<PAGE>
PRELIMINARY COPY
________________________________________________________________________________
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FILED BY THE REGISTRANT [x]
FILED BY A PARTY OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT [ ]
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX:
[x] Preliminary Proxy Statement.
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2)).
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement.
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials.
[ ] Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12.
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT, IF OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT)
-----------------------
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the Appropriate Box):
[x] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: N/A
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which
the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): N/A
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: N/A
(5) Total fee paid: N/A
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid: N/A
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: N/A
(3) Filing Party: N/A
(4) Date Filed: N/A
________________________________________________________________________________
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
1200 WALL STREET WEST
LYNDHURST, NEW JERSEY 07071
PRELIMINARY PROXY
, 2001
Dear Stockholder:
In November 2000, Curtiss-Wright Corporation and Unitrin, Inc., the holder
of approximately 44% of our outstanding capital stock, announced a series of
transactions that will permit Unitrin to distribute to its stockholders in a
tax-free distribution the approximately 4.4 million shares of Curtiss-Wright
common stock currently held by Unitrin. In order for the distribution to be
tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, among other things, Unitrin must
own, at the time of the distribution, capital stock of Curtiss-Wright having the
right to elect at least 80% of our board, and Unitrin must distribute all of
that stock to its stockholders in a single transaction. Accordingly, we are
proposing the changes to our capital structure described in the proxy statement
accompanying this letter. In addition, if the distribution happens, we will pay
a cash dividend of $.25 per share to all holders of record of our common stock,
other than Unitrin, which has waived its right to receive the cash dividend.
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of stockholders of
Curtiss-Wright to be held on March 28, 2001, at 10:00 a.m., at the Renaissance
Meadowlands Hotel, 801 Rutherford Avenue, Rutherford, New Jersey. At the special
meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon six proposals. The first of
these proposals is the recapitalization that will permit the tax-free
distribution by Unitrin. The recapitalization involves the creation of a new
class of common stock of Curtiss-Wright having the right to elect at least 80%
of our board. In the recapitalization Unitrin will receive shares of this class
of stock in exchange for its existing shares. In all other respects the rights
of the holders of the two classes of common stock will be substantially
identical, including with respect to voting rights on fundamental transactions
affecting Curtiss-Wright.
As a technical matter, you will be voting to adopt an amended and restated
agreement and plan of merger, dated as of January 11, 2001, among
Curtiss-Wright, Unitrin and CW Disposition Company, as a means to effect the
recapitalization. Adoption of the merger agreement will constitute approval of
amendments to our certificate of incorporation that are necessary to effect the
recapitalization.
The recapitalization, the distribution and the related transactions, which
are described in the accompanying proxy statement, are designed to provide the
following benefits:
The transactions will eliminate the substantial influence that Unitrin has
the ability to exert in matters voted on by Curtiss-Wright stockholders.
The cash dividend of $.25 per share will provide immediate value to
Curtiss-Wright stockholders other than Unitrin.
The transactions will significantly increase the liquidity and public float
of Curtiss-Wright's capital stock by increasing the number of shares held
by public stockholders, other than Unitrin, from about 5.6 million shares
to about 10 million shares. In addition, the transactions will result in a
broader stockholder base when Unitrin distributes the Class B common stock
to its approximately 8,000 stockholders, which will essentially triple our
existing 3,700 stockholder base.
A broader stockholder base, coupled with increased liquidity for our
shares, is expected to attract additional analyst coverage of
Curtiss-Wright, which is expected to enhance the market's awareness of
Curtiss-Wright capital stock and stimulate demand from new investors.
We expect that an increase in our stockholder base and broader exposure in
the investment community will facilitate the use of Curtiss-Wright's
capital stock as an acquisition currency and as a source of capital.
<PAGE>
The transactions are expected to enhance our ability to provide equity
incentives to existing management and top corporate employees, as well as
to potential new management and employees.
You will also be asked to consider and vote upon five proposals that, if
approved, will amend our certificate of incorporation to provide for a staggered
board and other changes which we believe will help foster our long-term growth
as an independent company following the recapitalization and distribution and
will help protect our stockholders from potentially coercive or abusive takeover
tactics and efforts to acquire control of Curtiss-Wright at a price or on terms
that are not in the best interests of all Curtiss-Wright stockholders. These
corporate governance amendments are described in detail in the accompanying
proxy statement.
THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED
TRANSACTIONS. OUR BOARD ENCOURAGES YOU TO READ THE ENTIRE PROXY STATEMENT AND
THE APPENDICES CAREFULLY.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL AND
THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS ARE ADVISABLE AND IN YOUR BEST INTERESTS AND
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE 'FOR' THESE PROPOSALS.
Thank you for your continued support.
Very truly yours,
MARTIN R. BENANTE
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
IMPORTANT: WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE
FILL IN, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN YOUR PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID
ENVELOPE. YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS VOTED. EXECUTED BUT
UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
AMENDMENTS. DO NOT SEND ANY CURTISS-WRIGHT STOCK CERTIFICATES IN YOUR PROXY
ENVELOPE.
<PAGE>
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
1200 WALL STREET WEST
LYNDHURST, NEW JERSEY 07071
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
, 2001
To the Stockholders of
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION:
We are giving you notice that a special meeting of stockholders of
Curtiss-Wright Corporation, a Delaware corporation, will be held at the
Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel, 801 Rutherford Avenue, Rutherford, New Jersey on
March 28, 2001, at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
(1) Recapitalization Proposal. To approve the adoption of an amended and
restated agreement and plan of merger, dated as of January 11, 2001, among
Curtiss-Wright, Unitrin and CW Disposition Company, a newly formed, wholly
owned subsidiary of Unitrin. The merger agreement provides for a
recapitalization of Curtiss-Wright involving the creation of a new class of
common stock of Curtiss-Wright having the right to elect at least 80% of the
Curtiss-Wright board of directors. The recapitalization is being proposed to
facilitate the tax-free distribution by Unitrin to its stockholders of its
approximately 44% interest in Curtiss-Wright. In the recapitalization,
Unitrin will effectively exchange the 4,382,400 shares of Curtiss-Wright
common stock held by it for an equal number of shares of Class B common
stock of Curtiss-Wright. The exchange will be effected through the merger of
CW Disposition Company with and into Curtiss-Wright.
(2) Corporate Governance Amendments. You are also being asked to approve
a number of proposals that would, if approved, amend our certificate of
incorporation at the effective time of the merger of CW Disposition Company
with and into Curtiss-Wright as follows:
(a) Classified Board Proposal. To approve an amendment to our
certificate of incorporation to divide the board of directors into three
classes, with one class of directors to be elected each year and each
class to serve for a three-year term.
(b) Board Size Proposal. To approve an amendment to our certificate
of incorporation to place a limit on the size of the board and require,
subject to some exceptions, that board vacancies and newly created
directorships be filled only by the remaining board members.
(c) Written Consent Proposal. To approve an amendment to our
certificate of incorporation to eliminate the ability of our stockholders
to act by written consent.
(d) Special Meeting Proposal. To approve an amendment to our
certificate of incorporation to eliminate the ability of our stockholders
to call special meetings.
(e) Supermajority Voting Proposal. To approve an amendment to our
certificate of incorporation to require approval of 66 2/3% of the
outstanding shares of our stock entitled to vote, voting together as a
single class, to alter, amend, rescind or repeal our by-laws by action of
our stockholders or to adopt or modify the provisions of our certificate
of incorporation relating to:
the classified board, the size of the board and the filling of board
vacancies and newly created directorships;
the inability of our stockholders to act by written consent;
the inability of our stockholders to call special meetings of the
stockholders; and
the ability of our stockholders to modify any of the provisions of
the certificate of incorporation described above, including the
66 2/3% voting requirement.
Approval of each of the corporate governance amendments is a condition to
our obligation to complete the recapitalization. None of the corporate
governance amendments will become effective unless the recapitalization is
completed. These items of business are more fully described in the proxy
statement accompanying this notice.
<PAGE>
Unitrin has agreed to vote its shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock in
favor of the recapitalization proposal and each of the corporate governance
amendments.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL AND
THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS ARE ADVISABLE AND IN YOUR BEST INTERESTS AND
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE 'FOR' THESE PROPOSALS.
Stockholders of Record
Only holders of record of common stock at the close of business on
February 16, 2001 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting.
A list of those holders will be available for examination by any stockholder at
the special meeting and at the offices of Curtiss-Wright, 1200 Wall Street West,
Suite 501, Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071, during ordinary business hours during
the ten-day period prior to the special meeting date.
All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person.
Stockholders who plan to attend the meeting in person are nevertheless requested
to sign and return their proxies to ensure that their stock will be represented
at the meeting should they be prevented unexpectedly from attending.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SPECIAL MEETING THAT AFFECTS YOUR INVESTMENT IN
CURTISS-WRIGHT.
By order of the board of directors,
BRIAN D. O'NEILL
Secretary
IMPORTANT: WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE
FILL IN, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN YOUR PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID
ENVELOPE. YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS VOTED. EXECUTED BUT
UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
AMENDMENTS. DO NOT SEND ANY CURTISS-WRIGHT STOCK CERTIFICATES IN YOUR PROXY
ENVELOPE.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
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<S> <C>
Questions and Answers about the Recapitalization and the Corporate
Governance Amendments.............................................. 1
Summary............................................................. 3
The Special Meeting................................................. 7
Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting of Stockholders..... 7
Recommendation of the Board of Directors of Curtiss-Wright
in Favor of the Proposals...................................... 7
Record Date and Shares Entitled to Vote......................... 7
Voting of Proxies............................................... 7
Vote Required................................................... 7
Quorum, Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes........................ 8
Solicitation of Proxies and Expenses............................ 8
Who Can Help Answer Your Questions.............................. 9
Certain Considerations.............................................. 10
The Tax-Free Distribution by Unitrin Results in Potentially
Significant Limitations on Our Business Operations and Could
Potentially Result in Significant Liabilities to
Curtiss-Wright................................................. 10
Stock Sales Following the Distribution May Affect Our
Stock Price.................................................... 10
Potential Anti-Takeover Effects of the Corporate Governance
Amendments..................................................... 10
Ownership of Curtiss-Wright Common Stock by the Singleton
Group LLC...................................................... 11
Forward-Looking Statements May Prove Inaccurate..................... 11
Proposal One: The Recapitalization and Related Transactions......... 12
Background of the Recapitalization and the Transactions......... 12
Curtiss-Wright's Reasons for the Recapitalization and Related
Transactions................................................... 14
Description of the Recapitalization Amendments.................. 17
Description of By-laws Amendments............................... 18
Certain Other Changes to Our Certificate of Incorporation
and By-laws.................................................... 20
Recommendation of the Curtiss-Wright Board...................... 20
Required Vote................................................... 20
Effects of the Recapitalization on Outstanding Shares........... 20
Tax Matters -- Recapitalization and Distribution................ 21
Tax Matters -- Cash Dividend.................................... 23
Interests of Our Officers and Directors in the
Recapitalization............................................... 23
New York Stock Exchange Approvals............................... 23
Federal Securities Law Consequences............................. 23
No Appraisal Rights............................................. 23
Description of the Merger Agreement and Distribution Agreement...... 24
The Merger Agreement............................................ 24
Recapitalization and Merger................................. 24
Merger and Exchange of Shares............................... 24
Conditions to the Merger.................................... 24
Termination................................................. 26
Other Agreements............................................ 26
The Distribution Agreement...................................... 27
The Distribution............................................ 27
Conditions to the Declaration and Distribution.............. 27
Cash Dividend............................................... 28
Other Agreements............................................ 28
Termination................................................. 31
Proposals Two, Three, Four, Five and Six: Corporate Governance
Amendments......................................................... 32
General......................................................... 32
Purpose and Effects of the Corporate Governance Amendments...... 32
The Corporate Governance Amendments............................. 34
Proposal Two: Classified Board Proposal..................... 34
Proposal Three: Board Size Proposal......................... 35
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
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<S> <C>
Proposal Four: Written Consent Proposal...................... 36
Proposal Five: Special Meeting Proposal...................... 37
Proposal Six: Supermajority Voting Proposal.................. 37
Required Vote.................................................... 37
Recommendation of the Curtiss-Wright Board....................... 38
Description of By-laws Amendments................................ 38
Stockholders' Rights Plan........................................ 38
Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
of Curtiss-Wright.................................................. 40
Board of Directors and Management of Curtiss-Wright.................. 42
Board of Directors............................................... 42
Executive Officers............................................... 42
Deadline for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals........................ 43
Where You Can Find More Information.................................. 43
</TABLE>
Appendix A -- Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger
Appendix B -- Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement
Appendix C-1 -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Curtiss-Wright Common
Stock
Appendix C-2 -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Curtiss-Wright Common
Stock
Appendix D-1 -- By-laws of Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Appendix D-2 -- By-laws of Curtiss-Wright Corporation
<PAGE>
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE RECAPITALIZATION AND THE
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS
Q: WHAT AM I BEING ASKED TO VOTE UPON IN THE RECAPITALIZATION?
A: You are being asked to adopt a merger agreement providing for the
recapitalization of Curtiss-Wright. This will involve the creation of a new
class of common stock of Curtiss-Wright. The new class of common stock will
be called Class B common stock and will have the right to elect 80% of our
directors or the next highest whole number. The holders of shares of common
stock will have the right to elect the remaining members of the
Curtiss-Wright board of directors. Shares of Class B common stock will be
issued to Unitrin in the recapitalization in exchange for the approximately
4.4 million shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock currently held by Unitrin.
Unitrin will then distribute the Class B common stock to its stockholders in
the distribution.
Q: WHAT WILL I RECEIVE IN THE RECAPITALIZATION?
A: After the recapitalization is completed, each stockholder of Curtiss-Wright
other than Unitrin will retain its shares of Curtiss-Wright and receive a
cash dividend of $.25 per share.
Q: OTHER THAN THE VOTING RIGHTS FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, IS THERE ANY
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SHARE OF COMMON STOCK AND A SHARE OF CLASS B COMMON
STOCK?
A: No. In all other respects the rights of the holders of the common stock and
the Class B common stock will be identical, including with respect to voting
rights on fundamental transactions affecting Curtiss-Wright.
Q: WHAT STOCKHOLDER APPROVALS ARE NEEDED FOR THE RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL?
A: The recapitalization requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock. In
addition, although not required by law, our board has determined, and Unitrin
has agreed, that the recapitalization will happen only if approved by a
majority of the shares of our common stock, other than shares held by
Unitrin, voting on the recapitalization in person or by proxy at the special
meeting. Unitrin has agreed to vote its shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock
in favor of the recapitalization proposal.
Q: WHY IS CURTISS-WRIGHT PROPOSING THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS?
A: We believe that after the recapitalization and distribution, we will be
vulnerable to unsolicited attempts to acquire control of our company. We
believe that the corporate governance amendments will help foster our
long-term growth as an independent company following the recapitalization and
the distribution and will help protect our stockholders from potentially
abusive takeover tactics to acquire control of Curtiss-Wright at a price or
on terms that are not in the best interests of all Curtiss-Wright
stockholders.
Q: WHAT STOCKHOLDER APPROVALS ARE NEEDED FOR THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
AMENDMENTS?
A: Each of the corporate governance amendments requires the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock. Unitrin
has agreed to vote its shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock in favor of each
of the corporate governance amendments.
Q: WILL THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS BE IMPLEMENTED EVEN IF THE
RECAPITALIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION DO NOT HAPPEN?
A: No.
Q: WHAT IF I DO NOT VOTE?
A: If you fail to respond, it will have the same effect as a vote against the
recapitalization and the corporate governance amendments. If you respond and
do not indicate how you want to vote, your proxy will be counted as a vote in
favor of the recapitalization and the corporate governance amendments. If you
respond and abstain from voting, your proxy will have the same effect as a
vote against the recapitalization and the corporate governance amendments.
Q: CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE AFTER I HAVE DELIVERED MY PROXY?
A: Yes. You can change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the
special meeting. You can do this in one of three ways. First, you can revoke
your proxy. Second, you can submit a new
1
<PAGE>
proxy. If you choose either of these two methods, you must submit your
notice of revocation or your new proxy to the secretary of Curtiss-Wright
before the special meeting. If your shares are held in an account at a
brokerage firm or bank, you should contact your brokerage firm or bank to
change your vote. Third, if you are a holder of record, you can attend the
special meeting and vote in person.
Q: SHOULD I SEND IN MY STOCK CERTIFICATES NOW?
A: No. Other than Unitrin, stockholders of Curtiss-Wright will not be exchanging
share certificates. Please do not send in your stock certificates with your
proxy.
Q: WILL THE SHARES OF CURTISS-WRIGHT COMMON STOCK CONTINUE TO BE LISTED ON THE
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE?
A: Following the recapitalization and distribution, shares of Curtiss-Wright
common stock will continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol 'CW.' The Class B common stock is expected to be listed on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'CW-B.'
Q: WHEN DO YOU EXPECT THE RECAPITALIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION TO BE COMPLETED?
A: The recapitalization and the distribution cannot be completed until the
Internal Revenue Service has issued a letter ruling to Unitrin. We are not
able to predict with certainty when the letter ruling will be issued.
Q: WHEN WILL I RECEIVE THE CASH DIVIDEND?
A: On the date that Unitrin declares the distribution, we will declare the cash
dividend of $.25 per share. You will receive the cash dividend as soon as
possible following the completion of the recapitalization and distribution.
Q: WHO CAN HELP ANSWER MY QUESTIONS?
A: If you have any questions about the recapitalization or how to submit your
proxy, or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or the
enclosed proxy card or voting instructions, you should contact:
Innisfree M&A, Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Fl.
New York, New York 10022
Call Toll Free: 888-750-5834
Call Collect: 212-750-5833
2
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information in the proxy statement and may
not contain all the information that is important to you. You should carefully
read this entire proxy statement and the other documents we refer to for a more
complete understanding of the transactions. In particular, you should read the
documents attached to this proxy statement, including the merger agreement, the
distribution agreement and the two versions of our certificate of incorporation
and by-laws, which are attached as Appendices A, B, C-1, C-2, D-1 and D-2.
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
We are a diversified provider of highly engineered products and services to
the motion control, flow control and metal treatment industries. The motion
control segment designs, develops and manufactures flight control actuation
systems and components, principally for the aerospace industry. The flow control
segment designs, manufactures, refurbishes and tests highly engineered valves
used to control the flow of liquids and gases and to provide safety relief in
high-pressure applications. The metal treatment segment provides metal-treating
services, with its principal services being 'shot peening' and 'heat treating.'
Approximately half of our sales are related to the aerospace industry while the
balance of our activity is spread over a number of markets. Our principal
executive offices are located at 1200 Wall Street West, Suite 501, Lyndhurst,
New Jersey 07071, (201) 896-8400.
UNITRIN, INC.
Unitrin, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in three businesses: property
and casualty insurance, life and health insurance and consumer finance.
Unitrin's property and casualty insurance subsidiaries comprise a network of
regional insurers operating mainly in the southern, midwestern, western and
northwestern regions of the United States. Unitrin's life and health insurance
subsidiaries mainly focus on providing individual life and health insurance
products to customers who desire fundamental protection for themselves and their
families. Unitrin's subsidiary, Fireside Thrift Co., is engaged in the consumer
finance business, with its principal business being the financing of used
automobiles and other personal loans. Unitrin's principal executive offices are
located at One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601, (312) 661-4600.
Background and Proposed Transactions
Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin, the holder of approximately 44% of
Curtiss-Wright's outstanding capital stock, have previously announced a series
of transactions that will permit Unitrin to distribute to its stockholders in a
tax-free distribution the approximately 4.4 million shares of Curtiss-Wright
common stock currently held by Unitrin. In order to permit this distribution to
be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Curtiss-Wright proposes to
make the changes to its capital structure described in this proxy statement. In
addition, if the distribution happens, Curtiss-Wright will pay a cash dividend
of $.25 per share to all holders of record of Curtiss-Wright common stock, other
than Unitrin, which has waived its right to the cash dividend.
At the special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the
following matters:
Recapitalization Proposal. You are being asked to approve the adoption of an
amended and restated agreement and plan of merger, dated as of January 11, 2001,
among Curtiss-Wright, Unitrin and CW Disposition Company, a newly formed and
wholly owned subsidiary of Unitrin. The merger agreement provides for a
recapitalization of Curtiss-Wright involving the creation of a new class of
common stock of Curtiss-Wright called Class B common stock. The recapitalization
is being proposed because current U.S. federal income tax law requires that, in
order for the distribution to be tax-free to Unitrin and its stockholders, among
other things, Unitrin must own, at the time of the distribution, capital stock
of Curtiss-Wright having the right to elect at least 80% of our board of
directors, and must distribute all of that stock to its stockholders in a single
transaction. First, Unitrin will contribute to CW Disposition Company all of its
Curtiss-Wright common stock. Second, CW Disposition Company will
3
<PAGE>
merge with and into Curtiss-Wright and the shares of common stock of CW
Disposition Company held by Unitrin will be converted into 4,382,400 shares of
Class B common stock of Curtiss-Wright. Each Curtiss-Wright stockholder other
than Unitrin will retain its shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock. All shares
of Curtiss-Wright common stock held by CW Disposition Company will be canceled
in accordance with the merger agreement. We refer to these transactions in this
proxy statement as the recapitalization.
The holders of shares of Class B common stock will be entitled to elect at
least 80% of our board of directors. The holders of shares of common stock will
have the right to elect the remaining members of our board of directors. In all
other respects the rights of the holders of the common stock and the Class B
common stock will be identical, including with respect to voting rights on
fundamental transactions affecting Curtiss-Wright. The minimum number of
directors on our board will be set at five so that the holders of common stock
will always be entitled to elect at least one director. All of the Class B
common stock issued to Unitrin in the recapitalization will be distributed by
Unitrin to its stockholders immediately following the recapitalization. See
'Proposal One: The Recapitalization and Related Transactions -- Description of
the Recapitalization Amendments' on page 17 and 'Description of the Merger
Agreement and Distribution Agreement -- The Merger Agreement -- Recapitalization
and Merger' on page 24.
If the recapitalization proposal is approved and the other conditions
described in the merger agreement and the amended and restated distribution
agreement, dated as of January 11, 2001, between Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin are
met, then the following additional transactions will be effected after the
recapitalization:
Cash Dividend. On the date that Unitrin declares the distribution, which
we will refer to as the declaration date, Curtiss-Wright will declare a cash
dividend in the amount of $.25 per share. The dividend will be paid to all
holders of record of Curtiss-Wright common stock other than Unitrin, which
has waived its right to receive the cash dividend. See 'Proposal One: The
Recapitalization and Related Transactions -- Tax Matters -- Cash Dividend'
on page 23 and 'Description of the Merger Agreement and Distribution
Agreement -- The Distribution Agreement' on page 27.
Distribution. Immediately following the completion of the
recapitalization, Unitrin will distribute to its stockholders, in proportion
to the number of Unitrin shares they hold, all of the shares of Class B
common stock that Unitrin receives in the recapitalization. See 'Proposal
One: The Recapitalization and Related Transactions' on page 12 and
'Description of the Merger Agreement and Distribution Agreement -- The
Distribution Agreement' on page 27.
Corporate Governance Amendments. You are also being asked to approve a
number of proposals that would, if approved, amend our certificate of
incorporation as follows:
Classified Board Proposal. If this proposal is approved, our
certificate of incorporation will be amended to divide the board of
directors into three classes, with one class of directors to be elected
each year and each class to serve for a three-year term.
Board Size Proposal. If this proposal is approved, our certificate of
incorporation will be amended to place a limit on the size of the board
and require, subject to some exceptions, that board vacancies and newly
created directorships be filled only by the remaining board members.
Written Consent Proposal. If this proposal is approved, our certificate
of incorporation will be amended to eliminate the ability of our
stockholders to act by written consent.
Special Meeting Proposal. If this proposal is approved, our certificate
of incorporation will be amended to eliminate the ability of our
stockholders to call special meetings.
Supermajority Voting Proposals. If this proposal is approved, our
certificate of incorporation will be amended to require approval of
66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of our stock entitled to vote, voting
together as a single class, to alter, amend, rescind or repeal our
by-laws by
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action of our stockholders or to adopt or modify the provisions of our
certificate of incorporation relating to:
the classified board, the size of the board and the filling of
board vacancies and newly created directorships,
the inability of our stockholders to act by written consent,
the inability of our stockholders to call special meetings of
the stockholders, and
the ability of our stockholders to modify any of the provisions
of the certificate of incorporation described above, including
the 66 2/3% voting requirement.
See 'Proposals Two, Three, Four, Five and Six: Corporate Governance
Amendments -- The Corporate Governance Amendments' on page 34.
Expected Benefits of the Transactions to Curtiss-Wright and its Stockholders
The recapitalization, the distribution and the related transactions
described in this proxy statement are designed to produce the following
benefits:
The transactions will eliminate the substantial influence that Unitrin has
the ability to exert in matters voted on by Curtiss-Wright stockholders.
The cash dividend of $.25 per share will provide immediate value to
Curtiss-Wright stockholders other than Unitrin.
The transactions will significantly increase the liquidity and public float
of Curtiss-Wright's capital stock by increasing the number of shares held
by public stockholders, other than Unitrin, from about 5.6 million shares
to about 10 million shares. In addition, the transactions will result in a
broader stockholder base when Unitrin distributes the Class B common stock
to its approximately 8,000 stockholders which will essentially triple our
existing 3,700 stockholder base.
A broader stockholder base, coupled with increased liquidity for our
shares, is expected to attract additional analyst coverage of
Curtiss-Wright, which is expected to enhance the market's awareness of
Curtiss-Wright capital stock and stimulate demand from new investors.
We expect that an increase in our stockholder base and broader exposure in
the investment community will facilitate the use of Curtiss-Wright's
capital stock as an acquisition currency and as a source of capital.
The transactions are expected to enhance our ability to provide equity
incentives to existing management and top corporate employees, as well as
to potential new management and employees.
The corporate governance amendments will help foster our long-term growth
as an independent company following the recapitalization and the
distribution and will help protect our stockholders from potentially
coercive or abusive takeover tactics and efforts to acquire control of
Curtiss-Wright at a price or on terms that are not in the best interests of
all Curtiss-Wright stockholders.
Conditions to the Transactions and Other Proposals
The recapitalization, the cash dividend of $.25 per share and the
distribution will only happen if all of the necessary conditions are satisfied
or waived. These conditions include, among other things, the receipt of a ruling
from the Internal Revenue Service and the approval of the recapitalization
proposal by the vote set forth below under ' -- Required Vote' on page 6. In
addition, the recapitalization will not happen unless each of the corporate
governance amendments described above is approved by our stockholders. However,
we have the ability to waive this condition to the recapitalization. None of the
corporate governance amendments will be implemented unless the recapitalization
is completed. For a description of the other conditions to the recapitalization
and the distribution, see 'Description of the
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Merger Agreement and Distribution Agreement -- The Merger
Agreement -- Conditions to the Merger' on page 24 and ' -- The Distribution
Agreement -- Conditions to the Declaration and Distribution' on page 27.
Board of Directors Recommendation
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS DETERMINED THAT THE RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL AND
THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS ARE ADVISABLE AND IN YOUR BEST INTERESTS AND
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE 'FOR' EACH OF THESE PROPOSALS. See 'Proposal One: The
Recapitalization and Related Transactions -- Recommendation of the
Curtiss-Wright Board' on page 20 and 'Proposals Two, Three, Four, Five and Six:
Corporate Governance Amendments -- Recommendation of the Curtiss-Wright Board'
on page 38.
Required Vote
Each outstanding share of Curtiss-Wright common stock is entitled to one
vote on each proposal. Under Delaware law, adoption of the merger agreement and
approval of each of the corporate governance amendments requires the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Curtiss-Wright common stock
entitled to vote on such proposal. In addition, although not required by law,
our board of directors has determined and Unitrin has agreed that the
recapitalization will happen only if the holders of a majority of the shares of
Curtiss-Wright common stock voting on the recapitalization proposal at the
special meeting, other than shares held by Unitrin, vote to adopt the merger
agreement. Throughout this proxy statement, when we refer to the approval of the
recapitalization proposal by our stockholders we are referring to both the
adoption of the merger agreement under Delaware law and the vote described in
the previous sentence. See 'Proposal One: The Recapitalization and Related
Transactions -- Required Vote' on page 20 and 'Proposals Two, Three, Four, Five
and Six: Corporate Governance Amendments -- Required Vote' on page 37.
Unitrin has agreed to vote its shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock in
favor of the recapitalization proposal and each of the corporate governance
amendments.
Appendices to be Read Carefully
The merger agreement is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement. The
distribution agreement is attached as Appendix B. We have attached two versions
of the certificate of incorporation. Appendix C-1 includes the recapitalization
amendments and the corporate governance amendments, which will become effective
if the recapitalization proposal and all of the corporate governance amendments
are approved. Appendix C-2 includes the recapitalization amendments and shows
how our certificate of incorporation will read if only some of the corporate
governance amendments are approved but Curtiss-Wright waives the approval of all
of the corporate governance amendments as a condition to the recapitalization.
We have also attached two versions of the by-laws. Appendix D-1 includes
amendments adopted in connection with our board's approval of the
recapitalization proposal as well as changes to our by-laws relating solely to
the corporate governance amendments, which will become effective if the
recapitalization proposal and all of the corporate governance amendments are
approved. Appendix D-2 includes amendments adopted in connection with our
board's approval of the recapitalization proposal and shows how our by-laws will
read if only some of the corporate governance amendments are approved but
Curtiss-Wright waives the approval of all of the corporate governance amendments
as a condition to the recapitalization.
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THIS PROXY STATEMENT, THE MERGER AGREEMENT, THE
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT AND BOTH VERSIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND
BY-LAWS CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY.
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THE SPECIAL MEETING
This proxy statement is being furnished by Curtiss-Wright, on or about
February 22, 2001, in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board
of directors for use at a special meeting of stockholders related to the
recapitalization and related transactions and the corporate governance
amendments. When we talk about the special meeting in this proxy statement, we
are also referring to any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting.
DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The special meeting of stockholders will be held on March 28, 2001 at
10:00 a.m., local time, at the Renaissance Meadowlands Hotel, 801 Rutherford
Avenue, Rutherford, New Jersey 07070.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CURTISS-WRIGHT IN FAVOR OF THE
PROPOSALS
Recapitalization Proposal. Our board of directors has determined that the
merger agreement and the recapitalization are advisable and in the best
interests of Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE 'FOR' THE APPROVAL OF THE RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL.
Corporate Governance Amendments. Our board of directors has determined that
each of the classified board proposal, the board size proposal, the written
consent proposal, the special meeting proposal and the supermajority voting
proposal is advisable and in the best interests of Curtiss-Wright and its
stockholders. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE 'FOR' APPROVAL OF
EACH OF THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS.
RECORD DATE AND SHARES ENTITLED TO VOTE
Only holders of record of Curtiss-Wright's common stock at the close of
business on the record date, which is February 16, 2001, will be entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting or any adjournments or
postponements of the special meeting. A list of the stockholders of record will
be available for inspection at the special meeting and at our headquarters
located at 1200 Wall Street West, Suite 501, Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071, during
ordinary business hours for the ten-day period prior to the special meeting. As
of the close of business on the record date, there were 10,046,869 shares of
common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting, held of
record by approximately stockholders. A majority of these shares,
present in person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business.
VOTING OF PROXIES
The proxy accompanying this proxy statement is solicited on behalf of your
board of directors for use at the special meeting. Stockholders are requested to
complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and promptly return it in
the enclosed envelope. So long as they are not revoked, all properly executed
proxies received by Curtiss-Wright prior to the vote at the special meeting will
be voted at the special meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on
the proxies or, if no direction is indicated, to approve the recapitalization
proposal and each of the corporate governance amendments. You may revoke your
proxy at any time before its use by delivering to the secretary of
Curtiss-Wright at the above address, written notice of revocation or a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the special meeting and
voting in person.
VOTE REQUIRED
Each outstanding share of Curtiss-Wright common stock is entitled to one
vote on each of the proposals and any other matter which properly comes before
the special meeting.
Recapitalization Proposal. Adoption of the merger agreement requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our
common stock entitled to vote thereon. In addition, even though not required by
law, our board has required, and Unitrin has agreed, that the
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recapitalization will be implemented only if the holders of a majority of the
shares of our common stock voting on the recapitalization proposal in person or
by proxy at the special meeting, other than Unitrin, vote to adopt the merger
agreement.
Classified Board Proposal. The classified board proposal requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our
common stock.
Board Size Proposal. The board size proposal requires the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
Written Consent Proposal. The written consent proposal requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our
common stock.
Special Meeting Proposal. The special meeting proposal requires the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our
common stock.
Supermajority Voting Proposal. The supermajority voting proposal requires
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
our common stock.
Shares Held by Unitrin and by Curtiss-Wright Executive Officers and
Directors. As of the record date and the date of this proxy statement, Unitrin
owned 4,382,400 shares of common stock, representing approximately 44% of the
shares outstanding as of these dates. In addition, as of the record date,
current executive officers and directors of Curtiss-Wright beneficially owned an
additional 298,245 shares of common stock, representing approximately 3% of the
shares outstanding. Curtiss-Wright expects that all executive officers and
directors will vote in favor of each of the proposals being submitted for
stockholder approval.
Vote by Unitrin. Unitrin has agreed with Curtiss-Wright to vote or cause to
be voted all shares of common stock owned by it and any of its subsidiaries,
representing approximately 44% of the outstanding shares of common stock, to
approve the recapitalization proposal and each of the corporate governance
amendments.
QUORUM, ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER NON-VOTES
The required quorum for the transaction of business at the special meeting
is the presence in person or by proxy of a majority of the shares of common
stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting. If
your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm or bank, you must
instruct them on how to vote your shares. If an executed proxy card is returned
by a broker or bank holding shares which indicates that the broker or bank does
not have discretionary authority to vote for approval of the recapitalization
proposal and/or the corporate governance amendments, this will be considered to
be a broker non-vote. Abstentions and broker non-votes each will be included in
determining the number of shares present at the special meeting for the purpose
of determining the presence of a quorum. Because under applicable law approval
of the recapitalization proposal and each of the corporate governance amendments
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of common
stock entitled to vote thereon, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the
same effect as votes against each of the proposals. Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin
have agreed that the approval of the recapitalization proposal will also require
the approval of the holders of a majority of the shares of Curtiss-Wright's
common stock that are present in person or by proxy at the special meeting and
vote on the proposal, other than shares held by Unitrin. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will not be counted in that vote and therefore will not have any
effect on the special approval condition for the recapitalization proposal.
The actions proposed in this proxy statement are not matters that can be
voted on by brokers holding shares for beneficial owners without the owners'
specific instructions. Accordingly, all beneficial owners of common stock are
urged to instruct their brokers how to vote.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES AND EXPENSES
We have engaged Innisfree M&A, Incorporated to assist us in soliciting
proxies from banks, brokers and nominees. Innisfree M&A, Incorporated will be
paid fees of approximately $25,000, plus out of pocket expenses. In addition,
the directors, officers and employees of Curtiss-Wright may solicit
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proxies from stockholders by telephone, facsimile or in person. Following the
original mailing of this proxy statement and other solicitation materials,
Curtiss-Wright will request banks, brokers, custodians, nominees and other
record holders to forward copies of this proxy statement and other solicitation
materials to people on whose behalf they hold shares of common stock and to
request authority for the exercise of proxies by the record holders on behalf of
those people. In those cases, Curtiss-Wright, upon the request of the record
holders, will reimburse those holders for their reasonable expenses incurred in
connection with requesting authority to vote.
THE MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING ARE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF CURTISS-WRIGHT. ACCORDINGLY, YOU ARE URGED TO READ AND
CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND THE
ATTACHMENTS, AND TO COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY
CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. NO PHYSICAL SUBSTITUTION OF STOCK
CERTIFICATES WILL BE REQUIRED AS A RESULT OF THE RECAPITALIZATION, AND YOUR
EXISTING CERTIFICATES WILL CONTINUE TO REPRESENT YOUR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
AFTER THE RECAPITALIZATION.
WHO CAN HELP ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
If you have questions about the proposals in this proxy statement, you
should contact:
Innisfree M&A, Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Fl.
New York, New York 10022
Call Toll Free: 888-750-5834
Call Collect: 212-750-5833
STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND
ANY STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR PROXY CARDS
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CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS
You should carefully consider the factors described below before voting on
the proposals set forth in this proxy statement.
THE TAX-FREE DISTRIBUTION BY UNITRIN RESULTS IN POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT
LIMITATIONS ON OUR BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN
SIGNIFICANT LIABILITIES TO CURTISS-WRIGHT
We have agreed that, if the recapitalization and distribution are completed,
until two years after the distribution, we will not merge or consolidate with or
into any other corporation, or take any other actions that would cause or permit
one or more persons to acquire stock representing a 50% or greater interest in
Curtiss-Wright, unless, before taking any of these actions, at the election of
Unitrin, we obtain a legal opinion or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
that those actions will not result in the distribution failing to qualify as a
tax-free distribution. We have agreed, as set forth in the distribution
agreement, to indemnify Unitrin for specified taxes that may become payable by
Unitrin, each member of the consolidated group of corporations of which Unitrin
is the common parent corporation and each direct and indirect subsidiary of
Unitrin or its stockholders, if our actions give rise to the imposition of those
taxes. This indemnification obligation is limited to a total of $135 million. As
a result of this agreement and the indemnification obligation, we may be
reluctant to pursue or undertake acquisitions and other transactions that become
available within the two-year period following the recapitalization and
distribution, unless we obtain a legal opinion or an additional ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service addressing any proposed transaction. These risks and
restrictions may make Curtiss-Wright less attractive to a potential acquiror.
See 'Proposal One: The Recapitalization and Related
Transactions -- Curtiss-Wright's Reasons for the Recapitalization and Related
Transactions' on page 14 and ' -- Tax Matters -- Recapitalization and
Distribution' on page 21.
STOCK SALES FOLLOWING THE DISTRIBUTION MAY AFFECT OUR STOCK PRICE
The Unitrin stockholders who receive shares of Class B common stock in the
distribution may sell all or a substantial portion of these shares in the public
market, which could result in downward pressure on our stock price.
POTENTIAL ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS
The corporate governance amendments, together with the by-laws amendments,
the stockholders' rights plan that we expect our board to adopt in connection
with the recapitalization and distribution and the business combination statute
of Delaware law already in effect, as described under 'Proposals Two, Three,
Four, Five and Six: Corporate Governance Amendments -- Purpose and Effects of
the Corporate Governance Amendments' on page 32, may discourage unsolicited
takeover bids from third parties or efforts to remove incumbent management or
our board of directors, or make these actions more difficult to accomplish, even
if a substantial number of stockholders feel this would be in their best
interests.
If the classified board proposal and the board size proposal are adopted, a
third party seeking to replace a majority of our board of directors would not be
able to do so at any single meeting of stockholders. It would take two annual
meetings for a third party to obtain control of Curtiss-Wright by replacing a
majority of our board of directors.
The written consent proposal and the special meeting proposal might lengthen
the amount of time required to take stockholder action. The elimination of the
ability of stockholders to act by written consent and to call a special meeting
will delay stockholders in taking some actions and will require stockholders to
wait until the annual meeting or until a special meeting is called by the
chairman, the president or the board to take these actions. This may deter or
delay some takeover bids.
The supermajority voting proposal permits a minority of the stockholders to
block an attempt to amend or repeal some of the provisions of our certificate of
incorporation, even if the holders of a majority of our stock were to vote in
favor of a repeal or amendment of this provision. The
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supermajority voting provision also permits a minority of the stockholders to
block an attempt by our stockholders to amend or repeal our by-laws.
OWNERSHIP OF CURTISS-WRIGHT COMMON STOCK BY THE SINGLETON GROUP LLC
The Singleton Group LLC currently holds approximately 21% of the equity
securities of Unitrin and will own the same percentage of the Class B common
stock following the distribution. If the distribution of the Class B common
stock to the Singleton Group LLC occurs, the Singleton Group LLC may have the
opportunity to exert substantial influence over the election of the Class B
directors.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY PROVE INACCURATE
Forward-looking statements in this proxy statement are made pursuant to the
safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These
forward-looking statements include declarations regarding the current intent,
belief or expectations of Curtiss-Wright and its management, as well as factors
that generally affect the aerospace, defense contracting and metal treatment
industries. You are cautioned that any forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date of this proxy statement, are not guarantees of future
performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could
materially affect actual results. Please refer to our current filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. See 'Where You Can Find More Information' on
page 43.
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PROPOSAL ONE:
THE RECAPITALIZATION AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE RECAPITALIZATION AND THE TRANSACTIONS
Unitrin and its predecessors in interest (principally Teledyne, Inc. and its
subsidiaries) have held a substantial equity position in Curtiss-Wright since
1977. Unitrin is engaged through its subsidiaries primarily in the business of
selling insurance products to individuals, families and businesses and it also
provides thrift and loan products through one of its subsidiaries. In the late
1980s and early 1990s, Teledyne decided to separate its insurance and consumer
finance businesses from its manufacturing businesses. Accordingly, in February
of 1990, Teledyne formed Unitrin as a wholly owned subsidiary and holding
company for its remaining insurance and consumer finance subsidiaries, which
together owned the shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock currently held by
Unitrin, in order to effect this separation. In April of 1990, Teledyne
distributed its entire interest in Unitrin to its stockholders.
Early last year, Unitrin management indicated to Curtiss-Wright that, with
the death of Dr. Henry Singleton, the former chairman of Unitrin and Teledyne,
and the retirement of Dr. George Roberts, a former director of Unitrin and
chairman of the board of directors of Teledyne, both of whom had actively
managed Unitrin's interest in Curtiss-Wright, Unitrin could no longer maintain
its interest in Curtiss-Wright without diluting the focus of Unitrin's current
management from Unitrin's core insurance business. Unitrin further indicated to
Curtiss-Wright that, although it had made no determination to do so, Unitrin was
considering a distribution to its stockholders of its Curtiss-Wright stock if it
could do so on a tax-free basis. Unitrin indicated that it was considering the
distribution for a number of reasons, including:
improving the ability of Unitrin's management to focus on its core
insurance business;
avoiding the possibility of having to consolidate Unitrin's interest in
Curtiss-Wright for accounting purposes; and
providing Unitrin a tax-efficient means to dispose of its interest in
Curtiss-Wright.
Unitrin's management reviewed with Curtiss-Wright's management the potential
terms of a possible recapitalization, including the impact on Curtiss-Wright's
capital structure and stockholders' rights, the benefits that would accrue to
Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders as a result of a recapitalization and
distribution and the restrictions on conduct and indemnification provisions for
which Unitrin would seek Curtiss-Wright's agreement.
