SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 19, 1998
LAWTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-7558 36-1370808
(State or other (Commission (I.R.S Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
One Terra Way, 8601 95th Street, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53412-7716
(Address of principal executive offices)
(414) 947-7300
(Registrant's telephone number)
Not applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Item 5. Other Events.
On March 19, 1998, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement and
Mutual Release dated as of March 19, 1998 (the "Purchase Agreement") pursuant to
which the Company will purchase the 11,503,130 shares of the Company's Common
Stock held by the Estate of Daniel J. Terra (the "Estate"), representing
approximately 25.4% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company
(the "Estate Block"), for a purchase price of $11.375 per share. The
$130,848,104 aggregate purchase price will be funded by the Company through a
combination of borrowings and cash on hand.
The Purchase Agreement provides that, if prior to April 17, 1999, there
is a transaction which results in a change in control of the Company in which
the stockholders of the Company receive more than $11.375 per share for their
Common Stock, the Company will pay the Estate an adjustment amount equal to the
product of the difference in such prices times 11,503,130. The Estate, as well
as the Terra Foundation For The Arts, which is the sole remainder beneficiary of
the Estate and also the owner of 1,328,487 shares of the Company's Common Stock
for its own account, and James D. Terra, who is the executor of the Estate and
also the owner of 1,783,137 shares of the Company's Common Stock for his own
account, have agreed not to acquire, directly or indirectly, any securities of
the Company (or assist others in such regard) until April 17, 1999.
The purchase of the Estate Block is expected to be completed on April
17, 1998 and is subject to customary closing contingencies, including the
Company obtaining financing to fund the purchase price as described above.
After the purchase of the Estate Block is completed by the Company,
approximately 34 million shares of the Company's Common Stock will remain issued
and outstanding and approximately 86 million shares of Common Stock will then be
available fo r issuance by the Company.
The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the text of the Purchase Agreement which is attached as
an exhibit to this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
10.1 - Purchase Agreement and Mutual Release dated as of March 19, 1998 by and
among the Company, the Estate of Daniel J. Terra, the Terra Foundation For The
Arts and James D. Terra.
99.1 - Press Release dated March 19, 1998.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
LAWTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Registrant)
/s/ John P. O'Mahoney
John P. O'Mahoney
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(On behalf of the registrant in his
capacity as Principal Executive Officer)
March 19, 1998
EXHIBIT INDEX
Number
Description
10.1
Purchase Agreement and Mutual Release dated as of March 19, 1998 by and among
the Company, the Estate of Daniel J. Terra, the Terra Foundation For The Arts
and James D. Terra
99.1
Press Release dated March 19, 1998
Exhibit 10.1
PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE
THIS PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE (this "Agreement") is made
and entered into as of March 19, 1998, by and among the Estate of Daniel J.
Terra (the "Estate"), the Terra Foundation For The Arts (the "Foundation"), an
Illinois not-for-profit corporation, James D. Terra ("Terra" and, together with
the Estate and the Foundation, the "Terra Parties") and Lawter International,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").
R E C I T A L S:
WHEREAS, the Estate is the owner of approximately 11,503,130 shares (the
"Shares") of common stock of the Company ("Common Stock"), representing
approximately 25.4% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding;
and
WHEREAS, the Estate proposes to sell and the Company proposes to
purchase the Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company, in consultation with
legal and financial advisors, has determined that the purchase of the Shares at
the negotiated price is in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders; and
WHEREAS, the executor of the Estate (the "Executor"), in consultation
with legal and financial advisors, and the Foundation, which is the remainder
beneficiary of the Estate, has determined that the sale of the Shares at the
negotiated price is in the best interests of the Estate; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Estate are willing to effect the purchase
and sale of the Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter
set forth; and
WHEREAS, it is a condition to the Company's entering into this Agreement
that each of the Terra Parties agrees to certain standstill provisions and
releases as set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties in consideration of the agreements,
covenants and conditions set forth herein, agree as follows:
ARTICLE1.
TRANSFERS OF SHARES, PAYMENT AND CLOSING
1.1. Transfer of Shares by the Estate. On the terms and subject to the
conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing (as defined herein), in exchange
for the Purchase Price referred to in Section 1.2, the Estate shall sell,
transfer and deliver to the Company, and the Company shall purchase, acquire
and accept from the Estate, the Shares.
