FORM 8-A
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Texas 75-0256410
(State of incorporation or (IRS Employer
organization) Identification No.)
107 N. Sherman Street, 75119-3949
Ennis, Texas (Zip Code)
(Address of principal
executive offices)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Name of each exchange on
to be so registered which
each class is to be
registered
Preferred Stock New York Stock Exchange
Purchase Rights
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities
pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to
General Instruction A.(c), check the following box. {X}
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities
pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to
General Instruction A.(d), check the following box. { }
Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form
relates: _________________ (if applicable)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Item 1. Description of Registrant's Securities To Be Registered
On November 4, 1998, the Board of Directors of Ennis Business Forms,
Inc. (the "Company") declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase
right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of Common Stock, par value
2.50 per share (the "Common Shares"), of the Company. The dividend is
payable on November 4, 1998 (the "Record Date") to the shareholders of
record on that date. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase
from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share (the "Preferred
Shares"), of the Company at a price of $27.50 per one one-thousandth of a
Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"), subject to adjustment. The
description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement
(the "Rights Agreement") between the Company and Harris Trust and Savings
Bank, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").
Until the earlier to occur of (i) 10 days following a public
announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an
"Acquiring Person") has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the
outstanding Common Shares or (ii) 10 business days (or such later date as
may be determined by action of the Board of Directors prior to such time as
any person or group of affiliated persons becomes an Acquiring Person)
following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to make, a
tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in
the beneficial ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of the
outstanding Common Shares (the earlier of such dates being called the
"Distribution Date"), the Rights will be evidenced, with respect to any of
the Common Share certificates outstanding as of the Record Date, by such
Common Share certificate with a copy of a Summary of Rights attached
thereto.
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 the Common Shares. Until the Distribution
Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Share
certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuance of
Common Shares 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 Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such
notation or a copy of the Summary of Rights being attached thereto, will
also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common
Shares represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following
the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights ("Rights
Certificates") will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Shares as
of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Rights
Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The
Rights will expire on November 4, 2008 (the "Final Expiration Date"),
unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each
case, as described below.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Shares or
other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the
event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or
reclassification of, the Preferred Shares, (ii) upon the grant to holders
of the Preferred Shares of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or
purchase Preferred Shares at a price, or securities convertible into
Preferred Shares with a conversion price, less than the then current market
price of the Preferred
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Shares, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of
the Preferred Shares of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding
regular periodic cash dividends paid out of earnings or retained earnings
or dividends payable in Preferred Shares) or of subscription rights or
warrants (other than those referred to above).
The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one one-
thousandths of a Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of each Right are
also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common
Shares or a stock dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or
subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares
occurring, in any such case, prior to the Distribution Date.
Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be
redeemable. Each Preferred Share will be entitled to a minimum
preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1.00 per share but will be
entitled to an aggregate dividend of 1,000 times the dividend declared per
Common Share. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred
Shares will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of
$1,000 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 1,000
times the payment made per Common Share. Each Preferred Share will have
1,000 votes, voting together with the Common Shares. Finally, in the event
of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Common Shares
are exchanged, each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 1,000 times
the amount received per Common Share. These rights are protected by
customary antidilution provisions.
Because of the nature of the Preferred Shares' dividend, liquidation
and voting rights, the value of the one one-thousandth interest in a
Preferred Share purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate
the value of one Common Share.
In the event that the Company 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. In the event
that any person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an
Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a
Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which
will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon
exercise that number of Common Shares having a market value of two times
the exercise price of the Right.
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 Common Shares, the Board of Directors of the Company 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
Common Share, or one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, per Right
(subject to adjustment).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1%
in such Purchase Price. No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued
(other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of
a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced
by
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depository receipts) and in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be
made based on the market price of the Preferred Shares on the last trading
day prior to the date of exercise.
At any time prior to the acquisition by a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons of beneficial ownership of 15% or more of
the outstanding Common Shares, the Board of Directors of the Company may
redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 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.
The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors of
the Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights, except that
from and after such time as any person or group of affiliated or associated
persons becomes an Acquiring Person no such amendment may adversely affect
the interests of the holders of the Rights.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the
right to vote or to receive dividends.
The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause
substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the
Company on terms not approved by the Company's Board of Directors, except
pursuant to an offer conditioned on a substantial number of Rights being
acquired. The Rights should not interfere with any merger or other
business combination approved by the Board of Directors since the Rights
may be redeemed by the Company at the Redemption Price prior to the time
that a person or group has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of
the Common Shares.
The Rights Agreement, dated as of November 4, 1998, between the
Company and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Rights Agent, specifying the
terms of the Rights and including the form of Statement of Resolution
setting forth the terms of the Preferred Shares as an exhibit thereto, and
the form of press release announcing the declaration of the Rights are
attached hereto as exhibits and are incorporated herein by reference. The
foregoing description of the Rights is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such exhibits.
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Item 2. Exhibits
99.1 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 4, 1998, between
ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC. and HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS
BANK, which includes the form of Statement of Resolutions
setting forth the terms of the Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share, as Exhibit A,
the form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B, and the Summary
of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit C.
99.2 Press release issued by the Company on November 4, 1998.
99.3 Letter to Shareholders dated November 4, 1998.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 4, 1998
ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
By: /s/ Keith S. Walters
Keith S. Walters, Chairman, President and CEO
EXHIBIT LIST
99.1 Rights Agreement, dated as of November 4, 1998, between ENNIS BUSINESS
FORMS, INC. and HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, which includes the form
of Statement of Resolutions setting forth the terms of the Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share, as
Exhibit A, the form of Rights Certificate as Exhibit B, and the
Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit C.
99.2 Press release issued by the Company on November 4, 1998.
99.3 Letter to Shareholders dated November 4, 1998.
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
by and between
ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
(the "Company")
and
HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
(the "Rights Agent")
Dated as of November 4, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 1
STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT 1
Section 1. Certain Definitions 1
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent 4
Section 3. Issue of Rights Certificates 4
Section 4. Form of Rights Certificates 6
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration 6
Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights
Certificates 7
Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights 8
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates 9
Section 9. Availability of Preferred Shares 9
Section 10. Preferred Shares Record Date 10
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number of
Rights 10
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares 17
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or
Earning Power 17
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares 18
Section 15. Rights of Action 19
Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders 19
Section 17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder 20
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent 20
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent 21
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent 21
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Section 21. Change of Rights Agent 23
Section 22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates 24
Section 23. Redemption 24
Section 24. Exchange 25
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events 26
Section 26. Notices 27
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments 27
Section 28. Successors 28
Section 29. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors 28
Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement 28
Section 31. Severability 28
Section 32. Governing Law 29
Section 33. Counterparts 29
Section 34. Descriptive Headings 29
Exhibits
Exhibit A Form of Statement of Resolutions Establishing Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock
Exhibit B Form of Rights Certificate
Exhibit C Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares
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RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of November 4,
1998, is made and entered into by and between Ennis Business Forms, Inc., a
Texas corporation (the "Company"), and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, an
Illinois corporation (the "Rights Agent").
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
On November 4, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized
and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a "Right")
for each Common Share (as hereinafter defined) of the Company outstanding
at the close of business on November 4, 1998 (the "Record Date"), each
Right representing the right to purchase one one-thousandth of a Preferred
Share (as hereinafter defined), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions herein set forth, and further authorized and directed the
issuance of one Right with respect to each Common Share that shall become
outstanding between the Record Date and the earliest of the Distribution
Date, the Redemption Date and the Final Expiration Date (as such terms are
hereinafter defined).
STATEMENT OF AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements, covenants, representations and warranties set forth in this
Agreement and for other good, valid and binding consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to
be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement,
the following terms have the meanings indicated:
(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person (as such term is
hereinafter defined) who or which, together with all Affiliates and
Associates (as such terms are hereinafter defined) of such Person, shall be
the Beneficial Owner (as such term is hereinafter defined) of fifteen
percent (15%) or more of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding,
but shall not include the Company, any Subsidiary (as such term is
hereinafter defined) of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, or any entity holding Common
Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no Person shall become an "Acquiring Person" as the result of an
acquisition of Common Shares by the Company which, by reducing the number
of shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares
beneficially owned by such Person to fifteen percent (15%) or more of the
Common Shares of the Company then outstanding; provided, however, that if a
Person shall become the Beneficial Owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more
of the Common Shares of the Company then outstanding by reason of share
purchases by the Company and shall, after such share purchases by the
Company, become the Beneficial Owner of any additional Common Shares of the
Company, then such Person shall be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person".
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board of Directors of the Company
determines in good faith that a Person who would otherwise be an "Acquiring
Person", as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this
paragraph (a), has become such inadvertently, and such Person divests as
promptly as practicable a sufficient number of Common Shares so that such
Person would no longer be an "Acquiring Person," as defined
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pursuant to the
foregoing provisions of this paragraph (a), then such Person shall not be
deemed to be an "Acquiring Person" for any purposes of this Agreement.
(b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective
meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
(c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of and shall
be deemed to "beneficially own" any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly;
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates has the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding (other than customary agreements with and
between underwriters and selling group members with respect to a bona fide
public offering of securities), or upon the exercise of conversion rights,
exchange rights, rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided,
however, that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to
beneficially own (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange
offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for
purchase or exchange, or (B) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights at
any time prior to the occurrence of a Trigger Event, or (C) securities
issuable upon exercise of Rights from and after the occurrence of a Trigger
Event which Rights were acquired by such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates prior to the Distribution Date or pursuant to
Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof ("Original Rights") or pursuant to
Section 11(i) hereof in connection with an adjustment made to Original
Rights.
(iii) which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates has the right to vote pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding; provided, however, that a Person shall not be
deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security under
this subparagraph (iii) if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to
vote such security (1) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent
given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation
made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and
regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and (2) is not also then
reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or
successor report); or
(iv) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
by any other Person with which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding
(other than customary agreements with and between underwriters and selling
group members with respect to a bona fide public offering of securities)
for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except to the extent
contemplated by the proviso to Section 1(c)(iii)) or disposing of any
securities of the Company.
