<PAGE> 1
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/X/ Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
</TABLE>
DIGICON INC.
(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DIGICON INC.
(NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/ / $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1) or 14a-6(i)(2)
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
/X/ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which the transaction applies:
Common shares, no par value, of Veritas Energy Services, Inc.
("Veritas Common Shares")
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
8,689,952 Veritas Common Shares
(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):
One-fiftieth of one percent of $98,891,653.76 ($98,891,653.76 is the
product of (1) the average of the high and low prices of Veritas
Common Shares quoted on the Toronto Stock Exchange on May 22, 1996
(US$11.38, (C$15.625 multiplied by the applicable exchange rate of
0.7286)) multiplied by (2) the total number of outstanding Veritas
Common Shares to be received in the transaction (8,689,952).
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
$98,891,653.76
(5) Total fee paid:
$19,778.33
/ / 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: ____________________________________________
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ______________________
(3) Filing Party: ______________________________________________________
(4) Date Filed: ________________________________________________________
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
DIGICON INC.
-AND-
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS OF DIGICON INC.
-AND-
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS OF
SHAREHOLDERS AND OPTIONHOLDERS
OF VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
TO BE HELD JULY 30, 1996
-AND-
NOTICE OF PETITION
-AND-
JOINT MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
AND PROXY STATEMENT
WITH RESPECT TO AN ARRANGEMENT INVOLVING
DIGICON INC.
-AND-
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
JUNE 27, 1996
<PAGE> 3
DIGICON INC.
3701 Kirby Drive
Houston, Texas 77098
June 27, 1996
Dear Digicon Stockholder:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of stockholders (the
"Special Meeting") of Digicon Inc. ("Digicon") to be held on Tuesday, July 30,
1996 at 9:00 a.m. (Houston time), at the company's offices located at 3701 Kirby
Drive, Houston, Texas 77098.
At the Special Meeting, you will be asked to (i) approve the Combination
Agreement (the "Combination Agreement") between Digicon and Veritas Energy
Services Inc. ("Veritas") and the transactions contemplated therein (the
"Combination") and (ii) to consider and vote upon a recapitalization plan (the
"Recapitalization Plan") pursuant to which Digicon's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation will be amended and restated (a) to authorize a class of
40,000,000 ordinary shares, $.01 par value (the "Ordinary Shares"), (b) to
reclassify Digicon's currently outstanding common stock, $.01 par value, as a
series of Ordinary Shares having the same rights and privileges, (c) to
designate a series of Ordinary Shares as Special Voting Stock consisting of one
share, (d) to change Digicon's name to "Veritas DGC Inc." and (e) to add
provisions regarding Digicon's obligation to comply with the terms of the
exchangeable shares of Veritas. Details of the Combination and the
Recapitalization Plan are contained in the Joint Proxy Statement being delivered
with this letter.
If the proposals contained in the Joint Proxy Statement are approved by
Digicon's stockholders, Veritas will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Digicon. Upon any consummation of the Combination, four directors designated by
Veritas will become part of an expanded ten-person Digicon board of directors.
Digicon's board of directors has carefully considered and has unanimously
approved the terms and conditions of the Combination and recommends that the
stockholders approve the Combination and the Recapitalization Plan. In reaching
this conclusion, the board considered, among other things, the opinion of
PaineWebber Incorporated, an investment banking firm engaged by the company,
that the exchange ratio set forth in the Combination Agreement is fair, from a
financial point of view, to Digicon's stockholders.
The respective obligations of Digicon and Veritas to consummate the
Combination Agreement are subject to, among other conditions, the approval of
the stockholders of Digicon of each of the Combination Agreement and
Recapitalization Plan at the Special Meeting. If one of the proposals is not
adopted, then the Combination Agreement cannot be consummated, notwithstanding
that the other proposal may have been approved by the stockholders of Digicon.
In view of the importance of the actions to be taken at the Special
Meeting, you are urged to read the accompanying Joint Proxy Statement carefully,
and regardless of the number of shares you own, we request that you complete,
sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card promptly in the accompanying
prepaid envelope. You may, of course, attend the Special Meeting and vote in
person, even if you have previously returned your proxy card. The board of
directors recommends that you vote FOR approval of the Combination Agreement and
FOR approval of the Recapitalization Plan.
Sincerely,
Stephen J. Ludlow
President and Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE> 4
DIGICON INC.
3701 KIRBY DRIVE
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77098
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JULY 30, 1996
------------------
Notice is hereby given that a special meeting (the "Special Meeting") of
the stockholders of Digicon Inc. ("Digicon") will be held at the offices of the
company, 3701 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77098, on Tuesday, July 30, 1996 at
9:00 a.m., Houston time, for the following purposes:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Combination
Agreement dated as of May 10, 1996 (the "Combination Agreement"), between
Digicon and Veritas Energy Services Inc., an Alberta, Canada corporation
("Veritas"), and the transactions contemplated thereby, as more fully
described in the accompanying Joint Proxy Statement;
2. To consider and vote upon a recapitalization plan (the
"Recapitalization Plan") pursuant to which Digicon's Restated Certificate
of Incorporation will be amended and restated (a) to authorize a class of
40,000,000 ordinary shares, $.01 par value ("Ordinary Shares"), (b) to
reclassify the currently outstanding common stock as a series of Ordinary
Shares having the same rights and privileges, (c) to designate a series of
Ordinary Shares as Special Voting Stock consisting of one share, (d) to
change Digicon's name to "Veritas DGC Inc.," and (e) to add provisions
regarding Digicon's obligation to comply with the terms of the exchangeable
shares of Veritas, all as more fully described in the Joint Proxy
Statement; and
3. To transact such other business as may properly be presented to the
Special Meeting.
The respective obligations of Digicon and Veritas to consummate the
Combination Agreement are subject to, among other conditions, the approval of
the stockholders of Digicon of each of the Combination Agreement and
Recapitalization Plan at the Special Meeting. If one of the proposals is not
adopted, then the Combination Agreement cannot be consummated, notwithstanding
that the other proposal may have been approved by the stockholders of Digicon.
A record of stockholders has been taken as of the close of business on June
20, 1996, and only those stockholders of record on that date will be entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting. A stockholders' list will be
available commencing July 10, 1996, and may be inspected during normal business
hours prior to the Special Meeting at the offices of Digicon, 3701 Kirby Drive,
Houston, Texas 77098.
If you do not expect to be present at the Special Meeting, please sign and
date the enclosed proxy and return it promptly in the enclosed stamped envelope
which has been provided for your convenience. The prompt return of proxies will
ensure a quorum and save the company the expense of further solicitation.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
ALLAN C. POGACH,
Secretary
June 27, 1996
<PAGE> 5
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
Suite 300, 615 Third Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0G6
June 27, 1996
Dear Veritas Shareholder and Veritas Optionholder:
We are pleased to invite you to attend important meetings of shareholders
and optionholders (collectively, the "Meeting"), to be held on Tuesday, July 30,
1996 at 9:00 a.m. (Calgary time) in the Bonavista Room of the Westin Hotel, 320
Fourth Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Because of the importance of the
business of this Meeting, we would like as many of you as possible either to
attend in person, or to be represented by sending in your proxies.
The business of the Meeting includes consideration of and voting on an
arrangement which, effectively, will lead to a combination of Veritas Energy
Services Inc. ("Veritas") and Digicon Inc. ("Digicon").
The details of the proposed transaction are included in the attached Joint
Proxy Statement. Also included is the form of proxy and Letter of Transmittal.
Please review the Joint Proxy Statement carefully as it has been prepared to
help you make an informed decision.
If the proposed transaction is completed, Veritas shareholders will
exchange each of their Veritas common shares for 0.8 of an Exchangeable Share (a
newly-created class of shares) of Veritas (the "Exchange Ratio"). Each
Exchangeable Share may itself be exchanged for one share of Digicon common
stock. Each Exchangeable Share will entitle its holder to receive dividends
equivalent to any dividends paid on Digicon common stock and will carry the
right to vote at meetings of the stockholders of Digicon. Holding Exchangeable
Shares rather than Digicon common stock may appeal to Veritas' shareholders for
certain United States and Canadian tax reasons, which are described in the Joint
Proxy Statement.
If the proposed transaction is completed, each Veritas option will be
modified to become exercisable for a number of whole shares of Digicon common
stock equal to the number of Veritas common shares subject to the Veritas option
multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole number of
shares, at an exercise price per share of Digicon common stock equal to the
exercise price per share of such Veritas option divided by the Exchange Ratio.
After considering many different factors (which are reviewed in detail in
the Joint Proxy Statement) including, among other things, the opinion of
Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc., an investment banking firm engaged by Veritas,
that the consideration to be received by the Veritas shareholders in the
transaction is fair from a financial point of view, your Board of Directors has
unanimously recommended that you vote in favor of the resolution concerning the
Plan of Arrangement and the combination of Digicon and Veritas.
We hope that you will be able to attend the Meeting. Whether or not you are
able to attend, it is still important that you be represented at the Meeting. We
urge you to complete the enclosed form of proxy and return it, not later than
the time specified in the Notice of Special Meetings of Shareholders and
Optionholders, in the postage-paid envelope provided. Regardless of the number
of shares or options you own, your vote is important.
Yours very truly,
David B. Robson
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE> 6
------------------
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS AND OPTIONHOLDERS
------------------
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that special meetings of the shareholders and
optionholders (collectively, the "Meeting") of Veritas Energy Services Inc.
("Veritas") will be held at 9:00 a.m. (Calgary time) on Tuesday, July 30, 1996
in the Bonavista Room of the Westin Hotel, 320 Fourth Avenue S.W., Calgary,
Alberta, Canada for the following purposes:
1. to consider, pursuant to an order (the "Interim Order") of the Court of
Queen's Bench of Alberta dated June , 1996, and, if deemed advisable,
to pass, with or without variation, a special resolution (the
"Arrangement Resolution") to approve an arrangement (the "Arrangement")
under section 186 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (the
"ABCA"), all as more particularly described in the accompanying Joint
Management Information Circular and Proxy Statement (the "Joint Proxy
Statement"); and
2. to transact such further or other business as may properly come before
the Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
Specific details of the matters to be put before the Meeting are set out in
the Joint Proxy Statement, which forms part of this Notice. The full text of the
Arrangement Resolution is attached as Annex A to the Joint Proxy Statement.
Pursuant to the Interim Order, a copy of which is attached as Annex C to
the Joint Proxy Statement, holders of Veritas Common Shares and Veritas Options
have been granted the right to dissent in respect of the Arrangement. If the
Arrangement becomes effective, a dissenting shareholder or optionholder will be
entitled to be paid the fair value of the Veritas common shares or Veritas
options held by such holder if the Secretary of Veritas or the Chairman of the
Meeting shall have received from such dissenting holder at or before the Meeting
a written objection to the Arrangement Resolution and the dissenting holder
shall have otherwise complied with the provisions of section 184 of the ABCA.
The dissent right is described in the accompanying Joint Proxy Statement and the
full text of section 184 of the ABCA is attached as Annex J to the Joint Proxy
Statement. Only registered shareholders or optionholders may dissent. FAILURE TO
STRICTLY COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS SET OUT IN SECTION 184 OF THE ABCA MAY
RESULT IN THE LOSS OF ANY RIGHT OF DISSENT.
Each person who is a holder of record of Veritas common shares or Veritas
options at the close of business on June 25, 1996 (the "Veritas Record Date"),
is entitled to notice of, and to attend and vote at, the Meeting and any
adjournment or postponement thereof, provided that to the extent a person has
transferred any Veritas common shares after the Veritas Record Date and the
transferee of such shares establishes that such transferee owns such shares and
demands not later than ten days before the Meeting to be included in the list of
shareholders eligible to vote at the Meeting, such transferee will be entitled
to vote such shares at the Meeting.
DATED at Calgary, Alberta, June 27, 1996.
By Order of the Veritas Board of
Directors
Rene VandenBrand
Secretary
SHAREHOLDERS AND OPTIONHOLDERS ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
SHAREHOLDERS AND OPTIONHOLDERS ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE
ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. TO BE EFFECTIVE, PROXIES MUST
BE RECEIVED BY CORPORATE SHAREHOLDER SERVICES INC., SUITE 1485, 550 SIXTH AVENUE
S.W., CALGARY, ALBERTA T2P OS2 NOT LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. (CALGARY TIME) JULY 29,
1996, OR, IF THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED, NOT LATER THAN 24 HOURS (EXCLUDING
SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS) BEFORE THE TIME OF THE MEETING, OR ANY
ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF.
<PAGE> 7
ACTION NO. ____________
IN THE COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH OF ALBERTA
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF CALGARY
IN THE MATTER OF Section 186 OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT,
S.A. 1981, c.B-15, AS AMENDED
AND IN THE MATTER OF AN ARRANGEMENT PROPOSED BY
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC. INVOLVING
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC., ITS SHAREHOLDERS
AND OPTIONHOLDERS AND DIGICON INC.
NOTICE OF PETITION
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a petition (the "Petition") has been filed with
the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, Judicial District of Calgary (the
"Court"), by Veritas Energy Services Inc. ("Veritas") with respect to a proposed
arrangement (the "Arrangement") under Section 186 of the Business Corporations
Act, S.A. 1981, c.B-15, as amended (the "ABCA"), involving Veritas, its
securityholders and Digicon Inc. ("Digicon"), which Arrangement is described in
greater detail in the Joint Management Information Circular and Proxy Statement
of Veritas dated June 27, 1996 accompanying this Notice of Petition.
AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the said Petition will be heard before the
presiding Chambers Justice at the Court House, 611 -- 4th Street S.W., Calgary,
Alberta, Canada, on the day of , 1996 at 11:00 a.m. (Calgary
time) or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard.
At the hearing of the Petition, Veritas intends to seek the following:
(i) a declaration that the terms and conditions of the Arrangement are
fair to the persons affected;
(ii) an order approving the Arrangement pursuant to the provisions of
Section 186 of the ABCA;
(iii) a declaration that the Arrangement will, upon the filing of Articles
of Arrangement under the ABCA and the issuance of the Certificate of
Amendment under the ABCA, be effective under the ABCA in accordance
with its terms; and
(iv) such other further orders, declarations and directions as the Court
may deem just.
ANY SHAREHOLDER OR OPTIONHOLDER OF VERITAS OR OTHER INTERESTED PARTY
DESIRING TO SUPPORT OR OPPOSE THE PETITION MAY APPEAR AT THE TIME OF HEARING IN
PERSON OR BY COUNSEL FOR THAT PURPOSE, PROVIDED SUCH SECURITYHOLDER OR OTHER
INTERESTED PARTY FILES WITH THE COURT AND SERVES UPON VERITAS, ON OR BEFORE
, 1996, A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPEAR, TOGETHER WITH ANY EVIDENCE
OR MATERIALS WHICH ARE TO BE PRESENTED TO THE COURT, SETTING OUT SUCH
SECURITYHOLDER'S OR INTERESTED PARTY'S ADDRESS FOR SERVICE BY ORDINARY MAIL AND
INDICATING WHETHER SUCH SECURITYHOLDER OR INTERESTED PARTY INTENDS TO SUPPORT OR
OPPOSE THE PETITION OR MAKE SUBMISSIONS. Service on Veritas is to be effected by
delivery to the solicitors for Veritas at the address set forth below.
AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that, at the hearing and subject to the
foregoing, securityholders and any other interested person will be entitled to
make representations as to, and the Court will be requested to consider, the
fairness of the Arrangement. If you do not attend, either in person or by
counsel, at that time, the Court may approve or refuse to approve the
Arrangement as presented, or may approve it subject to such terms and conditions
as the Court shall deem fit, without any further notice.
AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Court, by an Interim Order dated June
, 1996, has given directions as to the calling and holding of the Special
Meetings of the securityholders of Veritas for the purpose of such
securityholders voting upon the special resolution to approve the Arrangement
and, in particular, has directed that such securityholders shall have the right
to dissent under the provisions of Section 184 of the ABCA upon compliance with
the terms of the Interim Order.
<PAGE> 8
AND NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the said Petition and other
documents in the proceedings will be furnished to any securityholder of Veritas
or other interested party requesting the same by the undermentioned solicitors
for Veritas upon written request delivered to such solicitors as follows:
Bennett Jones Verchere
4500 Bankers Hall East
855 - Second Street S.W.
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 4K7
Attention: Neil H. Stevenson
DATED at the City of Calgary, in the Province of Alberta, this day
of June, 1996.
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
(signed) David B. Robson
President and Chief Executive
Officer
<PAGE> 9
DIGICON INC. VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
JOINT MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR AND PROXY STATEMENT
This Joint Proxy Statement is being furnished to holders of common shares
and options to purchase common shares of Veritas Energy Services Inc., an
Alberta corporation ("Veritas"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies
by the Veritas board of directors for use at the Veritas Meeting to be held at
9:00 a.m. (Calgary time) on July 30, 1996, in the Bonavista Room of the Westin
Hotel, 320 Fourth Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada and any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
This Joint Proxy Statement is also being furnished to holders of common
stock, par value US$0.01 per share, of Digicon Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Digicon"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the board of
directors of Digicon for use at the Digicon Meeting to be held at 9:00 a.m.
(Houston time) on July 30, 1996 at Digicon's principal executive offices, 3701
Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77098, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
This Joint Proxy Statement and the accompanying forms of proxy are first
being mailed to shareholders and optionholders of Veritas and stockholders of
Digicon on or about June 27, 1996.
All information in this Joint Proxy Statement relating to Veritas has been
supplied by Veritas and all information relating to Digicon has been supplied by
Digicon. Certain capitalized terms used in this Joint Proxy Statement without
definition have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Glossary of Terms.
SEE, "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 7 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT
TO APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSALS AND AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO
HEREIN.
------------------
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any
representation not contained in this Joint Proxy Statement and, if given or
made, such information or representation should not be relied upon as having
been authorized. This Joint Proxy Statement does not constitute an offer to
sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities, or the
solicitation of a proxy, by any person in any jurisdiction in which such an
offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer
or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is
unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation of an offer or proxy
solicitation. Neither delivery of this Joint Proxy Statement nor any
distribution of the securities referred to in this Joint Proxy Statement shall,
under any circumstances, create an implication that there has been no change in
the information set forth therein since the date of this Joint Proxy Statement.
------------------
<PAGE> 10
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
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<S> <C>
GLOSSARY OF TERMS................................................................... i
REPORTING CURRENCIES AND ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES...................................... v
EXCHANGE RATE OF CANADIAN AND U.S. DOLLARS.......................................... v
SUMMARY............................................................................. 1
COMPARATIVE MARKET PRICE DATA....................................................... 6
RISK FACTORS........................................................................ 7
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA.......................................................... 10
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA..................................... 12
Digicon........................................................................... 12
Veritas........................................................................... 13
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................................. 14
THE MEETINGS........................................................................ 19
Digicon........................................................................... 19
Veritas........................................................................... 19
THE TRANSACTION..................................................................... 21
Background........................................................................ 21
Reasons for the Transaction....................................................... 23
Recommendations of Board of Directors............................................. 23
Business Combination Costs........................................................ 23
Opinions of Financial Advisors.................................................... 23
Interests of Certain Persons in the Transaction................................... 31
Transaction Mechanics and Description of Exchangeable Shares...................... 31
The Combination Agreement......................................................... 34
Other Agreements.................................................................. 36
Court Approval of the Arrangement and Completion of the Transaction............... 36
Anticipated Accounting Treatment.................................................. 37
Procedures for Exchange by Veritas Shareholders and Veritas Optionholders......... 37
Stock Exchange Listing............................................................ 38
Eligibility for Investment in Canada.............................................. 38
Regulatory Matters................................................................ 38
Resale of Exchangeable Shares and Digicon New Common Stock Received
in the Transaction............................................................. 38
THE COMPANIES AFTER THE TRANSACTION................................................. 40
The Combination -- General........................................................ 40
Management........................................................................ 40
Business Combination Costs........................................................ 40
Principal Holders of Securities................................................... 40
Digicon Capital Stock............................................................. 41
Veritas Share Capital............................................................. 42
Support Agreement................................................................. 44
Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement............................................... 45
Delivery of Digicon New Common Stock.............................................. 46
Call Rights....................................................................... 46
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 11
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
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<S> <C>
INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO VERITAS SHAREHOLDERS................................... 47
Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations to Veritas Shareholders................ 47
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations to Veritas Shareholders........... 52
Shareholders Not Resident in or Citizens of the United States..................... 56
DIGICON MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS........................................................................ 57
Results of Operations............................................................. 57
Liquidity and Capital Resources................................................... 60
BUSINESS OF DIGICON................................................................. 62
General........................................................................... 62
Industry Overview................................................................. 63
Company Overview.................................................................. 63
Services and Markets.............................................................. 64
Data Acquisition Services......................................................... 66
Data Processing................................................................... 68
Proprietary Seismic Data.......................................................... 68
Technology........................................................................ 68
Competition and Other Business Conditions......................................... 69
Backlog........................................................................... 70
Significant Customers............................................................. 70
Employees......................................................................... 71
Executive Officers and Directors of Digicon....................................... 71
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.................... 73
DESCRIPTION OF DIGICON CAPITAL STOCK................................................ 75
Common Stock...................................................................... 75
Preferred Stock................................................................... 75
Shareholder Rights Plan........................................................... 76
Certain Provisions of Digicon's Governing Documents............................... 79
VERITAS MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS........................................................................ 80
Results of Operations............................................................. 80
Business Risks.................................................................... 82
Outlook........................................................................... 83
BUSINESS OF VERITAS................................................................. 84
Historical Information............................................................ 84
Company Overview.................................................................. 85
Seismic Acquisition............................................................... 86
Seismic Processing................................................................ 88
Exploration and Development Information Services.................................. 89
Research and Development and Intellectual Property................................ 90
Premises.......................................................................... 90
Employees......................................................................... 90
Directors and Officers............................................................ 91
Management........................................................................ 91
Principal Shareholder............................................................. 92
Description of Capital............................................................ 92
Trading History of Veritas Common Shares.......................................... 93
Auditors, Transfer Agent and Registrar............................................ 93
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 12
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
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<S> <C>
COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS.................................................... 94
Vote Required for Extraordinary Transactions...................................... 94
Amendment to Governing Documents.................................................. 94
Dissenters' Rights................................................................ 95
Oppression Remedy................................................................. 95
Derivative Action................................................................. 96
Shareholder Consent in Lieu of Meeting............................................ 96
Director Qualifications........................................................... 96
Fiduciary Duties of Directors..................................................... 96
Indemnification of Officers and Directors......................................... 97
Director Liability................................................................ 97
Anti-Takeover Provisions and Interested Stockholder Transactions.................. 97
DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS' AND OPTIONHOLDERS' RIGHTS.................................. 99
PROPOSED DIGICON RECAPITALIZATION PLAN.............................................. 101
Background and Reasons............................................................ 101
Federal Income Tax Consequences................................................... 102
Exchange of Certificates.......................................................... 102
LEGAL MATTERS....................................................................... 102
AVAILABLE INFORMATION............................................................... 102
APPROVAL OF PROXY STATEMENT BY VERITAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS........................... 104
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.......................................... F-1
</TABLE>
ANNEX A -- Form of the Arrangement Resolution
ANNEX B -- Combination Agreement
ANNEX C -- Interim Order
ANNEX E -- Plan of Arrangement and Exchangeable Share Provisions
ANNEX F -- Form of Support Agreement
ANNEX G -- Form of Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement
ANNEX D -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Digicon
ANNEX H -- PaineWebber Fairness Opinion
ANNEX I -- Rauscher Pierce Fairness Opinion
ANNEX J -- Section 184 of the ABCA
<PAGE> 13
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below when used in this Joint Proxy Statement. These defined
terms are not used in the financial statements attached hereto.
"ABCA" means the Business Corporations Act (Alberta).
"Arrangement" means the proposed arrangement of Veritas under Part 15 of
the ABCA pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement.
"Arrangement Resolution" means the special resolution of Veritas
Shareholders and Veritas Optionholders concerning the Arrangement in the form
set out in Annex A to this Joint Proxy Statement.
"ASE" means the American Stock Exchange.
"Automatic Exchange Rights" means the rights granted to the Trustee for the
benefit of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Voting and
Exchange Trust Agreement to automatically exchange the Exchangeable Shares for
shares of Digicon New Common Stock upon a Digicon Liquidation Event.
"Automatic Redemption Date" means the 18th anniversary of the Effective
Date of the Arrangement or such earlier or later time as described in "The
Transaction -- Transaction Mechanics and Description of Exchangeable
Shares -- Exchange and Call Right."
"Call Rights" means the Liquidation Call Right, the Redemption Call Right
and the Retraction Call Right, collectively.
"Canadian dollar equivalent" means the product obtained by multiplying the
U.S. dollar amount by the noon spot exchange rate on such date for U.S. dollars
expressed in Canadian dollars as reported by the Bank of Canada.
"Canadian dollars" or "C$" means Canadian dollars.
"Canadian GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in Canada.
"Canadian Tax Act" means the Income Tax Act (Canada).
"Class A Preferred Shares" means the Class A Preferred Shares of Veritas.
"Closing" means the execution and delivery of the documents required to
effectuate the transactions contemplated by the Combination Agreement and the
closing of the transactions contemplated by the Combination Agreement.
"Closing Date" means July 31, 1996, or such other date as may be determined
by Digicon and Veritas.
"Combination Agreement" means the Combination Agreement by and between
Digicon and Veritas dated as of May 10, 1996, a copy of which is attached hereto
as Annex B.
"Competition Act" means the Competition Act (Canada).
"Court" means the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta.
"DGCL" means the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended.
"Digicon" means Digicon Inc., a Delaware corporation.
"Digicon Affiliate" means each affiliate (as such term is defined pursuant
to Rule 145 under the Securities Act) of Digicon.
"Digicon Affiliates Agreements" means the affiliate agreements executed by
each Digicon Affiliate and agreed and accepted by Digicon and Veritas.
"Digicon Common Stock" means the common stock, par value US$0.01 per share,
of Digicon, authorized and outstanding prior to the Closing.
i
<PAGE> 14
"Digicon Liquidation Event" means (i) any determination by Digicon's board
of directors to institute voluntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up
proceedings with respect to Digicon or to effect any other distribution of
assets of Digicon among its stockholders for the purpose of winding up its
affairs; or (ii) immediately upon the earlier of (A) receipt by Digicon of
notice of, and (B) Digicon becoming aware of any threatened or instituted claim,
suit or proceedings with respect to the involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of Digicon or to effect any other distribution of assets of Digicon
among its stockholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs.
"Digicon Meeting" means the special meeting of stockholders of Digicon to
be held with respect to, among other things, approval by Digicon's stockholders
of the Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and the
Recapitalization Plan.
"Digicon New Common Stock" means the series of common stock, US$0.01 par
value, authorized pursuant to the Digicon Restated Certificate.
"Digicon Record Date" means June 20, 1996.
"Digicon Restated Certificate" means the Digicon restated certificate of
incorporation as proposed to be amended and restated in connection with the
Combination Agreement and Recapitalization Plan, a copy of which is attached
hereto as Annex D.
"Digicon Stockholders" means the holders of Digicon Common Stock.
"Dissent Notice" means a written objection to the Arrangement sent by a
Veritas Shareholder or Veritas Optionholder to Veritas in accordance with
applicable law. See, "Dissenting Shareholders' and Optionholders' Rights."
"Effective Date" means the date shown on the certificate of arrangement
issued by the Registrar under the ABCA giving effect to the Arrangement.
"Effective Time" means 12:01 a.m. (Calgary time) on the Effective Date.
"Exchange Act" means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Exchange Ratio" means 1:0.8, such that each Veritas Common Share is
exchanged for 0.8 of an Exchangeable Share.
"Exchange Rights" means the Automatic Exchange Rights and the optional
exchange right granted to the Trustee for the use and benefit of the holders of
the Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement to
require Digicon to exchange Exchangeable Shares for shares of Digicon New Common
Stock upon the occurrence of a Veritas Insolvency Event.
"Exchangeable Share Provisions" means the rights, privileges, restrictions
and conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares, which are attached to the
Plan of Arrangement.
"Exchangeable Shares" means the exchangeable shares of Veritas having the
rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth in the Exchangeable
Share Provisions.
"Final Order" means the final order of the Court approving the Arrangement.
"FTC" means the Federal Trade Commission and all successors thereto.
"HSR Act" means the United States Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements
Act of 1976, as amended.
"Interim Order" means the interim order of the Court dated June , 1996, a
copy of which is attached hereto as Annex C.
"Joint Proxy Statement" means this joint management information circular
and proxy statement relating to the Veritas Meeting and the Digicon Meeting.
ii
<PAGE> 15
"Liquidation Call Right" means the right of Digicon, in the event of a
proposed liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Veritas, to purchase all of
the outstanding Exchangeable Shares from the holders thereof on the effective
date of any such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up in exchange for shares
of Digicon New Common Stock pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement.
"NYSE" means the New York Stock Exchange.
"Ordinary Shares" means the class of ordinary shares, par value US$0.01 per
share, authorized by the Digicon Restated Certificate.
"PaineWebber" means PaineWebber Incorporated, financial advisor to Digicon.
"Plan of Arrangement" means the plan of arrangement proposed under Part 15
of the ABCA substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex E, as amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.
"Rauscher Pierce" means Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc., financial advisor to
Veritas.
"Recapitalization Plan" means Digicon's recapitalization plan pursuant to
which its restated certificate of incorporation will be amended and restated (a)
to authorize a class of 40,000,000 Ordinary Shares having the same rights and
privileges of Digicon's Common Stock outstanding prior to the Closing, (b) to
reclassify such common stock as a series of Ordinary Shares, (c) to designate a
series of Ordinary Shares as Special Voting Stock consisting of one share, (d)
to change Digicon's name to "Veritas DGC Inc." and (e) to add provisions
regarding Digicon's obligation to comply with the terms of the Exchangeable
Shares.
"Redemption Call Right" means the right of Digicon to purchase all of the
outstanding Exchangeable Shares from the holders thereof on the date fixed for
redemption thereof in exchange for shares of Digicon New Common Stock pursuant
to the Plan of Arrangement.
"Retraction Call Right" means the overriding right of Digicon, in the event
of a proposed retraction of Exchangeable Shares by a holder thereof, to purchase
from such holder on the Retraction Date the Exchangeable Shares tendered for
redemption in exchange for shares of Digicon New Common Stock pursuant to the
Plan of Arrangement.
"Retraction Date" means a date, determined by a holder of Exchangeable
Shares, on which such holder can effect a retraction of such Exchangeable Shares
as further set out in the Exchangeable Share Provisions and described in "The
Transaction -- Transaction Mechanics and Description of Exchangeable Shares --
Exchange and Call Right."
"Retraction Request" means a duly executed statement prepared by a holder
of Exchangeable Shares in the form of Schedule A to the Exchangeable Share
Provisions, or in such other form as may be acceptable to Veritas.
"SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Support Agreement" means the Support Agreement to be entered into between
Veritas and Digicon, substantially in the form of Annex F hereto.
"Transaction" means the transactions contemplated by the Combination
Agreement and by the Plan of Arrangement, whereby, among other things, Digicon
would become the sole shareholder of Veritas Common Shares.
"Trustee" means The R-M Trust Company, or any successor thereto, pursuant
to the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement.
"TSE" means The Toronto Stock Exchange.
"U.S. Code" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
iii
<PAGE> 16
"U.S. dollars" or "US$" means United States dollars.
"U.S. GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States.
"Veritas" means Veritas Energy Services Inc., an Alberta corporation.
"Veritas Affiliate" means each affiliate (as such term is defined pursuant
to Rule 145 under the Securities Act) of Veritas.
"Veritas Affiliates Agreements" means the affiliate agreements executed by
each Veritas Affiliate and agreed to and accepted by Digicon and Veritas.
"Veritas Articles" means the Veritas articles of amalgamation as proposed
to be amended in connection with the Arrangement.
"Veritas Bylaws" means Veritas' bylaws, as amended from time to time.
"Veritas Common Shares" means the common shares of Veritas.
"Veritas Insolvency Event" means any insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding
instituted by or against Veritas, including any such proceeding under the
Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency
Act (Canada), the admission in writing by Veritas of its inability to pay its
debts generally as they become due and the inability of Veritas, as a result of
solvency requirements of applicable law, to redeem any Exchangeable Shares
tendered for retraction.
"Veritas Letter of Transmittal" means the letter delivered to holders of
Veritas Common Shares, which when duly completed and returned with a certificate
for Veritas Common Shares, will enable such shareholder to exchange such
certificate for Exchangeable Shares.
"Veritas Meeting" means the special meetings of shareholders and
optionholders of Veritas to be held with respect to, among other things, the
approval by shareholders and optionholders of Veritas of the Arrangement.
"Veritas Option Plan" means the Veritas Stock Option Plan for Directors,
Officers and Key Employees.
"Veritas Optionholders" means the holders of Veritas Options.
"Veritas Options" means all outstanding options to purchase Veritas Common
Shares, including all outstanding options granted under the Veritas Option Plan.
"Veritas Record Date" means June 25, 1996.
"Veritas Shareholders" means the holders of Veritas Common Shares.
"Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement" means the voting and exchange trust
agreement to be entered into among Veritas, Digicon and the Trustee,
substantially in the form of Annex G hereto.
"Voting Rights" means the rights of the holders of Exchangeable Shares to
direct the voting of the Digicon Voting Share in accordance with the Voting and
Exchange Trust Agreement.
"Voting Share" means the one share of Digicon Special Voting Stock, par
value US$.01 per share, to be issued by Digicon and deposited with the Trustee
pursuant to the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement.
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<PAGE> 17
REPORTING CURRENCIES AND ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES
The consolidated financial statements of, and the summaries of historical
consolidated financial information concerning, Veritas contained in this Joint
Proxy Statement are reported in Canadian dollars and have been prepared in
accordance with Canadian GAAP, which differs in certain material respects from
U.S. GAAP. See Note 12 of Notes to Veritas Consolidated Financial Statements,
which presents a reconciliation of such consolidated financial statements from
Canadian GAAP to U.S. GAAP.
The consolidated financial statements and the pro forma consolidated
financial statements of and the summaries of historical consolidated financial
information concerning Digicon contained in this Joint Proxy Statement are
reported in U.S. dollars and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL DOLLAR
AMOUNTS ARE EXPRESSED IN U.S. DOLLARS.
EXCHANGE RATE OF CANADIAN AND U.S. DOLLARS
The following table sets forth, for each period indicated, the high and low
exchange rates for one Canadian dollar expressed in U.S. dollars, the average of
such exchange rates on the last day of each month during such period, and the
exchange rate at the end of such period, based upon the noon buying rate in New
York City for cable transfers in Canadian dollars, as certified for customer
purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the "Noon Buying Rate"):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX-MONTH
PERIOD ENDED
TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, APRIL 30,
--------------------------------------------------- ------------
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
High........................... 0.8907 0.8927 0.8053 0.7727 0.7523 0.7434
Low............................ 0.8557 0.7949 0.7465 0.7167 0.7016 0.7218
Average........................ 0.8705 0.8393 0.7784 0.7355 0.7276 0.7323
Period End..................... 0.8897 0.8056 0.7569 0.7393 0.7434 0.7345
</TABLE>
On June 26, 1996, the exchange rate for one Canadian dollar expressed in
U.S. dollars based on the Noon Buying Rate was .
The following table sets forth, for each period indicated, the high and low
exchange rates for one U.S. dollar expressed in Canadian dollars, the average of
such exchange rates on the last date of each month during such period, and the
exchange rate at the end of such period, based upon the noon spot rate of the
Bank of Canada (the "Noon Spot Rate"):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE-MONTH
PERIOD ENDED
TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, APRIL 30,
--------------------------------------------------- ------------
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
High........................... 1.1798 1.2080 1.2938 1.3990 1.4267 1.3865
Low............................ 1.1288 1.1193 1.1820 1.2858 1.3400 1.3275
Average........................ 1.1541 1.1659 1.2561 1.3448 1.3775 1.3600
Period End..................... 1.1513 1.1840 1.2857 1.3865 1.3635 1.3620
</TABLE>
On June 26, 1996, the Noon Spot Rate was one U.S. dollar equals
Canadian dollars.
v
<PAGE> 18
SUMMARY
The following is a summary of certain information contained elsewhere in
this Joint Proxy Statement. The information contained in this summary is
qualified in its entirety by and should be read in conjunction with more
detailed information contained in this Joint Proxy Statement and the documents
incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms
used in this summary are defined in the Glossary of Terms or elsewhere in this
Joint Proxy Statement. Unless the context otherwise requires, with respect to
Digicon, the number of shares, per share prices, weighted average number of
shares outstanding and per share amounts in this Joint Proxy Statement have been
adjusted to reflect a one-for-three reverse stock split effected by Digicon in
January 1995.
THE COMPANIES
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Digicon................ Digicon was founded in 1965 and provides seismic data acquisition
and processing services to the petroleum industry in selected
markets worldwide. Digicon acquires seismic data in land, in marine
and in marsh, swamp and tidal environments and processes data
acquired by its own crews and crews of other operators. Digicon's
principal executive offices are located at 3701 Kirby Drive,
Houston, Texas 77098 and its telephone number is (713) 526-5611.
See, "Business of Digicon."
Veritas................ Veritas was founded in 1974 and provides land-based seismic
acquisition, seismic data processing and exploration and development
information services in Canada, the United States and South America.
Veritas' principal executive offices are located at Suite 300, 615
Third Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0G6 and its
telephone number is (403) 266-9350. See, "Business of Veritas."
</TABLE>
THE MEETINGS
DATE, TIME AND PLACE
Digicon. The Digicon Meeting will be held on July 30, 1996, at its
principal executive offices, 3701 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77098 at 9:00 a.m.
(Houston time).
Veritas. The Veritas Meeting will be held on July 30, 1996, in the
Bonavista Room of the Westin Hotel, 320 Fourth Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta,
Canada at 9:00 a.m. (Calgary time).
PURPOSES OF THE MEETINGS
Digicon. The purpose of the Digicon Meeting is to consider and act upon (i)
a proposal to approve the Combination Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, (ii) a proposal to approve the Recapitalization Plan and
(iii) such other business as may be properly presented to the meeting.
Veritas. The purpose of the Veritas Meeting is to consider and act upon (i)
a proposal to approve the Arrangement and (ii) such other business as may be
properly presented to the meeting.
RECORD DATES; HOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE
Digicon. Only holders of record of shares of Digicon Common Stock at the
close of business on June 20, 1996, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Digicon Meeting. On such date, there were 11,123,422 shares of Digicon Common
Stock outstanding, each of which will be entitled to one vote on each matter to
be acted upon at the Digicon Meeting.
Veritas. Only holders of record of Veritas Common Shares and Veritas
Options at the close of business on June 25, 1996, are entitled to notice of and
to vote at the Veritas Meeting, provided that to the extent a person has
transferred any Veritas Common Shares after such record date and the transferee
of such shares
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<PAGE> 19
establishes that such transferee owns such shares and demands not later than ten
days before the Veritas Meeting to be included in the list of shareholders
eligible to vote at the Veritas Meeting, such transferee will be entitled to
vote such shares at the Veritas Meeting. On such date, there were outstanding
and entitled to vote, 8,689,952 Veritas Common Shares, and 544,758 Veritas
Options.
QUORUM; VOTE REQUIRED
Digicon. The presence, in person or by proxy, at the Digicon Meeting of the
holders of a majority of the shares of Digicon Common Stock outstanding and
entitled to vote at the Digicon Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at
the meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Digicon Common Stock present and entitled to vote thereon
at the Digicon Meeting is required to approve the Combination Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby. Adoption of the Recapitalization Plan
requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of
Digicon Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting.
The respective obligations of Digicon and Veritas to consummate the
Combination Agreement are subject to, among other conditions, the approval of
the stockholders of Digicon of each of the Combination Agreement and
Recapitalization Plan at the Digicon Meeting. If one of the proposals is not
adopted, then the Combination Agreement cannot be consummated, notwithstanding
that the other proposal may have been approved by the stockholders of Digicon.
Veritas. The presence, in person or by proxy, at the Veritas Meeting of not
less than two Veritas Shareholders representing not less than 5% of the Veritas
Common Shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the Veritas Meeting is
necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting, and the affirmative vote of the
holders of two-thirds of the Veritas Common Shares present is required to
approve the Arrangement. The presence, in person or by proxy, at the Veritas
Meeting of not less than that number of Veritas Optionholders entitled to
purchase at least 25% of the aggregate number of Veritas Common Shares which
could be acquired pursuant to all the then outstanding Veritas Options is
necessary to constitute a quorum at the meeting, and the affirmative vote of
two-thirds of the holders of the Veritas Options present is required to approve
the Arrangement.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
Digicon. The board of directors of Digicon believes the Transaction to be
in the best interests of Digicon Stockholders and unanimously recommends that
the Digicon Stockholders vote to approve (i) the Combination Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) the Recapitalization Plan.
Veritas. The board of directors of Veritas believes that the Transaction is
in the best interest of Veritas Shareholders and Veritas Optionholders and
unanimously recommends that the Veritas Shareholders and Veritas Optionholders
vote to approve the Arrangement.
OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS
PaineWebber has rendered an opinion to the board of directors of Digicon
that the Exchange Ratio is fair to the Digicon Stockholders from a financial
point of view.
Rauscher Pierce has rendered an opinion to the board of directors of
Veritas that the consideration to be received by the Veritas Shareholders in the
Transaction is fair to such shareholders from a financial point of view.
See, "The Meetings" and "The Transaction -- Board Recommendations and --
Opinions of Financial Advisors" and the full text of the opinions set forth in
Annex H for the PaineWebber opinion, and Annex I for the Rauscher Pierce
opinion.
2
<PAGE> 20
THE TRANSACTION
REASONS FOR THE COMBINATION
Digicon and Veritas both provide seismic data acquisition and processing
services to the petroleum industry; however, their respective operations are in
major part complementary rather than directly competitive. Veritas operates
exclusively onshore in its data acquisition and processing operations, with nine
crews concentrated in Canada and the continental United States. Digicon's marine
operations are concentrated offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, in the North Sea and
in the Far East. Onshore, Digicon's primary emphasis has been in the Gulf of
Mexico transition zone. The two companies are direct competitors only in
Argentina, where each has a limited market presence. A combination of the two
enterprises will result in each company's entry into geographic markets not
presently served by it and will afford to each an opportunity to offer a broader
array of single source services to potential customers.
Digicon and Veritas believe the Transaction will result in significant
additional benefits for each company, including possible business synergies,
expansion of their respective businesses, enhanced combined marketing
opportunities and a more focused research and development effort. If these
potential benefits can be attained, stockholders of the two companies will be
able to participate in enhanced prospects for the combined enterprise.
See, "The Transaction -- Reasons For the Transaction."
EXCHANGE OF VERITAS COMMON SHARES AND RELATED MATTERS
Under the terms of the Arrangement, each Veritas Common Share will be
exchanged for 0.8 of a share of a new class of Exchangeable Shares of Veritas,
resulting in the issuance of approximately 7.0 million Exchangeable Shares upon
consummation of the Transaction, with each Exchangeable Share representing
beneficial ownership of one share of Digicon New Common Stock. Holders of
Veritas Common Shares will be entitled to exchange their Veritas Common Share
certificates for Exchangeable Share certificates upon completing and returning a
Veritas Letter of Transmittal. Holders of the Exchangeable Shares will be
entitled at any time following the Effective Date to require Veritas to exchange
such Exchangeable Shares by delivering an equivalent number of shares of Digicon
New Common Stock. Upon exchange of all of the Exchangeable Shares, the former
holders of Veritas Common Shares will own approximately 38% of Digicon's
outstanding common stock as of the Effective Date. However, Veritas must deliver
all such requests to Digicon, whereupon Digicon has the right to deliver
(instead of Veritas) an equivalent number of shares of Digicon New Common Stock.
On the 18th anniversary of the Effective Date (unless extended by the Veritas
board of directors to a date not later than 25 years from the Effective Date),
Digicon has the right to purchase all then outstanding Exchangeable Shares by
delivery of an equivalent number of shares of Digicon New Common Stock. Digicon
and Veritas will enter into certain ancillary agreements to ensure that holders
of Exchangeable Shares will have voting, dividend and liquidation rights
equivalent to those of holders of Digicon New Common Stock.
At the Effective Time, each Veritas Option will be modified to become an
option to purchase that number of shares of Digicon New Common Stock determined
by multiplying the number of Veritas Common Shares subject to such Veritas
Option at the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price per
share of Digicon New Common Stock equal to the exercise price per share of such
Veritas Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, divided by the Exchange
Ratio. The exercise price will then be adjusted into a United States dollar
equivalent as of the Effective Time. The term, exercisability, vesting schedule
and all of the terms and conditions of the Veritas Options will otherwise be
unchanged.
See, "The Transaction -- Transaction Mechanics and Description of
Exchangeable Shares and -- Procedures For Exchange by Veritas Shareholders and
Optionholders."
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE TRANSACTION
It is anticipated that the Transaction will become effective after the
requisite shareholder, Court and regulatory approvals have been obtained and are
final and all other conditions to the Transaction have been
3
<PAGE> 21
satisfied or waived. It is presently anticipated that the Transaction will
become effective on or about July 31, 1996.
CONDITIONS TO THE TRANSACTIONS
The obligations of Digicon and Veritas to consummate the Transaction are
subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including obtaining requisite
shareholder, court and regulatory approvals. See, "The Transaction -- The
Combination Agreement."
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
Consummation of the Transaction is contingent upon obtaining clearance from
United States federal antitrust authorities under the HSR Act. All other
required regulatory filings either have been or will be made prior to the
consummation of the Transaction. See, "The Transaction -- Regulatory Matters."
ANTICIPATED ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Transaction will be accounted for as a pooling of interests. See, "The
Transaction -- Anticipated Accounting Treatment."
CERTAIN RELATED AGREEMENTS
Digicon Affiliates. Digicon and Veritas have entered into agreements with
each of the Digicon Affiliates, pursuant to which such persons agreed that they
will not sell, transfer, encumber or otherwise dispose of any Digicon securities
for 30 days prior to the Effective Time and after the Effective Time until
Digicon shall have publicly released financial results that include at least 30
days of the combined operating results of Veritas and Digicon. See, "The
Transaction -- Other Agreements -- Affiliates Agreements."
Veritas Affiliates. Digicon and Veritas have entered into agreements with
each of the Veritas Affiliates, pursuant to which such persons have agreed that
they will not sell, transfer, encumber or otherwise dispose of Veritas Common
Shares in the 30-day period preceding the Effective Time and Exchangeable Shares
after the Effective Time until Digicon shall have publicly released financial
results that include at least 30 days of the combined operating results of
Veritas and Digicon. See, "The Transaction -- Other Agreements -- Affiliates
Agreements."
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS
Pursuant to the Combination Agreement, Digicon has agreed to maintain all
rights to indemnification existing at the time of execution of the Combination
Agreement in favor of the directors and officers of Veritas and its subsidiaries
in accordance with the charter documents and bylaws of each entity and to the
fullest extent permitted under the ABCA. See, "The Transaction -- Interests of
Certain Persons in the Transaction."
THE COMPANIES AFTER THE TRANSACTION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT AFTER COMBINATION
If the Transaction is consummated, Digicon's board of directors will be
expanded to ten members, six of whom will be persons who are currently directors
of Digicon, and the four additional persons who are to become directors on the
Effective Date will be designated by Veritas. At the Effective Date, Digicon
shall have created a nominating committee of the board consisting of two outside
directors of each of Digicon and Veritas prior to the Closing. The nominating
committee will designate the slate of directors to be voted on by Digicon
stockholders for not less than the next two annual meetings of Digicon following
the Effective Date. Upon consummation of the Transaction, the Veritas board of
directors will be reduced to four members.
Upon consummation of the Transaction, David B. Robson (the current chairman
of the board, president and chief executive officer of Veritas) will become
chairman of the board and chief executive officer of
4
<PAGE> 22
Digicon and Stephen J. Ludlow (currently president and chief executive officer
of Digicon) will become president and chief operating officer of Digicon. After
consummation of the Transaction, Digicon's headquarters will remain located at
3701 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77098.
BUSINESS COMBINATION COSTS
Upon consummation of the Transaction, Digicon expects to incur business
combination costs relating to employee severance ($1.0 million), intended
changes in its operations ($1.1 million) and the retirement of certain operating
equipment which has not been fully depreciated ($6.7 million). In addition, the
two companies expect to incur aggregate non-recurring transaction costs in
connection with the Transaction of approximately $2.7 million.
See, "The Companies After the Transaction -- Business Combination Costs."
CERTAIN TAX CONSEQUENCES
The Transaction has been structured to provide a tax deferral to most
Veritas Shareholders in Canada and the United States. However, such shareholders
will generally only be able to obtain tax deferral for as long as they hold the
Exchangeable Shares, and will, except in certain limited situations, generally
recognize a gain or loss upon the exchange of their Exchangeable Shares for
shares of Digicon New Common Stock. There are other conditions and limitations
on qualifying for the tax deferral. See, "Income Tax Considerations to Veritas
Shareholders." Veritas Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors. The
receipt of favorable tax opinions as to the tax deferred nature of the
Transaction is a condition to Veritas' obligation to consummate the Transaction.
RISK FACTORS
For a discussion of certain considerations with respect to the business and
operations of Digicon and Veritas that should be considered by a shareholder or
optionholder before determining how to vote at the meetings, see, "Risk
Factors."
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Joint Proxy Statement includes "forward looking statements" within the
meaning of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All
statements other than statements of historical fact included in this Joint Proxy
Statement are forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements
include, without limitation, statements under (a) "Business of Digicon," (b)
"Business of Veritas," (c) "Digicon Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," (d) "Veritas Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
(e) "Risk Factors." Although Digicon and Veritas believe that the expectations
reflected in such forwarding looking statements are reasonable, they can give no
assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Digicon's and
Veritas' expectations are disclosed in this Joint Proxy Statement.
5
<PAGE> 23
COMPARATIVE MARKET PRICE DATA
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of the Digicon
Common Stock, traded under the symbol "DGC" on the ASE, and of the Veritas
Common Shares, traded under the symbol "VES" on the TSE, for the periods
indicated. The quotations are as reported in published financial sources.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIGICON VERITAS(1)
------------- -------------
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
---- --- ---- ---
ASE ASE TSE TSE
---- --- ---- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1993
Quarter ended January 31....................................... 15 3/8 12 -- --
Quarter ended April 30......................................... 15 3/4 12 3/8 -- --
Quarter ended July 31.......................................... 13 11/16 6 3/8 -- --
Quarter ended October 31....................................... 9 3/8 6 3/4 -- --
1994
Quarter ended January 31....................................... 8 7/16 6 8 5/8 7 1/2
Quarter ended April 30......................................... 9 3/8 5 5/8 12 8
Quarter ended July 31.......................................... 6 3 12 1/2 11 1/4
Quarter ended October 31....................................... 6 3 3/8 11 1/4 7 1/2
1995
Quarter ended January 31....................................... 5 13/16 3 3/8 9 1/2 6
Quarter ended April 30......................................... 5 1/8 3 1/8 8 1/2 6
Quarter ended July 31.......................................... 6 4 1/4 8 1/2 6 1/4
Quarter ended October 31....................................... 6 3/8 4 3/4 7 1/4 6
1996
Quarter ended January 31....................................... 8 3/4 5 3/8 8 1/4 6 1/4
Quarter ended April 30......................................... 15 7/8 6 1/4 14 1/2 6 7/8
May............................................................
June 1 to June ...............................................
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(1) Commenced trading in December 1993.
On March 22, 1996, the last full trading day prior to the joint public
announcement by Digicon and Veritas of the proposed Transaction, the last
reported sales price on the ASE of the Digicon Common Stock was US$10 5/8. The
last reported sales price of the Veritas Common Shares on the TSE on the same
day was C$8 5/8. On June 26, 1996, the last reported sales price per share of
the Digicon Common Stock was US$ , and the last reported sales price of
the Veritas Common Shares was C$ .
On June 26, 1996, there were shares of Digicon Common Stock
outstanding held of record by 312 stockholders and Veritas Common
Shares outstanding held of record by shareholders.
DIVIDEND POLICIES
Historically, Digicon and Veritas have not paid dividends on their capital
stock and have no present plans to pay dividends. The payment of any future
dividends on Digicon New Common Stock would depend, among other things, upon the
current and retained earnings and financial condition of Digicon, and upon a
determination by its board of directors that the payment of dividends would be
desirable. In addition, Digicon's principal revolving credit facility prohibits,
and its secured term loan contains certain restrictions regarding, the payment
of dividends.
6
<PAGE> 24
RISK FACTORS
The following risk factors should be considered by Veritas Shareholders and
Veritas Optionholders and Digicon Stockholders in evaluating whether to approve
the Transaction. Some of these risk factors relate directly to the Transaction
while others are present in Veritas' or Digicon's general business environment
independent of the Transaction. These risk factors should be considered in
conjunction with the other information included in this Joint Proxy Statement.
ENERGY INDUSTRY SPENDING
Demand for seismic services depends upon the level of capital expenditures
by oil and gas companies for exploration, production, development and field
management activities. These activities depend in part on oil and gas prices,
expectations about future prices, the cost of exploring for, producing and
delivering oil and gas, the sale and expiration dates of leases in the United
States, Canada and abroad, local and international political, regulatory and
economic conditions and the ability of oil and gas companies to obtain capital.
In addition, a decrease in oil and gas expenditures could result from such
factors as unfavorable tax and other legislation or uncertainty concerning
national energy policies. No assurance can be given that current levels of oil
and gas activities will be maintained or that demand for the services provided
by Digicon and Veritas will reflect the level of such activities. Decreases in
oil and gas activities could have a significant adverse effect upon the demand
for the combined company's services and its results of operations.
COMPETITION FOR SEISMIC BUSINESS
Competition among seismic contractors historically has been intense.
Competitive factors include price, crew experience, equipment availability,
technological sophistication and reputation for quality and dependability. Most
of the combined company's major competitors will operate more data acquisition
crews, have substantially greater revenues and are subsidiaries or divisions of
major industrial enterprises having far greater financial and other resources
than the combined company. There can be no assurance that the combined company
will be able to compete successfully against its competitors for contracts to
conduct seismic surveys and process data.
POTENTIAL OBSTACLES TO INTEGRATION OF THE COMBINED COMPANY
In evaluating the terms of the Transaction, Digicon and Veritas each
analyzed their respective businesses and made certain assumptions concerning
their respective future operations and operations of the combined company. One
principal assumption was that through consolidation of operations, the
Transaction would produce a combined company with operating results better than
those historically experienced or presently expected to be experienced in the
future by either company in the absence of the Transaction. There can be no
assurance, however, that these benefits will be achieved or that the results of
the combined operations will be improved. These anticipated benefits of the
Transaction will not be achieved unless the companies are successfully combined
in a timely manner. The process of combining the organizations could cause the
interruption of, or a loss of momentum in, the activities of some or all of the
companies' businesses, which could have an adverse effect on their combined
operations.
In addition, Digicon's board of directors will be comprised of ten members,
six of whom are current Digicon directors and four of whom are current Veritas
directors. Further, the current chairman, president and chief executive officer
of Veritas will become chairman of the board and chief executive officer of
Digicon. The success of the Transaction will be partially dependent on the
integration of the current management and operations of Veritas and Digicon.
There can be no assurances that the combined company will be able to effectively
integrate management and operations or that operational or administrative
efficiencies resulting from the Transaction can be attained.
SEASONALITY; FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY RESULTS
Digicon's and Veritas' seismic operations and quarterly financial results
historically have been subject to seasonal fluctuation. Digicon experiences the
greatest volume of both data acquisition and data processing
7
<PAGE> 25
activity during the summer and fall in the northern hemisphere, whereas Veritas
experiences the greatest volume of such activity in the fall and winter in the
Canadian marketplace. Both companies attempt to deploy crews and equipment into
regions having opposing seasons or less severe weather conditions, in order to
reduce the impact of seasonal fluctuations.
In addition to seasonality, each company historically has experienced
quarterly fluctuations in operating results. Operating results in any fiscal
quarter may vary as a result of (i) the magnitude of certain contracts for the
acquisition or sale of data, (ii) customers' budgetary cycles and (iii) with
respect to Digicon, seismic data sales occurring as a result of offshore lease
sales.
HAZARDOUS OPERATING CONDITIONS
Seismic data acquisition activities involve operating under extreme weather
and other hazardous conditions. Accordingly, these operations are subject to
risks of loss to property and injury to personnel from such causes as fires and
accidental explosions. Digicon and Veritas each carry insurance against these
risks in amounts considered adequate. The combined company may not, however, be
able to obtain insurance against certain risks or for certain equipment located
from time to time in certain areas of the world.
HIGH FIXED COSTS; CAPITAL INTENSIVE BUSINESS; RISK OF TECHNOLOGICAL OBSOLESCENCE
Because of the high fixed costs involved in the major components of each of
Digicon's and Veritas' business, downtime or low productivity due to reduced
demand, weather interruptions, equipment failures or other causes can result in
significant operating losses. In recent years, each of Digicon's and Veritas'
contracts for data acquisition have been predominately on a turnkey or on a
combination of turnkey/time basis. Under the turnkey method, payments for data
acquisition services are based upon the amount of data collected, and either
Digicon or Veritas bears substantially all of the risk of business interruption
caused by inclement weather and other hazards. When a combination of both
turnkey and time methods is used, the risk of business interruptions is shared
in an agreed manner by the parties.
Seismic data acquisition and processing is a capital intensive business.
The development of seismic data acquisition and processing equipment has been
characterized by rapid technological advancements in recent years. There can be
no assurance that manufacturers of seismic equipment will not develop new
systems that have competitive advantages over systems now in use that either
render the combined company's current equipment obsolete or require the combined
company to make significant capital expenditures. For the combined company to
remain competitive large expenditures of capital may be required. There can be
no assurance that the combined company will have the necessary capital or that
financing will be available on favorable terms. If the combined company is
unable to raise the capital necessary for its capital expenditure program and to
update its data acquisition and processing equipment to the extent necessary, it
may be materially and adversely affected.
RISKS INHERENT IN INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
In recent years, each of Digicon's and Veritas' revenues have increasingly
been derived from international operations and export sales, which are subject
in varying degrees to risks inherent in doing business abroad. Such risks
include the possibility of unfavorable changes in tax or other laws. In
addition, foreign operations include risks of partial or total expropriation;
currency exchange rate fluctuations and restrictions on currency repatriation;
the disruption of operations from labor and political disturbances, insurrection
or war; and the requirements of partial local ownership of operations in certain
countries. To minimize such risks, each company generally denominates its
international contracts in U.S. dollars and other currencies it believes to be
stable. Each of Digicon and Veritas also obtains insurance against war,
expropriation, confiscation and nationalization when such insurance is available
and when management considers it advisable to do so. Such coverage is not always
available, and when available, is subject to unilateral cancellation by the
insuring companies on short notice.
8
<PAGE> 26
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION
The combined company's operations will be subject to a variety of federal,
provincial, state, foreign and local laws and regulations, including laws and
regulations relating to the protection of the environment. The combined company
will be required to invest financial and managerial resources to comply with
such laws and related permit requirements in its operations and anticipates that
it will continue to do so in the future. In recent years, an increased number of
Digicon's and Veritas' data acquisition contracts have provided for customers to
obtain all necessary permits. Customers' failure to timely obtain the required
permits may result in crew downtime and operating losses. In the past, Digicon's
and Veritas' cost of complying with governmental regulation has not been
material, but the fact that such laws or regulations are changed frequently
makes it impossible to predict the cost or impact of such laws and regulations
on the combined company's future operations. The adoption of laws and
regulations which have the effect of curtailing exploration by oil and gas
companies could adversely affect the combined company's operations by reducing
the demand for its geophysical services.
9
<PAGE> 27
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
The following tables set forth certain historical per share data of Digicon
and Veritas and combined per share data on an unaudited pro forma basis after
giving effect to the Transaction. This data should be read in conjunction with
"Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data", "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Consolidated Financial Statements" and the separate Consolidated Financial
Statements of Digicon and Veritas and the notes thereto. The unaudited pro forma
combined consolidated financial data are not necessarily indicative of the
operating results that would have been achieved had the Transaction been in
effect as of the beginning of the periods presented and should not be construed
as representative of future operations.
DIGICON -- HISTORICAL -- U.S. GAAP (US)(2)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
NINE MONTHS
YEARS ENDED JULY 31, ENDED
-------------------------------------- APRIL 30,
1993 1994 1995 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings (loss) per share -- primary..... $ (.15) $(1.48) $ .25 $ .34
Book value per common share.............. -- -- 5.29 5.98
</TABLE>
VERITAS -- HISTORICAL -- CANADIAN GAAP (C$)(2)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
NINE MONTHS
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, ENDED
-------------------------------------- APRIL 30,
1993 1994 1995 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings per share -- basic.............. $ .66 $ .86 $ .41 $ .34
Book value per common share.............. -- -- 6.20 6.40
</TABLE>
VERITAS -- HISTORICAL -- U.S. GAAP (C$)(2)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
NINE MONTHS
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, ENDED
-------------------------------------- APRIL 30,
1993 1994 1995 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings per share -- primary............ $ .59 $ .75 $ .46 $ .33
Book value per common share.............. -- -- 6.18 6.37
</TABLE>
UNAUDITED -- PRO FORMA -- COMBINED - U.S. GAAP (US$)(1)(2)(3)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS
YEARS ENDED JULY 31, ENDED
-------------------------------------- APRIL 30,
1993 1994 1995 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings (loss) per share -- primary..... $ .05 $ (.66) $ .31 $ .33
Book value per common share.............. -- -- 5.72 5.29
</TABLE>
EQUIVALENT PRO FORMA COMBINED PER VERITAS SHARE -- UNAUDITED -- U.S. GAAP
(US$)(1)(2)(3)(4)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS
YEARS ENDED JULY 31, ENDED
-------------------------------------- APRIL 30,
1993 1994 1995 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings (loss) per share -- primary..... $ .04 $ (.53) $ .25 $ .26
Book value per common share.............. -- -- 4.58 4.53
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(1) As a result of the differing year ends of Digicon and Veritas, results of
operations for dissimilar year ends have been combined. Digicon's results of
operations for the fiscal years ended July 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 have been
combined with Veritas' fiscal years ended October 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995,
respectively,
10
<PAGE> 28
and Digicon's nine months ended April 30, 1995 and 1996 have been combined
with Veritas' nine months ended April 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively. As a
result, Veritas' operating results for the periods August 1, 1994 through
October 31, 1994 and August 1, 1995 through October 31, 1995 are included
in the year ended July 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively, and nine months
ended April 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively. See "Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Consolidated Financial Statements" for further discussion.
(2) Fully diluted earnings per share has not been presented since common stock
equivalents produced an anti-dilutive effect, had no dilutive effect or did
not result in material dilution under U.S. or Canadian GAAP.
(3) Digicon and Veritas expect to incur business combination costs estimated to
be between $10 and $13 million in the quarter ended July 31, 1996, the
quarter in which the Transaction is expected to be consummated, primarily
related to professional fees, employee severance costs, intended changes in
operations and retirement of certain operating equipment which has not been
fully depreciated. An estimated charge at the midpoint of the above range of
$11.5 million is reflected in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated
Balance Sheet but has not been reflected in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Consolidated Statements of Operations because while these charges are
directly related to the Transaction, they are nonrecurring in nature. This
range is a preliminary estimate only and is therefore subject to change.
(4) The equivalent pro forma combined per Veritas share data is calculated as
the unaudited pro forma combined earnings (loss) per share and the pro forma
book value per share multiplied by the exchange ratio of 0.8.
11
<PAGE> 29
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
DIGICON
The following table sets forth selected historical consolidated financial
data for Digicon for each of the five years in the period ended July 31, 1995
and for the nine months ended April 30, 1995 and 1996. Such data for the five
years in the period ended July 31, 1995 has been derived from the audited
Consolidated Financial Statements of Digicon and the related notes thereto. The
selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for the nine month
periods ended April 30, 1995 and 1996 has been derived from the unaudited
consolidated financial statements of Digicon and includes, in the opinion of
Digicon's management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of
such periods. Such data should be read in conjunction with "Digicon Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEARS ENDED JULY 31, APRIL 30,
----------------------------------------------------------- --------------------
1991(1)(2) 1992(2) 1993(3) 1994 1995 1995 1996
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
DATA:
Revenues.................... $94,217 $111,428 $117,709 $117,978 $132,569 $96,714 $114,525
Net income (loss)(3)........ 20,311 4,554 (1,258) (14,426) 2,778 1,915 3,693
Net income (loss) per
share(4).................. .23 .74 (.15) (1.48) .25 .17 .34
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF JULY 31, AS OF APRIL 30,
---------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
1991(2) 1992(2) 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital............. $6,217 $19,342 $16,752 $6,152 $7,330 $ $1,342
Total assets................ 60,619 84,487 126,000 131,856 135,070 138,605 132,396
Long-term debt.............. 19,076 8,813 17,444 23,922 25,243 23,929 9,161
Deferred credits............ 6,968 5,538 3,675 5,124 3,669
Stockholders' equity(5)..... 9,652 44,739 65,717 58,550 58,882 62,791 66,517
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(1) 1991 statement of operations data reflects results prior to Digicon's
quasi-reorganization which was effected as of July 31, 1991 following its
emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings.
(2) Excludes net assets and financial results of GFS Company prior to October
30, 1992, the acquisition date. See Note 9 of Notes to Digicon Consolidated
Financial Statements.
(3) In fiscal 1991, net income includes extraordinary gains of $1,153,000 for
utilization of net operating loss carryforwards and $25,208,000 related to
extinguishment of debt. In fiscal 1994, net income includes restructuring
charges of $9,116,000. See Note 16 of Notes to Digicon Consolidated
Financial Statements.
(4) All periods presented have been restated for a one for three reverse stock
split consummated on January 17, 1995.
(5) There were no payments of cash dividends during the five years ended July
31, 1995 or during the nine months ended April 30, 1996.
12
<PAGE> 30
VERITAS
The following table sets forth selected historical consolidated financial
data for Veritas for each of the five years in the period ended October 31, 1995
and for the nine months ended April 30, 1995 and 1996. Such data for the five
years in the period ended October 31, 1995 has been derived from the audited
Consolidated Financial Statements of Veritas and the related notes thereto. The
selected historical consolidated financial data for the nine month periods ended
April 30, 1995 and 1996 has been derived from the unaudited consolidated
financial statements of Veritas and include, in the opinion of Veritas'
management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of such
periods. Such data should be read in conjunction with "Veritas Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". The
Statements of Operations Data for the nine month period ended April 30, 1995
includes the results of operations for the period August 1, 1994 through October
31, 1994 which is also included in the selected historical consolidated
financial data for the year ended October 31, 1994 and the nine month period
ended April 30, 1996 includes the results of operations for the period August 1,
1995 through October 31, 1995 which is also included in the selected historical
consolidated financial information for the year ended October 31, 1995. See Note
1 to Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated Financial Statements for
a reconciliation of Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP")
in Canadian dollars to United States GAAP in Canadian dollars.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, APRIL 30,
-------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
-------- -------- -------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
DATA:
Canadian GAAP
Revenue(1).................. C$29,363 C$25,37 C$68,272 C$122,134(3) C$151,292(4) C$113,535(3) C$127,076(4)
Net income (loss)........... 675 (142) 2,628 6,294(3) 3,500(4) 4,433(3) 2,929(4)
Net income (loss) per
share..................... .17 (.04) .66 .86(3) .41(4) .52(3) .34(4)
U.S. GAAP
Revenue..................... C$50,299 C$85,189(6) C$116,210(7) C$84,315(6) C$94,490(7)
Net income.................. 2,347 5,508(6) 3,900(7) 4,736(6) 2,842(7)
Net income per share........ .59 .75(6) .46(7) .56(6) .33(7)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL
AS OF OCTOBER 31, 30,
------------------------------------------------------------ --------
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
DATA:
Canadian GAAP
Working capital (deficit)... C$(1,086) C$(2,069) C$(5,665) C$18,839 C$12,746 C$18,789
Total assets................ 14,314 15,126 31,275 64,445 72,694 77,373
Long-term debt.............. 3,379 4,687 5,256 616 874 2,462
Shareholders' equity(2)..... 3,149 2,007 4,635 49,261 52,800 55,604
U.S. GAAP
Working Capital(5).......... C$18,261 C$12,648 C$18,517
Total assets(5)............. 63,860 72,509 77,101
Long-term debt.............. 614 874 2,462
Shareholders' equity(2X5)... 48,676 52,615 55,332
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(1) Revenue includes amounts billed to customers for third party costs of
C$17,973,000, C$36,945,000 and C$35,082,000 for the years ended October 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively, and C$29,220,000 and C$32,586,000 for the
nine months ended April 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively, which is not a GAAP
difference but rather is a classification difference between Digicon and
Veritas.
(2) During the year ended October 31, 1992, a predecessor private company later
amalgamated into Veritas paid cash dividends in the amount of C$658,429. No
cash dividends were declared or paid during the years ended October 31,
1991, 1993, 1994 and 1995 or during the nine months ended April 30, 1995 and
1996.
(3) Amounts include revenue, net income and net income per share of
C$31,703,000, C$921,000 and C$.09, respectively, for the period August 1,
1994 to October 31, 1994.
(4) Amounts include revenue, net income and net income per share of
C$39,342,000, C$1,264,000 and C$.15, respectively, for the period August 1,
1995 to October 31, 1995.
(5) U.S. GAAP balance includes adjustments to eliminate the deferral of certain
foreign currency exchange losses of C$151,000, C$185,000 and C$272,000 as of
October 31, 1994 and 1995 and April 30, 1996, respectively. Of these
amounts, C$144,000, C$98,000 and C$272,000, respectively, were included in
current assets.
(6) Amounts include revenue, net income and net income per share of
C$22,767,000, C$1,068,000 and C$.13, respectively, for the period August 1,
1994 to October 31, 1994.
(7) Amounts include revenue, net income and net income per share of
C$29,910,000, C$1,264,000 and C$.15, respectively, for the period August 1,
1995 to October 31, 1995.
13
<PAGE> 31
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial statements
have been prepared assuming the Transaction is accounted for as a pooling of
interests. Accordingly, such statements were prepared as if Digicon and Veritas
were combined as of the beginning of the periods presented.
The following unaudited pro forma combined consolidated balance sheet as of
April 30, 1996 and statements of operations for the nine-month periods ended
April 30, 1995 and 1996 are based on the unaudited consolidated financial
statements of Digicon and Veritas and include, in the opinion of Digicon's and
Veritas' management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of
such periods and should be read in conjunction with Digicon and Veritas
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations. The following unaudited pro forma combined consolidated statements
of operations for the three years in the period ended July 31, 1995 have been
derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the audited Consolidated
Financial Statements of Digicon and the related notes thereto included elsewhere
herein, which statements have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors, whose report is included elsewhere herein and the audited Consolidated
Financial Statements of Veritas and the related notes thereto included elsewhere
herein, which statements have been audited by Price Waterhouse, chartered
accountants, whose report is included elsewhere herein.
As a result of the differing year ends of Digicon and Veritas, results of
operations for dissimilar year ends have been combined. Digicon's results of
operations for fiscal years ended July 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 have been
combined with Veritas' results of operations for fiscal years ended October 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively. Digicon's results of operations for the nine
months ended April 30, 1995 and 1996 have been combined with Veritas' results of
operations for the nine months ended April 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and
accordingly, Veritas' operating results for the periods August 1, 1994 through
October 31, 1994 and August 1, 1995 through October 31, 1995 are included in the
years ended July 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively, and nine months ended April
30, 1995 and 1996, respectively. An adjustment in an amount equal to the results
of operations for these three-month periods is included in the unaudited pro
forma combined consolidated retained earnings. Revenues, net income and net
income per share were $16,736,000, $785,000 and $.09, respectively, for the
period August 1, 1994 through October 31, 1994. Revenues, net income and net
income per share were $22,150,000, $936,000 and $.11, respectively, for the
period August 1, 1995 to October 31, 1995.
The unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial statements are presented
for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of actual
results of operations or financial position that would have been achieved had
the Transaction been consummated at the beginning of the earliest period
presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of future results.
14
<PAGE> 32
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF APRIL 30, 1996
-----------------------
DIGICON VERITAS ADJUSTMENTS PRO FORMA
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and short term investments......... US$ 5,303 US$ 5,198 US$ 10,501
Restricted cash investments............. 339 339
Accounts and notes receivable -- net.... 37,962 18,576 56,538
Materials and supplies
inventory -- net..................... 1,466 175 1,641
Prepayments and other................... 8,093 3,142 11,235
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
Total current assets............ 53,163 27,091 80,254
Property and equipment -- net............. 49,534 28,238 US$(6,700)(5) 71,072
Proprietary seismic data.................. 25,725 25,725
Goodwill -- net........................... 2,762 1,067 3,829
Other assets.............................. 1,212 213 1,425
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
Total assets.................... US$132,396 US$ 56,609 US$(6,700) US$182,305
=========== =========== =========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt.... US$ 20,005 US$ 1,225 US$ 21,230
Accounts payable -- trade............... 16,454 7,695 24,149
Accrued interest........................ 342 3 345
Other accrued liabilities............... 13,526 5,066 US$ 4,800(5) 23,392
Income taxes payable.................... 1,494 (493) 1,001
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
Total current liabilities....... 51,821 13,496 4,800 70,117
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt.......................... 9,161 1,808 10,969
Deferred credits........................ 3,669 3,669
Other non-current liabilities........... 1,228 680 1,908
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
Total non-current liabilities........... 14,058 2,488 16,546
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock............................ 111 29,741 (29,671)(4) 181
Additional paid in capital.............. 71,065 29,671(4) 100,736
Retained earnings (accumulated
deficit)*............................ (4,659) 11,440 (11,500)(5) (4,719)
Cumulative foreign currency translation
adjustment........................... (556)(3) (556)
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
Total stockholders' equity...... 66,517 40,625 (11,500) 95,642
---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity.......... US$ 132,39 US$ 56,609 US$(6,700) US$182,305
=========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
* Digicon effected a quasi-reorganization adjustment as of July 31, 1991 in
which the accumulated deficit at July 31, 1991 of $139,751,000 was offset
against additional paid in capital.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
combined consolidated financial statements.
15
<PAGE> 33
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS
YEARS ENDED JULY 31, ENDED APRIL 30,
------------------------------------ -----------------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues...................... US$156,876 US$180,835 US$217,072 US$157,687 US$183,994
Costs and expenses:
Operating expenses:
Costs of services........ 132,562 148,023 173,519 122,365 146,317
Restructuring............ 1,363 800
Write-off/reserve for
impairment of assets..... 6,523
Depreciation and
amortization............. 13,520 20,184 24,162 17,253 20,300
Selling, general and
administrative........... 4,797 6,296 5,855 4,295 5,258
Interest.................... 2,095 3,419 5,362 4,043 3,803
Equity in loss of 50% or
less owned companies and
joint ventures........... 54 445 1,485 825 17
Gain on sale of investment
in FSU joint ventures.... (4,370)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total............... 153,155 185,260 207,049 148,156 175,925
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) before provision
for income taxes............ 3,721 (4,425) 10,023 9,531 8,069
Provision for income taxes.... 3,147 5,929 4,429 4,173 2,287
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (loss)............. US$ 574 US$(10,354) US$ 5,594 US$ 5,358 US$ 5,782
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Net income (loss) per
share(4).................... US$ .05 US$ (.66) US$ .31 US$ .30 US$ .33
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Shares used to compute net
income (loss) per share..... 11,874 15,633 17,771 17,885 17,754
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma
combined consolidated financial statements.
16
<PAGE> 34
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Veritas' historical consolidated financial statements were prepared under
Canadian GAAP. These unaudited pro forma combined consolidated financial
statements contain certain adjustments to conform Veritas' consolidated
financial statements as of April 30, 1996 and for the three years ended
October 31, 1995 and the nine months ended April 30, 1995 and 1996 with U.S.
GAAP. In addition certain reclassifications have been made to Veritas'
historical consolidated financial statements to conform to Digicon's
financial statement presentation. Such reclassifications include a
reclassification of amounts billed to customers for third party costs and
reclassification of certain general and administrative expenses. The
following tables reconcile Veritas' revenue, net income and net income per
share from Canadian GAAP in Canadian dollars to U.S. GAAP in U.S. dollars (in
thousands except for exchange rates).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, ENDED APRIL 30,
----------------------------------- ----------------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Reconciliation of Veritas' Revenue
Veritas revenue--Canadian GAAP................... C$ 68,272 C$122,134 C$151,292 C$113,535 C$127,076
Adjustments to conform financial statement
presentation:
Third party costs(a)........................... (17,973) (36,945) (35,082) (29,220) (32,586)
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Veritas revenue--as conformed.................... C$ 50,299 C$ 85,189 C$116,210 C$ 84,315 C$ 94,490
Average exchange rate applied for revenue........ .77868 .73785 .72716 .72315 .73519
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Veritas revenue included in Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Consolidated Statements of
Operations--U.S. GAAP.......................... US$39,167 US$62,857 US$84,503 US$60,973 US$69,469
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Reconciliation of Veritas' Net Income
Veritas net income--Canadian GAAP................ C$ 2,628 C$ 6,294 C$ 3,500 C$ 4,433 C$ 2,929
Canadian GAAP to U.S. GAAP reconciling items:
Foreign currency(b)............................ (281) 341 (34) 5 (87)
Prior period adjustments(c).................... (1,127) 434 298
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Veritas net income--U.S. GAAP.................... C$ 2,347 C$ 5,508 C$ 3,900 C$ 4,736 C$ 2,842
Average exchange rate applied for revenue and
expense........................................ .78057 .73947 .72231 .72698 .73505
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Veritas net income included in Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Consolidated Statements of
Operations--U.S. GAAP.......................... US$ 1,832 US$ 4,073 US$ 2,817 US$ 3,443 US$ 2,089
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Reconciliation of Veritas' Net Income Per Share
Veritas net income per share--Canadian GAAP...... C$ .66 C$ .86 C$ .41 C$ .52 C$ .34
Canadian GAAP to U.S. GAAP reconciling items:
Foreign currency(b)............................ (.07) .04 (.01)
Prior period adjustments(c).................... (.15) .05 .04
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Veritas net income per share--U.S. GAAP.......... C$ .59 C$ .75 C$ .46 C$ .56 C$ .33
Effect of exchange ratio of .8................... .8 .8 .8 .8 .8
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Veritas net income per share as exchanged........ C$ .47 C$ .60 C$ .37 C$ .45 C$ .26
Average exchange rate applied for revenue and
expense........................................ .78057 .73947 .72231 .72698 .73505
--------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Veritas net income per share included in
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated
Statements of Operations--U.S. GAAP............ US$ .37 US$ .44 US$ .27 US$ .33 US$ .19
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(a) Veritas reports revenues gross of amounts billed to customers for third
party costs. Digicon reports revenues net of such amounts.
(b) U.S. GAAP requires that foreign currency transaction gains and losses be
included in the determination of income for the period in which the exchange
rate changes. Under Canadian GAAP, transaction gains and losses related to
foreign currency
17
<PAGE> 35
monetary items with a fixed or ascertainable life extending beyond the end
of the following fiscal year are deferred and amortized over the life of the
monetary item.
(c) U.S. GAAP requires recognition of losses in the fiscal year the loss is
probable and can be reasonably estimated. Under Canadian GAAP, losses that
are specifically identified with and directly related to the business
activities of a prior period, not attributable to economic events occurring
subsequent to the date of the financial statements for such period,
primarily dependent on decisions or determinations by persons other than
management or owners and not reasonably estimated prior to such decisions or
determinations are reported as a prior period adjustment.
2. There are no significant adjustments required to the historical consolidated
financial statements of Digicon or Veritas to conform accounting policies of
the two companies.
3. Veritas' historical consolidated financial statements have been converted
into Digicon's reporting currency, U.S. dollars, using the Canadian dollar as
the functional currency for Veritas' operations. Balance sheet items
(excluding common stock which has been converted at historical exchange
rates) have been converted using the exchange rate in effect at the end of
Veritas' reporting period and revenue and expense items have been converted
at weighted average exchange rates in effect during the reporting period. An
adjustment has been made to stockholders' equity to reflect the foreign
currency translation of Veritas consolidated financial statements.
4. Common stock, additional paid-in capital and net income (loss) per share
reflect the exchange of Veritas no par value common shares for Digicon common
stock at an exchange ratio of 0.8 of a share of Digicon common stock for each
Veritas share. Veritas' aggregate stated capital of the exchangeable stock is
equal to the aggregated stated capital of common shares immediately prior to
the exchange.
5. Digicon and Veritas expect to incur business combination costs estimated to
be between $10 and $13 million in the quarter ended July 31, 1996, the
quarter in which the Transaction is expected to be consummated, primarily
related to professional fees, employee severance costs, intended changes in
operations and retirement of certain operating equipment which has not been
fully depreciated. An estimated charge at the midpoint of the above range of
$11.5 million is reflected in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Consolidated
Balance Sheet but has not been reflected in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Consolidated Statements of Operations because while these charges are
directly related to the Transaction, they are non-recurring in nature. This
range is a preliminary estimate only and is therefore subject to change.
18
<PAGE> 36
THE MEETINGS
DIGICON
Solicitation and Voting of Proxies. The accompanying proxy is solicited on
behalf of the board of directors of Digicon for use at the Digicon Meeting, to
be held at Digicon's principal executive offices, 3701 Kirby Drive, Houston,
Texas 77098, on July 30, 1996 at 9:00 a.m. (Houston time). Only holders of
record of Digicon Common Stock at the close of business on June 20, 1996, will
be entitled to vote at the Digicon Meeting. At the close of business on that
date, there were 11,123,422 shares of Digicon Common Stock outstanding and
entitled to vote. A majority of those shares, present in person or by proxy,
will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will be considered to be represented for purposes of a quorum. This
Joint Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy were first mailed to
Digicon Stockholders on or about June 27, 1996.
Revocability of Proxy. A stockholder who has given a proxy may revoke it
at any time before it is exercised at the Digicon Meeting, by (i) delivering to
the secretary of Digicon (by any means, including facsimile) a written notice
stating that the proxy is revoked (ii) signing and so delivering a proxy bearing
a later date or (iii) attending the Digicon Meeting and voting in person
(although attendance at the Digicon Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a
proxy).
Expenses of Proxy Solicitation. The expenses of soliciting proxies to be
voted at the Digicon Meeting will be paid by Digicon. Following the original
mailing of the proxies and other soliciting materials, Digicon and/or its agents
also may solicit proxies by mail, telephone, facsimile or in person. Following
the original mailing of the proxies and other soliciting materials, Digicon will
request brokers, custodians, nominees and other record holders of Digicon Common
Stock to forward copies of the proxy and other soliciting materials to persons
for whom they hold shares of Digicon Common Stock and to request authority for
the exercise of proxies. In such cases, Digicon, upon the request of the record
holders, will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses.
Voting Rights. Holders of Digicon Common Stock are entitled to one vote
for each share held as of the Digicon Record Date. Approval by the Digicon
Stockholders of the Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby is required by the rules of the ASE. Such approval requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares eligible to vote and voting, either
in person or by proxy, at the Digicon Meeting. Approval of the Recapitalization
Plan requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Digicon Common Stock.
Digicon will count abstentions in tabulations of votes cast, and an
abstention, therefore, will have the same effect as a vote against a proposal.
Under Delaware case law, broker non-votes (shares which are present at the
meeting and for which a broker or nominee has received no instruction by the
beneficial owner as to how such owner wishes the shares to be voted) are counted
for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting but are
not counted for purposes of determining whether a proposal has been approved.
Thus, a broker non-vote will have the same effect as a negative vote with regard
to the proposal to approve the Recapitalization Plan. Broker non-votes will not
count as shares voting "for" or "against" with respect to the other proposals
and will not be considered as shares entitled to vote on the proposals for
purposes of determining whether such proposals have been approved.
VERITAS
Solicitation and Voting of Proxies. The accompanying proxy is solicited on
behalf of the board of directors of Veritas for use at the Veritas Meeting. The
solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail but proxies may also be
solicited personally or by telephone by regular employees of Veritas without
special compensation. The cost of solicitation will be borne by Veritas. Veritas
may also pay brokers or nominees holding Veritas Common Shares in their names or
in the names of their principals for their reasonable expenses in sending
solicitation material to their principals.
19
<PAGE> 37
Only holders of record of Veritas Common Shares or Veritas Options at the
close of business on the Veritas Record Date will be entitled to vote at the
Veritas Meeting, subject to the provisions of the ABCA regarding transfers of
Veritas Common Shares after the Veritas Record Date. See the "Notice of Special
Meetings of Shareholders and Optionholders" accompanying this Joint Proxy
Statement. At the close of business on the Veritas Record Date, there were
Veritas Common Shares outstanding.
A quorum of Veritas Shareholders for the transaction of business at the
Veritas Meeting is not less than two persons present, either in person or by
duly appointed proxy, holding or representing not less than 5% of the Veritas
Common Shares entitled to be voted at the Veritas Meeting. A quorum of Veritas
Optionholders for the transaction of business of the Veritas Meeting is not less
than that number of Veritas Optionholders, either in person or by duly appointed
proxy, entitled to purchase at least 25% of the aggregate number of Veritas
Common Shares which could be acquired pursuant to all the then outstanding
Veritas Options.
To be effective, proxies must be received by Corporate Shareholder Services
Inc., Suite 1485, 550 Sixth Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 0S2 not later than
4:00 p.m. (Calgary time) on the day preceding the day of the Veritas Meeting,
or, if the Veritas Meeting is adjourned, not later than 24 hours (excluding
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time of the Veritas Meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof.
Appointment of Proxy and Discretionary Authority. A SHAREHOLDER OR
OPTIONHOLDER HAS THE RIGHT TO APPOINT A PERSON (WHO NEED NOT BE A SHAREHOLDER OR
OPTIONHOLDER OF VERITAS), OTHER THAN PERSONS DESIGNATED IN THE FORM OF PROXY
ACCOMPANYING THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT, AS NOMINEE TO ATTEND AND ACT FOR AND ON
BEHALF OF SUCH SHAREHOLDER OR OPTIONHOLDER AT THE VERITAS MEETING AND MAY
EXERCISE SUCH RIGHT BY INSERTING THE NAME OF SUCH PERSON IN THE BLANK SPACE
PROVIDED ON THE FORM OF PROXY.
The form of proxy accompanying this Joint Proxy Statement confers
discretionary authority upon the proxy nominees with respect to amendments or
variations to the matters identified in the accompanying notice of the Veritas
Meeting and other matters which may properly come before the Veritas Meeting.
The shares and options represented by proxies at the Veritas Meeting will
be voted in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder or optionholder
on any ballot that may be called for and, where the person whose proxy is
solicited specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be voted upon, his or
her shares or options shall be voted in accordance with the specifications so
made.
If a shareholder or optionholder appoints a person designated by management
in the form of proxy as nominee and does not direct the management nominee to
vote either for or against the matter or matters with respect to which an
opportunity to specify how the shares or options registered in the name of such
shareholder or optionholder shall be voted, the proxy shall be voted FOR such
matter or matters proposed in this Joint Proxy Statement.
Management knows of no matters to come before the Veritas Meeting other
than the matters referred to in the accompanying notice of the Veritas Meeting.
However, if any other matters which are not now known to management should
properly come before the Veritas Meeting, the shares and options represented by
proxies in favor of management nominees will be voted on such matters in
accordance with the best judgment of the proxy nominee.
Revocation of Proxies. Proxies given by shareholders or optionholders for
use at the Veritas Meeting may be revoked at any time prior to their use. A
shareholder or optionholder giving a proxy may revoke the proxy (i) by
instrument in writing executed by the shareholder or optionholder or by his or
her attorney authorized in writing, or, if the shareholder is a corporation,
under its corporate seal by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized
indicating the capacity under which such officer or attorney is signing, and
deposited either at the registered office of Veritas (as set forth in this Joint
Proxy Statement) at any time up to and including 4:00 p.m. (Calgary time) on the
last business day preceding the day of the Veritas Meeting, or any adjournment
or postponement thereof, or with the chairman of the Veritas Meeting on the day
of such Veritas Meeting or adjournment or postponement thereof, (ii) by a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date or time than the date or time of the proxy
being revoked, (iii) by voting in person at the Veritas Meeting (although
20
<PAGE> 38
attendance at the Veritas Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a
revocation of a proxy), or (iv) in any other manner permitted by law.
Required Votes. Holders of Veritas Common Shares and Veritas Options are
entitled to one vote for each share or option held. The Arrangement Resolution
must be approved by the affirmative vote of not less than 66 2/3% of the votes
cast by the holders of Veritas Common Shares and by the affirmative vote of not
less than 66 2/3% of the votes cast by the holders of Veritas Options present
(in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at the Veritas Meeting.
THE TRANSACTION
BACKGROUND
For more than 30 years, Digicon has provided seismic data acquisition and
processing services to the petroleum industry, with primary emphasis on marine
seismic surveys. In recent years, however, with the advent of sophisticated
three-dimensional ("3D") recording systems for onshore use and a corresponding
increase in demand for onshore geophysical services, Digicon has increasingly
sought to expand further into that market. This effort was accompanied by a
recognition that attempting to build a significant franchise in an already
highly competitive market through internal growth was likely to be a lengthy,
expensive and perhaps risky process involving (i) the competition for business
in a market in which Digicon had not previously had a substantial presence, (ii)
the need for substantial additional debt and/or equity financing to support
equipment purchases estimated at more than $6 million for each new crew added
and (iii) the assembly of a large complement of land data acquisition operating
personnel to support any rapid expansion in that market. In an effort to
minimize the risks and uncertainties which would have been associated with an
internal growth strategy, Digicon instead began evaluating land seismic
companies for possible merger or acquisition, and in 1992 acquired GFS Company,
a small provider of land seismic services, principally in marsh, swamp and tidal
("transition zone") environments. In 1993, efforts were made to acquire Grant
Tensor Geophysical, a large operator of land seismic crews, but this effort was
abandoned due to a number of factors, including shareholder litigation at Grant.
By early 1995, Veritas had been identified as a premier operator of seismic
crews and processing centers with a strong operating history and management
team.
Veritas has operated in the seismic industry since 1968 and under David B.
Robson's direction as the largest shareholder since 1974. Since 1991, Veritas
has grown from C$29 million net revenue to C$95 million in net revenue in 1995.
Due to Veritas' significant presence in the Canadian market, it was recognized
that future growth for Veritas would have to come from international markets.
This led to Veritas' expansion into international markets starting in 1993.
Veritas has recognized that growth in international markets is subject to
different risks and such risks vary depending on the choice to grow internally,
through joint ventures or through acquisition of or merger with existing
businesses. Veritas has conducted an ongoing review of these expansion options.
Prior to commencing detailed discussions with Digicon in February 1996, Veritas
had not found a suitable acquisition or merger candidate and had therefore
focused on internal growth prior to such time.
In February 1995, Digicon approached Veritas with a general suggestion that
Veritas should consider merging with Digicon, but discussions were highly
preliminary and did not proceed to discussions of any specific transactional
terms. Beginning in February 1996, discussions were renewed and the parties
agreed that any combination of the two companies would be accomplished as a
collaboration. Preliminary discussions continued into early March, by which time
both parties had retained investment banking firms to advise them with respect
to the terms of any potential business combination. In conjunction with
Digicon's regularly-scheduled March 13, 1996 board meeting in Houston, David B.
Robson, Veritas' chairman of the board and chief executive officer, made
informal presentations to members of the Digicon board concerning Veritas'
operating philosophy and his preliminary impressions as to how the two
organizations might work together following a business combination, but no final
conclusions were reached as to specific transactional terms; following Mr.
Robson's presentations, Digicon's board authorized its chairman Douglas B.
Thompson to negotiate the terms of a transaction, subject to board review and
final approval.
21
<PAGE> 39
Mr. Thompson, members of Digicon's management and representatives of
PaineWebber, Digicon's investment bankers, met in Calgary on March 21, 1996,
with their Veritas counterparts including representatives of Rauscher Pierce,
Veritas' investment bankers, to discuss specific transactional terms. After
extensive negotiations, the parties agreed to tentative terms on the following
day under which (i) Digicon and Veritas would "merge", (ii) each outstanding
share of Veritas would be converted in the transaction into the economic
equivalent of 0.8 of a share of Digicon Common Stock (or an aggregate of
approximately 7.0 million shares), (iii) Digicon's corporate name would be
changed to "Veritas DGC Inc." and (iv) Veritas' chairman, David B. Robson, would
be named chairman of the board and chief executive officer and Digicon's
president and chief executive officer, Stephen J. Ludlow, would be named
president of the combined company. During these meetings, the parties also
discussed the post-transaction board and management structure, with a view to
assuring the continuity of management and business operations after completion
of the proposed transaction; however, there was no final resolution of these
matters. On March 22, 1996, the parties executed a letter of intent with respect
to the foregoing terms, and on March 25, 1996, the parties jointly announced the
execution of the letter of intent.
