement.
<PAGE> 93
41
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 10.01. Nonsurvival of Representations. None of the
representations and warranties in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time or, in the case of
the Company, shall survive the acceptance for payment of, and payment for,
shares of Company Common Stock by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer. This Section
10.01 shall not limit any covenant or agreement of the parties which by its
terms contemplates performance after the Effective Time.
SECTION 10.02. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands
and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given if delivered personally or sent by telecopy or by overnight courier
(providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the following addresses (or at
such address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
(a) if to Parent or Purchaser, to:
Raab Karcher AG
Rudolf-von-Bennigsen
Foerder-Platz 1
45131 Essen
Germany
Attn: Curt von Berghes
Telecopier: 011-49-201-459-1508
with a copy to:
Shearman & Sterling
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attn: John J. Madden, Esq.
Telecopier: (212) 848-7179
<PAGE> 94
42
(b) if to the Company, to:
Wyle Electronics
15370 Barranca Pkwy
P.O. Box 19675
Irvine, California 92713-9675
Attn: General Counsel
Telecopier: (714) 753-9908
with a copy to:
O'Melveny & Myers
610 Newport Center Drive
Suite 1700
Newport Beach, California 92660
Attn: Gary J. Singer, Esq.
Telecopier: (714) 669-6994
SECTION 10.03. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) an "affiliate" of any person means another person that
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls,
is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first person;
(b) "control" (including the terms "controlled by" and "under
common control with") means the possession, directly or indirectly, of
the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise;
(c) "Lien" means any encumbrance, hypothecation, lien,
mortgage, pledge, security interest or other encumbrance; provided,
however, that the term "lien" does not include (i) liens for water and
sewer charges and current taxes not yet due and payable or being
contested in good faith, (ii) mechanics', carriers', workers',
repairers', materialmen's, warehousemen's and other similar liens
arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business or (iii) vendor
liens granted pursuant to the distributor agreements between the
Company and its vendors in existence on the date hereof and previously
made available to Parent;
(d) "Material Adverse Change" or "Material Adverse Effect"
means any change or effect (other than a change or effect that impacts
the Company's industry generally or is specifically identified in
Sections 4.07 and 4.08 of the Disclosure Schedules) that is or is
reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the business,
<PAGE> 95
43
operations, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), assets or
liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities) or
long-term prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole; provided that a change or effect that impacts the prospects of
the Company's industry generally shall not be considered impacting the
long-term prospects of the Company;
(e) "person" means an individual, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, association, trust,
unincorporated organization or other entity; and
(f) a "subsidiary" of any person means another person, an
amount of the voting securities, other voting ownership or voting
partnership interests of which is sufficient to elect at least a
majority of its Board of Directors or other governing body (or, if
there are no such voting interests, 50% or more of the equity interests
of which) is owned directly or indirectly by such first person,
including, without limitation, Accord Contract Services LLC.
SECTION 10.04. Interpretation. When a reference is made in
this Agreement to a Section or Exhibit, such reference shall be to a Section of,
or an Exhibit to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of
contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. Whenever the words "include", "includes" or"including" are used in
this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation".
SECTION 10.05. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed
and delivered (including by facsimile transmission) in one or more counterparts,
all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become
effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties
and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need
not sign the same counterpart.
SECTION 10.06. Entire Agreement; Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with
respect to the subject matter of this Agreement (provided, however, that the
provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement shall remain valid and in effect to
the extent such provisions do not conflict with the provisions of this
Agreement) and, except for the provisions of Article III and Sections 7.04, 7.05
and 7.06 [Benefits; Indemnity], is not intended to confer upon any person other
than the parties any rights or remedies hereunder.
SECTION 10.07. Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement shall be assigned, in
whole or in part, by
<PAGE> 96
44
operation of law or otherwise by any of the parties without the prior written
consent of the other parties, except that Purchaser may assign, in its sole
discretion, any or all of its rights, interests and obligations under this
Agreement to Parent or to any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
Parent, but no such assignment shall relieve Purchaser of any of its obligations
under this Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be
binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties hereto
and their respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 10.08. Governing Law. Except to the extent the laws of
the State of California is mandatorily applicable hereto, this Agreement shall
be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
Delaware.
SECTION 10.09. Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement
were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise
breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an
injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce
specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any court of the
United States located in the State of New York, Delaware or California or in New
York, Delaware or California state court (a "Specified Court"), this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. In
addition, each of the parties hereto (i) consents to submit itself to the
personal jurisdiction of any Specified Court in the event any dispute arises out
of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
(ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such personal
jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court, (iii)
agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement or any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court other than a
Specified Court and (iv) agrees to waive any defense based upon venue or forum
non conveniens grounds.
SECTION 10.10. Severability. If any term or other provision of
this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of
Law, or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement
shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or
legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any
manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or
other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties
hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect
the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually
acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby be
consummated as originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
<PAGE> 97
45
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Purchaser and the Company have
caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized, all as of the date first written above.
RAAB KARCHER AG
By /s/ Gunther Beuth /s/ Curt Von Berghes
-----------------------------------------------
Name: Gunther Beuth Curt Von Berghes
Title: Member of the Board General Counsel
EBV ELECTRONICS INC.
By Michael Rohleder
------------------------
Name: Michael Rohleder
Title: President and CEO
WYLE ELECTRONICS
By Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
--------------------------
Name: Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
Title: President and Chief
Executive Officer
<PAGE> 98
EXHIBIT A
CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
Notwithstanding any other term of the Offer or this Agreement,
Purchaser shall not be required to accept for payment or, subject to any
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, including Rule 14e-1(c) under the
Exchange Act (relating to Purchaser's obligation to pay for or return tendered
shares of Company Common Stock after the termination or withdrawal of the
Offer), to pay for any shares of Company Common Stock tendered pursuant to the
Offer unless (i) there shall have been validly tendered and not withdrawn prior
to the expiration of the Offer such number of shares of Company Common Stock
which would constitute not less than 90% (determined on a fully diluted basis)
of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (the "Minimum Condition"),
(ii) any waiting period under the HSR Act applicable to the purchase of shares
of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer shall have expired or been
terminated and (iii) the satisfaction of any applicable foreign competition and
antitrust statutes and regulations, including the approval of the FCO pursuant
to the AARC. Furthermore, notwithstanding any other term of the Offer or this
Agreement, Purchaser shall not be required to accept for payment or, subject as
aforesaid, to pay for any shares of Company Common Stock not theretofore
accepted for payment or paid for, and may terminate the Offer if, at any time on
or after the date of this Agreement and before the acceptance of such shares for
payment or the payment therefor, any of the following events shall occur (other
than as a result of any action or inaction of Parent or any of its subsidiaries
which constitutes a breach of this Agreement):
(a) there shall have been entered any order, preliminary or
permanent injunction, decree, judgment or ruling in any suit, action or
proceeding that (i) makes illegal or otherwise directly or indirectly
restrains or prohibits the acquisition by Parent or Purchaser of any
shares of Company Common Stock under the Offer or the making or
consummation of the Offer or the Merger, the performance by the Company
of any of its obligations under this Agreement or the consummation of
any purchase of Company Common Stock contemplated hereby, (ii)
prohibits or limits the ownership or operation by the Company, Parent
or any of their respective subsidiaries of a material portion of the
business or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, or Parent and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or compels the
Company or Parent to dispose of or hold separate any material portion
of the business or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, or Parent and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as a result
of the Offer or the Merger, (iii) imposes material limitations on the
ability of Parent or Purchaser to acquire or hold, or exercise full
rights of ownership of, any shares of Company Common Stock accepted for
payment pursuant to the Offer including, without limitation, the right
to vote such Company Common Stock on all matters properly presented to
the shareholders of the Company or (iv) prohibits Parent or any of its
subsidiaries from effectively
<PAGE> 99
2
controlling in any material respect the business or operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or
(b) there shall be any Law enacted, entered, enforced,
promulgated or deemed applicable to the Offer or the Merger, or any
other action shall be taken by any Governmental Entity, other than the
application to the Offer or the Merger of applicable waiting periods
under the HSR Act, that results, directly or indirectly, in any of the
consequences referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph (a)
above; or
(c) there shall have occurred any Material Adverse Change; or
(d) (i) the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee
thereof shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to Parent
or Purchaser its approval or recommendation of the Offer, the Merger or
this Agreement, or approved or recommended any other acquisition
proposal or (ii) the Company shall have entered into any agreement to
consummate any acquisition proposal; or
(e) any of the representations and warranties of the Company
set forth in this Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall
not be true and correct or any such representations and warranties that
are not so qualified shall not be true and correct in any respect that
is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, in each case at
the date of this Agreement and at the scheduled expiration of the
Offer; or
(f) the Company 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 Company to be
performed or complied with by it under this Agreement; or
(g) there shall have occurred and be continuing to exist for
at least three business days (i) any general suspension of trading in,
or limitation on prices for, securities on the New York Stock Exchange
(excluding any coordinated trading halt triggered solely as a result of
a specified decrease in a market index), (ii) a declaration of a
banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in
the United States or the Federal Republic of Germany, (iii)
commencement of a war or armed hostilities or other national or
international calamity directly or indirectly involving the United
States or the Federal Republic of Germany which in any case is
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or to materially
adversely affect Parent's or Purchaser's ability to complete the Offer
or the Merger or materially delay the consummation of the Offer, the
Merger or both or (iv) in case of
<PAGE> 100
3
any of the foregoing existing on the date of this Agreement, material
acceleration or worsening thereof; or
(h) this Agreement shall have been invalidated or terminated.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Purchaser
and Parent and may, subject to the terms of this Agreement, be waived by
Purchaser and Parent in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in
their sole discretion. The failure by Parent or Purchaser at any time to
exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such
right, the waiver of any such right with respect to particular facts and
circumstances shall not be deemed a waiver with respect to any other facts and
circumstances and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right that may be
asserted at any time and from time to time. Terms used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement to which this
Exhibit A is a part.
<PAGE> 101
EXHIBIT B
AGREEMENT OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT OF MERGER (this "AGREEMENT") is executed as of
_______________, 1997 by and between EBV ELECTRONICS INC. a Delaware corporation
(the "PURCHASER"), and WYLE ELECTRONICS, a California corporation (the
"COMPANY"), which corporations are hereinafter sometimes referred to jointly as
the "CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS."
BACKGROUND
A. The Purchaser is a corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company is a corporation duly
organized and existing under the laws of the State of California.
B. The Purchaser has authorized capital stock consisting of
1.000 shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of which 100 shares are now
validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by EBV
ELECTRONICS HOLDINGS INC., a Delaware corporation ("HOLDING"). Holding is a
wholly owned subsidiary of RAAB KARCHER AG, a corporation organized under the
laws of Germany ("PARENT").
C. The Company has authorized capital stock consisting of
25,000,000 shares of common stock and 500,000 shares of preference stock, no par
value, of which 12,229,100 shares were validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
D. The Purchaser and the Company desire to effect a merger
(the "MERGER") of the Purchaser with and into the Company in the manner herein
set forth, and the Board of Directors of the Constituent Corporations have duly
adopted resolutions approving this Agreement.
E. The Purchaser, the Company and Parent have entered into
that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 3, 1997 (the "MERGER
AGREEMENT"), pursuant to which the parties agreed to the Merger of the Purchaser
with and into the Company and the conversion in the Merger of each issued and
outstanding share of common stock, without par value, of the Company (the
"COMPANY COMMON STOCK") into the right to receive $50.00 per share in cash (the
"PER SHARE AMOUNT") in cash, without interest. This Agreement is being filed
pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Merger Agreement and Section 1103 of the
California Corporations Code ("CCC").
In consideration of the foregoing premises, and the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, it is hereby agreed as follows:
1
<PAGE> 102
ARTICLE I
PARTIES TO THE MERGER
SECTION 1 THE PURCHASER. The name of the corporation proposing
to merge into the Company is EBV ELECTRONICS INC.
SECTION 2 THE SURVIVING CORPORATION. The name of the
corporation into which the Purchaser proposes to merge is WYLE ELECTRONICS and
WYLE ELECTRONICS will be the corporation surviving the Merger (the "SURVIVING
CORPORATION").
SECTION 3 PARENT. Cash will be issued in the Merger to the
holders of the Company Common Stock.
ARTICLE II
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE MERGER
SECTION 1 GENERAL. Upon the date on which this Agreement is
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of California and the Certificate
of Ownership and Merger (or Certificate of Merger) is filed with the Secretary
of State of the State of Delaware, together with any required officers'
certificates (collectively, the "Merger Documents") of each Constituent
Corporation: (a) the Purchaser shall merge with and into the Company, which
shall survive the Merger and continue to be a California corporation; (b) the
shares of Company Common Stock outstanding at the Effective Time of the Merger
shall be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Amount; (c) the
separate existence of the Purchaser shall cease, as provided by the CCC; and (d)
the name of the Surviving Corporation shall remain WYLE ELECTRONICS.
SECTION 2 EFFECTIVE TIME. The "EFFECTIVE TIME" with respect to
the Merger contemplated by this Agreement shall be at the time of filing of the
appropriate Merger Documents with the Secretary of State of the State of
California.
SECTION 3 ADDITIONAL ACTIONS. If, at any time after the
Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall consider or be advised that any
deeds, bills of sale, assignments, assurances or any other actions or things are
necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in the
Surviving Corporation its rights, title or interest in, to or under any of the
rights, properties or assets of either Constituent Corporation or otherwise to
carry out this Agreement, the officers and directors of the Surviving
Corporation shall be authorized, so long as such action is consistent with this
Agreement, to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of each Constituent
Corporation, all such deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and to
take and do, in the name and on behalf of each Constituent Corporation, all such
other actions and things as may be necessary or desirable to vest, perfect or
confirm any and all right, title
2
<PAGE> 103
and interest in, to and under such rights, properties or assets in the Surviving
Corporation or otherwise to carry out this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
CONVERSION OF CAPITAL STOCK
At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of the holders of any shares of the Purchaser's capital stock
or the holders of any shares of the Company Common Stock:
(a) Capital Stock of Purchaser. Each issued and outstanding
share of capital stock of Purchaser shall be converted into and become one fully
paid and nonassessable share of common stock, no par value, of the Surviving
Corporation.
(b) Cancellation of Company Common Stock Owned by Parent. Each
share of Company Common Stock that is owned by the Company or by any subsidiary
of the Company and each share of Company Common Stock that is owned by Parent,
Purchaser or any other subsidiary of Parent shall automatically be cancelled and
shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange
therefor.
(c) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Subject to paragraph
(d) of this Article III, each share of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding (other than shares to be cancelled in accordance with paragraph (b)
of this Article III) shall be converted into the right to receive the Per Share
Amount in cash, without interest (the "MERGER CONSIDERATION"). As of the
Effective Time, all such shares of Company Common Stock shall no longer be
outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and
each holder of a certificate representing any such shares of Company Common
Stock shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to
receive the Merger Consideration, without interest.
(d) Company Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding paragraph (c)
of this Article III, shares of Company Common Stock held by a holder who,
subject to and in accordance with Section 1300 et seq. of the CCC, has demanded
and perfected such holder's right to an appraisal of such holder's shares of
Company Common Stock and has not effectively withdrawn or lost the right to such
appraisal ("DISSENTING SHARES"), shall not be converted into a right to receive
the Merger Consideration, unless such holder withdraws or otherwise loses the
right to appraisal for such holder's shares of Company Common Stock. If after
the Effective Time of the Merger such holder withdraws or loses the right to
appraisal for such holder's shares of Company Common Stock, such shares of
Company Common Stock shall be treated as if they had been converted as of the
Effective Time into the right to receive the Merger Consideration payable in
respect of such shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to paragraph (c) of this
Article III.
3
<PAGE> 104
ARTICLE IV
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS;
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Upon the Effective Time, the Restated Articles of
Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company shall be the Articles of
Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter
amended as provided therein and as permitted by law and by the Merger Agreement.
At the Effective Time, the directors of the Company immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be deemed to have resigned, and the directors of Purchaser
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become the directors of the
Surviving Corporation, until the earlier of their resignation or removal or
until their successors are duly elected and qualified, as the case may be. The
officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the
officers of the Surviving Corporation, until the earlier of their resignation or
removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, as
the case may be, or as otherwise provided in the Bylaws of the Company.
ARTICLE V
CORPORATE APPROVALS
SECTION 1 CORPORATE APPROVALS. Pursuant to Section 1201 of the
CCC and Section 251 of the DGCL, this Agreement and related matters have been
approved in accordance with such provisions.
ARTICLE VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1 AMENDMENT. This Agreement may be amended by the
parties hereto any time before or after approval hereof by the shareholders of
the Surviving Corporation, if necessary, but, after such approval, no amendment
shall be made which by law requires the further approval of such shareholders
without obtaining such approval. This Agreement may not be amended except by an
instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
SECTION 2 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all
of which together shall constitute one agreement.
4
<PAGE> 105
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the
date first written above.
WYLE ELECTRONICS
a California corporation
By:________________________
Name:
Title:
By:________________________
Name:
Title:
EBV ELECTRONICS INC.
a Delaware corporation
By:________________________
Name:
Title:
By:________________________
Name:
Title:
5
<PAGE> 106
CERTIFICATE
________________ and _______________ certify that:
1. They are the _______________ and the __________________,
respectively, of WYLE ELECTRONICS, a corporation organized under the laws of the
State of California (the "CORPORATION").
2. The Corporation has authorized two classes of stock, designated
"Common Stock" and "Preference Stock."
3. The number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote on the Record Date, ______________, for the Special Meeting of
the Shareholders of the Corporation was _______________ shares. There are no
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.
4. The principal terms of the agreement relating to the merger of EBV
ELECTRONICS INC., a Delaware corporation, with and into the Corporation (the
"MERGER") in the form attached were approved by the Corporation's Board of
Directors and by the vote of a number of shares of Common Stock which equaled or
exceeded the vote required.
5. The percentage vote required of the holders of Common Stock entitled
to vote in connection with the Merger is more than 50%.
_____________________________________
Name:
Title:
_____________________________________
Name:
Title:
6
<PAGE> 107
__________________ declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of
the State of California that he has read the foregoing certificate and knows the
contents thereof and that the same is true of his own knowledge.
____________, 1997
___________________________
Name:
___________________ declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of
the State of California that he has read the foregoing certificate and knows the
contents thereof and that the same is true of his own knowledge.
_____________, 1997
___________________________
Name:
<PAGE> 108
CERTIFICATE
_____________________ and ___________________ certify that:
1. They are the _______________ and the _________________,
respectively, of EBV ELECTRONICS, INC. a corporation organized under the laws of
the State of Delaware (the "CORPORATION").
2. The number of outstanding shares of common stock of the Corporation
is 1,000 shares.
3. The principal terms of the agreement relating to the merger of the
Corporation with and into WYLE ELECTRONICS, a California corporation, (the
"MERGER") in the form attached were approved by the Corporation's Board of
Directors and by the vote of a number of shares of each class which equaled or
exceeded the vote required.
___________________________
Name:
Title:
___________________________
Name:
Title:
<PAGE> 109
_____________________ declares under penalty of perjury under the laws
of the State of California that he has read the foregoing certificate and knows
the contents thereof and that the same is true of his own knowledge.
_____________, 1997
___________________________
Name:
___________________ declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of
the State of California that he has read the foregoing certificate and knows the
contents thereof and that the same is true of his own knowledge.
______________, 1997
___________________________
Name:
<PAGE> 110
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of July 3, 1997 (this
"Agreement"), among RAAB KARCHER AG, a company organized under the laws of
Germany ("Parent"), EBV ELECTRONICS INC., a Delaware corporation and an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Purchaser"), and WYLE ELECTRONICS, a
California corporation (the "Company").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Parent, Purchaser and the Company propose to enter
into, simultaneously herewith, an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger
Agreement"; capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have
the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement), which provides, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions thereof, for (i) the commencement by
Purchaser of a tender offer (the "Offer") to purchase all of the issued and
outstanding shares of the common stock, no par value, of the Company ("Common
Stock"), at a purchase price of $50.00 per share, net to the seller in cash, and
(ii) the subsequent merger of Purchaser with and into the Company (the
"Merger"), whereby each share of Common Stock, other than shares owned directly
or indirectly by Parent or by the Company and other than Dissenting Shares, will
be converted into the right to receive $50.00 (or such greater amount to be paid
per share in the Offer); and
WHEREAS, as a condition to the willingness of Parent and
Purchaser to enter into the Merger Agreement, Parent and Purchaser have required
that the Company agree, and in order to induce Parent and Purchaser to enter
into the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed, to grant Purchaser an option
to purchase shares of Common Stock, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
of this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the
respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in
this Agreement and in the Merger Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE STOCK OPTION
SECTION 1.01. Grant of Top-Up Stock Option. The Company hereby
grants to Purchaser an irrevocable option (the "Top-Up Stock Option") to
purchase that number of shares of Common Stock (the "Top-Up Option Shares")
equal to the number of shares of Common Stock that, when added to the number of
shares of Common Stock owned by
<PAGE> 111
2
Purchaser and its affiliates immediately following consummation of the Offer,
shall constitute 90% of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding on a fully
diluted basis (assuming the issuance of the Top-Up Option Shares), at a cash
purchase price per Top-Up Option Share equal to $50.00 (the "Purchase Price"),
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein; provided, however, that
the Top-Up Stock Option shall not be exercisable if the number of shares of
Common Stock subject thereto exceeds the number of authorized shares of Common
Stock available for issuance.