Notwithstanding anything in this definition of Beneficial
Ownership to the contrary, the phrase "then outstanding," when used with
reference to a Person's Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Company,
shall mean the number of such securities then issued and outstanding
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together with the number of such securities not then actually issued and
outstanding which such Person would be deemed to own beneficially
hereunder.
(d) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a
Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in the State of Texas or
Illinois are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
(e) "Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m.,
Dallas, Texas time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is
not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas time, on the next
succeeding Business Day.
(f) "Common Shares" when used with reference to the Company
shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $2.50 per share, of the
Company. "Common Shares" when used with reference to any Person other than
the Company shall mean the capital stock (or equity interest) with the
greatest voting power of such other Person or, if such other Person is a
Subsidiary of another Person, the Person or Persons which ultimately
control such first-mentioned Person.
(g) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3 hereof.
(h) "Final Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7 hereof.
(i) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or
other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of
such entity.
(j) "Preferred Shares" shall mean shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share, of the Company
having the rights and preferences set forth in the Form of Statement of
Resolutions Establishing Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A.
(k) "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7 hereof.
(l) "Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preliminary
Statement.
(m) "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall mean any event described in
Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(n) "Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in
clauses (a), (b) or (c) of Section 13 hereof.
(o) "Shares Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of
public announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring
Person has become such.
(p) "Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean any corporation or
other entity of which a majority of the voting power of the voting equity
securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by such
Person.
(q) "Trigger Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event
and/or Section 13 Event.
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Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby
appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance
with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts
such appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such co-rights
agents as it may deem necessary or desirable.
Section 3. Issue of Rights Certificates.
(a) Until the earlier of (i) the close of business on the tenth
(10th) day after the Shares Acquisition Date (or, if the tenth (10th) day
after the Shares Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date, the close
of business on the Record Date), or (ii) the close of business on the tenth
(10th) Business Day (or such later date as may be determined by action of
the Board of Directors prior to such time as any Person becomes an
Acquiring Person) after the date of the commencement by any Person (other
than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan
of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding
Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) of, or of the
first public announcement of the intention of any Person (other than the
Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the
Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding Common
Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) to commence, a tender
or exchange offer within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Exchange Act, the consummation of which would
result in any Person becoming the Beneficial Owner of Common Shares
aggregating fifteen percent (15%) or more of the then outstanding Common
Shares (including any such date which is after the date of this Agreement
and prior to the issuance of the Rights; the earlier of such dates being
herein referred to as the "Distribution Date"), (x) the Rights will be
evidenced (subject to the provisions of Section 3(b) hereof) by the
certificates for Common Shares registered in the names of the holders
thereof (which certificates shall also be deemed to be Rights Certificates)
and not by separate Rights Certificates, and (y) the right to receive
Rights Certificates will be transferable only in connection with the
transfer of Common Shares. As soon as practicable after the Distribution
Date, the Company will prepare and execute, the Rights Agent will
countersign, and the Company will send or cause to be sent (and the Rights
Agent will, if requested and provided with all necessary information, send,
at the expense of the Company) by first-class, insured, postage-prepaid
mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the close of business on
the Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records
of the Company, a Rights Certificate, in substantially the form of
Exhibit B hereto (a "Rights Certificate"), evidencing one Right for each
Common Share so held. As of the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
evidenced solely by such Rights Certificates.
(b) On the Record Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter,
the Company will send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred
Shares, in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (the "Summary of
Rights"), by first-class, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of
Common Shares as of the close of business on the Record Date, at the
address of such holder shown on the records of the Company. With respect
to certificates for Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, until
the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by such certificates
registered in the names of the holders thereof together with a copy of the
Summary of Rights attached thereto. Until the Distribution Date (or the
earliest of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date), the
surrender for transfer of any certificate for Common Shares outstanding on
the Record Date, with or without a copy of the Summary of Rights attached
thereto, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with
the Common Shares represented thereby.
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(c) Certificates for Common Shares which become outstanding
(including, without limitation, reacquired Common Shares referred to in the
last sentence of this paragraph (c)) after the Record Date but prior to the
earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final
Expiration Date shall have impressed on, printed on, written on or
otherwise affixed to them the following legend:
THIS CERTIFICATE ALSO EVIDENCES AND ENTITLES THE HOLDER HEREOF TO
CERTAIN RIGHTS AS SET FORTH IN A RIGHTS AGREEMENT BETWEEN ENNIS
BUSINESS FORMS, INC. AND HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK DATED AS
OF NOVEMBER 4, 1998 (THE "RIGHTS AGREEMENT"), THE TERMS OF WHICH
ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE AND A COPY OF WHICH
IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF ENNIS BUSINESS
FORMS, INC. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, SUCH RIGHTS WILL BE EVIDENCED BY SEPARATE
CERTIFICATES, AND WILL NO LONGER BE EVIDENCED BY THIS
CERTIFICATE. ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC. WILL MAIL TO THE HOLDER
OF THIS CERTIFICATE A COPY OF THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT WITHOUT CHARGE
AFTER RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR. UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES, AS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, RIGHTS
ISSUED TO ANY PERSON WHO BECOMES AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR ANY
AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE THEREOF (AS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS
AGREEMENT), WHETHER CURRENTLY HELD BY OR ON BEHALF OF SUCH PERSON
OR BY ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER, MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until
the Distribution Date, the Rights associated with the Common Shares
represented by such certificates shall be evidenced by such certificates
alone, and the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also
constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares
represented thereby. In the event that the Company purchases or acquires
any Common Shares after the Record Date but prior to the Distribution Date,
any Rights associated with such Common Shares shall be deemed canceled and
retired so that the Company shall not be entitled to exercise any Rights
associated with the Common Shares which are no longer outstanding.
Section 4. Form of Rights Certificates.
(a) The Rights Certificates (and the forms of election to
purchase Preferred Shares and of assignment to be printed on the reverse
thereof) shall be substantially the same as Exhibit B hereto and may have
such marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or
endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate (but which
do not affect the duties or responsibilities of the Rights Agent) and as
are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be
required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation
made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange
on which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to
usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 and Section 22 hereof, the
Rights Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such
number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share as shall be set forth
therein at the
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price per one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share set forth
therein (the "Purchase Price"), but the number of such one one-thousandth
of a Preferred Share and the Purchase Price shall be subject to adjustment
as provided herein.
(b) Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Sections 3(a) or
22 hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by: (i) an Acquiring
Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a
transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate)
who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or
(iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the
Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either
(A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person
to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person
with whom such Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement
or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which
the Board of Directors of the Company has determined is part of a plan,
arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect
avoidance of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, and any Rights Certificate issued
pursuant to Sections 6 or 11 hereof upon transfer, exchange, replacement or
adjustment of any other Rights Certificate referred to in this sentence,
shall contain (to the extent feasible) the following legend:
THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING
PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS
SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY,
THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY
BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN
SECTION 11(A)(II) OF SUCH AGREEMENT.
The provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) shall be operative whether or
not the foregoing legend is contained on any such Rights Certificate.
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration. The Rights
Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of
the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice
Presidents, or its Treasurer, either manually or by facsimile signature,
shall have affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof, and
shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Rights
Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall
not be valid for any purpose unless countersigned. In case any officer of
the Company who shall have signed any of the Rights Certificates shall
cease to be such officer of the Company before countersignature by the
Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Rights
Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the Rights Agent and
issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as
though the person who signed such Rights Certificates had not ceased to be
such officer of the Company; and any Rights Certificate may be signed on
behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the
execution of such Rights Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the
Company to sign such Rights Certificate, although at the date of the
execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an officer.
6
Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause
to be kept, at its office designated in Section 26 hereof (the "Designated
Office"), books for registration and transfer of the Rights Certificates
issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the
respective holders of the Rights Certificates, the number of Rights
evidenced on its face by each of the Rights Certificates and the date of
each of the Rights Certificates.
Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights Certificates.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 4(b) and 14 hereof, at any time after
the close of business on the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the
close of business on the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final
Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates (other than
Rights Certificates representing Rights that have become null and void
pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof or that have been exchanged pursuant
to Section 24 hereof) may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged
for another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates, entitling the
registered holder to purchase a like number of one one-thousandth of a
Preferred Share as the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates
surrendered then entitled such holder to purchase. Any registered holder
desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Rights Certificate
or Rights Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the
Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the
Designated Office of the Rights Agent. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall,
subject to Sections 4(b), 7(e) and 14 hereof, countersign and deliver to
the person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates, as
the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Rights
Certificates. The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation under this
Section unless and until it is satisfied that all such taxes and/or charges
have been paid.
Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity or security satisfactory to them, and, at the
Company's request, reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all
reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights
Agent and cancellation of the Rights Certificate if mutilated, the Company
will make and deliver a new Rights Certificate of like tenor to the Rights
Agent for delivery to the registered holder in lieu of the Rights
Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of
Rights.
(a) The registered holder of any Rights Certificate may
exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein)
in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon surrender
of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the
reverse side thereof duly and properly executed, to the Rights Agent at the
Designated Office of the Rights Agent, together with payment of the
Purchase Price for each one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share as to which
the Rights are exercised, at or prior to the earliest of (i) the close of
business on November 4, 2008 (the "Final Expiration Date"), (ii) the time
at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (the
"Redemption Date"), or (iii) the time at which such Rights are exchanged as
provided in Section 24 hereof.
7
(b) The Purchase Price for each one one-thousandth of a
Preferred Share purchasable pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall
initially be $27.50, and shall be subject to adjustment from time to time
as provided in Sections 11 or 13 hereof and shall be payable in lawful
money of the United States of America in accordance with paragraph (c)
below.
(c) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing
exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase duly executed,
accompanied by payment of the Purchase Price for the shares to be purchased
and an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax or charge required to be
paid by the holder of such Rights Certificate in accordance with Section 9
hereof by certified check, cashier's check or money order payable to the
order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall thereupon promptly
(i) (A) requisition from any transfer agent of the Preferred Shares
certificates for the number of Preferred Shares to be purchased and the
Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all
such requests, or (B) requisition from the depositary agent depositary
receipts representing such number of one one-thousandth of a Preferred
Share as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for the Preferred
Shares represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the transfer
agent with the depositary agent) and the Company hereby directs the
depositary agent to comply with such request, (ii) when appropriate,
requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of
issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof,
(iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the
same to be delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such
Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated
by such holder, and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt, deliver such cash
to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate.