1.2. Payment for Shares. The purchase price to be paid by the Company for
the Shares (the "Purchase Price") will be $11.375 per share or a total of
$130,848,104 for all said Shares. The Purchase Price shall be paid by wire
transfer of immediatel y available funds to an account or accounts designated in
writing by the Estate. Such designation shall be received by the Company at
least 48 hours prior to Closing.
1.3. Closing. The closing of the transaction contemplated by Section 1.1 of
this Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Gardner,
Carton & Douglas, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois, on April 17, 1998
at 10:00 a.m., o r at such date and time as the parties may mutually agree.
1.4. Deliveries at Closing.
(a) At the Closing, the Estate shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Company the following:
(i) stock certificates representing the Shares accompanied by stock powers
duly executed in blank and otherwise in form acceptable for transfer on the
books of the Company (the certificates and powers are referred to herein as the
"Share Certific ates"); and
(ii) certified copies of the Letters of Office of Terra, as executor of the
Estate.
(b) At the Closing, the Foundation shall deliver or cause to be delivered to
the Company the following:
(i) a certificate of the Secretary of the Foundation certifying resolutions
of the Board of Directors of the Foundation consenting to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby together with an incumbency and signature
certificate re garding the persons signing on behalf of the Foundation.
(c) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to
the Estate the following:
(i) a certificate of the Secretary of the Company certifying resolutions of
the Board of Directors of the Company approving this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby together with an incumbency and signature
certificate regarding th e officer or officers signing on behalf of the Company;
and
(ii) the amount of $130,848,104, constituting the aggregate Purchase Price,
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account
designated by the Estate.
ARTICLE2.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE ESTATE
The Estate represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
2.1. Ownership and Delivery of Shares. The Estate is the lawful owner of
record of the Shares and the Shares are owned by the Estate, free and clear of
any and all pledges, security interests, liens, charges, encumbrances or adverse
claims. Ther e are no outstanding options, warrants, calls, subscriptions,
agreements or commitments of any character affecting the Shares. The Estate is
not a party to any voting trust, proxy or other agreement or understanding with
respect to the voting of the Shares. At the Closing, against payment therefor
pursuant to Section 1.2 hereof, the Estate shall transfer valid title to the
Shares to the Company. Upon payment therefor and delivery thereof at the
Closing as provided herein, the Company will own the Shares free and clear of
all claims, liens and encumbrances other than those created by the Company. The
Estate will vote the shares at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company
currently scheduled for April 23, 1998.
2.2. Authorization of Transaction. The Estate has full power and authority
to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder.
This Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by
the Estate and constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the
Estate, enforceable against the Estate in accordance with its terms and
conditions. Except for the consent of the Board of Directors of the Foundation,
which consent has been obtained, the Estate is not required to give any notice
to, make any filing with, or obtain any authorization, consent, or approval of
its beneficiaries or of any government or governmental agency in order to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Ag reement other than filing an
amendment to its Schedule 13D.
2.3. Noncontravention. Neither the execution and the delivery by the Estate
of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Estate of the transactions
contemplated hereby, will (a) violate any constitution, statute, regulation,
rule, injunction, j udgment, order, decree, ruling, charge or other restriction
of any government, governmental agency, or court to which the Estate is subject,
or (b) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result
in the acceleration of, creat e in any party the right to accelerate, terminate,
modify, or cancel, or require any notice under any agreement, contract, lease,
license, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Estate is a party or by
which it is bound or to which any of its assets are subject.
2.4. Brokers' Fees. The Estate has no liability or obligation to pay any
fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which the Company could
become liable or obligated.
2.5. Litigation. The Estate has no knowledge (as defined below) of any
action, suit, proceeding, hearing, or investigation of, in or before any court
or quasi-judicial or administrative agency of any federal, state, local, or
foreign jurisdiction or before any arbitrator involving the Shares, its
ownership or authority with respect to the Shares, or its authority or ability
to enter into this Agreement or consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
2.6. Entire Ownership. Other than (a) the Shares, (b) an aggregate of
1,783,137 shares of Common Stock of the Company owned by Terra, and (c) an
aggregate of 1,328,487 shares of Common Stock of the Company owned by the
Foundation, neither the Est ate nor any of its Affiliates (as defined below)
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, any securities issued by the Company.
Since February 19, 1998, the date of Terra's last amendment to his Schedule 13D,
neither the Estate nor any of its Affi liates has (i) directly or indirectly,
purchased or sold any shares of the Common Stock or (ii) caused or encouraged
any Person (as defined below) to purchase or sell any such shares except as
disclosed in its Schedule 13D referred to above.