In response, Curtiss-Wright engaged independent advisors to assist
management and its board in considering a possible recapitalization and
distribution by Unitrin of its Curtiss-Wright common stock. Curtiss-Wright also
asked its advisors to assist it in evaluating the potential impact of any
announcement by Unitrin that it had determined to distribute its Curtiss-Wright
common stock, the potential transactions that might be undertaken by Unitrin if
it were to decide to divest its Curtiss-Wright common stock in any other
transaction and the potential impact on Curtiss-Wright of any other divestiture.
Curtiss-Wright engaged Salomon Smith Barney Inc. as its financial advisor and
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett as its legal advisor to help structure a transaction
that would be in the best interests of Curtiss-Wright's stockholders.
Curtiss-Wright and its advisors carefully evaluated the recapitalization and
distribution and the possible impact that these transactions would have on
Curtiss-Wright's existing public stockholders. Although Unitrin had not
indicated to Curtiss-Wright any plans to dispose of its Curtiss-Wright shares
other than in a tax-free distribution, Curtiss-Wright and its advisors also
considered other transactions that could be effected by Unitrin if a tax-free
distribution could not be accomplished. Curtiss-Wright believed that some of the
transactions that Unitrin could undertake might not be in the best interests of
Curtiss-Wright's other stockholders. For example, Curtiss-Wright believed that a
sale by Unitrin of its approximately 44% interest in Curtiss-Wright could divert
Curtiss-Wright from its long-term strategic objective without producing any
value to other stockholders. Curtiss-Wright also believed that any public market
sales by Unitrin of Curtiss-Wright common stock could have a depressing effect
on the Curtiss-Wright common stock price.
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On September 18, 2000, at a regularly scheduled board meeting,
Curtiss-Wright's management and advisors presented to its board of directors a
summary of the basic terms of a recapitalization and distribution. Management
and the advisors discussed with the board the possible actions Unitrin could
take if Curtiss-Wright did not choose to pursue these transactions, and whether
those transactions would be in the best interests of all Curtiss-Wright
stockholders. Management also reviewed with the board a summary of the
provisions of Curtiss-Wright's certificate of incorporation and by-laws and of
Delaware law that could provide Curtiss-Wright and its board the ability to
react and respond to unsolicited overtures to acquire control of Curtiss-Wright
under the present circumstances as well as if the recapitalization and
distribution were completed. This review demonstrated Curtiss-Wright's
vulnerability to these types of overtures, which the board believed could arise
both as a result of a potential announcement by Unitrin that it intended to
distribute its interest in Curtiss-Wright to its stockholders and as a result of
the completion of the distribution, when Curtiss-Wright would no longer have the
benefit of the stability afforded by the presence of a 44% stockholder.
Curtiss-Wright's management and advisors then discussed possible amendments to
Curtiss-Wright's certificate of incorporation and by-laws to address this
vulnerability, and the advantages and disadvantages of adopting a stockholders'
rights plan at that time or at the time of announcing any agreement with
Unitrin. Our board believed that the amendments to the certificate of
incorporation and by-laws, as well as a rights plan, would foster the long-term
growth of Curtiss-Wright as an independent corporation and protect
Curtiss-Wright stockholders from potentially coercive or abusive takeover
tactics and efforts to acquire a controlling interest in Curtiss-Wright at a
price or on terms that are not in the best interests of all Curtiss-Wright
stockholders. Following an extensive discussion about these matters, our board
indicated to management its interest in pursuing the transactions, and
instructed management to enter into negotiations with Unitrin regarding specific
terms. Our board also directed management to continue to consider the
feasibility of adopting a stockholders' rights plan.
Between September 18, 2000 and November 1, 2000, Unitrin and its advisors
and Curtiss-Wright and its advisors negotiated the terms of the merger agreement
and the distribution agreement and worked together to develop the request for a
letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service. At the same time,
Curtiss-Wright's management and its legal and financial advisors began to
develop the terms of a stockholders' rights plan to be considered by our board
at the time it considered the approval of the proposed recapitalization and
distribution. Curtiss-Wright, assisted by its financial and legal advisors,
conducted extensive negotiations with Unitrin. In the course of these
negotiations, Unitrin and Curtiss-Wright both agreed to various accomodations
with respect to the terms of the agreements. In particular, Unitrin agreed at
Curtiss-Wright's request to the following:
to waive its share of the $.25 per share cash dividend to be declared by
Curtiss-Wright at the time of the recapitalization;
to forgo its request for a discretionary termination right;
to provide that the recapitalization and distribution would not occur if
the corporate governance amendments were not approved by the required vote;
and
to place a limit of a total of $135 million on Curtiss-Wright's potential
tax indemnification obligations.
On November 1, 2000, our board of directors met, together with
representatives of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Salomon Smith Barney, to
consider the draft merger agreement, the corporate governance amendments, the
draft distribution agreement, the proposed stockholders' rights plan and other
matters related to the proposed transactions. At this meeting, presentations
were made by representatives of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Salomon Smith
Barney regarding the proposed transactions, and our board of directors asked
questions of the representatives regarding the proposed transactions. Our board
also considered the implications of deciding to pursue, and of deciding not to
pursue, the proposed transactions. Our board expressed reservations about the
scope of the indemnity obligation to be assumed by Curtiss-Wright reflected in
the draft distribution agreement, as well as the absence of any standstill
provisions governing Unitrin's activities pending completion of the
transactions. Accordingly, no formal action was taken at this meeting.
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Subsequent to the November 1, 2000 meeting of our board, Curtiss-Wright
management continued negotiations with Unitrin regarding the terms of the
proposed recapitalization and distribution and Unitrin and Curtiss-Wright agreed
to changes to the draft distribution agreement and merger agreement that had
been presented to our board on November 1 which addressed our board's principal
concerns. These changes are reflected under 'Description of the Merger Agreement
and Distribution Agreement -- The Distribution Agreement -- Other
Agreements -- Standstill Agreement' on page 28 and ' -- Indemnification Against
Tax and Other Liabilities' on page 28.
On November 6, 2000, our board of directors met telephonically, together
with representatives of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Salomon Smith Barney, to
consider the final terms of the merger agreement and the distribution agreement.
After a careful evaluation of the proposed transactions and their
anticipated effect on Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders, the board of
directors determined that the merger agreement, including the recapitalization
amendments described under ' -- Description of the Recapitalization Amendments'
on page 17, and the corporate governance amendments, are advisable and in the
best interests of Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders and approved the merger
agreement, the recapitalization and the corporate governance amendments and
determined to recommend that the Curtiss-Wright stockholders vote for the
adoption of the merger agreement and the corporate governance amendments. The
board of directors also determined that the stockholders' rights plan was in the
best interests of Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders and approved the adoption
of the stockholders' rights plan, which was effected by means of a distribution
of rights to the Curtiss-Wright stockholders on November 21, 2000.
Between November 6 and January 11, 2001, Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin agreed
to make some technical changes to the merger agreement and the distribution
agreement relating to the presentation of the corporate governance amendments
for stockholder approval. Accordingly, the Curtiss-Wright board, by unanimous
written consent dated as of January 11, 2001, subsequently determined that the
merger agreement, as amended, and each of the corporate governance amendments
are advisable and in the best interests of Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders
and approved the merger agreement, as amended, and each of the corporate
governance amendments. The board further determined to recommend that the
stockholders of Curtiss-Wright vote 'FOR' the adoption of the merger agreement
and each of the corporate governance amendments.
Our board believes that the recapitalization and distribution suit the
purposes of both Unitrin and Curtiss-Wright. The transactions allow for the
orderly transfer of Unitrin's large ownership interest to its stockholders,
leaving Curtiss-Wright as a widely held public company. Among other things, the
transactions may make it more likely that all Curtiss-Wright stockholders would
share in any premium associated with any transfer of a substantial amount of
Curtiss-Wright common stock. In addition, the cash dividend of $.25 per share
provides immediate value to Curtiss-Wright stockholders other than Unitrin. The
transactions also allow Unitrin to dispose of its interest in Curtiss-Wright and
deliver value to its stockholders, while at the same time providing value for
Curtiss-Wright stockholders.
Salomon Smith Barney provided to Curtiss-Wright advice and assistance
regarding the structuring and planning of the transactions, including assistance
in evaluating potential alternative transactions and the impact of the
recapitalization on Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders. In addition, Salomon
Smith Barney advised Curtiss-Wright in its negotiation of the principal terms
and conditions of the transactions. Salomon Smith Barney will receive customary
fees for its service as financial advisor to Curtiss-Wright in connection with
the transactions. Salomon Smith Barney also has provided and provides advice to
Curtiss-Wright from time to time on other matters, for which it receives
customary fees.
CURTISS-WRIGHT'S REASONS FOR THE RECAPITALIZATION AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Our board of directors has determined that the merger agreement, the
recapitalization and the corporate governance amendments and the related
transactions are advisable and are in the best interests of Curtiss-Wright and
the Curtiss-Wright stockholders. In reaching their conclusion, our board of
directors considered a number of factors including the following:
Expected Benefits of the Transactions to Curtiss-Wright and its
Stockholders.
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The transactions will eliminate the substantial influence that Unitrin has
the ability to exert in matters voted on by Curtiss-Wright stockholders.
The cash dividend of $.25 per share will provide immediate value to
Curtiss-Wright stockholders other than Unitrin.
The transactions will significantly increase the liquidity and public float
of Curtiss-Wright's capital stock by increasing the number of shares held
by public stockholders other than Unitrin from about 5.6 million shares to
about 10 million shares. In addition, the transactions will result in a
broader stockholder base when Unitrin distributes the Class B common stock
to its approximately 8,000 stockholders, which will essentially triple our
existing 3,700 stockholder base.
A broader stockholder base, coupled with increased liquidity for our
shares, is expected to attract additional analyst coverage of
Curtiss-Wright, which is expected to enhance the market's awareness of
Curtiss-Wright capital stock and to stimulate demand from new investors.
We expect that an increase in our stockholder base and broader exposure in
the investment community will facilitate the use of Curtiss-Wright's
capital stock as an acquisition currency and as a source of capital.
The transactions are expected to enhance our ability to provide equity
incentives to existing management and top corporate employees, as well as
to potential new management and employees.
The transactions are expected to be the least disruptive method for Unitrin
to dispose of its ownership interest in Curtiss-Wright. Alternative
transactions could have resulted in one or more large, new Curtiss-Wright
stockholders or could have involved public sales that could adversely
affect Curtiss-Wright's stock price.
The corporate governance amendments will help foster our long-term growth
as an independent company following the recapitalization and the
distribution and will help protect our stockholders from potentially
coercive or abusive takeover tactics and efforts to acquire control of
Curtiss-Wright at a price or on terms that are not in the best interests of
all Curtiss-Wright stockholders.
Economic and Financial Factors. Our board considered the economic and
financial factors associated with the transactions, including the effect of the
recapitalization and the distribution on the expected trading price of both
classes of Curtiss-Wright common stock following the distribution and the impact
on Curtiss-Wright's financial position following the distribution. In this
regard they considered the following factors:
The recapitalization and the distribution are structured to be tax-free to
Curtiss-Wright stockholders.
The advice of Salomon Smith Barney that, all other facts being equal, the
trading characteristics of Curtiss-Wright's equity securities, including
trading volume and liquidity, institutional shareholdings, research analyst
coverage and stock price, will improve compared to the trading
characteristics if the transactions do not occur.
The transactions will not have any material impact on Curtiss-Wright's
financial position following the distribution.
Governance Matters. Our board considered that, as a result of the
recapitalization and the distribution, Curtiss-Wright might be more vulnerable
to third parties seeking to acquire control of Curtiss-Wright as a result of the
elimination of Unitrin's approximately 44% ownership stake. In that regard they
considered the following factors:
The restrictions on Curtiss-Wright's ability to undertake a sale of
Curtiss-Wright and other transactions for two years following the
distribution, which, if undertaken, could impair the tax-free status of the
distribution to Unitrin and its stockholders.
Curtiss-Wright's obligation to indemnify Unitrin in the event that
Curtiss-Wright takes actions which result in the distribution failing to
qualify as a tax-free distribution, and the circumstances
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under which this indemnity obligation would apply as described under
' -- Tax Matters Recapitalization and Distribution' on page 21 and
'Description of the Merger Agreement and Distribution Agreement -- The
Distribution Agreement -- Other Agreements -- Indemnification Against
Tax and Other Liabilities' on page 28.
The benefits of having the protections of the corporate governance
amendments in place following the distribution when Curtiss-Wright may be
vulnerable to potentially coercive or abusive takeover tactics and efforts
to acquire control of Curtiss-Wright at a price or on terms that are not in
the best interests of all Curtiss-Wright stockholders, particularly during
the first two years following the distribution, when the risk to
Curtiss-Wright of liability under the tax indemnity is greatest.
The risk that the dual class structure could lead to a person or group
gaining control of our board by acquiring a majority of the Class B common
stock, and the fact that this risk would be reduced if the corporate
governance amendments are approved.
The potential impact of the recapitalization amendments, the corporate
governance amendments and the stockholders' rights plan expected to be
adopted following the recapitalization on the ability of a third party to
acquire control of Curtiss-Wright at a price or on terms not in the best
interests of our stockholders.
The fact that the ability of the holders of Class B common stock to elect
at least 80% of our board will not provide those holders with materially
different rights than Unitrin currently possesses because as the holder of
approximately 44% of the outstanding Curtiss-Wright common stock, Unitrin
currently has the ability to exert substantial influence in the election of
our board.
The fact that the corporate governance amendments will not be implemented
unless the adoption of the merger agreement is approved by a majority of
the shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock voting on the adoption of the
merger agreement at the special meeting, other than shares held by Unitrin.
Negative Factors. In addition, our board of directors considered and
balanced against the potential benefits of the recapitalization and related
transactions a number of potentially negative factors, including the following:
There may be a short-term adverse impact on the market price of
Curtiss-Wright's common stock resulting from any sales of Curtiss-Wright
Class B common stock by Unitrin stockholders who receive Class B common
stock in the distribution.
The transactions potentially limit the ability of Curtiss-Wright to
undertake some types of transactions for a period of time in the future
which, if pursued or undertaken, could impair the tax-free nature of the
distribution to Unitrin and its stockholders and give rise to an
indemnification obligation of Curtiss-Wright to Unitrin.
An acquisition of Curtiss-Wright at any time within two years following the
distribution could, in some circumstances, trigger significant tax
liability to Unitrin and its stockholders, for which Curtiss-Wright may be
responsible under its indemnity obligation to Unitrin. This potential tax
liability is itself a potentially negative factor, and also could reduce
the likelihood of an acquisition of Curtiss-Wright within this time period.
See ' -- Tax Matters -- Recapitalization and Distribution' on page 21.
The factors described above were considered by our board of directors in its
assessment of the transactions. The board of directors did not quantify or
attach any particular weight to the various factors that it considered in
reaching its determination that the transactions are advisable and in the best
interests of Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders. Different members of our board
may have assigned different weights to different factors. In reaching its
determination, our board of directors took the various factors into account
collectively and did not perform a factor-by-factor analysis.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE RECAPITALIZATION AMENDMENTS
If the stockholders of Curtiss-Wright approve the adoption of the merger
agreement, Curtiss-Wright's certificate of incorporation will, upon filing the
certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, be
amended and restated to include the recapitalization amendments described
below and included in Appendices C-1 and C-2. As a result, adoption by
the stockholders of the merger agreement will constitute approval of the
recapitalization amendments. The recapitalization amendments include the changes
necessary to permit the distribution to be tax-free to Unitrin and its
stockholders.
For the distribution to be tax-free to Unitrin and its stockholders, current
U.S. federal income tax law requires, among other things, that Unitrin own, at
the time of the distribution, capital stock of Curtiss-Wright having the right
to elect at least 80% of the board of directors, and that Unitrin distribute all
of that stock to its stockholders in a single transaction. Accordingly, the
recapitalization amendments create a new Class B common stock of Curtiss-Wright
that is entitled to elect at least 80% of our board of directors. The minimum
number of directors on our board will be set at five so that the holders of
common stock will always be entitled to elect at least one director. All of the
Class B common stock will be distributed by Unitrin to its stockholders promptly
following the recapitalization in the distribution.
The recapitalization amendments also:
provide for the designation of common stock directors and Class B common
stock directors and related matters; and
provide that vacancies on our board may be filled only by the directors, or
if there are no directors, by the stockholders, of the class, whether
common stock or Class B common stock, in which the vacancy exists.
The recapitalization amendments also modify the terms of our existing authorized
but unissued preferred stock to allow the board to determine all the rights of
any series of preferred stock, including with respect to voting and priority for
dividends and distributions upon liquidation. The following is a discussion of
the material terms of the recapitalization amendments.
Authorization of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The 23,150,000
shares of authorized capital stock of Curtiss-Wright will be divided among
three classes of capital stock: 11,250,000 shares of common stock,
11,250,000 shares of Class B common stock and 650,000 shares of preferred
stock. The authorized number of shares of any class of capital stock of
Curtiss-Wright may be increased or decreased by the vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares of capital stock of Curtiss-Wright. The common stock
and the Class B common stock will have the same rights except for the fact
that the holders of the Class B common stock will have the power to elect
at least 80% of our board, or the next highest whole number, and the
holders of common stock will have the power to elect 20% of our board, or
the next lowest whole number. If approved by our board, the special class
voting rights of the common stock and Class B common stock with respect to
the election of directors may be terminated by a majority of the
outstanding shares of the common stock and the Class B common stock, voting
together as a single class, at any annual or special meeting of
stockholders held at any time after the fifth anniversary of the
distribution. Except as described above and except as required by law, the
holders of the common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as
one class on all other matters, including acquisitions and other
fundamental transactions, with each share of common stock and Class B
common stock having one vote.
Creation of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock Directors. Currently, our
board has one class of directors. The recapitalization amendments would
amend the certificate of incorporation to provide for two classes of
directors. Upon completion of the recapitalization, S. Marce Fuller would
be designated the 'common stock director' and the remaining seven directors
would be designated 'Class B common stock directors.' In future elections,
the director designated a common stock director will be elected by the
holders of the common stock and the directors designated as Class B common
stock directors will be elected by the holders of the Class B common stock.
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Filling of Board Vacancies. The recapitalization amendments would amend the
certificate of incorporation to provide that any vacancy in the office of a
common stock director or Class B common stock director will be filled only
by the vote of the majority of the remaining directors in the class in
which the vacancy exists, or the sole remaining director in the class,
unless there are no remaining directors in the class, in which case the
vacancy will be filled by the vote of the stockholders entitled to elect
the members of the class in which the vacancy exists. All newly created
directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of
directors will first be allocated to a class and then filled only by the
vote of the majority of the directors in the class in which the newly
created directorships exist, or the sole remaining director in the class,
unless there are no directors in the class, in which case the newly
created directorships will be filled by the vote of the stockholders
entitled to elect members of that class. If there is only one common stock
director and he or she resigns, dies or is removed for cause, it is
possible that there will be no common stock director until the next annual
meeting of stockholders.
Modification of Preferred Stock. Our certificate of incorporation already
provides for the creation of series of preferred stock by our board of
directors and allows our board of directors to determine most of the terms
of each series of preferred stock that it authorizes. This 'blank check'
preferred stock power allows our board to authorize the issuance of
preferred stock without further action by our stockholders, unless action
is required by applicable law or the rules of any exchange on which our
securities may be listed. However, our certificate of incorporation
requires that each share of preferred stock have one vote in all matters
submitted to a vote of our stockholders. It also requires that all series
of preferred stock be on a parity with respect to dividends, distributions
and rights upon liquidation. In connection with the recapitalization, we
propose to modify the 'blank check' preferred stock power to permit our
board to set all the rights of each series of preferred stock and to fix
the relative rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions applicable to
each series of preferred stock and eliminate any restrictions on the
board's flexibility to set those terms, including with respect to voting
power and priority with respect to payment of dividends and distributions
of assets upon liquidation. The blank check preferred stock power could
discourage a person from acquiring Curtiss-Wright's common stock or Class B
common stock because of the possibility that our board would issue the
preferred stock with terms that significantly disadvantage the rights of
Curtiss-Wright's common stockholders or Class B common stockholders.
DESCRIPTION OF BY-LAWS AMENDMENTS
In connection with the proposed recapitalization and distribution, our board
has also approved amendments to our by-laws. Under the terms of our existing
certificate of incorporation, our directors have the power to amend our by-laws
without stockholder approval. As a result, separate stockholder approval is not
required to adopt the by-laws amendments. The by-laws amendments will become
effective at the time of the recapitalization. Even if the recapitalization
proposal is not approved, our board may choose to implement those by-laws
amendments described below that are not directly related to the
recapitalization.
We refer you to the full text of the amendments to our by-laws which were
approved in connection with the recapitalization proposal and are referred to in
this proxy statement as the recapitalization by-laws amendments.
The recapitalization by-laws amendments require that, at any annual meeting
of stockholders, the only nominations of persons for election to the board to be
considered and business to be conducted will be the nominations made or business
brought before the meeting:
pursuant to Curtiss-Wright's notice of meeting;
by or at the direction of the Curtiss-Wright board; or
by a stockholder of Curtiss-Wright who is a stockholder of record at the
time of giving of the notice provided for in the by-laws, who is entitled
to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set
forth below.
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For nominations and other business to be properly brought before an annual
meeting of stockholders pursuant to the third point above, the stockholder must
give written notice to the secretary of Curtiss-Wright not later than 90 days
nor earlier than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately
preceding annual meeting. If the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days
before or more than 70 days after the anniversary date of the immediately
preceding meeting, the stockholder must give written notice not earlier than
120 days prior to the annual meeting and not later than the close of business
on the later of the day that is 90 days prior to the annual meeting or 10 days
following the date on which public announcement of the annual meeting is first
given. The notice must set forth:
as to nominations, all information relating to the proposed nominee that is
required to be disclosed under Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934;
as to other business, a description of the business desired to be brought
before the meeting, the text of any proposal to be presented to the
stockholders and the reasons for conducting the business at the meeting;
the name and address, as they appear on Curtiss-Wright's books, of the
stockholder who is proposing the business, and the name and address of the
beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is
made;
the number and class of shares of stock of Curtiss-Wright that are owned by
the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination or
proposal is made;
a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of
Curtiss-Wright entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in
person or by proxy at the meeting to propose the business or nomination;
any material interest of the stockholder of record and the beneficial
owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, in the business; and
a representation as to whether the stockholder of record or the beneficial
owner, if any, intends, or are part of a group which intends, to solicit
proxies in support of the nominee or proposal.
The recapitalization by-laws amendments also provide that at any special
meeting of the stockholders of Curtiss-Wright, the only business that may be
brought before the special meeting is the business specified in the notice of
special meeting. Accordingly, the stockholders of Curtiss-Wright may not raise
any other matters for consideration at a special meeting.
With respect to an election of directors to be held at a special meeting of
the stockholders as determined by Curtiss-Wright's notice of special meeting, a
stockholder may make a nomination pursuant to notice given not earlier than 120
days prior to the special meeting and not later than the close of business on
the later of the day that is 90 days prior to the special meeting or 10 days
following the date on which public announcement of the special meeting is first
made.
This amendment may preclude nominations or the conduct of business by
stockholders at a particular stockholders meeting if the proper procedures are
not followed, and may discourage or deter a third party from attempting to
obtain control of Curtiss-Wright, even if this attempt might be viewed as
beneficial to Curtiss-Wright by its stockholders.
The presiding officer of the meeting will determine and declare to the
meeting whether the business was properly brought before the meeting in
accordance with the procedures described above and may declare the nominations
or the business as not properly brought before the meeting and not recognize the
bringing of the nominations or the business.
The stockholder bringing a nomination or business in accordance with the
above requirements must appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders
to present the nomination or business to be considered at the meeting.
In addition to the provisions described above, the recapitalization by-laws
amendments contain changes necessary to conform the by-laws to our certificate
of incorporation if the recapitalization proposal is approved.
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CERTAIN OTHER CHANGES TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS
Our board also approved amendments to our certificate of incorporation and
by-laws that are not related to the proposed recapitalization or corporate
governance amendments. These modifications are technical or procedural changes
which conform to current Delaware law or best practices.
We are proposing one technical change to our certificate of incorporation.
Our directors, officers, employees and representatives are currently entitled to
indemnification against claims or suits for actions taken in their employment or
representative capacity. We are required to pay in advance any expenses incurred
in defending against these proceedings. The proposed amendment to our
certificate of incorporation would allow for advance payment only when the
indemnified party has provided an undertaking to repay all amounts advanced if
it is determined that the party is not entitled to indemnification.
We intend to make the following changes to our by-laws:
we have removed the provision directing the board to call a special meeting
when an annual meeting has not been called;
we have increased the board's quorum requirement from two to three;
we have provided that a committee of the board of directors may replace an
absent or disqualified member of the committee at any committee meeting,
even without a quorum;
we have provided that when determining which stockholders are entitled to
notice for a stockholder's meeting, the board may not set a record date
that is less than ten days before the meeting; if no record date is set,
then the record date shall be close of business on the day before the
notice is given; and
we have provided that when determining which stockholders are entitled to
dividends or other rights, the board may not set a record date prior to the
adoption of the resolution to set the date; if no record date is set, then
the record date shall be the close of business on the day that the
resolution was adopted.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CURTISS-WRIGHT BOARD
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE
RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL AND HAS DETERMINED THAT THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE
RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL ARE ADVISABLE AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF
CURTISS-WRIGHT AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS. OUR BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS
OF CURTISS-WRIGHT VOTE 'FOR' THE ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE
APPROVAL OF THE RECAPITALIZATION PROPOSAL.
REQUIRED VOTE
Each outstanding share of Curtiss-Wright common stock is entitled to one
vote on each matter which may properly come before the special meeting. Under
Delaware law, adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of
a majority of the outstanding shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock, including
shares held by Unitrin. Unitrin currently owns approximately 44% of Curtiss-
Wright's outstanding common stock and has agreed to vote these shares in favor
of adoption of the merger agreement. In addition, although not required by law,
our board has required, and Unitrin has agreed, that the recapitalization will
be implemented only if the holders of a majority of the shares of Curtiss-Wright
common stock voting in person or by proxy at the special meeting on the adoption
of the merger agreement, other than Unitrin, vote to adopt the merger agreement.
EFFECTS OF THE RECAPITALIZATION ON OUTSTANDING SHARES
Curtiss-Wright's common stock and Class B common stock will have the same
rights except for voting rights with respect to the election of our board of
directors. The holders of Class B common stock will be entitled to elect 80% of
the board of directors or, if 80% is not a whole number, then the nearest higher
whole number of directors. If, in the future, there are shares of any other
class or series of stock which by its terms is entitled to vote with the Class B
common stock for the election of
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directors, the holders of shares of that class or series of stock will be
entitled to vote with the Class B common stock for the election of the
directors of Curtiss-Wright. The holders of common stock will be entitled to
elect the remaining directors of Curtiss-Wright. If, in the future, there are
shares of any other class or series of stock which by its terms is entitled
to vote with the common stock for the election of directors, the holders
of shares of the class or series of stock will be entitled to vote with the
common stock for the election of the remaining directors of Curtiss-Wright. On
all other matters requiring a stockholder vote, including acquisitions and
other fundamental transactions, the holders of common stock and Class B common
stock will vote together as a single class on a one-share, one-vote basis.
TAX MATTERS -- RECAPITALIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION
Unitrin has requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the
effect that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, among other things:
the cash dividend of $.25 per share will be treated as a distribution to
the stockholders of Curtiss-Wright governed by Section 301 of the Internal
Revenue Code;
the recapitalization will be a tax-free transaction to Unitrin and
Curtiss-Wright under Section 354 of the Internal Revenue Code; and
the distribution will be tax-free to Unitrin and its stockholders under
Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code.
To preserve the tax-free status of the distribution to Unitrin and its
stockholders, we have agreed that, for a period of two years after the date of
the distribution, we will maintain our status as a company engaged in the active
conduct of a trade or business. If we fail to comply with this obligation, take
any action or fail to take any required action, and that failure to comply,
action or omission contributes to a determination that the distribution fails to
qualify under Section 355(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or that the
Curtiss-Wright shares fail to qualify as qualified property for purposes of
Section 355(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code by reason of Section 355(e) of
the Internal Revenue Code, we will be required to indemnify Unitrin, the members
of its consolidated group and its direct and indirect subsidiaries:
for all federal, state and local taxes, including any interest, penalty or
additions to tax incurred or imposed upon Unitrin, the members of its
consolidated group and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and
for any established tax liabilities of Unitrin stockholders resulting from
the distribution evidenced by (i) an amended tax return of the Unitrin
stockholder reflecting the amount of the tax liability, together with proof
of payment of the amount, or (ii) a deficiency notice received by the
Unitrin stockholder from the Internal Revenue Service setting forth the
amount of the tax liability, together with proof of payment of the amount.
Under Section 355(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, the distribution will be
taxable to Unitrin if the distribution is part of a plan or series of related
transactions pursuant to which one or more people acquire directly or indirectly
stock representing a 50% or greater interest, based on either vote or value, in
Unitrin or Curtiss-Wright. Acquisitions that occur during the period beginning
two years before the distribution and ending two years after the distribution
are subject to a rebuttable presumption that they are part of a plan. If Unitrin
becomes subject to tax under Section 355(e), its tax liability will be based
upon the difference between the fair market value of the Class B common stock at
the time of the distribution and its adjusted basis in the stock at that time,
and this tax liability will be substantial.
Accordingly, under the distribution agreement, Curtiss-Wright has agreed
that, until two years after the distribution date, it will not:
merge or consolidate with or into any other corporation,
liquidate or partially liquidate,
sell or transfer all or substantially all of its assets in a single
transaction or series of transactions,
redeem or otherwise repurchase any Curtiss-Wright capital stock, except as
permitted under the Internal Revenue Service procedures applicable to
spin-offs, or
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take any other action or actions, other than the adoption of a
stockholders' rights plan in customary form,
which, in the aggregate, but not taking into account the recapitalization, would
have the effect of causing or permitting one or more people to acquire directly
or indirectly stock representing a 50% or greater interest, within the meaning
of Section 355(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, in Curtiss-Wright, unless prior
to taking any action set forth in the list above, at the election of Unitrin,
either Curtiss-Wright has obtained, and provided to Unitrin, a written opinion
in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Unitrin of a nationally
recognized law firm reasonably acceptable to Unitrin and Curtiss-Wright, or
Unitrin has obtained, at the expense of Curtiss-Wright, a supplemental ruling
from the Internal Revenue Service, that the action will not result in
the distribution failing to qualify under Section 355(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code or
the Curtiss-Wright shares failing to qualify as qualified property for
purposes of Section 355(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code by reason of
Section 355(e) of the Code.
Unitrin has agreed to cooperate with Curtiss-Wright in obtaining this opinion
or, as the case may be, to use all reasonable efforts in obtaining any
supplemental ruling, including, where appropriate, by providing written
representations as to factual events that occurred prior to the distribution
date.
We have also agreed to indemnify Unitrin, each member of the consolidated
group of corporations of which Unitrin is the common parent corporation and each
direct and indirect subsidiary of Unitrin for:
all federal, state and local taxes, including any interest, penalty or
additions to tax incurred or imposed upon Unitrin, the members of its
consolidated group or its direct or indirect subsidiaries, and
any established tax liabilities of any stockholder of Unitrin evidenced by
(i) an amended tax return of the Unitrin stockholder reflecting the amount
of the tax liability, together with proof of payment of the amount or
(ii) a deficiency notice received by the Unitrin stockholder from the
Internal Revenue Service setting forth the amount of the tax liability,
together with proof of payment of the amount,
arising from any inaccuracy in, or failure by Curtiss-Wright to comply with any
representation or undertaking made by Curtiss-Wright to the Internal Revenue
Service in connection with the Internal Revenue Service ruling request, subject
to some exceptions.
Curtiss-Wright will not be obligated to indemnify Unitrin, the members of
its consolidated group and its direct or indirect subsidiaries for any liability
that results solely from an inaccuracy in or failure by Unitrin to comply with
any representation or undertaking by Unitrin to the Internal Revenue Service in
connection with the Internal Revenue Service ruling request. Further, if any
liability arises as a result of both:
either (i) our taking or failing to take any action that contributes to the
distribution not being treated as a tax-free transaction or (ii) an
inaccuracy in, or failure by us to comply with, any representation or
undertaking made by us to the Internal Revenue Service in connection with
Internal Revenue Service ruling request, and
an inaccuracy in or failure by Unitrin to comply with any representation or
undertaking by Unitrin to the Internal Revenue Service in connection with
the Internal Revenue Service ruling request and each failure is an
independent cause of such liability,
then Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin will allocate the resulting liability among
themselves in a proportion that reflects the relative fault of each party.
Curtiss-Wright will not be obligated to indemnify Unitrin for any Unitrin
tax liability that would not have been imposed or incurred but for:
the increase in Unitrin's voting power with respect to its Curtiss-Wright
stock as a result of the recapitalization, or
the failure of any representation made by Unitrin (i) in the Internal
Revenue Service ruling request regarding sales by Unitrin stockholders of
stock or securities of Unitrin or Curtiss-Wright
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or (ii) in the distribution agreement regarding the absence of a plan
or arrangement on the part of Unitrin to dispose of its interest in
Curtiss-Wright to be true, correct and complete.
Curtiss-Wright's maximum tax indemnification obligation under the
distribution agreement is limited to a total of $135 million.
TAX MATTERS -- CASH DIVIDEND
Unitrin has requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service that the
cash dividend of $.25 per share will be treated as a distribution to the
stockholders of Curtiss-Wright governed by Section 301 of the Internal Revenue
Code. If so, the cash dividend will be taxable as ordinary income to individual
stockholders of Curtiss-Wright. For corporate holders of Curtiss-Wright common
stock, the cash dividend, to the extent treated as ordinary income, will be
eligible for a 'dividends-received' deduction, subject to limitations and
exclusions provided by the Internal Revenue Code.
INTERESTS OF OUR OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS IN THE RECAPITALIZATION
In considering the recommendation of our board of directors, you should be
aware that some of our officers and directors may have interests in the
recapitalization that are or may be different from, or in addition to, the
interests of the Curtiss-Wright public stockholders. As of February 16, 2001,
the directors of Curtiss-Wright and the executive officers of Curtiss-Wright
beneficially owned an aggregate of 298,245 shares of Curtiss-Wright common
stock, including shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of outstanding
stock options exercisable within 60 days of the record date. As of February 16,
2001, none of the directors of Curtiss-Wright beneficially owned any shares of
common stock of Unitrin.
The merger agreement provides that our board of directors following the
recapitalization will consist of eight members. Each member of our board will
remain a director of our board following the completion of the transactions. S.
Marce Fuller will become the common stock director upon completion of the
transactions. Our remaining directors will become the Class B directors upon
completion of the transactions. The composition of our board otherwise will not
be affected by the recapitalization or the distribution, except that if the
classified board proposal is adopted, the board of directors will be divided
into three classes at our next annual meeting. See 'Board of Directors and
Management of Curtiss-Wright' on page 42.
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE APPROVALS
We are in the process of obtaining the necessary approval from the New York
Stock Exchange in order to list the shares of Class B common stock. Our common
stock is currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'CW.'
Following the recapitalization and distribution, the common stock will continue
to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'CW' and the Class
B common stock is expected to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol 'CW-B.'
FEDERAL SECURITIES LAW CONSEQUENCES
All shares of Class B common stock received by holders of Unitrin common
stock following the recapitalization and distribution will be freely
transferable, except that shares of Class B common stock received by people who
are deemed to be affiliates of Curtiss-Wright may be resold by them only in
transactions permitted by the resale provision of Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise in compliance with, or pursuant
to an exemption from, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
NO APPRAISAL RIGHTS
Holders of Curtiss-Wright common stock are not entitled to appraisal rights
under Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware in
connection with the recapitalization or any of the other transactions discussed
in this proxy statement.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin have entered into a merger agreement and a
distribution agreement which will govern the terms of the recapitalization, the
cash dividend and the distribution.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material terms of the merger agreement, a
copy of which is attached as Appendix A. This summary does not contain all of
the terms of the merger agreement. All stockholders are urged to read carefully
the merger agreement in its entirety.
RECAPITALIZATION AND MERGER
The recapitalization will be implemented by a merger of CW Disposition
Company into Curtiss-Wright. The merger agreement provides for the amendment of
Curtiss-Wright's certificate of incorporation to provide for the Class B common
stock, as well as other amendments to implement the corporate governance
amendments, if approved.
If the merger agreement is adopted by the stockholders of Curtiss-Wright,
including by a majority of those stockholders present in person or by proxy and
voting on the recapitalization proposal, other than Unitrin, Curtiss-Wright's
certificate of incorporation will be amended to create the Class B common stock.
The approval of each of the corporate governance amendments is a condition to
the completion of the recapitalization, but may be waived by Curtiss-Wright. In
no event will the corporate governance amendments be implemented unless the
recapitalization and distribution are completed.
Unitrin has agreed to vote, or cause to be voted, all the shares of common
stock owned by it and its subsidiaries in favor of the adoption of the merger
agreement and each of the corporate governance amendments.
MERGER AND EXCHANGE OF SHARES
The merger agreement provides that before the recapitalization, Unitrin will
contribute all 4,382,400 shares of Curtiss-Wright's common stock held by it to
CW Disposition Company. At the effective time of the merger, CW Disposition
Company will be merged into Curtiss-Wright and the separate corporate existence
of CW Disposition Company will cease and Curtiss-Wright will be the surviving
corporation. All of the shares of CW Disposition Company common stock
outstanding immediately before the effective time of the merger will be
converted into 4,382,400 shares of Curtiss-Wright's Class B common stock, each
of the shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock held by CW Disposition Company will
automatically be canceled and retired, and each other share of Curtiss-Wright
common stock will remain issued and outstanding. As a result of and following
the recapitalization, Unitrin will own 4,382,400 shares of Class B common stock.
Each other stockholder of Curtiss-Wright will own the same number of shares of
common stock as it owned before the recapitalization.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
Conditions to Both Parties' Obligations. Neither we nor Unitrin nor CW
Disposition Company are obligated to complete the recapitalization unless the
following conditions are satisfied or waived, except that none of us may waive
the required stockholder approvals with respect to the merger agreement:
the adoption of the merger agreement by the holders of
a majority of the Curtiss-Wright common stock outstanding and entitled
to vote thereon, and
a majority of the shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock, other than
shares held of record or beneficially owned by Unitrin, that are present
in person or by proxy at the special meeting and voting on the
recapitalization proposal;
the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976;
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the absence of any law, order or injunction prohibiting, and any proceeding
challenging, the completion of the recapitalization or the distribution;
and
the completion of all actions or filings with any governmental entity
required to permit the completion of the recapitalization, except those
that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
any party's ability to complete the transactions.
These conditions are for the benefit of Curtiss-Wright or Unitrin, as
applicable, and do not give rise to or create any duty on the part of
Curtiss-Wright or Unitrin, as applicable, to waive or not waive any of these
conditions.
Conditions to Curtiss-Wright's Obligations. In addition, we are not
obligated to complete the recapitalization unless the following additional
conditions are satisfied or waived by us:
the approval of each of the corporate governance amendments by the holders
of a majority of the common stock outstanding and entitled to vote on the
corporate governance amendments;
the declaration of the distribution by the board of directors of Unitrin,
subject to the completion of the recapitalization, the satisfaction of all
conditions to the distribution set forth in the distribution agreement,
other than the completion of the recapitalization, the absence of any
circumstance that would reasonably be expected to prevent the completion of
the distribution immediately following the recapitalization, and the
distribution agreement remaining in full force and effect;
Unitrin's representations and warranties in the distribution agreement,
other than the representation and warranty relating to actions, suits or
judgments that seek to enjoin or rescind the transactions, and Unitrin and
CW Disposition Company's representations and warranties in the merger
agreement that are qualified as to materiality being true and correct and
any representations and warranties that are not qualified as to materiality
being true and correct in all material respects as of the effective time of
the merger and Curtiss-Wright having received a certificate executed by the
chief executive officer of Unitrin to this effect;
Unitrin and CW Disposition Company having performed all covenants in the
merger agreement and Unitrin having performed all covenants in the
distribution agreement in all material respects at or prior to the
effective time of the merger and Curtiss-Wright having received a
certificate executed by the chief executive officer of Unitrin to this
effect;
the receipt by Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin of all consents required in
connection with the completion of the transactions, and any material
governmental approvals and consents needed to complete the transactions;
the approval of the Class B common stock for listing on the New York Stock
Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance;
no event outside the control of Curtiss-Wright having occurred or failed to
occur that prevents legal completion of the recapitalization;
the compliance of the transactions in all material respects with applicable
federal and state securities and other applicable laws;
the completion, in form or substance reasonably satisfactory to
Curtiss-Wright, of all actions and other documents and instruments
reasonably necessary in connection with the transactions; and
either: (i) the issuance of the Internal Revenue Service letter ruling and
compliance by Unitrin with all provisions of the ruling required to be
complied with prior to the date of the declaration of the distribution and
the distribution, or (ii) the receipt by Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin of a
written legal opinion to the same effect as the ruling if the ruling is not
obtained.
These conditions are for the sole benefit of Curtiss-Wright and do not give
rise to or create any duty on the part of Curtiss-Wright to waive or not to
waive any of these conditions.
Conditions to Unitrin's Obligations. In addition, Unitrin and CW Disposition
Company are not obligated to consummate the recapitalization unless the
following additional conditions are satisfied or waived by them:
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the issuance of the Internal Revenue Service letter ruling and the
compliance by Curtiss-Wright with all provisions set forth in the Internal
Revenue Service letter ruling that are required to be complied with prior
to the dates of the declaration of the distribution and the distribution;
the satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions to the declaration of the
distribution and the distribution, other than the completion of the
recapitalization, the absence of any circumstance that would reasonably be
expected to prevent the completion of the distribution immediately
following the merger and the full force and effect of the distribution
agreement;
Curtiss-Wright's representations and warranties in the distribution
agreement, other than the representation and warranty relating to actions,
suits or judgments that seek to enjoin or rescind the transactions, and the
merger agreement that are qualified as to materiality being true and
correct, and Curtiss-Wright's representations and warranties that are not
qualified as to materiality being true and correct in all material respects
as of the effective time of the merger and Unitrin having received a
certificate executed by the chief executive officer of Curtiss-Wright to
this effect; and
Curtiss-Wright having performed all covenants in the merger agreement or
the distribution agreement at or prior to the effective time of the merger
in all material respects and Unitrin having received a certificate executed
by the chief executive officer of Curtiss-Wright to this effect.
These conditions are for the sole benefit of Unitrin and CW Disposition
Company and do not give rise to or create any duty on the part of Unitrin or CW
Disposition Company to waive or not waive any of these conditions.