(d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate
shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights
Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining
unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent to the registered holder of
such Rights Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns, subject to the
provisions of Section 14 hereof.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake
any action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any
purported exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered
holder shall have (i) properly completed and signed the certificate
contained in the form of election to purchase set forth on the reverse side
of the Rights Certificate surrendered for such exercise, and (ii) provided
such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former
Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company or
Rights Agent shall reasonably request.
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates.
All Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer,
split up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or
to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or
in canceled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled
by it, and no Rights Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as
expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Rights Agreement. The
Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement,
and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Rights
Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the
exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all canceled Rights
Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request of the
Company, destroy such canceled Rights Certificates, and in such case shall
deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
8
Section 9. Availability of Preferred Shares.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be
reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued Preferred
Shares or any Preferred Shares held in its treasury, the number of
Preferred Shares that will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of
all outstanding Rights in accordance with Section 7. The Company covenants
and agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to ensure
that all Preferred Shares delivered upon exercise of Rights shall, at the
time of delivery of the certificates for such Preferred Shares (subject to
payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and issued
and fully paid and nonassessable shares.
(b) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the
occurrence of a Trigger Event, Common Stock and/or other securities)
issuable and deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights may be listed on
any national securities exchange, the Company shall use its best efforts to
cause, from and after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all
shares reserved for such issuance to be listed on such exchange upon
official notice of issuance upon such exercise.
(c) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon
as practicable following the earliest date after the first occurrence of a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event in which the consideration to be delivered by the
Company upon exercise of the Rights has been determined in accordance with
Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, a registration statement under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the "Act"), with respect to the securities purchasable upon
exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration
statement to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing, and
(iii) cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a
prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act) until the
earlier of (A) the date as of which the Rights are no longer exercisable
for such securities, and (B) the date of the expiration of the Rights. The
Company will also take such action as may be appropriate under, or to
ensure compliance with, the securities or "blue sky" laws of the various
states in connection with the exercisability of the Rights. The Company
may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed ninety (90)
days after the date set forth in clause (i) of the first sentence of this
Section 9(c), the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file
such registration statement and permit it to become effective. Upon any
such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that
the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as
a public announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect
(with prompt notice to the Rights Agent of such announcements). In
addition, if the Company shall determine that a registration statement is
required following the Distribution Date, the Company may temporarily
suspend the exercisability of the Rights until such time as a registration
statement has been declared effective. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any
jurisdiction if the requisite qualification in such jurisdiction shall not
have been obtained, the exercise thereof shall not be permitted under
applicable law or a registration statement shall not have been declared
effective.
(d) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay
when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and
charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the
Rights Certificates or of any Preferred Shares upon the exercise of Rights.
The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax or
charge which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of
Rights Certificates to a person other than, or the issuance or delivery of
certificates or depositary receipts for the Preferred Shares in a name
other
9
than that of, the registered holder of the Rights Certificate
evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or to issue or to deliver any
certificates or depositary receipts for Preferred Shares upon the exercise
of any Rights until any such tax or charge shall have been paid (any such
tax or charge being payable by the holder of such Rights Certificate at the
time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company's
reasonable satisfaction that no such tax is due.
Section 10. Preferred Shares Record Date. Each Person in whose
name any certificate for Preferred Shares is issued upon the exercise of
Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record
of the Preferred Shares represented thereby on, and such certificate shall
be dated, the date upon which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights
was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price (and any applicable
transfer taxes or charges) was made; provided, however, that if the date of
such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Shares
transfer books of the Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to
have become the record holder of such shares on, and such certificate shall
be dated, the next succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Shares
transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to the exercise of the
Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Rights Certificate shall not be
entitled to any rights of a holder of Preferred Shares for which the Rights
shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to vote, to
receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any preemptive
rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any proceedings
of the Company, except as provided herein.
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or
Number of Rights. The Purchase Price, the number of Preferred Shares
covered by each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.
(a)(i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the
date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares
payable in Preferred Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred
Shares, (C) combine the outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number
of Preferred Shares, or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a
reclassification of the Preferred Shares (including any such
reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except as otherwise
provided in this Section 11(a)(i), the Purchase Price in effect at the time
of the record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such
subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the number and kind of
shares of capital stock issuable on such date, shall be proportionately
adjusted so that the holder of any Right exercised after such time shall be
entitled to receive the aggregate number and kind of shares of capital
stock which, if such Right had been exercised immediately prior to such
date and at a time when the Preferred Shares transfer books of the Company
were open, such holder would have owned upon such exercise and been
entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend, subdivision, combination or
reclassification; provided, however, that in no event shall the
consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable
upon exercise of one Right.
(ii) Subject to Section 24 and to the limitation set forth
in the next paragraph of this Agreement, in the event any Person becomes an
Acquiring Person, each holder of a Right shall thereafter have a right to
receive, upon exercise thereof at a price equal to the then current
Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-thousandths of a
Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable, in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of
Common Shares of the Company as shall equal the result obtained
10
by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable
and dividing that product by (y) fifty percent (50%) of the then current
per share market price of the Company's Common Shares (determined pursuant
to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of the occurrence of such event (such
number of shares, the "Adjustment Shares"). In the event that any Person
shall become an Acquiring Person and the Rights shall then be outstanding,
the Company shall not take any action which would eliminate or diminish the
benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.
From and after the occurrence of such event, any Rights
(A) beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person or any Associate or
Affiliate of such Acquiring Person, (B) a transferee of an Acquiring Person
(of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the
Acquiring Person becomes such, or (C) a transferee of an Acquiring Person
(or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to
or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such
Rights pursuant to either (1) a transfer (whether or not for consideration)
from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring
Person or to any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has any continuing
agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or
(2) a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company has determined
is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a primary
purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 11(a)(ii), shall be null
and void and no holder of such Rights shall thereafter have any rights
whatsoever with respect to such rights, whether under provisions of this
Agreement or otherwise.
(iii) In the event that there shall not be sufficient
Common Shares issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to
permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with the foregoing
subparagraph (ii), the Company shall (A) determine the value of the
Adjustment Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right (the "Current
Value"), (B) with respect to each Right (subject to Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof), make adequate provision to substitute for the Adjustment Shares,
upon the exercise of a Right and payment of the applicable Purchase Price,
(1) cash, (2) a reduction in the Purchase Price, (3) Common Shares or other
equity securities of the Company (including, without limitation, shares, or
units of shares, of preferred stock, such as the Preferred Stock, which the
Board has deemed to have essentially the same value or economic rights as
shares of Common Shares (such shares of preferred stock being referred to
as "Common Stock Equivalents")), (4) debt securities of the Company,
(5) other assets, or (6) any combination of the foregoing, having an
aggregate value equal to the Current Value (less the amount of any
reduction in the Purchase Price), where such aggregate value has been
determined by the Board based upon the advice of a nationally recognized
investment banking firm selected by the Board; provided, however, that if
the Company shall not have made adequate provision to deliver value
pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following the later of
(x) the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event and (y) the date on
which the Company's right of redemption pursuant to Section 23(a) expires
(the later of (x) and (y) being referred to herein as the
"Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date"), then the Company shall be obligated to
deliver, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring
payment of the Purchase Price, Common Shares (to the extent available) and
then, if necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash have an aggregate value
equal to the Spread. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term
"Spread" shall mean the excess of (i) the Current Value over (ii) the
Purchase Price. If the Board determines in good faith that it is likely
that sufficient additional shares of Common Shares could be authorized for
issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights, the thirty (30)-day period
set forth above may be extended to the extent necessary, but not more than
ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date, in order that
11
the Company may seek shareholder approval for the authorization of such
additional shares (such thirty (30)-day period, as it may be extended, is
herein called the "Substitution Period"). To the extent that action is to
be taken pursuant to the first and/or third sentences of this
Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (1) shall provide, subject to
Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, that such action shall apply uniformly to all
outstanding Rights, and (2) may suspend the exercisability of the Rights
until the expiration of the Substitution Period in order to seek such
shareholder approval for such authorization of additional shares and/or to
decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to such
first sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of any
such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that
the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as
a public announcement at such time the suspension is no longer in effect
(with prompt notice of such announcements to the Rights Agent). For
purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii), the value of each Adjustment Share
shall be the current per share market price of the Common Shares on the
Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date and the per share or per unit value of any
Common Stock Equivalent shall be deemed to equal the current per share
market price of the Common Shares on such date, in each case as determined
pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof.
(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance
of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Shares
entitling them (for a period expiring within forty-five (45) calendar days
after such record date) to subscribe for or purchase Preferred Shares (or
shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred
Shares ("equivalent preferred shares")) or securities convertible into
Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares at a price per Preferred
Share or equivalent preferred share (or having a conversion price per
share, if a security convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent
preferred shares) less than the then current per share market price (as
defined in Section 11(d)) of the Preferred Shares on such record date, the
Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined
by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such
record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of
Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date plus the number of
Preferred Shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of
Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares so to be offered
(and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible
securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current market price
and the denominator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares
outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional Preferred
Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares to be offered for subscription or
purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are
initially convertible); provided, however, that in no event shall the
consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than the
aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the Company issuable
upon exercise of one Right. In case such subscription price may be paid in
a consideration part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash,
the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described
in a statement filed with the Rights Agent. Preferred Shares owned by or
held for the account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the
purpose of any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made
successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that
such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Purchase Price
shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if
such record date had not been fixed.
(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the making
of a distribution to all holders of the Preferred Shares (including any
such distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in
which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of
12
evidences
of indebtedness or assets (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend or
a dividend payable in Preferred Shares) or subscription rights or warrants
(excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price
to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by multiplying
the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a
fraction, the numerator of which shall be the then current per share market
price of the Preferred Shares on such record date, less the fair market
value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with
the Rights Agent) of the portion of the assets or evidences of indebtedness
so to be distributed or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable
to one Preferred Share and the denominator of which shall be such current
per share market price of the Preferred Shares; provided, however, that in
no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one Right
be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of capital stock of the
Company to be issued upon exercise of one Right. Such adjustments shall be
made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event
that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be
adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such
record date had not been fixed.