SECTION 1.02. Exercise of Top-Up Stock Option. (a) Subject to
the conditions set forth in Section 1.05 and to any additional requirements of
Law, the Top-Up Stock Option may be exercised by Purchaser, in whole but not in
part, at any time or from time to time after the occurrence of a Top-Up Exercise
Event (as defined below) and prior to the Top-Up Termination Date (as defined
below).
(b) A "Top-Up Exercise Event" shall occur for purposes of this
Agreement upon Purchaser's acceptance for payment pursuant to the Offer of
shares of Common Stock constituting more than 50% but less than 90% of the
shares of Common Stock then outstanding on a fully diluted basis.
(c) The "Top-Up Termination Date" shall occur for purposes of
this Agreement upon the first to occur of any of the following:
(i) the Effective Time;
(ii) the date which is 10 business days after the occurrence
of a Top-Up Exercise Event (unless prior thereto the Top-Up Stock
Option shall have been exercised); or
(iii) the termination of the Merger Agreement.
(d) In the event Purchaser wishes to exercise the Top-Up Stock
Option, Purchaser shall send a written notice (a "Top-Up Exercise Notice") to
the Company specifying the denominations of the certificate or certificates
evidencing the Top-Up Option Shares which Purchaser wishes to receive, a date
(subject to the earlier satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in
Section 1.03) (the "Closing Date"), which shall be a business day which is not
later than 10 business days and not earlier than the fifth business day after
delivery of such notice, and place for the closing of such purchase (the
"Closing"). The Company shall, within two business days after receipt of a
Top-Up Exercise Notice, deliver written notice to Purchaser specifying the
number of Top-Up Option Shares and the aggregate Purchase Price therefor.
<PAGE> 112
3
SECTION 1.03. Conditions to Closing. The obligation of the
Company to deliver Top-Up Option Shares upon any exercise of the Top-Up Stock
Option is subject to the following conditions:
(a) Such delivery would not in any material respect violate,
or otherwise cause the material violation of, Section 312.03(c) of the
NYSE Listed Company Manual ("Section 312") or any material Law,
including, without limitation, the HSR Act, applicable thereto;
(b) There shall be no preliminary or permanent injunction or
other final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent
jurisdiction preventing or prohibiting such exercise of the Top-Up
Stock Option or the delivery of the Top-Up Option Shares in respect of
such exercise; and
(c) The Company shall have available from its authorized
shares of Common Stock such number of shares as is sufficient to issue
the Top-Up Option Shares; provided, however, that the Company shall
have fully complied with its obligations under Section 3.01(b).
SECTION 1.04. Closing. (a) At the Closing, (i) the Company
shall deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates evidencing the
applicable number of Top-Up Option Shares (in the denominations specified
therein), and (ii) Purchaser shall purchase each Top-Up Option Share from the
Company at the Purchase Price. Payment by Purchaser of the Purchase Price for
the Top-Up Option Shares shall be made in cash.
(b) All cash payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be
made by wire transfer of immediately available funds. Certificates evidencing
Top-Up Option Shares delivered hereunder may, at the Company's election, contain
the following legend:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE
SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933 OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM.
<PAGE> 113
4
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and
Purchaser as follows:
SECTION 2.01. Organization; Authority Relative to this
Agreement. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of California. The Company has all
requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement,
to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company
and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby have
been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part
of the Company. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Company.
SECTION 2.02. Authority to Issue Shares. The Company has taken
all necessary corporate action to authorize and reserve and permit it to issue,
and at all times from the date hereof through the Top-Up Termination Date shall
have reserved, all the Top-Up Option Shares issuable pursuant to this Agreement,
and the Company shall take all necessary corporate action to authorize and
reserve and permit it to issue all additional shares of the Company Common Stock
or other securities which may be issued pursuant to Section 1.03, all of which,
upon their issuance and delivery in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, shall be
delivered free and clear of all security interests, liens, claims, pledges,
options, rights of first refusal, agreements, limitations on Purchaser's voting
rights, charges, adverse rights and other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever
(other than this Agreement) and shall not be subject to any preemptive rights.
SECTION 2.03. No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. (a)
Except as set forth in Section 4.05 of the Disclosure Schedule, the execution
and delivery of this Agreement by the Company do not, and the performance by the
Company of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not, (i) conflict with or violate the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws or equivalent organizational documents of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, (ii) assuming that all consents, approvals, orders and
authorizations described in Section 2.03(b) have been obtained and all
registrations, declarations, filings and notifications described in Section
2.03(b) have been made, conflict with or violate any Law applicable to the
Company or any subsidiary or by which any property or asset of the Company or
any subsidiary is bound or affected or (iii) result in any breach of or
constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both
would become a default) under, or give to others any right of termination,
<PAGE> 114
5
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien
on any property or asset of the Company or any subsidiary pursuant to, any note,
bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit,
franchise or other instrument or obligation, other than, in the case of clauses
(ii) and (iii), any such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults or other
occurrences that individually or in the aggregate would not prevent or
materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or the
performance by the Company of any of its obligations hereunder.
(b) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Entity
is required by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement except for (i) the filing of a
pre-merger notification and report form by the Company under the HSR Act and the
expiration or termination of the waiting period thereunder and (ii) such other
consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations,
filings and notices the failure of which to be obtained or made would not,
individually or in the aggregate, prevent or materially delay the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby or the performance by the Company of any
of its obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
SECTION 3.01. Further Action. (a) The Company shall use its
best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action, and to do,
or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable
Laws to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated hereunder,
including, without limitation, using all reasonable efforts to obtain all
licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and
orders of Governmental Entities.
(b) The Company shall not take any action in order to cause
intentionally the exercise of the Top-Up Stock Option to violate Section 312.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND PURCHASER
Parent and Purchaser hereby jointly and severally represent
and warrant to the Company as follows:
<PAGE> 115
6
SECTION 4.01. Organization; Authority Relative to this
Agreement. Each of Parent and Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation. Each of Parent and Purchaser has all requisite corporate power
and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations
hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution
and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Purchaser and the consummation by
Parent and Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Parent and
Purchaser. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Parent and
Purchaser and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the
Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent and
Purchaser, enforceable against each of Parent and Purchaser in accordance with
its terms.
SECTION 4.02. No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents. (a)
The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Purchaser do not, and
the performance by Parent and Purchaser of their obligations hereunder and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, (i) conflict with
or violate the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or equivalent
organizational documents of Parent or Purchaser, (ii) assuming that all
consents, approvals, orders and authorizations described in Section 4.02(b) have
been obtained and all registrations, declarations, filings and notifications
described in Section 4.02(b) have been made, conflict with or violate any Law
applicable to Parent or Purchaser or by which any property or asset of Parent or
Purchaser is bound or affected or (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a
default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a
default) under, or give to others any right of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien on any
property or asset of Parent or Purchaser pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other
instrument or obligation, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any
such conflicts, violations, breaches, defaults or other occurrences that
individually or in the aggregate would not prevent or materially delay the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or the performance by
Parent or Purchaser of any of their respective obligations hereunder.
(b) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or
registration, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Entity
is required by Parent or Purchaser in connection with the execution and delivery
of this Agreement, the performance by Parent or Purchaser of any of its
obligations hereunder or the consummation by Parent or Purchaser of the
transactions contemplated hereby, except for (i) the filing of a pre-merger
notification and report form under the HSR Act and the expiration or termination
of the waiting period thereunder and (ii) such other consents, approvals,
orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations, filings and notices the
failure of which to be obtained or made would not, individually or in the
aggregate, prevent or materially delay the consummation of
<PAGE> 116
7
the transactions contemplated hereby or the performance by Parent or Purchaser
of any of their respective obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF PARENT AND PURCHASER
SECTION 5.01. Distribution. Purchaser shall acquire the Top-Up
Option Shares for investment purposes only and only for the purpose of effecting
a short-form merger with the Company and not with a view to any distribution
thereof in violation of the Securities Act, and shall not sell any Top-Up Option
Shares purchased pursuant to this Agreement except in compliance with the
Securities Act and applicable state securities and "blue sky" laws.
SECTION 5.02. Parent Guaranty. Parent hereby agrees to cause
Purchaser to perform all of Purchaser's obligations under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT
SECTION 6.01. Termination. This Agreement, other than the
rights and obligations of the Company and Purchaser under Sections 3.01, 5.01
and 5.02 and Article VII, shall terminate on the Top-Up Termination Date.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 7.01. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended
except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
SECTION 7.02. Waiver. Any party hereto may (a) extend the time
for or waive compliance with the performance of any obligation or other act of
any other party hereto or (b) waive any inaccuracy in the representations and
warranties contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto. Any
such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in
writing signed by the party or parties to be bound thereby. The failure of any
party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or
otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of those rights.
<PAGE> 117
8
SECTION 7.03. Fees and Expenses. Except as otherwise provided
herein or in Section 7.08 of the Merger Agreement, all Expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such
Expenses.
SECTION 7.04. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands
and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given
if delivered personally or sent by telecopy or by overnight courier (providing
proof of delivery) to the respective parties at their addresses as specified in
Section 10.02 of the Merger Agreement.
SECTION 7.05. Severability. If any term or other provision of
this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of
Law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement
shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or
legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any
manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or
other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties
hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect
the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually
acceptable manner to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law in order
that the transactions contemplated hereby may be consummated as originally
contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
SECTION 7.06. Assignment; Binding Effect; Benefit. Neither
this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall
be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any of
the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties,
except that Purchaser may assign, in its discretion, any or all of its rights,
interests and obligations hereunder to Parent or any direct or indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of Parent, but no such assignment shall relieve Purchaser of
any of its obligations hereunder. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by,
the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in
this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on any person other
than the parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assigns any
rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement.
SECTION 7.07. Governing Law. Except to the extent the law of
the State of California is mandatorily applicable hereto, this Agreement shall
be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
Delaware.
SECTION 7.08. Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement
were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise
breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an
injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce
specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any
<PAGE> 118
9
court of the United States located in the State of New York, Delaware or
California or in New York, Delaware or California state court (a "Specified
Court"), this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled
at law or in equity. In addition, each of the parties hereto (i) consents to
submit itself to the personal jurisdiction of any Specified Court in the event
any dispute arises out of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, (ii) agrees that it will not attempt to deny or defeat such
personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court,
(iii) agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement or any
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court other than a
Specified Court and (iv) agrees to waive any defense based upon venue or forum
non conveniens grounds.
SECTION 7.09. Headings. The descriptive headings contained in
this Agreement are included for reference purposes only and shall not affect in
any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
SECTION 7.10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and
delivered (including by facsimile transmission) in one or more counterparts, all
of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become
effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties
and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need
not sign the same counterpart.
SECTION 7.11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the
entire agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both
written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement.
<PAGE> 119
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
all as of the date first written above.
RAAB KARCHER AG
By /s/ Gunther Beuth /s/ Curt Von Berghes
-----------------------------------------------
Name: Gunther Beuth Curt Von Berghes
Title: Member of the Board General Counsel
EBV ELECTRONICS INC.
By Michael Rohleder
------------------------
Name: Michael Rohleder
Title: President and CEO
WYLE ELECTRONICS
By Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
--------------------------
Name: Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
Title: President and Chief
Executive Officer
<PAGE> 1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO TENDER SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
OF
WYLE ELECTRONICS
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE
DATED JULY 9, 1997
OF
EBV ELECTRONICS INC.
AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF
RAAB KARCHER AG
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK
CITY TIME, ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
The Depositary for the Offer is:
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
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<S> <C> <C>
By Mail: By Hand: By Overnight Courier:
ChaseMellon Shareholder ChaseMellon Shareholder ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C. Services, L.L.C. Services, L.L.C.
PO Box 3301 120 Broadway, 13th Floor 85 Challenger Road -- Mail
South Hackensack, New York, Drop-Reorg
New Jersey 07606 New York 10271 Ridgefield Park,
Attn: Reorganization Attn: Reorganization New Jersey 07660
Department Department Attn: Reorganization Department
By Facsimile:
(201) 329-8936
Confirm by Telephone:
(201) 296-4860
</TABLE>
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION OF
INSTRUCTIONS VIA A FACSIMILE NUMBER, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE,
WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ
CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
<PAGE> 2
This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by shareholders either if
certificates evidencing Shares (as defined below) are to be forwarded herewith
or if delivery of Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to the
Depositary's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), the Midwest
Securities Trust Company ("MSTC") or the Philadelphia Depository Trust Company
("PDTC") (each a "Book-Entry Transfer Facility" and collectively, the
"Book-Entry Transfer Facilities") pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedure
described in "Section 3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering
Shares" of the Offer to Purchase (as defined below). DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO A
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
Shareholders whose certificates evidencing Shares ("Share Certificates")
are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their Share Certificates or
deliver confirmation of the book-entry transfer of the Shares into the
Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility ("Book-Entry
Confirmation") and all other documents required hereby to the Depositary prior
to the Expiration Date (as defined in "Section 1. Terms of the Offer; Proration
in Certain Circumstances; Expiration Date" of the Offer to Purchase) and who
wish to tender their Shares must do so pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedure described in "Section 3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and
Tendering Shares" of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2.
[ ] CHECK HERE IF SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE
DEPOSITARY'S ACCOUNT AT ONE OF THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITIES AND
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check Box of Applicable Book-Entry Transfer Facility:
(check one) [ ] DTC [ ] MSTC [ ] PDTC
Account Number
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transaction Code Number
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] CHECK HERE IF SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Window Ticket No. (if any)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
-------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery
-------------------------------------------------------------------
If delivery is by book-entry transfer, check box of applicable Book-Entry
Transfer Facility:
(check one) [ ] DTC [ ] MSTC [ ] PDTC
Account Number
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transaction Code Number
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
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<S> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK, EXACTLY AS NAME(S) APPEAR(S) SHARE CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHARE(S) TENDERED
ON SHARE CERTIFICATE(S)) (ATTACH ADDITIONAL LIST, IF NECESSARY)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARE TOTAL NUMBER OF NUMBER OF
CERTIFICATE SHARES EVIDENCED BY SHARES
NUMBER(S)* SHARE CERTIFICATE(S)* TENDERED**
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
Total Shares
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Need not be completed by shareholders delivering Shares by book-entry
transfer.
** Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares evidenced by
each Share Certificate delivered to the Depositary are being tendered
hereby. See Instruction 4.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 3
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to EBV Electronics Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Purchaser") and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Raab
Karcher AG, a corporation organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of
Germany ("Parent"), the above-described shares of common stock, without par
value (the "Common Stock"), of Wyle Electronics, a California corporation (the
"Company"), and the associated preferred stock purchase rights (together with
the Common Stock, the "Shares"), pursuant to Purchaser's offer to purchase all
Shares, at a price of $50.00 per Share, net to the seller in cash, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated
July 9, 1997 (the "Offer to Purchase"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,
and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Offer to Purchase,
constitute the "Offer"). The undersigned understands that Purchaser reserves the
right to transfer or assign, in whole or from time to time in part, to one or
more of its affiliates, the right to purchase all or any portion of the Shares
tendered pursuant to the Offer.
Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of the Shares
tendered herewith, in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the undersigned
hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, Purchaser all
right, title and interest in and to all the Shares that are being tendered
hereby and all dividends, distributions (including, without limitation,
distributions of additional Shares) and rights declared, paid or distributed in
respect of such Shares on or after July 3, 1997 (collectively, "Distributions")
and irrevocably appoints the Depositary the true and lawful agent and
attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares and all
Distributions, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being
deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to (i) deliver
Share Certificates evidencing such Shares and all Distributions, or transfer
ownership of such Shares and all Distributions on the account books maintained
by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, together, in either case, with all
accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of
Purchaser, (ii) present such Shares and all Distributions for transfer on the
books of the Company and (iii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all
rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares and all Distributions, all in
accordance with the terms of the Offer.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints Michael Rohleder and Dr.
Ferdinand Pohl, and each of them, as the attorneys and proxies of the
undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to vote in such manner as
each such attorney and proxy or his substitute shall, in his sole discretion,
deem proper and otherwise act (by written consent or otherwise) with respect to
all the Shares tendered hereby which have been accepted for payment by Purchaser
prior to the time of such vote or other action and all Shares and other
securities issued in Distributions in respect of such Shares, which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders of the Company
(whether annual or special and whether or not an adjourned or postponed meeting)
or consent in lieu of any such meeting or otherwise. This proxy and power of
attorney is coupled with an interest in the Shares tendered hereby, is
irrevocable and is granted in consideration of, and is effective upon, the
acceptance for payment of such Shares by Purchaser in accordance with other
terms of the Offer. Such acceptance for payment shall revoke all other proxies
and powers of attorney granted by the undersigned at any time with respect to
such Shares (and all Shares and other securities issued in Distributions in
respect of such Shares), and no subsequent proxy or power of attorney shall be
given or written consent executed (and if given or executed, shall not be
effective) by the undersigned with respect thereto. The undersigned understands
that, in order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon
Purchaser's acceptance of such Shares for payment, Purchaser must be able to
exercise full voting and other rights with respect to such Shares, including,
without limitation, voting at any meeting of the Company's shareholders then
scheduled.
<PAGE> 4
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has
full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Shares
tendered hereby and all Distributions, that when such Shares are accepted for
payment by Purchaser, Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered
title thereto and to all Distributions, free and clear of all liens,
restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and that none of such Shares and
Distributions will be subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned, upon
request, shall execute and deliver all additional documents deemed by the
Depositary or Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale,
assignment and transfer of the Shares tendered hereby and all Distributions. In
addition, the undersigned shall remit and transfer promptly to the Depositary
for the account of Purchaser all Distributions in respect of the Shares tendered
hereby, accompanied by appropriate documentation of transfer, and pending such
remittance and transfer or appropriate assurance thereof, Purchaser shall be
entitled to all rights and privileges as owner of each such Distribution and may
withhold the entire purchase price of the Shares tendered hereby, or deduct from
such purchase price, the amount or value of such Distribution as determined by
Purchaser in its sole discretion.
No authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall be affected
by, and all such authority shall survive, the death or incapacity of the
undersigned. All obligations of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon
the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.
Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Shares pursuant to any one of
the procedures described in "Section 3. Procedures for Accepting the Offer and
Tendering Shares" of the Offer to Purchase and in the instructions hereto will
constitute the undersigned's acceptance of the terms and conditions of the
Offer. Purchaser's acceptance of such Shares for payment will constitute a
binding agreement between the undersigned and Purchaser upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Offer.
Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Payment
Instructions", please issue the check for the purchase price of all Shares
purchased, and return all Share Certificates evidencing Shares not purchased or
not tendered in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing above under
"Description of Shares Tendered". Similarly, unless otherwise indicated in the
box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions", please mail the check for the
purchase price of all Shares purchased and all Share Certificates evidencing
Shares not tendered or not purchased (and accompanying documents, as
appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing above
under "Description of Shares Tendered". In the event that the boxes entitled
"Special Payment Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are both
completed, please issue the check for the purchase price of all Shares purchased
and return all Share Certificates evidencing Shares not purchased or not
tendered in the name(s) of, and mail such check and Share Certificates to, the
person(s) so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled
"Special Payment Instructions", please credit any Shares tendered hereby and
delivered by book-entry transfer, but which are not purchased by crediting the
account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility designated above. The undersigned
recognizes that Purchaser has no obligation, pursuant to the Special Payment
Instructions, to transfer any Shares from the name of the registered holder(s)
thereof if Purchaser does not purchase any of the Shares tendered hereby.