An initial draft of contractual documents containing proposed terms for the
transaction was circulated shortly after the Calgary meetings. Counsel for both
parties exchanged further drafts during the next several weeks, and negotiations
concerning various aspects of the proposed transaction continued in conjunction
with the parties' ongoing due diligence investigations. At telephone meetings on
April 8 and 15, 1996, Digicon's board of directors evaluated and in principle
approved the economic terms of the proposed transaction, but delayed final
approval pending the outcome of ongoing negotiations concerning unresolved
issues and various contractual details. At the April 15 telephone board meeting,
the Digicon board determined that it would be appropriate that (i) the initial
board representation following the business combination would be roughly
proportionate to the 62% of the combined entity's equity represented by Digicon,
and (ii) Stephen J. Ludlow, Digicon's president and chief executive officer,
would be chief operating officer, as well as president of the combined company.
At a Veritas board meeting on April 24, its board heard reports from the
Veritas management and counsel concerning the proposed transaction, and from its
investment banker, Rauscher Pierce, with respect to valuation methodologies and
a preliminary conclusion with respect to the fairness of the proposed
transaction, approved it in principle and authorized Mr. Robson to negotiate all
unresolved terms of the transaction, subject to final board review and approval.
By May 1, 1996, when the Digicon board again met by telephone, all
significant issues had been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties. The
initial board of the combined entity would consist of six former Digicon
directors and four former Veritas directors and it was agreed that the nominees
for election as directors at the ensuing two annual meetings would be
recommended to the board by a nominating committee consisting of two former
outside directors from each of the combining companies. Revised drafts were
circulated over the next several days and reviewed by the boards of both
companies prior to meetings scheduled for the ensuing week.
At separate meetings on May 8 and 9, 1996, respectively, the boards of
Veritas and Digicon unanimously approved the proposed transaction following
presentations as to (i) the duties of directors in a transactional context under
the respective corporate laws of Alberta and Delaware, (ii) the detailed terms
of the proposed transaction, (iii) the results of operational and legal due
diligence reviews, (iv) the anticipated financial and accounting implications of
the proposed transaction, and (v) the respective investment bankers' valuation
methodologies and conclusions with respect to the fairness of the proposed
transaction, from a financial point of view, to the stockholders of each
company. See "--Opinions of Financial Advisors." The board of each company was
also furnished a written opinion of that company's investment banker confirming
the conclusions expressed in its firm's board presentation.
Following the close of business on May 9, 1996, both parties executed the
Combination Agreement and on the following morning a joint press release
announcing the definitive agreement was issued.
22
<PAGE> 40
REASONS FOR THE TRANSACTION
Digicon and Veritas both provide seismic data acquisition and processing
services to the petroleum industry; however, their respective operations are in
major part complementary rather than directly competitive. Veritas operates
exclusively onshore in its data acquisition and processing operations, with nine
crews concentrated in Canada and the continental United States. Digicon's marine
operations are concentrated offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, in the North Sea and
in the Far East. Onshore, Digicon's primary emphasis has been in the Gulf of
Mexico transition zone. The two companies are direct competitors only in
Argentina, where each has a limited market presence. A combination of the two
enterprises will result in each company's entry into geographic markets not
presently served by it and will afford to each an opportunity to offer a broader
array of single source services to potential customers.
Digicon and Veritas believe the Transaction will result in significant
additional benefits for each company, including possible business synergies,
expansion of their respective businesses, enhanced combined marketing
opportunities and a more focused research and development effort. If these
potential benefits can be attained, stockholders of the two companies will be
able to participate in enhanced prospects for the combined enterprise.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS OF DIRECTORS
Digicon. The board of directors of Digicon believes the Transaction to be
in the best interests of Digicon Stockholders and unanimously recommends that
the Digicon Stockholders vote to approve (i) the Combination Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby and (ii) the Recapitalization Plan.
Veritas. The board of directors of Veritas believes that the Transaction
is in the best interest of Veritas Shareholders and Veritas Optionholders and
unanimously recommends that the Veritas Shareholders and Veritas Optionholders
vote to approve the Arrangement.
BUSINESS COMBINATION COSTS
Upon consummation of the Transaction, Digicon expects to incur business
combination costs relating to employee severance ($1.0 million), intended
changes in its operations ($1.1 million) and the retirement of certain operating
equipment which has not been fully depreciated ($6.7 million). In addition, the
two companies expect to incur aggregate non-recurring transaction costs in
connection with the Transaction of approximately $2.7 million.
OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS
Opinion of PaineWebber
THE FULL TEXT OF THE OPINION OF PAINEWEBBER DATED MAY 9, 1996, WHICH SETS
FORTH THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE, PROCEDURES FOLLOWED, MATTERS CONSIDERED AND
LIMITATIONS ON THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN, IS ATTACHED AS ANNEX H TO THIS JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT. DIGICON STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ SUCH OPINION CAREFULLY IN ITS
ENTIRETY. THE SUMMARY OF THE PAINEWEBBER OPINION SET FORTH IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF SUCH
OPINION.
Digicon retained PaineWebber as its exclusive financial advisor in
connection with the Transaction. In connection with such engagement, Digicon
requested PaineWebber to render an opinion as to whether or not the Exchange
Ratio to be applied in the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view,
to the Digicon Stockholders.
In connection with the Digicon board of directors' consideration of the
Combination Agreement and Arrangement, PaineWebber delivered its written opinion
(the "PaineWebber Opinion"), to the effect that, as of May 9, 1996, and based on
its review and assumptions and subject to the limitations summarized below, the
Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Digicon
Stockholders. The PaineWebber Opinion was prepared at the request and for the
information of the board of directors of Digicon and does not constitute
23
<PAGE> 41
a recommendation to any holder of Digicon Common Stock as to how any such
stockholder should vote with respect to the Transaction.
In arriving at its opinion, PaineWebber, among other things: (i) reviewed,
among other public information, Digicon's Annual Reports, Forms 10-K and related
financial information for the four fiscal years ended July 31, 1995 and
Digicon's Form 10-Q and the related unaudited financial information for the six
months ended January 31, 1996; (ii) reviewed, among other public information,
Veritas' Annual Reports, and related financial information for the three fiscal
years ended October 31, 1995 and Veritas' Interim Report and the related
unaudited financial information for the three months ended January 31, 1996;
(iii) reviewed certain information, including financial forecasts for the fiscal
years ended July 31, 1996 and July 31, 1997 for Digicon and October 31, 1996 and
October 31, 1997 for Veritas, relating to the business, earnings, cash flow,
assets and prospects of Digicon and Veritas, furnished to PaineWebber by Digicon
and Veritas, respectively; (iv) conducted discussions with members of senior
management of Digicon and Veritas concerning their respective businesses and
prospects; (v) reviewed the historical market prices and trading activity for
the Digicon Common Stock and the Veritas Common Shares and compared them with
that of certain publicly traded companies which PaineWebber deemed to be
relevant; (vi) compared the financial position and operating results of Digicon
and Veritas with that of certain publicly traded companies which PaineWebber
deemed to be relevant; (vii) compared the financial terms of the Transaction
with the financial terms of certain other business combinations which
PaineWebber deemed to be relevant; (viii) considered the potential pro forma
effects of the Transaction on Digicon; (ix) reviewed a draft of the Combination
Agreement and Exhibits thereto dated May 1, 1996; and (x) reviewed such other
financial studies and analyses and performed such other investigations and took
into account such other matters as PaineWebber deemed necessary including
PaineWebber's assessment of regulatory, general economic, market and monetary
conditions.
In preparing the PaineWebber Opinion, PaineWebber relied on the accuracy
and completeness of all information that was publicly available, supplied or
otherwise made available to PaineWebber by or on behalf of Digicon and Veritas
and PaineWebber has not independently verified such information. PaineWebber
assumed that the financial forecasts examined by it were reasonably prepared on
bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and good faith judgments
of Digicon's and Veritas' respective managements as to the future performance of
Digicon and Veritas. PaineWebber has not undertaken, and has not been provided
with, an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities
(contingent or otherwise) of Digicon or Veritas and has assumed that all
liabilities (contingent or otherwise, known or unknown) of Digicon and Veritas
are as set forth in their respective consolidated financial statements.
PaineWebber has also assumed that the Transaction will be accounted for under
the pooling-of-interests method of accounting and that the Transaction will be a
tax-free reorganization. The PaineWebber Opinion is based upon the regulatory,
general economic, market and monetary conditions existing on the date thereof.
Furthermore, PaineWebber expressed no opinion as to the price or trading range
at which the Digicon Common Stock or the Exchangeable Shares will trade after
the date thereof. The PaineWebber Opinion does not address the relative merits
of the Transaction and any other transactions or business strategies discussed
by the board of directors of Digicon as alternatives to the Transaction, or the
decision of the board of directors of Digicon to proceed with the Transaction.
The Exchange Ratio was determined by Digicon and Veritas in arm's-length
negotiations. PaineWebber did not, and was not requested to, make any
recommendations as to the form or amount of consideration to be paid pursuant to
the Combination Agreement.
The preparation of a fairness opinion involves various determinations as to
the most appropriate and relevant quantitative methods of financial analyses and
the application of those methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore,
such an opinion is not readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary
description. Accordingly, PaineWebber believes that its analysis must be
considered as a whole and that considering any portion of such analysis and of
the factors considered, without considering all analyses and factors, could
create a misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying the PaineWebber
Opinion. In its analyses, PaineWebber made numerous assumptions with respect to
industry performance, general business and economic conditions and other
matters, many of which are beyond the control of Digicon and Veritas. Any
estimates contained in these analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual
values or predictive of future
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results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than as set
forth therein. In addition, analyses relating to the value of businesses do not
purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which businesses may
actually be sold. The following paragraphs summarize the significant analyses
performed by PaineWebber in arriving at the PaineWebber Opinion.
Stock Trading History. To provide contextual data and comparative market
data, PaineWebber reviewed the history of the trading prices and volume for the
Digicon Common Stock and the Veritas Common Shares, both separately and in
relation to a market index and comparative company indices. The market index
represented the Standard & Poor's 400 Industrials Index. The comparative company
indices represented (i) an index of eight seismic services companies and (ii) an
index of seventeen oil services companies. In addition, PaineWebber reviewed the
historical relative relationship between the per share market prices of the
Digicon Common Stock and the Veritas Common Shares and compared this to the
Exchange Ratio. PaineWebber noted that over the last twelve months ("LTM") the
historical relative relationship fell between 0.52x and 1.39x. PaineWebber
further noted that the Exchange Ratio is within the range of the historical
relative relationship between the Digicon Common Stock and the Veritas Common
Shares.
Selected Comparative Public Company Analysis. Using publicly available
information, PaineWebber compared selected historical and projected financial,
operating and stock market performance data of Digicon and Veritas to the
corresponding data of certain publicly traded seismic services companies. These
companies consisted of (i) selected Canadian-based small capitalization seismic
services companies consisting of Capilano International Inc. and Solid State
Geophysical Inc. (collectively the "Canadian Small Capitalization Comparative
Companies"); (ii) selected United States-based small capitalization seismic
services companies consisting of Dawson Geophysical Company, Grant Geophysical,
Inc., 3-D Geophysical Inc. and Universal Seismic Associates, Inc. (collectively
the "US Small Capitalization Comparative Companies"); and (iii) selected large
capitalization seismic services companies consisting of Input/Output, Inc.,
Landmark Graphics Corporation, Petroleum Geo-Services AS, Seitel, Inc. and
Western Atlas Inc. (collectively the "Large Capitalization Comparative
Companies") (all the above collectively the "Comparative Companies").
PaineWebber noted that both Digicon and Veritas operate businesses for which
there are no directly comparable companies.
With respect to Veritas and the Comparative Companies, PaineWebber reviewed
multiples of total enterprise value (market value plus total debt less cash and
cash equivalents) to LTM revenue, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization ("EBITDA") and earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT").
PaineWebber also reviewed multiples of market value to LTM net income and cash
flow from operations (net income plus depreciation and amortization) ("CFFO")
and estimated 1996 and 1997 (adjusted to reflect a July year end) net income and
CFFO as estimated by independent research analysts and compiled by PaineWebber.
PaineWebber believed the US Small Capitalization Comparative Companies to
be the most comparable Comparative Companies to Veritas and calculated, as of
March 22, 1996 (last full trading day prior to public announcement of the
execution by Digicon and Veritas of the letter of intent for the Transaction
("the Letter of Intent")) and May 6, 1996, the US Small Capitalization
Comparative Companies' median multiples of LTM revenue, EBITDA, EBIT, net
income, CFFO and estimated 1996 and 1997 net income and CFFO to be 1.2x, 8.0x,
23.1x, 23.8x, 9.3x, 18.3x, 10.2x, 5.5x and 4.2x, respectively as of March 22,
1996 and 1.4x, 10.1x, 24.7x, 29.5x, 10.7x, 23.4x, 12.7x, 6.8x and 5.2x,
respectively as of May 6, 1996. Because EBITDA and CFFO are widely accepted
measures of cash flow, PaineWebber believed the multiples of LTM EBITDA and CFFO
and estimated 1996 CFFO to be the most relevant for the valuation of Veritas and
applied these above calculated US Small Capitalization Comparative Companies
median multiples to Veritas' corresponding data to derive a range of possible
fully diluted equity values of $8.75 to $12.75 per share as of March 22, 1996
and $10.75 to $15.75 per share as of May 6, 1996, which implied a range of
exchange ratios as of March 22, 1996 and as of May 6, 1996 between 0.82x and
1.20x and 0.66x and 0.97x, respectively. PaineWebber noted that at the time of
the Letter of Intent, the Exchange Ratio was below the indicated range and that
on the date of the PaineWebber Opinion the Exchange ratio fell within the
indicated range. PaineWebber further noted that the
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decrease in the range of implied exchange ratios since the Letter of Intent can
be partially attributed to market reaction to the Transaction.
With respect to Digicon and the Comparative Companies, PaineWebber believed
the US Small Capitalization Comparative Companies to be the most comparable
Comparative Companies to Digicon and compared the above calculated median
multiples to Digicon's multiples implied by its public market prices of $10.63
per share as of March 22, 1996 and $16.25 per share as of May 6, 1996, to
confirm its use of such market price in assessing the fairness of the Exchange
Ratio to holders of Digicon Common Stock.
Selected Comparative Transaction Analysis. PaineWebber reviewed publicly
available financial information for 27 selected mergers and acquisitions
involving oil services companies (the "Comparative Transactions"). PaineWebber
noted that there are no directly comparable transactions to the Transaction.
PaineWebber reviewed the consideration paid (based on stock prices on the
day prior to the announcement of the transaction) in the Comparative
Transactions and compared multiples of total enterprise value to LTM (latest
twelve months prior to the announcement of the transaction) revenue, EBITDA and
EBIT. PaineWebber also reviewed multiples of market value to LTM net income and
CFFO.
For the Comparative Transactions, PaineWebber calculated the median
multiples of total enterprise value to LTM revenue, EBITDA, EBIT and market
value to net income and CFFO to be 1.4x, 6.8x, 12.0x, 16.3x and 7.8x,
respectively. Because EBITDA and CFFO are widely accepted measures of cash flow,
PaineWebber believed the multiples of LTM EBITDA and CFFO to be the most
relevant for the valuation of Veritas and applied the above calculated
Comparative Transaction multiples to Veritas' corresponding data to derive a
range of possible fully diluted equity values of $10.75 and $11.50 per share,
which implied a range of exchange ratios as of March 22, 1996 and as of May 6,
1996 between 1.01x and 1.08x and 0.66x and 0.71x, respectively. PaineWebber
noted that at the time of the Letter of Intent, the Exchange Ratio was below the
indicated range and that at the date of the PaineWebber Opinion the Exchange
Ratio was above the indicated range. PaineWebber further noted that the decrease
in the range of implied exchange ratios since the Letter of Intent can be
partially attributed to market reaction to the Transaction and that the
multiples of the Comparative Transactions are based on pre-announcement stock
prices and operating statistics.
Contribution Analysis. PaineWebber analyzed Digicon's and Veritas'
relative contribution to the combined entity with respect to revenue, EBITDA,
net income and CFFO. Such analysis was considered in both absolute dollar terms
and on a percentage basis and was made for the two annual periods ending July
31, 1996 and July 31, 1997. Based on the Exchange Ratio, former holders of
Veritas Common Shares would own approximately 38.3% of the combined company's
equity on a fully diluted basis. Such contribution analysis indicate that for
the annual period ended July 31, 1996 Veritas is projected to contribute to
revenue, EBITDA, net income and CFFO 40.4%, 34.6%, 22.8%, and 38.5%,
respectively. For the annual period ended July 31, 1997 Veritas is projected to
contribute to revenue, EBITDA, net income and CFFO 35.6%, 34.5%, 23.8% and
35.3%, respectively. The results of these contribution analyses are not
necessarily indicative of the actual contributions that the respective
businesses may have in the future.
Pro Forma Combination Analysis. PaineWebber performed an analysis of the
potential pro forma effect of the Transaction on Digicon's earnings per share
("EPS") and CFFO per share ("CFFOPS") for the years ending July 31, 1996 and
July 31, 1997, which assumed that the Transaction was consummated on July 31,
1995. In performing this analysis, PaineWebber assumed (i) the Transaction will
provide 0.80 of an Exchangeable Share in exchange for each Veritas Common Share;
(ii) the Transaction would be accounted for under the pooling-of-interests
method of accounting; (iii) the Transaction would be a tax-free reorganization;
and (iv) operating cost savings of approximately $1.1 million and interest
savings of approximately $0.8 million, which were estimated by Digicon, would be
achieved as a result of the Transaction. PaineWebber combined the projected
operating results of Digicon (provided by Digicon management) with the
corresponding projected operating results of Veritas (provided by Veritas
management) to arrive at the combined company projected net income and CFFO.
PaineWebber divided these results by the pro forma fully diluted shares
outstanding to arrive at a combined company EPS and CFFOPS. PaineWebber then
compared the combined company EPS and CFFOPS to Digicon's projected stand-alone
EPS and CFFOPS (provided by
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Digicon management) to determine the pro forma impact on Digicon's EPS and
CFFOPS. This analysis suggested that the Transaction should result in dilution
to Digicon's EPS in 1996 and 1997. The analysis further suggested that the
Transaction should result in accretion to Digicon's CFFOPS in 1996 and slight
dilution to Digicon's CFFOPS in 1997. The results of the pro forma combination
analysis are not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial
position.
Digicon selected PaineWebber to be its financial advisor in connection with
the Transaction because PaineWebber is a prominent investment banking and
financial advisory firm with experience in the valuation of businesses and their
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated
underwritings, secondary distributions of securities, private placements and
valuations for corporate purposes.
Pursuant to an engagement letter between Digicon and PaineWebber dated
February 8, 1996 PaineWebber has earned a fee of $200,000 for the rendering of
the PaineWebber Opinion. In addition, PaineWebber will receive a fee payable
upon completion of the Transaction equal to $550,000 and will be reimbursed for
certain of its related expenses. PaineWebber will not be entitled to any
additional fees or compensation in the event the Transaction is not approved or
otherwise consummated. Digicon also agreed to indemnify PaineWebber, its
affiliates and each of its directors, officers, agents and employees and each
person, if any, controlling PaineWebber or any of its affiliates against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under federal securities laws.
In the past, PaineWebber and its affiliates have provided financial
advisory services and financing services for Digicon and have received fees for
the rendering of these services. PaineWebber may provide financial advisory
services to, and may act as underwriter or placement agent for, the combined
company in the future. In the ordinary course of PaineWebber's business,
PaineWebber may actively trade the securities of Digicon and Veritas for its own
account and for the accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time
hold long or short positions in such securities.
Opinion of Rauscher Pierce
Rauscher Pierce has acted as financial advisor to Veritas in connection
with the Transaction and assisted Veritas in the negotiations with respect
thereto. The Veritas board directed Rauscher Pierce, in its role as financial
advisor, to evaluate the fairness of the consideration to be received by the
Veritas Shareholders in the Transaction from a financial point of view and, in
such regard, to conduct such investigations as Rauscher Pierce deemed
appropriate for such purpose. No limitations were placed by the Veritas board or
management with respect to the investigations made or the procedures followed by
Rauscher Pierce in preparing and rendering its opinion.
Rauscher Pierce is an investment banking firm with substantial energy
industry expertise and experience in transactions similar to the Transaction and
is familiar with Veritas and its business. As part of its investment banking
business, Rauscher Pierce is continually engaged in the valuation of businesses
and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated
underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities,
private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes.
Rauscher Pierce delivered its opinion to the Veritas board on May 8, 1996,
to the effect that, as of such date, the consideration to be received by the
Veritas Shareholders in the Transaction was fair to such Shareholders from a
financial point of view. In arriving at its opinion, Rauscher Pierce reviewed
the Combination Agreement, this Joint Proxy Statement and certain publicly
available information concerning Veritas and Digicon. In addition, Rauscher
Pierce reviewed certain internal analyses and forecasts for Veritas and Digicon
prepared by their respective managements. Rauscher Pierce also met with the
managements of Veritas and Digicon to discuss the business and prospects of the
two companies (as described above under "The Transaction -- Reasons for the
Transaction") and considered certain long-term strategic benefits, both
operational and financial, that were described to it by the senior managements
of Veritas and Digicon.
In rendering its opinion, Rauscher Pierce reviewed the terms of the
Combination Agreement and Plan of Arrangement in relation to, among other
things: current and historical market prices and trading volume of the Veritas
Common Shares and the Digicon Common Stock; the respective companies' net
income, cash flow and tangible book value per share; the capitalization and
financial condition of Veritas and Digicon, the pro
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forma financial impact of the Transaction on Veritas and Digicon, including the
potential relative ownership of the Digicon New Common Stock after the
Transaction by the current shareholders of Veritas and Digicon; and, to the
extent publicly available, the terms of recent merger and acquisition
transactions involving comparable companies. In addition, Rauscher Pierce
reviewed the merger premiums paid in recent stock-for-stock transactions
involving public companies generally, and energy industry and oilfield services
companies in particular. Rauscher Pierce also analyzed certain financial, stock
market and other publicly available information relating to the business of
other public companies whose operations it considered comparable to the
operations of Veritas and Digicon. In addition to the foregoing, Rauscher Pierce
also considered such other information, financial studies, analyses and
investigations and financial, economic and market criteria as it deemed relevant
in arriving at its opinion.
In connection with issuing its opinion dated May 8, 1996 and making its
presentations to the Veritas board, Rauscher Pierce performed a variety of
financial and comparative analyses, including those described below. The
preparation of a fairness opinion involves various determinations as to the most
appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of
these methods to the particular circumstances.Accordingly, such an opinion is
not readily susceptible to summary description. The following summary does not
purport to be a complete description of the presentations by Rauscher Pierce to
the Veritas board of directors or of the analyses performed by Rauscher Pierce
in this regard.
The opinion of Rauscher Pierce was prepared at the request and for the
information of the board of directors of Veritas and does not constitute a
recommendation to any holder of Veritas Common Shares as to how any such
shareholder should vote with respect to the Transaction.
The following is a summary of certain of the analyses performed by Rauscher
Pierce in connection with its opinion.
Market Trading History Analysis. Rauscher Pierce reviewed the performance
of the per share market prices of Veritas Common Shares and Digicon Common Stock
over the period from January 1, 1995 through May 8, 1996. Rauscher Pierce
calculated the ratio of the per share market price of Veritas Common Shares to
the per share market price of Digicon Common Stock over the period. Rauscher
Pierce noted that during this period, the relative relationship between the
Veritas Common Shares and the Digicon Common Stock ranged between 0.52 and 0.88,
with a mean of 0.76. Rauscher Pierce noted that the Exchange Ratio is within the
range of this historical relative relationship. This analysis was utilized to
provide historical perspective for the manner in which the public trading market
had valued Veritas and Digicon in absolute terms and relative to each other. To
evaluate comparative market data, Rauscher Pierce also examined the market
prices and trading volumes of the Veritas Common Shares and the Digicon Common
Stock, both separately and in comparison with certain industry and market
indices, including (i) the Standard & Poor's Oilwell Equipment and Services
Index; (ii) the Standard & Poor's 500 Index; and (iii) an index of eight seismic
services companies.
Comparable Company Trading Analysis. Using publicly available information,
Rauscher Pierce compared, based upon market trading values as of May 8, 1996,
multiples of certain financial criteria, such as latest twelve months EBITDA
(earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), latest twelve
months and projected 1996 fiscal year earnings per share (as represented by the
median earnings per share from continuing operations estimates reported by
Institutional Brokers Estimate System or "I/B/E/S"), and latest twelve months
and projected 1996 fiscal year Cash Flow from Operations per share (net income
plus depreciation, deferred taxes, and other non-cash expenses, but not
including changes in working capital accounts divided by average shares
outstanding) of Veritas and Digicon to certain other companies, which in
Rauscher Pierce's judgment, were comparable to Veritas and Digicon for the
purpose of this analysis ("Comparable Companies"). Estimates of 1996 earnings
and cash flow per share for Veritas and Digicon were based on estimates provided
to Rauscher Pierce by the managements of Veritas and Digicon, respectively. To
reflect differing fiscal years among Veritas, Digicon and the Comparable
Companies, estimates and projections for fiscal 1996 were adjusted to a calendar
1996 basis. The factors Rauscher Pierce considered in selecting the Comparable
Companies for comparison included size, particularly equity market
capitalization, financial condition and scope of business operations. The group
of Comparable Companies used in this
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comparison included Capilano International Inc., Dawson Geophysical Company,
Grant Geophysical, Inc., Petroleum Geo-Services A/S, Seitel, Inc., Solid State
Geophysical Inc., 3-D Geophysical Inc. and Universal Seismic Associates, Inc.
For the group of Comparable Companies, the range for Net Market Value of
Capitalization,defined as the market value of equity plus short- and long-term
debt and the value of its preferred stock (market value if publicly traded or
liquidation value or book value if not), less excess cash and equivalents (cash
and cash equivalents in excess of working capital requirements) as a multiple of
latest twelve months EBITDA was 4.9x to 12.4x, with a median of 7.2x and a mean
of 8.2x. The range for stock price as a multiple of each of the indicated
statistics were as follows: (a) latest twelve months earnings per share -- 21.5x
to 26.4x, with a median of 25.2x and a mean of 24.4x; (b) estimated calendar
1996 earnings per share -- 1.7x to 21.5x, with a median of 15.8x and a mean
13.4x; (c) latest twelve months Cash Flow from Operations per share -- 3.5x to
14.4x, with a median of 7.7x and a mean of 8.9x; (d) estimated calendar 1996
Cash Flow from Operations per share -- 0.9x to 7.7x, with a median of 6.0x and a
mean of 5.2x
Rauscher Pierce compared these multiples to corresponding multiples for
Veritas and Digicon based upon market prices for the Veritas Common Shares and
Digicon Common Stock at (i) March 22, 1996, the last trading day prior to the
public announcement by Veritas and Digicon that they had executed a letter of
intent relating to the Transaction; and at (ii) May 8, 1996. For Veritas,
Rauscher Pierce also calculated multiples based upon an Implied Transaction
Value per Veritas Common Share, defined as the price of the Digicon Common Stock
at May 8, 1996 multiplied by the Exchange Ratio. For Veritas, Net Market Value
of Capitalization as a multiple of latest twelve months EBITDA, stock price as a
multiple of latest twelve months and 1996 calendar earnings per share, and stock
price as a multiple of latest twelve months and calendar 1996 Cash Flow from
Operations per share were (i) 3.8x, 43.2x, 17.7x, 4.8x and 3.5x at March 22,
1996; (ii) 6.6x, 76.6x, 31.2x, 8.5x and 6.1x at May 8, 1996; and (iii) 7.3x,
84.9x, 40.5x, 9.4x and 7.0x at the Implied Transaction Value at May 8, 1996. For
Digicon, Net Market Value of Capitalization as a multiple of latest twelve
months EBITDA, stock price as a multiple of latest twelve months and 1996
calendar earnings per share and stock price as a multiple of latest twelve
months and calendar 1996 Cash Flow from Operations per share were (i) 6.9x,
104.0x, 11.2x, 8.3x and 4.5x at March 22, 1996; and (ii) 9.4x, 155.4x, 16.3x,
12.1x and 6.6x at May 8, 1996. Rauscher Pierce noted that the increase in the
Digicon multiples between March 22, 1996 and May 8, 1996 could be partially
attributed to general strength in the market for securities of oilfield services
companies during that period, and partially to a market evaluation of the
pending Transaction. Rauscher Pierce further noted that the increase in the
Veritas multiples during the same period could be partially attributed to the
same factors, in addition to the premium resulting from the Exchange Ratio and
the relative market prices of the Veritas Common Shares and the Digicon Common
Stock at March 22, 1996.
The comparable company trading analysis is a valuation technique used by
Rauscher Pierce to determine whether Veritas and Digicon were reasonably valued
by the public trading market, at existing market prices, in relation to the
public trading market's valuation of similar companies. Rauscher Pierce did not
establish any specific valuation for Veritas or Digicon in connection with this
analysis. No public company utilized as a comparison is identical to Veritas,
Digicon or the business segment for which a comparison is being made. An
analysis of the results of such a comparison is not mathematical; rather, it
involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in
financial and operating characteristics of the comparable companies and other
factors that could affect the public trading value of the comparable companies
to which Veritas and Digicon were being compared.
Comparable Transactions Analysis. Rauscher Pierce conducted a comparable
transactions analysis whereby it examined the terms of recent selected
acquisitions of businesses and assets related to the oilfield services and
equipment industry. Rauscher Pierce reviewed the terms of 23 such transactions
which had been completed from 1994 through present, or which were pending at the
time Rauscher Pierce delivered its opinion (the "Comparable Transactions"). For
the group of Comparable Transactions, Rauscher Pierce compared latest twelve
months EBITDA for the target companies with their Enterprise Purchase Price.
Enterprise Purchase Price is defined as the equity purchase price plus short-
and long-term debt and preferred stock (market value if publicly traded or
liquidation value or book value if not), less excess cash and
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equivalents (cash and cash equivalents in excess of working capital
requirements). For the Comparable Transactions, the range for the Enterprise
Purchase Price as a multiple of latest twelve months EBITDA was 4.6x to 21.3x,
with a median of 9.2x and a mean of 10.6x. Rauscher Pierce also compared latest
twelve months net income from continuing operations and Cash Flow from
Operations with the equity purchase price of the target companies. The range of
equity purchase price as a multiple of latest twelve months net income from
continuing operations was 8.4x to 36.6x, with a median of 20.3x and a mean of
21.9x. The range of equity purchase price as a multiple of latest twelve months
Cash Flow from Operations was 3.4x to 17.6x, with a median of 11.5x and a mean
of 11.1x. For Veritas, Enterprise Purchase Price as a multiple of latest twelve
months EBITDA, equity purchase price as a multiple of latest twelve months net
income and equity purchase price as a multiple of latest twelve months Cash Flow
from Operations were (i) 3.8x, 43.2x and 4.8x at March 22, 1996 (ii) 6.6x, 76.6x
and 8.5x at May 8, 1996 ;and (iii) 7.3x, 84.9x and 9.4x at the Implied
Transaction Value at May 8, 1996.
Relative Contribution Analysis. Rauscher Pierce performed a relative
contribution analysis to examine the relationship between the percentage
ownership of New Digicon Common Stock that the Veritas Shareholders would
receive pursuant to the Transaction, and the relative contribution of Veritas to
certain financial measures on a pro forma combined basis. Based upon income
statements for Veritas and Digicon for the twelve months ended January 31, 1996,
Rauscher Pierce determined that Veritas' contribution to the combined entity on
a pro forma basis would be 38.7% of EBITDA, 52.8% of net income from continuing
operations and 44.6% of Cash Flow from Operations. Based upon projected income
statements for Veritas and Digicon for the annual period ending July 31, 1996,
Rauscher Pierce determined that Veritas' contribution to the combined entity on
a pro forma basis would be 36.8% of EBITDA, 26.8% of net income from continuing
operations and 38.1% of Cash Flow from Operations. Based upon projected income
statements for Veritas and Digicon for the annual period ending July 31, 1997,
Rauscher Pierce determined that Veritas' contribution to the combined entity on
a pro forma basis would be 34.8% of EBITDA, 24.1% of net income from continuing
operations and 35.8% of Cash Flow from Operations. Based upon a review of
balance sheets dated January 31, 1996 for Veritas and Digicon, Rauscher Pierce
calculated that Veritas' contribution to the combined entity on a pro forma
basis would be 32.3% of total assets and 38.9% of stockholders' equity. Rauscher
Pierce also considered the relative size, financial strength and diversification
of Veritas and Digicon. Furthermore, Rauscher Pierce noted that, based upon the
Exchange Ratio, Veritas' shareholders would own approximately 38.0% of the
equity of the combined company on a primary share basis, and 38.2% on a
fully-diluted share basis, employing the treasury stock method of calculating
fully-diluted shares outstanding.
Merger Premium Analysis. Rauscher Pierce examined mean percentage premiums
paid in selected publicly-disclosed stock-for-stock transactions in all
industries with transaction values greater than $10 million, which closed in
1995 -- 1996, or were pending at May 8, 1996. This analysis indicated mean
percentage premiums to the target company's stock price one day, one week and
four weeks prior to announcement , and to the target company's average stock
price for the 30-day and 60-day periods prior to announcement, of 25.3%, 29.9%,
36.0%, 32.8% and 35.6%, respectively. Rauscher Pierce also examined mean
percentage premiums paid in selected publicly-disclosed stock-for-stock
transactions in the energy industry with transaction values greater than $10
million, which closed 1991 -- 1996, or were pending at May 8, 1996. This
analysis indicated mean percentage premiums to the target company's stock price
one day, one week and four weeks prior to announcement , and to the target
company's average stock price for the 30-day and 60-day periods prior to
announcement, of 25.4%, 27.7%, 30.8%, 28.7% and 28.3%, respectively. In
addition, Rauscher Pierce examined mean percentage premiums paid in 17 oilfield
services industry stock-for-stock transactions, which closed 1995 -- 1996, or
were pending at May 8, 1996. This analysis indicated mean percentage premiums to
the target company's stock price one day, one week and four weeks prior to
announcement , and to the target company's average stock price for the 30-day
and 60-day periods prior to announcement, of 29.4%, 29.8%, 35.4%, 33.5% and
31.3%, respectively. Rauscher Pierce determined that the Implied Transaction
Value per Veritas Common Share of $12.40 represented premiums to the market
price of the Veritas Common Shares one day, one week and four week prior to
announcement, and to the average market prices of the Veritas Common Shares for
the 30-day and 60-day periods prior to announcement, of 96.9%, 134.3%, 115.7%,
115.3% and 116.7%.
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In connection with its review, Rauscher Pierce did not independently verify
any of the foregoing information, and relied upon it being complete and accurate
in all material respects. Rauscher Pierce assumed that the financial forecasts
provided to it and discussed with it were reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
managements of Veritas and Digicon as to the future financial performance of
Veritas and Digicon, respectively. In addition, Rauscher Pierce did not make an
independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or
otherwise) of Veritas or Digicon, nor was it furnished with any such evaluations
or appraisals. In rendering its opinion, Rauscher Pierce assumed that in the
course of obtaining necessary regulatory and governmental approvals for the
Transaction, no restriction will be imposed that will have a material adverse
effect on the contemplated benefits of the Transaction. Rauscher Pierce's
opinion is based upon circumstances existing and disclosed to it as of the date
of such opinion. The full text of the opinion of Rauscher Pierce dated as of May
8, 1996 is attached as Annex I and should be read in its entirety by the holders
of Veritas Common Shares.
Rauscher Pierce was selected to serve as the Veritas board of director's
financial advisor in connection with the Transaction on the basis of Rauscher
Pierce's experience with mergers and acquisitions in the energy industry.
Veritas paid Rauscher Pierce a financial advisory fee of $50,000 upon the
execution of its engagement letter and an additional $150,000 at the time
Rauscher Pierce delivered its fairness opinion to the Veritas board of
directors. Veritas also has agreed to reimburse Rauscher Pierce for its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses not to exceed $50,000 and to indemnify
Rauscher Pierce and its controlling persons against certain liabilities and
expenses relating to or arising out of the consummation of the Transaction,
including certain liabilities under U.S. Federal securities laws. If the
Transaction is consummated, Rauscher Pierce will receive an additional fee of
$150,000.
Rauscher Pierce in the normal course of its business may trade the
securities of Veritas and Digicon for its own account and for the accounts of
its customers and, accordingly, may hold a long or short position in such
securities at any time.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE TRANSACTION
Appointments to Digicon Board of Directors. On the Effective Date, David
B. Robson, Lawrence C. Fichtner, Ralph M. Eeson and Brian F. MacNeill will be
appointed to the Digicon board of directors. At the Effective Date, Mr. Robson
will be elected chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Digicon.
Pursuant to the Combination Agreement, Digicon also has agreed that at the
Effective Date it shall have created a nominating committee of the Digicon board
which will consist of two outside directors of each of Digicon and Veritas prior
to the Effective Date and will nominate directors for election to Digicon's
board for not less than the next two Digicon annual meetings of stockholders
after the closing of the Transaction.On the Effective Date, Messrs. Eeson and
MacNeill will resign from the Veritas board and Stephen J. Ludlow will be
appointed to such board.
Indemnification of Veritas Officers and Directors. The Combination
Agreement provides that all rights to indemnification for Veritas officers and
directors will survive the Arrangement and remain in full force and in
accordance with the ABCA and Veritas' and each of its subsidiaries' charter
documents and bylaws.
TRANSACTION MECHANICS AND DESCRIPTION OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
The following description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text of the Combination Agreement, which is attached as Annex B to this
Joint Proxy Statement, and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Arrangement. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan of Arrangement, at the
Effective Time, Veritas will undergo a reorganization of capital whereby, in
summary:
(a) Veritas will amend its articles of amalgamation to (i) delete the
First Preferred Shares and Second Preferred Shares from the authorized
share capital and (ii) authorize an unlimited number of Exchangeable Shares
and one Class A Preferred Share;
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(b) Veritas will issue one Class A Preferred Share to Digicon in
exchange for one share of Digicon Common Stock;
(c) each existing Veritas Common Share (other than Veritas Common
Shares held by holders who have properly exercised their rights of dissent
and are ultimately entitled to be paid fair value for their shares) will be
exchanged for 0.8 of an Exchangeable Share;
(d) the one Class A Preferred Share held by Digicon will be exchanged
for one Veritas Common Share;
(e) Veritas will amend its articles of amalgamation to reduce the
number of authorized Veritas Common Shares to one; and
(f) Veritas will amend its articles of amalgamation to delete the
Class A Preferred Shares from its authorized share capital.
As a result, immediately following the Effective Time, Veritas' outstanding
capital stock will consist of one Veritas Common Share held by Digicon and the
Exchangeable Shares held by the former holders of Veritas Common Shares.
As noted above, at the Effective Time, each Veritas Common Share will
automatically be exchanged for 0.8 of an Exchangeable Share. Enclosed with
copies of this Joint Proxy Statement delivered to the registered holders of
Veritas Common Shares is the Veritas Letter of Transmittal, which when duly
completed and returned together with a certificate for Veritas Common Shares,
will enable the holder to exchange such Veritas Common Shares for the number of
Exchangeable Shares to which such holder is entitled. See "--Procedures for
Exchange of Share Certificates by Veritas Shareholders."
The Exchangeable Shares are subject to adjustment or modification in the
event of a stock split or other changes to the capital structure of Digicon so
as to maintain the initial one-to-one ratio between the Exchangeable Shares and
Digicon New Common Stock.
Exchange and Call Right. Holders of the Exchangeable Shares will be
entitled at any time following the Effective Time to retract (i.e., require
Veritas to redeem) any or all such Exchangeable Shares owned by them and to
receive an equivalent number of shares of Digicon New Common Stock plus an
additional amount equivalent to all declared and unpaid dividends on such
Exchangeable Shares. Holders of the Exchangeable Shares may effect such
retraction by presenting a certificate or certificates to Veritas or its
transfer agent representing the number of Exchangeable Shares the holder desires
to retract together with a duly executed statement in the form of Schedule A to
the Exchangeable Share Provisions or in such other form as may be acceptable to
Veritas (the "Retraction Request") specifying the number of Exchangeable Shares
the holder wishes to retract and the date upon which the holder desires to
receive the Digicon New Common Stock, which must be between five and ten
business days after the request is received by Veritas (the "Retraction Date"),
and such other documents as may be required to effect the retraction of the
Exchangeable Shares.
Upon receipt of the Exchangeable Shares, the Retraction Request and other
required documentation from the holder thereof, Veritas must immediately notify
Digicon of such Retraction Request. Digicon will thereafter have two business
days in which to exercise its Retraction Call Right to purchase all of the
Exchangeable Shares submitted by the holder thereof by the delivery of an
equivalent number of shares of Digicon New Common Stock plus an additional
amount equivalent to the full amount of all declared and unpaid dividends on the
Exchangeable Shares to the transfer agent for delivery to such holder on the
Retraction Date. In the event Digicon determines not to exercise its Retraction
Call Right and provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked in accordance
with the Exchangeable Share Provisions, Veritas is obligated to deliver to the
holder the number of shares of Digicon New Common Stock equal to the number of
Exchangeable Shares submitted by the holder for retraction and payment of an
additional amount equivalent to the full amount of all declared and unpaid
dividends on such Exchangeable Shares by the Retraction Date.
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Subject to applicable law and the Redemption Call Rights of Digicon
described below, on the 18th anniversary of the Effective Date, unless such date
shall be extended to a specified later date by the Veritas board of directors,
not to be later than the 25th anniversary of the Effective Date, or such earlier
date as specified by the Veritas board of directors if there are fewer than
250,000 Exchangeable Shares outstanding (other than Exchangeable Shares held by
Digicon and entities controlled by Digicon and subject to adjustments to such
number of shares to reflect permitted changes to Exchangeable Shares) (the
"Automatic Redemption Date"), Veritas must redeem all but not less than all of
the then outstanding Exchangeable Shares in exchange for an equal number of
shares of Digicon New Common Stock, plus an additional amount equivalent to the
full amount of all declared and unpaid dividends on such Exchangeable Shares.
Notwithstanding any proposed redemption of the Exchangeable Shares of Veritas,
Digicon will have the overriding right to purchase on the Automatic Redemption
Date all but not less than all of the outstanding Exchangeable Shares in
exchange for one share of Digicon New Common Stock for each such Exchangeable
Share, plus an additional amount equivalent to the full amount of all declared
and unpaid dividends on such Exchangeable Share. Veritas shall, at least 120
days before the Automatic Redemption Date, provide the registered holders of
Exchangeable Shares with written notice of the proposed redemption of the
Exchangeable Shares by Veritas. For a more detailed description of the Exchange
Rights and the Call Rights in connection with the Exchangeable Shares, see "The
Companies After the Transaction -- Veritas Share Capital -- Exchangeable Shares
of Veritas," "-- Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement -- Exchange Rights" and "--
Call Rights."
Voting, Dividend and Liquidation Rights of Holders of Exchangeable
Shares. On the Effective Date, Digicon, Veritas and The R-M Trust Company will
enter into the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement in the form attached hereto
as Annex G. Pursuant to the terms of the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement,
Digicon will on the Effective Date deposit with the Trustee the Voting Share,
which will entitle the Trustee to a number of votes equal to the number of
Exchangeable Shares outstanding from time to time that are not held by Digicon
or entities controlled by Digicon. With respect to any matter as to which
holders of shares of Digicon New Common Stock are entitled to vote, each holder
of an Exchangeable Share will have the right to instruct the Trustee as to the
manner of voting for one of the votes comprising the Voting Share for each
Exchangeable Share owned by such holder.
Upon the occurrence of a Veritas Insolvency Event, holders of the
Exchangeable Shares will have preferential rights to receive from Veritas one
share of Digicon New Common Stock for each Exchangeable Share they hold, plus an
additional amount equivalent to the full amount of any declared and unpaid
dividends on each such Exchangeable Share. In the event of a proposed Veritas
Insolvency Event, Digicon will have the right to purchase all of the outstanding
Exchangeable Shares from the holders thereof at the effective time of any such
liquidation, dissolution, or winding up in exchange for one share of Digicon New
Common Stock for each such Exchangeable Share, plus an additional amount
equivalent to the full amount of all declared and unpaid dividends on such
Exchangeable Share.
Upon the occurrence of a Digicon Liquidation Event, in order for the
holders of the Exchangeable Shares to participate on a pro rata basis with the
holders of a Digicon New Common Stock, each holder of Exchangeable Shares will
automatically receive in exchange therefor an equivalent number of shares of
Digicon New Common Stock, plus an additional amount equivalent to the full
amount of any declared and unpaid dividends on such Exchangeable Shares. For a
more detailed description of the Exchange Rights and the Call Rights in
connection with the Exchangeable Shares see "The Companies After the
Transaction -- Veritas Share Capital -- Exchangeable Shares of Veritas
and -- Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement."
Support Agreement. On the Effective Date, Digicon and Veritas will enter
into a support agreement (the "Support Agreement") in the form attached hereto
as Annex F, whereby Digicon will make certain covenants to Veritas regarding the
Exchangeable Shares. In the Support Agreement, Digicon will covenant as follows:
(i) Digicon will not declare or pay dividends on the Digicon New Common Stock
unless Veritas is able to and simultaneously pays an equivalent dividend on the
Exchangeable Shares; (ii) Digicon will cause Veritas to declare and pay an
equivalent dividend on the Exchangeable Shares simultaneously with Digicon's
declaration and payment of dividends on the Digicon New Common Stock; (iii)
Digicon will advise Veritas in advance of the declaration of any dividend on the
Digicon New Common Stock and ensure that the declaration date, record date and
payment date for dividends on the Exchangeable Shares are the same as that
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for the Digicon New Common Stock; (iv) Digicon will take all actions and do all
necessary things to ensure that Veritas is able to pay to the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares the equivalent number of shares of Digicon New Common Stock
in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Veritas, a
Retraction Request by a holder of Exchangeable Shares, or a redemption of
Exchangeable Shares by Veritas; and (v) Digicon will not vote or otherwise take
any action or omit to take any action causing the liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of Veritas.
In order for Digicon to perform in accordance with the Support Agreement,
Veritas must notify Digicon of the occurrence of certain events, such as the
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Veritas, and Veritas' receipt of a
Retraction Request from a holder of Exchangeable Shares. See "The Companies
After the Transaction -- Support Agreement."
Digicon's Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Digicon's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, to be filed with the Secretary of State of
Delaware on the Effective Date, incorporates the terms of the proposed
amendments, which, among other things, authorizes 40,000,000 Ordinary Shares,
creates a new series of Ordinary Shares, designated Special Voting Stock,
reclassifies the Digicon Common Stock into Digicon New Common Stock, a new
series of Ordinary Shares, changes Digicon's name to "Veritas DGC Inc.," and
includes additions to reflect Digicon's obligation to comply with the terms of
the Exchangeable Shares. Except for certain provisions which have become
inoperative by their terms, the Digicon Restated Certificate restates all other
terms of Digicon's certificate of incorporation. See, "Proposed Recapitalization
Plan."
Veritas Options. At the Effective Time, each Veritas Option will be
modified as follows: each Veritas Option will be converted into an option
exercisable for a number of whole shares of Digicon New Common Stock equal to
the number of Veritas Common Shares subject to the Veritas Option at the
Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest
whole number of shares, at an exercise price per share of Digicon New Common
Stock equal to the exercise price per share of such Veritas Option immediately
prior to the Effective Time divided by the Exchange Ratio, such exercise price
to be converted into United States dollars. Digicon will cause the Digicon New
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Veritas Options to be registered on
Form S-8 promulgated by the SEC, and will use its best efforts to maintain the
effectiveness of such registration statement for so long as such options remain
outstanding.
THE COMBINATION AGREEMENT
Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The Combination Agreement
contains certain customary representations and warranties of each of Veritas and
Digicon relating to, among other things, their respective organization, capital
structures, qualification, operations, financial condition, intellectual
property rights, compliance with necessary regulatory or governmental
authorities and other matters, including their authority to enter into the
Combination Agreement and to consummate the Transaction. Pursuant to the
Combination Agreement, each party has covenanted that, until the earlier of the
termination of the Combination Agreement or the Effective Time, it will maintain
its business, it will not take certain actions outside the ordinary course
without the other's consent and it will use its commercially reasonable efforts
to consummate the Transaction. The parties have also agreed to advise each other
of material changes and to provide the other with interim financial information.
Further, the parties have agreed to apply for and use their commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain all regulatory and other consents and approvals,
required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Combination Agreement, to use their commercially reasonable efforts to effect
the transactions contemplated by the Combination Agreement, including the
preparation and mailing of this Joint Proxy Statement, and to provide the other
party and their respective counsel with such information as they may reasonably
request. Digicon additionally agreed that all rights to indemnification under
the ABCA and under the charter documents and bylaws of Veritas and its
subsidiaries for directors and officers of Veritas will survive the Arrangement
and remain in full force and effect. Digicon has further agreed to provide to
persons who were employees of Veritas prior to the Effective Date and remain
employees of Digicon or Veritas, either benefits under Digicon's employee
benefit plans or a continuation of the employee benefits offered by Veritas
prior to the Effective Time. Digicon also agreed to use its commercially
reasonable efforts to list the Digicon New Common Stock issued upon exchange of
the Exchangeable Shares on the NYSE and to
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cause the Digicon New Common Stock and the Exchangeable Shares to be listed on
the TSE as of the Effective Date.
The Combination Agreement also provides that until the earlier of the
Effective Time or the termination of the Combination Agreement each party and
its subsidiaries will not (and they will use their best efforts to ensure that
none of their officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives or
affiliates) directly or indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate or engage in
discussions or negotiations with any person, encourage submission of any
inquiries, proposals or offers by or take any other action intended or designed
to facilitate the efforts of any person, other than the other party, relating to
the possible acquisition of either party or any of its subsidiaries or any
material portion of its or their capital stock or assets by any person other
than the other party (an "Acquisition Proposal"); (ii) provide non-public
information with respect to such party or any of its subsidiaries or afford
access to the properties, books or records of such party or its subsidiaries to
any person other than the other party in connection with a possible Acquisition
Proposal; (iii) make or authorize any statement, recommendation or solicitation
in support of any possible Acquisition Proposal by any person other than the
other party, except as required by law; or (iv) enter into an agreement
providing for a possible Acquisition Proposal.
Conditions to Closing. The Combination Agreement provides that the
respective obligations of each party to complete the Transaction are subject to
a number of conditions, including the following material conditions: (a) the
Arrangement shall have been approved and adopted by the required vote of the
holders of Veritas Common Shares and Veritas Options; (b) the issuance of
Digicon New Common Stock upon the exchange of the Exchangeable Shares
contemplated by the Combination Agreement and the other matters to be proposed
for approval to the holders of Digicon Common Stock pursuant to the Agreement
shall have been approved by the holders of Digicon Common Stock; (c) all
consents, including the Final Order and any other regulatory approvals, that are
legally required for the consummation of the Transaction and the transactions
contemplated by the Combination Agreement shall have occurred, been filed or
been obtained; (d) no order, decree or ruling or statute, rule, regulation or
order shall be threatened, enacted, entered or enforced by any governmental
agency that prohibits or renders illegal the consummation of the Transaction;
(e) there shall be no temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction,
permanent injunction or other order preventing the consummation of the
Transaction issued by any Canadian or U.S. federal, provincial or state court
remaining in effect, nor shall any proceeding seeking any of the foregoing be
pending; (f) the representations and warranties of the parties shall be true and
correct in all material respects as of the Effective Time as though made at and
as of the Effective Time; (g) the parties shall have performed in all material
respects all agreements and covenants to be performed by them under the
Combination Agreement; (h) the parties shall have received legal opinions dated
as of the Closing Date as to matters customary to transactions of the type
contemplated by the Combination Agreement; (i) the parties shall have received
opinions from accountants to each party to the effect that the Transaction will
qualify for pooling of interests accounting treatment; (j) four individuals
selected by Veritas shall have been elected to the Digicon board of directors
and a nominating committee of such board shall have been created; (k) David B.
Robson shall have been elected chairman of the board and chief executive officer
of Digicon (a condition precedent to Veritas' obligation only); (l) the Digicon
New Common Stock and the Exchangeable Shares shall have been approved for
listing on the TSE (a condition precedent to Veritas' obligation only); (m)
Digicon shall have given a binding notice of redemption under its rights
agreement; (n) holders of no more than 5% of the Veritas Common Shares shall
have notified Veritas of their intention to dissent from the Arrangement and the
transactions contemplated thereby; and (o) Veritas shall have received tax
opinions dated as of the Closing Date as to certain Canadian tax consequences of
the Transaction (a condition precedent to Veritas' obligations only).
Termination. The Combination Agreement may be terminated by mutual
agreement of the parties at any time prior to the Effective Time. Also, either
party may terminate the Combination Agreement prior to the Effective Time if:
(i) there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement contained in the Combination Agreement on the part of the other party,
and such breach has not been cured within 15 business days after notice thereof;
(ii) all conditions for closing the Transaction have not been satisfied or
waived by September 30, 1996 (other than as a result of a breach by the
terminating party);
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(iii) any required approval of the shareholders of Veritas or the stockholders
of Digicon shall not have been obtained; or (iv) if any suit, action or other
proceeding shall be pending or threatened by any governmental entity in which it
is sought to restrain, prohibit or otherwise affect the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Combination Agreement.
Upon termination of the Combination Agreement in accordance with the terms
thereof, neither party nor their respective officers or directors shall have any
further liability under the agreement, but neither party shall be released from
any liability arising from the wilful breach by such party of any of its
representations, warranties or agreements contained in the agreement.
OTHER AGREEMENTS
Affiliates Agreements. Veritas and Digicon have entered into agreements
(the "Veritas Affiliates Agreements") with each of the Veritas Affiliates,
pursuant to which such persons have agreed that they will not sell, transfer,
encumber or otherwise dispose of any Veritas Common Shares in the 30 day period
preceding the Effective Time and that they will not sell, transfer or encumber
or otherwise dispose of any Exchangeable Shares in the thirty day period
preceding the Effective Time and after the Effective Time until Digicon shall
have publicly released financial statements that include at least thirty days of
combined operating results of Digicon and Veritas.
Veritas and Digicon have also entered into agreements (the "Digicon
Affiliates Agreements") with each of the Digicon Affiliates, pursuant to which
such persons have agreed that they will not sell, transfer, encumber or
otherwise dispose of any Digicon securities for thirty days prior to the
Effective Time and after the Effective Time until Digicon shall have publicly
released financial statements that include at least 30 days of combined
operating results of Digicon and Veritas.
In addition, the Veritas Affiliates and Digicon Affiliates have agreed that
they will not sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of any Exchangeable Shares or
Digicon New Common Stock, respectively, unless: (a) such transaction is
permitted pursuant to the provisions of Rule 145 under the Securities Act; (b) a
registration statement covering the transaction shall have been filed with the
SEC and made effective under the Securities Act, or (c) such transaction is
permitted under an exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
COURT APPROVAL OF THE ARRANGEMENT AND COMPLETION OF THE TRANSACTION
An arrangement of a corporation under the ABCA requires approval by both
the Court and the shareholders, and, if applicable, optionholders of the subject
corporation. Prior to the mailing of this Joint Proxy Statement, Veritas
obtained the Interim Order providing for the calling and holding of the Veritas
Meeting and other procedural matters. A copy of the Interim Order is attached
hereto as Annex C. The Notice of Petition for the Final Order appears at the
front of this Joint Proxy Statement.
Subject to the approval of the Arrangement by the Veritas Shareholders and
Veritas Optionholders at the Veritas Meeting, the hearing in respect of the
Final Order is scheduled to take place on July 30, 1996 at 11:00 a.m. (Calgary
time) in the Court at the Court House, 611 4th Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta,
Canada. All Veritas Shareholders and Veritas Optionholders who wish to
participate or be represented or to present evidence or arguments at that
hearing must serve and file a notice of appearance as set out in the Notice of
Petition for the Final Order and satisfy any other requirements. At the hearing
of the Application in respect of the Final Order, the Court will consider, among
other things, the fairness and reasonableness of the Arrangement. The Court may
approve the Arrangement as proposed or as amended in any manner the Court may
direct, subject to compliance with such terms and conditions, if any, as the
Court deems fit.
Assuming the Final Order is granted and the other conditions to the
Combination Agreement are satisfied or waived, it is anticipated that the
following will occur substantially simultaneously: Articles of Arrangement will
be filed with the Registrar under the ABCA to give effect to the Arrangement,
the Support Agreement and the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement will be
executed and delivered, and the various other documents necessary to consummate
the transactions contemplated under the Combination Agreement will be executed
and delivered.
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Subject to the foregoing, it is presently anticipated that the Effective
Time will occur on or about July 31, 1996.
ANTICIPATED ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Arrangement is anticipated to be accounted for using the pooling of
interests method of accounting under U.S. GAAP. Under the pooling of interests
method of accounting, the assets, liabilities and shareholders' equity and the
operating results of Veritas and Digicon will be carried forward by Digicon at
their recorded amounts, and therefore, there is no recognition of additional
goodwill relating to either Digicon or Veritas required in connection with the
Transaction.
Veritas and Digicon have entered into affiliates agreements with each
Veritas Affiliate and Digicon Affiliate. See "-- Other Agreements -- Affiliates
Agreements." Such agreements relate to the ability of Digicon to account for the
Transaction as a pooling of interests under U.S. GAAP.
PROCEDURES FOR EXCHANGE BY VERITAS SHAREHOLDERS AND VERITAS OPTIONHOLDERS
Veritas Shareholders. Enclosed with copies of this Joint Proxy Statement
delivered to the registered holders of Veritas Common Shares is a Veritas Letter
of Transmittal which, when duly completed and returned together with a
certificate for Veritas Common Shares, shall enable each Veritas Shareholder to
exchange such Veritas Common Shares for that number of Exchangeable Shares equal
to the number of Veritas Common Shares held by such shareholder multiplied by
the Exchange Ratio. United States holders of Veritas Common Shares will receive
a letter of transmittal in a separate mailing. See "Transaction Mechanics and
Description of Exchangeable Shares."
No certificates representing fractional Exchangeable Shares will be issued.
In lieu of fractional Exchangeable Shares, each holder of a Veritas Common Share
who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of an Exchangeable Share
shall be paid by Veritas an amount of cash (rounded to the nearest whole cent)
equal to the Canadian dollar equivalent product of (i) such fraction, multiplied
by (ii) the average closing price of the Digicon Common Stock on the ASE for the
ten trading days ended on the last trading date prior to the Effective Date.
Any use of the mails to transmit a certificate for Veritas Common Shares
and a related Veritas Letter of Transmittal is at the risk of the Veritas
Shareholder. If these documents are mailed, it is recommended that registered
mail, with return receipt requested, properly insured, be used.
If the Arrangement proceeds and the Transaction is completed, certificates
representing the appropriate number of Exchangeable Shares issuable to a former
holder of Veritas Common Shares who has complied with the procedures set out
above, together with a check in the amount, if any, payable in lieu of
fractional Exchangeable Shares will, as soon as practicable after the later of
the Effective Date and the date of receipt of a certificate for Veritas Common
Shares and a related Veritas Letter of Transmittal, be (a) forwarded to the
holder at the address specified in the Veritas Letter of Transmittal by first
class mail or (b) made available at the offices of The R-M Trust Company for
pickup by the holder, if requested by the holder in the Veritas Letter of
Transmittal.
If the Arrangement does not proceed, all certificates representing Veritas
Common Shares transmitted with a related Veritas Letter of Transmittal will be
returned to Veritas Shareholders.
Where a certificate for Veritas Common Shares has been destroyed, lost or
mislaid, the registered holder of that certificate should immediately contact
The R-M Trust Company regarding the issuance of a replacement certificate upon
the holder satisfying such requirements as may be imposed by Veritas in
connection with issuance of the replacement certificate.
Veritas Optionholders. Each outstanding Veritas Option will be
automatically modified at the Effective Date to become an option to purchase
Digicon New Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Combination
Agreement. Promptly after the Effective Time, Digicon will notify each Veritas
Optionholder of
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such modification and the particulars thereof and the United States dollar
exercise price of such exchanged option.
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
The TSE has accepted notice of the proposed Arrangement and has
conditionally approved the listing and posting for trading of the Digicon New
Common Stock and the Exchangeable Shares on the Effective Date. The Digicon
Common Stock currently trades on the ASE and application has been made to list
the Digicon New Common Stock on the NYSE.
ELIGIBILITY FOR INVESTMENT IN CANADA
Exchangeable Shares. The Exchangeable Shares, provided they are listed on
a prescribed stock exchange in Canada (which currently includes the TSE):
(a) will not be foreign property under the Canadian Tax Act for trusts
governed by registered pension plans, registered retirement savings plans,
registered retirement income funds and deferred profit sharing plans or for
certain other tax-exempt persons; and
(b) will be qualified investments under the Canadian Tax Act for
trusts governed by registered retirement savings plans, registered
retirement income funds and deferred profit sharing plans.
Digicon has indicated that it intends to use its best efforts to cause Veritas
to maintain the listing of the Exchangeable Shares on the TSE. In certain other
circumstances, the Exchangeable Shares will be qualified investments even if the
shares are not listed.
Voting Rights and Exchange Rights. The Voting Rights and the Exchange
Rights will not be qualified investments and will be foreign property under the
Canadian Tax Act. However, as indicated under "Income Tax Considerations to
Veritas Shareholders -- Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations to Veritas
Shareholders -- Shareholders Resident in Canada," Veritas is of the view that
the fair market value of these rights is nominal.
Digicon New Common Stock. The Digicon New Common Stock will be a qualified
investment under the Canadian Tax Act for trusts governed by registered
retirement savings plans, registered retirement income funds and deferred profit
sharing plans provided such shares remain listed on the TSE or another
prescribed stock exchange. The Digicon New Common Stock will be foreign property
under the Canadian Tax Act.
REGULATORY MATTERS
The Transaction is subject to the premerger filing requirements of the HSR
Act, and on May 20, 1996, Digicon and Veritas made premerger filings under the
HSR Act with the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") and the Antitrust Division of
the Department of Justice. On June , 1996, the FTC notified Digicon and
Veritas that their respective requests for early termination of the waiting
period under the HSR Act had been granted and that the waiting period had been
terminated.
RESALE OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES AND DIGICON NEW COMMON STOCK RECEIVED IN THE
TRANSACTION
United States. The issuance of Exchangeable Shares to holders of Veritas
Common Shares will not be registered under the Securities Act. Such shares will
be issued in reliance upon the exemption available pursuant to Section 3(a)(10)
of the Securities Act. Section 3(a)(10) exempts securities issued in exchange
for one or more outstanding securities from the general requirement of
registration where the terms and conditions of the issuance and exchange of such
securities have been approved by any court of competent jurisdiction, after a
hearing upon the fairness of the terms and conditions of the issuance and
exchange at which all persons to whom such securities will be issued have the
right to appear. The Court is authorized to conduct a hearing to determine the
fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement, including the proposed
issuance of securities in exchange for other outstanding securities. The Court
entered the Interim Order on June , 1996 and subject to the approval of the
Arrangement by the Veritas Shareholders and
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Veritas Optionholders, a hearing on the fairness of the Arrangement will be held
on July 30, 1996 by the Court. See "-- Court Approval of the Arrangement and
Completion of the Transaction." Digicon and Veritas believe that the issuance by
Veritas of the Exchangeable Shares in exchange for the Veritas Common Shares is
exempt under Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act and that they will receive a
letter from the SEC confirming that the staff of the SEC will not recommend any
enforcement action to the SEC if Veritas issues the Exchangeable Shares in
exchange for the Veritas Common Shares in reliance upon such exemption.
The Exchangeable Shares will be freely transferable under U.S. federal
securities laws, except that Exchangeable Shares received by persons who are
deemed to be "affiliates" (as such term is defined under the Securities Act) of
Veritas prior to the Transaction may be resold by them only in transactions
permitted by the resale provisions of Rule 145(d)(1), (2), or (3) promulgated
under the Securities Act or as otherwise permitted under the Securities Act.
Rule 145(d) (1) generally provides that "affiliates" of either Veritas or
Digicon may not sell securities of Digicon received in the Arrangement unless
pursuant to an effective registration statement or unless pursuant to the
volume, current public information, manner of sale and timing limitations of
Rule 144. These limitations generally require that any sales made by an
affiliate in any three-month period not exceed the greater of 1% of the
outstanding shares of Digicon or the average weekly trading volume over the four
calendar weeks preceding the placement of the sell order and that such sales be
made in unsolicited, open market "brokers transactions." Rules 145(d)(2) and (3)
generally provide that the foregoing limitations lapse for non-affiliates of
Digicon after a period of two or three years, respectively, depending upon
whether certain currently available information continues to be available with
respect to Digicon. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of an issuer
generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or
are under common control with, such issuer and may include certain officers and
directors of such issuer as well as principal shareholders of such issuer.
Veritas and Digicon have entered into affiliates agreements with each of
the Veritas Affiliates restricting such persons in connection with the
requirements for pooling of interests accounting treatment (see "--Anticipated
Accounting Treatment") and restricting the sale, pledge, or other disposal of
Exchangeable Shares and Digicon New Common Stock. See, "-- Other
Agreements -- Affiliates Agreements."
Digicon and Veritas believe that the issuance of the Digicon New Common
Stock from time to time in exchange for the Exchangeable Shares is exempt under
Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act and that they will receive a letter from
the SEC confirming that the staff of the SEC will not recommend any enforcement
action to the SEC if the shares of Digicon New Common Stock are so issued in
reliance upon such exemption. In the absence of receiving such "no-action"
letter, Digicon has agreed that it will file and maintain effective a Form S-3
registration statement covering the issuance of the Digicon New Common Stock
from time to time in exchange for the Exchangeable Shares. In either event, the
shares of Digicon New Common Stock issued from time to time in exchange for the
Exchangeable Shares will be freely transferable under U.S. federal securities
laws, except that shares of Digicon New Common Stock received by persons who are
deemed to be "affiliates" of Digicon may be resold by them only in transactions
in compliance with the current public information, volume, manner of sale and
notice limitations of Rule 144.
Canada. Digicon and Veritas have applied for and expect to receive rulings
or orders of certain provincial securities regulatory authorities in Canada to
permit the issuance to Veritas Shareholders of the Exchangeable Shares and to
permit resale of the Exchangeable Shares in such provinces without restriction
by a shareholder other than a "control person," provided that no unusual effort
is made to prepare the market for any such resale or to create a demand for the
securities which are the subject of any such resale and no extraordinary
commission or consideration is paid in respect thereof. Applicable Canadian
securities legislation provides a rebuttable presumption that a person or
company is a control person in relation to an issuer where the person or company
alone or in combination with others holds more than 20% of the outstanding
voting securities of the issuer. Upon completion of the Arrangement, Veritas
will continue to be a reporting issuer in each of the provinces in Canada.
Veritas has also applied for certain exemptions from statutory financial and
other reporting requirements in such provinces on the condition that Digicon
files with the securities commissions of such provinces copies of certain of its
reports filed with the SEC and that holders of Exchangeable Shares receive
certain materials that are sent to holders of Digicon Common Stock.
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Digicon and Veritas have also applied for rulings or orders of certain
provincial securities regulatory authorities in Canada to permit the issuance of
Digicon New Common Stock to holders of Exchangeable Shares, and to permit the
resale of Digicon New Common Stock by such holders without the requirement of
filing a prospectus.
THE COMPANIES AFTER THE TRANSACTION
THE COMBINATION--GENERAL
Upon completion of the Transaction, the parent company of the combined
entity will be Digicon, it will continue to be a corporation governed by the
DGCL and its principal executive office will continue to be located at 3701
Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77098 (telephone number (713) 526-5611). Digicon
will own all of the voting securities of Veritas. After the Effective Time,
Veritas will continue to be a corporation governed by the ABCA, and its
principal executive office will continue to be located at Suite 300, 615 Third
Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 0G6 (telephone number (403) 266-9350).
MANAGEMENT
Directors and Officers. If the Transaction is consummated, Digicon's board
of directors will be expanded to ten members, six of whom will be persons who
are currently directors of Digicon including and four of whom
will be persons designated by Veritas who will become directors on the Effective
Date including Messrs. Robson, Fichtner, Eeson and MacNeill. At the Effective
Date, Digicon shall have created a nominating committee of the board consisting
of two outside directors of each of Digicon and Veritas prior to the Closing.
The nominating committee will designate the slate of directors to be voted on by
Digicon stockholders for not less than the next two annual meetings of Digicon
following the Effective Date.
On the Effective Date, Veritas' chairman, president and chief executive
officer, David B. Robson, will become Digicon's chairman of the board and chief
executive officer, and Digicon's president and chief executive officer, Stephen
J. Ludlow, will be named Digicon's president and chief operating officer. All
other officers of Digicon after the Effective Date will be appointed by the
newly constituted Digicon board of directors.
BUSINESS COMBINATION COSTS
Upon consummation of the Transaction, Digicon expects to incur business
combination costs relating to employee severance ($1.0 million), intended
changes in its operations ($1.1 million) and the retirement of certain operating
equipment which has not been fully depreciated ($6.7 million). In addition, the
two companies expect to incur aggregate non-recurring transaction costs in
connection with the Transaction of approximately $2.7 million.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
To the knowledge of Digicon, other than disclosed in the security ownership
table of certain beneficial owners and management of Digicon, there are no
persons who would, had the Transaction occurred on the Digicon Record Date,
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over,
in excess of 5% of the Digicon New Common Stock. To the knowledge of Veritas,
other than disclosed in the principal shareholder table of beneficial owners of
Veritas, there are no persons who would, had the Transaction occurred on the
Veritas Record Date, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise
control or direction over, in excess of 5% of the Digicon New Common Stock.
See "Business of Digicon -- Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management" and "Business of Veritas -- Directors and Officers" and "--
Principal Shareholder" for information with respect to securities of Digicon and
Veritas currently owned by certain directors and officers.
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DIGICON CAPITAL STOCK
In the event of the consummation of the Transaction, which requires the
adoption by the Digicon stockholders of the Digicon Restated Certificate, the
capital stock of Digicon will be as summarized below. Such summary is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the Digicon Restated Certificate which is
attached as Annex D hereto.
The Digicon Restated Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes
20,000,000 shares of Digicon Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of Digicon
Preferred Stock. If the Digicon Restated Certificate is approved at the Digicon
Meeting, the Digicon Restated Certificate of Incorporation will authorize
40,000,000 Ordinary Shares, consisting of a series of one share of Special
Voting Stock and all other shares being designated as Common Stock, and
1,000,000 shares of Digicon Preferred Stock.
Digicon New Common Stock. Shares of Digicon New Common Stock will have a
par value of US$0.01 per share. The holders of Digicon New Common Stock will be
entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a
vote of stockholders. Cumulative voting for the election of directors will not
be authorized by the Digicon Restated Certificate. The holders of Digicon New
Common Stock will be entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by
the Digicon board of directors out of funds legally available therefor and will
be entitled upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Digicon to
receive rateably the net assets of Digicon available for distribution. No
pre-emptive rights, conversion rights, redemption rights or sinking fund
provisions will be applicable to the Digicon New Common Stock.
Digicon Special Voting Stock. A single share of Digicon Special Voting
Stock will be authorized as a series of Ordinary Shares for issuance and a
single share will be outstanding having a par value of US$.01 per share. Except
as otherwise required by law or the Digicon Restated Certificate, the Voting
Share will possess a number of votes equal to the number of outstanding
Exchangeable Shares from time to time not owned by Digicon or any entity
controlled by Digicon for the election of directors and on all other matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders of Digicon. The holders of Digicon New
Common Stock and the holder of the Voting Share will vote together as a single
class on all matters. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of Digicon, the holder of the Voting Share will not be entitled to receive any
assets of Digicon available for distribution to its stockholders. The holder of
the Voting Share will not be entitled to receive dividends. Pursuant to the
Combination Agreement, the Voting Share will be issued to the Trustee appointed
under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement. See "-- Voting and Exchange Trust
Agreement." At such time as the Voting Share has no votes attached to it because
there are no Exchangeable Shares outstanding not owned by Digicon or an entity
controlled by Digicon, and there are no shares of stock, debt, options or other
agreements of Veritas that could give rise to the issuance of any Exchangeable
Shares to any person (other than Digicon or an entity controlled by Digicon),
the Voting Share will be canceled.
Digicon Preferred Stock. Shares of Digicon Preferred Stock will have a par
value of US $0.01 per share. One million shares of Preferred Stock are presently
authorized. The Digicon board of directors will continue to be authorized to
provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and
to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such
series, to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of
each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. No
series of such stock has been designated.
Although the Digicon board of directors has no present intention of doing
so, it could issue a series of Digicon Preferred Stock that could, depending on
the terms of such series, provide for a liquidation preference over the Digicon
New Common Stock or impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other
takeover attempt. The Digicon board of directors, in so acting, could issue
Digicon Preferred Stock having terms that could discourage an acquisition
attempt through which an acquiror may be otherwise able to change the
composition of the board of directors, including a tender or exchange offer or
other transaction that some, or a majority, of Digicon's stockholders might
otherwise believe to be in their best interests.
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VERITAS SHARE CAPITAL
In the event of the consummation of the Transaction, the share capital of
Veritas after the Effective Time will have the rights and preferences summarized
below. Such summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan of
Arrangement and the Exchangeable Share Provisions which are attached as Annex E
hereto.
Veritas Common Shares. The holders of Veritas Common Shares will be
entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of the shareholders of
Veritas and will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all
matters submitted to a vote of holders of Veritas Common Shares. The holders of
Veritas Common Shares will be entitled to receive such dividends as may be
declared by the Veritas board of directors out of funds legally available
therefor. Holders of Veritas Common Shares will be entitled upon any
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Veritas, subject to the prior rights
of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares and the Class A Preferred Shares and
to any other shares ranking senior to the Veritas Common Shares, to receive the
remaining property and assets of Veritas rateably with the holders of the
Veritas Common Shares. Upon consummation of the Transaction, Veritas shall not,
without the approval of the board of directors of the holder of the Veritas
Common Shares issue any further Exchangeable Shares, except as specifically
required under the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
Class A Preferred Shares of Veritas. Upon consummation of the Transaction,
the Class A Preferred Share will be deleted from Veritas' share capital. Prior
to being deleted from the share capital, which will occur on the Effective Date,
the Class A Preferred Shares of Veritas will not be entitled to receive notice
of or to attend meetings of the shareholders of Veritas and will not be entitled
to vote at any meeting of shareholders of Veritas. Subject to the prior rights
of the holders of any shares ranking senior to the Class A Preferred Shares with
respect to priority in the payment of dividends, the holders of Class A
Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive dividends as and when declared by
the Veritas board of directors as cumulative dividends in the amount of C$1.00
per share per annum on October 31 in arrears. Subject to theprior rights of the
holders of any shares ranking senior to the Class A Preferred Shares with
respect to priority in the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation
or winding-up, the holders of the Class A Preferred Shares will be entitled to
receive the stated capital in respect of the Class A Preferred Shares and
dividends remaining unpaid, including all cumulative dividends, whether or not
declared. After payment to the holders of the Class A Preferred Shares of such
amounts, such holders shall not be entitled to share in any further distribution
of the assets of Veritas.
Exchangeable Shares of Veritas
Ranking. The Exchangeable Shares will rank junior to the Class A Preferred
Shares, which will be deleted from the share capital of Veritas upon
consummation of the Transaction and will rank prior to the Veritas Common Shares
and any other shares ranking junior to the Exchangeable Shares with respect to
the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Veritas.
Dividends. Holders of Exchangeable Shares will be entitled to receive
dividends equivalent to dividends paid from time to time by Digicon on shares of
Digicon New Common Stock. The declaration date, record date and payment date for
dividends on the Exchangeable Shares will be the same as that for the
corresponding dividends on the Digicon New Common Stock.
Certain Restrictions. Without the approval of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares, Veritas will not:
(a) pay any dividend on the Veritas Common Shares, or any other shares
ranking junior to the Exchangeable Shares, other than stock dividends payable in
such other shares ranking junior to the Exchangeable Shares;
(b) redeem, purchase or make any capital distribution in respect of Veritas
Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the Exchangeable Shares;
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(c) redeem or purchase any other shares of Veritas ranking equally with the
Exchangeable Shares with respect to the payment of dividends or on any
liquidation distribution;
(d) issue any Exchangeable Shares or any other shares of Veritas ranking
equally with, or superior to, the Exchangeable Shares other than by stock
dividends to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares or as contemplated in the
Support Agreement; or
(e) amend the articles or bylaws of Veritas.
The restrictions in (a), (b) and (c) above will not apply at any time when
the dividends on the outstanding Exchangeable Shares corresponding to dividends
declared on the Digicon New Common Stock have been declared and paid in full.
Liquidation. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of
Veritas, a holder of Exchangeable Shares will be entitled to receive for each
Exchangeable Share an amount to be satisfied by issuance of one share of Digicon
New Common Stock, together with a cash amount equivalent to the full amount of
all unpaid dividends on the Exchangeable Shares. See "-- Voting and Exchange
Trust Agreement."
Retraction of Exchangeable Shares by Holders. A holder of Exchangeable
Shares will be entitled at any time to require Veritas to redeem any or all of
the Exchangeable Shares held by such holder for a retraction price per share to
be satisfied by issuance of a share of Digicon New Common Stock plus an
additional amount equivalent to the full amount of all unpaid dividends thereon,
which shall be delivered to the retracting holder on the retraction date
specified by the holder (which shall not be less than five nor more than ten
business days after the date on which Veritas receives the retraction request
from the holder).
If, as a result of liquidity or solvency provisions of applicable law,
Veritas is not permitted to redeem all Exchangeable Shares tendered by a
retracting holder, Veritas will redeem only those Exchangeable Shares tendered
by the holder (rounded to the next lower multiple of 100 shares) as would not be
contrary to such provisions of applicable law. The holder of any Exchangeable
Shares not redeemed by Veritas will be deemed to have required Digicon to
purchase such unretracted shares in exchange for Digicon New Common Stock on the
retraction date pursuant to the optional Exchange Rights. See "-- Voting and
Exchange Trust Agreement"
Redemption of Exchangeable Shares. On the 18th anniversary of the
Effective Date of the Arrangement or (i) such later date as specified by the
Veritas board of directors (no later than the 25th anniversary of the Effective
Date) or (ii) such earlier date as specified by the Veritas board of directors,
if at such date time there are less than 250,000 Exchangeable Shares outstanding
(other than Exchangeable Shares held by Digicon and entities controlled by
Digicon and subject to necessary adjustments to such number of shares to reflect
permitted changes to Exchangeable Shares), Veritas will redeem all but not less
than all of the then outstanding Exchangeable Shares for a redemption price per
share equal to a share of Digicon New Common Stock plus an additional amount
equivalent to the full amount of all unpaid dividends thereon. Veritas shall, at
least 120 days prior to the Automatic Redemption Date, provide the registered
holders of the Exchangeable Shares with written notice of the proposed
redemption of the Exchangeable Shares of Veritas.
Voting Rights. Except as required by applicable law, the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares shall not be entitled as such to receive notice of or attend
any meeting of the shareholders of Veritas or to vote at any such meeting.
Amendment and Approval. The rights, privileges, restrictions and
conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares may be changed only with the
approval of the holders thereof. Any such approval or any other approval or
consent to be given by the holders of the Exchangeable Shares will be
sufficiently given if given in accordance with applicable law and subject to a
minimum requirement that such approval or consent be evidenced by a resolution
passed by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast thereon (other than shares
beneficially owned by Digicon or entities controlled by Digicon) at a meeting of
the holders of Exchangeable Shares duly called and held at which holders of at
least 50% of the then outstanding Exchangeable Shares are
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present or represented by proxy. In the event that no such quorum is present at
such meeting within one-half hour after the time appointed therefor, then the
meeting will be adjourned to such place and time not less than 10 days later as
may be determined at the original meeting and the holders of Exchangeable Shares
present or represented by proxy at the adjourned meeting may transact the
business for which the meeting was originally called. At the adjourned meeting,
a resolution passed by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the
votes cast thereon will constitute the approval or consent of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares.
Actions of Veritas under Support Agreement. Under the Exchangeable Share
Provisions, Veritas will agree to take all such actions and do all such things
as are necessary or advisable to perform and comply with its obligations under,
and to ensure the performance and compliance by Digicon with its obligations
under, the Support Agreement.
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
The following is a summary description of the material provisions of the
Support Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text
of the Support Agreement, which is attached as Annex F hereto.
Under the Support Agreement, Digicon will agree that: (i) it will not
declare or pay dividends on the Digicon New Common Stock unless Veritas is able
to and simultaneously pays an equivalent dividend on the Exchangeable Shares;
(ii) it will cause Veritas to declare and pay an equivalent dividend on the
Exchangeable Shares simultaneously with Digicon's declaration and payment of
dividends on the Digicon New Common Stock; (iii) it will advise Veritas in
advance of the declaration of any dividend on the Digicon New Common Stock and
ensure that the declaration date, record date and payment date for dividends on
the Exchangeable Shares are the same as that for the Digicon New Common Stock;
(iv) it will take all actions and do all things necessary to ensure that Veritas
is able to pay to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares the equivalent number
of shares of Digicon New Common Stock in the event of a liquidation,
dissolution, or winding-up of Veritas, a retraction request by a holder of
Exchangeable Shares, or a redemption of Exchangeable Shares of Veritas; and (v)
it will not vote or otherwise take any action or omit to take any action causing
the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Veritas.
The Support Agreement also provides that, without the prior approval of
Veritas and the holders of the Exchangeable Shares, Digicon will not distribute
additional shares of Digicon New Common Stock or rights to subscribe therefor or
other property or assets to all or substantially all holders of shares of
Digicon New Common Stock, nor change the Digicon New Common Stock nor effect any
tender offer, share exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid or similar
transaction affecting the Digicon New Common Stock, unless the same or an
equivalent distribution on or change to the Exchangeable Shares (or in the
rights of the holders thereof) is made simultaneously.
Digicon has agreed that so long as there remain outstanding any
Exchangeable Shares not owned by Digicon or any entity controlled by Digicon,
Digicon will remain the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of all
outstanding shares of Veritas other than the Exchangeable Shares. In addition,
the Support Agreement obligates Digicon to create and maintain the nominating
committee of the board of directors in accordance with the same terms as the
Combination Agreement.
With the exception of administrative changes for the purpose of adding
covenants for the protection of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares, making
certain necessary amendments or curing ambiguities or clerical errors (in each
case provided that the board of directors of each of Digicon and Veritas is of
the opinion that such amendments are not prejudicial to the interests of the
holders of the Exchangeable Shares), the Support Agreement may not be amended
without the approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares.
Under the Support Agreement, Digicon has agreed not to exercise any voting
rights attached to the Exchangeable Shares owned by it or any entity controlled
by it on any matter considered at meetings of holders of Exchangeable Shares
(including any approval sought from such holders in respect of matters arising
under the Support Agreement).
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VOTING AND EXCHANGE TRUST AGREEMENT
The following is a summary description of the material provisions of the
Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement which is
attached as Annex G hereto. Under the terms of the Voting and Exchange Trust
Agreement, Digicon will issue and grant to the Trustee the Voting Rights and the
Exchange Rights.
Voting Rights. Under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement, Digicon will
issue the Voting Share to the Trustee for the benefit of the holders (other than
Digicon and its subsidiaries) of the Exchangeable Shares. The Voting Share will
carry a number of votes, exercisable at any meeting at which Digicon
stockholders are entitled to vote, equal to the number of outstanding
Exchangeable Shares (other than shares held by Digicon and its subsidiaries).
With respect to any written consent sought from the Digicon stockholders, each
vote attached to the Voting Share will be exercisable in the same manner as set
forth above.
Each holder of an Exchangeable Share on the record date for any meeting at
which Digicon stockholders are entitled to vote will be entitled to instruct the
Trustee to exercise one of the votes attached to the Voting Share for such
Exchangeable Share. The Trustee will exercise each vote attached to the Voting
Share only as directed by the relevant holder and, in the absence of
instructions from a holder as to voting, will not exercise such votes. A holder
may, upon instructing the Trustee, obtain a proxy from the Trustee entitling the
holder to vote directly at the relevant meeting the votes attached to the Voting
Share to which the holder is entitled.
The Trustee will send to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares the notice
of each meeting at which the Digicon stockholders are entitled to vote, together
with the related meeting materials and a statement as to the manner in which the
holder may instruct the Trustee to exercise the votes attaching to the Voting
Share, at the same time as Digicon sends such notice and materials to the
Digicon stockholders. The Trustee will also send to the holders copies of all
information statements, interim and annual financial statements, reports and
other materials sent by Digicon to the Digicon stockholders at the same time as
such materials are sent to the Digicon stockholders. To the extent such
materials are provided to the Trustee by Digicon, the Trustee will also send to
the holders all materials sent by third parties to Digicon stockholders,
including dissident proxy circulars and tender and exchange offer circulars, as
soon as possible after such materials are first sent to Digicon stockholders.
All rights of a holder of Exchangeable Shares to exercise votes attached to
the Voting Share will cease upon the exchange of all such holder's Exchangeable
Shares for shares of Digicon New Common Stock.
Exchange Rights. Under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement, Digicon
will grant the Exchange Rights to the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of
the Exchangeable Shares.
Optional Exchange Right. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of
a Veritas Insolvency Event, a holder of Exchangeable Shares will be entitled to
instruct the Trustee to exercise the optional Exchange Right with respect to any
or all of the Exchangeable Shares held by such holder, thereby requiring Digicon
to purchase such Exchangeable Shares from the holder. Immediately upon the
occurrence of a Veritas Insolvency Event or any event which may with the passage
of time or the giving of notice, become a Veritas Insolvency Event, Veritas and
Digicon will give written notice thereof to the Trustee. As soon as practicable
thereafter, the Trustee will notify each holder of Exchangeable Shares of such
event or potential event and will advise the holder of its rights with respect
to the optional Exchange Right.
The purchase price payable by Digicon for each Exchangeable Share to be
purchased under the optional Exchange Right will be satisfied by issuance of one
share of Digicon New Common Stock plus an additional amount equivalent to the
full amount of all dividends declared and unpaid on the Exchangeable Share.
If, as a result of liquidity or solvency provisions of applicable law,
Veritas is unable to redeem all of the Exchangeable Shares tendered for
retraction by a holder in accordance with the Exchangeable Share Provisions, the
holder will be deemed to have exercised the optional Exchange Right with respect
to the
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unredeemed Exchangeable Shares and Digicon will be required to purchase such
shares from the holder in the manner set forth above.
Automatic Exchange Right. In the event of a Digicon Liquidation Event,
Digicon will be required to purchase each outstanding Exchangeable Share by
exchanging one share of Digicon New Common Stock for each such Exchangeable
Share, plus an additional amount equivalent to the full amount of all declared
and unpaid dividends on the Exchangeable Shares.
DELIVERY OF DIGICON NEW COMMON STOCK
Digicon will ensure that all shares of Digicon New Common Stock to be
delivered by it under the Support Agreement or on the exercise of the Exchange
Rights under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement are duly registered,
qualified or approved under applicable Canadian and United States securities
laws, if required so that such shares may be freely traded by the holder thereof
(other than any restriction on transfer by reason of a holder being a "control
person" of Digicon for purposes of Canadian law or an "affiliate" of Digicon for
purposes of United States law). In addition, Digicon will take all actions
necessary to cause all such shares of Digicon New Common Stock to be listed or
quoted for trading on all stock exchanges or quotation systems on which
outstanding shares of Digicon New Common Stock are then listed or quoted for
trading.
CALL RIGHTS
The following description of the Call Rights is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the full text of the Plan of Arrangement and the Exchangeable
Share Provisions, which are attached as Annex E hereto.
In the circumstances described below, Digicon will have certain overriding
rights to purchase Exchangeable Shares from holders thereof for a purchase price
per share equal to one share of Digicon New Common Stock, plus an amount
equivalent to the full amount of all declared and unpaid dividends on the
Exchangeable Shares. Different Canadian federal income tax consequences to a
holder of Exchangeable Shares may arise depending upon whether the Call Rights
are exercised by Digicon or whether the relevant Exchangeable Shares are
redeemed by Veritas pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions in the absence
of the exercise of Digicon of the Call Rights. See "Income Tax Considerations to
Veritas Shareholders."
Retraction Call Right. Pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions, a
holder requesting Veritas to redeem the Exchangeable Shares will be deemed to
offer to sell such shares to Digicon, and Digicon will have an overriding
Retraction Call Right to purchase all but not less than all of the Exchangeable
Shares that the holder has requested Veritas to redeem in exchange for one share
of Digicon New Common Stock for each Exchangeable Share.
At the time of a Retraction Request by a holder of Exchangeable Shares,
Veritas will immediately notify Digicon. Digicon must then advise Veritas within
two business days as to whether Digicon will exercise the Retraction Call Right.
If Digicon does not advise Veritas within such two business day period, Veritas
will notify the holder as soon as possible thereafter that Digicon will not
exercise the Retraction Call Right. A holder may revoke his or her Retraction
Request, at any time prior to the close of business on the business day
preceding the Retraction Date, in which case the holder's Exchangeable Shares
will neither be purchased by Digicon nor redeemed by Veritas. If the holder does
not revoke his or her Retraction Request, on the Retraction Date the
Exchangeable Shares that the holder has requested Veritas to redeem will be
purchased by Digicon or redeemed by Veritas, as the case may be, in each case at
a purchase price per share equal to one share of Digicon New Common Stock plus
an additional amount equivalent to the full amount of all declared and unpaid
dividends on the Exchangeable Shares.
Liquidation Call Right. Pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, Digicon will
be granted an overriding Liquidation Call Right, in the event of and
notwithstanding a proposed Veritas Insolvency Event, to purchase all but not
less than all of the Exchangeable Shares then outstanding in exchange for
Digicon New Common Stock and, upon the exercise by Digicon of the Liquidation
Call Right, the holders thereof will be obligated to
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sell such shares to Digicon. The purchase by Digicon of all of the outstanding
Exchangeable Shares upon the exercise of the Liquidation Call Right will occur
on the effective date of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution
or winding-up of Veritas.
Redemption Call Right. Pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, Digicon will
be granted an overriding Redemption Call Right, notwithstanding the proposed
automatic redemption of the Exchangeable Shares by Veritas pursuant to the
Exchangeable Share Provisions, to purchase on an Automatic Redemption Date all
but not less than all of the Exchangeable Shares then outstanding in exchange
for Digicon New Common Stock plus an additional amount equivalent to the full
amount of all declared and unpaid dividends on the Exchangeable Shares and, upon
the exercise by Digicon of the Redemption Call Right, the holders there of will
be obligated to sell such shares to Digicon.
INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO VERITAS SHAREHOLDERS
CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO VERITAS SHAREHOLDERS
In the opinion of Felesky Flynn, Canadian tax counsel for Veritas, the
following is a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax
considerations generally applicable to Veritas Shareholders who, for purposes of
the Canadian Tax Act, hold their Veritas Common Shares and will hold their
Exchangeable Shares and shares of Digicon New Common Stock as capital property
and deal at arm's length with Veritas and Digicon. This summary does not apply
to a holder with respect to whom Digicon is a foreign affiliate within the
meaning of the Canadian Tax Act.
Certain recent amendments to the Canadian Tax Act (the "mark-to-market
rules") relating to financial institutions (including certain financial
institutions, registered securities dealers and corporations controlled by one
or more of the foregoing) will deem such financial institutions not to hold
their Veritas Common Shares, Exchangeable Shares and shares of Digicon New
Common Stock as capital property for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act.
Shareholders that are financial institutions should consult their own tax
advisors to determine the tax consequences to them of the application of the
mark-to-market rules. In addition, all shareholders should consult their own tax
advisors as to whether, as a matter of fact, they hold their Veritas Common
Shares and will hold their Exchangeable Shares and shares of Digicon New Common
Stock as capital property for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Canadian Tax Act,
the regulations thereunder, the current provisions of the Canada-United States
Income Tax Convention, 1980, as amended (the "Tax Treaty"), and Canadian tax
counsel's understanding of the current administrative practices of Revenue
Canada, Customs, Excise and Taxation ("Revenue Canada"). This summary takes into
account the amendments to the Canadian Tax Act and regulations publicly
announced by the Minister of Finance prior to the date hereof (the "Proposed
Amendments") and assumes that all Proposed Amendments will be enacted in their
present form. However, no assurances can be given that the Proposed Amendments
will be enacted in the form proposed, or at all.
Except for the foregoing, this summary does not take into account or
anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, administrative or
judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account provincial,
territorial or foreign income tax legislation or considerations, which may
differ from the Canadian federal income tax considerations described herein.