TERMINATION
The merger agreement, and, as a result, the distribution agreement, may be
terminated and the recapitalization may be abandoned at any time before the
effective time of the merger, notwithstanding any approval of the merger
agreement by the stockholders of Curtiss-Wright:
by mutual written consent of Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin;
by either Curtiss-Wright or Unitrin, if the completion of the merger or the
distribution is illegal or otherwise prohibited or if any judgment,
injunction, order or decree enjoining Curtiss-Wright or CW Disposition
Company from completing the merger or Unitrin from completing the
distribution is entered and becomes final and nonappealable;
by either Curtiss-Wright or Unitrin, if, in the case of Curtiss-Wright, the
required Curtiss-Wright stockholder approvals for the recapitalization
proposal and the corporate governance amendments are not obtained or, if,
in the case of Unitrin, the required Curtiss-Wright stockholder approval
for the recapitalization proposal is not obtained;
by either Curtiss-Wright or Unitrin, if the merger is not completed by
June 30, 2001, but this right is not available to any party in material
breach of its obligations under the merger agreement or the distribution
agreement; or
by either Curtiss-Wright or Unitrin, if its board is required by its
fiduciary duties to terminate the distribution agreement or, in the case of
Curtiss-Wright, the merger agreement, to accept an alternative proposal by
a third party.
The merger agreement terminates automatically if the distribution agreement
is terminated according to its terms. Likewise, the distribution agreement
terminates automatically if the merger agreement is terminated according to its
terms.
OTHER AGREEMENTS
Under the merger agreement, Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin agree to provide to
the other party, subject to limited conditions, access to corporate records and
information. Each party has also agreed to exercise all reasonable efforts
promptly to obtain any necessary consents and approvals and to take actions as
may be necessary or desirable to obtain these consents and approvals.
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THE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin have entered into the distribution agreement
providing for, among other things, the distribution and the cash dividend. The
following is a summary of the material terms of the distribution agreement, a
copy of which is attached as Appendix B. This summary does not contain all of
the terms of the distribution agreement. All stockholders are urged to read
carefully the distribution agreement in its entirety.
THE DISTRIBUTION
Unitrin will appoint a distribution agent to distribute to the holders of
record of Unitrin common stock in proportion to the number of Unitrin shares
they hold on the record date for the distribution, all shares of Class B common
stock held by Unitrin on the date of the distribution. The distribution agent
will aggregate all fractional shares of Class B common stock that would
otherwise be distributed and sell them in an orderly manner after the date of
the distribution in the open market and, after completion of the sales,
distribute the pro rata portion of the net proceeds from these sales to each
stockholder of Unitrin who would otherwise have received a fractional share.
CONDITIONS TO THE DECLARATION AND DISTRIBUTION
The board of directors of Unitrin will irrevocably declare the distribution
and cause the distribution to occur, as soon as reasonably practicable following
the satisfaction or waiver, as determined by Unitrin in its sole discretion, of
the conditions set forth below. These conditions must be satisfied or waived on
or prior to the time of the declaration of the dividend, unless the condition
can only be satisfied after the declaration of the dividend, in which case the
condition must be satisfied or waived on or prior to the time of the
distribution:
the issuance of the Internal Revenue Service letter ruling and the ruling
being satisfactory to Unitrin and the compliance by Curtiss-Wright with all
provisions in the Internal Revenue Service letter ruling to be complied
with prior to the declaration of the distribution and the distribution;
no event outside the control of Unitrin that prevents the legal completion
of the distribution having occurred;
the compliance of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and
the distribution agreement in all material respects with applicable federal
and state securities and other applicable laws;
the receipt by Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin of all consents required in
connection with the completion of the transactions, and any material
governmental approvals and consents needed to complete the transactions;
the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the recapitalization, other
than, in the case of the declaration of the distribution, the declaration
and completion of the distribution, and no circumstances existing that
would reasonably be expected to prevent the completion of the
recapitalization immediately prior to the distribution and, in the case of
the distribution, the recapitalization having been completed;
the declaration of the cash dividend by our board of directors
substantially simultaneously with the declaration of the distribution by
the board of directors of Unitrin and the absence of any circumstances that
would reasonably be expected to prevent prompt payment of the cash
dividend;
the filing of a registration statement on Form 8-A registering the Class B
common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including all
amendments with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
the approval of the Class B common stock for listing on the New York Stock
Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance;
Curtiss-Wright's representations and warranties set forth in the
distribution agreement and the merger agreement that are qualified as to
materiality being true and correct, and any
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representations and warranties that are not qualified as to materiality
being true and correct in all material respects, as of the date of the
declaration and the date of the distribution and Unitrin having received a
certificate of the chief executive officer of Curtiss-Wright to this
effect;
Curtiss-Wright having performed or complied in all material respects with
all agreements and covenants required to be performed by it under the
distribution agreement and the merger agreement at or prior to the date of
the declaration, or, if applicable, the date of the distribution and
Unitrin having received a certificate of the chief executive officer of
Curtiss-Wright to this effect; and
all actions and other documents and instruments reasonably necessary in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the distribution agreement
and the merger agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Unitrin having been taken or executed.
These conditions are for the sole benefit of Unitrin but do not give rise to
or create any duty on the part of Unitrin to waive or not waive any of these
conditions.
Each of Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin has agreed that the declaration of the
distribution and the distribution will occur as soon as reasonably practicable
following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the distribution. The
parties have agreed to cause their respective boards of directors to meet on the
date of the declaration of the distribution to take any corporate action at the
meeting required to effect the transactions contemplated by the distribution
agreement and the merger agreement. Immediately following these meetings,
Curtiss-Wright will complete the recapitalization in accordance with the terms
of the merger agreement, including the filing of the certificate of merger
relating to the recapitalization with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware.
CASH DIVIDEND
The distribution agreement provides that, subject to some conditions, on the
date of the declaration of the distribution, our board of directors will declare
the cash dividend to all holders of record of Curtiss-Wright's common stock as
of the record date determined by the board of directors. Unitrin has agreed to
waive its right to receive the cash dividend.
We are not obligated to declare or pay the cash dividend unless the
conditions to the declaration of the distribution and the recapitalization are
satisfied.
OTHER AGREEMENTS
Voting Agreement by Unitrin. Unitrin has agreed to be present, and to cause
CW Disposition Company to be present, in person or by proxy at each and every
stockholders meeting of Curtiss-Wright at which the recapitalization proposal
and the corporate governance amendments are submitted to the stockholders and to
vote, or cause to be voted, all shares of common stock owned directly or
indirectly by it and its subsidiaries in favor of the recapitalization proposal
and each of the corporate governance amendments. If approved by our
stockholders, the corporate governance amendments will become effective only if
the merger occurs.
Standstill Agreement. Unitrin has agreed that, until the distribution
agreement is terminated or the recapitalization is complete, it will not, and it
will cause its affiliates not to, without the prior approval of our board:
solicit proxies with respect to the Curtiss-Wright common stock;
participate in any group of related people with respect to the
Curtiss-Wright common stock;
act, alone or with others, to seek control of Curtiss-Wright;
disclose any intention with respect to any of these standstill provisions;
or
request that Curtiss-Wright waive any of these standstill provisions.
Indemnification Against Tax and Other Liabilities. The distribution
agreement provides that Unitrin and Curtiss-Wright will comply with and not take
any action during the relevant time period that is inconsistent with the
representations made to the Internal Revenue Service in connection with the
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requests for the Internal Revenue Service ruling described under 'Proposal One:
The Recapitalization and Related Transactions -- Tax Matters -- Recapitalization
and Distribution' on page 22. In order to preserve the tax-free status of the
distribution, we have agreed to maintain our status as a company engaged in the
active conduct of a trade or business, as defined in Section 355(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code, until the second anniversary of the distribution.
In addition, under Section 355(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, the
distribution will be taxable to Unitrin if the distribution is part of a plan or
series of related transactions pursuant to which one or more persons acquire
directly or indirectly stock representing a 50% or greater interest, based on
either vote or value, in Unitrin or Curtiss-Wright. Acquisitions that occur
during the period beginning two years before the distribution and ending two
years after the distribution are subject to a rebuttable presumption that they
are part of such a plan. If Unitrin becomes subject to tax under Section 355(e),
its tax liability will be based upon the difference between the fair market
value of the Class B common stock at the time of the distribution and its
adjusted basis in such stock at that time. The amount of this liability is
estimated at $30 million, based upon the market price of Curtiss-Wright common
stock as of December 14, 2000.
We have agreed to indemnify Unitrin, each member of the consolidated group
of corporations of which Unitrin is the common parent corporation and each
direct and indirect subsidiary of Unitrin for:
all actual tax liability of Unitrin, the members of its consolidated group
and its direct or indirect subsidiaries, and
for any established tax liabilities of any stockholder of Unitrin evidenced
by (i) an amended tax return of the Unitrin stockholder reflecting the
amount of the tax liability, together with proof of payment of the amount
or (ii) a deficiency notice received by the Unitrin stockholder from the
Internal Revenue Service setting forth the amount of the tax liability,
together with proof of payment of the amount,
arising from any inaccuracy in, or failure by Curtiss-Wright to comply with, any
representation or undertaking made by Curtiss-Wright to the Internal Revenue
Service in connection with the Internal Revenue Service ruling request, subject
to certain exceptions.
If we take any action or fail to take any required action, and that failure
to comply, action or omission contributes to a determination that the
distribution fails to qualify under Section 355(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
or that the Curtiss-Wright shares fail to qualify as qualified property for
purposes of Section 355(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code by reason of Section
355(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, we have agreed to indemnify Unitrin, the
members of its consolidated group and its direct or indirect subsidiaries for:
all federal, state and local taxes, including any interest, penalties or
additions to tax; and
any established liability of any Unitrin stockholders resulting from the
distribution evidenced by (i) an amended tax return of the Unitrin
stockholder reflecting the amount of the tax liability, together with proof
of payment of the amount or (ii) a deficiency notice received by the
Unitrin stockholder from the Internal Revenue Service setting forth the
amount of the tax liability, together with proof of payment of the amount.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the distribution agreement,
Curtiss-Wright will not be obligated to indemnify Unitrin, the members of its
consolidated group or its direct or indirect subsidiaries for any tax liability
that results solely from an inaccuracy in or failure by Unitrin to comply with
any representation or undertaking by Unitrin to the Internal Revenue Service in
connection with the Internal Revenue Service ruling request. Furthermore, if any
tax liability arises as a result of both
either (i) our taking or failing to take any action that contributes to the
distribution not being treated as a tax-free transaction or (ii) an
inaccuracy in or failure by Curtiss-Wright to comply with any
representation or undertaking made by Curtiss-Wright to the Internal
Revenue Service in connection with the Internal Revenue Service ruling
request, and
an inaccuracy in or failure by Unitrin to comply with any representation or
undertaking by Unitrin to the Internal Revenue Service in connection with
the Internal Revenue Service ruling request,
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and each failure is an independent cause of the liability, then Curtiss-Wright
and Unitrin will allocate the tax liability among themselves in a proportion
that reflects the relative fault of each party. In the event that Curtiss-Wright
and Unitrin are jointly responsible for a shareholder level liability under the
provisions described above, we are required to indemnify and pay to Unitrin, the
members of its consolidated group and its direct or indirect subsidiaries our
share of an established liability of a Unitrin stockholder if, and only to the
extent that, Unitrin has agreed to pay the Unitrin stockholder its proportionate
share of the established liability. If Unitrin does not actually pay its
proportionate share of the established liability to the stockholder, Unitrin
will reimburse Curtiss-Wright for any amounts paid by Curtiss-Wright to Unitrin
in respect of the established liability.
We will not be obligated to indemnify Unitrin, the members of its
consolidated group or its direct or indirect subsidiaries against any Unitrin
tax liability that would not have been incurred but for the increase of
Unitrin's voting power with respect to its Curtiss-Wright stock as a result of
the recapitalization. In addition, we will be entitled to rely upon any
representations made by Unitrin in the distribution agreement with respect to
the absence of a plan or arrangement on the part of Unitrin to dispose of its
interest in Curtiss-Wright or in the Internal Revenue Service ruling request
with respect to sales by Unitrin stockholders of stock or securities of Unitrin
or Curtiss-Wright. In the event these representations are not true, correct or
complete, we will not be obligated to indemnify Unitrin, the members of its
consolidated group or its direct or indirect subsidiaries for any Unitrin tax
liability that would not have been incurred but for the failure of these
representations to be true, correct and complete, unless Curtiss-Wright had
prior actual knowledge of the inaccuracy, failure or incompleteness.
Any indemnity payment made by Curtiss-Wright pursuant to the provisions
described above shall be made on an after-tax basis, calculated according to the
actual tax position of the person receiving the payment. The total amount to be
paid by Curtiss-Wright pursuant to its indemnity obligation under the
distribution agreement shall not exceed $135 million.
As a result of the representations in the Internal Revenue Service ruling
request and the covenants in the distribution agreement, the acquisition of
control of Curtiss-Wright prior to the second anniversary of the distribution
date may be more difficult or less likely to occur because of the potential
indemnification liability associated with a breach of these representations or
covenants. In addition, Curtiss-Wright's ability to undertake acquisitions and
other transactions may be substantially restricted for the two-year period
following the distribution.
The distribution agreement also provides for assumptions of liabilities and
cross-indemnities designed to allocate financial responsibility for former,
current, or future liabilities arising out of or in connection with the
businesses of each respective party.
No Solicitation. Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin have agreed not to solicit or
negotiate in connection with any proposal for the acquisition by any third party
of any shares of capital stock of Curtiss-Wright or the acquisition of, or
business combination with, Curtiss-Wright during the pendency of the proposed
transactions. Unitrin will be relieved of this obligation if:
our board of directors approves an alternative transaction during the
pendency of the transactions, does not recommend or withdraws its
recommendation in favor of the transactions or modifies its recommendation
in a manner adverse to Unitrin,
Curtiss-Wright breaches or fails to comply with any of its material
obligations under the distribution agreement or merger agreement and fails
to cure the breach or failure within 30 days following notice, or
Unitrin receives a written proposal for an alternative transaction and the
board of directors of Unitrin in good faith determines, after consultation
with outside counsel, that it would be inconsistent with the Unitrin
board's fiduciary duties to Unitrin stockholders if the Unitrin board did
not commence discussions or negotiations with the person making the
proposal, but only with respect to that specific proposal.
We will be released from this obligation if we receive a written proposal for an
alternative transaction and our board of directors in good faith determines
after consultation with outside counsel, that it would be inconsistent with our
fiduciary duties to our stockholders if we did not commence discussions
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or negotiations with the person making the proposal. This release will only be
with respect to that specific proposal.
Expenses. The distribution agreement also provides that, except as set forth
under ' -- Termination' below, all costs and expenses incurred in connection the
distribution agreement and the merger agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby will be paid by the party incurring the costs and expenses.
TERMINATION
Prior to the filing of the certificate of merger related to the
recapitalization, the distribution agreement may be terminated:
by Curtiss-Wright and Unitrin by mutual written consent;
by Curtiss-Wright or Unitrin if the other party is in breach of any of its
obligations or representations and warranties under the distribution
agreement or the merger agreement, and the breach would result in a
material adverse effect on the party after giving effect to the
distribution, and the breaching party fails to correct the breach within 30
days;
by Curtiss-Wright if, following receipt of a proposal for an alternative
transaction, our board of directors is required by its fiduciary duties to
stockholders of Curtiss-Wright to terminate the merger agreement or the
distribution agreement and accept the proposal; in this case Curtiss-
Wright will pay the reasonable documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses
incurred by Unitrin in connection with the distribution agreement, the
merger agreement and the related transactions up to a total of $2.3
million, but only if Unitrin does not agree to, or otherwise vote in favor
of, the alternative proposal;
by Unitrin if:
our board of directors withdraws its approval or recommendation of the
transactions, does not recommend or modifies its approval or
recommendation in a manner adverse to Unitrin or approves, recommends or
enters into an agreement for any alternative proposal;
the stockholders of Curtiss-Wright do not approve the recapitalization;
or
following receipt of a proposal for an alternative transaction, the board
of directors of Unitrin is required by its fiduciary duties to
stockholders of Unitrin to terminate the distribution agreement and
accept the alternative transaction proposal;
in the case of the first point directly above, Curtiss-Wright shall pay the
reasonable documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by Unitrin
in connection with the distribution agreement, the merger agreement and the
related transactions up to a total of $2.3 million and in the case of the
third point directly above, Unitrin shall pay the reasonable documented
out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by Curtiss-Wright in connection
with the distribution agreement, the merger agreement and the related
transactions up to a total of $2.3 million;
by Curtiss-Wright or Unitrin if the recapitalization is not completed by
June 30, 2001, but this right is not available to any party in material
breach of its obligations under the distribution agreement or the merger
agreement; or
automatically upon termination of the merger agreement.
Except in circumstances where a party is required to pay the fees and
expenses of the other party as set forth above, and except for liability for any
breach by either party of the distribution agreement or merger agreement, no
party will be liable to any other party or any other person as a result of
termination of the distribution agreement. After the filing of the certificate
of merger relating to the recapitalization, the distribution agreement may not
be terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by both parties.
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PROPOSALS TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE AND SIX:
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS
We are not obligated to complete the recapitalization unless all of the
corporate governance amendments are approved. However, we may waive this
condition to completion of the recapitalization. In addition, the corporate
governance amendments will not be implemented if the recapitalization proposal
is not approved.
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text
of the proposed amendments to our certificate of incorporation and by-laws,
which are attached to this proxy statement.
GENERAL
The corporate governance amendments will amend our certificate of
incorporation in ways that we believe are necessary to foster our long-term
growth as an independent company following the recapitalization and the
distribution and to protect our stockholders from unsolicited potentially
coercive or abusive takeover tactics and efforts to acquire control of
Curtiss-Wright at a price or on terms that are not in the best interests of all
Curtiss-Wright stockholders.
Our board has also approved amendments to our by-laws which are attached as
Appendices D-1 and D-2 and are described under 'Proposal One: The
Recapitalization and Related Transactions -- Description of By-laws Amendments'
on page 18 and ' -- Description of By-laws Amendments' on page 38. Under the
terms of our existing certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has
the power to amend the by-laws without stockholder approval. As a result,
separate stockholder approval is not required to effect the by-laws amendments.
In addition to containing the amendments to the by-laws discussed in
'Proposal One: Recapitalization and Related Transactions -- Description of
By-laws Amendments' on page 18, the by-laws amendments contain changes necessary
to conform the by-laws to our certificate of incorporation if the corporate
governance amendments are approved.
Our board adopted a stockholders' rights plan at the time it approved the
recapitalization and the distribution. That rights plan will terminate upon the
completion of the recapitalization and distribution. We anticipate that our
management will propose that our board adopt a new rights plan to be effective
at the time of the distribution. See ' -- Stockholders' Rights Plan' on
page 38.
PURPOSE AND EFFECTS OF THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS
The proposed recapitalization and distribution may make it easier for a
single person or group of related persons to gain control over our company.
Because Unitrin currently holds approximately 44% of the Curtiss-Wright common
stock, it is unlikely at present that a person other than Unitrin would gain
control of our company without Unitrin's consent. Following the recapitalization
and distribution, however, holders of Class B common stock will have the right
to elect at least 80% of our board. Accordingly, a person or group of related
persons could gain control of our company by gaining control of our board by
acquiring a majority of the outstanding Class B common stock, or the votes
represented by those shares. Since the outstanding Class B common stock will
represent approximately 44% of the total outstanding shares of Curtiss-Wright
voting stock, the special class voting right of the Class B common stock would
permit a person or group to gain control of our board by acquiring only
approximately 22% of Curtiss-Wright's total outstanding voting securities. In
addition, the substantial influence that Unitrin has the ability to exert in
matters voted on by Curtiss-Wright stockholders will be eliminated as a result
of the recapitalization and distribution. For these reasons, the proposed
recapitalization and distribution could render Curtiss-Wright more susceptible
to unsolicited takeover bids from third parties, including offers below the
intrinsic value of Curtiss-Wright or other offers that would not be in the best
interests of Curtiss-Wright's stockholders.
In order to reduce the concerns described above, the corporate governance
amendments, together with the by-laws amendments and the stockholders' rights
plan that we anticipate our board will adopt at the time of the distribution,
are intended to make it more difficult for a potential acquiror of Curtiss-
Wright to take advantage of Curtiss-Wright's new capital structure to acquire
Curtiss-Wright by means
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of a transaction which is not negotiated with our board. This would reduce the
vulnerability of Curtiss-Wright to an unsolicited takeover proposal. These
provisions are designed to enable Curtiss-Wright to develop its business in a
manner which will foster its long-term growth, with the threat of a takeover not
deemed by our board to be in the best interests of Curtiss-Wright and its
stockholders, and the potential disruption entailed by a threat of a takeover,
reduced to the extent practicable. Eliminating Unitrin as an approximately 44%
stockholder as a result of the distribution would, absent these provisions,
increase Curtiss-Wright's vulnerability to an unsolicited takeover proposal. In
addition, as discussed above under 'Proposal One: The Recapitalization and
Related Transactions -- Tax Matters -- Recapitalization and Distribution' on
page 21, Curtiss-Wright has agreed to indemnify Unitrin for tax liabilities
under some circumstances if the distribution becomes subject to tax. The
likelihood of the distribution losing its tax-free status and the likelihood of
Curtiss-Wright being subject to liability under the tax indemnification
provisions of the distribution agreement increase if Curtiss-Wright is acquired.
By making a takeover of Curtiss-Wright without approval of our board more
difficult, the corporate governance amendments, the by-laws amendments and the
stockholders' rights plan that we anticipate our board will adopt also protect
Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders from potential liabilities resulting from
the loss of the tax-free status of the distribution.
Our board believes that when companies do not have measures in place to
address unsolicited takeover bids, change in control transactions do occur at
prices below the best price that might otherwise be attainable. Many companies
have put provisions in place which require potential acquirors to negotiate with
the board of directors. Our board desires to provide Curtiss-Wright with the
flexibility to grow its business without being subject to unsolicited takeover
proposals either at inadequate prices or by means of unfair takeover tactics.
Our board of directors is aware of, and committed to, its fiduciary obligations
to Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders in respect of these measures.
State Anti-Takeover Statutes. Under the business combination statute of
Delaware law, a corporation is generally restricted from engaging in a business
combination with an interested stockholder for a three-year period following the
time the stockholder became an interested stockholder. An interested stockholder
is defined as a stockholder who, together with its affiliates or associates,
owns, or who is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and within the
prior three-year period did own, 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock.
This restriction applies unless:
prior to the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the
board of directors of the corporation approved either the business
combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder;
the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the
corporation, excluding specified shares, upon completion of the transaction
which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; or
at or subsequent to the time the stockholder became an interested
stockholder, the business combination was approved by the board of directors
of the corporation and authorized by the affirmative vote, at an annual or
special meeting, and not by written consent, of at least 66 2/3% of the
outstanding voting shares of the corporation, excluding shares held by that
interested stockholder.
A business combination generally includes:
mergers, consolidations and sales or other dispositions of 10% or more of
the assets of a corporation to or with an interested stockholders;
transactions resulting in the issuance or transfer to an interested
stockholder of any capital stock of the corporation or its subsidiaries,
subject to certain exceptions;
transactions having the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the
interested stockholder in the capital stock of the corporation or its
subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions; and
other transactions resulting in a disproportionate financial benefit to an
interested stockholder.
The provisions of the Delaware business combination statute do not apply to
a corporation if, subject to certain requirements, the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws of the corporation contain a provision expressly
electing not to be governed by the provisions of the statute or the corporation
does
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not have voting stock listed on a national securities exchange, authorized for
quotation on the NASDAQ stock market or held of record by more than 2,000
stockholders.
We have not adopted any provision in our certificate of incorporation or
by-laws electing not to be governed by the Delaware business combination
statute. As a result, the statute is applicable to business combinations
involving Curtiss-Wright.
The corporate governance amendments, together with the by-laws amendments
and the stockholders' rights plan that we anticipate our board will adopt, may
reduce the ability of stockholders to influence the governance of
Curtiss-Wright.
THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS
In deciding to approve the corporate governance amendments, we determined
that it would be beneficial to have the protections of the corporate governance
amendments in place following the recapitalization and the distribution,
particularly during the first two years following the distribution, when the
risk to Curtiss-Wright of liability under the tax indemnity provisions of the
distribution agreement is greatest. Following is a description of the material
terms of the corporate governance amendments.
Proposal Two: Classified Board Proposal. If this proposal is approved, our
certificate of incorporation will be amended to provide for a classified
board of directors, also referred to as a staggered board. The board of
directors would be divided into three classes of directors, each having a
three-year term. A classified board staggers terms of the three classes and
would be implemented through initial one, two and three-year terms for the
three classes, followed in each case by full three-year terms.
The classified board proposal would make it more difficult for a person
seeking to obtain control of Curtiss-Wright to achieve that control by
acquiring a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock or by
acquiring proxies for a majority of shares of Class B common stock. With a
classified board, only one-third of the members of the board are elected
each year, and directors may only be removed from office for cause.
Accordingly, the acquisition of control of a majority of our board of
directors would require the election of new directors at at least two
successive annual meetings of stockholders.
The overall impact of the classified board proposal would be to render more
difficult or discourage attempts to assume control of Curtiss-Wright by
means of a merger or tender offer which is not negotiated with the board of
directors even if the transaction would result in a premium over the market
price for the shares of Curtiss-Wright's capital stock held by the
stockholders or may otherwise be favorable to the interests of the
stockholders, or by means of a proxy contest.
Our board of directors believes that the classified board proposal is
advantageous to Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders for a number of reasons.
As discussed above, public companies are potentially subject to attempts by
various individuals and entities to acquire significant minority positions
with the intent either of obtaining actual control by electing their own
slate of directors, or of achieving some other goal, such as the repurchase
of their shares by the company at a premium. These prospective acquirers may
be in a position to elect the majority or the entirety of a company's board
of directors through a proxy contest or otherwise, even though they do not
actually own a majority of a company's outstanding shares of capital stock
at the time. If the classified board proposal is approved and implemented, a
majority of our directors could not be replaced without cause until at least
two annual meetings of stockholders have occurred. By eliminating the
possibility of the sudden replacement or removal of our board of directors,
the incumbent board of directors will be given the time and opportunity to
evaluate any proposals for acquisition of control of Curtiss-Wright and
assess and develop alternatives without the pressure created by the threat
of imminent replacement or removal or loss of control, in a manner
consistent with their responsibilities to Curtiss-Wright's stockholders.
In addition, by allowing directors to serve three-year terms rather than
one-year terms, the classified board enhances the continuity and stability
of both the composition of the board of
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directors and the policies formulated by the board of directors. This
enhances the board of directors' ability to adopt and implement long-term
business strategies aimed at increasing stockholder value. We believe,
therefore, that removing the threat of sudden replacement or removal will
permit our board to more effectively represent the interests of all
stockholders, including responding to demands or actions by any stockholder
or group.
The classified board would similarly delay stockholders who do not approve
of policies of the board of directors in their attempt to replace a majority
of the directors. For the same reason, the adoption of the classified board
may also deter certain mergers, tender offers, proxy contests or other
takeover attempts which some or a majority of holders of Curtiss-Wright
voting stock may deem to be in their best interests.
We have no knowledge of any present effort to gain control of Curtiss-Wright
or to organize a proxy contest. In addition, we have not experienced any
problems in the past or at the present time with the board of directors'
continuity or stability. However, we believe that adopting the classified
board proposal is advisable and in the best interests of stockholders
because it will give our board of directors more time to fulfill its
responsibilities to stockholders and it will provide greater assurance of
continuity and stability in the composition and policies of the board of
directors. Our board of directors also believes these advantages outweigh
any disadvantages relating to discouraging potential acquirors from
attempting to obtain control of Curtiss-Wright.
Implementation of the Classified Board. If the classified board proposal is
approved, our eight directors would be designated to three separate classes
at our next annual meeting as follows:
two 'Class I Directors' would be designated at our next annual meeting
to serve for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders
following that meeting;
three 'Class II Directors' would be designated at our next annual
meeting to serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of
stockholders to be held following that meeting; and
three 'Class III Directors' would be designated at our next annual
meeting to serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of
stockholders to be held following that meeting.
At each annual meeting following our next annual meeting, only directors of
the class whose term is expiring that year would be required to stand for
election, and upon election each director would serve a three-year term.
The total number of authorized directors will be initially set at eight.
The authorized number may be decreased or increased at any time by the
board, but, if the recapitalization proposal is adopted, may not be less
than five, and if the board size proposal is adopted, may not be more than
ten. No change may have the effect of removing any director from office.
Upon any change in the authorized number, the total number of directors
will be allocated as evenly as possible within the three classes, provided
that the term of office may not be shortened for any incumbent director.
Holders of the Class B common stock will be entitled to elect at least 80%
of the members of the board of directors. With the authorized number of
directors initially to be set at eight, the holders of Class B common stock
will be entitled to elect seven directors and the holders of the common
stock will be entitled to elect one director.
Biographical information regarding our current directors is set forth below
under 'Board of Directors and Management of Curtiss-Wright -- Board of
Directors' on page 42.
The vote of 66 2/3% of all the Curtiss-Wright capital stock entitled to
vote, voting together as a single class, will be required to alter, amend,
rescind or repeal this provision of the certificate of incorporation or to
adopt any provision inconsistent with this provision if the supermajority
vote proposal described below is adopted.
Proposal Three: Board Size Proposal. If this proposal is approved, our
certificate of incorporation will be amended to provide that our board will
consist of not less than five (as provided in the recapitalization proposal)
nor more than ten directors and that the exact number of directors will be
fixed from time to time exclusively by our board by a resolution adopted by
a majority of the
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Curtiss-Wright board. The effect of this provision is that the stockholders
of Curtiss-Wright, acting on their own, will no longer have the power,
without first obtaining board approval, to amend the by-laws to increase the
size of the board and fill the new directorships with their own
representatives. The provisions currently set forth in the certificate of
incorporation and by-laws allow this to be done by vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of common stock. This will no longer be
possible if the board size proposal is adopted. In effect, this proposal
will eliminate any opportunity of the Curtiss-Wright stockholders to
circumvent our classified board, if the classified board proposal is
adopted. Our board believes that it will be important to support and
reinforce the classified board in light of the increased vulnerability that
Curtiss-Wright will have following the recapitalization and distribution to
potentially abusive takeover tactics and efforts to acquire control of
Curtiss-Wright at a price or on terms that are not in the best interests of
all Curtiss-Wright stockholders. Preserving the classified board will help
ensure that the incumbent board of directors will be given the time and
opportunity to evaluate any proposals for acquisition of control of
Curtiss-Wright and assess and develop alternatives without the pressure
created by the threat of imminent loss of control, in a manner consistent
with their responsibility to Curtiss-Wright's stockholders. Our board
believes, therefore, that removing the threat of imminent loss of control
will permit it more effectively to represent the interests of all
stockholders, including responding to demands or actions by any stockholder
or group.
The vote of 66 2/3% of all the Curtiss-Wright capital stock entitled to
vote, voting together as a single class, will be required to alter, amend,
rescind or repeal this provision of the certificate of incorporation or to
adopt any provision inconsistent with this provision if the supermajority
vote proposal described below is adopted.
Proposal Four: Written Consent Proposal. Unless otherwise provided in a
company's certificate of incorporation, Delaware law permits any action
required or permitted to be taken by stockholders of a company at a meeting
to be taken without notice, without a meeting and without a stockholder vote
if a written consent setting forth the action to be taken is signed by the
holders of shares of outstanding stock having the requisite number of votes
that would be necessary to authorize the action at a meeting of stockholders
at which all shares entitled to vote were present and voted. Our certificate
of incorporation does not currently provide otherwise. Moreover, our by-laws
currently provide for stockholder action by written consent. The written
consent proposal will amend the certificate of incorporation, and conforming
charges will be made to the by-laws, to require that stockholder action be
taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and will prohibit
stockholder action by written consent.
The written consent proposal will give all stockholders of Curtiss-Wright
the opportunity to participate in determining any proposed action and will
prevent the holders of a majority of the voting stock from using the written
consent procedure to take stockholder action without affording all
stockholders an opportunity to participate. This proposal will prevent
stockholders from taking action other than at an annual or special meeting
of stockholders at which the proposal is submitted to stockholders in
accordance with the advance notice provisions of our by-laws. This could
lengthen the amount of time required to take stockholder actions, which will
ensure that stockholders will have sufficient time to weigh the arguments
presented by both sides in connection with any contested stockholder vote.
If the special meeting proposal is adopted, stockholders will no longer have
the ability to call a special meeting of stockholders of Curtiss-Wright to
take corporate action between annual meetings. Accordingly, the written
consent proposal in conjunction with the special meeting proposal may
discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of Curtiss-Wright. For
example, a proposal for the removal of directors for cause could, if the
board of directors desired, be delayed until the next annual meeting of
Curtiss-Wright stockholders.
The vote of 66 2/3% of all the Curtiss-Wright capital stock entitled to
vote, voting together as a single class, will be required to alter, amend,
rescind or repeal this provision of the certificate of incorporation or to
adopt any provision inconsistent with this provision if the supermajority
vote proposal described below is adopted.
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Proposal Five: Special Meeting Proposal. Under our current by-laws, a
special meeting of stockholders may be called by the Chairman, the President
or one of the directors and is required to be called by the Secretary at the
request in writing of a majority of the shares of common stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote. If the special meeting proposal is
adopted, our certificate of incorporation will be amended, and conforming
changes will be made to our by-laws, to prohibit our stockholders from
calling a special meeting. This would mean that proposals for stockholder
action, such as a proposed amendment to the by-laws or a proposal for the
removal of directors for cause, could, if the board of directors desired, be
delayed until the next annual meeting of Curtiss-Wright's stockholders. A
common tactic of bidders attempting a takeover is to initiate a proxy
contest by calling a special meeting. By eliminating the stockholders' right
to call a special meeting, expensive proxy contests cannot occur other than
in connection with our annual meeting. Also, the board can still call a
special meeting of the stockholders when issues arise that require a
stockholder meeting. The inability of a stockholder to call a special
meeting might impact upon a person's decision to purchase voting securities
of Curtiss-Wright.
The vote of 66 2/3% of all the Curtiss-Wright capital stock entitled to
vote, voting together as a single class, will be required to alter, amend,
rescind or repeal this provision of the certificate of incorporation or to
adopt any provision inconsistent with this provision if the supermajority
vote proposal described below is adopted.
Proposal Six: Supermajority Voting Proposal. Currently, in addition to board
approval, the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of stock entitled to vote thereon is required to amend any provision
of our certificate of incorporation. Delaware law permits a company to
include provisions in its certificate of incorporation that require a
greater vote than the vote otherwise required by law for any corporate
action. The supermajority voting proposal would amend our certificate of
incorporation to require the vote of at least 66 2/3% of all of the shares
of capital stock of Curtiss-Wright which are entitled to vote, voting
together as a single class, to alter, amend, rescind or repeal any of our
by-laws by stockholder action or alter, amend, rescind or repeal certain
provisions of our certificate of incorporation or to adopt any provision
inconsistent therewith. The provisions in the certificate of incorporation
affected by this amendment are:
The provision concerning the classified board, the size of the board and
the filling of board vacancies and newly created directorships;
The provision concerning the inability of our stockholders to call
special meetings;
The provision concerning the inability of our stockholders to act by
written consent; and
The provision concerning the ability of our stockholders to alter,
amend, rescind or repeal some provisions of the certificate of
incorporation and any provision of our by-laws.
The 'supermajority' voting requirement may discourage or deter a person
from attempting to obtain control of Curtiss-Wright by making it more
difficult to amend some provisions of our certificate of incorporation or
for our stockholders to amend any provision of our by-laws, whether to
eliminate provisions that have an anti-takeover effect or those that
protect the interests of minority stockholders. The supermajority voting
requirement will make it more difficult for a stockholder or stockholder
group to amend our by-laws or put pressure on our board to amend our
certificate of incorporation to facilitate a takeover attempt. Adoption of
the supermajority voting proposal requires only the approval of a majority
of the outstanding shares of common stock. If the supermajority voting
proposal is adopted by less than a 66 2/3% vote, stockholders having the
same percentage of voting power as those who voted in favor of its adoption
will not have sufficient voting power to alter, amend or repeal these
provisions at a later date.
REQUIRED VOTE
Approval of each of the corporate governance amendments requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of shares of Curtiss-Wright's common stock
outstanding as of the record date. Unitrin has
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agreed to vote or cause to be voted all shares of common stock owned by it and
any of its subsidiaries, approximately 44% of the total number of outstanding
shares of common stock, in favor of the corporate governance amendments. Unless
the merger agreement is adopted by the holders of Curtiss-Wright common stock as
described under 'Proposal One: The Recapitalization and Related
Transactions -- Required Vote' on page 20 and the recapitalization is completed,
the corporate governance amendments will not be implemented.
If the corporate governance amendments are approved, and the
recapitalization is completed Curtiss-Wright's certificate of incorporation will
be amended as indicated in Appendix C-1, which includes both the
recapitalization amendments and the corporate governance amendments. If the
recapitalization proposal is approved but any of the corporate governance
amendments are not approved and we waive our condition to the recapitalization
relating to those amendments, our certificate of incorporation will be amended
as indicated in Appendix C-2.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE CURTISS-WRIGHT BOARD
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS APPROVED EACH OF THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
AMENDMENTS AND HAS DETERMINED THAT THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS ARE
ADVISABLE AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF CURTISS-WRIGHT AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS. OUR
BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS OF CURTISS-WRIGHT VOTE 'FOR' THE ADOPTION
OF EACH OF THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AMENDMENTS.
DESCRIPTION OF BY-LAWS AMENDMENTS
As discussed under 'Proposal One: The Recapitalization and Related
Transactions -- Description of By-laws Amendments' on page 18, our board has
approved amendments to our by-laws. If the Curtiss-Wright stockholders vote to
approve the recapitalization proposal and the corporate governance amendments,
the by-laws amendments described under 'Proposal One: Recapitalization and
Related Transactions -- Description of By-laws Amendments' on page 18 will be
implemented as well as provisions necessary to conform the by-laws to the
corporate governance amendments. If the recapitalization proposal is approved
but any of the corporate governance amendments are not approved and we waive our
condition to the recapitalization relating to those amendments, our by-laws will
be amended as indicated in Appendix D-2.
The by-laws amendments relating to the corporate governance amendments are
subject to the approval of the recapitalization proposal and the corporate
governance amendments and will become effective only upon the completion of the
recapitalization. The by-laws amendments do not require separate stockholder
approval. A description of the by-laws amendments is included in this proxy
statement for informational purposes only.
STOCKHOLDERS' RIGHTS PLAN
Stockholders' rights plans are designed to encourage potential acquirors to
negotiate with a company's board of directors to preserve for stockholders the
value of a company in the event of a takeover attempt, particularly if the
common stock of the company is trading at prices substantially less than the
company's long-term value. Rights plans reduce the likelihood that a potential
acquiror who is unwilling to pay a market premium that a company's board
determines is sufficient will attempt to acquire stock by means of an open
market accumulation, front-end loaded tender offer or other coercive or unfair
takeover tactics. We currently have a stockholders' rights plan in place that
may discourage unsolicited takeover bids from third parties or efforts to remove
incumbent management, or make these actions more difficult to accomplish. The
stockholders' rights plan was adopted to ensure that in the case of an
unsolicited takeover offer, Curtiss-Wright and its stockholders would be
protected from takeover attempts, or the acquisitions of a substantial block of
equity, on terms which may be less favorable to its stockholders generally than
would be available in transactions negotiated with and approved by the board.
With the stockholders' rights plan in place, if a hostile takeover is threatened
or an offer to acquire a substantial block of Curtiss-Wright common stock is
made, the board is better able to manage the process to ensure that any proposal
accepted is in the best interest of all stockholders
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and, if required and to the extent practicable, the price to the stockholders is
maximized and that all stockholders are treated equally.
The stockholders' rights plan that we currently have in place will terminate
upon the completion of the recapitalization and distribution. We anticipate that
our management will propose that our board adopt a new stockholders' rights plan
taking into account the two classes of Curtiss-Wright stock to be effective
immediately prior to the completion of the distribution, which would enhance our
ability to protect and advance our interests and those of our stockholders in
the event of an unsolicited proposal to acquire a significant interest in
Curtiss-Wright in light of the completion of the recapitalization and
distribution.
The new stockholders' rights plan, if and when adopted, will be subject to
the completion of the recapitalization and the distribution and will become
effective immediately prior to the distribution. The stockholders' rights plan
will not require stockholder approval.
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STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT OF CURTISS-WRIGHT
The following table sets forth information as of December 5, 2000 with
respect to the beneficial ownership of Curtiss-Wright common stock before and
after the transactions by:
each person known to us to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding
shares of Curtiss-Wright common stock or Unitrin common stock;
the four most highly-compensated executive officers, other than the Chief
Executive Officer, of Curtiss-Wright;
each director of Curtiss-Wright; and
all current executive officers and directors as a group.
There may be other people that own shares of both Curtiss-Wright common
stock and Unitrin common stock who would own, collectively, following the
recapitalization and the distribution, more than 5% of the total voting power of
common stock and Class B common stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES AND PERCENT
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF OF CLASS OWNED PERCENT OF TOTAL
SHARES COMMON AFTER THE CAPITAL STOCK
OWNED STOCK TRANSACTIONS OWNED
PRIOR TO THE PRIOR TO THE ------------------------- AFTER THE
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER TRANSACTIONS(*) TRANSACTIONS COMMON STOCK CLASS B TRANSACTIONS
------------------------ --------------- ------------ ------------ ------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unitrin, Inc. ........................... 4,382,400 44% 0 0 0
One East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Argonaut Group, Inc. (12) ............... 822,200 8.2% 822,200/14.5% 0 8.2%
1800 Avenue of the Stars
Los Angeles, Cal. 90067
GAMCO Investors, Inc. (13) .............. 811,400 8.1% 811,400/14.3% 0 8.1%
And
Gabelli Funds, Inc. ..................... 377,300 3.8% 377,300/6.7% 3.8%
And
Gabelli & Company ....................... 100 (2) 100/(2) (2)
Corporate Center at Rye
Rye, NY 10580
Royce & Associates, Inc. (14) ........... 853,000 8.5% 853,000/15.1% 0 8.5%
And
Royce Management Co. .................... 1,500 (2) 1,500/(2) (2)
1414 Ave. of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
David Lasky (5).......................... 123,755 1.2% 123,755/2.2% 0 1.2%
Gerald Nachman (6)....................... 72,357 (2) 72,357/1.3% 0 (2)
George J. Yohrling (8)................... 26,023 (2) 26,023/(2) 0 (2)
Robert A. Bosi (3)....................... 24,496 (2) 24,496/(2) 0 (2)
Martin R. Benante (1).................... 19,616 (2) 19,616/(2) 0 (2)
Brian D. O'Neill (10).................... 12,070 (2) 12,070/(2) 0 (2)
James B. Busey IV (4).................... 2,269 (2) 2,269/(2) 0 (2)
William B. Mitchell (4).................. 2,644 (2) 2,644/(2) 0 (2)
John R. Myers (4)........................ 571 (2) 571/(2) 0 (2)
William W. Sihler (4).................... 1,015 (2) 1,015/(2) 0 (2)
J. McLain Stewart (7).................... 916 (2) 916/(2) 0 (2)
S. Marce Fuller (9)...................... 389 (2) 389/(2) 0 (2)
Fayez Sarofim & Co., et al. (15)** ...... 0 0% 0 212,270/5% 2.1%
2907 Two Houston Center
Houston, TX 77010
George Kozmetsky (16)** ................. 0 0% 0 264,680/6% 2.6%
P.O. Box 2253
Austin, TX 78768
Singleton Group LLC (17)** .............. 0 0% 0 941,494/21% 9.4%
335 North Maple Drive
Ste. 177
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Directors and Executive ................. 297,734 3.0% 297,734/5.3% 0 3.0%
Officers as a group (15 persons) (11)
</TABLE>
(footnotes on next page)
40
<PAGE>
(footnotes from previous page)
* Unless otherwise indicated in the following footnotes, each stockholder
referred to above has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the
shares listed.