<PAGE> 5
------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND 7)
To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of Shares or
Share Certificates evidencing Shares not tendered or not purchased are to
be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned, or if Shares
tendered hereby and delivered by book-entry transfer which are not
purchased are to be returned by credit to an account at one of the
Book-Entry Transfer Facilities other than that designated above.
Issue: [ ] Check [ ] Share Certificate(s) to:
Name
----------------------------------------------------
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address
-------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
(ZIP CODE)
------------------------------------------------------------
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
(SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE SIDE)
[ ] Credit Shares delivered by book-entry transfer and not purchased to
the account set forth below:
Check appropriate box:
[ ] DTC
[ ] MSTC
[ ] PDTC
------------------------------------------------------------
(ACCOUNT NUMBER)
============================================================
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND 7)
To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of Shares
purchased or Share Certificates evidencing Shares not tendered or not
purchased are to be mailed to someone other than the undersigned, or to
the undersigned at an address other than that shown under "Description of
Shares Tendered".
Mail: [ ] Check [ ] Share Certificate(s) to:
Name
----------------------------------------------------
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address
-------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
(ZIP CODE)
------------------------------------------------------------
TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
(SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE SIDE)
------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 6
IMPORTANT
SHAREHOLDERS: SIGN HERE
(PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S)
Dated:
- --------------------------- , 199
- ---
(Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Share
Certificates or on a security position listing by a person(s) authorized to
become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith.
If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-
in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, please provide the following information and see
Instruction 5.)
Name(s):------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE PRINT
Capacity (full title):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCLUDE ZIP CODE
Area Code and Telephone No.:
------------------------------------------------------
Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.:
-------------------------------------------
(SEE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON REVERSE SIDE)
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 5)
FOR USE BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ONLY.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: PLACE MEDALLION GUARANTEE IN SPACE BELOW.
<PAGE> 7
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
1. Guarantee of Signatures. All signatures on this Letter of Transmittal
must be guaranteed by a firm which is a member of the Medallion Signature
Guarantee Program, or by any other "eligible guarantor institution", as such
term is defined in Rule 17Ad-5 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (each of the foregoing being referred to as an "Eligible
Institution"), unless (i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered
holder(s) of the Shares (which term, for purposes of this document, shall
include any participant in a Book-Entry Transfer Facility whose name appears on
a security position listing as the owner of Shares) tendered hereby and such
holder(s) has (have) completed neither the box entitled "Special Payment
Instructions" nor the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on the
reverse hereof or (ii) such Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible
Institution. See Instruction 5.
2. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Share Certificates. This Letter
of Transmittal is to be used either if Share Certificates are to be forwarded
herewith or if Shares are to be delivered by book-entry transfer pursuant to the
procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Share Certificates
evidencing all physically tendered Shares, or a confirmation of a book-entry
transfer into the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility of all
Shares delivered by book-entry transfer as well as a properly completed and duly
executed Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and any other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at
one of its addresses set forth on the reverse hereof prior to the Expiration
Date (as defined in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase). If Share Certificates
are forwarded to the Depositary in multiple deliveries, a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal must accompany each such delivery.
Shareholders whose Share Certificates are not immediately available, who cannot
deliver their Share Certificates and all other required documents to the
Depositary prior to the Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedure for
delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis may tender their Shares
pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described in "Section 3.
Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" of the Offer to
Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (i) such tender must be made by or through
an Eligible Institution; (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made available by Purchaser, must
be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date; and (iii) the Share
Certificates evidencing all physically delivered Shares in proper form for
transfer by delivery, or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer into the
Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility of all Shares delivered
by book-entry transfer, in each case together with a Letter of Transmittal (or a
facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required
signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, a Book-Entry
Confirmation (as defined in "Section 2. Acceptance for Payment and Payment for
Shares" of the Offer to Purchase)), and any other documents required by this
Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary within three New York
Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE") trading days after the date of execution of such
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as described in "Section 3. Procedures for
Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" of the Offer to Purchase.
The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal, Share Certificates
and all other required documents, including delivery through any Book-Entry
Transfer Facility, is at the option and risk of the tendering shareholder, and
the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Depositary.
If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly
insured, is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to
ensure timely delivery.
No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no
fractional Shares will be purchased. By execution of this Letter of Transmittal
(or a facsimile hereof), all tendering shareholders waive any right to receive
any notice of the acceptance of their Shares for payment.
3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein under "Description of
Shares Tendered" is inadequate, the Share Certificate numbers, the number of
Shares evidenced by such Share Certificates and the number of Shares tendered
should be listed on a separate schedule and attached hereto.
<PAGE> 8
4. Partial Tenders (not applicable to shareholders who tender by
book-entry transfer). If fewer than all the Shares evidenced by any Share
Certificate delivered to the Depositary herewith are to be tendered hereby, fill
in the number of Shares which are to be tendered in the box entitled "Number of
Shares Tendered". In such cases, new Share Certificate(s) evidencing the
remainder of the Shares that were evidenced by the Share Certificates delivered
to the Depositary herewith will be sent to the person(s) signing this Letter of
Transmittal, unless otherwise provided in the box entitled "Special Delivery
Instructions" on the reverse hereof, as soon as practicable after the expiration
or termination of the Offer. All Shares evidenced by Share Certificates
delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless
otherwise indicated.
5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements. If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares
tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on
the face of the Share Certificates evidencing such Shares without alteration,
enlargement or any other change whatsoever.
If any Share tendered hereby is owned of record by two or more persons, all
such persons must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any of the Shares tendered hereby are registered in the names of
different holders, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many
separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of such
Shares.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the
Shares tendered hereby, no endorsements of Share Certificates or separate stock
powers are required, unless payment is to be made to, or Share Certificates
evidencing Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of,
a person other than the registered holder(s), in which case, the Share
Certificate(s) evidencing the Shares tendered hereby must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the
name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on such Share Certificate(s).
Signatures on such Share Certificate(s) and stock powers must be guaranteed by
an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the Share Certificate(s)
evidencing the Shares tendered hereby must be endorsed or accompanied by
appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the
registered holder(s) appear(s) on such Share Certificate(s). Signatures on such
Share Certificate(s) and stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any Share Certificate or stock power is
signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact,
officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence
satisfactory to Purchaser of such person's authority so to act must be
submitted.
6. Stock Transfer Taxes. Except as otherwise provided in this Instruction
6, Purchaser will pay all stock transfer taxes with respect to the sale and
transfer of any Shares to it or its order pursuant to the Offer. If, however,
payment of the purchase price of any Shares purchased is to be made to, or Share
Certificate(s) evidencing Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued
in the name of, a person other than the registered holder(s), the amount of any
stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s), such other
person or otherwise) payable on account of the transfer to such other person
will be deducted from the purchase price of such Shares purchased, unless
evidence satisfactory to Purchaser of the payment of such taxes, or exemption
therefrom, is submitted. Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not
be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Share Certificates
evidencing the Shares tendered hereby.
<PAGE> 9
7. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If a check for the purchase
price of any Shares tendered hereby is to be issued, or Share Certificate(s)
evidencing Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued, in the name of
a person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or if such
check or any such Share Certificate is to be sent to someone other than the
person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the person(s) signing this
Letter of Transmittal but at an address other than that shown in the box
entitled "Description of Shares Tendered" on the reverse hereof, the appropriate
boxes on the reverse of this Letter of Transmittal must be completed.
Shareholders delivering Shares tendered hereby by book-entry transfer may
request that Shares not purchased be credited to such account maintained at a
Book-Entry Transfer Facility as such shareholder may designate in the box
entitled "Special Payment Instructions" on the reverse hereof. If no such
instructions are given, all such Shares not purchased will be returned by
crediting the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility designated on the
reverse hereof as the account from which such Shares were delivered.
8. Questions and Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions
and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent or the
Dealer Managers at their respective addresses or telephone numbers set forth
below. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal
and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the Information Agent
or from brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies.
9. Substitute Form W-9. Each tendering shareholder is required to provide
the Depositary with a correct Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") on the
Substitute Form W-9 which is provided under "Important Tax Information" below,
and to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such number is correct and that
such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding of federal income tax. If
a tendering shareholder has been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that
such shareholder is subject to backup withholding, such shareholder must cross
out item (2) of the Certification box of the Substitute Form W-9, unless such
shareholder has since been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that such
shareholder is no longer subject to backup withholding. Failure to provide the
information on the Substitute Form W-9 may subject the tendering shareholder to
31% federal income tax withholding on the payment of the purchase price of all
Shares purchased from such shareholder. If the tendering shareholder has not
been issued a TIN and has applied for one or intends to apply for one in the
near future, such shareholder should write "Applied For" in the space provided
for the TIN in Part I of the Substitute Form W-9, and sign and date the
Substitute Form W-9. If "Applied For" is written in Part I and the Depositary is
not provided with a TIN within 60 days, the Depositary will withhold 31% on all
payments of the purchase price to such shareholder until a TIN is provided to
the Depositary.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR FACSIMILE HEREOF, PROPERLY
COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED (TOGETHER WITH ANY REQUIRED SIGNATURE GUARANTEES AND
SHARE CERTIFICATES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS) OR A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE (AS
DEFINED IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE).
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Under the federal income tax law, a shareholder whose tendered Shares are
accepted for payment is required by law to provide the Depositary (as payer)
with such shareholder's correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below. If such
shareholder is an individual, the TIN is such shareholder's social security
number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN, the shareholder
may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service and
payments that are made to such shareholder with respect to Shares purchased
pursuant to the Offer may be subject to backup withholding of 31%. In addition,
if a shareholder makes a false statement that results in no imposition of backup
withholding, and there was no reasonable basis for such statement, a $500
penalty may also be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
<PAGE> 10
Certain shareholders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt
recipient, such individual must submit a statement, signed under penalties of
perjury, attesting to such individual's exempt status. Forms of such statements
can be obtained from the Depositary. See the enclosed Guidelines for
Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for
additional instructions. A shareholder should consult his or her tax advisor as
to such shareholder's qualification for exemption from backup withholding and
the procedure for obtaining such exemption.
If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 31%
of any payments made to the shareholder. Backup withholding is not an additional
tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be
reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment
of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
To prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to a shareholder
with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the shareholder is
required to notify the Depositary of such shareholder's correct TIN by
completing the form below certifying that the TIN provided on Substitute Form
W-9 is correct (or that such shareholder is awaiting a TIN), and that (i) such
shareholder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that he is
subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or
dividends or (ii) the Internal Revenue Service has notified such shareholder
that such shareholder is no longer subject to backup withholding.
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE DEPOSITARY
The shareholder is required to give the Depositary the social security
number or employer identification number of the record holder of the Shares
tendered hereby. If the Shares are in more than one name or are not in the name
of the actual owner, consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional guidance on
which number to report. If the tendering shareholder has not been issued a TIN
and has applied for a number or intends to apply for a number in the near
future, the shareholder should write "Applied For" in the space provided for the
TIN in Part I, and sign and date the Substitute Form W-9. If "Applied For" is
written in Part I and the Depositary is not provided with a TIN within 60 days,
the Depositary will withhold 31% of all payments of the purchase price to such
shareholder until a TIN is provided to the Depositary.
<PAGE> 11
PAYER'S NAME: CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSTITUTE PART I -- Taxpayer Identification -------------------------------
FORM W-9 Number -- For all accounts, enter Social Security Number
your taxpayer identification number OR
in the box at right. (For most ----------------------------
individuals, this is your social Taxpayer Identification
security number. If you do not have Number
a number, see Obtaining a Number in (If awaiting Tin write
the enclosed Guidelines.) Certify by "Applied For")
signing and dating below. Note: If
the account is in more than one
name, see the chart in the enclosed
Guidelines to determine which number
to give the payer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Payer's Request for Taxpayer PART II -- For Payees Exempt From Backup Withholding, see the
Identification Number (TIN) enclosed Guidelines and complete as instructed therein.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CERTIFICATION -- Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am waiting for a
number to be issued to me), and
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding either because I have not been notified by the Internal
Revenue Service (the "IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to
report all interest or dividends, or the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup
withholding.
CERTIFICATE INSTRUCTIONS -- You must cross out item (2) above if you have been notified by the IRS that
you are subject to backup withholding because of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax
return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you
received another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not
cross out item (2). (Also see instructions in the enclosed Guidelines.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURE DATE , 199
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THIS OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW
THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
<PAGE> 12
Facsimiles of the Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly
signed, will be accepted. The Letter of Transmittals certificates evidencing
Shares and any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each
shareholder or such shareholder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company
or other nominee to the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth below.
The Depositary for the Offer is:
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
By Mail: By Hand: By Overnight Courier:
ChaseMellon Shareholder ChaseMellon Shareholder ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C. Services, L.L.C. Services, L.L.C.
PO Box 3301 120 Broadway, 13th Floor 85 Challenger Road --
South Hackensack, New York, New York 10271 Mail Drop-Reorg
New Jersey 07606 Attn: Reorganization Department Ridgefield Park,
Attn: Reorganization Department New Jersey 07660
Attn: Reorganization Department
By Facsimile:
(201) 329-8936
Confirm by Telephone:
(201) 296-4860
</TABLE>
Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information
Agent or the Dealer Managers at their respective addresses and telephone numbers
listed below. Additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of
Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained from the
Information Agent. A shareholder may also contact brokers, dealers, commercial
banks or trust companies for assistance concerning the Offer.
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
(LOGO)
Toll Free: 1-800-223-2064
Wall Street Plaza
New York, New York 10005
Banks and Brokers call collect:
(212) 440-9800
All others call toll free:
(800) 223-2064
The Dealer Managers for the Offer are:
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004
(800) 323-5678
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 5
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
between WYLE ELECTRONICS
15370 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, Ca., USA
-hereinafter "Wyle Electronics"-
and
RAAB KARCHER AG,
Rudolph-v.-Bennigsen-Foerder-Platz 1, 46131 Essen, FRG
-hereinafter "Raab Karcher"
Both Wyle Electronics and Raab Karcher are looking for ways to overcome
deficits in their respective international market positions by cooperating with
one another along as yet undetermined lines (hereinafter "strategic
alternatives").
In consideration of this mutual objective both parties acknowledge and accept
to keep confidential all information that the other party or its
representatives shall furnish to it in connection with both parties efforts to
develop said strategic alternatives (hereinafter "Confidential Information")
and hereby expressly undertake not to use confidential information, directly or
indirectly in any respect or for whatever reason on its own behalf or on behalf
of any third party for any other purpose than the development of strategic
alternatives and not to disclose confidential information to any third party
and to take all the necessary steps to avoid such a disclosure in whatever form
but instead to disclose confidential information only on a "need to know" basis
to people involved in the development of strategic alternatives.
The terms of this agreement as well as the existence and contents of the
negotiations to take place shall be confidential.
Both parties accept that the other party makes no representation or warranty as
to the accuracy or completeness of the information disclosed under this
agreement other than that the information has been furnished in good faith.
The term of this agreement shall commence on the date of signature by the last
party to apply its hand to it and shall terminate on July 31, 1999 or on the
date the strategic alternatives referred to above have been agreed on and put
into practice or when the parties so determine in writing whatever occurs
first.
Essen, April the 8th 1997 ______________, April the
8th 1997
/s/ Ferdinand Pohl /s/ Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------------
for and behalf of Raab Karcher for and behalf of Wyle Electronics
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 6
CONFIDENTIALITY LETTER
April 9, 1997
TO: Raab Karcher AG
Rudolf-v. Bennigsen Foerder Platz 1
45131 Essen
GERMANY
Gentlemen:
In connection with your evaluation of possible strategic
alternatives with Wyle Electronics (the "Company"), you have requested
information concerning the Company. As a condition to your being furnished
such information, you agree to treat any information concerning the Company
(whether provided or prepared by the Company, its advisors, representatives or
agents (collectively, the "Company Representatives") which is furnished by or
on behalf of the Company (collectively, the "Evaluation Material") to you or
any of your affiliates or any of your or your affiliates' directors, officers,
employees, representatives, advisors or other agents (collectively "Your
Representatives") in accordance with the provisions of this letter and to take
or abstain from taking certain other actions as described in this letter. You
agree that you will be responsible hereunder for all actions of Your
Representatives, and the Company agrees that it will be responsible hereunder
for all actions of the Company Representatives.
The term "Evaluation Material" does not include information
which (i) is already in your possession or becomes available to you, provided
that such information was lawfully obtained and is not known by you to be
subject to another confidentiality agreement with or other obligation of
secrecy to the Company, (ii) is or becomes generally available to the public
other than directly or indirectly as a result of a disclosure by you or Your
Representatives in violation of this letter or (iii) was independently
developed by your or Your Representatives without reference to Evaluation
Material. The term "person" as used in this letter will be broadly interpreted
to include without limitation any corporation, company,
1
<PAGE> 2
partnership and individual. The term "Company" shall include its subsidiaries
and affiliates, except where the context otherwise requires.
1. Confidentiality. You hereby agree that the
Evaluation Material will be used solely for the purpose of evaluating possible
strategic alternatives between the Company and you, and that such information
will be kept private and held in strictest confidence by you and Your
Representatives, except that (i) any of such information may be disclosed to
Your Representatives who need to know such information solely for the purpose
of evaluating any such possible transaction between you and the Company, it
being understood that Your Representatives shall be informed by you of the
confidential nature of such information and shall agree, and be directed by
you, to hold such information in confidence, (ii) any such information may be
disclosed under circumstances and conditions contemplated by the fifth numbered
paragraph of this letter and (iii) any such information may be disclosed to the
extent the Company gives its express consent in writing.
2. Insider Trading Laws. You hereby acknowledge that
you are aware, and that you will advise Your Representatives who are informed
as to the matters which are the subject of this letter, that federal and many
state securities laws prohibit any person who has received from an issuer
material, non-public information concerning the matters which are the subject
of this letter from purchasing or selling securities of such issuer or from
communicating such information to any other person under circumstances in which
it is reasonably foreseeable that such person is likely to purchase or sell
such securities.
3. Confidentiality of Discussions. Without the
Company's express, prior consent in writing, you will not, and will direct Your
Representatives not to, directly or indirectly, disclose to any person who is
not hereby authorized to receive the Evaluation Material either the fact that
discussions or negotiations are taking place concerning possible strategic
alternatives between us or any of the terms, conditions or other facts with
respect to any such possible strategic alternatives, including the status
thereof. Similarly, without your express, prior consent in writing, the
Company will not, and will direct the Company Representatives not to, directly
or indirectly, disclose to any person who does not need to know such
information for the purpose of evaluating a possible strategic alternative
between us either the fact that discussions are taking place concerning
possible strategic alternatives between us or any of the terms, conditions or
other facts with respect to any such possible strategic alternatives, including
the status thereof. The foregoing does not prohibit disclosures required by
applicable law or the requirements of any securities exchange or as otherwise
permitted by paragraph 5 below.
4. No Improper Use of Evaluation Material. (a) You
further agree and acknowledge that, until the earlier of April 9, 1999 or the
occurrence of a Specified Event (as
2
<PAGE> 3
defined below), you will not, without the prior written request or consent of
the Company or any successor Company or its Board of Directors:
(i) acquire, offer to acquire, or agree to acquire,
directly or indirectly, by purchase or otherwise, any
Voting Securities or rights to acquire any Voting
Securities of the Company or any subsidiary thereof,
or of any successor to the Company, or all or
substantially all the assets of the Company or any
subsidiary or division thereof or of any such
successor;
(ii) make, or in any way participate, directly or
indirectly, in any "solicitation" of "proxies" to
vote (as such terms are used in the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission), or seek to
advise or influence any person or entity with respect
to the voting of any Voting Securities of the
Company; or
(iii) make any public announcement with respect to, or
submit a proposal for, any transaction referred to
clause (i) above involving the Company or any of its
securities or assets.