WHILE THIS SUMMARY IS INTENDED TO ADDRESS ALL PRINCIPAL CANADIAN FEDERAL
INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS, IT IS OF A GENERAL NATURE ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO
BE, NOR SHOULD IT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE TO ANY PARTICULAR
VERITAS SHAREHOLDER. THEREFORE, SUCH HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. NO ADVANCE INCOME TAX
RULING HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM REVENUE CANADA TO CONFIRM THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED HEREIN.
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For purposes of the Canadian Tax Act, all amounts relating to the
acquisition, holding or disposition of shares of Digicon New Common Stock,
including dividends, adjusted cost base and proceeds of disposition must be
converted into Canadian dollars based on the prevailing United States dollar
exchange rate at the time such amounts arise.
Shareholders Resident in Canada. The following portion of the summary is
applicable to Veritas Shareholders who, for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act,
are resident or deemed to be resident in Canada.
Exchange of Veritas Common Shares for Exchangeable Shares. A holder of
Veritas Common Shares will not realize a capital gain, for purposes of the
Canadian Tax Act on the exchange provided that the aggregate adjusted cost base
of the holder's Veritas Common Shares, at the Effective Time, and any reasonable
costs of disposition, exceeds the sum of (i) the amount of any cash received in
lieu of a fractional Exchangeable Share, and (ii) the fair market values of the
Voting Rights and the Exchange Rights under the Voting and Exchange Trust
Agreement acquired by such holder in connection with the exchange. To the extent
that such sum, net of any reasonable costs of disposition, exceeds the aggregate
adjusted cost base of such holders' Veritas Common Shares, such holder will
realize a capital gain for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act. The taxation of
capital gains is described below in respect of a redemption or exchange of
Exchangeable Shares.
A holder of Veritas Common Shares that are exchanged will be deemed to have
acquired:
(i) Exchangeable Shares for a cost equal to the amount, if any, by which
the adjusted cost base to such holder of the Veritas Common Shares
that are exchanged exceeds the sum of (A) the fair market values of
the Voting Rights and the Exchange Rights in respect of the holder's
Exchangeable Shares, and (B) any cash received by the holder in lieu
of a fractional Exchangeable Share; and
(ii) the Voting Rights and the Exchange Rights in respect of the
shareholder's Exchangeable Shares for a cost equal to their fair
market value.
For these purposes, a holder of Veritas Common Shares will be required to
determine the fair market value of the Voting Rights and the Exchange Rights on
a reasonable basis. Veritas is of the view, and has advised Canadian tax
counsel, that the Voting Rights and the Exchange Right have only nominal value.
Therefore, a holder of Veritas Common Shares should not realize a capital gain
on the exchange of Veritas Common Shares for Exchangeable Shares. Such
determination of value is not binding on Revenue Canada and Canadian tax counsel
can express no opinion on matters such as this that require a factual
determination.
Call Rights. Veritas is of the view, and has advised Canadian tax counsel,
that no amount should be allocated to the Call Rights granted to Digicon to
acquire Exchangeable Shares. In particular, Veritas is of the view that the
Liquidation Call Right, the Redemption Call Right and the Retraction Call Right
have nominal value. On this basis, no shareholder should realize a gain at the
time that the Call Rights are granted to Digicon. Such determinations of value
are not binding on Revenue Canada and Canadian tax counsel can express no
opinion on matters such as this that require a factual determination.
Dividends Paid On Exchangeable Shares. A shareholder who is an individual
will include dividends received or deemed to be received on the Exchangeable
Shares in computing the shareholder's income, and will be subject to the
gross-up and dividend tax credit rules normally applicable to taxable dividends
received from taxable Canadian corporations.
The Exchangeable Shares will be "taxable preferred shares" and "short-term
preferred shares" for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act. Accordingly, Veritas
will be subject to a 66 2/3% tax under Part VI.1 of the Canadian Tax Act on
dividends, other than excluded dividends, paid or deemed to be paid on the
Exchangeable Shares. Dividends received or deemed to be received on the
Exchangeable Shares will not be subject to the 10% tax under Part IV.1 of the
Canadian Tax Act applicable to certain corporations.
If Digicon or any person with whom Digicon does not deal at arm's length is
a "specified financial institution" under the Canadian Tax Act when a dividend
is paid on an Exchangeable Share, then, subject to
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the exception described below, dividends received or deemed to be received by a
shareholder that is a corporation will not be deductible in computing taxable
income but will be fully included in taxable income under Part I of the Canadian
Tax Act. Such dividend will not be subject to tax under Part IV of the Canadian
Tax Act. A corporation will generally be a specified financial institution for
these purposes if it is a bank, a trust company, a credit union, an insurance
corporation or a corporation whose principal business is the lending of money to
persons with whom the corporation is dealing at arm's length or the purchasing
of debt obligations issued by such persons or a combination thereof, and
corporations controlled by or related to such entities. Digicon has informed
Canadian tax counsel that it is of the view that neither it nor any person with
whom it does not deal at arm's length is a specified financial institution at
the current time, but there can be no assurances that this status will not
change prior to any dividend which is received or deemed to be received by a
corporate shareholder.
This denial of the dividend deduction for a corporate shareholder will not
in any event apply if, at the time a dividend is received or deemed to be
received, the Exchangeable Shares are listed on a prescribed stock exchange
(which currently includes the TSE), Digicon controls Veritas, and the recipient
(together with persons with whom the recipient does not deal at arm's length or
any partnership or trust of which the recipient or person is a member or
beneficiary, respectively) does not receive dividends on more than 10% of the
issued and outstanding Exchangeable Shares.
Subject to the foregoing, in the case of a shareholder that is a
corporation, other than a "specified financial institution" as defined in the
Canadian Tax Act, dividends received or deemed to be received on the
Exchangeable Shares will normally be deductible in computing its taxable income.
A shareholder that is a "private corporation" (as defined in the Canadian Tax
Act), or any other corporation resident in Canada and controlled or deemed to be
controlled by or for the benefit of an individual or a related group of
individuals, may be liable under Part IV of the Canadian Tax Act to pay a
refundable tax of 33 1/3% on dividends received or deemed to be received on the
Exchangeable Shares to the extent that such dividends are deductible in
computing the shareholder's taxable income.
In the case of a shareholder that is a specified financial institution, a
dividend received on its Exchangeable Shares will be deductible in computing its
taxable income only if either:
(i) the specified financial institution did not acquire the Exchangeable
Shares in the ordinary course of the business carried on by such institution; or
(ii) at the time of the receipt of the dividend by the specified financial
institution, the Exchangeable Shares are listed on a prescribed stock exchange
in Canada (which currently includes the TSE) and the specified financial
institution, either alone or together with persons with whom it does not deal at
arm's length, does not receive (or is not deemed to receive) dividends in
respect of more than 10% of the issued and outstanding Exchangeable Shares.
Redemption or Exchange of Exchangeable Shares. On the redemption
(including a retraction) of an Exchangeable Share by Veritas, the holder of the
Exchangeable Share will be deemed to have received a dividend equal to the
amount, if any, by which the redemption proceeds (the fair market value at the
time of the redemption of the share of Digicon New Common Stock received by the
shareholder from Veritas on the redemption plus the amount, if any, of all
declared but unpaid dividends on the Exchangeable Share) exceeds the paid-up
capital at that time of the Exchangeable Share so redeemed. The amount of any
such deemed dividend will be subject to the tax treatment accorded to dividends
described above. On the redemption, the holder of an Exchangeable Share will
also be considered to have disposed of the Exchangeable Share, but the amount of
such deemed dividend will be excluded in computing the shareholder's proceeds of
disposition for purposes of computing any capital gain or capital loss arising
on the disposition of the Exchangeable Share. In the case of a shareholder that
is a corporation, in some circumstances the amount of any such deemed dividend
may be treated as proceeds of disposition and not as a dividend.
On the exchange of an Exchangeable Share by the holder thereof with Digicon
for a share of Digicon New Common Stock, the holder will in general realize a
capital gain (or a capital loss) equal to the amount by which the proceeds of
disposition of the Exchangeable Share, net of any reasonable costs of
disposition, exceed
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(or are less than) the adjusted cost base to the holder of the Exchangeable
Share. For these purposes, the proceeds of disposition will be the fair market
value of a share of Digicon New Common Stock at the time of exchange plus the
amount of all declared but unpaid dividends on the Exchangeable Share received
by the holder as part of the exchange consideration.
Three-quarters of any capital gain (the "taxable capital gain") will be
included in the shareholder's income for the year of disposition. Three-quarters
of any capital loss realized (the "allowable capital loss") may be deducted by
the holder against taxable capital gains for the year of disposition. Any excess
of allowable capital losses over taxable capital gains of the shareholder for
the year of disposition may be carried back up to three taxation years or
forward indefinitely and deducted against net taxable capital gains in those
other years.
A shareholder that is throughout the relevant taxation year a
"Canadian-controlled private corporation" (as defined in the Canadian Tax Act)
may be liable to pay an additional refundable tax of 6 2/3% on its "aggregate
investment income" for the year, which is defined to include taxable capital
gains (but not dividends or deemed dividends deductible in computing taxable
income).
If the holder of an Exchangeable Share is a corporation, the amount of any
capital loss arising from a disposition or deemed disposition of an Exchangeable
Share may be reduced by the amount of dividends received or deemed to have been
received by it on such share or on the Veritas Common Shares previously owned by
such holder, to the extent and under circumstances prescribed by the Canadian
Tax Act. Similar rules may apply where a corporation is a member of a
partnership or a beneficiary of a trust that owns Exchangeable Shares or where a
trust or partnership of which a corporation is a beneficiary or a member is a
member of a partnership or a beneficiary of a trust that owns Exchangeable
Shares.
The cost base of a share of Digicon New Common Stock received on the
retraction, redemption or exchange of an Exchangeable Share will be equal to the
fair market value of the share of Digicon New Common Stock at the time of such
event.
Because of the existence of the Retraction Call Right, a holder exercising
the right of retraction in respect of an Exchangeable Share cannot control
whether such holder will receive a share of Digicon New Common Stock by way of
redemption of the Exchangeable Share by Veritas or by way of purchase of the
Exchangeable Share by Digicon. As described above, the Canadian federal income
tax consequences of a redemption differ from those of a purchase. However, a
holder who exercises the right of retraction will be notified if the Retraction
Call Right will not be exercised by Digicon and the holder may cancel the notice
of retraction and retain the Exchangeable Share.
Dividend on Digicon New Common Stock. Dividends paid on Digicon New Common
Stock will be included in the recipient's income for the purposes of the
Canadian Tax Act. Such dividends received by an individual shareholder will not
be subject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules in the Canadian Tax
Act. A corporation which is a shareholder will include such dividends in
computing its taxable income. United States non-resident withholding tax on such
dividends will be eligible for foreign tax credit or deduction treatment where
applicable under the Canadian Tax Act.
Disposition of Digicon New Common Stock. A disposition or deemed
disposition of a share of Digicon New Common Stock by a holder will generally
result in a capital gain (or capital loss) equal to the amount by which the
proceeds of disposition, net of any reasonable costs of disposition, exceed (or
are less than) the adjusted cost base to the holder of the share.
Eligibility for Investment
Foreign Property. Provided the Exchangeable Shares are listed on a
prescribed stock exchange in Canada (which currently includes the TSE) and
Veritas maintains a substantial presence in Canada, the Exchangeable Shares will
not be foreign property under the Canadian Tax Act for trusts governed by
registered pension plans, registered retirement savings plans, registered
retirement income funds and deferred profit sharing plans or for certain other
tax-exempt persons. Veritas will be considered to have a substantial presence in
Canada if it satisfies certain asset tests or its head office is in Canada and
Veritas, or a corporation
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controlled by it with a head office in Canada, employs more than five employees
full time in the active conduct of a business, other than an investment
business, carried on by it directly or through a partnership of which it is a
majority interest partner. Veritas has informed Canadian tax counsel that it
currently satisfies this substantial presence test and expects that it will
continue to satisfy the test.
The Voting Rights and Exchange Rights will be foreign property under the
Canadian Tax Act. However, as indicated above, Veritas is of the view that the
fair market value of these rights is nominal. Digicon New Common Stock will be
foreign property under the Canadian Tax Act.
Qualified Investments. Provided they are listed on a prescribed stock
exchange in Canada (which currently includes the TSE), the Exchangeable Shares
will be a qualified investment under the Canadian Tax Act for trusts governed by
registered retirement savings plans, registered retirement income funds and
deferred profit sharing plans. Further, the Exchangeable Shares should be a
qualified investment even if they are not listed on a prescribed exchange, as
long as Veritas continues to be considered a public corporation under the
Canadian Tax Act. (In certain other circumstances, such shares may also be
qualified investments.) Digicon New Common Stock will be a qualified investment
under the Canadian Tax Act for such plans provided such shares remain listed on
the TSE (or are listed on certain other stock exchanges). The Voting Rights and
Exchange Rights will not be qualified investments under the Canadian Tax Act.
However, as indicated above, Veritas is of the view that the fair market value
of these rights is nominal.
Dissenting Shareholders. Holders of Veritas Common Shares are permitted to
dissent from the Arrangement in the manner set out in section 184 of the ABCA. A
dissenting Veritas shareholder will be entitled, in the event the Arrangement
becomes effective, to be paid by Veritas the fair value of the Veritas Common
Shares held by such holder determined as of the appropriate date. See,
"Dissenting Shareholders' and Optionholders' Rights." Such a shareholder will be
considered to have realized a deemed dividend and capital gain (or capital loss)
based on redemption proceeds equal to such fair value, computed as generally
described above in the case of a redemption (including a retraction) of an
Exchangeable Share by Veritas for a share of Digicon New Common Stock under
"Redemption or Exchange of Exchangeable Shares." Dissenting Veritas shareholders
should consult their own tax advisors in respect of the treatment of such deemed
dividends. Additional income tax considerations may be relevant to dissenting
Veritas shareholders who fail to perfect or withdraw their claims pursuant to
the right of dissent.
Shareholders Not Resident in Canada. The following portion of the summary
is applicable to Veritas Shareholders who, for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act,
have not been and will not be resident or deemed to be resident in Canada at any
time while they have held Veritas Common Shares or will hold Exchangeable Shares
or shares of Digicon New Common Stock and to whom such shares are not taxable
Canadian property and, in the case of a non-resident of Canada who carries on an
insurance business in Canada and elsewhere, the shares are not effectively
connected with its Canadian insurance business.
Generally, the Veritas Common Shares, the Exchangeable Shares and shares of
Digicon New Common Stock will not be taxable Canadian property provided that
such shares are listed on a prescribed stock exchange (which currently includes
the TSE), the holder does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use or hold, the
Veritas Common Shares, the Exchangeable Shares or the shares of Digicon New
Common Stock, as applicable, in connection with carrying on a business in Canada
and the holder, persons with whom such holder does not deal at arm's length, or
the holder and such persons, has not owned (or had under option) 25% or more of
the issued shares of any class or series of the capital stock of Veritas or
Digicon at any time within five years preceding the date in question. In the
case of Digicon, even if the holder exceeds the 25% threshold with respect to
shares of Digicon New Common Stock, the shares of Digicon New Common Stock may
not be taxable Canadian property; such holders should consult their own tax
advisors to determine whether their shares of Digicon New Common Stock
constitute taxable Canadian property. Veritas has applied for the listing of the
Exchangeable Shares on the TSE and Digicon has indicated that it intends to use
its best efforts to cause Veritas to maintain such listing.
A holder of Veritas Common Shares will not be subject to tax under the
Canadian Tax Act on the exchange of a Veritas Common Share for an Exchangeable
Share, on the exchange of an Exchangeable Share
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for a share of Digicon New Common Stock, except to the extent the exchange gives
rise to a deemed dividend (discussed below), or on the sale or other disposition
of an Exchangeable Share or a share of Digicon New Common Stock.
Any dividends paid on the Exchangeable Shares are subject to non-resident
withholding tax under the Canadian Tax Act at the rate of 25%, although such
rate may be reduced under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. For
example, under the Tax Treaty, the rate is generally reduced to 15% for
dividends paid to a person who is the beneficial owner and who is resident in
the United States for purposes of the Tax Treaty.
A holder whose Exchangeable Shares are redeemed (either under Veritas'
redemption right or pursuant to the holder's retraction rights) will be deemed
to receive a dividend as described above for residents of Canada, which deemed
dividend will be subject to withholding tax as described in the preceding
paragraph.
Holders of Veritas Common Shares are permitted to dissent from the
Arrangement in the manner set out in section 184 of the ABCA. A dissenting
Veritas Shareholder will be entitled, in the event the Arrangement becomes
effective, to be paid by Veritas the fair value of the Veritas Common Shares
held by such holder determined as of the appropriate date. See, "Dissenting
Shareholders' and Optionholders' Rights". Such shareholder will be considered to
have realized a deemed dividend and capital gain (or capital loss) based on
redemption proceeds equal to such fair value, computed as generally described
above, in the case of a redemption (including a retraction) of an Exchangeable
Share by Veritas for a share of Digicon New Common Stock, under "Redemption or
Exchange of Exchangeable Shares." Deemed dividends will be subject to
withholding tax as described above. Any capital gain realized by a dissenting
Veritas Shareholder will not be taxed under the Canadian Tax Act if the Veritas
Common Shares in respect of which the right of dissent is exercised are not
taxable Canadian property, as described above. Additional income tax
considerations may be relevant to dissenting Veritas shareholders who fail to
perfect or withdraw their claims pursuant to the right of dissent.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO VERITAS SHAREHOLDERS
In the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., United States counsel to Veritas
("U.S. Counsel"), the following is a summary of the material United States
federal income tax considerations generally applicable to Veritas Shareholders
that are "United States persons" as defined for United States federal income tax
purposes and that hold Veritas Common Shares as capital assets ("United States
Holders"), arising from and relating to the Arrangement, including the receipt
and ownership of Exchangeable Shares and Digicon New Common Stock. For United
States federal income tax purposes, "United States Persons" are United States
citizens or residents, corporations or partnerships organized under the laws of
the United States or any state thereof, and any estate or trust subject to
United States federal income tax on its income regardless of source.
This summary is based on United States federal tax law in effect as of the
date hereof. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority exists which
directly addresses certain of the United States federal income tax consequences
of the issuance and ownership of instruments and rights comparable to the
Exchangeable Shares, the Voting Rights, the Exchange Rights and the Call Rights.
Consequently (as discussed more fully below), some aspects of the United States
federal income tax treatment of the Arrangement, including the receipt and
ownership of Exchangeable Shares and the exchange of Exchangeable Shares for
shares of Digicon New Common Stock, are not certain. No advance income tax
ruling has been sought or obtained from the United States Internal Revenue
Service ("IRS") regarding the tax consequences of any of the transactions
described herein.
This summary does not address aspects of United States taxation other than
United States federal income taxation, nor does it address all aspects of United
States federal income taxation that may be applicable to particular United
States Holders, including, without limitation, holders of Veritas Common Shares
acquired as a result of the exercise of employee stock options. In addition,
this summary does not address the United States state or local tax consequences
or the foreign tax consequences of the Arrangement or the receipt and ownership
of the Exchangeable Shares or shares of Digicon New Common Stock.
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UNITED STATES HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT
TO THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES AND THE FOREIGN
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ARRANGEMENT, INCLUDING THE RECEIPT AND OWNERSHIP OF
EXCHANGEABLE SHARES, VOTING RIGHTS, EXCHANGE RIGHTS AND SHARES OF DIGICON NEW
COMMON STOCK.
Characterization of the Arrangement for United States Federal Income Tax
Purposes. In the opinion of U.S. Counsel, although not free from doubt, the
Arrangement should qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the U.S. Code. There is, however, no direct authority addressing the
proper treatment of the Arrangement for the United States federal income tax
purposes and therefore such opinion is subject to significant uncertainty.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS would not challenge the
status of the Arrangement as a reorganization or that, if challenged, a court
would not agree with the IRS.
Receipt of Exchangeable Shares. Assuming the Arrangement qualifies as a
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code, the following federal income
tax consequences will occur:
(a) A United States Holder of Veritas Common Shares who receives
Exchangeable Shares pursuant to the Arrangement will not recognize any gain or
loss with respect to the receipt of such shares;
(b) Except as provided below, the aggregate basis of the Exchangeable
Shares received pursuant to the Arrangement (including any fractional shares
deemed received) by a United States Holder of Veritas Common Shares will equal
such holder's aggregate basis in the shares of Veritas Common Shares surrendered
pursuant to the Arrangement;
(c) The holding period of the Exchangeable Shares received by a United
States Holder of Veritas Common Shares pursuant to the Arrangement will include
the holding period of the Veritas Common Shares surrendered in exchange
therefor; and
(d) Cash payments in lieu of a fractional Exchangeable Share will be
treated as if a fractional Exchangeable Share had been received in the
Arrangement and then redeemed by Veritas. Such redemption should qualify as a
distribution in full payment in exchange for the fractional share rather than a
distribution of a dividend. Accordingly, a Veritas Shareholder receiving cash in
lieu of a fractional share will recognize capital gain or loss upon such payment
equal to the difference, if any, between such shareholder's basis in the
fractional share (as described in paragraph (b) above) and the amount of cash
received. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the Veritas Common
Share is held as a capital asset at the Effective Time.
If the Arrangement fails to qualify as a reorganization, a United States
Holder of the Veritas Common Shares would recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the fair market value of the Exchangeable Shares and such
holder's basis in the Veritas Common Shares exchanged therefor. Regardless of
whether the Arrangement qualifies as a "reorganization" within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the U.S. Code, Veritas will recognize no gain or loss for
United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the Arrangement.
Veritas believes that the Voting Rights and Exchange Rights received and
any Call Rights deemed to be conveyed by Veritas Shareholders pursuant to the
Combination Agreement and the Arrangement will have only nominal value and,
therefore, that their receipt or conveyance, as the case may be, will not result
in any material United States federal income tax consequences. Further, the
exchange of certain of the Call Rights for the Voting Rights and Exchange Rights
may not be taxable to United States Holders because United States Holders and
Digicon may be deemed to have granted purchase options to each other, which
grants would not generally be treated as taxable events for United States
federal income tax purposes. It is possible, however, that the IRS could take
the position that the Voting Rights, Exchange Rights and Call Rights have
greater than nominal value and that the transfer or receipt of such rights is
taxable. In such event, the receipt of the Voting Rights and Exchange Rights and
the conveyance of certain of the Call Rights could generate taxable gain or
loss.
If the IRS successfully asserts that the Voting Rights and Exchange Rights
have greater than nominal value and such rights are deemed to have been
transferred by Veritas rather than Digicon in redemption of Veritas Common
Shares, a United States holder would recognize dividend income equal to the
value of such
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rights to the extent of the accumulated earnings and profits of Veritas (as
determined under United States federal income tax principles) unless such deemed
redemption is either "not essentially equivalent to a dividend" or
"substantially disproportionate" or "not essentially equivalent to a dividend,"
any gain recognized by a United States holder would be capital gain. The basis
of the Exchangeable Shares received pursuant to the Arrangement will not include
the basis of any Veritas Common Shares deemed to have been redeemed by Veritas.
United States Holders should consult their tax advisors with respect to the
potential tax consequences of the receipt of the Voting Rights and Exchange
Rights pursuant to the Arrangement.
Requirements of Notice Filing. Any United States Holder that receives the
Exchangeable Shares in exchange for Veritas Common Shares will be required to
file a notice with the IRS on or before the last date for filing a United States
federal income tax return for the holder's taxable year in which the Arrangement
occurs. The notice must contain certain information specifically enumerated in
Section 7.367(b)-1 of the United States Treasury regulations, and United States
Holders are advised to consult their tax advisors for assistance in preparing
such notice.
If a United States Holder required to give notice as described above fails
to give such notice, and if the United States Holder further fails to establish
reasonable cause for the failure, then the Commissioner of IRS (the
"Commissioner") will be required to determine, based on all the facts and
circumstances, whether the conversion of Veritas Common Shares into Exchangeable
Shares is eligible for nonrecognition treatment. In making this determination,
the Commissioner may conclude (i) that the conversion is eligible for
nonrecognition treatment, despite such noncompliance, (ii) that the conversion
is eligible for nonrecognition treatment, provided that certain other conditions
imposed by the United States Treasury regulations are satisfied, or (iii) that
the conversion is not eligible for nonrecognition treatment and that any gain
recognized will be taken into account for purposes of increasing the tax basis
of the Exchangeable Shares received pursuant to the Combination Agreement and
the Arrangement. Nevertheless, the failure of any one United States Holder to
satisfy such requirements from receiving nonrecognition treatment with respect
to the conversion of their Veritas Common Shares to Exchangeable Shares pursuant
to the Arrangement.
Exchange of Exchangeable Shares. It is anticipated that (subject to
certain exceptions described below) a United States Holder that exercises such
holder's rights to exchange the Exchangeable Shares for shares of Digicon Common
Stock generally will recognize gain or loss on the receipt of the shares of
Digicon Common Stock in exchange for such Exchangeable Share. Such gain or loss
will be equal to the difference between the fair market value of the shares of
Digicon Common Stock at the time of the exchange and the United States Holder's
tax basis in the Exchangeable Shares exchanged therefor. The gain or loss will
be capital gain or loss, except that, with respect to any declared but unpaid
dividends on the Exchangeable Shares, ordinary income may be recognized by the
holder thereof. Capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if
the Exchangeable Shares (together with the pre-conversion Veritas Common Shares)
have been held for more than one year at the time of the exchange. The United
States Holder will take as such holder's tax basis in the shares of Digicon
Common Stock the fair market value of the shares of Digicon Common Stock
received by the United States Holder in the exchange and such holder's holding
period will begin on the day after the United States Holder received the shares
of Digicon Common Stock.
In view of the likelihood of the recognition of gain or loss upon the
exchange of the Exchangeable Shares for shares of Digicon Common Stock, United
States Holders may wish to consider delaying such exchange until such time as
they intend to dispose of the shares of Digicon Common Stock receivable in
exchange for their Exchangeable Shares of (as discussed below) until such time
that Digicon owns at least 80 percent of all of the then issued and outstanding
Exchangeable Shares.
Under the certain limited circumstances, the exchange by a United States
Holder of Exchangeable Shares for shares of Digicon Common Stock may be
characterized as a tax-free exchange. First, an exchange of Exchangeable shares
for shares of Digicon Common Stock may be characterized as a tax-free exchange
if, at the time of such exchange, (i) at least 80 percent of the then
outstanding Exchangeable Shares are held by Digicon and (ii) in such exchange,
Digicon, rather than Veritas, acquires the Exchangeable Shares in exchange for
shares of Digicon Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of its Call Rights. In
addition, a United States Holder that receives shares of Digicon Common Stock
from Digicon upon the exercise by
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Digicon of the Redemption Call Right or the Liquidation Call Right generally
should be entitled to nonrecognition treatment with respect to the exchange. In
either case, the exchange would not be tax free unless certain other
requirements are satisfied, which, in turn, will depend upon facts and
circumstances existing at the time of the exchange and cannot be accurately
predicted as of the date of this hereof. If such exchange did qualify as a
tax-free exchange, a United States Holder's tax basis in the shares of Digicon
Common stock received would be equal to such holder's tax basis in the
Exchangeable Shares exchanged therefor. The holding period of the shares of
Digicon Common Stock received by such United States Holder should include the
holding period of the Exchangeable Shares exchanged therefor, which in turn,
should include the holding period of the Veritas Common Shares converted
pursuant to the Combination Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement, provided that
such Veritas Common Shares and Exchangeable Shares have been held as capital
assets immediately prior to the Arrangement and the subsequent exchange,
respectively.
For United States federal income tax purposes, gain realized on the
exchange of Exchangeable Shares for shares of Digicon Common Stock generally
will be treated as United States source gain, except that, under the terms of
the Tax Treaty, such gain may be treated as sourced in Canada. Any Canadian tax
imposed on the exchange will be available as a credit against United States
federal income taxes, subject to applicable limitations. A United States Holder
that is ineligible for a foreign tax credit with respect to any Canadian tax
paid may be entitled to a deduction therefor in computing United States taxable
income.
Distributions on the Exchangeable Shares. A United States Holder of
Exchangeable Shares generally will be required to include in gross income as
ordinary income dividends paid on the Exchangeable Shares to the extent paid out
of the earnings and profits of Veritas, as determined under United States
federal income tax principles. Such dividends generally will be treated as
foreign source passive income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Under
the current Tax Treaty, such distributions will be subject to Canadian
withholding tax at a minimum rate of 15 percent. Subject to certain limitations
of United States federal income tax law, a United States Holder should generally
be entitled to either a credit against such holder's United States federal
income tax liability or a deduction in computing United States taxable income
for Canadian income taxes withheld from distributions with respect to the
Exchangeable Shares.
Dissenters. A United States Holder who exercises such holder's right to
dissent from the Arrangement will recognize gain or loss on the exchange of such
holder's Veritas Common Shares for cash in an amount equal to the difference
between the amount of cash received and such holder's basis in the Veritas
Common Shares. Such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the Veritas
Common Shares were held as capital assets at the time of the Effective Time of
the Arrangement and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Veritas Common
Shares have been held for more than one year at the time of the Arrangement.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations. For United States
federal income tax purposes, Veritas generally will be classified as a passive
foreign investment company (a "PFIC") for any taxable year during which either
(i) 75 percent or more of its gross income is passive income (as defined for
United States federal income tax purposes) or (ii) on average for such taxable
year, 50 percent or more of its assets (by value) produce or are held for the
production of passive income. For purposes of applying the foregoing tests, the
assets and gross income of Veritas' significant subsidiaries will be attributed
to Veritas.
While there can be no assurance with respect to the classification of
Veritas as a PFIC, Veritas believes that it did not constitute a PFIC during its
taxable years ending prior to consummation of the Arrangement. Currently,
Veritas and Digicon intend to endeavor to cause Veritas to avoid PFIC status in
the future, although there can be no assurance that they will be able to do so
or that their intent will not change. Moreover, in connection with the
transactions contemplated herein, U.S. Counsel will not be rendering an opinion
with regard to Veritas' status as a PFIC.
For purposes of applying the 50 percent asset test following the
Arrangement, Veritas' assets must be measured by their adjusted tax bases (as
calculated in order to compute earnings and profits for United States federal
income tax purposes) instead of by value, subject to certain adjustments. As a
result, it is possible that Veritas will be a PFIC for taxable years ending
after the Arrangement even though less than 50 percent of Veritas's assets
(measured by the fair market value of such assets) do not constitute passive
assets. After the
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Arrangement, Veritas intends to monitor its status regularly, and promptly
following the end of each taxable year Veritas will notify United States Holders
of Exchangeable Shares if it believes that Veritas was a PFIC for that taxable
year.
Although the matter is not free from doubt, if Veritas were a PFIC at any
time during a particular United States Holder's holding period for its Veritas
Common Shares, and the United States Holder had not made an election to treat
Veritas as a qualified electing fund (a "QEF") under Section 1295 of the U.S.
Code (a "QEF Election"), then the IRS might take the position that such United
States Holder is required to recognize gain upon the conversion of its Veritas
Common Shares into Exchangeable Shares. In the event that gain recognition were
so required, the amount of such gain would be equal to the excess of the fair
market value of the Veritas Common Shares over their adjusted tax bases.
Further, in such event, any exchange of Exchangeable Shares for shares of
Digicon Common Stock would be taxable under the rules described below.
If Veritas is a PFIC following the Arrangement during a United States
Holder's holding period for such holder's Exchangeable Shares, and the United
States Holder does not make a QEF Election, then (i) the United States Holder
would be required to allocate income recognized upon receiving certain excess
dividends with respect to, and gain recognized upon the disposition of, such
United States Holder's Exchangeable Shares (including upon the exchange of
Exchangeable Shares for shares of Digicon Common Stock) ratably over the United
States Holder's holding period for such Exchangeable Shares, (ii) the amount
allocated to each year other than (x) the year of the excess dividend payment or
disposition of the Exchange Shares or (y) any year prior to the beginning of the
first taxable year of Veritas for which it was a PFIC, would be subject to tax
at the highest rate applicable to individuals or corporations, as the case may
be, for the taxable year to which such income is allocated, and an interest
charge would be imposed upon the resulting tax attributable to each such year
(which charge would accrue from the due date of the return for the taxable year
to which such tax was allocated), and (iii) gain recognized upon the disposition
of the Exchangeable Shares would be taxable as ordinary income.
If the United States Holder makes a QEF Election, then the United States
Holder generally will be currently taxable on such holder's pro rata share of
Veritas' ordinary earnings and net capita gains (at ordinary income and capital
gains rates respectively) for each taxable year of Veritas in which Veritas is
classified as a PFIC, even if no dividend distributions are received by such
United States Holder, unless such United States Holder makes an election to
defer such taxes. If Veritas believes that it was a PFIC for a taxable year, it
will provide United States Holders of Exchangeable Shares with information
sufficient to allow such holders to make a QEF Election and report and pay any
current or deferred taxes due with respect to their pro rata shares of Veritas'
ordinary earnings and profits and net capital gains for such taxable year.
United States Holders should consult their tax advisors concerning the merits
and mechanics of making a QEF Election and other relevant tax considerations if
Veritas is a PFIC for any taxable year.
The foregoing summary of the possible application of the PFIC rules to
Veritas and the United States Holders of Veritas Common Shares is only a summary
of certain material aspects of those rules. Because the United States federal
tax consequences to a United States Holder of Veritas Common Shares under the
PFIC provisions are significant, United States Holders of Veritas Common Shares
are urged to discuss those consequences with their tax advisors.
SHAREHOLDERS NOT RESIDENT IN OR CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES
The following summary is applicable to holders of Veritas Common Shares
that are not United States Holders ("non-United States Holders").
A non-United States Holder generally will not be subject to United States
federal income tax on gain (if any) recognized on the receipt of the
Exchangeable Shares, on the sale or exchange of the Exchangeable Shares, or on
the receipt of or sale of shares of Digicon Common Stock unless such gain is
effectively connected with a United States trade or business or, in the case of
gains recognized by an individual, such individual is present in the United
States for 183 days or more and has a "tax home" (as defined in the U.S. Code)
during the taxable year.
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Dividends received by a non-United States Holder with respect to the
Exchangeable Shares should not be subject to United States withholding tax, and
Veritas and Digicon do not intend that Veritas or Digicon will withhold any
amounts in respect of such tax from such dividends. There is some possibility,
however, that the IRS may assert that United States withholding tax is payable
with respect to dividends paid on the Exchangeable shares to non-United States
Holders. In such case, holder of Exchangeable Shares could be subject to United
States withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent, which rate may be reduced by an
application income tax treaty in effect between the United States and the
non-United States Holder's country of residence (15 percent on dividends paid to
residents of Canada under the Tax Treaty).
Dividends received by non-United States Holders with respect to the Digicon
Common Stock generally will be subject to United States withholding tax at a
rate of 30 percent, which rate may be subject to reduction by an applicable
income tax treaty (15 percent on dividends paid to residents of Canada under the
Tax Treaty).
DIGICON MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Digicon
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Nine Months Ended April 30, 1996 compared with Nine Months Ended April 30,
1995
Revenues. For the nine month period ended April 30, 1996, total revenues
increased 18% from $96.7 million to $114.5 million. Land revenues increased 14%
from $28.5 million to $32.5 million, as revenues from North American and
Argentine operations improved as a result of increases in both operating rates
and production on 3D and transition zone surveys. Current period revenues were
reduced by downtime associated with the conversion of a domestic crew to an
Input/Output System Two -- RSR system and permitting delays for another crew.
Marine revenues increased 34% from $24.9 million to $33.5 million, primarily
resulting from the addition of a new vessel, the reassignment of two vessels to
contract work and higher funding levels on proprietary surveys. This increase
was partially offset by lower prices in the Far East. Data processing revenues
increased 4% from $26.9 million to $28.0 million, due to improved contract terms
at the Assen, Holland center, increased capacity at the Houston and Singapore
centers and the improved Australian market. These increases were partially
offset by the closing of Digicon's Bogota, Colombia and Oklahoma City centers
and depressed European data processing prices. Proprietary seismic data revenues
increased 29% from $16.0 million to $20.5 million, resulting from an expansion
of Digicon's library. This expansion has been in response to modifications in
oil and gas companies' spending strategies.
Operating Expenses. Cost of services for the period increased 21% from
$75.5 million to $91.5 million, and, as a percentage of total revenues, cost of
services increased from 78% to 80%. The increase as a percentage of total
revenues resulted from a weakness in marine acquisition margins primarily in the
Far East, lower profitability on the mix of proprietary data sales and $929,000
in Argentina social security taxes retroactively applied to compensation of
employees converted from a temporary to permanent employment classification.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased 12% from $10.3 million to $11.5 million, due to equipment purchases
for South American land crews, three of Digicon's vessels and the Houston,
Singapore and London data processing centers.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative
expenses increased 16% from $3.4 million to $4.0 million, resulting primarily
from additional costs incurred in implementing a new administrative data
processing system.
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Interest. Interest expense decreased 4%, from $3.8 million to $3.7
million, resulting primarily from reduced borrowings under Digicon's revolving
credit agreement.
Equity in Loss. The joint ventures in the former Soviet Union (the "FSU")
were sold in June 1995, therefore equity losses declined from $825,000 to
$17,000.
Other. Other income decreased from $143,000 to $34,000. The current period
includes losses on damaged cables offset by net foreign currency gains and the
prior period includes a gain on the sale of a seismic vessel partially offset by
losses on damaged cables and net foreign currency losses.
Income Taxes. Provisions for income taxes decreased from $1.1 million to
$160,000. In the current period, provision for income taxes from taxable income
primarily in Malaysia was largely offset by an $876,000 tax benefit resulting
from taxable losses in South America generated by deductions for the Argentina
social security taxes and compensation previously discussed. Provision for
income taxes in the prior period related primarily to taxable income in Malaysia
and South America and a tax assessment in Jakarta.
Fiscal Year 1995 Compared with Fiscal Year 1994
Revenues. For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1995, total revenues
increased 12% from $118.0 million to $132.6 million. Land revenues increased 12%
from $38.5 million to $43.1 million, resulting from increased production in
Argentina, partially offset by reduced North America and Far East revenues. Land
acquisition revenues in the Far East declined as a result of the decommissioning
of an Australian crew. Marine revenues decreased 11% from $36.9 million to $32.8
million, resulting from the derigging of two seismic vessels, lower production
from three vessels due to offshore obstructions and bad weather, and the
reassignment of one vessel from contract work to proprietary data acquisition.
Improved market conditions for 2D surveys continued in the Far East where marine
revenues increased by $7.0 million during the current year. Data processing
revenues increased 20% from $30.0 million to $36.1 million, primarily resulting
from additional capacity. The improved data processing performance was partially
offset by lower revenues generated by Digicon's processing center in Jakarta,
which is expected to be closed during 1997. Proprietary seismic data sales
increased 74% from $11.7 million to $20.4 million, resulting from an expansion
of Digicon's data library. This expansion has been in response to modifications
in oil and gas companies' spending strategies.
Operating Expenses. Cost of services increased 5% from $101.3 million to
$105.9 million, primarily resulting from increased operating levels. Cost of
services as a percentage of sales declined from 86% to 80% due to savings from
the restructuring program implemented during fiscal 1994 and higher
profitability of proprietary data sales.
During fiscal 1995, Digicon accrued $800,000 of costs related to the
closing of the Jakarta processing center. In fiscal 1994, restructuring charges
of $1.4 million were recognized, primarily relating to severance costs
associated with a reduction in Digicon's workforce.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
remained essentially unchanged at $13.8 million. Fiscal 1995 reflects decreases
in charges resulting from the prior year's restructuring program of $2.4
million, offset primarily by an increase in charges on new asset purchases.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative
expenses decreased by 13% from $5.1 million to $4.4 million, primarily resulting
from the accrual of $607,000 in the prior year for benefits payable over five
years under an employment contract with a former executive.
Interest. Interest expense increased 67% from $3.1 million to $5.1 million
as a result of increased borrowings on working capital facilities and equipment
financing, as well as higher borrowing costs.
FSU Joint Venture. In April 1994, Digicon acquired interests in joint
ventures that operate in the FSU. In acquiring these interests, Digicon
exchanged common stock and cash commitments valued in excess of the fair market
value of the net assets received. The excess value was being amortized over a
20-year period, and Digicon recorded $392,000 of amortization expense during
fiscal 1995. The joint ventures were in the start-up
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phase and Digicon recorded $1.5 million of equity losses during fiscal 1995. In
June 1995, Digicon disposed of its FSU interests and recorded a $4.4 million
gain on the sale. See Note 16 to Notes to Digicon Consolidated Financial
Statements.
Other. Other expenses (income) decreased from income of $702,000 to an
expense of $598,000. In fiscal 1995, net losses were recorded on the disposition
of property and equipment, partially offset by a gain on the sale of a vessel.
Income recorded in the prior year resulted primarily from a gain on the sale of
a vessel.
Income Taxes. Provisions for income taxes increased from $1.5 million to
$2.0 million resulting from higher taxable income (including a prior year
assessment) in foreign jurisdictions.
Fiscal Year 1994 Compared with Fiscal Year 1993
Revenues. During the year ended July 31, 1994, total revenue increased
from $117.7 million to $118.0 million. Land revenue increased 116% from $17.8
million to $38.5 million, resulting from the addition of three land crews during
fiscal 1993 and 1994. Marine revenue decreased 38% from $59.1 million to $36.9
million, primarily resulting from Digicon derigging four of its vessels during
fiscal 1993 and 1994. Data processing revenues decreased 16% from $35.8 million
to $30.0 million, primarily resulting from excess capacity in the industry's
marine segment. Proprietary seismic data sales increased 232% from $3.5 million
to $11.7 million, resulting from the increase in the book value of Digicon's
proprietary data library from $10.3 million to $19.6 million. This expansion has
been in response to modifications in oil and gas companies' spending strategies.
Operating Expenses. Cost of services decreased from $101.9 million to
$101.3 million, and as a percentage of total revenue, cost of services declined
from 87% to 86%. This decrease in operating expense as a percentage of revenue
resulted from improved margins on proprietary data sales and savings in the
fourth quarter as a result of the restructuring. In fiscal 1994, Digicon
incurred restructuring charges of $1.4 million as discussed above.
Write-off of Assets. In fiscal 1994, Digicon recorded $6.5 million in
expenses associated with the write-off/reserve of certain assets including $2.4
million of marine and $552,000 of land acquisition assets related to
decommissioned marine vessels and stacked land crews. The write-off/reserve also
included the write-down of other marine and land acquisition assets of $1.0
million. In addition, due to decreased activity in Indonesia Digicon wrote down
data processing equipment by $2.1 million and wrote off $430,000 of proprietary
data.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased 43% from $9.6 million to $13.8 million. During fiscal 1993 and 1994,
Digicon spent approximately $51.0 million for upgrades to marine vessels,
equipment for new land crews and new processing equipment to enhance its market
position. As a result, depreciation expense for the year ended July 31, 1994
increased a net $3.9 million. This increase includes approximately $600,000 in
depreciation savings recognized as a result of the write-off and reserve for
impairment of assets.
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative
expenses increased 15% from $4.4 million to $5.1 million, primarily resulting
from expensing severance benefits of $607,000.
Interest. Interest expense increased 153% from $1.2 million to $3.1
million. To provide additional working capital during fiscal 1994, Digicon
obtained a new revolving credit facility providing advances up to $15.0 million,
borrowed approximately $900,000 against its Indonesian credit facility, borrowed
$6.1 million in short-term related party debt (of which $3.4 million was
outstanding for a majority of fiscal 1994) and financed approximately $4.2
million of equipment purchases.
FSU Joint Venture. During fiscal 1994, Digicon exchanged 1,024,317 shares
of Digicon Common Stock valued at $7.125 per share, or $7.3 million, and a cash
commitment in the amount of $1.0 million in return for interests in four joint
ventures which operate in the FSU. Subsequent to year-end, Digicon increased its
ownership interest in two of the joint ventures by exchanging an additional
684,181 shares of Digicon
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Common Stock valued at $3.375 per share, or $2.3 million and committing to an
additional $2.0 million in cash plus loan guaranties. The excess of the purchase
price over the fair value of the net assets received was being amortized over a
20-year period and for the fiscal year ended 1994, Digicon recorded $100,000 in
amortization expense.
Other. Other expenses (income) decreased from an expense of $184,000 to
income of $702,000, resulting from improved U.S. to foreign currency exchange
rates and gains on the sale of property and equipment.
Income Taxes. Provisions for income taxes decreased from $1.6 million to
$1.5 million. The provision for income taxes in fiscal 1994 related primarily to
taxes on South American operations. The provision for income taxes in fiscal
1993 related primarily to operations in Mexico.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Digicon's internal sources of liquidity are cash balances ($5.3 million at
April 30, 1996) and cash flow from operations ($14.8 million for the nine months
ended April 30, 1996). External sources include the unutilized portion of the
working capital facility described below (approximately $8.0 million at May 20,
1996), equipment financing and trade credit. To provide additional working
capital, Digicon maintains a $17.0 million revolving credit facility with a
commercial finance company which provides for borrowings of up to 80% of the
majority of Digicon's domestic and foreign receivables at an interest rate of 3%
over the prime rate, secured by most of Digicon's world-wide assets. In
connection with such facility, Digicon is limited, without the consent of the
lender, in taking certain actions, including creating indebtedness, is
prohibited from paying dividends and is required, among other provisions, to
maintain certain financial ratios. The facility matures on April 11, 1997, and
as a result, the outstanding balance at April 30, 1996 ($10.6 million) is
classified as current. The lender has formally offered to extend the facility
until approximately June 15, 1998 upon terms which would result in a reduction
in Digicon's effective borrowing costs. Digicon is evaluating the offer but no
decision has yet been made with regard to the facility.
At April 30, 1996, Digicon's backlog of commitments for services totaled
$107.4 million of which 32% relates to land acquisition, 44% relates to marine
acquisition and 24% relates to data processing. Digicon expects to complete 100%
of these commitments during the next twelve months.
Digicon requires significant amounts of working capital to support its
operations and to fund its capital spending and research and development
programs. Digicon's foreign operations, which accounted for 54% of fiscal 1995
revenues and 59% of revenues for the nine months ended April 30, 1996, require
greater amounts of working capital than similar domestic activities, as the
average collection period for foreign receivables is generally longer than for
comparable domestic accounts. In addition, Digicon has increased its
participation in non-exclusive data surveys and has significantly expanded its
library of proprietary data. Because of the lead time between survey execution
and sale, non-exclusive surveys generally require greater amounts of working
capital than contract work. During the first half of the past two fiscal years,
this problem was exacerbated as, for budgeting purposes, several clients
deferred payments on data library purchases until January 1995 and 1996,
respectively, at which time substantially all of such receivables were
collected. Depending on the timing of future sales of the data and the
collection of the proceeds from such sales, Digicon's liquidity will continue to
be affected; however, Digicon believes that these non-exclusive surveys have
good long-term sales, earnings and cash flow potential.
In recent years, Digicon has updated and increased its data processing
capabilities, invested significant capital to outfit a new seismic vessel and
has, more recently, allocated significant resources to its land and transition
zone activities. In the past 3 1/2 years, Digicon has committed approximately
$82.5 million for new capital equipment and invested approximately $13.8 million
in its research and development efforts.
During fiscal 1996, Digicon expects to spend approximately $20 million for
capital expenditures and $2.7 million for research and development activities.
In addition, $6.2 million of equipment was purchased by a commercial finance
company and leased to Digicon under an operating lease entered into in December
1995.
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The majority of capital spending in 1996 will be to upgrade and expand Digicon's
land and marine data acquisition capabilities.
The utilization of net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") is subject to
certain limitations. Additionally, when such NOLs are utilized, the benefit will
be recognized as an addition to paid-in capital and will not be reflected in the
consolidated statements of operations.
Digicon believes that it possesses sufficient liquidity to continue
operations on a satisfactory basis. If additional working capital were to become
necessary as a result of deterioration in demand for or pricing of Digicon's
services, and if additional financing were not available, Digicon's operating
results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
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BUSINESS OF DIGICON
GENERAL
Digicon was founded in 1965 and provides seismic data acquisition and
processing services to the petroleum industry in selected markets worldwide. Oil
and gas companies utilize seismic data for the determination of suitable
locations for drilling exploratory wells and, increasingly, in reservoir
management for the development and production of oil and gas reserves. Digicon
acquires seismic data in land, in marine, and in marsh, swamp and tidal
("transition zone") environments and processes data acquired by its own crews
and crews of other operators. In addition, Digicon acquires and processes
seismic data on a non-exclusive basis for future sale to multiple customers.
In conjunction with certain changes in senior management in 1994, Digicon
initiated a comprehensive program designed to restructure and refocus each of
Digicon's geographic and operational lines of business. Digicon's actions
included: (i) selling its marine and land seismic equipment manufacturing
operations;(ii) selling its joint venture interests in the FSU; (iii) deploying
its land and transition zone crews and its marine crews into markets where
Digicon's presence would likely be significant, such as the Gulf of Mexico
transition zone; (iv) expanding its accumulation and sale of proprietary seismic
data to exploit the historically higher margins associated with non-exclusive
data sales; (v) emphasizing its research and development on the proprietary
seismicTANGO software in order to capitalize on its reputation for seismic data
processing innovation; and (vi) streamlining its cost structure through
personnel reductions, office consolidations, vessel deactivations and the
outsourcing of certain development and manufacturing functions. The continued
implementation of this program has increased revenues and significantly improved
operating efficiencies.
Digicon's subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned, directly or
indirectly, by Digicon unless otherwise indicated, and their respective
jurisdictions of incorporation are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATE OR COUNTRY
CORPORATE NAME OF SUBSIDIARY OF INCORPORATION
- - - ------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------
<S> <C>
Digicon Geophysical Corp.............................. Delaware
Digicon Exploration, Ltd............................ Delaware
Digicon Geophysical Limited(1)...................... United Kingdom
Digicon Russia, Inc................................. Delaware
Infoshare Technology, Inc........................... Texas
Digicon/GFS Inc..................................... Mississippi
Digicon Nederland B.V............................... Netherlands
Digicon (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.(2).................. Malaysia
Digicon Geophysical Limited (3).................. United Kingdom
Digicon (Asia) Sdn. Bhd.......................... Brunei
Seismic Exploration (Nederland) B.V.............. Netherlands
P.T. Digicon Mega Pratama(4)................... Indonesia
Digicon de Venezuela C.A......................... Venezuela
Digicon (Canada) Inc............................. Canada
Digicon (Far East) Pte. Ltd...................... Singapore
Digital Exploration (Nigeria) Limited(5)......... Nigeria
Seismic Company of America, Inc..................... Delaware
Euroseis, Inc.................................... Delaware
Digicon (Nigeria) Limited(6).......................... Nigeria
Digicon Finance N.V................................... Netherlands Antilles
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(1) Formerly Digital Exploration Limited. Owned 49% by Digicon Geophysical Corp.
and 51% by Digicon Nederland B.V.
(2) Owned 70% by Digicon Nederland B.V.
(3) Formerly Digital Exploration Limited. Owned 51% by Digicon Nederland B.V.
and 49% by Digicon Geophysical Corp.
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<PAGE> 80
(4) Owned 80% by Seismic Exploration (Nederland) B.V. Digicon has granted an
option to the minority shareholder pursuant to which such shareholder may
increase its equity interest to 59% and reduce Digicon's interest to 41%.
(5) Owned 60% by Digicon Nederland B.V.
(6) Owned 60% by Digicon.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Geophysical services enable oil and gas companies to determine whether
subsurface conditions are likely to be favorable for finding new oil and gas
accumulations and assist oil and gas companies in determining the size and
structure of previously identified oil and gas fields. These services consist of
the acquisition and processing of 3D and 2D seismic and other geophysical data,
which is used to produce computer-generated graphic cross-sections and maps of
the subsurface strata. The resulting cross-sections and maps are then analyzed
and interpreted by geophysicists and are used by oil and gas companies in the
acquisition of new leases, the selection of drilling locations on exploratory
prospects and in reservoir development and management.
Geophysical data is acquired by marine, land and transition zone crews. In
data acquisition, a source of acoustical energy is employed at or below the
earth's surface and an acoustical wave is produced through the discharge of
compressed air, the detonation of small explosive charges, or other energy
generating techniques. As the acoustical wave travels through the earth,
portions are reflected by variations in the underlying rock layers, and the
reflected energy is captured by geophones situated at intervals along specified
paths from the point of acoustical impulse. The resulting signals are then
transmitted to a recording unit which amplifies the reflected energy wave and
converts it into digital data. This data is then input into a specialized data
processing system that enhances the recorded signal by reducing noise and
distortion and improving resolution and arranges the input data to produce, with
the aid of plotting devices, an image of the subsurface strata. By interpreting
seismic data, oil and gas companies create detailed maps of prospective areas
and producing oil and gas reservoirs.
Advances in seismic technology have shifted the emphasis from 2D to 3D
seismic surveys. Three dimensional surveys generate extremely large data volumes
and involve the acquisition of a very dense grid of seismic data over a
precisely defined area. This heavy concentration of data requires extensive
computer processing to produce an accurate image of the subsurface. Processing
of 3D data is a complex operation involving the use of sophisticated proprietary
mathematical techniques to image the subsurface layers. Although 3D surveys are
acquired in a dense grid, computer analysis allows the geophysicist to focus the
data to closely examine and interpret important subsurface features.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Digicon's principal areas of service include (i) land and transition zone
data acquisition, (ii) marine data acquisition, (iii) data processing and (iv)
sale of proprietary seismic data.
Land and transition zone data acquisition. Digicon's land and transition
zone data acquisition crews consist of (i) a surveying unit that lays out the
lines to be recorded, (ii) an explosives or mechanical vibrating unit and (iii)
a recording unit that lays out the geophones and recording instruments.
Digicon's land and transition zone data acquisition services are conducted by
five seismic crews, three of which operate in the continental United States and
two of which are dedicated to South America and currently operate in Argentina.
In fiscal 1995, land and transition zone data acquisition accounted for
approximately 33% of Digicon's revenues.
The success of 3D seismic offshore has led to a significant increase in
demand for 3D seismic onshore and in transition zone areas. In recent years,
exploration activity in land and transition zone areas by the major oil and gas
companies and independents has increased. In fiscal 1993, Digicon acquired GFS
Company, a contractor in the Gulf Coast transition zone, and has subsequently
upgraded four crews utilizing advanced technology, high capacity I/O equipment.
Two of these land crews are working in the Gulf Coast area and the
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<PAGE> 81
other two have been dedicated to the expanding South American marketplace.
Digicon expects to upgrade the fifth crew to RSR equipment during calendar year
1996.
Marine data acquisition. Digicon's marine data acquisition crews operate
on chartered vessels equipped with seismic, navigational and communications
equipment. All of the vessels operated by Digicon are equipped to perform both
3D and 2D seismic surveys. As of April 30, 1996, Digicon had six vessels in
operation, with three located in the Gulf of Mexico and one located in each of
Australia, Indonesia and the North Sea. In June 1996, Digicon will begin
operating a seventh vessel, the M/V Polar Princess in the North Sea. In fiscal
1995, marine data acquisition accounted for approximately 25% of Digicon's
revenues.
Vessels with multiple streamers and multiple energy sources acquire more
lines of data with each pass, reducing time to completion and the effective
acquisition cost. Accordingly, Digicon has upgraded one vessel so that it can be
configured with up to four streamers and two energy sources, which enables that
vessel to simultaneously record up to eight seismic lines. Digicon has also
developed a multi-boat configuration as a cost effective alternative to large
multi-element vessels for simultaneously acquiring multiple lines of data. The
multi-boat configuration utilizes up to three smaller vessels operating parallel
to each other and working together to acquire multiple lines of data. This
configuration is particularly effective in obstructed areas, which place a
premium on maneuverability and versatility. The three vessels located in the
Gulf of Mexico are currently operating in this configuration. The two vessels
currently located in the Far East are acquiring predominantly 2D surveys.
Data processing. Digicon currently operates seven seismic data processing
centers, including one under contract to a major oil and gas company. These
centers process data acquired by Digicon's own crews and crews of other
operators. The centers are located in Houston, Texas; Singapore; London,
England; Brisbane, Australia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and
Assen, Holland. In each of these locations, Digicon operates high capacity,
advanced technology data processing systems based on Hewlett Packard computer
systems with high speed networks. In fiscal 1995, data processing accounted for
approximately 27% of Digicon's revenues.
Digicon has developed seismicTANGO, advanced proprietary data processing
software which has been installed at all of Digicon's data processing centers
and on three vessels and three land crews. The seismicTANGO software is a fast,
efficient and accurate system which enhances quality control, facilitates the
movement of data from the field to data processing centers and may be used on a
variety of hardware platforms. Current development is aimed at enhancing the
resolution of data from geologically complex formations, such as those present
in Gulf of Mexico subsalt plays.
Sale of proprietary seismic data. Digicon also acquires and processes
seismic data for its own account through surveys partially funded by multiple
customers. Such surveys are offered for sale to other customers on a
nonexclusive basis. Since the beginning of fiscal 1995 through April 30, 1996,
136,000 line miles of new seismic data were added to Digicon's library, and
Digicon expects to continue its emphasis on sales of proprietary seismic data.
The industry has experienced a proliferation of both offshore and onshore
multi-customer surveys as a result of modifications in oil and gas company
spending strategies. In response to this increased demand, Digicon has begun and
is expecting to continue to selectively add data to its library, primarily in
the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. Recent surveys have received significant
initial funding from customers, which has reduced the related risk for Digicon.
Generally, Digicon obtains pre-funding commitments for a majority of the cost of
such surveys. Historically, proprietary seismic data sales have produced higher
returns than Digicon's other classes of services.
SERVICES AND MARKETS
Digicon acquires seismic data in marine, land and transition zone
environments and processes data acquired from its own crews as well as data
acquired by other geophysical crews. As of April 30, 1996, Digicon operated
three land and transition zone crews in the U.S. and two land crews in
Argentina. Digicon's six
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<PAGE> 82
marine crews operate in selected markets worldwide. Digicon also operates seven
seismic data processing facilities in major petroleum centers around the world.
In fiscal 1995 and the first nine months of fiscal 1996, 54% and 59%,
respectively, of Digicon's revenues were attributable to international
operations and export sales.
When performing geophysical services under contract for oil and gas
producers, Digicon may be employed to acquire and/or process geophysical data.
Under any of these arrangements, Digicon's entire work-product belongs to the
contracting party. Digicon also accumulates and processes geophysical data for
its own account, preserving its work-product in a data library for later sale to
interested parties on a non-exclusive basis. When acquiring data for its
library, Digicon generally obtains pre-funding commitments for a majority of the
cost of such surveys.
The following tables set forth Digicon's revenues by service group and
geographical segment:
REVENUES BY SERVICE GROUP(1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED JULY 31,
--------------------------------
1993 1994 1995
-------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Land and transition zone data acquisition.................... $ 17,801 $ 38,454 $ 43,108
Marine data acquisition...................................... 59,104 36,871 32,781
Data processing.............................................. 35,773 30,017 36,104
Sale of proprietary seismic data............................. 3,522 11,710 20,351
Other........................................................ 1,509 926 225
-------- -------- --------
Total.............................................. $117,709 $117,978 $132,569
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(1) Revenues from data acquisition and data processing services are recorded as
revenues based on contractual rates set forth in the related contract if the
contract provides a separate rate for each segment. If the contract only
provides a rate for the overall service, revenue is recognized based on the
percentage of the work effort completed compared with the total work effort
involved in the contract.
REVENUES BY GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED JULY 31,
--------------------------------
1993 1994 1995
-------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
United States(1)............................................. $ 37,476 $ 54,467 $ 63,048
Europe and Middle East....................................... 24,699 29,891 20,230
Africa....................................................... 13,020
Far East..................................................... 38,569 19,401 27,360
South America................................................ 3,945 14,219 21,931
-------- -------- --------
Total.............................................. $117,709 $117,978 $132,569
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(1) Includes export sales of $10,138,000; $1,501,000; and $2,228,000 in fiscal
1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
See Note 11 of Notes to the Digicon Consolidated Financial Statements for
additional segment information.
Geophysical services are marketed from Digicon's Houston offices and from
its regional administrative centers by personnel whose duties also typically
include technical, supervisory or executive responsibilities. Contracts are
obtained either through competitive bidding in response to invitations for bids,
by direct
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<PAGE> 83
negotiation with the prospective customer or through the initiation by Digicon
of surveys for its library of data, which surveys are then offered for sale to
oil and gas companies on a non-exclusive basis.
Contracts for exclusive data acquisition involve payments on either a
"turnkey" or a "time" basis or on a combination of both methods. Under the
turnkey method, payments for data acquisition services are based upon the amount
of data collected, and Digicon bears substantially all of the risk of business
interruption caused by inclement weather and other hazards. When operating on a
time basis, payments are based on agreed rates per unit of time, which may be
expressed in periods ranging from days to months, and most of the risk of
business interruption (except for interruptions caused by failure of Digicon's
equipment) is borne by the customer. When a combination of both turnkey and time
methods is used, the risk of business interruptions is shared in an agreed
percentage by Digicon and the customer. In each case, progress payments are
usually required unless it is expected that the job can be accomplished in a
brief period. In recent years, Digicon's contracts for data acquisition have
been predominately on a turnkey or on a combination of turnkey/time basis.
Except for services performed at the Assen, Holland contract data processing
center, substantially all exclusive data processing work is done on a turnkey
basis.
DATA ACQUISITION SERVICES
Land and Transition Zone. Digicon's land and transition zone data
acquisition services are conducted by five seismic crews, three of which operate
in the continental United States and two of which are dedicated to South
American markets and currently operate in Argentina. Two of Digicon's domestic
crews were acquired in October 1992 as a result of the purchase of GFS Company,
which had extensive 3D experience in the transition zone environment.
Each of Digicon's crews consists of a surveying unit which lays out the
lines to be recorded and marks the site for shot-hole placement or equipment
location, an explosives or mechanical vibrating unit and a recording unit that
lays out the geophones and recording instruments, directs shooting operations
and records the acoustical signal reflected from subsurface strata. On the
typical land seismic survey, the seismic crew is supported by several drill
crews, which are furnished by third parties under short-term contracts. Drill
crews operate in advance of the seismic crew and bore shallow holes for
explosive charges which, when detonated by the seismic crew, produce the
necessary acoustical impulse. In locations where the use of explosives is
precluded due to population density, technical requirements or ecological
factors, a mechanical vibrating unit or compressed air is substituted for
explosives as the acoustical source.
Digicon's land and transition zone crews are equipped to perform both 3D
and 2D surveys, utilizing seismic recording instruments, geophones and a variety
of other seismic equipment, tools and stores. Each crew is capable of recording
seismic data utilizing any energy source. Vehicles assigned to each crew consist
of a recording truck, two or more cable and geophone trucks, an explosives unit
or vibrator trucks and several personnel vehicles with off-road capability. A
summary of Digicon's land and transition zone seismic recording equipment as of
April 30, 1996, is shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEISMIC RECORDING
CAPACITY
CREW NO. LOCATION EQUIPMENT TYPE (CHANNELS)
- - - ------------------------------ -------------- ----------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
301........................... United States I/O System Two 1,800
303........................... United States Seismic Group Recorder 2,200
325........................... United States I/O System Two-RSR 1,800
309........................... Argentina I/O System Two 1,400
312........................... Argentina I/O System Two 600
</TABLE>
Marine. Marine data acquisition services are carried out by Digicon's
crews operating from vessels which have been modified or equipped to Digicon's
specifications and outfitted with a full complement of seismic, navigational and
communications equipment.
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<PAGE> 84
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the
geophysical vessels operated by Digicon as of June 15, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEISMIC
YEAR RECORDING
ENTERED LOCATION AT CAPACITY
VESSEL SERVICE JUNE 15, 1996 LENGTH BEAM (CHANNELS)
- - - ------------------------------ ------- ---------------- --------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Acadian Searcher.............. 1983 Australia 217 feet 44 feet 240/3D
Ross Seal..................... 1987 Indonesia 176 feet 38 feet 240/3D
Seacor Surf................... 1991 Gulf of Mexico 135 feet 35 feet 240/3D
Polar Search.................. 1992 North Sea 300 feet 51 feet 1,920/3D
Pearl Chouest................. 1995 Gulf of Mexico 210 feet 40 feet 240/3D
Cape Romano................... 1996 Gulf of Mexico 155 feet 36 feet 240/3D
Polar Princess................ 1996 North Sea 250 feet 46 feet 480/3D
</TABLE>
The Polar Search is chartered from a ship operator for an initial term
which expires on December 31, 1999. The vessel has recently been upgraded and
equipped with advanced technology including the capability to simultaneously
record up to eight seismic lines utilizing any combination of up to four Syntrak
480 streamers and two energy sources, as well as the most advanced navigation
and positioning equipment obtainable.
The Polar Princess has been chartered from a ship operator through October
1, 1996, and will acquire primarily multi-client data in the North Sea. The
Polar Princess will be equipped with the Syntrak 480 marine digital telemetry
system and one Syntrak 480 streamer.
Digicon's vessels (other than the Polar Search) are operated under charter
arrangements expiring at various times through May 1997. Historically, Digicon
has been able to extend its vessel charters on terms and at rates closely
approximating the expiring terms and rates. Digicon has the right to renew the
charters for all vessels, except the Acadian Searcher and the Polar Princess,
for periods ranging from one to six years. Decisions on whether to extend or
renew expiring vessel charters or enter into charters with other vessel owners
are pending and will be made prior to each charter expiration date.
All of the vessels operated by Digicon are equipped to perform both 3D and
2D seismic surveys. During the last several years, a majority of the marine
seismic data acquisition services performed by Digicon involved 3D surveys.
Digicon frequently upgrades seismic survey equipment on its vessels to enhance
performance quality and incorporate new technology. Each vessel has an equipment
complement consisting of seismic recording instrumentation, 4,500 to 6,000
meters of digital seismic streamer cable (21,000 meters on the Polar Search),
cable location and seismic data location (binning) systems, multiple navigation
systems, a source control system which controls the synchronization of the
energy source (except in the case of the Seacor Surf) and a firing system which
generates the acoustical impulses. The streamer cable contains hydrophones
(marine geophones) that receive the acoustical impulses reflected by variations
in the subsurface strata. Data acquired by each channel in the digital cable is
partially processed before it is transmitted to recording instruments for
storage on magnetic media, thus reducing subsequent processing time and the
effective acquisition costs to the customer. In August 1994, Digicon signed a
series of agreements with Syntron, Inc. ("Syntron"), pursuant to which Digicon
expects to upgrade the recording systems on each of its vessels. In addition to
the systems discussed above (Polar Search and Polar Princess), Digicon has
recently upgraded the Acadian Searcher, which is currently towing one Syntrak
480 streamer.
Each marine seismic crew consists of approximately 20 persons, excluding
the ship's captain and ship personnel. Seismic personnel live aboard ship during
their tours of duty, which are staggered to permit continuous operations. During
seismic operations, Digicon's personnel direct the positioning of the vessel
using sophisticated navigational equipment, deploy and retrieve the seismic
streamer cable and energy-source array, and operate all other systems relating
to data collection activities. Digicon's personnel do not, however, have
ultimate responsibility for the vessel, which is operated by the captain and
personnel who are employees of the vessel owner.
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DATA PROCESSING
Digicon currently operates seven geophysical data processing centers,
including one under contract to a major oil and gas company. At each of the
centers, data received from the field, both from Digicon and other geophysical
crews, is processed to produce an image of the earth's subsurface using
proprietary computer software and techniques developed by Digicon. Digicon also
reprocesses older seismic data using new techniques designed to enhance the
quality of the data. A majority of Digicon's data processing services are
performed on 3D seismic data.
A summary of Digicon's processing centers is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR OPENED
-----------
<S> <C>
Houston, Texas....................................................... 1966
Singapore............................................................ 1970
London, England...................................................... 1973
Brisbane, Australia.................................................. 1982
Jakarta, Indonesia(1)................................................ 1984
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia............................................... 1991
Assen, Holland(2).................................................... 1982
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(1) Operated by an 80%-owned subsidiary. The minority owner has an option to
reduce Digicon's ownership to 41%. Digicon plans to close the center in
fiscal 1997.
(2) Operated under customer contract, which expires in December 1996.
Digicon's centers operate high capacity, advanced technology data
processing systems based primarily on Hewlett Packard ("HP") systems with high
speed networks. Recent installations in Houston, London and Singapore of HP's
new K class servers ("KittyHawk") have been carried out to take advantage of
price/performance improvements.
Digicon has installed its proprietary software, seismicTANGO, on three land
acquisition crews (two in North America and one in South America) and three
marine vessels. These systems run seismicTANGO software identical to that
utilized in Digicon's data processing centers, allowing for ease in the movement
of data from the field to the data processing centers. Continuing development of
seismicTANGO is aimed at enhancing the resolution of data from geologically
complex formations, such as those present in Gulf of Mexico subsalt plays.
PROPRIETARY SEISMIC DATA
In its data acquisition and processing efforts, Digicon acquires and
processes data for its own account through surveys partially funded by multiple
customers. Once acquired and processed, such surveys are then offered for sale
to other customers on a nonexclusive basis. Factors considered in determining
whether to undertake such surveys include the availability of initial
participants to underwrite a majority of the costs, the location to be surveyed,
the probability and timing of future lease, concession and development activity
in the area, and the availability, quality and price of competing data.
During the past three years, Digicon has increased its emphasis on its
proprietary data activities. Since the beginning of fiscal 1995 through April
30, 1996, 136,000 line miles of new seismic data were added to Digicon's
library. Digicon expects to continue its emphasis on the sale of proprietary
seismic data and in 1996 expects to selectively add additional Gulf of Mexico
and North Sea data to its library.
TECHNOLOGY
The geophysical industry is highly technical, and the requirements for the
acquisition and processing of seismic data have evolved continuously over the
past 50 years. Accordingly, it is of significance to Digicon that
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its technological capabilities remain comparable to those of its competitors,
whether through continuing research and development, strategic alliances with
equipment manufacturers or by acquiring technology under license from others.
Digicon has introduced several technological innovations in its geophysical
service business, which have become industry standard practice in both
acquisition and processing. In August 1994, Digicon sold certain inventory, data
acquisition equipment and technology and transferred its marine and land
engineering and manufacturing department personnel to Syntron. Syntron is a
leading manufacturer of advanced digital data acquisition systems which have
gained wide acceptance in the industry. Digicon has upgraded one vessel and
plans to upgrade each of its other vessels to Syntron equipment pursuant to
agreements that continue for approximately 18 months. Until such time as
currently operated data acquisition equipment is replaced, Digicon will continue
to have access to the equipment and technology sold to Syntron through leasing
arrangements.
Currently, Digicon employs approximately 40 persons in its research and
development activities, substantially all of whom are scientists, engineers or
programmers. During fiscal year 1993, 1994 and 1995, research and development
expenditures were $4.2 million, $4.9 million and $2.9 million, respectively. The
reduced level of expenditures in 1995 reflects the transfer of Digicon's marine
and land engineering department to Syntron in August 1994.
Digicon only periodically applies for patents on internally developed
technology. This policy is based upon the belief that most proprietary
technology, even where regarded as patentable, can be more effectively protected
by maintaining confidentiality than through disclosure and a patent enforcement
program.
Certain of the equipment, processes and techniques used by Digicon are
subject to the patent rights of others, and Digicon holds non-exclusive licenses
with respect to a number of such patents. While Digicon regards as beneficial
its access to others' technology through licensing, Digicon believes that
substantially all presently licensed technology could be replaced without
significant disruption to the business should the need arise.
Digicon's continual upgrading of technology, together with the purchase of
new equipment during the previous three years, has required a major commitment
to capital spending. The amount of future capital expenditures will depend on
the availability of funding and market requirements as dictated by oil and gas
company activity levels.
The following table sets forth, for the three years ended July 31, 1995,
Digicon's capital expenditures for each of its significant operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED JULY 31,
-----------------------------
1993 1994 1995
------- ------- -------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Land and transition zone data acquisition....................... $ 8,670 $ 5,066 $ 5,791
Marine seismic crews............................................ 25,177(1) 3,370 8,296
Data processing centers......................................... 6,257 1,931 3,438
Other........................................................... 322 324 717
------- ------- -------
Total................................................. $40,426 $10,691 $18,242
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(1) Includes $7,800,000 of assets purchased in exchange for deferred credits on
future seismic services. See Note 10 to Digicon Consolidated Financial
Statements.
COMPETITION AND OTHER BUSINESS CONDITIONS
Competition. The acquisition and processing of seismic data for the oil
and gas exploration industry has historically been highly competitive worldwide.
However, as a result of changing technology and increased capital requirements,
the seismic industry has consolidated substantially since the late 1980s. The
consolidation has reduced the number of competitors, and the largest competitors
remaining in the market are Western
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<PAGE> 87
Geophysical (a division of Western Atlas Inc.), Geco-Prakla (a division of
Schlumberger), Compagnie Generale Geophysique and Petroleum Geo-Services A/S.
Although reliable comparative figures are not available in all cases, Digicon
believes that its largest competitors have more extensive and diversified
operations and have financial and operating resources in excess of those
available to Digicon. Competition for available seismic surveys is based on
several competitive factors, including price, performance, dependability, crew
experience and equipment availability.
Operating Conditions/Seasonality. Digicon's data acquisition activities
often are conducted under extreme weather and other hazardous conditions.
Accordingly, these operations are subject to risks of injury to personnel and
loss of equipment. Digicon carries insurance against the destruction of, or
damage to, its chartered vessels and its geophysical equipment in amounts that
it considers adequate. Digicon may not, however, be able to obtain insurance
against certain risks or for equipment located from time to time in certain
areas of the world. Digicon obtains insurance against war, expropriation,
confiscation and nationalization when such insurance is available and when
management considers it advisable to do so. Such coverage is not always
available and, when available, is subject to unilateral cancellation by the
insuring companies on short notice. Digicon also carries insurance against
pollution hazards and injury to persons and property that may result from its
operations and considers the amounts of such insurance to be adequate.
Fixed costs, including costs associated with vessel charters and operating
leases, labor costs, depreciation and interest expense, account for more than
one-half of Digicon's costs and expenses. As a result, downtime or low
productivity resulting from reduced demand, equipment failures, weather
interruptions or otherwise, can result in significant operating losses.
Digicon's seismic operations and quarterly financial results historically
have been subject to seasonal fluctuation, with the greatest volume of both data
acquisition and data processing occurring during the summer and fall in the
Northern Hemisphere. However, as a result of the expansion of Digicon's foreign
operations and the deployment of its seismic vessels and crews into regions
having opposing seasons or less severe weather conditions, Digicon believes that
the impact of seasonal fluctuations has been reduced. In addition to
seasonality, Digicon historically has experienced quarterly fluctuations in
operating results. Operating results in any fiscal quarter may vary as a result
of (i) the magnitude of certain contracts for the acquisition or sale of data,
(ii) customers' budgetary cycles and (iii) seismic data sales occurring as a
result of offshore lease sales. In light of customer budgetary considerations,
the majority of Digicon's sales of proprietary seismic data has historically
tended to occur in Digicon's first and second quarters.
BACKLOG
At April 30, 1996, Digicon's backlog of commitments for services was $107.4
million, compared with $86.6 million at July 31, 1995. Such backlog consisted of
written orders or commitments believed to be firm. Contracts for services are
occasionally varied or modified by mutual consent and in certain instances are
cancelable by the customer on short notice without penalty; consequently,
Digicon's backlog as of any particular date may not be indicative of Digicon's
actual operating results for any succeeding fiscal period. It is anticipated
that approximately 100% of the orders and commitments included in backlog at
April 30, 1996, will be completed within the next 12 months.
SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
Historically, Digicon's principal customers have been international oil and
gas companies, foreign national oil companies and independent oil and gas
companies. In fiscal 1993, Royal Dutch Shell and its subsidiaries and affiliates
accounted for 11% of Digicon's revenues. In fiscal 1993 and 1994, Mobil Oil
Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates accounted for 16% and 10%
respectively, of Digicon's revenues. In fiscal 1995, no single customer
accounted for 10% or more of total revenues. Due to the contractual nature of
Digicon's operations, it is anticipated that significant portions of future
consolidated revenues may continue to be attributable to a few customers,
although it is likely that the identity of such customers may change from period
to period.
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<PAGE> 88
EMPLOYEES
At April 30, 1996, Digicon employed approximately 1,200 full-time
personnel. Digicon has no collective bargaining agreements with its United
States employees. However, Digicon's employees in its data processing center in
Singapore have been organized by the Singapore Industrial and Services
Employees' Union. Digicon considers the relations with its employees to be good.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF DIGICON
The table below sets forth certain information regarding Digicon's
executive officers and directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION(S)
- - - ---------------------------------------- --- ----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Douglas B. Thompson..................... 46 Chairman of the Board, Director
Stephen J. Ludlow....................... 45 President and Chief Executive Officer,
Director
Richard W. McNairy...................... 55 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Nicholas A. C. Bright................... 49 Regional Manager -- Europe, Africa, and Middle
East Operations
David E. Graham......................... 48 Regional Manager -- North America Operations
Timothy L. Wells........................ 42 Regional Manager -- Far East Operations
Allan C. Pogach......................... 51 Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
George F. Baker......................... 56 Director
James B. Clement........................ 50 Director
Clayton P. Cormier...................... 63 Director
Steven J. Gilbert....................... 48 Director
Jack C. Threet.......................... 67 Director
</TABLE>
Douglas B. Thompson. Mr. Thompson has served as chairman of the board
since May 1994 and has been president of Jupiter Management Co., Inc. ("Jupiter
Management"), a general partner of Jupiter & Associates, a New York general
partnership ("Jupiter"), since Jupiter Management's formation in 1989. He is
also the sole director and shareholder of Jupiter Investment Company and J/D
Funding Corp., both general partners of Jupiter, and is the sole shareholder of
Jupiter Management.
Stephen J. Ludlow. Mr. Ludlow has been employed by Digicon for 24 years
and has served as chief executive officer since May 1994. He was executive vice
president of Digicon for the preceding four years following eight years of
service in a variety of progressively more responsible management positions,
including several years of service as the executive responsible for operations
in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Richard W. McNairy. Mr. McNairy has served as vice president and chief
financial officer of Digicon since February 1994, prior to which he was
corporate controller of Halliburton Energy Services Group for three years and
vice president -- finance for its geophysical services subsidiary for the
preceding two years. Prior to 1989 and since 1974 he was employed in various
financial and operational management capacities with predecessor companies
acquired by Halliburton. Mr. McNairy has 26 years of experience in the oil
service industry.
Nicholas A. C. Bright. Mr. Bright is the regional manager in charge of all
Digicon operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He joined Digicon in
1980 and served in a succession of more responsible management positions prior
to assuming his present position in 1989.
David E. Graham. Mr. Graham joined Digicon in July 1995, was designated an
executive officer in October 1995, and is the regional manager in charge of
North American geophysical operations. Mr. Graham has 26 years of experience in
the exploration business including the past eight years with Schlumberger, where
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he most recently served as Western Hemisphere sales and marketing manager for
Geco-Prakla, a geophysical subsidiary of Schlumberger.
Timothy L. Wells. Mr. Wells was appointed to his present position as the
regional manager in charge of Digicon's Far Eastern geophysical operations in
August 1995, was designated an executive officer in October 1995, and has been
employed by Digicon in a series of progressively more responsible, technical,
and managerial positions since 1981.
Allan C. Pogach. Mr. Pogach has served as vice president and treasurer of
Digicon since 1981 and as corporate secretary since July 1994. Mr. Pogach has 25
years of experience in energy-related companies.
George F. Baker. Mr. Baker has been president of Cambridge Capital
Holdings, Inc., a private investment firm, for more than five years. He also
serves as chairman of the board and president of Whitehall Corporation, a
manufacturer of seismic towed arrays for offshore oil exploration, and through
its Aerocorp subsidiary, is a provider of aircraft maintenance for the airline
industry.
James B. Clement. Mr. Clement has served as the president and chief
executive officer of Offshore Logistics, Inc., a supplier of helicopter,
transportation, and related services to the oil and gas industry since November
1987, where he is also a director. Mr. Clement also is a member of the board of
directors of Pride Petroleum Services, Inc.
Clayton P. Cormier. Mr. Cormier is currently a financial and insurance
consultant. From 1986 to 1991, Mr. Cormier was a senior vice president in the
oil and gas division of Johnson & Higgins, an insurance broker. From 1979 to
1986, he was the chairman of the board, president, and chief executive officer
of Ancon Insurance Company, S.A. Prior to that time, he was an assistant
treasurer of Exxon Corporation.
Steven J. Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert has been managing general partner of Soros
Capital L.P. since 1992. Soros Capital L.P. is the principal venture capital and
leveraged transaction entity of Quantum Group of Funds. He is also the managing
director of Commonwealth Capital Partners, L.P., a private equity investment
fund. From 1984 to 1988, Mr. Gilbert was the managing general partner of
Chemical Venture Partners, which he founded. Mr. Gilbert is a director of Katz
Media Group, Inc., NFO Research, Inc., The Asian Infrastructure Fund, Peregrine
Indonesia Fund, Inc., Terra Nova (Bermuda) Holdings, Ltd., GTS -- Duratek, Inc.,
Sydney Harbour Casino Holdings, Ltd., and UroMed, Inc., and is a member of the
Advisory Committee of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Merchant Banking.
Jack C. Threet. Mr. Threet was formerly vice president for exploration of
Shell Oil Company. Prior to his retirement from Shell Oil Company in 1987, Mr.
Threet was also a member of the boards of directors of several affiliates of
Shell Oil Company.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of Digicon's Common Stock at April 30, 1996, as adjusted for the
one-for-three reverse stock split effected by Digicon in January 1995, by (i)
each person who is known by Digicon to own beneficially more than 5% of the
outstanding shares of Digicon Common Stock, (ii) each director of Digicon, (iii)
each executive officer and (iv) all Digicon directors and executive officers as
a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME OF PERSON NUMBER OF PERCENT
OR IDENTITY OF GROUP SHARES OF CLASS
- - - ------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Quantum Partners LDC ("Quantum").................................. 1,024,263(4)(5) 9.17%
Kaya Flamboyan 9
Willemstad, Curacao
Netherlands Antilles
Soros Fund Management(1)
George Soros(2)
Jupiter Group(3).................................................. 939,873(4)(6) 8.43%
Fund American Enterprises Holdings Companies(7)
The 1820 House
Main Street
Norwich, VT 05055
Acorn Fund........................................................ 500,000 4.49%
c/o Wanger Asset Management L.P.(8)
227 West Monroe, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606
Wellington Management Company................................... 729,997 6.56%
75 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
George F. Baker................................................... 1,901,069(9)(10) 16.97%
James B. Clement.................................................. 9,999(10) *
Clayton P. Cormier................................................ 14,004(10) *
Steven J. Gilbert................................................. 1,084,368(11)(12) 9.66%
Stephen J. Ludlow................................................. 32,351(10) *
Douglas P. Thompson............................................... 1,954,204(10)(13) 17.38%
Jack C. Threet.................................................... 15,728(10) *
Nicholas A. C. Bright............................................. 13,333(10) *
David E. Graham................................................... 1,500 *
Richard W. McNairy................................................ 16,233(10) *
Allan C. Pogach................................................... 13,333(10) *
Timothy L. Wells.................................................. 8,333(10) *
All directors and executive officers as a group
(12 persons named above)........................................ 3,176,718(14) 27.70%
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
* Does not exceed one percent.
(1) Investment advisor to Quantum.
(2) Sole proprietor of Soros Fund Management.
(3) The Jupiter Group consists of (a) Jupiter Investment Company, Inc., J/D
Funding Corp., DN Funding Corp., CCF/Jupiter, L.P. and DJ Investors, L.P.,
each of which is a general partner of Jupiter & Associates, a New York
general partnership ("Jupiter"), and (b) Fund American Enterprises, Inc.,
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Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc., White Mountains Holdings, Inc.,
White Mountains Insurance Company, Neptune Partners -- 1989A, L.P.,
Neptune 1989 Investors Limited, Neptune 1989C Offshore Investors Limited,
Restart Partners, L.P., Restart Partners II, L.P., Ingrid Morsman,
Natalie Thompson Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Douglas B. Thompson, D.O.
Nelson, Edwin H. Morgens, John C. Waterfall, Francisco A. Garcia, A.
Torrey Reade and Arik Yale Prawer, each of which is an affiliate of one
or more of the Jupiter general partners, previously held an indirect
interest in Jupiter or acquired shares of Digicon's Common Stock in
connection with the Distribution Agreement described below. Pursuant to
an agreement dated December 31, 1992 (the "Distribution Agreement"),
Jupiter distributed all shares of Digicon Common Stock and Digicon Common
Stock purchase warrants held by it to its general partners and to other
parties who held participation interests in Jupiter. The entities or
persons listed as members of the Jupiter Group agreed pursuant to the
Distribution Agreement that the nominees that Jupiter is entitled under
certain circumstances to designate to the Digicon's Board of Directors
will be selected by the vote of such parties, with each such party having
a number of votes equal to the number of shares of Digicon's Common Stock
it holds. Except for the Fund American Enterprises Holdings Companies
(see note 7 below), no person or entity listed as a member of the Jupiter
Group owns a beneficial interest in as much as 5% of the outstanding
Digicon Common Stock.
(4) All entities and individuals listed as a part of the "Jupiter Group" may be
deemed to constitute a "group," within the meaning of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; similarly, all entities and individuals
listed under "Quantum" may be deemed to constitute a "group," and, if
acting together, the Jupiter Group and Quantum would be deemed to
beneficially own 2,912,000 shares, or approximately 25.9% of the Digicon
Common Stock. Each entity or individual listed under the "Jupiter Group" or
"Quantum" disclaims beneficial interest in shares owned, controlled or
deemed to be owned or controlled by each other entity or individual so
listed, except for George Soros who does not disclaim beneficial ownership
of Quantum.
(5) Includes 40,433 shares of Digicon Common Stock which may be acquired upon
the exercise of warrants by Quantum.
(6) Includes 14,978 shares of Digicon Common Stock which may be acquired upon
the exercise of warrants beneficially owned by Fund American Enterprises,
Inc. (see note 7 below).
(7) The Fund American Enterprises Holdings Companies consist of Fund American
Enterprises, Inc. ("FAE"), White Mountains Holdings, Inc. ("WMH") and White
Mountains Insurance Company ("WMIC"). Each of these companies is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Fund American Enterprises Holdings, Inc. FAE's
holdings include 734,873 shares of Digicon Common Stock and currently
exercisable warrants. WMH and WMIC hold 137,000 and 68,000 shares of
Digicon Common Stock, respectively.
(8) Wagner Asset Management, L.P. is the investment advisor to Acorn Fund.
(9) Includes 1,887,737 shares of Digicon Common Stock which may be deemed to be
beneficially owned by Messrs. Thompson and Baker by virtue of their
participation in the Jupiter Group, but as to which Messrs. Thompson and
Baker disclaim beneficial ownership.
(10) Include shares of Digicon Common Stock which the named individual has the
right to acquire upon exercise of currently exercisable warrants and stock
options, as follows: Mr. Baker -- 13,332; Mr. Clement -- 9,999; Mr. Cormier
-- 13,332; Mr. Gilbert -- 13,332; Mr. Ludlow -- 26,702; Mr. Thompson --
13,332; Mr. Threet -- 13,332; Mr. Bright -- 13,333; Mr. McNairy -- 13,333;
Mr. Pogach -- 13,333; and Mr. Wells -- 8,333.
(11) Includes 1,024,263 shares of Digicon Common Stock and currently exercisable
warrants held by Quantum which may be deemed beneficially owned by Mr.
Gilbert by virtue of an investment advisory contract between Mr. Gilbert
and Quantum Partners LDC. Mr. Gilbert disclaims beneficial ownership as to
these shares.
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(12) Includes 43,200 shares of Digicon Common Stock which Soros Capital L.P. has
the right to acquire upon exercise of currently exercisable warrants. Mr.
Gilbert may be deemed to beneficially own such shares by virtue of his
affiliation with Soros Capital L.P.
(13) Includes 42,000 shares of Digicon Common stock which Jupiter Management
Co., Inc. has the right to acquire upon exercise of currently exercisable
warrants. Mr. Thompson, by virtue of his affiliation with Jupiter
Management Co., Inc., may be deemed to beneficially own such shares, but
disclaims any beneficial ownership.
(14) Includes (i) 2,912,000 shares of Digicon Common Stock which may be deemed
to be beneficially owned by Messrs. Thompson and Baker by virtue of their
participation in the Jupiter Group and by Mr. Gilbert by virtue of an
investment advisory contract between Mr. Gilbert and Quantum Partners LDC,
but as to which Messrs. Thompson, Baker and Gilbert disclaim beneficial
ownership, (ii) 43,200 shares of Digicon Common Stock which may be acquired
by Soros Capital L.P. upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, and may be
deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Gilbert as noted in note 12 above,
(iii) 42,000 shares of Digicon Common Stock which may be acquired by
Jupiter Management Co., Inc. upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, and
may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Thompson, but as to which he
disclaims beneficial ownership as noted in note 13 above, and (iv) shares
of Digicon Common Stock which may be acquired by officers and directors of
Digicon upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants, as
noted in note 10 above.
DESCRIPTION OF DIGICON CAPITAL STOCK
COMMON STOCK
Digicon is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of Digicon Common Stock,
par value $.01 per share, and at the Digicon Record Date, there were 11,123,422
shares outstanding, and 1,356,401 shares were reserved for issuance upon
exercise of outstanding warrants and options. Each share of Digicon Common Stock
has one vote on all matters presented to the stockholders. Subject to the rights
and preferences of any Digicon Preferred Stock which may be designated and
issued, the holders of Digicon Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends,
if and when declared by the board of directors, and are entitled on liquidation
to all assets remaining after the payment of liabilities. The Digicon Common
Stock has no preemptive or other subscription rights. Outstanding shares of
Digicon Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Because the Digicon
Common Stock does not have cumulative voting rights, the holders of more than
50% of the shares may, if they choose to do so, elect all of the directors and,
in that event, the holders of the remaining shares will not be able to elect any
directors. For additional provisions relating to the ability of certain persons
to elect directors, see "-- Certain Provisions of Governing Documents." Chemical
Mellon Shareholder Services, Dallas, Texas, is the transfer agent and registrar
for the Digicon Common Stock. At Closing, The R-M Trust Company will be
appointed as the Canadian transfer agent and registrar for the Digicon New
Common Stock.
PREFERRED STOCK
The board of directors of Digicon, without any action by the stockholders
of Digicon, is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of Digicon Preferred
Stock in one or more series and to determine the voting rights (including the
right to vote as a series on particular matters), preferences as to dividends
and in liquidation and the conversion and other rights of each such series. See
"-- Shareholder Rights Plan." There are no shares of Digicon Preferred Stock
outstanding.
Although the board of directors has no present intention of doing so, it
could issue a series of Digicon Preferred Stock that could, depending on the
terms of such series, provide for a liquidation preference over the Digicon
Common Stock or impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other
takeover attempt. The board of directors, in so acting, could issue Digicon
Preferred Stock having terms that could discourage an acquisition attempt
through which an acquiror may be otherwise able to change the composition of the
board
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<PAGE> 93
of directors, including a tender or exchange offer or other transaction that
some, or a majority, of Digicon's stockholders might believe to be in their best
interests.
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
General. On March 18, 1996, the board of directors of Digicon declared a
dividend distribution of one right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of
Digicon Common Stock to stockholders of record at the close of business on April
1, 1996 (the "Record Date"). Generally, each Right when exercisable, entitles
the registered holder to purchase from Digicon one one-thousandth (1/1,000th) of
a share of Preferred Stock -- Junior Participating Series A, par value $.01 per
share (the "Preferred Stock"), at a price of $19.50 per one one-thousandth
(1/1,000th) share (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The terms of
the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") between
Digicon and Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent.
AS A CONDITION TO THE CLOSING OF THE TRANSACTION, DIGICON HAS AGREED TO
GIVE NOTICE OF REDEMPTION OF THE RIGHTS PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE WHICH WILL
RESULT IN TERMINATION OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT.
Each outstanding share of Digicon Common Stock on April 1, 1996, has
received one Right. 250,000 shares of Preferred Stock have been reserved for
issuance in the event of exercise of the Rights.
Transfer and Separation. The Rights are not exercisable until the
Distribution Date. Accordingly, the Rights Agreement provides that, until the
Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the
Rights will be transferred with and only with Digicon Common Stock. Until the
Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new
Digicon Common Stock certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or
new issuance of Digicon Common Stock will contain a notation incorporating the
Rights Agreement by reference. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier
redemption or expiration of the Rights), the surrender for transfer of any
certificates for Digicon Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date, will
also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Digicon Common
Stock represented by such certificate.
