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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-A
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
HARSCO CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 23-1483991
(State of incorporation or organization) (IRS Employer
Identification No.)
P.O. Box 8888
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17001-8888
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
If this Form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities and is
effective upon filing pursuant to General Instruction A.(c)(1), please check the
following box. / /
If this Form relates to the registration of a class of debt securities and is
to become effective simultaneously with the effectiveness of a concurrent
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to General
Instruction A.(c)(2), please check the following box. / /
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which
to be so registered each class is to be registered
------------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C>
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Pacific Exchange, Inc.
</TABLE>
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Page 1 of 6 Pages
Exhibit Index is on Page 6
<PAGE> 2
Item 1. Description of Securities to be Registered.
On June 24, 1997, the Board of Directors of Harsco Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), declared a dividend distribution of one
Preferred Stock Purchase Right ("Right") for each outstanding share of common
stock, $1.25 par value (the "Common Stock"), of the Company to the stockholders
of record at the close of business on September 28, 1997. Each Right entitles
the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share
of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, $1.25 par value
(the "Preferred Stock"), at a price of $150 per one one-hundredth of a share,
subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in
a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement") between the Company and ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent.
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Stock
certificates outstanding, and no separate Right certificates will be
distributed. A Distribution Date for the Rights will occur upon the earlier of
(i) 10 business days following the date (the "Stock Acquisition Date") of a
public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons
(an "Acquiring Person") has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock or (ii) 10 business days following the
commencement of (or a public announcement of an intention to make) a tender
offer or exchange offer if, upon consummation thereof, the person or group
proposing such offer would be beneficial owner of 20% or more of such
outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferred with and
only with Common Stock certificates. Until the Distribution Date (or earlier
redemption or expiration of the Rights), new Common Stock certificates issued
after September 28, 1997 upon transfer or new issuance of Common Stock will
contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference. Until the
Distribution Date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), the
surrender for transfer of any certificates for Common Stock will also constitute
the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such
certificate.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. The
Rights will expire on September 27, 2007, unless earlier redeemed by the Company
as described below.
As soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate
certificates evidencing the Rights ("Rights Certificates") will be mailed to
holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of business on the
Distribution Date. After the Distribution Date, such separate Right Certificates
alone will evidence the Rights.
In the event that, at any time following the Distribution Date, (i)
the Company is the surviving corporation in a merger with an Acquiring Person
and the Common Stock is not changed or exchanged, (ii) any person becomes the
beneficial owner of more than 20% of the then outstanding shares of Common
Stock, or (iii) an Acquiring Person engages in one or more "self-dealing"
transactions as set forth in the Rights Agreement, provision shall be made so
that each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon
exercise thereof at
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the then current Purchase Price (as defined in the Rights Agreement) of the
Right, Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, a combination of cash, other
property, Common Stock and/or other securities) which will be calculated to have
a value of two times the Purchase Price of the Right. In the event that, at any
time following the Distribution Date, the Company is acquired in a merger or
other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its assets or earning
power is sold, provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right will
thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then
current Purchase Price of the Right, common stock of the acquiring entity which
has a value of two times the Purchase Price of the Right. Following the
occurrence of any of the events described above in this paragraph, any Rights
that are or were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or affiliates or
associates of any Acquiring Person will immediately become null and void.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of one one-hundredths of
a share of Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon
exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent
dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination
or reclassification of the Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the grant to holders of
the Preferred Stock of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for Preferred
Stock or convertible securities at less than the current market price of the
Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock
of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular quarterly cash
dividends) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to
above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in
the Purchase Price. In lieu of issuing fractional shares the Company, in its
discretion, may make an adjustment in cash which would be made based on the
market price of the Preferred Stock on the last trading date prior to the date
of exercise of the Right.
At any time until 10 business days following the Stock Acquisition
Date, the Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of
$.05 per Right (the "Redemption Price"), subject to extension. Immediately upon
the action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering redemption of the
Rights, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of Rights
will be to receive the Redemption Price.
Until a Right is exercised, it will not entitle the holder thereof
to any rights as a stockholder of the Company (other than those of an existing
stockholder), including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive
dividends.
The provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board
of Directors of the Company prior to the Distribution Date. After the
Distribution Date, the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the
Board (in certain circumstances, with the concurrence of the Disinterested
Directors) in order to cure any ambiguity, to make any changes which do not
adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights (excluding the interests
of any Acquiring Person), or to shorten or lengthen any time period, provided
that no
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amendment to adjust the time period governing redemption shall be made at such
time as the Rights are not redeemable.
As of September 12, 1997, there were 48,370,086 shares of Common
Stock outstanding and 17,389,348 shares in the treasury. As of September 12,
1997 there were 3,584,360 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant
to the Company's 1995 Executive Incentive Compensation Plan and the 1995
Non-Employee Directors' Stock Plan. Each outstanding share of Common Stock on
September 28, 1997 will receive one Right. As long as the Rights are attached to
the Common Stock, the Company will issue one Right for each share of Common
Stock issued between the Record Date and the Distribution Date so that all such
shares will have attached Rights, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of
the Rights Agreement. 750,000 shares of Preferred Stock will be reserved for
issuance upon exercise of the Rights.
The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause
substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company
without also acquiring a substantial number of Rights. The Rights should not
interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of
Directors of the Company since the Board of Directors may, at its option, at any
time prior to the close of business, on the earlier of (i) tenth business day
(subject to the right of the Board of Directors to extend such date) following
the Stock Acquisition Date or (ii) September 27, 2007 redeem all but not less
than all the then outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price.
The form of Rights Agreement between the Company and the Rights
Agent specifying the terms of the Rights, which includes as Exhibit B the form
of Rights Certificate, is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and its incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety. The foregoing description of the Rights
does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Form of Rights Agreement (and the exhibits thereto) attached hereto as
Exhibit 1.
Item 2. Exhibits.
Exhibit 1 Form of Rights Agreement, dated as of September 28, 1997 between
Harsco Corporation and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.
which includes as Exhibit B thereto the Form of Rights Certificate.
Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, Rights Certificates will not be
mailed until after the earlier of (i) the tenth business day after
the Stock Acquisition Date or (ii) the tenth business day after the
date of the commencement of, or first public announcement of the
intent to commence, a tender or exchange offer by any person or
group of affiliated or associated persons, if upon consummation
thereof, such person or group would be the beneficial owner of 20%
or more of such outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Exhibit 2 Letter to holders of Harsco Corporation's Common Stock, dated July
28, 1997, including the Summary of Rights.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
Date: September 26, 1997 Harsco Corporation
/s/ Derek C. Hathaway
----------------------------------------
Name: Derek C. Hathaway
Title: Chairman, President &
Chief Executive Officer
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<PAGE> 6
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Page
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<S> <C> <C>
Exhibit 1 7
Form of Rights Agreement, dated as of September 28, 1997
between Harsco Corporation and ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, L.L.C. which includes as Exhibit B thereto the
Form of Rights Certificate. Pursuant to the Rights
Agreement, Rights Certificates will not be mailed until
after the earlier of (i) the tenth business day after the
Stock Acquisition Date or (ii) the tenth business day after
the date of the commencement of, or first public
announcement of the intent to commence, a tender or
exchange offer by any person or group of affiliated or
associated persons, if upon consummation thereof, such
person or group would be the beneficial owner of 20% or
more of such outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Exhibit 2 63
Letter to holders of Harsco Corporation's Common Stock, dated
July 28, 1997, including the Summary of Rights.
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 1
HARSCO CORPORATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 1997
BETWEEN
HARSCO CORPORATION
AND
CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER SERVICES, L.L.C.
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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Page
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<S> <C>
Section 1. Certain Definitions ................................. 1
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent ......................... 4
Section 3. Issue of Rights Certificates ........................ 4
Section 4. Form of Rights Certificates ......................... 6
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration ................... 7
Section 6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and
Exchange of Rights Certificates;
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen
Rights Certificates ................................. 7
Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price;
Expiration Date of Rights ........................... 8
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of
Rights Certificates ................................. 10
Section 9. Reservation and Availability of
Capital Stock ....................................... 10
Section 10. Preferred Stock Record Date ......................... 12
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number
and Kind of Shares or Number of
Rights .............................................. 12
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase
Price or Number of Shares ........................... 21
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or
Transfer of Assets or Earning Power ................. 21
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional
Shares .............................................. 23
Section 15. Rights of Action .................................... 25
Section 16. Agreement of Rights Holders ......................... 25
Section 17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed
a Stockholder ....................................... 26
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
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<S> <C>
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent ......................... 26
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of
Name of Rights Agent ................................ 27
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent .............................. 27
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent .............................. 29
Section 22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates ................. 30
Section 23. Redemption and Termination .......................... 30
Section 24. Notice of Certain Events ............................ 31
Section 25. Notices ............................................. 32
Section 26. Supplements and Amendments .......................... 33
Section 27. Successors .......................................... 34
Section 28. Determinations and Actions by the
Board of Directors, etc ............................. 34
Section 29. Benefits of This Agreement .......................... 34
Section 30. Severability ........................................ 34
Section 31. Governing Law ....................................... 35
Section 32. Counterparts ........................................ 35
Section 33. Descriptive Headings ................................ 35
Exhibit A Form of Certificate of Designation,
Preferences and Rights of Series A
Junior Participating Cumulative
Preferred Stock ..................................... A-1
Exhibit B Form of Rights Certificate .......................... B-1
Exhibit C Summary of Rights to Purchase
Preferred Stock ..................................... C-1
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 4
HARSCO CORPORATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of September 28, 1997 (the
"Agreement"), between Harsco Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. (the "Rights Agent").
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, on June 24, 1997 (the "Rights Dividend Declaration
Date"), the Board of Directors of the Company authorized and declared a dividend
distribution of one Right (as such term is hereinafter defined) for each share
of common stock, par value $1.25 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock")
outstanding at the Close of Business (as such term is hereinafter defined) on
September 28, 1997 (the "Record Date"), and has authorized the issuance of one
Right (as such number may hereinafter be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of
Section 11(p) hereof) for each share of Common Stock of the Company issued
between the Record Date (whether originally issued or delivered from the
Company's treasury) and the Distribution Date (as such term is defined in
Section 3 hereof), each Right initially representing the right to purchase one
one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred
Stock of the Company having the rights, powers and preferences set forth in the
form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights attached hereto as
Exhibit A, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth
(the "Rights");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
mutual agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this
Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person (as such term is
hereinafter defined) who or which, together with all Affiliates (as such term is
hereinafter defined) and Associates (as such term is hereinafter defined) of
such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner (as such term is hereinafter defined)
of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding, but shall not
include the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of
the Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or entity
organized, appointed or established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms
of any such plan.
(b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective
meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and in effect
on the date of this Agreement (the "Exchange Act").
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<PAGE> 5
(c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and
shall be deemed to "beneficially own," any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to acquire (whether
such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time)
pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not
in writing) or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights,
rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a
Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to
"beneficially own," (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender or
exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or
exchange, or (B) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights at any time
prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event (as such term is
hereinafter defined), or (C) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights
from and after the occurrence of a Triggering Event which Rights were
acquired by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates
prior to the Distribution Date or pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22
hereof (the "Original Rights") or pursuant to Section 11(i) hereof in
connection with an adjustment made with respect to any Original Rights;
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or dispose of
or "beneficial ownership" of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of
the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in effect on
the date of this Agreement) including pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding, whether or not in writing; provided,
however, that a Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, or
to "beneficially own," any security under this subparagraph (ii) as a
result of an agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such
security if such agreement, arrangement or understanding: (A) arises
solely from a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy or
consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the
applicable provisions of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement, and (B) is not
also then reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D under the Exchange
Act as in effect on the date of this Agreement; or
(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with which such
Person (or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates) has any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing), for
the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a
revocable proxy as described in the proviso to subparagraph (ii) of this
paragraph (c)) or disposing of any voting securities of the Company.