"Specified Event" shall mean any of the following: (i) the
acquisition by any person or 13D Group (as defined below) of beneficial
ownership of Voting Securities representing 15% or more of the then outstanding
Voting Securities; (ii) the announcement or commencement by any person or 13D
Group of a tender or exchange offer to acquire Voting Securities which, if
successful, would result in such person or 13D Group owning, when combined with
any other Voting Securities owned by such person or 13D Group, 15% or more of
the then outstanding Voting Securities; or (iii) the Company enters into, or
otherwise determines to seek to enter into, any merger, sale or other business
combination transaction pursuant to which the outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company would be converted into cash or securities of another
person or 13D Group or 50% or more of the then outstanding shares of common
stock would be owned by persons other than the then current holders of shares
of common stock, or which would result in all or a substantial portion of the
Company's assets being sold to any person or 13D Group. "Voting Securities"
shall mean at any time shares of any class of capital stock of the Company
which are then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;
provided that for purposes of this definition any securities which at such time
are convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for shares of common stock
shall be deemed to have been so converted, exchange or exercised. "13D Group"
shall mean any group of persons formed for the purpose of acquiring, holding,
voting or disposing of Voting Securities which would be required under Section
13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and the rules
and regulations thereunder to file a statement on Schedule 13D with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as a "person" within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act if such group
3
<PAGE> 4
beneficially owned Voting Securities representing more than 5% of the total
combined voting power of all Voting Securities then outstanding. For purposes
of the foregoing definition of the term Specified Event, a person or 13D Group
shall not include you or any of your affiliates.
(b) In addition, until after April 9, 1999, you will not,
directly or indirectly solicit for hire any employee of the Company who is at a
division manager/director level or is senior to that level. The term "solicit
for hire" shall not be deemed to include general solicitation of employment not
specifically directed towards employees of the Company.
(c) Nothing in this letter shall be deemed to be
construed as a waiver by the Company of any of its rights under the Amended and
Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of February 23, 1995, by and between the
Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services LLC, as Rights Agent.
5. Requests for Disclosure. If you are requested or are
required by applicable law (by interrogatories, requests for information or
documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process) to disclose
any Evaluation Material, you will provide the Company with immediate notice of
such request or requirement so that the Company may consider seeking a
protective order. If in the absence of a protective order or the receipt of a
waiver hereunder you are nonetheless compelled to disclose any Evaluation
Material to any tribunal or any other person or else stand liable for contempt
or suffer other material censure or penalty, you may disclose such information
to such tribunal or other party without liability hereunder.
6. No Representation. Although the Company has
endeavored to include in the Evaluation Material information known to it which
it believes to be relevant for the purpose of your investigation, you
understand that neither the Company nor any Company Representative has made or
makes any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the
Evaluation Material except as may be provided in a definitive agreement
relating to a transaction between you and the Company. You agree that neither
the Company nor any Company Representative will have any liability to you or
any of Your Representatives resulting from the use of or reliance upon the
Evaluation Material except as may be provided in a definitive agreement
relating to a transaction between you and the Company.
7. Return of Materials. If we do not proceed with any
strategic alternative which is the subject of this letter within a reasonable
time, you will, upon the written request of the Company, promptly redeliver to
the Company all written and other tangible Evaluation Material or destroy such
Evaluation Material and certify their destruction to the Company in writing (as
described below for related materials). You will not retain any copies,
extracts or other reproductions in whole or in part of such Evaluation
Material, except for one copy
4
<PAGE> 5
thereof which may be retained by your legal counsel solely for compliance
purposes but shall not otherwise be shared with you. All documents, memoranda,
notes and other writings whatsoever prepared by you or Your Representatives
based on or reflecting the information in the Evaluation Material also will be
destroyed by you, and such destruction will be certified in writing to the
Company by an authorized officer supervising such destruction.
8. No Commitment. You agree that unless and until a
definitive agreement between the Company and you with respect to a strategic
alternative referred to in the first numbered paragraph of this letter has been
executed and delivered, neither the Company nor you will be under any legal
obligation of any kind whatsoever with respect to any such strategic
alternative notwithstanding any statements made by any of the Company or
Company Representatives except for the matters specifically agreed to herein.
The agreement set forth in this paragraph may be modified or waived only by a
separate writing executed by the Company and you expressly so modifying or
waiving such agreement. Unless otherwise provided in this letter, the
obligations hereunder shall survive for a period of two years from the date
hereof.
9. Injunctive Relief. Each party hereto agrees that
money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of its agreements
in this letter and that the other party will be entitled to injunctive relief,
specific performance and/or any other appropriate equitable remedies for any
such breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed to be exclusive, but shall be
in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity. In addition,
if successful the party seeking such relief will be entitled to payment of its
legal fees and disbursements, court costs and other expenses of enforcing,
defending or otherwise protecting its interests hereunder.
10. Law to Govern; Other Provisions. This letter
agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the internal laws
of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles that
would result in the application of the law of another jurisdiction. No failure
or delay by either party in exercising any right, power or privilege will
operate as a waiver thereof nor will any single or partial exercise preclude
any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. Each party has
been represented by counsel in the negotiations and execution of this letter
agreement.
5
<PAGE> 6
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding,
please sign the extra copy and return it to the Company, whereupon it will
become a mutually binding agreement.
Sincerely,
WYLE ELECTRONICS
/s/ Ralph Ozorkiewicz
-------------------------------------
Ralph Ozorkiewicz
President and Chief Executive Officer
CONFIRMED AND AGREED TO
AS OF THE ABOVE DATE
RAAB KARCHER AG
/s/ Ferdinand Pohl
- -------------------------------------
Dr. Ferdinand Pohl
Member of the Board
6
<PAGE> 7
Wyle Electronics
15370 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, California 92718
June 20, 1997
Raab Karcher AG
Rudolf-v.-Bennigsen-Foerder-Platz 1
45131 Essen
Germany
Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Confidentiality Letter, dated April
9, 1997 (the "Confidentiality Agreement"), between Wyle Electronics and Raab
Karcher AG. We understand that you propose to enter into discussions with
various insurers and insurance brokers and their counsel (the "Insurance
Parties") regarding possible insurance coverage of the potential liability in
the action Avnet, Inc. v. Wyle Laboratories and any related actions. In
--------------------------------
connection therewith, we agree that the Insurance Parties shall be deemed to be
Your Representatives for purposes of the Confidentiality Agreement and that you
may share Evaluation Material with the Insurance Parties in accordance with,
and subject to, the Confidentiality Agreement for the foregoing purposes.
Very truly yours,
WYLE ELECTRONICS
By: /s/ Stephen D. Natcher
----------------------------------
Name: Stephen D. Natcher
Title: Senior Vice President
and General Counsel
Accepted and agreed as of
the date first written above:
RAAB KARCHER AG
By: /s/ CURT VON BERGHES
----------------------------------
Name: Curt von Berghes
Its: Legal Director
<PAGE> 1
[WYLE LOGO]
July 9, 1997
To Our Shareholders:
I am pleased to inform you that Wyle Electronics (the "Company") has
entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July 3, 1997 (the
"Merger Agreement") providing for the acquisition of the Company by Raab Karcher
AG, a corporation organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, EBV Electronics Inc. ("Purchaser"), an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Raab Karcher, has today commenced a tender
offer (the "Offer") to purchase all of the outstanding shares of the Company's
Common Stock at a cash price of $50.00 per share. Following consummation of the
Offer, the Company and the Purchaser will merge (the "Merger"), and the Company
will continue as the surviving corporation and become an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Raab Karcher. The Merger Agreement provides that each share of the
Company's Common Stock not acquired in the Offer will be converted into the
right to receive $50.00 in cash in the Merger.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE OFFER AND DETERMINED
THAT EACH OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER IS FAIR TO, AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF,
THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY, AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS
ACCEPT THE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
The Purchaser's Offer to Purchase and related materials, including a Letter
of Transmittal to be used for tendering shares, are enclosed with this letter.
These documents set forth in detail the terms and conditions of the Offer and
the Merger and provide instructions on how to tender shares. I urge you to read
the enclosed materials carefully.
Also enclosed is a copy of the Company's Solicitation/Recommendation
Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the "Recommendation") filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, which includes information regarding the factors considered
by your Board in its deliberations, and certain other information regarding the
Offer and the Merger. Included as Schedule II to the Recommendation is a copy of
the written opinion dated July 3, 1997 of Credit Suisse First Boston, the
Company's financial advisor, to the effect that, as of such date and based upon
and subject to certain matters stated therein, the cash consideration to be
received by holders of the Company's Common Stock (other than Purchaser) in the
Offer and the Merger is fair to such holders from a financial point of view.
On behalf of your Board of Directors, I thank you for your continued
support.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
[RALPH L. OZORKIEWICZ]
Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
President and Chief Executive Officer
WYLE ELECTRONICS
15370 Barranca Parkway, P.O. Box 19675, Irvine, California 92713-9675 - (714)
753-9953 - www.wyle.com
<PAGE> 1
-- JOINT PRESS RELEASE --
RAAB KARCHER TO ACQUIRE LEADING US ELECTRONICS DISTRIBUTOR WYLE
RAAB KARCHER TO COMMENCE TENDER OFFER AT $50 PER SHARE IN CASH
WYLE TO PARTNER WITH EBV EUROPE AS PART OF A GLOBAL STRATEGY;
WILL KEEP NAME, OPERATE AUTONOMOUSLY, NO LAYOFFS
ESSEN, GERMANY AND IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, JULY 3, 1997 -- Raab Karcher AG, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of VEBA AG, and Wyle Electronics (NYSE:WYL.N), one of
North America's leading electronics distributors, today jointly announced that
they have entered into a definitive agreement for Raab Karcher to acquire all of
the outstanding shares of Wyle for $50 per share in cash, for a transaction
valued at approximately $810 million, including Wyle's debt. The purchase price
represents a premium of approximately 40% over the average trading price for
Wyle shares over the last 90 days. Under the agreement, EBV Electronics Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Raab Karcher, will commence a tender offer for all
outstanding shares of common stock of Wyle on or prior to July 10, 1997. The
transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both
companies and is not subject to financing. The combination of the two businesses
creates a leading global company in electronic component and computer system
distribution with combined sales of approximately $3.0 billion.
Raab Karcher is a market leading, European-based distribution and services
group, with worldwide activities. In 1996, Raab Karcher generated revenue of
$7.0 billion with a total of approximately 29,000 employees. In distribution of
electronic components and computer systems, Raab Karcher serves as the holding
company for its subsidiaries EBV, Memec, Insight and Raab Karcher Electronic
Systems, which in 1996 reported aggregate sales of $1.7 billion. Raab Karcher is
a wholly owned subsidiary of VEBA AG, the fourth largest company in Germany.
With 1996 consolidated sales of approximately $50 billion and a current market
capitalization of approximately $28 billion, the VEBA Group counts as one of the
largest industrial groups in Europe.
<PAGE> 2
Wyle is a leading US-based distributor of electronic components and
computer systems with 1996 sales of $1.2 billion and earnings before interest
and taxes of $74 million. Wyle, which has a total of approximately 1,700
employees, operates 35 sales locations throughout the US and serves customers in
7 European countries through wholly owned subsidiaries. Wyle ranks 6th among the
electronic component and computer system distributors on a world-wide basis and
holds a particularly strong position in the value-added service segment of the
electronics distribution field, including programming of ASIC components,
kitting and just-in-time delivery services.
With the acquisition of Wyle, Raab Karcher will significantly enhance its
global scale and presence. Mr. Georg Kulenkampff, CEO of Raab Karcher, said,
"This is the largest acquisition in the near-150 year history of Raab Karcher.
The transaction will clearly position the combined business as a strong global
player in the world-wide markets for distribution of electronic components and
computer systems and will provide an excellent platform for further growth. In
addition, the acquisition is another significant step in Raab Karcher's strategy
to internationalise and build global size operations in its core business."
Dr. Ferdinand Pohl, President of Raab Karcher's electronics operations
added, "Wyle is an excellent company, widely recognized as a leader in the
value-added segment of the electronics distribution industry. We see this
acquisition as a unique opportunity to capitalize on the complementary strengths
of our two organisations and we fully intend to build on Wyle's existing
strengths, maintaining the Wyle name, its headquarters and its excellent
workforce."
Mr. Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz, President and CEO of Wyle, stated, "This is an
outstanding opportunity to build a substantial multi-national alliance of a
number of important electronic component distribution companies and will create
a new force in the market, which we believe will offer substantial benefits to
customers as well as suppliers. Our Board of Directors unanimously concluded
that this transaction is in the best interest of our shareholders, who will
receive a significant all-cash premium for their shares. In addition, our
employees will all keep their jobs and have the potential for enhanced career
opportunities and suppliers and customers will benefit from our increased global
reach. There is no better partner for Wyle in our consolidating industry."
Raab Karcher's obligation to purchase shares in the tender offer will be
subject to at least 90% of the shares outstanding (on a fully diluted basis)
being tendered into the offer. In order to comply with California law regarding
mergers of companies, in the event that fewer than 90% of the outstanding shares
(on a fully diluted basis) are tendered into the offer, Raab Karcher will
<PAGE> 3
have the right to exercise an option granted by Wyle to acquire additional
shares of Wyle's common stock under certain circumstances to enable Raab Karcher
to acquire 90% of the outstanding shares (on a fully diluted basis). In the
event the option would not permit Raab Karcher to acquire sufficient shares, and
more than 50% of the outstanding shares but fewer than 90% of the outstanding
shares (on a fully diluted basis) are tendered into the offer, Raab Karcher will
reduce the number of shares subject to the offer to 49.9% of the shares
outstanding and subsequently pursue a merger with Wyle.
Raab Karcher's obligation to purchase shares in the offer will be further
subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary conditions, including
expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.
Contacts:
Mr. Van Holland
Chief Financial Officer
Wyle Electronics
Tel: +1-714-453 4310
Internet home page: http://www.wyle.com
Dr. Andreas Dahms
Director Public Relations
Raab Karcher
Tel: +49-201-459 1311
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet home page: http://www.raab-karcher.de
Mr. Paul Verbinnen
Mr. David Reno
Mr. Drew Brown
Sard Verbinnen & Co
Tel: +1-212-687 8080
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.2
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Amendment No. 1 (this "Amendment") to the Amended and
Restated Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement"), dated as of the 23rd day of
February, 1995, by and between Wyle Electronics (formerly known as Wyle
Laboratories), a California corporation (the "Company"), and Chemical Bank (as
successor to Security Pacific National Bank), as rights agent, is dated as of
this 2nd day of July, 1997. Capitalized terms used herein without definition
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Rights Agreement.
WHEREAS, ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. (the "Rights
Agent") has, by virtue of its acquisition of Chemical Bank, assumed the
obligations of Chemical Bank as rights agent under the Rights Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Rights Agent has requested an amendment to the
Rights Agreement for the purpose of acknowledging such assumption of the
obligations of Chemical Bank; and
WHEREAS, Raab Karcher AG, a corporation organized under the
laws of Germany ("Parent"), EBV Electronics Inc., a Delaware corporation and an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Purchaser"), and the Company,
intend to enter into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
July 3, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), which contemplates that Purchaser will
make an all cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
of the Company; and
WHEREAS, Section 27 of the Rights Agreement provides that
until the occurrence of certain events that have not occurred as of the date
hereof, a majority, but not less than three, of the Independent Directors of
the Company may, without the approval of any holders of Rights, direct the
Company and the Rights Agent to supplement or amend any provision of the Rights
Agreement in any manner, whether or not such supplement or amendment is adverse
to any holders of Rights, and the Company and the Rights Agent shall so
supplement or amend such provision; and
WHEREAS, on July 2, 1997, the Board of Directors of the
Company, by a unanimous vote, resolved to approve and adopt the amendments to
the Rights Agreement that are reflected in this Amendment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and
the mutual agreements set forth herein, and for the benefit of the holders of
Rights, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
<PAGE> 2
1. The definition of "15% Ownership Date" in Section
1(z) shall be amended by deleting the period at the end of such definition and
adding the following language thereto:
"; provided, however, that the announcement and consummation
of the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of July 3, 1997, by and among Raab Karcher AG, a
corporation organized under the laws of Germany ("Parent"), EBV
Electronics Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent ("Purchaser"), and the Company (the "Merger
Agreement"), shall not constitute a 15% Ownership Date."
2. The definition of "15% Shareholder" in Section 1(aa)
shall be amended by adding the following sentence to the end of the definition:
"Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Parent nor Purchaser
shall be or be deemed to be a 15% Shareholder by virtue of the
execution of, or consummation of the transactions contemplated by, the
Merger Agreement."
3. Section 3(a) shall be amended by deleting the period
at the end of such section and adding the following language thereto:
"; provided, however, that neither the announcement or
execution of the Merger Agreement, nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated therein, shall trigger or give rise to a
Distribution Date."
4. Section 21 of the Rights Agreement is hereby amended
by deleting the fifth sentence in its entirety and replacing it with the
following language:
"Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company
or by such a court, shall be either (a) a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state of
the United States, in good standing, which is authorized under such
laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision
or examination by federal or state authority and which has at the time
of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus of
at least $100,000,000 or (b) an affiliate of such a corporation."
5. Except as set forth herein, the Rights Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect.
2
<PAGE> 3
6. This Amendment shall be deemed to be a contract made
under the laws of the State of California, and for all purposes shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable
to contracts made and performed entirely within such State.
7. This Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts, and each such counterpart shall for all purposes be deemed to be
an original, with all such counterparts together constituting one and the same
instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Amendment to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above. In
executing and delivering this Amendment, the Rights Agent shall be entitled to
all the privileges and immunities afforded to the Rights Agent under the terms
and conditions of the Rights Agreement.
Attest: WYLE ELECTRONICS
By: /s/ STEPHEN D. NATCHER By: /s/ R.V. HOLLAND, JR.
----------------------------- -----------------------------
Name: Stephen D. Natcher Name: R.V. Holland, Jr.
Title: Senior Vice President Title: Executive Vice President--
and Secretary Finance, Chief Financial
Officer
Attest: CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES,
L.L.C., as Successor Rights Agent
By: /s/ DEREK LENINGTON By: /s/ DEREK G. WEBSTER
------------------------------ -----------------------------
Name: Derek Lenington Name: Derek G. Webster
Title: Vice President Title: Assistant Vice President
3
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.11
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
FOR DIRECTORS OF WYLE ELECTRONICS
(as amended effective May 13, 1997)
1. Establishment of Plan.
----------------------
There is hereby established for the benefit of the directors of
Wyle Electronics (the "Company") an unfunded plan of voluntary deferred
compensation to be known as the "Directors Deferred Compensation Plan".
2. Effective Date.
---------------
This plan shall become effective on November 1, 1984.
3. Election to Participate in the Plan.
------------------------------------
(a) A Director of the Company, who is not an employee, may
elect to have all or part of his Director Compensation (i.e., all sums of money
which are payable to him for his services as a Director of the Company, except
for reimbursement for travel and business expenses) otherwise payable to him
during a calendar year deferred and paid to him during a calendar year Deferred
and paid to him as Deferred Compensation in accordance with the further
provisions hereof. Partial elections must be in increments of ten percent of
the Directors Compensation.
(b) In order to participate in the Directors Deferred
Compensation Plan during any single calendar year, then on or before December
31, of the preceding calendar year (or within 30 days after the adoption of the
plan), a Director must file with the Secretary of Company (hereinafter called
the "Secretary") a letter addressed to the Secretary, stating: "I hereby elect
to participate in the Directors
-1-
<PAGE> 2
Deferred Compensation Plan during the calendar year and succeeding
------------
calendar years. I hereby elect to defer % of my Directors Compensation
-----
during such years.
(c) Each election made in accordance with Sections 3(b),
3(d) or 3(e) shall be effective until revoked in writing by the Director,
provided however that in the event of a revocation the amounts deferred on the
date of revocation shall not be paid to the Director until he ceases to be a
director.
(d) Any person elected to fill a vacancy on the Board and
who was not a director on the preceding December 31 may elect, before
attendance at his first Board Meeting, to defer all or a part of his Director
Compensation for the balance of the calendar year and for succeeding calendar
years.
(e) Effective March 31, 1995, any Director, who is employed
by the Company, and who ceases employment with the Company and who remains a
Director of the Company shall be eligible to participate in the Directors
Deferred Compensation Plan. Such Director may elect to defer all or a part of
his Director Compensation to be earned for services performed as a member of
the Board for the balance of the calendar year during which the Director's
termination from employment occurs and for succeeding calendar years. Such
election must be made prior to the Director's cessation of employment with the
Company.
-2-
<PAGE> 3
4. Accrual of Interest.
--------------------
Interest on each Director's Deferred Compensation will be
compounded on the first day of each month based upon the balance of each
Director's Deferred Compensation account as of the first day of the preceding
month at a rate equal to the then current Bank of America NT&SA prime rate.
After payment of deferred compensation commences, interest shall accrue (at the
same aforementioned "floating" rate and compounded monthly) on the unpaid
balance thereof until all such Deferred Compensation has been paid.
5. Accounting.
-----------
No fund or escrow deposit shall be established for any Deferred
Compensation payable pursuant to this plan, and the obligation to pay Deferred
Compensation hereunder shall be a general unsecured obligation of the Company.
