AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
ON JUNE 20, 2000
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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant To Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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[__] Definitive Proxy Statement
[X ] Definitive Additional Materials
[__] Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12
DEXTER CORPORATION
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(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
INTERNATIONAL SPECIALTY PRODUCTS INC.
ISP INVESTMENTS INC.
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(NAME OF PERSON (S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT, IF OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT)
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applies:
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NY2:\875649\01\$RNL01!.DOC\54104.0016
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Tuesday, June 20, 2000 Edward G. Novotny & Associates, Inc.
(212) 490-2065/2977
ISP ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO COMMENCE DEXTER TENDER OFFER
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WAYNE, NJ - International Specialty Products Inc. (NYSE - "ISP") announced
today, in a letter to Dexter Corporation's (NYSE - "DEX") Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, K. Grahame Walker, its intention to promptly commence a $45
per share, all cash tender offer for all Dexter shares not already owned by ISP.
ISP is Dexter's largest shareholder, owning 9.9% of all outstanding Dexter
shares.
In today's letter from Samuel J. Heyman, ISP's Chairman of the Board, to
Dexter, ISP indicated that it stood "ready, willing and able" to enter into a
merger agreement. Mr. Heyman's letter went on to state, "We believe that ISP's
offer is a full and fair one and in the best interests of all Dexter
shareholders. Should the Dexter Board, however, be unwilling to enter into the
proposed merger agreement, we would request that it at least take action to
remove the "poison pill," and any other legal impediments to the purchase of
shares, so that Dexter shareholders can decide for themselves whether to accept
ISP's offer."
The letter to Mr. Walker is attached and is included as part of this press
release.
* * * *
International Specialty Products Inc. is a leading multinational
manufacturer of specialty chemicals and mineral products.
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ISP HAS FILED A FINAL, DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION RELATING TO ISP'S SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FROM THE
SHAREHOLDERS OF DEXTER CORPORATION FOR USE AT DEXTER'S 2000 ANNUAL MEETING. ISP
STRONGLY ADVISES ALL DEXTER SHAREHOLDERS TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT BECAUSE IT
CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION. THE PROXY STATEMENT HAS BEEN MAILED TO ALL
OWNERS OF DEXTER COMMON STOCK AS OF THE MAY 15 RECORD DATE AND IS AVAILABLE AT
NO CHARGE ON THE SEC'S WEB SITE AT HTTP:\\WWW.SEC.GOV. DEXTER SHAREHOLDERS MAY
ALSO OBTAIN THE PROXY STATEMENT FOR FREE FROM INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, BY
CALLING (888) 750-5834.
ISP INTENDS TO FILE AN OFFER TO PURCHASE AND A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL WITH
THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION RELATING TO ISP'S OFFER TO PURCHASE
ALL OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF DEXTER CORPORATION. ISP STRONGLY
ADVISES ALL DEXTER SHAREHOLDERS TO READ THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT
INFORMATION RELATING TO THE OFFER. THESE DOCUMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT NO
CHARGE ON THE SEC'S WEBSITE AT HTTP:\\WWW.SEC.GOV AND MAY BE OBTAINED FOR FREE
FROM INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, BY CALLING (888) 750-5834.
This press release may contain "forward looking statements" within the
meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the Company's financial
results and future operations and, as such, concerns matters that are not
historical facts. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such
statements. Important factors that could cause such differences are discussed in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, that is filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission and are incorporated herein by reference.
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LETTER TO K. GRAHAME WALKER
---------------------------
June 20, 2000
Mr. K. Grahame Walker
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Dexter Corporation
One Elm Street
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Dear Grahame:
This is to advise you that ISP will be promptly commencing a $45 per share,
all cash tender offer for all Dexter shares not already owned by ISP. Conditions
of the tender offer will be consistent with those provided for in the merger
agreement referred to below.
We are forwarding to your counsel a revised merger agreement and revised
commitment from Chase which we believe addresses virtually all of your concerns,
and we stand ready, willing, and able to enter into this agreement should the
Dexter Board be agreeable.
We believe that ISP's offer is a full and fair one and in the best
interests of all Dexter shareholders. Should the Dexter Board, however, be
unwilling to enter into the proposed merger agreement, we would request that it
at least take action to remove the "poison pill," and any other legal
impediments to the purchase of shares, so that Dexter shareholders can decide
for themselves whether to accept ISP's offer.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please do not hesitate to
let us know.
Sincerely,
/s/ Samuel J. Heyman
Chairman of the Board
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