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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 14D-9
SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(D)(4) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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GENERAL HOST CORPORATION
(Name of Subject Company)
GENERAL HOST CORPORATION
(Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE
(Title of Class of Securities)
370064107
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
HARRIS J. ASHTON
CHAIRMAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT
GENERAL HOST CORPORATION
METRO CENTER
ONE STATION PLACE
P.O. BOX 10045
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06904
(203) 357-9900
J. THEODORE EVERINGHAM, ESQ.
VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
GENERAL HOST CORPORATION
6501 EAST NEVADA
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48234
(313) 366-8400
(Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive
notice and communication on behalf of the person(s) filing statement)
WITH A COPY TO:
JOSEPH A. COCO, ESQ.
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP
919 THIRD AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022-3897
(212) 735-3000
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ITEM 1. SECURITY AND SUBJECT COMPANY.
The name of the subject company is General Host Corporation, a New York
corporation (the "Company"), and the address of the principal executive offices
of the Company is Metro Center, One Station Place, P.O. Box 10045, Stamford,
Connecticut 06904. The title of the class of equity securities to which this
statement relates is the common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Company
Common Stock" or the "Shares"), of the Company (including the related Common
Stock Purchase Rights (the "Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement,
dated as of March 7, 1990, between the Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C., as successor to Chemical Bank, as rights agent, as amended
(the "Rights Agreement")).
ITEM 2. TENDER OFFER OF THE PURCHASER.
This statement relates to the tender offer by Cyrus Acquisition Corp., a New
York corporation (the "Purchaser"), formed by The Cypress Group L.L.C. ("Cypress
L.L.C."; together with its affiliates, "Cypress"), disclosed in a Tender Offer
Statement on Schedule 14D-1, dated November 25, 1997 (the "Schedule 14D-1"), to
purchase all of the issued and outstanding Shares, at a price of $5.50 per
Share, net to the seller in cash (the "Offer Price"), upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated November 25, 1997
(the "Offer to Purchase"), and the related Letter of Transmittal (which,
together with the Offer to Purchase, constitute the "Offer").
The Offer is being made pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of November 22, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), between the Purchaser and the
Company. The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that as soon as
practicable after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the
Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company (the
"Merger"), and the Company will continue as the surviving corporation (the
"Surviving Corporation"). A copy of the Merger Agreement is filed herewith as
Exhibit 6 and is incorporated herein by reference.
As set forth in the Schedule 14D-1, the principal executive offices of the
Purchaser are located at c/o The Cypress Group L.L.C., 65 East 55th Street, 19th
Floor, New York, New York 10022.
ITEM 3. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.
(a) The name and address of the Company, which is the person filing this
statement, are set forth in Item 1 above.
(b) Except as set forth in this Item 3(b), to the knowledge of the Company,
there are no material contracts, agreements, arrangements or understandings and
no actual or potential conflicts of interest between the Company or its
affiliates and (i) the Company's executive officers, directors or affiliates or
(ii) Cypress or the Purchaser or their respective executive officers, directors
or affiliates.
ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE PURCHASER OR ITS AFFILIATES
The information contained under the captions "Introduction", "Certain
Information Concerning Purchaser and Cypress" and "The Merger Agreement; The
Support Agreement" of the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
ARRANGEMENTS WITH EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR AFFILIATES OF THE COMPANY
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
HARRIS J. ASHTON. The Company entered into an employment contract, as
amended, with Mr. Ashton, commencing January 1, 1992 and continuing until
December 31, 2000, pursuant to which Mr. Ashton would be employed as Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company.
The employment contract provides that Mr. Ashton receive a minimum annual
base salary of $917,573 for calendar year 1997, which minimum annual base salary
increases by 5% for each of
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calendar years 1998, 1999 and 2000. If Mr. Ashton becomes permanently disabled,
dies or his employment is terminated by the Company during the term of the
contract, the Company shall pay him or his estate his annual base salary through
the date of termination or, in the event of death or disability, through the end
of the month in which the death or disability occurs. He also will receive a
lump sum payment in cash equal to the discounted present value of 50% (100% in
the event of termination without cause) of the base salary he would have
received through the end of the contract, or if greater, for the twenty-four
months following his termination, death or disability (in which case Mr.
Ashton's final annual base salary under the contract would be continued for any
part of the twenty-four month period occurring after December 31, 2000). Under
the employment contract, Mr. Ashton may elect to deem his employment terminated
without cause in the event of a change in control of the Company (including the
Offer) or a change in any of the material terms and conditions of his
employment. A change in control under Mr. Ashton's employment contract would
occur upon, among other things, any person becoming a direct or indirect
beneficial owner of 20% or more of the voting securities of the Company.
Under the terms of his employment contract, Mr. Ashton is entitled to a
retirement benefit as of January 1, 1998, or, if earlier, upon his termination
of employment with the Company for any reason (except certain voluntary
terminations prior to a change in control of the Company) in an amount equal to
(i) the then-discounted present value, determined by using a discount rate of 6%
per year and the 1971 Group Annuity Table, of a monthly benefit (payable for
life) equal to 3% of his average monthly cash salary during the last 36 months
of his employment multiplied by the number of years of his service to the
Company, less (ii) $3,442,302, representing amounts previously paid to Mr.
Ashton on account of such retirement benefit, plus imputed after-tax earnings
thereon.
Under the employment contract, Mr. Ashton is entitled to participate in the
Company's incentive compensation plans and programs generally available to the
Company's senior executives, and upon execution of the employment contract was
granted an option to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. Mr.
Ashton is also entitled to receive a stock gain award determined at the end of
each calendar year based on the excess of the average of the weekly closing
prices for the Company's Common Stock for the year over the greater of (i) $7.50
(representing the average of the weekly closing price for 1991) increased by 4%
each year and (ii) the average of the weekly closing prices for the last year
for which a stock gain award was paid. The excess, if any, is then multiplied by
the product of 2% and the average number of shares outstanding for the
applicable year.
During the term of the employment contract, Mr. Ashton is entitled to
participate in all employee benefit programs and shall be reimbursed for any
medical or dental expenses incurred by him or any members of his immediate
family under the age of 26 or living at home, to the extent not otherwise paid
under Company-sponsored plans or programs. Mr. Ashton and his wife are also
entitled to fully paid medical benefits, consistent with those paid under the
contract, for the rest of their lives.
Mr. Ashton is entitled under the employment contract to indemnification
consistent with Section 26 of the By-Laws as in effect on January 1, 1992.
If any payments to be made to Mr. Ashton under the employment contract are
subject to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the
Company shall pay Mr. Ashton an additional amount which, after income and
further excise taxes, equals such excise tax.
Under the terms of the employment contract and the Merger Agreement,
consummation of the Offer would constitute a change in control as defined in the
employment agreement. Upon consummation of the Offer, Mr. Ashton may elect to
deem his employment terminated without cause and would be entitled to severance,
retirement and other benefits in an amount equal to approximately $7.1 million,
excluding on-going benefits and tax gross-ups. The Company expects that Mr.
Ashton will terminate his employment with the Company shortly after consummation
of the Offer.
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SEVERANCE ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has severance arrangements with each of the following four
executives of the Company and its primary operating subsidiary, Frank's Nursery
& Crafts, Inc. ("Frank's"): Robert M. Lovejoy, James R. Simpson, J. Theodore
Everingham and Ernest W. Townsend. Severance benefits are payable to each of the
four executives only in the event of a termination by the Company without cause
or a termination by the executive with good reason and only if such termination
occurs between the date of the execution of the Merger Agreement and the first
anniversary of the Effective Time. Within five days following any such
qualifying termination of an executive's employment, the Company will pay the
executive a lump sum, based on the higher of the executive's annual base salary
immediately prior to the execution of the Merger Agreement or the annual base
salary immediately prior to the executive's termination of employment. In the
case of Mr. Lovejoy, the lump sum will equal 100% of such annual base salary. In
the case of Messrs. Simpson, Everingham and Townsend, the lump sum will equal
50% of such annual base salary. In addition to the severance payment, the
Company will also pay all COBRA premiums for and provide to each executive who
has such a qualifying termination of employment continuing medical insurance
benefits which are substantially similar to the benefits provided him
immediately prior to the date of execution of the Merger Agreement (including
any coverage for spouse and dependents) for a period of one year from the date
of termination. In the event Messrs. Lovejoy's, Simpson's, Everingham's or
Townsend's employment is terminated on or before the first anniversary of the
Effective Time by the Company without cause or by such executive for good
reason, the Company would be obligated to pay each of Messrs. Lovejoy, Simpson,
Everingham and Townsend, $183,000, $83,500, $67,500 and $200,000, respectively
(calculated using current annual base salaries) and to provide medical benefits
for one year (as described above). The obligation of the Surviving Corporation
to honor these arrangements is acknowledged by the Purchaser under the Merger
Agreement.
OTHER ARRANGEMENTS
In November, 1989, the Company and a trust established for the benefit of
Mr. and Mrs. Ashton's beneficiaries entered into an agreement pursuant to which
the Company will pay the premiums for two survivorship life insurance policies
on the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Ashton. Benefits become payable when both have
died, and the Company will have an interest in the death benefits equal to the
amount it has paid for these policy premiums. Under the agreement, the Company's
obligation to make annual premium payments continues until the earliest of: (1)
the deaths of both Mr. and Mrs. Ashton; (2) the Company shall have made 12
payments of the full annual cash premiums; (3) the Company shall have paid an
aggregate of $1,500,000 for premiums; or (4) the premium payment next due after
the year in which premiums may be paid in full from the sum available from
dividends or other sums generated by the policies. The payment for these
policies for fiscal 1996 was $116,814.
The Company and Frank's have loaned money to certain key employees of the
Company for the purpose of enabling them to purchase shares of the Company's
Common Stock or, in certain cases, debentures. These loans, approved by the
Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Company
Board"), are evidenced by interest-only promissory notes payable in lump sum
payments five years from the dates made and bearing interest at the rate of 6%
per annum. The executive officers, other than Mr. Ashton, who is discussed
below, had such loans outstanding as of November 25, 1997 in the following
principal amounts: Robert M. Lovejoy, Jr., $151,614; James R. Simpson, $90,351;
and William C. Boyd, $44,744. The amounts outstanding on November 25, 1997 were
the largest aggregate principal amounts outstanding during fiscal 1997 to date.
During fiscal 1997, the Compensation Committee extended by five years a loan to
each of Mr. Lovejoy and Mr. Simpson in the principal amount of $49,851 and
$21,394 respectively, which are included in the amount outstanding on November
25, 1997. In June 1997, the Compensation Committee approved the forgiveness of
the principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, the outstanding
loans to each of Messrs. Lovejoy, Simpson and Boyd from the Company and to
defray the Company's tax withholding
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obligations with respect thereto in the event of a change in control of the
Company, provided such executive is then employed by the Company. As of November
25, 1997, the outstanding principal amounts on Messrs. Lovejoy's, Simpson's and
Boyd's loans were $151,614, $90,351, and $44,744, respectively, each of which
will be forgiven upon consummation of the Offer.
On August 22, 1990, Mr. Ashton had outstanding deferred payments on options
totaling $831,250, which were then due the Company. On that date, Frank's made a
loan to Mr. Ashton in the amount of $831,250, the proceeds of which were used to
pay the outstanding deferred payments due the Company. The loan from Frank's was
evidenced by a promissory note bearing interest at the rate of 6% and payable in
full on August 22, 1995 (the "Old Note"). Mr. Ashton elected to prepay $177,294
of the Old Note in March, 1991 and $25,000 in February, 1992. On August 22,
1995, Frank's authorized the cancellation of the Old Note and the issuance of a
new loan to Mr. Ashton due August 22, 2000 in the principal amount of $628,956,
bearing interest at 6% per annum, subject to Mr. Ashton's payment of interest on
the Old Note in the amount of $8,479.
On March 7, 1991, Mr. Ashton elected to defer the payment of the purchase
price from the exercise of options for 225,000 shares of Common Stock in the
amount of $1,381,253, which was due March 6, 1996. Mr. Ashton elected to prepay
$25,000 of this loan in March, 1993. On March 6, 1996, Frank's made a loan to
Mr. Ashton in the amount of $1,356,253, the proceeds of which were used to pay
the outstanding deferred payments due the Company. The loan from Frank's was
evidenced by a promissory note bearing interest at the rate of 6% and payable in
full on March 6, 2001.
On December 30, 1992, Mr. Ashton elected to defer the payment of the
purchase price from the exercise of options for 60,000 shares of Common Stock in
the amount of $495,000 which would be due on December 29, 1997.
The Compensation Committee approved, effective June 2, 1997, a reduction in
the $2,480,208.50 aggregate principal amount of the promissory notes given by
Mr. Ashton to the Company to $1,231,341. The outstanding principal amount on
such promissory note was thereby reduced to the amount equal to the aggregate
fair market value on June 2, 1997 of the Shares purchased with the proceeds of
the original promissory notes. As of November 25, 1997, the Company held a
promissory note from Mr. Ashton in the principal amount of $1,231,341.
DIRECTORS
During fiscal year 1992, Mr. Alden, a Director, exercised an option for
15,000 shares and elected to defer the purchase price of the option, as provided
by the terms of the Company's Directors' Stock Option Plan then in effect. Mr.
Alden executed a promissory note in the amount of $109,650 due five years from
the date of execution with interest at the rate of 6% per annum. Mr. Alden also
elected to borrow from the Company, on the same terms as noted above, an amount
equal to his tax liability as a result of the exercise, as provided by such
plan. As of November 25, 1997, the amount of indebtedness outstanding under Mr.
Alden's notes was $123,650.
Mr. Alden serves as trustee of a pension trust maintained by the Company and
one of its subsidiaries. Mr. Alden received a total of $27,000 in 1996 in
compensation from this trust for serving in this capacity.
Upon reaching age seventy-five or after ten years of service as a Director,
provided either event has occurred prior to consummation of the Offer, each
non-employee Director of the Company Board becomes eligible to retire from the
Company Board and, upon retirement, continues to receive an annual retainer fee
(which, as of November 25, 1997, would not exceed $30,000 per year) for a number
of years equal to the number of years served as a Director. The Company has
agreed that until all Directors serving on the Company Board as of November 25,
1997 (the "Current Directors") have terminated their service as Directors, the
Company shall take all commercially reasonable steps to continue to make
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third-party life insurance company coverage available to each Current Director
who continues to serve as a Director on a basis no less favorable (including,
without limitation, face amount of coverage and allocation of cost) than the
current basis, and that the Company shall use its best efforts to maintain the
feature of its group life insurance policy which enables a Director whose
service is terminated to obtain continuing life insurance in the same face
amount as his coverage immediately prior to termination without a physical
examination, at the insurer's normal individual rates and at the expense of the
Director. Under the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser has acknowledged the
obligation of the Surviving Corporation to honor these arrangements.
EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR STOCK OPTIONS
The Company maintains the General Host Corporation 1986 Stock Incentive
Plan, General Host Corporation 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, General Host
Corporation Directors' Stock Option Plan, and the 1994 General Host Corporation
Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (collectively, the "Plans"). The Plans
provide for the grants of stock options to purchase Shares to certain employees
and non-employee directors of the Company ("Options"). In the event of a change
in control of the Company (as defined in the applicable plans), unless otherwise
directed by resolution of the Company Board, within 30 days after such event,
all of the outstanding Options and SARs under the Plans shall become exercisable
and any restrictions on outstanding shares of restricted stock under the Plans
shall lapse. As of November 25, 1997 there were no outstanding shares of
restricted stock or SARs.
Under the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to take all action
necessary to cause any outstanding Options which are exercised after the
Effective Time, to be exercisable solely for a payment in cash from the Company
upon exercise equal to the product of (x) the total number of Shares subject to
such Option and (y) the excess (if any) of the per share consideration received
by shareholders in the Merger over the exercise price per Share for such Option.
Based on the number of Options held by the directors and executive officers of
the Company as of November 25, 1997, the exercise price per Share of such Option
and Offer consideration of $5.50, each of Messrs. Ashton, Alden, Forster,
Fortunato, Harley, Hoornstra, Johnson, and Townsend and Ms. Sant Albano would be
entitled to $1,249,314, $39,249, $39,249, $39,249, $39,249, $39,249, $39,249,
$741,570, and $30,363 respectively, on the exercise of their Options following
the Effective Time.
ITEM 4. THE SOLICITATION OR RECOMMENDATION.
(A) RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMPANY BOARD
The Company Board has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement, the Offer,
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and
has determined that the Offer and the Merger are fair to and in the best
interests of the Company's shareholders, and unanimously recommends that the
Company's shareholders accept the Offer and tender their Shares in the Offer.
A letter to the Company's shareholders communicating the Company Board's
recommendation and a press release announcing the execution of the Merger
Agreement are filed herewith as Exhibits 3 and 4, respectively, and are
incorporated herein by reference.
(B) BACKGROUND; REASONS FOR THE COMPANY BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND
In early February 1997, Cypress requested a meeting with Harris J. Ashton,
the Company's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, to discuss a
possible transaction with the Company. On February 26, 1997, representatives of
Cypress met with Mr. Ashton and expressed a preliminary interest in exploring a
possible transaction. On March 25, Cypress entered into a confidentiality
agreement with the Company and was thereafter provided certain financial and
operating information by the Company.
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On April 10, 1997, Mr. Ashton met with representatives of Cypress at which
meeting Cypress reconfirmed its interest in engaging in a potential transaction
involving the acquisition of the Company. Mr. Ashton indicated that after the
Company's release of first-quarter results in mid-June he would be willing to
discuss a possible transaction depending on Cypress' valuation of the Company.
Following the April 10 meeting, the Company and Cypress had intermittent
contacts regarding a possible transaction.
In April 1997, a second party approached the Company expressing an interest
in engaging in a possible transaction and entered into a confidentiality
agreement with the Company. In connection with such preliminary interest, the
Company provided certain financial and operating information to the second
party. After concluding a limited amount of due diligence, the party advised the
Company that it was not in a position to further pursue discussions concerning a
proposed transaction.
On July 2, 1997, after having conducted preliminary discussions with and
reviewing information regarding the Company, Cypress expressed an interest in
acquiring all or a controlling interest of the Company's main operating
subsidiary, Frank's. No firm proposal was made by Cypress at that time. The
Company subsequently informed Cypress that it had determined a transaction
involving Frank's would have significant adverse tax consequences.
On July 11, 1997, the Company engaged Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
("Credit Suisse First Boston") as its exclusive financial advisor with respect
to the Company's continuing review of strategic and financial planning matters,
including the possible sale of the Company or Frank's.
Over the next several months, Cypress conducted additional due diligence on
the business, operations and financial performance of the Company, which
included meetings with the Company's management in Detroit, Michigan and other
locations.
In September 1997, a third party approached the Company and expressed a
preliminary interest in pursuing a stock-for-stock transaction with the Company.
Management engaged in several discussions with the third party in connection
with a possible transaction, but after the third party refused to enter into a
confidentiality agreement, the Company declined to provide the third party with
confidential information regarding the Company and its businesses.
In late September, before having completed due diligence, Cypress indicated
to representatives of the Company that based on information it had received and
reviewed to date, it would be interested in discussing a potential transaction
involving the acquisition of the Company for a per share price of at least
$5.00. After considering such expression of interest, the Company responded that
it believed a higher price was justified but that it would continue to discuss a
potential transaction with Cypress.
In October and early November of 1997, the Company and Cypress continued
discussions regarding a possible transaction, including a meeting at the
Company's headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut between Mr. Ashton and James A.
Stern, Chairman of Cypress L.L.C., David Spalding, Vice Chairman of Cypress
L.L.C., and Bahram Shirazi, a principal of Cypress L.L.C., and at which Cypress
proposed a cash acquisition at $5.00 per share. After the October 27 meeting,
the parties began to discuss the possibility of Cypress permitting shareholders
who elected to do so to retain a minority equity interest in the Company
following a transaction.
On November 5, 1997, Cypress submitted a written proposal to acquire the
Company in a tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of the Company at
$5.50 per share in cash to be followed by a merger pursuant to which
shareholders would be given the election to retain up to 10% of the outstanding
shares. Cypress' proposal was subject to certain conditions, including, among
other things, a successful tender offer and consent solicitation for a majority
of the outstanding principal amount of the Company's 11 1/2% Senior Notes due
2002. Cypress' proposal outlined, among other things, the structure and timing
of a proposed transaction, the form of consideration to be received by
shareholders and
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Cypress' financing commitments necessary to finance the Offer and the Merger and
included a commitment letter with respect to the senior bank financing which
would be used to finance the debt tender offer and refinance the Company's other
existing debt.
On November 6, 1997, the Company Board met in executive session to discuss
the progress of discussions with Cypress. Mr. Ashton provided an update of the
negotiations with Cypress, the form of consideration being proposed to be
received by shareholders and the price range Cypress had indicated it was
willing to pay in a proposed transaction. The Company Board indicated to Mr.
Ashton that he should continue to explore the feasibility of a transaction to
determine whether it would be in the best interests of shareholders.
Beginning on November 7, 1997, the Company's legal and financial advisors
commenced negotiations with Cypress and its legal advisors with respect to the
terms of a possible merger agreement. On November 8, Cypress' legal counsel
distributed draft documentation to the Company's legal counsel.
Discussions continued during the week of November 9.
On November 14, 1997, Cypress informed the Company and Credit Suisse First
Boston that it needed time to evaluate any further proposal in light of
preliminary information Cypress had requested and received from the Company that
day regarding results for the Company's third fiscal quarter (see Section 7 of
the Offer to Purchase). That night, the Company Board met at dinner in New York
City and discussed the progress of the negotiations with Cypress as well as the
economic and market conditions affecting the Company, including the Company's
current financial condition and prospects.
On November 15, 1997, the Company Board held a special meeting to discuss
the proposed transaction with Cypress. At the special meeting and with the
advice and assistance of the Company's financial and legal advisors, the Company
Board discussed, among other things, certain strategic, financial and legal
considerations concerning a possible transaction with Cypress, the terms of
Cypress' most recent indication of interest, the potential impact on the
Company's shareholders of a transaction with Cypress at the prices being
suggested by Cypress, and the terms and conditions of the most recent draft of a
proposed merger agreement. The Company Board also considered the reputation of
Cypress in the financial community, the transactions Cypress has completed in
the past and its ability to consummate a transaction. No decision was reached by
the Company Board at the meeting, but it was the consensus of the directors that
the Company's management and the Company's legal and financial advisors should
continue to hold discussions with Cypress and report back to the Company Board
once a firm proposal had been made by Cypress and the open issues discussed at
the meeting were resolved.
During the week of November 16, 1997, representatives of the Company and the
Company's legal and financial advisors continued negotiations with
representatives of Cypress and Cypress' legal advisors concerning the terms and
conditions of a proposed merger agreement.
On November 19, Cypress informed the Company and Credit Suisse First Boston
that, in light of the preliminary third-quarter information (see Section 7 of
the Offer to Purchase), it would be interested in making a proposal to acquire
all outstanding shares of the Company for $5.25 cash per share. On November 20,
after further discussions, Cypress agreed to increase its proposal to $5.50 per
share.
On November 21, 1997, the Company Board held a special meeting to review,
with the advice and assistance of the Company's financial and legal advisors,
the proposed terms and conditions of the proposed Merger Agreement. At such
meeting, Credit Suisse First Boston provided an oral opinion (which was
subsequently confirmed in writing) that, as of such date and based upon and
subject to the matters discussed with the Company Board, the cash consideration
to be received by the holders of the Company Common Stock in the Offer and the
Merger was fair from a financial point of view to such holders, and the
Company's legal counsel advised the Company Board of the recent changes made to
the proposed merger agreement. Following the Company Board's review of the terms
of the Offer and
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the Merger, the Company Board unanimously determined that the Merger Agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger,
are fair to and in the best interests of the Company's shareholders, approved
the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the
Offer and the Merger, authorized the execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement, recommended that the Company's shareholders accept the Offer and
tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer, and recommended that the Company's
shareholders approve and adopt the Merger Agreement. The Company Board also
approved postponing the Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement)
until December 31, 1997 and to amend the Rights Agreement to make the Rights
Agreement inapplicable to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
On November 22, 1997, the Company and Purchaser executed the Merger
Agreement. On November 24, 1997, the Company and Cypress issued a press release
announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement.
REASONS FOR THE TRANSACTION; FACTORS CONSIDERED BY THE COMPANY BOARD
In approving the Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the other
transactions contemplated thereby and recommending that all holders of Shares
accept the Offer and tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Company
Board considered a number of factors including:
1. The terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, including the
amount and form of consideration offered to shareholders in the Offer and
the Merger and the likelihood that the proposed Offer and Merger would be
consummated;
2. The historical market prices and the recent trading activity of the
Shares, including the fact that the Offer Price represents a premium of
approximately 60% over the reported closing price of the Shares on the NYSE
on the last full trading day preceding the public announcement of the
execution of the Merger Agreement;
3. The Company Board's knowledge regarding, among other things: (a) the
financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, business and
prospects of the Company, including the prospects of the Company if it
remains independent; and (b) the strategic alternatives available to the
Company;
4. The presentations of Credit Suisse First Boston at the meetings of
the Company Board held on November 15, 1997 and November 21, 1997 and the
opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston expressed orally at the November 21,
1997 meeting (and subsequently confirmed in writing), that, as of such date
and based upon and subject to the matters discussed with the Company Board,
the cash consideration to be received by the holders of Company Common Stock
in the Offer and the Merger was fair from a financial point of view to such
holders. THE FULL TEXT OF THE OPINION OF CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON, WHICH
SETS FORTH THE ASSUMPTIONS MADE, MATTERS CONSIDERED AND LIMITATIONS ON THE
REVIEW UNDERTAKEN, IS ATTACHED HERETO AS EXHIBIT 5 AND IS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE OPINION CAREFULLY IN
ITS ENTIRETY;
5. The extensive arms-length negotiations between the Company and
Cypress leading to the belief of the Company Board that $5.50 per Share
represented the highest price per Share that could reasonably be obtained
with Cypress or otherwise;
6. That the Offer and the Merger provides for a prompt cash tender
offer for all Shares, thereby enabling the Company's shareholders to obtain
the benefits of the transaction in exchange for their Shares at the earliest
possible time, to be followed by a merger in which shareholders will receive
the same consideration as received in the tender offer;
8
<PAGE>
7. The business reputation and capabilities of Cypress and its
management, and Cypress' financial strength and commitments, including its
ability to finance the Offer;
8. The fact that pursuant to the Merger Agreement the Company is not
prohibited from responding to any unsolicited Acquisition Proposal (as
defined in the Merger Agreement) to acquire the Company, to the extent that
the Company Board determines in good faith, based upon the advice of its
outside legal counsel, that the failure to participate in such discussions
or negotiations or to furnish such information or to approve such an
Acquisition Proposal would reasonably be expected to violate the Company
Board's fiduciary duties; and
9. The Company Board's belief that the termination provisions,
including all termination fees, in the Merger Agreement would not represent
an obstacle to an Acquisition Proposal.
10. The terms of the Support Agreement, including the commitment of Mr.
Ashton to tender approximately 6.3% of the outstanding Shares in the Offer
and the fact that the Support Agreement terminates upon termination of the
Merger Agreement.
The Company Board recognized that consummation of the Offer and the Merger
will deprive current shareholders of the Company the opportunity to participate
in the future growth prospects of the Company and therefore in reaching its
conclusion to approve the Offer and the Merger, determined that the historical
results of operations and future prospects of the Company are adequately
reflected in the $5.50 per Share.
The foregoing discussion of information and factors considered and given
weight by the Company Board is not intended to be exhaustive. In view of the
variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the Offer and
the Merger, including the factors described above, the Company Board did not
find it necessary or practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign
relative weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its
determinations and recommendations. In addition, individual members of the
Company Board may have given different weights to different factors.
It is expected that if Shares are not accepted for payment by the Purchaser
in the Offer and if the Merger is not consummated, the Company's current
management, under the general direction of the Company Board, will continue to
manage the Company as an on-going business.
ITEM 5. PERSONS RETAINED, EMPLOYED OR TO BE COMPENSATED.
Pursuant to the terms of a letter agreement dated as of July 11, 1997 (the
"Letter Agreement"), the Company retained Credit Suisse First Boston as its
exclusive financial advisor with respect to the Company's continuing review of
strategic and financial planning matters, including the possible sale of the
Company or Frank's.
Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Credit Suisse
First Boston, upon execution thereof, a financial advisory fee of $100,000,
which would be fully creditable against any transaction fee thereafter paid. The
Company also agreed to pay Credit Suisse First Boston, upon the first closing of
any Sale (which was defined in the Letter Agreement to include the Offer and the
Merger), a transaction fee in an amount equal to 1% of the total fair market
value at the time of closing of all consideration (including cash, securities,
property, all debt remaining on the financial statements of the Company and
other indebtedness assumed by an acquiror and any other form of consideration)
paid or payable or otherwise distributed to the Company or its stockholders in a
Sale.
The Company also agreed to reimburse Credit Suisse First Boston for all
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Credit Suisse First Boston (including the
fees and expenses of its legal counsel) resulting from or arising out of the
engagement, and to indemnify Credit Suisse First Boston and its affiliates (and
their respective officers, directors, partners, employees, controlling persons
and agents) against certain
9
<PAGE>
liabilities arising out of or in connection with Credit Suisse First Boston's
engagement, including any such liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Credit Suisse First Boston will act as co-dealer manager for the debt tender
offer for the Company's 11 1/2% Senior Notes due 2002. In the ordinary course of
their business, Credit Suisse First Boston and its affiliates may actively trade
the debt and equity securities of the Company for Credit Suisse First Boston's
and such affiliates' own accounts and for the accounts of customers and,
accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities.
Except as disclosed herein, neither the Company nor any person acting on its
behalf has employed, retained or compensated any person to make solicitations or
recommendations to the Company's shareholders with respect to the Offer or the
Merger.
ITEM 6. RECENT TRANSACTIONS AND INTENT WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES.
(a) To the best of the Company's knowledge, no transactions in the Shares
have been effected during the past 60 days by the Company or by any executive
officer, director, affiliate or subsidiary of the Company.
(b) To the best of the Company's knowledge, all of its executive officers,
directors, affiliates and subsidiaries currently intend to tender pursuant to
the Offer all Shares held of record or beneficially owned by them other than
Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and Shares, if any, which if
tendered could cause such persons to incur liability under the provisions of
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
ITEM 7. CERTAIN NEGOTIATIONS AND TRANSACTIONS BY THE SUBJECT COMPANY.
(a) Except as set forth in this Schedule 14D-9, the Company is not engaged
in any negotiation in response to the Offer which relates to or would result in
(i) an extraordinary transaction, such as a merger or reorganization, involving
the Company or any subsidiary of the Company; (ii) a purchase, sale or transfer
of a material amount of assets by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company;
(iii) a tender offer for or other acquisition of securities by or of the
Company; or (iv) any material change in the present capitalization or dividend
policy of the Company.
(b) Except as described in Item 3(b) and Item 4 above (the provisions of
which are hereby incorporated by reference), there are no transactions, board
resolutions, agreements in principle or signed contracts in response to the
Offer which relate to or would result in one or more of the matters referred to
in paragraph (a) of this Item 7.
ITEM 8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED.
The Information Statement attached as Schedule I hereto is being furnished
in connection with the possible designation by the Purchaser, pursuant to the
Merger Agreement, of certain persons to be appointed to the Company Board other
than at a meeting of the Company's shareholders.