(d) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of the principal
office of the Rights Agent are authorized or obligated by law or executive order
to close.
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(e) "Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00
P.M., New York City time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is
not a Business Day it shall mean 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the next
succeeding Business Day.
(f) "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value
$1.25 per share, of the Company, except that "Common Stock" when used with
reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the capital stock of
such Person with the greatest voting power or the equity securities or other
equity interest having power to control or direct the management of such Person.
(g) "Disinterested Director" shall mean (i) any member of the
Board of Directors of the Company, while such Person is a member of the Board,
who is not an Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring
Person, or a representative of an Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or
Associate, and was a member of the Board prior to the date of this Agreement, or
(ii) any Person who subsequently becomes a member of the Board, while such
Person is a member of the Board, who is not an Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate
or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or a representative of an Acquiring Person
or of any such Affiliate or Associate, if such Person's nomination for election
or election to the Board is recommended or approved by a majority of the
Disinterested Directors.
(h) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3(a) hereof.
(i) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation,
partnership or other entity.
(j) "Preferred Stock" shall mean shares of Series A Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $1.25 per share, of the
Company having the rights, powers and preferences set forth in the form of
Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(k) "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4(a) hereof.
(l) "Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in the whereas
clause hereof.
(m) "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall mean any event described
in Section 11(a)(ii) (A), (B) or (C) hereof.
(n) "Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in
clauses (x), (y) or (z) of Section 13(a) hereof.
(o) "Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of
public announcement (which, for purposes of this definition, shall include
without limitation, a report filed pursuant to Section 13(d) under the Exchange
Act as such Section may be
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amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time) by the company or an
Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such.
(p) "Subsidiary" shall mean, with reference to any Person, any
corporation of which an amount of voting securities sufficient to elect at least
a majority of the directors of such corporation is beneficially owned, directly
or indirectly, by such Person, or otherwise controlled by such Person.
(q) "Triggering Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii) Event
or Section 13 Event.
SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Company hereby
appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the
terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such
appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such Co-Rights Agents as
it may deem necessary or desirable.
SECTION 3. ISSUE OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES. (a) Until the earlier
of (i) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day after the Stock
Acquisition Date (or, if the tenth Business Day following the Stock Acquisition
Date occurs before the Record Date, the Close of Business on the Record Date),
or (ii) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day after the date that a
tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary
of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of
the Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the
Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) is first published or
sent or given within the meaning of Rule 14e-2(a) of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act as may be amended, supplemented or superseded
from time to time, if upon consummation thereof, such Person would be the
Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding
(the earlier of (i) and (ii) being herein referred to as the "Distribution
Date"), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the provisions of paragraph
(b) of this Section 3) by the certificates for the Common Stock registered in
the names of the holders of the Common Stock (which certificates for Common
Stock shall be deemed also to be certificates for Rights) and not by separate
certificates, and (y) the Rights will be transferable only in connection with
the transfer of the underlying shares of Common Stock (including a transfer to
the Company). As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Rights
Agent will send by first-class, insured, postage prepaid mail, to each record
holder of the Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date,
at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, one or more
right certificates, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (the "Rights
Certificates"), evidencing one Right for each share of Common Stock so held,
subject to adjustment as provided herein. In the event that an adjustment in the
number of Rights per share of Common Stock has been made pursuant to Section
11(p) hereof, at the time of distribution of the Right Certificates, the Company
may make the necessary and appropriate rounding adjustments (in accordance with
Section 14(a) hereof) so that Rights Certificates representing only whole
numbers of Rights are distributed and cash
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is paid in lieu of any fractional Rights. As of and after the Distribution Date
the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Rights Certificates.
(b) On or before the Record Date, the Company will send a copy
of a Summary of Rights, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C
(the "Summary of Rights"), by first-class, postage prepaid mail, to each record
holder of the Common Stock, at the address of such holder shown on the records
of the Company. With respect to certificates for the Common Stock outstanding as
of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced by
such certificates for the Common Stock and the registered holders of the Common
Stock shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights. Until the
earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date (as such term is defined
in Section 7 hereof), the transfer of any certificates representing shares of
Common Stock in respect of which Rights have been issued shall also constitute
the transfer of the Rights associated with such shares of Common Stock.
(c) Rights shall be issued in respect of all shares of Common
Stock which are issued after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the
Distribution Date or the Expiration Date. Certificates representing such shares
of Common Stock shall also be deemed to be certificates for Rights, and shall
bear the following legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof
to certain Rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement between Harsco
Corporation (the "Company") and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,
L.L.C. (the "Rights Agent") dated as of September 28, 1997 (the "Rights
Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal offices of
the Company. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in the Rights
Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by separate certificates and
will no longer be evidenced by this certificate. The Company will mail
to the holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement, as in
effect on the date of mailing, without charge promptly after receipt of
a written request therefore. Under certain circumstances set forth in
the Rights Agreement, Rights issued to, or held by, any Person who is,
was or becomes an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate
thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), whether
currently held by or on behalf of such Person or by any subsequent
holder, may become null and void.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until the
earlier of (i) the Distribution Date or (ii) the Expiration Date, the Rights
associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates shall be
evidenced by such certificates alone and registered holders of Common Stock
shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights, and the transfer
of any of such certificates shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights
associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates.
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SECTION 4. FORM OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.
(a) The Rights Certificates (and the forms of election to
purchase and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall each be
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto and may have such marks
of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or endorsements
printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any
applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any
rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Rights may from time to
time be listed, or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 11
and Section 22 hereof, the Rights Certificates, whenever distributed, shall be
dated as of the Record Date and on their face shall entitle the holders thereof
to purchase such number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock as
shall be set forth therein at the price set forth therein (such exercise price
per one one-hundredth of a share, being referred to herein as the "Purchase
Price"), but the amount and type of securities purchasable upon the exercise of
each Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment as
provided herein.
(b) Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or
Section 22 hereof that represents Rights beneficially owned by: (i) an Acquiring
Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee
of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a
transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an
Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a
transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and
receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for
consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such
Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has any
continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred
Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company has
determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a
primary purpose or effect avoidance of Section 7(e) hereof, and any Rights
Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon transfer,
exchange, replacement or adjustment of any other Rights Certificate referred to
in this sentence, shall contain (to the extent feasible) the following legend:
The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are or were
beneficially owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring Person or
an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as such terms are
defined in the Rights Agreement). Accordingly, this Rights Certificate
and the Rights represented hereby may become null and void in the
circumstances specified in Section 7(e) of such Agreement.
The absence of such legend on any such Rights Certificate shall not be deemed to
indicate or establish that such Rights Certificate is not beneficially owned by
any of the Persons described in this Section 4(b).
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SECTION 5. COUNTERSIGNATURE AND REGISTRATION.
(a) The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the
Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or any Vice President,
either manually or by facsimile signature, and shall have affixed thereto the
Company's seal or a facsimile thereof which shall be attested by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile
signature. The Rights Certificates shall be countersigned by the Rights Agent,
either manually or by facsimile signature, and shall not be valid for any
purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall
have signed any of the Rights Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the
Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by
the Company, such Rights Certificates, nevertheless, may be countersigned by the
Rights Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and
effect as though the person who signed such Rights Certificates had not ceased
to be such officer of the Company; and any Rights Certificates may be signed on
behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of the execution of
such Rights Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such
Rights Certificate, although at the date of the execution of this Rights
Agreement any such person was not such an officer.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep
or cause to be kept, at its shareholder services office or offices designated in
such state as the appropriate place for surrender of Rights Certificates upon
exercise or transfer, books for registration and transfer of the Rights
Certificates issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of
the respective holders of the Rights Certificates, the number of Rights
evidenced on its face by each of the Rights Certificates and the date of each of
the Rights Certificates.
SECTION 6. TRANSFER, SPLIT UP, COMBINATION AND EXCHANGE OF
RIGHTS CERTIFICATES; MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e) and Section 14
hereof, at any time after the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, and at
or prior to the Close of Business on the Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate
or Certificates may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another
Rights Certificate or Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase
a like number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (or, following
a Triggering Event, Common Stock, other securities, cash or other assets, as the
case may be) as the Rights Certificate or Certificates surrendered then entitled
such holder (or former holder in the case of a transfer) to purchase. Any
registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Rights
Certificate or Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to the
Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Rights Certificate or Certificates to be
transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the shareholder services office
or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose. Neither the Rights
Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action whatsoever with
respect to the transfer of any such surrendered Rights Certificate until the
registered holder shall have completed and signed the certificate contained in
the form of assignment on the reverse side of such Rights Certificate and shall
have provided such additional evidence of the identity of the
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<PAGE> 11
Beneficial owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates
thereof as the company shall reasonably request. Thereupon the Rights Agent
shall, subject to Section 4(b) and Section 7(e) and Section 14 hereof,
countersign and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or
Rights Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that
may be imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or
exchange of Rights Certificates.
(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity
or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the Company
and the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon
surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Rights Certificate if
mutilated, the Company will execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate of like
tenor to the Rights Agent for countersignature and delivery to the registered
owner in lieu of the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
SECTION 7. EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE; EXPIRATION DATE
OF RIGHTS. (a) Subject to Section 7(e) hereof, the registered holder of any
Rights Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as
otherwise provided herein including, without limitation, the restrictions on
exercisability set forth in Section 9(c), Section 11(a)(iii) and Section 23(a)
hereof) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date upon
surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to purchase and
the certificate on the reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent
at the shareholder services office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for
such purpose, together with payment of the aggregate Purchase Price with respect
to the total number of one one-hundredths of a share (or other securities or
property, as the case may be) as to which such surrendered Rights are then
exercisable, at or prior to the earlier of (i) the Close of Business on
September 27, 2007 (the "Final Expiration Date"), or (ii) the time at which the
Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23 hereof (the earlier of (i) and
(ii) being herein referred to as the "Expiration Date").
(b) The Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth of a share of
Preferred Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall initially be $150, and
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Section 11
hereof and shall be payable in accordance with paragraph (c) below.
(c) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing
exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase and the certificate
duly executed, accompanied by payment, with respect to each Right so exercised,
of the Purchase Price per one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock (or
other shares, securities or property, as the case may be) to be purchased as set
forth below and an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax, the Rights Agent
shall, subject to Section 20(k) hereof, thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition
from any transfer agent of the shares of Preferred Stock (or make available, if
the Rights Agent is the transfer agent for such shares) certificates for the
total number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
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<PAGE> 12
Stock to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer
agent to comply with all such requests, or (B) if the Company shall have elected
to deposit the total number of shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise
of the Rights hereunder with a depositary agent, requisition from the depositary
agent depositary receipts representing such number of one one-hundredths of a
share of Preferred Stock as are to be purchased (in which case certificates for
the shares of Preferred Stock represented by such receipts shall be deposited by
the transfer agent with the depositary agent) and the Company will direct the
depositary agent to comply with such request, (ii) requisition from the Company
the amount of cash, if any, to be paid in lieu of fractional shares in
accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) after receipt of such certificates or
depositary receipts, cause the same to be delivered to or upon the order of the
registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names
as may be designated by such holder, and (iv) after receipt thereof, deliver
such cash, if any, to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights
Certificate. The payment of the Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced
(including to zero) pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof) may be made (x) by
certified check or bank draft or money order payable to the order of the Company
or the Rights Agent, or (y) if the Company shall in its sole discretion so
consent, by delivery of a certificate or certificates (with appropriate stock
powers executed in blank attached thereto) evidencing a number of shares of
Common Stock equal to the then Purchase Price divided by the current market
price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Common Stock
on the date of such exercise. In the event that the Company is obligated to
issue other securities (including Common Stock) of the Company, pay cash and/or
distribute other property pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof, the Company will
make all arrangements necessary so that such other securities, cash and/or other
property are available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when
appropriate.