ARTICLE3.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to the Estate as follows:
3.1. Authorization of Transaction. The Company has full power and authority
to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and
has no present intention of amending its Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws
between t he date hereof and the earlier of (i) the Closing and (ii) the
termination of this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally
binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
with its terms and condit ions. The Company is not required to give any notice
to, make any filing with, or obtain any authorization, consent, or approval of
its stockholders or of any government or governmental agency or of the New York
Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), in order to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement other than required filings with the SEC.
3.2. Noncontravention. Neither the execution and the delivery by the Company
of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby, will (a) violate its Certificate of Incorporation or its
By-laws, or any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment,
order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government,
governmental agency, or court to which the Company is subject, or (b) conflict
with, result in a breach of, constitu te a default under, result in the
acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify,
or cancel, or require any notice under any agreement, contract, lease, license,
instrument, or other arrangement to which the Company i s a party or by which it
is bound or to which any of its assets are subject.
3.3. Brokers' Fees. The Company has no liability or obligation to pay any
fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which any of the Terra Parties
could become liable o r obligated.
3.4. SEC Reports. Since April 1, 1997, the Company has filed all forms,
reports and documents with the SEC required to be filed by it pursuant to the
Federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC (as defined
below) thereunder, all of which to the Company's knowledge (as defined below)
complied in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the 1933
Act (as defined below) and the 1934 Act (as defined below) and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder. The above reports of the Company to the SEC
are collectively referred to herein as the "Company SEC Reports." None of the
Company SEC Reports, including, without limitation, any financial statements or
schedules included therein, at the time filed and at the date of Closing,
contained or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or
will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circum stances under which
they were made, not misleading.
3.5. Litigation. The Company has no knowledge of any action, suit,
proceeding, hearing, or investigation of, in, or before any court or quasi-
judicial or administrative agency of any federal, state, local, or foreign
jurisdiction or before any ar bitrator involving its authority or ability to
enter into this Agreement or consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
ARTICLE4.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TERRA AND THE FOUNDATION
1 Representations and Warranties of Terra. Terra represents and warrants
to the Company as follows:
(a) Authorization of Transaction. Terra has full power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform his obligations hereunder.
This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of Terra,
enforceable again st Terra in accordance with its terms and conditions. Terra
is not required to give any notice to, make any filing with, or obtain any
authorization, consent, or approval of any government or governmental agency, in
order to consummate the transacti ons contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Noncontravention. Neither the execution and the delivery by Terra of
this Agreement, nor the consummation by Terra of the transactions contemplated
hereby, will (a) violate any statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment,
order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government,
governmental agency, or court to which Terra is subject, or (b) conflict with,
result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration
of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel,
or require any notice under any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument,
or other arrangement to which Terra is a party or by which he is bound or to
which any of his assets are subject.
1 Representations and Warranties of the Foundation. The Foundation
represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
(a) Authorization of Transaction. The Foundation has full power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations
hereunder. This Agreement constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation
of the Foundation, enforceable against the Foundation in accordance with its
terms and conditions. Except for the consent of the Board of Directors of the
Foundation, which consent has been obtained, the Foundation is not required to
give any notice to, make any fili ng with, or obtain any authorization,
consent, or approval of its trustees or of any government or governmental
agency, in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Noncontravention. Neither the execution and the delivery by the
Foundation of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Foundation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, will (a) violate its Articles of Organization
or bylaws, or any con stitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction,
judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government,
governmental agency, or court to which the Foundation is subject, or (b)
conflict with, result in a breach of, constitu te a default under, result in the
acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify,
or cancel, or require any notice under any agreement, contract, lease, license,
instrument, or other arrangement to which the Foundatio n is a party or by which
it is bound or to which any of its assets are subject.
ARTICLE5.