References are hereby made to the Offer to Purchase and the related Letter
of Transmittal, copies of which are filed herewith as Exhibits 1 and 2,
respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Exhibit 1 Offer to Purchase.+
Exhibit 2 Letter of Transmittal.+
Exhibit 3 Letter to Shareholders.*+
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Exhibit 4 Press Release issued by General Host Corporation and the Cypress Group L.L.C. on
November 24, 1997 (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on November 25, 1997).
Exhibit 5 Opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation dated November 21, 1997.*+
Exhibit 6 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 22, 1997, by and among
General Host Corporation and Cyrus Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 1997).
Exhibit 7 Support Agreement, dated as of November 22, 1997, by and among Cyrus Acquisition
Corp. and Harris J. Ashton (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 1997).
Exhibit 8 Employment Agreement between General Host Corporation and Harris J. Ashton dated
as of January 1, 1992 (the "Employment Agreement") (incorporated by reference to
the Company's 1992 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10(a), File No. 1-1066) as amended by the
First Amendment, dated as of June 30, 1997, to the Employment Agreement
(incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
August 10, 1997 Exhibit 10).
Exhibit 9 Summary of severance arrangements between General Host Corporation and certain
executive officers.+
Exhibit General Host Corporation Amended and Restated 1986 Stock Incentive Plan
10 (incorporated by reference to the Company's 1992 Proxy Statement, dated April
16, 1992, Exhibit A).
Exhibit General Host Corporation 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to
11 the Company's Proxy Statement for its fiscal year ended January 28, 1996,
Exhibit A).
Exhibit General Host Corporation Director's Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference
12 to the 1991 Form 10-K, Exhibit 10(e), File No. 1-1066).
Exhibit General Host Corporation 1994 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan
13 (incorporated by reference to the 1995 Form 10-K Exhibit 10.05(a), File 1-1066).
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Included in copies of Schedule 14D-9 mailed to shareholders.
+ Filed herewith.
11
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Dated: November 25, 1997
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
GENERAL HOST CORPORATION
By: /s/ HARRIS J. ASHTON
-----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Name:Harris J. Ashton
Title:
Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive
Officer
12
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 14(F) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND RULE 14F-1 THEREUNDER
GENERAL
This Information Statement is being mailed on or about November 25, 1997 as
part of the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the
"Schedule 14D-9") of General Host Corporation, a New York corporation (the
"Company"), to the holders of record of shares of common stock, par value $1.00
per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock" or the "Shares"). You are
receiving this Information Statement in connection with the possible election of
persons designated by Purchaser (as defined below) to a majority or more of the
seats on the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Company Board").
On November 22, 1997, the Company and Cyrus Acquisition Corp., a New York
corporation ("Purchaser") formed by the Cypress Group L.L.C. ("Cypress L.L.C.";
together with its affiliates, "Cypress"), entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger (the "Merger Agreement") pursuant to which (i) Purchaser will commence a
tender offer (the "Offer") for all outstanding Shares at a price of $5.50 per
Share, net to the seller in cash, and (ii) the Purchaser will be merged with and
into the Company (the "Merger"). As a result of the Offer and the Merger,
Cypress will own all outstanding capital stock of the Company.
The Merger Agreement provides that, promptly after the purchase of
two-thirds of the outstanding Shares pursuant to the Offer, Purchaser shall be
entitled to designate directors (the "Purchaser Designees") on the Company Board
as will give Purchaser representation proportionate to its ownership interest.
The Merger Agreement requires the Company to take such action as Purchaser may
request to cause the Purchaser Designees to be elected to the Company Board
under the circumstances described therein. This Information Statement is
required by Section 14(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), and Rule 14f-1 thereunder.
You are urged to read this Information Statement carefully. You are not,
however, required to take any action in connection with this Information
Statement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have
the meaning set forth in the Schedule 14D-9.
The information contained in this Information Statement concerning the
Purchaser has been furnished to the Company by the Purchaser. The Company
assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information.
RIGHT TO DESIGNATE DIRECTORS; THE PURCHASER DESIGNEES
The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to applicable law, immediately
upon the purchase of Shares by the Purchaser pursuant to the Offer, Purchaser
will be entitled to designate such number of directors, rounded up to the next
whole number, on the Company Board as is equal to the product of the total
number of directors on the Company Board multiplied by the percentage that the
aggregate number of Shares beneficially owned by Purchaser and any of its
affiliates bears to the total number of Shares then outstanding. Following
consummation of the Offer the Company has agreed to take all action to cause the
Purchaser Designees to be so elected, including, if necessary, seeking the
resignations of one or more existing directors. The Company has also agreed,
subject to applicable law, to use its reasonable best efforts to cause persons
designated by Purchaser to constitute the same percentage as is on the board of
(i) each committee of the Company Board, and (ii) each board of directors of
each subsidiary of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, until the
Effective Time of the Merger, the
I-1
<PAGE>
Company Board will use its best efforts to have at least one director on the
Company Board who is a director and who is not an employee of the Company on the
date of execution of the Merger Agreement.
The Purchaser Designees will be selected by Purchaser from among the
individuals listed below. Each of the following individuals has consented to
serve as a director of the Company if appointed or elected. None of the
following individuals owns any Shares. In addition, none of the following
individuals is a director of, or holds any position with, the Company. The name,
age, present principal occupation or employment and five-year employment history
of each of the following individuals are set forth below.
Although, depending on the number of Shares tendered in the Offer, Purchaser
may initially have the right to designate more Purchaser Designees than the
number listed below, it has informed the Company that, without limiting its
rights under the Merger Agreement in any way, it does not currently intend to do
so.
Joseph R. Baczko (age 52) has been a private investor since 1993. From 1991
to 1992, Mr. Baczko served as President, Chief Operating Officer and director of
Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. Prior to joining Blockbuster, he was President
of the International Division of Toys "R" Us, Inc. from 1983 to 1990.
James A. Stern (age 47) has been Chairman of Cypress L.L.C. since its
formation in April 1994. Prior to joining Cypress, Mr. Stern spent his entire
career with Lehman Brothers Inc., most recently as head of the Merchant Banking
Group. He served as head of Lehman's High Yield and Primary Capital Markets
Groups, and was co-head of Investment Banking. In addition, Mr. Stern was a
member of Lehman's Operating Committee. Mr. Stern is a director of Amtrol Inc.,
Cinemark USA, Inc., Lear Corporation, Noel Group, Inc., R.P. Scherer Corporation
and Genesis ElderCare Corp.
Jeffrey P. Hughes (age 57) has been a Vice Chairman of Cypress L.L.C. since
its formation in April 1994. Prior to joining Cypress, he was a Managing
Director at Lehman Brothers Inc. since 1976, most recently in the Merchant
Banking Group from 1989 to 1994.
James L. Singleton (age 41) has been a Vice Chairman of Cypress L.L.C. since
its formation in April 1994. Prior to joining Cypress, he was a Managing
Director in the Merchant Banking Group of Lehman Brothers Inc. Mr. Singleton is
a director of Cinemark USA, Inc., L.P., Williams Scotsman, Inc. and Genesis
ElderCare Corp.
David P. Spalding (age 43) has been a Vice Chairman of Cypress L.L.C. since
its formation in April 1994. Prior to joining Cypress, he was a Managing
Director in the Merchant Banking Group at Lehman Brothers Inc. from February
1991 to April 1994. Mr. Spalding is a director of Lear Corporation, Amtrol Inc.
and Williams Scotsman, Inc.
Bahram Shirazi (age 33) has been a Principal of Cypress L.L.C. since its
formation in April 1994. Prior to joining Cypress, he was a Vice President in
the Merchant Banking Group at Lehman Brothers Inc. from 1992 to 1994.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The members of the Board of Directors of the Company are classified into
three classes, one of which is elected at each Annual Meeting of Shareholders to
hold office for a three-year term and until successors of such class have been
elected and qualified. The following table and text set forth, as of November
25, 1997, as to each director, his or her age, principal occupation and business
experience
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<PAGE>
and the period during which each has served as a director of the Company. See
"Board Committees and Meetings" below for information concerning the composition
of Board committees.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SERVED AS
NAME DIRECTOR SINCE AGE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C>
DIRECTORS -- TERM EXPIRING 2000
Edward H. Hoornstra................................................. June 1970 76
Charles B. Johnson.................................................. September 1969 64
Kelly Ashton Sant Albano............................................ December 1994 33
DIRECTORS -- TERM EXPIRING 1998
C. Whitcomb Alden, Jr............................................... May 1965 82
Philip B. Harley.................................................... March 1973 79
Richard W. Haskel................................................... February 1981 64
DIRECTORS -- TERM EXPIRING 1999
Harris J. Ashton.................................................... May 1965 65
Christopher A. Forster.............................................. March 1974 65
S. Joseph Fortunato................................................. April 1993 65
</TABLE>
Mr. Ashton has been principally employed for more than the past five years
as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Mr. Ashton is a director or trustee of numerous Franklin/Templeton mutual funds.
He is also a director of RBC Holdings (USA) Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
The Royal Bank of Canada. Mr. Ashton is the father of Ms. Sant Albano.
Mr. Alden has been principally engaged for more than the past five years as
a financial consultant and private investor.
Mr. Forster retired as a Managing Director of Marsh & McLennan,
Incorporated, an insurance broker, on July 1, 1993, a position he had held for
more than five years before that date.
Mr. Fortunato has been a partner of the law firm of Pitney, Hardin, Kipp &
Szuch for more than the past five years. He is also a director or trustee of
numerous Franklin/Templeton mutual funds.
Mr. Harley, a private investor, retired from the boards of numerous mutual
funds of the Keystone Group, Inc. on December 31, 1994, positions he had held
for more than five years before that date.
Mr. Haskel has been President of Haskel Enterprises, Inc. (d/b/a the Delphos
Group), a consulting company involved in management consulting and acquisitions,
for more than the past five years. Prior to June 1, 1995, Mr. Haskel had been
affiliated with the business brokerage firm of Country Business, Inc. for more
than five years.
Mr. Hoornstra has been President of Del-Tem Investment Corporation, a
closely-held investment and real estate management company, for more than the
past five years. Mr. Hoornstra was Vice Chairman of the Board of the Company and
President of its Specialty Retailing Group for more than five years prior to his
retirement in December 1986.
Mr. Johnson has been President and a director of Franklin Resources, Inc., a
financial holding company, and President of Franklin Distributors, Inc., a
mutual fund management company, for more than the past five years. He is also
President and a trustee of Franklin Tax-Free Trust, and a director or trustee of
numerous Franklin/Templeton mutual funds.
Ms. Sant Albano received a B.A. degree from Yale University and an M.B.A.
degree from Harvard Business School. She completed the Macy's executive training
program and worked in both store-line and management positions at Macy's prior
to 1990 and at Bloomingdale's from June 1992 to June 1993. Since 1993, Ms. Sant
Albano has been a private investor.
I-3
<PAGE>
BOARD COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
Executive Committee -- This Committee, which exercises, to the extent
permitted by New York law, all of the powers of the Board during the intervals
between Board meetings, consists of Harris J. Ashton (Chair), Richard W. Haskel
and Charles B. Johnson. During fiscal year 1996, the Executive Committee held no
meetings.
Audit Committee -- This Committee, which monitors the activities of the
Company's auditors and reports on such activities to the Board, consists of
Charles B. Johnson (Chair), Richard W. Haskel and Kelly Ashton Sant Albano.
During fiscal year 1996, the Audit Committee held two meetings.
Compensation Committee -- This Committee, which evaluates and approves the
compensation of executive officers and members of management of the Company and
has overall responsibility for the Company's compensation policies, consists of
Philip B. Harley (Chair), C. Whitcomb Alden, Jr. and Christopher A. Forster.
During fiscal year 1996, the Compensation Committee (the "Committee") held two
meetings.
The Company's Board of Directors (the "Company Board") has no nominating
committee.
The Company Board held six meetings during fiscal year 1996. Each director
attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Company Board
and the committees of the Company Board on which the director served. Each
director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the
Company Board and the committees of the Company Board on which the director
served.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Each of the non-management directors of the Company receives fees of $30,000
per annum and $750 for each Company Board and committee meeting attended. During
fiscal year 1996, there were six meetings of the Company Board and a total of
four meetings of its committees. The directors also participate in certain
benefit programs generally available to Company employees.
Upon reaching age seventy-five or after ten years of service as a director,
provided either event has occurred prior to consummation of the Offer (as
hereinafter defined), each non-employee director of the Company becomes eligible
to retire from the Board and, upon retirement, continues to receive an annual
retainer fee (which, as of November 25, 1997, would not exceed $30,000 per year)
for a number of years equal to the number of years served as a director. The
Company has agreed that until all directors serving on the Company Board as of
November 25, 1997 (the "Current Directors") have terminated their service as
Directors, the Company shall take all commercially reasonable steps to continue
to make third-party life insurance company coverage available to each Current
Director who continues to serve as a director on a basis no less favorable
(including, without limitation, face amount of coverage and allocation of cost)
than the current basis, and that the Company shall use its best efforts to
maintain the feature of its group life insurance policy which enables a director
whose service is terminated to obtain continuing life insurance in the same face
amount as his coverage immediately prior to termination without a physical
examination, at the insurer's normal individual rates and at the expense of the
Director. Under the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser has acknowledged the
obligation of the Surviving Corporation to honor these arrangements.
Under the Company's 1994 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (the
"Directors Plan"), adopted in 1994 and approved by the shareholders in 1995, the
Company granted an option to each of the non-employee directors to purchase
25,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments contemplated under
the Directors Plan. Upon initial appointment or election to the Board, each
non-employee director is granted an option to purchase 25,000 such shares, 20%
of which will be exercisable on the date of grant and an additional 20% of which
will become exercisable on each grant anniversary date. The Directors Plan
contemplates a single grant to each non-employee director. No options were
granted under the Directors Plan in fiscal year 1996.
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<PAGE>
DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY
The Company maintains $17.5 million of insurance providing payment either to
the Company for indemnification given its directors or officers, or directly to
its directors and officers, for certain liabilities which the Company's
directors and officers may incur in their respective capacities. The insurance
policy which expired on April 1, 1997 was issued by National Union Fire
Insurance Company. The premium paid under that policy in fiscal year 1996 was
$275,000. The insurance policy extending from April 1, 1997 to April 1, 1998 was
issued by National Union Fire Insurance Company and covers all directors and
officers of the Company and its subsidiaries. The premium for the 1997 policy
year is $230,000. No claims have been paid under either policy.
COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, to the best knowledge of the Company,
certain information as to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock
as of November 24, 1997 by (i) owners of more than 5% of the outstanding Common
Stock of the Company; (ii) each director of the Company; (iii) the executive
officers (other than directors) of the Company; and (iv) all directors and
executive officers, as a group. Except as indicated by footnote, the persons
named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all
shares shown as beneficially owned by them.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES OF
GENERAL HOST
COMMON STOCK
--------------------------
AMOUNT PERCENT
BENEFICIALLY OF
BENEFICIAL OWNERS OWNED(1)(2) CLASS(%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Holders Other Than Directors
Gabelli Funds, Inc.
One Corporate Center
Rye, NY 10580-1434............................................................ 2,474,964(3) 10.14
Basil P. Regan &
Regan Partners, L.P.
6 East 43rd Street
New York, NY 10017............................................................ 2,190,430(4) 8.97
Directors
Harris J. Ashton
One Station Place
P.O. Box 10045
Stamford, CT 06904........................................................ 2,304,415(5) 9.21
C. Whitcomb Alden, Jr........................................................... 471,284(6) 1.93
Christopher A. Forster.......................................................... 36,042 *
S. Joseph Fortunato............................................................. 49,609 *
Philip B. Harley................................................................ 176,531 *
Richard W. Haskel............................................................... 31,995 *
Edward H. Hoornstra............................................................. 345,992(7) 1.42
Charles B. Johnson.............................................................. 164,332(8) *
Kelly Ashton Sant Albano........................................................ 104,670(9) *
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES OF
GENERAL HOST
COMMON STOCK
--------------------------
AMOUNT PERCENT
BENEFICIALLY OF
BENEFICIAL OWNERS OWNED(1)(2) CLASS(%)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -----------
Executive Officers Other Than Directors
<S> <C> <C>
Robert M. Lovejoy, Jr. ......................................................... 59,496 *
James R. Simpson................................................................ 44,855 *
J. Theodore Everingham.......................................................... 3,000 *
Ernest W. Townsend.............................................................. 300,000 1.21
Scott A. Hessler................................................................ 32,105(10) *
William C. Boyd................................................................. 33,204 *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (14 persons)(11).................. 4,125,425 16.15
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Represents holdings of less than one percent.
(1) Includes the following numbers of shares of Common Stock held as of November
24, 1997 by the trustee of the General Host Profit Sharing and Savings Plan
for the benefit of the following persons: Mr. Ashton, 46,593; Mr. Lovejoy,
4,059; Mr. Simpson, 2,043; Mr. Boyd, 4,050; and all directors and executive
officers as a group, 56,745.
(2) Includes the following shares of Common Stock subject to options outstanding
and exercisable on or within 60 days after November 24, 1997: Mr. Ashton,
540,000; Mr. Alden, 11,026; Mr. Forster, 11,026; Mr. Fortunato, 27,564; Mr.
Harley, 11,026; Mr. Haskel, 11,026; Mr. Hoornstra, 11,026; Mr. Johnson,
11,026; Ms. Sant Albano, 11,026; Mr. Lovejoy, 32,700; Mr. Simpson, 20,700;
Mr. Everingham, 2,000; Mr. Townsend, 300,000; Mr. Boyd, 22,000; and all
directors and executive officers as a group, 1,022,146.
(3) Number of shares based on Amendment No. 16 to the Schedule 13D dated July
22, 1997, filed with the Commission by Gabelli Funds, Inc. and GAMCO
Investors, Inc. Of these shares, 1,033,879 are receivable by the holders
upon conversion of the Company's convertible debentures held by them.
(4) Number of shares based on Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13D dated April 8,
1997, filed with the Commission by Regan Partners, L.P. and Basil P. Regan.
According to Amendment No. 2, Regan Partners, L.P., owns 1,669,330 of such
shares, with respect to which it shares voting and dispositive power with
Mr. Regan, the general partner of Regan Partners, L.P., and Mr. Regan owns
521,000 of such shares, with respect to which he has sole voting and
dispositive power.
(5) Includes 24,802 shares of Common Stock directly owned and 11,710 shares
beneficially owned by Mr. Ashton's wife and 68,344 shares of Common Stock
owned by a foundation of which Mr. Ashton is an officer. With respect to the
foregoing, Mr. Ashton disclaims any beneficial ownership. Also includes
44,497 shares receivable upon conversion of the Company's convertible
debentures.
(6) Includes 427,325 shares of Common Stock, as of January 31, 1997, owned by a
pension trust of which Mr. Alden is trustee, which is maintained by the
Company and one of its subsidiaries.
(7) Includes 330,242 shares held under an Intervivos Trust Agreement dated March
29, 1995, pursuant to which Mr. Hoornstra is grantor and trustee with the
sole right to revoke the trust.
(8) Includes 11,710 shares receivable upon conversion of the Company's
convertible debentures.
(9) Includes 11,710 shares receivable upon conversion of the Company's
convertible debentures and 4,167 shares held as custodian for her son.
I-6
<PAGE>
(10) This number is as of April 1, 1997, excludes 58,000 options which were
exercisable as of such date but subsequently expired and includes 1,116
shares receivable upon conversion of the Company's convertible debentures.
(11) This row does not include shares held by Mr. Hessler who resigned as
President and Chief Operating Officer of Frank's on January 13, 1997.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation for
services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its subsidiaries for the
fiscal years ended January 29, 1995 (fiscal year 1994), January 28, 1996 (fiscal
year 1995) and January 26, 1997 (fiscal year 1996) for (a) those persons who
were, at January 26, 1997, (i) the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and (ii) the
other four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company and (b)
Scott A. Hessler, who would have been included as one of the four most highly
compensated officers but for the fact that he was no longer serving as an
executive officer on that date. The CEO, the four most highly compensated
officers and Mr. Hessler will be referred to collectively as the "Named
Officers".
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL -------------------------------------------------
COMPENSATION
-------------------------------------- AWARDS
OTHER ----------------------------------
ANNUAL RESTRICTED SECURITIES ALL OTHER
NAME AND COMPEN- STOCK UNDERLYING COMPENSA-
PRINCIPAL POSITION FISCAL YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($)(1) SATION($) AWARDS($)(2) OPTIONS/SARS(#) TION($)(3)(4)
- ---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- --------------- ----------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Harris J. Ashton 1996 839,400 -0- -- -0- 300,000 102,599(5)
Chairman of the Board 1995 824,787 -0- -- -0- 540,000 109,218
President and CEO 1994 754,890 260,000 -- -0- -0- 97,403
Robert M. Lovejoy, Jr. 1996 180,331 -0- -- -0- -0- 576
Vice President and 1995 182,774 -0- -- -0- 3,000 423
Treasurer 1994 182,774 50,000 -- 6,375 -0- 1,933
James R. Simpson 1996 164,331 -0- -- -0- -0- 523
Vice President and 1995 166,774 -0- -- -0- 3,000 384
Controller 1994 166,774 50,000 -- 6,375 -0- 1,899
J. Theodore Everingham (6) 1996 125,000 -0- -- -0- -0- 416
Vice President, General 1995 77,778 -0- -- -0- 2,000 228
Counsel and Secretary
Scott A. Hessler (7) 1996 307,514 -0- -- -0- -0- 1,002
President and COO 1995 310,014 -0- -- -0- 10,000 734
Frank's Nursery & Crafts, 1994 211,933 80,000 160,187(8) -0- 100,000 459
Inc.
William C. Boyd 1996 163,000 -0- -- -0- -0- 543
Executive Vice President 1995 163,000 -0- -- -0- -0- 399
Frank's Nursery & Crafts, 1994 163,000 10,000 -- 6,375 -0- 1,906
Inc.
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
(1) Amounts earned under the Executive Compensation Plan of the Company or
Frank's Nursery & Crafts, Inc., the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
("Frank's"), for services rendered in the respective fiscal years.
(2) The shares awarded vested on January 28, 1996.
I-7
<PAGE>
(3) Includes the Company's contribution for fiscal year 1994 of 215 shares of
Common Stock to each of Mr. Ashton, Mr. Lovejoy, Mr. Simpson and Mr. Boyd
under the General Host Profit Sharing and Savings Plan with an approximate
value of $1,461.
(4) Includes the portion of the insurance premiums paid by the Company on behalf
of the Named Officers for term life insurance in the following amounts in
fiscal years 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively: Mr. Ashton, $11,204,
$16,585, $2,061; Mr. Lovejoy, $576, $423, $472; Mr. Simpson, $523, $384,
$438; Mr. Everingham, $416 (1996), $228 (1995); Mr. Hessler, $1,002, $734,
$459; and Mr. Boyd, $543, $399, $445.
(5) Of this amount, $4,077 represents the portion of the premiums paid by the
Company during fiscal year 1996 on the life insurance policies and $87,318
represents the value of the benefit to Mr. Ashton, projected on an actuarial
basis based on the life expectancy of Mr. and Mrs. Ashton, of the remainder
of such premiums.
(6) Mr. Everingham became Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary on July
12, 1995.
(7) Mr. Hessler became President and Chief Operating Officer of Frank's on May
23, 1994, and resigned on January 13, 1997. He received certain transition
services at Frank's expense and received his salary and certain other
benefits through July 13, 1997.
(8) Of this amount, $160,090 represents relocation expenses paid to or on behalf
of Mr. Hessler.
OPTION GRANTS
The table below sets forth certain information regarding grants of stock
options pursuant to the Company's Amended and Restated 1986 Stock Incentive Plan
(the "1986 Plan") or its 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1996 Plan") during the
fiscal year ended January 26, 1997 to the Named Officers.
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT ASSUMED
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS ANNUAL RATES OF
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ STOCK PRICE
% OF TOTAL OPTIONS/ APPRECIATION FOR
NUMBER OF SECURITIES SARS GRANTED TO OPTION TERM($)(4)
UNDERLYING OPTIONS/ EMPLOYEES IN FISCAL EXERCISE OR BASE EXPIRATION --------------------
NAME SARS GRANTED(#)(1) 1996(%)(2) PRICE ($/SH)(3) DATE 5% 10%
- ---------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ------------------- ----------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Harris J. Ashton...... 300,000 49.75 3.1875 01/13/02 264,194 583,800
Robert M. Lovejoy,
Jr................... 0 -- -- -- -- --
James R. Simpson...... 0 -- -- -- -- --
J. Theodore
Everingham........... 0 -- -- -- -- --
Scott A. Hessler...... 0 -- -- -- -- --
William C. Boyd....... 0 -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) The relevant Stock Option Agreement provides that shares may be paid for by
delivery of a promissory note bearing interest at a rate determined by the
Committee and repayable on such terms as the Committee may from time to time
determine. Upon receipt of notice of exercise of an option, the Committee
may, in lieu of delivering shares, make an appreciation distribution in cash
equal to the difference between the option price and the fair market value
of the stock on the date notice of exercise is received multiplied by the
number of shares for which the option is exercised. The Committee may
authorize a tax loan in an amount equal to the federal, state and local
taxes that may be due as a result of the option or SAR exercise. If a change
of control (as defined in the 1996 Plan) occurs prior to the date the option
becomes exercisable, the option becomes exercisable thirty days after such
event unless otherwise directed by a majority of the Board.
I-8
<PAGE>
(2) The Company granted options representing a total of 603,000 shares to
employees in fiscal year 1996.
(3) The option was granted at an option price per share equal to the mean
between the high and low sales prices of the Company's Common Stock on the
New York Stock Exchange -- Composite Transactions Index on the date of
grant, was immediately exercisable for 100% of the shares and has a
five-year term.
(4) The dollar amounts are the result of calculations at the 5% and 10% rates
set by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to
forecast any possible future appreciation, if any, of the Company's stock
price.
OPTION EXERCISES/YEAR-END VALUES
The following table sets forth information with respect to the unexercised
options and/or SARs to purchase the Company's Common Stock granted in fiscal
year 1996 and prior years to the Named Officers and held by them as of January
26, 1997.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN FISCAL YEAR 1996 AND
1996 FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF
UNEXERCISED
IN-THE-MONEY
OPTIONS/ SARS
SHARES ACQUIRED ON AT FISCAL
NAME EXERCISE(#) VALUE REALIZED($) YEAR- END($)
- ----------------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -------------
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS/
SARS AT FISCAL YEAR END(#)
-----------------------------------
UNEXERCISABLE
EXERCISABLE (1) -----------------
----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Harris J. Ashton............. 0 0 540,000 0 $ 56,250(2)
Robert M. Lovejoy, Jr. ...... 0 0 32,700 1,800 0(3)
James R. Simpson............. 0 0 20,700 1,800 0(3)
J. Theodore Everingham....... 0 0 2,000 3,000 0(3)
Scott A. Hessler............. 0 0 58,000 42,000 0(3)
William C. Boyd.............. 0 0 22,000 0 0(3)
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) All of these options are deemed exercisable. However, they include options
held by Messrs. Lovejoy and Simpson for 7,500 shares each and by Mr. Boyd
for 10,000 shares, which cannot be exercised until the closing price of the
Company's Common Stock reaches $12.635 per share, as adjusted for the 1994,
1995 and 1996 stock dividends, and remains at or above $12.635 per share for
ten consecutive business days.
(2) Represents the value of an unexercised option to purchase 300,000 shares at
$3.1875 per share, based on the average of the high and low prices of the
Company's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange -- Composite
Transactions Index on January 24, 1997 ($3.375 per share). The exercise
price of the unexercised option to purchase the other 240,000 shares was
greater than such average price.
(3) The average of the high and low prices on the New York Stock Exchange --
Composite Transactions Index of the Company's Common Stock on January 24,
1997 ($3.375 per share) did not exceed the exercise prices of the options
and SARs.
I-9
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION POLICIES
The Committee, which is comprised of three non-employee directors, is
responsible for guiding the Company and Frank's Nursery & Crafts, Inc., the
Company's wholly-owned operating subsidiary ("Frank's"), in the development and
implementation of the Company's compensation policies, plans and programs. The
Company's policies, plans and programs are designed to align levels of
compensation with the Company's performance, reward achievement of individual
goals, and attract, motivate and retain high performing executives.
In connection with its responsibility to guide the Company's policies, plans
and programs, the Committee approves the annual compensation of the Company's
executive officers and other members of management, which consists primarily of
base salary, bonus, stock options, restricted stock grants and SARs. The
Committee also approves, on an annual basis, the terms of the General Host
Executive Compensation Program (the "Program") and the terms of the Frank's
Executive Compensation Program (the "Frank's Program").
The Committee also has the authority to award stock options, restricted
stock and SARs to certain officers and key employees of the Company and Frank's
pursuant to the terms of the 1996 Plan and had such authority under the 1986
Plan, which expired by its terms on March 19, 1996 (the 1986 Plan and the 1996
Plan together are referred to herein as the "Plan").
The intended purposes of the Program, the Frank's Program and the Plan are
to: (a) promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders by attracting
and retaining officers and other key employees of exceptional ability; (b)
maximize the Company's long-term success and investment return to shareholders;
(c) provide officers and key employees important to the Company's sustained
growth with a proprietary interest and greater incentive to contribute to the
success of the Company through ownership of Company shares; and (d) provide
long-term incentive opportunities for officers and other key employees which are
competitive with those offered by other corporations in the business and
geographic areas the Company operates.
In order to further align the interests of the Company's officers with the
interests of the Company's other shareholders, the Committee adopted and
implemented the General Host Executive Stock Ownership Policy in January, 1994.
The policy requires officers of the Company and Frank's who serve in the
capacity of Vice President or above to achieve a minimum ownership target of the
Company's Common Stock within five years from the date of initial participation.
The target for the CEO is three times salary. The target for Mr. Hessler, who
left the Company on January 13, 1997, was three times salary. Mr. Hessler was
succeeded as Chief Operating Officer of Frank's on that date by Ernest W.
Townsend, who also was elected Executive Vice President of the Company. Mr.
Townsend's target is three times salary. Mr. Boyd's target is two times salary,
and the target for the others is one times salary.
ELEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
BASE SALARIES
The Company maintains salary grades and ranges for its executive officers
based on the practices of other companies with revenues and operating
characteristics similar to those of the Company and Frank's, geographic criteria
and responsibility level. Using the salary grades and ranges as a guideline, the
Company establishes salaries at levels necessary to attract and retain talented
executive officers and other key employees.
The Committee's approval of salary increases for executive officers depends
on the Company's performance in the prior fiscal year, achievement of
individual, non-financial objectives, overall personal performance and placement
in the salary grade. The Committee gives no predetermined weight to the
achievement of the non-financial objectives established by the executive
officers annually, as discussed below, when considering salary increases.
I-10
<PAGE>
BONUSES
The Program provides that the executive officers of the Company are eligible
to receive bonus payments based on the achievement of corporate profit
objectives and specific individual objectives. The profit objectives contained
in the Program are based on net income per share of the Company for the fiscal
year, as established by the Committee at the beginning of each fiscal year. The
individual, non-financial objectives consist of four or five major goals that
are individually tailored to each function performed by the executive officers
and incorporate the contribution of that individual's department into the
overall objectives of the Company. In addition, if the Company achieves a
certain "corporate target result" established by the CEO and approved by the
Committee in the beginning of each fiscal year, bonuses otherwise earned are
increased. At the discretion of the Company, bonuses paid under the Program may
be paid in shares of Common Stock of the Company.