(d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate
shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights
Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised
shall be issued by the Rights Agent and delivered to, or upon the order of, the
registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered in such name or names
as may be designated by such holder, subject to the provisions of Section 14
hereof.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
from and after the first occurrence of a Triggering Event, any Rights
beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Associate or Affiliate of an
Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person
becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with
the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either
(A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to
holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any Person with whom
the Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement, arrangement or understanding
regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board of Directors
of the Company has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding
which has a primary
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<PAGE> 13
purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 7(e), shall become null and void
without any further action and any holder of such Rights shall thereupon have no
rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of
this Agreement or otherwise. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to
insure that the provisions of this Section 7(e) and Section 4(b) hereof are
complied with, but neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any
liability to any holder of Rights Certificates or other Person as a result of
any delay in making or its failure to make any determinations with respect to an
Acquiring Person or its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary,
neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any
action with respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported
exercise as set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have
(i) completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of election to
purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights Certificate surrendered for
such exercise, and (ii) provided such additional evidence of the identity of the
Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates
thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.
SECTION 8. CANCELLATION AND DESTRUCTION OF RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.
All Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split
up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or any of its
agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in cancelled form,
or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled by it, and no Rights
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
any of the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights
Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and
retire, any other Rights Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company
otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all
cancelled Rights Certificates to the Company.
SECTION 9. RESERVATION AND AVAILABILITY OF CAPITAL STOCK.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be
reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of
Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, out of its
authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock or other securities or out of its
authorized and issued shares held in its treasury), the number of shares of
Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common
Stock or other securities) that, except as provided in Section 11(a)(iii)
hereof, will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding
Rights.
(b) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the
occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other securities) issuable
and deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights may be listed on any national
securities exchange, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause, from and
after such time as the Rights become exercisable, all shares reserved for such
issuance to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon
such exercise.
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<PAGE> 14
(c) The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) file, as soon
as practicable following the earliest date after the occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event as of which the consideration to be delivered by the Company
upon exercise of the Rights has been determined in accordance with Section
11(a)(iii) hereof, or as soon as is required by law following the Distribution
Date, as the case may be, a registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "Act"), with respect to the securities purchasable upon exercise of
the Rights on an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration statement to
become effective as soon as practicable after such filing, and (iii) cause such
registration statement to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times
meeting the requirements of the Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as of
which the Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities, and (B) the date
of the expiration of the Rights. The Company will also take such action as may
be appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or "blue sky"
laws of the various states in connection with the exercisability of the Rights.
The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to exceed ninety
(90) days after the date set forth in clause (i) of the first sentence of this
Section 9(c), the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such
registration statement. Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a
public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been
temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the
suspension is no longer in effect. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any
jurisdiction unless the requisite qualification in such jurisdiction shall have
been obtained.
(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take or cause
to be taken all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all one
one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a
Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other securities) delivered upon exercise
of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such shares
(subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly authorized and
issued and fully paid and nonassessable.
(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay or
cause to be paid when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer
taxes and charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of
the Rights Certificates and of any certificates for shares of Preferred Stock
(or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) upon the exercise
of Rights. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax
which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Rights
Certificates to a person other than, or the issuance or delivery of a number of
one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) in respect of a name other than that of, the
registered holder of the Rights Certificates evidencing Rights surrendered for
exercise or to issue or deliver any certificates for a number of one
one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) in a name other than that of the registered
holder upon the exercise of any Rights until such tax shall have been paid (any
such tax being payable by the holder of such Rights Certificate at the time of
surrender) or until it has been established to the Company's satisfaction that
no such tax is due.
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<PAGE> 15
SECTION 10. PREFERRED STOCK RECORD DATE. Each person in whose
name any certificate for a number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) is issued
upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the
holder of record of such fractional shares of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock
and/or other securities, as the case may be) represented thereby on, and such
certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Rights Certificate
evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price
(and all applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however, that if the
date of such surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Stock (or
Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the
Company, or the issuer of any such other securities if not the Company, are
closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such
shares (fractional or otherwise) on, and such certificate shall be dated, the
next succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Stock (or Common Stock
and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Company, or
the issuer of any such other securities if not the Company, are open. Prior to
the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Rights Certificate
shall not be entitled to any rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect
to shares for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without
limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to
exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice
of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.
SECTION 11. ADJUSTMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE, NUMBER AND KIND OF
SHARES OR NUMBER OF RIGHTS. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of shares
covered by each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.
(a) (i) In the event the Company shall at any time after the
date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Stock payable in
shares of Preferred Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Stock, (C)
combine the outstanding Preferred Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (D)
issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred
Stock (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation or
merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), except
as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) and Section 7(e) hereof, the
Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of
the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and the
number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may
be, issuable on such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder
of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive, upon
payment of the Purchase Price then in effect, the aggregate number and kind of
shares of Preferred Stock or capital stock, as the case may be, which, if such
Right had been exercised immediately prior to such date and at a time when the
Preferred Stock transfer books of the Company were open, he would have owned
upon such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend,
subdivision, combination or reclassification. If an event occurs which would
require an adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section
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<PAGE> 16
a(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to any adjustment required
pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(ii) In the event:
(A) any Acquiring Person or any Associate or
Affiliate of any Acquiring Person, at any time after the date of
this Agreement, directly or indirectly, (1) shall merge into the
Company or otherwise combine with the Company and the Company
shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such merger
or combination and the Common Stock of the Company shall remain
outstanding and unchanged, (2) shall, in one or more
transactions, other than in connection with the exercise of
Rights or the exercise or conversion of securities exercisable
or convertible into capital stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, transfer any assets to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in exchange (in whole or in part) for shares of
any class of capital stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or for securities exercisable for or convertible
into shares of any class of capital stock of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise obtain from the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, with or without consideration, any
additional shares of any class of capital stock of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or securities exercisable for or
convertible into shares of any class of capital stock of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than as part of a
pro rata distribution to all holders of Common Shares), (3)
shall sell, purchase, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge,
transfer or otherwise acquire or dispose, (in one or more
transactions), to, from, with or of, as the case may be, the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, assets, including
securities, on terms and conditions less favorable to the
Company than the Company would be able to obtain in
arm's-length negotiation with an unaffiliated third party, (4)
shall sell, purchase, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge,
transfer or otherwise acquire or dispose, (in one or more
transactions), to, from, with or of, as the case may be, the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (other than incidental to
the lines of business, if any, engaged in as of the date
hereof between the Company and such Acquiring Person or
Associate or Affiliate) assets having an aggregate fair market
value of more than $5,000,000 other than pursuant to a
transaction set forth in Section 13(a) hereof, (5) shall
receive any compensation from the Company or any of the
Company's Subsidiaries other than compensation for full-time
employment as a regular employee at rates in accordance with
the Company's (or its Subsidiaries') past practices, or (6)
shall receive the benefit, directly or indirectly (except
proportionately as a stockholder), of any loans, advances,
guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax
credits or other tax advantage provided by the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries,
(B) any Person (other than the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the
Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or
entity organized, appointed or
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<PAGE> 17
established by the Company or any Subsidiary for or pursuant
to the terms of any such plan), alone or together with its
Affiliates and Associates, shall, at any time after the date
of this Agreement, become the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more
of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding, other than
pursuant to any transaction set forth in Section 13(a) hereof,
or
(C) during such time as there is an Acquiring Person,
there shall be any reclassification of securities (including any
reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Company, or any
merger or consolidation of the Company with any of its
Subsidiaries or any other transaction or series of transactions
involving the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (whether
or not with or into or otherwise involving an Acquiring Person)
which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing by
more than 1% the proportionate share of the outstanding shares
of any class of equity securities or of securities exercisable
for or convertible into securities of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries that is directly or indirectly beneficially
owned by any Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of
any Acquiring Person,
then, within five (5) days after the date of the occurrence of an event
described in Section 11(a)(ii)(B) hereof and promptly following the occurrence
of any event described in Section 11(a)(ii)(A) or (C) hereof, proper provision
shall be made so that each holder of a Right (except as provided below and in
Section 7(e) hereof) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise
thereof at the then current Purchase Price on or after the Distribution Date in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, in lieu of shares of Preferred
Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock of the Company as shall equal the
result obtained by (x) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the then
number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was
exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii)
Event, and dividing that product (which, following such first occurrence, shall
thereafter be referred to as the "Purchase Price" for each Right and for all
purposes of this Agreement) by (y) 50% of the current market price (determined
pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Common Stock on the date of such
first occurrence (such number of shares, the "Adjustment Shares").
(iii) In lieu of issuing shares of Common Stock in accordance
with Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, if two-thirds of the Disinterested
Directors determine that such action is necessary or appropriate and not
contrary to the interest of holders of Rights the Company may, and, in
the event that the number of shares of Common Stock which are authorized
by the Company's certificate of incorporation but not outstanding or
reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise of the
Rights are not sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Rights
in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) of this Section
11(a), the Company shall: (A) determine the excess of (1) the value of
the Adjustment Shares issuable upon the exercise of a Right (the
"Current Value"), over (2) the Purchase Price (such excess, the
"Spread") and (B) with respect to each Right, make adequate provision to
substitute for the Adjustment Shares, upon payment
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<PAGE> 18
of the applicable Purchase Price, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in the
Purchase Price, (3) Common Stock or other equity securities of the
Company (including, without limitation, shares, or units of shares, of
preferred stock which the Board of Directors of the Company has deemed
to have the same value as shares of Common Stock (such shares of
preferred stock, "common stock equivalents")), (4) debt securities of
the Company, (5) other assets, or (6) any combination of the foregoing
having an aggregate value equal to the Current Value, where such
aggregate value has been determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company based upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment
banking firm selected by the Board of Directors of the Company;
provided, however, if the Company shall not have made adequate
provision to deliver value pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty
(30) days following the later of the first occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event and the first date that the right to redeem the Rights
pursuant to Section 23 hereof, as such date may be extended pursuant to
Section 23 hereof, shall expire, then the Company shall be obligated to
deliver, upon the surrender for exercise of a Right and without
requiring payment of the Purchase Price, shares of Common Stock (to the
extent available) and then, if necessary, cash, securities and/or
assets in the aggregate are equal to the Spread. If the Board of
Directors of the Company shall determine in good faith that sufficient
additional shares of Common Stock could be authorized for issuance upon
exercise in full of the Rights, the thirty (30) day period set forth
above may be extended to the extent necessary, but not more than ninety
(90) days following the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(i) Event,
in order that the Company may seek shareholder approval for the
authorization of such additional shares (such period as it may be
extended, the "Substitution Period"). To the extent that the Company
determines that some action is to be taken pursuant to the first and/or
second sentences of this Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (x) shall
provide, subject to Section 7(e) hereof, that such action shall apply
uniformly to all outstanding Rights, and (y) may suspend the
exercisability of the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution
Period in order to seek any authorization of additional shares and/or
to decide the appropriate form of distribution to be made pursuant to
such first sentence and to determine the value thereof. In the event of
any such suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement
stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily
suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the
suspension is no longer in effect. For purposes of this Section
11(a)(iii), the value of the Common Stock shall be the current market
price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of the
Common Stock on the later of the date of the first occurrence of a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event and the first date that the right to redeem the
Rights pursuant to Section 23 hereof, as such date may be extended
pursuant to Section 26 hereof, shall expire and the value of any
"common stock equivalent" shall be deemed to have the same value as the
Common Stock on such date.