** Assumes a distribution ratio of six and one-half (6.5) shares of Class B
common stock for each 100 shares of Unitrin common stock.
(1) Of the total number of shares, 18,682 represents the number of shares that
may be acquired within 60 days upon the exercise of options granted under
the Curtiss-Wright 1985 Stock Option Plan and 1995 Long-Term Incentive
Plan.
(2) Less than one percent.
(3) Of the total number of shares, 20,962 represents the number of shares that
may be acquired within 60 days upon the exercise of options granted under
the Curtiss-Wright 1985 Stock Option Plan and 1995 Long-Term Incentive
Plan.
(4) Includes 516 shares of restricted common stock issued pursuant to the
Curtiss-Wright 1996 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
(5) Of the total number of shares, 71,914 represents the number of shares that
may be acquired within 60 days upon the exercise of options granted under
the Curtiss-Wright 1985 Stock Option Plan and 1995 Long-Term Incentive
Plan.
(6) Of the total number of shares, 38,371 represents the number of shares that
may be acquired within 60 days upon the exercise of options granted under
the Curtiss-Wright 1985 Stock Option Plan and 1995 Long-Term Incentive
Plan.
(7) This consists of 516 shares of restricted common stock issued pursuant to
the Curtiss-Wright 1996 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors and 400
shares which are indirectly beneficially owned as custodian pursuant to the
Uniform Gift to Minors Act.
(8) Of the total number of shares, 19,304 represents the number of shares that
may be acquired within 60 days upon the exercise of options granted under
the Curtiss-Wright 1985 Stock Option Plan and 1995 Long-Term Incentive
Plan.
(9) All 389 shares of stock are restricted common stock issued pursuant to the
Curtiss-Wright 1996 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
(10) Of the total number of shares, 6,948 represents the number of shares that
may be acquired within 60 days upon the exercise of options granted under
the Curtiss-Wright 1985 Stock Option Plan and 1995 Long-Term Incentive
Plan.
(11) Of the total number of shares, 184,540 represents the number of shares that
may be acquired within 60 days upon the exercise of options granted under
the Curtiss-Wright 1985 Stock Option Plan and 1995 Long-Term Incentive
Plan.
(12) According to Schedule 13D dated October 9, 1986.
(13) According to Schedule 13D as amended through November 8, 2000.
(14) According to an amended Schedule 13G dated February 9, 2000.
(15) According to an amended Schedule 13G dated February 15, 2000.
(16) According to an amended Schedule 13G dated February 1, 2000.
(17) According to Schedule 13D dated August 24, 2000.
41
<PAGE>
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT OF CURTISS-WRIGHT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The following is information regarding the directors of Curtiss-Wright:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
---- --- --------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Martin R. Benante.................... 48 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Curtiss-Wright
James B. Busey, IV................... 68 Aviation and Security Consultant
David Lasky.......................... 68 Director, Primex Technologies, Inc.
S. Marce Fuller...................... 40 President and Chief Executive Officer of
Southern Energy, Inc.
William B. Mitchell.................. 65 Director, Mitre Corporation
John R. Myers........................ 62 Chairman of Tru-Circle Corporation
William W. Sihler.................... 63 Professor of Business Administration,
Darden Graduate School of Business
Administration, University of Virginia
J. McLain Stewart.................... 84 Director, McKinsey & Company
</TABLE>
Martin R. Benante -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Curtiss-Wright
Corporation since April, 2000, director since April 1999; President and Chief
Operating Officer of Curtiss-Wright Corporation since April 1999; formerly
Vice-President of the Corporation since April 1996; formerly President of
Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation from March 1995-April 1999.
James B. Busey, IV -- Aviation safety and security consultant, April
1996-present; Director, Mitre Corporation since February 1995; Director, Texas
Instruments, Incorporated since July 1993; President and Chief Executive Officer
of Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, September 1993-April
1996.
S. Marce Fuller -- Director, Southern Energy, Inc. since July 1999;
President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Energy, Inc. since July 1999;
President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Company Energy Marketing,
G.P., L.L.C., February 1998-November 1999; Chief Executive Officer of Southern
Company Energy Marketing, G.P., L.P., September 1997-October 1998; Executive
Vice-President of Southern Energy, Inc. from October 1998-July 1999; Senior Vice
President of Southern Energy, Inc. from May 1996 to September 1998; Vice
President of Southern Energy, Inc. 1994-1996.
David Lasky -- Chairman of the Board of Directors of Curtiss-Wright from May
1995 to April, 2000; President of Curtiss-Wright from 1993 to April 1999;
Director, Primex Technologies, Inc. since January 1997.
William B. Mitchell -- Director, Mitre Corporation since May 1997; Director,
Primex Technologies, Inc. since January 1997; Vice Chairman, 1993-1996,
Director, 1990-1996 and Executive Vice President, 1987-1993 of Texas Instruments
Incorporated; Chairman, American Electronics Association, September
1995-September 1996.
John R. Myers -- Chairman, Tru-Circle Corporation since June 1999; Director,
Iomega Corporation since 1994; limited partner of Carlisle Enterprises, a
venture capital group, since 1993; Consultant, UNC, Inc., August-December 1996;
Chairman of the Board of Garrett Aviation Services, 1994-1996.
William W. Sihler -- Professor of Business Administration, Darden Graduate
School of Business Administration, University of Virginia.
J. McLain Stewart -- Director, McKinsey & Company, Management Consultants,
until 1997.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Listed below are the names, ages at December 6, 2000, and principal
occupations of each executive officer of Curtiss-Wright who is not also a
director of Curtiss-Wright. All these people have been elected to serve until
the next annual election of officers and their successors are elected or until
their earlier resignation or removal.
42
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE TITLE
---- --- -----
<S> <C> <C>
Gerald Nachman....................... 71 Executive Vice President of Curtiss-Wright
Corporation; President, Metal Improvement Company,
Inc.
George J. Yohrling................... 60 Vice President of Curtiss-Wright Corporation;
President, Curtiss-Wright Flight Systems, Inc.
Robert A. Bosi....................... 45 Vice President-Finance of Curtiss-Wright
Corporation
Brian D. O'Neill..................... 51 General Counsel and Secretary of Curtiss-Wright
Corporation
Gary J. Benschip..................... 53 Treasurer of Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Glenn E. Tynan....................... 42 Controller of Curtiss-Wright Corporation
</TABLE>
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Our board knows of no other matters which are likely to be brought before
the meeting. If any other matters should be properly brought before the meeting,
it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy to vote, or
otherwise act, in accordance with their judgment on such matters.
In order for stockholder proposals which are submitted pursuant to
Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act to be considered by Curtiss-Wright for inclusion
in the proxy material for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in April
2001, they must have been received by the Secretary of Curtiss-Wright by
November 8, 2000. For proposals that stockholders intend to present at the
annual meeting outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act, unless
the stockholder notifies the Secretary of Curtiss-Wright of such intent by
January 22, 2001, any proxy that management solicits for the annual meeting will
confer on the holder of the proxy discretionary authority to vote on the
proposal so long as the proposal is properly presented at the meeting.
All communications to the Secretary of Curtiss-Wright must be in writing and
must be received by Curtiss-Wright at 1200 Wall Street West, Suite 501,
Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071, attention: Corporate Secretary by the applicable
date.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Curtiss-Wright files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Commission. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other
information filed by Curtiss-Wright at the Commission's public reference
facilities located at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza,
Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission:
7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, NY 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500
West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60661. Please call the Commission
at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. The
common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol 'CW,' and material relating
to Curtiss-Wright may also be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad
Street, New York, NY 10005. Some of the reports, statements and other
information filed by Curtiss-Wright are also available on the Internet at the
Commission's World Wide Web site at http://www.sec.gov. Our World Wide Web site
also contains information about Curtiss-Wright, at http://www.curtisswright.com.
43
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
________________________________________________________________________________
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION,
UNITRIN, INC.,
AND
CW DISPOSITION COMPANY
DATED AS OF JANUARY 11, 2001
________________________________________________________________________________
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE I THE MERGER........................................................... A-1
SECTION 1.1 The Merger.................................................. A-1
SECTION 1.2 Effect on Capital Stock at the Effective Time. At the
Effective Time.............................................. A-2
SECTION 1.3 Share Certificates.......................................... A-2
ARTICLE II THE SURVIVING CORPORATION........................................... A-2
SECTION 2.1 Certificate of Incorporation................................ A-2
SECTION 2.2 By-Laws..................................................... A-3
SECTION 2.3 Directors and Officers...................................... A-3
ARTICLE III COVENANTS AND REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................... A-4
SECTION 3.1 Stockholders Meeting........................................ A-4
SECTION 3.2 Filings; Other Actions...................................... A-4
SECTION 3.3 Reasonable Efforts.......................................... A-5
SECTION 3.4 Representations and Warranties of the Company............... A-5
SECTION 3.5 Representations and Warranties of UNITRIN and Merger Sub.... A-6
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER............................................ A-7
SECTION 4.1 Conditions to the Obligation of the Company................. A-7
SECTION 4.2 Conditions to the Obligations of UNITRIN and Merger Sub..... A-8
ARTICLE V TERMINATION.......................................................... A-9
SECTION 5.1 Termination................................................. A-9
SECTION 5.2 Effect of Termination....................................... A-9
ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS....................................................... A-9
SECTION 6.1 Notices..................................................... A-9
SECTION 6.2 Successors and Assigns...................................... A-10
SECTION 6.3 Governing Law............................................... A-11
SECTION 6.4 Counterparts; Effectiveness................................. A-11
SECTION 6.5 Amendments.................................................. A-11
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this 'Agreement'), dated
as of November 6, 2000, as amended and restated as of January 11, 2001, among
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the 'Company'), UNITRIN,
INC., a Delaware corporation ('UNITRIN'), and CW DISPOSITION COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of UNITRIN ('Merger Sub').
WHEREAS, UNITRIN owns all the issued and outstanding shares of common stock,
par value $.01 per share, of Merger Sub ('Merger Sub Common Stock'), and
4,382,400 shares (approximately 44% of the total number of issued and
outstanding shares) of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company
('Common Stock');
WHEREAS, prior to the effectiveness of the Merger (as defined below),
UNITRIN plans to contribute to Merger Sub 4,382,400 shares (approximately 44% of
the total number of issued and outstanding shares) of Common Stock (the
'Contributed Shares');
WHEREAS, the Company and UNITRIN desire that Merger Sub merge with and into
the Company (the 'Merger'), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware (the 'DGCL'), pursuant to which all the issued and outstanding
shares of Merger Sub Common Stock shall be converted into shares of a new Class
B common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company ('Class B Common
Stock'), and all the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than
the Contributed Shares held by Merger Sub, which shall be canceled with no
securities or other consideration issued in exchange therefor) shall remain
issued and outstanding;
WHEREAS, UNITRIN has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to distribute
all the shares of Class B Common Stock, on a pro rata basis, to the holders of
the common stock of UNITRIN promptly following consummation of the Merger (the
'Distribution'), pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Amended and Restated
Distribution Agreement entered into between the Company and UNITRIN and dated as
of the date hereof (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time, the 'Distribution Agreement'), which provides for the Distribution and
certain other matters;
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of the Company and Merger Sub by
resolutions duly adopted have approved the terms, and declared the advisability,
of this Agreement and of the Merger, and the Company has directed the submission
of this Agreement to its stockholders for adoption; and
WHEREAS, the Merger is intended to constitute a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the 'Code').
NOW, THEREFORE in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
and provisions herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
SECTION 1.1 The Merger.
(a) Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the
Effective Time (as defined below), Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the
Company in accordance with the DGCL, whereupon the separate corporate existence
of Merger Sub shall cease, and the Company shall be the surviving corporation
(the 'Surviving Corporation').
(b) Following satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the Merger, but
only on the Distribution Date (as defined in the Distribution Agreement), the
Company shall file a Certificate of Merger (the 'Certificate of Merger') with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and make all other filings or
recordings required by the DGCL in connection with the Merger. The Merger shall
become effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger is duly filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later time as is
specified in the Certificate of Merger (the 'Effective Time').
(c) At and after the Effective Time, the Merger shall have the effects set
forth in the DGCL. Without limiting the foregoing and subject thereto, from and
after the Effective Time, the Surviving
A-1
<PAGE>
Corporation shall possess all the rights, privileges, powers and franchises and
be subject to all the restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Company and
Merger Sub, all as provided under the DGCL.
SECTION 1.2 Effect on Capital Stock at the Effective Time. At the Effective
Time:
(a) All the shares of Merger Sub Common Stock outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be converted in the aggregate into and become
4,382,400 fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class B Common Stock of the
Surviving Corporation and shall have the rights and privileges as set forth in
the Surviving Corporation Certificate of Incorporation (as defined in
Section 2.1).
(b) Each of the Contributed Shares shall automatically be canceled and
retired and shall cease to exist, and no stock of the Surviving Corporation or
other consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.
(c) Each share of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time (other than shares to be canceled in accordance with
Section 1.2(b)) shall remain issued and outstanding, and each share of Common
Stock that immediately prior to the Effective Time was held in the treasury of
the Company shall remain in the treasury of the Company and, in each case, shall
have the rights and privileges as set forth in the Surviving Corporation
Certificate of Incorporation (as defined in Section 2.1).
SECTION 1.3 Share Certificates.
(a) As soon as practicable after the Effective Time:
(i) the Surviving Corporation shall deliver, or cause to be delivered,
to UNITRIN a number of certificates issued in the names of such persons, in
each case, as UNITRIN shall direct, representing in the aggregate 4,382,400
shares of Class B Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation which UNITRIN
has the right to receive upon conversion of shares of Merger Sub Common
Stock pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.2 (a) hereof;
(ii) the Surviving Corporation shall cancel the share certificate or
certificates that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented the
shares of Common Stock owned directly by Merger Sub; and
(iii) the share certificates that immediately prior to the Effective
Time represented shares of Common Stock that remain issued and outstanding
or in the treasury of the Company pursuant to Section 1.2(c) hereof shall
not be exchanged and shall continue to represent an equal number of shares
of Common Stock of the Surviving Corporation without physical substitution
of share certificates of the Surviving Corporation for existing share
certificates of the Company.
(b) Any dividend or other distribution declared or made with respect to any
shares of capital stock of the Company, whether the record date for such
dividend or distribution is before or after the Effective Time, shall be paid to
the holder of record of such shares of capital stock on such record date,
regardless of whether such holder has surrendered its certificates representing
Common Stock or received certificates representing Class B Common Stock pursuant
to Section 1.3(a)(i).
ARTICLE II
THE SURVIVING CORPORATION
SECTION 2.1 Certificate of Incorporation.
(a) In the event the adoption of this Agreement and each of the Classified
Board Proposal, the Board Size Proposal, the Written Consent Proposal, the
Special Meeting Proposal and the Supermajority Voting Proposal (each defined
below) are approved by the stockholders of the Company at the Stockholders
Meeting (as defined below), at the Effective Time the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be amended so as to read in its entirety as set forth in
Exhibit A-1(a) hereto and as so amended shall be the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) In the event the adoption of any of the Classified Board Proposal, the
Board Size Proposal, the Written Consent Proposal, the Special Meeting Proposal
or the Supermajority Voting Proposal is not approved, but the adoption of this
Agreement is approved, by the stockholders of the Company at the
A-2
<PAGE>
Stockholders Meeting, and the Company waives the condition to its obligation to
consummate the Merger set forth in Section 4.1(b) hereof with respect to any of
such proposals, at the Effective Time the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
amended so as to read in its entirety as set forth in Exhibit A-1(b) hereto,
with such changes thereto as are set forth in Exhibit A-1(b) hereto to reflect
such of the Governance Amendments (as defined below), if any, as may be approved
by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock, and as so amended shall be the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation.
(c) The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation
that becomes effective pursuant to either Section 2.1(a) or 2.1(b) hereof is
herein referred to as the 'Surviving Corporation Certificate of Incorporation.'
SECTION 2.2 By-Laws.
(a) In the event the adoption of this Agreement and each of the Classified
Board Proposal, the Board Size Proposal, the Written Consent Proposal, the
Special Meeting Proposal and the Supermajority Voting Proposal are approved by
the stockholders of the Company at the Stockholders Meeting, at the Effective
Time the By-Laws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be amended so as to read in their entirety as set forth in
Exhibit A-1(c) hereto and as so amended shall be the By-Laws of the Surviving
Corporation.
(b) In the event the adoption of any of the Classified Board Proposal, the
Board Size Proposal, the Written Consent Proposal, the Special Meeting Proposal
or the Supermajority Voting Proposal is not approved, but the adoption of this
Agreement is approved, by the stockholders of the Company at the Stockholders
Meeting, and the Company waives the condition to its obligation to consummate
the Merger set forth in Section 4.1(b) hereof with respect to any of such
proposals, at the Effective Time the By-Laws of the Company as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be amended so as to read in their
entirety as set forth in Exhibit A-1(d) hereto, with such changes thereto as are
set forth in Exhibit A-1(d) hereto to reflect the By-laws amendments relating to
such of the Governance Amendments, if any, as may be approved by the vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and as so
amended shall be the By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation.
(c) The By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation as amended pursuant to either
Section 2.2(a) or 2.2(b) hereof are herein referred to as the 'Surviving
Corporation By-Laws.'
SECTION 2.3 Directors and Officers.
(a) The Surviving Corporation's board of directors shall consist of 8
members. From and after the Effective Time, until the earlier of their removal
or resignation or until their successors are duly elected or appointed and
qualified in accordance with applicable law, the directors of the Surviving
Corporation shall consist of the directors of the Company in office at the
Effective Time. Each such director shall be designated to serve as a Director or
a Class B Director (each as defined in the Surviving Corporation Certificate of
Incorporation), such designation to be mutually agreed between UNITRIN and the
Company and disclosed in the Proxy Statement (as defined below).
(b) In the event the adoption of the Classified Board Proposal is approved
by the stockholders of the Company at the Stockholders Meeting, at the Effective
Time the directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be divided into three
classes pursuant to the Surviving Corporation Certificate of Incorporation, and
each such director shall be designated to serve as a Class I Director, Class II
Director or Class III Director (each as defined in the Surviving Corporation
Certificate of Incorporation), such designation to be disclosed in the Proxy
Statement or, at the option of the Company, in the proxy statement to be filed
with the SEC (as defined below) in connection with the Company's next annual
meeting of stockholders following the date of this Agreement; provided that in
the event that (i) the Proxy Statement does not include the disclosure required
by Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act in connection with the election of
directors and (ii) the Effective Time shall occur before the Company's next
annual meeting of stockholders, the directors shall be divided into three
classes at such annual meeting and not at the Effective Time.
A-3
<PAGE>
(c) From and after the Effective Time, until the earlier of their removal or
resignation or until their successors are duly appointed and qualified in
accordance with applicable law and the Surviving Corporation By-Laws, the
officers of the Company shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation.
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS AND REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 3.1 Stockholders Meeting. The Company shall, as soon as practicable
following the date of this Agreement, duly call, give notice of, convene and
hold a meeting of its stockholders (the 'Stockholders Meeting') for the purpose
of considering, as six separate proposals: (a) the adoption of this Agreement;
(b) the approval of an amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation implementing a classified Board (the 'Classified Board Proposal');
(c) the approval of an amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation placing limits on the size of the Company's board and requiring,
subject to certain limitations, that board vacancies and newly created
directorships be filled only by remaining board members (the 'Board Size
Proposal'); (d) the approval of an amendment to the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation eliminating the ability of stockholders to act by
written consent (the 'Written Consent Proposal'); (e) the approval of an
amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation eliminating the
ability of stockholders to call a special meeting (the 'Special Meeting
Proposal'); and (f) the approval of an amendment to the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation requiring a supermajority vote to amend the
Surviving Corporation By-Laws by stockholder action or to amend the Surviving
Corporation Certificate of Incorporation (the 'Supermajority Voting Proposal')
in a manner that would affect matters covered by the Classified Board Proposal,
the Board Size Proposal, the Written Consent Proposal, the Special Meeting
Proposal or the Supermajority Voting Proposal if adopted, all as set forth in
Exhibit A-1(a) hereto (collectively, the 'Governance Amendments'), to become
effective solely upon effectiveness of the Merger. The Company shall, through
its Board of Directors, recommend to its stockholders adoption of this Agreement
and the approval of the Governance Amendments and shall not withdraw, change or
modify such recommendation; provided, however, that the Company's Board of
Directors may withdraw, change or modify such recommendation if it determines in
good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that it would be
inconsistent with the Board's fiduciary duties to the stockholders of the
Company not to withdraw, change or modify such recommendation.
SECTION 3.2 Filings; Other Actions.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Agreement and the Distribution
Agreement, the Company shall prepare and file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the 'SEC') a proxy statement (the 'Proxy Statement') for the
solicitation of proxies in favor of (i) the adoption of this Agreement; and
(ii) the approval of each of the Governance Amendments as amendments to the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation to become effective solely upon
the effectiveness of the Merger. The Company shall not propose to its
stockholders the adoption of any of the Governance Amendments as independent
amendments to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, but only as
amendments to become effective solely upon the effectiveness of the Merger. The
Company shall use all reasonable efforts to have the Proxy Statement cleared by
the SEC for mailing in definitive form as promptly as practicable after such
filing. The Company and UNITRIN shall cooperate with each other in the
preparation of the Proxy Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto, and
the Company shall notify UNITRIN of the receipt of any comments of the SEC with
respect to the Proxy Statement and of any requests by the SEC for any amendment
or supplement thereto or for additional information and shall provide to UNITRIN
promptly copies of all correspondence between the SEC and the Company or any of
its advisors with respect to the Proxy Statement. The Company shall give UNITRIN
and its counsel appropriate advance opportunity to review and comment upon the
Proxy Statement and all responses to requests for additional information by, and
replies to comments of, the SEC, and shall incorporate therein any reasonable
comments UNITRIN may deliver to the Company with respect thereto, before such
Proxy Statement, response or reply is filed with or sent to the SEC. The Company
agrees to use all reasonable efforts, after consultation with UNITRIN and its
advisors, to respond promptly to all such comments of, and requests by, the SEC
and to cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to the holders of the Common Stock
entitled to vote at the Stockholders Meeting as soon
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as reasonably possible following the execution hereof. UNITRIN shall provide the
Company such information concerning the business and affairs of UNITRIN and
Merger Sub as is reasonably required for inclusion in the Proxy Statement.
(b) Each of the Company and UNITRIN shall promptly, and in any event within
fifteen business days after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, make
all filings or submissions as are required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the 'HSR Act'), and any other applicable
law.
(c) Each of the Company and UNITRIN agrees promptly to furnish to the other
all copies of written communications (and to advise one another of the substance
of all material oral communications) received by it, or any of its affiliates or
representatives, from, or delivered by any of the foregoing to, any federal,
state, local or international court, commission, governmental body, agency,
authority, tribunal, board or other governmental entity (each a 'Governmental
Entity') in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) At the Stockholders' Meeting, UNITRIN agrees to vote, or cause to be
voted, all shares of Common Stock owned by it and any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of each
of the Governance Amendments.
(e) As soon as reasonably practicable following execution of this Agreement,
UNITRIN, as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, shall execute and deliver to
Merger Sub in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL a written consent to
adoption of this Agreement.
SECTION 3.3 Reasonable Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement, each of the parties hereto agrees to use all
reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or
cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing,
all things necessary, proper or advisable to obtain the adoption of this
Agreement and the approval of each of the Governance Amendments by the
stockholders of the Company as contemplated by Sections 4.1(a), 4.1(b) and
4.2(a) hereof and to consummate, as soon as practicable following such approval,
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Distribution Agreement, including, but not limited to (a) the obtaining of all
necessary actions, waivers, consents and approvals from all Governmental
Entities and the making of all necessary registrations and filings (including
filings with Governmental Entities) and the taking of all reasonable steps as
may be necessary to obtain an approval or waiver from, or to avoid an action or
proceeding by, any Governmental Entity (including those in connection with the
HSR Act), (b) the obtaining of all necessary consents, approvals or waivers from
third parties, (c) the defending of any lawsuits or other legal proceedings,
whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement, the Distribution
Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order
entered by any court or other Governmental Entity with respect to the Merger,
this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement vacated or reversed, (d) the
execution and delivery of any additional instruments necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Distribution Agreement and
(e) causing all conditions to the parties' obligations to consummate (i) the
Merger set forth in Article 4 hereof and (ii) the Distribution set forth in
Section 2.1(b) of the Distribution Agreement to be satisfied. The Company and
UNITRIN, upon the other's request, shall provide all such information reasonably
necessary to accomplish the foregoing concerning the party's business and
affairs to the other party.
SECTION 3.4 Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
hereby represents and warrants to UNITRIN and Merger Sub that:
(a) the Company's Board of Directors has approved and declared advisable the
Merger, this Agreement, the Distribution Agreement and each of the Governance
Amendments and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, has determined
that the Merger and each of the Governance Amendments and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Distribution Agreement are in the best
interests of the stockholders of the Company and, subject to Section 3.1 hereof,
has recommended that the stockholders of the Company vote in favor of the
adoption of this Agreement and each of the Governance Amendments;
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(b) the Proxy Statement, the form of proxy and any other solicitation
materials used in connection therewith and any oral solicitations of proxies
made by the Company shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or omit
any statement necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication
with respect to any solicitation of a proxy for any of the matters to be voted
upon at the Stockholders Meeting which has become false or misleading, except
that no representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to
information relating to UNITRIN or Merger Sub that is provided by UNITRIN for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement or any such other proxy material or oral
solicitation;
(c) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and
constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against
the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar
laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and general equitable
principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and
(d) subject to the changes in the Company's capitalization contemplated by
this Agreement, the capitalization of the Company is as follows:
(i) 22,500,000 authorized shares of Common Stock of which 10,014,161
shares were outstanding at the close of business on October 16, 2000;
(ii) 4,984,149 shares of Common Stock which are held in the treasury of
the Company as the date of this Agreement;
(iii) 650,000 authorized shares of preferred stock of which zero (0)
shares are outstanding on the date of this Agreement; and
(iv) no shares of any other class or series of capital stock are
authorized, issued or outstanding.
SECTION 3.5 Representations and Warranties of UNITRIN and Merger Sub. Each
of UNITRIN and Merger Sub jointly and severally represent and warrant to the
Company that:
(a) the Board of Directors of each of UNITRIN and Merger Sub, as applicable,
has approved and declared advisable the Merger, this Agreement, the Distribution
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and, other than
as contemplated by Section 3.2(e) hereof, no stockholder approval or other
further corporate action will be required on the part of UNITRIN or Merger Sub;
(b) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by UNITRIN and
Merger Sub and constitutes the valid and binding agreement of each such
corporation, enforceable against UNITRIN and Merger Sub in accordance with its
terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting
creditors' rights generally and general equitable principles (whether considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and
fair dealing;
(c) UNITRIN owns all outstanding capital stock of Merger Sub free and clear
of any claims, liens or encumbrances and no other person holds any capital stock
of Merger Sub nor has any right to acquire any equity interest in Merger Sub;
(d) as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, all of the Contributed
Shares shall be owned beneficially and of record by Merger Sub, free and clear
of any claims, liens or encumbrances; and
(e) Merger Sub was formed by UNITRIN solely for the purposes of effectuating
the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement;
Merger Sub has no employees, will have no assets other than the Contributed
Shares, has not entered into any contract, agreement or other commitment with
any person except for customary corporate organizational matters or as
specifically set forth in this Agreement, and has no liabilities, commitments or
obligations of any kind (known or unknown, fixed or contingent), except for
those obligations specifically set forth in this Agreement.
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ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
SECTION 4.1 Conditions to the Obligation of the Company. The obligation of
the Company to consummate the Merger is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver
by the Company, except that the condition set forth in Section 4.1(a) may not be
waived) of the following conditions:
(a) a proposal to adopt this Agreement shall have been approved by the
holders of (i) a majority of the Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote
thereon and (ii) a majority of the shares of Common Stock (other than shares
held of record or beneficially owned by UNITRIN) present in person or by proxy
at the Stockholders Meeting and voting on such proposal;
(b) each of the Governance Amendments shall have been approved by a majority
of the Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon;
(c) the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the Merger
under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated;
(d) no court, arbitrator or other Governmental Entity shall have issued any
order, injunction, decree or other legal restraint or prohibition, and there
shall not be any statute, rule or regulation, restraining or prohibiting the
consummation of the Merger or the Distribution and no proceeding challenging
this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby or seeking to prohibit, alter, prevent or materially delay the
Merger or the Distribution shall have been instituted by any Governmental Entity
before any court, arbitrator or other Governmental Entity and be pending;
(e) all actions by or in respect of or filings with any Governmental Entity
required to permit the consummation of the Merger (other than the filing of the
Certificate of Merger in compliance with the DGCL) and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Distribution Agreement shall have been
obtained and shall be in full force and effect, except those that would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any party's ability
to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Distribution Agreement;
(f) prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of UNITRIN shall
have declared the Distribution (subject to the prior consummation of the
Recapitalization (as defined in the Distribution Agreement)), all conditions to
the Distribution set forth in the Distribution Agreement, other than the prior
consummation of the Recapitalization, shall have been satisfied or waived, no
circumstance shall exist that would reasonably be expected to prevent the
consummation of the Distribution immediately following the Merger, and the
Distribution Agreement shall remain in full force and effect;
(g) all representations and warranties of UNITRIN set forth in the
Distribution Agreement (other than the representation and warranty set forth in
Section 2.3(b)(v) of the Distribution Agreement) and all representations and
warranties of UNITRIN and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement that are
qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and any such
representations and warranties that are not so qualified shall be true and
correct in all material respects, as of the Effective Time, and the Company
shall have received a certificate executed by the chief executive officer of
UNITRIN to such effect;
(h) all covenants to have been performed at or prior to the Effective Time
by UNITRIN and Merger Sub pursuant to this Agreement and all covenants to have
been performed at or prior to the Effective Time by UNITRIN pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement shall have been performed by UNITRIN and Merger Sub in
all material respects at or prior to the Effective Time, and the Company shall
have received a certificate executed by the chief executive officer of UNITRIN
to such effect;
(i) each of the Company and UNITRIN shall have received all the Required
Consents (as defined in the Distribution Agreement);
(j) the Class B Common Stock shall have been approved for listing on the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc., subject to official notice of issuance;
(k) no event outside the control of the Company shall have occurred or
failed to occur that prevents the lawful consummation of the Recapitalization;
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(l) the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Distribution Agreement
shall be in compliance in all material respects with applicable federal and
state securities and other applicable laws;
(m) all actions and other documents and instruments reasonably necessary in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Distribution
Agreement shall have been taken or executed, as the case may be, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company; and
(n) either (i) the private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service,
providing that, among other things, the Recapitalization and the Distribution
will qualify, to the extent set forth therein, as tax-free transactions for
federal income tax purposes under Sections 354 and 355 of the Code, respectively
(the 'IRS Ruling'), shall have been issued and shall continue in effect, such
ruling, insofar as it relates to the tax-free nature of the Recapitalization,
shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in its sole
discretion, and UNITRIN shall have complied with all provisions set forth in the
IRS Ruling that are required to be complied with prior to the Declaration Date
and the Distribution Date (each as defined in the Distribution Agreement) in
order for the Recapitalization to qualify as a tax-free transaction or (ii) if
the IRS Ruling is not obtained, each of UNITRIN and the Company shall have
received a written opinion in form and substance satisfactory to it of a
nationally recognized law firm mutually acceptable to UNITRIN and the Company
(it being agreed that Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois) and
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett will each be deemed to be mutually acceptable to
UNITRIN and the Company for purposes of this clause (n)), to the same effect as
the IRS Ruling as it relates to the tax-free nature of the Recapitalization.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and shall not
give rise to or create any duty on the part of the Company to waive or not waive
any such condition.
SECTION 4.2 Conditions to the Obligations of UNITRIN and Merger Sub. The
obligations of UNITRIN and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger are subject to
the satisfaction (or waiver by UNITRIN and Merger Sub, except that the condition
set forth in Section 4.2(a) may not be waived) of the following conditions:
(a) a proposal to adopt this Agreement shall have been approved by the
holders of (i) a majority of the Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote
thereon and (ii) a majority of the shares of Common Stock (other than shares
held of record or beneficially owned by UNITRIN) present in person or by proxy
at the Stockholders Meeting and voting on such proposal;
(b) the waiting period (and any extension thereof) applicable to the Merger
under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated;
(c) the IRS Ruling shall have been issued and shall continue in effect, such
ruling shall be in form and substance satisfactory to UNITRIN in its sole
discretion, and the Company shall have complied with all provisions set forth in
the IRS Ruling that are required to be complied with prior to the Declaration
Date and the Distribution Date;
(d) no court, arbitrator or other Governmental Entity shall have issued any
order, injunction, decree or other legal restraint or prohibition, and there
shall not be any statute, rule or regulation, restraining or prohibiting the
consummation of the Merger or the Distribution and no proceeding challenging
this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby or seeking to prohibit, alter, prevent or materially delay the
Merger or the Distribution shall have been instituted by any Governmental Entity
before any court, arbitrator or other Governmental Entity and be pending;
(e) all actions by or in respect of or filings with any Governmental Entity
required to permit the consummation of the Merger (other than the filing of the
Certificate of Merger in compliance with the DGCL) and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Distribution Agreement shall have been
obtained and shall be in full force and effect, except those that would not
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any party's ability
to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Distribution Agreement;
(f) immediately prior to the Effective Time, all conditions to the
declaration of the Distribution and the Distribution set forth in the
Distribution Agreement, other than the prior consummation of the
Recapitalization, shall have been satisfied or waived, no circumstance shall
exist that would reasonably
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be expected to prevent the consummation of the Distribution immediately
following the Merger, and the Distribution Agreement shall remain in full force
and effect;
(g) all representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the
Distribution Agreement (other than the representation and warranty set forth in
Section 2.3(a)(v) of the Distribution Agreement) and this Agreement that are
qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and any such
representations and warranties that are not so qualified shall be true and
correct in all material respects, as of the Effective Time, and UNITRIN shall
have received a certificate executed by the chief executive officer of the
Company to such effect; and
(h) all covenants to have been performed at or prior to the Effective Time
by the Company pursuant to this Agreement or the Distribution Agreement shall
have been performed at or prior to the Effective Time by the Company in all
material respects, and UNITRIN shall have received a certificate executed by the
chief executive officer of the Company to such effect.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of UNITRIN and Merger Sub and
shall not give rise to or create any duty on the part of UNITRIN or Merger Sub
to waive or not waive any such condition.
ARTICLE V
TERMINATION
SECTION 5.1 Termination.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned at any
time prior to the Effective Time (notwithstanding any approval of this agreement
by the stockholders of the Company):
(i) by mutual written consent of the Company and UNITRIN;
(ii) by either the Company or UNITRIN, if there shall be any law or
regulation that makes consummation of the Merger illegal or otherwise
prohibited or if any judgment, injunction, order or decree enjoining the
Company or Merger Sub from consummating the Merger is entered and such
judgment, injunction, order or decree shall become final and nonappealable;
(iii) by either the Company or UNITRIN, if there shall be any law or
regulation that makes consummation of the Distribution illegal or otherwise
prohibited or if any judgment, injunction, order or decree enjoining UNITRIN
from consummating the Distribution is entered and such judgment, injunction,
order or decree shall become final and nonappealable;
(iv) by either the Company or UNITRIN, if after a vote on the matter by
the Company's stockholders at the Stockholders Meeting, the conditions set
forth in Sections 4.1(a) and (b) hereof, in the case of the Company, and
Section 4.2(a) hereof, in the case of UNITRIN, are not satisfied;
(v) by either the Company or UNITRIN, if the Merger is not consummated
by June 30, 2001; provided that this right shall not be available to any
party that is in material breach of its obligations under this Agreement or
the Distribution Agreement; or
(vi) by either the Company or UNITRIN, to the extent the Company or
UNITRIN, as applicable, is allowed to terminate the Distribution Agreement
pursuant to Section 5.10(a)(iii) or 5.10(a)(iv)(C) thereof, as applicable.
(b) This Agreement shall terminate automatically without any action on the
part of the Company, UNITRIN or Merger Sub in the event the Distribution
Agreement is terminated according to its terms.
SECTION 5.2 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to Section 5.1, this Agreement shall become void and of no effect with no
liability on the part of any party hereto.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 6.1 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing, shall be effective when received and shall be duly given if
delivered by (a) hand delivery, (b) U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, for first class
delivery, (c) Federal Express or similar carrier, freight prepaid, for next
business day delivery, or (d) electronic transmission, provided that
confirmation of transmission and receipt is
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confirmed to each party at the following respective addresses (or at such other
address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
To UNITRIN:
UNITRIN, INC.
One East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Fax: (312) 661-4690
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
UNITRIN, INC.
One East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Fax: (312) 661-4941
Attn: General Counsel
and with a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois)
333 West Wacker Drive
Suite 2100
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Fax: (312) 407-0411
Attn: Brian W. Duwe, Esq.
To Merger Sub:
CW DISPOSITION COMPANY
c/o UNITRIN, INC.
One East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Fax: (312) 661-4690
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois)
333 West Wacker Drive
Suite 2100
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Fax: (312) 407-0411
Attn: Brian W. Duwe, Esq.
To the Company:
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
1200 Wall Street West
Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071
Fax: (201) 896-4021
Attn: General Counsel
with a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Fax: (212) 455-2502
Attn: Caroline B. Gottschalk, Esq.
SECTION 6.2 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns; provided that no
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party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer any of its rights or
obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other party hereto.
SECTION 6.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
SECTION 6.4 Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be signed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect
as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This
Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received
counterparts hereof signed by the other party hereto.
SECTION 6.5 Amendments. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or
waived prior to the Effective Time (whether before or after approval of matters
presented in connection with the Merger by the stockholders of the Company) if,
and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of
an amendment, by the Company and UNITRIN or, in the case of a waiver, by the
party against whom such waiver is to be effective; provided that after the
adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company, there shall be no
amendment that by law requires further approval of such stockholders without
obtaining such further approval of such stockholders.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first
above written.
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
By /s/ MARTIN R. BENANTE
..................................
Name: Martin R. Benante
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
UNITRIN, INC.
By /s/ ERIC J. DRAUT
..................................
Name: Eric J. Draut
Title: Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
CW DISPOSITION COMPANY
By /s/ ERIC J. DRAUT
..................................
Name: Eric J. Draut
Title: President
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APPENDIX B
________________________________________________________________________________
AMENDED AND RESTATED
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
UNITRIN, INC.
AND
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
DATED AS OF JANUARY 11, 2001
________________________________________________________________________________
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS........................................................... B-1
SECTION 1.1 General..................................................... B-1
SECTION 1.2 References; Interpretation.................................. B-5
ARTICLE II DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS; CERTAIN COVENANTS AND
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................................... B-5
SECTION 2.1 The Distribution and Other Transactions..................... B-5
SECTION 2.2 Declaration Date and Distribution Date; Further
Assurances................................................ B-8
SECTION 2.3 Representations and Warranties.............................. B-9
SECTION 2.4 Certain Post-Distribution Transactions...................... B-11
ARTICLE III INDEMNIFICATION..................................................... B-11
SECTION 3.1 Indemnification by C-W...................................... B-11
SECTION 3.2 Indemnification by UNITRIN.................................. B-13
SECTION 3.3 Treatment of Payments....................................... B-13
SECTION 3.4 Procedures for Indemnification.............................. B-13
SECTION 3.5 Remedies Not Exclusive...................................... B-15
SECTION 3.6 Subrogation................................................. B-15
SECTION 3.7 Indemnification Payments.................................... B-15
ARTICLE IV COVENANTS............................................................ B-15
SECTION 4.1 Access to Information....................................... B-15
SECTION 4.2 Confidentiality............................................. B-16
SECTION 4.3 No Solicitation............................................. B-16
SECTION 4.4 Certain Other Agreements.................................... B-17
SECTION 4.5 Public Announcements........................................ B-17
SECTION 4.6 Required Consents........................................... B-17
SECTION 4.7 Litigation Cooperation...................................... B-17
SECTION 4.8 Other Matters............................................... B-17
ARTICLE V MISCELLANEOUS......................................................... B-18
SECTION 5.1 Complete Agreement; Construction............................ B-18
SECTION 5.2 Counterparts................................................ B-18
SECTION 5.3 Survival of Agreements...................................... B-18
SECTION 5.4 Expenses.................................................... B-18
SECTION 5.5 Notices..................................................... B-18
SECTION 5.6 Waivers..................................................... B-19
SECTION 5.7 Amendments.................................................. B-19
SECTION 5.8 Assignment.................................................. B-19
SECTION 5.9 Successors and Assigns...................................... B-19
SECTION 5.10 Termination................................................. B-19
SECTION 5.11 Subsidiaries................................................ B-20
SECTION 5.12 Third Party Beneficiaries................................... B-20
SECTION 5.13 Title and Headings.......................................... B-20
SECTION 5.14 Exhibits and Schedules...................................... B-20
SECTION 5.15 Governing Law............................................... B-20
SECTION 5.16 Consent to Jurisdiction..................................... B-20
SECTION 5.17 Severability................................................ B-20
</TABLE>
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AMENDED AND RESTATED DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT (this 'Agreement'), dated as
November 6, 2000, as amended and restated as of January 11, 2001, between
UNITRIN, INC, a Delaware corporation ('UNITRIN'), and CURTISS-WRIGHT
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ('C-W').