The total bonus payment for Mr. Townsend, as President of Frank's, may not
exceed 60% of his base salary, while the total bonus payments for each of the
other executive officers may not exceed 48% of their base salaries. Certain
restrictions on payments of bonuses exist if the Company does not pay dividends
(cash or stock) on its Common Stock or if the Company would report a loss for
the applicable fiscal year due to the payment of a bonus. If profit targets are
not attained, a reasonable and appropriate bonus may be awarded by the Committee
to an individual whose performance was otherwise outstanding.
Pursuant to the terms of the Frank's Program, certain executive officers of
Frank's and other selected management of Frank's are eligible to receive bonuses
ranging from 3% to 48% of their base salaries based on the achievement of
predetermined levels of operating income and on specific individual objectives
as predetermined by the individual's immediate superior and approved by the CEO.
The Committee approves the Frank's Program and the levels of operating income at
the beginning of each fiscal year. The Frank's Program contains the same general
restrictions and features as the Program. Furthermore, at the discretion of the
Company, bonuses paid under the Frank's Program may be paid in shares of Common
Stock of the Company.
Although the Committee has the authority to waive performance or
profitability criteria under the Program and Frank's Program when awarding
salary increases or when granting bonuses, it did not do so, and the executive
officers earned no bonuses for services rendered in fiscal year 1996.
OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK
The Committee grants options under the Plan to executive officers of the
Company and Frank's based on the following considerations: (a) the position and
responsibilities of the person being considered; (b) the nature of the services
and the accomplishments of the individual; (c) the value to the Company of the
services; (d) the individual's present and potential contributions to the
success of the Company; and (e) such other factors as the Committee deems
relevant to accomplishing the purposes of the Plan, including the value of
options currently held by the individual. The purchase price of the Common Stock
underlying an option shall not be less than the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the day the option is granted. Options granted under the Plan vest in
varying percentages over five years from the date of grant. Payment for option
shares may be made in (a) cash; (b) Common Stock; (c) a combination of both; or
(d) at the discretion of the Committee, on a case by case basis, by promissory
notes. In fiscal year 1996, the Committee awarded non-qualified stock options to
each of Messrs. Ashton and Townsend to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock.
CEO COMPENSATION
Mr. Ashton, the CEO, is subject to an employment contract commencing January
1, 1992 and expiring on December 31, 2000. The terms of the employment contract
are set forth under "Employment Contract, Severance Arrangements and Other
Arrangements" of this Schedule 14F-1.
I-11
<PAGE>
In 1995, upon the elimination of the salary freeze in 1994, the base salary
of Mr. Ashton was automatically increased to the 1995 base salary established by
the terms of his employment contract. Notwithstanding the fact that his contract
provided for a salary increase effective January 1, 1996, Mr. Ashton agreed to
freeze his salary in 1996, except for purposes of computing his retirement
benefit. Effective January 1, 1997, Mr. Ashton's salary was increased to the
1997 base salary established by the terms of his employment contract. Under his
employment contract, Mr. Ashton's base salary is to increase by 5% for each of
1998, 1999 and 2000.
In January of each year for the following fiscal year, the Committee
develops and measures the CEO's non-financial objectives under the Program to
determine his eligibility for bonus payments. The CEO is eligible to receive a
bonus payment not to exceed 60% of salary based on the combination of Company
and individual objectives described above relative to the Program. The CEO was
not awarded a bonus under the Program for services rendered in fiscal year 1996.
Under the terms of his employment contract, the CEO is entitled to receive a
stock gain award as an additional incentive to the CEO to concentrate on taking
all necessary measures to enhance shareholder value. The CEO did not receive a
stock gain award for 1996.
The retirement benefit was granted to Mr. Ashton by the Company in
recognition of what will be, at the expiration of his current employment
contract, over 30 years in senior management of the Company.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
For the Company's 1996 fiscal year, Mr. Harley (Chair), Mr. Alden and Mr.
Forster were the members of the Committee.
During fiscal year 1992, Mr. Alden exercised an option for 15,000 shares and
elected to defer the purchase price of the option, as provided by the terms of
the Company's Directors' Stock Option Plan then in effect. Mr. Alden executed a
promissory note in the amount of $109,650 due five years from the date of
execution with interest at the rate of 6% per annum. Mr. Alden also elected to
borrow from the Company, on the same terms as noted above, an amount equal to
his tax liability as a result of the exercise, as provided by such plan. The
largest aggregate amount outstanding with regard to Mr. Alden's indebtedness to
the Company during fiscal year 1996 was $123,650. As of April 1, 1997, the
amount of indebtedness outstanding under Mr. Alden's notes was $123,650.
During fiscal year 1996, Mr. Alden served as trustee of a pension trust
maintained by the Company and one of its subsidiaries. Mr. Alden received a
total of $27,000 in 1996 in compensation from this trust for serving in this
capacity.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, SEVERANCE AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS
CEO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
The Company entered into an employment contract, as amended, with Mr.
Ashton, commencing January 1, 1992 and continuing until December 31, 2000,
pursuant to which Mr. Ashton would be employed as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company.
The employment contract provides that Mr. Ashton receive a minimum annual
base salary of $917,573 for calendar year 1997, which minimum annual base salary
increases by 5% for each of calendar years 1998, 1999 and 2000. If Mr. Ashton
becomes permanently disabled, dies or his employment is terminated by the
Company during the term of the contract, the Company shall pay him or his estate
his annual base salary through the date of termination or, in the event of death
or disability, through the end of the month in which the death or disability
occurs. He also will receive a lump sum payment in cash equal to the discounted
present value of 50% (100% in the event of termination without cause) of the
annual base salary he would have received through the end of the contract, or if
greater, for
I-12
<PAGE>
the twenty-four months following his termination, death or disability (in which
case Mr. Ashton's final annual base salary under the contract would be continued
for any part of the twenty-four month period occurring after December 31, 2000).
Under the employment contract, Mr. Ashton may elect to deem his employment
terminated without cause in the event of a change in control of the Company
(including the Offer as defined hereinafter) or a change in any of the material
terms and conditions of his employment. A change in control under Mr. Ashton's
employment contract would occur upon, among other things, any person becoming a
direct or indirect beneficial owner of 20% or more of the voting securities of
the Company.
Under the terms of his employment contract, Mr. Ashton is entitled to a
retirement benefit as of January 1, 1998, or, if earlier, upon his termination
of employment with the Company for any reason (except certain voluntary
terminations prior to a change in control of the Company) in an amount equal to
(i) the then-discounted present value, determined by using a discount rate of 6%
per year and the 1971 Group Annuity Table, of a monthly benefit (payable for
life) equal to 3% of his average monthly cash salary during the last 36 months
of his employment multiplied by the number of years of his service to the
Company, less (ii) $3,442,302, representing amounts previously paid to Mr.
Ashton on account of such retirement benefit, plus imputed after-tax earnings
thereon.
Under the employment contract, Mr. Ashton is entitled to participate in the
Company's incentive compensation plans and programs generally available to the
Company's senior executives, and upon execution of the employment contract was
granted an option to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. Mr.
Ashton is also entitled to receive a stock gain award determined at the end of
each calendar year based on the excess of the average of the weekly closing
prices for the Company's Common Stock for the year over the greater of (i) $7.50
(representing the average of the weekly closing price for 1991) increased by 4%
each year and (ii) the average of the weekly closing prices for the last year
for which a stock gain award was paid. The excess, if any, is then multiplied by
the product of 2% and the average number of shares outstanding for the
applicable year.
During the term of the employment contract, Mr. Ashton is entitled to
participate in all employee benefit programs and shall be reimbursed for any
medical or dental expenses incurred by him or any members of his immediate
family under the age of 26 or living at home, to the extent not otherwise paid
under Company-sponsored plans or programs. Mr. Ashton and his wife are also
entitled to fully paid medical benefits, consistent with those paid under the
contract, for the rest of their lives.
Mr. Ashton is entitled under the employment contract to indemnification
consistent with Section 26 of the By-Laws as in effect on January 1, 1992.
If any payments to be made to Mr. Ashton under the employment contract are
subject to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the
Company shall pay Mr. Ashton an additional amount which, after income and
further excise taxes, equals such excise tax.
Under the terms of the employment contract and the Agreement and Plan of
Merger between Cyrus Acquisition Corp. ("Cyrus") and the Company dated as of
November 22, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), providing for a tender offer for all
of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock for $5.50 (the "Offer")
consummation of the Offer would constitute a change in control as defined in the
employment agreement. Upon consummation of the Offer, Mr. Ashton may elect to
deem his employment terminated without cause and would be entitled to severance,
retirement and other benefits in an amount equal to approximately $7.1 million,
excluding on-going benefits and tax gross-ups. The Company expects that Mr.
Ashton will terminate his employment shortly after consummation of the Offer.
SEVERANCE AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has severance arrangements with each of the following four
executives of the Company and its subsidiary, Frank's: Robert M. Lovejoy, James
R. Simpson, J. Theodore Everingham
I-13
<PAGE>
and Ernest W. Townsend. Severance benefits are payable to each of the four
executives only in the event of a termination by the Company without cause or a
termination by the executive with good reason and only if such termination
occurs between the date of the execution of the Merger Agreement and the first
anniversary of the effective time of the Merger. Within five days following any
such qualifying termination of an executive's employment, the Company will pay
the executive a lump sum, based on the higher of the executive's annual base
salary immediately prior to the execution of the Merger Agreement or the annual
base salary immediately prior to the executive's termination of employment. In
the case of Mr. Lovejoy, the lump sum will be equal to 100% of such annual base
salary. In the case of Messrs. Simpson, Everingham and Townsend, the lump sum
will be equal to 50% of such annual base salary. In addition to the severance
payment, the Company will also pay all COBRA premiums for and provide to each
executive who has such a qualifying termination of employment continuing medical
insurance benefits which are substantially similar to the benefits provided him
immediately prior to the date of execution of the Merger Agreement (including
any coverage for spouse and dependents) for a period of one year. In the event
Messrs. Lovejoy's, Simpson's, Everingham's or Townsend's employment is
terminated on or before the first anniversary of the effective time of the
Merger by the Company without cause or by such executive for good reason, the
Company would be obligated to pay each of Messrs. Lovejoy, Simpson, Everingham
and Townsend, $183,000, $83,500, $67,500 and $200,000, respectively (calculated
using current annual base salaries) and to provide medical benefits for one year
(as described above). The obligation of the Surviving Corporation to honor these
arrangements is acknowledged by the Purchaser.
In November, 1989, the Company and a trust established for the benefit of
Mr. and Mrs. Ashton's beneficiaries entered into an agreement pursuant to which
the Company will pay the premiums for two survivorship life insurance policies
on the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Ashton. Benefits become payable when both have
died, and the Company will have an interest in the death benefits equal to the
amount it has paid for these policy premiums. Under the agreement, the Company's
obligation to make annual premium payments continues until the earliest of: (1)
the deaths of both Mr. and Mrs. Ashton; (2) the Company shall have made 12
payments of the full annual cash premiums; (3) the Company shall have paid an
aggregate of $1,500,000 for premiums; or (4) the premium payment next due after
the year in which premiums may be paid in full from the sum available from
dividends or other sums generated by the policies. The payment for these
policies for fiscal 1996 was $116,814.
CERTAIN RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Company and Frank's have loaned money to certain key employees of the
Company for the purpose of enabling them to purchase shares of the Company's
Common Stock or, in certain cases, debentures. These loans, approved by the
Committee of the Company Board, are evidenced by interest-only promissory notes
payable in lump sum payments five years from the dates made and bearing interest
at the rate of 6% per annum. The executive officers, other than Mr. Ashton, who
is discussed below, had such loans outstanding as of November 25, 1997 in the
following principal amounts: Robert M. Lovejoy, Jr., $151,614; James R. Simpson,
$90,351; and William C. Boyd, $44,744. The amounts outstanding on November 25,
1997 were the largest aggregate principal amounts outstanding during fiscal year
1997 to date. During fiscal year 1997, the Committee extended by five years a
loan to each of Mr. Lovejoy and Mr. Simpson in the principal amount of $49,851
and $21,394 respectively, which are included in the amount outstanding on
November 25, 1997. In June 1997, the Committee approved the forgiveness of the
principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, the outstanding
loans to each of Messrs. Lovejoy, Simpson and Boyd from the Company and to
defray the Company's withholding obligations with respect thereto in the event
of a change in control of the Company, provided such executive is then employed
by the Company. As of November 25, 1997, the outstanding principal amounts on
Messrs. Lovejoy's, Simpson's and Boyd's loans were $151,614, $90,351, and
$44,744, respectively, each of which will be forgiven upon consummation of the
Offer.
I-14
<PAGE>
On August 22, 1990, Mr. Ashton had outstanding deferred payments on options
totaling $831,250, which were then due the Company. On that date, Frank's made a
loan to Mr. Ashton in the amount of $831,250, the proceeds of which were used to
pay the outstanding deferred payments due the Company. The loan from Frank's was
evidenced by a promissory note bearing interest at the rate of 6% and payable in
full on August 22, 1995 (the "Old Note"). Mr. Ashton elected to prepay $177,294
of the Old Note in March, 1991 and $25,000 in February, 1992. On August 22,
1995, Frank's authorized the cancellation of the Old Note and the issuance of a
new loan to Mr. Ashton due August 22, 2000 in the principal amount of $628,956,
bearing interest at 6% per annum, subject to Mr. Ashton's payment of interest on
the Old Note in the amount of $8,479.
On March 7, 1991, Mr. Ashton elected to defer the payment of the purchase
price from the exercise of options for 225,000 shares of Common Stock in the
amount of $1,381,253, which was due March 6, 1996. Mr. Ashton elected to prepay
$25,000 of this loan in March, 1993. On March 6, 1996, Frank's made a loan to
Mr. Ashton in the amount of $1,356,253, the proceeds of which were used to pay
the outstanding deferred payments due the Company. The loan from Frank's was
evidenced by a promissory note bearing interest at the rate of 6% and payable in
full on March 6, 2001.
On December 30, 1992, Mr. Ashton elected to defer the payment of the
purchase price from the exercise of options for 60,000 shares of Common Stock in
the amount of $495,000 which would be due on December 29, 1997.
The Committee approved, effective June 2, 1997, a reduction in the
$2,480,208.50 aggregate principal amount of the promissory notes given by Mr.
Ashton to the Company to $1,231,341. The outstanding principal amount on such
promissory note was thereby reduced to the amount equal to the aggregate fair
market value on June 2, 1997 of the Shares purchased with the proceeds of the
original promissory notes. As of November 25, 1997, the Company held a
promissory note from Mr. Ashton in the principal amount of $1,231,341.
For certain other related transactions see "Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation" in this Schedule 14F-1.
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and
executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of the issued and
outstanding Shares, to file with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange initial
reports of ownership and reports of changes in beneficial ownership of Common
Stock and other equity securities of the Company. Officers, directors and
greater than ten percent shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish
the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To the Company's knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such
reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other
reports were required, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the
officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied
with during 1996.
I-15
<PAGE>
[LOGO] EXHIBIT 5
November 21, 1997
Board of Directors
General Host Corporation
One Station Place
Stamford, CT 06902
Members of the Board:
You have asked us to advise you with respect to the fairness from a financial
point of view to the stockholders of General Host Corporation (the "Company") of
the consideration to be received by such stockholders pursuant to the terms of a
proposed agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") between Cyrus
Acquisition Corp. (the "Purchaser"), a company organized by The Cypress Group
L.L.C., and the Company. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will
commence a tender offer (the "Offer") for all of the issued and outstanding
shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company (the "Company
Common Stock") at $5.50 per share in cash. Following the Offer, the Purchaser
will be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger") and, in connection
therewith, each share of Company Common Stock other than shares owned by the
Purchaser and Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement) will be
converted into the right to receive $5.50 per share in cash or any higher price
that may be paid pursuant to the Offer. The Merger Agreement requires the
Company to commence a tender offer as soon as practicable for its 11 1/2% senior
notes due 2002 (the "Debt Offer").
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed certain publicly available business
and financial information relating to the Company, as well as a draft dated
November 20, 1997 of the Merger Agreement. We have also reviewed certain other
information, including financial forecasts, provided to us by the Company and
have met with the Company's management to discuss the business and prospects of
the Company.
We have also considered certain financial and stock market data of the Company,
and we have compared those data with similar data for other publicly held
companies in businesses similar to the Company and we have considered the
financial terms of certain other business combinations and other transactions
that have recently been effected. We also considered such other information,
financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and
market criteria which we deemed relevant.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for
independent verification of any of the foregoing information and have relied on
its being complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect to the
financial forecasts, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on
bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
Company's management as to the future financial performance of the Company. In
addition, we have not been requested to make, and have not made, an independent
evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities
<PAGE>
[LOGO] Board of Directors
November 21, 1997
Page 2
(contingent or otherwise) of the Company, nor have we been furnished with any
such evaluations or appraisals. Our opinion is necessarily based upon financial,
economic, market and other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the
date hereof. We were not requested to, and did not, solicit third party
indications of interest in acquiring all or any part of the Company.
We have acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Offer
and the Merger and will receive a fee for our services, a significant portion of
which is contingent upon the consummation of the Offer. We also will act as
co-dealer manager for the Debt Offer. In the ordinary course of our business, we
and our affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities of the
Company for our and such affiliates' own accounts and for the accounts of
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities.
It is understood that this letter is for the information of the Board of
Directors of the Company in connection with its consideration of the Offer and
the Merger, does not constitute a recommendation to any holder of Company Common
Stock as to whether or not such holder should tender shares pursuant to the
Offer or how such holder should vote on the Merger, and is not to be quoted or
referred to, in whole or in part, in any registration statement, prospectus or
proxy statement, or in any other document used in connection with the offering
or sale of securities, nor shall this letter be used for any other purposes,
without our prior written consent.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date
hereof, the cash consideration to be received by the holders of Company Common
Stock in the Offer and the Merger is fair from a financial point of view to such
holders.
Very truly yours,
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
<PAGE>
OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
ALL OUTSTANDING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED COMMON STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
OF
GENERAL HOST CORPORATION
AT
$5.50 NET PER SHARE
BY
CYRUS ACQUISITION CORP.
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, (1) THERE BEING VALIDLY
TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN PURSUANT TO THE OFFER PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE
OFFER SUCH NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE (THE
"COMMON STOCK"), OF GENERAL HOST CORPORATION (THE "COMPANY"), WHICH CONSTITUTES,
ON A FULLY-DILUTED BASIS (EXCLUDING THE DILUTIVE EFFECTS OF ANY OF THE COMPANY'S
8% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2002 WHICH REMAIN OUTSTANDING AND
UNCONVERTED AT THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER), MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY OUTSTANDING ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE, (2) THE
EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF ANY APPLICABLE WAITING PERIOD UNDER THE
HART-SCOTT-RODINO ANTITRUST IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 1976, AS AMENDED, AND (3) THERE
BEING VALIDLY TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN IN THE TENDER OFFER AND CONSENT
SOLICITATION BEING CONDUCTED BY THE COMPANY CONCURRENTLY HEREWITH (THE "DEBT
OFFER") CONSENTS REPRESENTING AT LEAST A MAJORITY IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ALL OF
THE COMPANY'S OUTSTANDING 11 1/2% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2002, ALL OTHER CONDITIONS TO
THE DEBT OFFER HAVING BEEN SATISFIED OR WAIVED AND THE AMENDMENT TO THE
INDENTURE GOVERNING SUCH SENIOR NOTES CONTEMPLATED BY THE DEBT OFFER HAVING BEEN
EXECUTED AND BECOMING OPERATIVE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CONSUMMATION OF THE
DEBT OFFER. THE OFFER IS ALSO SUBJECT TO OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS. SEE THE
INTRODUCTION AND SECTIONS 1 AND 15.
--------------------------
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER
AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, INCLUDING THE OFFER AND THE
MERGER, HAS DETERMINED THAT THE TERMS OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER ARE FAIR TO,
AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF, THE HOLDERS OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE
COMPANY AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ACCEPT THE
OFFER AND TENDER THEIR SHARES TO PURCHASER PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
--------------------------
IMPORTANT
Any shareholder desiring to tender all or any portion of such shareholder's
Shares (as defined herein) (and the associated common stock purchase rights (the
"Rights")) should either (1) complete and sign the enclosed Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) in accordance with the instructions in the
Letter of Transmittal, mail or deliver the Letter of Transmittal (or such
facsimile) and any other required documents to the Depositary (as defined
herein), and either deliver the certificates representing the tendered Shares
and, if separate, the certificates representing the associated Rights and any
other required documents to the Depositary or tender such Shares (and Rights, if
applicable) pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer set forth in
Section 3 or (2) request such shareholder's broker, dealer, commercial bank,
trust company or other nominee to effect the transaction for such shareholder.
Shareholders having Shares (and Rights, if applicable) registered in the name of
a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee must contact
such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee if they
desire to tender Shares (and Rights, if applicable) so registered.
A shareholder who desires to tender Shares and Rights and whose certificates
representing such Shares (and Rights, if applicable) are not immediately
available, or who cannot deliver the certificates for Shares (and Rights, if
applicable) and all other required documents to reach the Depositary on or prior
to the Expiration Date (as defined herein), or who cannot comply with the
procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, must tender such Shares
(and Rights, if applicable) by following the procedures for guaranteed delivery
set forth in Section 3.
Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to D. F. King & Co.,
Inc. (the "Information Agent") or to Chase Securities Inc. (the "Dealer
Manager") at their respective addresses and telephone numbers set forth on the
back cover of this Offer to Purchase. Additional copies of this Offer to
Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may
also be obtained from the Information Agent or the Dealer Manager, or from
brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies.
THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER IS:
CHASE SECURITIES INC.
NOVEMBER 25, 1997
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
-----
<S> <C>
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................... 1
THE TENDER OFFER........................................................................................... 4
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
1. Terms of the Offer; Expiration Date........................................ 4
2. Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares.............................. 5
3. Procedure for Tendering Shares and Rights.................................. 6
4. Withdrawal Rights.......................................................... 9
5. Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.................................... 10
6. Price Range Of Shares; Dividends........................................... 11
7. Certain Information Concerning the Company................................. 11
8. Certain Information Concerning Purchaser and Cypress....................... 14
9. Source and Amount of Funds................................................. 15
10. Background of the Offer; Contacts with the Company......................... 15
11. The Merger Agreement; the Support Agreement................................ 17
12. Purpose of the Offer; the Merger; Plans for the Company; Rights
Agreement................................................................ 30
13. Dividends and Distributions................................................ 34
14. Effect of the Offer on the Market for the Shares, NYSE Listing and Exchange
Act Registration......................................................... 35
15. Certain Conditions of the Offer............................................ 36
16. Certain Legal Matters and Regulatory Approvals............................. 38
17. Fees and Expenses.......................................................... 40
18. Miscellaneous.............................................................. 41
</TABLE>
SCHEDULE I -- DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PURCHASER, MEMBERS OF CYPRESS
L.L.C. AND DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF ONWIST
SCHEDULE II -- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE NEW YORK SECURITY TAKEOVER
DISCLOSURE ACT
i
<PAGE>
To the Shareholders of
GENERAL HOST CORPORATION
INTRODUCTION
Cyrus Acquisition Corp., a New York corporation ("Purchaser"), hereby offers
to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per
share (the "Shares"), of General Host Corporation, a New York corporation (the
"Company"), and the associated Common Stock purchase rights (the "Rights")
issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of March 7, 1990 (as amended,
the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C., as successor to Chemical Bank, as Rights Agent (the "Rights
Agent"), at a purchase price of $5.50 per Share (and associated Rights), net to
the seller in cash without interest thereon, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase and in the related Letter of
Transmittal (which, as amended from time to time, together constitute the
"Offer"). The Rights Agreement is described in greater detail below in Section
12. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this Offer to
Purchase to Shares shall be deemed to refer also to the associated Rights, and
all references to Rights shall be deemed to include all benefits that may inure
to the shareholders of the Company or to holders of the Rights pursuant to the
Rights Agreement. In connection with the Merger Agreement (as defined below),
the Company has taken and will take all necessary action so that none of the
execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement or the Support Agreement (as
defined below), the making of the Offer, the acquisition of Shares pursuant to
the Offer and the Equity Contribution (as defined in Section 9) or the
consummation of the Merger (as defined below), the Offer, the Equity
Contribution or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will
(i) cause any Rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement to become
exercisable, (ii) cause Purchaser or any of its Affiliates (as defined in the
Rights Agreement) or Associates (as defined in the Rights Agreement) to be an
Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights Agreement) or (iii) give rise to a
Distribution Date or a Triggering Event (as each such term is defined in the
Rights Agreement). Unless and until a Distribution Date occurs, the Rights will
be transferred with and only with the Shares and, therefore, the surrender for
transfer of any of the certificates representing Shares (the "Share
Certificates"), including upon acceptance for payment of such Shares pursuant to
the Offer, will also constitute the surrender for transfer of the Rights
associated with the Shares represented by such Share Certificates. See Section
12.
Purchaser has been organized by The Cypress Group L.L.C. (together with its
affiliates, "Cypress") for the purpose of consummating the transactions
described herein. See Section 8.
Tendering shareholders will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or
commissions or, subject to Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal, stock
transfer taxes on the transfer and sale of Shares and Rights pursuant to the
Offer. Purchaser will pay all fees and expenses of Chase Securities Inc., which
is acting as Dealer Manager for the Offer, ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,
L.L.C., which is acting as the Depositary (the "Depositary"), and D. F. King &
Co., Inc., which is acting as the Information Agent, incurred in connection with
the Offer. See Section 17.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY (THE "BOARD OF DIRECTORS") HAS
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
THEREBY, INCLUDING THE OFFER AND THE MERGER (AS DEFINED BELOW), HAS DETERMINED
THAT THE TERMS OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER ARE FAIR TO, AND IN THE BEST
INTERESTS OF, THE HOLDERS OF THE SHARES, AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE
HOLDERS OF THE SHARES ACCEPT THE OFFER AND TENDER THEIR SHARES TO PURCHASER
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
The Board of Directors has received an opinion dated November 21, 1997 of
Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation ("Credit Suisse First Boston"), financial
advisor to the Company, that, as of such
1
<PAGE>
date and based upon and subject to the matters set forth therein, the $5.50 per
Share cash consideration to be received by holders of Shares in the Offer and
the Merger was fair from a financial point of view to such holders. A copy of
the opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston is attached to the Company's
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 (the "Schedule 14D-9"),
which is being distributed to the shareholders of the Company, and shareholders
are urged to read the opinion carefully in its entirety.
THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, (1) THERE BEING VALIDLY
TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN PURSUANT TO THE OFFER PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE
(AS DEFINED IN SECTION 1) SUCH NUMBER OF SHARES WHICH CONSTITUTES, ON A
FULLY-DILUTED BASIS (EXCLUDING THE DILUTIVE EFFECTS OF ANY OF THE COMPANY'S 8%
CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2002 (THE "CONVERTIBLE NOTES") WHICH REMAIN
OUTSTANDING AND UNCONVERTED AT THE EXPIRATION DATE), MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THE
SHARES ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE (THE "MINIMUM CONDITION"), (2) THE EXPIRATION OR
TERMINATION OF ANY APPLICABLE WAITING PERIOD UNDER THE HART-SCOTT-RODINO
ANTITRUST IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 1976, AS AMENDED (THE "HSR ACT") (THE "HSR ACT
CONDITION") (SEE SECTIONS 1 AND 15), AND (3) THERE BEING VALIDLY TENDERED AND
NOT WITHDRAWN IN THE TENDER OFFER AND CONSENT SOLICITATION BEING CONDUCTED BY
THE COMPANY CONCURRENTLY HEREWITH (THE "DEBT OFFER") CONSENTS REPRESENTING AT
LEAST A MAJORITY IN PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ALL OF THE COMPANY'S OUTSTANDING 11 1/2%
SENIOR NOTES DUE 2002 (THE "SENIOR NOTES"), ALL OTHER CONDITIONS TO THE DEBT
OFFER HAVING BEEN SATISFIED OR WAIVED AND THE AMENDMENT TO THE INDENTURE
GOVERNING SUCH SENIOR NOTES (THE "SENIOR NOTE INDENTURE") CONTEMPLATED BY THE
DEBT OFFER HAVING BEEN EXECUTED AND BECOMING OPERATIVE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE
CONSUMMATION OF THE DEBT OFFER (THE "DEBT OFFER CONDITION"). THE OFFER IS ALSO
SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS. SEE SECTIONS 1 AND 15. IF
PURCHASER PURCHASES AT LEAST THAT NUMBER OF SHARES NEEDED TO SATISFY THE MINIMUM
CONDITION, IT WILL BE ABLE TO EFFECT THE MERGER WITHOUT THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF
ANY OTHER SHAREHOLDER OF THE COMPANY. SEE SECTION 12.
The Offer is being made pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of November 22, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"), between Purchaser and the
Company. The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, for the making of
the Offer by Purchaser, and further provides that, following the completion of
the Offer, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement,
and in accordance with the New York Business Corporation Law (the "NYBCL"),
Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"). Following the
Merger, the Company will continue as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving
Corporation") and the separate corporate existence of Purchaser will cease. See
Section 11.
At the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), each Share
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
Shares owned by the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company
and Shares owned by Purchaser, which shall be cancelled, and other than Shares,
if any (collectively, "Dissenting Shares"), held by shareholders who have
properly exercised and perfected appraisal rights under Sections 623 and 910 of
the NYBCL) will, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of
the holders of the Shares, be converted into the right to receive $5.50 in cash,
payable to the holder thereof, without interest, upon surrender of the
certificate formerly representing such Share, less any required withholding
taxes (the "Merger Consideration"). Immediately following the Merger, Cypress
will own all the outstanding capital stock of the Surviving Corporation.
As described above, the Offer is subject to, among other things, the Debt
Offer Condition. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company is conducting the
Debt Offer concurrently herewith. See Section 11. The Debt Offer is conditioned
upon, among other things, the receipt of valid tenders (together with consents
to the amendments to the Senior Note Indenture described in the Debt Offer) of
at least a majority in principal amount of all the outstanding Notes and the
consummation of the Financing (as defined in Section 11) to be provided to the
Company to fund, among other things, the tender and consent consideration in the
Debt Offer. Cypress has received a commitment letter from The Chase
2
<PAGE>
Manhattan Bank, Chase Securities Inc. and Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.
with respect to the aggregate $220 million Financing to be provided to the
Company, which commitment remains subject to customary conditions, including the
negotiation, execution and delivery of definitive documentation with respect
thereto.
The Merger Agreement is more fully described in Section 11. Certain federal
income tax consequences of the sale of the Shares pursuant to the Offer and the
exchange of Shares for the Merger Consideration pursuant to the Merger are
described in Section 5.
The Company has represented to Purchaser that as of the close of business on
November 2, 1997, there were 24,413,686 Shares issued and outstanding and
1,322,688 Shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options. Based
upon the foregoing, Purchaser believes that 17,157,583 Shares constitutes
two-thirds of the outstanding Shares on a fully-diluted basis (excluding the
dilutive effects of any Convertible Notes which remain outstanding and
unconverted at the Expiration Date).