However, the Secretary shall keep a record of all sums which each Director has
elected to have paid as Deferred Compensation and of interest accrued thereon.
Within sixty (60) days after the close of each calendar year, the Secretary
shall furnish each Director who has participated in the plan for at least one
calendar year, a statement of all sums, including interest, which has accrued
to the account of such director as of December 31 of the preceding calendar
year.
6. Payment.
--------
(a) In the absence of an election to the contrary, Deferred
Compensation shall be paid to each participating Director in 120 equal monthly
installments, plus interest on the unpaid balance commencing on the 15th day of
the
-3-
<PAGE> 4
month following the month in which he ceases to be a director, or in which he
retires from, or otherwise ceases to engage in his principal occupation,
whichever later occurs, and on the 15th day of each calendar month thereafter
until all such Deferred Compensation (including interest accrued thereon) has
been paid in full. However, if the participating director dies before
receiving any or all of the Deferred Compensation (including interest) accrued
to his account, then payment shall be made in a lump sum to any beneficiary or
beneficiaries he may designate, as provided in Paragraph B of this Section 6,
or in the absence of such designation, to his estate. The Board also has the
discretion to accelerate payment of the Deferred Compensation if the director
ceases to be a director for any other reason.
(b) Each director who elects to participate in this plan
shall file with the Secretary a notice in writing designating:
(i) one or more beneficiaries to whom payments
otherwise due him shall be made in the event of
his death prior to receiving payment of all of
his Deferred Compensation hereunder;
(ii) method of payment, either single sum or
installments, of the Deferred Compensation; and
(iii) the Board has the discretion to accelerate the
payment schedule on the request of the
participant or beneficiary, if there is
financial emergency or severe hardship for
reasons beyond the control of the participant or
beneficiary and the
-4-
<PAGE> 5
particular amounts as are necessary to meet the
emergency will be distributed ahead of schedule.
7. Nonalienation of Benefits.
--------------------------
No right or benefit under this plan shall be subject to
anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or change, and
any attempt to alienate, sell, assign, pledge, encumber or change the same
shall be void. No right or benefit hereunder shall in any manner be liable for
or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of the person entitled
to such right or benefit.
8. Amendment or Termination of Plan.
---------------------------------
The Board of Directors of the Company may amend or terminate
this plan at any time; provided, however, any amendment or termination of this
plan shall not affect the rights of participating directors of beneficiaries to
payments in accordance with Section 6, of amounts accrued to credit of such
directors or beneficiaries at the time of such amendment or termination.
-5-
<PAGE> 6
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
FOR DIRECTORS OF WYLE ELECTRONICS
(as amended May 13, 1997)
Appendix A
----------
Special Provisions Concerning Edward Sanders
(Effective January 1, 1997)
Notwithstanding anything in the other provisions of the Plan, the
following provisions shall govern the payment of benefits to Edward Sanders:
1. On the first business day of each year, commencing with January
2, 1998, a payment of the lesser of (i) $100,000, or (ii) the remaining unpaid
balance of Mr. Sanders' benefit shall be made to Mr. Sanders. Such payments
shall continue until the entire amount of Mr. Sanders' deferred compensation is
paid.
2. Interest shall continue to accrue on the unpaid amount of Mr.
Sanders' deferred compensation, pursuant to paragraph 4 of the Plan; provided,
however, that if a rate of interest higher than that set forth in paragraph 4
is provided to any participant, Mr. Sanders' unpaid deferred compensation will
also accrue interest at such higher rate.
3. The payment of Mr. Sanders' deferred compensation shall be
accelerated and the entire remaining unpaid balance (including interest accrued
thereon) shall be paid in a single lump sum payment upon the occurrence of the
earliest of any of the following events:
<PAGE> 7
(a) Upon the occurrence of any of the events set forth in
Paragraphs 1, 2 or 3 of subparagraph (a) or upon the occurrence of the event
described in subparagraph (b) of Section 3.2(b) of the Directors' Deferred
Compensation Trust Agreement;
(b) Upon the occurrence of any events which causes rights to become
exercisable under this Company's Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated
February 23, 1995, with Chemical Bank, as Rights Agent;
(c) If the closing price of the Company's common stock on the New
York Stock Exchange is less than $16 per share for a period of five or more
consecutive trading days; provided, however, that the $16 threshold shall be
appropriately adjusted in the event of a stock split or other similar
occurrence; or
(d) Upon death of Mr. Sanders, in which case payment shall be made
to Mr. Sanders' beneficiaries.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.13
WYLE ELECTRONICS
OUTSIDE DIRECTORS RETIREMENT PLAN
---------------------------------
(as amended May 13, 1997)
1. Establishment of Plan.
----------------------
There is hereby established for the benefit of the directors of Wyle
Electronics (the "Company") who are not employees of the Company (the "Outside
Directors") an unfunded plan of deferred compensation to be known as the
"Outside Directors Retirement Plan" (the "Plan").
2. Effective Date.
---------------
This Plan shall be effective as of June 10, 1986 (the "Effective
Date").
3. Eligibility and Participation.
------------------------------
(a) All Outside Directors presently serving on the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board") shall be eligible and become
participants in this Plan ("Participants") upon the Effective Date. Each
Outside Director hereafter elected to the Board shall be eligible and become a
Participant upon his or her acceptance of election to the Board.
(b) A copy of this Plan shall be given to all Participants.
(c) A Participant shall cease to be a Participant upon the earlier of
(i) the payment of the total amount of the Participant's vested Accrued Benefit
under Section 5; (ii) the payment of the total amount payable to the
Participant under Section 11; (iii) the Participant's death; or (iv) the date
the Participant ceases to be director of the Company if on such date the
Participant is not 100% vested in his or her Accrued Benefit.
4. Accrued Benefit and Vesting.
----------------------------
(a) The "Accrued Benefit" of a Participant as of any date is the
Participant's Normal Retirement Benefit.
<PAGE> 2
(b) The Accrued Benefit of a Participant shall vest only in
accordance with the following schedule:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Consecutive 12-Month
Periods of Service as Vested Percentage
an Outside Director of Accrued Benefit
--------------------- ------------------
<S> <C>
Less than five None
Five or more 100%
</TABLE>
5. Benefits.
---------
(a) Normal Retirement Benefit. Commencing upon a Participant's Normal
Retirement Date (as defined in Paragraph (b) of this Section 5), and except as
provided in Paragraph (d) of this Section 5, the Company shall pay a
Participant while living an annual benefit (the "Normal Retirement Benefit") in
the amount equal to 100% of the Outside Director retainer in effect at the time
of the Participant's Normal Retirement Date, for the lesser of 10 years or the
number of years equal to the number of consecutive 12-month periods (including
periods prior to the effective date of this Plan) the Participant served as an
Outside Director of the Company.
(b) Normal Retirement Date. A Participant shall have reached the
"Normal Retirement Date" upon the later of (1) the date the Participant attains
age 65 or (ii) the date the Participant actually retires from the Board, i.e.,
the date the Participant ceases to be a director (other than a "Director
Emeritus") of the Company.
(c) Payment of Normal Retirement Benefit. The Normal Retirement
Benefit payable in the year a Participant reaches the Normal Retirement Date
shall be pro rated for that portion of the Company's current fiscal year after
the Participant reaches the Normal Retirement Date. Such pro rated benefit
shall be due within 30 days after the Participant reaches the Normal Retirement
Date. Thereafter, the Normal Retirement Benefit shall be due on February 1 of
each succeeding year.
-2-
<PAGE> 3
(d) Cessation Upon Death. Upon the death of a Participant, all
Normal Retirement Benefits payable hereunder after the date of death shall
cease; provided, however, that the estate of the deceased Outside Director
shall remain entitled to any Normal Retirement Benefits paid (or due but not
yet paid) prior to the date of death.
(e) Increase in Normal Retirement Benefit. In the event that the
Plan is amended to increase the amount of the Normal Retirement Benefit, such
increase for Participants currently receiving payments under the Plan shall be
prospective only.
6. Accounting.
-----------
No fund or escrow deposit shall be established for any benefits payable
pursuant to this Plan, and the obligation to pay benefits hereunder shall be a
general unsecured obligation of the Company. The Secretary of the Company shall
keep a record of the vested amount of the Accrued Benefit of each Participant.
Within sixty (60) days after the close of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall
furnish each Participant with a statement of the vested amount of the
Participant's then Accrued Benefit as of the last day of the preceding fiscal
year.
7. Nonalienation of Benefits.
--------------------------
No right or benefit under this Plan shall be subject to anticipation,
alienation, sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt
to alienate, sell, assign, pledge, encumber of charge the same shall be void.
No right or benefit hereunder shall in any manner be liable for or subject to
the debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of the person entitled to such right
or benefit, nor shall any right or benefit be subject to attachment for legal
process.
-3-
<PAGE> 4
8. Amendment or Termination of Plan.
---------------------------------
The Board may amend or terminate this Plan at any time; provided,
however, that any amendment or termination of this Plan shall not affect the
rights of any Participant to continued payments or payments upon retirement in
accordance with Section 5 of the Participant's vested Accrued Benefit as of the
time of such amendment or termination. Thus, for example, if at the time of
amendment or termination of this Plan, a Participant has served as an Outside
Director for 10 years, then regardless of the Participant's age, no
amendment or termination of this Plan may affect the Participant's right to the
payment of a Normal Retirement Benefit of $18,000 a year for 10 years
following the Normal Retirement Date as provided in Section 5.
9. Administration.
---------------
This Plan shall be administered by the Board, who shall interpret the
Plan, adopt and revise rules and regulations relating to the Plan and make any
other determinations which it believes necessary or advisable for the proper
administration of the Plan. The interpretation and construction of the Plan or
any of its provisions by the Board shall be final.
10. Merger or Consolidation.
------------------------
In the event of a merger or consolidation to which the Company is a
party but of which it is not the surviving corporation, the Board will make
provision in connection with such transaction for the continuance of this Plan
and the assumption of all liabilities for Accrued Benefits to which Participants
are entitled.
-4-
<PAGE> 5
11. Effect of Change of Control.
----------------------------
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change of Control,
unless prior to the date of such Change of Control a Participant has elected in
writing by notice delivered to the Secretary of the Company that this Section
11 shall not apply with respect to such Change of Control, the rights of each
Participant in his or her Accrued Benefit shall thereupon become fully vested
and nonforfeitable notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, and the
Company shall pay each Participant, within 10 days after the date of such
Change of Control, a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to the present
value, as of the date of such lump sum payment, of either:
(a) if benefits are not then being paid to such Participant pursuant
to this Plan, the benefits which would but for the provisions of this Section 11
otherwise have thereafter been payable to him or her pursuant to the Plan upon
the Participant's reaching his or her Normal Retirement Date; provided,
however, that in calculating the amount of such benefits, the Participant shall
be 100% vested in his or her Accrued Benefit; and further provided, however,
that in calculating the amount of such benefits, the Participant shall be
credited for, and the amount of benefits shall be based on a period of ten (10)
years of service as an Outside Director, regardless of the Participant's actual
service; or
(b) if benefits are then being paid to such Participant pursuant to
this Plan, the benefits which would but for the provisions of this Section 11
otherwise thereafter be payable to him or her or them pursuant to this Plan.
When such payment has been made, the Participant shall have no further
rights under this Plan. For purposes hereof (i) in determining the amount of
benefits which would have been payable or are thereafter payable pursuant to
this Plan, the 1983
-5-
<PAGE> 6
Group Annuity Mortality Table shall be employed; (ii) the present value of the
benefits which would have been payable or are thereafter payable pursuant to
this Plan shall be determined by using a discount rate equal to 100 percent of
the applicable Federal Rate (determined under Section 1274(d) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) for the month during which the lump sum
payment is required to be made pursuant to this Section 11, compounded
semiannually; (iii) if benefits are not then being paid to a Participant as
of the date of such Change of Control, then in employing the mortality table
to determine the amount of such Participant's benefits pursuant to clause (i)
above, and in determining the present value of such amount pursuant to clause
(ii) above, it shall be assumed that the Company would have commenced the
payment of such benefits to such Participant upon the later of (x) the
Participant's 65th birthday, or (y) the date of such Change of Control; and
(iv) a "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if any "person"
(as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing 35% or more of the combined voting
power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or during any period of two
consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute
the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination
for election by the Company's shareholders, of each new Board member was
approved by a vote of at least three-fourths of the Board members then still
in office who were Board members at the beginning of such period.
-6-
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.22
WYLE ELECTRONICS
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
AGREEMENT
This First Amendment to Agreement (the "Agreement") is made of this
1st day of May, 1997, by and between Charles M. Clough ("Clough") and Wyle
Electronics, a California corporation (the "Company") with reference to the
following facts.
A. On January 1, 1995, Employee and Company entered into an
Agreement (the "Agreement");
B. The parties desire to amend the Agreement to reflect an
extension to the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or June 30, 1999 as more
fully set forth below; and
C. The parties desire to amend the Agreement to reflect an annual
compensation increase to $350,000.
IT IS THEREFORE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Section 3 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety:
"3. Term. Subject to the provisions for earlier
termination provided herein, the term of this Agreement shall continue through
the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, currently scheduled for May 12, 1999,
and will then terminate, or on June 30, 1999, whichever date shall first occur
(the "Termination Date").
2. Section 4.1(b) is hereby amended and restated in its entirety:
"4.1(b). Effective May 1, 1997 through the Termination
Date, Clough will receive for services as Chairman of the Board an annual fee
of $350,000, payable monthly, such fee to be inclusive of any and all director
and committee fees."
3. Except as specifically set forth herein, the Agreement is not
being amended or modified and is in full force and effect.
1
<PAGE> 2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment to Agreement has been
executed the day and year first written above.
WYLE ELECTRONICS
By: /s/ Stephen D. Natcher
------------------------------
Stephen D. Natcher
Its: Senior Vice President - Administration,
General Counsel and Secretary
/s/ Charles M. Clough
------------------------------
Charles M. Clough
2
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.23
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of February 1, 1997 by and between Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
("Employee") and Wyle Electronics, a California corporation (the "Company").
The parties agree as follows:
1. Employment.
-----------
1.1 Title & Duties. The Company hereby employs Employee, and
Employee hereby accepts employment, as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company. Employee shall be given duties consistent with such offices and
positions. There shall be no change in Employee's titles or duties without the
mutual consent of the Company and Employee.
1.2 Place. Employee shall not be required to perform any
duties as described in section 1.1 at any place other than in the County of
Orange, State of California, except insofar as his duties shall require
reasonable business trips and/or visits to suppliers or customers or Company
facilities.
2. Extent of Services; Noncompetition.
-----------------------------------
2.1 General. It is recognized that the services to be rendered
by Employee are of such a nature as to be peculiarly rendered by Employee,
encompass the individual ability of Employee and cannot be measured exclusively
in terms of hours or services rendered in any particular period. Employee agrees
to devote his full time and best efforts to the performance of his duties and
exclusively to advance the interests of the Company.
2.2 Vacation. Employee shall be entitled to such vacations and
other absences from work as shall be reasonably consistent with the performance
of his duties as provided in this Agreement.
2.3 Noncompetition.
---------------
(a) Employee agrees that during the term of this
Agreement (as defined in Section 3 below) he will neither directly nor
indirectly engage in a business competing with any of the businesses
conducted by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor
without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of the
Company directly or indirectly have any interest in, own, manage,
operate, control, be connected with as a stockholder, joint venturer,
officer, employee, partner or consultant, or otherwise engage, invest
or participate in any business which is competitive with any of the
businesses conducted by the
1
<PAGE> 2
Company or by any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company; provided,
however, that nothing contained in this section 2.3 shall prevent
Employee from investing or trading in stocks, bonds, commodities,
securities, real estate or other forms of investment for his own
account and benefit (directly or indirectly), so long as such
investment activities do not significantly interfere with Employee's
services to be rendered hereunder and are consistent with the conflict
of interest provisions contained in the Company's Business Ethics
Policy as it exists from time-to-time.
(b) Employee agrees that should his or her employment
by the Company terminate for any reason, Employee (and any corporation
or entity of which he or she is then a director, officer, employee, or
greater than 5% shareholder) shall not for a period of one year after
such termination:
(1) solicit for employment and then employ
any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries or any person who is an independent contractor
involved in sales or manufacture of products sold or
manufactured by the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries; or
(2) make any public statement concerning the
Company, any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or Employee's
employment by the Company unless such statement is previously
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, except as
may be required by law; or
(3) induce, attempt to induce or knowingly
encourage any Customer of the Company or any of its affiliates
or subsidiaries to divert any business or income from the
Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries or to stop or
alter the manner in which they are then doing business with
the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries.
"Customer" shall mean any individual or business firm that was
or is a customer or client of, or one that was or is a party
in a selling agreement with, or whose business was actively
solicited by, the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries at any time, regardless of whether such customer
was generated, in whole or in part, by Employee's efforts.
3. Term. The term of this Agreement (the "Term") shall
commence on the date hereof and shall end on the later of (a) the
third (3rd) anniversary of the date of this Agreement, or (b)
three (3) years following the effective date on which notice of
non-renewal or termination of this Agreement is given to the
other by either the Employee or the Company. Thus, this
2
<PAGE> 3
Agreement shall be renewed automatically on a daily basis so that the
outstanding Term is always three (3) years following the effective date of any
notice of non-renewal or notice of termination given by the Company or the
Employee pursuant to Section 6.1.
4. Compensation.
-------------
4.1 Cash Compensation. The Company shall compensate Employee
for services rendered under this Agreement in an amount of not less than
Employee's "Cash Compensation", as defined below, per year, as determined from
time to time by the Board of Directors. Employee shall be considered in the
Company's annual review of executive compensation and he shall be a participant
in the Company's executive bonus plans as may be in effect from time-to-time.
All cash compensation paid to Employee under this Agreement shall be considered
for purposes of meeting the requirement described in this paragraph, whether in
the form of annual compensation or in the form of bonuses.
"Cash Compensation" shall mean base salary $500,000.00 plus
(i) if the applicable target(s) relating to Employee's target bonus is achieved
for any year, an amount equal to one-half (1/2) of Employee's target bonus for
that year, or (ii) if the applicable target(s) relating to Employee's target
bonus is not achieved for that year, an amount equal to the lesser of Employee's
actual bonus for that year or one-half (1/2) of Employee's target bonus for that
year. Base Salary shall be determined in the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
4.2 Employee Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to receive
fringe benefits consistent with Employee's duties and position, which benefits
shall (except as specified below) be no less than those to which he is entitled
as of the date hereof, including but not limited to all plans of life, accident
and health, salary continuation and other insurance which is or becomes
generally available to other employees, officers or executives of the Company
and participation in the Company's Retirement Plan. Employee shall be provided
with the full time use of an automobile consistent with the Company's corporate
policy on automobiles as in effect from time to time. The Company reserves the
right to modify, suspend or discontinue any and all of its fringe benefits
referred to in this Section 4.2 at any time without recourse by Employee so long
as such action is taken generally with respect to other similarly situated peer
executives and does not single out Employee.
4.3 Expenses. Employee shall be reimbursed for all expenses
reasonably incurred in the furtherance of the business of the Company. Employee
shall keep complete and accurate records of all expenditures such that Employee
may fully account to the Board of Directors, if requested, or as may then be
required by the Internal Revenue Service.
3
<PAGE> 4
5. Confidential Information.
-------------------------
5.1 General. Employee acknowledges that during his employment
by, and as a result of his relationship with, the Company he will obtain
knowledge of and gain access to information regarding the Company's business,
operations, products, proposed products, production methods, processes, customer
lists, advertising, marketing and promotional plans and materials, price lists,
pricing policies, financial information and other trade secrets, confidential
information and material proprietary to the Company or designated as being
confidential by the Company which is not generally known to non-Company
personnel, including information and material originated, discovered or
developed in whole or in part by Employee (collectively referred to herein as
"Confidential Information"). Employee agrees that during the term of this
Agreement and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, thereafter, he will, in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company, hold all Confidential
Information strictly in confidence and will not directly or indirectly reveal,
report, disclose, publish or transfer any of such Confidential Information to
any person, firm or other entity, or utilize any of the Confidential Information
for any purpose, except in furtherance of his employment under this Agreement.
5.2 Return of Materials. Employee agrees that upon the
expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, he will immediately
surrender and return to the Company all lists, books, records and other
Confidential Information of the Company, or obtained in connection with the
Company's business, it being expressly acknowledged by Employee that all such
items are the exclusive property of the Company, and all other property
belonging to the Company then in the possession of Employee, and Employee shall
not make or retain any copies thereof.