(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance
of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Stock entitling them
to subscribe for or purchase (for a period expiring within forty-five (45)
calendar days after such record date) Preferred Stock (or shares having the same
rights, privileges and
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<PAGE> 19
preferences as the shares of Preferred Stock ("equivalent preferred stock")) or
securities convertible into Preferred Stock or equivalent preferred stock at a
price per share of Preferred Stock or per share of equivalent preferred stock
(or having a conversion price per share, if a security convertible into
Preferred Stock or equivalent preferred stock) less than the current market
price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred
Stock on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record
date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately
prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the
number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record date, plus the
number of shares of Preferred Stock which the aggregate offering price of the
total number of shares of Preferred Stock and/or equivalent preferred stock so
to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible
securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current market price and the
denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock
outstanding on such record date, plus the number of additional shares of
Preferred Stock and/or equivalent preferred stock to be offered for subscription
or purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are
initially convertible). In case such subscription price may be paid by delivery
of consideration, part or all of which may be in a form other than cash, the
value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement
filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the
holders of the Rights. Shares of Preferred Stock owned by or held for the
account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any
such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a
record date is fixed, and in the event that such rights or warrants are not so
issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which
would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for a
distribution to all holders of Preferred Stock (including any such distribution
made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the
continuing corporation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash (other than a regular
quarterly cash dividend out of the earnings or retained earnings of the
Company), assets (other than a dividend payable in Preferred Stock, but
including any dividend payable in stock other than the Preferred Stock) or
subscription rights or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b)
hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be
determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such
record date by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the current market
price (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred
Stock on such record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be
described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the
cash, assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such
subscription rights or warrants applicable to a share of Preferred Stock and the
denominator of which shall be such current market price (as determined pursuant
to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred Stock. Such adjustments shall be
made successively whenever such a record date is fixed, and in the event that
such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to
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<PAGE> 20
be the Purchase Price which would have been in effect if such record date had
not been fixed.
(d) (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other than
computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the "current market
price" per share of Common Stock on any date shall be deemed to be the average
of the daily closing prices per share of such Common Stock for the thirty (30)
consecutive Trading Days (as such term is hereinafter defined) immediately prior
to such date, and for purposes of computations made pursuant to Section
11(a)(iii) hereof, the "current market price" per share of Common Stock on any
date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of
such Common Stock for ten (10) consecutive Trading Days immediately following
such date; provided, however, that in the event that the current market price
per share of the Common Stock is determined during a period following the
announcement by the issuer of such Common Stock of (A) a dividend or
distribution on such Common Stock payable in shares of such Common Stock or
securities convertible into shares of such Common Stock (other than the Rights),
or (B) any subdivision, combination or reclassification of such Common Stock,
and prior to the expiration of the requisite thirty (30) Trading Day or ten (10)
Trading Day period, as set forth above, after the ex-dividend date for such
dividend or distribution, or the record date for such subdivision, combination
or reclassification, then, and in each such case, the "current market price"
shall be properly adjusted to take into account ex-dividend trading. The closing
price for each day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no
such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to
trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the shares of Common Stock are not
listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the
principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities
listed on the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of
Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading or, if the shares of Common Stock
are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the
last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low
asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") or
such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the shares of Common
Stock are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid
and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in
the Common Stock selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any
such date no market maker is making a market in the Common Stock, the fair value
of such shares on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company shall be used. The term "Trading Day" shall mean a day
on which the principal national securities exchange on which the shares of
Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of
business or, if the shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading
on any national securities exchange, a Business Day. If the Common Stock is not
publicly held or not so listed or traded, "current market price" per share shall
mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company, whose
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<PAGE> 21
determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and
shall be conclusive for all purposes.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the
"current market price" per share of Preferred Stock shall be determined in the
same manner as set forth above for the Common Stock in clause (i) of this
Section 11(d) (other than the last sentence thereof). If the current market
price per share of Preferred Stock cannot be determined in the manner provided
above or if the Preferred Stock is not publicly held or listed or traded in a
manner described in clause (i) of this Section 11(d), the "current market price"
per share of Preferred Stock shall be conclusively deemed to be an amount equal
to 100 (as such number may be appropriately adjusted for such events as stock
splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock
occurring after the date of this Agreement) multiplied by the current market
price per share of the Common Stock. If neither the Common Stock nor the
Preferred Stock is publicly held or so listed or traded, "current market price"
per share of the Preferred Stock shall mean the fair value per share as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, whose
determination shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and
shall be conclusive for all purposes. For all purposes of this Agreement, the
"current market price" of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock shall
be equal to the "current market price" of one share of Preferred Stock divided
by 100.
(e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no
adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment would
require an increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%) of the Purchase
Price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section
11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into
account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this Section 11
shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest ten-thousandth of a share of
Common Stock or other share or one-millionth of a share of Preferred Stock, as
the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e), any
adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier
of (i) three (3) years from the date of the transaction which mandates such
adjustment, or (ii) the Expiration Date.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section
11(a)(ii) or Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter exercised
shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock other than
Preferred Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon
exercise of any Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as
practicable to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Stock contained in
Section 11 (a), (b), (c), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (m), and the
provisions of Section's 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred
Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to
any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-hundredths of a
share of
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<PAGE> 22
Preferred Stock purchasable from time to time hereunder upon exercise
of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as
provided in Section 11(i), upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a
result of the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right
outstanding immediately prior to the making of such adjustment shall thereafter
evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, that number of
one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (calculated to the nearest
one-millionth) obtained by (i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-hundredths
of a share covered by a Right immediately prior to this adjustment, by (y) the
Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase
Price, and (ii) dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment
of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in lieu of any adjustment
in the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable
upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after the
adjustment in the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one
one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such
adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights
(calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the
Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The
Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of
Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the
time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date may be the date
on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the
Rights Certificates have been issued, shall be at least ten (10) days later than
the date of the public announcement. If Rights Certificates have been issued,
upon each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the
Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of
record of Rights Certificates on such record date Rights Certificates
evidencing, subject to Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such
holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of
the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in
substitution and replacement for the Rights Certificates held by such holders
prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the
Company, new Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders
shall be entitled after such adjustment. Rights Certificates so to be
distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner provided
for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Company, the adjusted Purchase
Price) and shall be registered in the names of the holders of record of Rights
Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase
Price or the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable
upon the exercise of the Rights, the Rights Certificates theretofore and
thereafter issued may
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<PAGE> 23
continue to express the Purchase Price per one one-hundredth of a share and the
number of one one-hundredths of a share which were expressed in the initial
Rights Certificates issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment
reducing the Purchase Price below the then stated value, if any, of the number
of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of
the Rights, the Company shall take any corporate action which may, in the
opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Company may validly and
legally issue fully paid and nonassessable such number of one one-hundredths
of a share of Preferred Stock at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an
adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a
specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such
event the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date
the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock and other capital
stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise over and
above the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock and other
capital stock or securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise
on the basis of the Purchase Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided,
however, that the Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other
appropriate instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional
shares (fractional or otherwise) or securities upon the occurrence of the event
requiring such adjustment.
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the
Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by this
Section 11, as and to the extent that in their good faith judgment the Board of
Directors of the Company shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i)
consolidation or subdivision of the Preferred Stock, (ii) issuance wholly for
cash of any shares of Preferred Stock at less than the current market price,
(iii) issuance wholly for cash of shares of Preferred Stock or securities which
by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Preferred
Stock, (iv) stock dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants
referred to in this Section 11, hereafter made by the Company to holders of its
Preferred Stock shall not be taxable to such stockholders.
(n) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at any
time after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person (other
than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section
11(o) hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person (other than a Subsidiary
of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or
(iii) sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary to sell or transfer), in one
transaction or a series of related transactions, assets or earning power
aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the
Company or its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which complies
with Section 11(o) hereof), if at the time of or immediately after such
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<PAGE> 24
consolidation, merger or sale there are any rights, warrants or other
instruments or securities outstanding or agreements or arrangements in effect
which would substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended
to be afforded by the Rights.
(o) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the
Distribution Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 26
hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time such
action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will diminish
substantially or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to be afforded by the
Rights.
(p) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
in the event that the Company shall at any time after the Rights Dividend
Declaration Date and prior to the Distribution Date (i) declare a dividend on
the outstanding shares of Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common
Stock into a smaller number of shares, the number of Rights associated with each
share of Common Stock then outstanding, or issued or delivered thereafter but
prior to the Distribution Date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the
number of Rights thereafter associated with each share of Common Stock following
any such event shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the number of
Rights associated with each share of Common Stock immediately prior to such
event by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and
the denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately following the occurrence of such event.
SECTION 12. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTED PURCHASE PRICE OR NUMBER
OF SHARES. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 and Section
13 hereof, the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate setting forth
such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such
adjustment, (b) promptly file with the Rights Agent, and with each transfer
agent for the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, a copy of such certificate,
and (c) mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Rights Certificate (or,
if prior to the Distribution Date, to each holder of a certificate representing
shares of Common Stock) in accordance with Section 25 hereof. The Rights Agent
shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any
adjustment therein contained.
SECTION 13. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OR TRANSFER OF
ASSETS OR EARNING POWER.
(a) In the event that, following the Stock Acquisition Date,
directly or indirectly, (x) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with
and into, any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a
transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), and the Company shall not
be the continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, (y)
any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof) shall consolidate with, or merge with or
into, the Company, and the Company shall be the
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<PAGE> 25
continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, and, in
connection with such consolidation or merger all or part of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other
securities of any other Person or cash or any other property, or (z) the Company
shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell
or otherwise transfer), in one transaction or a series of related transactions,
assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or earning power
of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any Person or Persons
(other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in one or more
transactions each of which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), then, and in
each such case, proper provision shall be made so that: (i) each holder of a
Right, except as provided in Section 7(e) hereof, shall thereafter have the
right to receive, upon the exercise of each such Right at the then current
Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such number of
validly authorized and issued, fully paid, non-assessable and freely tradable
shares of Common Stock of the Principal Party (as such term is hereinafter
defined), not subject to any liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal or
other adverse claims, as shall be equal to the result obtained by (1)
multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one one-hundredth
of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right is exercisable immediately prior
to the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event (or, if a Section 11(a)(ii) Event
has occurred prior to the Section 13 Event, multiplying the number of such one
one-hundredths of a share for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to
the first occurrence of such Section 11(a)(ii) Event by the Purchase Price in
effect immediately prior to such first occurrence), and (2) dividing that
product (which, following the Section 13 Event, shall be referred to as the
"Purchase Price" for each Right and for all purposes of this Agreement) by 50%
of the current market price (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) per
share of the Common Stock of such Principal Party on the date of consummation of
such Section 13 Event; (ii) such Principal Party shall thereafter be liable for,
and shall assume, by virtue of such Section 13 Event, all the obligations and
duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term "Company" shall
thereafter be deemed to refer to such Principal Party, it being specifically
intended that the provisions of Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such
Principal Party following the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event; (iv) such
Principal Party shall take such steps (including, but not limited to, the
reservation of a sufficient number of shares of its Common Stock) in connection
with the consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to assure that
the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably
may be, in relation to its shares of Common Stock thereafter deliverable upon
the exercise of the Rights; and (v) the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof
shall be of no effect following the first occurrence of any Section 13 Event.
(b) "Principal Party" shall mean
(i) in the case of any transaction described in clause (x) or
(y) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the
issuer of any securities into which shares of Common Stock of the
Company are converted in such merger or consolidation, and if no
securities are so issued, the Person that is the other party to such
merger or consolidation; and
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<PAGE> 26
(ii) in the case of any transaction described in clause (z) of
the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person that is the party
receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power
transferred pursuant to such transaction or transactions;
provided, however, that in any such case, (1) if the Common Stock of such Person
is not at such time and has not been continuously over the preceding twelve (12)
month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and such Person is
a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the Common Stock of which is
and has been so registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to such other Person;
and (2) in case such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more
than one Person, the Common Stock of two or more of which are and have been so
registered, "Principal Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the
issuer of the Common Stock having the greatest aggregate market value.