Since the Convertible Notes can be converted into Shares at a conversion
price of $8.53466 per Share, a price significantly in excess of the price per
share to be paid in the Offer and the Merger, it is not expected that any of the
Convertible Notes would be so converted. However, if all of the currently
outstanding Convertible Notes were so converted into Shares prior to the
Expiration Date, the Company has represented to Purchaser that an additional
7,616,003 Shares would be outstanding. In such an event, based upon the
foregoing, Purchaser believes that 22,234,918 Shares would constitute two-thirds
of the outstanding Shares on a fully-diluted basis.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the record date for any shareholders
meeting required to approve the Merger is to be the time immediately following
the consummation of the Offer so that Purchaser is the holder of record for
purposes of such vote of the Shares acquired in the Offer which Shares will
constitute in excess of two-thirds of the issued and outstanding Shares of
record at such record date assuming the Minimum Condition was satisfied. In
addition, if following the consummation of the Offer the number of outstanding
Shares increases, including as a result of the conversion of any Convertible
Notes, the Merger Agreement permits Purchaser to purchase from the Company at a
price per share equal to the cash price paid in the Offer and the Merger
additional Shares as may be needed to maintain ownership of at least two-thirds
of the outstanding Shares. As a result, if the Minimum Condition is satisfied
and Purchaser acquires Shares pursuant to the Offer, it is expected that
Purchaser will have the power to approve the Merger Agreement without the
affirmative vote of any other shareholder. See Section 11.
Simultaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement and as a condition
to the willingness of Purchaser to proceed with the Offer and the Merger, Harris
J. Ashton, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company (the
"Supporting Shareholder"), entered into a Support Agreement (the "Support
Agreement") with Purchaser, pursuant to which, among other things, the
Supporting Shareholder agreed to tender his Shares to Purchaser pursuant to the
Offer, and, so long as the Offer is continuing, to vote his Shares in favor of
the Merger, the Merger Agreement, or any of the other transactions contemplated
by the Merger Agreement and against any competing transaction. As of the date of
the Support Agreement, the Supporting Shareholder held 1,532,157 Shares,
representing approximately 6.3% of the currently outstanding Shares, and had the
right to receive an additional 540,000 Shares, representing approximately an
additional 2.2%, through the exercise of options. See Section 11.
The Company has stated that, to the best knowledge of the Company, each
director and executive officer of the Company intends to tender his/her Shares
pursuant to the Offer, subject to personal tax and other considerations,
including the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Directors and
executive officers of the Company hold approximately 16% of the currently
outstanding Shares.
3
<PAGE>
THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHICH SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE
WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER.
THE TENDER OFFER
1. TERMS OF THE OFFER; EXPIRATION DATE. Upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the
terms and conditions of such extension or amendment), Purchaser will accept for
payment and pay for all Shares validly tendered on or prior to the Expiration
Date and not properly withdrawn as permitted by Section 4. The term "Expiration
Date" means 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday, December 23, 1997,
unless and until Purchaser, in its sole discretion (but subject to the terms and
conditions of the Merger Agreement), shall have extended the period during which
the Offer is open, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the
latest time and date at which the Offer, as so extended by Purchaser, shall
expire.
The Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, satisfaction of the
Minimum Condition, the HSR Act Condition, the Debt Offer Condition and certain
other conditions. See Section 15, which sets forth in full the conditions to the
Offer. Subject to the provisions of the Merger Agreement and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), Purchaser reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive
any or all conditions to the Offer (other than the Minimum Condition) and to
modify the terms of the Offer. Subject to the applicable rules and regulations
of the Commission, if by the Expiration Date any or all of the conditions to the
Offer have not been satisfied, Purchaser reserves the right (but shall not be
obligated) to (i) terminate the Offer and return all tendered Shares to
tendering shareholders, (ii) waive such unsatisfied conditions and purchase all
Shares validly tendered or (iii) extend the Offer and, subject to the terms of
the Offer (including the rights of shareholders to withdraw their Shares),
retain the Shares which have been tendered until the termination of the Offer,
as extended.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Purchaser has expressly reserved
the right, in its sole discretion, to make any other changes in the terms and
conditions of the Offer, PROVIDED that Purchaser will not, without the prior
written consent of the Company, make any change which decreases the price per
Share payable in the Offer, changes the form of consideration payable in the
Offer (other than by adding consideration), reduces the maximum number of Shares
to be purchased in the Offer, or imposes conditions to the Offer in addition to
those set forth in the Merger Agreement which are adverse to holders of the
Shares. Under the Merger Agreement Purchaser has the right, in its sole
discretion, to extend the Offer from time to time for up to an aggregate of 20
business days, notwithstanding the prior satisfaction of the conditions to the
Offer, or as specified in the previous paragraph. Subject to the applicable
rules and regulations of the Commission and the provisions of the Merger
Agreement described above in this paragraph, Purchaser expressly reserves the
right, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, and regardless
of whether or not any of the events set forth in Section 15 shall have occurred,
to (i) extend the period of time during which the Offer is open and thereby
delay acceptance for payment of, and the payment for, any Shares, by giving oral
or written notice of such extension to the Depositary or (ii) amend the Offer in
any respect by giving oral or written notice of such amendment to the
Depositary. During any such extension, all Shares previously tendered and not
properly withdrawn will remain subject to the Offer, subject to the right of a
tendering shareholder to withdraw such shareholder's Shares.
Any extension, delay, termination, waiver or amendment of the Offer will be
followed as promptly as practicable by public announcement thereof, and such
announcement in the case of an extension will be made in accordance with Rule
14e-1(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, no later than
9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously
scheduled Expiration Date. Without limiting the manner in which Purchaser may
choose to make any public announcement, except as provided by applicable law
(including Rules 14d-4(c) and 14d-6(d) under the
4
<PAGE>
Exchange Act, which require that material changes be promptly disseminated to
holders of Shares), Purchaser shall have no obligation to publish, advertise or
otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by issuing a
release to the Dow Jones News Service.
If Purchaser makes a material change in the terms of the Offer or if it
waives a material condition of the Offer, Purchaser will disseminate additional
tender offer material and extend the Offer to the extent required by Rules
14d-4(c), 14d-6(d) and 14e-1 under the Exchange Act. The minimum period during
which an offer must remain open following material changes in the terms of the
offer, other than a change in price or a change in the percentage of securities
sought, will depend upon the facts and circumstances, including the materiality,
of the changes. With respect to a change in price or, subject to certain
limitations, a change in the percentage of securities sought, a minimum ten
business day period from the day of such change is generally required to allow
for adequate dissemination to shareholders. For purposes of the Offer, a
"business day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or a federal holiday
and consists of the time period from 12:01 A.M. through 12:00 Midnight, New York
City time.
The Company has provided Purchaser with the Company's shareholder list and
security position listings for the purpose of disseminating the Offer to holders
of Shares. This Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal and
other relevant materials will be mailed by Purchaser to record holders of Shares
and furnished to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and similar
persons whose names, or the names of whose nominees, appear on the shareholder
list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing agency's
security position listing, for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of
Shares.
2. ACCEPTANCE FOR PAYMENT AND PAYMENT FOR SHARES. Upon the terms and subject
to the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended,
the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), Purchaser will
accept for payment and will pay for all Shares validly tendered and not properly
withdrawn on or prior to the Expiration Date as soon as practicable after the
later to occur of (i) the Expiration Date and (ii) the satisfaction or waiver of
the conditions of the Offer set forth in Section 15, including without
limitation the Minimum Condition, the HSR Act Condition and the Debt Offer
Condition. In addition, subject to applicable rules of the Commission, Purchaser
expressly reserves the right to delay acceptance for payment of or payment for
Shares pending receipt of any other regulatory approvals specified in Section
16. Any such delays will be effected in compliance with Rule 14e-1(c) under the
Exchange Act.
For information with respect to approvals required to be obtained prior to
the consummation of the Offer, including the HSR Act, see Section 16.
In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant
to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of (i)
Share Certificates and, if applicable, certificates evidencing the Rights
("Rights Certificates"), or timely confirmation (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of
a book-entry transfer of such Shares and, if applicable, Rights into the
Depositary's account at The Depository Trust Company or the Philadelphia
Depository Trust Company (each a "Book-Entry Transfer Facility" and,
collectively, the "Book-Entry Transfer Facilities") pursuant to the procedures
set forth in Section 3, (ii) the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof),
properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, or
an Agent's Message (as defined below) in connection with a book-entry transfer,
and (iii) any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.
The term "Agent's Message" means a message transmitted by a Book-Entry
Transfer Facility to and received by the Depositary and forming a part of a
Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that such Book-Entry Transfer Facility has
received an express acknowledgment from the participant in such Book-Entry
Transfer Facility tendering the Shares and, if applicable, Rights that such
participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of
Transmittal and that Purchaser may enforce such agreement against such
participant.
5
<PAGE>
Prior to a Distribution Date, a valid tender of Shares will also constitute
a tender of the associated Rights. If Rights Certificates have been distributed
to holders of Shares, such holders are required to tender, or make book-entry
transfer of, Rights Certificates representing the Rights associated with the
Shares being tendered in order to effect a valid tender of such Shares. See
Section 12.
For purposes of the Offer, Purchaser will be deemed to have accepted for
payment (and thereby purchased) Shares validly tendered and not properly
withdrawn as, if and when Purchaser gives oral or written notice to the
Depositary of Purchaser's acceptance for payment of such Shares pursuant to the
Offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, payment for
Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made by deposit of the
purchase price therefor with the Depositary, which will act as agent for
tendering shareholders for the purpose of receiving payments from Purchaser and
transmitting such payments to shareholders whose Shares have been accepted for
payment. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL INTEREST ON THE PURCHASE PRICE FOR SHARES
BE PAID BY PURCHASER, REGARDLESS OF ANY EXTENSION OF THE OFFER OR ANY DELAY IN
MAKING SUCH PAYMENT. If, for any reason whatsoever, acceptance for payment of or
payment for any Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer is delayed or Purchaser is
unable to accept for payment or pay for Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer,
then without prejudice to Purchaser's rights set forth herein, the Depositary
may nevertheless, on behalf of Purchaser and subject to Rule 14e-1(c) under the
Exchange Act, retain tendered Shares and such Shares may not be withdrawn except
to the extent that the tendering shareholder is entitled to and duly exercises
withdrawal rights as described in Section 4.
If any tendered Shares are not accepted for payment for any reason or if
Share Certificates are submitted for more Shares than are tendered, Share
Certificates evidencing unpurchased or untendered Shares will be returned
without expense to the tendering shareholder (or, in the case of Shares tendered
by book-entry transfer into the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer
Facility pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3, such Shares will be
credited to an account maintained at such Book-Entry Transfer Facility), in each
case with the related Rights Certificates, if any, as promptly as practicable
following the expiration, termination or withdrawal of the Offer.
Purchaser reserves the right to transfer or assign, in whole or from time to
time in part, to one or more of its affiliates the right to purchase all or any
portion of the Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, but any such transfer or
assignment will not relieve Purchaser of its obligations under the Offer and
will in no way prejudice the rights of tendering shareholders to receive payment
for Shares validly tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer.
3. PROCEDURE FOR TENDERING SHARES AND RIGHTS.
VALID TENDERS. Except as set forth below, in order for Shares to be validly
tendered pursuant to the Offer, the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile
thereof), properly completed and duly executed, together with any required
signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message in connection with a book-entry
delivery of Shares, and any other documents required by the Letter of
Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set
forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase on or prior to the Expiration
Date and either (i) Share Certificates and, if applicable, Rights Certificates
evidencing tendered Shares and Rights must be received by the Depositary at such
address or such Shares and Rights must be tendered pursuant to the procedure for
book-entry transfer described below and a Book-Entry Confirmation must be
received by the Depositary, in each case on or prior to the Expiration Date or
(ii) the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied with.
RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. Prior to a Distribution Date, a valid tender of Shares
will also constitute a tender of the associated Rights. If a Distribution Date
has occurred and Rights Certificates have been distributed to such holders prior
to the date of tender pursuant to the Offer, Rights Certificates representing
the Rights associated with the Shares being tendered must be delivered to the
Depositary or, if available, a Book-Entry Confirmation must be received by the
Depositary with respect thereto, in order for such Shares to be validly
tendered. If a Distribution Date has occurred and Rights Certificates have not
been
6
<PAGE>
distributed prior to the time Shares are tendered pursuant to the Offer, Rights
may be tendered prior to a shareholder receiving Rights Certificates by use of
the guaranteed delivery procedures described below. A tender of Shares without
Rights Certificates as set forth above constitutes an agreement by the tendering
shareholder to deliver Rights Certificates representing a number of Rights equal
to the number of Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer to the Depositary within
three business days after the date Rights Certificates are distributed. See
Section 1.
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER. The Depositary will make a request to establish
accounts with respect to the Shares at the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities for
purposes of the Offer within two business days after the date of this Offer to
Purchase. Any financial institution that is a participant in the system of any
Book-Entry Transfer Facility may make book-entry delivery of Shares by causing
such Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Shares into the Depositary's
account at such Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with such Book-Entry
Transfer Facility's procedures for such transfer. However, although delivery of
Shares may be effected through book-entry transfer at a Book-Entry Transfer
Facility, the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed
and duly executed, together with any required signature guarantees, or an
Agent's Message in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, must in any case be received by
the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer
to Purchase on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the guaranteed delivery
procedures described below must be complied with. If a Distribution Date occurs,
to the extent that the Rights become eligible for book-entry transfer under
procedures established by a particular Book-Entry Transfer Facility, the
Depositary will make a request to establish an account with respect to the
Rights at such Book-Entry Transfer Facility as soon as practicable. If book-
entry delivery of Rights is available, the foregoing book-entry transfer
procedure will also apply to Rights. However, no assurance can be given that
book-entry delivery of Rights will be available. If book-entry delivery is not
available and if separate Rights Certificates have been issued, a tendering
shareholder is not relieved of delivery requirements hereunder and thus will be
required to tender Rights by means of actual physical delivery of Rights
Certificates to the Depositary or pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures
set forth below.
DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SUCH BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY'S PROCEDURES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO
THE DEPOSITARY.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF SHARE CERTIFICATES AND, IF APPLICABLE, RIGHTS
CERTIFICATES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH ANY
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING
SHAREHOLDER AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY
THE DEPOSITARY (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY
CONFIRMATION). IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES. Signatures on Letters of Transmittal must be
guaranteed by a firm which is a bank, broker, dealer, credit union, savings
association or other entity which is a member in good standing of the Securities
Transfer Agents Medallion Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (each
of the foregoing being referred to as an "Eligible Institution"), except in
cases where Shares are tendered (i) by a registered holder of Shares who has not
completed either the box labeled "Special Payment Instructions" or the box
labeled "Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for
the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instructions 1 and 5 of the Letter
of Transmittal.
If the Share Certificates and, if applicable, Rights Certificates are
registered in the name of a person other than the signer of the Letter of
Transmittal, or if payment is to be made, or Share Certificates and, if
applicable, Rights Certificates not accepted for payment or not tendered are to
be returned, to a person other than the registered holder, the Share
Certificates and, if applicable, Rights Certificates must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as the
name of
7
<PAGE>
the registered holder appears on such certificates, with the signatures on such
certificates or stock powers guaranteed as aforesaid. See Instructions 1 and 5
of the Letter of Transmittal.
If Share Certificates and, if applicable, Rights Certificates are forwarded
separately to the Depositary, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) must accompany each such Delivery.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY. If a shareholder desires to tender Shares and Rights
pursuant to the Offer and such shareholder's Share Certificates and, if
applicable, Rights Certificates are not immediately available, or such
shareholder cannot deliver the Share Certificates and, if applicable, Rights
Certificates and all other required documents to reach the Depositary on or
prior to the Expiration Date, or such shareholder cannot complete the procedure
for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, such Shares and Rights
may nevertheless be tendered, provided that all of the following conditions are
satisfied:
(i) such tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution;
(ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery substantially in the form made available by Purchaser is received
by the Depositary as provided below on or prior to the Expiration Date; and
(iii) the Share Certificates and, if applicable, Rights Certificates (or
a Book-Entry Confirmation) representing all tendered Shares and Rights in
proper form for transfer, together with the Letter of Transmittal (or a
facsimile thereof) properly completed and duly executed, with any required
signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent's
Message) and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal are
received by the Depositary within three New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE")
trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted by
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or mail to the Depositary and must
include a guarantee by an Eligible Institution and a representation that the
shareholder owns the Shares and Rights tendered within the meaning of, and that
the tender of the Shares and Rights effected thereby complies with, Rule 14e-4
under the Exchange Act, each in the form set forth in such Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery.
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, payment for Shares and Rights
accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will in all cases be made only after
timely receipt by the Depositary of Share Certificates and, if applicable,
Rights Certificates, for, or of Book-Entry Confirmation with respect to, such
Shares and Rights, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal
(or a facsimile thereof), together with any required signature guarantees (or,
in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent's Message), and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal. Accordingly, payment might not
be made to all tendering shareholders at the same time and will depend upon when
Share Certificates and, if applicable, Rights Certificates or Book-Entry
Confirmations with respect to such Shares and Rights are received into the
Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility.
APPOINTMENT AS PROXY. By executing the Letter of Transmittal, a tendering
shareholder irrevocably appoints designees of Purchaser and each of them as such
shareholder's attorneys-in-fact and proxies, with full power of substitution, in
the manner set forth in the Letter of Transmittal, to the full extent of such
shareholder's rights with respect to the Shares tendered by such shareholder and
accepted for payment by Purchaser (and with respect to any and all other Shares
or other securities issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after the
date hereof). All such powers of attorney and proxies shall be considered
irrevocable and coupled with an interest in the tendered Shares. Such
appointment will be effective when, and only to the extent that, Purchaser
accepts such Shares for payment. Upon such acceptance for payment, all prior
powers of attorney and proxies given by such shareholder with respect to such
Shares (and such other Shares and other securities) will be revoked without
further action, and
8
<PAGE>
no subsequent powers of attorney and proxies may be given nor any subsequent
written consents executed (and, if given or executed, will not be deemed
effective). The designees of Purchaser will, with respect to the Shares (and
such other Shares and other securities) for which such appointment is effective,
be empowered to exercise all voting and other rights of such shareholder as they
in their sole discretion may deem proper at any annual or special meeting of the
Company's shareholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof, by written
consent in lieu of any such meeting or otherwise. Purchaser reserves the right
to require that, in order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately
upon Purchaser's payment for such Shares, Purchaser must be able to exercise
full voting rights with respect to such Shares and other securities, including
voting at any meeting of shareholders.
DETERMINATION OF VALIDITY. All questions as to the validity, form,
eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender
of Shares will be determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion, which
determination shall be final and binding. Purchaser reserves the absolute right
to reject any and all tenders determined by it not to be in proper form or the
acceptance for payment of which may in the opinion of its counsel be unlawful.
Purchaser also reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the
Offer (subject to the provisions of the Merger Agreement) or any defect or
irregularity in any tender of Shares of any particular shareholder whether or
not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of other
shareholders. No tender of Shares will be deemed to have been validly made until
all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. None of Purchaser, any
of its affiliates or assigns, the Dealer Manager, the Depositary, the
Information Agent or any other person will be under any duty to give
notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or incur any liability
for failure to give any such notification. Purchaser's interpretation of the
terms and conditions of the Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal and the
instructions thereto) will be final and binding.
BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING AND SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. Under the
"backup withholding" provisions of federal income tax law, the Depositary may be
required to withhold 31% of the amount of any payments of cash pursuant to the
Offer. In order to avoid backup withholding, each shareholder surrendering
Shares in the Offer must, unless an exemption applies, provide the payor of such
cash with such shareholder's correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN") on a
substitute Form W-9 and certify, under penalties of perjury, that such TIN is
correct and that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding. If a
shareholder does not provide its correct TIN or fails to provide the
certifications described above, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") may impose
a penalty on such shareholder and payment of cash to such shareholder pursuant
to the Offer may be subject to backup withholding of 31%. All shareholders
surrendering Shares pursuant to the Offer should complete and sign the
substitute Form W-9 included in the Letter of Transmittal to provide the
information and certification necessary to avoid backup withholding (unless an
applicable exemption exists and is proved in a manner satisfactory to the
Depositary). Certain shareholders (including, among others, all corporations and
certain foreign individuals and entities) are not subject to backup withholding.
Noncorporate foreign shareholders should complete and sign a Form W-8,
Certificate of Foreign Status, a copy of which may be obtained from the
Depositary, in order to avoid backup withholding. See Instruction 9 of the
Letter of Transmittal.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS. Purchaser's acceptance for payment of Shares tendered
pursuant to any of the procedures described above will constitute a binding
agreement between the tendering shareholder and Purchaser upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the tendering shareholder's
representation and warranty that the shareholder is the holder of the Shares and
Rights within the meaning of, and that the tender of the Shares complies with,
Rule 14e-4 under the Exchange Act.
4. WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS. Tenders of Shares made pursuant to the Offer are
irrevocable, except that Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn
at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date and, unless theretofore accepted
for payment by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer, may also be withdrawn at any
time after January 24, 1998 (or such later date as may apply in case the Offer
is extended).
9
<PAGE>
If Purchaser extends the Offer, is delayed in its acceptance for payment of
Shares or is unable to purchase Shares validly tendered pursuant to the Offer
for any reason, then without prejudice to Purchaser's rights under the Offer,
the Depositary may nevertheless, on behalf of Purchaser, retain tendered Shares
and such Shares may not be withdrawn except to the extent that tendering
shareholders are entitled to withdrawal rights as described in this Section 4.
Any such delay in acceptance for payment will be accompanied by an extension of
the Offer to the extent required by law.
For a withdrawal to be effective, a written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile
transmission notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Depositary at
one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase. Any
notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Shares
to be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn and the name of the
registered holder, if different from that of the person who tendered such
Shares. If Share Certificates or, if applicable, Rights Certificates to be
withdrawn have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Depositary, then
prior to the physical release of such certificates, the serial numbers shown on
such certificates must be submitted to the Depositary and the signatures on the
notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless such
Shares have been tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Shares
have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer as set
forth in Section 3, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of
the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the
withdrawn Shares, in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if
delivered to the Depositary by any method of delivery described in the first
sentence of this paragraph. A withdrawal of Shares or Rights shall also
constitute a withdrawal of the associated Rights or Shares, as applicable.
All questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any
notice of withdrawal will be determined by Purchaser, in its sole discretion,
whose determination will be final and binding. None of Purchaser, any of its
affiliates or assigns, the Dealer Manager, the Depositary, the Information Agent
or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects
or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure
to give any such notification.
Withdrawals of Shares may not be rescinded. Any Shares properly withdrawn
will thereafter be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the
Offer. However, withdrawn Shares may be re-tendered at any time prior to the
Expiration Date by following one of the procedures described in Section 3.
5. CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES. The summary of tax consequences
set forth below is for general information only and is based on the law as
currently in effect. The tax treatment of each shareholder will depend in part
upon such shareholder's particular situation. Special tax consequences not
described herein may be applicable to particular classes of taxpayers, such as
financial institutions, broker-dealers, persons who are not citizens or
residents of the United States, shareholders who acquired their Shares through
the exercise of an employee stock option or otherwise as compensation, and
persons who received payments in respect of options to acquire Shares. ALL
SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE OFFER AND THE MERGER TO THEM, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY
AND EFFECT OF THE ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX AND ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN INCOME
AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND CHANGES IN SUCH TAX LAWS.
The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer or the Merger will be a taxable
transaction for Federal income tax purposes under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and may also be a taxable transaction under applicable state,
local, foreign income or other tax laws. Generally, for Federal income tax
purposes, a shareholder will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the
difference between the cash received by the shareholder pursuant to the Offer or
the Merger and the shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the Shares and the
associated Rights tendered by the shareholder and purchased pursuant to the
Offer or the Merger. For Federal income tax purposes, such gain or loss will be
a capital gain or loss if the Shares are a capital asset in the hands of the
shareholder, and a long-term capital gain or loss if the
10
<PAGE>
shareholder's holding period is more than one year as of the date Purchaser
accepts such Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer or the effective date of
the Merger, as the case may be. There are limitations on the deductibility of
capital losses. Long-term capital gains of individuals are eligible for reduced
rates of taxation, with additional rate reductions applicable to gains from
capital assets held for more than 18 months. INDIVIDUALS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR
OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX TREATMENT OF CAPITAL GAINS AND LOSSES.
6. PRICE RANGE OF SHARES; DIVIDENDS. The Shares are listed and traded on the
NYSE under the symbol "GH". The following table sets forth, for the quarters
indicated, the high and low sales prices per Share on the NYSE as reported by
IDD Information Services/Tradeline, a subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co., Inc. The
Company did not pay cash dividends on the Shares during the periods described
below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SALES PRICE*
--------------------
<S> <C> <C>
HIGH LOW
--------- ---------
Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 1996:
First Quarter.............................................................................. $ 6.349 $ 4.211
Second Quarter............................................................................. $ 6.916 $ 5.102
Third Quarter.............................................................................. $ 6.122 $ 4.308
Fourth Quarter............................................................................. $ 4.535 $ 3.288
Fiscal Year Ended January 26, 1997:
First Quarter.............................................................................. $ 4.082 $ 3.214
Second Quarter............................................................................. $ 3.571 $ 2.262
Third Quarter.............................................................................. $ 2.857 $ 2.262
Fourth Quarter............................................................................. $ 3.690 $ 2.381
Fiscal Year Ending January 25, 1998:
First Quarter.............................................................................. $ 3.929 $ 2.976
Second Quarter............................................................................. $ 4.625 $ 2.875
Third Quarter.............................................................................. $ 4.125 $ 2.812
Fourth Quarter (through November 21, 1997)................................................. $ 3.750 $ 3.188
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Five percent stock dividends were paid on April 5, 1996 and April 4, 1997,
and the prices presented in this table have been adjusted for the
aforementioned stock dividends for all periods presented.
On November 21, 1997, the last full trading day prior to announcement of the
Offer, the closing sale price per Share reported on the NYSE was $3 7/16. On
November 24, 1997, the last full trading day before commencement of the Offer,
the closing sale price per Share reported on the NYSE was $5 5/16 . SHAREHOLDERS
ARE URGED TO OBTAIN A CURRENT MARKET QUOTATION FOR THE SHARES.
The Rights are currently attached to the outstanding Shares and may not be
traded separately. If a Distribution Date occurs, the Rights could begin trading
separately from the Shares. See Section 12. IN SUCH EVENT, SHAREHOLDERS ARE
URGED TO OBTAIN A CURRENT MARKET QUOTATION, IF ANY, FOR THE RIGHTS. Holders of
Shares are required to tender the Rights associated with each Share tendered in
order to effect a valid tender of such Share. Accordingly, if a Distribution
Date occurs, shareholders who sell their Rights separately from their Shares and
do not otherwise acquire Rights may not be able to satisfy the requirements of
the Offer for a valid tender of Shares.
7. CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE COMPANY. The summary information
concerning the Company in this Section 7 and elsewhere in this Offer to Purchase
is derived from the 1995 Annual Report, the 1996 Annual Report, the Company's
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended August 11, 1996 and
August 10, 1997, other publicly available information and other information
provided by the Company. The summary information set forth below is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the publicly available reports of the Company
(which may be obtained and inspected as
11
<PAGE>
described below) and should be considered in conjunction with the more
comprehensive financial and other information in such reports and other publicly
available reports and documents filed by the Company with the Commission and
other publicly available information. Although Purchaser does not have any
knowledge that would indicate that any statements contained herein based upon
such reports are untrue, Purchaser does not assume any responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of the information contained in such reports, or for
any failure by the Company to disclose events that may have occurred and may
affect the significance or accuracy of any such information but which are
unknown to Purchaser.
GENERAL. The Company is a New York corporation with its principal executive
offices located at One Station Place, P.O. Box 10045 Stamford, CT 06904.
The Company, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, operates a chain of
specialty retail stores devoted to the sale of lawn and garden products, crafts,
Christmas merchandise and pet food and supplies.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Set forth below are certain selected consolidated
financial data for the Company's last three fiscal years which were derived from
the 1996 Annual Report and the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarters ended August 11, 1996 and August 10, 1997. More comprehensive
financial information is included in the reports (including management's
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations) and
other documents filed by the Company with the Commission, and the following
financial data are qualified in their entirety by reference to such reports and
other documents including the financial information and related notes contained
therein. Such reports and other documents may be examined and copies thereof may
be obtained from the offices of the Commission and the NYSE in the manner set
forth below.
12
<PAGE>
GENERAL HOST CORPORATION
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TWENTY-EIGHT
WEEKS ENDED
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY ---------------------------
---------------------------------- AUGUST 10, AUGUST 11,
1997 1996 1995 1997 1996
-------- -------- -------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales..................................................... $530,752 $593,270 $567,987 $ 302,697 $ 298,217
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income
taxes.................................................... $(10,740) $ (4,964) $ 4,073 $ 3,325 $ 3,711
Income (loss) from continuing operations.................. $(10,740) $ (4,339)(1) $ 8,585(2)(3) $ 3,325 $ 3,451
Net income (loss)......................................... $(10,740) $ (7,339) $ 8,585 $ 3,325 $ 3,451
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations(4)..... $ (.44) $ (.18)(1) $ .35(2)(3)
Net income (loss) per share(4)............................ $ (.44) $ (.30) $ .35 $ .14 $ .14
Cash dividends per share(5)............................... $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Average shares outstanding(4)............................. 24,414 24,416 24,411 24,414 24,414
Total current assets...................................... $139,986 $131,303 $182,871 $ 159,981 $ 143,248
Total year-end assets..................................... $386,422 $395,785 $464,858 $ 394,188 $ 397,532
Total current liabilities................................. $ 86,717 $ 86,109 $109,422 $ 91,154 $ 79,915
Long-term debt, including current portion................. $195,015 $191,872 $234,005 $ 193,792 $ 195,952
Shareholders' equity...................................... $ 99,495 $110,228 $117,650 $ 103,440 $ 113,679
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Includes $600 of income tax reserves no longer required.
(2) Includes a net gain of $3,612 from the sale of the Company's investment in
Sunbelt Nursery Group, Inc.
(3) Includes $1,000 of income tax reserves no longer required.
(4) Share and per share data have been restated to reflect the 5% stock
dividends distributed in April of each year.
(5) In lieu of a cash dividend a 5% stock dividend was distributed in April of
each year.
THIRD QUARTER 1997. In connection with the negotiations relating to the
Merger Agreement (see Section 10), the Company provided Cypress certain
preliminary sales and earnings results for the third quarter ended November 2,
1997, including: preliminary sales of $82,481,000; preliminary pre-tax loss of
$17,800,000, and preliminary net loss per Share of $.73. In providing this
information to Cypress, the Company cautioned Cypress that the disclosed results
were preliminary in nature and that actual third-quarter sales and earnings
results, due to be completed and released in mid-December 1997, may differ.