STANDSTILL PROVISIONS
5.1 Standstill Provisions. From the date hereof through and including April
17, 1999, each of the Terra Parties, severally and not jointly, agrees that,
without the Company's prior written consent, it will not, and will not permit or
cause any o f its Affiliates (as defined below) to and will not encourage any of
its Affiliates (as defined below) to:
(a) acquire, announce an intention to acquire, offer or propose to
acquire, or agree to acquire, directly or indirectly, by purchase or otherwise,
beneficial ownership of any Common Stock of the Company or other securities of
the Company (collectively the "Securities") or direct or indirect rights or
options to acquire (through purchase, exchange, conversion or otherwise) any
Securities;
(b) make, or in any way participate, directly or indirectly, in any
"solicitation" of "proxies" (as such terms are defined in Rule 14a-1 under the
1934 Act) to vote any Securities, seek to encourage or influence any person or
entity with respect to the voting of any Securities, initiate or propose any
shareholder proposal under Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act or induce or attempt to
induce any other person to initiate any shareholder proposal;
(c) make any proposal, whether written or oral, to the Board of
Directors of the Company, or to any director, officer or agent of the Company,
or make any public announcement or proposal whatsoever, in each case with
respect to a merger o r other business combination, sale or transfer of assets,
recapitalization, share repurchase, liquidation or other extraordinary corporate
transaction with the Company or other transaction which could result in a change
of control, or solicit or enco urage any other person to make such statement or
proposal;
(d) form, join or in any way participate in a "group" (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act) with respect to any Securities;
provided, however, that, for purposes of this Article 5, Terra and the
Foundation acting togeth er without any other person shall not constitute a
"group";
(e) otherwise act, alone or in concert with others, to seek to
exercise any control over the management, Board of Directors or
policies of the Company;
(f) make a public request to the Company (or its directors,
officers, shareholders, employees or agents) to amend or waive
any provisions of this Agreement, the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company;
(g) take any action which might require the Company to make a public
announcement regarding the possibility of any transaction referred to in
paragraph (c) above or similar transaction or, advise, assist or encourage any
other persons in connection with the foregoing; or
(h) disclose publicly any intention, plan or arrangement
inconsistent with the foregoing.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 5.1
shall restrict or limit Mr. Arthur A. Hartman's ability to continue to act as a
director of the Company. Further, if the Closing shall not take place hereunder
(other than as a result of a material breach hereof by any of the Terra
Parties), then the obligations of the Terra Parties under this Section 5.1 shall
be of no further force or effect.
ARTICLE6.
ADJUSTMENTS
6.1. Adjustment on Change of Control. In the event that a Change of Control
(as defined below) (i) occurs on or prior to April 17, 1999, and (ii) if as a
result of the transaction resulting in such Change of Control any stockholders
of the Compan y receive cash of more than $11.375 per share (the purchase price
to be paid per share for the Shares at Closing) for their respective shares of
Common Stock of the Company, then at the closing of such transaction the Company
shall pay to the Estate in cash an amount equal to the product of (x) the
difference between the greatest amount per share received by stockholders of the
Company in such transaction and the amount of the purchase price to be paid per
share for the Shares at Closing times ( y) 11,503,130. In the event that
between the date hereof and the date of the consummation of such transaction the
Company's stock is subject to any stock split, stock dividend, merger,
consolidation, recapitalization, combination or reorganization, an equitable
adjustment shall be made to reflect any such event in computing the additional
amount to be paid to the Estate pursuant to this provision. In the event the
payment in such Change of Control transaction is not made solely in cash, the pa
rties shall in good faith negotiate a fair cash equivalent for any non-cash
element and failing to reach agreement thereon the same shall be determined
through arbitration in Chicago, Illinois, in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association, with the Estate and the Company each
selecting one arbitrator and such arbitrators selecting a third arbitrator.
The decision of such panel of arbitrators shall be final, conclusive and
binding on the parties hereto.
6.2. Definition of Change of Control. A "Change of Control" shall occur (a)
when the stockholders of the Company approve a definitive agreement or plan (i)
to merge or consolidate the Company with or into another Company (other than a
merger or c onsolidation which would result in the Voting Stock (as defined
below) of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to
represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity ) more than fifty percent of the combined
voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity
outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation), or (ii) to sell, or
otherwise dispose of, all or substantially all of the Company's property and
assets, or (iii) to liquidate the Company or (b) if the Company is the subject
of a Rule 13e-3 transaction (as defined under the 1934 Act). The term "Voting
Stock" means all capital stock of the Company which by its terms may be voted on
all matters submitted to stockholders of the Company generally. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the transaction contemplated by this
Agreement is not a Change of Control.
ARTICLE7.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATION
OF THE COMPANY TO PURCHASE THE SHARES
Each of the following shall be conditions to the Company's obligations
with respect to the Closing:
7.1. Representations and Warranties Correct. The representations and
warranties of each of the Estate, Terra and the Foundation made in this
Agreement shall be correct in all material respects as of the Closing, with the
same force and effect as though such representations and warranties had been
made at the Closing.