(c) The Company shall not consummate any such consolidation,
merger, sale or transfer unless the Principal Party shall have a sufficient
number of authorized shares of its Common Stock which have not been issued or
reserved for issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance
with this Section 13 and unless prior thereto the Company and such Principal
Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental
agreement providing for the terms set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this
Section 13 and further providing that, as soon as practicable after the date of
any consolidation, merger or sale of assets mentioned in paragraph (a) of this
Section 13, the Principal Party will
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Act,
with respect to the Rights and the securities purchasable upon exercise
of the Rights on an appropriate form, and will use its best efforts to
cause such registration statement to (A) become effective as soon as
practicable after such filing and (B) remain effective (with a
prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act) until the
Expiration Date; and
(ii) will deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial
statements for the Principal Party and each of its Affiliates which
comply in all respects with the requirements for registration on Form 10
under the Exchange Act.
The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or
consolidations or sales or other transfers. In the event that a Section 13 Event
shall occur at any time after the occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, the
Rights which have not theretofore been exercised shall thereafter become
exercisable in the manner described in Section 13(a).
SECTION 14. FRACTIONAL RIGHTS AND FRACTIONAL SHARES.
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Rights, except prior to the Distribution Date as provided in Section 11(p)
hereof, or to distribute
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<PAGE> 27
Rights Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such fractional
Rights, there may, if the Company so elects, be paid to the registered holders
of the Rights Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would
otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current market value of a whole Right. For purposes of this Section 14(a), the
current market value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights
for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional
Rights would have been otherwise issuable. The closing price of the Rights for
any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale
takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices,
regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to
trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Rights are not listed or
admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on
the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or
admitted to trading, or if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on
any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted,
the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market,
as reported by NASDAQ or such other system then in use or, if on any such date
the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing
bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market
in the Rights selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such
date no such market maker is making a market in the Rights the fair value of the
Rights on such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company shall be used.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral multiples of
one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the Rights or
to distribute certificates which evidence fractional shares of Preferred Stock
(other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a
share of Preferred Stock). In lieu of fractional shares of Preferred Stock that
are not integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock,
the Company may pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time
such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same
fraction of the current market value of one one-hundredth of a share of
Preferred Stock. For purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market value of
one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock shall be one one-hundredth of
the closing price of a share of Preferred Stock (as determined pursuant to
Section 11(d)(ii) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of
such exercise.
(c) Following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the
Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock upon
exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence fractional
shares of Common Stock. In lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock, the
Company may pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time
such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same
fraction of the current market value of one (1) share of Common Stock. For
purposes of this Section 14(c), the current market value of one share of Common
Stock shall be the closing price of one share of Common
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<PAGE> 28
Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day
immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of the Rights
expressly waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional
shares upon exercise of a Right, except as contemplated by this Section 14.
SECTION 15. RIGHTS OF ACTION. All rights of action in respect
of this Agreement are vested in the respective registered holders of the Rights
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the
Common Stock); and any registered holder of any Rights Certificate (or, prior to
the Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), without the consent of the Rights
Agent or of the holder of any other Rights Certificate (or, prior to the
Distribution Date, of the Common Stock), may, in his own behalf and for his own
benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding
against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to
exercise the Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate in the manner provided
in such Rights Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing
or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically
acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law
for any breach of this Agreement and shall be entitled to specific performance
of the obligations hereunder and injunctive relief against actual or threatened
violations of the obligations hereunder of any Person subject to this Agreement.
SECTION 16. AGREEMENT OF RIGHTS HOLDERS. Every holder of a
Right by accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights
Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of Common Stock;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates are
transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at
the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purposes, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer and
with the appropriate forms and certificates fully executed;
(c) subject to Section 6(a) and Section 7(f) hereof, the
Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name a
Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated Common
Stock certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the Rights
evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing on the
Rights Certificates or the associated Common Stock certificate made by anyone
other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and
neither the Company nor the Rights Agent, subject to the last sentence of
Section 7(e) hereof, shall be required to be affected by any notice to the
contrary; and
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<PAGE> 29
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to
any holder of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to perform
any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or
permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of
competent jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency
or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated
or enacted by any governmental authority prohibiting or otherwise restraining
performance of such obligation; provided, however, the Company must use its best
efforts to have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned.
SECTION 17. RIGHTS CERTIFICATE HOLDER NOT DEEMED A
STOCKHOLDER. No holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to
vote, receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the number of
one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock or any other securities of the
Company which may at any time be issuable on the exercise of the Rights
represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any Rights
Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights Certificate, as
such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for
the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as
provided in Section 24 hereof), or to receive dividends or subscription rights,
or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate
shall have been exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.
SECTION 18. CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AGENT.
(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent reasonable
compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from time to time,
on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and
disbursements and other disbursements incurred in the administration and
execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties
hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to
hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights Agent, for
anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with the acceptance
and administration of this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of
defending against any claim of liability in the premises. In no case will the
Rights Agent be liable for special, indirect, incidental or consequential loss
or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits),
even if the Rights Agent has been advised of the possibility of such loss or
damage.
(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no
liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in
connection with its administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Rights
Certificate or certificate for Common Stock or for other securities of the
Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement,
affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other
paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be
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<PAGE> 30
signed, executed and, where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper
Person or Persons.
SECTION 19. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OR CHANGE OF NAME OF
RIGHTS AGENT.
(a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated, or
any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Rights
Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any corporation
succeeding to the corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto; provided, however, that such corporation would be
eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of
Section 21 hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed
to the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Rights Certificates shall
have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may
adopt the countersignature of a predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Rights
Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights
Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may
countersign such Rights Certificate either in the name of the predecessor or in
the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Rights
Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and
in this Agreement.
(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be
changed and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature
under its prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in
case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been
countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such Rights Certificates either
in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Rights
Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and
in this Agreement.
SECTION 20. DUTIES OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent
undertakes the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the
following terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of
Rights Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may
be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full
and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action
taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or
matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person and
the determination of "current market price") be proved or established by the
Company prior to taking or suffering any
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<PAGE> 31
action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof
be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President,
any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and delivered
to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization to the
Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the
provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its
own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of
any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the
Rights Certificates or be required to verify the same (except as to its
countersignature on such Rights Certificates), but all such statements and
recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in
respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof
(except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the
validity or execution of any Rights Certificate (except its countersignature
thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any
covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Rights Certificate;
nor shall it be responsible for any adjustment required under the provisions of
Section 11 or Section 13 hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount
of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would
require any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights
evidenced by Rights Certificates after actual notice of any such adjustment);
nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or
warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock or
Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Rights
Certificate or as to whether any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock will,
when so issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute,
acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and
delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may
reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by
the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to
accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from
the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary, or
the Treasurer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or
instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any
action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
instructions of any such officer.
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<PAGE> 32
(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or
employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other
securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in
which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the
Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent
under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting
in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the
rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself
or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be
answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any
such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such
act, default, neglect or misconduct; provided, however, reasonable care was
exercised in the selection and continued employment thereof.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights
Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability
in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its
rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such
funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.
(k) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered to
the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to the form
of assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be, has either
not been completed or indicates an affirmative response to clause 1 and/or 2
thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such
requested exercise of transfer without first consulting with the Company.
SECTION 21. CHANGE OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this
Agreement upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing mailed to the Company, and to
each transfer agent of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, by registered or
certified mail, and, subsequent to the Distribution Date, to the holders of the
Rights Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent
or any successor Rights Agent upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing, mailed
to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each
transfer agent of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, by registered or
certified mail, and, subsequent to the Distribution Date, to the holders of the
Rights Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be
removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint
a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such
appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after giving notice of such
removal or after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or
incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a
Rights Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Rights Certificate
for inspection by the Company), then any registered holder of any Rights
Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment
of a new Rights Agent. Any successor
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<PAGE> 33
Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be
either (A) a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the
United States or of any state of the United States, in good standing, authorized
under such laws to exercise corporate trust or stock transfer powers, and
subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which
has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and
surplus of at least $100 million or (B) an affiliate of such a corporation.
After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same
powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally named
as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent
shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the
time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any further assurance,
conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later than the effective
date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof in writing
with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common Stock
and the Preferred Stock, and, subsequent to the Distribution Date, mail a notice
thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates. Failure
to give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any defect
therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or removal
of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the
case may be.
SECTION 22. ISSUANCE OF NEW RIGHTS CERTIFICATES.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the rights to the
contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates
evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to
reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or
class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the Rights
Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In
addition, the Company may, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of
Directors of the Company, issue Rights Certificates representing the appropriate
number of Rights in connection with the issuance or sale of shares of Common
Stock following the Distribution Date.
SECTION 23. REDEMPTION AND TERMINATION.
(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option,
at any time prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the earlier of (i) the
Close of Business on the tenth Business Day following the Stock Acquisition Date
(or, if the Stock Acquisition Date shall have occurred prior to the Record Date,
the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day following the Record Date), or
(ii) the Final Expiration Date, redeem all but not less than all the then
outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $.05 per Right, as such amount may
be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or similar
transaction occurring after the date hereof (such redemption price being
hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price"); provided, however, if the
Board of Directors of the Company authorizes redemption of the Rights in either
of the circumstances set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) below, then there must be
Disinterested Directors then in office and such authorization shall require the
concurrence of two-thirds of such Disinterested Directors: (i) such
authorization occurs on or after the time
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<PAGE> 34
a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, or (ii) such authorization occurs on or
after the date of a change (resulting from a proxy or consent solicitation) in a
majority of the directors in office at the commencement of such solicitation if
any Person who is a participant in such solicitation has stated (or, if upon the
commencement of such solicitation, a majority of the Board of Directors of the
Company has determined in good faith) that such Person (or any of its Affiliates
or Associates) intends to take, or may consider taking, any action which would
result in such Person becoming an Acquiring Person or Associate or Affiliate of
an Acquiring Person or which would cause the occurrence of a Triggering Event;
provided further, however, that if, following the occurrence of a Stock
Acquisition Date and following the expiration of the right of redemption
hereunder but prior to any Triggering Event, (i) a Person who is an Acquiring
Person shall have transferred or otherwise disposed of a number of shares of
Common Stock in one transaction, or series of transactions, not directly or
indirectly involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which did not
result in the occurrence of a Triggering Event, such that such Person is
thereafter a Beneficial Owner of 5% or less of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock, and (ii) there are no other Persons, immediately following the occurrence
of the event described in clause (i), who are Acquiring Persons, then the right
of redemption shall be reinstated and thereafter be subject to the provisions of
this Section 23. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable following an adjustment made
pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) prior to the expiration of the Company's right of
redemption hereunder. Neither the Board of Directors, the Disinterested
Directors nor the Company shall have any liability to any Person as a result of
the redemption of Rights pursuant to the terms hereof, other than the obligation
of the Company to pay $.05 per Right upon redemption.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of
the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, evidence of which shall have
been filed with the Rights Agent and without any further action and without any
notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only right
thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price for
each Right so held. Promptly after the action of the Board of Directors ordering
the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall give notice of such redemption
to the Rights Agent and the holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing
such notice to all such holders at each holder's last address as it appears upon
the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the Distribution Date, on
the registry books of the Transfer Agent for the Common Stock. Any notice which
is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not
the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption will state the
method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made.
SECTION 24. NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS.
(a) In case the Company shall propose, at any time after the
Distribution Date, (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any class to the
holders of Preferred Stock or to make any other distribution to the holders of
Preferred Stock (other than a regular quarterly cash dividend out of earnings or
retained earnings of the Company), or (ii) to offer to the holders of Preferred
Stock rights or warrants to
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<PAGE> 35
subscribe for or to purchase any additional shares of Preferred Stock or shares
of stock of any class or any other securities, rights or options, or (iii) to
effect any reclassification of its Preferred Stock (other than a
reclassification involving only the subdivision of outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock), or (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with any
other Person, or to effect any sale or other transfer (or to permit one or more
of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or other transfer), in one transaction or
a series of related transactions, of more than 50% of the assets or earning
power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person
or Persons, or (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company, then, in each such case, the Company shall give to each holder of a
Rights Certificate, to the extent feasible and in accordance with Section 25
hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record date
for the purposes of such stock dividend, distribution of rights or warrants, or
the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of
participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock, if any
such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any
action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least twenty (20) days prior to
the record date for determining holders of the shares of Preferred Stock for
purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other action, at least
twenty (20) days prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the
date of participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock
whichever shall be the earlier.