WHEREAS, UNITRIN owns, as of the close of business on the date hereof,
4,382,400 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of C-W (the common
stock of C-W is referred to herein as the 'Common Stock');
WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution hereof, C-W, UNITRIN and CW
DISPOSITION COMPANY, a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of
UNITRIN ('Merger Sub'), are entering into an Amended and Restated Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated as of the date hereof (as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the 'Recapitalization Agreement'),
pursuant to which, among other things, Merger Sub will merge with and into C-W
(the 'Merger') with the following consequent capital stock changes:
(a) 4,382,400 shares of Common Stock held by UNITRIN will be contributed to
Merger Sub and, as of the Effective Time (as defined in the Recapitalization
Agreement), will automatically be canceled and retired with no securities or
other consideration issued in exchange therefore, (b) all the common stock of
Merger Sub owned by UNITRIN will be converted into 4,382,400 shares of a new
Class B common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of C-W ('Class B Common
Stock'), which class of common stock will be entitled to elect at least 80% of
the members of the Board of Directors of C-W and in all other respects will be
substantially identical to the Common Stock, and (c) all other shares of Common
Stock held by stockholders of C-W will remain issued and outstanding (the
'Recapitalization');
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of UNITRIN has determined that it is in the
best interests of UNITRIN and its stockholders to distribute on the Distribution
Date (as defined herein) all the shares of Class B Common Stock that UNITRIN
will receive in the Recapitalization, on the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement, to the holders of record of the common stock, par
value $.01 per share, of UNITRIN ('UNITRIN Common Stock'), as of the
Distribution Record Date (as defined herein), on a pro rata basis (the
'Distribution');
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of C-W has determined that it is in the best
interests of C-W and its stockholders that the Distribution be consummated, and
the Recapitalization is a necessary and desirable means to enable the
Distribution to occur;
WHEREAS, UNITRIN is expected to receive a ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service to the effect that the Distribution will be, to the extent set forth
therein, a tax-free distribution within the meaning of Section 355 of the Code
(as defined herein); and
WHEREAS, each of UNITRIN and C-W has determined that it is necessary and
desirable to set forth the principal corporate transactions required to effect
the Distribution and the Recapitalization and to set forth other agreements that
will govern certain other matters following the Distribution.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 'General'. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
(a) 'Action' shall mean any action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding
or investigation by or before any court, any governmental or other regulatory or
administrative agency, body or commission or any arbitration tribunal.
(b) 'Acquisition Proposal' shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.3(a).
(c) 'Affiliate' shall mean, when used with respect to a specified person,
another person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with
the person specified. As used herein, 'control' means the possession, directly
or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
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the management and policies of such person, whether through the ownership of
voting securities or other interests, by contract or otherwise.
(d) 'Assets' shall mean assets, properties and rights (including goodwill),
wherever located (including in the possession of vendors or other third parties
or elsewhere), whether real, personal or mixed, tangible, intangible or
contingent, in each case whether or not recorded or reflected or required to be
recorded or reflected on the books and records or financial statements of any
Person.
(e) 'Business Entity' shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company or other entity which may legally hold title to Assets.
(f) 'Cash Dividend' shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d).
(g) 'Cash Dividend Record Date' shall mean the date determined by the Board
of Directors of C-W as the record date for the determination of holders of
record of Common Stock entitled to receive the Cash Dividend.
(h) Certificate of Merger' shall have the meaning set forth in the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(i) 'Class B Common Stock' shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
hereto.
(j) 'Code' shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, including any successor legislation
or regulations.
(k) 'Commission' shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(l) 'Common Stock' shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
(m) 'C-W' shall have the meaning set forth in the heading of this Agreement.
(n) 'C-W Business' shall mean each and every business conducted at any time
prior to, on or after the Distribution Date by C-W or any current, former, or
future Subsidiary of C-W or other Business Entity controlled by C-W, whether or
not such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary of C-W or such Business Entity is controlled
by C-W on the date hereof.
(o) 'C-W Group' shall mean C-W and each Person that is a Subsidiary of C-W
immediately prior to the Distribution Date.
(p) 'C-W Indemnitees' shall mean C-W, each member of the C-W Group, each of
their respective present and former directors, officers, employees and agents
and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the
foregoing.
(q) 'C-W Liabilities' shall mean, collectively, any and all Liabilities
whatsoever that arise out of, result from or are related to the operation of the
C-W Business or the ownership of the assets of the C-W Business by C-W, any
predecessor entity of C-W (and all predecessors thereto) or any Subsidiary of or
Business Entity controlled by such predecessor, any current, former or future
Subsidiary of C-W or any Business Entity controlled by C-W, whether such
Liabilities arise before, on or after the Distribution Date and whether known or
unknown, fixed or contingent, and shall include, without limitation:
(i) any and all Liabilities to which UNITRIN or its predecessors and
successors may become subject arising from or based upon its status or
alleged status as a 'controlling person' (as defined under Section 15 of the
Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act) of C-W or a stockholder
of C-W relating to (A) the Proxy Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any
other solicitation materials or any oral solicitations of proxies (except
for liabilities which C-W incurs as a result of, and to the extent resulting
from, information provided by UNITRIN relating to UNITRIN for inclusion in
the Proxy Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any such other
solicitation materials or oral solicitation); or (B) any other report or
document filed by C-W with the Commission at any time before, on or after
the Distribution Date (except for liabilities which C-W incurs as a result
of, and to the extent resulting from, information provided by UNITRIN
relating to UNITRIN for inclusion in such report or document);
(ii) any Liabilities for a breach by C-W of any representation, warranty
or covenant herein or in the Recapitalization Agreement; and
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(iii) any and all Liabilities which UNITRIN incurs as a result of, and
to the extent resulting from, information provided by C-W relating to C-W
for inclusion in any information statement provided by UNITRIN to its
stockholders or any report or document filed by UNITRIN with the Commission.
(r) 'Declaration Date' shall mean the date on which the UNITRIN Board of
Directors shall declare the Distribution; provided that the declaration and the
payment of the Distribution shall be conditioned upon and subject to the
consummation of the Recapitalization, and the payment of the Distribution shall
consist of the shares of Class B Common Stock received by UNITRIN in the
Recapitalization and shall be after the consummation of the Recapitalization on
the day on which the Recapitalization occurs.
(s) 'DGCL' shall mean the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
(t) 'Distribution' shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
(u) 'Distribution Agent' shall mean the distribution agent selected by
UNITRIN to effect the Distribution, which shall be C-W's stock transfer agent.
(v) 'Distribution Date' shall mean the date determined by the Board of
Directors of UNITRIN for the mailing of certificates of Class B Common Stock to
stockholders of UNITRIN in the Distribution. The Distribution Date shall be a
date as soon as practicable following the Declaration Date and shall be the day
on which the Recapitalization occurs.
(w) 'Distribution Record Date' shall mean the date determined by the Board
of Directors of UNITRIN as the record date for the determination of the holders
of record of UNITRIN Common Stock entitled to receive shares of Class B Common
Stock in the Distribution.
(x) 'Established Liability' shall mean, with respect to each UNITRIN
stockholder, the amount of Tax Liability (including interest and penalties)
resulting from the Distribution, as evidenced by (a) an amended tax return of
such UNITRIN stockholder reflecting the amount of such Tax Liability, together
with proof of payment of such amount, or (b) a deficiency notice received by
such UNITRIN stockholder from the IRS setting forth the amount of such Tax
Liability, together with proof of payment of such amount.
(y) 'Exchange Act' shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(z) 'Form 8-A' shall mean a C-W registration statement on Form 8-A pursuant
to which the Class B Common Stock shall be registered under the Exchange Act,
including all amendments thereto.
(aa) 'Governmental Authority' shall mean any federal, state, local, foreign
or international court, government, department, commission, board, bureau,
agency, official or other regulatory, administrative or governmental authority.
(bb) 'Governance Amendments' shall have the meaning set forth in the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(cc) 'HSR Act' shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(a)(iii).
(dd) 'Indemnifying Party' shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
(ee) 'Indemnitee' shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
(ff) 'IRS' shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.
(gg) 'IRS Ruling' shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i).
(hh) 'Liabilities' shall mean any and all losses, claims, charges, debts,
demands, actions, causes of action, suits, damages, obligations, payments, costs
and expenses, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds, specialties,
indemnities and similar obligations, exonerations, covenants, contracts,
controversies, agreements, promises, omissions, variances, guarantees, make
whole agreements and similar obligations, and other liabilities, including all
contractual obligations, whether absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured,
liquidated or unliquidated, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever
arising, and including those arising under any law, rule, regulation, Action,
threatened or contemplated Action (including the costs and expenses of demands,
assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises
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relating thereto and attorneys' fees and any and all costs and expenses,
whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against
any such Actions or threatened or contemplated Actions), order or consent decree
of any governmental or other regulatory or administrative agency, body or
commission or any award of any arbitrator or mediator of any kind, and those
arising under any contract, commitment or undertaking, including those arising
under this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement, in each case, whether or
not recorded or reflected or required to be recorded or reflected on the books
and records or financial statements of any person.
(ii) 'Material Adverse Effect' shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
change, effect, event, occurrence or development that is, individually or in the
aggregate, materially adverse to the business, operations, assets, liabilities,
condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or prospects of such
Person.
(jj) 'Merger' shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
(kk) 'NYSE' shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
(ll) 'NYSE Listing Application' shall mean the application to be submitted
by C-W to the NYSE for the listing of the Class B Common Stock.
(mm) 'Person' shall mean any natural person, Business Entity, corporation,
business trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, other entity
or government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
(nn) 'Proxy Statement' shall have the meaning set forth in the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(oo) 'Recapitalization' shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
hereto.
(pp) 'Recapitalization Agreement' shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereto.
(qq) 'Required Consents' shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.
(rr) 'Securities Act' shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(ss) 'Subsidiary' shall mean any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership or other entity of which another entity (i) owns, directly or
indirectly, ownership interests sufficient to elect a majority of the Board of
Directors (or persons performing similar functions) (irrespective of whether at
the time any other class or classes of ownership interests of such corporation,
partnership or other entity shall or might have such voting power upon the
occurrence of any contingency) or (ii) is a general partner or an entity
performing similar functions (e.g., a trustee).
(tt) 'Tax' or 'Taxes' shall mean taxes of any kind, levies or other like
assessments, customs, duties, imposts, charges or fees, including income, gross
receipts, ad valorem, value added, excise, real or personal property, asset,
sales, use, license, payroll, transaction, capital, net worth and franchise
taxes, withholding, employment, social security, workers compensation, utility,
severance, production, unemployment compensation, occupation, premium, windfall
profits, transfer and gains taxes or other governmental taxes imposed or payable
to the United States, or any state, county, local or foreign government or
subdivision or agency thereof, and in each instance such term shall include any
interest, penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts attributable to any
such tax.
(uu) 'Tax Claim' shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
(vv) 'Third Party Claim' shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.
(ww) 'UNITRIN Business' shall mean each and every business (except for the
C-W Business) conducted at any time prior to, on or after the Distribution Date
by UNITRIN or any current, former or future Subsidiary of UNITRIN (it being
understood that the foregoing does not include C-W and its Subsidiaries) or any
Business Entity controlled by UNITRIN (it being understood that the foregoing
does not include C-W and its Subsidiaries), whether or not such Subsidiary is a
Subsidiary of UNITRIN or such Business Entity is controlled by UNITRIN on the
date hereof.
(xx) 'UNITRIN Common Stock' shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
hereto.
(yy) 'UNITRIN Group' shall mean UNITRIN and each Person (other than any
member of the C-W Group) that is a Subsidiary or Affiliate of UNITRIN
immediately prior to the Distribution Date.
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(zz) 'UNITRIN Indemnitees' shall mean UNITRIN, each member of the UNITRIN
Group, each of their respective present and former directors, officers,
employees and agents and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of
any of the foregoing, except C-W Indemnitees who would not otherwise be an
UNITRIN Indemnitee.
(aaa) 'UNITRIN Liabilities' shall mean, collectively, any and all
Liabilities whatsoever that arise out of, result from or are related to the
operation of the UNITRIN Business or the ownership of the assets of the UNITRIN
Business by UNITRIN, any predecessor entity of UNITRIN (and all predecessors
thereto) or any Subsidiary of or Business Entity controlled by any such
predecessor, any current, former or future Subsidiary of UNITRIN or any Business
Entity controlled by UNITRIN (it being understood that the foregoing does not
include C-W and its Subsidiaries), whether such Liabilities arise before, on or
after the Distribution Date and whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent,
and shall include, without limitation:
(i) any Liabilities for a breach by UNITRIN of any representation,
warranty or covenant herein or in the Recapitalization Agreement; and
(ii) any and all Liabilities which C-W incurs as a result of, and to the
extent resulting from, information provided by UNITRIN relating to UNITRIN
for inclusion in the Proxy Statement (or any amendment thereto), any other
solicitation materials or any oral solicitation of proxies or any report or
document filed by C-W with the Commission.
SECTION 1.2 References; Interpretation. References in this Agreement to any
gender include references to all genders, and references to the singular include
references to the plural and vice versa. The words 'include', 'includes' and
'including' when used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be followed by the
phrase 'without limitation'. Unless the context otherwise requires, references
in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed
references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this
Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires, the words 'hereof', 'hereby'
and 'herein' and words of similar meaning when used in this Agreement refer to
this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular Article, Section or
provision of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS; CERTAIN COVENANTS
AND REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 2.1 The Distribution and Other Transactions.
(a) The Distribution. Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 2.1(b)
of this Agreement, on the Declaration Date, the Board of Directors of UNITRIN
shall irrevocably declare the Distribution upon the terms set forth in this
Agreement. The declaration and the payment of the Distribution shall be
conditioned upon and subject to the consummation of the Recapitalization, and
the payment of the Distribution shall consist of the shares of Class B Common
Stock received by UNITRIN in the Recapitalization, it being understood that the
Distribution will occur after, but on the same date as, the filing of the
Certificate of Merger. To effect the Distribution, UNITRIN shall cause the
Distribution Agent to distribute, on the Distribution Date, on a pro rata basis
and taking into account Section 2.1(c), to the holders of record of UNITRIN
Common Stock on the Distribution Record Date, the certificates representing the
shares of Class B Common Stock received by UNITRIN in the Recapitalization.
During the period commencing on the date the certificates representing shares of
Class B Common Stock are delivered to the Distribution Agent and ending upon the
date(s) on which certificates evidencing such shares are mailed to holders of
record of UNITRIN Common Stock on the Distribution Record Date or on which
fractional shares of Class B Common Stock are sold on behalf of such holders,
the Distribution Agent shall hold the certificates representing shares of
Class B Common Stock on behalf of such holders. UNITRIN shall deliver to the
Distribution Agent the share certificates representing the shares of Class B
Common Stock held by UNITRIN. UNITRIN shall enter into an agreement with the
Distribution Agent in connection with the foregoing, and shall agree, among
other things, to reimburse the Distribution Agent for its reasonable costs,
expenses and fees in connection with the Distribution. C-W agrees, if requested
by UNITRIN, to provide such number of certificates
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evidencing shares of Class B Common Stock that UNITRIN shall reasonably require
in order to effect the Distribution.
(b) Conditions to the Declaration and Distribution. The UNITRIN Board of
Directors shall irrevocably declare the Distribution, and cause the Distribution
to be effected on the Distribution Date, as soon as reasonably practicable
following the satisfaction or waiver, as determined by UNITRIN in its sole
discretion, of the conditions set forth below (which conditions must be
satisfied or waived on or prior to the Declaration Date unless any such
condition by its terms can only be satisfied after the Declaration Date in which
case such condition must be satisfied or waived on or prior to the Distribution
Date):
(i) the private letter ruling requested from the IRS providing that,
among other things, the Recapitalization and the Distribution will qualify,
to the extent set forth therein, as tax-free transactions for federal income
tax purposes under Sections 354 and 355 of the Code, respectively (the 'IRS
Ruling') shall have been issued and shall continue in effect, such ruling
shall be in form and substance satisfactory to UNITRIN in its sole
discretion, and C-W shall have complied with all provisions set forth in the
IRS Ruling that are required to be complied with prior to the Declaration
Date and the Distribution Date;
(ii) no event outside the control of UNITRIN shall have occurred or
failed to occur that prevents the lawful consummation of the Distribution;
(iii) the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Recapitalization
Agreement shall be in compliance in all material respects with applicable
federal and state securities and other applicable laws;
(iv) each of C-W and UNITRIN shall have received all the Required
Consents;
(v) all conditions to the Recapitalization (including those set forth
in Article 4 of the Recapitalization Agreement) (other than, in the case of
the declaration, the declaration and consummation of the Distribution) shall
have been satisfied or waived by the applicable party, in the case of the
declaration, no circumstances shall exist that would reasonably be expected
to prevent the consummation of the Recapitalization immediately prior to the
Distribution and, in the case of the Distribution, the Recapitalization
shall have been consummated;
(vi) The Cash Dividend (as defined below) shall have been declared by
the Board of Directors of C-W substantially simultaneously with the
declaration of the Distribution and no circumstances shall exist that would
reasonably be expected to prevent prompt payment of the Cash Dividend;
(vii) the Form 8-A shall have been filed with the Commission;
(viii) the Class B Common Stock shall have been approved for listing on
the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
(ix) each of the representations and warranties (other than the
representation and warranty set forth in Section 2.3(a)(v) of this
Agreement) of C-W set forth in this Agreement and the Recapitalization
Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct,
and any such representations and warranties that are not so qualified shall
be true and correct in all material respects, as of the Declaration Date and
the Distribution Date and UNITRIN shall have received a certificate of the
chief executive officer of C-W as to the foregoing;
(x) C-W shall have performed or complied in all material respects with
all agreements and covenants required to be performed by it under this
Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement at or prior to the Declaration
Date or, if applicable, the Distribution Date and UNITRIN shall have
received a certificate of the chief executive officer of C-W as to the
foregoing; and
(xi) all actions and other documents and instruments reasonably
necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Recapitalization Agreement shall have been taken or executed, as the case
may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to UNITRIN.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of UNITRIN and shall not give
rise to or create any duty on the part of UNITRIN to waive or not waive any such
condition.
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(c) Sale of Fractional Shares. UNITRIN shall appoint the Distribution Agent
as agent for each holder of record of UNITRIN Common Stock who would otherwise
be entitled to receive in the Distribution any fractional share of Class B
Common Stock. The Distribution Agent shall aggregate all such fractional shares
and sell them in an orderly manner as soon as practicable after the Distribution
Date in the open market and, after completion of such sales, distribute a pro
rata portion of the net proceeds from such sales, based upon the gross selling
price of all such fractional shares net of all selling expenses, to each
stockholder of UNITRIN who would otherwise have received a fractional share.
UNITRIN shall reimburse the Distribution Agent for its reasonable costs,
expenses and fees (other than selling expenses) in connection with the sale of
fractional shares of Class B Common Stock and the distribution of the proceeds
thereof in accordance with this Section 2.1(c).
(d) Special Dividend. (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in clause (ii)
below, on the Declaration Date, the Board of Directors of C-W shall declare a
pro rata cash dividend (the 'Cash Dividend') in the amount of $.25 per share to
all holders of record of Common Stock on the Cash Dividend Record Date. UNITRIN
hereby waives, subject to completion of the Distribution, its right to receive
its pro rata share of the Cash Dividend.
(ii) The obligation of the Board of Directors of C-W to declare the Cash
Dividend on the Declaration Date shall be conditioned upon the satisfaction
of the conditions set forth in Section 2.1(b) hereof (other than the
consummation of the Recapitalization and other than clause (vi) thereof) and
in Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of the Recapitalization Agreement.
(e) Other Actions.
(i) UNITRIN shall prepare and mail, at such time as determined by
UNITRIN, to the holders of UNITRIN Common Stock, such information concerning
C-W, its business, operations and management, the Distribution and the tax
consequences thereof and such other matters as UNITRIN shall reasonably
determine or as may be required by law. UNITRIN shall give C-W and its
counsel reasonably appropriate advance opportunity to review and comment
upon such documents and shall consider in good faith any comments C-W timely
delivers to UNITRIN with respect to such information. C-W agrees to
cooperate with UNITRIN in the preparation of, and provide any information
reasonably requested by UNITRIN for inclusion in, such mailing. C-W
represents that all information provided to UNITRIN for such mailing shall
be true and correct in all material respects. UNITRIN and C-W will prepare,
and C-W will, to the extent required under applicable law, file with the
Commission any such documentation, including any no action letters or other
requests for interpretive or regulatory assistance, if any, which UNITRIN
reasonably determines are necessary or desirable to effectuate the
Distribution and the other transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Recapitalization Agreement, and UNITRIN and C-W shall each use all
reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary approvals from the Commission
with respect thereto as soon as practicable.
(ii) UNITRIN and C-W shall take all such action as may be necessary or
appropriate under the securities or blue sky laws of the United States (and
any comparable laws under any foreign jurisdiction) in connection with the
Distribution and the other transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(iii) C-W shall prepare and file, and shall use all reasonable efforts
to have approved, an application for the listing on the NYSE of the Class B
Common Stock to be distributed in the Distribution, subject to official
notice of issuance.
(iv) C-W shall prepare and file the Form 8-A (which may include or
incorporate by reference information contained in the Proxy Statement) with
the Commission as promptly as practicable following the execution hereof,
and shall use all reasonable efforts to cause the Form 8-A to become
effective under the Exchange Act immediately following the consummation of
the Recapitalization or as soon thereafter as practicable.
(v) On or prior to the Distribution Date, C-W shall, from time to time
as and to the extent reasonably requested by UNITRIN or requested by the
IRS, provide any documentation, certifications or other information
necessary to enable UNITRIN to obtain the IRS Ruling.
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(vi) On or prior to the Distribution Date, each of UNITRIN and C-W shall
take those actions and consummate those other transactions in connection
with the Distribution that are contemplated by the IRS Ruling, the ruling
request therefor or any related submissions by UNITRIN to the IRS (which
submissions C-W and its counsel shall be given the opportunity to review and
comment upon in accordance with clause (viii) below).
(vii) In addition to those matters specifically set forth above, UNITRIN
and C-W also shall take all reasonable steps necessary and appropriate to
cause the conditions set forth in Section 2.1(b) to be satisfied prior to
the Distribution Date and to effect the Distribution on the Distribution
Date and the Cash Dividend immediately prior to the Distribution on the
Distribution Date.
(viii) UNITRIN will give C-W and its counsel reasonably appropriate
advance opportunity to review and comment upon filings to be made by UNITRIN
with the Commission or the IRS with respect to the Distribution, this
Agreement, the Recapitalization Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby and shall consider in good faith any comments
C-W timely delivers to UNITRIN with respect to such filing.
(ix) C-W will give UNITRIN and its counsel reasonably appropriate
advance opportunity to review and comment upon filings to be made by C-W
with the Commission with respect to the Distribution, this Agreement, the
Recapitalization Agreement and any of the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby and shall consider in good faith any comments UNITRIN timely
delivers to C-W with respect to such filing.
(x) Prior to the Distribution Date, C-W shall not amend, and the C-W
Board of Directors shall not approve any amendment to, C-W's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws, other than the Governance
Amendments and the amendments to be effected upon the filing of the
Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
in connection with the Recapitalization and in accordance with the terms of
the Recapitalization Agreement.
(xi) UNITRIN agrees to be present, and agrees to cause Merger Sub, as
applicable, to be present, in person or by proxy at each and every
stockholders meeting of C-W at which the Recapitalization and the Governance
Amendments are submitted to the stockholders of C-W for consideration at
such meeting, and to vote, or cause to be voted, all shares of Common Stock
owned directly or indirectly by it and its Subsidiaries in favor of the
Recapitalization and each of the Governance Amendments and similarly to
execute any written consent submitted by stockholders of C-W in favor of the
Recapitalization and each of the Governance Amendments; provided that the
Governance Amendments are to become effective solely upon the effectiveness
of the Merger.
(xii) On or prior to the Distribution Date, each of UNITRIN and C-W, as
the case may be, shall, from time to time and to the extent reasonably
requested by the other, provide any documentation, certifications or other
information to make required filings in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement.
SECTION 2.2 Declaration Date and Distribution Date; Further Assurances.
(a) The parties agree that the Declaration Date and the Distribution Date,
as applicable, shall occur as soon as reasonably practicable following the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 2.1(b) hereof. The
parties shall cause their respective Boards of Directors to meet on the
Declaration Date and each shall take such corporate action at such meeting as
shall be required to effect the transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Recapitalization Agreement. As soon as reasonably practicable and in no event
more than 10 days following such meeting, C-W shall take all actions required to
consummate the Recapitalization in accordance with the terms of the
Recapitalization Agreement, including the filing of the Certificate of Merger
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on the Distribution Date.
(b) Subject to each of C-W's and UNITRIN's right to terminate this Agreement
in accordance with Section 5.10, in case at any time after the date hereof any
further action is reasonably necessary or desirable to carry out the
Distribution, the Recapitalization or any other purpose of this Agreement or the
Recapitalization Agreement, the proper officers of each party to this Agreement
shall take all such
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necessary action. Without limiting the foregoing, UNITRIN and C-W shall use all
reasonable efforts promptly to obtain the IRS Ruling and all consents and
approvals, to enter into all amendatory agreements and to make all filings and
applications that may be required for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement, including all
applicable governmental and regulatory filings.
SECTION 2.3 Representations and Warranties.
(a) C-W hereby represents and warrants to UNITRIN as follows:
(i) Organization; Good Standing. C-W is a corporation duly incorporated,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware and has all corporate power required to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and by the Recapitalization Agreement.
(ii) Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by C-W of
this Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement and the consummation by
C-W of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of C-W, other than
the adoption of the Recapitalization Agreement and the approval of each of
the Governance Amendments by the stockholders of C-W. Each of this Agreement
and the Recapitalization Agreement constitutes, and each other agreement or
instrument executed and delivered or to be executed and delivered by C-W
pursuant to this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement will, upon such
execution and delivery, constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of
C-W, enforceable against C-W in accordance with its terms, subject to the
effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally, and general equitable principles (whether considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and
fair dealing.
(iii) Consents and Filings. Except (A) for the filing of the Certificate
of Merger in connection with the Recapitalization and any other filings
required to be made with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,
(B) for the NYSE Listing Application and any filings in connection
therewith, (C) as required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the 'HSR Act'), and (D) for the filing
of the Proxy Statement, the Form 8-A and any other reports or documents
required to be filed under the Exchange Act, no material consent of, or
filing with, any Governmental Authority which has not been obtained or made
is required to be obtained or made by C-W for or in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement
by C-W, and the consummation by C-W of the transactions contemplated hereby
or thereby.
(iv) Noncontravention. Except in the case of any consents that will be
obtained prior to the Distribution Date, the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement by C-W does
not, and the consummation by C-W of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby will not, (A) violate any applicable federal, state or local
statute, law, rule or regulation, (B) violate any provision of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of C-W or (C) violate any provision
of, or result in the termination or acceleration of, or entitle any party to
accelerate any obligation or indebtedness under, any mortgage, lease,
franchise, license, permit, agreement, instrument, law, order, arbitration
award, judgment or decree to which C-W or any of its Subsidiaries is a party
or by which any of them are bound, except for, in the case of clause (C)
above, such violations that, individually or in the aggregate, would not
(I) result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to C-W or
(II) reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on C-W's
ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(v) Litigation. There are no actions or suits against C-W pending, or to
the knowledge of C-W, threatened which seek to, and C-W is not subject to
any judgments, decrees or orders which, enjoin or rescind the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement or
otherwise prevent C-W from complying with the terms and provisions of this
Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement.
(vi) Change of Control Adjustments. Neither the Recapitalization nor the
Distribution or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby or by the
Recapitalization Agreement will
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(A) constitute a 'change of control' or otherwise result in the increase or
acceleration of any benefits, including to employees of C-W, under any
agreement to which C-W or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it
or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or (B) result in any adjustment of the
number of shares subject to, or the terms of, including exercise price, any
outstanding employee stock options of C-W.
(vii) Certain Transactions. Except for transactions that are described
in Schedule 2.3(a)(vii), neither C-W nor any other member of the C-W Group
has engaged, nor will engage, in any transaction or taken, or will take, any
other action, or engaged, or will engage, in any negotiations or
discussions, involving or relating to the issuance of stock of C-W or
options, warrants or other rights to acquire stock of C-W (other than
compensatory stock plan issuances). None of the transactions or other
actions, negotiations or discussions described in Schedule 2.3(a)(vii) were
undertaken by C-W in contemplation of the Distribution or are related to the
Distribution.
(b) UNITRIN hereby represents and warrants to C-W as follows:
(i) Organization; Good Standing. UNITRIN is a corporation duly
incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware and has all corporate power required to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and by the Recapitalization Agreement.
(ii) Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by UNITRIN
of this Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement and the consummation by
UNITRIN of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of UNITRIN, other
than the formal declaration of the Distribution. Each of this Agreement and
the Recapitalization Agreement constitutes, and each other agreement or
instrument executed and delivered or to be executed and delivered by UNITRIN
pursuant to this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement will, upon such
execution and delivery, constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of
UNITRIN, enforceable against UNITRIN in accordance with its terms, subject
to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting
creditors' rights generally, and general equitable principles (whether
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of
good faith and fair dealing.
(iii) Consents and Filings. Except (A) for the filing of the Certificate
of Merger in connection with the Recapitalization and any other filings
required to be made with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,
(B) as required under the HSR Act and (C) for any reports or documents
required to be filed under the Exchange Act, no material consent of, or
filing with, any Governmental Authority which has not been obtained or made
is required to be obtained or made by UNITRIN for or in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement
by UNITRIN, and the consummation by UNITRIN of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby.
(iv) Noncontravention. Except in the case of consents that will be
obtained on or prior to the Distribution Date, the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement by UNITRIN
does not, and the consummation by UNITRIN of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby will not, (A) violate any applicable federal, state or
local statute, law, rule or regulation, (B) violate any provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of UNITRIN or (C) violate any
provision of, or result in the termination or acceleration of, or entitle
any party to accelerate any obligation or indebtedness under, any mortgage,
lease, franchise, license, permit, agreement, instrument, law, order,
arbitration award, judgment or decree to which UNITRIN or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them are bound, except for, in
the case of clause (C) above, such violations that, individually or in the
aggregate, would not (I) result in a Material Adverse Effect with respect to
UNITRIN or (II) reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
UNITRIN's ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement.
(v) Litigation. There are no actions or suits against UNITRIN pending,
or to the knowledge of UNITRIN, threatened which seek to, and UNITRIN is not
subject to any judgments, decrees or orders which, enjoin or rescind the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
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Recapitalization Agreement or otherwise prevent UNITRIN from complying with
the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the Recapitalization
Agreement.
(vi) Plan or Series of Related Transactions. As of the date hereof,
there is not, and as of the Distribution Date, there will not be (except as
permitted pursuant to Section 4.3 hereof and disclosed to C-W in accordance
with the terms of Section 4.3 and except for the contemplated Distribution),
any agreement, understanding, arrangement or substantial negotiations
involving UNITRIN and concerning the acquisition by any party or parties of
C-W or UNITRIN'S interest in C-W.
SECTION 2.4 Certain Post-Distribution Transactions.
(a) (i) C-W and UNITRIN shall each comply with, and shall cause its
Subsidiaries to comply with, and otherwise not take, and prevent any of its
Subsidiaries from taking, during the relevant time period, any action
inconsistent with any representation made by such respective party to the IRS in
connection with the request by UNITRIN for the IRS Ruling, and (ii) until two
years after the Distribution Date, C-W will maintain its status as a company
engaged in the active conduct of a trade or business, as defined in
Section 355(b) of the Code.
(b) C-W agrees that (i) prior to the two year anniversary of the
Distribution Date, it shall not (A) merge or consolidate with or into any other
corporation, (B) liquidate or partially liquidate, (C) sell or transfer all or
substantially all of its assets (within the meaning of Rev. Proc. 77-37, 1977-2
C.B. 568) in a single transaction or series of transactions, (D) redeem or
otherwise repurchase any C-W stock (other than as described in
Section 4.05(1)(b) of Rev. Proc. 96-30, 1996-1 C.B. 696), or (E) take any other
action or actions (other than the adoption of a stockholder rights plan in
customary form) (including the issuance of options to acquire stock of C-W or
securities that are convertible into stock of C-W) which in the aggregate (not
taking into account the Recapitalization) would have the effect of causing or
permitting one or more persons to acquire directly or indirectly stock
representing a 50 percent or greater interest (within the meaning of
Section 355(e) of the Code) in C-W, and (ii) prior to the five year anniversary
of the Distribution Date, it shall not initiate or support, or permit its
stockholders to vote on, any action that would in any way alter the ability of
the holders of the Class B Common Stock to (A) elect at least 80% of the members
of the Board of Directors of C-W (to the extent, and in the manner set forth in,
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of C-W, as in effect
immediately after the consummation of the Recapitalization) or (B) otherwise
possess at least 80% of the total combined voting power of all classes of C-W
stock entitled to vote (as described in Section 368(c) of the Code), unless
prior to taking any such action set forth in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii),
at the election of UNITRIN, either C-W has obtained (and provided to UNITRIN) a
written opinion in form and substance reasonably acceptable to UNITRIN of a
nationally recognized law firm reasonably acceptable to UNITRIN and C-W, or
UNITRIN has obtained (at the expense of C-W) a supplemental ruling from the IRS,
that such action or actions will not result in (1) the Distribution failing to
qualify under Section 355(a) of the Code or (2) the C-W shares failing to
qualify as qualified property for purposes of Section 355(c)(2) of the Code by
reason of Section 355(e) of the Code. UNITRIN agrees to cooperate with C-W in
obtaining such opinion or, as the case may be, to use all reasonable efforts in
obtaining any such supplemental ruling, including, where appropriate, by
providing written representations as to factual events that transpired prior to
the Distribution Date.
ARTICLE III
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 3.1 Indemnification by C-W.
(a) C-W shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify, defend and
hold harmless the UNITRIN Indemnitees from and against any and all C-W
Liabilities or third party allegations of C-W Liabilities.
(b) C-W shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify, defend and
hold harmless (i) UNITRIN, (ii) each member of the consolidated group of
corporations of which UNITRIN is the common parent corporation (within the
meaning of Section 1504 of the Code) and (iii) each direct or indirect
Subsidiary of UNITRIN (each Person referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii), a
'UNITRIN
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Member') from and against (A) any actual Liability of UNITRIN or any UNITRIN
Member (including any actual Liability for Taxes to the extent that, in the
absence of any Liability for Taxes resulting from a determination that the
Distribution fails to qualify under Section 355(a) of the Code or that the C-W
shares fail to qualify as qualified property for purposes of Section 355(c)(2)
of the Code by reason of Section 355(e) of the Code, such Liability would
otherwise have been reduced or eliminated by a net operating loss deduction
(within the meaning of Section 172 of the Code and the Treasury regulations
thereunder)), and (B) any Established Liability of any stockholder of UNITRIN
(it being understood that any Established Liability of any stockholder of
UNITRIN shall be deemed to be an actual Liability of UNITRIN for purposes of
determining C-W's indemnification obligation hereunder, regardless of whether
such stockholder actually has or pursues a valid claim for such Established
Liability against UNITRIN), in each case arising from any inaccuracy in, or
failure by C-W to comply with, any representation or undertaking made by C-W to
the IRS in connection with the request by UNITRIN for the IRS Ruling (other than
any representation or undertaking (express or otherwise) contained in
Part III.B of UNITRIN's letter request for the IRS Ruling) (referred to herein
as a 'C-W Failure' (it being understood that a Clause (d) Failure (as defined
below) shall not constitute a C-W Failure for purposes of this Article 3));
provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, C-W shall not indemnify
UNITRIN or any UNITRIN Member for any Liability or Established Liability that
results solely from a UNITRIN Failure (as defined in Section 3.2(b) hereof)
(except to the extent that any such UNITRIN Failure is in respect of a
representation based in whole or in part upon information provided by C-W); and
provided, further, that if any Liability or Established Liability described in
this clause (b) arises as a result of both a C-W Failure and a UNITRIN failure,
and each such failure is an independent cause of such Liability or Established
Liability, then C-W and UNITRIN shall allocate such Liability or Established
Liability between themselves in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of C-W on the one hand and UNITRIN on the other with respect to
such Liability or Established Liability.
(c) If C-W (or any of its Subsidiaries) fails to comply with any of its
obligations under Section 2.4(a) or (b) above or takes any action or fails to
take any action, and such failure to comply, action or omission contributes to a
determination that the Distribution fails to qualify under Section 355(a) of the
Code or that the C-W shares fail to qualify as qualified property for purposes
of Section 355(c)(2) of the Code by reason of Section 355(e) of the Code (each a
'355 Failure' (it being understood that a Clause (d) Failure shall not
constitute a 355 Failure for purposes of this Article 3)), then C-W shall, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify, defend and hold harmless UNITRIN
and each UNITRIN Member from and against (i) any and all federal, state and
local Taxes, including any interest, penalties or additions to Tax, imposed upon
or incurred by UNITRIN and any UNITRIN Member and (ii) any Established Liability
of any stockholder of UNITRIN (it being understood that any Established
Liability of any stockholder of UNITRIN shall be deemed to be a UNITRIN Tax
Liability (as defined below) for purposes of determining C-W's indemnification
obligation hereunder, regardless of whether such stockholder actually has or
pursues a valid claim for such Established Liability against UNITRIN), in each
case as a result of the failure of the Distribution to qualify under
Section 355(a) of the Code or the application of Section 355(e) (any such Tax,
interest, penalty or addition to Tax, together with any such Established
Liability, a 'UNITRIN Tax Liability'); provided, however, that, notwithstanding
the foregoing, C-W shall not indemnify UNITRIN or any UNITRIN Member for any
UNITRIN Tax Liability that results solely from a UNITRIN Failure (except to the
extent that any such UNITRIN Failure is in respect of a representation based in
whole or in part upon information provided by C-W); and provided, further, that
if any UNITRIN Tax Liability described in this clause (c) arises as a result of
both a 355 Failure and a UNITRIN Failure, and each such failure is an
independent cause of such UNITRIN Tax Liability, then C-W and UNITRIN shall
allocate such UNITRIN Tax Liability between themselves in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative fault of C-W on the one hand and UNITRIN on
the other with respect to such UNITRIN Tax Liability.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:
(i) C-W shall not be required to indemnify and hold harmless, and shall
have no liability to, UNITRIN or any UNITRIN Member for any UNITRIN Tax
Liability that would not have been imposed or incurred but for the increase
in UNITRIN's voting power with respect to Common Stock as a result of the
Recapitalization; and
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(ii) Subject to the proviso hereto, C-W shall be entitled to rely
without limitation on any representations made by UNITRIN in
(A) Section 2.3(b)(vi) hereof or (B) its letter request for the IRS Ruling
with respect to sales by UNITRIN stockholders of stock or securities of
UNITRIN or C-W, and in the event that any such representations are not true,
correct and complete in all respects, subject to the proviso hereto, C-W
shall not indemnify UNITRIN or any UNITRIN Member for any UNITRIN Tax
Liability that would not have been incurred but for the failure of any such
representations to be true, correct and complete in all respects; provided,
however, that C-W shall not be entitled to rely on, and will not be relieved
of its indemnification obligations hereunder as a result of inaccuracies or
failures in, or incompleteness of, the representations made by UNITRIN in
its letter request for the IRS Ruling with respect to sales by UNITRIN
stockholders of stock or securities of UNITRIN or C-W if, before taking or
failing to take any action, C-W has actual knowledge of any such inaccuracy,
failure or incompleteness.
The exceptions to C-W's indemnification obligations hereunder that are referred
to in subclauses (i) and (ii) of this clause (d) are referred to herein as
'Clause (d) Failures.'
(e) Any indemnity payment made by C-W pursuant to either clause (b) or (c)
above shall be made on an after-tax basis, based on the actual tax position of
UNITRIN, the UNITRIN Member or UNITRIN stockholder, as the case may be, in the
taxable year such indemnity payment is received and taking into account the
deductibility for federal income tax purposes of any state taxes. The aggregate
amount to be paid by C-W pursuant to its indemnity obligations set forth in
clauses (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of this Section 3.1 shall not exceed $135
million.
(f) In the event that C-W and UNITRIN are jointly liable under either clause
(b) or (c) above, C-W shall be required to indemnify and pay UNITRIN or a
UNITRIN Member, with respect to an Established Liability of a UNITRIN
stockholder, for C-W's proportionate share of such Established Liability (if
any) only if, and to the extent that, UNITRIN shall have agreed (in form
reasonably satisfactory to C-W) to pay such UNITRIN stockholder for UNITRIN's
proportionate share of such Established Liability. In the event that UNITRIN
does not actually pay such UNITRIN stockholder for UNITRIN's proportionate share
of such Established Liability, then UNITRIN will reimburse C-W for any amounts
paid by C-W to UNITRIN in respect of C-W's proportionate share of such
Established Liability.
SECTION 3.2 Indemnification by UNITRIN.
(a) UNITRIN shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify, defend
and hold harmless the C-W Indemnitees from and against any and all UNITRIN
Liabilities or third party allegations of UNITRIN Liabilities.
(b) UNITRIN shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify, defend
and hold harmless C-W and each member of the consolidated group of corporations
of which C-W is the common parent corporation (within the meaning of
Section 1504 of the Code) (each a 'C-W Member') from and against any actual
Liability of C-W or any C-W Member arising from any inaccuracy in, or failure by
UNITRIN to comply with, any representation or undertaking made by UNITRIN to the
IRS in connection with the request by UNITRIN for the IRS Ruling or pursuant to
Section 2.3(b)(vi) hereof (referred to herein as a 'UNITRIN Failure'); provided,
however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, UNITRIN shall not indemnify C-W or
any C-W Member for any liability that results solely from a C-W Failure or a 355
Failure (except to the extent that any such failure is in respect of a
representation based in whole or in part upon information provided by UNITRIN);
and provided, further, that if any Liability described in this clause (b) arises
as a result of both a UNITRIN Failure and a C-W Failure and/or a 355 Failure,
and each such failure is an independent cause of such Liability, then UNITRIN
and C-W shall allocate such Liability between themselves in such proportion as
is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of UNITRIN on the one hand and C-W
on the other with respect to such Liability.
SECTION 3.3 Treatment of Payments. UNITRIN agrees to consider in good faith
treating for federal income tax purposes any indemnity payments it receives
pursuant to this Agreement as payments to which Section 301 of the Code applies.
SECTION 3.4 Procedures for Indemnification. (a) If (i) a claim or demand is
made against C-W, any C-W Indemnitee, any C-W Member, UNITRIN, any UNITRIN
Indemnitee or any UNITRIN Member
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(each, an 'Indemnitee') by any person who is not a party to this Agreement (each
a 'Third Party Claim') as to which such Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnitee shall notify the
party which is or may be required pursuant to the terms hereof to make such
indemnification (the 'Indemnifying Party') in writing, and in reasonable detail,
of the Third Party Claim promptly (and in any event within 15 business days)
after receipt by such Indemnitee of written notice of the Third Party Claim;
provided, however, that failure to give such notification shall not affect the
indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent the Indemnifying Party
shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such failure. Thereafter, the
Indemnitee shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party, promptly (and in any event
within five business days) after the Indemnitee's receipt thereof, copies of all
notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnitee
relating to the Third Party Claim.