6. Termination Prior to Expiration of Term. Employee's
employment, and his rights under this Agreement, may be termi-
nated prior to the expiration of the Term of this Agreement (as
provided in section 3 hereof) only as provided in this section 6.
6.1 Discharge or Resignation.
-------------------------
(a) Employee may be discharged prior to the
expiration of the term of this Agreement (1) for "Just Cause"; or (2)
upon 60 days written notice, even if "Just Cause" does not exist.
(b) For a discharge which occurs prior to a "Change
in Control," as defined herein, "Just Cause" shall mean that the
Company, acting in good faith based upon the information then known to
the Company, determines that Employee has: (1) committed a material
breach of his duties and responsibilities to the Company (other than as
a result
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of incapacity due to the Employee's disability); or (2) been convicted
of a crime involving moral turpitude; or (3) refused to perform his
required duties and responsibilities or performed them incompetently;
or (4) violated any fiduciary duty owed to the Company; or (5) taken
actions which are injurious to the Company and which involve moral
turpitude or actual malice towards the Company. For a discharge which
occurs coincident with or after a "Change in Control," "Just Cause"
means (x) Employee's conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude;
or (y) actions of Employee which are injurious to the Company and
involve moral turpitude or actual malice toward the Company.
(c) Employee may resign prior to the term of this
Agreement (1) for "Good Reason"; or (2) upon 60 days written notice,
even if "Good Reason" does not exist. Regardless of whether a
resignation occurs prior to, coincident with or after a "Change in
Control," "Good Reason" shall mean the material failure by the Company
to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, to the extent not
remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice
by the Employee specifying the material failure by the Company. Any
reduction or attempted reduction of compensation or benefits below that
required by Section 4 is deemed material. For a resignation which
occurs coincident with or following a Change in Control, "Good Reason"
shall also mean the failure by the Company or its successors to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if a
succession had not occurred.
(d) (1) If Employee is discharged for "Just Cause" or
resigns without "Good Reason," the Company shall not be
obligated to pay the Employee any sums of money other than all
compensation and benefits due employee as of the date of
discharge or resignation and the bonus (if any) for the period
of his employment prior to the discharge or resignation.
(2) If employee is discharged without "Just
Cause" or resigns for "Good Reason," Employee shall be
entitled to the following:
(i) all compensation and benefits
due Employee as of the date of discharge or
resignation and the bonus for the period of
employment prior to the discharge or resignation;
plus
(ii) A lump sum payment equal to the
present value of the compensation which would be
received by Employee (using the greater of (A) the
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Employee's highest annual amount of compensation
during any of the preceding three years regardless of
whether this Agreement was in force during such year,
or (B) the Employee's base salary and full target
bonus for the year in which the Employee's
resignation or discharge occurs) for the remaining
Term of this Agreement. The present value shall be
determined by using the applicable federal mid-term
rate, compounded monthly, as determined under Section
1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), or its successor, as of the
date of discharge or resignation. The entire lump-sum
amount shall be paid within 30 days of the effective
date of resignation or discharge. Employee shall have
no duty to mitigate or attempt to mitigate his
damages.
(e) (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement, payments to the Employee which constitute
"parachute payments," as defined in Section 280G of the Code,
shall be limited, if necessary, so that the maximum amount of
such payments to the Employee shall be one dollar ($1.00) less
than the amount which would cause the payments to the Employee
(including payments to the Employee which are not included in
this Agreement) to be subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code.
(2) Any determination that payments to the
Employee must be limited and the assumptions to be utilized in
arriving at such determination, shall be made by Arthur
Andersen and Company (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company
and the Employee within 15 business days of the time such
calculation is requested by the Company or the Employee. In
the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or
auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the
Change of Control, the Employee shall appoint another
nationally recognized accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All
fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely
by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that
payments to the Employee shall be limited, it shall furnish
the Employee with written opinion that failure to limit the
payments would result in the imposition of a tax under Section
4999 of the Code. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
shall be binding upon the Company and the Employee. As a
result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999
of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm
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hereunder, it is possible that payments to the Employee which
will not have been made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"). The Accounting Firm shall determine the
amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for
the benefit of the Employee. In the event that any payment
made to the Employee shall be determined by the Accounting
Firm to result in the imposition of any tax under Section 4999
of the Code, the Employee shall promptly reimburse the Company
for the amount of such excess together with interest on such
amount (at the same rate as is applied to determine the
present value of payments under Section 280G or any successor
thereto), from the date the reimbursable payment was received
by the Employee to the date the same is repaid to the Company.
The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the amount of
any such reimbursement shall be deemed never paid to the
Employee.
(f) For purposes of this Agreement; a "Change of Control"
shall be deemed to have occurred if (1) any "person" (as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, or
securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined
voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or (2)
during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election
by the Company's shareholders, of each new Board member was approved by
a vote of at least three-fourths of the Board members then still in
office who were Board members at the beginning of such period.
6.2 Disability. If the Company in good faith determines that
the Employee has become ill or injured and such illness or injury will prevent
Employee from performing the services required under this Agreement for a period
of more than 12 consecutive months on substantially a full time basis, the
Company may give Employee written notice that it intends to terminate the
employment of Employee. Such termination of employment shall become effective 30
days after receipt of such notice by Employee, provided that, within 30 days
after such receipt, Employee shall not have returned to full time performance of
his duties. If Employee's employment is so terminated, Employee shall be
entitled to receive his full compensation and benefits until the expiration of
12 months from the date on which he was first unable to substantially perform
his duties hereunder.
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<PAGE> 8
6.3 Death. The death of Employee shall result in automatic
termination of this Agreement, and the Company shall not be obligated to pay the
estate or personal representative of Employee any sums of money other than any
and all compensation and benefits due Employee at the date of his death and
bonus for the period of his employment prior to death.
7. Arbitration.
------------
7.1 General. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of
or relating to this Agreement, the breach hereof or the coverage or
enforceability of this arbitration provision shall be settled by arbitration in
Los Angeles County, California, conducted in accordance with the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, as such rules are in
effect in Los Angeles on the date of delivery of demand for arbitration. The
arbitration of any such issue, including the determination of the amount of any
damages suffered by either party hereto by reason of the acts or omissions of
the other, shall be to the exclusion of any court of law. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, either party hereto may seek any provisional remedy in a court,
including but not limited to an action for injunctive relief or attachment,
without waiving the right to arbitration.
7.2 Procedure. There shall be three arbitrators, one to be
chosen by each party at will within 10 days from the date of delivery of demand
for arbitration and the third arbitrator to be selected by the two arbitrators
so chosen. If the two arbitrators are unable to select a third arbitrator within
10 days after the last of the two arbitrators is chosen by the parties, the
third arbitrator will be designated, on application by either party, by the
American Arbitration Association. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators
shall be final and binding on both parties and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors and assigns. The
Company shall have the burden of proving Just Cause for any discharge of
Employee under section 6.1 hereof; for a resignation which occurs prior to a
Change in Control, the Employee shall have the burden of proving Good Reason,
and for a resignation which occur after a Change in Control, the Company shall
have the burden of proving that Good Reason did not exist. Judgment upon any
award of the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction, or
application may be made to any such court for the judicial acceptance of the
award and for an order of enforcement.
7.3 Costs and Expenses. The Company shall pay the fees of all
arbitrators, witnesses and such other expenses as may be generated by the
arbitration, except Employee's attorneys fees, unless a majority of the
arbitrators concludes that such arbitration procedure was not instituted in good
faith by Employee. In such event the arbitrators shall be empowered to
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<PAGE> 9
allocate fees and assess costs and other expenses of the arbitration, except
attorneys fees, as they may deem appropriate, bearing in mind the relative
financial abilities of the parties and the respective merits of their positions.
8. Non-Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable nor the
duties hereunder delegable by Employee. None of the payments hereunder may be
encumbered, transferred or in any way anticipated. The Company shall not assign
this Agreement nor shall it transfer all or any substantial part of its assets
without first obtaining in conjunction with such transfer the express assumption
of the obligations hereof by the assignee or transferee.
9. Remedies. Employee acknowledges that the services he is to render
under this Agreement are of a unique and special nature, the loss of which
cannot reasonably or adequately be compensated for in monetary damages, and that
irreparable injury and damage will result to the Company in the event of any
default or breach of this Agreement by Employee. Because of the unique nature of
the Confidential Information, Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the
Company will suffer irreparable harm if Employee fails to comply with his
obligations in section 5 hereof and that monetary damages would be inadequate to
compensate the Company for such breach. Accordingly, Employee agrees that the
Company will, in addition to any other remedies available to it at law, in
equity or, without limitation, otherwise, be entitled to injunctive relief
and/or specific performance to enforce the terms, or prevent or remedy the
violation, of any provisions of this Agreement. This provision shall not
constitute a waiver by the Company of any rights to damages or other remedies
which it may have pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.
10. Survival. The provisions of sections 5, 7 and 9 shall survive the
expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
11. Notices. Any notices or other communications relating to this
Agreement shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed by certified
mail, return receipt requested, to the party concerned at the address set
forth below:
If to Company: Wyle Electronics
15370 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, California 92618
Attn: Senior Vice President
If to Employee: At his residence address as maintained
by the Company in the regular course of
its business for payroll purposes.
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Either party may change the address for the giving of notices at any time by
notice given to the other party under the provisions of this section 11.
12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties and supersedes all prior written and oral and all
contemporaneous oral agreements (including Employee's prior Employment Agreement
with the Company dated January 1, 1995), understandings and negotiations with
respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be changed orally,
but only by an agreement in writing signed by both parties.
13. Construction. This Agreement shall be governed under and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California. The paragraph headings
and captions contained herein are for reference purposes and convenience only
and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
It is intended by the parties that this Agreement be interpreted in accordance
with its fair and simple meaning, not for or against either party, and neither
party shall be deemed to be the drafter of this Agreement.
14. Severability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement is
determined by arbitration or by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the remaining portions or provisions hereof shall not
be affected.
15. Binding Effect. The rights and obligations of the parties under
this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the permitted
successors, assigns, heirs, administrators, executors and personal
representatives of the parties.
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<PAGE> 11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
on the day and in the year first written above.
WYLE ELECTRONICS
By: /s/ Stephen D. Natcher
---------------------------
Stephen D. Natcher
Its: Senior Vice President
EMPLOYEE
/s/ Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
------------------------------------
Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
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<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.24
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of February 1, 1997 by and between Joseph A. Adamczyk
("Employee") and Wyle Electronics, a California corporation (the "Company").
The parties agree as follows:
1. Employment.
-----------
1.1 Title & Duties. The Company hereby employs Employee, and
Employee hereby accepts employment, as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company. Employee shall be given duties consistent with
such offices and positions. There shall be no change in Employee's titles or
duties without the mutual consent of the Company and Employee.
1.2 Place. Employee shall not be required to perform any
duties as described in section 1.1 at any place other than in the County of
Orange, State of California, except insofar as his duties shall require
reasonable business trips and/or visits to suppliers or customers or Company
facilities.
2. Extent of Services; Noncompetition.
-----------------------------------
2.1 General. It is recognized that the services to be rendered
by Employee are of such a nature as to be peculiarly rendered by Employee,
encompass the individual ability of Employee and cannot be measured exclusively
in terms of hours or services rendered in any particular period. Employee agrees
to devote his full time and best efforts to the performance of his duties and
exclusively to advance the interests of the Company.
2.2 Vacation. Employee shall be entitled to such vacations and
other absences from work as shall be reasonably consistent with the performance
of his duties as provided in this Agreement.
2.3 Noncompetition.
--------------
(a) Employee agrees that during the term of this Agreement
(as defined in Section 3 below) he will neither directly nor indirectly
engage in a business competing with any of the businesses conducted by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor without the
prior written consent of the Board of Directors of the Company directly
or indirectly have any interest in, own, manage, operate, control, be
connected with as a stockholder, joint venturer, officer, employee,
partner or consultant, or otherwise engage, invest or participate in
any business which is competitive with any of the businesses conducted
by the
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<PAGE> 2
Company or by any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company; provided,
however, that nothing contained in this section 2.3 shall prevent
Employee from investing or trading in stocks, bonds, commodities,
securities, real estate or other forms of investment for his own
account and benefit (directly or indirectly), so long as such
investment activities do not significantly interfere with Employee's
services to be rendered hereunder and are consistent with the conflict
of interest provisions contained in the Company's Business Ethics
Policy as it exists from time-to-time.
(b) Employee agrees that should his or her employment
by the Company terminate for any reason, Employee (and any corporation
or entity of which he or she is then a director, officer, employee, or
greater than 5% shareholder) shall not for a period of one year after
such termination:
(1) solicit for employment and then employ
any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries or any person who is an independent contractor
involved in sales or manufacture of products sold or
manufactured by the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries; or
(2) make any public statement concerning the
Company, any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or Employee's
employment by the Company unless such statement is previously
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, except as
may be required by law; or
(3) induce, attempt to induce or knowingly
encourage any Customer of the Company or any of its affiliates
or subsidiaries to divert any business or income from the
Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries or to stop or
alter the manner in which they are then doing business with
the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries.
"Customer" shall mean any individual or business firm that was
or is a customer or client of, or one that was or is a party
in a selling agreement with, or whose business was actively
solicited by, the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries at any time, regardless of whether such customer
was generated, in whole or in part, by Employee's efforts.
3. Term. The term of this Agreement (the "Term") shall commence on the
date hereof and shall end on the later of (a) the third (3rd) anniversary of the
date of this Agreement, or (b) three (3) years following the effective date on
which notice of non-renewal or termination of this Agreement is given to the
other by either the Employee or the Company. Thus, this
2
<PAGE> 3
Agreement shall be renewed automatically on a daily basis so that the
outstanding Term is always three (3) years following the effective date of any
notice of non-renewal or notice of termination given by the Company or the
Employee pursuant to Section 6.1.
4. Compensation.
-------------
4.1 Cash Compensation. The Company shall compensate Employee
for services rendered under this Agreement in an amount of not less than
Employee's "Cash Compensation", as defined below, per year, as determined from
time to time by the Board of Directors. Employee shall be considered in the
Company's annual review of executive compensation and he shall be a participant
in the Company's executive bonus plans as may be in effect from time-to-time.
All cash compensation paid to Employee under this Agreement shall be considered
for purposes of meeting the requirement described in this paragraph, whether in
the form of annual compensation or in the form of bonuses.
"Cash Compensation" shall mean base salary $325,000.00 plus
(i) if the applicable target(s) relating to Employee's target bonus is achieved
for any year, an amount equal to one-half (1/2) of Employee's target bonus for
that year, or (ii) if the applicable target(s) relating to Employee's target
bonus is not achieved for that year, an amount equal to the lesser of Employee's
actual bonus for that year or one-half (1/2) of Employee's target bonus for that
year. Base Salary shall be determined in the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
4.2 Employee Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to receive
fringe benefits consistent with Employee's duties and position, which benefits
shall (except as specified below) be no less than those to which he is entitled
as of the date hereof, including but not limited to all plans of life, accident
and health, salary continuation and other insurance which is or becomes
generally available to other employees, officers or executives of the Company
and participation in the Company's Retirement Plan. Employee shall be provided
with the full time use of an automobile consistent with the Company's corporate
policy on automobiles as in effect from time to time. The Company reserves the
right to modify, suspend or discontinue any and all of its fringe benefits
referred to in this Section 4.2 at any time without recourse by Employee so long
as such action is taken generally with respect to other similarly situated peer
executives and does not single out Employee.
4.3 Expenses. Employee shall be reimbursed for all expenses
reasonably incurred in the furtherance of the business of the Company. Employee
shall keep complete and accurate records of all expenditures such that Employee
may fully account to the Board of Directors, if requested, or as may then be
required by the Internal Revenue Service.
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5. Confidential Information.
-------------------------
5.1 General. Employee acknowledges that during his employment
by, and as a result of his relationship with, the Company he will obtain
knowledge of and gain access to information regarding the Company's business,
operations, products, proposed products, production methods, processes, customer
lists, advertising, marketing and promotional plans and materials, price lists,
pricing policies, financial information and other trade secrets, confidential
information and material proprietary to the Company or designated as being
confidential by the Company which is not generally known to non-Company
personnel, including information and material originated, discovered or
developed in whole or in part by Employee (collectively referred to herein as
"Confidential Information"). Employee agrees that during the term of this
Agreement and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, thereafter, he will, in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company, hold all Confidential
Information strictly in confidence and will not directly or indirectly reveal,
report, disclose, publish or transfer any of such Confidential Information to
any person, firm or other entity, or utilize any of the Confidential Information
for any purpose, except in furtherance of his employment under this Agreement.
5.2 Return of Materials. Employee agrees that upon the
expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, he will immediately
surrender and return to the Company all lists, books, records and other
Confidential Information of the Company, or obtained in connection with the
Company's business, it being expressly acknowledged by Employee that all such
items are the exclusive property of the Company, and all other property
belonging to the Company then in the possession of Employee, and Employee shall
not make or retain any copies thereof.
6. Termination Prior to Expiration of Term. Employee's
employment, and his rights under this Agreement, may be termi-
nated prior to the expiration of the Term of this Agreement (as
provided in section 3 hereof) only as provided in this section 6.
6.1 Discharge or Resignation.
-------------------------
(a) Employee may be discharged prior to the expiration of
the term of this Agreement (1) for "Just Cause"; or (2) upon 60 days
written notice, even if "Just Cause" does not exist.
(b) For a discharge which occurs prior to a "Change in
Control," as defined herein, "Just Cause" shall mean that the Company,
acting in good faith based upon the information then known to the
Company, determines that Employee has: (1) committed a material breach
of his duties and responsibilities to the Company (other than as a
result
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<PAGE> 5
of incapacity due to the Employee's disability); or (2) been convicted
of a crime involving moral turpitude; or (3) refused to perform his
required duties and responsibilities or performed them incompetently;
or (4) violated any fiduciary duty owed to the Company; or (5) taken
actions which are injurious to the Company and which involve moral
turpitude or actual malice towards the Company. For a discharge which
occurs coincident with or after a "Change in Control," "Just Cause"
means (x) Employee's conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude;
or (y) actions of Employee which are injurious to the Company and
involve moral turpitude or actual malice toward the Company.
(c) Employee may resign prior to the term of this
Agreement (1) for "Good Reason"; or (2) upon 60 days written notice,
even if "Good Reason" does not exist. Regardless of whether a
resignation occurs prior to, coincident with or after a "Change in
Control," "Good Reason" shall mean the material failure by the Company
to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, to the extent not
remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice
by the Employee specifying the material failure by the Company. Any
reduction or attempted reduction of compensation or benefits below that
required by Section 4 is deemed material. For a resignation which
occurs coincident with or following a Change in Control, "Good Reason"
shall also mean the failure by the Company or its successors to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if a
succession had not occurred.
(d) (1) If Employee is discharged for "Just Cause" or
resigns without "Good Reason," the Company shall not be
obligated to pay the Employee any sums of money other than all
compensation and benefits due employee as of the date of
discharge or resignation and the bonus (if any) for the period
of his employment prior to the discharge or resignation.
(2) If employee is discharged without "Just
Cause" or resigns for "Good Reason," Employee shall be
entitled to the following:
(i) all compensation and benefits
due Employee as of the date of discharge or
resignation and the bonus for the period of
employment prior to the discharge or resignation;
plus
(ii) A lump sum payment equal to the
present value of the compensation which would be
received by Employee (using the greater of (A) the
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Employee's highest annual amount of compensation
during any of the preceding three years regardless of
whether this Agreement was in force during such year,
or (B) the Employee's base salary and full target
bonus for the year in which the Employee's
resignation or discharge occurs) for the remaining
Term of this Agreement. The present value shall be
determined by using the applicable federal mid-term
rate, compounded monthly, as determined under Section
1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), or its successor, as of the
date of discharge or resignation. The entire lump-sum
amount shall be paid within 30 days of the effective
date of resignation or discharge. Employee shall have
no duty to mitigate or attempt to mitigate his
damages.
(e) (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement, payments to the Employee which constitute
"parachute payments," as defined in Section 280G of the Code,
shall be limited, if necessary, so that the maximum amount of
such payments to the Employee shall be one dollar ($1.00) less
than the amount which would cause the payments to the Employee
(including payments to the Employee which are not included in
this Agreement) to be subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code.