As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights shall be evidenced solely
by Rights Certificates (the "Rights Certificates") and may be transferred by the
transfer of the Rights Certificate separately and apart from any transfer of one
or more shares of Digicon Common Stock.
Distribution Date. The term "Distribution Date" means the earlier of:
(i) the close of business on the tenth day after a public announcement
that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring
Person") has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial
ownership of 30% or more of the outstanding shares of Digicon's Common
Stock, other than pursuant to a Qualifying Tender Offer (defined below); or
(ii) the close of business on the tenth Business Day (or such later
date as may be determined by action of Digicon's board of directors) after
the date of the commencement or the announcement of the intention to
commence by any person or group (other than certain exempt persons) of a
tender offer or exchange offer upon the successful completion of which such
person or group would be the beneficial owner of 30% or more of the then
outstanding Digicon Common Stock, regardless of whether any shares are
actually purchased pursuant to such offer.
A person or group is generally not considered an "Acquiring Person," if
either the beneficial ownership of its Digicon Common Stock that would otherwise
cause it to be an Acquiring Person was acquired in a transaction or series of
transactions approved in advance by the board of directors of Digicon or the
board of directors determines in good faith that the person who would otherwise
be an Acquiring Person has become such inadvertently and such person divests as
promptly as practicable a sufficient number of shares of Digicon Common Stock so
that the person would no longer beneficially own 30% or more of the outstanding
Digicon Common Stock.
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A "Qualifying Tender Offer" means a tender offer or exchange offer that a
majority of the members of the board of directors determine to be at a fair
price and otherwise in the best interests of Digicon and its stockholders.
Exercise. Until the Distribution Date (as defined above), the Rights are
not exercisable. However, in the event that any person or group or affiliated or
associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, and subject to Digicon's right
to redeem the Rights, each holder of a Right (other than an Acquiring Person),
will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise a number of one
one-thousandths (1/1,000ths) of a share of Preferred Stock determined by
dividing the purchase Price (subject to adjustment) by 50% of the current market
price of the Digicon Common Stock on the date a person becomes an Acquiring
Person. Because of the nature of the voting, dividend, and liquidation rights of
the Preferred Stock, the value of each one one-thousandth (1/1,000th) interest
in a share of Preferred Stock purchasable upon exercise of each Right should
approximate the value of one share of Digicon Common Stock. It is therefore
anticipated (although there can be no assurance) that the value of the Digicon
Preferred Stock purchased upon exercise of the Rights will be approximately
twice the exercise price paid.
If the Rights are not redeemed as described below and in the event that
Digicon is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50%
or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold after a person or
group has become an Acquiring Person, proper provision will be made so that each
holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise
thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right, that number of shares
of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction
will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
Following the occurrence of any of the events set forth in the preceding
two paragraphs any Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified in
the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person will
immediately become null and void. While the distribution of the Rights will not
be taxable to stockholders or to Digicon, stockholders may recognize taxable
income upon the occurrence of subsequent events -- for example, upon the Rights
becoming exercisable with respect to an acquiror's stock, whether or not
exercised.
The Rights will expire on March 31, 1999 (the "Final Expiration Date"),
unless the Final Expiration Date is extended or unless the Rights are earlier
redeemed or exchanged by Digicon, as described below. Until a Right is
exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a stockholder of
Digicon, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive
dividends.
Redemption. At any time prior to the time a person or group of affiliated
or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, the board of directors may
redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.001 per Right (the
"Redemption Price"). The redemption of the Rights may be made effective at such
time on such basis with such conditions as the board of directors in its sole
discretion may establish. Immediately upon any redemption of the Rights, the
right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of
Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.
Exchange. At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person
and prior to the acquisition by such person or group of 50% or more of the
outstanding Digicon Common Stock, the board of directors may exchange the Rights
(other than Rights owned by such person or group which will have become void),
in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Digicon Common Stock
per Right (subject to adjustment).
The Preferred Stock. Each share of Preferred Stock will be entitled to an
aggregate dividend of 1,000 times the dividend declared per share of Digicon
Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred Stock
will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 1,000 times the payment made per
share of Digicon Common Stock, but in no event shall they receive less than
$1,000 per share. Each share of Preferred Stock has and will have 1,000 votes,
voting together with the Digicon Common Stock, except as otherwise provided by
law. Finally, in the event of any merger, consolidation, or other transaction in
which shares of Digicon Common Stock are exchanged, each share of Preferred
Stock will be entitled to receive 1,000 times
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the amount received per share of Digicon Common Stock. The shares of Preferred
Stock purchasable under the plan will not be redeemable.
Antidilution. The purchase Price payable, the number of Rights, and the
number of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable,
upon exercise of the Rights, are subject to adjustment from time to time to
prevent dilution, among other circumstances, in the event of a stock dividend
on, or a subdivision, split, combination, consolidation or reclassification of,
the Preferred Stock or the Digicon Common Stock, or a reverse split of the
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock or the Digicon Common Stock.
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in
the purchase Price. Digicon may, but is not required to, issue fractional Rights
or fractional Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples
of one one-thousandth (1/1,000th) of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at
the election of Digicon, be evidenced by depositary receipts. In lieu thereof,
an adjustment in cash will be made based upon the market price of the Digicon
Common Stock on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise.
Amendment of Rights Agreement. Prior to the Distribution Date, Digicon may
supplement or amend any provision of the Rights Agreement without the approval
of any holders of the Rights. From and after the Distribution Date, Digicon may
supplement or amend the Rights Agreement without the approval of any holders of
Rights Certificates in order (a) to cure any ambiguity, (b) to correct or
supplement any provision contained therein which may be defective or
inconsistent with any other provision therein, (c) to shorten or lengthen any
time period thereunder or (d) to change or supplement the provisions thereof in
any manner which Digicon may deem necessary or desirable and which does not
adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights Certificates (other than
Acquiring Person or an affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no supplement or amendment pursuant to clause (c)
may lengthen (x) a time period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed at
such time as the Rights are not then redeemable or (y) any other time period
unless such lengthening is for the purpose of protecting, enhancing or
clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders of Rights.
Certain Determinations. The Rights Agreement prohibits the making of
certain determinations and actions by the Digicon board of directors unless at
the time of such determinations there are then in office not less than five
Continuing Directors (as defined below) and the determination or action in
question is also approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors then in
office. These determinations and actions include: (i) determining that a tender
offer or exchange offer is a Qualifying Tender Offer; (ii) extending the
Distribution Date following the commencement or announcement of a tender offer
or exchange offer; (iii) determining that a person became an Acquiring Person
inadvertently; (iv) redeeming of the Rights; (v) exchanging the Rights for
Digicon Common Stock; (vi) valuing certain securities or assets other than the
Digicon Common Stock and Preferred Stock; and (vii) amending or supplementing
the Rights Agreement.
A "Continuing Director" means any member of the board of directors who is
not an Acquiring Person or an affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person, and
who either (i) was a member of the board of directors prior to the time that any
person became an Acquiring Person (other than pursuant to a Qualifying Tender
Offer), or (ii) subsequently became a member of the board of directors, and
whose nomination for election or election to the board of directors was
recommended or approved by the board of directors when there are then in office
at least five Continuing Directors and such nomination for election or election
was recommended or approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on
the board of directors.
Certain Effects of the Rights. The Rights have certain anti-takeover
effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that
attempts to acquire Digicon without conditioning the offer on the Rights being
redeemed or a substantial number of Rights being acquired, and under certain
circumstances the Rights beneficially owned (or that were owned) by such a
person or group may become void. The Rights should not interfere with any merger
or other business combination approved by the Digicon board of directors
because, if the Rights would become exercisable as a result of such merger or
other business combination, the board of directors, may, at its option prior to
time that any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, redeem all (but not less than
all) of the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price.
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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DIGICON'S GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
Digicon's bylaws also contain provisions which may affect control of
Digicon and restrict its ability to engage in certain transactions. In general,
Digicon's bylaws require that, until such time as the Jupiter Group and Quantum,
no longer own more than 20% of outstanding Digicon voting stock, they will have
the right to (i) designate an aggregate of six nominees for election as
directors (out of a present seven positions) at each annual meeting of the
stockholders, (ii) appoint one additional director to an expanded board of
directors if Digicon defaults in any payment obligation on any of its then
outstanding debt instruments or equity securities or if Digicon were to incur
losses for any five consecutive fiscal quarters and (iii) designate two of the
three members of the executive committee of the board. Both the Jupiter Group
and Quantum have agreed that during such time they will vote their shares in
favor of the other's nominees.
In addition, the bylaws prohibit Digicon from engaging in certain
transactions, except upon the prior approval of at least five of the directors
designated by the Jupiter Group and Quantum, including (i) mergers,
consolidations, restructuring and recapitalizations, (ii) any issuance of
Digicon Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Digicon
Common Stock in quantities exceeding approximately 933,333 shares, (iii) any
sale of substantially all of the assets or a majority of the equity securities
of any "significant subsidiary" and certain other sales of assets outside the
ordinary course of business, (iv) any repurchase by Digicon of its outstanding
securities, or (v) any transaction between Digicon and Jupiter, any member of
the Jupiter Group or Quantum except for certain transactions in the ordinary
course of business and certain other transactions entered into in connection
with or contemplated by the plan of reorganization consummated in connection
with Digicon's emergence from Chapter 11 proceedings in July 1991.
Upon consummation of the Transaction, the Jupiter Group and Quantum will
collectively own less than 20% of Digicon's outstanding Common Stock, and
accordingly, they will no longer have the right to designate board members for
election pursuant to Digicon's bylaws. At the Effective Time, the above
provisions of Digicon's by-laws will cease to be operative.
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VERITAS MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion has been prepared by management and is a review of
the financial results of Veritas based on accounting principles generally
accepted in Canada. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with
the Veritas Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Six Months Ended April 30, 1996 compared with Six Months Ended April 30, 1995
Revenues: For the six month period ended April 30, 1996, total revenues
increased 7.2% from C$81.8 million to C$87.7 million. Net revenue increased from
C$49.9 million to C$50.7 million. Seismic acquisition revenues increased 9.6%
from C$67.1 million to C$73.5 million. The majority of the increase resulted
from the operation of a larger fleet of acquisition equipment in Canada and from
a higher number of turnkey contracts with large third party revenue components.
The single crew in Argentina was not operating for approximately 25% of the
first quarter plus most of the second quarter due primarily to lack of work.
Seismic processing revenues decreased 6.6% from C$11.6 million to C$10.8
million, reflecting reduced processing volumes in the Canadian market and
continued pricing pressure in all regions. Data information services revenue
increased from C$3.2 million to C$3.4 million.
Direct Costs. Direct costs increased 5.2% from C$30.6 million to C$32.2
million. The direct costs increased by more than the increase in net revenue.
This reflects the unusually cold temperatures and heavy snowfall during the
winter season resulting in increased operating costs and reduced productivity
during the first quarter of the fiscal year.
Depreciation and Amortization: Depreciation and amortization expense
increased 17.9% from C$6.9 million to C$8.1 million, due to equipment purchases
for the land acquisition business and new computer hardware for the land
processing business.
General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased
11.7% from C$6.0 million to C$6.7 million, resulting primarily from the
continued growth in support systems for the growing international markets.
Interest: Interest expense decreased from C$0.2 million to C$0.1 million.
Other: Other income (expense) decreased from income of C$0.2 million to an
expense of C$0.3 million, primarily as a result of the loss on the sale of
certain fixed assets purchased as a result of the wind-up of a joint venture in
Argentina.
Income taxes. The provision for income taxes decreased from C$2.9 million
to C$1.6 million.
Liquidity and capital resources. Veritas' internal sources of liquidity are
cash balances (C$7.1 million at April 30, 1996) and funds from operations
(C$10.4 million for the six months ended April 30, 1996). External sources
include the unutilized portion of its working capital facility (approximately
C$4.9 million at April 30, 1996), unutilized term loan facility (approximately
C$7.9 million at April 30, 1996), exercised employee stock options, equipment
financing and trade credit. Working capital at April 30, 1996 was C$18.8
million.
Fiscal 1995 Compared With Fiscal 1994
Revenue. Gross revenue increased to C$151.3 million in 1995 from C$122.1
million in 1994. This 24% increase is a result of utilizing additional capital
assets purchased during the year to satisfy customer demand in the Canadian oil
and gas industry and the continued expansion of Veritas' international
operations in the United States, Argentina and Venezuela.
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In 1995, seismic acquisition revenue increased 28% to C$124.5 million.
Veritas acquired C$16.9 million of additional equipment to fulfill the increased
demand for its acquisition services. International revenue increased to 43% of
Veritas' total seismic acquisition revenue.
Revenue generated from seismic data processing increased 13% to C$20.8
million in 1995, reflecting increased revenue from existing international
centers and the successful opening of two additional remote site processing
centers in Texas and Venezuela during the year. International revenue increased
to 36% of Veritas' total seismic data processing revenue.
Information services revenue decreased 2% to C$6.0 million due primarily to
the disposition of the United States field survey operation and lower Canadian
activity levels.
Direct Costs. Direct costs increased 48.5% to C$61.2 million. Veritas
generated gross margin of C$33.3 million, an increase of C$4.4 million or 15%
over 1994, primarily as a result of increased operating assets generating
additional revenue. Gross margin decreased from 41.2% of net revenue in 1994 to
35.2% in 1995 primarily due to a very weak Canadian market in the summer months,
inclement weather and operational challenges experienced in the United States
market by the seismic acquisition division. Gross margin in the information
services division was reduced due to substantial software development costs
which are expensed as incurred.
General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased as a result of higher employee expenses, higher training and systems
development costs, and increased administrative costs associated with developing
international operations. As a percentage of gross revenue, general and
administrative expenses increased to 8% from 7% in 1994.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense in
1995 of C$14.3 million increased 64% from 1994. This was a direct result of
capital equipment additions totalling C$21.2 million in 1995 and C$25.9 million
in 1994.
Interest expense. Veritas had a very modest amount of debt during 1994 and
1995. Interest expense decreased to C$304,000 in 1995 compared to C$450,000 in
1994.
Income before income taxes. Income before income taxes decreased 41% to
C$6.8 million in 1995 from C$11.5 million in 1994. Although the total gross
margin dollars increased by C$4.4 million over 1994, the gross margin as a
percentage of revenue was lower. This, together with significantly higher
depreciation and amortization costs, resulted in lower income before income
taxes for the year.
Income taxes. Income taxes decreased C$1.9 million to C$3.3 million in 1995
due to the decrease in income before income taxes of C$4.7 million. For 1995,
there was a significant increase in the provision for current income taxes and a
decrease in the provision for deferred income taxes. This relates primarily to
the decrease in income from Canadian operations in 1995 compared to 1994 on
which Veritas realized a one year deferral of income taxes.
Net income. Net income of C$3.5 million or C$0.41 per share for the current
year decreased 44% from 6.3 million or C$0.86 per share achieved in 1994.
Operating activities. Funds from operations decreased 13% to C$16.4 million
or C$1.93 per share from C$18.9 million or C$2.58 per share in 1994. Funds from
operations are also affected by the one year deferral of income taxes on
Canadian operations. Funds from operations before adjusting for deferred taxes
were C$17.5 million or C$2.06 per share for 1995 compared to C$14.6 million or
C$1.99 per share for 1994.
Liquidity and capital resources. Veritas has invested heavily in new
technology to remain competitive and to support growth in selected international
markets.
During fiscal 1995, C$18.8 million of cash was provided by C$16.4 million
of funds from operations and C$2.4 million by the incurrence of long-term debt.
Cash and working capital was utilized to fund
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C$21.2 million of equipment purchases, C$1.5 million to fund the purchase of a
subsidiary company, and C$1.8 million to repay long-term debt. Veritas' working
capital at October 31, 1995 was C$12.7 million including cash of C$8.0 million.
At October 31, 1995, Veritas had long-term debt of C$874,000. Veritas
negotiated a term loan facility to finance the majority of its anticipated
capital expenditures. In addition, Veritas had available operating lines of
credit of approximately C$6.0 million as at October 31, 1995.
Veritas management believes that the cash reserves, available lines of
credit, modest long-term debt, and funds generated from operations have placed
Veritas in an excellent position to take advantage of opportunities as they
arise and to continue growing the business.
Fiscal 1994 Compared with Fiscal 1993
Revenue. Gross revenue increased to C$122.1 million in 1994 from C$68.3
million in 1993. This 79% increase was a result of utilizing additional capital
assets purchased during the year to satisfy increased demand in the Canadian oil
and gas industry and to expand Veritas' international operations in the United
States, Argentina and Venezuela.
In 1994, seismic acquisition revenue increased 83% to C$97.6 million.
During the year, Veritas acquired C$22.6 million of additional seismic
acquisition equipment. International revenue increased to 28% of Veritas' total
seismic acquisition revenue.
Seismic processing revenues increased 81% to C$18.4 million in 1994,
reflecting higher activity levels and the opening of three additional remote
site processing centers in Argentina, Texas and Venezuela.
Information services revenue rose by 32% to C$6.1 million due to increases
in field survey, survey audit and digital mapping revenues.
Gross margin. Veritas generated gross margin of C$28.9 million, an increase
of C$13.4 million over 1993, primarily as a result of increased operating assets
generating additional revenue, and direct cost control.
General and administrative expenses. General and Administrative expenses
increased C$3.6 million in 1994 to C$8.7 million as a result of increased
activity levels and international operations, as well as enhancements to
Veritas' communication and management information systems infrastructure.
General and administrative expenses remained at 7% of gross revenue.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased to C$8.7 million in 1994 from C$5.0 million in 1993 as a result of
capital equipment purchases.
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased 60% in 1994 to C$450,000 as
C$1.9 million of shareholder loans and C$9.0 million of longterm debt were
repaid during the year and no new debt was incurred.
Income before income taxes. Income before income taxes increased C$6.9
million to C$11.5 million in 1994 from C$4.6 million in 1993 as a result of the
various factors outlined above.
Income taxes. Income taxes increased from C$2.0 million in 1993 to C$5.2
million in 1994. Of the total provision of C$5.2 million in 1994, C$4.3 million
was classified as deferred tax. This relates primarily to the corporate
structure of the Canadian operations which are conducted through a partnership
and income generated from the partnership is deferred for tax purposes by
approximately 11 months.
BUSINESS RISKS
Veritas provides services to the oil and gas industry in Canada, the United
States and South America. Demand for Veritas' services is ultimately dependent
on current and anticipated demand for oil and gas as an energy source. Lower
energy prices reduce the cash flows available to the petroleum industry for
exploration and development and other capital programs and therefore have a
negative effect on Veritas' operations.
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Veritas is also subject to risks and uncertainties associated with
seasonality, rapid technological change and high capital requirements.
Diversification into different geographic markets may reduce the seasonality of
the business compared to an operation within a single market. Veritas redeploys
its seismic acquisition crews between the Canadian and United States markets
which may have differing seasonal constraints.
Factors which can effect Veritas' business include energy prices, exchange
rates, the general state of the North and South American and world economies,
concerns regarding fuel surpluses or shortages, substitution through imports or
alternative energy sources, changes to taxation and regulatory or governmental
regimes. In addition, competition in certain of Veritas' businesses can be
intense and the industry has been characterized by large swings in available
capacity causing imbalance in supply and demand.
OUTLOOK
Future business prospects for the industry are difficult to predict with
any degree of certainty. Veritas recognizes that its activity levels are
directly related to those of the producers Veritas serves. Oil and gas commodity
prices are cyclical. Canadian gas exports to the United States have grown
dramatically in the last five years. However, there is no certainty that the
growth in the United States market will continue. The use of 3-D seismic
continues to account for a significant portion of geological and geophysical
expenditures made by the industry. Improvements in processing software creates a
demand for reprocessing data in order to provide the explorationist with a
clearer image of the subsurface. Explorationists have traditionally used this
seismic tool for prospect development. Demand for seismic information, both 2-D
and 3-D, is increasing as companies strive to reduce total finding costs for oil
and gas reserves. The overall total demand is significantly influenced by
drilling activity. Veritas enjoys a significant market position domestically in
each of its business activities and has entered the international market place
in the United States, Venezuela and Argentina.
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BUSINESS OF VERITAS
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Veritas was incorporated by Articles of Incorporation under the Business
Corporations Act (Alberta) as 566664 Alberta Ltd. on May 11, 1993. Veritas
changed its name from 566664 Alberta Ltd. to Veritas Energy Services Inc. and
reorganized its share capital by Articles of Amendment dated September 23, 1993.
Veritas was organized in November 1993 to facilitate the combination of three
geophysical service businesses: Veritas Geophysical Ltd. ("Veritas
Geophysical"), a seismic acquisition company, Veritas Seismic (1987) Ltd.
("Veritas Seismic"), a seismic processing company and Canex Information Services
Ltd. ("Canex") (formerly Canex Exploration Services Ltd.), an exploration and
development information services company.
Veritas Seismic, founded in 1968, was acquired in 1974 by David B. Robson.
Veritas Geophysical, founded in 1979, was acquired in 1983 by Decus Enterprises
Ltd. ("Decus"), a company controlled by Mr. Robson. Canex, founded in 1981, was
acquired in 1989 by Optimus Investments Ltd. ("Optimus"), a company controlled
by Mr. Robson and other Decus shareholders.
The combination was completed in December 1993 and in connection therewith
Decus and certain minority shareholders transferred all of the issued and
outstanding shares of Veritas Geophysical and Veritas Seismic to Veritas in
consideration for 2,240,000 Veritas Common Shares and 960,000 Veritas Common
Shares, respectively. Optimus transferred all of the issued and outstanding
shares of Canex to Veritas in consideration for 800,000 Veritas Common Shares.
In January 1994, in furtherance of the combination and to facilitate the
carrying on of the operations of Veritas Geophysical, Veritas Seismic and Canex
on an integrated basis, the following reorganization was completed:
(a) Veritas Geophysical, Veritas Seismic and Canex formed Veritas Energy
Services Partnership (the "Partnership") for the purposes of carrying
on the Canadian operations of such corporations;
(b) Veritas Geophysical, Veritas Seismic and Canex formed Veritas Energy
Services (US) Inc. ("Veritas US") for the purpose of carrying on the
United States operations of such corporations; and
(c) Veritas Seismic retained and continued its South American operations.
In 1994, Veritas Seismic incorporated Veritas Seismic SA under the laws of
Venezuela in order to facilitate the carrying on of operations in that country.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references to Veritas in this
section refer to the Veritas group including Veritas, Veritas Geophysical,
Veritas Seismic, Canex, the Partnership, Veritas US and Veritas Seismic SA.
In order to simplify the corporate structure between Veritas and its
principal shareholders and increase the size of the public float of shares of
Veritas, the amalgamation of Veritas, Optimus, Decus and 584745 Alberta Ltd.
("584745"), the sole shareholder of Decus, was completed on November 1, 1994.
In 1994, Veritas purchased all of the shares of Calgary-based DataGraphics
Ltd. ("DataGraphics") and its wholly owned subsidiary Multitrex Services Ltd.
("Multitrex"). DataGraphics provides survey audit and mapping services while
Multitrex provides survey audit and field survey software development and
support to the Canadian oil and gas industry. Effective August 1, 1995, the
businesses of DataGraphics and Multitrex were transferred to the Partnership.
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Veritas' subsidiaries, all of which are directly or indirectly wholly
owned, and their respective jurisdictions of incorporation are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUBSIDIARY JURISDICTION
- - - --------------------------------------------- ----------
<S> <C>
Veritas Geophysical Ltd. Alberta
Veritas Seismic (1987) Ltd. Alberta
Canex Information Services Ltd. Alberta
Veritas Energy Services Partnership Alberta
Veritas Energy Services (US) Inc. Alberta
Veritas Seismic S.A. Venezuela
</TABLE>
Veritas has its head and principal office at Suite 300, 615 Third Avenue
S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 0G6, and its registered office at 4500, 855 -- 2nd
Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 4K7.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Veritas is engaged primarily in land-based seismic acquisition and seismic
processing in Canada, the United States and Argentina on a contract basis for
its customers and not for its own account. Veritas also has seismic processing
operations in Venezuela. In addition, Veritas provides exploration and
development information services to the petroleum industry. Veritas has operated
in Canada since 1968 and established operations in Argentina in January 1993, in
the United States in April 1993 and in Venezuela in July 1994.
Veritas' seismic acquisition business includes all activities related to
preparing for and recording seismic data by acquisition crews at customer
exploration and development field locations. Veritas' seismic processing
business includes all processes related to converting seismic field data to
seismic cross-sections of the earth's subsurface. Seismic cross-sections are
used by explorationists in analyzing whether subsurface conditions are favorable
for oil and gas accumulations, in selecting drilling locations and in
determining the size and structure of, and managing, known oil and natural gas
fields. Veritas also provides various exploration and development information
services to the petroleum industry including digital mapping, software and data
products and survey auditing. Technological advances in seismic acquisition
equipment and seismic processing software applications have substantially
increased the applicability and usefulness of seismic data for the exploration,
development and management of oil and gas reservoirs.
Veritas acquires and processes both 2D seismic and 3D seismic data. 2D
seismic can be visualized as a single vertical plane of subsurface information.
3D seismic is, in contrast, best visualized as a cube of information that can be
sliced into numerous planes, giving the explorationist different views of
various targets with a higher degree of resolution than can be achieved using
traditional 2D seismic.
In recent years, technological advances have led to increased use of 3D
seismic early in the field development process. In known producing areas, 3D
seismic aids in the more precise positioning of step-out and development wells.
3D seismic surveys involve the acquisition of a very dense grid of seismic data
over a precisely defined area. Unlike traditional 2D seismic surveys which
typically use 120 recording channels (sets of recording geophones), 3D seismic
surveys require much larger recording systems with 1200 or more recording
channels.
Due to the increased amount of data gathered relative to 2D seismic
surveys, 3D seismic processing requires faster processing speeds and increased
hardware capacity to process data in a timely fashion. Processing of 3D seismic
requires the use of sophisticated mathematical techniques to image subsurface
layers.
The trend to increased use of 3D seismic is attributable to (i) improved
technology for acquiring and processing 3D seismic resulting in higher quality
data at a lower cost, (ii) awareness and acceptance of 3D seismic technology by
the petroleum industry, and (iii) increased use of 3D seismic for development
and reservoir management activities in addition to exploration activities.
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Veritas will continue to develop operational innovations and improvements
including the enhancement of its proprietary software systems, upgrading of
workstations and disks, and further automation of user interfaces in seismic
processing and survey auditing systems.
To achieve its objectives, Veritas has endeavored to stay at the forefront
of industry developments. Veritas has participated in the substantial growth in
3D seismic use through both its seismic acquisition and seismic processing
businesses. Veritas has been an innovator in helicopter-supported seismic
acquisition, making use of helicopters not only in their traditional
applications for inaccessible terrain, but in virtually any terrain. Veritas has
made a series of modifications to its equipment and operating procedures in
order to facilitate expanded use of helicopters in most acquisition projects.
Helicopter-supported seismic acquisition results in cost reductions through the
rapid deployment of crews and equipment with minimal environmental impact.
Veritas has established a number of "prime relationships" in which Veritas
works closely with the customer in planning for its complete seismic acquisition
needs and in return is designated as a sole or preferred supplier for those
services. A prime relationship is typically negotiated for a period of years,
and is based on quality of work, equipment configuration, safety record and
other factors including price. Payment is generally on a term basis. Although
prime relationships may be altered, renegotiated or terminated on short notice
Veritas has not experienced this to date. Prime relationships allow Veritas to
jointly plan seismic acquisition operations with customers in advance, which
improves crew and equipment utilization for Veritas. Veritas does not anticipate
that material portions of future revenues from seismic acquisition will be
attributable to any single customer in its operations, other than its prime
relationship customers.
Customers for Veritas' seismic processing services encompass all sectors of
the oil and gas industry. Customers for Veritas' exploration and development
information services have typically been companies with limited technical
support staff and facilities. The continuing reductions in support staff
employed by major oil and gas companies are providing increased demand for
Veritas' exploration and development information services. Veritas is also the
sole or preferred supplier to certain customers of its seismic processing and
exploration and development information services.
Veritas believes that its combination of seismic acquisition, seismic
processing and exploration and development information services provides it with
an advantage in developing ongoing relationships with customers and potential
customers. Six of Veritas' 15 largest customers by sales revenue use all three
of Veritas' services, and 13 of the top 20 customers use two or more of Veritas'
services.
Management believes Veritas' success depends in large measure upon its
commitment to offering advanced technology. The geophysical industry is highly
technical, and the requirements for the acquisition and processing of seismic
data have evolved continuously over its history. Accordingly, it is important
that Veritas' technological capabilities remain competitive, whether through
continuing research and development or by obtaining technology under license
from others, or both. For seismic acquisition, Veritas uses I/O field systems
exclusively. I/O field systems are technologically advanced, distributed seismic
acquisition systems for land applications manufactured by Input/Output Inc. As
the performance of stand alone workstation desk top computers improved, Veritas
has adopted the more flexible and cost effective workstation platform to replace
older generation large central computers. Since February 1991, Veritas has
purchased 96 seismic processing workstations, 47 of which are employed in
production processing, including several workstations located in regional and
customer offices and operated by Veritas-employed geophysical analysts. Veritas
has developed and continues to enhance a proprietary software system designed to
permit greater flexibility in the choice of hardware platforms. Ten workstations
are dedicated to on-going enhancements to the proprietary software.
SEISMIC ACQUISITION
Acquisition Systems
Veritas' seismic acquisition business includes all activities related to
preparing for and recording seismic data by acquisition crews at customer
exploration and development field locations.
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In acquiring seismic data, a wave of acoustical energy is discharged at or
below the earth's surface either through the detonation of small explosive
charges or through mechanically produced vibrations, typically from a vibroseis
unit. As the acoustic wave travels down through the earth, portions of the wave
are reflected toward the surface by variations in the underlying rock layers.
The reflected wave is received by geophones situated at uniform intervals along
specified paths on the surface. Specialized seismic processing systems enhance
recorded signals by reducing distortion and improving resolution and then
arrange the data to produce an image of the subsurface strata. By interpreting
seismic data, explorationists create detailed maps of prospective drilling areas
and known oil and gas fields.
Currently, Veritas has up to ten seismic crews operating in North and South
America equipped with one I/O System One and nine I/O System Twos with a total
capacity of 10,446 channels which are allocated to the operating crews as
required on a project basis. As at April 30, 1996, these crews were configured
as five crews located in Canada, four located in the United States and one
located in Argentina. All equipment in North America is pooled and then
allocated and mobilized to crews and to geographic markets according to
differing seasonal requirements.
Veritas uses distributed systems exclusively, which have become the norm in
the acquisition of 2D and 3D seismic projects which require a larger number of
channels. In a distributed system, received signals are amplified, filtered and
digitized at remote signal conditioners before they are transmitted to the
central recording module on a single set of wires within a lightweight cable.
Flexible configuration capability, improved digital signal quality, and the
lighter weight cables of distributed systems allow greater volumes of data to be
acquired with fewer people and in less time.
In a distributed system, each crew is equipped with a central recording
module, remote signal conditioners, geophones, cables, tools, supplies, vehicles
and other related equipment. Crews and equipment are transported using wheeled
or tracked vehicles or helicopters. Vibrator units are mounted on wheeled or
tracked vehicles.
Helicopter-Supported Operations
Historically, the use of helicopters to support seismic acquisition has
been restricted to rugged terrain, inaccessible by wheeled or tracked vehicles.
The use of helicopters has been expanded to facilitate seismic acquisition
throughout virtually any terrain resulting in reduced overall costs and
environmental impact of seismic acquisition projects and improved productivity,
as crews and equipment can be more rapidly deployed with less surface
disturbance.
Increasing government regulation to limit environmental damage from seismic
surveys favors the use of helicopters due to the reduced impact on ground
surfaces and vegetation. In a helicopter-supported project, seismic lines are
cut approximately two meters wide compared to five meters wide when line trucks
are used to move cables, geophones and personnel. Helicopters thereby minimize
crop damage and permit access to a wider range of agricultural locations.
Each seismic crew is typically supported by one or two helicopters
specifically suited to seismic acquisition requirements. For the first six
months of the 1996 fiscal year, approximately 61% of Veritas' seismic
acquisition projects were helicopter supported.
Seismic Crews
A seismic acquisition crew typically consists of a supervisor; project
manager; permitting agents who secure permission to enter landowners'
properties; surveyors who mark the locations for geophone and energy source
placement; general laborers who place and move the geophones and other
equipment; and either (i) a drill crew which drills holes and loads explosives
for shooters who detonate the explosives, or (ii) a vibroseis crew which
operates the vibrator unit. Completing the crew is a recording crew supervisor
and an observer who operates the seismic recording equipment. A fully staffed
seismic crew may consist of 45 to 65 persons for 2D seismic operations or 50 to
100 persons for 3D seismic operations depending on the size and nature of the
project.
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Contracts
Contracts for seismic acquisition involve payments on either a "turnkey" or
a "term" basis. Under turnkey contracts, payments for seismic acquisition
services are based upon the amount of data collected, and the contractor bears
substantially all of the risk of business interruption due to inclement weather
and other hazards. Turnkey contracts typically require Veritas to pay third
party subcontractors on behalf of the customer and may increase the contract sum
(and thus revenues and direct expenses) by the amount of such payments. Under
term contracts, payments are based on agreed rates per unit of time, which may
be expressed in periods ranging from hours to months, and generally the risk of
business interruption (except for interruptions caused by failure of Veritas'
equipment) is borne by the customer. Turnkey contracts generally involve more
risk for Veritas because of the potential downtime for weather and other types
of delays. The percentage of seismic acquisition revenue earned from term
contracts has increased each year since fiscal 1990 and was approximately 46%
for the first six months of fiscal 1996.
Insurance
Seismic acquisition activities often are conducted under extreme weather
and other hazardous conditions, including those related to the use of
explosives. Accordingly, these operations are subject to risks of injury to
personnel and property and loss of equipment. Veritas carries insurance against
the destruction of or damage to its seismic acquisition equipment in amounts
that it considers adequate. Veritas also carries insurance against pollution
hazards and injury to persons and property that may result from its operations
and considers the amounts of such insurance to be adequate.
Safety
Safety is a major issue for seismic acquisition contractors and it can play
a significant role in determining contract awards. Under its current safety
program, Veritas tests and trains all field employees and supervisory staff in
safety policies and procedures. Veritas continually reviews and evaluates its
safety program, which is designed to ensure it meets or exceeds industry
standards. A safety program relating to the use of heavy equipment in sometimes
hazardous conditions necessarily includes an active program to eliminate
substance abuse. Veritas tests, monitors and counsels employees to minimize the
potential for accidents caused by substance abuse.
SEISMIC PROCESSING
Veritas' seismic processing business includes all processes related to
converting seismic field data to seismic cross-sections of the earth's
subsurface. Seismic cross-sections are used by explorationists in analyzing
whether subsurface conditions are favorable for oil and gas accumulations, in
selecting drilling locations and in determining the size and structure of, and
managing, known oil and natural gas fields. Veritas operates nine processing
centers utilizing a total of 47 workstations. Of such workstations, ten are in
the United States (one of which is in a customer's office), five are in
Argentina, four are in Venezuela and 28 are in Calgary. Veritas' processing
centers process seismic data acquired by its own and other geophysical crews. At
each center, data is processed using proprietary computer software and
techniques.
Veritas also reprocesses older seismic data using new techniques designed
to extract more information from the data and enhance the data quality.
Reprocessing typically takes place when proprietary data is at least two years
old, or when a customer purchases publicly available data. Reprocessing
represents an additional market for seismic processing centers specializing in
sophisticated processing techniques. For the first six months of fiscal 1996,
approximately 37% of Veritas' seismic processing revenues were for reprocessing
services. Management believes that the continuing development of new processing
technology will generate an ongoing demand for its reprocessing services.
All of Veritas' seismic processing centers have 3D seismic processing
capability. Since 1982, Veritas has focused on 3D seismic processing, research
and development. Veritas estimates that approximately 61% of its processing
revenue from newly acquired data was generated from 3D seismic processing for
the six months ended April 30, 1996.
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Processing 3D seismic data requires greater computer power and more
advanced software than processing 2D seismic. Veritas' experience is that
technologically advanced processing system software is essential to maintain its
competitive position, and that the ability to choose from a variety of hardware
platforms is a significant advantage. Over a five year period, Veritas has
developed "SAGE", its proprietary processing software system to operate on any
UNIX based platform which is an operating system that is suited for high speed
scientific computers. Veritas believes that the ability of SAGE to process 3D
seismic as well as 2D seismic on a workstation makes it the most advanced
production processing system currently available. Processing seismic data on
workstations has decentralized processing and has improved operating
efficiencies. As a result of the stand alone workstations, Veritas is better
able to match processing capacity with increased demand. The SAGE software
system has also enabled Veritas to establish regional and customer-site
processing centers. Further development of SAGE and additional advanced
processing applications is ongoing.
Veritas' seismic processing operations are headquartered in its Calgary
office. The Calgary center conducts the majority of Veritas' seismic processing
and also acts as a support center for Veritas' customer-site and regional
seismic processing centers.
In addition to the Calgary center, Veritas presently has one customer-site
center and seven regional centers, all staffed by Veritas personnel. The remote
centers are fully portable, with short set-up times and have an initial minimum
capital cost of approximately C$180,000. The mobility of these centers will
allow Veritas to meet seismic processing demand in changing international
locations. Veritas believes that the flexibility, operating efficiency and
improved economics of workstation processing has the potential for significant
cost savings and new market opportunities.
Veritas typically enters into contracts to provide seismic processing
services independently of its agreements to provide seismic acquisition
services. Seismic processing contracts typically provide for the customer to pay
a flat fee per seismic record processed for a prescribed set of processing
procedures. Additional procedures are quoted separately.
Veritas provides internal support and maintenance to its operating
facilities and also generates sales and maintenance revenue from external
customers. Veritas is a reseller of numerous products including SUN workstations
and peripherals such as disks, tapes, plotters and subsystems. Veritas designs,
manufactures and sells key peripheral products such as the V-12 micro plotter
and CAM-120 field camera. All equipment used within Veritas' operations or sold
to others is integrated and tested in Veritas' lab.
EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
Veritas provides various exploration and development information services
to the petroleum industry such as digital mapping, software and data products
and survey auditing.
Digital Mapping, Software and Data Products
Digital mapping is the process of generating maps from computer data from a
variety of databases. Veritas also sells software and data products to customers
who generate their own computer maps.
Historically, seismic survey location data was displayed on a map showing
seismic lines, geophone and energy source placement, and existing wells.
Responding to customer demand for the display of additional information, Veritas
developed a digital mapping and data supply facility by obtaining additional
databases. Currently, Veritas is able to produce computer-generated maps
displaying any combination of a customer's seismic survey data, publicly
available data such as oil and gas wells drilled (with geological information,
production and estimated reserves), pipelines and facilities (with associated
reports), Crown and freehold land, transportation and road allowances, emergency
response plans, field, pool and unit outlines and surface features. Veritas
sells information from its databases to customers who have compatible mapping
systems, together with maintenance agreements providing for regular updates of
such information.
Veritas has developed a batch mapping and reporting system for producing a
series of oil and gas data maps automatically, "BASYS", which has improved
internal map generation speed and capacity. BASYS was released to the market in
January 1993 (and version 2 was released in December 1995) as a mapping system
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offering to customers integration of databases, ease of use and multi-user
access. To date, 11 systems have been installed at customer sites.
Through a strategic alliance with a software supplier, Veritas is
developing Geographic Information System ("G.I.S.") functionality for the
petroleum industry. G.I.S. is an advanced analytical tool that provides
information, drawn from linked databases, in any required combination.
Survey Auditing
Survey auditing involves receiving and storing seismic survey data from its
own and other seismic field survey crews, verifying the accuracy of energy
source and geophone location, converting field data to digital form and
forwarding it to a seismic processing center, where it is used to define the
precise physical location of the seismic cross-sections. Veritas has developed
proprietary software to verify the accuracy of the field data.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
As of April 30, 1996, Veritas employed 17 persons for its research and
development activities, most of whom are scientists, engineers or computer
programmers for the purpose of software development for seismic processing and
mapping services. During fiscal years 1994 and 1995, research and development
expenditures were C$1.6 million and C$1.5 million, respectively. Veritas
expenses all research and development costs as incurred. No value is attributed
to proprietary software on Veritas' balance sheet.
Veritas rarely applies for patents on internally developed technology.
Veritas believes that most proprietary technology, even if patentable, can be
more effectively protected by maintaining confidentiality and rapid product
evolution rather than through disclosure and a patent enforcement program.
PREMISES
Except for its seismic acquisition offices, Veritas leases all of its
office space and facilities. Veritas' main seismic acquisition offices and
facilities in Calgary, Alberta are owned by Veritas and comprise 15,000 square
feet of office space and maintenance facilities and approximately two acres as
an equipment park. Veritas' executive offices and Canadian seismic processing
facilities are located in Calgary, Alberta in leased premises of approximately
27,500 square feet. Veritas' seismic acquisition and processing divisions share
offices in Hurst, Texas and Denver, Colorado in leased premises of approximately
5,100 and 2,600 square feet, respectively. Veritas' processing centers in
Midland and Houston, Texas are located in leased premises of approximately 2,200
and 2,700 square feet, respectively. Veritas also has a processing center in a
customer's office in Dallas, Texas at no charge. Veritas' processing centers in
Neuquen and Buenos Aires, Argentina and Caracas, Venezuela are located in leased
premises of approximately 900, 2,050 and 2,500 square feet respectively.
Veritas' exploration and development information services facilities are located
in leased premises in Calgary, Alberta of approximately 21,000 square feet.
Lease payments on all Veritas' facilities totaled approximately C$900,000 in the
year ended October 31, 1995. Leases expire on dates varying from September 30,
1996 to January 30, 2000.
EMPLOYEES
At April 30, 1996, Veritas employed approximately 838 personnel, consisting
of 74 salaried and 522 daily or hourly paid employees in seismic acquisition,
138 salaried and 12 daily or hourly paid employees in seismic processing, 76
salaried and 2 daily or hourly paid employees in exploration and development
information services and 14 head office employees.
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DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The name, municipality of residence and principal occupation of each of the
directors and senior officers of Veritas and the number of Veritas Common Shares
beneficially owned or over which control or direction is exercised by each of
them as of April 30, 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
NAME AND VERITAS
MUNICIPALITY OF COMMON SHARES
RESIDENCE POSITION PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION HELD
- - - ------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
David B. Robson(1)(2) Chairman of the Board, President and Chief 1,968,150(3)
Airdrie, Alberta President and Chief Executive Officer of
Executive Officer Veritas
Lawrence C. Fichtner Executive Vice President Executive Vice President 354,341
Calgary, Alberta and Director of Veritas
Rene M.J. VandenBrand Vice President Finance, Vice President Finance, 2,000
Calgary, Alberta Chief Financial Officer & Chief Financial Officer &
Secretary Secretary of Veritas
Ralph M. Eeson (1) Director Chairman of Kids Only 4,443
Calgary, Alberta Clothing Club, Inc., a
clothing manufacturer and
direct sales company
Brian F. MacNeill(1)(2) Director President and Chief 7,595
Calgary, Alberta Executive Officer of IPL
Energy Inc., a pipeline
company
Willard A.Kirkpatrick(2) Director President, Maxam 1,000
Calgary, Alberta Contracting Ltd., a
commercial construction
company
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(1) Member, audit committee of the Board of Directors.
(2) Member, compensation and corporate governance committee of the Board of
Directors.
(3) Mr. Robson is the registered holder of 87,117 Veritas Common Shares and
exercises control over an additional 1,881,033 Veritas Common Shares through
a privately-owned company.
MANAGEMENT
DAVID B. ROBSON -- Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
David B. Robson has been Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer or held similar positions with Veritas or its predecessors
since 1974. Mr. Robson was also President and Chief Executive Officer of Decus
and predecessor companies from 1974 to 1994. Prior to 1974, Mr. Robson held
managerial positions with CDP Computer Data Processors Ltd. and Digitech Ltd.,
seismic processing firms. Mr. Robson graduated from the University of Alberta
with a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering in 1961.
LAWRENCE C. FICHTNER -- Executive Vice President and Director
Lawrence C. Fichtner has been Executive Vice President or held similar
positions with Veritas or its predecessors since 1978. Mr. Fichtner was
President and Chief Executive Officer of Optimus from 1988 to 1994 and Executive
Vice President of Decus from 1987 to 1994. From July 1967 to October 1978 he
held various positions as a geophysicist with Geophysical Services Inc., Texaco
Exploration Ltd. and Bow Valley Exploration Ltd. where he was Manager of
Geophysics. Mr. Fichtner graduated from the University of British Columbia with
a B.Sc. in Physics in 1967.
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RENE M. J. VANDENBRAND -- Vice President Finance, Chief Financial Officer &
Secretary
Rene M.J. VandenBrand has been Vice President Finance, Chief Financial
Officer & Secretary of Veritas since November 1995. From January 1994 to
November 1995, Mr. VandenBrand was Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
Officer of Taro Industries Limited. Prior thereto, he was a Partner with Coopers
& Lybrand Chartered Accountants. Mr. VandenBrand received a Masters of Business
Administration from the University of Calgary in 1988 and holds Chartered
Accountant, Chartered Business Valuator and Chartered Financial Analyst
designations.
RALPH M. EESON -- Director
Ralph M. Eeson has been co-owner and Chairman of the Board of Kids Only
Clothing Club Inc., a manufacturer and direct seller of children's clothing,
since 1991. From 1977 to 1991, he was a Senior Partner at Code Hunter,
Barristers and Solicitors, Calgary. He remains Counsel to Code Hunter. Mr. Eeson
graduated from the University of London, England with LL.B., Hons. in 1970 and
from Edinburgh University, Scotland with a M.Sc. in Business Administration in
1973.
BRIAN F. MACNEILL -- Director
Brian F. MacNeill has been President and Chief Executive Officer of IPL
Energy Inc., formerly Interprovincial Pipe Line Inc. ("IPL"), since 1991. He was
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of IPL from 1990 to 1991.
From 1982 to 1990, Mr. MacNeill was Chief Financial Officer of Interhome Energy
Inc. from 1986 to 1990 and Home Oil Company Limited from 1982 to 1986. From 1979
to 1982, he was Vice President and Treasurer of Hiram Walker Resources Ltd. Mr.
MacNeill graduated from Montana State University with a B.Sc. in commerce in
1965 and holds designations as Certified Public Accountant in California and
Chartered Accountant in Alberta and Ontario.
WILLARD A. KIRKPATRICK -- Director
Willard A. Kirkpatrick has been President & Chief Executive Officer of
Maxam Contracting Ltd. since 1977. From 1973 to 1977 Mr. Kirkpatrick was a
Manger, Southern Alberta Dominion Construction Ltd. From 1965 to 1969, he was a
design engineer for Green Blankstein Russell Architects and Engineers. Mr.
Kirkpatrick, a registered professional engineer, is a graduate of the University
of Manitoba (B.Sc.) in mechanical engineering and the Harvard Business School
(MBA).
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER
To the knowledge of the directors and officers of Veritas, the only person
who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, Veritas Common Shares carrying
more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all Veritas Common Shares as of
April 30, 1996, is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VERITAS
TYPE OF COMMON
NAME AND ADDRESS OWNERSHIP SHARES
- - - ------------------------------ --------------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
David B. Robson............... beneficial 1,968,150
direct and
Airdrie, Alberta indirect(1)
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
(1) 1,881,033 of these shares are held through a privately owned company.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL
Veritas Common Shares
Veritas has one class of an unlimited number of Veritas Common Shares.
Holders of Veritas Common Shares are entitled to receive notice of all
shareholders' meetings (other than meetings of a class or series of shares of
Veritas other than the Veritas Common Shares), to one vote per share at meetings
of shareholders,
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to receive such dividends as are declared by Veritas and to receive the
remaining property and assets of Veritas upon its liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up, subject to the rights of any shares having priority.
Preferred Shares
Veritas has one class of an unlimited number of First Preferred Shares,
issuable in series and one class of an unlimited number of Second Preferred
Shares, issuable in series (collectively, the "Preferred Shares"), each series
consisting of the number of shares and having the designation, rights (including
voting rights), privileges, restrictions, and conditions fixed by the board of
directors upon the creation of each series. No Preferred Shares are issued and
outstanding, and Veritas does not, at present, have any agreements or
understandings that would result in the issuance of any Preferred Shares.
Plan of Arrangement
In connection with the Plan of Arrangement:
(a) the Articles of Amalgamation of Veritas shall be amended to (i) delete
the Preferred Shares from the authorized share capital and (ii)
authorize an unlimited number of Exchangeable Shares and one Class A
Preferred Share;
(b) after the exchange of Veritas Common Shares for Exchangeable Shares,
the Articles of Amalgamation of Veritas shall be amended to reduce the
number of authorized Veritas Common Shares to one and the following
restriction will be added to the rights, privileges, restrictions and
conditions attaching to the Veritas Common Shares:
"RESTRICTION
So long as any of the Exchangeable Shares of the Corporation
are outstanding, the Corporation shall not at any time without, but may
at any time with, the approval of the board of directors of the holder
of the common shares issue any further Exchangeable Shares of the
Corporation, except as specifically required in accordance with the
rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the
Exchangeable Shares of the Corporation."; and
(c) after the exchange of the Class A Preferred Share for one Veritas
Common Share, the Articles of Amalgamation of Veritas shall be amended
to delete the Class A Preferred Share from the authorized share
capital.
See "The Transaction -- Transaction Mechanics and Description of
Exchangeable Shares -- The Arrangement."
TRADING HISTORY OF VERITAS COMMON SHARES
Veritas Common Shares are currently listed on the TSE under the symbol
"VES." For information on the trading history of the Veritas Common Shares, see
"Comparative Market Price Data".
AUDITORS, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The independent auditors of Veritas are Price Waterhouse, Calgary. The
independent auditors of Digicon are Deloitte & Touche LLP, Houston. In the event
that the Transaction receives the approval of Veritas Shareholders and the Court
and is completed, the boards of directors of Digicon and Veritas will each
consider the appointment of one independent auditor for the merged business.
The transfer agent and registrar for Veritas Common Shares is Montreal
Trust Company of Canada. Concurrently with the Closing, Montreal Trust Company
of Canada will resign and The R-M Trust Company, 393 University Avenue, 5th
Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2W9 will be appointed as transfer agent and
registrar for the Exchangeable Shares.
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COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS
In the event that the Transaction is consummated, holders of Veritas Common
Shares will, upon the Effective Time, have their Veritas Common Shares exchanged
for Exchangeable Shares. They will have the right to retract these shares for an
equivalent number of shares of Digicon New Common Stock. Digicon is a
corporation organized under the DGCL. While the rights and privileges of
shareholders of an Alberta corporation are, in many instances, comparable to
those of stockholders of a Delaware corporation, there are certain differences.
These differences arise from differences between Alberta and Delaware law,
between the ABCA and DGCL and between the Veritas Articles and Veritas Bylaws
and the Digicon Restated Certificate and Digicon Bylaws. For a description of
the respective rights of the holders of Veritas Common Shares and Digicon New
Common Stock, see, respectively, "Business of Veritas -- Description of Capital"
and "The Companies After the Transaction -- Veritas Share Capital."
VOTE REQUIRED FOR EXTRAORDINARY TRANSACTIONS
Under the ABCA, certain extraordinary corporate actions, such as certain
amalgamations, continuances, and sales, leases or exchanges of all or
substantially all the property of a corporation other than in the ordinary
course of business, and other extraordinary corporate actions such as
liquidations, dissolutions and (if ordered by a court) arrangements, are
required to be approved by special resolution. A special resolution is a
resolution passed at a meeting by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by
the shareholders, present in person or by proxy, at the meeting. In certain
cases, a special resolution to approve an extraordinary corporate action is also
required to be approved separately by the holders of a class or series of
shares.
The DGCL requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
stock entitled to vote thereon to authorize any merger, consolidation,
dissolution or sale of substantially all of the assets of a corporation, except
that, unless required by its certificate of incorporation, (a) no authorizing
stockholder vote is required of a corporation surviving a merger if (i) such
corporation's certificate of incorporation is not amended by the merger, (ii)
each share of stock of such corporation will be an identical share of the
surviving corporation after the merger, and (iii) the number of shares to be
issued in the merger does not exceed 20% of such corporation's outstanding
common stock immediately prior to the effective date of the merger; and (b) no
authorizing stockholder vote is required of a corporation to authorize a merger
with or into a single direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of such
corporation (provided certain other limited circumstances apply). The Digicon
Restated Certificate does not require a greater percentage vote for such
actions. Stockholder approval is also not required under the DGCL for mergers or
consolidations in which a parent corporation merges or consolidates with a
subsidiary of which it owns at least 90% of the outstanding shares of each class
of stock.
AMENDMENT TO GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
Under the ABCA, any amendment to the articles generally requires approval
by special resolution, which is a resolution passed by a majority of not less
than two-thirds of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote on the
resolution. The ABCA provides that unless the articles or by-laws otherwise
provide, the directors may, by resolution, make, amend or repeal any by-laws
that regulate the business or affairs of a corporation. Where the directors
make, amend or repeal a by-law, they are required under the ABCA to submit the
by-law, amendment or repeal to the shareholders at the next meeting of
shareholders, and the shareholders may confirm, reject or amend the by-law,
amendment or repeal by an ordinary resolution, which is a resolution passed by a
majority of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution.
The DGCL requires a vote of the corporation's board of directors followed
by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote
for any amendment to the certificate of incorporation, unless a greater level of
approval is required by the certificate of incorporation. The Digicon Restated
Certificate does not require a greater level of approval for an amendment
thereto. If an amendment would have the effect of altering the powers,
preferences or special rights of a particular class or series of stock, the
class or series shall be given the power to vote as a class notwithstanding the
absence of any specifically enumerated power in the certificate of
incorporation. The DGCL also states that the power to adopt, amend or repeal the
by-laws of a
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corporation shall be in the stockholders entitled to vote, provided that the
corporation in its certificate of incorporation may confer such power on the
corporation's board of directors.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
The ABCA provides that shareholders of an Alberta corporation entitled to
vote on certain matters are entitled to exercise dissent rights and to be paid
the fair value of their shares in connection therewith. The ABCA does not
distinguish for this purpose between listed and unlisted shares. Such matters
include (a) any amalgamation with another corporation (other than with certain
affiliated corporations); (b) an amendment to the corporation's articles to add,
change or remove any provisions restricting or constraining the issue or
transfer of shares; (c) an amendment to the corporation's articles to add,
change or remove any restriction upon the business or businesses that the
corporation may carry on; (d) a continuance under the laws of another
jurisdiction; (e) a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all the
property of the corporation other than in the ordinary course of business; (f) a
court order permitting a shareholder to dissent in connection with an
application to the court for an order approving an arrangement proposed by the
corporation; or (g) certain amendments to the articles of a corporation which
require a separate class or series vote, provided that a shareholder is not
entitled to dissent if an amendment to the articles is effected by a court order
approving a reorganization or by a court order made in connection with an action
for an oppression remedy. Under the ABCA, a shareholder may, in addition to
exercising dissent rights, seek an oppression remedy for any act or omission of
a corporation or any of its affiliates which is oppressive, unfairly prejudicial
to or that unfairly disregards a shareholder's interest.
Under the DGCL, holders of shares of any class or series have the right, in
certain circumstances, to dissent from a merger or consolidation by demanding
payment in cash for their shares equal to the fair value (excluding any
appreciation or depreciation as a consequence or in expectation of the
transaction) of such shares, as determined by agreement with the corporation or
by an independent appraiser appointed by a court in an action timely brought by
the corporation or the dissenters. The DGCL grants dissenters' appraisal rights
only in the case of mergers or consolidations and not in the case of a sale or
transfer of assets or a purchase of assets for stock regardless of the number of
shares being issued. Further, no appraisal rights are available for shares of
any class or series listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a
national market system security on Nasdaq or held of record by more than 2,000
stockholders, unless the agreement of merger or consolidation converts such
shares into anything other than (a) stock of the surviving corporation, (b)
stock of another corporation which is either listed on a national securities
exchange or designated as a national market system security on Nasdaq or held of
record by more than 2,000 stockholders, (c) cash in lieu of fractional shares,
or (d) some combination of the above.
OPPRESSION REMEDY
The ABCA provides an oppression remedy that enables the court to make any
order, both interim and final, to rectify the matters complained of, if the
court is satisfied upon application by a complainant (as defined below) that:
(i) any act or omission of the corporation or an affiliate effects a result;
(ii) the business or affairs of the corporation or an affiliate are or have been
carried on or conducted in a manner; or (iii) the powers of the directors of the
corporation or of an affiliate are or have been exercised in a manner, that is
oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to or that unfairly disregards the interests
of any security holder, creditor, director or officer. A complainant includes:
(a) a present or former registered holder or beneficial owner of securities of a
corporation or any of its affiliates; (b) a present or former director or
officer of the corporation or any of its affiliates; and (c) any other person
who in the discretion of the court is a proper person to make such application.
Because of the breadth of the conduct which can be complained of and the
scope of the court's remedial powers, the oppression remedy is very flexible and
is sometimes relied upon to safeguard the interests of shareholders and other
complainants with a substantial interest in the corporation. Under the ABCA, it
is not necessary to prove that the directors of a corporation acted in bad faith
in order to seek an oppression remedy. Furthermore, the court may order the
corporation to pay the interim expenses of a complainant seeking an
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oppression remedy, but the complainant may be held accountable for such interim
costs on final disposition of the complaint. The DGCL does not provide for a
similar remedy.
DERIVATIVE ACTION
Derivative actions may be brought in Delaware by a stockholder on behalf
of, and for the benefit of, the corporation. The DGCL provides that a
stockholder must aver in the complaint that he or she was a stockholder of the
corporation at the time of the transaction of which he or she complains. A
stockholder may not sue derivatively unless he or she first makes demand on the
corporation that it bring suit and such demand has been refused, unless it is
shown that such demand would have been futile.
Under the ABCA, a complainant may apply to the court for leave to bring an
action in the name of and on behalf of a corporation or any subsidiary, or to
intervene in an existing action to which any such body corporate is a party, for
the purpose of prosecuting, defending or discontinuing the action on behalf of
the body corporate or subsidiary. Under the ABCA, no action may be brought and
no intervention in an action may be made unless the complainant has given
reasonable notice to the directors of the corporation or its subsidiary of the
complainant's intention to apply to the court and the court is satisfied that
(a) the directors of the corporation or its subsidiary will not bring,
diligently prosecute or defend or discontinue the action; (b) the complainant is
acting in good faith; and (c) it appears to be in the interests of the
corporation or its subsidiary that the action be brought, prosecuted, defended
or discontinued.
Under the ABCA, the court in a derivative action may make any order it
thinks fit. Additionally, under the ABCA, a court may order a corporation or its
subsidiary to pay the complainant's reasonable legal fees.
SHAREHOLDER CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING
Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation, any action required to be taken or which may be taken at an
annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a
consent in writing is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less
than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize such
action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote were present and voted.
The Digicon Restated Certificate does not contain any special provision relating
to action by written consent. Under the ABCA, shareholder action without a
meeting may only be taken by written resolution signed by all shareholders who
would be entitled to vote thereon at a meeting.
DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
At least half of the directors of an ABCA corporation generally must be
resident Canadians. The ABCA also requires that a corporation whose securities
are publicly traded must have not fewer than three directors, at least two of
whom are not officers or employees of the corporation or any of its affiliates.
The DGCL does not have comparable requirements.
FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
Directors of corporations governed by the ABCA have fiduciary obligations
to the corporation. Directors of corporations incorporated or organized under
the DGCL have fiduciary obligations to the corporation and its shareholders.
Pursuant to these fiduciary obligations, the directors must act in accordance
with the so-called duties of "due care" and "loyalty". Under the DGCL, the duty
of care requires that the directors act in an informed and deliberative manner
and to inform themselves, prior to making a business decision, of all material
information reasonably available to them. The duty of loyalty must be summarized
as the duty to act in good faith in a manner which the directors reasonably
believe to be in the best interests of the stockholders. It requires that there
be no conflict between duty and self-interest.
Under the ABCA, the duty of loyalty requires directors of an Alberta
corporation to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests
of the corporation, and the duty of care requires that the directors exercise
the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in
comparable circumstances.
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INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Under the ABCA, except in respect of an action by or on behalf of a
corporation or a body corporate to procure a judgment in its favor, a
corporation may indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer or
a person who acts or acted at the corporation's request as a director or officer
of a body corporate of which the corporation is or was a shareholder or
creditor, and his or her heirs and legal representatives (an "Indemnifiable
Person"), against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to
settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him or her in
respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which
he or she is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or
officer of such corporation or such body corporate, if: (a) he or she acted
honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of such
corporation; and (b) in the case of a criminal or administrative action or
proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he or she had reasonable
grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. An Indemnifiable
Person is entitled to such indemnity from the corporation if he or she was
substantially successful on the merits in his or her defense of the action or
proceeding, fulfilled the conditions set out in (a) and (b), above and is fairly
and reasonably entitled to indemnity. A corporation may, with the approval of a
court, also indemnify an Indemnifiable Person in respect of an action by or on
behalf of the corporation or body corporate to procure a judgment in its favor,
to which such person is made a party by reason of being or having been a
director or an officer of the corporation or body corporate, if he or she
fulfills the conditions set out in (a) and (b), above. The Veritas Bylaws
provide for indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest extent
authorized by the ABCA.
The DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify its present and former
directors, officers, employees and agents (each, an "indemnitee") against all
reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees) and, except in actions initiated
by or in the right of the corporation, against all judgments, fines and amounts
paid in settlement in actions brought against them, if such individual acted in
good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not
opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, in the case of a criminal
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
The corporation shall indemnify an indemnitee to the extent that he or she is
successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any claim, issue or
matter associated with an action. The Digicon Restated Certificate provides for
indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by
the DGCL.
The DGCL allows for the advance payment of an indemnitee's expenses prior
to the final disposition of an action, provided that the indemnitee undertakes
to repay any such amount advanced if it is later determined that the indemnitee
is not entitled to indemnification with regard to the action for which the
expenses were advanced. Neither the ABCA nor the Veritas Bylaws expressly
provides for such advance payment.
Digicon has entered into Indemnity Agreements with each of its directors
and executive officers.
DIRECTOR LIABILITY
The DGCL provides that the charter of a corporation may include a provision
which limits or eliminates the liability of directors to the corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
provided such liability does not arise from certain proscribed conduct,
including acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or breach of the duty of loyalty. The Digicon Certificate contains a
provision limiting the liability of its directors to the fullest extent
permitted by the DGCL. The ABCA does not permit any such limitation of a
director's liability.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS AND INTERESTED STOCKHOLDER TRANSACTIONS
The DGCL prohibits, in certain circumstances, a "business combination"
between the corporation and an "interested stockholder" within three years of
the stockholder becoming an "interested stockholder." An "interested
stockholder" is a holder who, directly or indirectly, controls 15% or more of
the outstanding voting stock or is an affiliate of the corporation and was the
owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock at any time within the
prior three-year period. A "business combination" includes a merger,
consolidation, sale or other disposition of assets having an aggregate value in
excess of 10% of the consolidated assets of the
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<PAGE> 115
corporation and certain transactions that would increase the interested
stockholder's proportionate share ownership in the corporation. This provision
does not apply where: (i) the business combination or the transaction which
resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved by
the corporation's board of directors prior to the time the interested
stockholder acquired such 15% interest; (ii) upon the consummation of the
transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the outstanding
voting stock of the corporation excluding, for the purpose of determining the
number of shares outstanding, shares held by persons who are directors and also
officers and by employee stock plans in which participants do not have the right
to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be
tendered; (iii) the business combination is approved by a majority of the board
of directors and the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding votes
entitled to be cast by disinterested stockholders at an annual or special
meeting; (iv) the corporation does not have a class of voting stock that is
listed on a national securities exchange, authorized for quotation on an
inter-dealer quotation system of the Nasdaq Stock Market, or held of record by
more than 2,000 stockholders unless any of the foregoing results from action
taken, directly or indirectly, by an interested stockholder or from a
transaction in which a person becomes an interested stockholder; (v) the
corporation has opted out of this provision; or (vi) in certain other limited
circumstances. Digicon has not opted out of this provision.
The ABCA does not contain a comparable provision with respect to business
combinations. However, policies of certain Canadian securities regulatory
authorities, including Policy 9.1 of the Ontario Securities Commission ("Policy
9.1"), contain requirements in connection with related party transactions. A
related party transaction means, generally, any transaction by which an issuer,
directly or indirectly, acquires or transfers an asset or acquires or issues
treasury securities or assumes or transfers a liability from or to, as the case
may be, a related party by any means in any one or any combination of
transactions. "Related party" is defined in Policy 9.1 and includes directors,
senior officers and holders of at least 10% of the voting securities of the
issuer.
Policy 9.1 requires more detailed disclosure in the proxy material sent to
security holders in connection with a related party transaction, and, subject to
certain exceptions, the preparation of a formal valuation of the subject matter
of the related party transaction and any non-cash consideration offered therefor
and the inclusion of a summary of the valuation in the proxy material. Policy
9.1 also requires, subject to certain exceptions, that the minority shareholders
of the issuer separately approve the transaction, by either a simple majority or
two-thirds of the votes cast, depending on the circumstances.
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<PAGE> 116
DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS' AND OPTIONHOLDERS' RIGHTS
THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION OF THE RIGHTS OF DISSENTING VERITAS SHAREHOLDERS
AND OPTIONHOLDERS IS NOT A COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT OF PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED
BY A DISSENTING SHAREHOLDER OR OPTIONHOLDER WHO SEEKS PAYMENT OF THE FAIR VALUE
OF HIS VERITAS COMMON SHARES OR VERITAS OPTIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY THE REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF THE INTERIM ORDER AND SECTION 184 OF THE
ABCA WHICH ARE ATTACHED TO THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT AS ANNEXES C AND J,
RESPECTIVELY. A SHAREHOLDER OR OPTIONHOLDER WHO INTENDS TO EXERCISE HIS RIGHT OF
DISSENT AND APPRAISAL SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER AND COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS
OF THAT SECTION, AS MODIFIED BY THE INTERIM ORDER AND SHOULD SEEK HIS OWN LEGAL
ADVICE. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THAT SECTION, AS MODIFIED BY
THE INTERIM ORDER AND TO ADHERE TO THE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED THEREIN MAY RESULT
IN THE LOSS OF ALL RIGHTS THEREUNDER.
The Court hearing the application for the Final Order has the discretion to
alter the rights of dissent described herein based on the evidence presented at
such hearing.
Under the Interim Order, a shareholder or optionholder is entitled, in
addition to any other right he may have, to dissent and to be paid by Veritas
the fair value of the Veritas Common Shares or Veritas Options held by him in
respect of which he dissents, determined as of the close of business on the last
business day before the day on which the resolution from which he dissents was
adopted. A shareholder or optionholder may dissent only with respect to all of
the shares or options held by him or on behalf of any one beneficial owner and
registered in the dissenting shareholder's or optionholder's name. The demand
for appraisal must be executed by or for the holder of record, fully and
correctly, as such holder's name appears on the holder's share certificates or
options. If the shares are owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a
trustee, guardian or custodian, the demand should be made in that capacity, and
if the shares are owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy
or a tenancy in common, the demand should be made by or for all owners of
record. An authorized agent, including one or more joint owners, may execute the
demand for appraisal for a holder of record; however, such agent must identify
the record owner or owners and expressly identify the record owner or owners,
and expressly disclose in such demand that the agent is acting as agent for the
record owner or owners.
PERSONS WHO ARE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF VERITAS COMMON SHARES REGISTERED IN
THE NAME OF A BROKER, CUSTODIAN, NOMINEE OR OTHER INTERMEDIARY WHO WISH TO
DISSENT, SHOULD BE AWARE THAT ONLY THE REGISTERED OWNER OF SUCH SHARES IS
ENTITLED TO DISSENT. A REGISTERED HOLDER SUCH AS A BROKER WHO HOLDS VERITAS
COMMON SHARES AS NOMINEE FOR BENEFICIAL OWNERS, SOME OF WHOM DESIRE TO DEMAND
APPRAISAL, MUST EXERCISE DISSENT RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF SUCH BENEFICIAL OWNERS WITH
RESPECT TO THE SHARES HELD FOR SUCH BENEFICIAL OWNERS. IN SUCH CASE, THE DEMAND
FOR APPRAISAL SHOULD SET FORTH THE NUMBER OF VERITAS COMMON SHARES COVERED BY
IT.
A dissenting shareholder or optionholder must send to Veritas a written
objection to the Arrangement Resolution, which written objection must be
received by the Secretary of Veritas in care of Corporate Shareholder Services,
Inc., Suite 1485, 550 Sixth Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 0S2, or
the Chairman of the Veritas Meeting at or before the Veritas Meeting. An
application may be made to the Courtto fix the fair value of the dissenting
shareholder's Veritas Common Shares or optionholder's Veritas Options after the
Effective Date. If an application to the Court is made by either Veritas or a
dissenting shareholder or optionholder, Veritas must, unless the Court otherwise
orders, send to each dissenting shareholder or optionholder a written offer to
pay him an amount considered by the board of directors to be the fair value of
the Veritas Common Shares or Veritas Options. The offer, unless the Court
otherwise orders, will be sent to each dissenting shareholder or optionholder at
least 10 days before the date on which the application is returnable; if Veritas
is the applicant, or within 10 days after Veritas is served with notice of the
application, if a shareholder or optionholder is the applicant. The offer will
be made on the same terms to each dissenting shareholder or optionholder and
will be accompanied by a statement showing how the fair value was determined.
A dissenting shareholder or optionholder may make an agreement with Veritas
for the purchase of his Veritas Common Shares or Veritas Options in the amount
of Veritas' offer (or otherwise) at any time before the Court pronounces an
order fixing the fair value of the Veritas Common Shares or Veritas Options. A
dissenting shareholder or optionholder is not required to give security for
costs in respect of an application and,
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<PAGE> 117
except in special circumstances, will not be required to pay the costs of the
application or appraisal. On the application, the Court will make an order
fixing the fair value of the Veritas Common Shares of all dissenting
shareholders or optionholders who are parties to the application, giving
judgment in that amount against Veritas and in favor of each of those dissenting
shareholders or optionholders and fixing the time within which Veritas must pay
that amount payable to the dissenting shareholders or optionholders. The Court
may in its discretion allow a reasonable rate of interest on the amount payable
to each dissenting shareholder or optionholder calculated from the date on which
the shareholder or optionholder ceases to have any rights as a shareholder or
optionholder until the date of payment.
On the Arrangement becoming effective, or upon the making of an agreement
between Veritas and the dissenting shareholder or optionholder as to the payment
to be made by Veritas to the dissenting shareholder or optionholder, or upon the
pronouncement of a Court order, whichever first occurs, the dissenting
shareholder or optionholder will cease to have any rights as a shareholder or
optionholder other than the right to be paid the fair value of the Veritas
Common Shares or Veritas Options in the amount agreed to between Veritas and the
dissenting shareholder or optionholder or in the amount of the judgment, as the
case may be. Until one of these events occurs, the shareholder or optionholder
may withdraw his dissent, or Veritas may rescind the Arrangement Resolution and
in either event, the dissent and appraisal proceedings in respect of that
shareholder or optionholder will be discontinued.
THE COMBINATION AGREEMENT PROVIDES THAT IT IS A MUTUAL CONDITION TO THE
OBLIGATIONS OF VERITAS AND DIGICON TO COMPLETE THE ARRANGEMENT THAT HOLDERS OF
NOT MORE THAN 5% OF THE ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING VERITAS COMMON SHARES EXERCISE
THEIR RIGHT OF DISSENT AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
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PROPOSED DIGICON RECAPITALIZATION PLAN
BACKGROUND AND REASONS
The proposed Recapitalization Plan, if approved by Digicon stockholders,
would result in amendments to Digicon's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
which, among other things, would (i) authorize a class of 40,000,000 Ordinary
Shares, (ii) reclassify the currently outstanding Digicon Common Stock as
Digicon New Common Stock, a series of Ordinary Shares having the same rights and
privileges as the presently outstanding Digicon Common Stock, (iii) designate a
series of Ordinary Shares as Special Voting Stock consisting of one share, (iv)
change Digicon's name to "Veritas DGC Inc."and (v) add provisions regarding
Digicon's obligation to comply with the terms of the Exchangeable Shares.
Approval by the Digicon Stockholders of the Recapitalization Plan is a condition
to the closing of the Transaction, and without such approval, the Combination
Agreement cannot be consummated. A copy of the Digicon Restated Certificate,
which includes the amendments described above (the "Charter Amendments"), is
attached hereto as Annex D, and the following discussion is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such annex.
Authorization and Issuance of Ordinary Shares. The Digicon Restated
Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes 20,000,000 shares of Digicon
Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of Digicon Preferred Stock. If the
Recapitalization Plan is approved at the Digicon Meeting, the Digicon Restated
Certificate will authorize (i) 40,000,000 Ordinary Shares, consisting of a
series of one share of Special Voting Stock, with all other Ordinary Shares
being designated as Digicon New Common Stock, and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of
Digicon Preferred Stock. Each presently outstanding share of Digicon Common
Stock will be converted automatically and without further action by stockholders
upon effectiveness of the Recapitalization Plan into one share of Digicon New
Common Stock. The Digicon New Common Stock will have the same rights and
privileges as the Digicon Common Stock. Following the effective date of the
Recapitalization Plan, Digicon is to distribute to each Digicon Stockholder upon
surrender of the certificates representing Digicon Common Stock to Chemical
Mellon Shareholder Services Group, L.L.C., as exchange agent, a certificate
representing the number of shares of Digicon New Common Stock into which such
stockholder's shares of Digicon Common Stock have been converted in the
Recapitalization Plan. The effective date, if any, of the Recapitalization Plan
is expected to occur on the date of the closing of the Transaction. See, "The
Companies After the Transaction -- Digicon Capital Stock."
The Digicon board of directors has approved the Recapitalization Plan,
including the designation of the Special Voting Stock, in order to establish a
mechanism through which the holders of Exchangeable Shares may exercise the
voting rights attached to such shares. The Exchangeable Shares are structured to
have the same economic and voting rights as the Digicon New Common Stock, and at
the option of the holder will be exchangeable at any time on a one-for-one basis
for Digicon New Common Stock. The use of Exchangeable Shares is intended to
allow Canadian shareholders of Veritas to receive the transaction consideration
on a "tax-deferred" basis. See, "Income Tax Considerations to Veritas
Shareholders."
Increase in Authorized Shares. Prior to the Recapitalization Plan,
Digicon's authorized capital consists of 20,000,000 shares of Digicon Common
Stock and 1,000,000 shares of Digicon Preferred Stock. If the Recapitalization
Plan is approved by the stockholders and implemented, the authorized number of
shares of Digicon Preferred Stock will remain unchanged, but the number of
authorized shares of Digicon Common Stock will thereafter consist of 40,000,000
shares as described above. As of the Digicon Record Date, 11,123,422 shares of
Digicon Common Stock were outstanding, and 1,356,401 shares of Digicon Common
Stock were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options outstanding
under Digicon's stock option plans and upon the exercise of outstanding
warrants; at the same date, no shares of Digicon Preferred Stock were
outstanding. Although there is a sufficient number of shares of Digicon Common
Stock available to permit Digicon to consummate the Transaction, the Digicon
board of directors is proposing that the number of shares of Digicon New Common
Stock be increased to provide the combined company with the flexibility to issue
Digicon New Common Stock in future transactions should the board of directors of
the combined company determine it is appropriate. If the Recapitalization Plan
is approved by stockholders and implemented, the additional Digicon New Common
Stock would be available for future issuance at the discretion of
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<PAGE> 119
the board of directors without further action by the stockholders, and,
depending on the circumstances of such issuance, could result in dilution of
existing Digicon Stockholders' interests. In connection with the Transaction,
Digicon will reserve approximately 7.0 million shares of Digicon New Common
Stock for issuance on exercise of retraction and/or call rights associated with
the Exchangeable Shares.
Name Change. The Combination Agreement provides that Digicon will submit a
proposal to Digicon stockholders that upon the Effective Date the corporate name
of Digicon be changed to "Veritas DGC Inc.," which is reflected in the Digicon
Restated Certificate. The purpose of the name change is to create, as a result
of the Transaction, a corporation with a new identity which encompasses the
operations of Digicon and Veritas.
Other Amendments. The Digicon Restated Certificate also contains
amendments relating to the addition of provisions regarding Digicon's
obligations to comply with the terms of the Exchangeable Shares and the deletion
of provisions that have expired or have otherwise terminated.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
In general, no gain or loss will be recognized by a Digicon Stockholder for
federal income tax purposes as a result of the Recapitalization Plan. The
adjusted basis of each share of Digicon New Common Stock will be equal to the
adjusted basis of the share of Digicon Common Stock for which it is exchanged.
The holding period of each new Digicon share will include the period during
which the shares of Digicon Common Stock were held.
EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Recapitalization
Plan, the Digicon Stockholders will be notified of the effectiveness of the
Recapitalization Plan and requested to surrender their certificates evidencing
shares Digicon Common Stock to Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.,
Reorganization Department, P.O. Box 3080-G, P.O. Station New York, New York
10116 (the "Exchange Agent") in exchange for certificates evidencing Digicon New
Common Stock. Although certificates evidencing shares of Digicon Common Stock
following the effective date of the Recapitalization Plan will continue to
evidence the number of shares of Digicon New Common Stock into which the shares
of Digicon Common Stock have been so converted, stockholders should promptly
surrender their certificates for all shares of Digicon Common Stock to the
Exchange Agent for exchange because, following the Recapitalization Plan, they
will not be negotiable on the any exchange on which the Digicon New Common Stock
is then listed for effecting transactions in Digicon New Common Stock and will
represent only the right to receive certificates for shares of Digicon New
Common Stock when so surrendered. At the effective date of the Recapitalization
Plan shares of Digicon Common Stock will cease to exist and trading in Digicon
Common Stock will thereupon cease. Thereafter, all trading activity and market
quotations for Digicon's common stock will be exclusively in shares of Digicon
New Common Stock.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the Transaction will be passed
upon by Bennett Jones Verchere, Calgary, Alberta, on behalf of Veritas, and by
Porter & Hedges, L.L.P., Houston, Texas, on behalf of Digicon.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Digicon is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act,
and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. The reports, proxy statements and other information
filed by Digicon with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the SEC at Room 1024, 5450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the SEC's Regional Offices at Seven World
Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and at Northwestern Atrium
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such
material also can be
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obtained form the Public Reference Section of the SEC at Judiciary Plaza, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. In addition,
material filed by Digicon can be inspected at the offices of the American Stock
Exchange, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ ALLAN C. POGACH,
Secretary
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APPROVAL OF PROXY STATEMENT BY
VERITAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The contents of this joint management information circular and proxy
statement and the sending thereof to the shareholders and optionholders of
Veritas have been approved by the Veritas board of directors.
The foregoing contains no untrue statement of a material fact and does not
omit to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary
to make a statement not misleading in the light of the circumstances in which it
was made.
/s/ David B. Robson
President and Chief Executive
Officer
/s/ Rene M. J. VandenBrand
Vice President Finance
Chief Financial Officer & Secretary
June 27, 1996
Calgary, Alberta
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<PAGE> 122
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES:
Independent Auditors' Report........................................................ F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended July 31, 1993, 1994 and
1995 and for the nine months ended April 30, 1995 and 1996........................ F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 1994 and 1995 and April 30, 1996......... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended July 31, 1993, 1994 and
1995 and for the nine months ended April 30, 1995 and 1996........................ F-5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended July
31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and for the nine months ended April 30, 1996.............. F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................... F-8
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.:
Auditors' Report.................................................................... F-27
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 1995 and 1994 and April 30, 1996...... F-28
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended October 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993 and for the six months ended April 30, 1996 and 1995......................... F-29
Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings for the years ended October 31, 1995,
1994 and 1993 and for the six months ended April 30, 1996 and 1995................ F-29
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position for the years ended October
31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 and the six months ended April 30, 1996 and 1995.......... F-30
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................... F-31
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE> 123
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
Digicon Inc. and Subsidiaries:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Digicon
Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of July 31, 1994 and 1995, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and changes in
stockholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended July 31,
1995. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company at July 31, 1994
and 1995, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended July 31, 1995 in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Houston, Texas
October 12, 1995
F-2
<PAGE> 124
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE NINE
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MONTHS ENDED
JULY 31, APRIL 30,
-------------------------------- --------------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES................................ $117,709 $117,978 $132,569 $ 96,714 $114,525
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Operating expenses:
Cost of services................... 101,866 101,310 105,912 75,476 91,517
Restructuring...................... 1,363 800
Write-off/reserve for impairment of
assets............................. 6,523
Depreciation and amortization......... 9,620 13,758 13,763 10,315 11,537
Selling, general and administrative... 4,417 5,101 4,428 3,408 3,958
Interest.............................. 1,217 3,085 5,142 3,844 3,677
Equity in loss of 50% or less-owned
companies and joint ventures....... 54 445 1,485 825 17
Gain on sale of investment in FSU
joint ventures..................... (4,370)
Other................................. 184 (702) 598 (143) (34)
-------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Total......................... 117,358 130,883 127,758 93,725 110,672
-------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before provision for
income taxes.......................... 351 (12,905) 4,811 2,989 3,853
Provision for income taxes.............. 1,609 1,521 2,033 1,074 160
-------- -------- -------- ------- -------
NET INCOME (LOSS)....................... $ (1,258) $(14,426) $ 2,778 $ 1,915 $ 3,693
======== ======== ======== ======= =======
PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK:
Earnings (loss) per share............. $ (.15) $ (1.48) $ .25 $ .17 $ .34
======== ======== ======== ======= =======
Weighted average shares............... 8,674 9,769 10,958 11,075 10,939
======== ======== ======== ======= =======
Cash dividends -- common stock........ None None None None None
======== ======== ======== ======= =======
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-3
<PAGE> 125
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PAR VALUE AND NUMBER OF SHARES)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JULY 31, (UNAUDITED)
---------------------- APRIL 30,
1994 1995 1996
-------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash............................................................. $ 8,365 $ 4,209 $ 5,303
Restricted cash investments...................................... 320 670 339
Accounts and notes receivable (net of allowance for doubtful
accounts: 1994, $701; 1995, $703; April 30, 1996, $527)........ 30,427 40,662 37,962
Note receivable from FSU joint venture, current portion.......... 443
Materials and supplies inventory (net of reserves: 1994, $68;
1995, $66; April 30, 1996, $66)................................ 5,410 1,335 1,466
Prepayments and other............................................ 4,692 6,619 8,093
-------- -------- --------
Total current assets...................................... 49,657 53,495 53,163
Property and equipment:
Seismic equipment................................................ 48,622 53,615 58,424
Data processing equipment........................................ 27,795 26,703 23,189
Seismic ships.................................................... 8,291
Leasehold improvements and other................................. 30,809 29,394 28,081
-------- -------- --------
Total..................................................... 115,517 109,712 109,694
Less accumulated depreciation.................................. 66,625 60,874 60,160
-------- -------- --------
Property and equipment -- net............................. 48,892 48,838 49,534
Proprietary seismic data........................................... 19,638 28,444 25,725
Investment in FSU joint ventures................................... 8,478
Goodwill (net of accumulated amortization: 1994, $743; 1995,
$1,168; April 30, 1996, $1,483).................................. 3,502 3,077 2,762
Other assets....................................................... 802 1,216 1,212
Note receivable from FSU joint venture, non-current portion........ 887
-------- -------- --------
Total..................................................... $131,856 $135,070 $132,396
======== ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term related party loans................................... $ 2,695
Current maturities of long-term debt............................. 6,166 $ 10,915 $ 20,005
Accounts payable -- trade........................................ 23,740 18,875 16,454
Accrued interest................................................. 293 409 342
Other accrued liabilities........................................ 9,205 14,869 13,526
Income taxes payable............................................. 1,406 1,097 1,494
-------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities................................. 43,505 46,165 51,821
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt--less current maturities.......................... 23,922 25,243 9,161
Deferred credits................................................. 5,538 3,675 3,669
Other non-current liabilities.................................... 341 1,105 1,228
-------- -------- --------
Total non-current liabilities............................. 29,801 30,023 14,058
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 7)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; July 31, 1994 -- authorized:
60,000,000 shares; issued: 31,352,273 shares; July 31, 1995 and
April 30, 1996 -- authorized: 20,000,000 shares; issued:
11,134,939 shares and 11,123,422 shares, respectively.......... 314 111 111
Additional paid-in capital....................................... 69,366 71,895 71,065
Accumulated deficit from August 1, 1991.......................... (11,130) (8,352) (4,659)
Less: Treasury stock, at cost; 858,497 shares.................... (4,772)
-------- -------- --------
Stockholders' equity...................................... 58,550 58,882 66,517
-------- -------- --------
Total..................................................... $131,856 $135,070 $132,396
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-4
<PAGE> 126
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE NINE
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MONTHS ENDED
JULY 31, APRIL 30,
------------------------------ -----------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
-------- -------- -------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)................................................. $ (1,258) $(14,426) $ 2,778 $ 1,915 $ 3,693
Non-cash items included in income (loss):
Restructuring accrual........................................... 777 14 (786)
Write-off/reserve for impairment of assets...................... 6,523
Depreciation and amortization................................... 9,620 13,758 13,763 10,315 11,537
Amortization of warrants issued with short-term related party
loans......................................................... 89 77
Amortization of deferred gain on sale/leaseback................. (898) (753) (103)
(Gain) loss on disposition of property and equipment............ (129) (746) 755 (70) 158
Equity in loss of 50% or less-owned companies and joint
ventures...................................................... 54 445 1,485 825 17
Gain on sale of investment in FSU joint ventures................ (4,370)
Gain on settlement of deferred credits.......................... (864)
Write-down of proprietary seismic data to market................ 589 348 1,786 297 297
Other........................................................... (131) (148)
Change in operating assets/liabilities (exclusive of the effects
of the purchase of GFS in 1993):
Accounts and notes receivable................................... 2,937 5,203 (7,314) (5,079) 1,834
Accounts and note receivable from FSU joint venture............. 59
Materials and supplies inventory................................ (2,312) 1,145 291 139 (131)
Prepayments and other........................................... (608) (610) (1,326) (1,979) (1,474)
Proprietary seismic data........................................ (4,174) (10,153) (10,592) (7,994) 2,422
Other........................................................... (515) 508 407 13
Accounts payable -- trade....................................... (2,623) (4,500) (5,331) (2,944) (2,653)
Accrued interest................................................ (68) 133 116 270 (67)
Other accrued liabilities....................................... (1,188) 3,679 5,551 1,929 (1,240)
Income taxes payable............................................ (1,361) 546 (309) (352) 397
Deferred credits................................................ (832) (1,430) (414) (415) (6)
Other non-current liabilities................................... 341 762 52 123
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total cash provided (used) by operating activities......... (1,999) 885 (3,520) (4,087) 14,817
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment of long-term debt......................................... (8,102) (3,158) (7,206) (4,000) (8,082)
Net borrowings (payments) under credit agreements................. 5,000 8,368 1,648 3,430 (4,439)
Net proceeds from sale of common stock............................ 21,083 (40) (72) (72) (30)
Net proceeds from sale of treasury stock.......................... 3,984 3,972
Borrowings of short-term related party loans...................... 6,081 30 30
Payments of short-term related party loans........................ (3,386) (2,725) (1,052)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total cash provided (used) by financing activities......... 17,981 7,865 (4,341) (1,664) (8,579)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash investments................ 79 304 (350) (340) 331
Increase in investment in FSU joint ventures...................... (1,535) (1,875) (1,673)
Sale to Syntron, Inc.:
Inventories and technologies.................................... 1,630 1,630
Property and equipment.......................................... 1,370 1,370
Sale of investment in FSU joint ventures.......................... 6,000
Purchase of property and equipment................................ (21,485) (5,406) (4,552) (2,618) (5,952)
Sale of property and equipment.................................... 2,545 938 1,437 1,207 514
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total cash provided (used) by investing activities......... (18,861) (5,699) 3,660 (424) (5,107)
Currency (gain) loss on foreign cash.............................. (241) (88) 45 53 (37)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Change in cash and cash equivalents............................... (3,120) 2,963 (4,156) (6,122) 1,094
Beginning cash and cash equivalents balance....................... 8,522 5,402 8,365 8,365 4,209
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Ending cash and cash equivalents balance.......................... $ 5,402 $ 8,365 $ 4,209 $ 2,243 $ 5,303
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-5
<PAGE> 127
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULES TO CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE NINE
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MONTHS ENDED
JULY 31, APRIL 30,
------------------------------- ------------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
------- ------- ------- ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in materials and supplies inventories for deferred credits..... $ 987
Increase in assets/liabilities due to purchase of GFS Company:
Cash.................................................................. 65
Restricted cash investments........................................... 75
Accounts and notes receivable......................................... 3,025
Materials and supplies inventory...................................... 183
Prepayments and other................................................. 363
Property and equipment -- net......................................... 3,168
Goodwill.............................................................. 4,245
Long-term debt........................................................ 2,431
Accounts payable -- trade............................................. 6,558
Accrued interest...................................................... 13
Other accrued liabilities............................................. 969
Common stock.......................................................... 1,153
Increase (decrease) in investment in FSU joint ventures for:
Common stock.......................................................... $ 7,299 $ 2,309 $ 2,309
Accounts and note receivable from FSU joint ventures.................. (409) (409)
Other assets.......................................................... 135
Other accrued liabilities.............................................
Long-term debt........................................................ 245
Increase (decrease) in property and equipment for:
Accounts and notes receivable......................................... 2,045 866
Execution of capital leases and notes................................. 9,844 4,227 11,224 4,894 5,529
Accounts payable -- trade............................................. 2,289 1,058 334 133 232
Deferred credits payable.............................................. 6,813 (1,449)
Prepayments and other................................................. (1,104)
Increase in prepayments on property and equipment for notes payable..... 601
Increase in notes receivable for:
Sale of property and equipment........................................ 250
Sale of other assets.................................................. 1,330
Sale of investment in FSU joint ventures resulting in an increase
(decrease) in:
Accounts and notes receivable from purchaser.......................... 1,790
Accounts and note receivable from FSU joint ventures.................. (1,740)
Accounts payable -- trade............................................. 78
Treasury stock........................................................ 8,756
Sale of inventories, property and equipment, and technologies to
Syntron, Inc. resulting in an increase (decrease) in:
Accounts and notes receivable -- deferred credits..................... 3,255 3,255
Materials and supplies inventory...................................... (2,154) (2,034)
Other assets -- deferred credits receivable........................... 857 857
Accounts payable -- trade............................................. 957 957
Other accrued liabilities -- deferred gain............................ 891 1,011
Other non-current liabilities -- deferred gain........................ 110 110
Sale of accounts receivable and property and equipment resulting in a
decrease in:
Accounts and notes receivable......................................... (78) (78)
Property and equipment -- net......................................... (247) (247)
Long-term debt........................................................ (199) (199)
Accounts payable -- trade............................................. (18) (18)
Other non-current liabilities......................................... (108) (108)
Increase in additional paid-in capital as a result of warrants issued
with short-term related party loans................................... 89 89
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for:
Interest --
Equipment purchase obligations and unsecured notes payable.......... 384 879 1,060 766 1,304
Secured term loan................................................... 584 585 635 473 363
Credit agreements................................................... 227 664 1,915 1,449 1,408
Short-term related party loans...................................... 206 199
Other............................................................... 239 339 1,388 747 620
Income taxes.......................................................... 3,178 1,293 1,963 1,431 634
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-6
<PAGE> 128
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995 AND THE NINE MONTHS ENDED APRIL
30, 1996
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR NUMBER OF SHARES)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATED
PAID-IN CAPITAL EARNINGS
COMMON STOCK ISSUED TREASURY STOCK, ------------------- (DEFICIT)
------------------- AT COST EMPLOYEE FROM
PAR --------------------- NOTES AUGUST 1,
SHARES VALUE SHARES AMOUNT OTHER RECEIVABLE 1991
----------- ---- ---------- ------- ------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE, JULY 31, 1992........... 22,597,423 $226 $40,007 $ (48) $ 4,554
Common stock issued in
acquisition of GFS, net of
issue costs.................... 225,000 2 1,137
Common stock issued for cash, net
of issue costs................. 5,456,900 55 20,994
Collections of employee notes
receivable..................... 48
Net loss......................... (1,258)
---------- ---- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
BALANCE, JULY 31, 1993........... 28,279,323 283 62,138 3,296
Common stock issued for
investment in FSU joint
ventures, net of issue costs... 3,072,950 31 7,228
Net loss......................... (14,426)
---------- ---- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
BALANCE, JULY 31, 1994........... 31,352,273 314 69,366 (11,130)
Common stock issued for
investment in FSU joint
ventures, net of issue costs... 2,052,543 20 2,265
One for three reverse stock
split, net of issue costs...... (22,269,877) (223) 175
Warrants issued in conjunction
with short-term related party
loans.......................... 89
Common stock reacquired in sale
of investment in FSU joint
ventures....................... (1,708,497) $(8,756)
Treasury stock issued for cash... 850,000 3,984
Net income....................... 2,778
---------- ---- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
BALANCE, JULY 31, 1995........... 11,134,939 111 (858,497) (4,772) 71,895 (8,352)
Treasury stock issued for cash,
net of issue costs
(unaudited).................... 858,497 4,772 (800)
Common stock certificates
cancelled (unaudited).......... (11,517)
Registration and filing costs
(unaudited).................... (30)
Net income (unaudited)........... 3,693
---------- ---- -------- ------- ------- -------- --------
BALANCE, APRIL 30, 1996
(UNAUDITED).................... 11,123,422 $111 $ $71,065 $ $ (4,659)
========== ==== ======== ======= ======= ======== ========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-7
<PAGE> 129
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995 AND THE NINE MONTHS ENDED APRIL
30, 1995 AND 1996
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
CONSOLIDATION
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Digicon Inc. ("the Company") and all majority-owned domestic and foreign
subsidiaries. Investments in 50% or less-owned companies and joint ventures are
carried on the equity basis. All material intercompany balances and transactions
have been eliminated in consolidation.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
RESTRICTED CASH INVESTMENTS
Restricted cash investments in the amounts of $320,000 at July 31, 1994 and
$670,000 at July 31, 1995 were pledged as collateral on certain bank guarantees.
TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES
The Company has determined that the U.S. dollar is its functional currency.
Property and equipment (and related depreciation) and inventories are translated
into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the time of their
acquisition. Other assets and liabilities are translated at year-end rates.
Operating results (other than depreciation) are translated at the average rates
of exchange prevailing during the year. Remeasurement gains and losses are
included in the determination of net income and are reflected in other costs and
expenses. See Note 5.
REVENUES
Revenues from data acquisition and data processing services are recorded as
revenues based on contractual rates set forth in the related contract if the
contract provides a separate rate for each segment. If the contract only
provides a rate for the overall service, revenue is recognized based on the
percentage of the work effort completed compared with the total work effort
involved in the contract.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Included in accounts and notes receivable at July 31, 1994 and 1995 are
unbilled amounts of approximately $8,800,000 and $10,700,000, respectively. Such
amounts are either not billable to the customer at July 31 in accordance with
the provisions of the contract and generally will be billed in one to four
months or are currently billable and will be invoiced in the next monthly
statement cycle.
PROPRIETARY SEISMIC DATA
The direct cost of collecting and processing seismic data for the Company's
own account is capitalized using a percentage of estimated sales method. The
cost of proprietary seismic data is charged to operations either in (i) the
periods in which sales occur as a percentage of the revenue obtained, or (ii) in
periods when the estimated market value of such data is less than the cost of
the data.
F-8
<PAGE> 130
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
MOBILIZATION COST
Transportation and make-ready expenses of seismic operations prior to
commencement of business in an area are amortized over the period of expected
operations in that area. Amounts applicable to operations for the Company's own
account are included in the cost of proprietary seismic data. Unamortized
mobilization costs, if any, are shown as a prepaid expense.
INVENTORIES
Inventories of materials and supplies are stated at the lower of average
cost or market.
DEPRECIATION
Provision for depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based
on estimated useful lives as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE
YEARS
---
<S> <C>
Seismic equipment...................................... 5
Data processing equipment.............................. 5-6
Seismic ships.......................................... 14
Leasehold improvements and other....................... 3-7
</TABLE>
Expenditures for routine repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as
incurred; expenditures for additions and improvements are capitalized and
depreciated over the estimated remaining life of the related asset. Significant
vessel repairs and biennial drydocking expenses are recorded as deferred charges
in prepayments and other and are amortized over a six to 24 month period. The
net gain or loss on items of property and equipment retired or disposed of is
included in other costs and expenses. See Note 5.
It is the Company's policy to periodically review property and equipment
lives. In fiscal 1993, a study indicated that the actual lives for certain asset
categories generally were longer than the useful lives used for depreciation
purposes in the Company's financial statements and the Company extended the
estimated useful lives for certain of its seismic acquisition equipment. The
effect of this change was to reduce 1993 depreciation expense by $490,000 and
decrease the net loss by $490,000, or $.06 per share (as restated for the
Reverse Split -- See Note 18).
In fiscal 1994, the Company wrote off or reserved for the impairment of
assets to their net realizable value the amount of $6,523,000, or $.67 per share
(as restated for the Reverse Split -- See Notes 16 and 18).
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Research and development costs are charged to expense when incurred.
Research and development costs for the years ended July 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995
were $4,235,000, $4,908,000 and $2,851,000, respectively.
INCOME TAXES
The Company's policy is not to provide for the income taxes, if any, which
would be payable if undistributed earnings of foreign consolidated subsidiaries
were paid as dividends to the parent company, since such earnings have been or
will be reinvested in the business.
In February 1992, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 ("SFAS 109"), "Accounting
for Income Taxes", which requires the use of the "liability method" in place of
the previously required "deferred method". Under the liability method, deferred
income taxes reflect the net tax effects of (a) temporary differences between
the carrying amounts of assets
F-9
<PAGE> 131
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income
tax purposes, and (b) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. SFAS 109
allows recognition of all or a portion of benefits from the utilization of net
operating loss carryforwards as deferred tax assets if realization is "more
likely than not". In periods of changing income tax rates, the liability method
will cause fluctuations in net income of companies with deferred taxes. The
Company adopted SFAS 109 effective August 1, 1993. The adoption of this standard
did not result in a cumulative effect adjustment to equity or income for the
year ended July 31, 1994.
Recognition is given in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets to the
future income tax benefits of loss carryforwards only to the extent that they
can be used to offset existing deferred taxes. Since the Company's
quasi-reorganization on July 31, 1991, in accordance with Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 86, the tax benefits of loss carryforwards existing at the date of
the quasi-reorganization, when realized, have been recognized in the
consolidated statements of operations by a charge in lieu of income taxes,
representing the additional income taxes which otherwise would have been
provided, with an equal and offsetting direct addition to paid-in capital
reflecting the utilization of the loss carryforward.
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Weighted average shares and earnings (loss) per share have been restated
for all periods presented to reflect the effect of the Reverse Split consummated
on January 17, 1995. See Note 18.
Primary loss per share is computed based on the weighted average number of
shares of common stock. Primary earnings per share is computed based on the
weighted average number of shares of common stock plus common stock equivalents.
Common stock equivalents include (i) stock options (see Note 6), (ii) warrants
(see Note 8) and (iii) contingent shares issuable. Shares issuable upon the
conversion of stock options and warrants were disregarded since the treasury
stock method of calculation produced no incremental shares or resulted in
dilution of less than 3%. For the year ended July 31, 1994, contingent shares
issuable under the second stage of the agreements discussed in Note 15 were
disregarded due to net losses incurred.
Fully diluted earnings per share is not presented for the year ended July
31, 1993 and 1994 due to net losses incurred. Fully diluted earnings per share
is not presented for the year ended July 31, 1995 and the nine months ended
April 30, 1995 and 1996 since stock options and warrants referenced above had no
dilutive effect.
LEASES
Operating leases include those for office space, specialized seismic
equipment rented for short periods of time, and the Company's seismic ships
which generally are chartered on a short-term basis.
CASH EQUIVALENTS
For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the Company has
elected to define "cash equivalents" as items readily convertible into known
amounts of cash with original maturities of three months or less.
QUASI-REORGANIZATION
The Company effected a quasi-reorganization adjustment as of July 31, 1991
in which the accumulated deficit at July 31, 1991 of $139,751,000 was offset
against additional paid-in capital.
F-10
<PAGE> 132
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
GOODWILL
The Company has recorded the purchase price of businesses or joint venture
interests in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired as goodwill which
is amortized over the period benefits are expected to be derived. The Company
periodically reviews the carrying value of goodwill in relation to the current
and expected operating results of the businesses or joint ventures in order to
assess whether there has been a permanent impairment of such amounts. There were
no write-downs as a result of such review during the years ended July 31, 1993,
1994 and 1995 or the nine months ended April 30, 1995 or 1996.
See also Notes 9 and 15 relating to the purchase of GFS Company and
investment in FSU joint ventures.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED
In October 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 121 "Accounting for Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." This statement
establishes accounting standards for the impairment of long-lived assets,
certain identifiable intangibles, and goodwill related to those assets to be
held and used and for long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to
be disposed of. This statement is effective for financial statements with fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1995. The Company will be required to
implement this statement for the fiscal year 1997. Implementation of this
pronouncement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's
consolidated financial statements.
In March 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation." This statement established a fair value method of accounting for
stock-based compensation plans either through recognition or disclosure. This
statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1995. The
Company will be required to implement this statement for the fiscal year 1997.
The Company intends to adopt this standard by disclosing the pro forma net
income (loss) and net income (loss) per share amounts assuming the fair value
method was adopted on August 1, 1995. The adoption of this statement will have
no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
RECLASSIFICATION OF PRIOR YEAR BALANCES
Certain balances as of July 31, 1994 have been reclassified for consistent
presentation.
UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In the opinion of Management, the unaudited consolidated financial
statements as of April 30, 1995 and 1996 contain all adjustments necessary to
present fairly the financial position of Digicon Inc. and subsidiaries, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the nine-month periods ended
April 30, 1995 and 1996. The results of operations for any interim period are
not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year, as
such results could be affected by changes in demand for geophysical services and
products, which is directly related to the level of oil and gas exploration and
development activity. Governmental actions, foreign currency exchange rate
fluctuations, seasonal factors, weather conditions and equipment problems also
could impact future operating results.
2. SHORT-TERM RELATED PARTY LOANS
The short-term related party loans provided for up to $3,000,000 in
advances and were collateralized, on a subordinated basis, by a majority of the
assets of the Company. Interest was payable at prime plus 3% through January 26,
1995 and at prime plus 6% thereafter. Interest expense for the years ended July
31, 1994 and 1995 was $206,000 and $376,000, respectively. The loans were
subject to mandatory prepayment from a portion of the proceeds of certain
specified transactions, if and when such transactions occurred. As a result of
the completion of several such transactions, the loans were fully repaid on June
13, 1995. As further consideration
F-11
<PAGE> 133
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
for the facility, the Company issued common stock purchase warrants in an amount
directly related to the average outstanding balance of the loans. See Notes 8
and 13.
3. LONG-TERM DEBT
The Company's long-term debt is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
JULY 31, JULY 31, APRIL 30,
1994 1995 1996
-------- -------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revolving credit agreement due April 1997, at prime
plus 3% (11.25% at April 30, 1996).................. $12,446 $14,123 $10,566
Secured term loan due June 1997, at 10.75%............ 6,000 4,500 4,500
Secured Indonesian Rupiah revolving credit agreement
due September 1995, at 19%.......................... 922 894
Unsecured notes maturing through January 1995, at
10%................................................. 35
Equipment purchase obligations maturing through
February 1999, at an average rate of 11.05% at April
30, 1996............................................ 10,605 16,641 14,100
Real estate note maturing April 1995, at prime plus
1.25%............................................... 80
------- ------- -------
Total....................................... 30,088 36,158 29,166
Less current maturities............................... 6,166 10,915 20,005
------- ------- -------
Due after one year.......................... $23,922 $25,243 $ 9,161
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
The revolving credit agreement is with a finance company and provides a
revolving credit facility of up to $17,000,000 (increased from $15,000,000 in
April 1995) through April 11, 1997. Advances under the agreement are limited by
a borrowing formula and are collateralized by a majority of the assets of the
Company. The agreement limits, among other things, the Company's right, without
consent of the lender, to take certain actions, including creating indebtedness,
prohibits paying dividends and requires the Company to maintain certain
financial ratios. The agreement also provides for the deposit of collections of
certain of the Company's accounts receivable into cash collateral accounts and
for the repayment of outstanding advances and monthly interest with such
proceeds. Amounts applied against outstanding advances are available for
reborrowing upon presentation of evidence of adequate borrowing base coverage.
At July 31, 1995, $2,877,000 was available for borrowing under this agreement.
The facility matures on April 11, 1997, and as a result, the outstanding balance
at April 30, 1996 ($10.6 million) is classified as current. See Note 20.
The secured term loan is due June 30, 1997, with interest at 10.75% payable
quarterly. A principal payment of $1,500,000 is due June 30, 1996, and the
remaining unpaid principal is due June 30, 1997. The loan agreement limits, but
does not prohibit, the Company's ability to pay dividends and to incur
indebtedness for borrowed money and requires the Company to maintain certain
financial ratios. The Company has obtained a waiver for noncompliance at July
31, 1995 with the debt service coverage ratio. The ratio has been revised
subsequent to year-end. In April 1994, in conjunction with the execution of the
revolving credit agreement, the lender was granted a security interest in a
majority of the Company's equipment. In connection with the loan, the Company
issued common stock purchase warrants to the lender. See Note 8.
The secured Indonesian Rupiah revolving credit facility in the amount of
two billion Rupiahs is the obligation of P.T. Digicon Mega Pratama, a
consolidated subsidiary of the Company, and provides working capital and certain
bank guarantees for its Indonesian operations. The facility was repaid in
September 1995.
F-12
<PAGE> 134
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
The unsecured notes payable represented agreements executed in settlement
of certain unsecured obligations.
The Company's equipment purchase obligations represent installment loans
and capitalized lease obligations primarily related to computing and seismic
equipment.
The real estate note was secured by land and a building and was payable in
installments of $8,987 per month plus interest through April 1995.
Annual maturities of long-term debt for the next five years are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR MATURITIES
----------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS)
<S> <C>
1996............................................. $10,915
1997............................................. 21,931
1998............................................. 3,105
1999............................................. 207
</TABLE>
During the year ended July 31, 1993, the Company incurred interest costs of
$1,421,000. The Company capitalized $204,000 of this amount as a cost of
leasehold improvements to a chartered vessel. No interest was capitalized during
the years ended July 31, 1994 and 1995.
4. INCOME TAXES
The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company's net deferred
tax position are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JULY 31, JULY 31,
1994 1995
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Difference between book and tax basis of property
and equipment.................................... $ 3,488 $ 4,544
Reserves not currently deductible................... 396 156
Operating loss carryforwards........................ 47,046 50,920
Tax credit carryforwards............................ 6,023 5,761
Other............................................... 2,142 4,526
-------- --------
Total....................................... 59,095 65,907
Deferred tax liabilities:
Other............................................... (483) (314)
-------- --------
Net deferred tax assets............................... 58,612 65,593
Valuation allowance................................... (58,612) (65,593)
-------- --------
Net deferred tax position............................. $ 0 $ 0
======== ========
</TABLE>
F-13
<PAGE> 135
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Provision for income taxes consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE NINE
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MONTHS ENDED
JULY 31, APRIL 30,
---------------------------- ----------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
------ ------ ------ ------ -----
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current -- U.S................ $ 54 $ 34 $ 33 $(101)
Current -- foreign............ 1,601 $1,675 2,112 1,041 261
Deferred -- foreign........... (46) (154) (113)
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total............... $1,609 $1,521 $2,033 $1,074 $ 160
===== ===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
As of July 31, 1995, the Company had U.S. net operating loss carryforwards
("NOL's") of approximately $88,756,000 which expire in the years 1998 through
2010. Included in such amounts are $76,885,000 of NOL's that existed prior to
the quasi-reorganization. See Note 1. As of July 31, 1995, approximately
$5,761,000 of investment tax credit carryforwards, which will expire in the
years 1996 through 1998, were available to reduce future U.S. income taxes.
Foreign operations had NOL's of approximately $64,681,000 at July 31, 1995,
which are available indefinitely to reduce future foreign taxable income in
specific jurisdictions. Included in such amounts are $48,900,000 of NOL's that
existed prior to the quasi-reorganization. See Note 1. The foreign component of
income (loss) before provision for income taxes was $(5,315,000), $(8,982,354)
and $(9,038,919) for the years ended July 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Income tax expense is different from the amount computed by multiplying
income (loss) before provision for income taxes by the corporate tax rate of 34%
for the years ended July 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and the nine months ended April
30, 1995 because of the inability to obtain any income tax benefits from
operating losses in foreign countries. Additionally, during 1995 other permanent
differences arose for both U.S. and foreign income tax purposes. For U.S. income
tax purposes, such differences included approximately $16,500,000 relating to
the write-off of uncollectible advances to certain foreign subsidiaries. For
foreign income tax purposes, such differences included a payment of
approximately $600,000 for prior year tax assessments and the payment of
approximately $1,400,000 in withholding taxes. During the nine months ended
April 30, 1996 the difference between the effective and statutory tax rates is
primarily a result of the write-off of uncollectible advances to foreign
subsidiaries and payroll related tax assessments incurred in foreign countries.
IRS regulations restrict utilization of NOL's for any company in which an
"ownership change" (as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code) has
occurred. The Company has performed required testing and has concluded that an
"ownership change" occurred in connection with the issuance of common stock
through a public offering made by the Company on January 6, 1992. As a result,
the future utilization of U.S. NOL's existing at the date of the "ownership
change" will be limited to approximately $4,000,000 per year. This limitation
had no effect on the provision for income taxes for the years ended July 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995. To the extent that any portion of this annual limitation is
not used in any year, it may be carried over and added to the annual limitation
of succeeding years. At July 31, 1995, the accumulated unused limitation on
NOL's existing at the date of the "ownership change" was approximately
$12,373,000.
F-14
<PAGE> 136
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
5. OTHER COSTS AND EXPENSES
Other costs and expenses consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(UNAUDITED)
FOR THE NINE
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MONTHS ENDED
JULY 31, APRIL 30,
------------------------- ---------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net foreign currency exchange (gains)
losses................................ $ 532 $ 94 $ 51 $ 60 $(120)
Net (gain) loss on disposition of
property and equipment................ (129) (746) 755 (70) 158
Interest income......................... (255) (82) (208) (133) (72)
Other................................... 36 32
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Total......................... $ 184 $(702) $ 598 $(143) $ (34)
==== ==== ==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
6. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The Company maintains a 401(k) plan in which employees of all the
majority-owned domestic subsidiaries and certain foreign subsidiaries are
eligible to participate. However, employees of foreign subsidiaries who are
covered under a foreign deferred compensation plan are not eligible. Employees
are permitted to make contributions of up to 10% of their salary to a maximum of
$9,240 per year. Generally, the Company will contribute an amount equal to
one-half of the employee's contribution up to $6,000 or 6% (whichever is less)
of the employee's salary; however, if consolidated pre-tax income for any fiscal
year is less than the amount required to be contributed by the Company, the
Company may elect to reduce its contribution, but in no event may it reduce the
total contribution to less than 25% of the employee contribution. The Company
may make additional contributions from its current or cumulative net profits in
an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors. Employer matching
contributions to the 401(k) plan were $136,981 in 1993, $286,471 in 1994 and
$280,981 in 1995.
The Company initiated an employee nonqualified stock option plan on
September 1, 1992. Options are granted to key employees and are exercisable
beginning six months after the date of grant. The option price per share shall
not be less than the lesser of (i) fair market value of the common stock on the
date the option is granted or (ii) the average fair market value for the common
stock during the 30 trading days ending on the trading day next preceding the
date the option is granted. Options expire ten years from the date of grant. No
options under the plan have been exercised. The exercise prices and number of
options existing prior to January 17, 1995 have been adjusted for the Reverse
Split. See Note 18. The Company has authorized 658,333 shares of post-Reverse
Split common stock to be issued under the plan.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER
OF EXERCISE
OPTIONS PRICE
------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance, July 31, 1993.............................. 560,000 $13.50
Options cancelled................................. (70,667) $13.50
-------
Balance, July 31, 1994.............................. 489,333 $13.50
Options issued.................................... 13,333 $6.00
Options cancelled................................. (79,666) $13.50
-------
Balance, July 31, 1995.............................. 423,000 $6.00-$13.50
=======
Options exercisable, July 31, 1995.................. 418,542
=======
</TABLE>
F-15
<PAGE> 137
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
The Company also initiated a stock option plan for non-employee directors
(the "Director Plan") providing for stock options to be granted to each
non-employee director of the Company. The Director Plan provides that on
December 31 of each year, each eligible director shall be granted an option to
purchase 3,333 shares of the Company's post-Reverse Split common stock, subject
to an aggregate limit of 16,667 shares for each director. The exercise price for
each option granted shall be the average closing price of the common stock for
the 30 trading days prior to the date of grant. The exercise prices of options
existing prior to January 17, 1995 have been adjusted for the Reverse Split.
Options may be exercised at any time (i) after the later of six months following
the date of grant or the first anniversary of the director's service on the
board and (ii) before the sixth anniversary of the date of grant, when the
option expires. No options under the Director Plan have been exercised. The
Company has authorized 200,000 shares of post-Reverse Split common stock to be
issued under the Director Plan.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER
OF EXERCISE
OPTIONS PRICE
------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance, July 31, 1993............................... 20,000 $12.87
Options issued..................................... 16,667 $6.72
------
Balance, July 31, 1994............................... 36,667 $6.72-$12.87
Options issued..................................... 19,998 $4.13
------
Balance, July 31, 1995............................... 56,665 $4.13-$12.87
======
Options exercisable, July 31, 1995................... 56,665
======
</TABLE>
The Company maintains a contributory defined benefit pension plan (the
"Pension Plan") for eligible participating employees in its United Kingdom
offices. Monthly contributions by employees are equal to 3.5% of their salaries
with the Company providing an additional contribution in an actuarially
determined amount necessary to fund future benefits to be provided under the
Pension Plan. Benefits provided are based upon 1/60 of the employee's final
pensionable salary (as defined) for each complete year of service up to 2/3 of
the employee's final pensionable salary and increase annually at 5%. The Pension
Plan also provides for 50% of such actual or expected benefits to be paid to a
surviving spouse upon the death of a participant. Pension Plan assets consist
mainly of investments in marketable securities which are held and managed by an
independent trustee. The net periodic pension costs are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED
JULY 31,
-------------------
1994 1995
----- -----
(IN THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Service costs (benefits earned during the period)...... $ 288 $ 275
Interest costs on projected benefit obligation......... 249 253
Return on assets....................................... (226) (275)
Net amortization and deferral.......................... 4 5
----- -----
Net periodic pension costs............................. $ 315 $ 258
===== =====
</TABLE>
F-16
<PAGE> 138
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
The funded status of the Pension Plan is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JULY 31, JULY 31,
1994 1995
-------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Plan assets at fair value.............................. $ 2,841 $ 3,444
Actuarial present value of accumulated vested benefit
obligations.......................................... 2,472 3,026
Effect of future salary increases...................... 437 517
------- -------
Projected benefit obligation......................... 2,909 3,543
------- -------
Projected benefit obligation in excess of plan
assets............................................... (68) (99)
Unrecognized prior service cost........................ 68 13
------- -------
Pension liability...................................... $ $ (86)
======= =======
</TABLE>
The weighted average assumptions used to determine the projected benefit
obligation and the expected long-term rate of return on assets for the years
ended July 31, 1994 and 1995 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Discount rate......................................................... 8.5%
Rates of increase in compensation levels.............................. 6.5%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets........................... 9.0%
</TABLE>
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
Total rentals of vessels, equipment and office facilities charged to
operations amounted to $19,105,000, $21,914,000 and $24,884,000 for the years
ended July 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Minimum rentals payable under operating leases, principally for office
space, and vessel charters with remaining noncancellable terms of at least one
year are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL MINIMUM
YEAR RENTALS
--------------------------------------------------- -------
(IN THOUSANDS
OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C>
1996............................................. $14,583
1997............................................. 8,113
1998............................................. 7,244
1999............................................. 6,758
2000............................................. 3,546
2001-2013.......................................... 7,562
</TABLE>
At July 31, 1995, the Company had placed orders for the purchase of certain
equipment and services with an aggregate purchase price of $1,748,000.
The Company has an employment agreement with an employee, who is also a
director, that provides for salary payments of $25,417 per month plus certain
employee benefits through December 31, 1995, the end of the employment period as
defined. The agreement also contains a non-compete clause for a period of three
years after the employment period during which time the employee will receive
payments of $12,709 per month plus certain employee benefits.
F-17
<PAGE> 139
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
8. WARRANTS
The following number of warrants issued and exercise prices have been
adjusted for the Reverse Split consummated on January 17, 1995. See Note 18.
In conjunction with the cancellation of a previous issue of common and
preferred stock and certain other liabilities, the Company authorized 454,545
warrants which may be exercised for 454,545 shares of common stock. The warrants
were issued for a term of five years beginning July 5, 1991 at an exercise price
of $18.00 per share. The warrants may only be exercised for cash.
In conjunction with the Company's term loan due June 30, 1997, the Company
issued 113,333 warrants which expire June 29, 1997. The warrants were
exercisable for cash at a price of $18.00 per share. In conjunction with an
amendment to the loan in August 1994, which revised certain financial ratio
covenants, the price of the warrants was reduced to $6.00 per share.
In conjunction with the Company's short-term related party loans, the
Company issued to the lenders warrants to purchase 120,000 common shares. The
warrants may be exercised for cash at a price of $4.50 per share and will expire
July 26, 1999.
9. PURCHASE OF GFS COMPANY
On October 30, 1992, the Company acquired GFS Company ("GFS") of Jackson,
Mississippi. GFS operates land and transition zone seismic crews. Under the
agreement, Digicon issued 225,000 shares of its pre-Reverse Split common stock
(valued at $1,153,000) and $117,000 in notes in exchange for all of the
outstanding stock of GFS. On completion of the transaction, GFS became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The acquisition was accounted for using
the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, goodwill of $4,245,000 was
recorded representing the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of
the net assets acquired. The goodwill is being amortized over a ten-year period
and the operations of GFS are included in the consolidated financial statements
beginning November 1, 1992.
10. DEFERRED CREDITS
In August 1992, the Company entered into agreements with a customer
pursuant to which the Company was obligated to allow $7,800,000 in discounts at
specified rates on future seismic services performed by the Company for such
customer. Discounts were payable only out of a portion of the revenues received
by the Company for the performance of the seismic services for such customer. At
July 31, 1994, remaining discounts due were included in accounts
payable -- trade in the amount of $536,000 and in deferred credits in the amount
of $5,538,000. The agreement also required the customer to utilize the services
of certain Company vessels for a minimum period of 15 months during a period
ending in June 1995. In July 1995, the agreements were amended to terminate the
remaining vessel usage requirement, revise the discount rates available on
future seismic services and allow the customer to apply the discounts against
the Company's invoices in return for a reduction in discounts allowed. As a
result, the Company recognized a gain of $864,000 which is included in operating
expenses for the year ended July 31, 1995. At July 31, 1995, remaining discounts
of $3,675,000 are included in deferred credits.
The Company also has $1,500,000 and $880,000 at July 31, 1994 and 1995,
respectively, included in other accrued liabilities relating to deferred credits
earned by certain customers in conjunction with their original participation in
one of the Company's proprietary data surveys. These credits may be applied by
the customers against future invoiced amounts.
F-18
<PAGE> 140
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
11. GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Substantially all of the Company's operations consist of geophysical
services. The following tables provide relevant information for the three years
ended July 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, grouped by major geographic areas.
Intersegment sales between geographic areas are valued at current market prices.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REVENUES
--------------------------------- OPERATING
UNAFFILIATED INTERSEGMENT PROFIT IDENTIFIABLE
CUSTOMERS SALES TOTAL (LOSS) ASSETS
-------- ------- -------- ------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1993:
Geographic areas:
Europe & Middle East............. $ 24,699 $ 108 $ 24,807 $ 4,374 $ 38,516
Africa........................... 13,020 13,020 2,392 3,850
Far East......................... 38,569 74 38,643 (2,107) 26,267
South America.................... 3,945 3,945 638 7,723
Eliminations..................... (182) (182)
-------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Totals...................... 80,233 80,233 5,297 76,356
United States.................... 37,476* 3,639 41,115* (908) 49,035
Eliminations..................... (3,639) (3,639)
-------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Totals...................... 117,709 117,709 4,389 125,391
Other............................ (184)
Corporate, general and
administrative expenses........ (2,583)
Interest......................... (1,217)
Income taxes..................... (1,609)
Investments in 50% or less-owned
companies and joint ventures... (54) 254
Corporate assets................. 355
-------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Totals...................... $117,709 $ $117,709 $(1,258) $126,000
======== ======= ======== ======= ========
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
* Includes export sales of $10,138.
During 1993, United States, Europe & Middle East, Africa and Far East
revenues include sales to two clients which accounted for 16% and 11% of total
revenues. Depreciation and amortization expense was $2,345,000 for Europe &
Middle East, $230,000 for Africa, $2,209,000 for Far East, $140,000 for South
America and $4,678,000 for United States. Capital expenditures were $21,310,000
for Europe & Middle East, $275,000 for Africa, $4,295,000 for Far East,
$3,692,000 for South America and $10,809,000 for United States.
F-19
<PAGE> 141
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REVENUES
-------------------------------- OPERATING
UNAFFILIATED INTERSEGMENT PROFIT IDENTIFIABLE
CUSTOMERS SALES TOTAL (LOSS) ASSETS
-------- ------ -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1994:
Geographic areas:
Europe & Middle East............. $ 29,891 $1,697 $ 31,588 $ (3,120) $ 33,063
Far East......................... 19,401 19,401 (11,325) 19,330
South America.................... 14,219 14,219 (799) 9,758
Eliminations..................... (1,697) (1,697)
-------- ------ -------- -------- --------
Totals...................... 63,511 63,511 (15,244) 62,151
United States.................... 54,467* 315 54,782* 7,187 60,649
Eliminations..................... (315) (315)
-------- ------ -------- -------- --------
Totals...................... 117,978 117,978 (8,057) 122,800
Other............................ 702
Corporate, general and
administrative expenses........ (2,020)
Interest......................... (3,085)
Income taxes..................... (1,521)
Investments in 50% or less-owned
companies and joint ventures... (445) 8,543
Corporate assets................. 513
-------- ------ -------- -------- --------
Totals...................... $117,978 $ $117,978 $(14,426) $131,856
======== ====== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
* Includes export sales of $1,501.
During 1994, United States, Europe & Middle East and Far East revenues
include sales to a client which accounted for 10% of total revenues. Operating
profit (loss) includes restructuring charges and write-off/reserve for
impairment of assets of $1,258,000 for Europe & Middle East, $3,317,000 for Far
East, and $3,808,000 for United States. Depreciation and amortization expense
was $4,214,000 for Europe & Middle East, $1,942,000 for Far East, $1,551,000 for
South America and $6,030,000 for United States. Capital expenditures were
$2,031,000 for Europe & Middle East, $458,000 for Far East, $1,471,000 for South
America and $6,720,000 for United States.
F-20
<PAGE> 142
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REVENUES
------------------------------- OPERATING
UNAFFILIATED INTERSEGMENT PROFIT IDENTIFIABLE
CUSTOMERS SALES TOTAL (LOSS) ASSETS
-------- ----- -------- ------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1995:
Geographic areas:
Europe & Middle East............... $ 20,230 $ 579 $ 20,809 $ 2,188 $ 11,976
Far East........................... 27,360 22 27,382 (262) 23,436
South America...................... 21,931 21,931 (1,996) 16,998
Eliminations....................... (601) (601)
-------- ----- -------- ------- --------
Totals........................ 69,521 69,521 (70) 52,410
United States...................... 63,048* 126 63,174* 9,263 82,227
Eliminations....................... (126) (126)
-------- ----- -------- ------- --------
Totals........................ 132,569 132,569 9,193 134,637
Other.............................. (598)
Corporate, general and
administrative expenses.......... (1,527)
Interest........................... (5,142)
Income taxes....................... (2,033)
Gain on sale of investment in FSU
joint ventures................... 4,370
Investments in 50% or less-owned
companies and joint ventures..... (1,485) 57
Corporate assets................... 376
-------- ----- -------- ------- --------
Totals........................ $132,569 $ $132,569 $ 2,778 $135,070
======== ===== ======== ======= ========
</TABLE>
- - - ---------------
* Includes export sales of $2,228.
There was no single client that accounted for 10% or more of total revenues
during the year ended July 31, 1995. During 1995, depreciation and amortization
expense was $3,984,000 for Europe & Middle East, $1,470,000 for Far East,
$2,149,000 for South America and $5,762,000 for United States. Capital
expenditures were $1,709,000 for Europe & Middle East, $1,240,000 for Far East,
$4,252,000 for South America and $11,041,000 for United States.
12. COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK
See Note 18 relating to the Reverse Split consummated on January 17, 1995.
In December 1992, the Company sold, in an underwritten public offering,
5,456,900 shares of pre-Reverse Split common stock at $4.25 per share. The
Company incurred approximately $2,104,000 of issuance costs in conjunction with
the offering and these costs have been charged to additional paid-in capital.
See also Notes 9 and 15 relating to the issuance of pre-Reverse Split
common stock for the purchase of GFS Company and investment in FSU joint
ventures.
On June 6, 1995, 850,000 shares of treasury stock were sold to an
institutional investor at a price of $4.6875 per share.
In September 1995, the Company sold its 858,497 shares of treasury stock to
a group of institutional investors at a price of $4.6875 per share for total
cash proceeds of $4,024,204.
F-21
<PAGE> 143
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
The board of directors, without any action by the stockholders, is
authorized to issue up to 1 million shares of preferred stock in one or more
series and to determine the voting rights, preferences as to dividends and in
liquidation and the conversion and other rights of such stock. There are no
shares of preferred stock outstanding as of July 31, 1993, 1994 or 1995 or as of
April 30, 1996.
13. CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
During fiscal 1994, the Company entered into two credit facilities with
shareholders SOROS Capital L.P., CCF Jupiter L.P. and Jupiter Management Co.,
Inc. (collectively, "the Lenders"). In November 1993, the Company executed a
secured term loan agreement with the Lenders which provided loans totaling
$3,386,000. The loans were repaid in full in April 1994, and the facility was
terminated. In July 1994, the Company executed a second secured loan agreement
with the Lenders providing up to $3,000,000 of advances. See Note 2. The second
facility was repaid in full in June 1995. In connection with the second
facility, the Lenders received warrants to purchase the Company's common stock.
See Note 8. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 1994 and 1995, $206,000 and
$376,000, respectively, was paid to the Lenders as interest and fees under the
two facilities.
In fiscal 1994 and 1995, the Company performed certain data acquisition,
processing, marketing and training services for various co-venturers and
recorded sales in the amount of $1,279,000 and $1,633,000, respectively. At July
31, 1994 and 1995, there was approximately $310,000 and $300,000, respectively,
in outstanding receivables related to these transactions.
The Company sold certain assets during July 1994 to Caspian Geophysical, a
joint venture in which the Company had an indirect 10% interest, for a note
receivable payable in 36 monthly installments of $41,667 with an imputed
interest rate of 10%. The net gain recorded after eliminating intercompany
profits was $148,000. The note receivable was repaid in June 1995 as a result of
the sale of the Company's interest in the joint venture. See Note 15.
14. EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE
In July 1991, the Company authorized 707,547 shares of pre-Reverse Split
common stock for sale to its employees at a price of $2.12 per share. Employee
purchases were voluntary and the stock was fully subscribed at the Closing Date.
On the Closing Date, the Company issued the stock to the employees upon receipt
of cash in an amount of par value. At the employee's option, the remaining
purchase price could be paid in cash on the Closing Date or by payroll
deductions over a period of 24 months.
At July 31, 1992, agreements in the amount of $48,000 were outstanding and
in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 40, Topic 4-E were excluded
from additional paid-in capital. As of July 31, 1993, all proceeds due under the
agreements had been received and are included in additional paid-in capital.
15. INVESTMENT IN FSU JOINT VENTURES
During the year ended July 31, 1994, the Company entered into a joint
venture agreement with MD Seis International Ltd. to perform geophysical
services in the former Soviet Union ("FSU"). In connection with the agreement,
the Company placed 5,431,615 shares of its pre-Reverse Split common stock in
escrow to be distributed in stages upon the execution and completion of certain
conditions.
The first stage was completed on April 1, 1994 and the Company exchanged
3,072,950 shares of pre-Reverse Split common stock valued at $2.375 per share,
or $7,298,256, and a $1,000,000 cash commitment in return for interests in
certain jointly owned companies. The second stage of the agreement was completed
on August 25, 1994, and the Company increased its ownership interest in certain
of these companies by exchanging 2,052,543 shares of pre-Reverse Split common
stock valued at $1.125 per share, or $2,309,111, and an additional $2,000,000
cash commitment. In addition, the Company agreed to guarantee certain
F-22
<PAGE> 144
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
liabilities of the joint ventures. After adjustment for the Reverse Split
consummated on January 17, 1995, MD Seis owned 1,708,497 shares of common stock.
The investments were being accounted for under the equity method. The FSU
joint ventures generated total revenues of approximately $300,000 and $6,994,000
and net losses of approximately $921,000 and $2,954,000 during the years ended
July 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively. The Company's share of net losses was
approximately $391,000 and $1,477,000 during the years ended July 31, 1994 and
1995, respectively. The excess purchase price over the fair value of the net
assets acquired in the amount of $9,292,000 was being amortized over a 20 year
period. Amortization expense for the years ended July 31, 1994 and 1995 was
$100,000 and $392,000, respectively.
On June 6, 1995, the Company sold its interests in the joint ventures for
$6,000,000 in cash and the return of the 1,708,497 shares of the post-Split
common stock owned by MD Seis (valued at $5.125 per share). In addition, the
Company received $2,992,144 in short-term notes, which were collected on July
31, 1995, representing payments for equipment sold and a return of amounts
previously advanced to the joint ventures and is entitled to receive royalties
of up to $1,500,000 based on future sales of speculative data currently being
acquired by the joint ventures. The net effect of these transactions was a gain
of $4,370,000.
16. RESTRUCTURING CHARGES AND EXIT COSTS
In response to operating losses in certain markets which adversely impacted
the Company's liquidity during the year ended July 31, 1994, management made a
decision to restructure its operations and revalue certain assets in April 1994,
including plans to close the Indonesian processing center, and accordingly
incurred $9,116,000 in total expenses relating to such decision. Costs of
$1,230,000 are included in cost of services and include non-recurring expenses
associated with certain contract liabilities. Also included in the $9,116,000 is
$6,523,000 for the write-off/reserve for the impairment of assets to their net
realizable value. A portion of the write-off pertains to marine ($2,437,000) and
land ($552,000) acquisition assets related to decommissioned marine vessels and
stacked land crews. The write-off/reserve for impairment of assets also includes
the write-down of certain other marine and land acquisition assets that were not
a direct result of the restructuring program ($1,048,000). In addition, the
Company wrote down data processing equipment ($2,056,000), particularly in the
Far East, based on the declining market and the plan to close the Indonesian
processing center, and Indonesian proprietary data ($430,000), since the
Company's license to sell such data will not be extended by the Indonesian
government. The remaining costs are restructuring charges of $1,363,000 of which
$1,226,000 relates to severance costs for a reduction in the Company's workforce
of 122 employees and $137,000 relates to office restoration expenses in the
Indonesian processing center. Employees to be terminated are from the processing
centers (including the Indonesian center), marine and land crews, marine
support, manufacturing, research and development and corporate groups. The
Company accrued an additional $450,000 of severance costs for 37 employees and
$350,000 in lease obligations in the Indonesian processing center during the
year ended July 31, 1995. As of July 31, 1995, 119 employees have been
terminated and $1,061,000 in severance costs have been paid. The Company
estimates that all remaining liabilities in the amount of $1,102,000 will be
paid during fiscal 1996.
17. SALE OF INVENTORIES, ASSETS AND TECHNOLOGIES
On August 31, 1994, the Company entered into a series of agreements with
Syntron, Inc. ("Syntron") that provided for the sale of certain assets,
inventories, and technologies by the Company to Syntron and the assumption of
certain liabilities by Syntron. The sale price was $7,500,000 payable in cash of
$3,000,000 and $4,500,000 in credits to be applied against future purchases from
Syntron by the Company. The agreements also provide that for a period of three
years, Syntron will be the sole supplier to the Company of certain acquisition,
monitoring, and recording equipment that is competitively priced, deliverable on
a timely basis and is technologically competitive. In addition, the Company has
agreed to lease back certain marine and land
F-23
<PAGE> 145
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
recording equipment from Syntron for a period of up to 36 months with minimum
lease terms ranging from 7 1/2 to 17 1/2 months. The difference between the sale
price and the net book value of the net assets sold after discounting the
credits by 2 1/2% was a $1,001,000 gain which is being recognized on a pro rata
basis over the minimum lease terms as a reduction in rental expense. Unused
credits in the amount of $1,210,000 and $857,000 are included in accounts and
notes receivable and other assets, respectively, at July 31, 1995.
18. REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
On December 14, 1994, shareholders approved a one for three reverse stock
split (the "Reverse Split") to holders of record on January 17, 1995, with no
change in par value. On January 17, 1995, there were 33,404,816 shares of common
stock outstanding which were converted into 11,134,939 shares of post-Reverse
Split common stock. The net effect of these transactions was a charge to common
stock and a credit to additional paid-in capital of approximately $223,000.
On January 17, 1995, there were 1,363,637 publicly traded common stock
purchase warrants expiring on July 5, 1996 with an exercise price of $6.00 per
share. In connection with the Reverse Split and as required by the American
Stock Exchange, the publicly traded warrants were converted, effective January
17, 1995, into approximately 454,545 post-Reverse Split common stock purchase
warrants with an exercise price of $18.00. Also on January 17, 1995, there were
340,000 common stock purchase warrants expiring on June 29, 1997 with an
exercise price of $2.00 per share which were adjusted in connection with the
Reverse Split to represent 113,333 shares of post-Reverse Split common stock
issuable upon exercise of these warrants at an exercise price of $6.00.
Additionally, there were 1,975,000 and 600,000 shares of pre-Reverse Split
common stock authorized under the 1992 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
and 1992 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, respectively. In connection
with the Reverse Split, these authorized shares were decreased to 658,333 and
200,000 authorized shares of post-Reverse Split common stock under the Employee
Plan and Director Plan, respectively, and the new exercise prices were tripled.
F-24
<PAGE> 146
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
19.SELECTED UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, 1994 AND 1995
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)(*)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1994
--------------------------------------------
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH
QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
------- ------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues........................................... $32,274 $30,475 $ 25,463 $29,766
Operating expense:
Cost of services................................. 26,305 25,708 24,968 24,329
Restructuring.................................... 1,363
Write-off/reserve for impairment of assets......... 6,523
Depreciation and amortization...................... 3,374 3,560 3,541 3,283
Selling, general and administrative................ 1,080 1,716 1,438 867
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes.... 956 (735) (13,210) 84
Net income (loss).................................. 717 (982) (13,688) (473)
Net income (loss) per share of common stock(*)..... .08 (.10) (1.40) (.05)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1995
--------------------------------------------
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH
QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
------- ------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues........................................... $32,000 $30,266 $ 34,448 $35,855
Operating expense:
Cost of services................................. 25,008 22,701 27,767 30,436
Restructuring.................................... 800
Depreciation and amortization...................... 3,393 3,453 3,469 3,448
Selling, general and administrative................ 1,106 1,058 1,244 1,020
Income before provision for income taxes........... 1,334 1,146 509 1,822
Net income......................................... 607 829 479 863
Net income per share of common stock(*)............ .06 .07 .04 .08
</TABLE>
- - - ------------
(*) Reported quarterly earnings (loss) per share is based on each quarter's
weighted average shares outstanding. The quarters may not total to the
reported annual earnings (loss) per share due in part to fluctuations in
common shares outstanding. Weighted average shares for all periods presented
have been restated for the Reverse Split consummated on January 17, 1995.
See Note 18.
20. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS -- BUSINESS COMBINATION (UNAUDITED)
On March 18, 1996, the board of directors declared a dividend distribution,
to common shareholders of record on April 1, 1996, of one right that entitles a
stockholder to purchase a fraction of a share of a class of preferred stock upon
the occurrence of specified events enumerated by the rights agreement. Such
preferred stock, although not issued at April 30, 1996 could, depending on the
terms of such stock, provide for a liquidation preference over the Company's
common stock. The rights, among other things, will cause substantial dilution to
a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company. The Company has agreed
to give notice of the redemption of the rights prior to consummation of the
transaction described below which will result in termination of the rights
agreement. Also see Note 12.
On May 10, 1996 the Company entered into a Combination Agreement (the
"Agreement") with Veritas Energy Services Inc. ("Veritas"), a Canadian company.
The terms of the Agreement provide that Veritas will be combined with and into
the Company (the "Combination"). As a result of the Combination, each share of
Veritas no par value common shares outstanding will be converted into the right
to receive Veritas no par
F-25
<PAGE> 147
DIGICON INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
value exchangeable stock (the "Exchangeable Stock") at an exchange ratio of 0.8
of a share of Exchangeable Stock per Veritas common share. All of the holders of
Veritas common shares, except for those shareholders (required to be 5% or less
of the outstanding Veritas common shares by the terms of the Agreement) who
perfect and properly exercise their right to dissent from the Combination and
receive fair value of their shares in cash, will become holders of Exchangeable
Stock. It is estimated that a minimum of approximately 7 million shares of
Exchangeable Stock will be issued. The aggregate stated capital of the
Exchangeable Stock will be equal to the aggregate stated capital of the Veritas
common shares immediately prior to the Combination that are exchanged or
approximately $29.5 million. The Exchangeable Stock will be convertible, at the
discretion of the stockholder, on a one-for-one basis into shares of the
Company's $0.01 par value common stock and their holders will have rights
identical to the holders of the Company's common stock. Options to purchase
shares of Veritas Common Stock ("Veritas Option") will be converted into options
to purchase shares of the Company's common stock at an exchange ratio of 0.8 of
an option in the Company's common stock per Veritas Option. The Veritas articles
of amalgamation will be amended to reduce the number of authorized Veritas
common shares to one which will be held by the Company. Consummation of the
proposed Combination awaits approval of the Company's and Veritas' shareholders
and US and Canadian regulatory authorities.
The Combination is to be accounted for as a pooling of interests, and
accordingly, the financial position and results of operations of the Company and
Veritas will be combined in fiscal 1996 retroactive to August 1, 1995 and
Veritas' fiscal year will be conformed to the Company's fiscal year. In
addition, all prior periods presented will be restated to give effect to the
Combination. Accordingly, Veritas' operating results for the period August 1,
1995 to October 31, 1995 will be included in the Company's fiscal 1995 and 1996
financial statements and will be reflected as an adjustment to the combined
Company's retained earnings on August 1, 1995.
Presented below is pro forma statement of operations information assuming
the Combination had occurred on August 1, 1993. Amounts related to Veritas have
been converted into the Company's reporting currency, United States ("U.S.")
dollars, using weighted average exchange rates and have been adjusted for
differences between U.S. and Canadian generally accepted accounting principles
("GAAP"). GAAP adjustments include adjustments to (i) write off foreign exchange
gains and (losses) on borrowings which are deferred and amortized over the
period of the debt affecting net income by approximately ($220,000); $253,000
and ($25,000) for the years ended July 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively and
(ii) reverse the effect of a prior period adjustment affecting net income by
approximately ($834,000) and $314,000 for the years ended July 31, 1994 and
1995, respectively. All amounts are presented in thousands except per share
amounts.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNAUDITED
UNAUDITED NINE MONTHS ENDED
YEARS ENDED JULY 31, APRIL 30,
---------------------------------- ---------------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues............................ $156,876 $180,835 $217,072 $157,687 $183,994
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net income (loss)................... $ 574 $(10,354) $ 5,594 $ 5,358 $ 5,782
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Earnings (loss) per share........... $ 0.05 $ (0.66) $ 0.31 $ 0.30 $ 0.33
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
There are no anticipated changes in accounting methods for either the
Company or Veritas as a result of the combination whose effects should be
considered in the supplemental information presented above.
During May 1996 the lender under the $17 million credit facility available
through April 11, 1997 formally offered to extend the facility until June 15,
1998 upon terms which would result in a reduction of the Company's effective
borrowing costs. The Company is evaluating this offer but no decision has yet
been made with regard to this facility. See Note 3.
F-26
<PAGE> 148
AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Shareholders of
Veritas Energy Services Inc.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Veritas Energy Services
Inc. as at October 31, 1995 and 1994 and the consolidated statements of
operations, retained earnings and changes in financial position for the years
ended October 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain
reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at October 31,
1995 and 1994 and the results of its operations and the changes in its financial
position for the years ended October 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 in accordance with
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
PRICE WATERHOUSE
Chartered Accountants
Calgary, Alberta
December 11, 1995
F-27
<PAGE> 149
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OCTOBER 31,
APRIL 30, ---------------------------
1996 1995 1994
----------- ----------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and term deposits...................................... $ 7,079,000 $ 7,956,000 $10,180,000
Accounts receivable trade................................... 25,301,000 20,437,000 19,765,000
Other current assets........................................ 4,518,000 2,568,000 1,047,000
Deferred foreign exchange................................... 272,000 98,000 144,000
----------- ----------- -----------
37,170,000 31,059,000 31,136,000
Refundable deposits........................................... 290,000 260,000 244,000
Deferred foreign exchange..................................... -- 87,000 7,000
Goodwill...................................................... 1,453,000 1,542,000 124,000
Capital assets, net (Note 4).................................. 38,460,000 39,746,000 32,934,000
----------- ----------- -----------
$77,373,000 $72,694,000 $64,445,000
=========== =========== ===========
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.................... $17,383,000 $13,650,000 $ 9,590,000
Income taxes payable (recoverable).......................... (671,000) 3,488,000 698,000
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 6).................. 1,669,000 1,175,000 2,009,000
----------- ----------- -----------
18,381,000 18,313,000 12,297,000
Long-term debt (Note 6)....................................... 2,462,000 874,000 614,000
Deferred income taxes......................................... 926,000 707,000 2,273,000
Shareholders' Equity:
Capital stock (Note 7)........................................ 40,148,000 39,009,000 38,970,000
Retained earnings............................................. 15,456,000 13,791,000 10,291,000
----------- ----------- -----------
55,604,000 52,800,000 49,261,000
----------- ----------- -----------
Commitments (Note 11)......................................... $77,373,000 $72,694,000 $64,445,000
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
APPROVED BY THE BOARD
/s/ DAVID B. ROBSON
- - - ------------------------------------
David B. Robson, Director
/s/ LAWRENCE C. FICHTNER
- - - ------------------------------------
Lawrence C. Fichtner, Director
F-28
<PAGE> 150
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31
APRIL 30, APRIL 30, -----------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993
---------------- ---------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gross revenue.............................. $ 87,734,000 $ 81,832,000 $151,292,000 $122,134,000 $68,272,000
Third party costs.......................... 37,060,000 31,973,000 56,777,000 51,975,000 28,306,000
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ -----------
Net revenue................................ 50,674,000 49,859,000 94,515,000 70,159,000 39,966,000
Direct costs............................... 32,211,000 30,614,000 61,230,000 41,232,000 24,486,000
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ -----------
18,463,000 19,245,000 33,285,000 28,927,000 15,480,000
Expenses
General and administrative............... 6,667,000 5,957,000 11,985,000 8,703,000 5,102,000
Depreciation and amortization............ 8,090,000 6,860,000 14,287,000 8,730,000 5,003,000
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ -----------
14,757,000 12,817,000 26,272,000 17,433,000 10,105,000
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ -----------
Income from operations before interest
expense.................................. 3,706,000 6,428,000 7,013,000 11,494,000 5,375,000
Interest on long-term debt................. 126,000 223,000 304,000 450,000 1,125,000
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ -----------
3,580,000 6,205,000 6,709,000 11,044,000 4,250,000
(Loss) gain on disposal of capital
assets................................... (385,000) (33,000) (221,000) 12,000 176,000
Other income............................... 94,000 203,000 322,000 486,000 258,000
Discretionary management fees.............. -- -- -- -- (80,000)
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ -----------
Income before income taxes................. 3,289,000 6,375,000 6,810,000 11,542,000 4,604,000
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes
(Note 8)
Current.................................. 1,405,000 2,574,000 4,416,000 921,000 2,135,000
Deferred................................. 219,000 289,000 (1,106,000) 4,327,000 (159,000)
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ -----------
1,624,000 2,863,000 3,310,000 5,248,000 1,976,000
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ -----------
Net income for the period.................. $ 1,665,000 $ 3,512,000 $ 3,500,000 $ 6,294,000 $ 2,628,000
=========== =========== ============ ============ ===========
Net income per Common Share................ $ 0.19 $ 0.41 $ 0.41 $ 0.86 $ 0.66
=========== =========== ============ ============ ===========
</TABLE>
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31
APRIL 30, APRIL 30, -----------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993
---------------- ---------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Retained earnings, beginning of the period
As previously reported................... $ 13,791,000 $ 9,857,000 $ 9,857,000 $ 4,690,000 $ 2,062,000
Prior period adjustment for income taxes
(Note 8)............................... -- 434,000 434,000 (693,000) (693,000)
---------------- ---------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
As restated.............................. 13,791,000 10,291,000 10,291,000 3,997,000 1,369,000
Net income for the period.................. 1,665,000 3,512,000 3,500,000 6,294,000 2,628,000
---------------- ---------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
Retained earnings, end of the period....... $ 15,456,000 $ 13,803,000 $ 13,791,000 $ 10,291,000 $ 3,997,000
================ ================ =========== =========== ==========
</TABLE>
F-29
<PAGE> 151
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS SIX MONTHS
ENDED ENDED YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31
APRIL 30, APRIL 30, ------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities
Net income for the period...................... $1,665,000 $3,512,000 $ 3,500,000 $ 6,294,000 $ 2,628,000
Items not involving an outlay (inflow) of cash
Depreciation and amortization................ 8,090,000 6,860,000 14,287,000 8,730,000 5,003,000
Loss (gain) on disposal of capital
assets..................................... 385,000 33,000 221,000 (12,000) (176,000)
Non-current investment tax credit............ -- -- (463,000) (449,000) --
Deferred tax (recovery) expense.............. 219,000 289,000 (1,106,000) 4,327,000 (159,000)
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Funds from operations............................ 10,359,000 10,694,000 16,439,000 18,890,000 7,296,000
Change in working capital related to operations.. (7,240,000) (599,000) 4,269,000 (8,881,000) (1,194,000)
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Cash provided by operating activities............ 3,119,000 10,095,000 20,708,000 10,009,000 6,102,000
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Financing activities
Change in shareholders' loans.................. -- -- -- (1,920,000) (53,000)
Incurrence of long-term debt................... 3,130,000 517,000 1,830,000 -- 8,714,000
Repayment of long-term debt.................... (1,048,000) (1,445,000) (2,404,000) (8,978,000) (4,723,000)
Deferred foreign exchange...................... (87,000) (226,000) (31,000) 341,000 (280,000)
Issue of shares, net of issue costs............ 1,139,000 22,000 39,000 36,873,000 --
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities.. 3,134,000 (1,132,000) (566,000) 26,316,000 3,658,000
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Investing activities
Additions to capital assets.................... (7,261,000) (14,642,000) (21,157,000) (25,902,000) (11,958,000)
Proceeds from sale of capital assets........... 161,000 123,000 300,000 1,129,000 576,000
Purchase of subsidiary company................. -- (560,000) (560,000) -- --
Refinancing of long-term debt of subsidiary
company...................................... -- (933,000) (933,000) -- --
Change in refundable deposits.................. (30,000) (87,000) (16,000) (108,000) (1,000)
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Cash used in investing activities................ (7,130,000) (16,099,000) (22,366,000) (24,881,000) (11,383,000)
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(Decrease) increase in cash........................ (877,000) (7,136,000) (2,224,000) 11,444,000 (1,623,000)
Cash (bank indebtedness), beginning of the period.. 7,956,000 10,180,000 10,180,000 (1,264,000) 359,000
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Cash (bank indebtedness), end of the period........ $7,079,000 $ 3,044,000 $ 7,956,000 $ 10,180,000 $ (1,264,000)
=========== ============ ============ ============ ============
Change in working capital related to operations
Accounts receivable trade........................ $(4,864,000) $(8,521,000) $ (185,000) $ (8,139,000) $ (8,482,000)
Other current assets............................. (1,950,000) (1,083,000) (1,521,000) (34,000) (185,000)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities......... 3,733,000 7,766,000 3,185,000 (279,000) 7,439,000
Income taxes payable............................. (4,159,000) 1,239,000 2,790,000 (429,000) 34,000
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
$(7,240,000) $ (599,000) $ 4,269,000 $ (8,881,000) $ (1,194,000)
=========== ============ ============ ============ ============
Funds from operations per Common Share............. $ 1.21 $ 1.26 $ 1.93 $ 2.58 $ 1.82
=========== ============ ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
F-30
<PAGE> 152
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OCTOBER 31, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
(UNAUDITED APRIL 30, 1996 AND 1995)
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
1. CORPORATE ORGANIZATION
The consolidated financial statements of Veritas Energy Service Inc. ("the
Company") include the accounts of the following wholly-owned subsidiaries:
Veritas Geophysical Ltd. ("Veritas Geophysical"), Veritas Seismic (1987) Ltd.
("Veritas Seismic"), and Canex Information Services Ltd. ("Canex").
Effective November 1, 1994, the Company was amalgamated with Optimus
Investments Ltd. ("Optimus"), Decus Enterprises Limited ("Decus") and 584745
Alberta Ltd. ("584745"). The purpose of the amalgamation was to simplify the
corporate structure between the Company and its principal shareholders and
increase the size of the public float resulting from the individual public
shareholders of Optimus and the individual shareholders of Decus and 584745
exchanging their shares in these entities to hold shares directly in the
Company.
Effective December 1, 1994, the Company purchased all of the outstanding
shares of DataGraphics Ltd. for $560,000. The purchase price was allocated as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C>
Current assets.................................................. $ 487,000
Capital assets.................................................. 293,000
Goodwill........................................................ 1,588,000
----------
2,368,000
Current liabilities............................................. (875,000)
Long-term debt.................................................. (933,000)
----------
Purchase price.................................................. $ 560,000
==========
</TABLE>
Effective August 1, 1995, DataGraphics Ltd. was wound up into Canex.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
DEPRECIATION
Assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis at the following annual
rates:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Building......................................................... -- 4%
Seismic acquisition equipment.................................... -- 14% to 33%
Computer equipment -- seismic processing......................... -- 36%
Automotive equipment............................................. -- 30% to 40%
Furniture and equipment.......................................... -- 18% to 33%
Leasehold improvements........................................... -- 20% to 33%
Application software............................................. -- 33% to 36%
</TABLE>
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company records seismic acquisition revenue in the period earned for
all per unit contracts, while the completed contract method is used for fixed
fee jobs. Losses on fixed fee contracts are provided for in full at the time
they become known.
The Company records seismic processing and information services revenue on
a completed project basis.
F-31
<PAGE> 153
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
INVESTMENT TAX CREDITS
Investment tax credits that are earned on qualifying current and capital
expenditures are netted against the related expense or capital asset.
GOODWILL
Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over ten years. The
carrying value of goodwill is reviewed annually against estimated future
operating results.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
All foreign operations of the Company are considered integrated and assets
and liabilities are translated into Canadian dollars at exchange rates
prevailing at the balance sheet date for monetary items and at exchange rates
prevailing at the transaction dates for non-monetary items. Income and expenses
are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year with the
exception of depreciation which is translated at historical exchange rates.
Realized exchange gains or losses are included in earnings. Unrealized gains or
losses on translation of foreign long-term debt are deferred and amortized over
the remaining term of the related obligation. Unrealized exchange gains or
losses on net monetary assets in foreign operations which result from long-term
cash advances from Canada are deferred and amortized over a period of three
years for Argentina and Venezuela operations and ten years for the U.S.
operations.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Research and development costs incurred to maintain and upgrade the
Company's seismic processing and exploration and development information
services are expensed as incurred. These costs net of investment tax credits
were $465,000 for the six months ended April 30, 1996, $457,000 for the six
months ended April 30, 1995, $1,014,000, $1,160,000 and $632,000 for the years
ended October 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 respectively.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Certain of the prior year figures have been reclassified to conform with
the current year's presentation.
3. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In October 1995, the Company purchased land and buildings in Calgary,
Alberta from a related company for $550,000. An independent appraisal was
obtained to determine fair market values.
There were no management fees paid in 1995. Management fees of $44,000 were
paid to a related company, Decus, for the year ended October 31, 1994 and
$407,612 for the year ended October 31, 1993. $80,000 was paid to Optimus in
1993.
F-32
<PAGE> 154
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
4. CAPITAL ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OCTOBER 31,
OCTOBER 31, 1995 1994
----------------------------------------- -----------
ACCUMULATED NET BOOK NET BOOK
COST DEPRECIATION VALUE VALUE
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Land and building................ $ 550,000 $ -- $ 550,000 $ --
Seismic acquisition equipment.... 52,351,000 21,922,000 30,429,000 27,598,000
Computer equipment............... 9,645,000 5,134,000 4,511,000 3,424,000
Automotive equipment............. 3,066,000 817,000 2,249,000 559,000
Furniture and equipment.......... 1,775,000 912,000 863,000 872,000
Leasehold improvements........... 509,000 230,000 279,000 145,000
Application software............. 1,679,000 814,000 865,000 336,000
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
$69,575,000 $29,829,000 $39,746,000 $32,934,000
=========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 30, 1996 (UNAUDITED)
-----------------------------------------
ACCUMULATED NET BOOK
COST DEPRECIATION VALUE
----------- ----------- -----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Land and building............................. $ 550,000 $ 8,000 $ 542,000
Seismic acquisition equipment................. 56,272,000 27,203,000 29,069,000
Computer equipment............................ 11,929,000 6,694,000 5,235,000
Automotive equipment.......................... 2,744,000 1,043,000 1,701,000
Furniture and equipment....................... 2,116,000 1,227,000 889,000
Leasehold improvements........................ 537,000 376,000 161,000
Application software.......................... 1,793,000 930,000 863,000
----------- ----------- -----------
$75,941,000 $37,481,000 $38,460,000
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
Fixed assets include assets held under capital leases with a gross cost of
$1,510,000 and net book value of $225,000 at April 30, 1996 (October 31, 1995 --
gross cost of $1,510,000 and net book value of $360,000).
5. DEMAND LOANS
The Company has operating lines of credit which bear interest at rates
ranging from prime plus 0.25% to prime plus 0.375% and which are secured by
general assignments of trade accounts receivable, assignments of insurance,
chattel mortgages and various guarantees.
F-33
<PAGE> 155
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
6. LONG-TERM DEBT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OCTOBER 31
APRIL 30, 1996 ---------------------------------
(UNAUDITED) 1995 1994
-------------- -------------- --------------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Chattel mortgages; repayment in monthly blended
instalments of $68,683 U.S. at April 30, 1996
($50,037 U.S. at October 31, 1995), bearing interest
at 10%-11% (U.S. $1,461,000 at April 30, 1996;
$812,000 at October 31, 1995)....................... $1,990,000 $ 1,100,000 $ --
Note payable partially secured by a chattel mortgage
on equipment bearing interest at 8% (repaid in
1995)............................................... -- -- 100,000
Chattel mortgages; repayment in monthly blended
instalments of $103,678 U.S., bearing interest at
rates varying from 7.9% to 9% (repaid in 1995)...... -- -- 1,013,000
Obligations under capital leases
The Company has various capital leases with implicit
interest rates of approximately 9% to 14% and
with remaining lease terms of 1 to 12 months..... 130,000 351,000 895,000
Demand non-revolving loan repayable over 36 months
bearing interest at prime plus 0.5% or the U.S. base
rate plus 0.5% for advances in U.S. funds. ......... 1,590,000 -- --
Term loans
Mortgage repayable in monthly instalments of $4,800
bearing interest at prime plus 1.5%. ............ 338,000 350,000 --
Repayable in monthly instalments of $21,667 U.S.,
bearing interest at 7.75% (U.S. $65,000 at April
30, 1996; U.S. $195,000 at October 31, 1995). ... 83,000 248,000 615,000
The term loans are secured primarily by general
assignments of trade accounts receivable, chattel
mortgages on equipment and various
guarantees. .....................................
---------- ---------- ----------
Total long-term debt................................ 4,131,000 2,049,000 2,623,000
Less: Current portion of debt....................... 1,539,000 824,000 1,464,000
Current portion of obligations under capital
leases........................................... 130,000 351,000 545,000
---------- ---------- ----------
Current portion of long-term debt................... 1,669,000 1,175,000 2,009,000
---------- ---------- ----------
Long-term debt...................................... $2,462,000 $ 874,000 $ 614,000
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
For the fiscal years ended October 31 in the years indicated, the estimated
future principal payments on long-term debt are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 30,
1996 OCTOBER 31,
(UNAUDITED) 1995
---------- -----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
1996........................................ $ 938,000 $1,175,000
1997........................................ $1,523,000 $ 424,000
1998........................................ $1,118,000 $ 169,000
1999........................................ $ 300,000 $ 29,000
2000........................................ $ 32,000 $ 32,000
Residual.................................... $ 220,000 $ 220,000
</TABLE>
F-34
<PAGE> 156
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
The future minimum lease payments under the capital lease obligations are
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 30,
1996 OCTOBER 31,
(UNAUDITED) 1995
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
1996........................................ $ 136,000 $ 366,000
Less: Interest expense...................... 6,000 15,000
---------- ----------
$ 130,000 $ 351,000
========== ==========
</TABLE>
7. CAPITAL STOCK
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT
SHARES ---------------------
--------- (IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C>
Issue of shares on incorporation...................... 100 $ 100
Shares issued for the Veritas companies............... 3,200,000 208,004
Shares issued for Canex............................... 799,900 429,566
--------- -----------
Shares issued prior to closing of the initial public
financing........................................... 4,000,000 637,670
Shares issued on initial public offering.............. 3,125,000 23,557,919
Shares issued on exercise of options.................. 22,025 176,200
Shares issued on special warrant financing............ 1,363,637 14,585,691
Shares issued on employee share purchase plan......... 1,233 12,520
--------- -----------
Shares issued October 31, 1994........................ 8,511,895 $38,970,000
Shares issued on amalgamation of Optimus, Decus,
584745 and the Company.............................. 37 --
Shares issued on employee share purchase plan......... 6,880 39,000
--------- -----------
Shares issued October 31, 1995........................ 8,518,812 $39,009,000
Shares issued on employee share purchase plan......... 2,472 17,000
Shares issued on exercise of options.................. 168,668 1,122,000
--------- -----------
Shares issued April 30, 1996.......................... 8,689,952 $40,148,000
========= ===========
</TABLE>
At April 30, 1996, 544,758 options to purchase shares in the Company were
outstanding (October 31, 1995 -- 496,998 and October 31, 1994 -- 280,850). The
exercise price ranges from $6.375 to $8.00 and the options expire in the years
2003 to 2006. All options are exercisable when granted.
In the six months ended April 30, 1996, 230,833 options were granted,
168,668 were exercised and 14,405 were forfeited. During 1995, 250,020 options
were granted (1994 -- 320,625), none were exercised (1994 -- 22,025) and 33,872
were forfeited (1994 -- 17,750).
The Company has reserved 1,000,000 shares under the Stock Option Plan. Of
this amount, 100,000 shares have been allocated to an employee share purchase
plan.
F-35
<PAGE> 157
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
8. INCOME TAXES
Reconciliation of expected income tax provision (including federal and
provincial taxes) to recorded income tax provision:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED
APRIL 30, YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31
------------------------ --------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(UNAUDITED) (IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Expected income tax at
the statutory rate..... $1,468,000 $2,827,000 $3,032,000 $5,117,000 $2,026,000
Foreign exchange capital
loss................... 5,000 54,000 72,000 207,000
Foreign rate
adjustment............. -- -- (45,000) (61,000)
Non-deductible
expenses............... 63,000 20,000 125,000 36,000
Other.................... 88,000 (38,000) 126,000 (51,000) (50,000)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income taxes per
financial statements... $1,624,000 $2,863,000 $3,310,000 $5,248,000 $1,976,000
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
As a result of a decision by the Federal Court of Appeal, the Company was
assessed and paid $1,127,000 in additional income taxes for the years
1987 - 1992. Interest expense of $434,000 was recovered in 1995.
The components giving rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are
primarily related to amortization in excess of capital cost allowance,
cumulative eligible capital, accounting income not taxable for tax purposes,
investment tax credits and share issue costs.
9. SEGMENTED INFORMATION
The Company's services can be divided into three general categories
consisting of (i) land seismic data acquisition on a contract basis (ii) land
seismic data processing and (iii) exploration and development information
services, including digital mapping services.
INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
SEISMIC ACQUISITION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED
APRIL 30 YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31
-------------------------- -----------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(UNAUDITED) (IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenue from customers
outside the enterprise.... $36,472,000 $35,103,000 $67,728,000 $45,652,000 $25,180,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Segmented operating profit
before interest........... $ 2,298,000 $ 4,210,000 $ 4,552,000 $ 5,828,000 $ 2,961,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Identifiable assets......... $62,936,000 $69,315,000 $57,888,000 $54,114,000 $22,735,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Capital expenditures........ $ 4,684,000 $12,184,000 $16,907,000 $22,570,000 $ 9,377,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Depreciation and
amortization.............. $ 6,129,000 $ 5,411,000 $11,207,000 $ 6,707,000 $ 3,385,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
F-36
<PAGE> 158
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
SEISMIC PROCESSING
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED
APRIL 30 YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31
-------------------------- -----------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(UNAUDITED) (IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenue from customers
outside the enterprise.... $10,786,000 $11,550,000 $20,766,000 $18,363,000 $10,141,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Segmented operating profit
before interest........... $ 1,294,000 $ 2,819,000 $ 3,476,000 $ 4,790,000 $ 1,460,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Identifiable assets......... $11,523,000 $11,151,000 $11,291,000 $ 7,320,000 $ 5,181,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Capital expenditures........ $ 2,428,000 $ 2,063,000 $ 3,647,000 $ 2,539,000 $ 1,862,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Depreciation and
amortization.............. 1,580,000 $ 1,086,000 $ 2,334,000 $ 1,595,000 $ 1,379,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED
APRIL 30 YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31
-------------------------- -----------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(UNAUDITED) (IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenue from customers
outside the enterprise.... $ 3,416,000 $ 3,206,000 $ 6,021,000 $ 6,144,000 $ 4,645,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Segmented operating (loss)
profit before interest.... $ 114,000 $ (601,000) $(1,015,000) $ 876,000 $ 954,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Identifiable assets......... $ 2,914,000 $ 4,572,000 $ 3,515,000 $ 3,011,000 $ 2,286,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Capital expenditures........ $ 149,000 $ 395,000 $ 603,000 $ 793,000 $ 719,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Depreciation and
amortization.............. $ 381,000 $ 363,000 $ 746,000 $ 428,000 $ 239,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
TOTAL INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED
APRIL 30 YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31
-------------------------- -----------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(UNAUDITED) (IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenue from customers
outside the enterprise.... $50,674,000 $49,859,000 $94,515,000 $70,159,000 $39,966,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Segmented operating profit
before interest........... $ 3,706,000 $ 6,428,000 $ 7,013,000 $11,494,000 $ 5,375,000
Interest expense............ 126,000 223,000 304,000 450,000 1,125,000
Other (income) expense...... 291,000 (170,000) (101,000) (498,000) (354,000)
Income taxes................ 1,624,000 2,863,000 3,310,000 5,248,000 1,976,000
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income.................. $ 1,665,000 $ 3,512,000 $ 3,500,000 $ 6,294,000 $ 2,628,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Identifiable assets......... $77,373,000 $85,038,000 $72,694,000 $64,445,000 $31,275,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Capital expenditures........ $ 7,261,000 $14,642,000 $21,157,000 $25,902,000 $11,958,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Depreciation and
amortization.............. $ 8,090,000 $ 6,860,000 $14,287,000 $ 8,730,000 $ 5,003,000
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
F-37
<PAGE> 159
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS
Information for the year ended October 31, 1995 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL TOTAL
----------- ----------- -----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenue from customers outside the enterprise..... $49,528,000 $44,987,000 $94,515,000
=========== =========== ===========
Segmented operating profit before interest............ $ 5,878,000 $ 1,135,000 $ 7,013,000
=========== ===========
Interest expense...................................... 304,000
Other (income)........................................ (101,000)
Income taxes.......................................... 3,310,000
-----------
Net income............................................ $ 3,500,000
===========
Identifiable assets................................... $44,956,000 $27,738,000 $72,694,000
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
Information for the year ended October 31, 1994 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL TOTAL
----------- ----------- -----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenue from customers outside the enterprise..... $53,041,000 $17,118,000 $70,159,000
=========== =========== ===========
Segmented operating profit before interest............ $ 9,955,000 $ 1,539,000 $11,494,000
=========== ===========
Interest expense...................................... 450,000
Other (income)........................................ (498,000)
Income taxes.......................................... 5,248,000
-----------
Net income............................................ $ 6,294,000
===========
Identifiable assets................................... $43,464,000 $20,981,000 $64,445,000
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
Information for the year ended October 31, 1993 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL TOTAL
----------- ----------- -----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenue from customers outside the enterprise... $33,102,000 $ 6,864,000 $39,966,000
=========== =========== ===========
Segmented operating profit before interest.......... $ 5,227,000 $ 148,000 $ 5,375,000
=========== ===========
Interest expense.................................... 1,125,000
Other (income)...................................... (354,000)
Income taxes........................................ 1,976,000
-----------
Net income.......................................... $ 2,628,000
===========
Identifiable assets................................. $24,463,000 $ 6,812,000 $31,275,000
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
F-38
<PAGE> 160
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Unaudited information for the six months ended April 30, 1996 is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL TOTAL
----------- ----------- -----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenue from customers outside the enterprise... $32,713,000 $17,961,000 $50,674,000
=========== =========== ===========
Segmented operating profit before interest.......... $ 4,285,000 $ (579,000) $ 3,706,000
=========== ===========
Interest expense.................................... 126,000
Other expense....................................... 291,000
Income taxes........................................ 1,624,000
-----------
Net income.......................................... $ 1,665,000
===========
Identifiable assets................................. $50,130,000 $27,243,000 $77,373,000
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
Unaudited information for the six months ended April 30, 1995 is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DOMESTIC INTERNATIONAL TOTAL
----------- ----------- -----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net revenue from customers outside the enterprise... $32,254,000 $17,605,000 $49,859,000
=========== =========== ===========
Segmented operating profit before interest.......... $ 5,770,000 $ 658,000 $ 6,428,000
=========== ===========
Interest expense.................................... 223,000
Other (income)...................................... (170,000)
Income taxes........................................ 2,863,000
-----------
Net income.......................................... $ 3,512,000
===========
Identifiable assets................................. $56,722,000 $28,316,000 $85,038,000
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
International operations include the United States, Argentina and
Venezuela.
10. ECONOMIC RISKS
The Company operates in several foreign jurisdictions and therefore is
subject to currency fluctuation and a changing tax and regulatory environment.
When operating in foreign jurisdictions other than North America, the Company
endeavours to negotiate a significant portion of the payment for goods and
services in U.S. dollars.
11. COMMITMENTS
The Company has operating lease commitments for automotive, office and
office equipment for the periods ended October 31 as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C>
1996...................................... $ 1,718,000
1997...................................... 970,000
1998...................................... 397,000
1999...................................... 130,000
2000...................................... 41,000
</TABLE>
Operating lease commitments at April 30, 1996 are approximately the same as
those noted above.
F-39
<PAGE> 161
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
12. CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES ACCOUNTING POLICY DIFFERENCES -- UNAUDITED
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). In certain aspects GAAP as
applied in the United States differs from Canadian GAAP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
Under Canadian GAAP, foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from
long-term monetary items of the reporting company are deferred and amortized
over the lives of those monetary items. Under U.S. GAAP these gains and losses
would be expensed in the period of change.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OCTOBER 31
APRIL 30, ---------------------
1996 1995 1994
-------- -------- --------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets
Deferred foreign exchange (per financial
statements)................................... $272,000 $ 98,000 $144,000
======== ======== ========
Current assets
Deferred foreign exchange (per U.S. GAAP)........ $ -- $ -- $ --
======== ======== ========
Deferred noncurrent foreign exchange (per financial
statements)...................................... $ -- $ 87,000 $ 7,000
======== ======== ========
Deferred noncurrent foreign exchange (per U.S.
GAAP)............................................ $ -- $ -- $ --
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
OTHER DISCLOSURES
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Included in accounts payable are the following amounts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OCTOBER 31
APRIL 30, --------------------------
1996 1995 1994
----------- ----------- ----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Trade payables............................. $10,480,000 $ 6,769,000 $6,154,000
Accrued liabilities........................ 6,899,000 6,878,000 3,434,000
Accrued interest........................... 4,000 3,000 2,000
----------- ---------- ----------
$17,383,000 $13,650,000 $9,590,000
=========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
GOODWILL
There have not been any writedowns of goodwill.
SHARE CAPITAL
The following information would have been presented on the face of the
balance sheet:
The common shares had no par value at April 30, 1996, October 31, 1995
and October 31, 1994.
An unlimited number of common shares were authorized at April 30,
1996, October 31, 1995 and October 31, 1994.
Common shares issued were 8,689,952 at April 30, 1996, 8,518,812 at
October 31, 1995 and 8,511,895 at October 31, 1994.
F-40
<PAGE> 162
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For U.S. reporting the information contained in the consolidated statement
of retained earnings and Note 7, capital stock, would be combined to develop a
complete statement of changes in shareholders' equity.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OCTOBER 31
APRIL 30, ---------------------------
1996 1995 1994
----------- ----------- -----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Retained earnings (per financial
statements)............................... $15,456,000 $13,791,000 $10,291,000
Additional foreign exchange expense......... (272,000) (185,000) (151,000)
Prior period adjustments.................... -- -- (434,000)
----------- ----------- -----------
Retained earnings (per U.S. GAAP)........... $15,184,000 $13,606,000 $ 9,706,000
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Reconciliation of net income between accounting principles generally
accepted in Canada and the United States.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30 YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31
------------------------- ---------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income as
reported.............. $1,665,000 $3,512,000 $3,500,000 $ 6,294,000 $2,628,000
Additional foreign
exchange income
(expense)............. (87,000) (142,000) (34,000) 341,000 (281,000)
Prior period adjustment
recorded through
retained earnings..... -- 298,000 434,000 (1,127,000) --
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
Net income in accordance
with U.S. GAAP........ $1,578,000 $3,668,000 $3,900,000 $ 5,508,000 $2,347,000
========== ========== ========== =========== ==========
Net income per common
share................. $ 0.18 $ 0.43 $ 0.46 $ 0.75 $ 0.59
========== ========== ========== =========== ==========
Weighted average shares
outstanding 8,548,576 8,513,983 8,515,720 7,329,521 4,000,000
========== ========== ========== =========== ==========
</TABLE>
In Canada, earnings per share is calculated based on the weighted average
number of shares outstanding during the period. For U.S. GAAP, earnings per
share would be calculated using common stock equivalents outstanding during the
period. The weighted average shares outstanding gives approximately the same
earnings per share as using the common stock equivalents.
There is no significant difference in accounting for deferred taxes between
Canadian and U.S. GAAP. No SFAS 109 adjustment was required.
F-41
<PAGE> 163
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION
The statement of changes in financial position is substantially the same as
the statement of cash flows prepared under U.S. GAAP, except for the following
differences:
For U.S. GAAP, additional disclosure for cash interest and taxes paid would
be made.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30 YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31
------------------------- ------------------------------------
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993
---------- ---------- ---------- -------- ----------
(IN CANADIAN DOLLARS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest paid............. $ 126,000 $ 223,000 $ 303,000 $894,000 $1,125,000
========== ========== ========== ======== ==========
Taxes paid................ $5,564,000 $1,621,000 $1,626,000 $904,000 $2,100,000
========== ========== ========== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
In 1995 there was one non-cash investing and financing activity whereby
equipment was traded in for new equipment with a value of $885,000. This amount
was not recorded in the Statement of Changes in Financial Position.
The line heading Funds from operations would not be presented under U.S.
GAAP.
The Funds from operations per Common share that is shown on the
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position could not be presented
under U.S. GAAP.
In 1993 for U.S. GAAP, $1,629,000 of bank indebtedness would be shown as a
financing activity. Cash would be shown as $365,000 and total financing
activities would be increased by $1,629,000.
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)
COMBINATION AGREEMENT
On May 10, 1996, the Company signed a definitive combination agreement (the
"Agreement") with Digicon Inc. ("Digicon"). Consummation of the Agreement is
subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory clearances in Canada and
the United States, judicial clearance in Canada and formal approval by the
shareholders of both companies. It is anticipated that the transaction will
close during July 1996.
Digicon, a Delaware corporation, provides seismic data acquisition and
processing services to the petroleum industry in selected markets worldwide.
Digicon acquires seismic data in land, in marine and in marsh, swamp and tidal
environments and processes data acquired by its own crews and crews of other
operators. Digicon's principal executive offices are located in Houston, Texas.
THE TRANSACTION
Under the terms of the Agreement, at the effective time, Veritas
shareholders will receive for each Veritas common share held 0.80 (the "Exchange
Ratio") of a Veritas exchangeable share. At any time during a period of eighteen
years from the effective time, holders of the exchangeable shares will be
entitled to retract any or all such exchangeable shares and to receive an
equivalent number of shares of Digicon common stock. Holders will also receive
an additional amount equivalent to all declared and unpaid dividends on such
exchangeable shares.
Pursuant to the Agreement, at the effective time, Veritas will undergo a
reorganization of its capital whereby:
(a) Veritas will amend its articles of amalgamation to (i) delete the first
preferred shares and second preferred shares from the authorized share capital
and (ii) authorize an unlimited number of exchangeable shares and one Class A
preferred share;
F-42
<PAGE> 164
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(b) Veritas will issue one Class A preferred share to Digicon in exchange
for one share of Digicon common stock;
(c) each existing Veritas common share (other than Veritas common shares
held by holders who have properly exercised their rights of dissent and are
ultimately entitled to be paid fair value for their shares) will be exchanged
for 0.8 of an exchangeable share;
(d) the one Class A preferred share held by Digicon will be exchanged for
one Veritas common share;
(e) reduce the number of authorized Veritas common shares to one; and
(f) Veritas will amend its articles of amalgamation to delete the Class A
preferred shares from its authorized share capital.
In addition, Digicon will authorize and issue a special voting share to a
trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Veritas exchangeable shares and
the trustee will hold such share pursuant to the terms of a voting and exchange
trust agreement for the benefit of the holders of the Veritas exchangeable
shares. The holder of the special voting share will be entitled at Digicon
stockholder meetings to exercise a number of votes equal to the number of
Veritas exchangeable shares outstanding at such time and not held by Digicon or
entities controlled by Digicon. These voting rights will be exercised by the
trustee only on instructions received from time to time from the holders of the
Veritas exchangeable shares not held by Digicon or entities controlled by
Digicon.
Also under the terms of the Agreement, at the effective time, each Veritas
stock option will be modified as follows: each Veritas stock option will be
converted into an option exercisable for a number of whole shares of Digicon
common stock equal to the number of Veritas common shares subject to the Veritas
stock option at the effective time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, rounded
down to the nearest whole number of shares, at an exercise price per share of
Digicon common stock equal to the exercise price per share of such Veritas stock
option immediately prior to the effective time divided by the Exchange Ratio,
such exercise price to be converted into United States dollars.
The transaction is anticipated to be accounted for using the
pooling-of-interests method of accounting under United States generally accepted
accounting principles.
The summarized Balance Sheet of Digicon at April 30, 1996 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN U.S.
DOLLARS)
<S> <C>
Current assets......................................................... $ 53,163,000
Capital assets......................................................... 75,259,000
Other assets........................................................... 3,974,000
-----------
Total........................................................ $132,396,000
===========
Current liabilities.................................................... $ 51,821,000
Long term debt......................................................... 9,161,000
Other.................................................................. 4,897,000
Shareholders' equity
Deficit.............................................................. (4,659,000)
Share capital and paid in surplus.................................... 71,176,000
-----------
Total........................................................ $132,396,000
===========
</TABLE>
F-43
<PAGE> 165
The summarized Income Statements of Digicon for the year ended July 31,
1995 and for the nine months ended April 30, 1996 are:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 30, JULY 31,
1996 1995
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
(IN U.S. DOLLARS)
Revenue................................................. $114,525,000 $132,569,000
Expenses................................................ 110,832,000 129,791,000
------------ ------------
Net income.............................................. $ 3,693,000 $ 2,778,000
============ ============
</TABLE>
F-44
<PAGE> 166
ANNEX A
<PAGE> 167
RESOLUTION FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE SPECIAL MEETINGS
OF THE SHAREHOLDERS AND OPTIONHOLDERS
OF
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
(THE "CORPORATION")
BE IT RESOLVED AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION THAT:
1. the arrangement involving the Corporation (the "Arrangement")
under section 186 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta)
(the "ABCA"), as more particularly described in the Joint
Management Information Circular and Proxy Statement of the
Corporation and Digicon Inc. (the "Joint Proxy Statement")
accompanying the notice of this meeting is hereby authorized,
approved and adopted;
2. the plan of arrangement involving the Corporation, the full
text of which is set out as Annex E to the Joint Proxy
Statement is hereby approved and adopted;
3. notwithstanding the passing of this resolution by shareholders
and optionholders or the approval of the Court of Queen's
Bench of Alberta, the Board of Directors of the Corporation,
without further notice to or approval of the shareholders or
optionholders, may decide not to proceed with the Arrangement
or may revoke this resolution at any time prior to the
Arrangement becoming effective pursuant to the ABCA; and
4. the proper officers of the Corporation are hereby authorized
and directed for and on behalf of the Corporation to execute
or cause to be executed and to deliver or cause to be
delivered all such documents, agreements and instruments and
to do or cause to be done all such other acts and things as
such officers of the Corporation shall determine to be
necessary or desirable in order to carry out the intent of the
foregoing paragraphs of this resolution and the matters
authorized thereby, such determination to be conclusively
evidenced by the execution and delivery of such document,
agreement or instrument or the doing of any such act or thing.
<PAGE> 168
ANNEX B
<PAGE> 169
COMBINATION AGREEMENT
THIS COMBINATION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into as of May
10, 1996, by and between Digicon Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Digicon"), and
Veritas Energy Services Inc., an Alberta corporation ("Veritas").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the respective boards of directors of Digicon and Veritas have
approved the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the board of
directors of Veritas has agreed to submit the Plan of Arrangement (as defined
in Section 1.1) and other transactions contemplated hereby to its shareholders
and optionholders (as hereinafter defined) for approval.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL
1.1 PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT. As promptly as practicable after the execution
of this Agreement, Veritas will apply to the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta
(the "Court") pursuant to Part 15 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta)
(the "ABCA") for an interim order in form and substance satisfactory to Digicon
(such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (the "Interim
Order") providing for, among other things, the calling and holding of the
Veritas Meetings (as defined below) for the purpose of considering and, if
deemed advisable, approving the arrangement (the "Arrangement") under Part 15
of the ABCA and pursuant to this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement
substantially in the form of EXHIBIT A hereto (the "Plan of Arrangement"). If
the Veritas shareholders and optionholders approve the Arrangement, thereafter
Veritas will take the necessary steps to submit the Arrangement to the Court
and apply for a final order of the Court approving the Arrangement in such
fashion as the Court may direct (the "Final Order"). At 12:01 a.m. (the
"Effective Time") on the date (the "Effective Date") shown on the certificate
of arrangement issued by the Registrar under the ABCA giving effect to the
Arrangement, the following reorganization of capital shall occur and shall be
deemed to occur in the following order without any further act or formality:
(a) The articles of amalgamation of Veritas shall be amended to (i)
delete the First Preferred Shares and Second Preferred Shares
from the authorized share capital and (ii) authorize an unlimited number of
exchangeable shares (the "Exchangeable Shares") and one Class A Preferred Share
(the "Class A Preferred Share");
(b) Veritas shall issue to Digicon one Class A Preferred Share in
consideration of the issuance to Veritas of one share of the common stock, $.01
par value per share, of Digicon (the
<PAGE> 170
"Digicon Common Stock"). The stated capital of the Class A Preferred
Share shall be equal to the fair market value, as determined by the board of
directors of Veritas, of a share of Digicon Common Stock. No certificate shall
be issued in respect of the Class A Preferred Share;
(c) Each of the common shares of Veritas (the "Veritas Common Shares")
(other than Veritas Common Shares held by holders who have exercised
their rights of dissent in accordance with the Plan of Arrangement and who are
ultimately entitled to be paid the fair value for such shares) will be
exchanged for a number of Exchangeable Shares at an exchange ratio equal to 0.8
of an Exchangeable Share per Veritas Common Share (the "Exchange Ratio"), and
each such holder of Veritas Common Shares will receive that whole number of
Exchangeable Shares resulting from the exchange of such holder's Veritas Common
Shares. In lieu of fractional Exchangeable Shares, each holder of a Veritas
Common Share who otherwise would be entitled to receive a fraction of an
Exchangeable Share shall be paid by Veritas an amount determined in accordance
with the Plan of Arrangement;
(d) Upon the exchange referred to in paragraph (c) above, each holder
of a Veritas Common Share shall cease to be such a holder, shall have his
name removed from the register of holders of Veritas Common Shares and shall
become a holder of the number of fully paid Exchangeable Shares to which he is
entitled as a result of the exchange referred to in paragraph (c) and such
holder's name shall be added to the register of holders of Exchangeable Shares
accordingly;
(e) The aggregate stated capital of the Exchangeable Shares will be
equal to the aggregate stated capital of the Veritas Common Shares
immediately prior to the Arrangement that are exchanged pursuant to paragraph
(c) above, thereby excluding the stated capital attributed to the fractional
shares paid in cash as contemplated in paragraph (c) above;
(f) The articles of amalgamation of Veritas shall be amended to reduce
the number of authorized Veritas Common Shares to one and the following
restriction will be added to the rights, privileges, restrictions and
conditions attaching to the Veritas Common Shares:
"RESTRICTION
So long as any of the Exchangeable Shares of the Corporation are
outstanding, the Corporation shall not at any time without, but
may at any time with, the approval of the board of directors of
the holder of the common shares issue any further Exchangeable
Shares of the Corporation, except as specifically required in
accordance with the rights, privileges, restrictions and
conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares of the
Corporation."
(g) The one outstanding Class A Preferred Share will be exchanged for one
Veritas Common Share, and the holder thereof shall cease to be a holder of the
Class A Preferred Share, shall have its name removed from the register of
holders of Class A Preferred Shares and shall become a holder of the one fully
paid and non-assessable Veritas Common Share to which it is entitled as a
2
<PAGE> 171
result of the exchange referred to in this paragraph (g) and such holder's
name shall be added to the register of holders of Veritas Common Shares
accordingly;
(h) The stated capital of the one Veritas Common Share shall be equal
to the stated capital of the one Class A Preferred Share immediately prior to
the exchange of such Class A Preferred Share pursuant to paragraph (g) above;
(i) The articles of amalgamation of Veritas shall be amended to delete
the Class A Preferred Shares from the authorized share capital; and
(j) Each of the then outstanding options to purchase Veritas Common
Shares (collectively, the "Veritas Options") (which includes all outstanding
options granted under Veritas' Stock Option Plan for Directors, Officers and
Key Employees (the "Veritas Option Plan")) will and without any further action
on the part of any holder thereof (herein, an "optionholder"), be exchanged for
an option to purchase that number of shares of Digicon Common Stock determined
by multiplying the number of Veritas Common Shares subject to such Veritas
Option at the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price per
share of Digicon Common Stock equal to the exercise price per share of such
Veritas Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, divided by the Exchange
Ratio. On the Effective Date, such option price shall be converted into a
United States dollar equivalent based on the noon spot rate of exchange of the
Bank of Canada on such date. If the foregoing calculation results in an
exchanged Veritas Option being exercisable for a fraction of a share of Digicon
Common Stock, then the number of shares of Digicon Common Stock subject to such
option will be rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares, and the
total exercise price for the option will be reduced by the exercise price of
the fractional share. The term, exerciseability, vesting schedule, and all
other terms and conditions of the Veritas Options will otherwise be unchanged
by the provisions of this paragraph (j) and shall operate in accordance with
their terms. All shares of Digicon Common Stock issued upon exercise of the
Veritas Options shall be registered under an effective Form S-8 registration
statement (or other comparable form) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC").