If a Third Party Claim is made against an Indemnitee with respect to which a
claim for indemnification is made pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2 hereof,
the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in the defense thereof
and, if it so chooses and acknowledges in writing its obligation to indemnify
the Indemnitee therefor, to assume the defense thereof with counsel selected by
the Indemnifying Party; provided that such counsel is not reasonably objected to
by the Indemnitee. Should the Indemnifying Party so elect to assume the defense
of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall, within 30 days (or sooner
if the nature of the Third Party Claim so requires), notify the Indemnitee of
its intent to do so, and the Indemnifying Party shall thereafter not be liable
to the Indemnitee for legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the
Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof; provided, that such
Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel to represent such Indemnitee
if, in such Indemnitee's reasonable judgment, a conflict of interest between
such Indemnitee and such Indemnifying Party exists in respect of such claim
which would make representation of both such parties by one counsel
inappropriate, and in such event the reasonable fees and expenses of such
separate counsel shall be paid by such Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying
Party assumes such defense, the Indemnitee shall have the right to participate
in the defense thereof and to employ counsel, subject to the proviso of the
preceding sentence, at its own expense, separate from the counsel employed by
the Indemnifying Party, it being understood that the Indemnifying Party shall
control such defense. The Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the fees and
expenses of counsel employed by the Indemnitee for any period during which the
Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense thereof. If the Indemnifying
Party so elects to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim, all of the
Indemnitees shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in the defense or
prosecution thereof, including by providing or causing to be provided, records
and witnesses as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving any request
therefor from or on behalf of the Indemnifying Party.
Unless otherwise required by law, in no event will an Indemnitee admit any
liability with respect to, or settle, compromise or discharge, any Third Party
Claim without the Indemnifying Party's prior written consent (which will not be
unreasonably withheld); provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall have the
right to settle, compromise or discharge such Third Party Claim without the
consent of the Indemnifying Party if the Indemnitee releases the Indemnifying
Party from its indemnification obligation hereunder with respect to such Third
Party Claim and such settlement, compromise or discharge would not otherwise
adversely affect the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party acknowledges
in writing liability for a Third Party Claim (as between the Indemnifying Party
and the Indemnitee), the Indemnifying Party shall be permitted to enter into,
and the Indemnitee will agree to, any settlement, compromise or discharge of a
Third Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party may recommend and that by its
terms obligates the Indemnifying Party to pay the full amount of the liability
in connection with such Third Party Claim and releases the Indemnitee completely
in connection with such Third Party Claim and that would not otherwise adversely
affect the Indemnitee; provided, however, that the Indemnitee may refuse to
agree to any such settlement, compromise or discharge if the Indemnitee agrees
that the Indemnifying Party's indemnification obligation with respect to such
Third Party Claim shall not exceed the amount that would be required to be paid
by or on behalf of the Indemnifying Party in connection with such settlement,
compromise or discharge; and provided further that the Indemnifying Party shall
not agree to any other settlement, compromise or discharge of a Third Party
Claim not described above without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee,
such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. If an Indemnifying Party elects
not to assume the defense of a Third Party
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Claim, or fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election to do so as provided
herein, such Indemnitee may compromise, settle or defend such Third Party Claim.
In such case, the Indemnifying Party shall be responsible for the cost of such
compromise, settlement or defense.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled
to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim (and shall be liable for the
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the Indemnitee in defending
such Third Party Claim) if the Third Party Claim seeks an order, injunction or
other equitable relief or relief for other than money damages against the
Indemnitee which the Indemnitee reasonably determines, after conferring with its
counsel, cannot be separated from any related claim for money damages. If such
equitable relief or other relief portion of the Third Party Claim can be so
separated from that for money damages, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled
to assume the defense of the portion relating to money damages.
(a) In the event any Tax Claim (as defined below) is disposed of pursuant to
the provisions of this Section 3.4 or a Final Determination has been made in
circumstances that give rise to a Tax Liability or an Established Liability on
the part of UNITRIN, any UNITRIN Member or any UNITRIN stockholder, as the case
may be, then C-W shall pay to UNITRIN all amounts in respect of any Tax Claim
within twenty (20) business days after such Tax Claim is disposed of or such
Final Determination has been made. For purposes of this Section 3.4(b),
(i) 'Tax Claim' shall mean any notice of deficiency, proposed adjustment,
adjustment, assessment, audit, examination, suit, dispute or other written claim
which is commenced or initiated against UNITRIN, any UNITRIN Member or any
UNITRIN stockholder with respect to Taxes that are attributable to the
Recapitalization or Distribution and which result from any act or acts of C-W or
its Subsidiaries described in Section 2.4 of this Agreement or the breach by C-W
of any representation or warranty set forth in this Agreement and (ii) 'Final
Determination' shall mean (1) the entry of a decision of a court of competent
jurisdiction at such time as an appeal may no longer be taken from such decision
or (2) the execution of a closing agreement or its equivalent between the
particular taxpayer and the particular relevant taxing authority.
SECTION 3.5 Remedies Not Exclusive. The remedies provided in this Article 3
shall be cumulative and shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any
other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any
Indemnifying Party.
SECTION 3.6 Subrogation. In the event of payment by an Indemnifying Party to
any Indemnitee in connection with any Third Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party
shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee as to any
events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee may have any right
or claim relating to such Third Party Claim. Such Indemnitee shall cooperate
with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable manner, and at the cost and expense
of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right or claim.
SECTION 3.7 Indemnification Payments. Indemnification required by this
Article 3 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the
course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense is incurred.
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS
SECTION 4.1 Access to Information.
(a) Other than in circumstances in which indemnification is sought pursuant
to Article 3 (in which event the provisions of such Article will govern), from
and after the Distribution Date, each of C-W and UNITRIN shall afford to the
other and its authorized accountants, counsel and other designated
representatives reasonable access during normal business hours, subject to
appropriate restrictions for classified, privileged or confidential information,
to the personnel, properties, books and records of such party and its
Subsidiaries to the extent such access is reasonably required by the other party
in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Recapitalization
Agreement or to comply with such party's financial, tax and other reporting
obligations.
(b) A party providing information or access to information to the other
party under this Article 4 shall be entitled to receive from the recipient, upon
the presentation of invoices therefor, payments for
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such amounts, relating to supplies, disbursements and other out-of-pocket
expenses, as may be reasonably incurred in providing such information or access
to information.
(c) For a period of two years following the Distribution Date, C-W shall
provide to UNITRIN: (i) promptly following the date (the 'Target Date'), as of
which there has been an aggregate change in the outstanding equity or capital
structure of C-W (measured during the period beginning on the Distribution Date
and ending on the Target Date and not taking into account the Recapitalization
or transfers of shares by C-W stockholders, unless C-W participates in such
transfers or such transfers are reported on a Schedule 13D or 13G under the
Exchange Act) that accounts for at least 10% of the total outstanding equity of
C-W as of the Distribution Date written notice of such change and (ii) after the
Target Date, reasonably detailed reports delivered promptly following the
occurrence of each additional change or changes (if any) in the outstanding
equity or capital structure of C-W that, individually or in the aggregate (not
taking into account the Recapitalization or transfers of shares by C-W
stockholders, unless C-W participates in such transfers or such transfers are
reported on a Schedule 13D or 13G under the Exchange Act), account for at least
5% of the total outstanding equity of C-W as of the Distribution Date.
SECTION 4.2 Confidentiality. Each of C-W and its Subsidiaries and UNITRIN
and its Subsidiaries shall keep, and shall cause its employees, consultants,
advisors and agents to keep, confidential all information concerning the other
parties in its possession, its custody or under its control (except to the
extent that (a) such information is then in the public domain through no fault
of such party, (b) such information has been lawfully acquired from other
sources by such party or (c) this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement or
any other agreement entered into pursuant hereto or thereto permits the use or
disclosure of such information) and each party shall not (without the prior
written consent of the other) otherwise release or disclose such information to
any other Person, except such party's auditors and attorneys, unless compelled
to disclose such information by judicial or administrative process or unless
such disclosure is required by law and such party has used all reasonable
efforts to consult with the other affected party or parties prior to such
disclosure, and in such case shall exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain
reliable assurance that such information will be accorded confidential
treatment.
SECTION 4.3 No Solicitation.
(a) Subject to Sections 4.3(b) and 4.3(c), each of UNITRIN and C-W agree not
to directly or indirectly, through any officer, director, employee,
representative, securityholder or agent solicit, initiate or encourage any
inquiries, offers or proposals or any indication of interest or the commencement
of negotiations or continue any current negotiations or conduct any negotiations
or enter into any agreement or provide any nonpublic information regarding or in
connection with any proposal for the acquisition by any third party of any
shares of capital stock of C-W from C-W or UNITRIN (other than issuances of
common stock by C-W pursuant to employee stock plans in the ordinary course of
business) or the acquisition of, or business combination with, C-W through any
other means including a merger or purchase of assets (an 'Acquisition Proposal')
until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement or the time at
which the Distribution is consummated; provided, however, that UNITRIN and C-W
may respond to any unsolicited inquiries or proposals solely to indicate that it
is bound by this Section 4.3. If either of C-W or UNITRIN receives any such
inquiry or proposal, then C-W or UNITRIN, as the case may be, shall inform the
other of the terms and conditions, if any, of such inquiry or proposal and the
identity of the Person making the proposal and shall keep such party promptly
advised of all further communications relating to such inquiry or proposal.
(b) UNITRIN shall be relieved of its obligations under Section 4.3(a) (in
the case of clause (iii) below, only to the extent set forth therein) if:
(i) the Board of Directors of C-W shall or shall resolve to (A) not
recommend, or withdraw its approval or recommendation of, the
Recapitalization, the Recapitalization Agreement, this Agreement or any of
the transactions contemplated thereby or hereby, (B) modify any such
approval or recommendation in a manner adverse to UNITRIN or (C) approve,
recommend or enter into any agreement for any Acquisition Proposal;
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(ii) C-W breaches or fails to comply with any of its material
obligations set forth in this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement
and fails to cure such breach or failure within 30 days following notice
from UNITRIN; or
(iii) after receipt of a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal, the
Board of Directors of UNITRIN in good faith determines, after consultation
with its outside counsel, that it would be inconsistent with the Board's
fiduciary duties to stockholders of UNITRIN not to commence discussions or
negotiations with, or provide nonpublic information(other than nonpublic
information with respect to C-W) to the person making such Acquisition
Proposal; provided, however, that UNITRIN shall only be released from its
obligations under Section 4.3(a) pursuant to this Section 4.3(b)(iii) with
respect to such Acquisition Proposal.
(c) C-W shall be relieved of its obligations under Section 4.3(a) (to the
extent specifically set forth in this Section 4.3(c)) if after receipt of a bona
fide written Acquisition Proposal, the Board of Directors of C-W in good faith
determines, after consultation with its outside counsel, that it would be
inconsistent with the Board's fiduciary duties to stockholders of C-W not to
commence discussions or negotiations with, or provide nonpublic information to,
the person making such Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that C-W shall
only be released from its obligations under Section 4.3(a) pursuant to this
Section 4.3(c) with respect to such Acquisition Proposal.
SECTION 4.4 Certain Other Agreements. During the period commencing on the
date hereof and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this
Agreement or the consummation of the Recapitalization, UNITRIN hereby agrees
that it shall not, and that it shall cause each of its Affiliates not to,
without the prior approval of the Board of Directors of C-W, directly or
indirectly, (a) make, or in any way participate in, any 'solicitation' of
'proxies' (as such terms are defined or used in Regulation 14A under the
Exchange Act) to consent or vote or seek to advise or influence any Person with
respect to the voting of any shares of Common Stock; (b) form, join or in any
way participate in any Group (other than with respect to its Affiliates) with
respect to any of the shares of Common Stock; (c) otherwise act, either alone or
in concert with others, to seek control of C-W, including by submitting any
written consent in furtherance of the foregoing or calling a special meeting of
C-W stockholders; (d) publicly disclose any intention, proposal, plan or
arrangement with respect to any foregoing; or (e) make any demand, request or
proposal to amend, waive or terminate any provision of this Section 4.4.
SECTION 4.5 Public Announcements. Each of UNITRIN and C-W agrees that no
public release or announcement concerning the Recapitalization or the
Distribution shall be issued by either party without the prior written consent
of the other (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), except as such release
or announcement may be required by law or the rules or regulations of any United
States securities exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, in which case the party
required to make the release or announcement shall use all reasonable efforts to
allow each other party reasonable time to comment on each release or
announcement in advance of such issuance.
SECTION 4.6 Required Consents. Each of UNITRIN and C-W shall use all
reasonable efforts to obtain all of the consents, waivers or authorizations
required in connection with the completion of the Recapitalization and the
Distribution, including, without limitation, (a) any material governmental
approvals and consents necessary to consummate the Distribution and the other
transactions contemplated hereby and by the Recapitalization Agreement and
(b) those consents listed on Schedule 4.6 (collectively, the 'Required
Consents').
SECTION 4.7 Litigation Cooperation. Each of UNITRIN and C-W shall use
reasonable efforts to make available to the other party, upon written request
and at the expense of the other party, its officers, directors, employees and
agents as witnesses to the extent such Persons may reasonably be required in
connection with any Action arising out of (a) the business of such other party
and its predecessors, if any, in which the requesting party may from time to
time be involved; provided that such Action does not involve a claim by either
of UNITRIN or C-W against the other or (b) the matters contained in Section 2.4
and Article 3 hereof.
SECTION 4.8 Other Matters. Each of UNITRIN and C-W shall negotiate in good
faith to execute prior to the Distribution Date such further certificates,
agreements and other documents which are
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reasonably necessary to consummate or implement the transactions contemplated
hereby and by the Recapitalization Agreement.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.1 Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement and the
Recapitalization Agreement, including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto and
thereto, shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect
to the subject matter hereof and thereof and shall supersede all previous
negotiations, commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter.
SECTION 5.2 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and
shall become effective when one or more such counterparts have been signed by
each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.
SECTION 5.3 Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise contemplated by this
Agreement, all covenants, representations, warranties and agreements of the
parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Distribution Date.
SECTION 5.4 Expenses. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement or in
the Recapitalization Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection
with the preparation, execution, delivery and implementation of this Agreement
and the Recapitalization Agreement, and the Distribution and the other
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be charged to and paid by the
party incurring such costs and expenses.
SECTION 5.5 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing, shall be effective when received, and shall be duly given if
delivered by (a) hand delivery, (b) U.S. mail, postage prepaid, for first class
delivery, (c) Federal Express or similar carrier, freight prepaid, for next
business day delivery, or (d) electronic transmission, provided that
confirmation of transmission and receipt is confirmed, to each party at the
following respective addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be
specified by like notice):
To UNITRIN:
UNITRIN, Inc.
One East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Fax: (312) 661-4690
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
UNITRIN, Inc.
One East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Fax: (312) 661-4941
Attn: General Counsel
and with a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois)
333 West Wacker Drive
Suite 2100
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Fax: (312) 407-0411
Attn: Brian W. Duwe, Esq.
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To C-W:
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
1200 Wall Street West
Lyndhurst, New Jersey 07071
Fax: (201) 896-4021
Attn: General Counsel
with a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Fax: (212) 455-2502
Attn: Caroline B. Gottschalk, Esq.
SECTION 5.6 Waivers. The failure of any party to require strict performance
by any other party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish
that party's right to demand strict performance thereafter of that or any other
provision hereof.
SECTION 5.7 Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified or amended except
by an agreement in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.
SECTION 5.8 Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or
in part, directly or indirectly, by any party hereto without the prior written
consent of the other party hereto, and any attempt to assign any rights or
obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be void.
SECTION 5.9 Successors and Assigns. The provisions to this Agreement shall
be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.
SECTION 5.10 Termination.
(a) Prior to the filing of the Certificate of Merger, this Agreement may be
terminated:
(i) by mutual written consent of UNITRIN and C-W;
(ii) by either UNITRIN or C-W if the other party is in breach of any of
its obligations or representations and warranties herein or under the
Recapitalization Agreement, which breach would result in a Material Adverse
Effect on such party after giving effect to the Distribution, and such other
party fails to cure such breach within 30 days following notice;
(iii) by C-W if, following receipt of an Acquisition Proposal, the Board
of Directors of C-W is required by its fiduciary duties to stockholders of
C-W to terminate this Agreement or the Recapitalization Agreement and accept
such Acquisition Proposal; provided that in such event C-W shall pay the
reasonable documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by UNITRIN in
connection with this Agreement, the Recapitalization Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby in an aggregate amount of up to
$2.3 million, but only to the extent that UNITRIN does not agree to, or
otherwise vote in favor of, such Acquisition Proposal;
(iv) by UNITRIN if (A) the Board of Directors of C-W shall or shall
resolve to (I) not recommend, or withdraw its approval or recommendation of,
the Recapitalization, the Recapitalization Agreement, this Agreement or any
of the transactions contemplated thereby or hereby, (II) modify any such
approval or recommendation in a manner adverse to UNITRIN or (III) approve,
recommend or enter into an agreement for any Acquisition Proposal, (B) the
stockholders of C-W shall not approve the Recapitalization or (C) following
receipt of an Acquisition Proposal, the Board of Directors of UNITRIN is
required by its fiduciary duties to stockholders of UNITRIN to terminate
this Agreement and accept such Acquisition Proposal; provided that (I) in
the case of clause (A) above, C-W shall pay the reasonable documented
out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by UNITRIN in connection with this
Agreement, the Recapitalization Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby in an aggregate amount of up to $2.3 million and (II) in
the case of clause (C) above, UNITRIN shall pay the reasonable documented
out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by C-W in connection with this
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Agreement, the Recapitalization Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby in an aggregate amount of up to $2.3 million; or
(v) by either UNITRIN or C-W if the Recapitalization is not consummated
by June 30, 2001; provided that this right shall not be available to any
party that is in material breach of its obligations under this Agreement or
the Recapitalization.
(b) This Agreement shall terminate automatically without any action on the
part of C-W or UNITRIN in the event the Recapitalization Agreement is terminated
in accordance with its terms.
(c) Except as specifically set forth in clause (a) above and for any
liability in respect of any breach of this Agreement or the Recapitalization
Agreement by either party, no party shall have any liability of any kind to any
other party or any other person as a result of the termination of this
Agreement. After the filing of the Certificate of Merger relating to the
Recapitalization, this Agreement may not be terminated except by an agreement in
writing signed by both parties.
SECTION 5.11 Subsidiaries. Each of the parties hereto shall cause to be
performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and
obligations set forth herein to be performed by any Subsidiary of such party or
by any entity that is contemplated to be a Subsidiary of such party on or after
the Distribution Date (it being understood that C-W and its Subsidiaries shall
not be considered a Subsidiary of UNITRIN).
SECTION 5.12 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Article 3
relating to Indemnitees, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the parties
hereto and should not be deemed to confer upon third parties any remedy, claim,
liability, reimbursement, claim of action or other right in excess of those
existing without reference to this Agreement.
SECTION 5.13 Title and Headings. Titles and headings to sections herein are
inserted for the convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part
of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.14 Exhibits and Schedules. The Exhibits and Schedules shall be
construed with and as an integral part of this Agreement to the same extent as
if the same had been set forth verbatim herein.
SECTION 5.15 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE APPLICABLE TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
SECTION 5.16 Consent to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties irrevocably
submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state court of the State of
Delaware and the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, for
the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this
Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby. Each of the parties agrees to
commence any action, suit or proceeding relating hereto in such Delaware court.
Each of the parties further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice
or document by U.S. registered mail to such party's respective address set forth
above shall be effective service of process for any action, suit or proceeding
in Delaware with respect to any matters to which it has submitted to
jurisdiction in this Section 5.16. Each of the parties irrevocably and
unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit
or proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby in such Delaware court and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally
waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action,
suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient
forum.
SECTION 5.17 Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby; provided, however, that the consummation of the
Recapitalization is conditioned upon and is not severable from the Distribution,
and that the Distribution is not severable from the Recapitalization. The
parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect
of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or
unenforceable provisions.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.
UNITRIN, INC.
By /s/ Eric J. Draut
..................................
Name: Eric J. Draut
Title: Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
By /s/ Martin R. Benante
..................................
Name: Martin R. Benante
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
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APPENDIX C-1
RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
The original Certificate of Incorporation of Curtiss-Wright Corporation was
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 9, 1929.
This Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which further amends and restates
the certificate of incorporation as heretofore amended and restated, was duly
adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ('DGCL').
1. The name of the Corporation is CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION.
2. The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209
Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington and County of New Castle. The
registered agent at said address is the Corporation Trust Company.
3. The nature of the business and purposes to be conducted and promoted are
to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized
under the DGCL.
4. Authorized Stock. The Corporation is authorized to issue three classes of
stock. The total number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue
is Twenty-Three Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand (23,150,000) shares, of which
Eleven Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand (11,250,000) shares shall be
designated Common Stock, par value $1 per share (the 'Common Stock'), Eleven
Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand (11,250,000) shares shall be designated
Class B Common Stock, par value $1 per share (the 'Class B Common Stock' and,
together with the Common Stock, the 'Corporation Common Stock'), and Six Hundred
Fifty Thousand (650,000) shares shall be designated Preferred Stock, par value
$.01 per share (the 'Preferred Stock'). The authorized number of shares of any
such class or classes of stock may be increased or decreased by the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote irrespective of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL or any successor provision
thereto.
5. Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby
authorized from time to time to provide by resolution for the issuance of shares
of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to determine with respect to each
such series the designation of and the number of shares comprising such series
and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, of such series.
6. Common Stock. The Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock shall be
identical in all respects, except as otherwise provided by law or expressly
provided herein. The relative powers, preferences, rights, qualifications,
limitations and restrictions of the shares of Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock shall be as follows:
(a) Cash Dividends. Subject to the rights and preferences of any
outstanding series of Preferred Stock, and except as otherwise provided for
herein, the holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are entitled to
receive dividends out of assets legally available therefor at such times and
in such per share amounts as the Board of Directors may from time to time
determine; provided that whenever a cash dividend is paid, the same amount
shall be paid in respect of each outstanding share of Common Stock and Class
B Common Stock.
(b) Stock Dividends. If at any time a dividend is to be paid in shares
of Common Stock or shares of Class B Common Stock (a 'stock dividend'), such
stock dividend may be declared and paid only as follows: only Common Stock
may be paid to holders of Common Stock and only Class B Common Stock may be
paid to holders of Class B Common Stock. Whenever a stock dividend is paid,
the same rate or ratio of shares shall be paid in respect of each
outstanding share of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
(c) Property Dividends. If at any time a dividend is to be paid in
rights to purchase shares of the capital stock of the Corporation (a 'rights
dividend'), then: (i) if the rights dividend is of rights
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that entitle the holder thereof to purchase shares of Common Stock (or
shares of capital stock of the Corporation having voting rights equivalent
to those of the Common Stock ('Equivalent Shares')) or Class B Common Stock
(or shares of capital stock of the Corporation having voting rights
equivalent to those of the Class B Common Stock ('Equivalent Class B
Shares')) (whether initially or upon any adjustment thereunder), then only
rights to acquire Common Stock or Equivalent Shares may be paid to holders
of Common Stock and only rights to acquire Class B Common Stock or
Equivalent Class B Shares may be paid to holders of Class B Common Stock;
and (ii) if the rights dividend is of rights that entitle the holder thereof
to purchase shares of capital stock of the Corporation other than Common
Stock (or Equivalent Shares) or Class B Common Stock (or Equivalent Class B
Shares) (whether initially or upon any adjustment thereunder), then the
Board of Directors of the Corporation may pay such dividend of rights to the
holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in such manner as the Board
of Directors may determine. Whenever any property dividend is paid, the same
rate or ratio of rights, securities or other property shall be paid in
respect of each outstanding share of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
(d) Stock Subdivisions and Combinations. The Corporation shall not
subdivide, reclassify or combine stock of any class of Corporation Common
Stock without at the same time making a proportionate subdivision,
reclassification or combination of shares of the other class.
(e) Voting. Voting power shall be divided between the classes of stock
as follows:
(i) Subject to Article 6(e)(ii), in the election of directors holders
of Class B Common Stock, voting separately as a class together with the
holders of shares of any other class or series of stock which by its
terms is entitled to vote with the Class B Common Stock for the election
of directors (the Class B Common Stock, together with such other shares,
the 'Voting B Shares'), shall be entitled to elect that number of
directors which constitutes 80% of the authorized number of members of
the Board of Directors (or, if such 80% is not a whole number, then the
nearest higher whole number) (the 'Class B Common Stock Directors'). Each
share of Class B Common Stock shall have one vote in the election of the
Class B Common Stock Directors. Subject to Article 6(e)(ii), holders of
Common Stock, voting separately as a class together with the holders of
shares of any other class or series of stock which by its terms is
entitled to vote with the Common Stock for the election of directors (the
Common Stock, together with such other shares, the 'Voting Shares'),
shall be entitled to elect the remaining directors (the 'Common Stock
Directors'). Each share of Common Stock shall have one vote in the
election of such directors. The initial Common Stock Director shall be
designated by a majority of the directors of the Corporation as of the
effectiveness of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and the
holders of Voting Shares, voting separately as a class, shall be entitled
to vote for the election or replacement of such Common Stock Director at
the next election of directors [of the Class (i.e., Class I, Class II or
Class III provided for in Article 7(b)) in which such director serves
](1). The initial Class B Directors shall be designated by a majority of
the directors of the Corporation as of the effectiveness of this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, and the holders of the Voting B Shares,
voting separately as a class, shall be entitled to vote for the election
or replacement of such Class B Directors at the next election of
directors of the respective Classes in which such directors serve. For
purposes of this Article 6(e)(i), references to the authorized number of
members of the Board of Directors shall not include any directors which
the holders of any shares of any series of Preferred Stock have the right
to elect voting separately as one or more series.
(ii) For purposes of this Article 6(e)(ii), 'Special Voting Rights'
means the different voting rights of the holders of Common Stock, on the
one hand, and the holders of Class B Common Stock, on the other hand,
with respect to the election of the applicable percentage of the
authorized number of members of the Board of Directors as described in
Article 6(e)(i). If
---------
(1) If the Classified Board Proposal is approved, then this provision will be
included; provided however, that this provision will not be included if
(i) the Proxy Statement does not include the disclosure required by
Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act in connection with the election of
directors and (ii) the Effective Time occurs before the Company's next
annual meeting of stockholders.
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<PAGE>
approved by the Board of Directors, at any annual or special meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation held at any time after the fifth
anniversary of the distribution by Unitrin, Inc. to its stockholders of
all of the Class B Common Stock owned by it (the 'Fifth Year
Anniversary'), a majority of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock
and Class B Common Stock, voting together as a class, may vote to
eliminate the Special Voting Rights (the 'Elimination Vote'), in which
case the Special Voting Rights provided for in Article 6(e)(i) shall have
no further force or effect, and thereafter holders of the Corporation
Common Stock shall have equal voting rights in all respects, except as
otherwise required by law, and shall be entitled to elect the total
authorized number of members of the Board of Directors voting together
(along with the holders of any other Voting Stock (as defined below)) as
a single class. 'Voting Stock' shall mean the Common Stock, the Class B
Common Stock and the shares of any class or series of stock which by its
terms is entitled to vote with the Common Stock or the Class B Common
Stock for the election of directors.
(iii) Unless the Special Voting Rights have been eliminated in
accordance with Article 6(e)(ii), all newly-created directorships
resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors shall be
allocated between Common Stock Directors and Class B Directors such that
at all times the number of Class B Common Stock directorships shall be
80% of the authorized number of members of the Board of Directors (or, if
such 80% is not a whole number, then the nearest higher whole number) and
the remaining directorships shall be Common Stock directorships.
(iv) Except as otherwise specified herein or required by law, the
holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall in all matters not
otherwise specified in this Article 6(e) vote together as one class, with
each share of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock having one vote.
(f) Merger or Consolidation. The Corporation shall not enter into any
consolidation of the Corporation with one or more other corporations, a
merger of the Corporation with another corporation, a reorganization of the
Corporation or other similar combination of the Corporation with one or more
third parties, unless each holder of a share of Common Stock or Class B
Common Stock is entitled to receive with respect to such share the same kind
and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property (including
cash) receivable upon such consolidation, merger, reorganization or other
combination as each other holder of a share of Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock; provided that, in any such transaction consummated prior to
the Elimination Vote, the holders of shares of Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock may each receive different kinds of shares of stock that differ
to the extent and only to the extent that the Board of Directors determines
in good faith that such shares differ with respect to the rights of holders
of such shares to the same extent as the Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock differ as provided herein.
(g) Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock shall participate equally per share in any distribution to
stockholders, without distinction between classes.
7. The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business
and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for the purpose of
creating, defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation and
its directors and stockholders:
(a) Except as otherwise fixed pursuant to Article 5 of this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any
one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation acting
separately as one or more series to elect, under specified circumstances,
directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the Board of
Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than ten persons, the
exact number to be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of
Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of
Directors. A director need not be a stockholder. The election of directors
of the Corporation need not be by ballot unless the By-Laws so require.
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(b) [Commencing with the first annual meeting of stockholders following
the date on which this Restated Certificate of Incorporation becomes
effective, ](2) The directors shall be divided into three classes,
designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as
nearly as may be possible, of one third of the total number of directors
constituting the entire Board of Directors. Initially, Class I directors
shall be elected for a term expiring at [the next annual meeting of
stockholders following](2) the first annual meeting of stockholders
following the date on which this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
becomes effective, Class II directors shall be elected for a term expiring
at [the next annual meeting of stockholders following](2) the second annual
meeting of stockholders following the date on which this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation becomes effective and Class III directors
shall be elected for a term expiring at [the next annual meeting of
stockholders following](2) the third annual meeting of stockholders
following the date on which this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
becomes effective. Beginning with the first annual meeting of stockholders
following the date on which this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
becomes effective, successors to the class of directors whose term expires
at each annual meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the third
succeeding annual meeting of stockholders following such meeting. If the
number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be
apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in
each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional director of any
class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class
shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term
of that class, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors
shorten the term of any incumbent director. A director shall hold office
until the annual meeting for the year in which his term expires and until
his successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to
prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from
office. Subject to Articles 7(d) and 7(e), any vacancy on the Board of
Directors that results from an increase in the number of directors
may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office and any other
vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of
the Board of Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a
sole remaining director. Any director elected to fill a vacancy not
resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall have the same
remaining term as that of his predecessor.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more
series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right,
voting separately as a series or together as series, to elect directors at
an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office,
filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be
governed by the terms of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
applicable thereto, and such directors so elected shall not be divided into
classes pursuant to this Article 7 unless expressly provided by such terms.
(c) The Board of Directors may, by resolution or resolutions, passed by
a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each
committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the Corporation,
which to the extent permitted by law and provided in said resolution or
resolutions or in the By-Laws of the Corporation shall have and may exercise
the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and
affairs of the Corporation. Such committee or committees shall have such
name or names as may be stated in the By-Laws of the Corporation, or as may
be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of
Directors.
(d) Any vacancy in the office of a director created by the death,
resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office of a director
or other cause, elected by (or appointed on behalf of) the holders of the
Voting B Shares, on the one hand, or the holders of the Voting Shares, on
the other hand, as the case may be, shall be filled by the vote of the
majority of the directors (or the sole remaining director) elected by (or
appointed on behalf of) such holders of Voting B Shares, on the one hand, or
Voting Shares, on the other hand, as the case may be, unless there are no
such directors in such class, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by
the holders of the Voting B Shares or Voting Shares, respectively, or unless
the Elimination Vote shall have occurred, in which
---------
(2) In the event that (i) the Proxy Statement does not include the disclosure
required by Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act in connection with the
election of directors and (ii) the Effective Time occurs before the
Corporation's 2001 annual meeting, this language will be included.
C-1-4
<PAGE>
case such vacancy shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the
directors (or the sole remaining director) then in office, even if less than
a quorum, regardless of any quorum requirements set out in the By-Laws.
(e) Unless the Elimination Vote shall have occurred, all newly-created
directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of
directors shall be allocated pursuant to Article 6(e)(iii). Once such
newly-created directorships have been allocated as Common Stock Directors or
Class B Directors, such newly-created directorships shall be filled by the
vote of the majority of the directors in such class (or the sole remaining
director in such class), as the case may be, unless there are no such
directors in such class, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by the
holders of the Voting Shares or Voting B Shares, respectively, or unless the
Elimination Vote shall have occurred, in which case such vacancy shall be
filled by the vote of the majority of the directors (or the sole remaining
director) then in office, even if less than a quorum, regardless of any
quorum requirements set out in the By-Laws. Any director elected in
accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the annual
meeting for the year in which his term expires and until a director of the
same class succeeding such director shall have been elected and qualified or
until his earlier resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of
authorized directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall
shorten the term of any incumbent director.
8. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it presently exists or may
hereafter be amended, no director of the Corporation shall be liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article 8, nor the
adoption of any provision of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation inconsistent with this Article 8, shall eliminate or reduce the
effect of this Article 8 in respect of any act or omission of any director of
the Corporation or any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim
that, but for this Article 8, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment,
repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.
9. (a) Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a
party to or is involved in any claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or other (hereinafter a 'proceeding'),
by reason of the fact that such person, or a person of whom such person is the
legal representative, is or was a director, officer or employee of the
Corporation or is or was serving in the course of such employment, or at the
request of the Corporation, as a director, officer, employee or representative
of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether
the basis of such proceeding is alleged action or inaction in an official
capacity as such a director, officer, employee or representative or in any other
capacity while serving as such a director, officer, employee or representative,
shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent
authorized by the DGCL, as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended,
against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments,
fines, excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement)
reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such
indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee or representative and shall inure to the benefit of such
person's heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives;
provided, however that, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this Article 9,
the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in
connection with such a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person
only if such proceeding (or part thereof), or the initiation thereof, was
authorized or approved by the Corporation. The Corporation shall pay the
expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by such a person described in the
preceding sentence (but subject to the proviso thereto) in defending any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, that, to the extent
required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of
the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by such person
to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that such
person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 9 or otherwise.
(b) If a claim under paragraph (a) of this Article 9 is not paid in full by
the Corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim has been received
by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against
the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in
whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of
prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an
action brought to enforce a claim for
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<PAGE>
expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final
disposition where the requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law have
been complied with by the claimant) that the claimant has not met the standards
of conduct which make it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law
for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the
burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure
of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel,
or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of
such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances
because the claimant has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation
(including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its
stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard or conduct,
shall be a defense to the action or create the presumption that the claimant has
not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(c) The rights conferred by this Article 9 shall not be exclusive of any
other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute,
provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation,
By-Law, Agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
(d) The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect
itself, its subsidiary and affiliated corporations, and any such director,
officer, employee or representative of the Corporation or other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense,
liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to
indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
10. Except as otherwise fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article 5 of
this Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders
of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation to call
an annual or special meeting of stockholders, special meetings of the
stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman, or in his
absence by the President, by the Board of Directors, or by the Secretary at the
request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors and may not be called
by the stockholders of the Corporation.
11. Any action required to be taken or which may be taken by the holders of
the Corporation Common Stock must be effected at a duly called annual or special
meeting of such holders and may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a
meeting.
12. The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, alter, amend and
repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation, in any manner not inconsistent with the
laws of the State of Delaware, subject to the power of the stockholders to
adopt, amend or repeal the By-Laws. Notwithstanding anything else contained in
this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws to the contrary, the
affirmative vote of the holders of record of at least 66 2/3% of the combined
voting power of all of the outstanding stock of the company entitled to vote in
respect thereof, voting together as a single class, shall be required (A) to
alter, amend, rescind or repeal Article 7, Article 10, Article 11 or this
Article 12 of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or to adopt any
provision inconsistent therewith or (B) in order for the stockholders to adopt,
alter, amend, rescind or repeal any By-Laws of the Corporation.
13. Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this
Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this
Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable
jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary
way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the
application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under
the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the
application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed
for this Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the
Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of
the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may
be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in
number representing three fourths in value of the creditors or class of
creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this
Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to
any reorganization of this Corporation as consequence of such compromise or
arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization
shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made,
be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the
stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be,
and also on this Corporation.
C-1-6
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C-2
RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
The original Certificate of Incorporation of Curtiss-Wright Corporation was
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 9, 1929.
This Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which further amends and restates
the certificate of incorporation as heretofore amended and restated, was duly
adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ('DGCL').
1. The name of the Corporation is CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION.
2. The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209
Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington and County of New Castle. The
registered agent at said address is the Corporation Trust Company.
3. The nature of the business and purposes to be conducted and promoted are
to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized
under the DGCL.
4. Authorized Stock. The Corporation is authorized to issue three classes of
stock. The total number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue
is Twenty-Three Million One Hundred Fifty Thousand (23,150,000) shares, of which
Eleven Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand (11,250,000) shares shall be
designated Common Stock, par value $1 per share (the 'Common Stock'), Eleven
Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand (11,250,000) shares shall be designated
Class B Common Stock, par value $1 per share (the 'Class B Common Stock' and,
together with the Common Stock, the 'Corporation Common Stock'), and Six Hundred
Fifty Thousand (650,000) shares shall be designated Preferred Stock, par value
$.01 per share (the 'Preferred Stock'). The authorized number of shares of any
such class or classes of stock may be increased or decreased by the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote irrespective of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL or any successor provision
thereto.
5. Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby
authorized from time to time to provide by resolution for the issuance of shares
of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to determine with respect to each
such series the designation of and the number of shares comprising such series
and the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other
rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, of such series.
6. Common Stock. The Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock shall be
identical in all respects, except as otherwise provided by law or expressly
provided herein. The relative powers, preferences, rights, qualifications,
limitations and restrictions of the shares of Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock shall be as follows:
(a) Cash Dividends. Subject to the rights and preferences of any
outstanding series of Preferred Stock, and except as otherwise provided for
herein, the holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are entitled to
receive dividends out of assets legally available therefor at such times and
in such per share amounts as the Board of Directors may from time to time
determine; provided that whenever a cash dividend is paid, the same amount
shall be paid in respect of each outstanding share of Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock.
(b) Stock Dividends. If at any time a dividend is to be paid in shares
of Common Stock or shares of Class B Common Stock (a 'stock dividend'), such
stock dividend may be declared and paid only as follows: only Common Stock
may be paid to holders of Common Stock and only Class B Common Stock may be
paid to holders of Class B Common Stock. Whenever a stock dividend is paid,
the same rate or ratio of shares shall be paid in respect of each
outstanding share of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
(c) Property Dividends. If at any time a dividend is to be paid in
rights to purchase shares of the capital stock of the Corporation (a 'rights
dividend'), then: (i) if the rights dividend is of rights
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<PAGE>
that entitle the holder thereof to purchase shares of Common Stock (or
shares of capital stock of the Corporation having voting rights equivalent
to those of the Common Stock ('Equivalent Shares')) or Class B Common Stock
(or shares of capital stock of the Corporation having voting rights
equivalent to those of the Class B Common Stock ('Equivalent Class B
Shares')) (whether initially or upon any adjustment thereunder), then only
rights to acquire Common Stock or Equivalent Shares may be paid to holders
of Common Stock and only rights to acquire Class B Common Stock or
Equivalent Class B Shares may be paid to holders of Class B Common Stock;
and (ii) if the rights dividend is of rights that entitle the holder thereof
to purchase shares of capital stock of the Corporation other than Common
Stock (or Equivalent Shares) or Class B Common Stock (or Equivalent Class B
Shares) (whether initially or upon any adjustment thereunder), then the
Board of Directors of the Corporation may pay such dividend of rights to the
holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock in such manner as the Board
of Directors may determine. Whenever any property dividend is paid, the same
rate or ratio of rights, securities or other property shall be paid in
respect of each outstanding share of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.
(d) Stock Subdivisions and Combinations. The Corporation shall not
subdivide, reclassify or combine stock of any class of Corporation Common
Stock without at the same time making a proportionate subdivision,
reclassification or combination of shares of the other class.
(e) Voting. Voting power shall be divided between the classes of stock
as follows:
(i) Subject to Article 6(e)(ii), in the election of directors holders
of Class B Common Stock, voting separately as a class together with the
holders of shares of any other class or series of stock which by its
terms is entitled to vote with the Class B Common Stock for the election
of directors (the Class B Common Stock, together with such other shares,
the 'Voting B Shares'), shall be entitled to elect that number of
directors which constitutes 80% of the authorized number of members of
the Board of Directors (or, if such 80% is not a whole number, then the
nearest higher whole number) (the 'Class B Common Stock Directors'). Each
share of Class B Common Stock shall have one vote in the election of the
Class B Common Stock Directors. Subject to Article 6(e)(ii), holders of
Common Stock, voting separately as a class together with the holders of
shares of any other class or series of stock which by its terms is
entitled to vote with the Common Stock for the election of directors (the
Common Stock, together with such other shares, the 'Voting Shares'),
shall be entitled to elect the remaining directors (the 'Common Stock
Directors'). Each share of Common Stock shall have one vote in the
election of such directors. The initial Common Stock Director shall be
designated by a majority of the directors of the Corporation as of the
effectiveness of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and the
holders of Voting Shares, voting separately as a class, shall be entitled
to vote for the election or replacement of such Common Stock Director at
the next election of directors [of the Class (i.e., Class I, Class II or
Class III provided for in Article 7(b)) in which such director serves
](1).The initial Class B Directors shall be designated by a majority of
the directors of the Corporation as of the effectiveness of this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, and the holders of the Voting B Shares,
voting separately as a class, shall be entitled to vote for the election
or replacement of such Class B Directors at the next election of
directors of the respective Classes in which such directors serve. For
purposes of this Article 6(e)(i), references to the authorized number of
members of the Board of Directors shall not include any directors which
the holders of any shares of any series of Preferred Stock have the right
to elect voting separately as one or more series.
(ii) For purposes of this Article 6(e)(ii), 'Special Voting Rights'
means the different voting rights of the holders of Common Stock, on the
one hand, and the holders of Class B Common Stock, on the other hand,
with respect to the election of the applicable percentage of
---------
(1) If the Classified Board Proposal is approved, then this provision will be
included; provided however, that this provision will not be included if
(i) the Proxy Statement does not include the disclosure required by
Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act in connection with the election of
directors and (ii) the Effective Time occurs before the Company's next
annual meeting of stockholders.
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<PAGE>
the authorized number of members of the Board of Directors as described
in Article 6(e)(i). If approved by the Board of Directors, at any annual
or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation held at any time
after the fifth anniversary of the distribution by Unitrin, Inc. to its
stockholders of all of the Class B Common Stock owned by it (the 'Fifth
Year Anniversary'), a majority of the outstanding shares of the Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting together as a class, may vote to
eliminate the Special Voting Rights (the 'Elimination Vote'), in which
case the Special Voting Rights provided for in Article 6(e)(i) shall have
no further force or effect, and thereafter holders of the Corporation
Common Stock shall have equal voting rights in all respects, except as
otherwise required by law, and shall be entitled to elect the total
authorized number of members of the Board of Directors voting together
(along with the holders of any other Voting Stock (as defined below)) as
a single class. 'Voting Stock' shall mean the Common Stock, the Class B
Common Stock and the shares of any class or series of stock which by its
terms is entitled to vote with the Common Stock or the Class B Common
Stock for the election of directors.