(b) In case any of the events set forth in Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof shall occur, then, in any such case, (i) the Company shall as soon as
practicable thereafter give to each holder of a Rights Certificate, to the
extent feasible and in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a notice of the
occurrence of such event, which shall specify the event and the consequences of
the event to holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, and (ii) all
references in the preceding paragraph to Preferred Stock shall be deemed
thereafter to refer to Common Stock and/or, if appropriate, other securities.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, prior to the Distribution Date a filing by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission shall constitute sufficient notice to the
holders of securities of the Company, including the Rights, for purposes of this
Agreement and no other notice need be given.
SECTION 25. NOTICES. Notices or demands authorized by this
Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Rights
Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in
writing with the Rights Agent) as follows:
Harsco Corporation
P.O. Box 8888
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17001-8888
Attention: Corporate Secretary
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<PAGE> 36
Subject to the provisions of Section 21, any notice or demand authorized by this
Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any Rights
Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if
sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is
filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.
One New York Plaza - 14th Floor
New York, New York 10081
Attention: Vice President - Shareholder Services Division
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the
Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights Certificate (or, if
prior to the Distribution Date, to the holder of certificates representing
shares of Common Stock) shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of
such holder as shown on the registry books of the Company.
SECTION 26. SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS. Prior to the
Distribution Date, the Company and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so
directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement without the
approval of any holders of certificates representing shares of Common Stock.
From and after the Distribution Date and subject to the penultimate sentence of
this Section 26, the Company and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so
directs, supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of any holders
of Rights Certificates in order (i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or
supplement any provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent
with any other provisions herein, (iii) to shorten or lengthen any time period
hereunder (which lengthening or shortening, following the first occurrence of an
event set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of the first proviso to Section 23(a)
hereof, shall be effective only if there are Disinterested Directors and shall
require the concurrence of a majority of such Disinterested Directors);
provided, this Agreement may not be supplemented or amended to lengthen,
pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence, (A) a time period relating to when
the Rights may be redeemed at such time as the Rights are not then redeemable,
or (B) any other time period unless such lengthening is for the purpose of
protecting, enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the
holders of Rights, or (iv) to change or supplement the provisions hereunder in
any manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not
adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights Certificates (other than
an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person). Upon
the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate officer of the Company which
states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms
of this Section 26, the Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment.
Prior to the Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of Rights shall be
deemed coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Stock.
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<PAGE> 37
SECTION 27. SUCCESSORS. All the covenants and provisions of
this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall
bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns
hereunder.
SECTION 28. DETERMINATIONS AND ACTIONS BY THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS, ETC. For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the
number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at any particular time, including
for purposes of determining the particular percentage of such outstanding shares
of Common Stock of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall be made in
accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Exchange Act as in effect as of the date hereof. The
Board of Directors of the Company (and, where specifically provided for herein,
the Disinterested Directors) shall have the exclusive power and authority to
administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically
granted to the Board, or the Company (or, where specifically provided for
herein, the Disinterested Directors), or as may be necessary or advisable in the
administration of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and
power to (i) interpret the provisions of this Agreement, and (ii) make all
determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this
Agreement (including a determination to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to
amend the Agreement). All such actions, calculations, interpretations and
determinations (including, for purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with
respect to the foregoing) which are done or made by the Board (or, where
specifically provided for herein, by the Disinterested Directors) in good faith
(provided that the decision to redeem the rights shall be in the sole discretion
of the Board or where specifically provided for herein, by the Disinterested
Directors), shall (x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the
Rights Agent, the holders of the Rights Certificates and all other parties, and
(y) not subject the Board or the Disinterested Directors to any liability to the
holders of the Rights Certificates.
SECTION 29. BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT. Nothing In this
Agreement shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the
Rights Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior
to the Distribution Date, registered holders of the Common Stock) any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement shall
be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, registered holders of the Common Stock).
SECTION 30. SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or
other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated;
provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held by such
court or authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable and the Board of
Directors of the Company determines in its good faith judgment that severing the
invalid language from this Agreement would adversely affect, the purpose or
effect of this Agreement, the right of redemption set forth in Section 23 hereof
shall be reinstated
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<PAGE> 38
and shall not expire until the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day
following the date of such determination by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 31. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement, each Right and each
Rights Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under
the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of such State applicable to contracts made
and to be performed entirely within such State.
SECTION 32. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes
be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute
but one and the same instrument.
SECTION 33. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. Descriptive headings of the
several Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall
not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions
hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be
hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
Attest: HARSCO CORPORATION
By /s/ Paul C. Coppock By /s/ Derek C. Hathaway
--------------------------- ------------------------------------
Name: Paul C. Coppock Name: Derek C. Hathaway
Title: Secretary Title: Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
Attest: CHASEMELLON SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES, L.L.C.
By /s/ James Hagan By /s/ Thomas Watt
--------------------------- ------------------------------------
Name: James Hagan Name: Thomas Watt
Title: Vice President Title: Assistant Vice President
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<PAGE> 39
Exhibit A
FORM OF
AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION,
PREFERENCES AND
RIGHTS OF SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING
CUMULATIVE PREFERRED STOCK
($1.25 PAR VALUE)
of
Harsco Corporation
Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware
We, Derek C. Hathaway, Chairman of the Board, and Paul C.
Coppock, Secretary, of Harsco Corporation, a corporation organized and existing
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, in accordance with
the provisions of Section 103 thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:
That pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board of
Directors by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the said Corporation,
the said Board of Directors on September 29, 1987, adopted a resolution creating
a series of 400,000 shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock designated as Series A
Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock with the preferences and rights
as provided in the Certificate of Designation adopted by the Board; and on June
24, 1997, the said Board of Directors adopted a resolution amending the
Certificate of Designation as follows:
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of
Directors of this Corporation in accordance with the provisions of its Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, the Certificate of Designation adopted by the
Board of Directors on September 29, 1987, is hereby amended effective
September 28, 1997 as follows:
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT. The shares of such series
shall be designated as "Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred
Stock" and the number of shares constituting such series shall be 750,000.
SECTION 2. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
(A) Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of
any shares of any series of Preferred Stock ranking prior and superior to the
shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock with respect
to dividends or distributions, the holders of shares of Series A Junior
Participating Cumulative
A-1
<PAGE> 40
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the
Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly
dividends payable in cash on the fifteenth day of February, May, August and
November in each year (each such date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date
after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the
nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) $5.00 or (b) subject to the provision
for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100 times the aggregate per share amount
of all cash dividends, and 100 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in
kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend
payable in shares of Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock,
par value $1.25 per share, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock") since the
immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the
first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or
fraction of a share of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock.
In the event the Corporation shall at any time after September 28,1997 (the
"Rights Declaration Date") (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in
shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii)
combine the outstanding Common Stock into a small number of shares, then in each
such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating
Cumulative Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under
clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such
amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to
such event.
(B) The corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on
the Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock as provided in
paragraph (A) above immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on
the Common Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock);
provided that, in the event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared
on the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of
$5.00 per share on the Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock
shall nevertheless be payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date.
(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating cumulative Preferred Stock
from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of
such shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, unless
the date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall
begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of
issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date
for determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating
Cumulative Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before
such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends
shall begin
A-2
<PAGE> 41
to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued
but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of
Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock in an amount less than
the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such
shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such
shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for
the determination of holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating
Cumulative Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or
distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be no more than 45 days
prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.
SECTION 3. VOTING RIGHTS. In addition to the voting rights set
forth in Article FOURTH of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or
otherwise required by law, the holders of shares of Series A Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:
(A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set
forth, each share of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock
shall entitle the holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote
of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at
any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common
Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common
Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of
shares, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of
shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock were entitled
immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by
a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such
event.
(B) Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders
of shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock and the
holders of shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class on all
matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.
(C) (i) If at any time dividends on any Series A Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an amount equal
to six (6) quarterly dividends thereon, the occurrence of such contingency shall
mark the beginning of a period (herein called a "default period") which shall
extend until such time when all accrued and unpaid dividends for all previous
quarterly dividend periods and for the current quarterly dividend period on all
shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock then
outstanding shall have been declared and paid or set apart for payment. During
each default period, all holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock (including
holders of the Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock) with
dividends in arrears in an amount equal to six (6) quarterly dividends thereon,
voting as a class, irrespective of series, shall have the right to elect two (2)
Directors.
A-3
<PAGE> 42
(ii) During any default period, such voting right of the holders
of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock may be exercised
initially at a special meeting called pursuant to subparagraph (iii) of this
Section 3(C) or at any annual meeting of stockholders, and thereafter at annual
meetings of Stockholders, provided that neither such voting right nor the right
of the holders of any other series of Cumulative Preferred Stock, if any, to
increase, in certain cases, the authorized number of Directors shall be
exercised unless the holders of ten percent (10%) in number of shares of
Cumulative Preferred Stock outstanding shall be present in person or by proxy.
The absence of a quorum of the holders of Common Stock shall not affect the
exercise by the holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock of such voting right. At
any meeting at which the holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock shall exercise
such voting right initially during an existing default period, they shall have
the right, voting as a class, to elect Directors to fill such vacancies, if any,
in the Board of Directors as may then exist up to two (2) Directors or, if such
right is exercised at an annual meeting, to elect two (2) Directors. If the
number which may be so elected at any special meeting does not amount to the
required number, the holders of the Cumulative Preferred Stock shall have the
right to make such increase in the number of Directors as shall be necessary to
permit the election by them of the required number. After the holders of the
Cumulative Preferred Stock shall have exercised their right to elect Directors
in any default period and during the continuance of such period, the number of
Directors shall not be increased or decreased except by vote of the holders of
Cumulative Preferred Stock as herein provided or pursuant to the rights of any
equity securities ranking senior to or pari passu with the Series A Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock.
(iii) Unless the holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock shall,
during an existing default period, have previously exercised their right to
elect Directors, the Board of Directors may order, or any stockholder or
stockholders owning in the aggregate not less than ten percent (10%) of the
total number of shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock outstanding, irrespective
of series, may request, the calling of a special meeting of the holders of
Cumulative Preferred Stock, which meeting shall thereupon be called by the
President, a Vice-President or the Secretary of the Corporation. Notice of such
meeting and of any annual meeting at which holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock
are entitled to vote pursuant to this paragraph (C)(iii) shall be given to each
holder of record of Cumulative Preferred Stock by mailing a copy of such notice
to him at his last address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation.
Such meeting shall be called for a time not earlier than 20 days and not later
than 60 days after such order or request or in default of the calling of such
meeting within 60 days after such order or request, such meeting may be called
on similar notice by any stockholder or stockholders owning in the aggregate not
less than ten percent (10%) of the total number of shares of Cumulative
Preferred Stock outstanding. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph
(C)(iii), no such special meeting shall be called during the period within 60
days immediately preceding the date fixed for the next annual meeting of the
stockholders.
(iv) In any default period, the holders of Common Stock, and
other classes of stock of the Corporation if applicable, shall continue to be
entitled to elect the
A-4
<PAGE> 43
whole number of Directors until the holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock shall
have exercised their right to elect two (2) Directors voting as a class, after
the exercise of which right (x) the Directors so elected by the holders of
Cumulative Preferred Stock shall continue in office until their successors shall
have been elected by such holders or until the expiration of the default period,
and (y) any vacancy in the Board of Directors may (except as provided in
paragraph (C)(ii) of this Section (3) be filled by vote of a
majority of the remaining Directors theretofore elected by the holders of the
class of stock which elected the Director whose office shall have become vacant.