(2) Any determination that payments to the
Employee must be limited and the assumptions to be utilized in
arriving at such determination, shall be made by Arthur
Andersen and Company (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company
and the Employee within 15 business days of the time such
calculation is requested by the Company or the Employee. In
the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or
auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the
Change of Control, the Employee shall appoint another
nationally recognized accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All
fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely
by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that
payments to the Employee shall be limited, it shall furnish
the Employee with written opinion that failure to limit the
payments would result in the imposition of a tax under Section
4999 of the Code. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
shall be binding upon the Company and the Employee. As a
result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999
of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm
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hereunder, it is possible that payments to the Employee which
will not have been made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"). The Accounting Firm shall determine the
amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for
the benefit of the Employee. In the event that any payment
made to the Employee shall be determined by the Accounting
Firm to result in the imposition of any tax under Section 4999
of the Code, the Employee shall promptly reimburse the Company
for the amount of such excess together with interest on such
amount (at the same rate as is applied to determine the
present value of payments under Section 280G or any successor
thereto), from the date the reimbursable payment was received
by the Employee to the date the same is repaid to the Company.
The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the amount of
any such reimbursement shall be deemed never paid to the
Employee.
(f) For purposes of this Agreement; a "Change of Control"
shall be deemed to have occurred if (1) any "person" (as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, or
securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined
voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or (2)
during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election
by the Company's shareholders, of each new Board member was approved by
a vote of at least three-fourths of the Board members then still in
office who were Board members at the beginning of such period.
6.2 Disability. If the Company in good faith determines that
the Employee has become ill or injured and such illness or injury will prevent
Employee from performing the services required under this Agreement for a period
of more than 12 consecutive months on substantially a full time basis, the
Company may give Employee written notice that it intends to terminate the
employment of Employee. Such termination of employment shall become effective 30
days after receipt of such notice by Employee, provided that, within 30 days
after such receipt, Employee shall not have returned to full time performance of
his duties. If Employee's employment is so terminated, Employee shall be
entitled to receive his full compensation and benefits until the expiration of
12 months from the date on which he was first unable to substantially perform
his duties hereunder.
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6.3 Death. The death of Employee shall result in automatic
termination of this Agreement, and the Company shall not be obligated to pay the
estate or personal representative of Employee any sums of money other than any
and all compensation and benefits due Employee at the date of his death and
bonus for the period of his employment prior to death.
7. Arbitration.
------------
7.1 General. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of
or relating to this Agreement, the breach hereof or the coverage or
enforceability of this arbitration provision shall be settled by arbitration in
Los Angeles County, California, conducted in accordance with the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, as such rules are in
effect in Los Angeles on the date of delivery of demand for arbitration. The
arbitration of any such issue, including the determination of the amount of any
damages suffered by either party hereto by reason of the acts or omissions of
the other, shall be to the exclusion of any court of law. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, either party hereto may seek any provisional remedy in a court,
including but not limited to an action for injunctive relief or attachment,
without waiving the right to arbitration.
7.2 Procedure. There shall be three arbitrators, one to be
chosen by each party at will within 10 days from the date of delivery of demand
for arbitration and the third arbitrator to be selected by the two arbitrators
so chosen. If the two arbitrators are unable to select a third arbitrator within
10 days after the last of the two arbitrators is chosen by the parties, the
third arbitrator will be designated, on application by either party, by the
American Arbitration Association. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators
shall be final and binding on both parties and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors and assigns. The
Company shall have the burden of proving Just Cause for any discharge of
Employee under section 6.1 hereof; for a resignation which occurs prior to a
Change in Control, the Employee shall have the burden of proving Good Reason,
and for a resignation which occur after a Change in Control, the Company shall
have the burden of proving that Good Reason did not exist. Judgment upon any
award of the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction, or
application may be made to any such court for the judicial acceptance of the
award and for an order of enforcement.
7.3 Costs and Expenses. The Company shall pay the fees of all
arbitrators, witnesses and such other expenses as may be generated by the
arbitration, except Employee's attorneys fees, unless a majority of the
arbitrators concludes that such arbitration procedure was not instituted in good
faith by Employee. In such event the arbitrators shall be empowered to
8
<PAGE> 9
allocate fees and assess costs and other expenses of the arbitration, except
attorneys fees, as they may deem appropriate, bearing in mind the relative
financial abilities of the parties and the respective merits of their positions.
8. Non-Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable nor the
duties hereunder delegable by Employee. None of the payments hereunder may be
encumbered, transferred or in any way anticipated. The Company shall not assign
this Agreement nor shall it transfer all or any substantial part of its assets
without first obtaining in conjunction with such transfer the express assumption
of the obligations hereof by the assignee or transferee.
9. Remedies. Employee acknowledges that the services he is to render
under this Agreement are of a unique and special nature, the loss of which
cannot reasonably or adequately be compensated for in monetary damages, and that
irreparable injury and damage will result to the Company in the event of any
default or breach of this Agreement by Employee. Because of the unique nature of
the Confidential Information, Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the
Company will suffer irreparable harm if Employee fails to comply with his
obligations in section 5 hereof and that monetary damages would be inadequate to
compensate the Company for such breach. Accordingly, Employee agrees that the
Company will, in addition to any other remedies available to it at law, in
equity or, without limitation, otherwise, be entitled to injunctive relief
and/or specific performance to enforce the terms, or prevent or remedy the
violation, of any provisions of this Agreement. This provision shall not
constitute a waiver by the Company of any rights to damages or other remedies
which it may have pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.
10. Survival. The provisions of sections 5, 7 and 9 shall survive the
expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
11. Notices. Any notices or other communications relating to this
Agreement shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed by certified
mail, return receipt requested, to the party concerned at the address set forth
below:
If to Company: Wyle Electronics
15370 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, California 92618
Attn: Senior Vice President
If to Employee: At his residence address as maintained
by the Company in the regular course of
its business for payroll purposes.
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<PAGE> 10
Either party may change the address for the giving of notices at any time by
notice given to the other party under the provisions of this section 11.
12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties and supersedes all prior written and oral and all
contemporaneous oral agreements (including Employee's prior Employment Agreement
with the Company dated January 1, 1995), understandings and negotiations with
respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be changed orally,
but only by an agreement in writing signed by both parties.
13. Construction. This Agreement shall be governed under and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California. The paragraph headings
and captions contained herein are for reference purposes and convenience only
and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
It is intended by the parties that this Agreement be interpreted in accordance
with its fair and simple meaning, not for or against either party, and neither
party shall be deemed to be the drafter of this Agreement.
14. Severability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement is
determined by arbitration or by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the remaining portions or provisions hereof shall not
be affected.
15. Binding Effect. The rights and obligations of the parties under
this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the permitted
successors, assigns, heirs, administrators, executors and personal
representatives of the parties.
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<PAGE> 11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
on the day and in the year first written above.
WYLE ELECTRONICS
By: /s/ Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
---------------------------
Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
Its: President
EMPLOYEE
/s/ Joseph A. Adamczyk
------------------------------------
Joseph A. Adamczyk
11
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.25
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of February 1, 1997 by and between R. Van Ness Holland, Jr.
("Employee") and Wyle Electronics, a California corporation (the "Company").
The parties agree as follows:
1. Employment.
-----------
1.1 Title & Duties. The Company hereby employs Employee, and
Employee hereby accepts employment, as Executive Vice President-Finance and
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Employee shall be given
duties consistent with such offices and positions. There shall be no change in
Employee's titles or duties without the mutual consent of the Company and
Employee.
1.2 Place. Employee shall not be required to perform any
duties as described in section 1.1 at any place other than in the County of
Orange, State of California, except insofar as his duties shall require
reasonable business trips and/or visits to suppliers or customers or Company
facilities.
2. Extent of Services; Noncompetition.
-----------------------------------
2.1 General. It is recognized that the services to be rendered
by Employee are of such a nature as to be peculiarly rendered by Employee,
encompass the individual ability of Employee and cannot be measured exclusively
in terms of hours or services rendered in any particular period. Employee agrees
to devote his full time and best efforts to the performance of his duties and
exclusively to advance the interests of the Company.
2.2 Vacation. Employee shall be entitled to such vacations and
other absences from work as shall be reasonably consistent with the performance
of his duties as provided in this Agreement.
2.3 Noncompetition.
---------------
(a) Employee agrees that during the term of this
Agreement (as defined in Section 3 below) he will neither directly nor
indirectly engage in a business competing with any of the businesses
conducted by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor
without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of the
Company directly or indirectly have any interest in, own, manage,
operate, control, be connected with as a stockholder, joint venturer,
officer, employee, partner or consultant, or otherwise engage, invest
or participate in any business which is
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<PAGE> 2
competitive with any of the businesses conducted by the Company or by
any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company; provided, however, that
nothing contained in this section 2.3 shall prevent Employee from
investing or trading in stocks, bonds, commodities, securities, real
estate or other forms of investment for his own account and benefit
(directly or indirectly), so long as such investment activities do not
significantly interfere with Employee's services to be rendered
hereunder and are consistent with the conflict of interest provisions
contained in the Company's Business Ethics Policy as it exists from
time-to-time.
(b) Employee agrees that should his or her employment
by the Company terminate for any reason, Employee (and any corporation
or entity of which he or she is then a director, officer, employee, or
greater than 5% shareholder) shall not for a period of one year after
such termination:
(1) solicit for employment and then employ
any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries or any person who is an independent contractor
involved in sales or manufacture of products sold or
manufactured by the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries; or
(2) make any public statement concerning the
Company, any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or Employee's
employment by the Company unless such statement is previously
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, except as
may be required by law; or
(3) induce, attempt to induce or knowingly
encourage any Customer of the Company or any of its affiliates
or subsidiaries to divert any business or income from the
Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries or to stop or
alter the manner in which they are then doing business with
the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries.
"Customer" shall mean any individual or business firm that was
or is a customer or client of, or one that was or is a party
in a selling agreement with, or whose business was actively
solicited by, the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries at any time, regardless of whether such customer
was generated, in whole or in part, by Employee's efforts.
3. Term. The term of this Agreement (the "Term") shall commence on the
date hereof and shall end on the later of (a) the third (3rd) anniversary of the
date of this Agreement, or (b) three (3) years following the effective date on
which notice of non-renewal or termination of this Agreement is given to the
2
<PAGE> 3
other by either the Employee or the Company. Thus, this Agreement shall be
renewed automatically on a daily basis so that the outstanding Term is always
three (3) years following the effective date of any notice of non-renewal or
notice of termination given by the Company or the Employee pursuant to Section
6.1.
4. Compensation.
-------------
4.1 Cash Compensation. The Company shall compensate Employee
for services rendered under this Agreement in an amount of not less than
Employee's "Cash Compensation", as defined below, per year, as determined from
time to time by the Board of Directors. Employee shall be considered in the
Company's annual review of executive compensation and he shall be a participant
in the Company's executive bonus plans as may be in effect from time-to-time.
All cash compensation paid to Employee under this Agreement shall be considered
for purposes of meeting the requirement described in this paragraph, whether in
the form of annual compensation or in the form of bonuses.
"Cash Compensation" shall mean base salary $265,000.00 plus
(i) if the applicable target(s) relating to Employee's target bonus is achieved
for any year, an amount equal to one-half (1/2) of Employee's target bonus for
that year, or (ii) if the applicable target(s) relating to Employee's target
bonus is not achieved for that year, an amount equal to the lesser of Employee's
actual bonus for that year or one-half (1/2) of Employee's target bonus for that
year. Base Salary shall be determined in the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
4.2 Employee Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to receive
fringe benefits consistent with Employee's duties and position, which benefits
shall (except as specified below) be no less than those to which he is entitled
as of the date hereof, including but not limited to all plans of life, accident
and health, salary continuation and other insurance which is or becomes
generally available to other employees, officers or executives of the Company
and participation in the Company's Retirement Plan. Employee shall be provided
with the full time use of an automobile consistent with the Company's corporate
policy on automobiles as in effect from time to time. The Company reserves the
right to modify, suspend or discontinue any and all of its fringe benefits
referred to in this Section 4.2 at any time without recourse by Employee so long
as such action is taken generally with respect to other similarly situated peer
executives and does not single out Employee.
4.3 Expenses. Employee shall be reimbursed for all expenses
reasonably incurred in the furtherance of the business of the Company. Employee
shall keep complete and accurate records of all expenditures such that Employee
may fully account
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<PAGE> 4
to the Board of Directors, if requested, or as may then be required by the
Internal Revenue Service.
5. Confidential Information.
-------------------------
5.1 General. Employee acknowledges that during his employment
by, and as a result of his relationship with, the Company he will obtain
knowledge of and gain access to information regarding the Company's business,
operations, products, proposed products, production methods, processes, customer
lists, advertising, marketing and promotional plans and materials, price lists,
pricing policies, financial information and other trade secrets, confidential
information and material proprietary to the Company or designated as being
confidential by the Company which is not generally known to non-Company
personnel, including information and material originated, discovered or
developed in whole or in part by Employee (collectively referred to herein as
"Confidential Information"). Employee agrees that during the term of this
Agreement and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, thereafter, he will, in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company, hold all Confidential
Information strictly in confidence and will not directly or indirectly reveal,
report, disclose, publish or transfer any of such Confidential Information to
any person, firm or other entity, or utilize any of the Confidential Information
for any purpose, except in furtherance of his employment under this Agreement.
5.2 Return of Materials. Employee agrees that upon the
expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, he will immediately
surrender and return to the Company all lists, books, records and other
Confidential Information of the Company, or obtained in connection with the
Company's business, it being expressly acknowledged by Employee that all such
items are the exclusive property of the Company, and all other property
belonging to the Company then in the possession of Employee, and Employee shall
not make or retain any copies thereof.
6. Termination Prior to Expiration of Term. Employee's
employment, and his rights under this Agreement, may be termi-
nated prior to the expiration of the Term of this Agreement (as
provided in section 3 hereof) only as provided in this section 6.
6.1 Discharge or Resignation.
-------------------------
(a) Employee may be discharged prior to the
expiration of the term of this Agreement (1) for "Just Cause"; or (2)
upon 60 days written notice, even if "Just Cause" does not exist.
(b) For a discharge which occurs prior to a "Change
in Control," as defined herein, "Just Cause" shall mean that the
Company, acting in good faith based upon the
4
<PAGE> 5
information then known to the Company, determines that Employee has:
(1) committed a material breach of his duties and responsibilities to
the Company (other than as a result of incapacity due to the Employee's
disability); or (2) been convicted of a crime involving moral
turpitude; or (3) refused to perform his required duties and
responsibilities or performed them incompetently; or (4) violated any
fiduciary duty owed to the Company; or (5) taken actions which are
injurious to the Company and which involve moral turpitude or actual
malice towards the Company. For a discharge which occurs coincident
with or after a "Change in Control," "Just Cause" means (x) Employee's
conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude; or (y) actions of
Employee which are injurious to the Company and involve moral turpitude
or actual malice toward the Company.
(c) Employee may resign prior to the term of this
Agreement (1) for "Good Reason"; or (2) upon 60 days written notice,
even if "Good Reason" does not exist. Regardless of whether a
resignation occurs prior to, coincident with or after a "Change in
Control," "Good Reason" shall mean the material failure by the Company
to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, to the extent not
remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice
by the Employee specifying the material failure by the Company. Any
reduction or attempted reduction of compensation or benefits below that
required by Section 4 is deemed material. For a resignation which
occurs coincident with or following a Change in Control, "Good Reason"
shall also mean the failure by the Company or its successors to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if a
succession had not occurred.
(d) (1) If Employee is discharged for "Just Cause" or
resigns without "Good Reason," the Company shall not be
obligated to pay the Employee any sums of money other than all
compensation and benefits due employee as of the date of
discharge or resignation and the bonus (if any) for the period
of his employment prior to the discharge or resignation.
(2) If employee is discharged without "Just
Cause" or resigns for "Good Reason," Employee shall be
entitled to the following:
(i) all compensation and benefits
due Employee as of the date of discharge or
resignation and the bonus for the period of
employment prior to the discharge or resignation;
plus
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<PAGE> 6
(ii) A lump sum payment equal to the
present value of the compensation which would be
received by Employee (using the greater of (A) the
Employee's highest annual amount of compensation
during any of the preceding three years regardless of
whether this Agreement was in force during such year,
or (B) the Employee's base salary and full target
bonus for the year in which the Employee's
resignation or discharge occurs) for the remaining
Term of this Agreement. The present value shall be
determined by using the applicable federal mid-term
rate, compounded monthly, as determined under Section
1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), or its successor, as of the
date of discharge or resignation. The entire lump-sum
amount shall be paid within 30 days of the effective
date of resignation or discharge. Employee shall have
no duty to mitigate or attempt to mitigate his
damages.
(e) (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement, payments to the Employee which constitute
"parachute payments," as defined in Section 280G of the Code,
shall be limited, if necessary, so that the maximum amount of
such payments to the Employee shall be one dollar ($1.00) less
than the amount which would cause the payments to the Employee
(including payments to the Employee which are not included in
this Agreement) to be subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code.
(2) Any determination that payments to the
Employee must be limited and the assumptions to be utilized in
arriving at such determination, shall be made by Arthur
Andersen and Company (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company
and the Employee within 15 business days of the time such
calculation is requested by the Company or the Employee. In
the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or
auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the
Change of Control, the Employee shall appoint another
nationally recognized accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All
fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely
by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that
payments to the Employee shall be limited, it shall furnish
the Employee with written opinion that failure to limit the
payments would result in the imposition of a tax under Section
4999 of the Code. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
shall be binding upon the Company and
6
<PAGE> 7
the Employee. As a result of the uncertainty in the
application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the
initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is
possible that payments to the Employee which will not have
been made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"). The Accounting Firm shall determine the
amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for
the benefit of the Employee. In the event that any payment
made to the Employee shall be determined by the Accounting
Firm to result in the imposition of any tax under Section 4999
of the Code, the Employee shall promptly reimburse the Company
for the amount of such excess together with interest on such
amount (at the same rate as is applied to determine the
present value of payments under Section 280G or any successor
thereto), from the date the reimbursable payment was received
by the Employee to the date the same is repaid to the Company.
The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the amount of
any such reimbursement shall be deemed never paid to the
Employee.
(f) For purposes of this Agreement; a "Change of Control"
shall be deemed to have occurred if (1) any "person" (as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, or
securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined
voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or (2)
during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election
by the Company's shareholders, of each new Board member was approved by
a vote of at least three-fourths of the Board members then still in
office who were Board members at the beginning of such period.
6.2 Disability. If the Company in good faith determines that
the Employee has become ill or injured and such illness or injury will prevent
Employee from performing the services required under this Agreement for a period
of more than 12 consecutive months on substantially a full time basis, the
Company may give Employee written notice that it intends to terminate the
employment of Employee. Such termination of employment shall become effective 30
days after receipt of such notice by Employee, provided that, within 30 days
after such receipt, Employee shall not have returned to full time performance of
his duties. If Employee's employment is so terminated, Employee shall be
entitled to receive his full
7
<PAGE> 8
compensation and benefits until the expiration of 12 months from the date on
which he was first unable to substantially perform his duties hereunder.
6.3 Death. The death of Employee shall result in automatic
termination of this Agreement, and the Company shall not be obligated to pay the
estate or personal representative of Employee any sums of money other than any
and all compensation and benefits due Employee at the date of his death and
bonus for the period of his employment prior to death.
7. Arbitration.
------------
7.1 General. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of
or relating to this Agreement, the breach hereof or the coverage or
enforceability of this arbitration provision shall be settled by arbitration in
Los Angeles County, California, conducted in accordance with the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, as such rules are in
effect in Los Angeles on the date of delivery of demand for arbitration. The
arbitration of any such issue, including the determination of the amount of any
damages suffered by either party hereto by reason of the acts or omissions of
the other, shall be to the exclusion of any court of law. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, either party hereto may seek any provisional remedy in a court,
including but not limited to an action for injunctive relief or attachment,
without waiving the right to arbitration.
7.2 Procedure. There shall be three arbitrators, one to be
chosen by each party at will within 10 days from the date of delivery of demand
for arbitration and the third arbitrator to be selected by the two arbitrators
so chosen. If the two arbitrators are unable to select a third arbitrator within
10 days after the last of the two arbitrators is chosen by the parties, the
third arbitrator will be designated, on application by either party, by the
American Arbitration Association. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators
shall be final and binding on both parties and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors and assigns. The
Company shall have the burden of proving Just Cause for any discharge of
Employee under section 6.1 hereof; for a resignation which occurs prior to a
Change in Control, the Employee shall have the burden of proving Good Reason,
and for a resignation which occur after a Change in Control, the Company shall
have the burden of proving that Good Reason did not exist. Judgment upon any
award of the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction, or
application may be made to any such court for the judicial acceptance of the
award and for an order of enforcement.