1.2 ADJUSTMENTS FOR CAPITAL CHANGES. If, prior the Effective Time,
Digicon or Veritas recapitalizes through a subdivision of its outstanding
shares into a greater number of shares, or a combination of its outstanding
shares into a lesser number of shares, or reorganizes, reclassifies or
otherwise changes its outstanding shares into the same or a different number of
shares of other classes, or declares a dividend on its outstanding shares
payable in shares of its capital stock or securities convertible or
exchangeable into shares of its capital stock, then the Exchange Ratio will be
adjusted appropriately so as to maintain the relative proportionate interests
of the holders of Veritas Common Shares and the holders of the shares of
Digicon Common Stock. No such changes shall be made by either Digicon or
Veritas other than those made in accordance with this Agreement.
1.3 DISSENTING SHARES. Holders of Veritas Common Shares and Veritas
Options may exercise rights of dissent with respect to such shares and/or
options in connection with the Arrangement pursuant to and in the manner set
forth in Section 184 of the ABCA and Section 3.1
3
<PAGE> 172
of the Plan of Arrangement (such holders referred to as "Dissenters" or as
"Dissenting Shareholders" when referring exclusively to Veritas Shareholders).
Veritas shall give Digicon (i) prompt notice of any written demands of a right
of dissent, withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments served
pursuant to the ABCA and received by Veritas and (ii) the opportunity to
participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such rights.
Without the prior written consent of Digicon, except as required by applicable
law, Veritas shall not make any payment with respect to any such rights or
offer to settle or settle any such rights. All payments to Dissenters shall be
the sole responsibility of Veritas, and Digicon will not directly or indirectly
provide any funds for the purposes of making payments to Dissenters. In the
event that Veritas does not have sufficient funds to make payments to
Dissenters, Veritas will undertake to borrow the funds necessary to make such
payments from sources other than Digicon or any Digicon Subsidiary.
1.4 VERITAS EMPLOYEE SHARE PURCHASE PLAN. As soon as practicable, but
not later than the date of the mailing of the Joint Proxy Statement,
Veritas shall, except as to rights of employees existing at such date,
terminate the Veritas Employee Share Purchase Plan (the "Veritas Employee Share
Purchase Plan").
1.5 OTHER EFFECTS OF THE ARRANGEMENT. At the Effective Time: (a) the
bylaws of Veritas immediately prior to the Effective Time will continue as the
bylaws of Veritas, subject to later amendment; (b) the directors of Veritas
will be David B. Robson, Lawrence C. Fichtner, a third individual to be
determined by mutual agreement of Veritas and Digicon prior to the Effective
Time, and Stephen J. Ludlow; (c) the officers of Veritas will be as designated
by the board of directors of Veritas prior to the Effective Time, subject to
later removal and appointment of other officers; (d) each Veritas Common Share
and each Veritas Option outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
will be exchanged as provided in Section 1.1; and (e) the Arrangement will,
from and after the Effective Time, have all of the effects provided by
applicable law, including, without limitation, the ABCA.
1.6 RESTATED DIGICON CHARTER. Prior to the Closing, Digicon shall have
restated its certificate of incorporation as set forth in EXHIBIT B hereto (the
"Restated Digicon Charter").
1.7 JOINT PROXY STATEMENT; S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
(a) As promptly as practicable after execution of this Agreement,
Digicon and Veritas shall prepare and file with the SEC a preliminary joint
management information circular and proxy statement (the "Joint Proxy
Statement"), together with any other documents required by the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), in connection with the Arrangement and
the other transactions contemplated hereby. The Joint Proxy Statement shall
constitute (i) the management information circular of Veritas with respect to
the meetings of shareholders and optionholders of Veritas relating the
Arrangement and the approval of certain matters in connection therewith (the
"Veritas Meetings") and (ii) the proxy statement of Digicon with respect to the
meeting of stockholders of Digicon with respect to the issuance of Digicon
Common Stock from time to time upon exchange of the
4
<PAGE> 173
Exchangeable Shares and certain other matters (including the approval of the
Restated Digicon Charter) relating to the agreements of Digicon contained
herein (the "Digicon Stockholders Meeting"). As promptly as practicable after
the preliminary Joint Proxy Statement is cleared by the SEC, Digicon and
Veritas shall cause the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to each company's
respective stockholders and/or optionholders, as the case may be. If Digicon
determines on the advice of its outside counsel (with the concurrence of
outside counsel for Veritas) that it is necessary to file a registration
statement on Form S-3 (the "Form S-3") in order to register the Digicon Common
Stock to be issued from time to time after the Effective Time upon exchange of
the Exchangeable Shares, then Digicon shall file the Form S-3 with the SEC and
use its best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration for the
period that such Exchangeable Shares remain outstanding, and Digicon and
Veritas shall use their best efforts to cause the Form S-3 to become effective.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Digicon shall be under no
obligation to file the Form S-3 if it shall have determined on the advice of
its outside counsel (with the concurrence of outside counsel for Veritas) that
the issuance of shares of Digicon Common Stock upon exchange of the
Exchangeable Shares after the Effective Time is exempt from the registration
requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 3(a)(9)
and/or 3(a)(10) thereof. In connection with such determination, Digicon and
Veritas shall prepare and file with the SEC a request for no action (the "No
Action Request") seeking to confirm the availability of such an exemption.
(b) Each party shall promptly furnish to the other party all information
concerning such party and its stockholders as may be reasonably required in
connection with any action contemplated by this Section 1.7. The Joint Proxy
Statement and, if required, the Form S-3, shall comply in all material respects
with all applicable requirements of law. Each of Digicon and Veritas will
notify the other promptly of the receipt of any comments from the SEC and of
any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Joint Proxy
Statement or the Form S-3, if required, or for additional information, and will
supply the other with copies of all correspondence with the SEC with respect to
the Joint Proxy Statement or the Form S-3, if required. Whenever any event
occurs which should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Joint
Proxy Statement or the Form S-3, if required, Digicon or Veritas, as the case
may be, shall promptly inform the other of such occurrence and cooperate in
filing with the SEC, and/or mailing to stockholders of Digicon and Veritas, as
may be applicable, such amendment or supplement.
(c) Digicon and Veritas shall take any action required to be taken
under any applicable provincial or state securities laws (including "blue
sky" laws) in connection with the issuance of the Digicon Common Stock and the
Arrangement; provided, however, that with respect to the blue sky and Canadian
provincial qualifications, neither Digicon nor Veritas shall be required to
register or qualify as a foreign corporation or reporting issuer (other than
Alberta, Canada, in the case of Veritas, and Delaware in the case of Digicon)
where any such entity is not now so registered or qualified except as to
matters and transactions arising solely from the offer and sale of the Digicon
Common Stock or the issuance of the Exchangeable Shares.
1.8 REORGANIZATION. The parties intend to adopt this Agreement and the
Plan of Arrangement (i) as a plan of reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)
of the Internal Revenue Code
5
<PAGE> 174
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), (ii) as a reorganization of capital of
Veritas under Section 86 of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "ITA") for those
Veritas shareholders who hold the Veritas Common Shares on capital account and
(iii) such that the Arrangement will be treated as a "pooling of interests" for
accounting purposes.
1.9 MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. In this Agreement, any reference to any
event, change or effect being "material" with respect to any entity or group
of entities means any material event, change or effect related to the condition
(financial or otherwise), properties or business of such entity or group of
entities. In this Agreement, the term "Material Adverse Effect" used with
respect to any party means any event, change or effect that is materially
adverse to the condition (financial or otherwise), properties or business of
such party and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided, that a Material
Adverse Effect shall not include any adverse effect resulting from changes in
general economic conditions or conditions generally affecting the industries in
which Digicon or Veritas operate.
1.10 CURRENCY. Unless otherwise specified, all references in this
Agreement to "dollars" or "$" shall mean United States dollars.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF VERITAS
Except as set forth in a letter dated the date of this Agreement and
delivered by Veritas to Digicon concurrently herewith (the "Veritas Disclosure
Letter"), Veritas hereby represents and warrants to Digicon that:
2.1 ORGANIZATION AND STANDING. Veritas and each partnership, joint
venture, corporation, association or other business entity of which more
than 50% of the total voting power of shares of stock or units of ownership or
beneficial interest entitled to vote in the election of directors (or members
of a comparable governing body) is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly,
by Veritas (the "Veritas Subsidiaries"), is an entity duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization, has full requisite power and authority to carry
on its business as it is currently conducted, and to own, lease and operate the
properties currently owned, leased and operated by it, and is duly qualified or
licensed to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or
organization authorized to do business in all jurisdictions in which the
character of the properties owned or leased or the nature of the business
conducted by it would make such qualification or licensing necessary, except
where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on Veritas. The Veritas Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete
list of the Veritas Subsidiaries, the percentage of each subsidiary's
outstanding capital stock or other ownership interest owned by Veritas or
another Veritas Subsidiary (and a description of any lien, charge, mortgage,
security interest, option, preferential purchase right or other right or
interest of any other person (collectively, an "Encumbrance")) on such stock or
other ownership interest and a complete list of each jurisdiction
6
<PAGE> 175
in which each of Veritas and each Veritas Subsidiary is duly qualified and in
good standing to do business.
2.2 AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED AND ITS EFFECT ON OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Veritas
has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and, subject to approval of this Agreement and the Arrangement by the
shareholders and optionholders of Veritas and approval by the Court, to perform
its obligations hereunder and to consummate the Arrangement and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement by Veritas and, subject to approval of this Agreement and the
Arrangement by the shareholders and optionholders of Veritas and approval by
the Court, the consummation by Veritas of the Arrangement and the other
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of Veritas. This Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by Veritas and is the valid and binding obligation of Veritas,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, except that such enforceability may
be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws
affecting or relating to enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (ii)
general equitable principles.
(b) Neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
or the Arrangement by Veritas, nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby by Veritas nor compliance with the provisions
hereof or thereof by Veritas will: (i) conflict with, or result in any
violations of, the articles of amalgamation or bylaws of Veritas or any
equivalent document of any of the Veritas Subsidiaries, or (ii) result in any
breach of or cause a default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both)
under, or give rise to a right of termination, amendment, cancellation or
acceleration of any obligation contained in, or the loss of any material
benefit under, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the
material properties or assets of Veritas or any of the Veritas Subsidiaries
under, any term, condition or provision of any loan or credit agreement, note,
bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other material agreement, judgment, order,
decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Veritas or
any of the Veritas Subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets, other
than any such breaches, defaults, losses, or encumbrances which, individually
or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Veritas.
2.3 GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS. No consent, approval, order or authorization
of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any court, administrative
agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality,
domestic or foreign (each a "Governmental Entity"), is required to be obtained
by Veritas or any of the Veritas Subsidiaries in connection with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except for: (i) the filing
with the applicable Canadian provincial securities commissions or regulatory
authorities (the "Commissions") and the Court and the mailing to shareholders
and optionholders of Veritas of the Joint Proxy Statement relating to the
Veritas Meetings to be held with respect to the approval of this Agreement and
the Arrangement, (ii) the furnishing to the SEC of such reports and information
under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC
thereunder, as may be required in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby (the "SEC Filings"); (iii) approval by the
Court
7
<PAGE> 176
of the Arrangement and the filings of the articles of arrangement and other
required arrangement or other documents as required by the ABCA; (iv) such
filings, authorizations, orders and approvals as may be required under state
"control share acquisition," "anti-takeover" or other similar statutes, any
other applicable federal, provincial or state securities laws and the rules of
the American Stock Exchange (the "ASE") or The Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSE");
(v) such filings and notifications as may be necessary under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR
Act"); (vi) such notices and filings as may be necessary under the Investment
Canada Act and under the Competition Act (Canada); and (vii) where the failure
to obtain such consents, approvals, etc., would not prevent or delay the
consummation of the Arrangement or otherwise prevent Veritas from performing
its obligations under this Agreement and would not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect on Veritas.
2.4 CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of Veritas consists
of an unlimited number of Veritas Common Shares, no par value, and an
unlimited number of First Preferred Shares, no par value, and Second Preferred
Shares, no par value (collectively, the "Veritas Preferred Shares"). At the
close of business on April 30, 1996, 8,689,952 Veritas Common Shares were
issued and outstanding, and no Veritas Common Shares were held by Veritas in
its treasury. As of April 30, 1996, (i) an aggregate of 544,758 Veritas Common
Shares were reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding Veritas Options
granted under the Veritas Option Plan and (ii) an aggregate of 100,000 Veritas
Common Shares were reserved for issuance pursuant to the Veritas Employee Share
Purchase Plan. Prior to the date hereof, all of the Veritas Options have vested
in accordance with their terms, without regard to the transactions contemplated
hereby. No Veritas Preferred Shares are issued or outstanding. All issued and
outstanding Veritas Common Shares have been duly authorized, validly issued and
are fully paid and non-assessable.
2.5 SECURITIES REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Veritas has filed all
forms, reports and documents with the Commissions required to be filed by it
pursuant to relevant Canadian securities statutes, regulations, policies and
rules (collectively, the "Veritas Securities Reports"), all of which have
complied in all material respects with all applicable requirements of such
statutes, regulations, policies and rules. None of the Veritas Securities
Reports, at the time filed or as subsequently amended, contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
financial statements of Veritas contained in the Veritas Securities Reports
complied in all material respects with the then applicable accounting
requirements and the published rules and regulations of the relevant Canadian
securities statutes with respect thereto, were prepared in accordance with
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis
during the periods involved (except as may have been indicated in the notes
thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by applicable
laws, rules or regulations) and fairly present (subject, in the case of the
unaudited statements, to normal, year-end audit adjustments) the consolidated
financial position of Veritas and its consolidated Veritas Subsidiaries as at
the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of their operations
and cash flows for the respective periods then ended. There has been no change
8
<PAGE> 177
in Veritas' accounting policies or the methods of making accounting estimates
or changes in estimates that are material to such financial statements, except
as described in the notes thereto.
2.6 LIABILITIES. Veritas and the Veritas Subsidiaries do not have any
liabilities or obligations, either accrued, absolute, contingent, or otherwise,
or have any knowledge of any potential liabilities or obligations, other than
those (i) disclosed in the Veritas Securities Reports, (ii) set forth in the
Veritas Disclosure Letter or (iii) incurred in the ordinary course of business
since October 31, 1995.
2.7 INFORMATION SUPPLIED. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by Veritas for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Joint Proxy Statement (and, if filed, the Form S-3) will, at the time the Joint
Proxy Statement is mailed to the shareholders and optionholders of Veritas and
at the time of the Veritas Meetings (and, if filed, at the time the Form S-3 is
declared effective), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made,
not misleading. The Joint Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all
material respects with the provisions of the ABCA and applicable Canadian
securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
2.8 NO DEFAULTS. Neither Veritas nor any Veritas Subsidiary is, or has
received notice that it would be with the passage of time, in default or
violation of any term, condition or provision of (i) its charter documents or
bylaws; (ii) any judgment, decree or order applicable to it; or (iii) any loan
or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, material contract,
agreement, lease, license or other instrument to which Veritas or any Veritas
Subsidiary is now a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets may
be bound, except in the case of item (iii) for defaults and violations which,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Veritas.
2.9 LITIGATION; INVESTIGATIONS. There is no claim, action, suit or
proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Veritas, threatened, which
would, if adversely determined, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect on Veritas, nor is there any judgment, decree,
injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding
against Veritas or any of the Veritas Subsidiaries having, or which, insofar as
reasonably can be foreseen, in the future could have, any such effect. There
is no investigation pending or, to the knowledge of Veritas, threatened,
against Veritas or any of the Veritas Subsidiaries before any Governmental
Entity.
2.10 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES AND EVENTS. Except as set forth in the
Veritas Disclosure Letter, other than as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, since October 31, 1995, there has not been:
(a) Financial Change. Any material adverse change in the financial
condition, backlog, operations, assets, liabilities or business of Veritas
or the Veritas Subsidiaries;
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(b) Property Damage. Any material damage, destruction, or loss to the
business or properties of Veritas or the Veritas Subsidiaries (whether or not
covered by insurance);
(c) Dividends or Redemptions. Any declaration, setting aside, or
payment of any dividend or other distribution in respect of the capital
stock of Veritas, or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or any other
acquisition by Veritas of any such stock;
(d) Capitalization Change. Any change in the capital stock or in the
number of shares or classes of Veritas' authorized or outstanding capital
stock as described in Section 2.4 (other than as a result of exercises of
currently outstanding Veritas Options or acquisitions of shares under currently
existing rights under the Veritas Employee Share Purchase Plan);
(e) Labor Matters. Any labor dispute or charge of unfair labor practice
(other than routine individual grievances), any activity or proceeding by a
labor union or representative thereof to organize any employees of Veritas or
any Veritas Subsidiary or any campaign being conducted to solicit authorization
from employees to be represented by such labor union; or
(f) Other Material Changes. Any other event or condition known to
Veritas particularly pertaining to and adversely affecting the operations,
assets or business of Veritas or the Veritas Subsidiaries (other than events or
conditions which are of a general or industry-wide nature and of general public
knowledge) which would constitute a Material Adverse Effect on Veritas.
2.11 ADDITIONAL VERITAS INFORMATION. The Veritas Disclosure Letter
contains true, complete and correct lists of the following items with
respect to Veritas and the Veritas Subsidiaries, and Veritas agrees that upon
the request of Digicon, it will furnish to Digicon true, complete and correct
copies of any documents referred to in such lists:
(a) Real Estate. All real property and structures thereon owned,
leased or subject to a contract of purchase and sale, or lease
commitment, with a description of the nature and amount of any Encumbrance
thereon;
(b) Insurance. All insurance policies or bonds currently maintained,
including title insurance policies, including those covering properties,
buildings, machinery, equipment, fixtures, employees and operations, as well as
a listing of any premiums, audit adjustments or retroactive adjustments due or
pending on such policies or any predecessor policies;
(c) Material Contracts. All contracts which involve, or may involve,
aggregate payments by any party thereto of $500,000 or more, which are to be
performed in whole or in part after the Effective Time;
(d) Employee Compensation Plans. All bonus, incentive compensation,
deferred compensation, profit-sharing, retirement, pension, welfare,
group insurance, death benefit, or other fringe benefit plans, arrangements or
trust agreements together with copies of the most recent reports
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with respect to such plans, arrangements, or trust agreements filed with any
Governmental Entity and all tax determination letters that have been received
with respect to such plans;
(e) Employee Agreements. Any collective bargaining agreements with any
labor union or other representative of employees, including amendments,
supplements, and all employment and consulting agreements;
(f) Patents. All patents, trademarks, copyrights and other material
intellectual property rights owned, licensed or used;
(g) Trade Names. All trade names and fictitious names used or held,
whether and where such names are registered and where used;
(h) Promissory Notes. All long-term and short-term promissory notes,
installment contracts, loan agreements, credit agreements, and any other
agreements relating thereto or with respect to collateral securing the same;
and
(i) Guaranties. All indebtedness, liabilities and commitments of others
and as to which it is a guarantor, endorser, co-maker, surety, or
accommodation maker, or is contingently liable therefor (excluding liabilities
as an endorser of checks and the like in the ordinary course of business) and
all letters of credit, whether stand-by or documentary, issued by any third
party.
2.12 CERTAIN AGREEMENTS. Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
will (i) result in any payment (including without limitation, severance,
unemployment compensation, parachute payment, bonus or otherwise) becoming due
to any director, employee or independent contractor of Veritas or the Veritas
Subsidiaries under any Veritas Plan (as hereinafter defined) or otherwise, (ii)
materially increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Veritas Plan or
otherwise or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting
of any such benefits.
2.13 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. Except for health insurance, vacation,
severance and similar plans which are set forth in the Veritas Disclosure
Letter ("Veritas Plans"), there are no employee benefits plans covering active,
former or retired employees of Veritas and the Veritas Subsidiaries. Each
Veritas Plan has been maintained and administered in material compliance with
its terms and with the requirements prescribed by any and all applicable
statutes, orders, rules and regulations. No Veritas Plan is subject to the
requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"), and no Veritas Plan is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Code.
2.14 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Veritas or the Veritas Subsidiaries owns or
possesses licenses to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks and
service marks (including registrations and applications therefor), trade names,
copyrights and written know-how, trade secrets and all other similar
proprietary data and the goodwill associated therewith (collectively, the
"Veritas Intellectual
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Property") that are either material to the business of Veritas or any Veritas
Subsidiary or that are necessary for the manufacture, use, license or sale of
any services or products manufactured, used, licensed or sold by Veritas or the
Veritas Subsidiaries, including all such intellectual property listed in the
Veritas Disclosure Letter. The Veritas Intellectual Property is owned or
licensed by Veritas or the Veritas Subsidiaries free and clear of any
Encumbrance other than such Encumbrances as are listed in the Veritas
Disclosure Letter. Except as otherwise indicated in such letter or in the
ordinary course of business, neither Veritas nor the Veritas Subsidiaries has
granted to any other person any license to use any Veritas Intellectual
Property. Neither Veritas nor the Veritas Subsidiaries has received any notice
of infringement, misappropriation, or conflict with, the intellectual property
rights of others in connection with the use by Veritas or the Veritas
Subsidiaries of the Veritas Intellectual Property.
2.15 TITLE TO PROPERTIES. Except for goods and other property sold, used
or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business for fair
value, Veritas has good and indefeasible title to all its properties, interests
in properties and assets, real and personal, reflected in its October 31, 1995
financial statements, free and clear of any Encumbrance, except (i)
Encumbrances reflected in the balance sheet of Veritas dated October 31, 1995,
(ii) liens for current taxes not yet due and payable, and (iii) such
imperfections of title, easements and Encumbrances, if any, as are not
substantial in character, amount, or extent and do not and will not materially
detract from the value, or interfere with the present use, of the property
subject thereto or affected thereby, or otherwise materially impair business
operations. All leases pursuant to which Veritas or any Veritas Subsidiary
leases (whether as lessee or lessor) any substantial amount of real or personal
property are in good standing, valid, and effective; and there is not, under
any such leases, any existing or prospective default or event of default or
event which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default
by Veritas or any Veritas Subsidiary and in respect to which Veritas or a
Veritas Subsidiary has not taken adequate steps to prevent a default from
occurring. The buildings and premises of Veritas and the Veritas Subsidiaries
that are used in its business are in good operating condition and repair,
subject only to ordinary wear and tear. All major items of operating equipment
of Veritas and the Veritas Subsidiaries are in good operating condition and in
a state of reasonable maintenance and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted,
and are free from any known defects except as may be repaired by routine
maintenance and such minor defects as to not substantially interfere with the
continued use thereof in the conduct of normal operations.
2.16 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as set forth in the Veritas Disclosure
Letter:
(a) Environmental Conditions. There are no environmental conditions or
circumstances, such as the presence or release of any hazardous substance, on
any property presently or previously owned or leased by Veritas or the Veritas
Subsidiaries that could result in a Material Adverse Effect on Veritas;
(b) Permits, etc. Veritas and the Veritas Subsidiaries have in full
force and effect all environmental permits, licenses, approvals and other
authorizations required to conduct their operations and are operating in
material compliance thereunder;
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(c) Compliance. Veritas' and the Veritas Subsidiaries' operations and
use of their assets do not violate any applicable United States or Canadian or
other federal, provincial, state or local law, statute, ordinance, rule,
regulation, order or notice requirement pertaining to (a) the condition or
protection of air, groundwater, surface water, soil, or other environmental
media, (b) the environment, including natural resources or any activity which
affects the environment, or (c) the regulation of any pollutants, contaminants,
waste, substances (whether or not hazardous or toxic), including, without
limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability
Act (42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.), the Hazardous Materials Transportation
Act (49 U.S.C. Section 1801 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1609 et seq.) the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et
seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq.), the Toxic
Substances Control Act (17 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq.), the Safe Drinking
Water Act (42 U.S.C. Section 201 and Section 300f et seq.), the Rivers and
Harbors Act (33 U.S.C. Section 401 et seq.), the Oil Pollution Act (33 U.S.C.
Section 2701 et seq.) and analogous, Canadian, foreign, provincial, state and
local provisions, as any of the foregoing may have been amended or supplemented
from time to time (collectively the "Applicable Environmental Laws"), except
for violations which, either singly or in the aggregate, would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect on Veritas;
(d) Past Compliance. None of the operations or assets of Veritas or the
Veritas Subsidiaries has ever been conducted or used by Veritas or the Veritas
Subsidiaries in such a manner as to constitute a violation of any of the
Applicable Environmental Laws, except for violations which, either singly or in
the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on Veritas;
(e) Environmental Claims. No notice has been served on Veritas or any
Veritas Subsidiaries from any entity, governmental agency or individual
regarding any existing, pending or threatened investigation or inquiry related
to alleged violations under any Applicable Environmental Laws, or regarding any
claims for remedial obligations or contribution under any Applicable
Environmental Laws, other than any of the foregoing which, either singly or in
the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on Veritas;
(f) Renewals. Veritas does not know of any reason it or Digicon would
not be able to renew any of the permits, licenses, or other authorizations
required pursuant to any Applicable Environmental Laws to operate and use any
of Veritas' or the Veritas Subsidiaries' assets for their current purposes and
uses; and
(g) Asbestos and PCBs. No asbestos or polychlorinated biphenyls
("PCBs") are currently being used or have ever been used by Veritas or the
Veritas Subsidiaries in their operations or on their properties.
2.17 COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS. Except as set forth in the Veritas
Disclosure Letter, neither Veritas nor any Veritas Subsidiary is in
violation of or in default with respect to, or in alleged violation of or
alleged default with respect to any other applicable law or any applicable
rule, regulation, or any writ or decree of any court or any governmental
commission, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality, or delinquent with
respect to any report required to be filed with any
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Governmental Entity, except for violations which, either singly or in the
aggregate, do not and are not expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect
on Veritas.
2.18 TAXES. Except with respect to failures which, in the aggregate,
would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on Veritas, proper and
accurate federal, provincial, state and local income, capital, withholding,
value added, sales, use, franchise, gross revenue, turnover, excise, payroll,
property, employment, customs duties and any and all other tax returns,
reports, and estimates have been filed with appropriate governmental agencies,
domestic and foreign, by Veritas and each of the Veritas Subsidiaries for each
period for which any returns, reports, or estimates were due (taking into
account any extensions of time to file before the date hereof); all taxes shown
by such returns to be payable and any other taxes due and payable have been
paid other than those being contested in good faith by Veritas or a Veritas
Subsidiary; and the tax provision reflected in Veritas' financial statements as
of October 31, 1995, is adequate, in accordance with Canadian generally
accepted accounting principles, to cover liabilities of Veritas and the Veritas
Subsidiaries at the date thereof for all taxes, including any interest,
penalties and additions to taxes of any character whatsoever applicable to
Veritas and the Veritas Subsidiaries or their assets or businesses. No waiver
of any statute of limitations executed by Veritas or a Veritas Subsidiary with
respect to any tax is in effect for any period. Except as set forth in the
Veritas Disclosure Letter, Veritas has not received any notice of reassessment
from Revenue Canada. There are no tax liens on any assets of Veritas or the
Veritas Subsidiaries except for taxes not yet currently due and those which
could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on
Veritas.
2.19 VOTE REQUIRED. Except as may be provided in the Interim Order, at
the Veritas Meetings at which quorums are present, (i) the affirmative vote
of the holders of two-thirds of the Veritas Common Shares present is required
and (ii) the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Veritas Options present is
required, in each case, to approve this Agreement, the Arrangement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
2.20 POOLING MATTERS. Neither Veritas nor any of its affiliates has
taken or agreed to take any action that, without giving effect to any
action taken or agreed to be taken by Digicon or any of its affiliates, would
prevent Digicon from accounting for the business combination to be effected by
the Arrangement as a pooling of interests.
2.21 BROKERS AND FINDERS. Other than Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc. in
accordance with the terms of its engagement letter in its final form, a copy of
which has previously been provided to Digicon, none of Veritas or any of the
Veritas Subsidiaries nor any of their respective directors, officers or
employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any
financial advisory fees, brokerage fees, commissions or similar payments in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
2.22 DISCLOSURE. No representation or warranty made by Veritas in this
Agreement, nor any document, written information, statement, financial
statement, certificate or Exhibit prepared and furnished or to be prepared and
furnished by Veritas or its representatives pursuant hereto or in
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connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, when taken together,
contained any untrue statement of a material fact when made, or omitted to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements or facts contained
herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they
were furnished.
2.23 FAIRNESS OPINION. Veritas' board of directors has received a written
opinion from Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc. that the Exchange Ratio is fair to
Veritas' shareholders from a financial point of view.
2.24 RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. There is no material agreement,
judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon Veritas or any Veritas
Subsidiary that has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of
prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of Veritas or any
Veritas Subsidiary, any acquisition of property by Veritas or any Veritas
Subsidiary or the conduct of business by Veritas or any Veritas Subsidiary as
currently conducted.
2.25 BOOKS AND RECORDS. The books, records and accounts of Veritas and
the Veritas Subsidiaries (a) have been maintained in accordance with good
business practices on a basis consistent with prior years, (b) are stated in
reasonable detail and accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of Veritas and the Veritas Subsidiaries and (c)
accurately and fairly reflect the basis for the Veritas financial statements.
Veritas has devised and maintains a system of internal accounting controls
sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (a) transactions are executed
in accordance with management's general or specific authorization; and (b)
transactions are recorded as necessary (i) to permit preparation of financial
statements in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles
or any other criteria applicable to such statements and (ii) to maintain
accountability for assets.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF DIGICON
Except as set forth in a letter dated the date of this Agreement and
delivered by Digicon to Veritas concurrently herewith (the "Digicon Disclosure
Letter"), Digicon hereby represents and warrants to Veritas that:
3.1 ORGANIZATION AND STANDING. Digicon and each partnership, joint
venture, corporation, association or other business entity of which more
than 50% of the total voting power of shares of stock or units of ownership or
beneficial interest entitled to vote in the election of directors (or members
of a comparable governing body) is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly,
by Digicon (the "Digicon Subsidiaries"), is an entity duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization, has full requisite power and authority to carry
on its business as it is currently conducted, and to own, lease and operate the
properties currently owned, leased and operated by it, and is duly qualified or
licensed to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or
organization authorized to do business in all jurisdictions in which the
character of the properties owned or leased or the nature of
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the business conducted by it would make such qualification or licensing
necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on Digicon. The Digicon Disclosure Letter sets
forth a complete list of the Digicon Subsidiaries, the percentage of each
subsidiary's outstanding capital stock or other ownership interest owned by
Digicon or another Digicon Subsidiary (and a description of any Encumbrance on
such stock or other ownership interest) and a complete list of each
jurisdiction in which each of Digicon and each Digicon Subsidiary is duly
qualified and in good standing to do business.
3.2 AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED AND ITS EFFECT ON OTHER OBLIGATIONS. Digicon
has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and, subject to approval of Digicon's stockholders as provided in
this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the
Arrangement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Digicon and, subject to approval of
Digicon's stockholders as provided in this Agreement, the consummation by
Digicon of the Arrangement and the other transactions contemplated hereby have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Digicon.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Digicon and is the valid
and binding obligation of Digicon, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except that such enforceability may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar laws affecting or relating to enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and (ii) general equitable principles. Neither the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the Arrangement by
Digicon, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby by Digicon nor compliance with the provisions hereof or thereof by
Digicon will: (i) conflict with, or result in any violations of, the
certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Digicon or any equivalent document of
any of the Digicon Subsidiaries, or (ii) result in any breach of or cause a
default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise
to a right of termination, amendment, cancellation or acceleration of any
obligation contained in, or the loss of any material benefit under, or result
in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any of the material properties or
assets of Digicon or any of the Digicon Subsidiaries under, any term, condition
or provision of any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
lease or other material agreement, judgment, order, decree, statute, law,
ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Digicon or any of the Digicon
Subsidiaries or their respective properties or assets, other than any such
breaches, defaults, losses, or encumbrances which, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Digicon. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the consummation of the
Arrangement, except as contemplated by Section 5.1(1) hereof, no person or
group of persons shall have any right, contingent or otherwise, to elect,
designate or appoint any director of Digicon and no person or group of persons
shall have any right, contingent or otherwise that is inconsistent with the
provisions of Section 5.1(l).
3.3 GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS. No consent, approval, order or
authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any
Governmental Entity, is required to be obtained by Digicon or any of the
Digicon Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby,
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except for: (i) the filing with the Commissions and the mailing to stockholders
of Digicon of the Joint Proxy Statement relating to the Digicon Stockholders
Meeting, (ii) the furnishing to the SEC of SEC Filings; (iii) approval by the
Court of the Arrangement and the filings of the articles of arrangement and
other required arrangement or other documents as required by the ABCA; (iv)
such filings, authorizations, orders and approvals as may be required under
state "control share acquisition," "anti-takeover" or other similar statutes,
any other applicable federal, provincial or state securities laws and the rules
of the ASE or the TSE; (v) such filings and notifications as may be necessary
under the HSR Act; (vi) such notices and filings as may be necessary under the
Investment Canada Act and under the Competition Act (Canada); and (vii) where
the failure to obtain such consents, approvals, etc., would not prevent or
delay the consummation of the Arrangement or otherwise prevent Digicon from
performing its obligations under this Agreement and would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Digicon.
3.4 CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of Digicon consists of
20,000,000 common shares, $.01 par value ("Digicon Common Stock," which term
shall include for all purposes of this Agreement the related preferred share
purchase rights issuable under that certain "Rights Agreement" dated as of
March 15, 1996, between Digicon and Chemical Mellon Shareholder Services,
L.L.C., as Rights Agent) and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$.01 per share ("Digicon Preferred Stock"). As of April 30, 1996, there were
11,123,422 shares of Digicon Common Stock outstanding, and 1,356,401 shares of
Digicon Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock
options outstanding under Digicon's stock option plans and upon the exercise of
outstanding warrants; at the same date, no shares of Digicon Preferred Stock
were outstanding and 250,000 shares had been designated as Class A Preferred
Stock and reserved for issuance pursuant to the Rights Agreement.
3.5 SECURITIES REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Digicon has filed all
forms, reports and documents required to be filed by it by the SEC or
pursuant to relevant United States securities statutes, regulations, policies
and rules (collectively, the "Digicon Securities Reports"), all of which have
complied in all material respects with all applicable requirements of such
statutes, regulations, policies and rules. None of the Digicon Securities
Reports, at the time filed or as subsequently amended, contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
financial statements of Digicon contained in the Digicon Securities Reports
complied in all material respects with the then applicable accounting
requirements and the published rules and regulations of the relevant United
States securities statutes with respect thereto, were prepared in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may have been indicated
in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by
applicable laws, rules or regulations) and fairly present (subject, in the case
of the unaudited statements, to normal, year-end audit adjustments) the
consolidated financial position of Digicon and its consolidated Digicon
Subsidiaries as at the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of
their operations and cash flows for the respective periods then ended. There
has been no change
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in Digicon's accounting policies or the methods of making accounting estimates
or changes in estimates that are material to such financial statements, except
as described in the notes thereto.
3.6 LIABILITIES. Digicon and the Digicon Subsidiaries do not have any
liabilities or obligations, either accrued, absolute, contingent, or otherwise,
or have any knowledge of any potential liabilities or obligations, other than
those (i) disclosed in the Digicon Securities Reports, (ii) set forth in the
Digicon Disclosure Letter or (iii) incurred in the ordinary course of business
since July 31, 1995.
3.7 INFORMATION SUPPLIED. None of the information supplied or to be
supplied by Digicon for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Joint Proxy Statement (and, if filed, the Form S-3) will, at the time the Joint
Proxy Statement is mailed to the shareholders of Digicon and at the time of the
Digicon Stockholders Meeting (and, if filed, at the time the Form S-3 is
declared effective), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made,
not misleading. The Joint Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all
material respects with the provisions of applicable United States securities
laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC.
3.8 NO DEFAULTS. Neither Digicon nor any Digicon Subsidiary is, or has
received notice that it would be with the passage of time, in default or
violation of any term, condition or provision of (i) its charter documents or
bylaws; (ii) any judgment, decree or order applicable to it; or (iii) any loan
or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, material contract,
agreement, lease, license or other instrument to which Digicon or any Digicon
Subsidiary is now a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets may
be bound, except in the case of item (iii) for defaults and violations which,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Digicon.
3.9 LITIGATION; INVESTIGATIONS. There is no claim, action, suit or
proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Digicon, threatened, which
would, if adversely determined, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect on Digicon, nor is there any judgment, decree,
injunction, rule or order of any Governmental Entity or arbitrator outstanding
against Digicon or any of the Digicon Subsidiaries having, or which, insofar as
reasonably can be foreseen, in the future could have, any such effect. There
is no investigation pending or, to the knowledge of Digicon, threatened,
against Digicon or any of the Digicon Subsidiaries before any Governmental
Entity.
3.10 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN CHANGES AND EVENTS. Except as set forth in the
Digicon Disclosure Letter, other than as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, since July 31, 1995, there has not been:
(a) Financial Change. Any material adverse change in the financial
condition, backlog, operations, assets, liabilities or business of Digicon
or the Digicon Subsidiaries;
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(b) Property Damage. Any material damage, destruction, or loss to the
business or properties of Digicon or the Digicon Subsidiaries (whether or not
covered by insurance);
(c) Dividends or Redemptions. Any declaration, setting aside, or
payment of any dividend or other distribution in respect of the capital
stock of Digicon, or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or any other
acquisition by Digicon of any such stock;
(d) Capitalization Change. Any change in the capital stock or in the
number of shares or classes of Digicon's authorized or outstanding capital
stock as described in Section 3.4 (other than as a result of exercises
currently outstanding options or warrants to purchase Digicon Common Stock);
(e) Labor Matters. Any labor dispute or charge of unfair labor practice
(other than routine individual grievances), any activity or proceeding by a
labor union or representative thereof to organize any employees of Digicon or
any Digicon Subsidiary or any campaign being conducted to solicit authorization
from employees to be represented by such labor union; or
(f) Other Material Changes. Any other event or condition known to
Digicon particularly pertaining to and adversely affecting the operations,
assets or business of Digicon or the Digicon Subsidiaries (other than events or
conditions which are of a general or industry-wide nature and of general public
knowledge) which would constitute a Material Adverse Effect on Digicon.
3.11 ADDITIONAL DIGICON INFORMATION. The Digicon Disclosure Letter
contains true, complete and correct lists of the following items with
respect to Digicon and the Digicon Subsidiaries, and Digicon agrees that upon
the request of Veritas, it will furnish to Veritas true, complete and correct
copies of any documents referred to in such lists:
(a) Real Estate. All real property and structures thereon owned,
leased or subject to a contract of purchase and sale, or lease
commitment, with a description of the nature and amount of any Encumbrance
thereon;
(b) Insurance. All insurance policies or bonds currently maintained,
including title insurance policies, including those covering properties,
buildings, machinery, equipment, fixtures, employees and operations, as well as
a listing of any premiums, audit adjustments or retroactive adjustments due or
pending on such policies or any predecessor policies;
(c) Material Contracts. All contracts which involve, or may involve,
aggregate payments by any party thereto of $500,000 or more, which are to be
performed in whole or in part after the Effective Time;
(d) Employee Compensation Plans. All bonus, incentive compensation,
deferred compensation, profit-sharing, retirement, pension, welfare,
group insurance, death benefit, or other fringe benefit plans, arrangements or
trust agreements, together with copies of the most recent reports
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with respect to such plans, arrangements, or trust agreements filed with any
Governmental Entity and all tax determination letters that have been received
with respect to such plans;
(e) Employee Agreements. Any collective bargaining agreements with any
labor union or other representative of employees, including amendments,
supplements, and all employment and consulting agreements;
(f) Patents. All patents, trademarks, copyrights and other material
intellectual property rights owned, licensed or used;
(g) Trade Names. All trade names and fictitious names used or held,
whether and where such names are registered and where used;
(h) Promissory Notes. All long-term and short-term promissory notes,
installment contracts, loan agreements, credit agreements, and any other
agreements relating thereto or with respect to collateral securing the same;
and
(i) Guaranties. All indebtedness, liabilities and commitments of
others and as to which it is a guarantor, endorser, co-maker, surety, or
accommodation maker, or is contingently liable therefor (excluding liabilities
as an endorser of checks and the like in the ordinary course of business) and
all letters of credit, whether stand-by or documentary, issued by any third
party.
3.12 CERTAIN AGREEMENTS. Neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
will (i) result in any payment (including without limitation, severance,
unemployment compensation, parachute payment, bonus or otherwise) becoming due
to any director, employee or independent contractor of Digicon or the Digicon
Subsidiaries under any Digicon Plan (as hereinafter defined) or otherwise (ii)
materially increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Digicon Plan or
otherwise or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting
of any such benefits.
3.13 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. All employee benefits plans covering active,
former or retired employees of Digicon and the Digicon Subsidiaries are listed
in the Digicon Disclosure Letter (the "Digicon Plans"). Digicon has made
available to Veritas a copy of each Digicon Plan, any related trust agreement
and annuity or insurance contract, if any, and each plan's most recent annual
report filed with the Internal Revenue Service, if any, and: (i) each Digicon
Plan has been maintained and administered in material compliance with its terms
and with the requirements prescribed by any and all applicable statutes,
orders, rules and regulations, and is, to the extent required by applicable law
or contract, fully funded without having any deficit or unfunded actuarial
liability; (ii) all required employer contributions under any such plans have
been made and the applicable funds have been funded in accordance with the
terms thereof and no past service funding liabilities exist thereunder; (iii)
each Digicon Plan that is required or intended to be qualified under applicable
law or registered or approved by a governmental agency or authority has been so
qualified, registered or approved by the appropriate governmental agency or
authority, and nothing has occurred since the date of the last
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qualification, registration or approval to adversely affect, or cause, the
appropriate governmental agency or authority to revoke such qualification,
registration or approval; (iv) to the extent applicable, the Digicon Plans
comply, in all material respects, with the requirements of ERISA, and the Code,
and any Digicon Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code
has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be so qualified and
nothing has occurred to cause the loss of such qualified status; (v) no Digicon
Plan is covered by Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code; (vi) there are
no pending or anticipated material claims against or otherwise involving any of
the Digicon Plans and no suit, action or other litigation (excluding claims for
benefits incurred in the ordinary course of Digicon Plan activities) has been
brought against or with respect to any Digicon Plan; (vii) all material
contributions, reserves or premium payments, required to be made as of the date
hereof to the Digicon Plans have been made or provided for; (viii) neither
Digicon nor any Digicon Subsidiary has incurred any liability under subtitle C
or D of Title IV of ERISA with respect to any "single-employer plan," within
the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or formerly maintained
by Digicon, any Digicon Subsidiary or any entity which is considered one
employer with Digicon under Section 4001 of ERISA; (ix) neither Digicon nor any
Digicon Subsidiary has incurred any withdrawal liability under Subtitle E of
Title IV of ERISA with respect to any "multiemployer plan," within the meaning
of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA; and (x) neither Digicon nor any Digicon
Subsidiary has any obligations for retiree health and life benefits under any
Digicon Plan, except as set forth on the Digicon Disclosure Letter and there
are no restrictions on the rights of Digicon or the Digicon Subsidiaries to
amend or terminate any such Digicon Plan without incurring any liability
thereunder.
3.14 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Digicon or the Digicon Subsidiaries owns or
possesses licenses to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks and
service marks (including registrations and applications therefor), trade names,
copyrights and written know-how, trade secrets and all other similar
proprietary data and the goodwill associated therewith (collectively, the
"Digicon Intellectual Property") that are either material to the business of
Digicon or any Digicon Subsidiary or that are necessary for the manufacture,
use, license or sale of any services or products manufactured, used, licensed
or sold by Digicon or the Digicon Subsidiaries, including all such intellectual
property listed in the Digicon Disclosure Letter. The Digicon Intellectual
Property is owned or licensed by Digicon or the Digicon Subsidiaries free and
clear of any Encumbrance other than such Encumbrances as are listed in the
Digicon Disclosure Letter. Except as otherwise indicated in such letter or in
the ordinary course of business, neither Digicon nor the Digicon Subsidiaries
has granted to any other person any license to use any Digicon Intellectual
Property. Neither Digicon nor the Digicon Subsidiaries has received any notice
of infringement, misappropriation, or conflict with, the intellectual property
rights of others in connection with the use by Digicon or the Digicon
Subsidiaries of the Digicon Intellectual Property.
3.15 TITLE TO PROPERTIES. Except for goods and other property sold, used
or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business for fair
value, Digicon has good and indefeasible title to all its properties, interests
in properties and assets, real and personal, reflected in its July 31, 1995
financial statements, free and clear of any Encumbrance, except (i)
Encumbrances reflected in the balance sheet of Digicon dated July 31, 1995,
(ii) liens for current taxes not yet due and payable, and
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(iii) such imperfections of title, easements and Encumbrances, if any, as are
not substantial in character, amount, or extent and do not and will not
materially detract from the value, or interfere with the present use, of the
property subject thereto or affected thereby, or otherwise materially impair
business operations. All leases pursuant to which Digicon or any Digicon
Subsidiary leases (whether as lessee or lessor) any substantial amount of real
or personal property are in good standing, valid, and effective; and there is
not, under any such leases, any existing or prospective default or event of
default or event which with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute
a default by Digicon or any Digicon Subsidiary and in respect to which Digicon
or a Digicon Subsidiary has not taken adequate steps to prevent a default from
occurring. The buildings and premises of Digicon and the Digicon Subsidiaries
that are used in its business are in good operating condition and repair,
subject only to ordinary wear and tear. All major items of operating equipment
of Digicon and the Digicon Subsidiaries are in good operating condition and in
a state of reasonable maintenance and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted,
and are free from any known defects except as may be repaired by routine
maintenance and such minor defects as to not substantially interfere with the
continued use thereof in the conduct of normal operations.
3.16 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as set forth in the Digicon Disclosure
Letter:
(a) Environmental Conditions. There are no environmental conditions or
circumstances, such as the presence or release of any hazardous substance, on
any property presently or previously owned or leased by Digicon or the Digicon
Subsidiaries that could result in a Material Adverse Effect on Digicon.
(b) Permits, etc. Digicon and the Digicon Subsidiaries have in full
force and effect all environmental permits, licenses, approvals and other
authorizations required to conduct their operations and are operating in
material compliance thereunder.
(c) Compliance. Digicon's and the Digicon Subsidiaries' operations and
use of their assets do not violate any applicable United States or Canadian or
other federal, provincial, state or local law, statute, ordinance, rule,
regulation, order or notice requirement pertaining to (a) the condition or
protection of air, groundwater, surface water, soil, or other environmental
media, (b) the environment, including natural resources or any activity which
affects the environment, or (c) the regulation of any pollutants, contaminants,
waste, substances (whether or not hazardous or toxic), including, without
limitation, the Applicable Environmental Laws, except for violations which,
either singly or in the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse
Effect on Digicon.
(d) Past Compliance. None of the operations or assets of Digicon or the
Digicon Subsidiaries has ever been conducted or used by Digicon or the Digicon
Subsidiaries in such a manner as to constitute a violation of any of the
Applicable Environmental Laws, except for violations which, either singly or in
the aggregate, would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on Digicon.
(e) Environmental Claims. No notice has been served on Digicon or any
Digicon Subsidiaries from any entity, governmental agency or individual
regarding any existing, pending or
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threatened investigation or inquiry related to alleged violations under
any Applicable Environmental Laws, or regarding any claims for remedial
obligations or contribution under any Applicable Environmental Laws, other than
any of the foregoing which, either singly or in the aggregate, would not result
in a Material Adverse Effect on Digicon.
(f) Renewals. Digicon does not know of any reason it would not be able
to renew any of the permits, licenses, or other authorizations required
pursuant to any Applicable Environmental Laws to operate and use any of
Digicon's or the Digicon Subsidiaries' assets for their current purposes and
uses.
(g) Asbestos and PCBs. No asbestos or PCBs are currently being used or
have ever been used by Digicon or the Digicon Subsidiaries in their
operations or on their properties.
3.17 COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS. Except as set forth in the Digicon
Disclosure Letter, neither Digicon nor any Digicon Subsidiary is in
violation of or in default with respect to, or in alleged violation of or
alleged default with respect to any other applicable law or any applicable
rule, regulation, or any writ or decree of any court or any governmental
commission, board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality, or delinquent with
respect to any report required to be filed with any Governmental Entity, except
for violations which, either singly or in the aggregate, do not and are not
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on Digicon.
3.18 TAXES. Except with respect to failures which, in the aggregate,
would not result in a Material Adverse Effect on Digicon, proper and
accurate federal, state and local income, capital, withholding, value added,
sales, use, franchise, gross revenue, turnover, excise, payroll, property,
employment, customs duties and any and all other tax returns, reports, and
estimates have been filed with appropriate governmental agencies, domestic and
foreign, by Digicon and each of the Digicon Subsidiaries for each period for
which any returns, reports, or estimates were due (taking into account any
extensions of time to file before the date hereof); all taxes shown by such
returns to be payable and any other taxes due and payable have been paid other
than those being contested in good faith by Digicon or a Digicon Subsidiary;
and the tax provision reflected in Digicon's financial statements as of July
31, 1995, is adequate, in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles, to cover liabilities of Digicon and the Digicon
Subsidiaries at the date thereof for all taxes, including any interest,
penalties and additions to taxes of any character whatsoever applicable to
Digicon and the Digicon Subsidiaries or their assets or businesses. No waiver
of any statute of limitations executed by Digicon or a Digicon Subsidiary with
respect to any tax is in effect for any period. The income tax returns of
Digicon and the Digicon Subsidiaries have never been examined by the Internal
Revenue Service. There are no tax liens on any assets of Digicon or the
Digicon Subsidiaries except for taxes not yet currently due and those which
could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on
Digicon.
3.19 VOTE REQUIRED. At a stockholders meeting at which a quorum is
present, (i) the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Digicon Common Stock present at the meeting is required
to approve the issuance of the Digicon Common Stock pursuant
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to this Agreement upon exchange of the Exchangeable Shares and (ii) the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding
shares of Digicon Common Stock is necessary to approve the Digicon Restated
Charter.
3.20 POOLING MATTERS. Neither Digicon nor any of its affiliates has
taken or agreed to take any action that, without giving effect to any
action taken or agreed to be taken by Veritas or any of its affiliates, would
prevent Veritas from accounting for the business combination to be effected by
the Arrangement as a pooling of interests.
3.21 BROKERS AND FINDERS. Other than PaineWebber Incorporated in
accordance with the terms of its engagement letter in its final form, a
copy of which has previously been provided to Veritas, none of Digicon or any
of the Digicon Subsidiaries nor any of their respective directors, officers or
employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any
financial advisory fees, brokerage fees, commissions or similar payments in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.22 DISCLOSURE. No representation or warranty made by Digicon in this
Agreement, nor any document, written information, statement, financial
statement, certificate or Exhibit prepared and furnished or to be prepared and
furnished by Digicon or its representatives pursuant hereto or in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby, when taken together, contained any
untrue statement of a material fact when made, or omitted to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements or facts contained herein or therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were furnished.
3.23 FAIRNESS OPINION. Digicon's board of directors has received a
written opinion from PaineWebber Incorporated that the Exchange Ratio is fair
to Digicon's stockholders from a financial point of view.
3.24 RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. There is no material agreement,
judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon Digicon or any Digicon
Subsidiary that has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of
prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of Digicon or any
Digicon Subsidiary, any acquisition of property by Digicon or any Digicon
Subsidiary or the conduct of business by Digicon or any Digicon Subsidiary as
currently conducted.
3.25 BOOKS AND RECORDS. The books, records and accounts of Digicon and
the Digicon Subsidiaries (a) have been maintained in accordance with
good business practices on a basis consistent with prior years, (b) are stated
in reasonable detail and accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of Digicon and the Digicon Subsidiaries and (c)
accurately and fairly reflect the basis for the Digicon financial statements.
Digicon has devised and maintains a system of internal accounting controls
sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (a) transactions are executed
in accordance with management's general or specific authorization; and (b)
transactions are recorded as necessary (i) to permit preparation of financial
statements in conformity
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with United States generally accepted accounting principles or any other
criteria applicable to such statements and (ii) to maintain accountability for
assets.
ARTICLE IV
OBLIGATIONS PENDING EFFECTIVE DATE
4.1 AGREEMENTS OF DIGICON AND VERITAS. Digicon and Veritas agree to
take the following actions after the date hereof:
(a) Regulatory Approvals. Each party will promptly execute and file or
join in the execution and filing of any application or other document that
may be necessary in order to obtain the authorization, approval or consent of
any Governmental Entity which may be reasonably required, or which the other
party may reasonably request, in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each party will use its
commercially reasonable efforts to promptly obtain such authorizations,
approvals and consents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, as
promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, each party shall
make all required filings with the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC") and the
Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (the "DOJ"), a pre-merger
notification report under the HSR Act and shall make such filings as are
necessary under the Investment Canada Act and the Competition Act (Canada).
(b) Access to Information. Each party will allow the other and its
agents reasonable access to the files, books, records and offices of the other
and the other's subsidiaries, including, without limitation, any and all
information relating to such party's tax matters, contracts, leases, licenses
and real, personal and intangible property and financial condition. Each party
will cause its accountants to cooperate with the other in making available to
the other party all financial information reasonably requested, including,
without limitation, the right to examine all working papers pertaining to tax
matters and financial statements prepared or audited by such accountants.
(c) Joint Proxy Statement. Digicon and Veritas shall cooperate in the
preparation and prompt filing of the Joint Proxy Statement (and, if required,
the Form S-3) with the SEC;
(d) Notice of Material Developments. Each of Digicon and Veritas will
promptly notify the other in writing (i) of any event occurring subsequent to
the date of this Agreement which would render any representation and warranty
of such party contained in this Agreement untrue or inaccurate in any material
respect, (ii) of any Material Adverse Effect on such party and (iii) of any
breach by such party of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement;
and
(e) Satisfaction of Conditions Precedent. During the term of this
Agreement, each of Digicon and Veritas will use its commercially
reasonable efforts to satisfy or cause to be satisfied all the conditions
precedent that are set forth in Article V hereof, and each of Digicon and
Veritas will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Arrangement
and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated.
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4.2 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF VERITAS. Veritas agrees that from the
date hereof to the Effective Date, it will, and will cause each of the Veritas
Subsidiaries to:
(a) Operate in Ordinary Course. Other than as contemplated by this
Agreement, operate its business only in the usual, regular, and ordinary
manner so as to maintain the goodwill it now enjoys and, to the extent
consistent with such operation, use all commercially reasonable efforts to
preserve intact its present business organization, keep available the services
of its present officers and employees, and preserve its relationships with
customers, suppliers, distributors, and others having business dealings with
it;
(b) Maintenance of Properties. Maintain all of its property and assets
in customary repair, order, and condition, reasonable wear and use and
damage by fire or unavoidable casualty excepted;
(c) Maintenance of Books and Records. Maintain its books of account and
records in the usual, regular, and ordinary manner, in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis;
(d) Compliance with Law. Duly comply in all material respects with all
laws applicable to it and to the conduct of its business;
(e) Employment Matters. Not (i) enter into any contracts of employment
which (1) cannot be terminated on notice of 14 days or less or (2) provide
for any severance payments or benefits covering a period beyond the termination
date of such employment contract, except as may be required by law or (ii)
amend any employee benefit plan or stock option plan, except as may be required
for compliance with applicable law or as contemplated by this Agreement;
(f) Prohibition of Certain Loans. Not incur any borrowings except (i)
the refinancing of indebtedness now outstanding or additional borrowings
under its existing revolving credit facilities, (ii) the prepayment by
customers of amounts due or to become due for goods sold or services rendered
or to be rendered in the future, (iii) trade payables incurred in the ordinary
course of business, (iv) other borrowings incurred in the ordinary course of
business to finance normal operations or (v) as is otherwise agreed to in
writing by Digicon;
(g) Prohibition of Certain Commitments. Not enter into commitments of a
capital expenditure nature or incur any contingent liability which would exceed
$500,000, in the aggregate, except (i) as may be necessary for the maintenance
of existing facilities, machinery and equipment in good operating condition and
repair in the ordinary course of business, (ii) as may be required by law or
(iii) as is otherwise agreed to in writing by Digicon;
(h) Disposal of Assets. Not sell, dispose of, or encumber, any
property or assets, except (i) in the ordinary course of business, (ii) as may
be reasonably required in connection with borrowings under Section 4.2(f), or
(iii) as is otherwise agreed to in writing by Digicon;
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(i) Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain insurance upon all its
properties and with respect to the conduct of its business of such
kinds and in such amounts as is customary in the type of business in which it
is engaged, but not less than that presently carried by it;
(j) No Amendment to Charter Documents, etc. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, not amend its charter documents or bylaws or
other organizational documents or merge or consolidate with or into any other
corporation or change in any manner the rights of its capital stock or the
character of its business;
(k) No Issuance, Sale, or Purchase of Securities. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, not issue or sell (except upon the exercise of
outstanding options), or issue options or rights to subscribe to, or enter into
any contract or commitment to issue or sell, any shares of its capital stock or
subdivide or in any way reclassify any shares of its capital stock, or acquire,
or agree to acquire, any shares of its capital stock;
(l) Prohibition on Dividends. Not declare or pay any dividend on
shares of its capital stock or make any other distribution of assets to the
holders thereof;
(m) Supplemental Financial Statements. Deliver to Digicon, within 45
days after the end of each fiscal quarter of Veritas beginning April 30,
1996, and through the Effective Date, unaudited consolidated balance sheets and
related unaudited statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows as of
the end of each fiscal quarter of Veritas, and as of the corresponding fiscal
quarter of the previous fiscal year. Veritas hereby represents and warrants
that such unaudited consolidated financial statements shall (i) be complete in
all material respects except for the omission of notes and schedules contained
in audited financial statements, (ii) present fairly the financial condition of
Veritas as at the dates indicated and the results of operations for the
respective periods indicated, (iii) shall have been prepared in accordance with
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis, except as noted therein and (iv) shall contain all adjustments which
Veritas considers necessary for a fair presentation of its results for each
respective fiscal period; and
(n) Exclusivity; Acquisition Proposals. Unless and until this
Agreement shall have been terminated by either party pursuant to Article VI
hereof, it shall not (and it shall use its best efforts to ensure that none of
its officers, directors, agents, representatives or affiliates) take or cause
to take (or cause any of the Veritas Subsidiaries to take), directly of
indirectly, any of the following actions with any party other than Digicon and
its designees: (i) solicit, encourage, initiate or participate in any
negotiations, inquiries or discussions with respect to any offer or proposal to
acquire all or any significant part of its business, assets or capital shares
whether by arrangement, amalgamation, merger, consolidation, other business
combination, purchase of assets, tender or exchange offer or otherwise (each of
the foregoing, an "Acquisition Transaction"), (ii) disclose any information not
customarily disclosed to any person concerning its business or properties or
afford to any person or entity access to its properties, books or records,
except in the ordinary course of business and as required by law or pursuant to
a governmental request for information, (iii) enter into or execute any
agreement relating to an Acquisition Transaction, plan of reorganization, or
other agreement calling
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for the sale of all or any significant part of its business and properties; or
(iv), except as required by law, make or authorize any public statement,
recommendation or solicitation with respect to any Acquisition Transaction or
any offer or proposal relating to an Acquisition Transaction other than with
respect to the Arrangement.
4.3 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OF DIGICON. Digicon agrees that from the date
hereof to the Effective Date, it will, and will cause each of the Digicon
Subsidiaries to:
(a) Operate in Ordinary Course. Other than as contemplated by this
Agreement, operate its business only in the usual, regular, and ordinary
manner so as to maintain the goodwill it now enjoys and, to the extent
consistent with such operation, use all commercially reasonable efforts to
preserve intact its present business organization, keep available the services
of its present officers and employees, and preserve its relationships with
customers, suppliers, distributors, and others having business dealings with
it;
(b) Maintenance of Properties. Maintain all of its property and assets
in customary repair, order, and condition, reasonable wear and use and
damage by fire or unavoidable casualty excepted;
(c) Maintenance of Books and Records. Maintain its books of account and
records in the usual, regular, and ordinary manner, in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis;
(d) Compliance with Law. Duly comply in all material respects with all
laws applicable to it and to the conduct of its business;
(e) Employment Matters. Not (i) enter into any contracts of employment
which (1) cannot be terminated on notice of 14 days or less or (2) provide
for any severance payments or benefits covering a period beyond the termination
date of such employment contract, except as may be required by law or (ii)
amend any employee benefit plan or stock option plan, except as may be required
for compliance with this Agreement or applicable law;
(f) Prohibition of Certain Loans. Not incur any borrowings except (i)
the refinancing of indebtedness now outstanding or additional borrowings
under its existing revolving credit facilities, (ii) the prepayment by
customers of amounts due or to become due for goods sold or services rendered
or to be rendered in the future, (iii) trade payables incurred in the ordinary
course of business, (iv) other borrowings incurred in the ordinary course of
business to finance normal operations or (v) as is otherwise agreed to in
writing by Veritas;
(g) Prohibition of Certain Commitments. Not enter into commitments of
a capital expenditure nature or incur any contingent liability which would
exceed $500,000, in the aggregate, except (i) as may be necessary for the
maintenance of existing facilities, machinery and equipment in
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good operating condition and repair in the ordinary course of business, (ii) as
may be required by law or (iii) as is otherwise agreed to in writing by
Veritas;
(h) Disposal of Assets. Not sell, dispose of, or encumber, any property
or assets, except (i) in the ordinary course of business, (ii) as may be
reasonably required in connection with borrowings under Section 4.3(f), or
(iii) as is otherwise agreed to in writing by Veritas;
(i) Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain insurance upon all its
properties and with respect to the conduct of its business of such kinds and
in such amounts as is customary in the type of business in which it is engaged,
but not less than that presently carried by it;
(j) No Amendment to Charter Documents, etc. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, not amend its charter documents or bylaws or
other organizational documents or merge or consolidate with or into any other
corporation or change in any manner the rights of its capital stock or the
character of its business;
(k) No Issuance, Sale, or Purchase of Securities. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, not issue or sell (except upon the exercise of
outstanding options or warrants), or issue options or rights to subscribe to,
or enter into any contract or commitment to issue or sell, any shares of its
capital stock or subdivide or in any way reclassify any shares of its capital
stock, or acquire, or agree to acquire, any shares of its capital stock;
(l) Prohibition on Dividends. Not declare or pay any dividend on
shares of its capital stock or make any other distribution of assets to
the holders thereof;
(m) Supplemental Financial Statements. Deliver to Veritas, within 45
days after the end of each fiscal quarter of Digicon beginning April 30,
1996, and through the Effective Date, unaudited consolidated balance sheets and
related unaudited statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows as of
the end of each fiscal quarter of Digicon, and as of the corresponding fiscal
quarter of the previous fiscal year. Digicon hereby represents and warrants
that such unaudited consolidated financial statements shall (i) be complete in
all material respects except for the omission of notes and schedules contained
in audited financial statements, (ii) present fairly the financial condition of
Digicon as at the dates indicated and the results of operations for the
respective periods indicated, (iii) shall have been prepared in accordance with
United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent
basis, except as noted therein and (iv) shall contain all adjustments which
Digicon considers necessary for a fair presentation of its results for each
respective fiscal period;
(n) Exclusivity; Acquisition Proposals. Unless and until
this Agreement shall have been terminated by either party pursuant to Article
VI hereof, it shall not (and it shall use its best efforts to ensure that none
of its officers, directors, agents, representatives or affiliates) take or
cause to take (or cause any of the Digicon Subsidiaries to take), directly of
indirectly, any of the following actions with any party other than Veritas and
its designees: (i) solicit, encourage, initiate or participate in any
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negotiations, inquiries or discussions with respect to any Acquisition
Transaction, (ii) disclose any information not customarily disclosed to any
person concerning its business or properties or afford to any person or entity
access to its properties, books or records, except in the ordinary course of
business and as required by law or pursuant to a governmental request for
information, (iii) enter into or execute any agreement relating to an
Acquisition Transaction, plan of reorganization, or other agreement calling for
the sale of all or any significant part of its business and properties; or (iv)
except as may be required by law, make or authorize any public statement,
recommendation or solicitation with respect to any Acquisition Transaction or
any offer or proposal relating to an Acquisition Transaction other than with
respect to the Arrangement; and
(o) Listings. Use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause (i) the
shares of Digicon Common Stock to be listed upon the Closing on the
NYSE and the TSE and (ii) with the cooperation and assistance of Veritas, the
Exchangeable Shares to be listed on a mutually acceptable Canadian stock
exchange.
ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS
5.1 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF VERITAS. The obligations of
Veritas to consummate and effect the transactions contemplated hereunder shall
be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, or to the waiver
thereof by Veritas in the manner contemplated by this Agreement before the
Effective Date:
(a) Representations and Warranties of Digicon True at Effective Date.
The representations and warranties of Digicon herein contained to the
extent qualified as to materiality shall be accurate in all respects, and to
the extent not so qualified shall be accurate in all material respects at the
Effective Date, with the same effect as though made at such date, except as
affected by transactions permitted or contemplated by this Agreement; Digicon
shall have performed and complied with all covenants required by this Agreement
to be performed or complied with, in all material respects, by Digicon before
the Effective Date; and Digicon shall have delivered to Veritas a certificate,
dated the Effective Date and signed by its chairman of the board or its
president, and by its chief financial or accounting officer, and its secretary,
to both such effects;
(b) Opinion of Digicon Counsel. Veritas shall have received opinions,
dated as of the Effective Date, from Porter & Hedges, L.L.P., United States
counsel for Digicon, and from Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer, Canadian counsel for
Digicon in form and substance satisfactory to Veritas;
(c) Consents of Certain Parties in Privity with Digicon. Veritas shall
have received all written consents, assignments, waivers, authorizations or
other certificates necessary to provide for the continuation in full force and
effect of all material contracts and leases of Digicon and for Digicon to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, except when the failure to
receive such consents or other certificates would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on Digicon;
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(d) Shareholder Approval. This Agreement, the Arrangement and the other
transactions contemplated hereby shall have been approved and adopted by the
Veritas shareholders and optionholders in accordance with applicable law and
Veritas' articles of amalgamation and bylaws, and Veritas shall not have
received on or prior to the Effective Time notice from the holders of more than
5% of the Veritas Common Shares of their intention to exercise their rights of
dissent under section 184 of the ABCA;
(e) Digicon Approvals. The issuance of Digicon Common Stock from time
to time upon the exchange of the Exchangeable Shares shall have been approved
by the Digicon stockholders in accordance with the rules of the ASE, with
applicable law and Digicon's certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and the
Digicon stockholders shall have approved the other proposals described in
Section 7.1 hereof;
(f) No Legal Action. No temporary restraining order, preliminary
injunction or permanent injunction or other order preventing the
consummation of the Arrangement shall have been issued by any Canadian or
United States federal, provincial or state court and remain in effect, nor
shall any proceeding seeking any of the foregoing be pending. There shall be
no order, decree or ruling by any governmental agency or threat thereof, or any
statute, rule, regulation or order enacted, entered, enforced or deemed
applicable to the Arrangement, which would prohibit or render illegal the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(g) Tax Opinion. Veritas shall have received an opinion in form and
substance satisfactory to Veritas of Felesky Flynn, tax counsel for
Veritas, to the effect that the Arrangement will be generally treated for
Canadian federal income tax purposes as a reorganization of capital for those
Veritas shareholders who hold their Veritas Common Shares as capital property
for purposes of the ITA;
(h) Pooling Matters. Veritas shall have received from Deloitte &
Touche and Price Waterhouse an opinion, in form and substance satisfactory
to Veritas and Digicon, that the Arrangement will be treated as a "pooling of
interests" for accounting purposes. In addition, no event shall have occurred
which would establish with reasonable certainty that the Arrangement will not
be treated as a "pooling of interests" for accounting purposes;
(i) Court Approval. The Court shall have issued its final order
approving the Arrangement in form and substance satisfactory to Digicon and
Veritas (such approvals not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed by Digicon
or Veritas) and reflecting the terms hereof;
(j) Commissions, etc. All necessary orders shall have been obtained
from the Commissions and other relevant United States and Canadian
securities regulatory authorities in connection with the Arrangement. All
waiting periods required by HSR shall have expired with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or early termination with respect
thereto shall have been obtained without the imposition of any governmental
request or order requiring the sale or disposition or holding separate (through
a trust or otherwise) of particular assets or businesses
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of Veritas or Digicon. Digicon and Veritas shall each have filed all notices
and information (if any) required under Part IX of the Competition Act (Canada)
and the applicable waiting periods and any extensions thereof shall have
expired or the parties shall have received an Advance Ruling Certificate
pursuant to Section 102 of the Competition Act (Canada) setting out that the
Director under such Act is satisfied he would not have sufficient grounds on
which to apply for an order in respect of the Arrangement. The Arrangement
shall have received the allowance or approval or deemed allowance or approval
by the responsible Minister under the Investment Canada Act in respect of the
Arrangement, to the extent such allowance or approval is required, on terms and
conditions satisfactory to the parties;
(k) SEC Filings. The Form S-3, if filed, shall have been declared
effective under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any
stop-order or proceedings seeking a stop-order, and the Joint Proxy Statement
shall on the Closing Date not be subject to any similar proceedings commenced
or threatened by the SEC or the Commissions;
(l) Election of Digicon Board and Nominating Committee. At or prior to
the Effective Time, (i) such number of directors of Digicon shall resign or
be removed such that there shall be no more than six directors of Digicon
("Digicon Designees") serving in such a capacity, (ii) the size of the board of
directors of Digicon shall be increased so that it shall initially consist of
ten directors and (iii) a nominating committee (the "Nominating Committee")
will be created. At the Effective Time, four individuals designated by Veritas
(the "Veritas Designees") shall be elected to the board of directors of
Digicon. The Nominating Committee (i) shall consist initially of two outside
directors who are Veritas Designees and two outside directors who are Digicon
Designees, (ii) shall take action by the vote of a majority of its authorized
number of members and (iii) shall nominate directors for election for not less
than the two annual stockholder meetings of Digicon (or special meetings in
lieu thereof) following the Closing. Any member of the Nominating Committee
who ceases to be such a member (whether by reason of resignation from the
Nominating Committee or death, disability, removal or resignation as a director
or otherwise) shall be promptly replaced with a Digicon director designated by
a majority of the Veritas Designees or the Digicon Designees, as applicable.
Digicon shall put forth those individuals nominated by the Nominating Committee
for election to its board of directors and will solicit proxies for its
stockholder's meetings in favor of the election of each such individual.
(m) Redemption of Rights. Digicon shall have given a binding notice of
redemption of the Rights (as therein defined) under the Rights Agreement in
accordance with Section 23 of the Rights Agreement, and shall have taken any
other action required under the Rights Agreement and applicable law such that
the only right at the Effective Time and thereafter of the holders of Rights
shall be to receive the Redemption Price (as defined in the Rights Agreement)
for each Right so held.
(n) Chief Executive Officer. The board of directors of Digicon shall
have taken such action as may be necessary in the reasonable opinion of
Veritas to confer upon David B. Robson ("Robson") at the Effective Date the
positions and titles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
Digicon;
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(o) Listings. The Digicon Common Stock shall have been approved for
listing on the TSE, and the Exchangeable Shares shall be listed on a reasonably
acceptable Canadian stock exchange, in each case subject to notice of issuance;
and
(p) Certificates and Resolutions. Veritas shall have received such other
certificates and resolutions of Digicon as may be reasonably required in
connection with the consummation of this Agreement.
5.2 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF DIGICON. The obligations of
Digicon to consummate and effect the transactions contemplated hereunder shall
be subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, or to the waiver
thereof by Digicon in the manner contemplated by this Agreement before the
Effective Date:
(a) Representations and Warranties of Veritas True at Effective Date.
The representations and warranties of Veritas herein contained to the extent
qualified as to materiality shall be accurate in all respects, and to the
extent not so qualified shall be accurate in all material respects at the
Effective Date with the same effect as though made at such date, except as
affected by transactions permitted or contemplated by this Agreement; Veritas
shall have performed and complied with all covenants required by this Agreement
to be performed or complied with, in all material respects, by Veritas before
the Effective Date; and Veritas shall have delivered to Digicon a certificate,
dated the Effective Date and signed by its chairman of the board or its
president, and by its chief financial or accounting officer, and its secretary,
to both such effects;
(b) Opinion of Veritas Counsel. Digicon shall have received opinions,
dated as of the Effective Date, from Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P., United States
counsel to Veritas, and Bennett Jones Verchere, Canadian counsel to Veritas, in
form and substance satisfactory to Digicon;
(c) Consents of Certain Parties in Privity with Veritas. Digicon shall
have received all written consents, assignments, waivers, authorizations or
other certificates necessary to provide for the continuation in full force and
effect of all material contracts and leases of Veritas and for Veritas to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, except when the failure to
receive such consents or other certificates would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on Veritas;
(d) Stockholder Approval. The issuance of Digicon Common Stock from
time to time upon the exchange of the Exchangeable Shares and the other
proposals described in Section 7.1 shall have been approved by the Digicon
stockholders in accordance with the rules of the ASE, applicable law and
Digicon's certificate of incorporation and bylaws;
(e) Veritas Approvals. This Agreement and the Arrangement shall have
been approved and adopted by the Veritas shareholders and optionholders in
accordance with applicable law and Veritas' articles of amalgamation and
bylaws, and Veritas shall not have received on or prior to the Effective Time
notice from the holders of more than 5% of the Veritas Common Shares of their
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intention to exercise their rights of dissent under Section 184 of the ABCA.
In addition, the Veritas stockholders shall have approved the other proposals
described in Section 7.1 hereof;
(f) No Legal Action. No temporary restraining order, preliminary
injunction or permanent injunction or other order preventing the
consummation of the Arrangement shall have been issued by any Canadian or U.S.
federal, provincial or state court and remain in effect, nor shall any
proceeding seeking any of the foregoing be pending. There shall be no order,
decree or ruling by any governmental agency or threat thereof, or any statute,
rule, regulation or order enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to
the Arrangement, which would prohibit or render illegal the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;
(g) Pooling Matters. Digicon shall have received from Deloitte &
Touche and Price Waterhouse an opinion, in form and substance satisfactory
to Digicon and Veritas, that the Arrangement will be treated as a "pooling of
interests" for accounting purposes. In addition, no event shall have occurred
which would establish with reasonable certainty that the Arrangement will not
be treated as a "pooling of interests" for accounting purposes;
(h) Court Approval. The Court shall have issued its final order
approving the Arrangement in form and substance satisfactory to Veritas and
Digicon (such approvals not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed by Veritas
or Digicon) and reflecting the terms hereof;
(i) Commissions, etc. All necessary orders shall have been obtained
from the Commissions and other relevant United States and Canadian
securities regulatory authorities in connection with the Arrangement. All
waiting periods required by HSR shall have expired with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or early termination with respect
thereto shall have been obtained without the imposition of any governmental
request or order requiring the sale or disposition or holding separate (through
a trust or otherwise) of particular assets or businesses of Digicon or
Veritas. Veritas and Digicon shall each have filed all notices and information
(if any) required under Part IX of the Competition Act (Canada) and the
applicable waiting periods and any extensions thereof shall have expired or the
parties shall have received an Advance Ruling Certificate pursuant to Section
102 of the Competition Act (Canada) setting out that the Director under such
Act is satisfied he would not have sufficient grounds on which to apply for an
order in respect of the Arrangement. The Arrangement shall have received the
allowance or approval or deemed allowance or approval by the responsible
Minister under the Investment Canada Act in respect of the Arrangement, to the
extent such allowance or approval is required, on terms and conditions
satisfactory to the parties;
(j) SEC Filings. The Form S-3, if filed, shall have been declared
effective under the Securities Act and shall not be the subject of any
stop order or proceedings seeking a stop-order and the Joint Proxy Statement
shall on the Closing Date not be subject to any similar proceedings commenced
or threatened by the SEC or the Commissions; and
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(k) Certificates and Resolutions. Digicon shall have received such other
certificates and resolutions of Veritas as may be reasonably required in
connection with the consummation of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION
6.1 TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to
the Effective Time, whether before or after approval of the
transactions contemplated hereby by the stockholders of Digicon or Veritas, as
follows:
(a) by mutual agreement of Veritas and Digicon;
(b) by Veritas, if there has been a breach by Digicon of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement on
the part of Digicon, or if any representation or warranty of Digicon shall have
become untrue, in either case which has or can reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Digicon, and which Digicon fails to cure within 15
business days after written notice thereof from Veritas (except that no cure
period shall be provided for a breach by Digicon which by its nature cannot be
cured);
(c) by Digicon, if there has been a breach by Veritas of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement on
the part of Veritas, or if any representation or warranty of Veritas shall have
become untrue, in either case which has or can reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Veritas, and which Veritas fails to cure within 15
business days after written notice thereof from Digicon (except that no cure
period shall be provided for a breach by Veritas which by its nature cannot be
cured);
(d) by either party if the shareholders of Veritas do not approve the
Arrangement (and the other matters to be approved at such meeting as provided
in Section 7.1 hereof) at the Veritas Shareholders Meeting or the stockholders
of Digicon do not approve at the Digicon Stockholders Meeting the issuance of
Digicon Common Stock issuable upon the exchange of the Exchangeable Shares (and
the other matters to be approved at such meeting as provided in Section 7.1
hereof);
(e) by either party, if all the conditions for Closing the Arrangement
shall not have been satisfied or waived on or before 5:00 p.m.,
Houston, Texas time on September 30, 1996, other than as a result of a breach
of this Agreement by the terminating party; or
(f) by either Digicon or Veritas if any suit, action, or other proceeding
shall be pending or threatened by any United States or Canadian federal,
provincial or state government before any Governmental Entity, in which it is
sought to restrain, prohibit, or otherwise affect the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
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6.2 NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination of this Agreement under
Section 6.1 above will be effective by the delivery of written notice by the
terminating party to the other party hereto.
6.3 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of termination of this
Agreement by either Veritas or Digicon as provided in Section 6.1, this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, and there shall be no
liability or obligation on the part of Digicon or Veritas or their respective
officers or directors, except that (i) the provisions of the Confidentiality
Agreement dated February 27, 1996 shall survive any such termination and
abandonment, and (ii) no party shall be released or relieved from any liability
arising from the willful breach by such party of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements as set forth in this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
Digicon and Veritas each agree to take the following actions after the
execution of this Agreement.
7.1 MEETINGS. Veritas and Digicon shall each duly call a meeting of its
stockholders and/or optionholders, as applicable, to be held within 45 days
after the SEC has indicated that it has no further comments on the Joint Proxy
Statement for the purpose of (a) in the case of Veritas, voting upon (i) the
Plan of Arrangement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and
(b) in the case of Digicon, voting upon (i) a proposal to approve the issuance
of such number of shares of Digicon Common Stock as are necessary to consummate
the Arrangement, (ii) a proposal that upon the Effective Date the corporate
name of Digicon shall be changed to "Veritas DGC Inc.," (iii) a proposal to
adopt the Digicon Restated Charter and effect the reclassification of the
currently outstanding shares of Digicon Common Stock and (iv) such other
matters relating to the Arrangement, if any, as shall be legally required in
the reasonable opinion of Digicon; and each shall, through its board of
directors, recommend to their stockholders approval of such matters and shall
coordinate and cooperate with respect to the timing of such meetings.
7.2 THE CLOSING. Subject to the termination of this Agreement as
provided in Article VI, the Closing of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (the "Closing") will take place at the offices of Bennett Jones
Verchere, Calgary, Alberta, Canada on a date (the "Closing Date") and at a time
to be mutually agreed upon by the parties, which date shall be no later than
the fifth business day after all conditions to Closing set forth herein shall
have been satisfied or waived, unless another place, time and date is mutually
selected by Veritas and Digicon. Concurrently with the Closing, the Plan of
Arrangement will be filed with the Registrar under the ABCA.
7.3 ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS/RESERVATION OF SHARES.
(a) Provided all other conditions of this Agreement have been satisfied
or waived, Veritas shall, on the Closing Date, file Articles of
Arrangement pursuant to Part 15 of the ABCA to give
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effect to the Plan of Arrangement, such Articles of Arrangement to contain
share conditions for Exchangeable Shares substantially in the form of those
contained in EXHIBIT A hereto.
(b) On the Effective Date:
(i) Digicon shall execute and deliver a Support Agreement containing
the terms and conditions set forth in EXHIBIT D hereto, together with
such other terms and conditions as may be agreed to by the parties hereto
acting reasonably;
(ii) Digicon, Veritas and a Canadian trust company to be mutually
agreeable to Digicon and Veritas, acting reasonably, shall execute and
deliver a Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement containing the terms and
conditions set forth in EXHIBIT E hereto, together with such other terms and
conditions as may be agreed to by the parties hereto acting reasonably; and
(iii) Digicon shall file with the Secretary of State of Delaware a Restated
Certificate of Incorporation which shall be in substantially the form set forth
in EXHIBIT B hereto.
(c) On or before the Effective Date, Digicon will reserve for issuance
such number of shares of Digicon Common Stock as shall be necessary to give
effect to the exchanges and assumptions or exchanges of options contemplated
hereby.
7.4 EXCHANGE OF OPTIONS. Promptly after the Effective Time, Digicon will
notify in writing each holder of a Veritas Option of the exchange of such
Veritas Option for a option to purchase Digicon Common Stock in accordance with
Section 1.1(j) hereof.
7.5 INDEMNIFICATION AND RELATED MATTERS.
(a) Digicon agrees that all rights to indemnification existing in favor
of the present or former directors and officers of Veritas (as such) or any of
the Veritas Subsidiaries or present or former directors and officers (as such)
of Veritas or any of the Veritas Subsidiaries serving or who served at Veritas'
or any of the Veritas Subsidiaries' request as a director or officer of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise, as provided in Veritas' charter or bylaws or similar documents of
any of the Veritas Subsidiaries in effect as of the date hereof with respect to
matters occurring prior to the Effective Time, shall survive and shall continue
in full force and effect and without modification for a period of not less than
the statutes of limitations applicable to such matters.
(b) From and after the Effective Time, Digicon shall and shall cause
Veritas to indemnify and hold harmless to the fullest extent permitted under
the ABCA, each director and officer of Veritas or any Veritas Subsidiary
including, without limitation, officers and directors, serving on or prior to
the date hereof against any costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney's
fees on a solicitor and his own client basis), judgments, fines, losses, claims
and damages and liabilities, and amounts paid in settlement thereof with the
consent of the indemnifying party, in connection with any claim, action,
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suit, proceeding or investigation relating to any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or the Arrangement. In the event of any such claim,
action, suit, proceeding or investigation, Digicon shall cause Veritas to pay
the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel in advance of the final disposition
of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation to the fullest
extent permitted by law subject to the limitations imposed by the ABCA.
Without limiting the foregoing, in the event any such claim, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation is brought against any indemnified parties, (i) the
indemnified parties may retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to Digicon and,
subject to limitations imposed by the ABCA, Veritas shall (or Digicon shall
cause Veritas to) pay all reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for the
indemnified parties promptly as statements therefor are received; and (ii)
Digicon will use all reasonable efforts to assist in the defense of such
matter; provided, however, that neither Veritas nor Digicon shall be liable for
any settlement effected without its prior written consent. Any indemnified
party wishing to claim indemnification under this section, upon learning of any
such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, shall notify Digicon
(but the failure to so notify shall not relieve a party from any liability
which it may have under this section except to the extent such failure
prejudices such party). The indemnified parties as a group may retain only one
law firm in any jurisdiction to represent them with respect to each such matter
unless such counsel determines that there is, under applicable standards of
professional conduct, a conflict on any significant issue between the positions
of any two or more indemnified parties, in which event such additional counsel
may be required to be retained by the indemnified parties.
(c) Subject to limitations imposed by the ABCA, Veritas shall (or Digicon
shall cause Veritas to) pay all expenses, including attorney's fees on a
solicitor and his own client basis, as the same may be incurred by any
indemnified parties in any action by any indemnified party or parties seeking
to enforce the indemnity or other obligations provided for in this section;
provided, however, that Veritas will be entitled to reimbursement for any
advances made under this section to any indemnified party who ultimately proves
unsuccessful in enforcing the indemnity as finally determined by a
non-appealable judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction, and payment of
such expenses in advance of the final disposition of the action shall be made
only upon receipt of any undertaking by the indemnified party to reimburse all
amounts advanced if such action ultimately proves unsuccessful.
(d) This section, which shall survive the consummation of this
Agreement and the Arrangement, is intended to benefit each person or entity
indemnified hereunder.
7.6 AFFILIATE AGREEMENTS.
(a) To ensure that the Arrangement will be accounted for as a "pooling of
interests" and to ensure compliance with Rule 145 of the rules and regulations
promulgated by the SEC and the Securities Act, Veritas' Affiliates have
concurrently signed and delivered to Digicon the Veritas affiliate agreements
in the form of EXHIBIT F. The identity of all such Veritas Affiliates is set
forth on such exhibit. For purposes of this Agreement, an "Affiliate" shall
have the meaning referred to in Rule 145 under the Securities Act.
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(b) To ensure that the Arrangement will be accounted for as a "pooling of
interests" Digicon's Affiliates have concurrently signed and delivered to
Digicon the Digicon Affiliate Agreements in the form of EXHIBIT G. The
identity of all such Digicon Affiliates is set forth on such exhibit.
7.7 EMPLOYEE MATTERS. Digicon shall take all actions necessary or
appropriate such that each individual employed by Veritas or a Veritas
Subsidiary immediately prior to the Effective Date (a "Veritas Employee") shall
have the benefit of all of such employee's accrued benefits under the Veritas
Plans from and after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any
such Veritas Plan is terminated or discontinued on or after the Effective Date,
Digicon shall take all actions necessary or appropriate to permit the Veritas
Employees to immediately thereafter participate in the comparable employee
benefit plan or program, if any, maintained by Digicon or any Digicon
Subsidiary for its employees generally (the "Digicon Benefit Plans"); provided,
however, that, if Veritas' group health plan is so terminated or discontinued,
Digicon shall permit each Veritas Employee and his or her eligible dependents
(including, without limitation, all such Veritas Employee's dependents covered
by Veritas' group health plan as of the time such coverage ceases) to be
covered under a Digicon Benefit Plan that (i) provides medical and any other
benefits to the Veritas Employee and such eligible dependents effective
immediately upon the cessation of coverage of such individuals under Veritas'
group health plan, (ii) credits such Veritas Employee, for the year during
which such coverage under such Digicon Benefit Plan begins, with any
deductibles and copayments already incurred during such year under Veritas'
group health plan, and (iii) waives any preexisting condition restrictions to
the extent necessary to provide immediate coverage. Digicon, the Digicon
Subsidiaries, and the Digicon Benefit Plans shall recognize each Veritas
Employee's years of service and level of seniority with Veritas and the Veritas
Subsidiaries for purposes of terms of employment and eligibility, vesting and
benefit determination under the Digicon Benefit Plans (other than benefit
accruals under any defined benefit pension plan).
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 NO SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All representations
and warranties of the parties contained in this Agreement will remain
operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by
or on behalf of the parties to this Agreement, until the earlier of the
termination of this Agreement or the Closing Date, whereupon such
representations and warranties will expire and be of no further force or
effect. All agreements and covenants of the parties shall survive the Closing
Date, except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement.
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8.2 NOTICES. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, by facsimile
(receipt confirmed) or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address
for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
(a) if to Digicon to:
Digicon Inc.
3701 Kirby Drive, Suite 960
Houston, Texas 77098
Attention: President
Facsimile No. 713/630-4464
with a copy to Porter & Hedges, L.L.P.
700 Louisiana Street
35th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: T. William Porter
Facsimile No. 713/228-1331
and Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer
1499-350 7th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3N9
Attention: Alan R. Twa
Facsimile No. 403/260-0330
(b) if to Veritas to:
Veritas Energy Services, Inc.
615 Third Avenue S.W.
Suite 300
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 0G6
Attention: President
Facsimile No. 403/266-9359
with a copy to Bennett Jones Verchere
4500 Bankers Hall East
855 2nd Street S.W.
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 4K7
Attention: Neil Stevenson
Facsimile No. 403/265-7219
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and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
2300 First City Tower
1001 Fannin Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: J. Mark Metts
Facsimile No. 713/758-2346
8.3 INTERPRETATION. When a reference is made in this Agreement to
Sections or Exhibits, such reference shall be to a Section or Exhibit to
this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The words "include," "includes" and
"including" when used therein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by
the words "without limitation." The headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
8.4 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 counterparts have been signed by each
of the parties and delivered to each of the other parties, it being understood
that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.
8.5 MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement, each of the agreements attached as an
exhibit hereto and any other documents referred to herein or contemplated
hereby (a) constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof; (b) is not intended to confer upon any other person any
rights or remedies hereunder (except as otherwise expressly provided herein and
except that Section 7.5 is for the benefit of Veritas' directors and officers,
Section 1.1(j) is for the benefit of holders of Veritas Options, and Section
7.7 is for the benefit of the Veritas Employees (and said sections are intended
to confer rights on such persons); and (c) shall not be assigned by operation
of law or otherwise except as otherwise specifically provided.
8.6 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects,
including validity, interpretation and effect, by the laws of the Province of
Alberta and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.
8.7 AMENDMENT AND WAIVERS. Any term or provision of this Agreement may
be amended, and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be
waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or prospectively) only by a writing signed by the party to be bound thereby.
The waiver by a party of any breach hereof or default in the performance hereof
will not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any other default or any
succeeding breach or default. The Agreement may be amended by the parties
hereto at any time before or after approval of the Veritas shareholders or
optionholders or the Digicon stockholders, but, after such approval, no
amendment will be made which by applicable law requires the further approval of
the Veritas shareholders or optionholders or the Digicon stockholders without
obtaining such further approval.
41
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8.8 EXPENSES. Each party will bear its respective expenses and legal
fees incurred with respect to this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Digicon and Veritas have caused this Agreement to be
signed by their respective officers thereunder duly authorized, all as of the
date first written above.
DIGICON INC.
By: /s/STEPHEN J. LUDLOW
-----------------------------------------
Name: Stephen J. Ludlow
----------------------------------------
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ DAVID B. ROBSON
-----------------------------------------
Name: David B. Robson
---------------------------------------
Title: President
By: /s/ LARRY C. FICHTNER
-----------------------------------------
Name: Larry C. Fichtner
---------------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President
42
<PAGE> 211
ANNEX C
<PAGE> 212
IN THE COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH OF ALBERTA
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF CALGARY
IN THE MATTER OF Section 186 of the Business
Corporations Act (Alberta), being Chapter B-15, of
the Statutes of Alberta, 1981, as amended;
AND IN THE MATTER OF a proposed Arrangement among
Veritas Energy Services Inc. and its Shareholders and
Optionholders and Digicon Inc.
BEFORE THE HONOURABLE ) AT THE COURT HOUSE, IN THE
JUSTICE _________________ IN ) CITY OF CALGARY, PROVINCE OF
CHAMBERS ) ALBERTA ON __________, THE
) _________ DAY OF __________,
) 1996.
INTERIM ORDER
UPON the application by Petition of Veritas Energy Services Inc.
("Veritas") pursuant to s.186 of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta);
AND UPON reading the said Petition, and the Affidavit of David B.
Robson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Veritas, and the documents
referred to therein, filed;
AND UPON it appearing that notice of this application has been given
to the Executive Director of the Alberta Securities Commission;
AND UPON hearing counsel for the Petitioner
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
1. Veritas shall convene special meetings of the holders of its issued
and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") and options to purchase
Common Shares (the "Options") (the "Meetings") to consider, and if deemed
advisable, to pass, with or without variation, a resolution (the
<PAGE> 213
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"Arrangement Resolution") to approve a proposed Plan of Arrangement involving
Veritas, its said holders of Common Shares (the "Shareholders") and Options
(the "Optionholders"), and Digicon Inc. (the "Plan of Arrangement"), a true
copy of which Plan of Arrangement in its substantially final form is marked as
Exhibit ____ to the Affidavit of David B. Robson, sworn the _____ day of
_________, 1996.
2. The Meetings shall be called, held and conducted in accordance with
the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (the "ABCA") and the Articles of
Amalgamation and the By-laws of Veritas subject to what may be provided
hereafter.
3. The only persons entitled to notice of the Meetings shall be the
registered Shareholders and the Optionholders as they may appear on the records
of Veritas as at the close of business on the ____ day of ________, 1996, the
directors and auditors of Veritas, the Registrar of Corporations under the ABCA
and the Alberta Securities Commission, and the only persons entitled to be
represented and to vote at the Meetings, either in person or by proxy, shall be
such holders of Common Shares and Options, subject to the provisions of Section
132 of the ABCA.
4. Veritas shall mail the Notice of the Special Meetings of holders of
Common Shares and Options, Notice of Petition, and Joint Management Proxy
Circular (the "Proxy Circular") in substantially the form contained in Exhibit
____ to the Affidavit of David B. Robson, with such amendments thereto as
counsel for Veritas may advise are necessary or desirable, provided that such
amendments are not inconsistent with the terms of this Order, to the holders of
Common Shares and Options, to the directors and auditors of Veritas, the
Registrar of Corporations under the ABCA and to the Alberta Securities
Commission by mailing the same by prepaid ordinary mail to such persons at
least 21 days prior to the date of the Meetings, excluding the date of mailing
and excluding the date of the Meetings. Such mailing shall constitute good and
sufficient service of notice of the Petition, the Meetings and the hearing in
respect of the Petition.