(d)(i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the
"current per share market price" of any security (a "Security" for the
purpose of this Section 11(d)(i)) on any date shall be deemed to be the
average of the daily closing prices per share of such Security for the
thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter defined)
immediately prior to but not including such date; provided, however, that
in the event that the current per share market price of the Security is
determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such
Security of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Security payable in
shares of such Security or securities convertible into such shares, or
(B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Security and
prior to the expiration of thirty (30) Trading Days after but not including
the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or the record date
for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and in each
such case, the current per share market price shall be appropriately
adjusted to reflect the current market price per share equivalent of such
Security. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price,
regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average
of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with
respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to trading on the
New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the
principal national securities exchange on which the Security is listed or
admitted to trading or, if the Security is not listed or admitted to
trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if
not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the
over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System ("NASDAQ") or such
other system then in use, or, if on any such date the Security is not
quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the
Security selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. The term
"Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the principal national securities
exchange on which the Security is listed or admitted to trading is open for
the transaction of business or, if the Security is not listed or admitted
to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the
"current per share market price" of the Preferred Shares shall be
determined in accordance with the method set forth in Section 11(d)(i). If
the Preferred Shares are not publicly traded, the "current per share market
13
price" of the Preferred Shares shall be conclusively deemed to be the
current per share market price of the Common Shares as determined pursuant
to Section 11(d)(i) (appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split,
stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof),
multiplied by one thousand. If neither the Common Shares nor the Preferred
Shares are publicly held or so listed or traded, "current per share market
price" shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be
described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent.
(e) No adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless
such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one
percent (1%) in the Purchase Price; provided, however, that any adjustments
which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be
carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All
calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to
the nearest one one-millionth of a Preferred Share or one ten-thousandth of
any other share or security as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first
sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11
shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three (3) years from the
date of the transaction which requires such adjustment or (ii) the date of
the expiration of the right to exercise any Rights.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to
Sections 11(a) or 13 hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised
shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company
other than Preferred Shares, thereafter the number of such other shares so
receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to adjustment from
time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable
to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Shares contained in
Sections 11(a) through (c), inclusive, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9,
10 and 13 with respect to the Preferred Shares shall apply on like terms to
any such other shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to
any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the
right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share purchasable from time to time
hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as
provided herein.
(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as
provided in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a
result of the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right
outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall
thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price,
that number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share (calculated to the
nearest one one-millionth of a Preferred Share) obtained by (i) multiplying
(x) the number of one one-thousandths of a share covered by a Right
immediately prior to this adjustment by (y) the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and
(ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any
adjustment of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in
substitution for any adjustment in the number of one one-thousandths of a
Preferred Share purchasable upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the
Rights outstanding after such adjustment of the number of Rights shall be
exercisable for the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for
which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such adjustment. Each
Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the number of Rights shall
become that number of Rights (calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth)
obtained by dividing
14
the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to
adjustment of the Purchase Price by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The Company shall make
a public announcement (with prompt notice thereof to the Rights Agent) of
its election to adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for
the adjustment, and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to
be made. This record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is
adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Rights Certificates have been
issued, shall be at least ten (10) days later than the date of the public
announcement. If Rights Certificates have been issued, upon each
adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the
Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to
holders of record of Rights Certificates on such record date Rights
Certificates evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional
Rights to which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such
adjustment, or, at the option of the Company, shall cause to be distributed
to such holders of record in substitution and replacement for the Rights
Certificates held by such holders prior to the date of adjustment, and upon
surrender thereof, if required by the Company, new Rights Certificates
evidencing all the Rights to which such holders shall be entitled after
such adjustment. Rights Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued,
executed and countersigned in the manner provided for herein and shall be
registered in the names of the holders of record of Rights Certificates on
the record date specified in the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase
Price or the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share issuable
upon the exercise of the Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and
thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase Price and the number
of one thousandths of a Preferred Share which were expressed in the initial
Rights Certificates issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment
reducing the Purchase Price below one one-thousandth of the then par value,
if any, of the Preferred Shares issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the
Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its
counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally
issue fully paid and nonassessable Preferred Shares at such adjusted
Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an
adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for
a specified event, the Company may elect to defer (with prompt notice
thereof to the Rights Agent) until the occurrence of such event the issuing
to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date of the
Preferred Shares and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if
any, issuable upon such exercise over and above the Preferred Shares and
other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon
such exercise on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such
adjustment; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to such
holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's
right to receive such additional shares upon the occurrence of the event
requiring such adjustment.
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase
Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this
Section 11, as and to the extent that it in its sole discretion shall
determine to be advisable in order that any consolidation or subdivision of
the Preferred Shares, issuance wholly for cash of any Preferred Shares at
less than the current market price, issuance wholly for cash of Preferred
Shares or securities which by their terms are convertible into or
exchangeable for
15
Preferred Shares, dividends on Preferred Shares payable in
Preferred Shares or issuance of rights, options or warrants referred to
hereinabove in Section 11(b), hereafter made by the Company to holders of
its Preferred Shares shall not be taxable to such shareholders.
(n) In the event that at any time after the date of this
Agreement and prior to the Distribution Date, the Company shall (i) declare
or pay any dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or
(ii) effect a subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common
Shares (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in
Common Shares) into a greater or lesser number of Common Shares, then in
any such case (A) the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share
purchasable after such event upon proper exercise of each Right shall be
determined by multiplying the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred
Share so purchasable immediately prior to such event by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of Common Shares outstanding immediately
before such event and the denominator of which is the number of Common
Shares outstanding immediately after such event, and (B) each Common Share
outstanding immediately after such event shall have issued with respect to
it that number of Rights which each Common Share outstanding immediately
prior to such event had issued with respect to it. The adjustments
provided for in this Section 11(n) shall be made successively whenever such
a dividend is declared or paid or such a subdivision, combination or
consolidation is effected.
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of
Shares. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Sections 11 or 13
hereof, the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth
such adjustment, and a brief statement of the facts and computations
accounting for such adjustment, (b) promptly file with the Rights Agent and
with each transfer agent for the Common Shares or the Preferred Shares a
copy of such certificate, and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each
holder of a Rights Certificate in accordance with Section 25 hereof. The
Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate
and/or any adjustment contained therein (and shall not be obligated or
responsible for calculating any adjustment) and shall have no duty with
respect to and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment
unless and until it shall have received such a certificate.
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or
Earning Power. In the event, directly or indirectly, at any time after a
Person has become an Acquiring Person, (a) the Company shall consolidate
with, or merge with and into, any other Person, (b) any Person shall
consolidate with the Company, or merge with and into the Company and the
Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger
and, in connection with such merger, all or part of the Common Shares shall
be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other
Person (or the Company) or cash or any other property, or (c) the Company
shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall
sell or otherwise transfer), in one or more transactions, assets or earning
power aggregating fifty percent (50%) or more of the assets or earning
power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other
Person other than the Company or one or more of its wholly-owned
Subsidiaries, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made
so that (i) each holder of a Right (except as otherwise provided herein)
shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at a
price equal to the then current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of
one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then
exercisable, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in lieu of
Preferred Shares, such number of Common Shares of such other Person
(including the Company as successor thereto or as the surviving
corporation) as shall equal the result obtained by (A) multiplying the then
current Purchase Price by the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred
Share for which a Right
16
is then exercisable and dividing that product by
(B) fifty percent (50%) of the then current per share market price of the
Common Shares of such other Person (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)
hereof) on the date of consummation of such consolidation, merger, sale or
transfer; (ii) the issuer of such Common Shares shall thereafter be liable
for, and shall assume, by virtue of such consolidation, merger, sale or
transfer, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this
Agreement; (iii) the term "Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer to
such issuer; and (iv) such issuer shall take such steps (including, but not
limited to, the reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares in
accordance with Section 9 hereof) in connection with such consummation as
may be necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be
applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to the Common
Shares thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights. The Company
shall not consummate any such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer
unless prior thereto the Company and such issuer shall have executed and
delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement so providing. The
Company shall not enter into any transaction of the kind referred to in
this Section 13 if at the time of such transaction there are any rights,
warrants, instruments or securities outstanding or any agreements or
arrangements which, as a result of the consummation of such transaction,
would eliminate or substantially diminish the benefits intended to be
afforded by the Rights. The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly
apply to successive mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers.
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Rights or to distribute Rights Certificates which evidence fractional
Rights. In lieu of such fractional Rights, there shall be paid to the
registered holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to which such
fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to
the same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right. For the
purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market value of a whole Right
shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately
prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise
issuable. The closing price for any day shall be the last sale price,
regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average
of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with
respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock
Exchange or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on the New
York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction
reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal
national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or admitted to
trading or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted,
the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter
market, as reported by NASDAQ or such other system then in use or, if on
any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional
market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of
Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such market maker is
making a market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on such date as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be
used. The Company shall promptly notify the Rights Agent of any such
determination of fair value.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of the Rights or to
distribute certificates which evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other
than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a
Preferred Share).
17
Fractions of Preferred Shares in integral multiples of
one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share may, at the election of the
Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts, pursuant to an appropriate
agreement between the Company and a depositary selected by it; provided,
that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depositary
receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which
they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares represented
by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional Preferred Shares that
are not integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, the
Company shall pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the
time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal
to the same fraction of the current market value of one Preferred Share.
For the purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of a
Preferred Share shall be the closing price of a Preferred Share (as
determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for
the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
(c) Following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Company
shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Shares upon
exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence
fractional shares of Common Shares. In lieu of fractional shares of Common
Shares, the Company may pay to the registered holders of Rights
Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an
amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of
one Common Share. For purposes of this Section 14(c), the current market
value of one Common Share shall be the closing price of one Common Share
(as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof)
for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Right
expressly waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any
fractional shares upon exercise of a Right (except as provided above).
Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect of
this Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent
under Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective registered holders of
the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the
registered holders of the Common Shares); and any registered holder of any
Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common
Shares), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any
other Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common
Shares), may, in his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may
institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company
to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the
Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate in the manner provided in such
Rights Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing
or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically
acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy
at law for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific
performance of the obligations under, and injunctive relief against actual
or threatened violations of the obligations of any Person subject to, this
Agreement.