(iii) Unless the Special Voting Rights have been eliminated in
accordance with Article 6(e)(ii), all newly-created directorships
resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors shall be
allocated between Common Stock Directors and Class B Directors such that
at all times the number of Class B Common Stock directorships shall be
80% of the authorized number of members of the Board of Directors (or, if
such 80% is not a whole number, then the nearest higher whole number) and
the remaining directorships shall be Common Stock directorships.
(iv) Except as otherwise specified herein or required by law, the
holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall in all matters not
otherwise specified in this Article 6(e) vote together as one class, with
each share of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock having one vote.
(f) Merger or Consolidation. The Corporation shall not enter into any
consolidation of the Corporation with one or more other corporations, a
merger of the Corporation with another corporation, a reorganization of the
Corporation or other similar combination of the Corporation with one or more
third parties, unless each holder of a share of Common Stock or Class B
Common Stock is entitled to receive with respect to such share the same kind
and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property (including
cash) receivable upon such consolidation, merger, reorganization or other
combination as each other holder of a share of Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock; provided that, in any such transaction consummated prior to
the Elimination Vote, the holders of shares of Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock may each receive different kinds of shares of stock that differ
to the extent and only to the extent that the Board of Directors determines
in good faith that such shares differ with respect to the rights of holders
of such shares to the same extent as the Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock differ as provided herein.
(g) Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock shall participate equally per share in any distribution to
stockholders, without distinction between classes.
7. The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business
and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for the purpose of
creating, defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the Corporation and
its directors and stockholders:
(a) [The By-Laws of the Corporation shall fix the number of directors
and prescribe their term of office, and from time to time the number of
directors may be increased or decreased by amendment of the By-Laws,
provided that the number of directors shall not be less than five (5). A
director need not be a stockholder. The election of directors of the
Corporation need not be by ballot unless the By-Laws so require.](2) [Except
as otherwise fixed pursuant to Article 5 of this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any one or more
series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation acting separately as one
or more series to elect, under
---------
(2) If the Board Size Proposal is not approved, then Article 7(a) will include
only this provision.
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<PAGE>
specified circumstances, directors at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders, the Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five (5)
nor more than ten (10) persons, the exact number to be fixed from time to
time exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted
by a majority of the Board of Directors. A director need not be a
stockholder. The election of directors of the Corporation need not be by
ballot unless the By-Laws so require.](3)
[(b) [Commencing with the first annual meeting of stockholders following
the date on which this Restated Certificate of Incorporation becomes
effective, ](4) The directors shall be divided into three classes,
designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as
nearly as may be possible, of one third of the total number of directors
constituting the entire Board of Directors. Initially, Class I directors
shall be elected for a term expiring at [the next annual meeting of
stockholders following](4) the first annual meeting of stockholders
following the date on which this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
becomes effective, Class II directors shall be elected for a term expiring
at [the next annual meeting of stockholders following ](4) the second
annual meeting of stockholders following the date on which this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation becomes effective and Class III directors
shall be elected for a term expiring at [the next annual meeting of
stockholders following](4) the third annual meeting of stockholders
following the date on which this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
becomes effective. Beginning with the first annual meeting of stockholders
following the date on which this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
becomes effective, successors to the class of directors whose term expires
at each annual meeting shall be elected for a term expiring at the third
succeeding annual meeting of stockholders following such meeting. If the
number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be
apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in
each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional director of any
class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class
shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term
of that class, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors
shorten the term of any incumbent director. A director shall hold office
until the annual meeting for the year in which his term expires and until
his successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to
prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from
office. Subject to Articles 7(d) and 7(e), any vacancy on the Board of
Directors that results from an increase in the number of directors
may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office and any other
vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of
the Board of Directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a
sole remaining director. Any director elected to fill a vacancy not
resulting from an increase in the number of directors shall have the same
remaining term as that of his predecessor.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more
series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right,
voting separately as a series or together as series, to elect directors at
an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office,
filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be
governed by the terms of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
applicable thereto, and such directors so elected shall not be divided into
classes pursuant to this Article 7 unless expressly provided by such
terms.](5)
[(b)][(c)] The Board of Directors may, by resolution or resolutions,
passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees,
each committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the
Corporation, which to the extent permitted by law and provided in said
resolution or resolutions or in the By-Laws of the Corporation shall have
and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of
the business and affairs of the Corporation. Such committee or committees
shall have such name or names as may be stated in the By-Laws of the
---------
(3) If the Board Size Proposal is approved, then Article 7(a) will include only
this provision.
(4) In the event that (i) the Proxy Statement does not include the disclosure
required by Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act in connection with the
election of directors and (ii) the Effective Time occurs before the
Corporation's 2001 annual meeting, this language will be included.
(5) If the Classified Board Proposal is approved, then Article 7(b) will include
these provisions.
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Corporation, or as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted
by the Board of Directors.
[(c)][(d)] Any vacancy in the office of a director created by the death,
resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office of a director
or other cause, elected by (or appointed on behalf of) the holders of the
Voting B Shares, on the one hand, or the holders of the Voting Shares, on
the other hand, as the case may be, shall be filled by the vote of the
majority of the directors (or the sole remaining director) elected by (or
appointed on behalf of) such holders of Voting B Shares, on the one hand, or
Voting Shares, on the other hand, as the case may be, unless there are no
such directors in such class, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by
the holders of the Voting B Shares or Voting Shares, respectively, or unless
the Elimination Vote shall have occurred, in which case such vacancy shall
be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors (or the sole
remaining director) then in office, even if less than a quorum, regardless
of any quorum requirements set out in the By-Laws.
[(d)][(e)] Unless the Elimination Vote shall have occurred, all
newly-created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized
number of directors shall be allocated pursuant to Article 6(e)(iii). Once
such newly-created directorships have been allocated as Common Stock
Directors or Class B Directors, such newly-created directorships shall be
filled by the vote of the majority of the directors in such class (or the
sole remaining director in such class), as the case may be, unless there are
no such directors in such class, in which case such vacancy shall be filled
by the holders of the Voting Shares or Voting B Shares, respectively, or
unless the Elimination Vote shall have occurred, in which case such vacancy
shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the directors (or the sole
remaining director) then in office, even if less than a quorum, regardless
of any quorum requirements set out in the By-Laws. Any director elected in
accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the annual
meeting for the year in which his term expires and until a director of the
same class succeeding such director shall have been elected and qualified or
until his earlier resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of
authorized directors constituting the entire Board of Directors shall
shorten the term of any incumbent director.
8. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it presently exists or may
hereafter be amended, no director of the Corporation shall be liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article 8, nor the
adoption of any provision of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation inconsistent with this Article 8, shall eliminate or reduce the
effect of this Article 8 in respect of any act or omission of any director of
the Corporation or any matter occurring, or any cause of action, suit or claim
that, but for this Article 8, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment,
repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.
9. (a) Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a
party to or is involved in any claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, investigative or other (hereinafter a 'proceeding'),
by reason of the fact that such person, or a person of whom such person is the
legal representative, is or was a director, officer or employee of the
Corporation or is or was serving in the course of such employment, or at the
request of the Corporation, as a director, officer, employee or representative
of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether
the basis of such proceeding is alleged action or inaction in an official
capacity as such a director, officer, employee or representative or in any other
capacity while serving as such a director, officer, employee or representative,
shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent
authorized by the DGCL, as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended,
against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments,
fines, excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement)
reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such
indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee or representative and shall inure to the benefit of such
person's heirs, executors, administrators and other legal representatives;
provided, however that, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this Article 9,
the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in
connection with such a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by
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such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof), or the initiation
thereof, was authorized or approved by the Corporation. The Corporation shall
pay the expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by such a person described
in the preceding sentence (but subject to the proviso thereto) in defending any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, that, to the extent
required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of
the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by such person
to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that such
person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article 9 or otherwise.
(b) If a claim under paragraph (a) of this Article 9 is not paid in full by
the Corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim has been received
by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against
the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in
whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of
prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an
action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any
proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the requirements of the
Delaware General Corporation Law have been complied with by the claimant) that
the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible
under the Delaware General Corporation Law for the Corporation to indemnify the
claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be
on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board
of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of
the claimant is proper in the circumstances because the claimant has met the
applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation
Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of
Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has
not met such applicable standard or conduct, shall be a defense to the action or
create the presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of
conduct.
(c) The rights conferred by this Article 9 shall not be exclusive of any
other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute,
provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation,
By-Law, Agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
(d) The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect
itself, its subsidiary and affiliated corporations, and any such director,
officer, employee or representative of the Corporation or other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense,
liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to
indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
[10. Except as otherwise fixed pursuant to the provisions of Article 5 of
this Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders
of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation to call
an annual or special meeting of stockholders, special meetings of the
stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman, or in his
absence by the President, by the Board of Directors, or by the Secretary at the
request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors and may not be called
by the stockholders of the Corporation.](6)
[11. Any action required to be taken or which may be taken by the holders of
the Corporation Common Stock must be effected at a duly called annual or special
meeting of such holders and may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a
meeting.](7)
[10][11][12]. The Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, alter,
amend and repeal the By-Laws of the Corporation, in any manner not inconsistent
with the laws of the State of Delaware, subject to the power of the stockholders
to adopt, amend or repeal the By-Laws. [Notwithstanding anything else contained
in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws to the contrary,
the affirmative vote of the holders of record of at least 66 2/3% of the
combined voting power of all of the outstanding stock of th e company entitled
to vote in respect thereof, voting together as a single class, shall be required
(A) to alter, amend, rescind or repeal Article 7, Article 10, Article 11 or this
Article 12
---------
(6) This Article 10 will be included if the Special Meeting Proposal is
approved.
(7) This Article 11 will be included if the Written Consent Proposal is
approved.
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of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or to adopt any provision
inconsistent therewith or (B) in order for the stockholders to adopt, alter,
amend, rescind or repeal any By-Laws of the Corporation.](8)
[11][12][13]. Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between this
Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between this
Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable
jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary
way of this Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the
application of any receiver or receivers appointed for this Corporation under
the provisions of Section 291 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code or on the
application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed
for this Corporation under the provisions of Section 279 of Title 8 of the
Delaware Code order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of
the stockholders or class of stockholders of this Corporation, as the case may
be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in
number representing three fourths in value of the creditors or class of
creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of this
Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to
any reorganization of this Corporation as consequence of such compromise or
arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization
shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made,
be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the
stockholders or class of stockholders, of this Corporation, as the case may be,
and also on this Corporation.
---------
(8) This provision will be added if the Supermajority Voting Proposal is
approved.
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APPENDIX D-1
BY-LAWS
OF
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
SECTION 1. Registered Office. The registered office of Curtiss-Wright
Corporation (hereinafter called the Corporation) in the State of Delaware, shall
be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.
SECTION 2. Other Offices. The Corporation may also have an office or offices
at such other place or places either within or without the State of Delaware as
the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the
Corporation require.
ARTICLE II
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 1. Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders for the
election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such place
either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time
to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in
a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
SECTION 2. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the
election of directors and for the transaction of such other proper business as
may come before the meeting shall be held on a date and at a time as may be
designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice
of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
SECTION 3. Special Meetings. A special meeting of the stockholders for any
purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called only
by the Chairman, or in his absence by the President, by the Board of Directors,
or by the Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of
Directors and may not be called by the stockholders of the Corporation.
SECTION 4. Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by statute,
notice of each meeting of the stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be
given not less than ten days nor more than sixty days before the day on which
the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at
such meeting by delivering a written or printed notice thereof to him
personally, or by mailing such notice in a postage prepaid envelope addressed to
him at his post office address furnished by him to the Secretary of the
Corporation for such purpose, or, if he shall not have furnished to the
Secretary of the Corporation his address for such purpose, then at his post
office address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, or by
transmitting a notice thereof to him as otherwise permitted by law. Except where
expressly required by law, no publication of any notice of a meeting of
stockholders shall be required. Every such notice shall state the place, date
and hour of the meeting and, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called. Notice of any meeting of stockholders
shall not be required to be given to any stockholder who shall attend such
meeting in person or by proxy except as otherwise provided by statute; and if
any stockholder shall in person or by attorney thereunto authorized, waive
notice of any meeting, whether before or after such meeting be held, notice
thereof need not be given to him. Notice of any adjourned meeting of the
stockholders shall not be required to be given, except when expressly required
by law. Notice of any meeting of stockholders as herein provided shall not be
required to be given to any stockholder where the giving of such notice is
prohibited or is rendered impossible by the laws of the United States of
America.
SECTION 5. List of Stockholders. It shall be the duty of the Secretary or
other officer who shall have charge of the stock ledger either directly or
through a transfer agent appointed by the Board of Directors, to prepare and
make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, complete lists of
the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, arranged in alphabetical order, and
showing the address of
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each stockholder, the holders of each class of stock appearing separately, and
indicating the number of shares held by each, certified by the Secretary or
Transfer Agent. Such lists shall be open to the examination of any stockholder
for any purpose germane to the meeting as required by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, and shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the
meeting during the whole time thereof, and subject to the inspection of any
stockholder who may be present. Upon the willful neglect or refusal of the
directors to produce such lists at any meeting, they shall be ineligible to any
office at such meeting. The original or a duplicate stock ledger shall be the
only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock
ledger, such lists, or the books of the Corporation or to vote in person or by
proxy at such meeting.
SECTION 6. Quorum. At each meeting of the stockholders, the holders of not
less than a majority of the issued and outstanding stock of the Corporation
present either in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at such meeting shall
constitute a quorum except where otherwise provided by law or by the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws. In the absence of a quorum, the
stockholders of the Corporation present in person or by proxy and entitled to
vote, by majority vote, or, in the absence of any stockholders, any officer
entitled to preside or act as Secretary at such meeting, shall have the power to
adjourn the meeting from time to time, until stockholders holding the requisite
amount of stock shall be present or represented. At any such adjourned meeting
at which a quorum may be present any business may be transacted which might have
been transacted at the meeting as originally called. The absence from any
meeting of the number required by the laws of the State of Delaware or by the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or by these by-laws for
action upon any given matter shall not prevent action at such meetings upon any
other matter or matters which may properly come before the meeting, and if the
holders of not less than a majority of the issued and outstanding stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote at that time upon such other matter or matters
shall be present either in person or by proxy at such meeting, a quorum for the
consideration of such other matter or matters shall be present and the meeting
may proceed forthwith and take action upon such other matter or matters.
SECTION 7. Organization. The Chairman or, in his absence, the President, or,
in the absence of both of them, any Vice President present, shall call meetings
of the stockholders to order and shall act as Chairman thereof. In the absence
of all of the foregoing officers, the holders of a majority in interest of the
stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote may elect any
stockholder of record present and entitled to vote to act as Chairman of the
meeting until such time as any one of the foregoing officers shall arrive,
whereupon he shall act as Chairman of the meeting. The Secretary or, in his
absence, an Assistant Secretary shall act as secretary at all meetings of the
stockholders. In the absence from any such meeting of the Secretary and the
Assistant Secretary or Secretaries, the Chairman may appoint any person present
to act as secretary of the meeting. Such person shall be sworn to the faithful
discharge of his duties as such secretary of the meeting before entering
thereon.
SECTION 8. Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the
Corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the
stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only
(A) pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting (or any supplement
thereto), (B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (C) by any
stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record of the
Corporation at the time the notice provided for in this Section 8 is
delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at a
meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this
Section 8.
(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an
annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of paragraph (i) of
this Section 8, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in
writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and any such proposed business
other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors
must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a
stockholder's notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal
executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on
the ninetieth day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred
twentieth day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual
meeting (provided,
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however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than
thirty days before or more than seventy days after such anniversary date,
notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of
business on the one hundred twentieth day prior to such annual meeting and
not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth day prior
to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public
announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation).
In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement
of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period)
for the giving of a stockholder's notice as described above. Such
stockholder's notice shall set forth: (A) as to each person whom the
stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director all information
relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of
proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise
required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act') (and such person's
written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to
serving as a director if elected); (B) as to any other business that the
stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the
business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the proposal
or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for
consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to
amend the by-laws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed
amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any
material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial
owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the
stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf the nomination or proposal is made the name and address of such
stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation's books, and of such
beneficial owner, the class and number of shares of capital stock of the
Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder
and such beneficial owner, a representation that the stockholder is a holder
of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and
intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such
business or nomination, and a representation whether the stockholder or the
beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends
(x) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least
the percentage of the Corporation's outstanding capital stock required to
approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (y) otherwise to
solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination.
The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder
if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his or her intention to
present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or
any successor thereof) promulgated under the Exchange Act and such
stockholder's proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been
prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. The
Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other
information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of
such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph
(a)(ii) of this Section 8 to the contrary, in the event that the number of
directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at an
annual meeting is increased and the stockholders of the Corporation are
entitled to fill such vacancies in accordance with the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation and these by-laws and there is no public announcement by
the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at
least one hundred days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding
year's annual meeting, and a stockholder's notice required by this
Section 8 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees
for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary
at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the
close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such public
announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders.
(i) Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of
stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the
Corporation's notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the
Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which
directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting
(x) by or at the
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direction of the Board of Directors or provided that the Board of Directors
has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any
stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time
the notice provided for in this Section 8 is delivered to the Secretary of
the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such
election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this
Section 8. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of
stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board
of Directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of
directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election
to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation's notice of meeting, if
the stockholder's notice required by paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 8
shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of
the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred
twentieth day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of
business on the later of the ninetieth day prior to such special meeting or
the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made
of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board
of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public
announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence
a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a
stockholder's notice as described above.
(c) General.
(i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 8 shall be eligible to be elected at an
annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as
directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of
stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance
with the procedures set forth in this Section 8. Except as otherwise
provided by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty
(a) to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought
before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance
with the procedures set forth in this Section 8 (including whether the
stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or
proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did
not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such stockholder's
nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholder's representation as
required by clause (a)(ii)(C)(4) of this Section 8 and (B) if any proposed
nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with this
Section 8, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such
proposed business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this Section 8, if the stockholder (or a qualified
representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special
meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or
business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business
shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such
vote may have been received by the Corporation.
(ii) For purposes of this Section 8, 'public announcement' shall include
disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service,
Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document
publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8, a
stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the
matters set forth in this Section 8. Nothing in this Section 8 shall be
deemed to affect any rights (A) of stockholders to request inclusion of
proposals in the Corporation's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under
the Exchange Act or (B) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to
elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Restated
certificate of incorporation.
SECTION 9. Voting. Each stockholder of the Corporation shall, except as
otherwise provided by statute or in these by-laws or in the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Corporation, at every meeting of the stockholders be
entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock
of the Corporation registered in his name on the books of the Corporation on the
date fixed pursuant to Section 6 of Article VII of these by-laws as the record
date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting.
Persons holding in a fiduciary capacity stock having voting
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rights shall be entitled to vote the shares so held, and persons whose stock
having voting rights is pledged shall be entitled to vote, unless in the
transfer by the pledgor on the books he shall have expressly empowered the
pledgee to vote thereon, in which case only the pledgee, or his proxy, may
represent said stock and vote thereon. Any vote on stock may be given by the
stockholder entitled thereto in person or by his proxy; provided, however, that
no proxy shall be voted on after three years from its date unless said proxy
provides for a longer period. At all meetings of the stockholders, all matters
(except those specified in Section 4 of Article III and Article XI of these
by-laws, and except also in special cases where other provision is made by
statute, and except as otherwise provided in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation) shall be decided by the vote of a majority in interest of the
stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereat, a
quorum being present. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the vote on any
question need not be by ballot. On a vote by ballot each ballot shall be signed
by the stockholder voting, or in his name by his proxy if there be such proxy,
and shall state the number of shares voted by him.
SECTION 10. Inspectors of Election. On each matter or election at each
meeting of the stockholders where a vote by ballot is taken, the proxies and
ballots shall be received and be taken in charge, and all questions touching the
qualification of voters and the validity of proxies and the acceptance or
rejection of votes, shall be decided by two inspectors of election who shall be
appointed by the Chairman of such meeting. The inspectors of election need not
be stockholders. No candidate for the office of director shall act as inspector
at any election of directors. Inspectors shall count and ascertain the number of
shares voted; and shall declare the result of the election or of the voting as
the case may be; and shall make out a certificate accordingly, stating the
number of shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at such election or
on such matters and the number of shares voted and how voted. Inspectors shall
be sworn to faithfully perform their duties and shall certify to the returns in
writing. They shall hold office from the date of their appointment until their
successors shall have been appointed and qualified.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. General Powers. The property, affairs and business of the
Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of
Directors.
SECTION 2. Number, Qualifications and Terms of Office. The Board of
Directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than ten persons, the
exact number to be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors
pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors.
Directors need not be stockholders. The directors shall be elected as provided
in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and each director shall hold office
until his successor shall have been elected and shall qualify, or until his
death or until he shall resign or shall have been removed.
SECTION 3. [RESERVED]
SECTION 4. Election of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality
of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote for the election of such
directors.
SECTION 5. Quorum and Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise provided by
statute, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws, one-third
of the whole Board of Directors (but not less than three) shall be required to
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting, and the act
of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is
present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. In the absence of a quorum,
a majority of the directors present may adjourn any meeting from time to time
until a quorum be had. Notice of any adjourned meeting need be given only to
those directors who were not present at any meeting at which the adjournment was
taken, provided the time and place of the adjourned meeting were announced at
the meeting at which the adjournment was taken. The directors shall act only as
a board and the individual directors shall have no power as such.
SECTION 6. Place of Meeting, etc. The Board of Directors may hold its
meetings, at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as the
Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as shall be specified or
fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.
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SECTION 7. First Meeting. After each annual election of directors and within
a reasonable time thereafter, the Board of Directors shall meet for the purpose
of organization, the election of officers and the transaction of other business
at such hours and place as shall be convenient. Notice of such meeting shall be
given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors or
in a consent and waiver of notice thereof signed by all the directors.
SECTION 8. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors
shall be held at such place and at such times as the Board of Directors shall
from time to time by resolution determine or as shall be specified in the Notice
of Meeting. If any day fixed for a regular meeting shall be a legal holiday at
the place where the meeting is to be held, then the meeting which would
otherwise be held on that day shall be held at the same hour on the next
succeeding business day not a legal holiday. Notice of the regular meetings need
not be given.
SECTION 9. Special Meetings; Notice. Special meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman, the President or by one
of the directors. Notice of each such meeting shall be mailed to each director,
addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business, at least two days
before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to him at
such place by telegraph, cable, telex, facsimile transmitter, e-mail or other
electronic transmission, or be delivered personally or by telephone, not later
than the day before the day on which the meeting is to be held. Every such
notice shall state the time and place of the meeting but need not state the
purpose thereof except as otherwise in these by-laws or by statute expressly
provided. Notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors need not be given to
any director, however, if waived by him in writing or by telegraph, cable,
telex, facsimile transmitter, e-mail or other electronic transmission, whether
before or after such meeting be held or, except as otherwise provided by law, if
he shall be present at the meeting; and, except as otherwise provided by law,
any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be a legal meeting without any
notice thereof having been given if all of the directors shall be present
thereat.
SECTION 10. Organization. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the
Chairman or, in his absence, the President, or, in the absence of both of them,
a director chosen by a majority of the directors present shall act as Chairman.
The Secretary or, in his absence, an Assistant Secretary or, in the absence of
both the Secretary and Assistant Secretaries, any person appointed by the
Chairman shall act as secretary of the meeting.
SECTION 11. Order of Business. At all meetings of the Board of Directors
business shall be transacted in the order determined by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 12. Resignations. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any
time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman,
the President or to the Secretary of the Corporation. The resignation of any
director shall take effect at the time of the receipt of such notice or at any
later time specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
SECTION 13. Vacancies.
(a) Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled in accordance with
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
(b) A director who resigns, retires, or does not stand for reelection may,
in the discretion of the Board of Directors, be elected a Director Emeritus. A
Director Emeritus shall receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses for
attendance at meetings of the Board to which he is invited. Such attendance
shall be in a consulting capacity and he shall not be entitled to vote or have
any duties or powers of a Director of the Corporation.
SECTION 14. Regular Stipulated Compensation and Fees. Each director shall be
paid such regular stipulated compensation, if any, as shall be fixed by the
Board of Directors and/or such fee, if any, for each meeting of the Board of
Directors which he shall attend as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors and
in addition such transportation and other expenses actually incurred by him in
connection with services to the Corporation.
SECTION 15. Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken
by the Board of Directors or any Committee thereof may be taken without a
meeting if all members of the Board of
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Directors or such Committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, or
by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic
transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of
the Board of Directors or such Committee, as the case may be.
SECTION 16. Telephonic Meeting. Unless restricted by the Certificate of
Incorporation, any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any
Committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such
Committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment
by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other.
Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. Committees. The Board of Directors may by resolution or
resolutions, passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more
Committees, each Committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the
Corporation, which, to the extent permitted by law and provided for in said
resolution or resolutions or in these by-laws, shall have and may exercise the
powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the
Corporation. Such committees shall have such name or names as may be stated in
these by-laws, or as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted
by the Board. The Committee or Committees appointed by the Board shall be
subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Directors.
In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or
members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not
such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another
member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such
absent or disqualified member.
SECTION 2. Term of Office and Vacancies. Each member of a Committee shall
continue in office until a director to succeed him shall have been elected and
shall have qualified, or until his death or until he shall have resigned or
shall have been removed. Any vacancy in a Committee shall be filled by the vote
of a majority of the whole Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting
thereof.
SECTION 3. Organization. Except as otherwise provided in these by-laws, the
Chairman of each Committee shall be designated by the Board of Directors. The
Chairman of each Committee may designate a secretary of each such Committee. In
the absence from any meeting of any Committee of its Chairman or its secretary
such Committee shall appoint a temporary Chairman or secretary, as the case may
be, of the meeting unless otherwise provided in these by-laws. Each Committee
shall keep a record of its acts and proceedings and report the same from time to
time to the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4. Resignations. Any member of a Committee may resign at any time by
giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman,
President or Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at
the time of the receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein,
and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation
shall not be necessary to make it effective.
SECTION 5. Removal. Any member of a Committee may be removed from such
Committee with or without cause at any time by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the whole Board of Directors given at any regular meeting or at any
special meeting called for the purpose.
SECTION 6. Meetings. Regular meetings of each Committee, of which no notice
shall be necessary, shall be held on such days and at such place as shall be
fixed by a resolution adopted by the vote of a majority of all the members of
such Committee. Special meetings of each Committee may be called by the Chairman
of such Committee or by the Chairman, President or Secretary of the Corporation.
Notice of each special meeting of the Committee shall be sent by mail to each
member thereof, addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business,
not later than the day before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or
shall be sent to each such member by telegraph, cable, telex, facsimile
transmitter, e-mail or other electronic transmission, or delivered to him
personally or by telephone, not less than three (3) hours before the time set
for the meeting. Every such notice shall state the time and place, but need not
state the purposes, of the meeting except as otherwise in these by laws or by
statute
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expressly provided. Notice of any such meeting need not be given to any member
of a Committee, however, if waived by him in writing or by telegraph, cable,
telex, facsimile transmitter, e-mail or other electronic transmission, whether
before or after such meeting be held, or except as otherwise provided by law, if
he shall attend such meeting in person, and, except as otherwise provided by
law, any meeting of a Committee shall be a legal meeting without any notice
thereof having been given if all of the members of the Committee shall be
present thereat.
SECTION 7. Quorum and Manner of Acting. Unless otherwise provided by
resolution of the Board of Directors, a number of Directors equal to one less
than a majority of the number of Directors serving on any Committee, but not
less than two Directors, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business and the act of a majority of those present at a meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be the act of such Committee. The members of each
Committee shall act only as a Committee and the individual members shall have no
power as such.
SECTION 8. [RESERVED]
SECTION 9. Fees. Each member of a Committee shall be paid such fee, if any,
as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, for each meeting of such Committee
which he shall attend, and in addition such transportation and other expenses
actually incurred by him in connection with his services as such member.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS: POWERS AND DUTIES
SECTION 1. Officers. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be a
Chairman and a President (each of whom shall be a director), a Chief Executive
Officer, a Chief Operating Officer, such Executive Vice Presidents, such Senior
Vice Presidents and other Vice Presidents as the Board may elect, a Controller,
a Treasurer, and a Secretary. The Board of Directors or any Committee
constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose
may also appoint one or more Assistant Controllers, one or more Assistant
Treasurers, one or more Assistant Secretaries, and such other officers and
agents as, from time to time, may appear to be necessary or advisable in the
conduct of the affairs of the Corporation. Any number of offices may be held by
the same person, except that any person serving as Chairman or President shall
not also serve as Secretary.
SECTION 2. Term of Office: Vacancies. So far as practicable, all elected
officers shall be elected at the organization meeting of the Board of Directors
in each year, and shall hold office until their respective successors are chosen
and qualified or until their earlier resignations or removals. All other
officers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Board. If any vacancy
occurs in any office, the Board of Directors, or, in the case of an appointive
office, any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with
power for the purpose, may elect or appoint a successor to fill such vacancy for
the remainder of the term.
SECTION 3. Removal of Elected Officers. Any elected officer may be removed
at any time, either for or without cause, by affirmative vote of a majority of
the whole Board of Directors, at any meeting called for the purpose.
SECTION 4. Chairman. The Chairman shall function under the general
supervision of the Board of Directors and shall perform such duties and exercise
such powers as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board. During any
period in which there is a vacancy in the office of the President, the Chairman
shall, pending action by the Board, perform the duties and exercise the powers
of the President. The Chairman shall preside, when present, at all meetings of
the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall see to it that
appropriate agendas are developed for such meetings.
SECTION 5. President. The President shall perform such duties and exercise
such powers as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board or the
Chairman. At the request of the Chairman or in case of the Chairman's absence or
inability to act, the President shall perform the duties of the Chairman and,
when so acting, shall have the powers of, and shall be subject to the
restrictions upon, the Chairman.
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SECTION 6. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be
designated from time to time by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors
and shall be either the Chairman or the President. He shall have, subject to the
direction and control of the Board, general and active supervision over the
business and affairs of the Corporation and over its several officers. He shall
perform all duties incident to his position and such other duties as may from
time to time be assigned to him by the Board. He shall see that all orders of
the Board shall be carried into effect. He may sign, execute and deliver all
deeds, mortgages, contracts, stock certificates and other instruments in the
name of the Corporation, except in cases where the signing, execution or
delivery thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by a duly
authorized Committee of the Board or by these by-laws to some other officer or
agent of the Corporation or where any of them shall be required by law otherwise
to be signed, executed or delivered. He may cause the seal of the Corporation to
be affixed to any documents the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation
shall have been duly authorized. He shall have authority to cause the employment
or appointment of such employees and agents of the Corporation as the proper
conduct of operations may require, to fix their compensation, subject to the
provisions of these by-laws, to remove or suspend any employee or agent under
authority of an officer to him, to suspend for cause, pending final action by
the authority which shall have elected or appointed him, any officer subordinate
to him, and to have all the duties and exercise all the powers usually
pertaining to the office held by the Chief Executive Officer of a Corporation,
except as otherwise provided in these by-laws.
SECTION 7. Chief Operating Officer. A Chief Operating Officer may be
designated from time to time by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors,
and shall be subject to the direction and control of the Board, and the Chief
Executive Officer. He shall directly report to and assist the Chief Executive
Officer in the general and active supervision over the business and affairs of
the Corporation and over its several officers, and shall perform all duties
incident to his position and such other duties as may from time to time be
assigned to him by the Board, or the Chief Executive Officer.
SECTION 8. Vice Presidents. Under the direction of the Chief Executive
Officer or the Chief Operating Officer, the Executive Vice Presidents, Senior
Vice Presidents, and Vice Presidents of the Corporation shall perform all such
duties and exercise all such powers as may be provided by these by-laws or as
may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors, any Committee
constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose,
the Chief Executive Officer, or the Chief Operating Officer.
SECTION 9. Controller. The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer
of the Corporation and shall see that the accounts of the Corporation and its
subsidiary corporations are maintained in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; and all decisions affecting the accounts shall be subject
to his approval or concurrence. He shall supervise the manner of keeping all
vouchers for payments by the Corporation and its subsidiary corporations and all
other documents relating to such payments, shall receive and consolidate all
operating and financial statements of the Corporation, its various departments,
divisions and subsidiary corporations; shall have supervision of the books of
account of the Corporation and its subsidiary corporations, their arrangement
and classification; shall supervise the accounting practices of the Corporation
and its subsidiary corporations and shall have charge of all matters relating to
taxation.
SECTION 10. Assistant Controllers. At the request of the Controller or in
his absence or disability the Assistant Controller designated by him or (failing
such request or designation) the Assistant Controller or other officer
designated by the President shall perform all the duties of the Controller and,
when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the
restrictions upon, the Controller.
SECTION 11. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the fiscal officer of the
Corporation. He shall have the care and custody of all moneys, funds and
securities of the Corporation, and shall cause the same to be deposited in such
bank or banks or depositories as from time to time may be designated, pursuant
to Section 4 and Section 5 of Article VI of these by-laws; shall advise upon all
terms of credit granted by the Corporation and its subsidiary corporations,
respectively; shall be responsible for the collection of their accounts, and
shall cause to be recorded, daily, a statement of all receipts and disbursements
of the Corporation and its subsidiary corporations, in order that proper entries
may be made in the books of
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account; and shall have power to give proper receipts or discharges for all
payments to the Corporation. He shall also have power to sign any or all
certificates of stock of the Corporation.
SECTION 12. Assistant Treasurers. At the request of the Treasurer or in his
absence or disability the Assistant Treasurer designated by him or (failing such
request or designation) the Assistant Treasurer or other officer designated by
the President shall perform all the duties of the Treasurer and, when so acting,
shall have the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the
Treasurer.
SECTION 13. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of
all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all
the proceedings of the meetings thereof in books to be kept for that purpose. He
shall have charge of the corporate seal and have authority to attest any and all
instruments or writings to which the same may be affixed. He shall be custodian
of all books, documents, papers and records of the Corporation, except those for
which some other officer or agent is properly accountable. He shall have
authority to sign any or all certificates of stock of the Corporation, and, in
general, shall have all the duties and powers usually appertaining to the office
of secretary of a corporation.
SECTION 14. Assistant Secretaries. At the request of the Secretary or in his
absence or disability the Assistant Secretary designated by him or (failing such
request or designation) the Assistant Secretary or other officer designated by
the President shall perform all the duties of the Secretary and, when so acting,
shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the
Secretary.
SECTION 15. Additional Duties and Powers. In addition to the foregoing
especially enumerated duties and powers, the several officers of the Corporation
shall perform such other duties and exercise such further powers as may be
provided in these by-laws or as may from time to time be determined by the Board
of Directors, or any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these
by-laws with power for the purpose, or by any competent superior officer.
SECTION 16. Compensation. The compensation of all officers, except assistant
officers, of the Corporation shall be fixed, from time to time by the Board of
Directors, or any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws
with power for the purpose.
SECTION 17. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving
written notice to the Board of Directors, the Chairman, the President, the Chief
Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, or the Secretary. Any such
resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any
later time specified therein; and unless otherwise specified therein, the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
ARTICLE VI
CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DRAFTS, BANK ACCOUNTS, ETC.
SECTION 1. Contracts, etc., How Executed. The Board of Directors, or any
Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the
purpose, except as in these by-laws otherwise provided, may authorize any
officer or officers, agent or agents, of the Corporation to enter into any
contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of
the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific
instances; and, unless so authorized by the Board of Directors or by such
Committee or by these by-laws, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any
power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or agreement or to
pledge its credit or to render it liable pecuniarily for any purpose or to any
amount.
SECTION 2. Loans. No loan shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation,
and no negotiable paper shall be issued in its name, unless authorized by the
Board of Directors or by any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of
these by-laws with power for the purpose. When so authorized, the Chairman,
President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or a Vice President
or the Secretary or the Treasurer or the Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation
may effect loans and advances at any time for the Corporation from any bank,
trust company or other institution, or from any firm, corporation or individual
and for such loans and advances may make, execute and deliver promissory notes
or other evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation and, when authorized as
aforesaid, as security for the payment of any and all loans, advances,
indebtedness and liabilities of the Corporation,
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may mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or transfer any real or personal property at
any time held by the Corporation and to that end execute instruments of mortgage
or pledge or otherwise transfer such property. Such authority may be general or
confined to specific instances.
SECTION 3. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the
payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name
of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, employee or
employees, of the Corporation as shall from time to time be determined by
resolution of the Board of Directors or by any Committee constituted pursuant to
Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose, or by any officer or
officers authorized pursuant to Section 4 or Section 5 of this Article to
designate depositaries or to open bank accounts.
SECTION 4. Deposits. All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited from
time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or
other depositories as the Board of Directors or any Committee constituted
pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose may from time
to time designate, or as may be designated by an officer or officers of the
Corporation to whom such power may be delegated by the Board of Directors, or by
such Committee, and for the purpose of such deposit, the President, the Chief
Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, or a Vice President, or the
Treasurer, or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary, or an Assistant
Secretary, may endorse, assign and deliver checks, drafts and other orders for
the payment of money which are payable to the order of the Corporation.
SECTION 5. General and Special Bank Accounts. The Board of Directors or any
Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the
purpose, or any officer or officers of the Corporation to whom such powers may
be delegated by the Board of Directors, or by such Committee, may from time to
time authorize the opening and keeping with such banks, trust companies or other
depositaries as it, or they, may designate of general and special bank accounts,
and may make such special rules and regulations with respect thereto, not
inconsistent with the provisions of these by-laws, as it, or they, may deem
expedient.
SECTION 6. Proxies. Except as otherwise in these by-laws or in the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation provided, and unless otherwise
provided by resolution of the Board of Directors, or of any Committee
constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose,
the Chairman or President or Chief Executive Officer may from time to time
appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents, of the Corporation, in the
name and on behalf of the Corporation to cast the votes which the Corporation
may be entitled to cast as a stockholder or otherwise in any other corporation
any of whose stock or other securities may be held by the Corporation, at
meetings of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other
corporation, or to consent in writing to any action by such other corporation,
and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting
such votes or giving such consent, and may execute or cause to be executed in
the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal, or
otherwise, all such written proxies or other instruments as he may deem
necessary or proper in the premises.
SECTION 7. Independent Public Accountants. The stockholders of the
Corporation shall, at each annual meeting, appoint independent public
accountants for the purpose of auditing and certifying the annual financial
statements of the Corporation for its current fiscal year as sent to
stockholders or otherwise published by the Corporation. If the stockholders
shall fail to appoint such independent public accountants or if the independent
public accountants so appointed by the stockholders shall decline to act or
resign, or for some other reason be unable to perform their duties, the Board of
Directors shall appoint other independent public accountants to perform the
duties herein provided.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER
SECTION 1. Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by
certificates or, if so resolved by the Board of Directors in accordance with
these by-laws, shall be uncertificated. Each registered holder of shares, upon
request to the Corporation, shall be provided with a certificate of stock,
representing the number of shares owned by such holder. Absent a specific
request for such a certificate by the registered owner or transferee thereof,
all shares shall be uncertificated upon the
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original issuance thereof by the Corporation or upon the surrender of the
certificate representing such shares to the Corporation. Certificates for shares
of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be
approved by the Board of Directors or by any Committee constituted pursuant to
Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose. They shall be numbered,
shall certify the number of shares held by the holder thereof and shall be
signed by the Chairman, President, or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or
an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Corporation, and the seal of the Corporation shall be affixed thereto. Where any
such certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent, other than the
Corporation or its employee, or by a registrar, other than the Corporation or
its employee, any other signature and the seal of the Corporation on such
certificate may be a facsimile, engraved, stamped or printed. In any case any
such officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile
signature has been placed upon any such certificate shall have ceased to be such
officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may
be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer
agent, or registrar were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date
of its issue.
SECTION 2. Transfer of Stock. Transfers of shares of the capital stock of
the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation by the holder
thereof, or by his attorney thereunto authorized by a power of attorney duly
executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation, or a transfer agent of
the Corporation, if any, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates for
such shares, properly endorsed, or upon receipt of proper transfer instructions
from the owner of uncertificated shares, or upon the escheat of said shares
under the laws of any state of the United States. A person in whose name shares
of stock stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof
as regards the Corporation, provided that whenever any transfer of shares shall
be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, such fact, if known to the
Secretary or to said transfer agent, shall be so expressed in the entry of
transfer.
SECTION 3. Addresses of Stockholders. Each stockholder shall designate to
the Secretary of the Corporation an address at which notices of meetings and all
other corporate notices may be served or mailed to him, and if any stockholder
shall fail to designate such address, corporate notices may be served upon him
by mail directed to him at his last known post office address as it appears on
the records of the Corporation.
SECTION 4. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates. To deal with
the eventuality of lost, stolen, destroyed and mutilated certificates of stock
the Board of Directors or any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of
these by-laws with power for the purpose may establish by appropriate
resolutions such rules and regulations as they deem expedient concerning the
issue to such holder of uncertificated shares or, if requested by such holder, a
new certificate or certificates of stock, including, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, such rules and regulations as they may deem
expedient with respect to the proof of loss, theft or destruction and the
surrender of mutilated certificates and the requirements as to the giving of a
bond or bonds to indemnify the Corporation against any claim which may be made
against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such
certificate. The holder of any stock of the Corporation shall immediately notify
the Corporation and/or the appropriate transfer agent of such stock of any loss,
theft, destruction or mutilation of the certificate therefor.
SECTION 5. Transfer Agent and Registrar: Regulations. The Corporation shall,
if and whenever the Board of Directors or any Committee constituted pursuant to
Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose shall so determine,
maintain one or more transfer offices or agencies, each in charge of a transfer
agent designated by the Board of Directors or by such Committee, where the
shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be directly transferable,
and also one or more registry offices, each in charge of a registrar designated
by the Board of Directors or by such Committee, where such shares of stock shall
be registered, and no certificate for shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation, in respect of which a registrar and transfer agent shall have been
designated, shall be valid unless countersigned by such transfer agent and
registered by such registrar. A firm may act at the same time as both transfer
agent and registrar of the Corporation. The Board of Directors or any such
Committee may also make such additional rules and regulations as it may deem
expedient concerning the issue,
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transfer and registration of uncertificated shares or certificates for shares of
the capital stock of the Corporation.