The Shares are registered under the Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Company
is subject to the informational filing requirements of the Exchange Act and in
accordance therewith is obligated to file periodic reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Commission relating to its business, financial
condition and other matters. Information as of particular dates concerning the
Company's directors and officers, their compensation, options granted to them,
the principal holders of the Company's securities and any material interest of
such persons in transactions with the Company is required to be disclosed in
such proxy statements and distributed to the Company's shareholders and filed
with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information should
be available for inspection at the public reference facilities of the Commission
located in Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and
should also be available for inspection and copying at prescribed rates at the
regional offices of the Commission located at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and Seven World Trade Center, Suite
1300, New York, New York 10048. Such reports, proxy statements and other
information may also be obtained at the Web site that the Commission maintains
at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of this material may also be obtained by mail,
upon payment of the Commission's customary fees, from the Commission's principal
office at 450 Fifth Street,
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N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition, such material should also be
available for inspection at the library of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York,
New York 10005. Except as otherwise noted in this Offer to Purchase, all of the
information with respect to the Company set forth in this Offer to Purchase has
been derived from publicly available information or from the Company.
8. CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PURCHASER AND CYPRESS.
PURCHASER. Purchaser is a newly formed New York corporation organized at
the direction of Cypress in connection with the Offer and the Merger. The
address of Purchaser is c/o The Cypress Group L.L.C., 65 East 55th Street, 19th
Floor, New York, New York 10022.
CYPRESS. Cypress manages a private equity fund with more than $1 billion in
commitments. It is anticipated that Cypress will invest in the common stock of
Purchaser through Cypress Merchant Banking Partners L.P. ("CMBP L.P.") and
Cypress Offshore Partners L.P. ("Cypress Offshore"). CMBP L.P. is a Delaware
limited partnership formed in 1994 to invest in securities of entities selected
by its general partner. Cypress Offshore is a Cayman Islands limited partnership
formed in 1995 to invest in securities of entities selected by its investment
general partner. Cypress Associates L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, is the
sole general partner of CMBP L.P. and the investment general partner of Cypress
Offshore. The Cypress Group L.L.C. ("Cypress L.L.C."), a Delaware limited
liability company, is the sole general partner of Cypress Associates L.P., and
Onwist Ltd. ("Onwist"), a Cayman Islands limited liability company, is the
administrative general partner of Cypress Offshore.
The business of Cypress L.L.C. consists of performing the functions of, and
serving as, the general partner of Cypress Associates L.P. and a related
partnership. The address of Cypress L.L.C. is 65 East 55th Street, 19th Floor,
New York, New York 10022.
The business of Onwist consists of performing the functions of, and serving
as, the administrative general partner of Cypress Offshore Partners L.P. and the
general partner of a related partnership. The address of Onwist is P.O. Box 1043
George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
The name, citizenship, business address, present principal occupation or
employment and five year employment history of each of the directors and
executive officers of Purchaser and Cypress are set forth on Schedule I hereto.
By virtue of the Support Agreement, Purchaser may be deemed to have the
right to acquire, or the power to vote or direct the vote of, and therefore to
beneficially own, the 1,532,157 Shares held by the Supporting Shareholder and
subject to the Support Agreement, representing approximately 6.3% of the
currently outstanding Shares.
Except as described in this Offer to Purchase and in Schedule I, none of
Purchaser, Cypress, nor, to the best knowledge of Purchaser and Cypress, any of
the persons listed on Schedule I hereto, or any associate or majority-owned
subsidiary of Purchaser, Cypress or any of the persons so listed, beneficially
owns or has a right to acquire directly or indirectly any Shares, and none of
Purchaser, Cypress nor, to the best knowledge of Purchaser and Cypress, any of
the persons or entities referred to above, or any of the respective executive
officers, directors or subsidiaries of any of the foregoing, has effected any
transactions in the Shares during the past 60 days.
Except as set forth in this Offer to Purchase, neither Purchaser nor Cypress
nor, to the best knowledge of Purchaser and Cypress, any of the persons listed
on Schedule I hereto, has any contract, arrangement, understanding or
relationship with any other person with respect to any securities of the
Company, including but not limited to contracts, arrangements, understanding or
relationships concerning the transfer or voting of such securities, joint
ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of loans,
guarantees against loss or the giving or withholding of proxies. Except as set
forth in this Offer to Purchase, neither Purchaser nor Cypress nor, to the best
knowledge of Purchaser and Cypress, any of the persons listed on Schedule I
hereto, has had since January 31, 1994 any business relationships or
transactions with the Company or any of its executive officers, directors or
affiliates that are required to be reported under the rules and regulations of
the Commission applicable to the Offer. Except as set forth in this Offer to
Purchase, since January 31, 1994 there have been no contacts,
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<PAGE>
negotiations or transactions between any of Cypress, Purchaser or, to the best
knowledge of Purchaser and Cypress, any of the persons listed on Schedule I
hereto, on the one hand, and the Company or its affiliates, on the other hand,
concerning a merger, consolidation or acquisition, a tender offer or other
acquisition of securities, an election of directors, or a sale or other transfer
of a material amount of assets.
9. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS. Purchaser will require approximately $165
million to (i) purchase the Shares (assuming all outstanding options were
exercised) pursuant to the Offer and the Merger, (ii) pay fees and expenses to
be incurred in connection with the completion of the Offer and the Merger and
(iii) purchase additional Shares from the Company as required by the terms of
the Financing (the "Equity Contribution"; see Section 11). All of the funds
required to finance the foregoing will be furnished to Purchaser by sales of its
capital stock to Cypress.
Since the Convertible Notes can be converted into Shares at a conversion
price of $8.53466 per Share, a price significantly in excess of the price per
share to be paid in the Offer and the Merger, it is not expected that any of the
Convertible Notes would be so converted. However, if all of the currently
outstanding Convertible Notes were so converted into Shares, Purchaser would
require approximately $42 million more to purchase such Shares. If required,
such funds would be loaned to Purchaser by Cypress.
10. BACKGROUND OF THE OFFER; CONTACTS WITH THE COMPANY. In early February
1997, Cypress requested a meeting with Harris J. Ashton, the Company's Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer and President, to discuss a possible transaction with
the Company. On February 26, 1997, representatives of Cypress met with Mr.
Ashton and expressed a preliminary interest in exploring a possible transaction.
On March 25, Cypress entered into a confidentiality agreement with the Company
and was thereafter provided certain financial and operating information by the
Company.
On April 10, 1997, Mr. Ashton met with representatives of Cypress at which
meeting Cypress reconfirmed its interest in engaging in a potential transaction
involving the acquisition of the Company. Mr. Ashton indicated that after the
Company's release of first-quarter results in mid-June he would be willing to
discuss a possible transaction depending on Cypress' valuation of the Company.
Following the April 10 meeting, the Company and Cypress had intermittent
contacts regarding a possible transaction.
On July 2, 1997, after having conducted preliminary discussions with and
reviewing information regarding the Company, Cypress expressed an interest in
acquiring all or a controlling interest of the Company's main operating
subsidiary, Frank's Nursery & Crafts, Inc. ("Frank's"). No firm proposal was
made by Cypress at that time. The Company subsequently informed Cypress that it
had determined a transaction involving Frank's would have significant adverse
tax consequences.
On July 11, 1997, the Company engaged Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
("Credit Suisse First Boston") as its exclusive financial advisor with respect
to the Company's continuing review of strategic and financial planning matters,
including the possible sale of the Company or Frank's.
Over the next several months, Cypress conducted additional due diligence on
the business, operations and financial performance of the Company, which
included meetings with the Company's management in Detroit, Michigan and other
locations.
In late September, before having completed due diligence, Cypress indicated
to representatives of the Company that based on information it had received and
reviewed to date, it would be interested in discussing a potential transaction
involving the acquisition of the Company for a per share price of at least
$5.00. After considering such expression of interest, the Company responded that
it believed a higher price was justified but that it would continue to discuss a
potential transaction with Cypress.
In October and early November of 1997, the Company and Cypress continued
discussions regarding a possible transaction, including a meeting at the
Company's headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut between Mr. Ashton and James A.
Stern, Chairman of Cypress L.L.C., David Spalding, Vice Chairman of Cypress
L.L.C., and Bahram Shirazi, a principal of Cypress L.L.C., and at which Cypress
proposed a cash acquisition at $5.00 per share. After the October 27 meeting,
the parties began to discuss the
15
<PAGE>
possibility of Cypress permitting shareholders who elected to do so to retain a
minority equity interest in the Company following a transaction.
On November 5, 1997, Cypress submitted a written proposal to acquire the
Company in a tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of the Company at
$5.50 per share in cash to be followed by a merger pursuant to which
shareholders would be given the election to retain up to 10% of the outstanding
shares. Cypress' proposal was subject to certain conditions, including, among
other things, a successful tender offer and consent solicitation for a majority
of the outstanding Senior Notes. Cypress' proposal outlined, among other things,
the structure and timing of a proposed transaction, the form of consideration to
be received by shareholders and Cypress' financing commitments necessary to
finance the Offer and the Merger and included a commitment letter with respect
to the senior bank financing which would be used to finance the debt tender
offer and refinance the Company's other existing debt.
On November 6, 1997, the Company's Board met in executive session to discuss
the progress of discussions with Cypress.
Beginning on November 7, 1997, Cypress and its legal advisors commenced
negotiations with the Company's legal and financial advisors with respect to the
terms of a possible merger agreement. On November 8, Cypress' legal counsel
distributed draft documentation to the Company's legal counsel.
Discussions continued during the week of November 9.
On November 14, 1997, Cypress informed the Company and Credit Suisse First
Boston that it needed time to evaluate any further proposal in light of
preliminary information Cypress had requested and received from the Company that
day regarding results for the Company's third fiscal quarter (see Section 7).
On November 15, 1997, the Company's Board held a special meeting to discuss
the proposed transaction with Cypress.
During the week of November 16, 1997, representatives of the Company and the
Company's legal and financial advisors continued negotiations with
representatives of Cypress and Cypress' legal advisors concerning the terms and
conditions of a proposed merger agreement.
On November 19, Cypress informed the Company and Credit Suisse First Boston
that, in light of the preliminary third-quarter information (see Section 7), it
would be interested in making a proposal to acquire all outstanding shares of
the Company for $5.25 cash per share. On November 20, after further discussions,
Cypress agreed to increase its proposal to $5.50 per share.
On November 21, 1997, the Company's Board held a special meeting to review,
with the advice and assistance of the Company's financial and legal advisors,
the proposed terms and conditions of the proposed Merger Agreement. At such
meeting, Credit Suisse First Boston provided an oral opinion (which was
subsequently confirmed in writing) that, as of such date and based upon and
subject to the matters discussed with the Company's Board, the cash
consideration to be received by the holders of the Company Common Stock in the
Offer and the Merger was fair from a financial point of view to such holders.
Following the Company's Board's review of the terms of the Offer and the Merger,
the Company's Board unanimously determined that the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair
to and in the best interests of the Company's shareholders, approved the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Offer and the
Merger, authorized the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement,
recommended that the Company's shareholders accept the Offer and tender their
Shares pursuant to the Offer, and recommended that the Company's shareholders
approve and adopt the Merger Agreement. The Company's Board also approved
postponing the Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement) until
December 31, 1997 and to amend the Rights Agreement to make the Rights Agreement
inapplicable to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
16
<PAGE>
On November 22, 1997, the Company and Purchaser executed the Merger
Agreement. On November 24, 1997, the Company and Cypress issued a press release
announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement.
11. THE MERGER AGREEMENT; THE SUPPORT AGREEMENT. The following is a summary
of the Merger Agreement and the Support Agreement, which summary is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the copies thereof filed as exhibits to the Tender
Offer Statement on Schedule 14D-1.
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
THE OFFER. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, provided that the
Merger Agreement shall not have been terminated in accordance with its terms and
no event shall have occurred and no circumstance shall exist which would result
in a failure to satisfy any of the conditions or events set forth in Section 15
hereof (the "Offer Conditions"), Purchaser was required, as soon as reasonably
practicable after the date of the Merger Agreement (and in any event within five
business days from the date of public announcement of the execution thereof), to
commence the Offer. The Merger Agreement further provides that the obligation of
Purchaser to accept for payment Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer shall be
subject to the satisfaction of the Offer Conditions. Under the terms of the
Merger Agreement, Purchaser expressly reserves the right, in its sole
discretion, to waive any such condition (other than the Minimum Condition) and
make any other changes in the terms and conditions of the Offer, PROVIDED that,
unless previously approved by the Company in writing, no change may be made
which decreases the price per Share payable in the Offer, changes the form of
consideration payable in the Offer (other than by adding consideration), reduces
the maximum number of Shares to be purchased in the Offer, or imposes conditions
to the Offer in addition to those set forth in Section 15 hereof which are
adverse to holders of the Shares. The initial expiration date of the Offer shall
be 20 business days following (and inclusive of) the date of commencement. Under
the terms of the Merger Agreement, Purchaser covenants and agrees that, subject
to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, and subject to the Offer
Conditions, Purchaser will accept for payment and pay for Shares as soon as it
is permitted to do so under applicable law, PROVIDED that Purchaser has the
right, in its sole discretion, to extend the Offer from time to time for up to
an aggregate of 20 business days, notwithstanding the prior satisfaction of the
Offer Conditions. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Purchaser and the
Company have agreed that the Offer Conditions are for the benefit of Purchaser
and may be asserted by Purchaser regardless of the circumstances giving rise to
any such condition (including any action or inaction by Purchaser) or, except
with respect to the Minimum Condition, may be waived by Purchaser, in whole or
in part at any time and from time to time, in its sole discretion.
COMPANY BOARD REPRESENTATION. The Merger Agreement provides that,
immediately upon the purchase by Purchaser of Shares pursuant to the Offer, and
from time to time thereafter, Purchaser shall be entitled to designate up to
such number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number, on the Board of
Directors of the Company as shall give Purchaser representation on the Board of
Directors equal to the product of the total number of directors on such Board
(giving effect to the directors elected pursuant to this sentence) multiplied by
the percentage that the aggregate number of Shares beneficially owned by
Purchaser or any affiliate of Purchaser (including Shares as to which any such
person has the right to vote or direct the voting) bears to the total number of
Shares then outstanding, and the Company shall, at such time, take all action
necessary to cause Purchaser's designees to be so elected, including by securing
the resignations of incumbent directors. In addition, Purchaser shall determine
for the approval of the Board of Directors the classes into which such directors
are placed, so long as such placement does not violate or conflict with the
Company's certificate of incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") or
by-laws (the "By-Laws") or the NYBCL and the Company shall cause Purchaser's
designees to be so placed. The Merger Agreement provides that the Company will
use its reasonable best efforts to cause persons designated by Purchaser to
constitute the same percentage as is on the board of (i) each committee of the
Board of Directors, (ii) each board of directors of each subsidiary of the
Company and (iii) each committee of each such board, in each case only to the
extent permitted by law and the rules of the NYSE to the extent applicable. The
Merger Agreement provides that the
17
<PAGE>
Company's obligations to appoint designees to its Board of Directors shall be
subject to Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated
thereunder, and that the Company shall promptly take all actions required
pursuant to Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1 in order to fulfill its obligations
under the provisions described in the preceding paragraph.
The Merger Agreement provides that following the election or appointment of
Purchaser's designees pursuant to the provisions described in the preceding
paragraph and prior to the Effective Time, so long as at least one director of
the Company then in office is neither designated by Purchaser nor an employee of
the Company (a "Disinterested Director"), any amendment of the Merger Agreement
or, to the extent material, the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of the
Company, any termination of the Merger Agreement by the Company, any extension
by the Company of the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of Purchaser or waiver of any of the Company's rights thereunder, and
any other consent or action by the Board of Directors thereunder, will require
the concurrence of a majority of the Disinterested Directors or, if there is
only one Disinterested Director, of such Disinterested Director. The Merger
Agreement further provides that the Company shall use its best efforts to insure
that at least one Disinterested Director remains on the Board of Directors prior
to the Effective Time.
THE MERGER. The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions thereof and accordance with the NYBCL, at the Effective Time,
Purchaser will be merged with and into the Company. As a result of the Merger,
the separate corporate existence of Purchaser will cease and the Company will
continue as the Surviving Corporation.
The Merger Agreement provides that at the Effective Time and without any
further action on the part of the Company and Purchaser, the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be amended to add the provision set forth in the Merger Agreement
permitting shareholder action by written consent (which provision shall not be
effective until certain amendments to the NYBCL become effective on February 23,
1998), and, as so amended, until thereafter further amended (subject to the
terms of the Merger Agreement) as provided therein and under the NYBCL, shall be
the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation following the
Merger. At the Effective Time, and without any further action on the part of the
Company and Purchaser, the By-Laws shall be the by-laws of the Surviving
Corporation and thereafter may (subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement) be
amended or repealed in accordance with their terms or the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and as provided by law. The Merger
Agreement further provides that the directors of Purchaser immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be the initial directors of the Surviving Corporation,
each to hold office in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws of the Surviving Corporation, and the officers of the Company
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of the
Surviving Corporation, in each case until their respective successors are duly
elected or appointed (as the case may be) and qualified.
The Merger Agreement provides that at the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of Purchaser, the Company or the
holders of any of the following securities:
(i) each share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Purchaser
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
converted into one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of
common stock of the Surviving Corporation;
(ii) each Share held in the treasury of the Company and each Share owned
by Purchaser or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company, in each
case immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be cancelled and retired
without any conversion thereof and no payment or distribution shall be made
with respect thereto;
(iii) each issued and outstanding Share (other than shares cancelled
pursuant to the preceding paragraph and any Dissenting Shares) shall be
converted into the right to receive $5.50 in cash or any higher price that
may be paid pursuant to the Offer, payable to the holder thereof, without
interest, upon surrender of the certificate formerly representing such
Share, less any required withholding taxes; and
18
<PAGE>
(iv) immediately following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
shall execute and deliver to the trustee under the Indenture, dated as of
February 28, 1992, between the Company and United States Trust Company of
New York, as trustee (the "Convertible Notes Indenture"), executed in
connection with the issuance by the Company of the Convertible Notes, a
supplement to such Convertible Notes Indenture providing that each
Convertible Note remaining outstanding shall, after the Effective Time, be
convertible into an amount in cash equal to the product of (x) the number of
Shares into which such Convertible Note was convertible immediately prior to
the Effective Time times (y) the Merger Consideration.
The Merger Agreement provides that Dissenting Shares shall not be converted
into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, but shall instead entitle
the holder thereof to receive that consideration determined pursuant to Sections
623 and 910 of the NYBCL; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if a holder of Dissenting
Shares shall have failed to perfect or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost
his, her or its right to appraisal and payment under the NYBCL, such holder's
Dissenting Shares shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted, at the
Effective Time, into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without any
interest thereon.
The Merger Agreement further provides that the Company shall give Purchaser
(i) prompt notice of any demands for appraisal pursuant to Sections 623 and 910
of the NYBCL received by the Company, withdrawals of such demands, and any other
instruments served pursuant to the NYBCL and received by the Company and (ii)
the opportunity to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with respect
to demands for appraisal under the NYBCL. In addition, the Company shall not,
except with the prior written consent of Purchaser, make any payment with
respect to any such demands for appraisal or offer to settle or settle any such
demands.
The Merger Agreement provides that prior to the Effective Time, the Board of
Directors of the Company (or, if appropriate, any committee thereof) shall adopt
appropriate resolutions and take all other actions necessary to provide that
each outstanding stock option heretofore granted under any Company Plan (as
defined in the Merger Agreement) (each "Option"), whether or not then vested or
exercisable, shall, at and after the Effective Time, be exercisable solely for,
and shall entitle each holder thereof solely to, a payment in cash from the
Company (subject to any applicable withholding taxes, the "Cash Payment"), upon
exercise, equal to the product of (x) the total number of Shares subject or
related to such Option, whether or not then vested or exercisable, and (y) the
excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the exercise price or purchase
price, as the case may be, per Share subject or related to such Option, each
such Cash Payment to be paid to each holder of an outstanding Option upon
exercise; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that with respect to any person subject to Section
16 of the Exchange Act, any such amount shall be paid as soon as practicable
after the first date payment can be made without liability to such Person under
Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. As provided in the Merger Agreement, the
Company Plans (and any other plan, program or arrangement) providing for the
issuance or grant of any other interest in respect of the capital stock of the
Company or any subsidiary shall terminate as of the Effective Time. The Merger
Agreement further provides that the Company will take all commercially
reasonable steps to ensure that none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
is or will be bound by any Options, other options, warrants, rights or
agreements which would entitle any person, other than the current shareholders
of Purchaser or its affiliates, to own any capital stock of the Surviving
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries or, except as otherwise provided in the
Merger Agreement, to receive any payment in respect thereof and to cause or
request the holders of the Options to agree to an automatic exercise thereof at
the Effective Time.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Merger Agreement contains various
customary representations and warranties of the parties thereto including,
without limitation, representations and warranties by the Company as to the
Company's and its subsidiaries' organization and qualification, subsidiaries,
certificate of incorporation and by-laws, capitalization, authority relative to
the Merger Agreement, absence of conflicts with governing instruments or other
agreements, required filings and consents, compliance, filings with the
Commission and information contained in documents relating to the Offer,
19
<PAGE>
the Debt Offer and the Merger, financial statements, absence of certain changes
or events, absence of litigation, employee benefit plans, tax matters,
environmental matters, material contracts, permits, properties, intellectual
property, management information systems, affiliate transactions, approvals and
vote required to consummate the Merger, brokers and finders, and the Rights
Agreement.
In addition, the Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties of
Purchaser concerning Purchaser's corporate organization, certificate of
incorporation and by-laws, authority relative to the Merger Agreement, absence
of conflicts with governing instruments or other agreements, required filings
and consents, filings with the Commission and information contained in documents
relating to the Offer, the Debt Offer and the Merger, debt financing, equity
financing, and brokers and finders.
AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND PURCHASER. The Merger Agreement contains
certain covenants and agreements of the parties thereto, including the
following:
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF THE COMPANY PENDING THE MERGER. Under the terms of
the Merger Agreement, the Company has covenanted and agreed that, during the
period from the date of the Merger Agreement to such time as Purchaser's
designees shall constitute a majority of the Company's Board of Directors,
except as specifically contemplated by the Merger Agreement and unless Purchaser
shall otherwise agree in writing, the businesses of the Company and its
subsidiaries shall be conducted only in, and the Company and its subsidiaries
shall not take any action except in, the ordinary course of business and in a
manner consistent with past practice and in compliance with applicable laws; and
the Company and its subsidiaries shall each use its commercially reasonable
efforts to preserve substantially intact the business organization of the
Company and its subsidiaries, to keep available the services of the present
officers, employees and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries and to
preserve the present relationships of the Company and its subsidiaries with
customers, suppliers and other persons with which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has significant business relations. The Merger Agreement further
provides, by way of amplification and not limitation, that except as
specifically contemplated thereby, neither the Company nor any of its
Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (or, in the case
of clause (j) below, its subsidiaries) shall, during such period, directly or
indirectly do, or commit to do, any of the following without the prior written
consent of Purchaser:
(a) amend or otherwise change its certificate of incorporation or
by-laws or equivalent organizational documents or, except as expressly
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, amend the Rights Agreement;
(b) issue, deliver, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber, or authorize
or commit to the issuance, sale, pledge, disposition or encumbrance of, (A)
any shares of capital stock of any class, or any options, warrants,
convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of
capital stock, or any other ownership interest (including but not limited to
stock appreciation rights or phantom stock), of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries (except for (i) the issuance of up to 1,322,688 Shares issuable
in accordance with the terms of Options outstanding as of November 2, 1997,
and (ii) the issuance of up to 7,616,003 Shares issuable in accordance with
the terms of Convertible Notes outstanding as of November 2, 1997) or (B)
any assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except for (x) assets
(excluding real property) sold, leased, pledged or otherwise encumbered in
the ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past
practice and (y) sale/leaseback transactions on commercially reasonably
terms and in an aggregate amount not in excess of $15 million, so long as
such transactions are not consummated prior to January 15, 1998 and so long
as such transactions can be abandoned by the Company at any time prior to
consummation without the payment or incurrence of material cost, expense or
fees;
(c) declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution,
payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with respect to any of its
capital stock;
(d) reclassify, combine, split, subdivide or redeem, purchase or
otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of its capital stock;
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(e) (i) acquire (by merger, consolidation, or acquisition of stock or
assets) any corporation, partnership or other business organization or
division thereof; (ii) other than with respect to borrowings necessary to
effect the Debt Offer, incur any indebtedness for borrowed money (other than
(x) up to an aggregate principal amount of $10 million at any one time
outstanding and incurred in the ordinary course of business or (y) pursuant
to the Financing), or issue any debt securities, or enter into any
sale/leaseback transaction other than as described in clause (b) above, or
assume, guarantee or endorse, or otherwise as an accommodation become
responsible for, the obligations of any person, or make any loans, advances
or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person; (iii)
enter into any contract or agreement other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice; (iv) authorize any single capital
expenditure (or series of capital expenditures) which is in excess of
$50,000 or capital expenditures which are, in the aggregate, in excess of
$250,000 for the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; or (v) enter
into or amend any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with
respect to any of the matters set forth in the provisions described in this
paragraph (e); PROVIDED that the Company and its subsidiaries may obtain
commitments for up to $25 million of financing in replacement for any
existing commitments so long as no material fees are incurred in respect
thereof on or prior to the initial expiration date of the Offer and so long
as any such commitments may be terminated by the Company at any time without
the payment or incurrence of material cost, expense or fees;
(f) except to the extent required under existing employee and director
benefit plans, agreements or arrangements as in effect on the date of the
Merger Agreement, increase the compensation or fringe benefits of any of its
directors, officers or employees, other than increases in salary or wages of
employees of the Company or its subsidiaries who are not officers of the
Company in the ordinary course of business in accordance with past practice,
or grant any severance or termination pay not currently required to be paid
under existing severance plans or enter into any employment, consulting or
severance agreement or arrangement with any present or former director,
officer or other employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or
establish, adopt, enter into or amend or terminate any collective bargaining
agreement or Company Plan, including, but not limited to, bonus, profit
sharing, thrift, compensation, stock option, restricted stock, pension,
retirement, deferred compensation, employment, termination, severance or
other plan, agreement, trust, fund, policy or arrangement for the benefit of
any directors, officers or employees, or make any loans to any employees,
officers or directors (other than advances in respect of reimbursable
expenses) or cancel or forgive any such existing loans;
(g) except as may be required as a result of a change in law or in
generally accepted accounting principles, change any of the accounting
practices or principles used by it;
(h) make or change any tax election, file any amended tax return, or
settle or compromise any material federal, state, local or foreign tax
liability;
(i) settle or compromise any pending or threatened suit, action or
claim for an amount in excess of $25,000 or which relates to the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;
(j) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution,
merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other
reorganization of the Company or any of its subsidiaries other than the
Merger and other than with respect to an inactive subsidiary so long as
neither the Company nor its Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in
Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission) incurs or assumes any
liabilities or obligations in connection therewith or as a result thereof;
(k) pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations
(absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other
than the payment, discharge or satisfaction in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice of liabilities; or
(l) take, or offer or propose to take, or agree to take in writing or
otherwise, any of the actions described in the provisions described in
paragraphs (a) through (k) or any action which would make any of the
representations or warranties of the Company contained in the Merger
Agreement untrue
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and incorrect as of the date when made if such action had then been taken,
or would result in any of the Offer Conditions not being satisfied.
NO SOLICITATION OF TRANSACTIONS. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement,
the Company has agreed that it shall not, and shall cause its subsidiaries and
its and its subsidiaries' officers, directors, employees, representatives,
agents, advisors and affiliates not to, solicit, initiate or encourage inquiries
or proposals with respect to, or engage in any negotiations concerning, or
provide any confidential information to, or have any discussions with, or enter
into an agreement with, any person relating to any tender or exchange offer,
proposal for a merger, consolidation or other business combination involving the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or any proposal or offer to acquire in any
manner a greater than 20% equity interest in, or more than 20% of the assets of,
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than the Merger, the Offer and the
other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (any of the foregoing,
an "Acquisition Proposal"); PROVIDED, that the Company may (i) at any time prior
to the consummation of the Offer, if the Company is not otherwise in violation
of the provisions described in this paragraph, furnish information to, and
negotiate or otherwise engage in discussions with, any party who delivers a
written proposal for an Acquisition Proposal if and so long as the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in good faith by a majority vote, based upon
advice of its outside legal counsel, that failing to take such action would
reasonably be expected to constitute a breach of the fiduciary duties of the
Board; and (ii) take a position with respect to the Acquisition Proposal, or
amend or withdraw such position, in compliance with Rule 14d-9 or Rule 14e-2
promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to the Acquisition Proposal.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company has also agreed immediately
to cease and cause to be terminated any activities, discussions or negotiations
conducted prior to the date of the Merger Agreement with any parties other than
Purchaser and its affiliates with respect to any of the foregoing. The Merger
Agreement provides that the Company shall promptly (and in any event within 24
hours) advise Purchaser following the receipt by it of any Acquisition Proposal
or any inquiry or request relating thereto and the substance thereof (including
the identity of the person making such Acquisition Proposal and a copy of any
written proposal), and, if consistent with its fiduciary duties, advise
Purchaser of any developments with respect to such Acquisition Proposal, inquiry
or request promptly upon the occurrence thereof, including the Company's
entering into discussions or negotiations with respect thereto. Under the terms
of the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed not to release any third party
from, or waive any provisions of, any confidentiality or standstill agreement to
which the Company is a party. The Company and Purchaser have agreed that any
violation of the restrictions set forth in the provisions described in this
paragraph by any officer, director, employee, representative, agent, advisor or
affiliate of the Company or any subsidiary shall be deemed to be a breach of the
provisions described in this paragraph by the Company.
SHAREHOLDERS MEETING. The Merger Agreement provides that the Company,
acting through its Board of Directors, shall, if required to approve the Merger
in accordance with applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws, (i) duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its
shareholders as soon as practicable following consummation of the Offer for the
purpose of considering and taking action on the Merger Agreement, the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the "Shareholders
Meeting") and (ii) use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the necessary
approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger by its shareholders.
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The Merger Agreement further provides that the Board of Directors of the
Company shall set the record date for the Shareholders Meeting to occur
immediately following the consummation of the Offer and the Equity Contribution
so that Purchaser is the holder of record for purposes of such Shareholders
Meeting of the Shares acquired in the Offer and the Equity Contribution, which
Shares shall constitute in excess of two-thirds of the issued and outstanding
Shares of record at such record date. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement,
in the event that it becomes necessary to delay the date of the Shareholders
Meeting, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that any
such delay does not frustrate the purpose of the immediately preceding sentence,
including by issuing Shares in accordance with the Merger Agreement immediately
prior to setting any new record date for the Shareholders Meeting as described
below.
The Merger Agreement provides that in the event that Purchaser shall acquire
at least 90% of the outstanding Shares, the Company agrees, at the request of
Purchaser, subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, to take all
necessary and appropriate action to cause the Merger to become effective as soon
as reasonably practicable after such acquisition, without a meeting of the
Company's shareholders, in accordance with Section 905 of the NYBCL.
PROXY STATEMENT. The Merger Agreement provides that as soon as practicable
following the date of the Merger Agreement, the Company shall prepare and file
with the Commission under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to have
cleared by the Commission as promptly as practicable after such filing, the
proxy statement with respect to the Shareholders Meeting (the "Proxy
Statement"). The Company and Purchaser each agrees to correct any information
provided by it for use in the Proxy Statement which shall have become false or
misleading.