7.3 Costs and Expenses. The Company shall pay the fees of all
arbitrators, witnesses and such other expenses as may
8
<PAGE> 9
be generated by the arbitration, except Employee's attorneys fees, unless a
majority of the arbitrators concludes that such arbitration procedure was not
instituted in good faith by Employee. In such event the arbitrators shall be
empowered to allocate fees and assess costs and other expenses of the
arbitration, except attorneys fees, as they may deem appropriate, bearing in
mind the relative financial abilities of the parties and the respective merits
of their positions.
8. Non-Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable nor the
duties hereunder delegable by Employee. None of the payments hereunder may be
encumbered, transferred or in any way anticipated. The Company shall not assign
this Agreement nor shall it transfer all or any substantial part of its assets
without first obtaining in conjunction with such transfer the express assumption
of the obligations hereof by the assignee or transferee.
9. Remedies. Employee acknowledges that the services he is to render
under this Agreement are of a unique and special nature, the loss of which
cannot reasonably or adequately be compensated for in monetary damages, and that
irreparable injury and damage will result to the Company in the event of any
default or breach of this Agreement by Employee. Because of the unique nature of
the Confidential Information, Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the
Company will suffer irreparable harm if Employee fails to comply with his
obligations in section 5 hereof and that monetary damages would be inadequate to
compensate the Company for such breach. Accordingly, Employee agrees that the
Company will, in addition to any other remedies available to it at law, in
equity or, without limitation, otherwise, be entitled to injunctive relief
and/or specific performance to enforce the terms, or prevent or remedy the
violation, of any provisions of this Agreement. This provision shall not
constitute a waiver by the Company of any rights to damages or other remedies
which it may have pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.
10. Survival. The provisions of sections 5, 7 and 9 shall survive the
expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
11. Notices. Any notices or other communications relating to this
Agreement shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed by certified
mail, return receipt requested, to the party concerned at the address set forth
below:
If to Company: Wyle Electronics
15370 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, California 92618
Attn: Senior Vice President
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<PAGE> 10
If to Employee: At his residence address as maintained
by the Company in the regular course of
its business for payroll purposes.
Either party may change the address for the giving of notices at any time by
notice given to the other party under the provisions of this section 11.
12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties and supersedes all prior written and oral and all
contemporaneous oral agreements (including Employee's prior Employment Agreement
with the Company dated January 1, 1995), understandings and negotiations with
respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be changed orally,
but only by an agreement in writing signed by both parties.
13. Construction. This Agreement shall be governed under and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California. The paragraph headings
and captions contained herein are for reference purposes and convenience only
and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
It is intended by the parties that this Agreement be interpreted in accordance
with its fair and simple meaning, not for or against either party, and neither
party shall be deemed to be the drafter of this Agreement.
14. Severability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement is
determined by arbitration or by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the remaining portions or provisions hereof shall not
be affected.
15. Binding Effect. The rights and obligations of the parties under
this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the permitted
successors, assigns, heirs, administrators, executors and personal
representatives of the parties.
10
<PAGE> 11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
on the day and in the year first written above.
WYLE ELECTRONICS
By: /s/ Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
---------------------------
Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
Its: President
EMPLOYEE
/s/ R. Van Ness Holland, Jr.
------------------------------------
R. Van Ness Holland, Jr.
11
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.26
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of February 1, 1997 by and between James N. Smith ("Employee")
and Wyle Electronics, a California corporation (the "Company").
The parties agree as follows:
1. Employment.
-----------
1.1 Title & Duties. The Company hereby employs Employee, and
Employee hereby accepts employment, as Executive Vice President of the Company.
Employee shall be given duties consistent with such offices and positions. There
shall be no change in Employee's titles or duties without the mutual consent of
the Company and Employee.
1.2 Place. Employee shall not be required to perform any
duties as described in section 1.1 at any place other than in the County of
Orange, State of California, except insofar as his duties shall require
reasonable business trips and/or visits to suppliers or customers or Company
facilities.
2. Extent of Services; Noncompetition.
-----------------------------------
2.1 General. It is recognized that the services to be rendered
by Employee are of such a nature as to be peculiarly rendered by Employee,
encompass the individual ability of Employee and cannot be measured exclusively
in terms of hours or services rendered in any particular period. Employee agrees
to devote his full time and best efforts to the performance of his duties and
exclusively to advance the interests of the Company.
2.2 Vacation. Employee shall be entitled to such vacations and
other absences from work as shall be reasonably consistent with the performance
of his duties as provided in this Agreement.
2.3 Noncompetition.
---------------
(a) Employee agrees that during the term of this
Agreement (as defined in Section 3 below) he will neither directly nor
indirectly engage in a business competing with any of the businesses
conducted by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor
without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors of the
Company directly or indirectly have any interest in, own, manage,
operate, control, be connected with as a stockholder, joint venturer,
officer, employee, partner or consultant, or otherwise engage, invest
or participate in any business which is competitive with any of the
businesses conducted by the
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Company or by any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company; provided,
however, that nothing contained in this section 2.3 shall prevent
Employee from investing or trading in stocks, bonds, commodities,
securities, real estate or other forms of investment for his own
account and benefit (directly or indirectly), so long as such
investment activities do not significantly interfere with Employee's
services to be rendered hereunder and are consistent with the conflict
of interest provisions contained in the Company's Business Ethics
Policy as it exists from time-to-time.
(b) Employee agrees that should his or her employment
by the Company terminate for any reason, Employee (and any corporation
or entity of which he or she is then a director, officer, employee, or
greater than 5% shareholder) shall not for a period of one year after
such termination:
(1) solicit for employment and then employ
any employee of the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries or any person who is an independent contractor
involved in sales or manufacture of products sold or
manufactured by the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries; or
(2) make any public statement concerning the
Company, any of its affiliates or subsidiaries, or Employee's
employment by the Company unless such statement is previously
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, except as
may be required by law; or
(3) induce, attempt to induce or knowingly
encourage any Customer of the Company or any of its affiliates
or subsidiaries to divert any business or income from the
Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries or to stop or
alter the manner in which they are then doing business with
the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries.
"Customer" shall mean any individual or business firm that was
or is a customer or client of, or one that was or is a party
in a selling agreement with, or whose business was actively
solicited by, the Company or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries at any time, regardless of whether such customer
was generated, in whole or in part, by Employee's efforts.
3. Term. The term of this Agreement (the "Term") shall commence
on the date hereof and shall end on the later of (a) the third (3rd) anniversary
of the date of this Agreement, or (b) three (3) years following the effective
date on which notice of non-renewal or termination of this Agreement is given to
the other by either the Employee or the Company. Thus, this
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Agreement shall be renewed automatically on a daily basis so that the
outstanding Term is always three (3) years following the effective date of any
notice of non-renewal or notice of termination given by the Company or the
Employee pursuant to Section 6.1.
4. Compensation.
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4.1 Cash Compensation. The Company shall compensate Employee
for services rendered under this Agreement in an amount of not less than
Employee's "Cash Compensation", as defined below, per year, as determined from
time to time by the Board of Directors. Employee shall be considered in the
Company's annual review of executive compensation and he shall be a participant
in the Company's executive bonus plans as may be in effect from time-to-time.
All cash compensation paid to Employee under this Agreement shall be considered
for purposes of meeting the requirement described in this paragraph, whether in
the form of annual compensation or in the form of bonuses.
"Cash Compensation" shall mean base salary $265,000.00 plus
(i) if the applicable target(s) relating to Employee's target bonus is achieved
for any year, an amount equal to one-half (1/2) of Employee's target bonus for
that year, or (ii) if the applicable target(s) relating to Employee's target
bonus is not achieved for that year, an amount equal to the lesser of Employee's
actual bonus for that year or one-half (1/2) of Employee's target bonus for that
year. Base Salary shall be determined in the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
4.2 Employee Benefits. Employee shall be entitled to receive
fringe benefits consistent with Employee's duties and position, which benefits
shall (except as specified below) be no less than those to which he is entitled
as of the date hereof, including but not limited to all plans of life, accident
and health, salary continuation and other insurance which is or becomes
generally available to other employees, officers or executives of the Company
and participation in the Company's Retirement Plan. Employee shall be provided
with the full time use of an automobile consistent with the Company's corporate
policy on automobiles as in effect from time to time. The Company reserves the
right to modify, suspend or discontinue any and all of its fringe benefits
referred to in this Section 4.2 at any time without recourse by Employee so long
as such action is taken generally with respect to other similarly situated peer
executives and does not single out Employee.
4.3 Expenses. Employee shall be reimbursed for all expenses
reasonably incurred in the furtherance of the business of the Company. Employee
shall keep complete and accurate records of all expenditures such that Employee
may fully account to the Board of Directors, if requested, or as may then be
required by the Internal Revenue Service.
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5. Confidential Information.
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5.1 General. Employee acknowledges that during his employment
by, and as a result of his relationship with, the Company he will obtain
knowledge of and gain access to information regarding the Company's business,
operations, products, proposed products, production methods, processes, customer
lists, advertising, marketing and promotional plans and materials, price lists,
pricing policies, financial information and other trade secrets, confidential
information and material proprietary to the Company or designated as being
confidential by the Company which is not generally known to non-Company
personnel, including information and material originated, discovered or
developed in whole or in part by Employee (collectively referred to herein as
"Confidential Information"). Employee agrees that during the term of this
Agreement and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, thereafter, he will, in a
fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company, hold all Confidential
Information strictly in confidence and will not directly or indirectly reveal,
report, disclose, publish or transfer any of such Confidential Information to
any person, firm or other entity, or utilize any of the Confidential Information
for any purpose, except in furtherance of his employment under this Agreement.
5.2 Return of Materials. Employee agrees that upon the
expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, he will immediately
surrender and return to the Company all lists, books, records and other
Confidential Information of the Company, or obtained in connection with the
Company's business, it being expressly acknowledged by Employee that all such
items are the exclusive property of the Company, and all other property
belonging to the Company then in the possession of Employee, and Employee shall
not make or retain any copies thereof.
6. Termination Prior to Expiration of Term. Employee's
employment, and his rights under this Agreement, may be termi-
nated prior to the expiration of the Term of this Agreement (as
provided in section 3 hereof) only as provided in this section 6.
6.1 Discharge or Resignation.
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(a) Employee may be discharged prior to the
expiration of the term of this Agreement (1) for "Just Cause"; or (2)
upon 60 days written notice, even if "Just Cause" does not exist.
(b) For a discharge which occurs prior to a "Change
in Control," as defined herein, "Just Cause" shall mean that the
Company, acting in good faith based upon the information then known to
the Company, determines that Employee has: (1) committed a material
breach of his duties and responsibilities to the Company (other than as
a result
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of incapacity due to the Employee's disability); or (2) been convicted
of a crime involving moral turpitude; or (3) refused to perform his
required duties and responsibilities or performed them incompetently;
or (4) violated any fiduciary duty owed to the Company; or (5) taken
actions which are injurious to the Company and which involve moral
turpitude or actual malice towards the Company. For a discharge which
occurs coincident with or after a "Change in Control," "Just Cause"
means (x) Employee's conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude;
or (y) actions of Employee which are injurious to the Company and
involve moral turpitude or actual malice toward the Company.
(c) Employee may resign prior to the term of this
Agreement (1) for "Good Reason"; or (2) upon 60 days written notice,
even if "Good Reason" does not exist. Regardless of whether a
resignation occurs prior to, coincident with or after a "Change in
Control," "Good Reason" shall mean the material failure by the Company
to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, to the extent not
remedied in a reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice
by the Employee specifying the material failure by the Company. Any
reduction or attempted reduction of compensation or benefits below that
required by Section 4 is deemed material. For a resignation which
occurs coincident with or following a Change in Control, "Good Reason"
shall also mean the failure by the Company or its successors to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to
the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if a
succession had not occurred.
(d) (1) If Employee is discharged for "Just Cause" or
resigns without "Good Reason," the Company shall not be
obligated to pay the Employee any sums of money other than all
compensation and benefits due employee as of the date of
discharge or resignation and the bonus (if any) for the period
of his employment prior to the discharge or resignation.
(2) If employee is discharged without "Just
Cause" or resigns for "Good Reason," Employee shall be
entitled to the following:
(i) all compensation and benefits
due Employee as of the date of discharge or
resignation and the bonus for the period of
employment prior to the discharge or resignation;
plus
(ii) A lump sum payment equal to the
present value of the compensation which would be
received by Employee (using the greater of (A) the
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Employee's highest annual amount of compensation
during any of the preceding three years regardless of
whether this Agreement was in force during such year,
or (B) the Employee's base salary and full target
bonus for the year in which the Employee's
resignation or discharge occurs) for the remaining
Term of this Agreement. The present value shall be
determined by using the applicable federal mid-term
rate, compounded monthly, as determined under Section
1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), or its successor, as of the
date of discharge or resignation. The entire lump-sum
amount shall be paid within 30 days of the effective
date of resignation or discharge. Employee shall have
no duty to mitigate or attempt to mitigate his
damages.
(e) (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement, payments to the Employee which constitute
"parachute payments," as defined in Section 280G of the Code,
shall be limited, if necessary, so that the maximum amount of
such payments to the Employee shall be one dollar ($1.00) less
than the amount which would cause the payments to the Employee
(including payments to the Employee which are not included in
this Agreement) to be subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code.
(2) Any determination that payments to the
Employee must be limited and the assumptions to be utilized in
arriving at such determination, shall be made by Arthur
Andersen and Company (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company
and the Employee within 15 business days of the time such
calculation is requested by the Company or the Employee. In
the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or
auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the
Change of Control, the Employee shall appoint another
nationally recognized accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall
then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All
fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely
by the Company. If the Accounting Firm determines that
payments to the Employee shall be limited, it shall furnish
the Employee with written opinion that failure to limit the
payments would result in the imposition of a tax under Section
4999 of the Code. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
shall be binding upon the Company and the Employee. As a
result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999
of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Accounting Firm
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hereunder, it is possible that payments to the Employee which
will not have been made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"). The Accounting Firm shall determine the
amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for
the benefit of the Employee. In the event that any payment
made to the Employee shall be determined by the Accounting
Firm to result in the imposition of any tax under Section 4999
of the Code, the Employee shall promptly reimburse the Company
for the amount of such excess together with interest on such
amount (at the same rate as is applied to determine the
present value of payments under Section 280G or any successor
thereto), from the date the reimbursable payment was received
by the Employee to the date the same is repaid to the Company.
The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the amount of
any such reimbursement shall be deemed never paid to the
Employee.
(f) For purposes of this Agreement; a "Change of Control"
shall be deemed to have occurred if (1) any "person" (as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or indirectly, or
securities of the Company representing 30% or more of the combined
voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or (2)
during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election
by the Company's shareholders, of each new Board member was approved by
a vote of at least three-fourths of the Board members then still in
office who were Board members at the beginning of such period.
6.2 Disability. If the Company in good faith determines that
the Employee has become ill or injured and such illness or injury will prevent
Employee from performing the services required under this Agreement for a period
of more than 12 consecutive months on substantially a full time basis, the
Company may give Employee written notice that it intends to terminate the
employment of Employee. Such termination of employment shall become effective 30
days after receipt of such notice by Employee, provided that, within 30 days
after such receipt, Employee shall not have returned to full time performance of
his duties. If Employee's employment is so terminated, Employee shall be
entitled to receive his full compensation and benefits until the expiration of
12 months from the date on which he was first unable to substantially perform
his duties hereunder.
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6.3 Death. The death of Employee shall result in automatic
termination of this Agreement, and the Company shall not be obligated to pay the
estate or personal representative of Employee any sums of money other than any
and all compensation and benefits due Employee at the date of his death and
bonus for the period of his employment prior to death.
7. Arbitration.
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7.1 General. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of
or relating to this Agreement, the breach hereof or the coverage or
enforceability of this arbitration provision shall be settled by arbitration in
Los Angeles County, California, conducted in accordance with the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, as such rules are in
effect in Los Angeles on the date of delivery of demand for arbitration. The
arbitration of any such issue, including the determination of the amount of any
damages suffered by either party hereto by reason of the acts or omissions of
the other, shall be to the exclusion of any court of law. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, either party hereto may seek any provisional remedy in a court,
including but not limited to an action for injunctive relief or attachment,
without waiving the right to arbitration.
7.2 Procedure. There shall be three arbitrators, one to be
chosen by each party at will within 10 days from the date of delivery of demand
for arbitration and the third arbitrator to be selected by the two arbitrators
so chosen. If the two arbitrators are unable to select a third arbitrator within
10 days after the last of the two arbitrators is chosen by the parties, the
third arbitrator will be designated, on application by either party, by the
American Arbitration Association. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators
shall be final and binding on both parties and their respective heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, successors and assigns. The
Company shall have the burden of proving Just Cause for any discharge of
Employee under section 6.1 hereof; for a resignation which occurs prior to a
Change in Control, the Employee shall have the burden of proving Good Reason,
and for a resignation which occur after a Change in Control, the Company shall
have the burden of proving that Good Reason did not exist. Judgment upon any
award of the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction, or
application may be made to any such court for the judicial acceptance of the
award and for an order of enforcement.
7.3 Costs and Expenses. The Company shall pay the fees of all
arbitrators, witnesses and such other expenses as may be generated by the
arbitration, except Employee's attorneys fees, unless a majority of the
arbitrators concludes that such arbitration procedure was not instituted in good
faith by Employee. In such event the arbitrators shall be empowered to
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allocate fees and assess costs and other expenses of the arbitration, except
attorneys fees, as they may deem appropriate, bearing in mind the relative
financial abilities of the parties and the respective merits of their positions.
8. Non-Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable nor the
duties hereunder delegable by Employee. None of the payments hereunder may be
encumbered, transferred or in any way anticipated. The Company shall not assign
this Agreement nor shall it transfer all or any substantial part of its assets
without first obtaining in conjunction with such transfer the express assumption
of the obligations hereof by the assignee or transferee.
9. Remedies. Employee acknowledges that the services he is to render
under this Agreement are of a unique and special nature, the loss of which
cannot reasonably or adequately be compensated for in monetary damages, and that
irreparable injury and damage will result to the Company in the event of any
default or breach of this Agreement by Employee. Because of the unique nature of
the Confidential Information, Employee further acknowledges and agrees that the
Company will suffer irreparable harm if Employee fails to comply with his
obligations in section 5 hereof and that monetary damages would be inadequate to
compensate the Company for such breach. Accordingly, Employee agrees that the
Company will, in addition to any other remedies available to it at law, in
equity or, without limitation, otherwise, be entitled to injunctive relief
and/or specific performance to enforce the terms, or prevent or remedy the
violation, of any provisions of this Agreement. This provision shall not
constitute a waiver by the Company of any rights to damages or other remedies
which it may have pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.
10. Survival. The provisions of sections 5, 7 and 9 shall survive the
expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
11. Notices. Any notices or other communications relating to this
Agreement shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed by certified
mail, return receipt requested, to the party concerned at the address set forth
below:
If to Company: Wyle Electronics
15370 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, California 92618
Attn: Senior Vice President
If to Employee: At his residence address as maintained
by the Company in the regular course of
its business for payroll purposes.
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Either party may change the address for the giving of notices at any time by
notice given to the other party under the provisions of this section 11.
12. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
between the parties and supersedes all prior written and oral and all
contemporaneous oral agreements (including Employee's prior Employment Agreement
with the Company dated January 1, 1995), understandings and negotiations with
respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be changed orally,
but only by an agreement in writing signed by both parties.
13. Construction. This Agreement shall be governed under and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California. The paragraph headings
and captions contained herein are for reference purposes and convenience only
and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
It is intended by the parties that this Agreement be interpreted in accordance
with its fair and simple meaning, not for or against either party, and neither
party shall be deemed to be the drafter of this Agreement.
14. Severability. If any portion or provision of this Agreement is
determined by arbitration or by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the remaining portions or provisions hereof shall not
be affected.
15. Binding Effect. The rights and obligations of the parties under
this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the permitted
successors, assigns, heirs, administrators, executors and personal
representatives of the parties.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement
on the day and in the year first written above.
WYLE ELECTRONICS
By: /s/ Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
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Ralph L. Ozorkiewicz
Its: President
EMPLOYEE
/s/ James N. Smith
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James N. Smith
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