References in this paragraph (C) to Directors elected by the holders of a
particular class of stock shall include Directors elected by such Directors to
fill vacancies as provided in clause (y) of the foregoing sentence.
(v) Immediately upon the expiration of a default period, (x) the
right of the holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock as a class to elect Directors
shall cease, (y) the term of any Directors elected by the holders of Cumulative
Preferred Stock as a class shall terminate, and (z) the number of Directors
shall be such number as may be provided for in the certificate of incorporation
or by-laws irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the provisions of
paragraph (C)(ii) of this Section 3 (such number being subject, however, to
change thereafter in any manner provided by law or in the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws). Any vacancies in the Board of Directors effected by
the provisions of clauses (y) and (z) in the preceding sentence may be filled by
a majority of the remaining Directors.
(D) Except as set forth herein, holders of Series A Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and
their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled to
vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any corporate
action.
SECTION 4. REACQUIRED SHARES. Any shares of Series A Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the
Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and cancelled promptly
after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation
become authorized but unissued shares of Cumulative Preferred Stock and may be
reissued as part of a new series of Cumulative Preferred Stock to be created by
resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors, subject to the conditions
and restrictions on issuance set forth herein.
SECTION 5. LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION OR WINDING UP.
(A) Upon any voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders of shares of stock
ranking (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
junior to the Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock unless,
prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative
Preferred Stock shall have received $150 per share, plus an amount equal to
accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared,
to the date of such payment (the "Series A Liquidation Preference"). Following
the payment of the full amount of the Series A
A-5
<PAGE> 44
Liquidation Preference, no additional distributions shall be made to the holders
of shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock unless,
prior thereto, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall have received an
amount per share (the "Common Adjustment") equal to the quotient obtained by
dividing (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference by (ii) 100 (as appropriately
adjusted as set forth in subparagraph C below to reflect such events as stock
splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with respect to the Common Stock)
(such number in clause (ii), the "Adjustment Number"). Following the payment of
the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the Common Adjustment
in respect of all outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative
Preferred Stock and Common Stock, respectively, holders of Series A Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock and holders of shares of Common Stock
shall receive their ratable and proportionate share of the remaining assets to
be distributed in the ratio of the Adjustment Number to 1 with respect to such
Cumulative Preferred Stock and Common Stock, on a per share basis, respectively.
(B) In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets
available to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference and
the liquidation preferences of all other series of Cumulative Preferred Stock,
if any, which rank on a parity with the Series A Junior Participating Cumulative
Preferred Stock, then such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the
holders of such parity shares in proportion to their respective liquidation
preferences. In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets
available to permit payment in full of the Common Adjustment, then such
remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of Common Stock.
(C) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the
Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in
shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii)
combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in
each such case the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event
shall be adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
SECTION 6. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC. In case the Corporation
shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in
which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock
or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares
of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock shall at the same
time be similarly exchanged or changed in an amount per share (subject to the
provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth) equal to 100 times the aggregate
amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind),
as the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is
changed or exchanged. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the
Rights Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in
shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or
A-6
<PAGE> 45
(iii) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then
in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to
the exchange or change of shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative
Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
SECTION 7. NO REDEMPTION. The shares of Series A Junior
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable.
SECTION 8. RANKING. The Series A Junior Participating Cumulative
Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other series of the Corporation's
preferred stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets.
SECTION 9. AMENDMENT. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the Corporation shall not be further amended in any manner which would
materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the
Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock so as to affect them
adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority or more of
the outstanding shares of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred
Stock, voting separately as a class.
SECTION 10. FRACTIONAL SHARES. Series A Junior Participating
Cumulative Preferred Stock may be issued in fractions of a share which shall
entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder's fractional shares, to
exercise voting rights, receive dividends, participate in distributions and to
have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series A Junior Participating
Cumulative Preferred Stock.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have executed and subscribed this
Certificate and do affirm the foregoing as true under the penalties of perjury
this day of September, 1997.
------
----------------------------
Derek C. Hathaway
Chairman of the Board
Attest:
- --------------------------------
Paul C. Coppock
Secretary
A-7
<PAGE> 46
Exhibit B
[Form of Rights Certificate]
Certificate No. R- ___________ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER SEPTEMBER 27, 2007 OR EARLIER IF REDEEMED BY THE
COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE
COMPANY, AT $.05 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN, AND SUBJECT TO
ADJUSTMENT AS PROVIDED IN, THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT (REFERRED TO BELOW).
UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING
PERSON AND ASSOCIATES OR AFFILIATES (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE
RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME
NULL AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR
WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING
PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON. (AS SUCH
TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT). ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS
CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID
IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF SUCH AGREEMENT.](1)
Rights Certificate
Harsco Corporation
This certifies that __________________, or registered assigns, is the registered
owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which entities the owner
thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Rights
Agreement, dated as of September 28, 1997 (the "Rights Agreement"), between
Harsco Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and ChaseMellon
Shareholder Services, L.L.C. (the "Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company
at any time prior to 5:00 P.M. (New York time) on September 27, 2007 at the
office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, or its
successor as Rights Agent, one one-hundredth of a fully paid, non-assessable
share of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock (the
"Preferred Stock") of the Company, at a purchase price of $150 per one
one-hundredth of a share (the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender
of this Rights Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase and related
Certificate duly executed. The Purchase Price shall be paid, at the election of
the holder, in cash or shares of Common Stock of the Company having an
equivalent value. The number of Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate (and
the number of shares which may be purchased upon exercise thereof) set forth
above, and the Purchase Price per share
________
(1) The portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if
applicable and shall replace the preceding sentence.
B-1
<PAGE> 47
set forth above, are the number and Purchase Price as of September 28, 1997,
based on the Preferred Stock as constituted at such date.
Upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event (as such term is
defined in the Rights Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate are beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights
Agreement), (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring Person, Associate or
Affiliate, or (iii) under certain circumstances specified in the Rights
Agreement, a transferee of a person who, after such transfer, became an
Acquiring Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, such
Rights shall become null and void and no holder hereof shall have any right with
respect to such Rights from and after the occurrence of such Triggering Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the
number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities, which may be
purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate
are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events,
including Triggering Events (as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement).
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms,
provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and
conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof
and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full description of
the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder
of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Rights Certificates,
which limitations of rights include the temporary suspension of the
exercisability of such Rights under the specific circumstances set forth in the
Rights Agreement. Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the
above-mentioned office of the Rights Agent and are also available upon written
request to the Rights Agent.
This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights
Certificates, upon surrender at the principal office or offices of the Rights
Agent designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights
Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights
entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of one one-hundredths
of a share of Preferred Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Rights Certificate
or Rights Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase.
If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be
entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights
evidenced by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Board of Directors at a
redemption price of $.05 per Right at any time prior to ten (10) business days
after the Stock Acquisition Date. Under certain circumstances set forth in the
Rights Agreement, the decision to redeem shall require the concurrence of
two-thirds of the Disinterested Directors. After the redemption period has
expired, the Company's right of redemption may be reinstated if an Acquiring
Person reduces his beneficial ownership to 5% or less of the
B-2
<PAGE> 48
outstanding shares of Common Stock in a transaction or series of transactions
not involving the Company and in certain other circumstances.
The Company may decide, in its sole discretion, not to issue
fractional shares of Preferred Stock upon the exercise of any Right or Rights
evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one
one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of the
Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), and in lieu thereof may make a
cash payment, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
No holder of this Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote
or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of shares of
Preferred Stock or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time
be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights
Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof as such, any
of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote for the
election of directors or upon any matter submitted to stockholders at any
meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or, to
receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as
provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription
rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for
any purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
B-3
<PAGE> 49
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the
Company and its corporate seal.
Dated as of ___________ ___, 19__ HARSCO CORPORATION
ATTEST:
By
___________________________________ ______________________________
Secretary Title:
Countersigned:
__________________________________
By
____________________________________
Authorized Signature
[Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if such
holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate).
FOR VALUE RECEIVED __________________ hereby sells, assigns
and transfers unto _________________________ (Please print name and address of
transferee) ___________________________ this Rights Certificate, together with
all right, title and interest therein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute
and appoint _____________________ Attorney, to transfer the within Rights
Certificate on the books of the within named Company, with full power of
substitution.
Dated: _____________________, 19__
___________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
B-4
<PAGE> 50
Certificate
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate
boxes that:
(1) this Rights Certificate _____ is _____ is not being sold,
assigned and transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring
Person (as such terms are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the
undersigned, it _____ did _____ did not acquire the Rights evidenced by
this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or subsequently
became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring
Person.
Dated: _____________________, 19__
_______________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
B-5
<PAGE> 51
NOTICE
The signature to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if holder desires to exercise Rights
represented by the Rights Certificate.)
To_______________________ :
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise
____________ Rights represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the
shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (or such
other securities of the Company or of any other person which may be issuable
upon the exercise of the Rights) and requests that certificates for such shares
be issued in the name of and delivered to:
B-6
<PAGE> 52
- -----------------------------
Please insert social security
or other identifying number
----------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced
by this Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such
Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
- -----------------------------
Please insert social security
or other identifying number
----------------------------------------------------------------
(Please print name and address)
----------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------
Dated: , 19
---------------- --
----------------------------
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
Certificate
B-7
<PAGE> 53
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate
boxes that:
(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights certificate _____ are
_____ are not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was
an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring
Person (as such terms are defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the
undersigned, it _____ did _____ did not acquire the Rights evidenced by
this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or became an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: ________________, 19__ _________________________________
Signature
Signature Guaranteed:
NOTICE
The signature to the foregoing Election to Purchase and
Certificate must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights
Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.
B-8
<PAGE> 54
Exhibit C
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
PREFERRED STOCK
On June 24, 1997, the Board of Directors of Harsco Corporation (the "Company")
declared a dividend distribution of one Right for each outstanding share of
Common Stock of the Company to stockholders of record at the Close of Business
on September 28, 1997. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase
from the Company a unit consisting of one one-hundredth of a share (a "Unit") of
Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $1.25, at a
Purchase Price of $150 per Unit subject to adjustment. The Purchase Price shall
be paid, at the option of the holder, in cash or shares of Common Stock having a
value at the time of exercise equal to the Purchase Price. The description and
terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement")
between the Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights
Agent (the "Rights Agent").
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all outstanding shares of Common
Stock, and no separate Rights Certificates will be distributed. The Rights will
separate from the Common Stock and a Distribution Date will occur upon the
earlier of: (i) 10 business days following a public announcement that a person
or group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has
acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock (the "Stock Acquisition Date"), or (ii) 10 business days following the
commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person
or group owning 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Until the
Distribution Date, (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), (i) the
Rights will be evidenced by the Common Stock certificates and will be
transferred with and only with such Common Stock certificates, (ii) new Common
Stock certificates issued after September 28, 1997 will contain a notation
incorporating the Rights Agreement by Reference and (iii) the surrender for
transfer of any certificates for Common Stock will also constitute the transfer
of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificate.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will expire at
the Close of Business on September 27, 2007, unless previously redeemed by the
Company as described below.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights Certificates will be
mailed to holders of record of Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the
Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights Certificates alone will
represent the Rights. Except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors,
only shares of Common Stock issued prior to the Distribution Date will be issued
with Rights.
In the event that, at any time following the Distribution Date, (i) the Company
is the surviving corporation in a merger with an Acquiring Person and its Common
Stock is not changed or exchanged, (ii) an Acquiring Person engages in one of a
number of self-
C-1
<PAGE> 55
dealing transactions specified in the Rights Agreements, or (iii) a Person
becomes the beneficial owner of more than 20% of the then outstanding shares of
Common Stock, each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive,
upon exercise, Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or
other securities) having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the
Right.