FILINGS; OTHER ACTIONS. The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions thereof, each of the Company and Purchaser shall
use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate
action, and to do or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or
advisable, including under applicable laws and regulations, to consummate and
make effective the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, including but not limited to (i) cooperation in the preparation and
filing of the Schedule 14D-1, the Schedule 14D-9, the Proxy Statement or any
required filings under the HSR Act and any amendments to any thereof, (ii) using
its reasonable best efforts to make and cooperate in making all required
regulatory filings and applications and to obtain and cooperate in obtaining all
licenses, permits, consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and
orders of governmental authorities and third parties as are necessary or
advisable for the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement and to fulfill the conditions to the Offer,
the Merger, the Debt Offer, and the Financing and (iii) using its reasonable
best efforts to oppose, defend against, remove and appeal any injunction, order,
decree or ruling restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Offer, the
Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
The Merger Agreement further provides that in case at any time after the
Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the
purposes of the Merger Agreement, the proper officers and directors of the
Surviving Corporation and Purchaser shall use their reasonable best efforts to
take all such necessary action.
DEBT OFFER. The Merger Agreement required the Company to, as soon as
reasonably practicable after the date of the Merger Agreement (and in any event
within five business days from the date of public announcement of the execution
thereof), commence the Debt Offer. The Merger Agreement further provides that
Purchaser shall be entitled to be involved in and shall cooperate with the
Company in the Company's preparation of the documents to be sent to the holders
of the Senior Notes in connection with the Debt Offer (the "Debt Offer
Documents"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company shall waive any of
the conditions to the Debt Offer and make any other changes in the terms and
conditions of the Debt Offer as may be reasonably requested by Purchaser, and
the Company shall not,
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without Purchaser's prior written consent, waive any condition to the Debt Offer
or make any changes to the terms and conditions of the Debt Offer. Under the
terms of the Merger Agreement, Purchaser has agreed to act in a commercially
reasonable manner in determining whether or not to give such consent. Under the
terms of the Merger Agreement, each of Purchaser and the Company has agreed
promptly to correct any information provided by it for use in the Debt Offer
Documents that shall have become false or misleading in any material respect,
and the Company has further agreed to take all steps necessary to cause the Debt
Offer Documents as so corrected to be disseminated to holders of Senior Notes.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, provided the Company is able to obtain
the Financing to consummate the Debt Offer, and the other conditions of the Debt
Offer are met or, at the sole discretion of Purchaser, waived, the Company shall
accept for payment and pay for the Senior Notes validly tendered and not
withdrawn pursuant to the Debt Offer simultaneously with the consummation of the
Offer.
FINANCING. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company agrees to
provide, and will cause its subsidiaries and its and their respective officers,
employees, representatives and agents to provide, cooperation in connection with
the arrangement and closing of the financing described in a commitment letter
dated November 21, 1997 from The Chase Manhattan Bank, Chase Securities Inc. and
Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P. to, and accepted and agreed by, The Cypress
Group L.L.C., including the term sheet attached thereto, or any other financing
on terms and conditions not significantly less favorable to or otherwise
reasonably acceptable to the Company and arranged or approved by Purchaser or
its affiliates (the "Financing"), to be consummated contemporaneous with or at
or after consummation of the Offer or the Effective Time in respect of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including without limitation,
the negotiation and execution of loan documents, the preparation of disclosure
schedules, the preparation of offering memoranda, private placement memoranda or
other similar documents, participation in meetings, due diligence sessions and
road shows (consistent with such individuals' responsibilities for the ongoing
operations of the Company), the execution and delivery, with effectiveness no
earlier than consummation of the Offer, of any pledge and security documents,
other definitive financing documents, or other requested certificates or
documents as reasonably may be requested by Purchaser. The Merger Agreement
further provides that in connection with the obtaining of any such financing,
the Company agrees to request opinions of the Company's legal counsel and
"comfort letters" of the Company's accountants reasonably required in connection
with such financing and, at the request of Purchaser, following the consummation
of the Offer, to call for prepayment or redemption, or to prepay, redeem and/or
renegotiate, as the case may be, any then existing indebtedness of the Company
to the extent financing is available therefor.
ACCESS TO INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY. The Merger Agreement provides that,
from the date of the execution thereof to the Effective Time, the Company shall,
and shall cause its subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees, auditors and
other agents to, afford the officers, employees, auditors and other agents of
Purchaser and its affiliates, and financing sources who shall agree to be bound
by the provisions described in this paragraph as though a party to the Merger
Agreement, access at all reasonable times (i) to its officers, employees,
agents, properties, offices, stores and other facilities and to all books and
records, and shall furnish such persons with all financial, operating and other
data and information as they may from time to time request, (ii) the Company's
and its subsidiaries' vendors and (iii) the Company's and its subsidiaries'
management information systems and other consultants. The documents and
information provided pursuant to the provisions described in this paragraph
shall be subject to the provisions of the confidentiality agreement between the
Company and Cypress.
NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS. The Merger Agreement provides that the
Company shall give prompt notice to Purchaser, and Purchaser shall give prompt
notice to the Company, of (i) the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event the
occurrence or non-occurrence of which would be likely to cause any
representation or warranty contained in the Merger Agreement to be untrue or
inaccurate and (ii) any failure of the Company or Purchaser, as the case may be,
to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied
with or satisfied by it thereunder; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
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<PAGE>
delivery of any such notice shall not limit or otherwise affect the remedies
available thereunder to the party receiving such notice.
BENEFITS MATTERS. The Merger Agreement provides that, at and after the
Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall promptly pay or provide when due
all compensation and benefits earned through or prior to the Effective Time as
provided pursuant to the terms of any compensation arrangements, employment
agreements and employee or director benefit plans, programs and policies in
existence as of the date of the Merger Agreement for all employees (and former
employees) and directors (and former directors) of the Company and previously
disclosed to Purchaser. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, each of
Purchaser and the Company has agreed that the Surviving Corporation shall pay
promptly or provide when due all compensation and benefits accrued or incurred
prior to the Effective Time and required to be paid pursuant to the terms of any
individual agreement with any employee, former employee, director or former
director in effect and disclosed to Purchaser as of the date of the Merger
Agreement, or pursuant to any applicable collective bargaining agreement.
The Merger Agreement provides that the Company and its subsidiaries, and the
Surviving Corporation, its subsidiaries and its successors and assigns, will
honor all director retirement benefits, and all employment or severance
agreements with any employee or former employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, in existence on the date of the Merger Agreement which were
disclosed to Purchaser and a full and complete copy (or, in the case of oral
agreements, written summary) of which was provided to Purchaser prior to the
date of the Merger Agreement.
The Merger Agreement also provides that from the Effective Time until the
first anniversary of the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation, its
subsidiaries, successors and assigns shall provide employees and former
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries (and directors and former
directors of the Company) with benefit and compensation plans, programs,
policies or arrangements (including, without limitation, annual and long-term
incentive plans, retirement plans, life insurance, medical, dental and other
similar employee welfare benefit plans) no less favorable (subject to the
following proviso) in the aggregate as to each employee, former employee,
director or former director than those provided at the date of the Merger
Agreement to similarly situated persons by the Company and its subsidiaries
pursuant to plans, programs, policies and arrangements which were disclosed to
Purchaser and a full and complete copy (or, in the case of oral agreements,
written summary) of which was provided to Purchaser prior to the date of the
Merger Agreement; provided, however, that the provision described by this
sentence shall not require the Surviving Corporation or its subsidiaries,
successors and assigns to provide any plan, program or arrangement providing for
the issuance or grant of any interest or right in respect of the capital stock
of the Surviving Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. The Merger Agreement
further provides that Purchaser acknowledges that the purchase of Shares
pursuant to the Offer will constitute a change in control of the Company (to the
extent such concept is applicable) for the purposes of all agreements,
contracts, plans, programs, policies or arrangements of the Company which were
disclosed to Purchaser.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Purchaser acknowledges the
obligations of the Company and the Surviving Corporation and their subsidiaries,
successors and assigns set forth in the benefits provisions described above. The
Merger Agreement further provides that nothing in such provisions shall require
the continued employment of any person or prevent the Company and/or the
Surviving Corporation (or its subsidiaries) from taking any action or refraining
from taking any action which the Company (or its subsidiaries), prior to the
Effective Time, could have taken or refrained from taking.
DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE. The Merger
Agreement provides that the certificate of incorporation and the by-laws of the
Surviving Corporation shall contain provisions no less favorable with respect to
indemnification than are set forth in the By-Laws on the date of the Merger
Agreement, which provisions shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified
for a period of six
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years from the Effective Time in any manner that would adversely affect the
rights thereunder of individuals who prior to the purchase of Shares in the
Offer were directors, officers or employees of the Company unless such
modification is required by law.
The Merger Agreement provides that the Surviving Corporation shall use its
reasonable best efforts to maintain in effect for six years from the Effective
Time the policies of the directors' and officers' liability insurance maintained
by the Company at the time of the execution of the Merger Agreement with respect
to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time (provided that the Surviving
Corporation may substitute therefor policies of at least the same coverage
containing terms and conditions which are not materially less advantageous to
the covered officers and directors) to the extent available; provided, however,
that in no event shall the Surviving Corporation be required to expend more than
an amount per year equal to 200% of the annual premiums paid by the Company
(which annual premium the Company represents and warrants to be not more than
$230,000) at the time of the execution of the Merger Agreement to maintain or
procure insurance coverage pursuant to the provisions of the Merger Agreement
described in this sentence, but in such case shall purchase as much coverage as
possible for such amount.
EQUITY CONTRIBUTION. The Merger Agreement provides that, simultaneously
with the consummation of the Offer, Purchaser will make an Equity Contribution
to the Company, as required by the terms of the Financing, pursuant to which the
Company will sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser will purchase from the Company, an
aggregate number of Shares specified by Purchaser up to 5,586,314 Shares
(including from treasury or through new issuance) at a price per Share equal to
the Merger Consideration, such Shares to be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, approved for listing on the NYSE and issued and sold free of
preemptive (or similar) rights and any liens, claims or similar encumbrances.
ANTI-DILUTION. The Merger Agreement provides that the Company will as
promptly as practicable notify Purchaser if it issues any Shares, whether upon
the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable or exchangeable
for or convertible into Shares or otherwise. If the Offer is consummated, the
Company agrees that if, at the time of closing of the Offer and the Equity
Contribution or at any time thereafter until the later of (a) the Effective Time
of the Merger and (b) two years from the closing of the Offer and the Equity
Contribution, the number of Shares held by Purchaser shall not represent at
least two-thirds of the outstanding Shares as a result of the issuance of Shares
by the Company, whether upon the exercise, exchange or conversion of Options,
Convertible Notes or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or
convertible into Shares or otherwise, the Company will sell (including from
treasury or through new issuance) to Purchaser, upon notice from Purchaser, at a
price per share equal to the Merger Consideration, in cash, such number of
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Shares (which shares shall be
approved for listing on the NYSE if the Shares are then so listed and issued and
sold free of preemptive (or similar) rights and any liens, claims or similar
encumbrances) as may be necessary so that the percentage of outstanding Shares
held by Purchaser represents at least two-thirds of the outstanding Shares.
SUPPORT AGREEMENT. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company has
agreed not to take any action, and to direct its directors, officers, employees,
transfer agent, other agents, and representatives not to take any action, which
would permit or facilitate a transfer of record ownership of Shares held by the
Supporting Shareholder in violation of the Support Agreement.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER. Purchaser and the Company to effect the Merger
shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the
following conditions: (a) if required by the NYBCL, the Merger Agreement shall
have been approved by the affirmative vote of the shareholders of the Company
owning of record at least two-thirds of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote
thereon; (b) no temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction
or other order shall have been issued by any court or by any governmental or
regulatory agency, body or authority which prohibits the consummation of the
Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and
which is in effect at
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the Effective Time, provided, however, that, in the case of any such decree,
injunction or other order, each of the Company and Purchaser shall have used
reasonable best efforts to prevent the entry of any such injunction or other
order and to appeal as promptly as possible any decree, injunction or other
order that may be entered; (c) no statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree, or other order of any kind (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent)
shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any United States
or state court or governmental authority which prohibits or enjoins the
consummation of the Merger; (d) any waiting period applicable to the Merger
under the HSR Act shall have terminated or expired; and (e) Purchaser shall have
accepted for payment and paid for the Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer.
TERMINATION; FEES AND EXPENSES. The Merger Agreement provides that it may
be terminated and the transactions contemplated thereby may be abandoned at any
time prior to the Effective Time, notwithstanding approval thereof by the
shareholders of the Company:
(a) by mutual written consent of Purchaser and the Company;
(b) by Purchaser or the Company if any court of competent jurisdiction
or other governmental body located or having jurisdiction within the United
States shall have issued a final injunction, order, decree or ruling or
taken any other final action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the Offer, the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement and such order, decree, ruling or other action is or shall
have become final and nonappealable;
(c) by Purchaser or the Company if due to an occurrence or circumstance
which would result in a failure of the Offer Conditions to be capable of
satisfaction, (i) Purchaser shall have terminated the Offer, (ii) the Offer
shall have expired without Purchaser having accepted Shares for payment
pursuant thereto, or (iii) Purchaser shall not have accepted Shares for
payment pursuant to the Offer in accordance with the terms thereof, unless
such failure has been caused by or results from the breach by the party
seeking termination of any of its representations, covenants or agreements
contained in the Merger Agreement;
(d) by Purchaser or the Company prior to the purchase of the Shares
pursuant to the Offer (PROVIDED that the terminating party is not then in
material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement
contained in the Merger Agreement) if there shall have been a material
breach of any of the covenants or agreements or any of the representations
or warranties set forth in the Merger Agreement on the part of the other
party, which breach is not cured within five business days following written
notice given by the terminating party to the party committing such breach,
or which breach, by its nature, cannot be cured prior to the date on which
the Offer expires; or
(e) by either Purchaser or the Company prior to the purchase of Shares
pursuant to the Offer if the Board of Directors of the Company shall
reasonably determine in good faith by a majority vote that an Acquisition
Proposal is more favorable to the Company's shareholders in the aggregate
and from a financial point of view than the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement (including any adjustment to the terms and conditions of
such transactions proposed by Purchaser in response to such Acquisition
Proposal) and shall reasonably determine in good faith by a majority vote,
based upon advice of its outside legal counsel, that failing to accept such
Acquisition Proposal would reasonably be expected to constitute a breach of
the fiduciary duties of the Board and the Company shall have delivered to
Purchaser a written notice of the determination by the Company's Board of
Directors to terminate this Agreement pursuant to the provisions described
in this paragraph setting forth a summary of all material terms of such
Acquisition Proposal; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company may not terminate
the Merger Agreement pursuant to the provisions described in this paragraph
unless (i) five business days shall have elapsed after delivery to Purchaser
of the notice referred to above, (ii) at the end of such five business day
period the Company's Board of
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Directors shall continue to believe that such Acquisition Proposal is more
favorable to the Company's shareholders in the aggregate and from a
financial point of view than the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement (including any adjustment to the terms and conditions of such
transactions proposed by Purchaser in response to such Acquisition
Proposal), and (iii) simultaneously with such termination the Company shall
enter into a definitive acquisition, merger or similar agreement to effect
such Acquisition Proposal and shall make payment of the full reimbursement
required by the provisions described below; or
(f) by Purchaser prior to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer,
if (i) the Board shall have withdrawn or modified (including by amendment of
the Schedule 14D-9) in a manner adverse to Purchaser its approval or
recommendation of the Offer, the Merger Agreement or the Merger or shall
have recommended another Acquisition Proposal, offer or transaction; or (ii)
the Minimum Condition shall not have been satisfied by the expiration date
of the Offer and on or prior to such date (A) any person (other than
Purchaser or its affiliates) shall have made a public announcement or
proposal, or a communication to the Company which becomes publicly known,
with respect to an Acquisition Proposal which is superior from a financial
point of view to the Offer and the Merger or (B) any person (including the
Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries), other than Purchaser or
any of its affiliates, shall have become the beneficial owner of 20% or more
of the Shares.
The Merger Agreement further provides that in the event of the termination
thereof pursuant to its terms, the Merger Agreement shall forthwith become void
and there shall be no liability on the part of any party thereto except as set
forth in therein; provided, however, that nothing therein shall relieve any
party from liability for any breach thereof.
The Merger Agreement provides that if Purchaser terminates the Merger
Agreement pursuant to the provisions described in paragraph (e) above, or clause
(i) or (ii)(B) of paragraph (f) above, or if the Company terminates the Merger
Agreement pursuant to the provisions described in paragraph (e) above or in
circumstances that would have permitted Purchaser to terminate pursuant to the
provisions described in paragraph (e) above, or clause (i) or (ii)(B) of
paragraph (f) above, then:
(i) The Company shall reimburse Purchaser and its affiliates for all
reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses actually incurred by any of them
or on their behalf in connection with the Offer and the Merger and the
negotiation, preparation, diligence in respect of and consummation of all
the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements payable to financing sources, investment
bankers, counsel to Purchaser or its affiliates or any of the foregoing, and
accountants) up to an aggregate maximum reimbursement of $750,000. The
Company shall pay the amounts requested within one business day of such
requests (accompanied by a submission of statements therefor); and
(ii) If (x) such termination is pursuant to the provisions described in
clause (ii)(B) of paragraph (f) above or in circumstances that would have
permitted Purchaser to terminate pursuant to the provisions described in
clause (ii)(B) of paragraph (f) above or (y) within 12 months of such
termination the Company consummates a transaction contemplated by the
definition of "Acquisition Proposal", then in each case the Company shall
pay to or as directed by Purchaser, within one business day following such
termination, in the case of clause (x) above, or within one business day
following consummation of such transaction, in the case of clause (y) above,
a fee, in cash, of $3 million, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company in no
event shall be obligated to pay more than one such fee with respect to all
such terminations and transactions.
The Merger Agreement further provides that, except as otherwise specifically
provided therein, each party shall bear its own expenses in connection with the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
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SUPPORT AGREEMENT
Simultaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement and as a condition
to the willingness of Purchaser to proceed with the Offer and the Merger,
Purchaser entered into a Support Agreement (the "Support Agreement") with the
Supporting Shareholder, pursuant to which, among other things, the Supporting
Shareholder agreed to validly tender (and not withdraw) his Shares to Purchaser
pursuant to the Offer. As of the date of the Support Agreement, the Supporting
Shareholder held 1,532,157 Shares (such Shares, together with any other Shares
acquired by the Supporting Shareholder after the date of the Support Agreement
and during the term of the Support Agreement whether upon the exercise of
options, warrants or rights, the conversion or exchange of convertible or
exchangeable securities, or by means of purchase, dividend, distribution or
otherwise, being collectively referred to herein as the "Subject Shares"),
representing approximately 6.3% of the currently outstanding Shares, and had the
right to receive an additional 540,000 Shares, representing approximately an
additional 2.2%, through the exercise of options.
Under the terms of the Support Agreement, the Supporting Shareholder has
also agreed as follows:
(a) at any meeting of shareholders of the Company held prior to the
consummation of the Offer and called to vote upon the Merger, the Merger
Agreement or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement or at any adjournment thereof or in any other circumstances in
which a vote, consent or other approval with respect to the Merger, the
Merger Agreement or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement is sought, the Supporting Shareholder shall vote (or cause to be
voted) the Subject Shares in favor of the Merger, the adoption by the
Company of the Merger Agreement and the approval of the terms thereof and
each of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;
(b) at any meeting of shareholders of the Company or at any adjournment
thereof or in any other circumstances in which the Supporting Shareholder's
vote, consent or other approval is sought and which meeting is held or other
action is taken prior to the consummation of the Offer, the Supporting
Shareholder shall vote (or cause to be voted) the Subject Shares against (i)
any merger agreement or merger (other than the Merger Agreement and the
Merger), consolidation, combination, sale of all or substantial assets,
reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of
or by the Company or any other takeover proposal or Acquisition Proposal (as
such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) or (ii) any amendment of the
Company's certificate of incorporation or by-laws or other proposal or
transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, which
amendment or other proposal or transaction would in any manner impede,
frustrate, prevent or nullify the Merger, the Merger Agreement or any of the
other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, or would change in
any manner the voting rights of the Common Stock. Pursuant to the terms of
the Support Agreement, the Supporting Shareholder further agrees not to
commit or agree to take any action inconsistent with the foregoing;
(c) the Supporting Shareholder has granted to, and appointed Purchaser
and any designee of Purchaser, each of them individually, Shareholder's
irrevocable (until the termination of this Agreement) proxy and
attorney-in-fact (with full power of substitution) to vote the Subject
Shares of Shareholder as indicated in paragraphs (a) and (b) above;
(d) the Supporting Shareholder has agreed not to (i) sell, transfer,
pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of (including by gift) (collectively,
"Transfer"), or enter into any contract, option or other arrangement
(including any profit-sharing arrangement) with respect to the Transfer of,
the Subject Shares to any person other than pursuant to the terms of the
Merger and the Offer or (ii) enter into any voting arrangement, whether by
proxy, voting agreement or otherwise, in connection with, directly or
indirectly, any Acquisition Proposal, and agrees not to commit or agree to
take any of the foregoing actions; PROVIDED that the Supporting Shareholder
shall be permitted to make limited
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Transfers to family members and for estate planning purposes so long as the
transferee executes an agreement to be bound by the terms of the Support
Agreement, or terms substantially identical thereto; and
(e) Until the termination of the Support Agreement, the Supporting
Shareholder will comply with the provisions of the Merger Agreement
pertaining to Acquisition Proposals to the extent applicable to the
Supporting Shareholder in his capacity as a director or officer of the
Company; PROVIDED, that nothing in the provisions described in this
paragraph (e) shall prohibit Shareholder from taking any actions that the
Company is permitted to take in accordance with such provisions of the
Merger Agreement pertaining to Acquisition Proposals.
The Support Agreement shall terminate on the date on which the Merger
Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.
12. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER; THE MERGER; PLANS FOR THE COMPANY; RIGHTS
AGREEMENT.
PURPOSE. The purpose of the Offer is to acquire control of, and the entire
equity interest in, the Company. The Offer is being made pursuant to the Merger
Agreement. As promptly as practicable following consummation of the Offer and
after satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the Merger set forth in the
Merger Agreement, Purchaser intends to acquire the remaining equity interest in
the Company not acquired in the Offer by consummating the Merger.
VOTE REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE MERGER. The Board of Directors of the Company
has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement in accordance with the NYBCL. If
required for approval of the Merger, the Company has agreed, in accordance with
and subject to the NYBCL, to duly convene a meeting of its shareholders as
promptly as practicable following the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer
for the purpose of considering and taking action on the Merger Agreement. If
shareholder approval is required, the Merger Agreement must be approved by the
vote of the holders of two-thirds of the Shares outstanding on the record date
set for such vote. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, such record date is to be
the time immediately following the consummation of the Offer and the Equity
Contribution so that Purchaser is the holder of record for purposes of such vote
of the Shares acquired in the Offer and the Equity Contribution, which Shares
will constitute in excess of two-thirds of the issued and outstanding Shares of
record at such record date assuming the Minimum Condition was satisfied. In
addition, the Merger Agreement provides that if, at the time of closing of the
Offer and the Equity Contribution or thereafter, the number of Shares held by
Purchaser shall not represent at least two-thirds of the outstanding Shares as a
result of the issuance of Shares by the Company (whether upon the exercise,
exchange or conversion of options, Convertible Notes or other securities
exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into Shares or otherwise), the
Company will sell to Purchaser, upon notice from Purchaser, at a price per share
equal to the cash price paid in the Offer and the Merger, such number of Shares
as may be necessary so that the percentage of outstanding Shares held by
Purchaser represents at least two-thirds of the outstanding Shares. As a result,
if the Minimum Condition is satisfied and Purchaser acquires Shares pursuant to
the Offer, it is expected that Purchaser will have the power to approve the
Merger Agreement without the affirmative vote of any other shareholder.
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote or
consent of the holders of 80% of the Shares in order to approve certain
corporate transactions, including the Merger and the Support Agreement, between
the Company and another corporation which is the beneficial owner of 5% or more
of the Shares (the "Supermajority Voting Requirement"). The Supermajority Voting
Requirement does not apply, however, if the Company's Board of Directors has
approved a memorandum of understanding with such other corporation with respect
to such transaction prior to the time that such other corporation becomes a
beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Shares. The Company has represented that
the Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously approved the Merger
Agreement and the Support Agreement as a "memorandum of understanding" with
Purchaser pursuant to
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such provisions, and that such action is sufficient to render the Supermajority
Voting Requirement inapplicable to the Merger Agreement, the Support Agreement,
the Offer, the Merger, the Equity Contribution, and the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
APPRAISAL RIGHTS. Holders of Shares do not have appraisal rights as a
result of the Offer; however, holders of Shares will have certain rights
pursuant to the provisions of the NYBCL, including Sections 623 and 910, upon
consummation of the Merger, including the right to dissent and demand appraisal
of any Dissenting Shares held by such holders. Under the NYBCL, dissenting
shareholders who have filed with the Company a written notice of election to
dissent and who otherwise comply with the applicable procedures set forth in the
NYBCL will be entitled to receive a judicial determination of the fair value of
the Shares and to receive payment of such fair value in cash, together with a
fair rate of interest, if any. Any such judicial determination of the fair value
of the Shares could be based upon factors other than, or in addition to, the
price per Share to be paid in the Merger or the market value of the Shares. The
value so determined could be more or less than the price per Share paid in the
Merger.
THE FOREGOING SUMMARY OF THE RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A
COMPLETE STATEMENT OF THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY SHAREHOLDERS DESIRING TO
EXERCISE ANY AVAILABLE APPRAISAL RIGHTS. THE PRESENTATION AND EXERCISE OF
APPRAISAL RIGHTS REQUIRE STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE
NYBCL.
The foregoing description of certain provisions of the NYBCL is not
necessarily complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the NYBCL.
RULE 13E-3. The Commission has adopted Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act
which is applicable to certain "going private" transactions and which may under
certain circumstances be applicable to the Merger following the purchase of
Shares pursuant to the Offer in which Purchaser seeks to acquire any remaining
Shares. Rule 13e-3 should not be applicable to the Merger if the Merger is
consummated within one year after the expiration or termination of the Offer and
the price paid in the Merger is not less than the per Share price paid pursuant
to the Offer. However, in the event that Purchaser is deemed to have acquired
control of the Company pursuant to the Offer and if the Merger is consummated
more than one year after completion of the Offer or an alternative acquisition
transaction is effected whereby shareholders of the Company receive
consideration less than that paid pursuant to the Offer, in either case at a
time when the Shares are still registered under the Exchange Act, Purchaser may
be required to comply with Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act. If applicable,
Rule 13e-3 would require, among other things, that certain financial information
concerning the Company and certain information relating to the fairness of the
Merger or such alternative transaction and the consideration offered to minority
shareholders in the Merger or such alternative transaction be filed with the
Commission and disclosed to shareholders prior to consummation of the Merger or
such alternative transaction. The purchase of a substantial number of Shares
pursuant to the Offer may result in the Company being able to terminate its
Exchange Act registration. See Section 14. If such registration were terminated,
Rule 13e-3 would be inapplicable to any such future Merger or such alternative
transaction.
PLANS FOR THE COMPANY. If Purchaser obtains control of the Company pursuant
to the Offer, Purchaser expects to conduct a detailed review of the Company and
its businesses, assets, corporate structure, capitalization, operations,
properties, policies, management and personnel and to consider what changes
would be desirable in light of the circumstances that then exist. Such changes
could include changes in the Company's businesses, corporate structure,
certificate of incorporation, by-laws, capitalization, board of directors,
management or dividend policy. Purchaser expects that Joseph R. Baczko, a former
President and Chief Operating Officer of Blockbuster Entertainment, would
replace Mr. Ashton as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the
Company and would assume similar responsibilities at Frank's immediately
following consummation of the Offer.
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Except as described in this Offer to Purchase, Purchaser has no present
plans or proposals that would relate to or result in an extraordinary corporate
transaction such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation involving the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or a sale or other transfer of a material
amount of assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any material change
in the capitalization or dividend policy of the Company or any other material
change in the Company's corporate structure or business or the composition of
its Board of Directors or management.
RIGHTS AGREEMENT. The following discussion, including the summary of
certain aspects of the Rights, is based in part on information contained in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated March 23, 1995 (the "Form
8-A"), does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to such
information and to the Rights Agreement, which was filed as an exhibit to such
Form 8-A. The Form 8-A is incorporated herein by reference. Although Purchaser
does not have any knowledge that would indicate that any statements contained
herein based upon such documents are untrue, Purchaser does not assume any
responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in
such documents, or for any failure by the Company to disclose events that may
have occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of any such
information but which are unknown to Purchaser.
On February 22, 1990, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a
dividend distribution of one Right for each outstanding share of Common Stock to
shareholders of record at the close of business on March 7, 1990. Such dividend
distribution replaced the rights distributed pursuant to a previous rights
agreement (the "Previous Rights Agreement"), which expired as of the close of
business on March 7, 1990. The Rights were scheduled to expire on March 7, 1995,
but on March 1, 1995, the Company's Board of Directors extended the expiration
date for five years, to March 7, 2000. The Rights Agreement provides that each
Right entitles the registered holder, upon the occurrence of certain events, to
purchase from the Company one share of Common Stock at a purchase price of $60
per Share, subject to adjustment (the "Purchase Price"). The description and
terms of the Rights are set forth in the Rights Agreement.
The Rights Agreement provides that the Rights will initially be represented
by the Share Certificates and no separate Rights Certificates will be
distributed until a Distribution Date. The Rights Agreement further provides
that until a Distribution Date, (x) the Rights will be evidenced by the Share
Certificates and will be transferred only with such Share Certificates, (y) new
Share Certificates issued after March 7, 1990 will contain a legend
incorporating the new Rights Agreement by reference and (z) the surrender for
transfer of any certificate for Common Stock outstanding will also constitute
the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such
certificate. The Rights Agreement further provides that stock certificates
legended pursuant to the Previous Rights Agreement shall represent Rights
granted pursuant to the present Rights Agreement.
The Rights Agreement provides that unless a later date is determined by
action of the Board of Directors, a Distribution Date will occur on the close of
business on the tenth business day after the first to occur of:
(i) the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would, if
completed, result in a person or group of affiliated or associated persons
beneficially owning 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock;
(ii) a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired, or obtained the
right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock;
(iii) the consolidation or merger of any entity with or into the Company
where the Company is the surviving corporation, and the Common Stock remains
unchanged;
(iv) the transfer, by the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock or by a person who would, as a result of
such transaction, become the beneficial owner of
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20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, of any assets to the
Company in exchange for shares of equity securities of the Company;
(v) the consolidation or merger of any entity with or into the Company
where the Company is the surviving corporation and, in connection with such
consolidation or merger, all or part of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock are changed into or exchanged for securities of any other entity, or
cash or other property;
(vi) the consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another
entity where the Company is not the surviving corporation; or
(vii) the sale or transfer by the Company of assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company.
The Rights Agreement provides that the Rights are not exercisable until a
Distribution Date (unless a later date is determined by action of the Board of
Directors) and will expire at the close of business on March 7, 2000, unless
earlier redeemed by the Company as described below.
The Rights Agreement provides that as soon as practicable after a
Distribution Date, Rights Certificates will be mailed to holders of record of
the Common Stock as of the close of business on a Distribution Date and,
thereafter, the separate Rights Certificates alone will represent the Rights.
Except as otherwise provided in the Rights Agreement or determined by the Board
of Directors, only shares of Common Stock issued prior to a Distribution Date
will be issued with Rights.