Section 16. Agreement of Right Holders. Every holder of a Right,
by accepting the same, consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights
Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares;
18
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered
at the Designated Office of the Rights Agent, duly endorsed or accompanied
by a proper instrument of transfer with the appropriate forms and
certificates executed;
(c) the Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the
Person in whose name the Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution
Date, the associated Common Shares certificate) is registered as the
absolute owner thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding
any notations of ownership or writing on the Rights Certificates or the
associated Common Shares certificate made by anyone other than the Company
or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company
nor the Rights Agent, subject to Section 7(e) hereof, shall be affected by
any notice to the contrary; and
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any
holder of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform
any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or
permanent injunction or other order, decree, judgment or ruling issued by a
court of competent jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or
administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or
executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority,
prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation;
provided, however, the Company must use its best efforts to have any such
order, decree, judgment or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as
possible.
Section 17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder. No
holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote,
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred
Shares or any other securities of the Company which may at any time be
issuable on the exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall
anything contained herein or in any Rights Certificate be construed to
confer upon the holder of any Rights Certificate, as such, any of the
rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for the
election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or
to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting shareholders
(except as provided in Section 25 hereof), or to receive dividends or
subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by
such Rights Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the
provisions hereof.
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent. The Company agrees to pay
to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it
hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its
reasonable expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in
the preparation, execution, delivery and amendment of this Agreement and
the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The Company also
agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it harmless against,
any loss, liability, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand, cost
or expense, incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on
the part of the Rights Agent, for any action taken, suffered or omitted by
the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance and administration of
this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any
claim of liability in the premises. Anything to the contrary
notwithstanding, in no event shall the Rights Agent be liable for special,
indirect, consequential or incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever
(including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Rights Agent has
been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage. The costs and
expenses of enforcing this right of
19
indemnification shall also be paid by
the Company. The indemnification provided for hereunder shall survive the
expiration of the Rights and the termination of this Agreement.
The Rights Agent may conclusively rely upon and shall be authorized
and protected and shall incur no liability for, or in respect of any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with, its acceptance and
administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Rights Certificate or
certificate for the Preferred Shares or Common Shares or for other
securities of the Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of
attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent,
certificate, statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be
genuine and to be signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or
acknowledged, by the proper person or persons, or otherwise upon the advice
of counsel as set forth in Section 20 hereof.
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights
Agent. Any Person into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person
resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to the
stock transfer powers of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent,
shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement without the
execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of
the parties hereto; provided, that such Person would be eligible for
appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21
hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to
the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Rights Certificates shall
have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent
may adopt the countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver
such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of
the Rights Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor
Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either in the name of
the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent;
and in all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force
provided in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and
at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been countersigned
but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under
its prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in
case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been
countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates
either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such
Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights
Certificates and in this Agreement.
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes
only the duties and obligations expressly imposed (and no implied duties
and obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Rights Agent)
by this Agreement upon the following terms and conditions, by all of which
the Company and the holders of Rights Certificates, by their acceptance
thereof, shall be bound:
(a) Before the Rights Agent acts or refrains from acting, the
Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for
the Company), and the written advice or opinion of such counsel shall be
full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent and the
Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such
written advice or opinion.
20
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any
fact or matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any
Acquiring Person and the determination of "current market price") be proved
or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action
hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be
herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the
Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the
Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights
Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization and protection to
the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall incur no liability for or in
respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted in good faith by it under
the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder to the Company
and any other Person only for its own negligence, bad faith or willful
misconduct.
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any
of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the
Rights Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to
verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be
deemed to have been made by the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not have any liability for or be
under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or
the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the
Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or execution of any Rights
Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be
responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition
contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate; nor shall it be
responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including
the Rights becoming null and void pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) or
any adjustment in the terms of the Rights (including the manner, method or
amount thereof) provided for in Sections 3, 11, 13, 23 or 24, or the
ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such change
or adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by
Rights Certificates after actual notice that such change or adjustment is
required); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any
representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any
Preferred Shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Rights
Certificate or as to whether any Preferred Shares will, when issued, be
validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute,
acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged
and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances
as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or
performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from
any one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the
President, any Vice President, the Secretary, or the Treasurer of the
Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in
connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action
taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance
with instructions of any such officer or for any delay in acting while
waiting for those instructions. Any application by the Rights Agent for
written instructions from the Company may,
21
at the option of the Rights
Agent, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by
the Rights Agent under this Agreement and the date on or after which such
action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Rights
Agent shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the
Rights Agent in accordance with a proposal included in any such application
on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be
less than ten (10) Business Days after the date any officer of the Company
actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have
consented in writing to an earlier date) unless, prior to taking any such
action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Rights Agent
shall have received written instructions in response to such application
subject to the proposed action or omission and/or specifying the action to
be taken or omitted.
(h) The Rights Agent and any shareholder, director, affiliate,
officer or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the
Rights or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested
in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with
or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though
it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall
preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company
or for any other Person.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights
or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself
or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be
answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of
any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from
any such act, default, neglect or misconduct, provided reasonable care was
exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights
Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial
liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the
exercise of its rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing
that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk
or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(k) The Rights Agent shall not be required to take notice or be
deemed to have notice of any fact, event or determination (including,
without limitation, any dates or events defined in this Agreement or the
designation of any Person as an Acquiring Person, Affiliate or Associate)
under this Agreement, unless and until the Rights Agent shall be
specifically notified in writing by the Company of such fact, event or
determination.
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under
this Agreement upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing mailed to the
Company and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares
by registered or certified mail, and, at the expense of the Company, to the
holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may
remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon thirty (30)
days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights
Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares
or Preferred Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of
the Rights Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall
resign or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the
Company shall appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company
shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days
after giving notice of such removal or after it has
22
been notified in
writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated
Rights Agent or by the holder of a Rights Certificate (who shall, with such
notice, submit his Rights Certificate for inspection by the Company), then
the incumbent Rights Agent or the registered holder of any Rights
Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether
appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (i) a corporation,
limited liability company (or other legal entity acceptable to the Company)
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any
state thereof, in good standing, which is authorized under such laws to
exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers and is subject to
supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has at
the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus
of at least $50,000,000 or (ii) an affiliate thereof. After appointment,
the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights,
duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights
Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall
deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time
held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance,
conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the
effective date of any such appointment the Company shall file notice
thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer
agent of the Common Shares or Preferred Shares, and mail a notice thereof
in writing to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates. Failure
to appoint a successor Rights Agent within the thirty (30)-day period or to
give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect
therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or
removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights
Agent, as the case may be.
Section 22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates. Notwithstanding
any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary,
the Company may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates evidencing
Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect
any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or
class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the
Rights Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of Common
Shares following the Distribution Date and prior to the redemption or
expiration of the Rights, the Company (a) shall, with respect to Common
Shares so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or under
any employee plan or arrangement, granted or awarded as of the Distribution
Date, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of securities
hereinafter issued by the Company, and (b) may, in any other case, if
deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company,
issue Rights Certificates representing the appropriate number of Rights in
connection with such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (i) no such
Rights Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company
shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant
risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Company or the Person to
whom such Rights Certificates would be issued, and (ii) no such Rights
Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate
adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.
Section 23. Redemption.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at
any time prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person,
redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at a
redemption price of $0.01 per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any
stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date
hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the
"Redemption Price"). The redemption of the Rights by the
23
Board of
Directors may be made effective at such time, on such basis and with such
conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion may establish.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
Company ordering the redemption of the Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of
this Section 23, and without any further action and without any notice, the
right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right thereafter
of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price. The
Company shall promptly give public notice of any such redemption; provided,
however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall
not affect the validity of such redemption. Within ten (10) days after
such action of the Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the
Rights, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption to all the holders of
the then outstanding Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the
registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on
the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common Shares. Any notice
which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given,
whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of
redemption will state the method by which the payment of the Redemption
Price will be made. Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates or
Associates may redeem, acquire or purchase for value any Rights at any time
in any manner other than that specifically set forth in this Section 23 or
in Section 24 hereof, and other than in connection with the purchase of
Common Shares prior to the Distribution Date.
Section 24. Exchange.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at
any time after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, exchange all or part
of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include
Rights that have become null and void pursuant to the provisions of
Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) for Common Shares at an exchange ratio of one
Common Share per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split,
stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such
exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Ratio").
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall not be
empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Person (other than
the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of
the Company or any such Subsidiary, or any entity holding Common Shares for
or pursuant to the terms of any such plan), together with all Affiliates
and Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of fifty
percent (50%) or more of the Common Shares then outstanding.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to paragraph (a) of
this Section 24 and without any further action and without any notice, the
right to exercise such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter
of the holders of Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares
equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the
Exchange Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such
exchange (with prompt notice thereof to the Rights Agent); provided,
however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not
affect the validity of such exchange. The Company promptly shall mail a
notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their
last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent.
Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed
given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of
exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the Common Shares
for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial exchange, the
number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial exchange shall be
24
effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than Rights which
have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof)
held by each holder of Rights.
(c) In the event that there shall not be sufficient Common
Shares issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit any
exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section 24, the
Company shall take all such action as may be necessary to authorize
additional Common Shares for issuance upon exchange of the Rights. In the
event the Company shall, after good faith effort, be unable to take all
such action as may be necessary to authorize such additional Common Shares,
the Company shall substitute, for each Common Share that would otherwise be
issuable upon exchange of a Right, a number of Preferred Shares or fraction
thereof such that the current per share market price of one Preferred Share
multiplied by such number or fraction is equal to the current per share
market price of one Common Share as of the date of issuance of such
Preferred Shares or fraction thereof.
(d) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Common Shares or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional
Common Shares. In lieu of such fractional Common Shares, the Company shall
pay to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates with regard to
which such fractional Common Shares would otherwise be issuable an amount
in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole
Common Share. For the purposes of this paragraph (d), the current market
value of a whole Common Share shall be the current per share market price
of a Common Share (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of
Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date
of exchange pursuant to this Section 24.
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events.