For example, at an exercise price of $150 per Right, each Right not owned by an
Acquiring Person would entitle its holder to purchase $300 (2 times) worth of
Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above) for $150.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i) the
Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction (other
than a merger described in the second preceding paragraph), or (ii) 50% or more
of the Company's assets or earning power is sold, each holder of a Right shall
thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the
acquiring company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the
Right. The events described in this paragraph and in the second preceding
paragraph are referred to as the "Triggering Events." Following the occurrence
of any Triggering Event, all Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances
specified in the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by an Acquiring
Person will be null and void.
The term "Disinterested Directors" means any member of the Board of Directors
who was a member of the Board prior to the date of the Rights Agreement, and any
person who is subsequently elected to the Board if such person is recommended or
approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors. Disinterested Directors
do not include an Acquiring Person, or an affiliate or associate of an Acquiring
Person, or any representative of the foregoing entities.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Units of Preferred Stock or other
securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to
adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred
Stock, (ii) if holders of the Preferred Stock are granted certain rights or
warrants to subscribe for Preference Stock or convertible securities at less
than the current market price of the Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the
distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or
assets (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights or
warrants (other than those referred above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required
until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase Price. At the
option of the Company, fractional Units may not be issued and, in lieu thereof,
an adjustment in cash may be made based on the market price of the Preferred
Stock on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.
The Rights may be redeemed in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.05 per
Right by the Board of Directors at any time prior to ten business days after the
Stock Acquisition Date. Under certain circumstances set forth in the Rights
Agreement, the decision to
C-2
<PAGE> 56
redeem shall require the concurrence of a majority of the Disinterested
Directors. After the redemption period has expired, the right to redeem may be
reinstated if an Acquiring Person reduces his Common Stock ownership to 5% or
less of the then outstanding shares in one or more transactions not involving
the Company. Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors ordering
redemption of the Rights, with, where required, the concurrence of a majority of
the Disinterested Directors, the Rights will terminate and thereafter the only
right of the holders of Rights will be to receive the redemption price.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder will have no rights as a stockholder of
the Company (beyond those as an existing stockholder), including the right to
vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not be
taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders 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 an acquiring company as set forth above.
The provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board of Directors
of the Company prior to the Distribution Date. After the Distribution Date, the
provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board (in certain
circumstances, with the concurrence of the Disinterested Directors) in order to
cure any ambiguity, to make changes which do not adversely affect the interest
of holders of Rights (excluding the interests of any Acquiring Person), or to
shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement; provided,
however, that no amendment to adjust the time period governing redemption shall
be made at such time as the Rights are not redeemable.
A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the Company or
the Rights Agent. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement.
C-3
<PAGE> 1
[HARSCO CORPORATION Letterhead]
July 28, 1997
TO OUR STOCKHOLDERS:
On June 24, 1997, we announced that the Board of Directors had adopted a
revised Shareholder Rights Plan to replace the Company's 1987 Rights Plan when
it expires September 28, 1997. Like the 1987 Plan, the revised Plan is designed
to protect stockholders against abusive and unfair takeover tactics and prevent
an acquirer from gaining control of the Company without paying a full and fair
price to the stockholders. This letter broadly outlines the revised Plan and the
enclosed summary explains in detail the principal features of the Plan.
To implement the revised Plan, the Board declared a dividend to
stockholders of record on September 28, 1997, of one Right for each share of
common stock, which under certain circumstances entitles the holder to purchase
1/100th of a share of Harsco Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock at
an exercise price of $150. These rights replace the similar rights that have
been in effect for almost ten years under the 1987 Plan.
The Rights are intended to protect stockholders from unfair takeover
tactics such as the gradual accumulation of shares in the open market, a partial
or two-tier tender offer that does not treat all stockholders equally, and other
acquisition attempts which may unfairly pressure stockholders by coercing them
to relinquish their investment, thereby depriving them of the full value of
their shares. The Rights Plan increases the Board's ability to effectively
represent the interests of stockholders and other constituencies of the Company,
including creditors, in the event of an unfair acquisition proposal. While the
Board is not aware of any present effort to acquire control of the Company, it
believes these Rights represent a sound and reasonable means of safeguarding
your interests as stockholders.
The Rights are not intended to prevent a takeover of the Company and will
not do so. However, they should discourage any effort to acquire the Company in
a manner or on terms not approved by the Board and should deter any attempt by a
15% stockholder to take advantage of the Company through self-dealing
transactions. The Rights are designed to address the serious problem of a raider
using coercive tactics to deprive the Company's Board and stockholders of any
real opportunity to determine the future of the Company. In order that the
Rights not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by
the Board, the Rights may be redeemed by the Company at $.05 per Right at any
time until the 10th business day following an accumulation of 15% or more of the
Company's shares by a single acquiror or group.
Distribution of the Rights does not in any way affect the financial
strength or business plans of the Company. The distribution is not dilutive,
does not affect reported earnings per share, is not taxable either to you or to
the Company, and will not change the way in which you can currently trade the
Company's shares. As explained in further detail in the attached Summary, the
Rights will be exercisable only if and when the problem they were designed to
deal with arises.
<PAGE> 2
The Rights will expire on September 27, 2007. Initially the Rights will not
be exercisable and will automatically trade with the Common Stock. Therefore,
Rights Certificates are not being sent to you at this time. However, should a
person or group acquire, or should a group be formed which holds, 15% or more of
the Company's shares, or should a person or group make an offer to acquire 20%
or more of the shares (even if no purchases actually occur), the Rights will
become exercisable immediately and separate certificates representing them will
be distributed. At that time, each Right entitles a holder to buy from the
Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative
Preferred Stock for $150 and the Rights could begin to trade independently from
the Company's shares. At no time will the Rights have voting power.
If the Company is involved in a merger or other business combination at any
time after the Rights become exercisable, the Rights will be adjusted so as to
entitle a holder to buy, at the exercise price of $150 per Right, a number of
shares of common stock of the acquiring company having a market value of $300,
or twice the exercise price of each Right. For example, if at the time of the
business combination the acquiring company's stock has a market value of $75 per
share, the holder of each Right would be entitled to buy 4 shares for the $150
exercise price of each Right, a discount of 50%.
Alternatively, if a 15% holder were to (i) acquire the Company by means of
a reverse merger in which the Company and its stock survive, (ii) acquire, under
certain circumstances, ownership of more than 20% of the Company's common stock,
or (iii) engage in certain self-dealing transactions with the Company, each
Right not owned by such holder would become exercisable for the number of shares
of common stock of the Company that, at such time, would have a market value of
two times the $150 exercise price of the Right.
As previously noted, distribution of the Rights will not be taxable to you
or to the Company. However, stockholders may, depending upon their individual
circumstances, recognize taxable income should the Rights become exercisable.
In declaring the Rights dividend, the Board of Directors has expressed its
confidence in the future of Harsco Corporation and its determination that
stockholders be given every opportunity to participate fully in that future.
Sincerely,
/s/ D. C. Hathaway
---------------------------------------------------
D. C. Hathaway
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
ATTACHMENT
<PAGE> 3
HARSCO CORPORATION
SUMMARY OF RIGHTS TO PURCHASE
PREFERRED STOCK
On June 24, 1997, the Board of Directors of Harsco Corporation (the "Company")
declared a dividend distribution of one Right for each outstanding share of
Common Stock of the Company to stockholders of record at the Close of Business
on September 28, 1997. Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase
from the Company a unit consisting of one one-hundredth of a share (a "Unit") of
Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $1.25, at a
Purchase Price of $150 per Unit subject to adjustment. The Purchase Price shall
be paid, at the option of the holder, in cash or shares of Common Stock having a
value at the time of exercise equal to the Purchase Price. The description and
terms of the Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement (the "Rights Agreement")
between the Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C. as Rights Agent
(the "Rights Agent").
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all outstanding shares of Common
Stock, and no separate Rights Certificates will be distributed. The Rights will
separate from the Common Stock and a Distribution Date will occur upon the
earlier of: (i) 10 business days following a public announcement that a person
or group of affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has
acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock (the "Stock Acquisition Date"), or (ii) 10 business days following the
commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person
or group owning 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Until the
Distribution Date, (or earlier redemption or expiration of the Rights), (i) the
Rights will be evidenced by the Common Stock certificates and will be
transferred with and only with such Common Stock certificates, (ii) new Common
Stock certificates issued after September 28, 1997 will contain a notation
incorporating the Rights Agreement by Reference and (iii) the surrender for
transfer of any certificates for Common Stock will also constitute the transfer
of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificate.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will expire at
the Close of Business on September 27, 2007, unless previously redeemed by the
Company as described below.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights Certificates will be
mailed to holders of record of Common Stock as of the Close of Business on the
Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights Certificates alone will
represent the Rights. Except as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors,
only shares of Common Stock issued prior to the Distribution Date will be issued
with Rights.
In the event that, at any time following the Distribution Date, (i) the Company
is the surviving corporation in a merger with an Acquiring Person and its Common
Stock is not changed or exchanged, (ii) an Acquiring Person engages in one of a
number of self-dealing transactions specified in the Rights Agreements, or (iii)
a Person becomes the beneficial owner of more than 20% of the then outstanding
shares of Common Stock, each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to
receive, upon exercise, Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash,
property or other securities) having a value equal to two times the exercise
price of the Right.
For example, at an exercise price of $150 per Right, each Right not owned by an
Acquiring Person would entitle its holder to purchase $300 (2 times) worth of
Common Stock (or other consideration, as noted above) for $150.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i) the
Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction (other
than a merger described in the second preceding paragraph), or (ii) 50% or more
of the Company's assets or earning power is sold, each holder of a Right shall
thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the
acquiring company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the
Right. The events
<PAGE> 4
described in this paragraph and in the second preceding paragraph are referred
to as the "Triggering Events." Following the occurrence of any Triggering Event,
all Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified in the Rights
Agreement) were, beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person will be null and
void.
The term "Disinterested Directors" means any member of the Board of Directors
who was a member of the Board prior to the date of the Rights Agreement, and any
person who is subsequently elected to the Board if such person is recommended or
approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors. Disinterested Directors
do not include an Acquiring Person, or an affiliate or associate of an Acquiring
Person, or any representative of the foregoing entities.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Units of Preferred Stock or other
securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to
adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Preferred
Stock, (ii) if holders of the Preferred Stock are granted certain rights or
warrants to subscribe for Preference Stock or convertible securities at less
than the current market price of the Preferred Stock, or (iii) upon the
distribution to holders of the Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or
assets (excluding regular quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights or
warrants (other than those referred above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be required
until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase Price. At the
option of the Company, fractional Units may not be issued and, in lieu thereof,
an adjustment in cash may be made based on the market price of the Preferred
Stock on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.
The Rights may be redeemed in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.05 per
Right by the Board of Directors at any time prior to ten business days after the
Stock Acquisition Date. Under certain circumstances set forth in the Rights
Agreement, the decision to redeem shall require the concurrence of a majority of
the Disinterested Directors. After the redemption period has expired, the right
to redeem may be reinstated if an Acquiring Person reduces his Common Stock
ownership to 5% or less of the then outstanding shares in one or more
transactions not involving the Company. Immediately upon the action of the Board
of Directors ordering redemption of the Rights, with, where required, the
concurrence of a majority of the Disinterested Directors, the Rights will
terminate and thereafter the only right of the holders of Rights will be to
receive the redemption price.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder will have no rights as a stockholder of
the Company (beyond those as an existing stockholder), including the right to
vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not be
taxable to stockholders or to the Company, stockholders 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 an acquiring company as set forth above.
The provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board of Directors
of the Company prior to the Distribution Date. After the Distribution Date, the
provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board (in certain
circumstances, with the concurrence of the Disinterested Directors) in order to
cure any ambiguity, to make changes which do not adversely affect the interest
of holders of Rights (excluding the interests of any Acquiring Person), or to
shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement; provided,
however, that no amendment to adjust the time period governing redemption shall
be made at such time as the Rights are not redeemable.
A copy of the Rights Agreement is available free of charge from the Company or
the Rights Agent. This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement.