SECTION 6. Fixing Record Date. (a) In order that the Corporation may
determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record
date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution
fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record
date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such
meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date
for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day
on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on
the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of
stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however,
that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to
receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights
or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change,
conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action,
the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not
precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted,
and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to such action. If
no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any
such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of
directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
SECTION 7. Examination of Books by Stockholders. The Board of Directors or
any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for
the purpose shall, subject to the laws of the State of Delaware, have power to
determine, from time to time, whether and to what extent and under what
conditions and regulations the accounts and books of the Corporation, or any of
them, shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders; and no stockholder
shall have any right to inspect any account, book or document of the
Corporation, except as conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, unless
and until authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors or any
Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the
purpose or of the stockholders of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
DIVIDENDS, SURPLUS, ETC.
Subject to the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
any restrictions imposed by statute, the Board of Directors may declare
dividends from the surplus of the Corporation or from the net profits arising
from its business, whenever, and in such amounts as, in its opinion, the
condition of the affairs of the Corporation shall render advisable. If the date
appointed for the payment of any dividend shall in any year fall on a legal
holiday then the dividend payable on such date shall be payable on the next
succeeding business day. The Board of Directors in its discretion may from time
to time set aside from such surplus or net profits such sum or sums as it, in
its absolute discretion, may think proper as a working capital or as a reserve
fund to meet contingencies, or for the purpose of maintaining or increasing the
property or business of the Corporation, or for any other purpose it may think
conducive to the best interests of the Corporation. All such surplus or net
profits, until actually declared in dividends, or used and applied as aforesaid,
shall be deemed to have been so set aside by the Board f or one or more of said
purposes.
ARTICLE IX
SEAL
The corporate seal of the Corporation shall consist of a metallic stamp,
circular in form, bearing in its center the figures and word '1929, Delaware',
and at the outer edge the name of the Corporation.
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<PAGE>
ARTICLE X
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January
in each year.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
All by-laws of the Corporation shall be subject to alteration or repeal, and
new by-laws not inconsistent with any provision of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation or any provision of law, may be made, by the
Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting or by the stockholders of
the Corporation in accordance with these by-laws. Notwithstanding anything else
contained in these by-laws to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders
of record of at least 66 2/3% of the combined voting power of all the
outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in respect thereof, voting
together as a single class, shall be required in order for the stockholders to
adopt, alter, amend, rescind or repeal any by-laws of the Corporation.
D-1-14
<PAGE>
APPENDIX D-2
BY-LAWS
OF
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
SECTION 1. Registered Office. The registered office of Curtiss-Wright
Corporation (hereinafter called the Corporation) in the State of Delaware, shall
be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.
SECTION 2. Other Offices. The Corporation may also have an office or offices
at such other place or places either within or without the State of Delaware as
the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the
Corporation require.
ARTICLE II
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 1. Place of Meetings. All meetings of the stockholders for the
election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held at such place
either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time
to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in
a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
SECTION 2. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the
election of directors and for the transaction of such other proper business as
may come before the meeting shall be held on a date and at a time as may be
designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice
of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
SECTION 3. Special Meetings. [A special meeting of the stockholders for any
purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called at
any time by the Chairman, or in his absence by the President, by the Board of
Directors, or by the Secretary at the request in writing of a holders of a
majority of the shares of the Corporation.](1) [A special meeting of the
stockholders for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by
statute, may be called only by the Chairman, or in his absence by the President,
by the Board of Directors, or by the Secretary at the request in writing of a
majority of the Board of Directors and may not be called by the stockholders of
the Corporation.](2)
SECTION 4. Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by statute,
notice of each meeting of the stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be
given not less than ten days nor more than sixty days before the day on which
the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at
such meeting by delivering a written or printed notice thereof to him
personally, or by mailing such notice in a postage prepaid envelope addressed to
him at his post office address furnished by him to the Secretary of the
Corporation for such purpose, or, if he shall not have furnished to the
Secretary of the Corporation his address for such purpose, then at his post
office address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, or by
transmitting a notice thereof to him as otherwise permitted by law. Except where
expressly required by law, no publication of any notice of a meeting of
stockholders shall be required. Every such notice shall state the place, date
and hour of the meeting and, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is called. Notice of any meeting of stockholders
shall not be required to be given to any stockholder who shall attend such
meeting in person or by proxy except as otherwise provided by statute; and if
any stockholder shall in person or by attorney thereunto authorized, waive
notice of any meeting, whether before or after such meeting be held, notice
thereof need not be given to him. Notice of any adjourned meeting of the
stockholders shall not be required to be given, except when expressly required
by law. Notice of any meeting of
---------
(1) If the Special Meeting Proposal is not approved, then Section 3 will include
this provision.
(2) If the Special Meeting Proposal is approved, then Section 3 will include
this provision.
D-2-1
<PAGE>
stockholders as herein provided shall not be required to be given to any
stockholder where the giving of such notice is prohibited or is rendered
impossible by the laws of the United States of America.
SECTION 5. List of Stockholders. It shall be the duty of the Secretary or
other officer who shall have charge of the stock ledger either directly or
through a transfer agent appointed by the Board of Directors, to prepare and
make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, complete lists of
the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, arranged in alphabetical order, and
showing the address of each stockholder, the holders of each class of stock
appearing separately, and indicating the number of shares held by each,
certified by the Secretary or Transfer Agent. Such lists shall be open to the
examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting as
required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, and shall be produced and kept
at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and subject
to the inspection of any stockholder who may be present. Upon the willful
neglect or refusal of the directors to produce such lists at any meeting, they
shall be ineligible to any office at such meeting. The original or a duplicate
stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled
to examine the stock ledger, such lists, or the books of the Corporation or to
vote in person or by proxy at such meeting.
SECTION 6. Quorum. At each meeting of the stockholders, the holders of not
less than a majority of the issued and outstanding stock of the Corporation
present either in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at such meeting shall
constitute a quorum except where otherwise provided by law or by the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws. In the absence of a quorum, the
stockholders of the Corporation present in person or by proxy and entitled to
vote, by majority vote, or, in the absence of any stockholders, any officer
entitled to preside or act as Secretary at such meeting, shall have the power to
adjourn the meeting from time to time, until stockholders holding the requisite
amount of stock shall be present or represented. At any such adjourned meeting
at which a quorum may be present any business may be transacted which might have
been transacted at the meeting as originally called. The absence from any
meeting of the number required by the laws of the State of Delaware or by the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or by these by-laws for
action upon any given matter shall not prevent action at such meetings upon any
other matter or matters which may properly come before the meeting, and if the
holders of not less than a majority of the issued and outstanding stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote at that time upon such other matter or matters
shall be present either in person or by proxy at such meeting, a quorum for the
consideration of such other matter or matters shall be present and the meeting
may proceed forthwith and take action upon such other matter or matters.
SECTION 7. Organization. The Chairman or, in his absence, the President, or,
in the absence of both of them, any Vice President present, shall call meetings
of the stockholders to order and shall act as Chairman thereof. In the absence
of all of the foregoing officers, the holders of a majority in interest of the
stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote may elect any
stockholder of record present and entitled to vote to act as Chairman of the
meeting until such time as any one of the foregoing officers shall arrive,
whereupon he shall act as Chairman of the meeting. The Secretary or, in his
absence, an Assistant Secretary shall act as secretary at all meetings of the
stockholders. In the absence from any such meeting of the Secretary and the
Assistant Secretary or Secretaries, the Chairman may appoint any person present
to act as secretary of the meeting. Such person shall be sworn to the faithful
discharge of his duties as such secretary of the meeting before entering
thereon.
SECTION 8. Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
(i) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the
Corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the
stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (A)
pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto),
(B) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (C) by any
stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record of the
Corporation at the time the notice provided for in this Section 8 is
delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at a
meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this
Section 8.
D-2-2
<PAGE>
(ii) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an
annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (C) of paragraph (i) of
this Section 8, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in
writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and any such proposed business
other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors
must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a
stockholder's notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal
executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on
the ninetieth day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred
twentieth day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual
meeting (provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual
meeting is more than thirty days before or more than seventy days after such
anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier
than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth day prior to such
annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the
ninetieth day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day following the
day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made
by the Corporation). In no event shall the public announcement of an
adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period
(or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder's notice as
described above. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth: (A) as to each
person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director
all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest,
or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act') (and such
person's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee
and to serving as a director if elected); (B) as to any other business that
the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of
the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the text of the
proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for
consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to
amend the by-laws of the Corporation, the language of the proposed
amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any
material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial
owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the
stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf the nomination or proposal is made the name and address of such
stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation's books, and of such
beneficial owner, the class and number of shares of capital stock of the
Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder
and such beneficial owner, a representation that the stockholder is a holder
of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and
intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such
business or nomination, and a representation whether the stockholder or the
beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (x) to
deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the
percentage of the Corporation's outstanding capital stock required to
approve or adopt the proposal or elect the nominee and/or (y) otherwise to
solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination.
The foregoing notice requirements shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder
if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his or her intention to
present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or
any successor thereof) promulgated under the Exchange Act and such
stockholder's proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been
prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. The
Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other
information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of
such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph
(a)(ii) of this Section 8 to the contrary, in the event that the number of
directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at an
annual meeting is increased and the stockholders of the Corporation are
entitled to fill such vacancies in accordance with the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation and these by-laws and there is no public announcement by
the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at
least one hundred days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding
year's annual meeting, and a stockholder's notice required by this Section 8
shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the
additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to
D-2-3
<PAGE>
the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not
later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which
such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders.
(i) Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of
stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the
Corporation's notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the
Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which
directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting
(x) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or provided that the
Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such
meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of
record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 8 is delivered to
the Secretary of the Corporation, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and
upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in
this Section 8. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of
stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board
of Directors, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of
directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election
to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation's notice of meeting, if
the stockholder's notice required by paragraph (a)(ii) of this Section 8
shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of
the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred
twentieth day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of
business on the later of the ninetieth day prior to such special meeting or
the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made
of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board
of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public
announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence
a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a
stockholder's notice as described above.
(c) General.
(i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in this Section 8 shall be eligible to be elected at an
annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as
directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of
stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance
with the procedures set forth in this Section 8. Except as otherwise
provided by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty
(a) to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought
before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance
with the procedures set forth in this Section 8 (including whether the
stockholder or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or
proposal is made solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did
not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies in support of such stockholder's
nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholder's representation as
required by clause (a)(ii)(C)(4) of this Section 8 and (B) if any proposed
nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with this
Section 8, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such
proposed business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this Section 8, if the stockholder (or a qualified
representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special
meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or
business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business
shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such
vote may have been received by the Corporation.
(ii) For purposes of this Section 8, 'public announcement' shall include
disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service,
Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document
publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8, a
stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the
matters set forth in this Section 8. Nothing in this Section 8 shall be
deemed to affect any rights (A) of stockholders to request inclusion of
proposals in the Corporation's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under
the Exchange Act or (B) of the holders of any series of
D-2-4
<PAGE>
Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of
the Restated certificate of incorporation.
SECTION 9. Voting. Each stockholder of the Corporation shall, except as
otherwise provided by statute or in these by-laws or in the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Corporation, at every meeting of the stockholders be
entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock
of the Corporation registered in his name on the books of the Corporation on the
date fixed pursuant to Section 6 of Article VII of these by-laws as the record
date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting.
Persons holding in a fiduciary capacity stock having voting rights shall be
entitled to vote the shares so held, and persons whose stock having voting
rights is pledged shall be entitled to vote, unless in the transfer by the
pledgor on the books he shall have expressly empowered the pledgee to vote
thereon, in which case only the pledgee, or his proxy, may represent said stock
and vote thereon. Any vote on stock may be given by the stockholder entitled
thereto in person or by his proxy; provided, however, that no proxy shall be
voted on after three years from its date unless said proxy provides for a longer
period. At all meetings of the stockholders, all matters (except those specified
in Section 4 of Article III and Article XI of these by-laws, and except also in
special cases where other provision is made by statute, and except as otherwise
provided in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation) shall be decided by the
vote of a majority in interest of the stockholders present in person or by proxy
and entitled to vote thereat, a quorum being present. Except as otherwise
provided by statute, the vote on any question need not be by ballot. On a vote
by ballot each ballot shall be signed by the stockholder voting, or in his name
by his proxy if there be such proxy, and shall state the number of shares voted
by him.
SECTION 10. Inspectors of Election. On each matter or election at each
meeting of the stockholders where a vote by ballot is taken, the proxies and
ballots shall be received and be taken in charge, and all questions touching the
qualification of voters and the validity of proxies and the acceptance or
rejection of votes, shall be decided by two inspectors of election who shall be
appointed by the Chairman of such meeting. The inspectors of election need not
be stockholders. No candidate for the office of director shall act as inspector
at any election of directors. Inspectors shall count and ascertain the number of
shares voted; and shall declare the result of the election or of the voting as
the case may be; and shall make out a certificate accordingly, stating the
number of shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at such election or
on such matters and the number of shares voted and how voted. Inspectors shall
be sworn to faithfully perform their duties and shall certify to the returns in
writing. They shall hold office from the date of their appointment until their
successors shall have been appointed and qualified.
[SECTION 11. Action by Consent. Whenever the vote of stockholders at a
meeting thereof is required or permitted to be taken for or in connection with
any corporate action, by any provision of statute or of the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation or of these by-laws, the meeting, prior notice thereof, and
vote of stockholders may be dispensed with, and the action taken without such
meeting, notice and vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so
taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than
the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such
action at a meeting at which all shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote thereon were present and voted. In order that the Corporation may determine
the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a
meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall
not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted
by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten days after
the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the
Board of Directors. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders
authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice
to the Secretary, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date. Such
written notice shall be directed to the Secretary at the Corporation's principal
place of business, shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, and shall set forth the corporate action proposed to be
taken. The Board of Directors shall promptly, but in all events within ten days
after the date on which such a request is received by the Secretary, adopt a
resolution fixing the record date. If no record date has been fixed by the Board
of Directors within ten days of the date on which such a request is received,
the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to such
corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board
of Directors is required by applicable law, shall be the first date on which a
signed written consent setting forth such action taken
D-2-5
<PAGE>
or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its
principal place of business, or any officer or agent of the Corporation having
custody of the book in which proceedings of stockholders meetings are recorded,
to the attention of the Secretary of the Corporation. Delivery shall be by hand
or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date
has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of
Directors is required by applicable law, the record date for determining
stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a
meeting shall be the close of business on the date on which the Board of
Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action. No consent to
corporate action without a meeting of stockholders shall be effective prior to
the record date determined as set forth herein. Prompt notice of the taking of
any corporate action without a meeting of stockholders by less than unanimous
written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented to
such action in writing.](3)
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. General Powers. The property, affairs and business of the
Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of
Directors.
SECTION 2. Number, Qualifications and Terms of Office. [The number of
directors may be fixed from time to time by the affirmative vote of a majority
of the whole Board of Directors, but the number may be diminished to not less
than five, by amendment of these by-laws. Directors need not be stockholders.
The directors shall be elected and each director shall hold office until his
successor shall have been elected and shall qualify, or until his death or until
he shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter
provided.](4) [The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than five nor
more than ten persons, the exact number to be fixed from time to time
exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a
majority of the Board of Directors. Directors need not be stockholders. The
directors shall be elected as provided in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and each director shall hold office until his successor shall
have been elected and shall qualify, or until his death or until he shall
resign or shall have been removed.](5)
SECTION 3. [RESERVED]
SECTION 4. Election of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality
of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote for the election of such
directors.
SECTION 5. Quorum and Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise provided by
statute, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or these by-laws, one-third
of the whole Board of Directors (but not less than three) shall be required to
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting, and the act
of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is
present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. In the absence of a quorum,
a majority of the directors present may adjourn any meeting from time to time
until a quorum be had. Notice of any adjourned meeting need be given only to
those directors who were not present at any meeting at which the adjournment was
taken, provided the time and place of the adjourned meeting were announced at
the meeting at which the adjournment was taken. The directors shall act only as
a board and the individual directors shall have no power as such.
SECTION 6. Place of Meeting, etc. The Board of Directors may hold its
meetings, at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as the
Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as shall be specified or
fixed in the respective notices or waivers of notice thereof.
SECTION 7. First Meeting. After each annual election of directors and within
a reasonable time thereafter, the Board of Directors shall meet for the purpose
of organization, the election of officers and the transaction of other business
at such hours and place as shall be convenient. Notice of such meeting
---------
(3) If the Written Consent Proposal is approved, this Section 11 will be
deleted.
(4) If the Board Size Proposal is not approved, then Section 2 will include this
provision.
(5) If the Board Size Proposal is approved, then Section 2 will include this
provision.
D-2-6
<PAGE>
shall be given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of
Directors or in a consent and waiver of notice thereof signed by all the
directors.
SECTION 8. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors
shall be held at such place and at such times as the Board of Directors shall
from time to time by resolution determine or as shall be specified in the Notice
of Meeting. If any day fixed for a regular meeting shall be a legal holiday at
the place where the meeting is to be held, then the meeting which would
otherwise be held on that day shall be held at the same hour on the next
succeeding business day not a legal holiday. Notice of the regular meetings need
not be given.
SECTION 9. Special Meetings; Notice. Special meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman, the President or by one
of the directors. Notice of each such meeting shall be mailed to each director,
addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business, at least two days
before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to him at
such place by telegraph, cable, telex, facsimile transmitter, e-mail or other
electronic transmission, or be delivered personally or by telephone, not later
than the day before the day on which the meeting is to be held. Every such
notice shall state the time and place of the meeting but need not state the
purpose thereof except as otherwise in these by-laws or by statute expressly
provided. Notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors need not be given to
any director, however, if waived by him in writing or by telegraph, cable,
telex, facsimile transmitter, e-mail or other electronic transmission, whether
before or after such meeting be held or, except as otherwise provided by law, if
he shall be present at the meeting; and, except as otherwise provided by law,
any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be a legal meeting without any
notice thereof having been given if all of the directors shall be present
thereat.
SECTION 10. Organization. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the
Chairman or, in his absence, the President, or, in the absence of both of them,
a director chosen by a majority of the directors present shall act as Chairman.
The Secretary or, in his absence, an Assistant Secretary or, in the absence of
both the Secretary and Assistant Secretaries, any person appointed by the
Chairman shall act as secretary of the meeting.
SECTION 11. Order of Business. At all meetings of the Board of Directors
business shall be transacted in the order determined by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 12. Resignations. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any
time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman,
the President or to the Secretary of the Corporation. The resignation of any
director shall take effect at the time of the receipt of such notice or at any
later time specified therein; and, unless otherwise specified therein, the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
[SECTION 13. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed, either with
or without cause, at any time, by the affirmative vote of a majority in interest
of the holders of record of the stock having voting power at a meeting of the
stockholders and the vacancy in the Board of Directors caused by any such
removal may be filled in accordance with the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation.](6)
SECTION [13][14]. Vacancies.
(a) Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled in accordance with
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
(b) A director who resigns, retires, or does not stand for reelection may,
in the discretion of the Board of Directors, be elected a Director Emeritus. A
Director Emeritus shall receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses for
attendance at meetings of the Board to which he is invited. Such attendance
shall be in a consulting capacity and he shall not be entitled to vote or have
any duties or powers of a Director of the Corporation.
SECTION [14][15]. Regular Stipulated Compensation and Fees. Each director
shall be paid such regular stipulated compensation, if any, as shall be fixed by
the Board of Directors and/or such fee, if any, for each meeting of the Board of
Directors which he shall attend as shall be fixed by the Board of
---------
(6) If the Classified Board Proposal is not approved, this provision will be
included as Section 13.
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Directors and in addition such transportation and other expenses actually
incurred by him in connection with services to the Corporation.
SECTION [15][16]. Action by Consent. Any action required or permitted to be
taken by the Board of Directors or any Committee thereof may be taken without a
meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or such Committee, as the case
may be, consent thereto in writing, or by electronic transmission and the
writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with
the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors or such Committee, as
the case may be.
SECTION [16][17]. Telephonic Meeting. Unless restricted by the Certificate
of Incorporation, any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any
Committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such
Committee by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment
by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other.
Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
SECTION 1. Committees. The Board of Directors may by resolution or
resolutions, passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more
Committees, each Committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the
Corporation, which, to the extent permitted by law and provided for in said
resolution or resolutions or in these by-laws, shall have and may exercise the
powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the
Corporation. Such committees shall have such name or names as may be stated in
these by-laws, or as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted
by the Board. The Committee or Committees appointed by the Board shall be
subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Directors.
In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or
members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not
such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another
member of the board of directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such
absent or disqualified member.
SECTION 2. Term of Office and Vacancies. Each member of a Committee shall
continue in office until a director to succeed him shall have been elected and
shall have qualified, or until his death or until he shall have resigned or
shall have been removed. Any vacancy in a Committee shall be filled by the vote
of a majority of the whole Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting
thereof.
SECTION 3. Organization. Except as otherwise provided in these by-laws, the
Chairman of each Committee shall be designated by the Board of Directors. The
Chairman of each Committee may designate a secretary of each such Committee. In
the absence from any meeting of any Committee of its Chairman or its secretary
such Committee shall appoint a temporary Chairman or secretary, as the case may
be, of the meeting unless otherwise provided in these by-laws. Each Committee
shall keep a record of its acts and proceedings and report the same from time to
time to the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4. Resignations. Any member of a Committee may resign at any time by
giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman,
President or Secretary of the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at
the time of the receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein,
and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation
shall not be necessary to make it effective.
SECTION 5. Removal. Any member of a Committee may be removed from such
Committee with or without cause at any time by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the whole Board of Directors given at any regular meeting or at any
special meeting called for the purpose.
SECTION 6. Meetings. Regular meetings of each Committee, of which no notice
shall be necessary, shall be held on such days and at such place as shall be
fixed by a resolution adopted by the vote of a majority of all the members of
such Committee. Special meetings of each Committee may be called by the Chairman
of such Committee or by the Chairman, President or Secretary of the Corporation.
Notice of each special meeting of the Committee shall be sent by mail to each
member thereof, addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business,
not later than the day before the day on which the
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meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to each such member by telegraph, cable,
telex, facsimile transmitter, e-mail or other electronic transmission, or
delivered to him personally or by telephone, not less than three (3) hours
before the time set for the meeting. Every such notice shall state the time and
place, but need not state the purposes, of the meeting except as otherwise in
these by laws or by statute expressly provided. Notice of any such meeting need
not be given to any member of a Committee, however, if waived by him in writing
or by telegraph, cable, telex, facsimile transmitter, e-mail or other electronic
transmission, whether before or after such meeting be held, or except as
otherwise provided by law, if he shall attend such meeting in person, and,
except as otherwise provided by law, any meeting of a Committee shall be a legal
meeting without any notice thereof having been given if all of the members of
the Committee shall be present thereat.
SECTION 7. Quorum and Manner of Acting. Unless otherwise provided by
resolution of the Board of Directors, a number of Directors equal to one less
than a majority of the number of Directors serving on any Committee, but not
less than two Directors, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business and the act of a majority of those present at a meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be the act of such Committee. The members of each
Committee shall act only as a Committee and the individual members shall have no
power as such.
SECTION 8. [RESERVED]
SECTION 9. Fees. Each member of a Committee shall be paid such fee, if any,
as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, for each meeting of such Committee
which he shall attend, and in addition such transportation and other expenses
actually incurred by him in connection with his services as such member.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS: POWERS AND DUTIES
SECTION 1. Officers. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be a
Chairman and a President (each of whom shall be a director), a Chief Executive
Officer, a Chief Operating Officer, such Executive Vice Presidents, such Senior
Vice Presidents and other Vice Presidents as the Board may elect, a Controller,
a Treasurer, and a Secretary. The Board of Directors or any Committee
constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose
may also appoint one or more Assistant Controllers, one or more Assistant
Treasurers, one or more Assistant Secretaries, and such other officers and
agents as, from time to time, may appear to be necessary or advisable in the
conduct of the affairs of the Corporation. Any number of offices may be held by
the same person, except that any person serving as Chairman or President shall
not also serve as Secretary.
SECTION 2. Term of Office: Vacancies. So far as practicable, all elected
officers shall be elected at the organization meeting of the Board of Directors
in each year, and shall hold office until their respective successors are chosen
and qualified or until their earlier resignations or removals. All other
officers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Board. If any vacancy
occurs in any office, the Board of Directors, or, in the case of an appointive
office, any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with
power for the purpose, may elect or appoint a successor to fill such vacancy for
the remainder of the term.
SECTION 3. Removal of Elected Officers. Any elected officer may be removed
at any time, either for or without cause, by affirmative vote of a majority of
the whole Board of Directors, at any meeting called for the purpose.
SECTION 4. Chairman. The Chairman shall function under the general
supervision of the Board of Directors and shall perform such duties and exercise
such powers as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board. During any
period in which there is a vacancy in the office of the President, the Chairman
shall, pending action by the Board, perform the duties and exercise the powers
of the President. The Chairman shall preside, when present, at all meetings of
the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall see to it that
appropriate agendas are developed for such meetings.
SECTION 5. President. The President shall perform such duties and exercise
such powers as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board or the
Chairman. At the request of the Chairman or
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in case of the Chairman's absence or inability to act, the President shall
perform the duties of the Chairman and, when so acting, shall have the powers
of, and shall be subject to the restrictions upon, the Chairman.
SECTION 6. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be
designated from time to time by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors
and shall be either the Chairman or the President. He shall have, subject to the
direction and control of the Board, general and active supervision over the
business and affairs of the Corporation and over its several officers. He shall
perform all duties incident to his position and such other duties as may from
time to time be assigned to him by the Board. He shall see that all orders of
the Board shall be carried into effect. He may sign, execute and deliver all
deeds, mortgages, contracts, stock certificates and other instruments in the
name of the Corporation, except in cases where the signing, execution or
delivery thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or by a duly
authorized Committee of the Board or by these by-laws to some other officer or
agent of the Corporation or where any of them shall be required by law otherwise
to be signed, executed or delivered. He may cause the seal of the Corporation to
be affixed to any documents the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation
shall have been duly authorized. He shall have authority to cause the employment
or appointment of such employees and agents of the Corporation as the proper
conduct of operations may require, to fix their compensation, subject to the
provisions of these by-laws, to remove or suspend any employee or agent under
authority of an officer to him, to suspend for cause, pending final action by
the authority which shall have elected or appointed him, any officer subordinate
to him, and to have all the duties and exercise all the powers usually
pertaining to the office held by the Chief Executive Officer of a Corporation,
except as otherwise provided in these by-laws.
SECTION 7. Chief Operating Officer. A Chief Operating Officer may be
designated from time to time by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors,
and shall be subject to the direction and control of the Board, and the Chief
Executive Officer. He shall directly report to and assist the Chief Executive
Officer in the general and active supervision over the business and affairs of
the Corporation and over its several officers, and shall perform all duties
incident to his position and such other duties as may from time to time be
assigned to him by the Board, or the Chief Executive Officer.
SECTION 8. Vice Presidents. Under the direction of the Chief Executive
Officer or the Chief Operating Officer, the Executive Vice Presidents, Senior
Vice Presidents, and Vice Presidents of the Corporation shall perform all such
duties and exercise all such powers as may be provided by these by-laws or as
may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors, any Committee
constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose,
the Chief Executive Officer, or the Chief Operating Officer.
SECTION 9. Controller. The Controller shall be the chief accounting officer
of the Corporation and shall see that the accounts of the Corporation and its
subsidiary corporations are maintained in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; and all decisions affecting the accounts shall be subject
to his approval or concurrence. He shall supervise the manner of keeping all
vouchers for payments by the Corporation and its subsidiary corporations and all
other documents relating to such payments, shall receive and consolidate all
operating and financial statements of the Corporation, its various departments,
divisions and subsidiary corporations; shall have supervision of the books of
account of the Corporation and its subsidiary corporations, their arrangement
and classification; shall supervise the accounting practices of the Corporation
and its subsidiary corporations and shall have charge of all matters relating to
taxation.
SECTION 10. Assistant Controllers. At the request of the Controller or in
his absence or disability the Assistant Controller designated by him or (failing
such request or designation) the Assistant Controller or other officer
designated by the President shall perform all the duties of the Controller and,
when so acting, shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the
restrictions upon, the Controller.
SECTION 11. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the fiscal officer of the
Corporation. He shall have the care and custody of all moneys, funds and
securities of the Corporation, and shall cause the same to be deposited in such
bank or banks or depositories as from time to time may be designated, pursuant
to Section 4 and Section 5 of Article VI of these by-laws; shall advise upon all
terms of credit granted by
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the Corporation and its subsidiary corporations, respectively; shall be
responsible for the collection of their accounts, and shall cause to be
recorded, daily, a statement of all receipts and disbursements of the
Corporation and its subsidiary corporations, in order that proper entries may be
made in the books of account; and shall have power to give proper receipts or
discharges for all payments to the Corporation. He shall also have power to sign
any or all certificates of stock of the Corporation.
SECTION 12. Assistant Treasurers. At the request of the Treasurer or in his
absence or disability the Assistant Treasurer designated by him or (failing such
request or designation) the Assistant Treasurer or other officer designated by
the President shall perform all the duties of the Treasurer and, when so acting,
shall have the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the
Treasurer.
SECTION 13. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of
all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all
the proceedings of the meetings thereof in books to be kept for that purpose. He
shall have charge of the corporate seal and have authority to attest any and all
instruments or writings to which the same may be affixed. He shall be custodian
of all books, documents, papers and records of the Corporation, except those for
which some other officer or agent is properly accountable. He shall have
authority to sign any or all certificates of stock of the Corporation, and, in
general, shall have all the duties and powers usually appertaining to the office
of secretary of a corporation.
SECTION 14. Assistant Secretaries. At the request of the Secretary or in his
absence or disability the Assistant Secretary designated by him or (failing such
request or designation) the Assistant Secretary or other officer designated by
the President shall perform all the duties of the Secretary and, when so acting,
shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the
Secretary.
SECTION 15. Additional Duties and Powers. In addition to the foregoing
especially enumerated duties and powers, the several officers of the Corporation
shall perform such other duties and exercise such further powers as may be
provided in these by-laws or as may from time to time be determined by the Board
of Directors, or any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these
by-laws with power for the purpose, or by any competent superior officer.
SECTION 16. Compensation. The compensation of all officers, except assistant
officers, of the Corporation shall be fixed, from time to time by the Board of
Directors, or any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws
with power for the purpose.
SECTION 17. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving
written notice to the Board of Directors, the Chairman, the President, the Chief
Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, or the Secretary. Any such
resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any
later time specified therein; and unless otherwise specified therein, the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
ARTICLE VI
CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DRAFTS, BANK ACCOUNTS, ETC.
SECTION 1. Contracts, etc., How Executed. The Board of Directors, or any
Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the
purpose, except as in these by-laws otherwise provided, may authorize any
officer or officers, agent or agents, of the Corporation to enter into any
contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of
the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific
instances; and, unless so authorized by the Board of Directors or by such
Committee or by these by-laws, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any
power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or agreement or to
pledge its credit or to render it liable pecuniarily for any purpose or to any
amount.
SECTION 2. Loans. No loan shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation,
and no negotiable paper shall be issued in its name, unless authorized by the
Board of Directors or by any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of
these by-laws with power for the purpose. When so authorized, the Chairman,
President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or a Vice President
or the Secretary or the Treasurer or the Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation
may effect loans and advances at any time for the Corporation from any bank,
trust company or other institution, or from any firm,
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corporation or individual and for such loans and advances may make, execute and
deliver promissory notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation
and, when authorized as aforesaid, as security for the payment of any and all
loans, advances, indebtedness and liabilities of the Corporation, may mortgage,
pledge, hypothecate or transfer any real or personal property at any time held
by the Corporation and to that end execute instruments of mortgage or pledge or
otherwise transfer such property. Such authority may be general or confined to
specific instances.
SECTION 3. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the
payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name
of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, employee or
employees, of the Corporation as shall from time to time be determined by
resolution of the Board of Directors or by any Committee constituted pursuant to
Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose, or by any officer or
officers authorized pursuant to Section 4 or Section 5 of this Article to
designate depositaries or to open bank accounts.
SECTION 4. Deposits. All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited from
time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or
other depositories as the Board of Directors or any Committee constituted
pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose may from time
to time designate, or as may be designated by an officer or officers of the
Corporation to whom such power may be delegated by the Board of Directors, or by
such Committee, and for the purpose of such deposit, the President, the Chief
Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, or a Vice President, or the
Treasurer, or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary, or an Assistant
Secretary, may endorse, assign and deliver checks, drafts and other orders for
the payment of money which are payable to the order of the Corporation.
SECTION 5. General and Special Bank Accounts. The Board of Directors or any
Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the
purpose, or any officer or officers of the Corporation to whom such powers may
be delegated by the Board of Directors, or by such Committee, may from time to
time authorize the opening and keeping with such banks, trust companies or other
depositaries as it, or they, may designate of general and special bank accounts,
and may make such special rules and regulations with respect thereto, not
inconsistent with the provisions of these by-laws, as it, or they, may deem
expedient.
SECTION 6. Proxies. Except as otherwise in these by-laws or in the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation provided, and unless otherwise
provided by resolution of the Board of Directors, or of any Committee
constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose,
the Chairman or President or Chief Executive Officer may from time to time
appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents, of the Corporation, in the
name and on behalf of the Corporation to cast the votes which the Corporation
may be entitled to cast as a stockholder or otherwise in any other corporation
any of whose stock or other securities may be held by the Corporation, at
meetings of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other
corporation, or to consent in writing to any action by such other corporation,
and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting
such votes or giving such consent, and may execute or cause to be executed in
the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal, or
otherwise, all such written proxies or other instruments as he may deem
necessary or proper in the premises.
SECTION 7. Independent Public Accountants. The stockholders of the
Corporation shall, at each annual meeting, appoint independent public
accountants for the purpose of auditing and certifying the annual financial
statements of the Corporation for its current fiscal year as sent to
stockholders or otherwise published by the Corporation. If the stockholders
shall fail to appoint such independent public accountants or if the independent
public accountants so appointed by the stockholders shall decline to act or
resign, or for some other reason be unable to perform their duties, the Board of
Directors shall appoint other independent public accountants to perform the
duties herein provided.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER
SECTION 1. Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by
certificates or, if so resolved by the Board of Directors in accordance with
these by-laws, shall be uncertificated. Each
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registered holder of shares, upon request to the Corporation, shall be provided
with a certificate of stock, representing the number of shares owned by such
holder. Absent a specific request for such a certificate by the registered owner
or transferee thereof, all shares shall be uncertificated upon the original
issuance thereof by the Corporation or upon the surrender of the certificate
representing such shares to the Corporation. Certificates for shares of the
capital stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be approved by
the Board of Directors or by any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of
these by-laws with power for the purpose. They shall be numbered, shall certify
the number of shares held by the holder thereof and shall be signed by the
Chairman, President, or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, and the
seal of the Corporation shall be affixed thereto. Where any such certificate is
countersigned by a transfer agent, other than the Corporation or its employee,
or by a registrar, other than the Corporation or its employee, any other
signature and the seal of the Corporation on such certificate may be a
facsimile, engraved, stamped or printed. In any case any such officer, transfer
agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed
upon any such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent
or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the
Corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent, or
registrar were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of its
issue.
SECTION 2. Transfer of Stock. Transfers of shares of the capital stock of
the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation by the holder
thereof, or by his attorney thereunto authorized by a power of attorney duly
executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation, or a transfer agent of
the Corporation, if any, and on surrender of the certificate or certificates for
such shares, properly endorsed, or upon receipt of proper transfer instructions
from the owner of uncertificated shares, or upon the escheat of said shares
under the laws of any state of the United States. A person in whose name shares
of stock stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof
as regards the Corporation, provided that whenever any transfer of shares shall
be made for collateral security, and not absolutely, such fact, if known to the
Secretary or to said transfer agent, shall be so expressed in the entry of
transfer.
SECTION 3. Addresses of Stockholders. Each stockholder shall designate to
the Secretary of the Corporation an address at which notices of meetings and all
other corporate notices may be served or mailed to him, and if any stockholder
shall fail to designate such address, corporate notices may be served upon him
by mail directed to him at his last known post office address as it appears on
the records of the Corporation.
SECTION 4. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates. To deal with
the eventuality of lost, stolen, destroyed and mutilated certificates of stock
the Board of Directors or any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of
these by-laws with power for the purpose may establish by appropriate
resolutions such rules and regulations as they deem expedient concerning the
issue to such holder of uncertificated shares or, if requested by such holder, a
new certificate or certificates of stock, including, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, such rules and regulations as they may deem
expedient with respect to the proof of loss, theft or destruction and the
surrender of mutilated certificates and the requirements as to the giving of a
bond or bonds to indemnify the Corporation against any claim which may be made
against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such
certificate. The holder of any stock of the Corporation shall immediately notify
the Corporation and/or the appropriate transfer agent of such stock of any loss,
theft, destruction or mutilation of the certificate therefor.
SECTION 5. Transfer Agent and Registrar: Regulations. The Corporation shall,
if and whenever the Board of Directors or any Committee constituted pursuant to
Article IV of these by-laws with power for the purpose shall so determine,
maintain one or more transfer offices or agencies, each in charge of a transfer
agent designated by the Board of Directors or by such Committee, where the
shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be directly transferable,
and also one or more registry offices, each in charge of a registrar designated
by the Board of Directors or by such Committee, where such shares of stock shall
be registered, and no certificate for shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation, in respect of which a registrar and transfer agent shall have been
designated, shall be valid unless countersigned by such transfer agent and
registered by such registrar. A firm may act at the same time
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as both transfer agent and registrar of the Corporation. The Board of Directors
or any such Committee may also make such additional rules and regulations as it
may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of
uncertificated shares or certificates for shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation.
SECTION 6. Fixing Record Date. (a) In order that the Corporation may
determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record
date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution
fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record
date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such
meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date
for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day
on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on
the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of
stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however,
that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to
receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights
or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change,
conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action,
the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not
precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted,
and which record date shall be not more than sixty days prior to such action. If
no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any
such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the board of
directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.
SECTION 7. Examination of Books by Stockholders. The Board of Directors or
any Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for
the purpose shall, subject to the laws of the State of Delaware, have power to
determine, from time to time, whether and to what extent and under what
conditions and regulations the accounts and books of the Corporation, or any of
them, shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders; and no stockholder
shall have any right to inspect any account, book or document of the
Corporation, except as conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, unless
and until authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors or any
Committee constituted pursuant to Article IV of these by-laws with power for the
purpose or of the stockholders of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
DIVIDENDS, SURPLUS, ETC.
Subject to the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
any restrictions imposed by statute, the Board of Directors may declare
dividends from the surplus of the Corporation or from the net profits arising
from its business, whenever, and in such amounts as, in its opinion, the
condition of the affairs of the Corporation shall render advisable. If the date
appointed for the payment of any dividend shall in any year fall on a legal
holiday then the dividend payable on such date shall be payable on the next
succeeding business day. The Board of Directors in its discretion may from time
to time set aside from such surplus or net profits such sum or sums as it, in
its absolute discretion, may think proper as a working capital or as a reserve
fund to meet contingencies, or for the purpose of maintaining or increasing the
property or business of the Corporation, or for any other purpose it may think
conducive to the best interests of the Corporation. All such surplus or net
profits, until actually declared in dividends, or used and applied as aforesaid,
shall be deemed to have been so set aside by the Board for one or more of said
purposes.
ARTICLE IX
SEAL
The corporate seal of the Corporation shall consist of a metallic stamp,
circular in form, bearing in its center the figures and word '1929, Delaware',
and at the outer edge the name of the Corporation.
D-2-14
<PAGE>
ARTICLE X
FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January
in each year.
ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS
[All by-laws of the Corporation shall be subject to alteration or repeal,
and new by-laws not inconsistent with any provision of the Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Corporation or any provision of law, may be made, either
by the affirmative vote of the holders of record of a majority of the
outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in respect thereof, given
at an annual meeting or at any special meeting or by the Board of Directors at
any regular or special meeting.](7) [All by-laws of the Corporation shall be
subject to alteration or repeal, and new by-laws not inconsistent with any
provision of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or any
provision of law, may be made, by the Board of Directors at any regular or
special meeting or by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with
these by-laws. Notwithstanding anything else contained in these by-laws to the
contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of record of at least 66 2/3% of
the combined voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote in respect thereof, voting together as a single class, shall be
required in order for the stockholders to adopt, alter, amend, rescind or repeal
any by-laws of the Corporation.](8)
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(7) If the Supermajority Voting Proposal is not approved, then Article XI will
include this provision.
(8) If the Supermajority Voting Proposal is approved, then Article XI will
include this provision.
D-2-15
<PAGE>
APPENDIX 1
CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS -- MARCH 28, 2001
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Martin R. Benante, Robert A. Bosi and
Brian D. O'Neill, and each of them singly, each with full power of substitution,
as the proxy and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with full authority to
represent and vote all shares of common stock of the undersigned at the special
meeting of stockholders on March 28, 2001, to be held at the Renaissance
Meadowlands Hotel, 801 Rutherford Avenue, Rutherford, New Jersey on March 28,
2001, at 10:00 a.m., local time, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof,
upon the matters set forth in the Curtiss-Wright Corporation proxy statement and
upon such other matters as may properly come before the special meeting, voting
as specified on the reverse side of this card with respect to the matters set
forth in the proxy statement, and voting in the discretion of the above-named
persons on such other matters as may properly come before the special meeting.
The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given and acknowledges
receipt of the notice of special meeting and proxy statement dated , 2001.
The board of directors of Curtiss-Wright Corporation recommends a vote 'FOR'
each of Proposal One, Proposal Two, Proposal Three, Proposal Four, Proposal Five
and Proposal Six. IF THIS PROXY IS SIGNED AND RETURNED AND DOES NOT SPECIFY A
VOTE ON ONE OR MORE OF THE PROPOSALS, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED 'FOR' EACH OF THE
PROPOSALS AS TO WHICH NO VOTE IS SPECIFIED.
(Continued, and to be signed, on reverse side)
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
[x] PLEASE MARK VOTES AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE 'FOR' EACH OF PROPOSALS 1-6.
IN THIS EXAMPLE
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1. Approval of Recapitalization Proposal [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
2. Approval of Classified Board Proposal [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
3. Approval of Board Size Proposal [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
4. Approval of Written Consent Proposal [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
5. Approval of Special Meeting Proposal [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
6. Approval of Supermajority Voting Proposal [ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
</TABLE>
[ ] MARK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO
ATTEND THE MEETING
[ ] MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS
CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT
For joint accounts, each
owner should sign.
Executors, Administrators,
Trustees, etc. should give
full title.
Signature: ____________ Date: __________ Signature: ___________ Date: __________