(a) In case the Company shall propose (i) to pay any dividend
payable in stock of any class to the holders of its Preferred Shares or to
make any other distribution to the holders of its Preferred Shares (other
than a regular quarterly cash dividend), (ii) to offer to the holders of
its Preferred Shares rights or warrants to subscribe for or to purchase any
additional Preferred Shares or shares of stock of any class or any other
securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any reclassification of its
Preferred Shares (other than a reclassification involving only the
subdivision of outstanding Preferred Shares), (iv) to effect any
consolidation or merger into or with, or to effect any sale or other
transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale
or other transfer), in one or more transactions, of fifty percent (50%) or
more of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries
(taken as a whole) to, any other Person, (v) to effect the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, or (vi) to declare or pay any
dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or to effect a
subdivision, combination or consolidation of the Common Shares (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of dividends in Common
Shares), then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of
a Rights Certificate and to the Rights Agent, in accordance with Section 26
hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record
date for the purposes of such stock dividend, or distribution of rights or
warrants, or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation,
merger, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take
place and the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common
Shares and/or Preferred Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and such
notice shall be so given in the case of any action covered by clauses (i)
or (ii) above at least ten (10) days prior to the record date for
determining holders of the Preferred Shares for purposes of such action,
and in the case of any such other action, at least ten (10) days prior to
the date of the taking of such proposed
25
action or the date of participation
therein by the holders of the Common Shares and/or Preferred Shares,
whichever shall be the earlier.
(b) In case a Section 11(a)(ii) Event shall occur, then the
Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to each holder of a
Rights Certificate, in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of the
occurrence of such event, which notice shall describe such event and the
consequences of such event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof.
Section 26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this
Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any
Rights Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made
if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another
address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:
Ennis Business Forms, Inc.
107 N. Sherman Street
Ennis, Texas 75119-3949
Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand
authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the
holder of any Rights Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be
sufficiently given or made if sent by registered or certified mail and
shall be deemed given upon receipt, addressed (until another address is
filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
Harris Trust and Savings Bank
Thanksgiving Tower, Suite 2320
1601 Elm Street, LB 39
Dallas, Texas 75201
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate shall
be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the
registry books of the Company.
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments. The Company may from time
to time supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any
holders of Rights Certificates in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct
or supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or
inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or to make any other
provisions with respect to the Rights which the Company may deem necessary
or desirable, any such supplement or amendment to be evidenced by a writing
signed by the Company and the Rights Agent; provided, however, that from
and after such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, this
Agreement shall not be amended in any manner which would adversely affect
the interests of the holders of Rights; and further provided that such
supplement or amendment does not without the Rights Agent's consent
materially change or increase the Rights Agent's duties, liabilities or
obligations. The foregoing notwithstanding, no amendment of this Agreement
may be effected at a time when the Rights are not redeemable, except as
permitted by this Section 27. At any time when the Rights are not
redeemable, the Board of Directors shall not (x) have any discretionary
authority otherwise granted to it hereunder to take or omit to take any
action hereunder, other than (i) to defer the distribution of the Rights
following the commencement of a tender offer to a date no later than the
date immediately prior to the date on which a Person becomes an Acquiring
Person or (ii) to take,
26
or omit to take, action if such action or omission
is solely ministerial or administrative in nature and has no material
affect on the Rights, or (y) take any action which will have the same
effect as a redemption or termination of the Rights. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no supplement or amendment that
changes the rights and duties of the Rights Agent under this Agreement will
be effective against the Rights Agent without the execution of such
supplement or amendment by the Rights Agent.
Section 28. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall
bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns
hereunder.
Section 29. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and
authority to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and
powers specifically granted to the Board or to the Company, or as may be
necessary or advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of
this Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for the administration of this Agreement (including a
determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend the
Agreement). All such actions, calculations, interpretations and
determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions
with respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board in good
faith, shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the
Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights and all other parties, and (y) not
subject the Board to any liability to the holders of the Rights. The
Rights Agent is entitled to always assume the Company's Board of Directors
acted in good faith and shall be fully protected and incur no liability in
reliance thereon.
Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement
shall be construed to give to any person or corporation other than the
Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Rights
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares) any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this
Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the
Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and,
prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Shares).
Section 31. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction
or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of
the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or
restriction is held by such court or authority to be invalid, void or
unenforceable and the Board of Directors of the Company determines in its
good faith judgment that severing the invalid language from this Agreement
would adversely affect the purpose or effect of this Agreement, the right
of redemption set forth in Section 23 hereof shall be reinstated and shall
not expire until the Close of Business on the tenth (10th) day following
the date of such determination by the Board of Directors.
Section 32. Governing Law. This Agreement and each Rights
Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under
the laws of the State of Texas and for all purposes shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to
contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State; provided,
however, that all
27
provisions regarding the rights, duties and obligations
of the Rights Agent shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Illinois applicable to contracts made and to be
performed entirely within such State.
Section 33. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes
be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together
constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 34. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the
several Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and
shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the
provisions hereof.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
28
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
COMPANY:
ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
By: /s/ Keith S. Walters
Keith S. Walters, Chairman, President and CEO
RIGHTS AGENT:
HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
By: /s/ Jill Wessell
EXHIBIT A
FORM
of
STATEMENT OF RESOLUTIONS
ESTABLISHING
SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK
of
ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
To: The Secretary of State
of the State of Texas:
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 2.13 of the Texas Business
Corporation Act (the "TBCA"), the undersigned corporation submits the
following statement for the purpose of establishing and designating a
series of shares and fixing and determining the preferences, limitations
and relative rights of the series:
1. The name of the corporation is Ennis Business Forms, Inc.
2. The following resolution, establishing and designating a series
of shares and fixing and determining the relative rights and preferences of
the series, was duly adopted by all necessary action of the corporation on
November 4, 1998:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of Ennis Business Forms,
Inc. (the "Company") hereby designates 25,000 shares of the Company's
Preferred Stock, $10.00 par value, as Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock with the designation, preferences, limitations, and
relative rights as follows:
Section 1. Designation and Amount. The shares of such
series shall be designated as "Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock" (the "Series A Preferred Stock") and the number
of shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock shall be
25,000. Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by
resolution of the Board of Directors; provided, that no decrease
shall reduce the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to
a number less than the number of shares then outstanding plus the
number of shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of
outstanding options, rights or warrants or upon the conversion of
any outstanding securities issued by the Company convertible into
Series A Preferred Stock.
Section 2. Dividends and Distributions.
(A) Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares
of any series of Preferred Stock (or any similar stock) ranking
prior and superior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect
to dividends, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Exhibit A - Page 1
Stock,
in preference to the holders of Common Stock, par value $2.50 per
share (the "Common Stock"), of the Company, and of any other
junior stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available
for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the first
(1st) day of January, April, July and October in each year (each
such date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a
share of Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount per share
(rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $1.00
or (b) subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set
forth, 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash
dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount
(payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other
distributions, other than a dividend payable in shares of Common
Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
(by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock
since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date
or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date,
since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of
Series A Preferred Stock. In the event the Company shall at any
time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable in
shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or
consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in
shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares
of Common Stock, then in each such case the amount to which
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled
immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding
sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(B) The Company shall declare a dividend or
distribution on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in
paragraph (A) of this Section immediately after it declares a
dividend or distribution on the Common Stock (other than a
dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in
the event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on
the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date, a dividend of $1.00 per share on the Series A Preferred
Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such subsequent Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date.
(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative
on outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue
of such shares, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior
to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date,
in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from
the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is
a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record
date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and
before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which
events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative
from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but
Exhibit A - Page 2
unpaid
dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares
of Series A Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total
amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such
shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis
among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of
Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders
of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment
of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date
shall be not more than fifty (50) days prior to the date fixed
for the payment thereof.
Section 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:
(A) Subject to the provision for adjustment
hereinafter set forth, each share of Series A Preferred Stock
shall entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all matters
submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company. In the
event the Company shall at any time declare or pay any dividend
on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect
a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by
payment of a dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater
or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such
case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such
event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.
(B) Except as otherwise provided herein, in any other
Statement of Resolutions establishing a series of Preferred Stock
or any similar stock, or by law, the holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common
Stock and any other capital stock of the Company having general
voting rights shall vote together as one class on all matters
submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Company.
(C) Except as set forth herein, or as otherwise
provided by law, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have
no special voting rights and their consent shall not be required
(except to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of
Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate
action.
Section 4. Certain Restrictions.
(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or
distributions payable on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided
in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and
unpaid dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on
shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been
paid in full, the Company shall not:
Exhibit A - Page 3
(i) declare or pay dividends, or make any other
distributions, on any shares of stock ranking junior (either as
to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to
the Series A Preferred Stock;
(ii) declare or pay dividends, or make any other
distributions, on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either
as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
with the Series A Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably
on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on
which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the
total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then
entitled;
(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire
for consideration shares of any stock ranking junior (either as
to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to
the Series A Preferred Stock, provided that the Company may at
any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such
junior stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Company
ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon dissolution,
liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock; or
(iv) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any
shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred
Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing
or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to
all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of
Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend
rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective
series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in
fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or
classes.
(B) The Company shall not permit any subsidiary of the
Company to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
shares of stock of the Company unless the Company could, under
paragraph (A) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire
such shares at such time and in such manner.
Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A
Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company in
any manner whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly
after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their
cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred
Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred
Stock subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set
forth herein, in the Articles of Incorporation, or in any other
Statement of Resolutions establishing a series of Preferred Stock
or any similar stock or as otherwise required by law.
Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon
any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, no
distribution shall be made (1) to the holders of shares of stock
ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock
unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall have received $1,000 per share, plus an
amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions
Exhibit A - Page 4
thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment,
provided that the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to receive an aggregate amount per share,
subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth,
equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per
share to holders of shares of Common Stock, or (2) to the holders
of shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or
upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A
Preferred Stock, except distributions made ratably on the
Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock in proportion
to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are
entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In
the event the Company shall at any time declare or pay any
dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock,
or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of Common
Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock,
then in each such case the aggregate amount to which holders of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately
prior to such event under the proviso in clause (1) of the
preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount
by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
Section 7. Consolidation or Merger. In case the Company
shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other
transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for
or changed into other stock or securities, cash and/or any other
property, then in any such case each share of Series A Preferred
Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed
into an amount per share, subject to the provision for adjustment
hereinafter set forth, equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount
of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in
kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of
Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event the Company
shall at any time declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock
payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or
combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock (by reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a
dividend in shares of Common Stock) into a greater or lesser
number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the
amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the
exchange or change of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator
of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding
immediately prior to such event.