7.2. Performance of Covenants. Except where specifically provided to the
contrary, all the terms, conditions and covenants of this Agreement shall be
complied with and performed by each of the Estate, Terra and the Foundation on
or before the Clo sing.
7.3. Closing Deliveries. The Company shall have received all of the
documents and items specified in Section 1.4 executed by the Estate, the
Foundation and the other parties thereto.
7.4. No Injunction. On the date of the Closing, there shall be no effective
injunction, writ, preliminary injunction, temporary restraining order or other
order of any nature issued by a court of competent jurisdiction directing that
the transact ions provided for herein or any of them not be consummated as so
provided.
7.5. Market Out. (a) There shall not have occurred any material adverse
change in the financial markets in the United States (as defined below), (b) on
the date of Closing, trading on the NYSE shall not then be suspended, limited
or restricted or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall not then be fixed,
or maximum range for prices for securities shall not then be required, by said
exchange or by order of the SEC or any other governmental authority, and (c) a
banking moratorium shall not have been declared by either Federal or New York
authorities. A "material adverse change in the financial markets in the United
States" shall mean a more than 20% decline in either the Dow Jones Industrials
Average or the Standard & Poor's Index of 500 stocks on a cumulative basis
between the close of trading on the date hereof and the close of trading on the
last trading day prior to Closing.
7.6. Financing. On or prior to April 9, 1998, the Company shall have entered
into agreements providing for borrowings by the Company in the aggregate amount
of at least $100,000,000 on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the
Company. If the Company has not entered into such agreements on or prior to
April 9, 1998, it will so notify the other parties hereto on April 10, 1998 by
facsimile transmission. The Estate at its option may then assist the Company
in obtaining such financi ng on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to
the Company.
ARTICLE8.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATION
OF THE ESTATE TO SELL THE SHARES
Each of the following shall be conditions of the Estate's obligations
with respect to the Closing:
8.1. Representations and Warranties Correct. The representations and
warranties of the Company made in this Agreement shall be correct in all
material respects as of the Closing, with the same force and effect as though
such representations and w arranties had been made at the Closing.
8.2. Performance of Covenants. Except where specifically provided to the
contrary, all of the terms, conditions and covenants of this Agreement
shall be complied with and performed by the Company on or before the
Closing.
8.3. Closing Deliveries. The Estate shall have received all of the documents
and items specified in Section 1.4 executed by the Company and the other
parties thereto.
8.4. No Injunction. On the date of the Closing, there shall be no effective
injunction, writ, preliminary injunction, temporary restraining order or other
order of any nature issued by a court of competent jurisdiction directing that
the transact ions provided for herein or any of them not be consummated as so
provided.
ARTICLE9.
TERMINATION
9.1. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time on or prior
to the date of the Closing:
(a) by the mutual consent of the Estate and the Company;
(b) by the Estate or the Company, if the Closing shall not have taken place
on or before May 29, 1998;
(c) by the Company, if there shall have been a material breach of any
covenant or representation or other agreement of any of the Terra Parties
hereunder, and such breach shall not have been remedied within three (3)
business days after receipt b y the breaching Terra Party of a notice in writing
from the Company specifying the breach and requesting such be remedied; or
(d) by the Estate, if there shall have been a material breach of any
covenant or representation or other agreement of the Company hereunder, and such
breach shall not have been remedied within three (3) business days after receipt
by the Company of notice in writing from the Estate specifying the breach and
requesting such be remedied.
9.2. Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 9.1, all obligations and agreements of the parties hereunder shall
terminate, except that no such termination shall relieve any party from
liability for any prior wil lful breach of this Agreement.
ARTICLE10.
MUTUAL RELEASES
10.1. Release and Waiver. Effective upon the Closing, each of the parties
hereto, for itself and any subsidiaries, and for each of their respective
principals, partners, fiduciaries, affiliates, managers, directors,
stockholders, officers, agents and employees and for the predecessors,
successors and assigns of each of them (the "Releasing Persons"), does hereby
forever and unconditionally release, acquit and discharge each of the other
parties hereto, and each of their respective principals, partners, fiduciaries,
affiliates, managers, directors, stockholders, officers, agents and employees,
and the predecessors, successors and assigns of each of them (collectively the
"Released Persons"), with respect to any and all claims, controversi es, causes
of action, suits or liabilities of whatever kind or nature, whether known or
unknown, whether in law or in equity, which the Releasing Persons had or has
against any Released Person for any matter, thing, event or omission which
arises dir ectly or indirectly out of the ownership by the Estate of the Shares
or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation
claims which any of the Terra Parties has or believes it may have as a
stockholder relating to fiduciary duties of directors or officers, disclosure or
similar matters; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall release
any claim with respect to this Agreement.