The Rights Agreement provides that unless such transaction is approved in
advance by the Board of Directors, upon the occurrence of any of the events
listed in clauses (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, each holder of a Right (except
Rights voided as set forth below) will thereafter have the right to receive,
upon exercise, Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, other securities of
the Company or other consideration) at 50% of the then-market price (the
"Flip-In").
The Rights Agreement provides that unless such transaction is approved in
advance by the Board of Directors, upon the occurrence of any of the events
listed in clauses (v), (vi) or (vii) above, each holder of a Right (except
Rights voided as set forth below) will thereafter have the right to receive,
upon exercise, common stock of the acquiring company at 50% of the then market
price (the "Flip-Over").
The Rights Agreement provides that, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, upon the occurrence of any of the events set forth in clauses (ii) through
(vii) above, all Rights beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person will be null
and void, and therefore the Acquiring Person and any transferee of the Acquiring
Person will not be able to purchase shares at a 50% discount.
The Rights Agreement provides that the Purchase Price payable, and the
number of shares of Common Stock 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 Common Stock, (ii) if holders of the Common Stock
are granted certain rights or warrants to subscribe for Common Stock or
convertible securities at less than the current market price of the Common
Stock, or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Common Stock of
evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular quarterly cash
dividends).
The Rights Agreement further provides that, at any time, the Company may
redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01 per Right
(payable in cash, Common Stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the
Board of Directors) (the "Redemption Price"). Immediately upon the action of the
Board of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, the Rights will terminate
and the only right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the $.01
redemption price.
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The Rights Agreement provides that, 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.
While the distribution of the Rights was not taxable to shareholders or to
the Company, shareholders may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize
taxable income in the event that the Rights become exercisable for Common Stock
(or other consideration) of the Company or for common stock of the acquiring
company as set forth above.
The Rights Agreement provides that the Board of Directors of the Company may
supplement or amend any provision of the Rights Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER
that after the date upon which the Rights are first exercisable, no supplement
or amendment shall be made which changes the redemption price, the final
expiration date of the Rights, the Purchase Price or the number of shares of
Common Stock for which a Right is exercisable. The Rights Agreement further
provides that the Board of Directors of the Company may, at any time, delay a
Distribution Date and/or the date upon which the Rights first become
exercisable.
Each share of Common Stock of the Company outstanding and each share held in
treasury at the close of business on March 7, 1990 received one Right. So long
as the Rights are attached to the Common Stock, one additional Right (as such
number may be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of the Rights Agreement) shall
be deemed to be delivered for each share of Common Stock issued by the Company
subsequent to March 7, 1990.
The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause
substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company
in a manner which causes the Rights to become discount Rights unless the offer
is approved in advance by the Board of Directors. The Rights should not
interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of
Directors since the Board of Directors may, at its option, redeem all but not
less than all the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price.
On November 21, 1997, the Board of Directors adopted resolutions pertaining
to the Rights Agreement (i) delaying the Distribution Date solely in connection
with the Offer, the Merger, the Equity Contribution and the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Support Agreement until December
31, 1997 or such other date as the Board may resolve, (ii) approving the Offer,
the Merger, the Equity Contribution, the Support Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Purchaser will become a
beneficial owner of Shares in excess of 20% of the Shares outstanding, so that
(x) Purchaser will not become an Acquiring Person as a result of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and (y) the Flip-In and
Flip-Over provisions described above shall not apply to any such transactions or
agreements; and (iii) authorizing and directing officers of the Company to, if
they deem it necessary in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement and the Support Agreement, amend the Rights Agreement to
provide that none of the execution of the Merger Agreement or the Support
Agreement, the making of the Offer, the acquisition of Shares pursuant to the
Offer, the Equity Contribution, the consummation of the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will (a) cause any Rights
issued to become exercisable, (b) cause Purchaser or any of its affiliates or
associates to become an Acquiring Person or (c) give rise to a Distribution Date
or a Flip-In, Flip-Over or other Triggering Event (as defined in the Rights
Agreement).
13. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. As described more fully in Section 11,
pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has covenanted and agreed that,
during the period from the date of the Merger Agreement to such time as
Purchaser's designees shall constitute a majority of the Company's Board of
Directors, except as expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company
will not, without the prior written consent of Purchaser, among other things,
reclassify, combine, split, subdivide or redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire,
directly or indirectly, any of its capital stock. If the Company
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should, however, on or after the date of the Merger Agreement take any such
action, or disclose that it has done so, then without prejudice to Purchaser's
rights under Section 15, Purchaser reserves the right to make such adjustments
to the purchase price and other terms of the Offer as it deems appropriate to
reflect such action.
Similarly, as described more fully in Section 11, pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, the Company has covenanted and agreed that, during the period from
the date of the Merger Agreement to such time as Purchaser's designees shall
constitute a majority of the Company's Board of Directors, except as expressly
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Company will not, without the prior
written consent of Purchaser, among other things, declare, set aside, make or
pay any dividend or other distribution, payable in cash, stock, property or
otherwise, with respect to any of its capital stock. If on or after the date of
the Merger Agreement, the Company should nonetheless declare or pay any cash or
stock dividend or other distribution on, or issue any right with respect to, the
Shares that is payable or distributable to shareholders of record on a date
prior to the transfer to the name of Purchaser or the nominee or transferee of
Purchaser on the Company's stock transfer records of such Shares that are
purchased pursuant to the Offer, then without prejudice to Purchaser's rights
under Section 15, (i) the purchase price payable per Share by Purchaser pursuant
to the Offer will be reduced to the extent any such dividend or distribution is
payable in cash and (ii) any non-cash dividend, distribution (including
additional Shares) or right received and held by a tendering shareholder shall
be required to be promptly remitted and transferred by the tendering shareholder
to the Depositary for the account of Purchaser, accompanied by appropriate
documentation of transfer. Pending such remittance or appropriate assurance
thereof, Purchaser will, subject to applicable law, be entitled to all rights
and privileges as owner of any such non-cash dividend, distribution or right and
may withhold the entire purchase price or deduct from the purchase price the
amount or value thereof, as determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion.
14. EFFECT OF THE OFFER ON THE MARKET FOR THE SHARES, NYSE LISTING AND
EXCHANGE ACT REGISTRATION. The purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will
reduce the number of Shares that might otherwise trade publicly and will reduce
the number of holders of Shares. This could adversely affect the liquidity and
market value of the remaining Shares held by the public. Depending upon the
number of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the Shares may no longer meet
the requirements of the NYSE for continued listing. The NYSE would normally give
consideration to suspending or removing from the list a security of a company
when (i) the number of shareholders is less than 1,200 or (ii) the number of
publicly-held shares is less than 600,000, and the aggregate market value of
publicly held shares subject to adjustment is less than $8 million. For purposes
of (i) above, the number of beneficial holders of stock held in the name of NYSE
member organizations will be considered in addition to the holders of record.
For purposes of (ii) above, the shares held by officers, directors, or their
immediate families and other concentrated holdings of 10% or more are excluded
in calculating the number of publicly held shares. If as a result of the
purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer or otherwise, the Shares no longer meet
the requirements of the NYSE for continued listing the market for the Shares
could be adversely affected.
In the event that the Shares no longer meet the requirements of the NYSE for
continued listing, it is possible that such Shares would continue to trade on
other securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market and that price
quotations would be reported by such exchanges or through other sources.
However, the extent of the public market for the Shares and the availability of
such quotations would depend upon such factors as the number of shareholders
and/or the aggregate market value of the Shares remaining at such time, the
interest in maintaining a market in the Shares on the part of securities firms,
the possible termination of registration under the Exchange Act as described
below and other factors. Purchaser cannot predict whether the reduction in the
number of Shares that might otherwise trade publicly would have an adverse or
beneficial effect on the market price for or marketability of the Shares.
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The Shares are currently registered under the Exchange Act. The purchase of
Shares pursuant to the Offer may result in the Shares becoming eligible for
deregistration under the Exchange Act. Registration of the Shares may be
terminated upon application of the Company to the Commission if the Shares are
not listed on a national securities exchange and there are fewer than 300 record
holders. The termination of the registration of the Shares under the Exchange
Act would substantially reduce the information required to be furnished by the
Company to holders of the Shares and would make certain provisions of the
Exchange Act, such as the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section
16(b), the requirement of furnishing a proxy statement in connection with
shareholders' meetings and the requirements of Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act
with respect to "going private" transactions, no longer applicable to the
Shares. Furthermore, "affiliates" of the Company and persons holding "restricted
securities" of the Company may be deprived of the ability to dispose of the
securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act").
15. CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER. Notwithstanding any other provision of
the Offer, Purchaser shall not be required to accept for payment or, subject to
any applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, including Rule 14e-1(c)
under the Exchange Act (relating to Purchaser's obligation to pay for or return
tendered Shares promptly after termination or withdrawal of the Offer), pay for
any Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, and may postpone the acceptance for
payment or, subject to the restriction referred to above, payment for any Shares
tendered pursuant to the Offer, and may amend or terminate the Offer as to any
Shares not then paid for if, prior to the expiration of the Offer, (i) any of
the Minimum Condition, the HSR Act Condition or the Debt Offer Condition has not
been met, or (ii) at any time on or after the date of the Merger Agreement and
prior to the acceptance for payment of Shares, any of the following events have
occurred:
(a) there shall have been instituted or pending any action or proceeding
brought by any governmental authority before any federal or state court, or
any order or preliminary or permanent injunction entered in any action or
proceeding before any federal or state court or governmental, administrative
or regulatory authority or agency, or any other action taken, or statute,
rule, regulation, legislation, interpretation, judgment or order enacted,
entered, enforced, promulgated, amended, issued or deemed applicable to
Purchaser, the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of Purchaser or the
Company or to the Offer or the Merger, by any legislative body, court,
government or governmental, administrative or regulatory authority or agency
which could reasonably be expected to have the effect of: (i) making
illegal, materially delaying or otherwise directly or indirectly restraining
or prohibiting or making materially more costly the making of the Offer, the
acceptance for payment of, or payment for, some of or all the Shares by
Purchaser or any of its affiliates, or the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or materially delaying the
Merger; (ii) prohibiting or materially limiting the ownership or operation
by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or Purchaser or any of
Purchaser's affiliates of all or any material portion of the business or
assets of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries, or compelling
Purchaser or any of its affiliates to dispose of or hold separate all or any
material portion of the business or assets of the Company or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries or Purchaser or any of its affiliates, as a result
of the transactions contemplated by the Offer or the Merger Agreement; (iii)
imposing or confirming limitations on the ability of Purchaser or any of its
affiliates effectively to acquire or hold or to exercise full rights of
ownership of Shares, including without limitation the right to vote any
Shares acquired or owned by Purchaser or any of its affiliates on all
matters properly presented to the shareholders of the Company, including
without limitation the adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the
Merger or the right to vote any shares of capital stock of any subsidiary
directly or indirectly owned by the Company; or (iv) requiring divestiture
by Purchaser or any of its affiliates of any Shares;
36
<PAGE>
(b) there shall have occurred, after the date of the Merger Agreement,
an event that has had a material adverse effect on the business, operations,
assets, liabilities, properties, financial condition, or results of
operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "Material
Adverse Effect");
(c) there shall have occurred (i) any general suspension of trading in,
or limitation on prices for, securities on the New York Stock Exchange or in
the Nasdaq National Market for a period in excess of 24 hours (excluding
suspensions or limitations resulting solely from physical damage or
interference not relating to monetary conditions), (ii) a decline of at
least 25% in either the Dow Jones Average of Industrial Stocks or the
Standard & Poor's 500 index from the date of the Merger Agreement, or a
material disruption of or material adverse change in financial, banking or
capital market conditions that could materially adversely affect syndication
of loan facilities, (iii) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any
suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States, (iv) any
limitation (whether or not mandatory) by any domestic government or
governmental, administrative or regulatory authority or agency on, or any
other event that could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect
the extension of credit by banks or other lending institutions, (v) a
commencement of a war or armed hostilities or other national or
international calamity having a Material Adverse Effect or materially
adversely affecting (or materially delaying) the consummation of the Offer
or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or
(vi) in the case of any of the foregoing existing at the time of
commencement of the Offer, a material acceleration or worsening thereof;
(d) (i) it shall have been publicly disclosed or Purchaser shall have
otherwise learned that beneficial ownership (determined for the purposes of
this paragraph as set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act) of more than 15.0% of the outstanding Shares has been acquired by any
corporation (including the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates), partnership, person or other entity or group (as defined in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than Purchaser or any of its
affiliates, or (ii) (A) the Board of Directors of the Company or any
committee thereof shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to
Purchaser the approval or recommendation of the Offer, the Merger or the
Merger Agreement, or approved or recommended any Acquisition Proposal or any
other acquisition of Shares other than the Offer and the Merger or (B) any
such corporation, partnership, person or other entity or group shall have
entered into a definitive agreement or an agreement in principle with the
Company with respect to an Acquisition Proposal;
(e) any of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth
in the Merger Agreement that are qualified as to materiality shall not be
true and correct, or any such representations and warranties that are not so
qualified shall not be true and correct in any material respect, in each
case as if such representations and warranties were made at the time of such
determination;
(f) the Company shall have failed to perform in any material respect
any obligation or to comply in any material respect with any agreement or
covenant of the Company to be performed or complied with by it under the
Merger Agreement;
(g) the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with
its terms or the Offer shall have been terminated with the consent of the
Company;
(h) all consents and approvals of and notices to or filings with
governmental authorities and third parties required in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement shall not have been
obtained or made other than those the absence of which, individually or in
the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect or prevent or
materially delay consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement.
37
<PAGE>
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of Purchaser and may be
asserted by Purchaser regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such
condition or may be waived by Purchaser in whole or in part at any time and from
time to time in its sole discretion (subject in each case to the terms of the
Merger Agreement). The failure by Purchaser at any time to exercise any of the
foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right, the waiver of
any such right with respect to particular facts and other circumstances shall
not be deemed a waiver with respect to any other facts and circumstances, and
each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right that may be asserted at any
time and from time to time. Any determination by Purchaser concerning the events
described in this Section 15 will be final and binding upon all parties.
16. CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS AND REGULATORY APPROVALS.
GENERAL. Except as set forth below, based on its examination of publicly
available filings by the Company with the Commission and other publicly
available information concerning, and representations and statements by, the
Company, Purchaser is not aware of any licenses or other regulatory permits that
appear to be material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, that might be adversely affected by Purchaser's acquisition of
Shares (and the indirect acquisition of the stock of the Company's subsidiaries)
as contemplated herein, or of any filings, approvals or other actions by or with
any domestic (federal or state), foreign or supranational governmental authority
or administrative or regulatory agency that would be required prior to the
acquisition of Shares (or the indirect acquisition of the stock of the Company's
subsidiaries) by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer as contemplated herein. Should
any such approval or other action be required, it is Purchaser's present
intention to seek such approval or action. There can be no assurance that any
such approval or other action, if needed, would be obtained without substantial
conditions or that adverse consequences might not result to the business of the
Company or Purchaser or that certain parts of the businesses of the Company or
Purchaser might not have to be disposed of or held separate or other substantial
conditions complied with in order to obtain such approval or other action or in
the event that such approval was not obtained or such other action was not
taken, any of which could cause Purchaser to elect (subject to the terms of the
Merger Agreement) to terminate the Offer without the purchase of the Shares
thereunder.
STATE TAKEOVER LAWS. A number of states have adopted takeover laws and
regulations which purport to varying degrees to be applicable to attempts to
acquire securities of corporations which are incorporated in such states or
which have or whose business operations have substantial economic effects in
such states, or which have substantial assets, security holders, principal
executive offices or principal places of business therein. In 1982, the Supreme
Court of the United States, in EDGAR V. MITE CORP., invalidated on
constitutional grounds the Illinois Business Takeovers Act, which as a matter of
state securities law made takeovers of corporations meeting certain requirements
more difficult, and the reasoning in such decision is likely to apply to certain
other state takeover statutes. However, in 1987, in CTS CORP. V. DYNAMICS CORP.
OF AMERICA, the Supreme Court of the United States held that the State of
Indiana could, as a matter of corporate law and in particular those aspects of
corporate law concerning corporate governance, constitutionally disqualify a
potential acquiror from voting on the affairs of a target corporation without
the prior approval of the remaining shareholders, provided that such laws were
applicable only under certain conditions. Subsequently, in TLX ACQUISITION CORP.
V. TELEX CORP., a federal district court in Oklahoma ruled that the Oklahoma
statutes were unconstitutional insofar as they applied to corporations
incorporated outside Oklahoma in that they would subject such corporations to
inconsistent regulations. Similarly, in TYSON FOODS, INC. V. MCREYNOLDS, a
federal district court in Tennessee ruled that four Tennessee takeover statutes
were unconstitutional as applied to corporations incorporated outside Tennessee.
This decision was affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth
Circuit. In December 1988, a federal district court in Florida held in GRAND
METROPOLITAN PLC V. BUTTERWORTH that the provisions of the Florida Affiliated
Transactions Act and the Florida Control Share Acquisition Act were
unconstitutional as applied to corporations incorporated outside of Florida.
38
<PAGE>
The Company is incorporated in New York. Section 912 of the NYBCL generally
prohibits such a New York corporation from engaging in certain "business
combinations" (defined to include mergers and consolidations) with an
"interested shareholder" (defined generally as any person that beneficially owns
20% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation) for a
period of five years after the date the person became an interested shareholder
unless, before such date, the board of directors of the corporations approved
either the business combination or the purchase of 20% or more of the
corporation's voting securities by the interested shareholder or certain other
statutory conditions have been met. On November 21, 1997, the Company's Board of
Directors unanimously approved the acquisition of beneficial ownership of Shares
contemplated by the Offer, the Merger, the Equity Contribution, the Merger
Agreement and the Support Agreement for purposes of Section 912. Accordingly,
Section 912 is inapplicable to, and will not prevent consummation of, the
Merger.
New York has also adopted the New York Security Takeover Disclosure Act, as
amended (the "NYSTDA"), which purports to apply to any tender offer to purchase
any equity security of a "target company" (which is defined to mean a
corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York which has its
principal executive offices or significant business operations located within
the State of New York) if, after the tender offer, the offeror would be a
beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of the issued and outstanding
equity securities of such target company. If applicable, the NYSTDA requires an
offeror to file with the Attorney General of the State of New York and deliver
to the target company a registration statement as soon as practicable on the
date of commencement of the tender offer. The NYSTDA also permits among other
things, an investigation and public hearing to review the adequacy of the
required disclosure. Purchaser has filed a registration statement with the
Attorney General of the State of New York, and has included in Schedule II to
this Offer to Purchase certain additional information required to be disclosed
by the NYSTDA.
Except as described herein, Purchaser has not attempted to comply with any
state takeover statutes in connection with the Offer. Purchaser reserves the
right to challenge the validity or applicability of any state law allegedly
applicable to the Offer and nothing in this Offer to Purchase nor any action
taken in connection herewith is intended as a waiver of that right. In the event
that any state takeover statute is found applicable to the Offer, Purchaser
might be unable to accept for payment or purchase Shares tendered pursuant to
the Offer or be delayed in continuing or consummating the Offer. In such case,
Purchaser may not be obligated to accept for purchase or pay for, any Shares
tendered. See Section 15.
ANTITRUST. Under the HSR Act and the rules that have been promulgated
thereunder by the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC"), certain acquisition
transactions may not be consummated unless certain information has been
furnished to the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (the "Antitrust
Division") and the FTC and certain waiting period requirements have been
satisfied.
Purchaser intends, as soon as reasonably practicable following the date
hereof, to file with the FTC and the Antitrust Division a Premerger Notification
and Report Form in connection with the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer.
Under the provisions of the HSR Act applicable to the Offer, the purchase of
Shares pursuant to the Offer may not be consummated until the expiration of a
15-calendar day waiting
period following the filing by Purchaser, unless both the Antitrust Division and
the FTC terminate the waiting period prior thereto. If, within such 15-calendar
day waiting period, either the Antitrust Division or the FTC requests additional
information or documentary material from Purchaser, the waiting period would be
extended for an additional 10 calendar days following substantial compliance by
Purchaser with such request. Thereafter, the waiting period could be extended
only by court order. If the acquisition of Shares is delayed pursuant to a
request by the FTC or the Antitrust Division for additional information or
documentary material pursuant to the HSR Act, the Offer may, but need not
(except as otherwise provided in the Merger Agreement), be extended and in any
event the purchase of and payment for Shares will be deferred until 10 days
after the request is substantially complied with, unless the waiting period is
sooner terminated by the FTC and the Antitrust Division. See Section 2. Only one
extension of such waiting period pursuant to a request for additional
information is authorized by the HSR Act and the
39
<PAGE>
rules promulgated thereunder, except by court order. Any such extension of the
waiting period will not give rise to any withdrawal rights not otherwise
provided for by applicable law. See Section 4.
The FTC and the Antitrust Division frequently scrutinize the legality under
the antitrust laws of transactions such as the proposed acquisition of Shares by
Purchaser pursuant to the Offer. At any time before or after the purchase by
Purchaser of Shares pursuant to the Offer, either of the FTC and the Antitrust
Division could take such action under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary
or desirable in the public interest, including seeking to enjoin the purchase of
Shares pursuant to the Offer or seeking the divestiture of Shares purchased by
Purchaser or the divestiture of substantial assets of the Company or its
subsidiaries. Private parties and state attorneys general may also bring legal
action under federal or state antitrust laws under certain circumstances.
Based upon an examination of publicly available information and information
provided by the Company relating to the businesses in which the Company and its
subsidiaries are engaged, Purchaser believes that the acquisition of Shares
pursuant to the Offer would not violate the antitrust laws. There can be no
assurance, however, that a challenge to the Offer on antitrust grounds will not
be made or, if such challenge is made, what the outcome will be. See Section 15
for certain conditions to the Offer, including conditions with respect to
litigation and certain government actions.
MARGIN CREDIT REGULATIONS. Federal Reserve Board Regulations G, T, U and X
(the "Margin Credit Regulations") restrict the extension or maintenance of
credit for the purpose of buying or carrying margin stock, including the Shares,
if the credit is secured directly or indirectly thereby. Such secured credit may
not be extended or maintained in an amount that exceeds the maximum loan value
of the margin stock. Under the Margin Credit Regulations, the Shares are
presently margin stock and the maximum loan value thereof is generally 50% of
their current market value. The definition of "indirectly secured" contained in
the Margin Credit Regulations provides that the term does not include an
arrangement with a customer if the lender in good faith has not relied upon
margin stock as collateral in extending or maintaining the particular credit.
17. FEES AND EXPENSES. Chase Securities Inc. is acting as Dealer Manager in
connection with the Offer. As compensation for its services as Dealer Manager,
Chase Securities Inc. will receive a fee of approximately $250,000 if the Offer
is consummated. Purchaser will also reimburse Chase Securities Inc. for
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses including reasonable attorney's fees and has
also agreed to indemnify Chase Securities Inc. against certain liabilities and
expenses in connection with the Offer, including certain liabilities under the
Federal securities laws. In addition, Chase Securities Inc. is serving as
Arranger and its affiliate, The Chase Manhattan Bank, is serving as
Administrative Agent in connection with the Financing, pursuant to which they
will receive customary fees.
Purchaser has retained D. F. King & Co., Inc. to act as the Information
Agent and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. to act as the Depositary in
connection with the Offer. The Information Agent may contact holders of Shares
by mail, telephone, telex, telegraph and personal interview and may request
brokers, dealers and other nominee shareholders to forward the Offer materials
to beneficial owners. The Information Agent and the Depositary will receive
reasonable and customary compensation for services relating to the Offer and
will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Purchaser has also
agreed to indemnify the Information Agent and the Depositary against certain
liabilities and expenses in connection with the Offer, including certain
liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Purchaser will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer or
any other person for soliciting tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer (other
than to the Dealer Manager, the Information Agent and the Depositary). Brokers,
dealers, commercial banks and trust companies will, upon request, be reimbursed
by Purchaser for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by them in
forwarding offering materials to their customers.
40
<PAGE>
18. MISCELLANEOUS. The Offer is being made solely by this Offer to Purchase
and the related Letter of Transmittal and is being made to all holders of
Shares. Purchaser is not aware of any state where the making of the Offer is
prohibited by administrative or judicial action pursuant to any valid state
statute. If Purchaser becomes aware of any valid state statute prohibiting the
making of the Offer or the acceptance of Shares pursuant thereto, Purchaser will
make a good faith effort to comply with any such state statute. If after such
good faith effort, Purchaser cannot comply with such state statute, the Offer
will not be made to nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of the
holders of Shares in such state. In any jurisdiction where the securities, blue
sky or other laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer,
the Offer shall be deemed to be made on behalf of Purchaser by the Dealer
Manager or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the
laws of such jurisdiction.
Purchaser has filed with the Commission a Schedule 14D-1 (including
exhibits) pursuant to Rule 14d-3 under the Exchange Act, furnishing certain
additional information with respect to the Offer. Such statement and any
amendments thereto, including exhibits, may be inspected and copies may be
obtained from the offices of the Commission (except that they will not be
available at the regional offices of the Commission) in the manner set forth in
Section 8 of this Offer to Purchase.
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF PURCHASER NOT CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED.
CYRUS ACQUISITION CORP.
November 25, 1997
41
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PURCHASER,
MEMBERS OF CYPRESS L.L.C. AND
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF ONWIST
1. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PURCHASER. The name, present
principal occupation or employment and five-year employment history of each
director and executive officer of Purchaser are set forth below. All directors
and executive officers listed below are citizens of the United States. The
business address of Mr. Stern, Mr. Spalding and Mr. Shirazi is 65 East 55th
Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10022.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
NAME AND OR EMPLOYMENT AND FIVE-YEAR
POSITION EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- -------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
James A. Stern.......................................... Chairman of Cypress L.L.C. since May 1994. Prior to May
Director 1994, Mr. Stern was a Managing Director with Lehman
Brothers where he was the head of the Merchant Banking
Group.
David P. Spalding....................................... Vice Chairman of Cypress L.L.C. since May 1994. Prior to
President and Director May 1994, Mr. Spalding was a Managing Director with
Lehman Brothers where he worked in the Merchant Banking
Group.
Bahram Shirazi.......................................... Principal of Cypress L.L.C. since May 1994. Prior to May
Vice President, Treasurer, 1994, Mr. Shirazi was a Vice President with Lehman
Secretary and Director Brothers where he worked in the Merchant Banking Group.
</TABLE>
2. MEMBERS OF CYPRESS L.L.C. The name, present principal occupation or
employment and five-year employment history of each member of Cypress L.L.C. are
set forth below. All persons listed below are citizens of the United States. The
business address of each of the persons listed below is 65 East 55th Street,
19th Floor, New York, New York 10022.
I-1
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
OR EMPLOYMENT AND FIVE-YEAR
NAME EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- -------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
James A. Stern.......................................... Chairman of Cypress L.L.C. since May 1994. Prior to May
1994, Mr. Stern was a Managing Director with Lehman
Brothers where he was the head of the Merchant Banking
Group.
Jeffrey P. Hughes....................................... Vice Chairman of Cypress L.L.C. since May 1994. Prior to
May 1994, Mr. Hughes was a Managing Director with Lehman
Brothers where he worked in the Merchant Banking Group.
James L. Singleton...................................... Vice Chairman of Cypress L.L.C. since May 1994. Prior to
May 1994, Mr. Singleton was a Managing Director with
Lehman Brothers where he worked in the Merchant Banking
Group.
David P. Spalding....................................... Vice Chairman of Cypress L.L.C. since May 1994. Prior to
May 1994, Mr. Spalding was a Managing Director with
Lehman Brothers where he worked in the Merchant Banking
Group.
</TABLE>
3. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF ONWIST. The name, present principal
occupation or employment and five-year employment history of each director of
Onwist are set forth below. Mr. Douglas and Mr. Smith are citizens of Bermuda.
Mr. Spalding is a citizen of the United States. The business address of Mr.
Douglas and Mr. Smith is c/o Bank of Bermuda (Cayman) Limited, P.O. Box 513
G.T., British American Tower, Third Floor, Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Cayman
Islands, B.W.I. The business address of Mr. Spalding is 65 East 55th Street,
19th Floor, New York, New York 10022.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
OR EMPLOYMENT AND FIVE-YEAR
NAME EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
- -------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Luis A. Douglas......................................... Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Clients of
The Bank of Bermuda Limited since March 1997. Prior to
March 1997, Mr. Douglas was Executive Vice President,
Corporate Trust of The Bank of Bermuda Limited.
David T. Smith.......................................... Senior Vice President, Corporate Trust of The Bank of
Bermuda Limited Since March 1997. Prior to March 1997,
Mr. Smith was a Vice President of The Bank of Bermuda
Limited.
David P. Spalding....................................... Vice Chairman of Cypress L.L.C. since May 1994. Prior to
May 1994, Mr. Spalding was a Managing Director with
Lehman Brothers where he worked in the Merchant Banking
Group.
</TABLE>
I-2
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE
NEW YORK SECURITY TAKEOVER DISCLOSURE ACT
Purchaser was incorporated on November 12, 1997. Purchaser has not engaged
in any business since its incorporation or organization other than that incident
to its incorporation or organization and in connection with the Offer, the
Merger, and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
Accordingly, Purchaser has not engaged in any significant community activities,
nor has Purchaser made any significant charitable, cultural, educational or
civic contributions.
Except for the directors and executive officers of Purchaser set forth in
Schedule I, Purchaser has no employees. Accordingly, Purchaser has no existing
pension plans, profit-sharing plans, savings plans, has not provided any
educational opportunities or relocation adjustments to its employees, and has
had no labor or employment-related claims or disputes.
Purchaser has no present plans or proposals to material changes in the
Company's business, corporate structure, management, personnel or activities
which would have a substantial impact on residents of the State of New York.
Except as set forth in this Schedule II, all information regarding Purchaser
and the Company and the Offer required to be disclosed pursuant to the NYSTDA is
set forth in this Offer to Purchase and is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement filed pursuant to the NYSTDA.
II-1
<PAGE>
Facsimile copies of the Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly
executed, will be accepted. The Letter of Transmittal, certificates for Shares
and any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each shareholder
of the Company or his broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other
nominee to the Depositary as follows:
THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS:
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
FACSIMILE:
(201) 329-8936
CONFIRM FACSIMILE BY TELEPHONE ONLY:
(201) 296-4860
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
BY MAIL: BY HAND: BY OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:
Reorganization Department Reorganization Department Reorganization Department
PO Box 3301 120 Broadway 85 Challenger Road
South Hackensack, NJ 07606 13th Floor Mail Stop--Reorg
New York, NY 10271 Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
</TABLE>
Any questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information
Agent or the Dealer Manager at their respective telephone numbers and addresses
listed below. Additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of
Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may also be obtained from the
Information Agent. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank or
trust company for assistance concerning the Offer.
THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE OFFER IS:
D. F. KING & CO., INC.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Banks and Brokers Call Collect (212) 269-5550
ALL OTHERS CALL TOLL FREE (800) 714-3311
THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER IS:
CHASE SECURITIES INC.
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Call Collect (212) 270-3939
<PAGE>
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO TENDER SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
(INCLUDING THE ASSOCIATED COMMON STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
OF
GENERAL HOST CORPORATION
PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE
DATED NOVEMBER 25, 1997
BY
CYRUS ACQUISITION CORP.