Section 8. No Redemption. The shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable.
Section 9. Rank. The Series A Preferred Stock shall
rank, with respect to the payment of dividends and the
distribution of assets, junior to all series of any other class
of the Company's Preferred Stock.
Exhibit A - Page 5
Section 10. Amendment. The Articles of Incorporation of
the Company shall not be amended in any manner which would
materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special
rights of the Series A Preferred Stock so as to affect them
adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
voting together as a single class.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and subscribed this
Statement of Resolutions and does hereby affirm the foregoing as true under
the penalties of perjury this 4th day of November, 1998.
ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
By:
Keith S. Walters, Chairman, President and CEO
Exhibit A - Page 6
EXHIBIT B
FORM
of
RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
Certificate No. R-______ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER NOVEMBER 4, 2008 OR EARLIER IF REDEMPTION
OR EXCHANGE OCCURS. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION AT
$0.01 PER RIGHT AND TO EXCHANGE ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE
RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRED PERSON (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED
IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS
MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID.
RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
This certifies that _______________________________, or registered
assigns, is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above,
each of which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions
and conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of November 4, 1998 (the
"Rights Agreement"), between Ennis Business Forms, Inc., a Texas
corporation (the "Company"), and Harris Trust and Savings Bank (the "Rights
Agent"), to purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution
Date (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to
5:00 p.m., Dallas, Texas time, on November 4, 2008 at the principal office
of the Rights Agent, or at the office of its successor as Rights Agent, one
one-thousandth of a fully paid non-assessable share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share (the "Preferred
Shares"), of the Company, at a purchase price of $27.50 per one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"), upon
presentation and surrender of this Rights Certificate with the Form of
Election to Purchase duly executed. The number of Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate (and the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred
Share which may be purchased upon exercise hereof) set forth above, and the
Purchase Price set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of
November 4, 1998, based on the Preferred Shares as constituted at such
date. As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the
number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share which may be purchased
upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate are
subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain
events.
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions
are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof and to
which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description
Exhibit B - Page 1
of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities
hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights
Certificates. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the principal
executive offices of the Company and the above-mentioned offices of the
Rights Agent.
This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights Certificates,
upon surrender at the office of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder
to purchase a like aggregate number of Preferred Shares as the Rights
evidenced by the Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered
shall have entitled such holder to purchase. If this Rights Certificate
shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon
surrender hereof another Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the
number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights
evidenced by this Certificate (i) may be redeemed by the Company at a
redemption price of $0.01 per Right or (ii) may be exchanged in whole or in
part for Preferred Shares or shares of the Company's Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share.
No fractional Preferred Shares will be issued upon the exercise of any
Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral
multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the
election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu
thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote or
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred
Shares or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be
issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights
Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such,
any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company or any right to vote for
the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at
any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate
action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
shareholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive
dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights
evidenced by this Rights Certificate shall have been exercised as provided
in the Rights Agreement.
This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any
purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
Exhibit B - Page 2
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company
and its corporate seal.
Dated as of .
ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
By:
Keith S. Walters, Chairman, President and CEO
Countersigned:
HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
By:
Exhibit B - Page 3
FORM
of
REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if such
holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED ________________ hereby sells, assigns and
transfers unto ____________________________________ (Please print name and
address of transferee) this Rights Certificate, together with all right,
title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and
appoint ______________________ as Attorney, to transfer the within Rights
Certificate on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of
substitution.
Dated:
Signature:
Name:
Signature Guaranteed:
CERTIFICATE
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes
that:
(1) this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold, assigned
and transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such
terms are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement); and
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned,
it [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate from any Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated:
Signature:
Name:
Signature Guaranteed:
NOTICE
Exhibit B - Page 4
The signature to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate
in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.
Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered
national securities exchange, a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an
office or correspondent in the United States.
Exhibit B - Page 5
FORM
of
REVERSE SIDE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATE - Continued
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if holder desires to exercise
Rights represented by the Rights Certificate.)
To: ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise
___________________ Rights represented by this Rights Certificate to
purchase the Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and
requests that certificates for such Preferred Shares be issued in the name
of:
Please insert social security or other identifying number:
(Please print name and address)
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance remaining of
such Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
Please insert social security or other identifying number:
(Please print name and address)
Dated:
Signature:
Name:
Signature Guaranteed:
Exhibit B - Page 6
Signatures must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered
national securities exchange, a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an
office or correspondent in the United States.
CERTIFICATE
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes
that:
(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [ ] are [ ] are
not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such
terms are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned,
it [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate from any Person who is, was or became an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated:
Signature:
Name:
Signature Guaranteed:
Exhibit B - Page 7
EXHIBIT C
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
PREFERRED SHARES
On November 4, 1998, the Board of Directors of Ennis Business Forms,
Inc., a Texas corporation (the "Company") declared a dividend of one
preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of
Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share (the "Common Shares"), of the
Company. The dividend is payable on November 4, 1998 (the "Record Date")
to the shareholders of record on that date. Each Right entitles the
registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a
share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $10.00
per share (the "Preferred Shares"), of the Company at a price of $27.50 per
one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"), subject to
adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a
Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") between the Company and Harris
Trust and Savings Bank as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").
Until the earlier to occur of (i) ten (10) days following a public
announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an
"Acquiring Person") have acquired beneficial ownership of fifteen percent
(15%) or more of the outstanding Common Shares or (ii) ten (10) Business
Days (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of
Directors prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated persons
becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or announcement
of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation
of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of
fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding Common Shares (the earlier
of such dates being called the "Distribution Date"), the Rights will be
evidenced, with respect to any of the Common Share certificates outstanding
as of the Record Date, by such Common Share certificate with a copy of this
Summary of Rights attached thereto.
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 the Common Shares. Until the Distribution
Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Share
certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuance of
Common Shares 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 Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such
notation or a copy of this Summary of Rights being attached thereto, will
also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common
Shares represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following
the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights ("Rights
Certificates") will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Shares as
of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Rights
Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The
Rights will expire on November 4, 2008 (the "Final Expiration Date"),
unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each
case, as described below.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Shares or
other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent
Exhibit C - Page 1
dilution (i) in the
event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or
reclassification of, the Preferred Shares, (ii) upon the grant to holders
of the Preferred Shares of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or
purchase Preferred Shares at a price, or securities convertible into
Preferred Shares with a conversion price, less than the then current market
price of the Preferred Shares, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of
the Preferred Shares of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding
regular periodic cash dividends paid out of earnings or retained earnings
or dividends payable in Preferred Shares) or of subscription rights or
warrants (other than those referred to above).
The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one one-thousandths
of a Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of each Right are also subject
to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Shares or a stock
dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or subdivisions,
consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares occurring, in any such
case, prior to the Distribution Date.
Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be
redeemable. Each Preferred Share will be entitled to a minimum
preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1.00 per share but will be
entitled to an aggregate dividend of 1,000 times the dividend declared per
Common Share. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred
Shares will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of
$1,000 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 1,000
times the payment made per Common Share. Each Preferred Share will have
1,000 votes, voting together with the Common Shares. Finally, in the event
of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Common Shares
are exchanged, each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 1,000 times
the amount received per Common Share. These rights are protected by
customary antidilution provisions.
Because of the nature of the Preferred Shares' dividend, liquidation
and voting rights, the value of the one one-thousandth interest in a
Preferred Share purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate
the value of one Common Share.
In the event that the Company is acquired in a merger or other
business combination transaction or fifty percent (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. In the event that any person or group of affiliated or
associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be
made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned
by the Acquiring Person (which will thereafter be void), will thereafter
have the right to receive upon exercise that number of Common Shares having
a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
For example, at an exercise price of $27.50 per Right, each Right not
owned by an Acquiring Person following an event set forth in the preceding
paragraph would entitle its holder to purchase $55 worth of Common Stock
(or other consideration, as noted above) for $27.50. Assuming that the
Common Stock had a per share value of $20 at such time, the holder of each
valid Right would be entitled to purchase 2.75 shares of Common Stock for
$10 per share.
Exhibit C - Page 2
At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and
prior to the acquisition by such person or group of fifty percent (50%) or
more of the outstanding Common Shares, the Board of Directors of the
Company 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 Common Share, or one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, per
Right (subject to adjustment).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least one
percent (1%) in such Purchase Price. No fractional Preferred Shares will
be issued (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the
Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts) and in lieu thereof, an
adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred
Shares on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise.
At any time prior to the acquisition by a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons of beneficial ownership of fifteen percent
(15%) or more of the outstanding Common Shares, the Board of Directors of
the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of
$0.01 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.
The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors of
the Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights, except that
from and after such time as any person or group of affiliated or associated
persons becomes an Acquiring Person no such amendment may adversely affect
the interests of the holders of the Rights.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the
right to vote or to receive dividends.
A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Form 8-A dated November 4, 1998.
A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the
Company. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights
Agreement, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit C - Page 3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CONTACT: Keith S. Walters, Chairman,
President and CEO (800) 752-5386
ENNIS BUSINESS FORMS, INC. ADOPTS SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
Ennis, Texas, November 4, 1998 -- The Board of Directors of Ennis
Business Forms, Inc. (the "Company;" NYSE Symbol: EBF) today adopted a
Shareholder Rights Plan (the "Plan") and declared a dividend of one
preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of the Company's
Common Stock.
Keith S. Walters, the Company's Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer, said: "The Plan is designed to assure that all of
the Company's shareholders receive fair and equal treatment in the event of
an unsolicited attempt to gain control of the Company and to discourage
certain abusive takeover tactics. The Plan has not been adopted in
response to any specific takeover threat made on the Company, and the Board
of Directors has not been notified of any effort by a third party to
acquire control of the Company."