5. The accidental omission to give notice of the Meetings, or the
non-receipt of such notice by one or more of the persons specified in
paragraphs 3 and 7 hereof, shall not invalidate any resolution passed or
proceedings taken at the Meetings.
<PAGE> 214
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6. The majority required to pass the Arrangement Resolution shall be 66
2/3 of the votes cast by each of the Shareholders and Optionholders in respect
of the Arrangement Resolution, present in person or by proxy at each of the
Meetings.
7. The quorum for the holding of the meeting of Optionholders shall be
the presence of such holders, either in person or by duly appointed proxy for
an absent holder, entitled to purchase at least twenty-five percent (25%) of
the aggregate number of Common Shares which could be acquired pursuant to all
the then outstanding Options.
8. The Shareholders and Optionholders shall have the right to dissent
from the Arrangement Resolution in accordance with the provisions of Section
184 of the ABCA, as modified hereby, and to be paid the fair value of their
Common Shares and Options, provided that:
(a) notwithstanding subsection 184(5) of the ABCA, the written
objection to the Arrangement Resolution referred to in
subsection 184(5) of the ABCA which is required to be sent to
Veritas must be received by Veritas, c/o Montreal Trust
Company of Canada at 600, 530 - 8th Avenue S.W., Calgary,
Alberta, T2P 3S8, or the Chairman of the Meetings, before
commencement of the Meetings; and
(b) the holders exercising such right of dissent otherwise comply
with the requirements of Section 184 of the ABCA.
9. Upon approval of the Plan of Arrangement at the Meetings in the manner
set forth in this Order, Veritas may apply before this Court for approval of
the Plan of Arrangement, which application (the "Final Application") shall be
heard by this Honourable Court at the Court House, 611 - 4th Street S.W., in
the City of Calgary, on the ___ day of ________, 1996 at _____ a.m. or so soon
thereafter as counsel may be heard.
10. Any Shareholder or Optionholder and any interested person may appear
on the application for the approval of the Arrangement, provided that such
holder or person shall file with this Court and serve on the solicitors for
Veritas on or before ___________, 1996, a Notice of Intention to Appear setting
out the address for service in respect of such holder or person, and indicating
whether such holder or person intends to support or oppose the application or
make submissions thereat
<PAGE> 215
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together with any evidence or materials which are to be presented to this
Court, such Notice of Appearance to be effected by delivery, at the address set
forth below:
Bennett Jones Verchere
4500 Bankers Hall East
855 - 2nd Street S.W.
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 4K7
Attention: Neil H. Stevenson
11. In the event the Final Application is adjourned, only those persons
who have filed and served a Notice of Appearance shall be served with notice of
the adjourned date.
12. Veritas shall be entitled at any time to seek leave to vary this
Order.
----------------------------------------
J.C.Q.B.A.
ENTERED this _____ day of _________, 1996.
- - - -----------------------------------
Clerk of the Court of Queen's Bench
of Alberta
<PAGE> 216
ACTION NO: ________________, 1996
-------------------------------------
IN THE COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH
OF ALBERTA
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF CALGARY
-------------------------------------
BETWEEN:
IN THE MATTER OF Section 186 of the
Business Corporations Act (Alberta),
being Chapter B-15, of the Statutes of
Alberta, 1981, as amended;
AND IN THE MATTER OF a proposed
Arrangement among Veritas Energy
Services Inc. and its Shareholders and
Optionholders and Digicon Inc.
-------------------------------------
INTERIM ORDER
-------------------------------------
BENNETT JONES VERCHERE
Barristers and Solicitors
4500 Bankers Hall East
855 - 2nd Street S.W.
CALGARY, Alberta
T2P 4K7
Neil H. Stevenson 298-3155
Our File No. 32769-21
<PAGE> 217
ANNEX D
<PAGE> 218
RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
(WITH AMENDMENTS)
OF
DIGICON INC.
Digicon Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of
Delaware (the "Corporation"), hereby certifies as follows:
FIRST: The present name of the Corporation is Digicon Inc.
SECOND: This Restated Certificate of Incorporation (with Amendments) was
duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 245 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
THIRD: Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (with
Amendments) restates and integrates and further amends the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.
FOURTH: The text of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation (with
Amendments) as heretofore amended and supplemented is hereby restated and
further amended to read in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE I
The name of the Corporation is Veritas DGC Inc.
ARTICLE II
The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is
located at 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.
The name and address of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation
Trust Company.
ARTICLE III
The nature of the business and the objects and purposes to be transacted,
promoted or carried on by the Corporation are to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation
Law of Delaware.
ARTICLE IV
Section 1. The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation will have
authority to issue is 41,000,000, of which 40,000,000 will be common shares,
par value $.01 per share, ("Ordinary
1
<PAGE> 219
Shares") and 1,000,000 will be shares of preferred stock, par value $.01
per share ("Preferred Stock").
Section 2. Preferred Stock. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from
time to time in one or more series, each of which is to have a distinctive
designation specified in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of
Directors providing for the issuance of such Preferred Stock from time to time.
Each series of Preferred Stock:
(a) may have such number of shares;
(b) may have such voting powers, full or limited;
(c) may be subject to redemption upon such terms and conditions;
(d) may be entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or
noncumulative) payable in cash, property, rights or securities at such rate or
rates, on such conditions, from such date or dates, and at such times, and
payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any
other class or series of stock;
(e) may have such rights and preferences upon the dissolution or
liquidation (whether voluntary or involuntary) of the Corporation;
(f) may be made convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, or
cash, or other property or rights at such price or prices or at such rates of
exchange, and with such adjustments;
(g) may be entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund to be applied to the
redemption of shares of such series upon such terms and in such amount or
amounts;
(h) may be subject to such restrictions as to issuance or as to the
powers, preferences or rights of any such other series; and
(i) may have such other preferences, privileges and relative rights;
as in such instance is stated in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of
Directors providing for the issuance of such Preferred Stock. Except where
otherwise set forth in such resolution or resolutions, the number of shares
comprising such series may be increased or decreased (but not below the number
of shares then outstanding from time to time) by like action of the Board of
Directors. Shares of any series of Preferred Stock, which have been redeemed
(whether through the operation of a sinking fund or otherwise) by the
Corporation, or which, if convertible or exchangeable, have been converted into
or exchanged for shares of stock of any other class, will have the status of
authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as a part
of the series of which they were originally a part or may be reclassified and
reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock created by resolution or
resolutions of the Board of Directors or as part of any other series of
Preferred Stock, all subject to the conditions or restrictions on
issuance set forth in the
2
<PAGE> 220
resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for
the issuance of any series of Preferred Stock and to any filing required by
law.
Section 3. Ordinary Shares. Ordinary Shares may be issued from time to
time in one or more series. The designations, powers, preferences and
relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereon, of the Ordinary Shares of
each series shall be such as are stated and expressed herein, and to the extent
not stated and expressed herein, shall be such as may be fixed by the Board of
Directors and stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing
for the issuance of such Ordinary Shares from time to time; provided, however,
that:
(a) except as otherwise provided by law or by the resolution or
resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of any series
of Preferred Stock, Ordinary Shares will have the exclusive right to vote for
the election of directors and for all other purposes;
(b) all outstanding Ordinary Shares shall vote together as a single class
on all matters presented to stockholders, with each outstanding share of each
series of Ordinary Shares to have such number of votes as specified herein or
as set forth in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors
authorizing such series; and
(c) no series of Ordinary Shares (except for such series as are herein
designated and except for any increase in the number of shares constituting
such a series) shall be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors
except upon the unanimous approval of all outstanding Ordinary Shares.
Section 4. Special Voting Stock Designated. A series of Ordinary Shares,
consisting of one such share, is hereby designated as "Special Voting Stock."
Each outstanding share of Special Voting Stock shall be entitled at any
relevant date to the number of votes determined in accordance with the "Plan of
Arrangement" (as that term is defined in that certain "Combination Agreement"
dated as of May 10, 1996, by and between Digicon Inc. and Veritas Energy
Services Inc. ("Veritas")) on all matters presented to the stockholders. No
dividend or distribution of assets shall be paid to the holders of Special
Voting Stock. The Special Voting Stock is not convertible into any other class
or series of the capital stock of the Corporation or into cash, property or
other rights, and may not be redeemed. Any shares of Special Voting Stock
purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall be deemed retired and
shall be canceled and may not thereafter be reissued or otherwise disposed of
by the Corporation. So long as any "Exchangeable Shares" (as that term is
defined in the Combination Agreement) shall be outstanding, the number of
shares comprising the Special Voting Stock shall not be increased or decreased
and no other term of the Special Voting Stock shall be amended, except upon the
unanimous approval of all outstanding Ordinary Shares.
Section 5. Common Stock Designated. All Ordinary Shares not otherwise
designated as to series herein or in a resolution of the Board of Directors
creating another series of Ordinary Shares, is designated as "Common Stock."
Such resulting number of shares may be decreased by resolution of the
Board of Directors and without stockholder action; provided, however, that no
decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Common Stock to a number less
than the number of
3
<PAGE> 221
shares then outstanding plus the number of shares reserved for issuance upon
the exercise of outstanding options, rights and/or warrants, the conversion
of any outstanding convertible securities and/or the exchange of any
outstanding exchangeable securities which are directly or indirectly
exercisable for, convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock. Each
outstanding share of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote on all matters
presented to the stockholders. Subject to the rights and preferences of any
Preferred Stock which may be designated and issued, the holders of Common Stock
are entitled (i) to receive such dividends as may be declared thereon from time
to time by the Board of Directors in its discretion, out of any assets of the
Corporation at the time legally available for the payment of dividends and (ii)
in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the
Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in the event of its
insolvency, to receive any net assets of the Corporation remaining after the
holders of any other classes or series of the Corporation's capital stock which
by their respective terms are senior to the Common Stock as to dividends and
distributions of assets have been paid in full the amounts to which they
respectively are entitled or a sum sufficient for such payment in full has been
set aside.
Section 6. No holder of securities of the Corporation shall have any
preemptive right to acquire any shares or securities of any kind, whether now
or hereafter authorized, which may at any time be issued, sold or offered for
sale by the Corporation.
ARTICLE V
The existence of the Corporation is to be perpetual.
ARTICLE VI
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute,
the Board of Directors is expressly authorized:
(a) to authorize and cause to be executed mortgages and liens upon the
real and personal property of the Corporation;
(b) to set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation available for
dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and to abolish any such
reserve in the manner in which it was created; and
(c) when and as authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the stock issued and outstanding having voting power given at a
stockholders' meeting duly called upon such notice as is required by statute to
sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of the property and assets of
the Corporation, including its goodwill and its corporate franchises, upon such
terms and conditions and for such consideration, which may consist in whole or
in part of money or property including securities of any other corporation or
corporations, as the Board of Directors shall deem expedient and for the best
interests of the Corporation.
4
<PAGE> 222
ARTICLE VII
Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of
Delaware, at such date and time as is requested by the person or persons
calling the meeting, within the limits fixed by law. Special meetings of
stockholders of the Corporation for any purpose or purposes may only be called
by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, by the Chairman of the Board or
the President of the Corporation. Special meetings may not be called by any
other person or persons. The books of the Corporation may be kept (subject to
any provision contained in the statutes) outside the State of Delaware at such
place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of
Directors or in the Bylaws of the Corporation. Elections of directors need not
be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.
ARTICLE VIII
The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any
provision contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation (with
Amendments), in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all
rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject to this
reservation.
ARTICLE IX
The number of directors of the Corporation shall be not less than three
nor more than ten, the exact number to be fixed by the Board of Directors as
provided in the Bylaws. Any vacancy created by an increase in the number of
directors in accordance with the Bylaws may only be filled by the Board of
Directors. A director of the Corporation may only be removed by a majority
vote of the stockholders entitled to elect such director.
ARTICLE X
No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director; provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not
apply to any liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty
of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions
not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit.
If the Delaware General Corporation Law hereafter is amended to authorize
the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the
liability of a director of the Corporation, in addition to the limitation on
personal liability provided herein, shall be limited to the fullest extent
permitted by the amended Delaware General Corporation Law. Any repeal or
modification of this paragraph by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be
prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal
liability of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal
or modification.
5
<PAGE> 223
The Corporation shall indemnify its officers and directors to the fullest
extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as the same may be in
effect from time to time.
ARTICLE XI
The Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law.
ARTICLE XII
Notwithstanding any other provisions herein to the contrary, so long as
any Exchangeable Shares are outstanding, the Corporation shall (i) fully comply
with all terms of the Exchangeable Shares and with all contractual obligations
of the Corporation associated with such Exchangeable Shares and (ii) not amend,
alter, change or repeal this Article XII except upon the unanimous approval of
all outstanding Ordinary Shares.
6
<PAGE> 224
ANNEX E
<PAGE> 225
PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
UNDER SECTION 186
OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT (ALBERTA)
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 DEFINITIONS. In this Plan of Arrangement unless there is something in the
subject matter or context inconsistent therewith, the following terms shall
have the respective meanings set out below and grammatical variations of such
terms shall have corresponding meanings:
"ABCA" means the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), as amended;
"Arrangement" means the arrangement under section 186 of the ABCA on the terms
and subject to the conditions set out in this Plan of Arrangement, subject to
any amendments thereto made in accordance with Section 6.1 hereof or made at
the direction of the Court in the Final Order;
"Arrangement Resolution" means the special resolution(s) passed by the holders
of the Veritas Common Shares and by the Optionholders at the Meetings;
"ASE" means the American Stock Exchange;
"Automatic Redemption Date" has the meaning attributed thereto in the
Exchangeable Share Provisions;
"Average Closing Price" means the average closing price (computed and rounded
to the third decimal point) of shares of Digicon Common Stock on the ASE
during the 10 trading days ending on the last trading day prior to the
Effective Date;
"Business Day" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable Share
Provisions;
"Class A Preferred Share" means the one authorized Class A Preferred Share of
Veritas having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set out in
Appendix A annexed hereto;
"Combination Agreement" means the agreement by and among Digicon and Veritas,
dated as of May 10, 1996, as the same may be amended and restated, providing
for, among other things, the Arrangement;
"Court" means the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta;
"Depositary" means The R-M Trust Company at its principal office in Calgary,
Alberta;
"Digicon" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable Share
Provisions;
"Digicon Common Stock" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable
Share Provisions;
"Dissent Procedures" has the meaning set out in Section 3.1;
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<PAGE> 226
"Effective Date" means the date shown on the certificate of arrangement issued
by the Registrar under the ABCA giving effect to the Arrangement;
"Effective Time" means 12:01 a.m. on the Effective Date;
"Exchange Ratio" is equal to 0.8 Exchangeable Shares for each Veritas Common
Share;
"Exchangeable Share Consideration" shall have the meaning attributed thereto in
the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
"Exchangeable Share Price" shall have the meaning attributed thereto in the
Exchangeable Share Provisions;
"Exchangeable Share Provisions" means the rights, privileges, restrictions and
conditions attaching to the Exchangeable Shares, which are set forth in
Appendix A hereto;
"Exchangeable Shares" means the Exchangeable Shares in the capital of Veritas;
"Final Order" means the final order of the Court approving the Arrangement as
such order may be amended by the Court at any time prior to the Effective
Time;
"Liquidation Call Right" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 5.1;
"Liquidation Date" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable
Share Provisions;
"Meetings" means the special meetings of the shareholders of Veritas and of the
Optionholders to be held to consider the Arrangement;
"Options" means the various outstanding option agreements held by directors,
officers and employees of Veritas to purchase Veritas Common Shares granted
pursuant to Veritas' stock option plan;
"Optionholders" means holders of Options;
"Proxy Statement" means the Joint Management Information Circular and Proxy
Statement of Veritas and Digicon dated ____________, 1996;
"Redemption Call Purchase Price" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section
5.2;
"Redemption Call Right" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 5.2;
"Subsidiary" shall have the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable
Share Provisions;
"Veritas" means Veritas Energy Services Inc., a corporation existing under the
ABCA; and
"Veritas Common Shares" means the common shares in the capital of Veritas.
1.2 SECTIONS AND HEADINGS. The division of this Plan of Arrangement into
sections and the insertion of headings are for reference purposes only and
shall not affect the interpretation of this
-2-
<PAGE> 227
Plan of Arrangement. Unless otherwise indicated, any reference in this Plan
of Arrangement to a section or an Appendix refers to the specified section of
or Appendix to this Plan of Arrangement.
1.3 NUMBER, GENDER AND PERSONS. In this Plan of Arrangement, unless the
context otherwise requires, words importing the singular number include the
plural and vice versa, words importing any gender include all genders and words
importing persons include individuals, corporations, partnerships,
associations, trusts, unincorporated organizations, governmental bodies and
other legal or business entities of any kind.
ARTICLE 2
ARRANGEMENT
2.1 ARRANGEMENT. At the Effective Time on the Effective Date, the following
reorganization of capital and other transactions shall occur and shall be
deemed to occur in the following order without any further act or formality:
(a) The Articles of Amalgamation of Veritas shall be amended
to (i) delete the First Preferred Shares and Second Preferred
Shares from the authorized share capital and (ii) authorize an
unlimited number of Exchangeable Shares and one Class A Preferred
Share.
(b) Veritas shall issue to Digicon one Class A Preferred Share
in consideration of the issuance to Veritas of one share of
Digicon Common Stock. The stated capital of the Class A Preferred
Share shall be equal to the fair market value, as determined by
the board of directors of Veritas, of a share of Digicon Common
Stock. No certificate shall be issued in respect of the Class A
Preferred Share.
(c) Each Veritas Common Share (other than Veritas Common
Shares held by holders who have exercised their rights of dissent
in accordance with Section 3.1 hereof and who are ultimately
entitled to be paid the fair value for such shares and other than
Veritas Common Shares held by Digicon or any Subsidiary thereof)
will be exchanged at the Exchange Ratio for a number of
Exchangeable Shares, and each such holder thereof will receive that
whole number of Exchangeable Shares resulting from the exchange of
all such holder's Veritas Common Shares for Exchangeable Shares.
In lieu of fractional Exchangeable Shares, each holder of a
Veritas Common Share who otherwise would be entitled to receive a
fraction of an Exchangeable Share on the exchange of all such
holder's Veritas Common Shares shall be paid by Veritas an amount
determined as set forth in Section 4.3 hereto.
(d) Upon the exchange referred to in subsection (c) above, each such
holder of a Veritas Common Share shall cease to be such
a holder, shall have his name removed from the register of holders
of Veritas Common Shares and shall become a holder of the number
of fully paid Exchangeable Shares to which he is entitled as a
result of the exchange referred to in subsection (c) and such
holder's name shall be added to the register of holders of
Exchangeable Shares accordingly.
(e) The aggregate stated capital of the Exchangeable Shares
will be equal to the aggregate stated capital of the Veritas
Common Shares immediately prior to the Arrangement that are
exchanged pursuant to such Subsection 2.1(c) above, thereby
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excluding the stated capital attributable to the fractional shares
paid in cash as contemplated in Section 2.1(c).
(f) The Articles of Amalgamation of Veritas shall be amended
to reduce the number of authorized Veritas Common Shares to one and
the following restriction will be added to the rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions attaching to the Veritas Common Shares:
"RESTRICTION
So long as any of the Exchangeable Shares of the
Corporation are outstanding, the Corporation shall not
at any time without, but may at any time with, the
approval of the board of directors of the holder of
the common shares issue any further Exchangeable
Shares of the Corporation, except as specifically
required in accordance with the rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions attaching to the
Exchangeable Shares of the Corporation."
(g) The one outstanding Class A Preferred Share will be
exchanged for one Veritas Common Share and the holder thereof
shall cease to be a holder of the Class A Preferred Share, shall
have its name removed from the register of holders of Class A
Preferred Shares and shall become a holder of one fully paid and
non-assessable Veritas Common Share to which it is entitled as a
result of the exchange referred to in this subsection (g) and such
holder's name shall be added to the register as holder of the
Veritas Common Share accordingly.
(h) The stated capital of the one Veritas Common Share shall
be equal to the stated capital of the one Class A Preferred Share
immediately prior to the exchange of such Class A Preferred Share
pursuant to subsection (g).
(i) The Articles of Amalgamation of Veritas shall be amended
to delete the Class A Preferred Share from the authorized share
capital.
(j) Each of the then outstanding Options will without any
further action on the part of any Optionholder, be exchanged for an
option to purchase that number of shares of Digicon Common Stock
determined by multiplying the number of Veritas Common Shares
subject to such Option at the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio,
at an exercise price per share of Digicon Common Stock equal to the
exercise price per share of such Option immediately prior to the
Effective Time, divided by the Exchange Ratio. On the Effective
Date, such option price shall be converted into a United States
dollar equivalent based on the noon spot rate of exchange of the
Bank of Canada on such date. If the foregoing calculation results
in an exchanged Option being exercisable for a fraction of a share
of Digicon Common Stock, then the number of shares of Digicon
Common Stock subject to such Option will be rounded down to the
nearest whole number of shares, and the total exercise price for
the Option will be reduced by the exercise price of the fractional
share. The term, exercisability, vesting schedule, and all other
terms and conditions of the Options will otherwise be unchanged by
the provisions of this paragraph (j) and shall operate in
accordance with their terms.
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ARTICLE 3
RIGHTS OF DISSENT
3.1 RIGHTS OF DISSENT. Holders of Veritas Common Shares or Options may
exercise rights of dissent with respect to such shares or options pursuant to
and in the manner set forth in section 184 of the ABCA and this Section 3.1
(the "Dissent Procedures") in connection with the Arrangement and holders who
duly exercise such rights of dissent and who:
(a) are ultimately entitled to be paid the fair value for
their Veritas Common Shares or Options shall be deemed to have
transferred such Veritas Common Shares or Options to Veritas for
cancellation on the Effective Date; or
(b) are ultimately not entitled, for any reason, to be paid
the fair value for their Veritas Common Shares or Options shall be
deemed to have participated in the Arrangement on the same basis
as any non-dissenting holder of Veritas Common Shares or Options,
but in no case shall Veritas be required to recognize such holders as holders
of Veritas Common Shares or Options on and after the Effective Date, and the
names of such holders of Veritas Common Shares or Options shall be deleted from
the register of holders of Veritas Common Shares or Options on the Effective
Date.
ARTICLE 4
CERTIFICATES AND FRACTIONAL SHARES
4.1 ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING EXCHANGEABLE SHARES. At or promptly
after the Effective Time, Veritas shall deposit with the Depositary, for the
benefit of the holders of Veritas Common Shares exchanged pursuant to
subsection 2.1(c), certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares issued
pursuant to subsection 2.1(c) upon the exchange of outstanding Veritas Common
Shares. Upon surrender to the Depositary for cancellation of a certificate
which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Veritas
Common Shares that were exchanged for Exchangeable Shares, together with such
other documents and instruments as would have been required to effect the
transfer of the shares formerly represented by such certificate under the ABCA
and the by-laws of Veritas and such additional documents and instruments as the
Depositary may reasonably require, the holder of such surrendered certificate
shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and the Depositary shall
deliver to such holder, a certificate representing that number (rounded down to
the nearest whole number) of Exchangeable Shares which such holder has the
right to receive (together with any dividends or distributions with respect
thereto pursuant to Section 4.2 and any cash in lieu of fractional Exchangeable
Shares pursuant to Section 4.3), and the certificate so surrendered shall
forthwith be cancelled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of Veritas
Common Shares which is not registered in the transfer records of Veritas, a
certificate representing the proper number of Exchangeable Shares may be issued
to a transferee if the certificate representing such Veritas Common Shares is
presented to the Depositary, accompanied by all documents required to evidence
and effect such transfer. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section
4.1, each certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
outstanding Veritas Common Shares that were exchanged for Exchangeable Shares
shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the
right to receive upon such surrender (a) the certificate representing
Exchangeable Shares as contemplated by this Section 4.1, (b) a cash payment in
lieu of
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any fractional Exchangeable Shares as contemplated by Section 4.3 and (c) any
dividends or distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
theretofore paid or payable with respect to Exchangeable Shares as contemplated
by Section 4.2.
4.2 DISTRIBUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO UNSURRENDERED CERTIFICATES. No dividends or
other distributions declared or made after the Effective Time with respect to
Exchangeable Shares with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid
to the holder of any unsurrendered certificate which, immediately prior to the
Effective Time, represented outstanding Veritas Common Shares that were
exchanged pursuant to Section 2.1, and no cash payment in lieu of fractional
shares shall be paid to any such holder pursuant to Section 4.3, (and no
interest will be earned or payable on these proceeds) unless and until such
certificate shall be surrendered in accordance with Section 4.1. Subject to
applicable law and to Section 4.5, at the time of such surrender of any such
certificate (or, in the case of clause (c) below, at the appropriate payment
date), there shall be paid to the record holder of the certificates
representing whole Exchangeable Shares without interest, (a) the amount of any
cash payable in lieu of a fractional Exchangeable Share to which such holder is
entitled pursuant to Section 4.3, (b) the amount of dividends or other
distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with
respect to such whole Exchangeable Share, and (c) the amount of dividends or
other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but prior to
surrender and a payment date subsequent to surrender payable with respect to
such whole Exchangeable Share.
4.3 NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No certificates or scrip representing fractional
Exchangeable Shares shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of
certificates pursuant to Section 4.1 and no dividend, stock split or other
change in the capital structure of Veritas shall relate to any such fractional
security and such fractional interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to
vote or to exercise any rights as a security holder of Veritas. In lieu of any
such fractional securities, each person entitled to a fractional interest in an
Exchangeable Share will receive an amount of cash (rounded to the nearest whole
cent), without interest, equal to the the product of (a) such fraction,
multiplied by (b) the Average Closing Price of the Digicon Common Stock, such
amount to be provided to the Depositary by Veritas upon request.
4.4 LOST CERTIFICATES. If any certificate which immediately prior to the
Effective Time represented outstanding Veritas Common Shares that were
exchanged pursuant to Section 2.1 has been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the
making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such certificate to
be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Depositary will issue in exchange for such
lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, certificates representing Exchangeable
Shares (and any dividends or distributions with respect thereto and any cash
pursuant to Section 4.3) deliverable in respect thereof as determined in
accordance with Section 2.1. When authorizing such payment in exchange for any
lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, the person to whom certificates
representing Exchangeable Shares are to be issued shall, as a condition
precedent to the issuance thereof, give a bond satisfactory to Veritas, Digicon
and Veritas' transfer agent (the "Transfer Agent"), as the case may be, in such
sum as Veritas may direct or otherwise indemnify Veritas or Digicon in a manner
satisfactory to Veritas and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be
made against Veritas, Digicon or the Transfer Agent with respect to the
certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
4.5 EXTINGUISHMENT OF RIGHTS. Any certificate which immediately prior to the
Effective Time represented outstanding Veritas Common Shares that were
exchanged pursuant to Section 2.1 and has not been deposited, with all other
instruments required by Section 4.1, on or prior to the tenth anniversary of
the Effective Date shall cease to represent a claim or interest of any kind or
nature as
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a shareholder of Veritas. On such date, the Exchangeable Shares to which the
former registered holder of the certificate referred to in the preceding
sentence was ultimately entitled shall be deemed to have been surrendered to
Veritas together with all entitlements to dividends, distributions and
interests thereon held for such former registered holder for no consideration.
ARTICLE 5
CERTAIN RIGHTS OF DIGICON TO ACQUIRE
EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
5.1 DIGICON LIQUIDATION CALL RIGHT.
(a) Digicon shall have the overriding right (the "Liquidation
Call Right"), in the event of and notwithstanding the proposed
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Veritas pursuant to
Article 5 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, to purchase from
all but not less than all of the holders (other than Digicon and
any Subsidiary thereof) of Exchangeable Shares on the Liquidation
Date all but not less than all of the Exchangeable Shares held by
each such holder on payment by Digicon to the holder of the
Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior
to the Liquidation Date (the "Liquidation Call Purchase Price").
In the event of the exercise of the Liquidation Call Right by
Digicon, each holder shall be obligated to sell all the
Exchangeable Shares held by the holder to Digicon on the
Liquidation Date on payment by Digicon to the holder of the
Liquidation Call Purchase Price for each such share.
(b) To exercise the Liquidation Call Right, Digicon must
notify Veritas's Transfer Agent in writing, as agent for the
holders of Exchangeable Shares, and Veritas of Digicon's intention
to exercise such right at least 55 days before the Liquidation Date
in the case of a voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up
of Veritas and at least five Business Days before the Liquidation
Date in the case of an involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of Veritas. The Transfer Agent will notify the holders
of Exchangeable Shares as to whether or not Digicon has exercised
the Liquidation Call Right forthwith after the expiry of the date
by which the same may be exercised by Digicon. If Digicon
exercises the Liquidation Call Right, on the Liquidation Date
Digicon will purchase and the holders will sell all of the
Exchangeable Shares then outstanding for a price per share equal to
the Liquidation Call Purchase Price.
(c) For the purposes of completing the purchase of the Exchangeable
Shares pursuant to the Liquidation Call Right, Digicon shall
deposit with the Transfer Agent, on or before the Liquidation Date,
the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total
Liquidation Call Purchase Price. Provided that such Exchangeable
Share Consideration has been so deposited with the Transfer Agent,
on and after the Liquidation Date the rights of each holder of
Exchangeable Shares will be limited to receiving such holder's
proportionate part of the total Liquidation Call Purchase Price
payable by Digicon without interest upon presentation and surrender
by the holder of certificates representing the Exchangeable Shares
held by such holder and the holder shall on and after the
Liquidation Date be considered and deemed for all purposes to be
the holder of the Digicon Common Stock delivered to it. Upon
surrender to the Transfer Agent of a certificate or certificates
representing Exchangeable Shares, together with such other
documents and instruments as may be required to effect a
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transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the ABCA and the by-laws
of Veritas and such additional documents and instruments as the
Transfer Agent may reasonably require, the holder of such
surrendered certificate or certificates shall be entitled to
receive in exchange therefor, and the Transfer Agent on behalf of
Digicon shall deliver to such holder, the Exchangeable Share
Consideration to which the holder is entitled. If Digicon does not
exercise the Liquidation Call Right in the manner described above,
on the Liquidation Date the holders of the Exchangeable Shares will
be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the liquidation price
otherwise payable by Veritas in connection with the liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of Veritas pursuant to Article 5 of the
Exchangeable Share Provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, until
such Exchangeable Share Consideration is delivered to the
holder, the holder shall be deemed to still be a holder of
Exchangeable Shares for purposes of all voting rights with respect
thereto under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement.
5.2 DIGICON REDEMPTION CALL RIGHT.
(a) Digicon shall have the overriding right (the "Redemption
Call Right"), notwithstanding the proposed redemption of the
Exchangeable Shares by Veritas pursuant to Article 7 of the
Exchangeable Share Provisions, to purchase from all but not less
than all of the holders (other than Digicon or any Subsidiary
thereof) of Exchangeable Shares on the Automatic Redemption Date
all but not less than all of the Exchangeable Shares held by each
such holder on payment by Digicon to the holder of the
Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior
to the Automatic Redemption Date (the "Redemption Call Purchase
Price"). In the event of the exercise of the Redemption Call Right
by Digicon, each holder shall be obligated to sell all the
Exchangeable Shares held by the holder to Digicon on the Automatic
Redemption Date on payment by Digicon to the holder of the
Redemption Call Purchase Price for each such share.
(b) To exercise the Redemption Call Right, Digicon must notify
the Transfer Agent in writing, as agent for the holders of
Exchangeable Shares, and Veritas of Digicon's intention to exercise
such right at least 125 days before the Automatic Redemption Date.
The Transfer Agent will notify the holders of the Exchangeable
Shares as to whether or not Digicon has exercised the Redemption
Call Right forthwith after the date by which the same may be
exercised by Digicon. If Digicon exercises the Redemption Call
Right, on the Automatic Redemption Date Digicon will purchase and
the holders will sell all of the Exchangeable Shares then
outstanding for a price per share equal to the Redemption Call
Purchase Price.
(c) For the purposes of completing the purchase of the Exchangeable
Shares pursuant to the Redemption Call Right, Digicon shall
deposit with the Transfer Agent, on or before the Automatic
Redemption Date, the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing
the total Redemption Call Purchase Price. Provided that such
Exchangeable Share Consideration has been so deposited with the
Transfer Agent, on and after the Automatic Redemption Date the
rights of each holder of Exchangeable Shares will be limited to
receiving such holder's proportionate part of the total Redemption
Call Purchase Price payable by Digicon upon presentation and
surrender by the holder of certificates representing the
Exchangeable Shares held by such holder and the holder shall on and
after the Automatic Redemption Date be considered and
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deemed for all purposes to be the holder of the Digicon Common
Stock delivered to such holder. Upon surrender to the Transfer
Agent of a certificate or certificates representing Exchangeable
Shares, together with such other documents and instruments as may
be required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under
the ABCA and the by-laws of Veritas and such additional documents
and instruments as the Transfer Agent may reasonably require, the
holder of such surrendered certificate or certificates shall be
entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and the Transfer Agent on
behalf of Digicon shall deliver to such holder, the Exchangeable
Share Consideration to which the holder is entitled. If Digicon
does not exercise the Redemption Call Right in the manner described
above, on the Automatic Redemption Date the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares will be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor the redemption price otherwise payable by Veritas in
connection with the redemption of the Exchangeable Shares pursuant
to Article 7 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, until such Exchangeable Share Consideration is
delivered to the holder, the holder shall be deemed to still be a
holder of Exchangeable Shares for purposes of all voting rights
with respect thereto under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE 6
AMENDMENT
6.1 PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT AMENDMENT. Veritas reserves the right to amend, modify
and/or supplement this Plan of Arrangement at any time and from time to time
provided that any such amendment, modification, or supplement must be contained
in a written document that is (a) agreed to by Digicon, (b) filed with the
Court and, if made following the Meetings, approved by the Court and (c)
communicated to holders of Veritas Common Shares and Options in the manner
required by the Court (if so required).
Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement may
be proposed by Veritas at any time prior to or at the Meetings (provided that
Digicon shall have consented thereto) with or without any other prior notice or
communication, and if so proposed and accepted by the persons voting at the
Meetings (other than as may be required under the Court's interim order), shall
become part of this Plan of Arrangement for all purposes.
Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement that
is approved by the Court following the Meetings shall be effective only (a) if
it is consented to by Veritas, (b) if it is consented to by Digicon and (c) if
required by the Court or applicable law, it is consented to by the holders of
the Exchangeable Shares and Options.
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APPENDIX A TO PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
OF VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
PROVISIONS ATTACHING TO THE CLASS A PREFERRED SHARE
The Class A Preferred Share in the capital of the Corporation shall have
attached thereto the following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions:
DIVIDENDS
Subject to the prior rights of the holders of any shares ranking senior to
the Class A Preferred Share with respect to priority in the payment of
dividends, the holder of Class A Preferred Share shall be entitled to receive
dividends and the Corporation shall pay dividends thereon, as and when declared
by the board of directors of the Corporation as cumulative dividends in the
amount of $1.00 per share per annum payable annually on October 31 in each year
in arrears. Such dividends shall accrue from the date of issue to and
including the date to which the computation of dividends is to be made. A
cheque for the amount of the dividend less any required deduction shall be
mailed by first class mail to the address of the registered holder thereof.
DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the
Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of
assets of the Corporation among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up
its affairs, subject to the prior rights of the holders of any shares ranking
senior to the Class A Preferred Share with respect to priority in the
distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, the holder
of the Class A Preferred Share shall be entitled to receive the stated capital
in respect of the Class A Preferred Share and dividends remaining unpaid,
including all cumulative dividends, whether or not declared. After payment to
the holder of the Class A Preferred Share of such amounts, such holder shall
not be entitled to share in any further distribution of the assets of the
Corporation.
VOTING RIGHTS
Except where specifically provided by the Business Corporations Act
(Alberta), the holder of the Class A Preferred Share shall not be entitled to
receive notice of or to attend meetings of the shareholders of the Corporation
and shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders of the
Corporation.
PROVISIONS ATTACHING TO EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
The Exchangeable Shares in the capital of the Corporation shall have the
following rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions.
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ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
For the purposes of these share provisions:
1.1 "Aggregate Equivalent Vote Amount" means, with respect to any matter,
proposition or question on which holders of Digicon Common Stock are entitled
to vote, consent or otherwise act, the product of (i) the number of shares of
Exchangeable Shares issued and outstanding and held by holders thereof (other
than Digicon and its Subsidiaries) multiplied by (ii) the number of votes to
which a holder of one share of Digicon Common Stock is entitled with respect to
such matter, proposition or question.
"Automatic Redemption Date" means the date for the automatic redemption by
the Corporation of Exchangeable Shares pursuant to Article 7 of these share
provisions, which date shall be ___________, 2014 unless (a) such date shall be
extended at any time or from time to time to a specified later date by the
Board of Directors but not later than ________, 2021 or (b) such date shall be
accelerated at any time to a specified earlier date by the Board of Directors
if at such time there are less than 250,000 Exchangeable Shares outstanding
(other than Exchangeable Shares held by Digicon and its Subsidiaries) and as
such number of shares may be adjusted as deemed appropriate by the Board of
Directors to give effect to any subdivision or consolidation of or stock
dividend on the Exchangeable Shares, any issuance or distribution of rights to
acquire Exchangeable Shares or securities exchangeable for or convertible into
Exchangeable Shares, any issue or distribution of other securities or rights or
evidences of indebtedness or assets, or any other capital reorganization or
other transaction affecting the Exchangeable Shares), in each case upon at
least 60 days' prior written notice of any such extension or acceleration, as
the case may be, to the registered holders of the Exchangeable Shares, in which
case the Automatic Redemption Date shall be such later or earlier date;
provided, however, that the accidental failure or omission to give any such
notice of extension or acceleration, as the case may be, to less than 10% of
such holders of Exchangeable Shares shall not affect the validity of such
extension or acceleration.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day when
banks are not open for business in either or both of Houston, Texas and
Calgary, Alberta.
"Class A Preferred Share" means the Class A Preferred Share in the capital
of the Corporation.
"Common Shares" means the common shares in the capital of the Corporation.
"Corporation" means Veritas Energy Services Inc., a corporation
incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta.
"Current Market Price" means, in respect of a share of Digicon Common
Stock on any date, the average of the closing bid and asked prices of Digicon
Common Stock during a period of 20 consecutive trading days ending not more
than five trading days before such date on the American Stock Exchange, or, if
the Digicon Common Stock is not then traded on the American Stock Exchange, on
such other principal U.S. stock exchange or automated quotation system on which
the Digicon Common Stock is listed or quoted, as the case may be, as may be
selected by the Board of
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Directors for such purpose; provided, however, that if in the opinion of the
Board of Directors the public distribution or trading activity of Digicon
Common Stock during such period does not create a market which reflects the
fair market value of a share of Digicon Common Stock, then the Current Market
Price of a share of Digicon Common Stock shall be determined by the Board of
Directors based upon the advice of such qualified independent financial
advisors as the Board of Directors may deem to be appropriate, and provided
further that any such selection, opinion or determination by the Board of
Directors shall be conclusive and binding.
"Digicon" means Digicon Inc., a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the State of Delaware, and any successor corporation.
"Digicon Call Notice" has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.3 of
these share provisions.
"Digicon Common Stock" mean the shares of common stock of Digicon, with a
par value of U.S. $0.01 per share, having voting rights of one vote per share,
and any other securities into which such shares may be changed.
"Digicon Dividend Declaration Date" means the date on which the board of
directors of Digicon declares any dividend on the Digicon Common Stock.
"Digicon Special Share" means the one share of Special Voting Stock of
Digicon with a par value of U.S. $0.01 and having voting rights at meetings of
holders of Digicon Common Stock equal to the Aggregate Equivalent Voting
Amount.
"Exchangeable Share Consideration" means, for any acquisition of
Exchangeable Shares pursuant to these share provisions, the Plan of
Arrangement, the Support Agreement or the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement:
(a) certificates representing the aggregate number of shares of
Digicon Common Stock deliverable in connection with such
acquisition;
(b) a cheque or cheques payable at par at any branch of the
bankers of the payor in the amount of declared and unpaid cash
dividends deliverable in connection with such acquisition; and
(c) such stock or property constituting any declared and unpaid
non-cash dividends deliverable in connection with such acquisition.
provided that any such stock or property shall be duly issued as fully paid and
non-assessable, in the case of stock, and free and clear of any lien, claim and
encumbrance, security interest or adverse claim and provided further that such
consideration shall be paid less any tax required to be deducted and withheld
therefrom and without interest.
"Exchangeable Share Price" means, for each Exchangeable Share:
(a) the Current Market Price of a share of Digicon Common
Stock, which shall be satisfied in full by causing to be delivered
one share of Digicon Common Stock; plus
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(b) an additional amount equal to the full amount of all cash
dividends declared and unpaid on such Exchangeable Share; plus
(c) the stock or other non-cash assets, if any, representing
non-cash dividends declared and unpaid on such Exchangeable Share.
"Exchangeable Shares" mean the Exchangeable Shares of the Corporation
having the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions set forth herein.
"Liquidation Amount" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 5.1 of
these share provisions.
"Liquidation Call Right" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Plan of
Arrangement.
"Liquidation Date" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 5.1 of
these share provisions.
"Plan of Arrangement" means the plan of arrangement relating to the
arrangement of the Corporation under section 186 of the Business Corporations
Act (Alberta), to which plan these share provisions are attached.
"Purchase Price" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 6.3 of
these share provisions.
"Redemption Call Purchase Price" has the meaning attributed thereto in the
Plan of Arrangement.
"Redemption Call Right" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Plan of
Arrangement.
"Redemption Price" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 7.1 of
these share provisions.
"Retracted Shares" has the meaning attributed thereto in Subsection 6.1(i)
of these share provisions.
"Retraction Call Right" has the meaning attributed thereto in Subsection
6.1(iii) of these share provisions.
"Retraction Date" has the meaning attributed thereto in Subsection 6.1(ii)
of these share provisions.
"Retraction Price" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 6.1 of
these share provisions.
"Retraction Request" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 6.1 of
these share provisions.
"Subsidiary" of any person means each partnership, joint venture,
corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the
total voting power of shares of stock or units of ownership or beneficial
interest entitled to vote in the election of directors (or members of a
comparable governing body) which is owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by such person.
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"Support Agreement" means the Support Agreement between Digicon and the
Corporation, made as of _________, 1996.
"Transfer Agent" means The R-M Trust Company or such other person as may
from time to time be the registrar and transfer agent for the Exchangeable
Shares.
"Trustee" means The R-M Trust Company and any successor trustee appointed
under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement.
"Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement" means the Voting and Exchange Trust
Agreement between the Corporation, Digicon and the Trustee, made as of _______,
1996.
ARTICLE 2
RANKING OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
2.1 The Exchangeable Shares shall rank junior to the Class A Preferred Share,
and shall be entitled to a preference over the Common Shares and any other
shares ranking junior to the Exchangeable Shares, with respect to the payment
of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of the liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary,
or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among its
shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs.
ARTICLE 3
DIVIDENDS
3.1 A holder of an Exchangeable Share shall be entitled to receive and the
Board of Directors shall, subject to applicable law, on each Digicon Dividend
Declaration Date, declare a dividend on each Exchangeable Share (a) in the case
of a cash dividend declared on the Digicon Common Stock, in an amount in cash
for each Exchangeable Share equal to the cash dividend declared on each share
of Digicon Common Stock or (b) in the case of a stock dividend declared on the
Digicon Common Stock to be paid in Digicon Common Stock, in such number of
Exchangeable Shares for each Exchangeable Share as is equal to the number of
shares of Digicon Common Stock to be paid on each share of Digicon Common Stock
or (c) in the case of a dividend declared on the Digicon Common Stock in
property other than cash or Digicon Common Stock, in such type and amount of
property for each Exchangeable Share as is the same as the type and amount of
property declared as a dividend on each share of Digicon Common Stock. Such
dividends shall be paid out of money, assets or property of the Corporation
properly applicable to the payment of dividends, or out of authorized but
unissued shares of the Corporation.
3.2 Cheques of the Corporation payable at par at any branch of the bankers of
the Corporation shall be issued in respect of any cash dividends contemplated
by Subsection 3.1(a) hereof and the sending of such a cheque to each holder of
an Exchangeable Share (less any tax required to be deducted and withheld from
such dividends paid or credited by the Corporation) shall satisfy the cash
dividend represented thereby unless the cheque is not paid on presentation.
Certificates registered in the name of the registered holder of Exchangeable
Shares shall be issued or transferred in respect of any stock dividends
contemplated by Subsection 3.1(b) hereof and the sending of such a certificate
to each holder of an Exchangeable Share shall satisfy the stock dividend
represented thereby. Such other type and amount of property in respect of any
dividends contemplated by Subsection 3.1(c) hereof shall be issued, distributed
or transferred by the Corporation in such manner as it shall
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determine and the issuance, distribution or transfer thereof by the Corporation
to each holder of an Exchangeable Share shall satisfy the dividend
represented thereby (subject to any adjustment for the tax required to be
deducted and withheld from such dividends paid or credited by the Corporation).
No holder of an Exchangeable Share shall be entitled to recover by action or
other legal process against the Corporation any dividend that is represented by
a cheque that has not been duly presented to the Corporation's bankers for
payment or that otherwise remains unclaimed for a period of six years from the
date on which such dividend was payable.
3.3 The record date for the determination of the holders of Exchangeable Shares
entitled to receive payment of, and the payment date for, any dividend declared
on the Exchangeable Shares under Section 3.1 hereof shall be the same dates as
the record date and payment date, respectively, for the corresponding dividend
declared on the Digicon Common Stock.
3.4 If on any payment date for any dividends declared on the Exchangeable
Shares under Section 3.1 hereof the dividends are not paid in full on all of
the Exchangeable Shares then outstanding, any such dividends that remain unpaid
shall be paid on a subsequent date or dates determined by the Board of
Directors on which the Corporation shall have sufficient moneys, assets or
property properly applicable to the payment of such dividends (subject to any
adjustment for the tax required to be deducted and withheld from such dividends
paid or credited by the Corporation).
3.5 Except as provided in this Article 3, the holders of Exchangeable Shares
shall not be entitled to receive dividends in respect thereof.
ARTICLE 4
CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS
4.1 So long as any of the Exchangeable Shares are outstanding, the Corporation
shall not at any time without, but may at any time with, the approval of the
holders of the Exchangeable Shares given as specified in Section 9.2 of these
share provisions:
(a) pay any dividends on the Common Shares, or any other
shares ranking junior to the Exchangeable Shares, other than stock
dividends payable in any such other shares ranking junior to the
Exchangeable Shares;
(b) redeem or purchase or make any capital distribution in
respect of Common Shares or any other shares ranking junior to the
Exchangeable Shares;
(c) redeem or purchase any other shares of the Corporation
ranking equally with the Exchangeable Shares with respect to the
payment of dividends or on any liquidation distribution;
(d) issue any Exchangeable Shares or any other shares of the
Corporation ranking equally with, or superior to, the Exchangeable
Shares other than by way of stock dividends to the holders of such
Exchangeable Shares or as contemplated by the Support Agreement;
or
(e) amend the articles or by-laws of the Corporation.
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The restrictions in Subsections 4.1(a), 4.1(b), and 4.1(c) above shall not
apply if all dividends on the outstanding Exchangeable Shares corresponding to
dividends declared to date on the Digicon Common Stock shall have been declared
on the Exchangeable Shares and paid in full.
ARTICLE 5
DISTRIBUTION ON LIQUIDATION
5.1 In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the
Corporation or any other distribution of the assets of the Corporation among
its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, a holder of
Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled, subject to applicable law, to receive
from the assets of the Corporation in respect of each Exchangeable Share held
by such holder on the effective date (the "Liquidation Date") of such
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, before any distribution of any part of
the assets of the Corporation to the holders of the Common Shares or any other
shares ranking junior to the Exchangeable Shares, an amount equal to the
Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior to the
Liquidation Date (the "Liquidation Amount"). In connection with payment of the
Liquidation Amount, the Corporation shall be entitled to liquidate some of the
Digicon Common Stock that would otherwise be deliverable to the particular
holder of Exchangeable Shares in order to fund any statutory withholding tax
obligation.
5.2 On or promptly after the Liquidation Date, and subject to the exercise by
Digicon of the Liquidation Call Right, the Corporation shall cause to be
delivered to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares the Liquidation Amount for
each such Exchangeable Share upon presentation and surrender of the
certificates representing such Exchangeable Shares, together with such other
documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of
Exchangeable Shares under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) and the
by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the
Transfer Agent may reasonably require, at the registered office of the
Corporation or at any office of the Transfer Agent as may be specified by the
Corporation by notice to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares. Payment of
the total Liquidation Amount for such Exchangeable Shares shall be made by
delivery to each holder, at the address of the holder recorded in the
securities register of the Corporation for the Exchangeable Shares or by
holding for pick up by the holder at the registered office of the Corporation
or at any office of the Transfer Agent as may be specified by the Corporation
by notice to the holders of Exchangeable Shares, on behalf of the Corporation
of the Exchangeable Share Consideration representing the total Liquidation
Amount. On and after the Liquidation Date, the holders of the Exchangeable
Shares shall cease to be holders of such Exchangeable Shares and shall not be
entitled to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect thereof, other
than the right to receive their proportionate part of the total Liquidation
Amount, unless payment of the total Liquidation Amount for such Exchangeable
Shares shall not be made upon presentation and surrender of share certificates
in accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the
holders shall remain unaffected until the total Liquidation Amount has been
paid in the manner hereinbefore provided. The Corporation shall have the right
at any time on or after the Liquidation Date to deposit or cause to be
deposited the Exchangeable Share Consideration in respect of the Exchangeable
Shares represented by certificates that have not at the Liquidation Date been
surrendered by the holders thereof in a custodial account or for safe keeping,
in the case of non-cash items, with any chartered bank or trust company in
Canada. Upon such deposit being made, the rights of the holders of
Exchangeable Shares after such deposit shall be limited to receiving their
proportionate part of the total Liquidation Amount for such Exchangeable Shares
so deposited, against presentation and surrender of the said certificates held
by them, respectively, in accordance with the foregoing provisions. Upon such
payment or deposit of such Exchangeable Share Consideration, the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares shall thereafter be considered and deemed for
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all purposes to be the holders of the Digicon Common Stock delivered to them.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, until such Exchangeable Share Consideration is
delivered to the holder, the holder shall be deemed to still be a holder of
Exchangeable Shares for purposes of all voting rights with respect thereto
under the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement.
5.3 After the Corporation has satisfied its obligations to pay the holders of
the Exchangeable Shares the Liquidation Amount per Exchangeable Share pursuant
to Section 5.1 of these share provisions, such holders shall not be entitled to
share in any further distribution of the assets of the Corporation.
ARTICLE 6
RETRACTION OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES BY HOLDER
6.1 A holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be entitled at any time, subject to
the exercise by Digicon of the Retraction Call Right and otherwise upon
compliance with the provisions of this Article 6, to require the Corporation to
redeem any or all of the Exchangeable Shares registered in the name of such
holder for an amount equal to the Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the
last Business Day prior to the Retraction Date (the "Retraction Price"). In
connection with payment of the Retraction Price, the Corporation shall be
entitled to liquidate some of the Digicon Common Stock that would otherwise be
deliverable to the particular holder of Exchangeable Shares in order to fund
any statutory withholding tax obligation. To effect such redemption, the
holder shall present and surrender at the registered office of the Corporation
or at any office of the Transfer Agent as may be specified by the Corporation
by notice to the holders of Exchangeable Shares the certificate or certificates
representing the Exchangeable Shares which the holder desires to have the
Corporation redeem, together with such other documents and instruments as may
be required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares under the Business
Corporations Act (Alberta) and the by-laws of the Corporation and such
additional documents and instruments as the Transfer Agent may reasonably
require, and together with a duly executed statement (the "Retraction Request")
in the form of Schedule A hereto or in such other form as may be acceptable to
the Corporation:
(i) specifying that the holder desires to have all or any number
specified therein of the Exchangeable Shares represented by such
certificate or certificates (the "Retracted Shares") redeemed by the
Corporation;
(ii) stating the Business Day on which the holder desires to have
the Corporation redeem the Retracted Shares (the "Retraction Date"),
provided that the Retraction Date shall be not less than five Business
Days nor more than 10 Business Days after the date on which the
Retraction Request is received by the Corporation and further provided
that, in the event that no such Business Day is specified by the holder
in the Retraction Request, the Retraction Date shall be deemed to be the
tenth Business Day after the date on which the Retraction Request is
received by the Corporation; and
(iii) acknowledging the overriding right (the "Retraction Call
Right") of Digicon to purchase all but not less than all the Retracted
Shares directly from the holder and that the Retraction Request shall be
deemed to be a revocable offer by the holder to sell the Retracted
Shares to Digicon in accordance with the Retraction Call Right on the
terms and conditions set out in Section 6.3 below.
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6.2 Subject to the exercise by Digicon of the Retraction Call Right, upon
receipt by the Corporation or the Transfer Agent in the manner specified in
Section 6.1 hereof of a certificate or certificates representing the number of
Exchangeable Shares which the holder desires to have the Corporation redeem,
together with a Retraction Request, and provided that the Retraction Request is
not revoked by the holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7, the
Corporation shall redeem the Retracted Shares effective at the close of
business on the Retraction Date and shall cause to be delivered to such holder
the total Retraction Price with respect to such shares. If only a part of the
Exchangeable Shares represented by any certificate are redeemed (or purchased
by Digicon pursuant to the Retraction Call Right), a new certificate for the
balance of such Exchangeable Shares shall be issued to the holder at the
expense of the Corporation.
6.3 Upon receipt by the Corporation of a Retraction Request, the Corporation
shall immediately notify Digicon thereof. In order to exercise the Retraction
Call Right, Digicon must notify the Corporation in writing of its determination
to do so (the "Digicon Call Notice") within two Business Days of notification
to Digicon by the Corporation of the receipt by the Corporation of the
Retraction Request. If Digicon does not so notify the Corporation within such
two Business Day period, the Corporation will notify the holder as soon as
possible thereafter that Digicon will not exercise the Retraction Call Right.
If Digicon delivers the Digicon Call Notice within such two Business Day time
period, and provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder
in the manner specified in Section 6.7, the Retraction Request shall thereupon
be considered only to be an offer by the holder to sell the Retracted Shares to
Digicon in accordance with the Retraction Call Right. In such event, the
Corporation shall not redeem the Retracted Shares and Digicon shall purchase
from such holder and such holder shall sell to Digicon on the Retraction Date
the Retracted Shares for a purchase price (the "Purchase Price") per share
equal to the Retraction Price per share. For the purposes of completing a
purchase pursuant to the Retraction Call Right, Digicon shall deposit with the
Transfer Agent, on or before the Retraction Date the Exchangeable Share
Consideration representing the total Purchase Price. Provided that such
Exchangeable Share Consideration has been so deposited with the Transfer Agent,
the closing of the purchase and sale of the Retracted Shares pursuant to the
Retraction Call Right shall be deemed to have occurred as at the close of
business on the Retraction Date and, for greater certainty, no redemption by
the Corporation of such Retracted Shares shall take place on the Retraction
Date. In the event that Digicon does not deliver a Digicon Call Notice within
such two Business Day period or otherwise comply with these Exchangeable Share
provisions in respect thereto, and provided that Retraction Request is not
revoked by the holder in the manner specified in Section 6.7, the Corporation
shall redeem the Retracted Shares on the Retraction Date and in the manner
otherwise contemplated in this Article 6.
6.4 The Corporation or Digicon, as the case may be, shall deliver or cause the
Transfer Agent to deliver to the relevant holder, at the address of the holder
recorded in the securities register of the Corporation for the Exchangeable
Shares or at the address specified in the holder's Retraction Request or by
holding for pick up by the holder at the registered office of the Corporation
or at any office of the Transfer Agent as may be specified by the Corporation
by notice to the holders of Exchangeable Shares, the Exchangeable Share
Consideration representing the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase
Price, as the case may be, and such delivery of such Exchangeable Share
Consideration to the Transfer Agent shall be deemed to be payment of and shall
satisfy and discharge all liability for the total Retraction Price or total
Purchase Price, as the case may be, unless any cheque included therein is not
paid on due presentation.
6.5 On and after the close of business on the Retraction Date, the holder of
the Retracted Shares shall cease to be a holder of such Retracted Shares and
shall not be entitled to exercise any of the
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rights of a holder in respect thereof, other than the right to receive his
proportionate part of the total Retraction Price or total Purchase Price, as
the case may be, unless upon presentation and surrender of certificates in
accordance with the foregoing provisions, payment of the total Retraction Price
or the total Purchase Price, as the case may be, shall not be made, in which
case the rights of such holder shall remain unaffected until the total
Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price, as the case may be, has been paid
in the manner hereinbefore provided. On and after the close of business on the
Retraction Date, provided that presentation and surrender of certificates and
payment of the total Retraction Price or the total Purchase Price, as the case
may be, has been made in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the holder
of the Retracted Shares so redeemed by the Corporation or purchased by Digicon
shall thereafter be considered and deemed for all purposes to be a holder of
the Digicon Common Stock delivered to it. Notwithstanding the foregoing, until
such Exchangeable Share Consideration is delivered to the holder, the holder
shall be deemed to still be a holder of Exchangeable Shares for purposes of all
voting rights with respect thereto under the Voting and Exchange Trust
Agreement.
6.6 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 6, the Corporation
shall not be obligated to redeem Retracted Shares specified by a holder in a
Retraction Request to the extent that such redemption of Retracted Shares would
be contrary to liquidity or solvency requirements or other provisions of
applicable law. If the Corporation believes that on any Retraction Date it
would not be permitted by any of such provisions to redeem the Retracted Shares
tendered for redemption on such date, and provided that Digicon shall not have
exercised the Retraction Call Right with respect to the Retracted Shares, the
Corporation shall only be obligated to redeem Retracted Shares specified by a
holder in a Retraction Request to the extent of the maximum number that may be
so redeemed (rounded down to a whole number of shares) as would not be contrary
to such provisions and shall notify the holder at least two Business Days prior
to the Retraction Date as to the number of Retracted Shares which will not be
redeemed by the Corporation. In any case in which the redemption by the
Corporation of Retracted Shares would be contrary to liquidity or solvency
requirements or other provisions of applicable law, the Corporation shall
redeem Retracted Shares in accordance with Section 6.2 of these share
provisions on a PRO RATA basis and shall issue to each holder of Retracted
Shares a new certificate, at the expense of the Corporation, representing the
Retracted Shares not redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to Section 6.2
hereof. Provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked by the holder in
the manner specified in Section 6.7, the holder of any such Retracted Shares
not redeemed by the Corporation pursuant to Section 6.2 of these share
provisions as a result of liquidity or solvency requirements of applicable law
shall be deemed by giving the Retraction Request to require Digicon to purchase
such Retracted Shares from such holder on the Retraction Date or as soon as
practicable thereafter on payment by Digicon to such holder of the Purchase
Price for each such Retracted Share, all as more specifically provided in the
Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement, and Digicon shall make such purchase.
6.7 A holder of Retracted Shares may, by notice in writing given by the holder
to the Corporation before the close of business on the Business Day immediately
preceding the Retraction Date, withdraw its Retraction Request in which event
such Retraction Request shall be null and void and, for greater certainty, the
revocable offer constituted by the Retraction Request to sell the Retracted
Shares to Digicon shall be deemed to have been revoked.
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ARTICLE 7
REDEMPTION OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES BY THE CORPORATION
7.1 Subject to applicable law, and if Digicon does not exercise the Redemption
Call Right, the Corporation shall on the Automatic Redemption Date redeem the
whole of the then outstanding Exchangeable Shares for an amount equal to the
Exchangeable Share Price applicable on the last Business Day prior to the
Automatic Redemption Date (the "Redemption Price"). In connection with payment
of the Redemption Price, the Corporation shall be entitled to liquidate some of
the Digicon Common Stock that would otherwise be deliverable to the particular
holder of Exchangeable Shares in order to fund any statutory withholding tax
obligation.
7.2 In any case of a redemption of Exchangeable Shares under this Article 7,
the Corporation shall, at least 120 days before the Automatic Redemption Date,
send or cause to be sent to each holder of Exchangeable Shares a notice in
writing of the redemption by the Corporation or the purchase by Digicon under
the Redemption Call Right, as the case may be, of the Exchangeable Shares held
by such holder. Such notice shall set out the formula for determining the
Redemption Price or the Redemption Call Purchase Price, as the case may be, the
Automatic Redemption Date and, if applicable, particulars of the Redemption
Call Right.
7.3 On or after the Automatic Redemption Date and subject to the exercise by
Digicon of the Redemption Call Right, the Corporation shall cause to be
delivered to the holders of the Exchangeable Shares to be redeemed the
Redemption Price for each such Exchangeable Share upon presentation and
surrender at the registered office of the Corporation or at any office of the
Transfer Agent as may be specified by the Corporation in such notice of the
certificates representing such Exchangeable Shares, together with such other
documents and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of
Exchangeable Shares under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) and the
by-laws of the Corporation and such additional documents and instruments as the
Transfer Agent may reasonably require. Payment of the total Redemption Price
for such Exchangeable Shares shall be made by delivery to each holder, at the
address of the holder recorded in the securities register of the Corporation or
by holding for pick up by the holder at the registered office of the
Corporation or at any office of the Transfer Agent as may be specified by the
Corporation in such notice, on behalf of the Corporation of the Exchangeable
Share Consideration representing the total Redemption Price. On and after the
Automatic Redemption Date, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares called for
redemption shall cease to be holders of such Exchangeable Shares and shall not
be entitled to exercise any of the rights of holders in respect thereof, other
than the right to receive their proportionate part of the total Redemption
Price, unless payment of the total Redemption Price for such Exchangeable
Shares shall not be made upon presentation and surrender of certificates in
accordance with the foregoing provisions, in which case the rights of the
holders shall remain unaffected until the total Redemption Price has been paid
in the manner hereinbefore provided. The Corporation shall have the right at
any time after the sending of notice of its intention to redeem the
Exchangeable Shares as aforesaid to deposit or cause to be deposited the
Exchangeable Share Consideration with respect to the Exchangeable Shares so
called for redemption, or of such of the said Exchangeable Shares represented
by certificates that have not at the date of such deposit been surrendered by
the holders thereof in connection with such redemption, in a custodial account
or for safe keeping, in the case of non-cash items, with any chartered bank or
trust company in Canada named in such notice. Upon the later of such deposit
being made and the Automatic Redemption Date, the Exchangeable Shares in
respect whereof such deposit shall have been made shall be redeemed and the
rights of the holders thereof after such deposit or Automatic Redemption Date,
as the case may be, shall be limited to
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receiving their proportionate part of the total Redemption Price for such
Exchangeable Shares so deposited, against presentation and surrender of the
said certificates held by them, respectively, in accordance with the foregoing
provisions. Upon such payment or deposit of such Exchangeable Share
Consideration, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall thereafter be
considered and deemed for all purposes to be holders of the Digicon Common
Stock delivered to them. Notwithstanding the foregoing, until such
Exchangeable Share Consideration is delivered to the holder, the holder shall
be deemed to still be a holder of Exchangeable Shares for purposes of all
voting rights with respect thereto under the Voting and Exchange Trust
Agreement.
ARTICLE 8
VOTING RIGHTS
8.1 Except as required by applicable law and the provisions hereof, the
holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall not be entitled as such to receive
notice of or to attend any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation or to
vote at any such meeting.
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT AND APPROVAL
9.1 The rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to the
Exchangeable Shares may be added to, changed or removed but, except as
hereinafter provided, only with the approval of the holders of the Exchangeable
Shares given as hereinafter specified.
9.2 Any approval given by the holders of the Exchangeable Shares to add to,
change or remove any right, privilege, restriction or condition attaching to
the Exchangeable Shares or any other matter requiring the approval or consent
of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares shall be deemed to have been
sufficiently given if it shall have been given in accordance with applicable
law subject to a minimum requirement that such approval be evidenced by
resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast on such
resolution by persons represented in person or by proxy at a meeting of holders
of Exchangeable Shares duly called and held at which the holders of at least
50% of the outstanding Exchangeable Shares at that time are present or
represented by proxy (excluding Exchangeable Shares beneficially owned by
Digicon or its Subsidiaries). If at any such meeting the holders of at least
50% of the outstanding Exchangeable Shares at that time are not present or
represented by proxy within one-half hour after the time appointed for such
meeting then the meeting shall be adjourned to such date not less than 10 days
thereafter and to such time and place as may be designated by the Chairman of
such meeting. At such adjourned meeting the holders of Exchangeable Shares
present or represented by proxy thereat may transact the business for which the
meeting was originally called and a resolution passed thereat by the
affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast on such
resolution by persons represented in person or by proxy at such meeting shall
constitute the approval or consent of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares.
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ARTICLE 10
RECIPROCAL CHANGES, ETC. IN RESPECT
OF DIGICON COMMON STOCK
10.1 (a) Each holder of an Exchangeable Share acknowledges that the
Support Agreement provides, in part, that Digicon will not without the prior
approval of the Corporation and the prior approval of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 9.2 of these share
provisions:
(i) issue or distribute Digicon Common Stock (or securities
exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying rights to acquire
Digicon Common Stock) to the holders of all or substantially all of the
then outstanding Digicon Common Stock by way of stock dividend or other
distribution; or
(ii) issue or distribute rights, options or warrants to the holders
of all or substantially all of the then outstanding Digicon Common Stock
entitling them to subscribe for or to purchase shares of Digicon Common
Stock (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying
rights to acquire shares of Digicon Common Stock); or
(iii) issue or distribute to the holders of all or substantially all
of the then outstanding shares of Digicon Common Stock (A) shares or
securities of Digicon of any class other than Digicon Common Stock
(other than shares convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying
rights to acquire Digicon Common Stock), (B) rights, options or warrants
other than those referred to in Section 10.1(a)(ii) above, (C) evidences
of indebtedness of Digicon or (D) assets of Digicon;
unless the Corporation is permitted under applicable law to issue or
distribute the equivalent on a per share basis of such rights, options,
securities, shares, evidences of indebtedness or other assets to holders
of the Exchangeable Shares and the Corporation shall issue or distribute
such rights, options, securities, shares, evidences of indebtedness or
other assets simultaneously to holders of the Exchangeable Shares.
(b) Each holder of an Exchangeable Share acknowledges that the Support
Agreement further provides, in part, that Digicon will not without the prior
approval of the Corporation and the prior approval of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 9.2 of these share
provisions:
(i) subdivide, redivide or change the then outstanding shares of
Digicon Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Digicon Common
Stock; or
(ii) reduce, combine or consolidate or change the then outstanding
shares of Digicon Common Stock into a lesser number of shares of Digicon
Common Stock; or
(iii) reclassify or otherwise change the shares of Digicon Common
Stock or effect an amalgamation, merger, reorganization or other
transaction affecting the shares of Digicon Common Stock;
unless the Corporation is permitted under applicable law to
simultaneously make the same or an equivalent change to, or in the rights
of holders of, the Exchangeable Shares and
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the same or an equivalent change is made to, or in the rights of the
holders of, the Exchangeable Shares.
The Support Agreement further provides, in part, that the aforesaid
provisions of the Support Agreement shall not be changed without the approval
of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 9.2
of these share provisions.
ARTICLE 11
ACTIONS BY THE CORPORATION UNDER
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
11.1 The Corporation will take all such actions and do all such things as shall
be necessary or advisable to perform and comply with and to ensure performance
and compliance by Digicon with all provisions of the Support Agreement, the
Voting Trust and Exchange Agreement and with all provisions of Digicon's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation applicable to the Corporation and
Digicon, respectively, in accordance with the terms thereof including, without
limitation, taking all such actions and doing all such things as shall be
necessary or advisable to enforce to the fullest extent possible for the direct
benefit of the Corporation all rights and benefits in favour of the Corporation
under or pursuant thereto.
11.2 The Corporation shall not propose, agree to or otherwise give effect to
any amendment to, or waiver or forgiveness of its rights or obligations under,
the Support Agreement, the Voting Trust and Exchange Agreement or Digicon's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation without the approval of the holders of
the Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with Section 9.2 of these share
provisions other than such amendments, waivers and/or forgiveness as may be
necessary or advisable for the purposes of:
(a) adding to the covenants of the other party or parties to
such agreement for the protection of the Corporation or the
holders of Exchangeable Shares; or
(b) making such provisions or modifications not inconsistent
with such agreement as may be necessary or desirable with respect
to matters or questions arising thereunder which, in the opinion
of the Board of Directors, it may be expedient to make, provided
that the Board of Directors shall be of the opinion, after
consultation with counsel, that such provisions and modifications
will not be prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares; or
(c) making such changes in or corrections to such agreement
which, on the advice of counsel to the Corporation, are required
for the purpose of curing or correcting any ambiguity or defect or
inconsistent provision or clerical omission or mistake or manifest
error contained therein, provided that the Board of Directors
shall be of the opinion, after consultation with counsel, that
such changes or corrections will not be prejudicial to the
interests of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares.
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ARTICLE 12
LEGEND
12.1 The certificates evidencing the Exchangeable Shares shall contain or have
affixed thereto a legend, in form and on terms approved by the Board of
Directors, with respect to the Support Agreement, the provisions of the Plan of
Arrangement relating to the Liquidation Call Right and the Redemption
Call Right, and the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement (including the
provisions with respect to the voting rights, exchange right and automatic
exchange thereunder).
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1 Any notice, request or other communication to be given to the Corporation
by a holder of Exchangeable Shares shall be in writing and shall be valid and
effective if given by mail (postage prepaid) or by telecopy or by delivery to
the registered office of the Corporation and addressed to the attention of the
President. Any such notice, request or other communication, if given by mail,
telecopy or delivery, shall only be deemed to have been given and received upon
actual receipt thereof by the Corporation.
13.2 Any presentation and surrender by a holder of Exchangeable Shares to the
Corporation or the Transfer Agent of certificates representing Exchangeable
Shares in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the
Corporation or the retraction or redemption of Exchangeable Shares shall be
made by registered mail (postage prepaid) or by delivery to the registered
office of the Corporation or to such office of the Transfer Agent as may be
specified by the Corporation, in each case addressed to the attention of the
President of the Corporation. Any such presentation and surrender of
certificates shall only be deemed to have been made and to be effective upon
actual receipt thereof by the Corporation or the Transfer Agent, as the case
may be. Any such presentation and surrender of certificates made by registered
mail shall be at the sole risk of the holder mailing the same.
13.3 Any notice, request or other communication to be given to a holder of
Exchangeable Shares by or on behalf of the Corporation shall be in writing and
shall be valid and effective if given by mail (postage prepaid) or by delivery
to the address of the holder recorded in the securities register of the
Corporation or, in the event of the address of any such holder not being so
recorded, then at the last known address of such holder. Any such notice,
request or other communication, if given by mail, shall be deemed to have been
given and received on the fifth Business Day following the date of mailing and,
if given by delivery, shall be deemed to have been given and received on the
date of delivery. Accidental failure or omission to give any notice, request
or other communication to one or more holders of Exchangeable Shares shall not
invalidate or otherwise alter or affect any action or proceeding to be taken by
the Corporation pursuant thereto.
13.4 All Exchangeable Shares acquired by the Corporation upon the redemption or
retraction thereof shall be cancelled.
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SCHEDULE A
NOTICE OF RETRACTION
To the Corporation and Digicon Inc.
This notice is given pursuant to Article 6 of the provisions (the "Share
Provisions") attaching to the share(s) represented by this certificate and all
capitalized words and expressions used in this notice which are defined in the
Share Provisions have the meanings attributed to such words and expressions in
such Share Provisions.
The undersigned hereby notifies the Corporation that, subject to the
Retraction Call Right referred to below, the undersigned desires to have the
Corporation redeem in accordance with Article 6 of the Share Provisions:
/ / all share(s) represented by this certificate; or
/ / _____________________ share(s) only.
The undersigned hereby notifies the Corporation that the Retraction Date
shall be _________________________________ .
NOTE: The Retraction Date must be a Business Day and must not be less than
five Business Days nor more than 10 Business Days after the date upon
which this notice is received by the Corporation. In the event that no
such Business Day is specified above, the Retraction Date shall be deemed
to be the tenth Business Day after the date on which this notice is
received by the Corporation.
The undersigned acknowledges the Retraction Call Right of Digicon Inc. to
purchase all but not less than all the Retracted Shares from the undersigned
and that this notice shall be deemed to be a revocable offer by the undersigned
to sell the Retracted Shares to Digicon Inc. in accordance with the Retraction
Call Right on the Retraction Date for the Retraction Price and on the other
terms and conditions set out in Section 6.3 of the Share Provisions. If
Digicon Inc. determines not to exercise the Retraction Call Right, the
Corporation will notify the undersigned of such fact as soon as possible. This
notice of retraction, and offer to sell the Retracted Shares to Digicon Inc.,
may be revoked and withdrawn by the undersigned by notice in writing given to
the Corporation at any time before the close of business on the Business Day
immediately preceding the Retraction Date.
The undersigned acknowledges that if, as a result of liquidity or solvency
provisions of applicable law, the Corporation is unable to redeem all Retracted
Shares, the undersigned will be deemed to have exercised the Exchange Right (as
defined in the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement) so as to require Digicon
Inc. to purchase the unredeemed Retracted Shares.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the Corporation and
Digicon Inc. that the undersigned has good title to, and owns, the share(s)
represented by this certificate to be acquired by the Corporation or Digicon
Inc., as the case may be, free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances.
___________________ __________________________ ________________________
(Date) (Signature of Shareholder) (Guarantee of Signature)
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/ / Please check box if the legal or beneficial owner of the Retracted
Shares is a non-resident of Canada.
/ / Please check box if the securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash
assets resulting from the retraction or purchase of the Retracted Shares
are to be held for pick-up by the shareholder at the principal transfer
office of The R-M Trust Company (the "Transfer Agent") in Calgary,
Alberta, failing which the securities and any cheque(s) or other
non-cash assets will be delivered to the last address of the shareholder
as it appears on the register by such means as the Corporation deems
appropriate.
NOTE: This panel must be completed and this certificate, together with such
additional documents as the Transfer Agent may require, must be
deposited with the Transfer Agent at its principal transfer office in
Calgary, Alberta. The securities and any cheque(s) or other non-cash
assets resulting from the retraction or purchase of the Retracted
Shares will be issued and registered in, and made payable to, or
transferred into, respectively, the name of the shareholder as it
appears on the register of the Corporation and the securities, cheque(s)
and other non-cash assets resulting from such retraction or purchase will
be delivered to such shareholder as indicated above, unless the form
appearing immediately below is duly completed.
__________________________________________ Date _____________________________
Name of Person in Whose Name Securities or
Cheque(s) or Other Non-cash Assets Are To
Be Registered, Issued or Delivered (please
print)
__________________________________________ __________________________________
Street Address or P.O. Box Signature of Shareholder
__________________________________________ __________________________________
City - Province Signature Guaranteed by
NOTE: If the notice of retraction is for less than all of the share(s)
represented by this certificate, a certificate representing the
remaining shares of the Corporation will be issued and registered in the name
of the shareholder as it appears on the register of the Corporation, unless
the Share Transfer Power on the share certificate is duly completed in respect
of such shares.
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<PAGE> 251
ANNEX F
<PAGE> 252
SUPPORT AGREEMENT
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT made as of _________, 1996.
B E T W E E N:
DIGICON INC.,
a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware,
(hereinafter referred to as "Digicon"),
OF THE FIRST PART,
- and -
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
a corporation existing under the laws of the Province of Alberta,
(hereinafter referred to as "Veritas"),
OF THE SECOND PART.
WHEREAS pursuant to a combination agreement dated as of April ___, 1996,
by and between Digicon and Veritas (such agreement as it may be amended or
restated is hereinafter referred to as the "Combination Agreement") the parties
agreed that on the Effective Date (as defined in the Combination Agreement),
Digicon and Veritas would execute and deliver a Support Agreement containing
the terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit _____ to the Combination
Agreement together with such other terms and conditions as may be agreed to by
the parties to the Combination Agreement acting reasonably;
AND WHEREAS pursuant to an arrangement (the "Arrangement") effected by
Articles of Arrangement dated o, 1996 filed pursuant to the Business
Corporations Act (Alberta) each issued and outstanding common share of Veritas
(a "Veritas Common Share") was exchanged for 0.8 issued and outstanding
Exchangeable Shares of Veritas (the "Exchangeable Shares"), and thereafter,
Veritas' sole issued and outstanding Class A Preferred Share was exchanged by
the holder thereof for one issued and outstanding Veritas Common Share;
AND WHEREAS the above-mentioned Articles of Arrangement set forth the
rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions (collectively the "Exchangeable
Share Provisions") attaching to the Exchangeable Shares;
AND WHEREAS the parties hereto desire to make appropriate provision and to
establish a procedure whereby Digicon will take certain actions and make
certain payments and deliveries necessary to ensure that Veritas will be able
to make certain payments and to deliver or cause to be delivered shares of
Digicon Common Stock in satisfaction of the obligations of Veritas under the
Exchangeable Share Provisions with respect to the payment and satisfaction of
dividends, Liquidation Amounts, Retraction Prices and Redemption Prices, all
in accordance with the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
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NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the respective covenants and agreements
provided in this agreement and for other good and valuable consideration (the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties agree as
follows:
1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
(a) DEFINED TERMS. Each term denoted herein by initial capital
letters and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning
attributed thereto in the Exchangeable Share Provisions, unless the
context requires otherwise.
(b) INTERPRETATION NOT AFFECTED BY HEADINGS, ETC. The division
of this agreement into articles, sections and paragraphs and the
insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and
shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this
agreement.
(c) NUMBER, GENDER, ETC. Words importing the singular number
only shall include the plural and vice versa. Words importing the
use of any gender shall include all genders.
(d) DATE FOR ANY ACTION. If any date on which any action is
required to be taken under this agreement is not a Business Day,
such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding
Business Day.
2. COVENANTS OF DIGICON AND VERITAS
(a) COVENANTS OF DIGICON REGARDING EXCHANGEABLE SHARES. So long
as any Exchangeable Shares are outstanding, Digicon will:
(i) not declare or pay any dividend on Digicon
Common Stock unless (A) Veritas will have
sufficient assets, funds and other property
available to enable the due declaration and the due
and punctual payment in accordance with applicable
law of an equivalent dividend on the Exchangeable
Shares and (B) subsection 2(a)(ii) shall be
complied with in connection with such dividend;
(ii) cause Veritas to declare simultaneously with
the declaration of any dividend on Digicon Common
Stock an equivalent dividend on the Exchangeable
Shares and, when such dividend is paid on Digicon
Common Stock, cause Veritas to pay simultaneously
therewith such equivalent dividend on the
Exchangeable Shares, in each case in accordance
with the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
(iii) advise Veritas sufficiently in advance of the
declaration by Digicon of any dividend on Digicon
Common Stock and take all such other actions as
are necessary, in cooperation with Veritas, to
ensure that the respective declaration date,
record date and payment date for a dividend on the
Exchangeable Shares shall be the same as the record
date, declaration date and payment date for the
corresponding dividend on Digicon Common Stock
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and such dividend on the Exchangeable Shares shall
correspond with any requirement of the principal
stock exchange on which the Exchangeable Shares are
listed;
(iv) ensure that the record date for any dividend
declared on Digicon Common Stock is not less than
10 Business Days after the declaration date for
such dividend;
(v) take all such actions and do all such things as
are necessary or desirable to enable and permit
Veritas, in accordance with applicable law, to pay
and otherwise perform its obligations with respect
to the satisfaction of the Liquidation Amount in
respect of each issued and outstanding
Exchangeable Share upon the liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of Veritas, including
without limitation all such actions and all such
things as are necessary or desirable to enable and
permit Veritas to cause to be delivered shares of
Digicon Common Stock to the holders of Exchangeable
Shares in accordance with the provisions of
Article 5 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions;
(vi) take all such actions and do all such things
as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit
Veritas, in accordance with applicable law, to pay
and otherwise perform its obligations with respect
to the satisfaction of the Retraction Price and
the Redemption Price, including without limitation
all such actions and all such things as are
necessary or desirable to enable and permit
Veritas to cause to be delivered shares of Digicon
Common Stock to the holders of Exchangeable Shares,
upon the retraction or redemption of the
Exchangeable Shares in accordance with the
provisions of Article 6 or Article 7 of the
Exchangeable Share Provisions, as the case may be;
and
(vii) not exercise its vote as a shareholder to
initiate the voluntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of Veritas nor take any action or omit
to take any action that is designed to result in
the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of
Veritas.
(b) SEGREGATION OF FUNDS. Digicon will cause Veritas to deposit
a sufficient amount of funds in a separate account and segregate a
sufficient amount of such assets and other property as is necessary
to enable Veritas to pay or otherwise satisfy the applicable
dividends, Liquidation Amount, Retraction Price or Redemption Price,
in each case for the benefit of holders from time to time of the
Exchangeable Shares, and Veritas will use such funds, assets and
other property so segregated exclusively for the payment of
dividends and the payment or other satisfaction of the Liquidation
Amount, the Retraction Price or the Redemption Price, as applicable,
net of any corresponding withholding tax obligations and for the
remittance of such withholding tax obligations.
(c) RESERVATION OF SHARES OF DIGICON COMMON STOCK. Digicon
hereby represents, warrants and covenants that it has irrevocably
reserved for issuance and will at all times keep available, free
from pre-emptive and other rights, out of its
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<PAGE> 255
authorized and unissued capital stock such number of shares of
Digicon Common Stock (or other shares or securities into which
Digicon Common Stock may be reclassified or changed as contemplated
by section 2(g) hereof) (i) as is equal to the sum of (A) the number
of Exchangeable Shares issued and outstanding from time to time and
(B) the number of Exchangeable Shares issuable upon the exercise of
all rights to acquire Exchangeable Shares outstanding from time to
time and (ii) as are now and may hereafter be required to enable and
permit Veritas to meet its obligations hereunder, under the Voting
and Exchange Trust Agreement, under the Exchangeable Share
Provisions and under any other security or commitment pursuant to
the Arrangement with respect to which Digicon may now or hereafter
be required to issue shares of Digicon Common Stock.
(d) NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN EVENTS. In order to assist Digicon
to comply with its obligations hereunder, Veritas will give Digicon
notice of each of the following events at the time set forth below:
(i) in the event of any determination by the Board
of Directors of Veritas to institute voluntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up proceedings
with respect to Veritas or to effect any other
distribution of the assets of Veritas among its
shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its
affairs, at least 60 days prior to the proposed
effective date of such liquidation, dissolution,
winding-up or other distribution;
(ii) immediately, upon the earlier of (A) receipt
by Veritas of notice of, and (B) Veritas otherwise
becoming aware of, any threatened or instituted
claim, suit, petition or other proceedings with
respect to the involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of Veritas or to effect
any other distribution of the assets of Veritas
among its shareholders for the purpose of
winding-up its affairs;
(iii) immediately, upon receipt by Veritas of a
Retraction Request (as defined in the Exchangeable
Share Provisions);
(iv) at least 130 days prior to any accelerated
Automatic Redemption Date determined by the Board
of Directors of Veritas in accordance with the
Exchangeable Share Provisions; and
(v) as soon as practicable upon the issuance by
Veritas of any Exchangeable Shares or rights to
acquire Exchangeable Shares.
(e) DELIVERY OF SHARES OF DIGICON COMMON STOCK. In furtherance
of its obligations hereunder, upon notice of any event which
requires Veritas to cause to be delivered shares of Digicon Common
Stock to any holder of Exchangeable Shares, Digicon shall forthwith
issue and deliver the requisite shares of Digicon Common Stock to or
to the order of the former holder of the surrendered Exchangeable
Shares, as Veritas shall direct. All such shares of Digicon Common
Stock shall be duly issued
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<PAGE> 256
as fully paid and non-assessable and shall be free and clear of any
lien, claim, encumbrance, security interest or adverse claim.
(f) QUALIFICATION OF SHARES OF DIGICON COMMON STOCK. Digicon
covenants that if any shares of Digicon Common Stock (or other
shares or securities into which Digicon Common Stock may be
reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2(g) hereof) to
be issued and delivered hereunder, including for greater certainty,
pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions, or pursuant to the
Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights (both as defined in
the Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement) require registration or
qualification with or approval of or the filing of any document
including any prospectus or similar document or the taking of any
proceeding with or the obtaining of any order, ruling or consent
from any governmental or regulatory authority under any Canadian or
United States federal, provincial or state law or regulation or
pursuant to the rules and regulations of any regulatory authority or
the fulfillment of any other legal requirement (collectively, the
"Applicable Laws") before such shares (or other shares or securities
into which Digicon Common Stock may be reclassified or changed as
contemplated by Section 2(g) hereof) may be issued and delivered by
Digicon to the initial holder thereof (other than Veritas) or in
order that such shares may be freely traded thereafter (other than
any restrictions on transfer by reason of a holder being a "control
person" of Digicon for purposes of Canadian federal or provincial
securities law or an "affiliate" of Digicon for purposes of United
States federal or state securities law), Digicon will in good faith
expeditiously take all such actions and do all such things as are
necessary to cause such shares of Digicon Common Stock (or other
shares or securities into which Digicon Common Stock may be
reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2(g) hereof) to
be and remain duly registered, qualified or approved. Digicon
represents and warrants that it has in good faith taken all actions
and done all things as are necessary under Applicable Laws as they
exist on the date hereof to cause the shares of Digicon Common Stock
(or other shares or securities into which Digicon Common Stock may
be reclassified or changed as contemplated by Section 2(g) hereof)
to be issued and delivered hereunder, including for greater
certainty, pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions, or
pursuant to the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights to
be freely tradeable thereafter (other than restrictions on transfer
by reason of a holder being a "control person" of Digicon for the
purposes of Canadian federal and provincial securities law or an
"affiliate" of Digicon for the purposes of United States federal or
state securities law). Digicon will in good faith expeditiously
take all such actions and do all such things as are necessary to
cause all shares of Digicon Common Stock (or other shares or
securities into which Digicon Common Stock may be reclassified or
changed as contemplated by Section 2(g) hereof) to be delivered
hereunder, including for greater certainty, pursuant to the
Exchangeable Share Provisions, or pursuant to the Exchange Right or
the Automatic Exchange Rights to be listed, quoted or posted for
trading on all stock exchanges and quotation systems on which such
shares are listed, quoted or posted for trading at such time.
Digicon will in good faith expeditiously take all such action and do
all such things as are necessary to cause all Exchangeable Shares to
be and to continue to be listed and posted for trading on a stock
exchange in Canada. Digicon will in good faith expeditiously take
all such
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<PAGE> 257
action and do all such things as are necessary to cause all
the shares of Digicon Common Stock to be and to continue to be
listed and posted for trading on The Toronto Stock Exchange.
(g) EQUIVALENCE.
(i) Digicon will not without the prior approval of
Veritas and the prior approval of the holders of
the Exchangeable Shares given in accordance with
Section 9.2 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions:
(A) issue or distribute shares of Digicon Common Stock (or
securities exchangeable for or convertible into or carrying
rights to acquire shares of Digicon Common Stock) to
the holders of all or substantially all of the then
outstanding Digicon Common Stock by way of stock dividend or
other distribution; or
(B) issue or distribute rights, options or warrants to the
holders of all or substantially all of the then
outstanding shares of Digicon Common Stock entitling them
to subscribe for or to purchase shares of Digicon Common
Stock (or securities exchangeable for or convertible into or
carrying rights to acquire shares of Digicon Common Stock);
or
(C) issue or distribute to the holders of all or substantially
all of the then outstanding shares of Digicon Common
Stock (I) shares or securities of Digicon of any class
other than Digicon Common Stock (other than shares
convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights to
acquire shares of Digicon Common Stock), (II) rights,
options or warrants other than those referred to in
subsection 2(g)(i)(A) above, (III) evidences of indebtedness
of Digicon or (IV) assets of Digicon;
unless (D) Veritas is permitted under applicable law to issue or
distribute the equivalent on a per share basis of such rights,
options, securities, shares, evidences of indebtedness or other
assets to holders of the Exchangeable Shares and (E) Veritas shall
issue or distribute such rights, options, securities, shares,
evidences of indebtedness or other assets simultaneously to holders
of the Exchangeable Shares.
(ii) Digicon will not without the prior approval of Veritas and the
prior approval of the holders of the Exchangeable Shares given
in accordance with Section 9.2 of the Exchangeable Share
Provisions:
(A) subdivide, redivide or change the then outstanding shares
of Digicon Common Stock into a greater number of shares
of Digicon Common Stock; or
(B) reduce, combine or consolidate or change the then
outstanding shares of Digicon Common Stock into a lesser
number of shares of Digicon Common Stock; or
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<PAGE> 258
(C) reclassify or otherwise change the shares of Digicon
Common Stock or effect an amalgamation, merger,
reorganization or other transaction affecting the shares
of Digicon Common Stock;
unless (I) Veritas is permitted under applicable law to
simultaneously make the same or an equivalent change to, or in the
rights of holders of, the Exchangeable Shares and (II) the same or
an equivalent change is made to, or in the rights of the holders of,
the Exchangeable Shares.
(iii) Digicon will ensure that the record date for any event
referred to in section 2(g)(i) or 2(g)(ii) above, or (if no
record date is applicable for such event) the effective
date for any such event, is not less than 20 Business Days
after the date on which such event is declared or announced by
Digicon (with simultaneous notice thereof to be given by
Digicon to Veritas).
(h) TENDER OFFERS, ETC. In the event that a tender offer, share
exchange offer, issuer bid, take-over bid or similar transaction
with respect to Digicon Common Stock (an "Offer") is proposed by
Digicon or is proposed to Digicon or its shareholders and is
recommended by the Board of Directors of Digicon, or is otherwise
effected or to be effected with the consent or approval of the Board
of Directors of Digicon, Digicon shall take all such actions and do
all such things as are necessary or desirable to enable and permit
holders of Exchangeable Shares to participate in such Offer to the
same extent and on an equivalent basis as the holders of shares of
Digicon Common Stock, without discrimination, including, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Digicon will use its good
faith efforts expeditiously to (and shall, in the case of a
transaction proposed by Digicon or where Digicon is a participant in
the negotiation thereof) ensure that holders of Exchangeable Shares
may participate in all such Offers without being required to retract
Exchangeable Shares as against Veritas (or, if so required, to
ensure that any such retraction shall be effective only upon, and
shall be conditional upon, the closing of the Offer and only to the
extent necessary to tender or deposit to the Offer).
(i) OWNERSHIP OF OUTSTANDING SHARES. Without the prior approval
of Veritas and the prior approval of the holders of the Exchangeable
Shares given in accordance with Section 9.2 of the Exchangeable
Share Provisions, Digicon covenants and agrees in favour of Veritas
that, as long as any outstanding Exchangeable Shares are owned by
any person or entity other than Digicon or any of its Subsidiaries,
Digicon will be and remain the direct or indirect beneficial
owner of all issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Veritas
and all outstanding securities of Veritas carrying or otherwise
entitled to voting rights in any circumstances, in each case other
than the Exchangeable Shares.
(j) DIGICON NOT TO VOTE EXCHANGEABLE SHARES. Digicon covenants
and agrees that it will appoint and cause to be appointed
proxyholders with respect to all Exchangeable Shares held by Digicon
and its Subsidiaries for the sole purpose of attending each meeting
of holders of Exchangeable Shares in order to be counted as
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<PAGE> 259
part of the quorum for each such meeting. Digicon further covenants
and agrees that it will not, and will cause its Subsidiaries not
to, exercise any voting rights which may be exercisable by holders
of Exchangeable Shares from time to time pursuant to the
Exchangeable Share Provisions or pursuant to the provisions of the
Business Corporations Act (Alberta) (or any successor or other
corporate statute by which Veritas may in the future be governed)
with respect to any Exchangeable Shares held by it or by its
Subsidiaries in respect of any matter considered at any meeting of
holders of Exchangeable Shares.
(k) DUE PERFORMANCE. On and after the Effective Date, Digicon
shall duly and timely perform all of its obligations provided for in
the Plan of Arrangement, including any obligations that may arise
upon the exercise of Digicon's rights under the Exchangeable Share
Provisions.
(l) ELECTION OF DIGICON BOARD AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE. At or
prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the Combination
Agreement), (i) such number of directors of Digicon shall resign or
be removed such that there shall be no more than six directors of
Digicon ("Digicon Designees") serving in such a capacity, (ii) the
size of the board of directors of Digicon shall be increased so that
it shall initially consist of ten directors and (iii) a nominating
committee (the "Nominating Committee") will be created. At the
Effective Time, four individuals designated by Veritas (the "Veritas
Designees") shall be elected to the board of directors of Digicon.