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY
TIME, ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1997, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS:
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
FACSIMILE:
(201) 329-8936
Confirm Facsimile by Telephone Only:
(201) 296-4860
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
BY MAIL: BY HAND: BY OVERNIGHT DELIVERY:
Reorganization Department Reorganization Department Reorganization Department
PO Box 3301 120 Broadway 85 Challenger Road
South Hackensack, NJ 07606 13th Floor Mail Stop -- Reorg
New York, NY 10271 Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
</TABLE>
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE, OR TRANSMISSIONS OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET
FORTH ABOVE, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ
CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by shareholders either if
certificates for Shares or Rights (as such terms are defined below) are to be
forwarded herewith or, unless an Agent's Message (as defined in the Offer to
Purchase) is utilized, if tenders of Shares or Rights are to be made by
book-entry transfer into the account of ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,
L.L.C., as Depositary (the "Depositary"), at The Depository Trust Company
("DTC") or the Philadelphia Depository Trust Company ("PDTC") (each a
"Book-Entry Transfer Facility" and, collectively, the "Book-Entry Transfer
Facilities") pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to
Purchase (as defined below). Shareholders who tender Shares or Rights by
book-entry transfer are referred to herein as "Book-Entry Shareholders".
Holders of Shares will be required to tender the Rights associated with each
Share tendered in order to effect a valid tender of such Share. Unless and until
a Distribution Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) occurs, a tender of
Shares will also constitute a tender of the associated Rights. See Section 3 of
the Offer to Purchase. If a Distribution Date has occurred, and certificates
representing Rights (the "Rights Certificates") have been distributed to holders
of Shares, such holders will be required to tender Rights Certificates
representing the Rights associated with the Shares being tendered in order to
effect a valid tender of such Shares. A shareholder who desires to tender Shares
and Rights and whose certificates representing such Shares (the "Share
Certificates") and, if applicable, Rights Certificates are not immediately
available, or who cannot deliver the Share Certificates or, if applicable,
Rights Certificates and all other required documents to reach the Depositary on
or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in Section 1 of the Offer to
Purchase), or who cannot comply with the procedure for book-entry transfer on a
timely basis, must tender such Shares (and Rights, if applicable) by following
the procedures for guaranteed delivery set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to
Purchase. See Instruction 2. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
FACILITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY'S PROCEDURES DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
NAME(S) & ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK, EXACTLY AS NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON SHARES CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHARE(S)
CERTIFICATE(S)) (ATTACH ADDITIONAL SIGNED LIST IF NECESSARY)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
<CAPTION>
Total Number
Share of Shares Number of
Certificate Represented By Shares
Number(s)* Certificate(s)* Tendered**
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Total Shares................
* Need not be completed by Book-Entry Shareholders.
** Unless otherwise indicated, all Shares represented by certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to
have been tendered. See Instruction 4.
</TABLE>
/ / CHECK HERE IF SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO AN
ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (ONLY PARTICIPANTS IN A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY
MAY DELIVER SHARES BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER):
Name of Tendering Institution ______________________________________________
Check box of Book-Entry Transfer Facility (check one):
/ / The Depository Trust Company / / The Philadelphia Depository Trust
Company
Account Number __________________ Transaction Code Number _________________
/ / CHECK HERE IF SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s) of Registered Owner(s): ____________________________________________
Window Ticket Number (if any): _____________________________________________
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: ________________________
Name of Institution that Guaranteed Delivery: ______________________________
If delivered by Book-Entry Transfer, check box of Book-Entry Transfer
Facility (check one):
/ / The Depository Trust Company / / The Philadelphia Depository Trust
Company
Account Number __________________ Transaction Code Number _________________
2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS TENDERED
NAME(S) & ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S)
(PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK, EXACTLY AS NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON RIGHT(S) CERTIFICATE(S) AND RIGHT(S)
CERTIFICATE(S)) (ATTACH ADDITIONAL SIGNED LIST IF NECESSARY)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
<CAPTION>
Total Number
Rights of Rights Number of
Certificate Represented By Rights
Number(s)* Certificate(s)* Tendered**
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Total Rights................
* Need not be completed by Book-Entry Shareholders.
** Unless otherwise indicated, all Rights represented by certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to
have been tendered. See Instruction 4.
</TABLE>
/ / CHECK HERE IF RIGHTS ARE BEING TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO AN
ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (ONLY PARTICIPANTS IN A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY
MAY DELIVER RIGHTS BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER):
Name of Tendering Institution ______________________________________________
Check box of Book-Entry Transfer Facility (check one):
/ / The Depository Trust Company / / The Philadelphia Depository Trust
Company
Account Number __________________ Transaction Code Number _________________
/ / CHECK HERE IF RIGHTS ARE BEING TENDERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s) of Registered Owner(s): ____________________________________________
Window Ticket Number (if any): _____________________________________________
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: ________________________
Name of Institution that Guaranteed Delivery: ______________________________
If delivered by Book-Entry Transfer, check box of Book-Entry Transfer
Facility (check one):
/ / The Depository Trust Company / / The Philadelphia Depository Trust
Company
Account Number __________________ Transaction Code Number _________________
3
<PAGE>
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Cyrus Acquisition Corp., a New York
corporation ("Purchaser"), the above-described shares of Common Stock, par value
$1.00 per share (the "Shares"), of General Host Corporation, a New York
corporation (the "Company"), and the associated common stock purchase rights
(the "Rights") issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of March 7,
1990 (as amended, the "Rights Agreement"), between the Company and ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as successor to Chemical Bank, as Rights Agent
(the "Rights Agent"), at a purchase price of $5.50 per Share (and associated
Rights), net to the seller in cash without interest thereon, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated November 25,
1997 (the "Offer to Purchase") and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, as
amended from time to time, together constitute the "Offer"). Unless the context
requires otherwise, all references to Shares shall be deemed to refer also to
the associated Rights, and all references to Rights shall be deemed to include
all benefits that may inure to the shareholders of the Company or to holders of
the Rights pursuant to the Rights Agreement. The undersigned understands that
Purchaser reserves the right to transfer or assign, in whole or from time to
time in part, to one or more of its affiliates, the right to purchase all or any
portion of the Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged.
Prior to the occurrence of a Distribution Date (as defined in the Offer to
Purchase), a valid tender of Shares will constitute a tender of the associated
Rights. The undersigned understands that if a Distribution Date has occurred and
certificates representing Rights (the "Rights Certificates") have been
distributed to holders prior to the date of tender of the Shares and Rights
tendered herewith pursuant to the Offer, Rights Certificates representing the
Rights associated with the Shares being tendered herewith must be delivered to
the Depositary (as defined below) or, if available, a Book-Entry Confirmation
(as defined herein) must be received by the Depositary with respect thereto in
order for such Shares tendered herewith to be validly tendered. If the
Distribution Date has occurred and Rights Certificates have not been distributed
prior to the time Shares are tendered herewith pursuant to the Offer, the
undersigned agrees to deliver Rights Certificates representing the Rights
associated with the Shares tendered herewith to ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C. (the "Depositary") within three business days after the date
such Rights Certificates are distributed. A tender of Shares without Rights
Certificates constitutes an agreement by the tendering shareholder to deliver
Rights Certificates representing the Rights associated with the Shares tendered
pursuant to the Offer to the Depositary within three business days after the
date such Rights Certificates are distributed. The undersigned understands that
if a Distribution Date occurs prior to the Expiration Date, Purchaser reserves
the Right to require that the Depositary receive such Rights Certificates or a
Book-Entry Confirmation with respect to such Rights prior to accepting Shares
for payment. In that event, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment
pursuant to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary
of, or Book-Entry Confirmation with respect to, among other things, Rights
Certificates, if Rights Certificates have been distributed to holders of Shares.
Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment for the Shares
tendered herewith in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the undersigned
hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, Purchaser all
right, title and interest in and to all of the Shares that are being tendered
hereby and any and all dividends, distributions (including additional Shares) or
rights declared, paid or issued with respect to the tendered Shares on or after
the date hereof and payable or distributable to the undersigned on a date prior
to the transfer to the name of Purchaser or nominee or transferee of Purchaser
on the Company's stock transfer records of the Shares tendered herewith
(collectively, a "Distribution"), and appoints the Depositary the true and
lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares
(and any Distribution) with full power of substitution (such power of attorney
being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest in the tendered
Shares) to (a) deliver such Share Certificates (as defined herein) (and any
Distribution) or transfer ownership of such Shares (and any Distribution) on the
account books maintained by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, together in either
case with appropriate evidences of transfer, to the Depositary for the account
of Purchaser, (b) present such Shares (and any Distribution) for transfer on the
books of the Company and (c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all
rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares (and any Distribution), all in
accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
The undersigned irrevocably appoints designees of Purchaser and each of them
as such shareholder's proxy, with full power of substitution, to the full extent
of such shareholder's rights with respect to the Shares tendered by
4
<PAGE>
such shareholder and accepted for payment by Purchaser and with respect to any
and all other Shares or other securities issued or issuable in respect of such
Shares on or after the date hereof. Such proxy shall be deemed to be irrevocable
and coupled with an interest in the tendered Shares. Such appointment will be
effective when, and only to the extent that, Purchaser accepts such Shares for
payment. Upon such acceptance for payment, all prior proxies given by such
shareholder with respect to such Shares (and such other Shares and other
securities) will be revoked without further action, and no subsequent proxies
may be given nor any subsequent written consents executed (and, if given or
executed, will not be deemed effective). The designees of Purchaser will be,
with respect to the Shares (and such other Shares and other securities),
empowered to exercise all voting and other rights of such shareholder as they in
their sole discretion may deem proper at any annual or special meeting of the
Company's shareholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof, by written
consent in lieu of any such meeting or otherwise. Purchaser reserves the right
to require that, in order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately
upon Purchaser's payment for such Shares, Purchaser must be able to exercise
full voting rights with respect to such Shares and other securities, including
voting at any meeting of shareholders.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (a) the undersigned has
full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Shares (and
any Distribution) tendered hereby and (b) when the Shares are accepted for
payment by Purchaser, Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered
title to the Shares (and any Distribution), free and clear of all liens,
restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and the same will not be subject to any
adverse claim. The undersigned, upon request, will execute and deliver any
additional documents deemed by the Depositary or Purchaser to be necessary or
desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Shares tendered
hereby (and any Distribution). In addition, the undersigned shall promptly remit
and transfer to the Depositary for the account of Purchaser any and all
Distributions in respect of the Shares tendered hereby, accompanied by
appropriate documentation of transfer; and pending such remittance or
appropriate assurance thereof, Purchaser will be, subject to applicable law,
entitled to all rights and privileges as owner of any such Distribution and may
withhold the entire purchase price or deduct from the purchase price the amount
or value thereof, as determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion.
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall not be
affected by and shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs,
personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Tenders of
Shares made pursuant to the Offer are irrevocable, except that Shares tendered
pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date
(as defined in the Offer to Purchase) and, unless theretofore accepted for
payment by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer, may also be withdrawn at any time
after January 24, 1998 (or such later date as may apply in case the Offer is
extended). See Section 4 of the Offer to Purchase.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Shares pursuant to any of the
procedures described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase and in the
instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned
and Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Offer, including the undersigned's representation that the undersigned owns the
Shares being tendered.
Unless otherwise indicated herein under "Special Payment Instructions",
please issue the check for the purchase price and/or issue or return any
certificate(s) for Shares and Rights not tendered or not accepted for payment in
the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing under "Description of Shares
Tendered" and "Description of Rights Tendered", respectively. Similarly, unless
otherwise indicated herein under "Special Delivery Instructions", please mail
the check for the purchase price and/or any certificate(s) for Shares and Rights
not tendered or not accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as
appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing under
"Description of Shares Tendered" and "Description of Rights Tendered",
respectively. In the event that both the Special Delivery Instructions and the
Special Payment Instructions are completed, please issue the check for the
purchase price and/or any certificate(s) for Shares and Rights not tendered or
accepted for payment in the name of, and deliver such check and/or such
certificates to, the person or persons so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated
herein under "Special Payment Instructions", please credit any Shares and Rights
tendered herewith by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for payment by
crediting the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined herein)
designated above. The undersigned recognizes that Purchaser has no obligation,
pursuant to the Special Payment Instructions, to transfer any Shares or Rights
from the name(s) of the registered holder(s) thereof if Purchaser does not
accept for payment any of the Shares or Rights so tendered.
5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND 7) (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 5, 6 AND 7)
To be completed ONLY if certificate(s) for To be completed ONLY if certificate(s) for
Shares and Rights not tendered or not accepted Shares and Rights not tendered or not accepted
for payment and/or the check for the purchase for payment and/or the check for the purchase
price of Shares and Rights accepted for payment price of Shares and Rights accepted for payment
are to be issued in the name of someone other are to be sent to someone other than the
than the undersigned or if Shares or Rights undersigned or to the undersigned at an address
tendered by book-entry transfer which are not other than that shown above.
accepted for payment are to be returned by
credit to an account maintained at a Book-Entry
Transfer Facility.
Issue: / / check / / certificates to: Issue: / / check / / certificates to:
Name Name
(Please Print) (Please Print)
Address Address
(Include Zip Code)
(Tax Id. or Social Security No.)
(See Substitute Form W-9)
(Include Zip Code)
(Tax Id. or Social Security No.)
(See Substitute Form W-9)
/ / Credit Shares and rights tendered by
book-entry transfer that are not accepted
for payment to (Check one):
/ / DTC / / PDTC
(DTC or PDTC Account No.)
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
SIGN HERE
AND COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
SIGN
HERE
X < --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
X
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated: __________________________________________________________________, 199__
(Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Share
Certificate(s) or Rights Certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by
person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and
documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the following
information and see Instruction 5.)
Name(s) ________________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Capacity (full title) __________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone Number _________________________________________________
Tax Identification or Social Security Number ___________________________________
COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Guarantee of Signature(s)
(See Instructions 1 and 5)
Authorized Signature ___________________________________________________________
Name ___________________________________________________________________________
Name of Firm ___________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Address ________________________________________________________________________
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone Number _________________________________________________
Dated ____________________________________________________________________ 199__
7
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
1. GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES. No signature guarantee is required on this
Letter of Transmittal (a) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the
registered holder(s) of Shares and Rights (which term, for purposes of this
document, shall include any participant in a Book-Entry Transfer Facility whose
name appears on a security position listing as the owner of Shares and/or
Rights) tendered herewith, unless such holder(s) has completed either the box
entitled "Special Payment Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery
Instructions" above, or (b) if such Shares and/or Rights are tendered for the
account of a firm which is a bank, broker, dealer, credit union, savings
association or other entity which is a member in good standing of the Securities
Transfer Agents Medallion Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (each
of the foregoing being referred to as an "Eligible Institution"). In all other
cases, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5 of this Letter of Transmittal.
2. REQUIREMENTS OF TENDER. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by
shareholders either if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or, unless an
Agent's Message is utilized, if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedure
for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to
Purchase. Share Certificates evidencing tendered Shares, or timely confirmation
(a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of a book-entry transfer of Shares into the
Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, as well as this Letter
of Transmittal (or a facsimile hereof), properly completed and duly executed,
with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message in connection with
a book-entry transfer, and any other documents required by this Letter of
Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set
forth herein prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in Section 1 of the Offer
to Purchase) and, if a Distribution Date occurs, Rights Certificates evidencing
tendered Rights, or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of Rights into
the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, if available
(together with, if Rights are forwarded separately from Shares, a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile hereof), with
any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message in connection with a
book-entry transfer, and any other documents required by this Letter of
Transmittal), must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set
forth herein prior to the Expiration Date or, if later, within three business
days after the date such Rights Certificates are distributed. Shareholders whose
Share Certificates or Rights Certificates are not immediately available
(including Rights Certificates that have not yet been distributed by the
Company) or who cannot deliver their Share Certificates or Rights Certificates
and all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date
or who cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer on a
timely basis may tender their Shares and Rights by properly completing and duly
executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery
procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such
procedure: (i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution;
(ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
substantially in the form made available by Purchaser, must be received by the
Depositary prior to the Expiration Date; (iii) the Share Certificates (or a
Book-Entry Confirmation) representing all tendered Shares, in proper form for
transfer, in each case together with the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile
thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature
guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry delivery, an Agent's Message) and
any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by
the Depositary within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date
of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery; and (iv) the Rights
Certificates, if issued, representing the appropriate number of Rights or a
Book-Entry Confirmation, if available, in each case together with a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), with
any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry delivery, an
Agent's Message) and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal,
must be received by the Depositary within three New York Stock Exchange trading
days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, or if
later, three business days after Rights Certificates are distributed to
shareholders, all as provided in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. If Share
Certificates and Rights Certificates are forwarded
8
<PAGE>
separately to the Depositary, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal must accompany each such delivery. Prior to a Distribution Date, a
valid tender of Shares will constitute a tender of the associated Rights.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, SHARE CERTIFICATES OR
RIGHTS CERTIFICATES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH
ANY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING
SHAREHOLDER AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY
THE DEPOSITARY (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF BOOK ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY
CONFIRMATION). IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME
SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no
fractional Shares and Rights will be purchased. All tendering shareholders, by
execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile hereof), waive any right
to receive any notice of the acceptance of their Shares and Rights for payment.
3. INADEQUATE SPACE. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the
certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares and Rights and any other
required information should be listed on a separate signed schedule attached
hereto.
4. PARTIAL TENDERS. (Not Applicable to Book-Entry Shareholders) If fewer
than all the Shares evidenced by any Share Certificates submitted are to be
tendered, fill in the number of Shares which are to be tendered in the box
entitled "Number of Shares Tendered". If fewer than all the Rights evidenced by
any Rights Certificates submitted are to be tendered, fill in the number of
Rights which are to be tendered in the box entitled "Number of Rights Tendered".
In such cases, new Share Certificates or Rights Certificates, as the case may
be, for the Shares or Rights that were evidenced by your old Share Certificates
or Rights Certificates, but were not tendered by you, will be sent to you,
unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal,
as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date. All Shares represented by
Share Certificates and all Rights represented by Rights Certificates delivered
to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise
indicated.
5. SIGNATURES ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, STOCK POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS. If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares
and Rights tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as
written on the face of the certificate(s) without alteration, enlargement or any
change whatsoever.
If any of the Shares and Rights tendered hereby are owned of record by two
or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any of the tendered Shares and Rights are registered in different names
on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as
many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of
certificates.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock powers are signed
by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers
of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to
Purchaser of their authority so to act must be submitted.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the
Shares and Rights listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of certificates
or separate stock powers are required unless payment is to be made to or
certificates for Shares or Rights not tendered or not purchased are to be issued
in the name of a person other than the registered holder(s). Signatures on such
certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder(s) of the certificate(s) listed, the certificate(s) must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed
exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear on the certificate(s).
Signatures on such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Institution.
9
<PAGE>
If Rights Certificates have been distributed to holders of Shares, such
holders are required to tender Rights Certificate(s) representing the Rights
associated with the Shares tendered in order to effect a valid tender of such
Shares. It is necessary that shareholders follow all signature requirements of
this Instruction 5 with respect to the Rights in order to tender such Rights.
Prior to a Distribution Date, a valid tender of Shares will constitute a tender
of the associated Rights.
6. STOCK TRANSFER TAXES. Except as otherwise provided in this Instruction 6,
Purchaser will pay any stock transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and
sale of Shares and Rights to it or its order pursuant to the Offer. If, however,
payment of the purchase price is to be made to, or if certificate(s) for Shares
and Rights not tendered or accepted for payment are to be registered in the name
of, any person other than the registered holder(s), or if tendered
certificate(s) are registered in the name of any person other than the person(s)
signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any stock transfer taxes
(whether imposed on the registered holder(s) or such person) payable on account
of the transfer to such person will be deducted from the purchase price unless
satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes or an exemption therefrom, is
submitted.
Except as otherwise provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary
for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the certificate(s) listed in this
Letter of Transmittal.
7. SPECIAL PAYMENT AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS. If a check is to be issued in
the name of, and/or certificates for Shares and Rights not tendered or not
accepted for payment are to be issued or returned to, a person other than the
signer of this Letter of Transmittal or if a check and/or such certificates are
to be returned to a person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of
Transmittal or to an address other than that shown in this Letter of
Transmittal, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal must be
completed. A Book-Entry Shareholder may request that Shares and/or Rights not
accepted for payment be credited to such account maintained at a Book-Entry
Transfer Facility as such Book-Entry Shareholder may designate under "Special
Payment Instructions". If no such instructions are given, such Shares or Rights
not accepted for payment will be returned by crediting the account at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility designated above.
8. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger
Agreement (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), the conditions of the Offer
(other than the Minimum Condition (as defined in the Offer to Purchase)) may be
waived by Purchaser in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in its
sole discretion.
9. 31% BACKUP WITHHOLDING; SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. Under U.S. Federal income
tax law, a shareholder whose tendered Shares are accepted for payment is
required to provide the Depositary with such shareholder's correct taxpayer
identification number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below. If the Depositary is
not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue Service may subject the
shareholder or other payee to a $50 penalty. In addition, payments that are made
to such shareholder or other payee with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to
the Offer may be subject to 31% backup withholding.
Certain shareholders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt
recipient, the shareholder must submit a Form W-8, signed under penalties of
perjury, attesting to that individual's exempt status. A Form W-8 can be
obtained from the Depositary. See the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for more instructions.
If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 31% of
any such payments made to the shareholder or other payee. Backup withholding is
not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup
withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding
results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal
Revenue Service.
10
<PAGE>
The box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the tendering
shareholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to
apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 3 is checked, the
shareholder or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting
Taxpayer Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding.
Notwithstanding that the box in Part 3 is checked and the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Depositary will
withhold 31% of all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is
provided to the Depositary.
The shareholder is required to give the Depositary the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the record owner of the
Shares or of the last transferee appearing on the transfers attached to, or
endorsed on, the Shares. If the Shares are in more than one name or are not in
the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification
of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional
guidance on which number to report.
10. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES. Questions or requests for
assistance may be directed to the Dealer Manager or the Information Agent at
their respective addresses and telephone numbers set forth below. Additional
copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery may also be obtained from the Information Agent or the
Dealer Manager or from brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies.
11. LOST, DESTROYED OR STOLEN CERTIFICATES. If any certificate representing
Shares or, if a Distribution Date occurs, Rights has been lost, destroyed or
stolen, the shareholder should promptly notify the Depositary. The shareholder
will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace
the certificate. This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be
processed until the procedures for replacing lost or destroyed certificates have
been followed.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF), TOGETHER WITH
CERTIFICATES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, OR THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY, AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY
PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
11
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
PAYER'S NAME: CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
PART 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN Social Security Number
SUBSTITUTE IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY OR
FORM W-9 BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW: Employer Identification Number
------------------------
PART 2--Certification--Under penalties of perjury, I certify
that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer
Identification Number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued
to me), and
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am
exempt from backup withholding or (b) I have not been notified by
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that I am subject to
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all
interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I
PAYEE'S REQUEST FOR am no longer subject to backup Taxpayer withholding.
TAXPAPYER IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTIONS--You must cross out item (2) above if
NUMBER ("TIN") you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject
to backup withholding because of under-reporting interest or
dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by
the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you received
another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject
to backup withholding, do not cross out such item (2).
Signature PART 3--
SIGN HERE --> Date , 199 Awaiting TIN / /
</TABLE>
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW
THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN
PART 3 OF THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office, or (2)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 31%
of all reportable payments made to me will be withheld.
Signature _____________________________ Date ____________________________, 199__
12
<PAGE>
THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE OFFER IS:
D. F. KING & CO., INC.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Banks and Brokers Call Collect (212) 269-5550
ALL OTHERS CALL TOLL FREE (800) 714-3311
THE DEALER MANAGER FOR THE OFFER IS:
CHASE SECURITIES INC.
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(Call Collect) (212) 270-3939
November 25, 1997
13
<PAGE>
GENERAL HOST CORPORATION
November 25, 1997
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF
GENERAL HOST CORPORATION:
We are pleased to inform you that on November 22, 1997, General Host
Corporation, a New York corporation (the "Company"), entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Cyrus Acquisition Corp.
("Cyrus"), a New York corporation formed by The Cypress Group L.L.C., pursuant
to which Cyrus has today commenced a tender offer (the "Offer") to purchase all
of the outstanding shares of common stock, $1.00 par value per share (the
"Shares"), of the Company for $5.50 per Share in cash. Under the Merger
Agreement, following the Offer, Cyrus will be merged (the "Merger") with and
into the Company with the Company as the surviving corporation and each Share
not purchased in the Offer (other than Shares held by Cyrus or the Company and
Shares held by dissenting shareholders) will be converted into the right to
receive $5.50 per Share in cash.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MERGER AGREEMENT, THE
OFFER AND THE MERGER AND HAS DETERMINED THAT THE OFFER AND THE MERGER ARE FAIR
TO AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS. THE BOARD
UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE COMPANY'S SHAREHOLDERS ACCEPT THE OFFER AND
TENDER THEIR SHARES IN THE OFFER.
In arriving at its recommendation, the Board of Directors gave careful
consideration to a number of factors described in the attached Schedule 14D-9
that is being filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including, among other things, the opinion of Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation, the Company's financial advisor, that the cash consideration to be
received by the holders of Shares in the Offer and the Merger is fair from a
financial point of view to such holders.
In addition to the attached Schedule 14D-9 relating to the Offer, also
enclosed is the Offer to Purchase, dated November 25, 1997, of Cyrus, together
with related materials, including a Letter of Transmittal to be used for
tendering your Shares. These documents set forth the terms and conditions of the
Offer and the Merger and provide instructions as to how to tender your Shares.
WE URGE YOU TO READ THE ENCLOSED MATERIALS CAREFULLY.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank you for your past and
continuing support.
Sincerely,
[LOGO]
Harris J. Ashton
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and President
<PAGE>
[LOGO] EXHIBIT 5
November 21, 1997
Board of Directors
General Host Corporation
One Station Place
Stamford, CT 06902
Members of the Board:
You have asked us to advise you with respect to the fairness from a financial
point of view to the stockholders of General Host Corporation (the "Company") of
the consideration to be received by such stockholders pursuant to the terms of a
proposed agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") between Cyrus
Acquisition Corp. (the "Purchaser"), a company organized by The Cypress Group
L.L.C., and the Company. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Purchaser will
commence a tender offer (the "Offer") for all of the issued and outstanding
shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company (the "Company
Common Stock") at $5.50 per share in cash. Following the Offer, the Purchaser
will be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger") and, in connection
therewith, each share of Company Common Stock other than shares owned by the
Purchaser and Dissenting Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement) will be
converted into the right to receive $5.50 per share in cash or any higher price
that may be paid pursuant to the Offer. The Merger Agreement requires the
Company to commence a tender offer as soon as practicable for its 11 1/2% senior
notes due 2002 (the "Debt Offer").
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed certain publicly available business
and financial information relating to the Company, as well as a draft dated
November 20, 1997 of the Merger Agreement. We have also reviewed certain other
information, including financial forecasts, provided to us by the Company and
have met with the Company's management to discuss the business and prospects of
the Company.
We have also considered certain financial and stock market data of the Company,
and we have compared those data with similar data for other publicly held
companies in businesses similar to the Company and we have considered the
financial terms of certain other business combinations and other transactions
that have recently been effected. We also considered such other information,
financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and
market criteria which we deemed relevant.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for
independent verification of any of the foregoing information and have relied on
its being complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect to the
financial forecasts, we have assumed that they have been reasonably prepared on
bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
Company's management as to the future financial performance of the Company. In
addition, we have not been requested to make, and have not made, an independent
evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities
<PAGE>
[LOGO] Board of Directors
November 21, 1997
Page 2
(contingent or otherwise) of the Company, nor have we been furnished with any
such evaluations or appraisals. Our opinion is necessarily based upon financial,
economic, market and other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the
date hereof. We were not requested to, and did not, solicit third party
indications of interest in acquiring all or any part of the Company.
We have acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Offer
and the Merger and will receive a fee for our services, a significant portion of
which is contingent upon the consummation of the Offer. We also will act as
co-dealer manager for the Debt Offer. In the ordinary course of our business, we
and our affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities of the
Company for our and such affiliates' own accounts and for the accounts of
customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities.
It is understood that this letter is for the information of the Board of
Directors of the Company in connection with its consideration of the Offer and
the Merger, does not constitute a recommendation to any holder of Company Common
Stock as to whether or not such holder should tender shares pursuant to the
Offer or how such holder should vote on the Merger, and is not to be quoted or
referred to, in whole or in part, in any registration statement, prospectus or
proxy statement, or in any other document used in connection with the offering
or sale of securities, nor shall this letter be used for any other purposes,
without our prior written consent.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date
hereof, the cash consideration to be received by the holders of Company Common
Stock in the Offer and the Merger is fair from a financial point of view to such
holders.
Very truly yours,
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.9
Summary of Severance Arrangements
---------------------------------
The Company has severance arrangements with the following four executives (the
"Executives") of the Company and its subsidiary, Frank's Nursery & Crafts, Inc.
(the "Subsidiary"):
Robert M. Lovejoy, Jr. -
Vice President and Treasurer of the Company and the Subsidiary;
James R. Simpson -
Vice President and Controller of the Company and Vice President
Finance of the Subsidiary;
J. Theodore Everingham -
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company and Vice
President and General Counsel of the Subsidiary; and
Ernest W. Townsend -
Executive Vice President of the Company and President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Subsidiary.
The primary provisions of the severance arrangements are as follows:
1. Severance benefits are payable only in the event of a qualifying
termination of employment which occurs between the date of the execution of
the Merger Agreement and the first anniversary of the Effective Time (as
defined in the Merger Agreement).
2. Qualifying terminations of employment will consist only of either
termination by the Company without "Cause" (as defined below) or
termination by the Executive with "Good Reason" (as defined below).
3. Within five days after a qualifying termination of an Executive's
employment, the Company will pay the Executive a lump sum, based on the
Executive's "Salary" (defined as the higher of the Executive's base salary
immediately prior to the execution of the Merger Agreement or the
Executive's base salary
<PAGE>
immediately prior to his termination of employment). In the case of Mr.
Lovejoy, the lump sum will equal one year's Salary. In the case of Messrs.
Simpson, Everingham and Townsend, the lump sum will equal six months'
Salary.
4. The Company will also pay all COBRA premiums for and provide to each
Executive who has a qualifying termination of employment continuing medical
insurance benefits which are substantially similar to the benefits provided
him immediately prior to the date of execution of the Merger Agreement
(including any coverage for spouse and dependents) for a period of one
year.
5. "Cause" shall mean (i) the willful and continued failure by the Executive
to substantially perform his duties after a specific written demand for
substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board of
Directors, or (ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in conduct which
is demonstrably injurious to the Company, the Surviving Corporation or its
subsidiaries.
6. "Good Reason" shall mean any of the following: (i) a reduction in the
Executive's base salary; (ii) the assignment of any duties inconsistent
with the Executive's position (as described above) or a substantial adverse
alteration in the nature or status of the Executive's responsibilities, or
(iii) relocation of the Executive's primary place of employment to a
location more than twenty-five miles from the Executive's principal place
of employment immediately prior to the date of execution of the Merger
Agreement.
2