The rights will be exercisable only if a person or group acquires 15%
or more of the Company's Common Stock or announces a tender offer, the
consummation of which would result in ownership by a person or group of 15%
or more of the Common Stock without consent of the Board of Directors.
Each right will entitle shareholders to buy one one-thousandth of a share
of a new series of junior participating preferred stock at an exercise
price of $27.50, subject to adjustment.
If a person or group acquires 15% or more of the Company's outstanding
Common Stock without consent of the Board of Directors, each right will
entitle its holder (other than such person or members of such group) to
purchase, at the right's then current exercise price, a number of shares of
the Company's Common Stock having a market value of twice the exercise
price.
If the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction after a person or group has acquired 15% or more of the
Company's outstanding Common Stock, each right will entitle its holder
(other than such person or members of such group) to purchase, at the
right's then current exercise price, a number of shares of the acquiring
company's Common Stock having a market value of twice the exercise price.
Thus, rights holders may purchase shares of the acquiring company's Common
Stock at a 50% discount.
Following the acquisition by a person or group of beneficial ownership
of 15% or more of the Company's Common Stock and prior to an acquisition of
50% or more of the Common Stock, the Board of Directors may exchange the
rights (other than the rights owned by such person or group), in whole or
in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock (or one
one-thousandth of a share of the new series of junior participating
preferred stock) per right.
Prior to the acquisition by a person or group of beneficial ownership
of 15% or more of the Company's Common Stock, the rights are redeemable for
one cent ($.01) per right at the option of the Board of Directors.
The rights are intended to enable all of the Company's shareholders to
realize the long-term value of their investment in the Company. The Plan
will not prevent a takeover of the Company, but it should encourage anyone
seeking to acquire the Company to negotiate with the Board of Directors
prior to attempting a takeover.
The dividend distribution will be made on November 4, 1998, payable to
shareholders of record on that date. The rights will expire on November 4,
2008. The rights distribution is not taxable to shareholders.
The Company is among the largest wholesale custom business forms and
related business products suppliers in the United States. Headquartered in
Ennis, Texas, the Company has 16 production facilities in 11 states
strategically located to serve the Company's national network of
distributors. The Company offers an extensive product line, from simple
stock forms to more complex forms, laser-cut sheets, tags, labels,
presentation folders, commercial printing, advertising specialities and
screen printed products that can be custom designed to meet customers'
needs.
-30-
November 4, 1998
To Our Shareholders:
As we announced on November 4, 1998, your Board of Directors declared
a dividend distribution of Preferred Share Purchase Rights and authorized a
new series of junior participating preferred stock purchasable upon
exercise of the Rights. The enclosed Summary of Rights describes the
Rights and the operation of the rights plan, and should be attached to your
Common Stock Certificate, which will evidence the Rights until they become
exercisable.
The Rights contain provisions to protect shareholders in the event of
an unsolicited attempt to acquire the Company, including a gradual
accumulation of shares in the open market, a partial or two-tier tender
offer that does not treat all shareholders equally, a squeeze-out merger
and other abusive takeover tactics which the Board of Directors believes
are not in the best interests of the Company's shareholders. These tactics
unfairly pressure shareholders, squeeze them out of their investment
without giving them any real choice and deprive them of the full value of
their shares.
The Rights are not intended to prevent a takeover of the Company and
will not do so. The Rights approved by the Board are designed to deal with
the very serious problem of another person or company using abusive tactics
to deprive the Company's Board of Directors and its shareholders of any
real opportunity to determine the destiny of your Company.
Over 2,500 companies have adopted rights plans, including a majority
of the companies included in the Business Week 1000, the Fortune 500 and
the Fortune 200. We consider the Rights to be the best available means of
protecting both your right to retain your equity investment in the Company
and the full value of that investment, while not foreclosing a fair
acquisition bid for the Company.
The Rights may be redeemed by the Board of Directors for one cent per
Right prior to the acquisition, through open-market purchases, a tender
offer or otherwise, of 15% or more of the Company's shares by a single
acquiror or group. Thus, the Rights should not interfere with any merger
or business combination approved by the Board of Directors prior to that
time.
Issuance of the Rights does not in any way weaken the financial
strength of the Company or interfere with its business plans. The issuance
of the Rights has no dilutive effect, will not affect reported earnings per
share, is not currently taxable to you or the Company, and will not change
the way in which you can presently trade the Company's shares. As
explained in the enclosed Summary, the Rights will only be exercisable if
and when the problem arises which they were created to deal with. They
will then operate to protect you against being deprived of your right to
share in the full measure of your Company's long-term potential.
Your Board was aware when it acted that some people have advanced
arguments that shareholder rights plans may deter acquisition proposals.
We carefully considered these views and
November 4, 1998
Page 2
concluded that the arguments do not
justify leaving shareholders without any protection against unfair or
unequal treatment by an unsolicited acquiror. Your Board believes that
these Rights represent a sound and reasonable means of addressing the
complex issues of corporate policy created by abusive takeover tactics.
In declaring the Rights dividend, we have expressed our confidence in
the future and our determination that you, our shareholders, be given every
opportunity to participate fully in that future.
Sincerely,
By: /s/ Keith S. Walters
KEITH S. WALTERS
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
PREFERRED SHARES
On November 4, 1998, the Board of Directors of Ennis Business Forms,
Inc., a Texas corporation (the "Company") declared a dividend of one
preferred share purchase right (a "Right") for each outstanding share of
Common Stock, par value $2.50 per share (the "Common Shares"), of the
Company. The dividend is payable on November 4, 1998 (the "Record Date")
to the shareholders of record on that date. Each Right entitles the
registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a
share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $10.00
per share (the "Preferred Shares"), of the Company at a price of $27.50 per
one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (the "Purchase Price"), subject to
adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a
Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") between the Company and Harris
Trust and Savings Bank as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").
Until the earlier to occur of (i) ten (10) days following a public
announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an
"Acquiring Person") have acquired beneficial ownership of fifteen percent
(15%) or more of the outstanding Common Shares or (ii) ten (10) Business
Days (or such later date as may be determined by action of the Board of
Directors prior to such time as any person or group of affiliated persons
becomes an Acquiring Person) following the commencement of, or announcement
of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation
of which would result in the beneficial ownership by a person or group of
fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding Common Shares (the earlier
of such dates being called the "Distribution Date"), the Rights will be
evidenced, with respect to any of the Common Share certificates outstanding
as of the Record Date, by such Common Share certificate with a copy of this
Summary of Rights attached thereto.
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 the Common Shares. Until the Distribution
Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Share
certificates issued after the Record Date upon transfer or new issuance of
Common Shares 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 Common Shares outstanding as of the Record Date, even without such
notation or a copy of this Summary of Rights being attached thereto, will
also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common
Shares represented by such certificate. As soon as practicable following
the Distribution Date, separate certificates evidencing the Rights ("Rights
Certificates") will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Shares as
of the close of business on the Distribution Date and such separate Rights
Certificates alone will evidence the Rights.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The
Rights will expire on November 4, 2008 (the "Final Expiration Date"),
unless the Rights are earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each
case, as described below.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Preferred Shares or
other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the
event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or
reclassification of,
the Preferred Shares, (ii) upon the grant to holders
of the Preferred Shares of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or
purchase Preferred Shares at a price, or securities convertible into
Preferred Shares with a conversion price, less than the then current market
price of the Preferred Shares, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of
the Preferred Shares of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding
regular periodic cash dividends paid out of earnings or retained earnings
or dividends payable in Preferred Shares) or of subscription rights or
warrants (other than those referred to above).
The number of outstanding Rights and the number of one one-thousandths
of a Preferred Share issuable upon exercise of each Right are also subject
to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the Common Shares or a stock
dividend on the Common Shares payable in Common Shares or subdivisions,
consolidations or combinations of the Common Shares occurring, in any such
case, prior to the Distribution Date.
Preferred Shares purchasable upon exercise of the Rights will not be
redeemable. Each Preferred Share will be entitled to a minimum
preferential quarterly dividend payment of $1.00 per share but will be
entitled to an aggregate dividend of 1,000 times the dividend declared per
Common Share. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Preferred
Shares will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of
$1,000 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 1,000
times the payment made per Common Share. Each Preferred Share will have
1,000 votes, voting together with the Common Shares. Finally, in the event
of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Common Shares
are exchanged, each Preferred Share will be entitled to receive 1,000 times
the amount received per Common Share. These rights are protected by
customary antidilution provisions.
Because of the nature of the Preferred Shares' dividend, liquidation
and voting rights, the value of the one one-thousandth interest in a
Preferred Share purchasable upon exercise of each Right should approximate
the value of one Common Share.
In the event that the Company is acquired in a merger or other
business combination transaction or fifty percent (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. In the event that any person or group of affiliated or
associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be
made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned
by the Acquiring Person (which will thereafter be void), will thereafter
have the right to receive upon exercise that number of Common Shares having
a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right.
For example, at an exercise price of $27.50 per Right, each Right not
owned by an Acquiring Person following an event set forth in the preceding
paragraph would entitle its holder to purchase $55 worth of Common Stock
(or other consideration, as noted above) for $27.50. Assuming that the
Common Stock had a per share value of $20 at such time, the holder of each
valid Right would be entitled to purchase 2.75 shares of Common Stock for
$10.
2
At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person and
prior to the acquisition by such person or group of fifty percent (50%) or
more of the outstanding Common Shares, the Board of Directors of the
Company 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 Common Share, or one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, per
Right (subject to adjustment).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least one
percent (1%) in such Purchase Price. No fractional Preferred Shares will
be issued (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one
one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, which may, at the election of the
Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts) and in lieu thereof, an
adjustment in cash will be made based on the market price of the Preferred
Shares on the last trading day prior to the date of exercise.
At any time prior to the acquisition by a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons of beneficial ownership of fifteen percent
(15%) or more of the outstanding Common Shares, the Board of Directors of
the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of
$0.01 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.
The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of Directors of
the Company without the consent of the holders of the Rights, except that
from and after such time as any person or group of affiliated or associated
persons becomes an Acquiring Person no such amendment may adversely affect
the interests of the holders of the Rights.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the
right to vote or to receive dividends.
A copy of the Rights Agreement has been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an Exhibit to a Form 8-A dated November 4, 1998.
A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the
Company. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights
Agreement, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
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