The Nominating Committee (i) shall consist initially of two outside
directors who are Veritas Designees and two outside directors who
are Digicon Designees, (ii) shall take action by the vote of a
majority of its authorized number of members and (iii) shall
nominate directors for election for not less than the two annual
stockholder meetings of Digicon (or special meetings in lieu
thereof) following the Closing (as defined in the Combination
Agreement). Any member of the Nominating Committee who ceases to be
such a member (whether by reason of resignation from the Nominating
Committee or death, disability, removal or resignation as a director
or otherwise) shall be promptly replaced with a Digicon director
designated by a majority of the Veritas Designees or the Digicon
Designees, as applicable. Digicon shall put forth those
individuals nominated by the Nominating Committee for election to
its board of directors and will solicit proxies for its
stockholder's meetings in favour of the election of each such
individual.
3. GENERAL
(a) TERM. This agreement shall come into force and be effective
as of the date hereof and shall terminate and be of no further force
and effect at such time as no Exchangeable Shares (or securities or
rights convertible into or exchangeable for or carrying rights to
acquire Exchangeable Shares) are held by any party other than
Digicon and any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) CHANGES IN CAPITAL OF DIGICON AND VERITAS. Notwithstanding
the provisions of section 3(d) hereof, at all times after the
occurrence of any event effected pursuant to section 2(g) or 2(h)
hereof, as a result of which either Digicon
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<PAGE> 260
Common Stock or the Exchangeable Shares or both are in any way
changed, this agreement shall forthwith be amended and modified as
necessary in order that it shall apply with full force and effect,
mutatis mutandis, to all new securities into which Digicon Common
Stock or the Exchangeable Shares or both are so changed and the
parties hereto shall execute and deliver an agreement in writing
giving effect to and evidencing such necessary amendments and
modifications.
(c) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this agreement is held to
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or
enforceability of the remainder of this agreement shall not in any
way be affected or impaired thereby and this agreement shall be
carried out as nearly as possible in accordance with its original
terms and conditions.
(d) AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, ETC. This agreement may not be
amended or modified except by an agreement in writing executed by
Veritas and Digicon and approved by the holders of the Exchangeable
Shares in accordance with Section 9.2 of the Exchangeable Share
Provisions.
(e) MINISTERIAL AMENDMENTS. Notwithstanding the provisions of
section 3(d), the parties to this agreement may in writing, at any
time and from time to time, without the approval of the holders of
the Exchangeable Shares, amend or modify this agreement for the
purposes of:
(i) adding to the covenants of either or both
parties for the protection of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares;
(ii) making such amendments or modifications not
inconsistent with this agreement as may be
necessary or desirable with respect to matters or
questions which, in the opinion of the board of
directors of each of Veritas and Digicon, it may be
expedient to make, provided that each such boards
of directors shall be of the opinion that such
amendments or modifications will not be
prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares; or
(iii) making such changes or corrections which, on
the advice of counsel to Veritas and Digicon, are
required for the purpose of curing or correcting
any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent provision
or clerical omission or mistake or manifest error,
provided that the boards of directors of each of
Veritas and Digicon shall be of the opinion that
such changes or corrections will not be
prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares.
(f) MEETING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS. Veritas, at the request of
Digicon, shall call a meeting or meetings of the holders of the
Exchangeable Shares for the purpose of considering any proposed
amendment or modification requiring approval of such shareholders.
Any such meeting or meetings shall be called and held in accordance
with the by-laws of Veritas, the Exchangeable Share Provisions and
all applicable laws.
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(g) AMENDMENTS ONLY IN WRITING. No amendment to or modification
or waiver of any of the provisions of this agreement otherwise
permitted hereunder shall be effective unless made in writing and
signed by both of the parties hereto.
(h) INUREMENT. This agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and the holders, from time to
time, of Exchangeable Shares and each of their respective heirs,
successors and assigns.
(i) NOTICES TO PARTIES. All notices and other communications
between the parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been given if delivered personally or by confirmed telecopy to the
parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for
either such party as shall be specified in like notice):
(i) if to Digicon at: Digicon Inc.
3701 Kirby Drive, Suite 112
Houston, Texas 77098
Attention: President
Telecopy: (713) 526-5611
(ii) if to Veritas at: Veritas Energy Services Inc.
Suite 300, 615 - Third Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0G6
Attention: President
Telecopy: (403) 266-9359
Any notice or other communication given personally shall
be deemed to have been given and received upon delivery
thereof and if given by telecopy shall be deemed to have
been given and received on the date of confirmed receipt
thereof unless such day is not a Business Day in which
case it shall be deemed to have been given and received
upon the immediately following Business Day.
(j) COUNTERPARTS. This agreement may be executed in
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(k) JURISDICTION. This agreement shall be construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the Province of Alberta and the laws
of Canada applicable therein.
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(l) ATTORNMENT. Digicon agrees that any action or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this agreement may be instituted in
the courts of Alberta, waives any objection which it may have now or
hereafter to the venue of any such action or proceeding, irrevocably
submits to the jurisdiction of the said courts in any such action or
proceeding, agrees to be bound by any judgment of the said courts
and not to seek, and hereby waives, any review of the merits of any
such judgment by the courts of any other jurisdiction and hereby
appoints Veritas at its registered office in the Province of Alberta
as Digicon's attorney for service of process.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.
DIGICON INC. VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
Per: ____________________ Per: ________________________
Per: ____________________ Per: ________________________
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ANNEX G
<PAGE> 264
VOTING AND EXCHANGE TRUST AGREEMENT
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT MADE AS OF THE ____ DAY OF ________, 1996.
B E T W E E N:
DIGICON INC.,
a corporation existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware
(hereinafter referred to as
"Digicon")
OF THE FIRST PART,
- and -
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.,
a corporation existing under
the laws of the Province of
Alberta
(hereinafter referred to as
"Veritas")
OF THE SECOND PART,
- and -
THE R-M TRUST COMPANY,
a trust company existing under the laws of Canada
(hereinafter referred to as the
"Trustee")
OF THE THIRD PART.
WHEREAS pursuant to a combination agreement dated as of May 10, 1996, by
and between Digicon and Veritas (such agreement as it may be amended or
restated is hereinafter referred to as the "Combination Agreement") the parties
agreed that on the Effective Date (as defined in the Combination Agreement),
Digicon and Veritas would execute and deliver a Voting and Exchange Trust
Agreement containing the terms and conditions set forth in Exhibit _____ to the
Combination Agreement together with such other terms and conditions as may be
agreed to by the parties to the Combination Agreement acting reasonably;
AND WHEREAS pursuant to an arrangement (the "Arrangement") effected by
Articles of Arrangement dated ________, 1996 filed pursuant to the Business
Corporations Act (Alberta), each issued and outstanding common share of Veritas
(a "Veritas Common Share") was exchanged for 0.8 issued and outstanding
Exchangeable Shares of Veritas (the "Exchangeable Shares"), and thereafter,
Veritas's sole issued and outstanding Class A Preferred Share was exchanged by
the holder thereof for one issued and outstanding Veritas Common Share;
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AND WHEREAS the above-mentioned Articles of Arrangement set forth the
rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions (collectively, the
"Exchangeable Share Provisions") attaching to the Exchangeable Shares;
AND WHEREAS Digicon is to provide voting rights in Digicon to each holder
(other than Digicon and its Subsidiaries) from time to time of Exchangeable
Shares, such voting rights per Exchangeable Share to be equivalent to the
voting rights per share of Digicon Common Stock (the "Digicon Common Stock");
AND WHEREAS Digicon is to grant to and in favour of the holders (other
than Digicon and its Subsidiaries) from time to time of Exchangeable Shares the
right, in the circumstances set forth herein, to require Digicon to purchase
from each such holder all or any part of the Exchangeable Shares held by the
holder;
AND WHEREAS the parties desire to make appropriate provision and to
establish a procedure whereby voting rights in Digicon shall be exercisable by
holders (other than Digicon and its Subsidiaries) from time to time of
Exchangeable Shares by and through the Trustee, which will hold legal title to
one share of Digicon Special Voting Stock (the "Digicon Special Voting Stock")
to which voting rights attach for the benefit of such holders and whereby the
rights to require Digicon to purchase Exchangeable Shares from the holders
thereof (other than Digicon and its Subsidiaries) shall be exercisable by such
holders from time to time of Exchangeable Shares by and through the Trustee,
which will hold legal title to such rights for the benefit of such holders;
AND WHEREAS these recitals and any statements of fact in this agreement
are made by Digicon and Veritas and not by the Trustee;
NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the respective covenants and agreements
provided in this agreement and for other good and valuable consideration (the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties agree as
follows:
1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
(a) DEFINITIONS. In this agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:
"Aggregate Equivalent Vote Amount" means, with respect to any matter,
proposition or question on which holders of Digicon Common Stock are entitled
to vote, consent or otherwise act, the product of (i) the number of shares of
Exchangeable Shares issued and outstanding and held by Holders multiplied by
(ii) the number of votes to which a holder of one share of Digicon Common Stock
is entitled with respect to such matter, proposition or question.
"Exchangeable Share Consideration" has the meaning attributed thereto in the
Exchangeable Share Provisions.
"Exchangeable Share Price" has the meaning attributed thereto in the
Exchangeable Share Provisions.
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"Arrangement" has the meaning attributed thereto in the recitals hereto.
"Automatic Exchange Rights" means the benefit of the obligation of Digicon to
effect the automatic exchange of shares of Digicon Common Stock for
Exchangeable Shares pursuant to Section 5(l) hereof.
"Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of Veritas.
"Business Day" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable Share
Provisions;
"Digicon Common Stock" has the meaning attributed thereto in the recitals
hereto.
"Digicon Consent" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 4(b) hereof.
"Digicon Meeting" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 4(b) hereof.
"Digicon Special Voting Stock" has the meaning attributed thereto in the
recitals hereto.
"Digicon Successor" has the meaning attributed thereto in subsection 11(a)(i)
hereof.
"Equivalent Vote Amount" means, with respect any matter, proposition or
question on which holders of Digicon Common Stock are entitled to vote, consent
or otherwise act, the number of votes to which a holder of one share of Digicon
Common Stock is entitled with respect to such matter, proposition or question.
"Exchange Right" has the meaning attributed thereto in Article 5 hereof.
"Exchangeable Share Provisions" has the meaning attributed thereto in the
recitals hereto.
"Exchangeable Shares" has the meaning attributed thereto in the recitals
hereto.
"Holder Votes" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 4(b) hereof.
"Holders" means the registered holders from time to time of Exchangeable
Shares, other than Digicon and its Subsidiaries.
"Insolvency Event" means the institution by Veritas of any proceeding to be
adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent or to be dissolved or wound-up, or the
consent of Veritas to the institution of bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution
or winding-up proceedings against it, or the filing of a petition, answer or
consent seeking dissolution or winding-up under any bankruptcy, insolvency or
analogous laws, including without limitation the Companies Creditors'
Arrangement Act (Canada) and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), and
the failure by Veritas to contest in good faith any such proceedings commenced
in respect of Veritas within 15 days of becoming aware thereof, or the consent
by Veritas to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a
receiver, or the making by Veritas of a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors, or the admission in writing by Veritas of its inability to pay its
debts generally as they become due, or Veritas not being
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permitted, pursuant to liquidity or solvency requirements of applicable law,
to redeem any Retracted Shares pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Exchangeable
Share Provisions.
"Liquidation Call Right" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable
Share Provisions.
"Liquidation Event" has the meaning attributed thereto in subsection 5(l)(ii)
hereof.
"Liquidation Event Effective Date" has the meaning attributed thereto in
subsection 5(l)(iii) hereof.
"List" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 4(f) hereof.
"Officer's Certificate" means, with respect to Digicon or Veritas, as the case
may be, a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board, the
Vice-Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice-President or any other
senior officer of Digicon or Veritas, as the case may be.
"Person" includes an individual, partnership, corporation, company,
unincorporated syndicate or organization, trust, trustee, executor,
administrator and other legal representative.
"Plan of Arrangement" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable
Share Provisions.
"Redemption Call Right" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable
Share Provisions.
"Retracted Shares" has the meaning attributed thereto in Section 5(g) hereof.
"Retraction Call Right" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable
Share Provisions.
"Subsidiary" has the meaning attributed thereto in the Exchangeable Share
Provisions.
"Support Agreement" means that certain support agreement made as of even date
hereof between Veritas and Digicon.
"Trust" means the trust created by this agreement.
"Trust Estate" means the Voting Share, any other securities, the Exchange
Right, the Automatic Exchange Rights and any money or other property which may
be held by the Trustee from time to time pursuant to this agreement.
"Trustee" means The R-M Trust Company and, subject to the provisions of Article
10 hereof, includes any successor trustee or permitted assigns.
"Veritas Common Shares" has the meaning attributed thereto in the recitals
hereto.
"Voting Rights" means the voting rights attached to the Voting Share.
"Voting Share" means the one share of Digicon Special Voting Stock, U.S. $0.01
par value, issued by Digicon to and deposited with the Trustee, which entitles
the holder of record to a number of
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votes at meetings of holders of Digicon Common Stock equal to the Aggregate
Equivalent Vote Amount.
(b) INTERPRETATION NOT AFFECTED BY HEADINGS,
ETC. The division of this agreement into articles,
sections and paragraphs and the insertion of headings are
for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the
construction or interpretation of this agreement.
(c) NUMBER, GENDER, ETC. Words importing the
singular number only shall include the plural and vice
versa. Words importing the use of any gender shall
include all genders.
(d) DATE FOR ANY ACTION. If any date on
which any action is required to be taken under this
agreement is not a Business Day, such action shall be
required to be taken on the next succeeding Business Day.
2. PURPOSE OF AGREEMENT
The purpose of this agreement is to create the Trust for the
benefit of the Holders, as herein provided. The Trustee will
hold the Voting Share in order to enable the Trustee to
exercise the Voting Rights and will hold the Exchange Right and
the Automatic Exchange Rights in order to enable the Trustee to
exercise such rights, in each case as trustee for and on behalf
of the Holders as provided in this agreement.
3. VOTING SHARE
(a) ISSUANCE AND OWNERSHIP OF THE VOTING
SHARE. Digicon hereby issues to and deposits with the
Trustee the Voting Share to be hereafter held of record by
the Trustee as trustee for and on behalf of, and for the
use and benefit of, the Holders and in accordance with the
provisions of this agreement. Digicon hereby acknowledges
receipt from the Trustee as trustee for and on behalf of
the Holders of good and valuable consideration (and the
adequacy thereof) for the issuance of the Voting Share by
Digicon to the Trustee. During the term of the Trust and
subject to the terms and conditions of this agreement, the
Trustee shall possess and be vested with full legal
ownership of the Voting Share and shall be entitled to
exercise all of the rights and powers of an owner with
respect to the Voting Share, provided that the Trustee
shall:
(i) hold the Voting Share and the legal title
thereto as trustee solely for the use and benefit
of the Holders in accordance with the provisions of
this agreement; and
(ii) except as specifically authorized by this
agreement, have no power or authority to sell,
transfer, vote or otherwise deal in or with the
Voting Share and the Voting Share shall not be used
or disposed of by the Trustee for any purpose
other than the purposes for which this Trust is
created pursuant to this agreement.
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(b) LEGENDED SHARE CERTIFICATES. Veritas
will cause each certificate representing Exchangeable
Shares to bear an appropriate legend notifying the Holders
of their right to instruct the Trustee with respect to the
exercise of the Voting Rights with respect to the
Exchangeable Shares held by a Holder.
(c) SAFE KEEPING OF CERTIFICATE. The
certificate representing the Voting Share shall at all
times be held in safe keeping by the Trustee or its agent.
4. EXERCISE OF VOTING RIGHTS
(a) VOTING RIGHTS. The Trustee, as the
holder of record of the Voting Share, shall be entitled to
all of the Voting Rights, including the right to consent
to or to vote in person or by proxy the Voting Share, on
any matter, question or proposition whatsoever that may
properly come before the stockholders of Digicon at a
Digicon Meeting or in connection with a Digicon Consent
(in each case, as hereinafter defined). The Voting Rights
shall be and remain vested in and exercised by the
Trustee. Subject to Section 7(o) hereof, the Trustee
shall exercise the Voting Rights only on the basis of
instructions received pursuant to this Article 4 from
Holders entitled to instruct the Trustee as to the voting
thereof at the time at which a Digicon Consent is sought
or a Digicon Meeting is held. To the extent that no
instructions are received from a Holder with respect to
the Voting Rights to which such Holder is entitled, the
Trustee shall not exercise or permit the exercise of such
Holder's Voting Rights.
(b) NUMBER OF VOTES. With respect to all
meetings of stockholders of Digicon at which holders of
shares of Digicon Common Stock are entitled to vote (a
"Digicon Meeting") and with respect to all written
consents sought by Digicon from its stockholders including
the holders of shares of Digicon Common Stock (a "Digicon
Consent"), each Holder shall be entitled to instruct the
Trustee to cast and exercise, in the manner instructed, a
number of votes equal to the Equivalent Vote Amount for
each Exchangeable Share owned of record by such Holder on
the record date established by Digicon or by applicable
law for such Digicon Meeting or Digicon Consent, as the
case may be (the "Holder Votes") in respect of each
matter, question or proposition to be voted on at such
Digicon Meeting or to be consented to in connection with
such Digicon Consent.
(c) MAILINGS TO SHAREHOLDERS. With respect
to each Digicon Meeting and Digicon Consent, the Trustee
will mail or cause to be mailed (or otherwise communicate
in the same manner as Digicon utilizes in communications
to holders of Digicon Common Stock, subject to the
Trustee's ability to provide this method of communication
and upon being advised in writing of such method) to each
of the Holders named in the List on the same day as the
initial mailing or notice (or other communication) with
respect thereto is given by Digicon to its stockholders:
(i) a copy of such notice, together with any proxy
or information statement and related materials to
be provided to stockholders of the Digicon;
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(ii) a statement that such Holder is entitled to
instruct the Trustee as to the exercise of the
Holder Votes with respect to such Digicon Meeting
or Digicon Consent, as the case may be, or,
pursuant to Section 4(g) hereof, to attend such
Digicon Meeting and to exercise personally the
Holder Votes thereat;
(iii) a statement as to the manner in which such
instructions may be given to the Trustee,
including an express indication that instructions
may be given to the Trustee to give:
(A) a proxy to such Holder or his designee to
exercise personally the Holder Votes; or
(B) a proxy to a designated agent or other
representative of the management of Digicon
to exercise such Holder Votes;
(iv) a statement that if no such instructions are
received from the Holder, the Holder Votes to
which such Holder is entitled will not be
exercised;
(v) a form of direction whereby the Holder may so
direct and instruct the Trustee as contemplated
herein; and
(vi) a statement of (A) the time and date by which
such instructions must be received by the Trustee
in order to be binding upon it, which in the case
of a Digicon Meeting shall not be earlier than the
close of business on the Business Day prior to such
meeting, and (B) the method for revoking or
amending such instructions.
The materials referred to above are to be provided by Digicon
to the Trustee, but shall be subject to review and comment by
the Trustee.
For the purpose of determining Holder Votes to which a Holder
is entitled in respect of any such Digicon Meeting or Digicon
Consent, the number of Exchangeable Shares owned of record by
the Holder shall be determined at the close of business on the
record date established by Digicon or by applicable law for
purposes of determining stockholders entitled to vote at such
Digicon Meeting or to give written consent in connection with
such Digicon Consent. Digicon will notify the Trustee in
writing of any decision of the board of directors of Digicon
with respect to the calling of any such Digicon Meeting or the
seeking of any such Digicon Consent and shall provide all
necessary information and materials to the Trustee in each case
promptly and in any event in sufficient time to enable the
Trustee to perform its obligations contemplated by this Section
4(c).
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(d) COPIES OF STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION. Digicon will deliver
to the Trustee copies of all proxy materials,
(including notices of Digicon Meetings but excluding
proxies to vote shares of Digicon Common Stock),
information statements, reports (including without
limitation all interim and annual financial statements)
and other written communications that are to be
distributed from time to time to holders of Digicon Common
Stock in sufficient quantities and in sufficient time so
as to enable the Trustee to send those materials to each
Holder at the same time as such materials are first sent
to holders of Digicon Common Stock. The Trustee will mail
or otherwise send to each Holder, at the expense of
Digicon, copies of all such materials (and all materials
specifically directed to the Holders or to the Trustee for
the benefit of the Holders by Digicon) received by the
Trustee from Digicon at the same time as such materials
are first sent to holders of Digicon Common Stock. The
Trustee will make copies of all such materials available
for inspection by any Holder at the Trustee's principal
office in the cities of Calgary and Toronto.
(e) OTHER MATERIALS. Immediately after receipt by Digicon or
any stockholder of Digicon of any material sent or
given generally to the holders of Digicon Common Stock by
or on behalf of a third party, including without
limitation dissident proxy and information circulars (and
related information and material) and tender and exchange
offer circulars (and related information and material),
Digicon shall use its best efforts to obtain and deliver
to the Trustee copies thereof in sufficient quantities so
as to enable the Trustee to forward such material (unless
the same has been provided directly to Holders by such
third party) to each Holder as soon as possible
thereafter. As soon as practicable after receipt thereof,
the Trustee will mail or otherwise send to each Holder, at
the expense of Digicon, copies of all such materials
received by the Trustee from Digicon. The Trustee will
also make copies of all such materials available for
inspection by any Holder at the Trustee's principal office
in the cities of Toronto and Vancouver.
(f) LIST OF PERSONS ENTITLED TO VOTE. Veritas shall, (i) prior
to each annual, general and special Digicon Meeting or
the seeking of any Digicon Consent and (ii) forthwith upon
each request made at any time by the Trustee in writing,
prepare or cause to be prepared a list (a "List") of the
names and addresses of the Holders arranged in
alphabetical order and showing the number of Exchangeable
Shares held of record by each such Holder, in each case at
the close of business on the date specified by the Trustee
in such request or, in the case of a List prepared in
connection with a Digicon Meeting or a Digicon Consent, at
the close of business on the record date established by
Digicon or pursuant to applicable law for determining the
holders of Digicon Common Stock entitled to receive notice
of and/or to vote at such Digicon Meeting or to give
consent in connection with such Digicon Consent. Each
such List shall be delivered to the Trustee promptly after
receipt by Veritas of such request or the record date for
such meeting or seeking of consent, as the case may be,
and in any event within sufficient time as to enable the
Trustee to perform its obligations under this agreement.
Digicon agrees to give Veritas written notice (with a copy
to the Trustee) of the calling of any Digicon Meeting or
the seeking of any Digicon Consent, together with the
record dates therefor, sufficiently prior to the date
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of the calling of such meeting or seeking of such
consent so as to enable Veritas to perform its obligations
under this Section 4(f).
(g) ENTITLEMENT TO DIRECT VOTES. Any Holder named in a List
prepared in connection with any Digicon Meeting or any
Digicon Consent will be entitled (i) to instruct the
Trustee in the manner described in Section 4(c) hereof
with respect to the exercise of the Holder Votes to which
such Holder is entitled or (ii) to attend such meeting and
personally to exercise thereat (or to exercise with
respect to any written consent), as the proxy of the
Trustee, the Holder Votes to which such Holder is
entitled.
(h) VOTING BY TRUSTEE, AND ATTENDANCE OF TRUSTEE
REPRESENTATIVE, AT MEETING.
(i) In connection with each Digicon Meeting and
Digicon Consent, the Trustee shall exercise, either
in person or by proxy, in accordance with the
instructions received from a Holder pursuant to
Section 4(c) hereof, the Holder Votes as to which
such Holder is entitled to direct the vote (or any
lesser number thereof as may be set forth in the
instructions); provided, however, that such written
instructions are received by the Trustee from the
Holder prior to the time and date fixed
by it for receipt of such instructions in the
notice given by the Trustee to the Holder pursuant
to Section 4(c) hereof.
(ii) The Trustee shall cause such representatives
as are empowered by it to sign and deliver, on
behalf of the Trustee, proxies for Voting Rights to
attend each Digicon Meeting. Upon submission by a
Holder (or its designee) of identification
satisfactory to the Trustee's representatives, and
at the Holder's request, such representatives shall
sign and deliver to such Holder (or its designee) a
proxy to exercise personally the Holder Votes as to
which such Holder is otherwise entitled hereunder
to direct the vote, if such Holder either (A) has
not previously given the Trustee instructions
pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof in respect of such
meeting, or (B) submits to the Trustee's
representatives written revocation of any such
previous instructions. At such meeting, the Holder
exercising such Holder Votes shall have the same
rights as the Trustee to speak at the meeting in
respect of any matter, question or proposition, to
vote by way of ballot at the meeting in respect of
any matter, question or proposition and to vote at
such meeting by way of a show of hands in respect
of any matter, question or proposition.
(i) DISTRIBUTION OF WRITTEN MATERIALS. Any written materials
to be distributed by the Trustee to the Holders
pursuant to this agreement shall be delivered or sent by
mail (or otherwise communicated in the same manner as
Digicon utilizes in communications to holders of Digicon
Common Stock) to each Holder at its address as shown on
the books of Veritas. Veritas shall provide or cause to
be provided to the Trustee for this purpose, on a timely
basis and without charge or other expense:
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(A) current lists of the Holders; and
(B) upon the request of the Trustee, mailing
labels to enable the Trustee to carry out its
duties under this agreement.
The materials referred to above are to be provided by
Digicon to the Trustee, but shall be subject to review
and comment by the Trustee.
(j) TERMINATION OF VOTING RIGHTS. Except as otherwise
provided herein or in the Exchangeable Share
provisions, all of the rights of a Holder with respect to
the Holder Votes exercisable in respect of the
Exchangeable Shares held by such Holder, including the
right to instruct the Trustee as to the voting of or to
vote personally such Holder Votes, shall be deemed to be
surrendered by the Holder to Digicon and such Holder Votes
and the Voting Rights represented thereby shall cease
immediately upon the delivery by such Holder to the
Trustee of the certificates representing such Exchangeable
Shares in connection with the exercise by the Holder of
the Exchange Right or the occurrence of the automatic
exchange of Exchangeable Shares for shares of Digicon
Common Stock, as specified in Article 5 hereof (unless in
either case Digicon shall not have delivered the
Exchangeable Share Consideration deliverable in exchange
therefor to the Trustee for delivery to the Holders), or
upon the redemption of Exchangeable Shares pursuant to
Article 6 or Article 7 of the Exchangeable Share
Provisions, or upon the effective date of the liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of Veritas pursuant to Article 5
of the Exchangeable Share Provisions, or upon the purchase
of Exchangeable Shares from the holder thereof by Digicon
pursuant to the exercise by Digicon of the Retraction Call
Right, the Redemption Call Right or the Liquidation Call
Right.
5. EXCHANGE RIGHT AND AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE
(a) GRANT AND OWNERSHIP OF THE EXCHANGE RIGHT. Digicon hereby
grants to the Trustee as trustee for and on behalf of,
and for the use and benefit of, the Holders (i) the right
(the "Exchange Right"), upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Insolvency Event, to require Digicon to
purchase from each or any Holder all or any part of the
Exchangeable Shares held by the Holders, and (ii) the
Automatic Exchange Rights, all in accordance with the
provisions of this agreement. Digicon hereby acknowledges
receipt from the Trustee as trustee for and on behalf of
the Holders of good and valuable consideration (and the
adequacy thereof) for the grant of the Exchange Right and
the Automatic Exchange Rights by Digicon to the Trustee.
During the term of the Trust and subject to the terms and
conditions of this agreement, the Trustee shall possess
and be vested with full legal ownership of the Exchange
Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights and shall be
entitled to exercise all of the rights and powers of an
owner with respect to the Exchange Right and the Automatic
Exchange Rights, provided that the Trustee shall:
(iii) hold the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange
Rights and the legal title thereto as trustee
solely for the use and benefit of the Holders in
accordance with the provisions of this agreement;
and
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(iv) except as specifically authorized by this
agreement, have no power or authority to
exercise or otherwise deal in or with the Exchange
Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights, and the
Trustee shall not exercise any such rights for
any purpose other than the purposes for which this
Trust is created pursuant to this agreement.
(b) LEGENDED SHARE CERTIFICATES. Veritas will cause each
certificate representing Exchangeable Shares to bear an
appropriate legend notifying the Holders of:
(i) their right to instruct the Trustee with
respect to the exercise of the Exchange Right in
respect of the Exchangeable Shares held by a
Holder; and
(ii) the Automatic Exchange Rights.
(c) GENERAL EXERCISE OF EXCHANGE RIGHT. The Exchange Right
shall be and remain vested in and exercised by the
Trustee. Subject to Section 7(o) hereof, the Trustee
shall exercise the Exchange Right only on the basis of
instructions received pursuant to this Article 5 from
Holders entitled to instruct the Trustee as to the
exercise thereof. To the extent that no instructions are
received from a Holder with respect to the Exchange Right,
the Trustee shall not exercise or permit the exercise of
the Exchange Right.
(d) PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price payable by Digicon for
each Exchangeable Share to be purchased by Digicon
under the Exchange Right shall be an amount equal to the
Exchangeable Share Price on the last Business Day prior to
the day of closing of the purchase and sale of such
Exchangeable Share under the Exchange Right. In
connection with each exercise of the Exchange Right,
Digicon will provide to the Trustee an Officer's
Certificate setting forth the calculation of the
Exchangeable Share Price for each Exchangeable Share. The
Exchangeable Share Price for each such Exchangeable Share
so purchased may be satisfied only by Digicon issuing and
delivering or causing to be delivered to the Trustee, on
behalf of the relevant Holder, the Exchangeable Share
Consideration representing the total Exchangeable Share
Price.
(e) EXERCISE INSTRUCTIONS. Subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, a Holder shall be
entitled, upon the occurrence and during the continuance
of an Insolvency Event, to instruct the Trustee to
exercise the Exchange Right with respect to all or any
part of the Exchangeable Shares registered in the name of
such Holder on the books of Veritas. To cause the
exercise of the Exchange Right by the Trustee, the Holder
shall deliver to the Trustee, in person or by certified or
registered mail, at its principal office in Calgary,
Alberta or at such other places in Canada as the Trustee
may from time to time designate by written notice to the
Holders, the certificates representing the Exchangeable
Shares which such Holder desires Digicon to purchase, duly
endorsed in blank, and accompanied by such other documents
and instruments as may be required to effect a transfer of
Exchangeable Shares under the Business Corporations Act
(Alberta) and the by-laws of Veritas and such additional
documents
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and instruments as the Trustee may reasonably require
together with (i) a duly completed form of notice of
exercise of the Exchange Right, contained on the reverse
of or attached to the Exchangeable Share certificates,
stating (A) that the Holder thereby instructs the Trustee
to exercise the Exchange Right so as to require Digicon
to purchase from the Holder the number of Exchangeable
Shares specified therein, (B) that such Holder has good
title to and owns all such Exchangeable Shares to be
acquired by Digicon free and clear of all liens, claims
and encumbrances, (C) the names in which the certificates
representing Digicon Common Stock issuable in connection
with the exercise of the Exchange Right are to be issued
and (D) the names and addresses of the persons to whom
the Exchangeable Share Consideration should be delivered
and (ii) payment (or evidence satisfactory to the
Trustee, Veritas and Digicon of payment) of the taxes (if
any) payable as contemplated by Section 5(h) of this
agreement. If only a part of the Exchangeable Shares
represented by any certificate or certificates delivered
to the Trustee are to be purchased by Digicon under the
Exchange Right, a new certificate for the balance of such
Exchangeable Shares shall be issued to the Holder at the
expense of Veritas.
(f) DELIVERY OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARE CONSIDERATION; EFFECT OF
EXERCISE. Promptly after receipt of the certificates
representing the Exchangeable Shares which the Holder
desires Digicon to purchase under the Exchange Right
(together with such documents and instruments of transfer
and a duly completed form of notice of exercise of the
Exchange Right), duly endorsed for transfer to Digicon,
the Trustee shall notify Digicon and Veritas of its
receipt of the same, which notice to Digicon and Veritas
shall constitute exercise of the Exchange Right by the
Trustee on behalf of the Holder of such Exchangeable
Shares, and Digicon shall immediately thereafter deliver
or cause to be delivered to the Trustee, for delivery to
the Holder of such Exchangeable Shares (or to such other
persons, if any, properly designated by such Holder), the
Exchangeable Share Consideration deliverable in connection
with the exercise of the Exchange Right; provided,
however, that no such delivery shall be made unless and
until the Holder requesting the same shall have paid (or
provided evidence satisfactory to the Trustee, Veritas and
Digicon of the payment of) the taxes (if any) payable as
contemplated by Section 5(h) of this agreement.
Immediately upon the giving of notice by the Trustee to
Digicon and Veritas of the exercise of the Exchange Right,
as provided in this Section 5(f), the closing of the
transaction of purchase and sale contemplated by the
Exchange Right shall be deemed to have occurred, and the
Holder of such Exchangeable Shares shall be deemed to have
transferred to Digicon all of its right, title and
interest in and to such Exchangeable Shares and in the
related interest in the Trust Estate and shall cease to be
a holder of such Exchangeable Shares and shall not be
entitled to exercise any of the rights of a holder in
respect thereof, other than the right to receive his
proportionate part of the total purchase price therefor,
unless such Exchangeable Share Consideration is not
delivered by Digicon to the Trustee, for delivery to such
Holder (or to such other persons, if any, properly
designated by such Holder), within five Business Days of
the date of the giving of such notice by the Trustee, in
which case the rights of the Holder shall remain
unaffected until such Exchangeable Share Consideration is
delivered by Digicon and any cheque included therein is
paid. Concurrently with such Holder ceasing to be a
holder of Exchangeable Shares, the Holder shall be
considered and
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deemed for all purposes to be the holder of the shares of
Digicon Common Stock delivered to it pursuant to the
Exchange Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing until the
Exchangeable Share Consideration is delivered to the
Holder, the Holder shall be deemed to still be a holder of
the sold Exchangeable Shares for purposes of voting rights
with respect thereto under this agreement.
(g) EXERCISE OF EXCHANGE RIGHT SUBSEQUENT TO RETRACTION. In
the event that a Holder has exercised its right under
Article 6 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions to require
Veritas to redeem any or all of the Exchangeable Shares
held by the Holder (the "Retracted Shares") and is
notified by Veritas pursuant to Section 6.6 of the
Exchangeable Share Provisions that Veritas will not be
permitted as a result of liquidity or solvency
requirements of applicable law to redeem all such
Retracted Shares, subject to receipt by the Trustee of
written notice to that effect from Veritas and provided
that Digicon shall not have exercised the Retraction Call
Right with respect to the Retracted Shares and that the
Holder has not revoked the retraction request delivered by
the Holder to Veritas pursuant to Section 6.1 of the
Exchangeable Share Provisions, the retraction request will
constitute and will be deemed to constitute notice from
the Holder to the Trustee instructing the Trustee to
exercise the Exchange Right with respect to those
Retracted Shares which Veritas is unable to redeem. In
any such event, Veritas hereby agrees with the Trustee and
in favour of the Holder immediately to notify the Trustee
of such prohibition against Veritas redeeming all of the
Retracted Shares and immediately to forward or cause to be
forwarded to the Trustee all relevant materials delivered
by the Holder to Veritas or to the transfer agent of the
Exchangeable Shares (including without limitation a copy
of the retraction request delivered pursuant to Section
6.1 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions) in connection
with such proposed redemption of the Retracted Shares and
the Trustee will thereupon exercise the Exchange Right
with respect to the Retracted Shares that Veritas is not
permitted to redeem and will require Digicon to purchase
such shares in accordance with the provisions of this
Article 5.
(h) STAMP OR OTHER TRANSFER TAXES. Upon any sale of
Exchangeable Shares to Digicon pursuant to the Exchange
Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights, the share
certificate or certificates representing Digicon Common
Stock to be delivered in connection with the payment of
the total purchase price therefor shall be issued in the
name of the Holder of the Exchangeable Shares so sold or
in such names as such Holder may otherwise direct in
writing without charge to the holder of the Exchangeable
Shares so sold, provided, however, that such Holder (i)
shall pay (and neither Digicon, Veritas nor the Trustee
shall be required to pay) any documentary, stamp, transfer
or other similar taxes that may be payable in respect of
any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of such
shares to a person other than such Holder or (ii) shall
have established to the satisfaction of the Trustee,
Digicon and Veritas that such taxes, if any, have been
paid.
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(i) NOTICE OF INSOLVENCY EVENT. Immediately upon the
occurrence of an Insolvency Event or any event which
with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both
would be an Insolvency Event, Veritas and Digicon shall
give written notice thereof to the Trustee. As soon as
practicable after receiving notice from Veritas and
Digicon or from any other Person of the occurrence of an
Insolvency Event, the Trustee will mail to each Holder, at
the expense of Digicon, a notice of such Insolvency Event
in the form provided by Digicon, which notice shall
contain a brief statement of the right of the Holders with
respect to the Exchange Right.
(j) QUALIFICATION OF DIGICON COMMON STOCK. Digicon covenants
that if any shares of Digicon Common Stock to be issued
and delivered pursuant to the Exchange Right or the
Automatic Exchange Rights require registration or
qualification with or approval of or the filing of any
document including any prospectus or similar document or
the taking of any proceeding with or the obtaining of any
order, ruling or consent from any governmental or
regulatory authority under any Canadian or United States
federal, provincial or state law or regulation or pursuant
to the rules and regulations of any regulatory authority
or the fulfillment of any other legal requirement
(collectively, the "Applicable Laws") before such shares
may be issued and delivered by Digicon to the initial
holder thereof (other than Veritas) or in order that such
shares may be freely traded thereafter (other than any
restrictions on transfer by reason of a holder being a
"control person" of Digicon for purposes of Canadian
federal or provincial securities law or an "affiliate" of
Digicon for purposes of United States federal or state
securities law), Digicon will in good faith expeditiously
take all such actions and do all such things as are
necessary to cause such shares of Digicon Common Stock to
be and remain duly registered, qualified or approved.
Digicon represents and warrants that it has in good faith
taken all actions and done all things as are necessary
under Applicable Laws as they exist on the date hereof to
cause the shares of Digicon Common Stock to be issued and
delivered pursuant to the Exchange Right and the Automatic
Exchange Rights and to be freely tradeable thereafter
(other than restrictions on transfer by reason of a holder
being a "control person" of Digicon for the purposes of
Canadian federal and provincial securities law or an
"affiliate" of Digicon for the purposes of United States
federal or state securities law). Digicon will in good
faith expeditiously take all such actions and do all such
things as are necessary to cause all shares of Digicon
Common Stock to be delivered pursuant to the Exchange
Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights to be listed,
quoted or posted for trading on all stock exchanges and
quotation systems on which such shares are listed, quoted
or posted for trading at such time.
(k) RESERVATION OF SHARES OF DIGICON COMMON STOCK.
Digicon hereby represents, warrants and covenants that it
has irrevocably reserved for issuance and will at all
times keep available, free from pre-emptive and other
rights, out of its authorized and unissued capital stock
such number of shares of Digicon Common Stock (i) as is
equal to the sum of (A) the number of Exchangeable Shares
issued and outstanding from time to time and (B) the
number of Exchangeable Shares issuable upon the exercise
of all rights to acquire Exchangeable Shares outstanding
from time to time and (ii) as are now and may hereafter
be required to enable and
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permit Veritas to meet its obligations hereunder, under
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Digicon,
under the Support Agreement, under the Exchangeable Share
Provisions and under any other security or commitment
pursuant to the Arrangement with respect to which Digicon
may now or hereafter be required to issue shares of
Digicon Common Stock.
(l) AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE ON LIQUIDATION OF DIGICON.
(i) Digicon will give the Trustee written notice of
each of the following events at the time set forth
below:
(A) in the event of any determination by the
board of directors of the Digicon to
institute voluntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up proceedings with
respect to Digicon or to effect any other
distribution of assets of Digicon among its
stockholders for the purpose of winding-up
its affairs, at least 60 days prior to the
proposed effective date of such liquidation,
dissolution, winding-up or other distribution;
and
(B) immediately, upon the earlier of (I) receipt
by Digicon of notice of and (II)
Digicon otherwise becoming aware of any
threatened or instituted claim, suit,
petition or other proceedings with respect to
the involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of Digicon or to effect any other
distribution of assets of Digicon among its
stockholders for the purpose of winding-up
its affairs.
(ii) Immediately following receipt by the Trustee
from Digicon of notice of any event (a "Liquidation
Event") contemplated by Section 5(l)(i) above, the
Trustee will give notice thereof to the Holders.
Such notice will be provided by Digicon to the
Trustee and shall include a brief description of
the automatic exchange of Exchangeable Shares for
shares of Digicon Common Stock provided for in
Section 5(l)(iii) below.
(iii) In order that the Holders will be able to
participate on a PRO RATA basis with the holders of
Digicon Common Stock in the distribution of assets
of Digicon in connection with a Liquidation Event,
immediately prior to the effective time (the
"Liquidation Event Effective Time") of a
Liquidation Event all of the then outstanding
Exchangeable Shares shall be automatically
exchanged for shares of Digicon Common Stock. To
effect such automatic exchange, Digicon shall be
deemed to have purchased each Exchangeable Share
outstanding immediately prior to the Liquidation
Event Effective Time and held by Holders, and each
Holder shall be deemed to have sold the
Exchangeable Shares held by it at such time, for a
purchase price per share equal to the Exchangeable
Share Price applicable at such time. In connection
with such automatic exchange, Digicon will provide
to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate setting
forth the calculation of the purchase price for
each Exchangeable Share.
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<PAGE> 279
(iv) The closing of the transaction of purchase and
sale contemplated by Section 5(l)(iii) above shall
be deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the
Liquidation Event Effective Time, and each Holder
of Exchangeable Shares shall be deemed to have
transferred to Digicon all of the Holder's right,
title and interest in and to such Exchangeable
Shares and the related interest in the Trust Estate
and shall cease to be a holder of such Exchangeable
Shares and Digicon shall deliver to the Holder the
Exchangeable Share Consideration deliverable upon
the automatic exchange of Exchangeable Shares.
Concurrently with such Holder ceasing to be a
holder of Exchangeable Shares, the Holder shall be
considered and deemed for all purposes to be
the holder of the shares of Digicon
Common Stock issued to it pursuant to the automatic
exchange of Exchangeable Shares for Digicon Common
Stock and the certificates held by the Holder
previously representing the Exchangeable Shares
exchanged by the Holder with Digicon pursuant to
such automatic exchange shall thereafter be deemed
to represent the shares of Digicon Common Stock
issued to the Holder by Digicon pursuant to such
automatic exchange. Upon the request of a Holder
and the surrender by the Holder of Exchangeable
Share certificates deemed to represent shares of
Digicon Common Stock, duly endorsed in blank and
accompanied by such instruments of transfer as
Digicon may reasonably require, Digicon shall
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder
certificates representing the shares of Digicon
Common Stock of which the Holder is the holder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing until each Holder is
actually entered on the register of holders of
Digicon Common Stock, such Holder shall be deemed
to still be a holder of the transferred
Exchangeable Shares for purposes of all voting
rights with respect thereto under this agreement.
6. RESTRICTIONS ON ISSUANCE OF DIGICON SPECIAL VOTING STOCK
During the term of this agreement, Digicon will not issue any
shares of Digicon Special Voting Stock in addition to the
Voting Share.
7. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
(a) POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE. The rights, powers and
authorities of the Trustee under this agreement, in its
capacity as trustee of the Trust, shall include:
(i) receipt and deposit of the Voting Share from
Digicon as trustee for and on behalf of the
Holders in accordance with the provisions of this
agreement;
(ii) granting proxies and distributing materials to
Holders as provided in this agreement;
(iii) voting the Holder Votes in accordance with
the provisions of this agreement;
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(iv) receiving the grant of the Exchange Right and
the Automatic Exchange Rights from Digicon as
trustee for and on behalf of the Holders in
accordance with the provisions of this agreement;
(v) exercising the Exchange Right and enforcing the
benefit of the Automatic Exchange Rights, in each
case in accordance with the provisions of this
agreement, and in connection therewith receiving
from Holders Exchangeable Shares and other
requisite documents and distributing to such
Holders the shares of Digicon Common Stock and
cheques, if any, to which such Holders are
entitled upon the exercise of the Exchange Right or
pursuant to the Automatic Exchange Rights, as the
case may be;
(vi) holding title to the Trust Estate;
(vii) investing any moneys forming, from time to
time, a part of the Trust Estate as provided in
this agreement;
(viii) taking action at the direction of a Holder
or Holders to enforce the obligations of Digicon
under this agreement; and
(ix) taking such other actions and doing such other
things as are specifically provided in this
agreement.
In the exercise of such rights, powers and authorities the
Trustee shall have (and is granted) such incidental and
additional rights, powers and authority not in conflict with
any of the provisions of this agreement as the Trustee, acting
in good faith and in the reasonable exercise of its discretion,
may deem necessary, appropriate or desirable to effect the
purpose of the Trust. Any exercise of such discretionary
rights, powers and authorities by the Trustee shall be final,
conclusive and binding upon all persons. For greater
certainty, the Trustee shall have only those duties as are set
out specifically in this agreement.
The Trustee in exercising its rights, powers, duties and
authorities hereunder shall act honestly and in good faith with
a view to the best interests of the Holders and shall exercise
the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent trustee
would exercise in comparable circumstances.
The Trustee shall not be bound to give any notice or do or take
any act, action or proceeding by virtue of the powers conferred
on it hereby unless and until it shall be specifically required
to do so under the terms hereof; nor shall the Trustee be
required to take any notice of, or to do or to take any act,
action or proceeding as a result of any default or breach of
any provision hereunder, unless and until notified in writing
of such default or breach, which notices shall distinctly
specify the default or breach desired to be brought to the
attention of the Trustee and in the absence of such notice the
Trustee may for all purposes of this agreement conclusively
assume that no default or breach has been made in the
observance or performance of any of the representations,
warranties, covenants, agreements or conditions contained
herein.
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<PAGE> 281
(b) NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST. The Trustee represents to
Veritas and Digicon that at the date of execution and
delivery of this agreement there exists no material
conflict of interest in the role of the Trustee as a
fiduciary hereunder and the role of the Trustee in any
other capacity. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after
it becomes aware that such a material conflict of interest
exists, either eliminate such material conflict of
interest or resign in the manner and with the effect
specified in Article 10 hereof. If, notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this Section 7(b), the Trustee has
such a material conflict of interest, the validity and
enforceability of this agreement shall not be affected in
any manner whatsoever by reason only of the existence of
such material conflict of interest. If the Trustee
contravenes the foregoing provisions of this Section 7(b),
any interested party may apply to the Alberta Court of
Queen's Bench an order that the Trustee be replaced as
trustee hereunder.
(c) DEALINGS WITH TRANSFER AGENTS, REGISTRARS, ETC. Veritas
and Digicon irrevocably authorize the Trustee, from time
to time, to:
(i) consult, communicate and otherwise deal with
the respective registrars and transfer agents, and
with any such subsequent registrar or transfer
agent, of the Exchangeable Shares and Digicon
Common Stock; and
(ii) requisition, from time to time, (A) from any
such registrar or transfer agent any information
readily available from the records maintained by
it which the Trustee may reasonably require for the
discharge of its duties and responsibilities under
this agreement and (B) from the transfer agent of
Digicon Common Stock, and any subsequent transfer
agent of such shares, the share certificates
issuable upon the exercise from time to time of
the Exchange Right and pursuant to the Automatic
Exchange Rights in the manner specified in Article
5 hereof.
Veritas and Digicon irrevocably authorize their respective
registrars and transfer agents to comply with all such
requests. Digicon covenants that it will supply its transfer
agent with duly executed share certificates for the purpose of
completing the exercise from time to time of the Exchange Right
and the Automatic Exchange Rights, in each case pursuant to
Article 5 hereof.
(d) BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Trustee shall keep available for
inspection by Digicon and Veritas, at the Trustee's
principal office in Calgary, Alberta, correct and complete
books and records of account relating to the Trustee's
actions under this agreement, including without limitation
all information relating to mailings and instructions to
and from Holders and all transactions pursuant to the
Voting Rights, the Exchange Right and the Automatic
Exchange Rights for the term of this agreement. On or
before June 30, 1997, and on or before June 30 in every
year thereafter, so long as the Voting Share is on deposit
with the Trustee, the Trustee shall transmit to Digicon
and Veritas a brief report, dated as of the preceding
March 31, with respect to:
(i) the property and funds comprising the Trust
Estate as of that date;
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(ii) the number of exercises of the Exchange Right,
if any, and the aggregate number of Exchangeable
Shares received by the Trustee on behalf of
Holders in consideration of the issue and delivery
by Digicon of shares of Digicon Common Stock in
connection with the Exchange Right, during the
calendar year ended on such date; and
(iii) all other actions taken by the Trustee in the
performance of its duties under this agreement
which it had not previously reported.
(e) INCOME TAX RETURNS AND REPORTS. The Trustee shall, to the
extent necessary, prepare and file on behalf of the
Trust appropriate United States and Canadian income tax
returns and any other returns or reports as may be
required by applicable law or pursuant to the rules and
regulations of any securities exchange or other trading
system through which the Exchangeable Shares are traded
and, in connection therewith, may obtain the advice and
assistance of such experts as the Trustee may consider
necessary or advisable. If requested by the Trustee,
Digicon shall retain such experts for purposes of
providing such advice and assistance.
(f) INDEMNIFICATION PRIOR TO CERTAIN ACTIONS BY TRUSTEE. The
Trustee shall exercise any or all of the rights,
duties, powers or authorities vested in it by this
agreement at the request, order or direction of any Holder
upon such Holder furnishing to the Trustee reasonable
funding, security and indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by the
Trustee therein or thereby, provided that no Holder shall
be obligated to furnish to the Trustee any such funding,
security or indemnity in connection with the exercise by
the Trustee of any of its rights, duties, powers and
authorities with respect to the Voting Share pursuant to
Article 4 hereof, subject to Section 7(o) hereof, and with
respect to the Exchange Right pursuant to Article 5
hereof, subject to Section 7(o) hereof, and with respect
to the Automatic Exchange Rights pursuant to Article 5
hereof.
None of the provisions contained in this agreement shall
require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or
otherwise incur financial liability in the exercise of
any of its rights, powers, duties or authorities unless
funded, given funds, security and indemnified as
aforesaid.
(g) ACTIONS BY HOLDERS. No Holder shall have the right to
institute any action, suit or proceeding or to exercise
any other remedy authorized by this agreement for the
purpose of enforcing any of its rights or for the
execution of any trust or power hereunder unless the
Holder has requested the Trustee to take or institute such
action, suit or proceeding and furnished the Trustee with
the funding, security and indemnity referred to in Section
7(f) hereof and the Trustee shall have failed to act
within a reasonable time thereafter. In such case, but
not otherwise, the Holder shall be entitled to take
proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction such as
the Trustee might have taken; it being understood and
intended that no one or more Holders shall have any right
in any manner whatsoever to affect, disturb or prejudice
the rights hereby created by any such action, or to
enforce any right hereunder or under the
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Voting Rights, the Exchange Right or the Automatic
Exchange Rights, except subject to the conditions and in
the manner herein provided, and that all powers and trusts
hereunder shall be exercised and all proceedings at law
shall be instituted, had and maintained by the Trustee,
except only as herein provided, and in any event for the
equal benefit of all Holders.
(h) RELIANCE UPON DECLARATIONS. The Trustee
shall not be considered to be in contravention of any of
its rights, powers, duties and authorities hereunder if,
when required, it acts and relies in good faith upon
lists, mailing labels, notices, statutory declarations,
certificates, opinions, reports or other papers or
documents furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof or
required by the Trustee to be furnished to it in the
exercise of its rights, powers, duties and authorities
hereunder and such lists, mailing labels, notices,
statutory declarations, certificates, opinions, reports or
other papers or documents comply with the provisions of
Section 7(i) hereof, if applicable, and with any other
applicable provisions of this agreement.
(i) EVIDENCE AND AUTHORITY TO TRUSTEE.
Veritas and/or Digicon shall furnish to the Trustee
evidence of compliance with the conditions provided for in
this agreement relating to any action or step required or
permitted to be taken by Veritas and/or Digicon or the
Trustee under this agreement or as a result of any
obligation imposed under this agreement, including,
without limitation, in respect of the Voting Rights or the
Exchange Right or the Automatic Exchange Rights and the
taking of any other action to be taken by the Trustee at
the request of or on the application of Veritas and/or
Digicon forthwith if and when:
(i) such evidence is required by any other section
of this agreement to be furnished to the Trustee in
accordance with the terms of this Section 7(i); or
(ii) the Trustee, in the exercise of its rights,
powers, duties and authorities under this
agreement, gives Veritas and/or Digicon written
notice requiring it to furnish such evidence in
relation to any particular action or obligation
specified in such notice.
Such evidence shall consist of an Officer's Certificate
of Veritas and/or Digicon or a statutory declaration or a
certificate made by persons entitled to sign an Officer's
Certificate stating that any such condition has been
complied with in accordance with the terms of this
agreement.
Whenever such evidence relates to a matter other than the
Voting Rights or the Exchange Right or the Automatic
Exchange Rights, and except as otherwise specifically
provided herein, such evidence may consist of a report or
opinion of any solicitor, auditor, accountant, appraiser,
valuer, engineer or other expert or any other person
whose qualifications give authority to a statement made
by him, provided that if such report or opinion is
furnished by a director, officer or employee of Veritas
and/or Digicon it shall be in the form of an Officer's
Certificate or a statutory declaration.
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Each statutory declaration, certificate, opinion or
report furnished to the Trustee as evidence of compliance
with a condition provided for in this agreement shall
include a statement by the person giving the evidence:
(iii) declaring that he has read and understands
the provisions of this agreement relating to the
condition in question:
(iv) describing the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which he based
the statutory declaration, certificate, statement
or opinion; and
(v) declaring that he has made such examination or
investigation as he believes is necessary to
enable him to make the statements or give the
opinions contained or expressed therein.
(j) EXPERTS, ADVISERS AND AGENTS. The Trustee may:
(i) in relation to these presents act and rely on
the opinion or advice of or information obtained
from or prepared by any solicitor, auditor,
accountant, appraiser, valuer, engineer or other
expert, whether retained by the Trustee or by
Veritas and/or Digicon or otherwise, and may employ
such assistants as may be necessary to the proper
determination and discharge of its powers and
duties and determination of its rights hereunder
and may pay proper and reasonable compensation for
all such legal and other advice or assistance as
aforesaid; and
(ii) employ such agents and other assistants as it
may reasonably require for the proper determination
and discharge of its powers and duties hereunder,
and may pay reasonable remuneration for all
services performed for it (and shall be entitled to
receive reasonable remuneration for all services
performed by it) in the discharge of the trusts
hereof and compensation for all disbursements,
costs and expenses made or incurred by it in the
determination and discharge of its duties hereunder
and in the management of the Trust.
(k) INVESTMENT OF MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE.
Unless otherwise provided in this agreement, any moneys
held by or on behalf of the Trustee which under the terms
of this agreement may or ought to be invested or which may
be on deposit with the Trustee or which may be in the
hands of the Trustee may be invested and reinvested in the
name or under the control of the Trustee in securities in
which, under the laws of the Province of Alberta, trustees
are authorized to invest trust moneys, provided that such
securities are stated to mature within two years after
their purchase by the Trustee, and the Trustee shall so
invest such moneys on the written direction of Veritas.
Pending the investment of any moneys as hereinbefore
provided, such moneys may be deposited in the name of the
Trustee in any chartered bank in Canada or, with the
consent of Veritas, in the deposit department of the
Trustee or any other loan or trust company authorized to
accept deposits under the laws of Canada or any province
thereof at the rate of interest then current on similar
deposits.
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(l) TRUSTEE NOT REQUIRED TO GIVE SECURITY.
The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or
security in respect of the execution of the trusts,
rights, duties, powers and authorities of this agreement
or otherwise in respect of the premises.
(m) TRUSTEE NOT BOUND TO ACT ON REQUEST.
Except as in this agreement otherwise specifically
provided, the Trustee shall not be bound to act in
accordance with any direction or request of Veritas and/or
Digicon or of the directors thereof until a duly
authenticated copy of the instrument or resolution
containing such direction or request shall have been
delivered to the Trustee, and the Trustee shall be
empowered to act and rely upon any such copy purporting to
be authenticated and believed by the Trustee to be
genuine.
(n) AUTHORITY TO CARRY ON BUSINESS. The
Trustee represents to Veritas and Digicon that at the date
of execution and delivery by it of this agreement it is
authorized to carry on the business of a trust company in
the Province of Alberta but if, notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 7(n), it ceases to be so
authorized to carry on business, the validity and
enforceability of this agreement and the Voting Rights,
the Exchange Right and the Automatic Exchange Rights shall
not be affected in any manner whatsoever by reason only of
such event but the Trustee shall, within 90 days after
ceasing to be authorized to carry on the business of a
trust company in the Province of Alberta, either become so
authorized or resign in the manner and with the effect
specified in Article 10 hereof.
(o) CONFLICTING CLAIMS. If conflicting
claims or demands are made or asserted with respect to any
interest of any Holder in any Exchangeable Shares,
including any disagreement between the heirs,
representatives, successors or assigns succeeding to all
or any part of the interest of any Holder in any
Exchangeable Shares resulting in conflicting claims or
demands being made in connection with such interest, then
the Trustee shall be entitled, at its sole discretion, to
refuse to recognize or to comply with any such claim or
demand. In so refusing, the Trustee may elect not to
exercise any Voting Rights, Exchange Right or Automatic
Exchange Rights subject to such conflicting claims or
demands and, in so doing, the Trustee shall not be or
become liable to any person on account of such election or
its failure or refusal to comply with any such conflicting
claims or demands. The Trustee shall be entitled to
continue to refrain from acting and to refuse to act
until:
(i) the rights of all adverse claimants with
respect to the Voting Rights, Exchange Right or
Automatic Exchange Rights subject to such
conflicting claims or demands have been adjudicated
by a final judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction; or
(ii) all differences with respect to the Voting
Rights, Exchange Right or Automatic Exchange
Rights subject to such conflicting claims or
demands have been conclusively settled by a valid
written agreement binding on all
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such adverse claimants, and the Trustee
shall have been furnished with an executed copy of
such agreement.
If the Trustee elects to recognize any claim or comply
with any demand made by any such adverse claimant, it may
in its discretion require such claimant to furnish such
surety bond or other security satisfactory to the Trustee
as it shall deem appropriate fully to indemnify it as
between all conflicting claims or demands.
(p) ACCEPTANCE OF TRUST. The Trustee hereby
accepts the Trust created and provided for by and in this
agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms
and conditions herein set forth and to hold all rights,
privileges and benefits conferred hereby and by law in
trust for the various persons who shall from time to time
be Holders, subject to all the terms and conditions herein
set forth.
8. COMPENSATION
(a) Digicon and Veritas jointly and severally
agree to pay to the Trustee reasonable compensation for
all of the services rendered by it under this agreement
and will reimburse the Trustee for all reasonable expenses
(including but not limited to taxes, compensation paid to
experts, agents and advisors and travel expenses) and
disbursements, including the cost and expense of any suit
or litigation of any character and any proceedings before
any governmental agency reasonably incurred by the Trustee
in connection with its rights and duties under this
agreement; provided that Digicon and Veritas shall have no
obligation to reimburse the Trustee for any expenses or
disbursements paid, incurred or suffered by the Trustee in
any suit or litigation in which the Trustee is determined
to have acted in bad faith or with negligence or willful
misconduct.
9. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
(a) INDEMNIFICATION OF THE TRUSTEE. Digicon
and Veritas jointly and severally agree to indemnify and
hold harmless the Trustee and each of its directors,
officers, employees and agents appointed and acting in
accordance with this agreement (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties") against all claims, losses,
damages, costs, penalties, fines and reasonable expenses
(including reasonable expenses of the Trustee's legal
counsel on a solicitor and his own client basis) which,
without fraud, negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith
on the part of such Indemnified Party, may be paid,
incurred or suffered by the Indemnified Party by reason of
or as a result of the Trustee's acceptance or
administration of the Trust, its compliance with its
duties set forth in this agreement, or any written or oral
instructions delivered to the Trustee by Digicon or
Veritas pursuant hereto. In no case shall Digicon or
Veritas be liable under this indemnity for any claim
against any of the Indemnified Parties unless Digicon and
Veritas shall be notified by the Trustee of the written
assertion of a claim or of any action commenced against
the Indemnified Parties, promptly after any of the
Indemnified Parties shall have received any such written
assertion of a claim or shall have been served with a
summons or other first legal process giving information as
to the nature and basis of the claim. Subject to (ii),
below, Digicon and Veritas shall
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be entitled to participate at their own expense in the
defense and, if Digicon or Veritas so elect at any time
after receipt of such notice, either of them may assume
the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such claim.
The Trustee shall have the right to employ separate
counsel in any such suit and participate in the defense
thereof but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be
at the expense of the Trustee unless: (i) the employment
of such counsel has been authorized by Digicon or Veritas,
such authorization not to be unreasonably withheld; or
(ii) the named parties to any such suit include both the
Trustee and Digicon or Veritas and the Trustee shall have
been advised by counsel acceptable to Digicon or Veritas
that there may be one or more legal defenses available to
the Trustee that are different from or in addition to
those available to Digicon or Veritas and that an actual
or potential conflict of interest exists (in which case
Digicon and Veritas shall not have the right to assume the
defense of such suit on behalf of the Trustee but shall be
liable to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel
for the Trustee).
(b) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Trustee
shall not be held liable for any loss which may occur by
reason of depreciation of the value of any part of the
Trust Estate or any loss incurred on any investment of
funds pursuant to this agreement, except to the extent
that such loss is attributable to the fraud, negligence,
willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the
Trustee.
10. CHANGE OF TRUSTEE
(a) RESIGNATION. The Trustee, or any trustee
hereafter appointed, may at any time resign by giving
written notice of such resignation to Digicon and Veritas
specifying the date on which it desires to resign,
provided that such notice shall never be given less than
60 days before such desired resignation date unless
Digicon and Veritas otherwise agree and provided further
that such resignation shall not take effect until the date
of the appointment of a successor trustee and the
acceptance of such appointment by the successor trustee.
Upon receiving such notice of resignation, Digicon and
Veritas shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by
written instrument in duplicate, one copy of which shall
be delivered to the resigning trustee and one copy to the
successor trustee. Failing acceptance by a successor
trustee, a successor trustee may be appointed by an order
of the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench upon application of
one or more of the parties hereto.
(b) REMOVAL. The Trustee, or any trustee
hereafter appointed, may be removed with or without cause,
at any time on 60 days' prior notice by written instrument
executed by Digicon and Veritas, in duplicate, one copy of
which shall be delivered to the trustee so removed and one
copy to the successor trustee, provided that, in
connection with such removal, provision is made for a
replacement trustee similar to that contemplated in
Section 10(a).
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(c) SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE. Any successor trustee
appointed as provided under this agreement shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to Digicon and Veritas and to its
predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such
appointment. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the
predecessor trustee shall become effective and such
successor trustee, without any further act, deed or
conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor under
this agreement, with like effect as if originally named as
trustee in this agreement. However, on the written
request of Digicon and Veritas or of the successor
trustee, the trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of
any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of this
agreement, execute and deliver an instrument transferring
to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the
trustee so ceasing to act. Upon the request of any such
successor trustee, Digicon, Veritas and such predecessor
trustee shall execute any and all instruments in writing
for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to
such successor trustee all such rights and powers.
(d) NOTICE OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE. Upon
acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as
provided herein, Digicon and Veritas shall cause to be
mailed notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder
to each Holder specified in a List. If Digicon or Veritas
shall fail to cause such notice to be mailed within 10
days after acceptance of appointment by the successor
trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to
be mailed at the expense of Digicon and Veritas.
11. DIGICON SUCCESSORS
(a) CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS IN RESPECT OF
COMBINATION, ETC. Digicon shall not enter into any
transaction (whether by way of reconstruction,
reorganization, consolidation, merger, transfer, sale,
lease or otherwise) whereby all or substantially all of
its undertaking, property and assets would become the
property of any other Person or, in the case of a merger,
of the continuing corporation resulting therefrom unless,
but may do so if:
(i) such other Person or continuing corporation
(the "Digicon Successor"), by operation of law,
becomes, without more, bound by the terms and
provisions of this agreement or, if not so bound,
executes, prior to or contemporaneously with the
consummation of such transaction an agreement
supplemental hereto and such other instruments (if
any) as are satisfactory to the Trustee and in the
opinion of legal counsel to the Trustee are
necessary or advisable to evidence the assumption
by the Digicon Successor of liability for all
moneys payable and property deliverable hereunder
and the covenant of such Digicon Successor to pay
and deliver or cause to be delivered the same and
its agreement to observe and perform all the
covenants and obligations of Digicon under this
agreement; and
(ii) such transaction shall, to the satisfaction of
the Trustee and in the opinion of legal counsel to
the Trustee, be upon such terms as substantially
to preserve and not to impair in any material
respect any of the rights, duties, powers and
authorities of the Trustee or of the Holders
hereunder.
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<PAGE> 289
(b) VESTING OF POWERS IN SUCCESSOR. Whenever
the conditions of Section 11(a) hereof have been duly
observed and performed, the Trustee, if required, by
Section 11(a) hereof, the Digicon Successor and Veritas
shall execute and deliver the supplemental agreement
provided for in Article 12 hereof and thereupon the
Digicon Successor shall possess and from time to time may
exercise each and every right and power of Digicon under
this agreement in the name of Digicon or otherwise and any
act or proceeding by any provision of this agreement
required to be done or performed by the board of directors
of Digicon or any officers of Digicon may be done and
performed with like force and effect by the directors or
officers of such Digicon Successor.
(c) WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES. Nothing
herein shall be construed as preventing the amalgamation
or merger of any wholly-owned subsidiary of Digicon with
or into Digicon or the winding-up, liquidation or
dissolution of any wholly-owned subsidiary of Digicon
provided that all of the assets of such subsidiary are
transferred to Digicon or another wholly-owned subsidiary
of Digicon, and any such transactions are expressly
permitted by this Article 11.
12. AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS
(a) AMENDMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, ETC. This
agreement may not be amended or modified except by an
agreement in writing executed by Veritas, Digicon and the
Trustee and approved by the Holders in accordance with
Section 9.2 of the Exchangeable Share Provisions.
(b) MINISTERIAL AMENDMENTS. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 12(a) hereof, the parties to
this agreement may in writing, at
any time and from time to time, without the approval of
the Holders, amend or modify this agreement for the
purposes of:
(i) adding to the covenants of any or all of the
parties hereto for the protection of the Holders
hereunder;
(ii) making such amendments or modifications not
inconsistent with this agreement as may be
necessary or desirable with respect to matters or
questions which, in the opinion of the board of
directors of each of Digicon and Veritas and in the
opinion of the Trustee and its counsel, having in
mind the best interests of the Holders as a whole,
it may be expedient to make, provided that such
boards of directors and the Trustee and its counsel
shall be of the opinion that such amendments and
modifications will not be prejudicial to the
interests of the Holders as a whole; or
(iii) making such changes or corrections which, on
the advice of counsel to Veritas, Digicon and the
Trustee, are required for the purpose of curing or
correcting any ambiguity or defect or inconsistent
provision or clerical omission or mistake or
manifest error, provided that the Trustee and its
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counsel and the board of directors of each of
Veritas and Digicon shall be of the opinion that
such changes or corrections will not be
prejudicial to the interests of the Holders as a
whole.
(c) MEETING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS. Veritas,
at the request of Digicon, shall call a meeting or
meetings of the Holders for the purpose of considering any
proposed amendment or modification requiring approval
pursuant hereto. Any such meeting or meetings shall be
called and held in accordance with the by-laws of Veritas,
the Exchangeable Share Provisions and all applicable laws.
(d) CHANGES IN CAPITAL OF DIGICON AND
VERITAS. At all times after the occurrence of any event
effected pursuant to Section 2(g) or Section 2(h) of the
Support Agreement, as a result of which either Digicon
Common Stock or the Exchangeable Shares or both are in any
way changed, this agreement shall forthwith be amended and
modified as necessary in order that it shall apply with
full force and effect, mutatis mutandis, to all new
securities into which Digicon Common Stock or the
Exchangeable Shares or both are so changed and the parties
hereto shall execute and deliver a supplemental agreement
giving effect to and evidencing such necessary amendments
and modifications.
(e) EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS. No
amendment to or modification or waiver of any of the
provisions of this agreement otherwise permitted
hereunder shall be effective unless made in writing and
signed by all of the parties hereto. From time to time
Veritas (when authorized by a resolution of its Board of
Directors), Digicon (when authorized by a resolution of
its board of directors) and the Trustee may, subject to
the provisions of these presents, and they shall, when so
directed by these presents, execute and deliver by their
proper officers, agreements or other instruments
supplemental hereto, which thereafter shall form part
hereof, for any one or more of the following purposes:
(i) evidencing the succession of any Digicon
Successors to Digicon and the covenants of and
obligations assumed by each such Digicon Successors
in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 and
the successor of any successor trustee in
accordance with the provisions of Article 10;
(ii) making any additions to, deletions from or
alterations of the provisions of this agreement or
the Voting Rights, the Exchange Right or the
Automatic Exchange Rights which, in the opinion of
the Trustee and its counsel, will not be
prejudicial to the interests of the Holders as a
whole or are in the opinion of counsel to the
Trustee necessary or advisable in order to
incorporate, reflect or comply with any legislation
the provisions of which apply to Digicon, Veritas,
the Trustee or this agreement; and
(iii) for any other purposes not inconsistent with
the provisions of this agreement, including without
limitation to make or evidence any amendment or
modification to this agreement as contemplated
hereby, provided that, in the
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<PAGE> 291
opinion of the Trustee and its counsel, the
rights of the Trustee and the Holders as a whole
will not be prejudiced thereby.
13. TERMINATION
(a) TERM. The Trust created by this
agreement shall continue until the earliest to occur of
the following events:
(i) no outstanding Exchangeable Shares are held by
a Holder;
(ii) each of Veritas and Digicon elects in writing
to terminate the Trust and such termination is
approved by the Holders of the Exchangeable Shares
in accordance with Section 9.2 of the Exchangeable
Share Provisions; and
(iii) 21 years after the death of the last survivor
of the descendants of His Majesty King George VI of
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland living on the date of the creation of the
Trust.
(b) SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENT. This agreement
shall survive any termination of the Trust and shall
continue until there are no Exchangeable Shares
outstanding held by a Holder; provided, however, that the
provisions of Articles 8 and 9 hereof shall survive any
such termination of this agreement.
14. GENERAL
(a) SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this
agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable,
the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder
of this agreement shall not in any way be affected or
impaired thereby and the agreement shall be carried out as
nearly as possible in accordance with its original terms
and conditions.
(b) INUREMENT. This agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns and to the benefit of the Holders.
(c) NOTICES TO PARTIES. All notices and
other communications between the parties hereunder shall
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given if
delivered personally or by confirmed telecopy to the
parties at the following addresses (or at such other
address for such party as shall be specified in like
notice):
(i) if to Digicon at:
Digicon Inc.
3701 Kirby Drive, Suite 112
Houston, Texas 77098
Attention: President
Telecopy:(713) 526-5611
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<PAGE> 292
(ii) if to Veritas at:
Veritas Energy Services Inc.
Suite 300, 615 - Third Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0G6
Attention: President
Telecopy:(403) 266-9359
(iii)if to the Trustee at:
if by mail or delivery:
The R-M Trust Company
600 The Dome Tower
333 - 7th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 2Z1
Attention: _______________
Telecopy: (403) 232-2400
Any notice or other communication given personally shall be
deemed to have been given and received upon delivery thereof
and if given by telecopy shall be deemed to have been given and
received on the date of receipt thereof unless such day is not
a Business Day in which case it shall be deemed to have been
given and received upon the immediately following Business Day.
(d) NOTICE OF HOLDERS. Any and all notices
to be given and any documents to be sent to any Holders
may be given or sent to the address of such Holder shown
on the register of Holders of Exchangeable Shares in any
manner permitted by the Exchangeable Share Provisions and
shall be deemed to be received (if given or sent in such
manner) at the time specified in such Exchangeable Share
Provisions, the provisions of which the Exchangeable Share
Provisions shall apply mutatis mutandis to notices or
documents as aforesaid sent to such Holders.
(e) RISK OF PAYMENTS BY POST. Whenever
payments are to be made or documents are to be sent to any
Holder by the Trustee, by Veritas or by Digicon or by such
Holder to the Trustee or to Digicon or Veritas, the making
of such payment or sending of such document sent through
the post shall be at the risk of Veritas or Digicon, in
the case of payments made or documents sent by the Trustee
or Veritas or Digicon, and the Holder, in the case of
payments made or documents sent by the Holder.
(f) COUNTERPARTS. This agreement may be
executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, but all of which taken together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
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<PAGE> 293
(g) JURISDICTION. This agreement shall be
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
Province of Alberta and the laws of Canada applicable
therein.
(h) ATTORNMENT. Digicon agrees that any
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
agreement may be instituted in the courts of Alberta,
waives any objection which it may have now or hereafter to
the venue of any such action or proceeding, irrevocably
submits to the jurisdiction of the said courts in any such
action or proceeding, agrees to be bound by any judgment
of the said courts and agrees not to seek, and hereby
waives, any review of the merits of any such judgment by
the courts of any other jurisdiction and hereby appoints
Veritas at its registered office in the Province of
Alberta as Digicon's attorney for service of process.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereby have caused this agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.
DIGICON INC.
Per:
------------------------------
------------------------------
VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
Per:
------------------------------
------------------------------
THE R-M TRUST COMPANY
Per:
------------------------------
------------------------------
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<PAGE> 294
ANNEX H
<PAGE> 295
May 9, 1996
Board of Directors
Digicon Inc.
3701 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77098
Gentlemen:
Digicon Inc. (the "Company") and Veritas Energy Services Inc.
("Veritas") propose to enter into a Combination Agreement and Plan of
Arrangement (the "Agreement") pursuant to which holders of Veritas common
stock, no par value, (the "Veritas Shares") will receive exchangeable shares of
Veritas (the "Exchangeable Shares") at a ratio of 0.80 Exchangeable Shares (the
"Exchange Ratio") for each Veritas Share (the "Combination"). Each
Exchangeable Share may, at the option of the holder, be exchanged for one share
of Digicon common stock, par value $0.01 (the "Digicon Shares").
You have asked us whether or not, in our opinion, the Exchange Ratio
is fair to the holders of Digicon Shares from a financial point of view.
In arriving at the opinion set forth below, we have, among other
things:
a) Reviewed, among other public information, the Company's
Annual Reports, Forms 10-K and related financial information
for the four fiscal years ended July 31, 1995 and the
Company's Form 10-Q and the related unaudited financial
information for the six months ended January 31, 1996;
In preparing our opinion, we have relied on the accuracy and
completeness of all information that was publicly available or supplied or
otherwise made available to us by or on the behalf of the Company and Veritas,
and we have not independently verified such information. With respect to the
financial forecasts examined by us, we have assumed that they were reasonably
prepared and reflect the best currently available estimates and good faith
judgments of the Company's and Veritas' respective managements, as to the
future performance of the Company and Veritas, respectively. We have not
undertaken, and have not been provided with,
<PAGE> 296
an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent
or otherwise) of the Company or Veritas and have assumed that all liabilities
(contingent or otherwise, known or unknown) of the Company and Veritas are as
set forth in their respective consolidated financial statements. We have also
assumed that the Combination will be accounted for under the
pooling-of-interests method of accounting and that the Combination will be a
tax-free reorganization. Our opinion is based upon the regulatory, general
economic, market and monetary conditions existing on the date hereof.
This opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder
of the Company as to how any such shareholder should vote on the Combination.
This opinion does not address the relative merits of the Combination and any
other transactions or business strategies discussed by the Board of Directors
of the Company as alternatives to the Combination or the decision of the Board
of Directors of the Company to proceed with the Combination. Furthermore, no
opinion is expressed herein as to the price at which the Exchangeable Shares or
the Digicon Shares may trade at any time.
This opinion has been prepared at the request and for the use of the
Board of Directors of the Company in connection with the Combination and shall
not be reproduced, summarized, described or referred to, provided to any other
person or otherwise made public, without the prior written consent of
PaineWebber Incorporated; provided, however, that this letter may be reproduced
in full in the Proxy Statement.
PaineWebber Incorporated is currently acting as financial advisor to
the Company in connection with the Combination and will receive a fee upon the
delivery of this opinion and upon consummation of the Combination. In the
past, PaineWebber Incorporated and its affiliates have provided investment
banking services to the Company and have received fees for rendering these
services. PaineWebber Incorporated may provide financial advisory or other
investment banking services to the Company in the future.
In the ordinary course of our business, we may trade the securities
of the Company and Veritas for our own account and for the accounts of our
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or short positions in
such securities.
On the basis of, and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion
that, as of the date hereof, the Exchange Ratio is fair to the holders of
Digicon Shares from a financial point of view.
Very truly yours,
PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
<PAGE> 297
ANNEX I
<PAGE> 298
May 8, 1996
The Board of Directors
Veritas Energy Services Inc.
Suite 300
615 Third Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2P 0G6
Gentlemen:
We understand that Veritas Energy Services Inc., an Alberta
corporation, ("Veritas") and Digicon Inc., a Delaware Corporation, ("Digicon")
propose to enter into a Combination Agreement, anticipated to be dated as of
May 10, 1996 (the "Agreement") pursuant to which holders of Veritas common
shares ("Veritas Common Shares") will receive securities of Veritas (the
"Exchangeable Shares") in exchange for their Veritas Common Shares at a ratio
(the "Exchange Ratio") of 0.8 Exchangeable Shares for each Veritas Common
Share. Generally, each Exchangeable Share may, at the option of the holder, be
exchanged for one share of Digicon common stock, $.01 par value, ("Digicon
Common Stock"). In addition, the Exchangeable Shares will be subject to (i)
mandatory redemption by Veritas at the time specified in the Agreement and (ii)
the limited right to purchase by Digicon in the circumstances set forth in the
Agreement. The proposed transaction (the "Transaction") is intended (i) to be
a tax-deferred reorganization of capital of Veritas under Section 86 of the
Income Tax Act (Canada) for those Veritas shareholders who hold the Veritas
Common Shares on capital account; (ii) to be a tax-free reorganization within
the meaning of section 368 (a) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended; and (iii) to be accounted for as a pooling of interests
pursuant to Opinion No. 16 of the Accounting Principles Board. The terms and
conditions of the Transaction are more fully detailed in the Agreement.
You have asked us whether, in our opinion, the consideration to be
received by the Veritas shareholders in the Transaction is fair to such
shareholders from a financial point of view.
<PAGE> 299
The Board of Directors
Veritas Energy Services Inc.
May 8, 1996
Page 2
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed a draft of the Agreement
dated May 1, 1996 and certain publicly available business and financial
information concerning Veritas and Digicon. We have also reviewed certain
other information, including financial forecasts, provided to us by Veritas and
Digicon, and have met with the managements of Veritas and Digicon to discuss
the business and prospects of Veritas and Digicon, both individually and as a
combined entity.
We have reviewed the terms of the Transaction in relation to, among
other things: current and historical market prices and trading volume of the
Veritas Common Shares and the Digicon Common Stock; the respective companies'
cash flow, net income and book value per share; the capitalization and
financial condition of Veritas and Digicon; the pro forma financial impact of
the Transaction on Veritas and Digicon, including the potential relative
ownership of the Digicon Common Stock after the Transaction by the current
shareholders of Veritas and Digicon; and, to the extent publicly available, the
terms of recent merger and acquisition transactions involving comparable
companies. In addition, we have reviewed the merger premiums paid in recent
stock-for-stock acquisitions of public companies generally, and energy industry
companies and oilfield services industry companies in particular. We have also
analyzed certain financial, stock market and other publicly available
information relating to the business of other public companies whose operations
we consider comparable to the operations of Veritas and Digicon. In addition
to the foregoing, we have considered such other information, financial studies,
analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria as we
deemed relevant in arriving at our opinion.
In connection with our review, we have not independently verified any
of the foregoing information, and we have relied upon such information being
complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect to the financial
forecasts, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
managements of Veritas and Digicon as to the future financial performance of
Veritas and Digicon, respectively. In addition, we have not made an
independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or
otherwise) of Veritas and Digicon, nor have we been furnished with any such
evaluations or appraisals. In rendering our opinion, we have assumed that in
the course of obtaining the necessary regulatory and governmental approvals for
the proposed Transaction, no restriction will be imposed that will have a
material adverse effect on the contemplated benefits of the proposed
Transaction. Our opinion is based necessarily upon financial, economic, market
and other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the date hereof.
<PAGE> 300
The Board of Directors
Veritas Energy Services Inc.
May 8, 1996
Page 3
Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc. as part of its investment banking
business, is continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated
underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities,
private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. We
are familiar with Veritas, having acted as its financial advisor in connection
with, and having participated in certain of the negotiations leading to, the
Agreement. We will receive a fee for our services, a significant portion of
which is contingent upon the consummation of the Transaction. We will also
receive a fee for rendering this opinion. In the ordinary course of our
business, we may actively trade the securities of Veritas and Digicon for our
own account and for the account0s of customers and, accordingly, may at any
time hold a long or short position in such securities.
It is understood that this letter is for the information of the Board
of Directors of Veritas in connection with its consideration of the Transaction
and is not to be quoted or referred to, in whole or in part, in any
registration statement, prospectus or proxy statement, or in any other document
used in connection with the offering or sale of securities, nor shall this
letter be used for any other purposes, without Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc.'s
prior written consent, which will not be unreasonably withheld. We understand
that this letter will be reprinted in its entirety in the proxy statement sent
to the shareholders of Veritas and Digicon in connection with the Transaction
and that we will have the opportunity to review and comment on all descriptions
thereof in such proxy statement prior to the filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and prior to its dissemination to shareholders.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, our experience as investment
bankers, our work described above and other factors we deemed relevant, we are
of the opinion that the consideration to be received by the Veritas
shareholders in the Transaction is fair to such shareholders from a financial
point of view.
Very truly yours,
RAUSCHER PIERCE REFSNES, INC.
By:
-----------------------------------
Joseph P. Cunningham
Managing Director
<PAGE> 301
ANNEX J
<PAGE> 302
SECTION 184 OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT (ALBERTA)
184(1) Subject to sections 185 and 234, a holder of shares of any class of a
corporation may dissent if the corporation resolves to
(a) amend its articles under section 167 and 168 to add, change or
remove any provisions restricting or constraining the issue or
transfer of shares of that class,
(b) amend its articles under section 167 to add, change or remove
any restrictions on the business or businesses that the
corporation may carry on,
(c) amalgamate with another corporation, otherwise than under
section 178 or 180.1,
(d) be continued under the laws of another jurisdiction under
section 182, or
(e) sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all its property
under section 183.
(2) A holder of shares of any class of series of shares entitled to vote
under section 170, other than section 170(1)(a), may dissent if the corporation
resolves to amend its articles in a manner described in that section.
(3) In addition to any other right he may have, but subject to subsection
(20), a shareholder entitled to dissent under this section and who complies
with this section is entitled to be paid by the corporation the fair value of
the shares held by him in respect of which he dissents, determined as of the
close of business on the last business day before the day on which the
resolution from which he dissents was adopted.
(4) A dissenting shareholder may only claim under this section with
respect to all the shares of a class held by him or on behalf of any one
beneficial owner and registered in the name of the dissenting shareholder.
(5) A dissenting shareholder shall send to the corporation a written
objection to a resolution referred to in subsection (1) or (2)
(a) at or before any meeting of shareholders at which the
resolution is to be voted on, or
(b) if the corporation did not send notice to the shareholder of
the purpose of the meeting or of his right to dissent, within
a reasonable time after he learns that the resolution was
adopted and of his right to dissent.
(6) An application may be made to the Court by originating notice after
the adoption of a resolution referred to in subsection (1) or (2),
(a) by the corporation, or
(b) by a shareholder if he has sent an objection to the
corporation under subsection (5),
<PAGE> 303
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to fix the fair value in accordance with subsection (3) of the shares of a
shareholder who dissents under this section.
(7) If an application is made under subsection (6), the corporation shall,
unless the Court otherwise orders, sends to each dissenting shareholder a
written offer to pay him an amount considered by the directors to be the fair
value of the shares.
(8) Unless the Court otherwise orders, an offer referred to in subsection
(7) shall be sent to each dissenting shareholder
(a) at least 10 days before the date on which the application is
returnable, if the corporation is the applicant, or
(b) within 10 days after the corporation is served with a copy of
the originating notice, if a shareholder is the applicant.
(9) Every offer made under subsection (7) shall
(a) be made on the same terms, and
(b) contain or be accompanied by a statement showing how the fair
value was determined.
(10) A dissenting shareholder may make an agreement with the corporation
for the purchase of his shares by the corporation, in the amount of the
corporation's offer under subsection (7) or otherwise, at any time before the
Court pronounces an order fixing the fair value of the shares.
(11) A dissenting shareholder
(a) is not required to give security for costs in respect of an
application under subsection (6), and
(b) expect in special circumstances shall not be required to pay
the costs of the application or appraisal.
(12) In connection with an application under subsection (6), the Court may
give directions for
(a) joining as parties all dissenting shareholders whose shares
have not been purchased by the corporation and for the
representation of dissenting shareholders who, in the opinion
of the Court, are in need of representation,
(b) the trial of issues and interlocutory matters, including
pleadings and examination for discovery,
(c) the payment to the shareholder of all or part of the sum
offered by the corporation for the shares,
<PAGE> 304
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(d) the deposit of the share certificates with the Court or with
the corporation or its transfer agent,
(e) the appointment and payment of independent appraisers, and the
procedures to be followed by them,
(f) the service of documents, and
(g) the burden of proof on the parties.
(13) On an application under subsection (6), the Court shall make an order
(a) fixing the fair value of the shares in accordance with
subsection (3) of all dissenting shareholders who are parties
to the application,
(b) giving judgment in that amount against the corporation and in
favour of each of those dissenting shareholders, and
(c) fixing the time within which the corporation must pay that
amount to a shareholder.
(14) On
(a) the action approved by the resolution from which the
shareholder dissents becoming effective,
(b) the making of an agreement under subsection (10) between the
corporation and the dissenting shareholder as to the payment
to be made by the corporation for his shares, whether by the
acceptance of the corporation's offer under subsection (7) or
otherwise, or
(c) the pronouncement of an order under subsection (13),
whichever first occurs, the shareholder ceases to have any rights as a
shareholder other than the right to be paid the fair value of his shares in the
amount agreed to between the corporation and the shareholder or in the amount
of the judgment, as the case may be,
(15) Subsection (14)(a) does not apply to a shareholder referred to in
subsection (5)(b).
(16) Until one of the events mentioned in subsection (14) occurs,
(a) the shareholder may withdraw his dissent, or
(b) the corporation may rescind the resolution,
and in either event proceedings under this section shall be discontinued.
<PAGE> 305
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(17) The Court may in its discretion allow a reasonable rate of interest on
the amount payable to each dissenting shareholder, from the date on which the
shareholder ceases to have any rights as a shareholder by reason of subsection
(14) until the date of payment.
(18) If subsection (20) applies, the corporation shall, within 10 days
after
(a) the pronouncement of an order under subsection (13), or
(b) the making of an agreement between the shareholder and the
corporation as to the payment to be made for his shares,
notify each dissenting shareholder that it is unable lawfully to pay dissenting
shareholders for their shares.
(19) Notwithstanding that a judgment has been given in favour of a
dissenting shareholder under subsection (13)(b), if subsection (20) applies,
the dissenting shareholder, by written notice delivered to the corporation
within 30 days after receiving the notice under subsection (18), may withdraw
his notice of objection, in which case the corporation is deemed to consent to
the withdrawal and the shareholder is reinstated to his full rights as a
shareholder, failing which he retains a status as a claimant against the
corporation, to be paid as soon as the corporation is lawfully able to do so
or, in a liquidation, to be ranked subordinate to the rights of the creditors
of the corporation but in priority to its shareholders.
(20) A corporation shall not make a payment to a dissenting shareholder
under this section if there are reasonable grounds for believing that
(a) the corporation is or would after the payment be unable to pay
its liabilities as they become due, or
(b) the realizable value of the corporation's assets would thereby
be less than the aggregate of its liabilities.
<PAGE> 306
PROXY DIGICON INC.
3701 KIRBY DRIVE
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77098
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JULY 30, 1996
The undersigned stockholder of Digicon Inc. (the "Company") hereby
appoints each of Stephen J. Ludlow and Richard W. McNairy attorneys and proxies
of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote on behalf of the
undersigned at the Special Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at
the offices of the Company, 3701 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77098, on July 30,
1996, at 9:00 a.m., central time, and at any adjournments of said meeting, all
of the shares of Common Stock which the undersigned may be entitled to vote.
1. APPROVAL OF TRANSACTION EFFECTING COMBINATION
WITH VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
2. APPROVAL OF THE RECAPITALIZATION PLAN:
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
CONTINUED ON OTHER SIDE
<PAGE> 307
CONTINUED FROM OTHER SIDE
3. In their discretion, upon such other matters as may properly come
before the meeting; hereby revoking any proxy or proxies regarding
such matters heretofore given by the undersigned.
The board of directors recommends a vote FOR each proposal above and if no
specification is made, the shares will be voted FOR approval of the
Transaction and FOR approval of the Recapitalization Plan. The undersigned
hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders
and the Proxy Statement furnished herewith.
Dated ............................, 1996
........................................
Stockholder's Signature
........................................
Stockholder's Signature
Signature should agree with name printed hereon. If Stock is held in the name
of more than one person, EACH joint owner should sign. Executors,
administrators, trustees, guardians, and attorneys should indicate the capacity
in which they sign. Attorneys should submit powers of attorney.
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN IN THE ENVELOPE ENCLOSED
<PAGE> 308
INSTRUMENT OF PROXY
FOR THE SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS AND OPTIONHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JULY 30, 1996
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF
THE MANAGEMENT OF VERITAS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
The undersigned shareholder or optionholder of VERITAS ENERGY
SERVICES, INC. ("Veritas") hereby appoints DAVID B. ROBSON, President and a
Director, or failing him, LAWRENCE C. FICHTNER, Executive Vice President and a
Director, both of the City of Calgary, in the Province of Alberta, or instead
of either of them ________________________________________ _________ as
proxyholder, with full power of substitution, to attend and act for or on
behalf of the undersigned at the SPECIAL Meetings (the "Meeting") of the
shareholders and optionholders of Veritas to be held at Calgary, Alberta on
Tuesday, July 30, 1996 at 9:00 in the forenoon, local time, and at any
adjournment thereof and, without limiting the power granted hereby, directs
that the shares registered in the name of the undersigned be voted as follows:
1. For [ ] or AGAINST [ ] the special resolution to approve an
arrangement under section 186 of the Business Corporations Act
(Alberta), all as more particularly described in the Joint Management
Information Circular and Proxy Statement of Veritas and Digicon Inc.
dated June 27, 1996.
2. At the discretion of the said proxyholder, to vote upon any amendment
or variation of the above matters or any other matter which may
properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
I hereby remove any proxies previously given.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
DATED this ________ day of ___________, 1996. The shares or options represented by this
Proxy will be voted as directed in the spaces
provided above. If no direction is given, this
Proxy shall vote "For" , as more particularly
described in the Joint Management Information
Circular and Proxy Statement of Veritas and Digicon
Inc. dated June ____, 1996.
Each shareholder or optionholder has the
--------------------------------------------------- right to appoint a person, who need not be a
(Signature of Shareholder or Optionholder) shareholder or optionholder of Veritas, to attend
and act for him and on his behalf at the Meeting,
other than the persons designated above. To
exercise such rights, the names of the persons
designated by the management to act should be
crossed out and the name of the shareholder's or
optionholder's appointee should be legibly printed
in the blank space provided.
--------------------------------------------------- (For notes, please see over)
(Name of Shareholder or Optionholder - Please Print)
</TABLE>
Notes:
<PAGE> 309
1. If the appointer is a corporation, its corporate seal must be affixed
and it must be signed by an officer or attorney thereof duly
authorized.
2. This Proxy must be dated and the signature of the Proxy should be
exactly the same as the name to which the shares or options are duly
registered.
3. Persons signing as executors, administrators, trustees, etc., should
so indicate. Only holders of shares or options of record at the close
of business on June 25, 1996 are entitled to vote at the Meeting.
4. This Proxy must be deposited at the office of Corporate Shareholder
Services, Inc., Suite 1485, 550 Sixth Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta
T2P OS2 not later than the close of business on the day preceding the
date of the Meeting.