ARTICLE11.
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1. Defined Terms. The following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
"Affiliates" shall have the meaning specified in Rule 12b-2 under the
1934 Act.
"Knowledge," (i) when used in respect of the Company shall mean the
actual knowledge of its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer or
Chief Financial Officer, and (ii) when used in respect of the Estate shall mean
the actual knowled ge of the Executor.
"Person" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2(a)(2) of the 1933
Act.
"SEC" shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
"1933 Act" shall mean Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"1934 Act" shall mean Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
11.2. Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breache d. Accordingly, it is agreed that, in addition to any other
remedies which they may have, the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions hereof in any court of competent jurisdiction.
11.3. Efforts to Close. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the
Company and the Estate each agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts
to take all action required of them to fulfill their respective obligations
under the terms of t his Agreement and to facilitate the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
11.4. Public Disclosure. As soon as practicable following the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall issue a press release
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. Thereafter, without the
prior written consent of a party, no party shall make a public statement
regarding such other party or the transactions contemplated hereby; provided,
however, that without such written consent, any party shall be free to make
comments to its stockholders and employees an d to financial analysts and the
press which are substantially consistent with disclosures in such press release
and in prior public disclosures and that each party may make any disclosure
required by law or regulation.
11.5. Expenses. Each party to this Agreement shall pay its own costs and
expenses (including all legal, accounting, broker, finder and investment banker
fees) relating to this Agreement, the negotiations leading up to this Agreement
and the transa ctions contemplated by this Agreement.
11.6. Amendment. This Agreement shall not be amended or modified except by a
writing duly executed by each of the parties hereto.
11.7. Further Assurances. Each party to this Agreement shall execute all
instruments and documents and take all actions as may reasonably be
necessary to effectuate this Agreement.
11.8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the other instruments,
agreements and documents delivered pursuant to this Agreement, contains all of
the terms, conditions and representations and warranties agreed upon by the
parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all
prior agreements, negotiations, correspondence, undertakings and communications
of the parties, oral or written, respecting such subject matter.
11.9. Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are intended solely
for convenience and shall not affect the rights of the parties to this
Agreement.
11.10. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications
hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered in person, or by
electronic facsimile, or mailed, certified and registered mail with postage
prepaid (and, if by electronic facsimile, with acknowledgment or evidence of
receipt or with copies mailed, certified or registered mail with postage
prepaid):
If to the Company: Lawter International, Inc., One Terra Way, 8601 95th Street,
Kenosha, Wisconsin 53142-7716, Attention: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Telefax No. 414/947-7328,
with a copy to: Gardner, Carton & Douglas, 321 North Clark Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60610, Attention: Paul H. Dykstra, Esq., Telefax No. 312/644-
3381
If to the Estate or James D. Terra: Mr. James D. Terra c/o Jeffrey K. Benham,
CPA, 1117 S. Milwaukee Avenue, Suite C-11, Libertyville, Illinois 60048, Telefax
No.847/362-5016,
with a copy to: McBride Baker & Coles, 500 West Madison Street, 40th
Floor, Attention: Donald G. Mulack, Esq., Telefax No. 312/993-9350,
If to the Foundation: the Terra Foundation For The Arts, 664 N. Michigan
Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60611, Attention: Treasurer, Telefax No. 312/664-
4749,
with a copy to Mayer, Brown & Platt, 190 South LaSalle Street, Chicago,
Illinois 60603, Attention: Howard M. McCue III, Esq. Telefax No. 312/706-9218.
11.11. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
unenforceable for any reason, it shall be adjusted rather than voided, if
possible, in order to achieve the intent of the parties to this Agreement to the
extent possible. In an y event, all other provisions of this Agreement shall be
deemed valid and enforceable to the full extent possible.
11.12. Waiver. Waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement by any party
shall only be effective if in writing and shall not be construed as a waiver of
any subsequent breach or failure of the same term or condition, or a waiver of
any other t erm or condition of this Agreement.
11.13. No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer
any rights upon any person or entity which is not a party or an assignee
of a party to this Agreement.
11.14. Survival of Representations and Warranties. Each and every
representation, warranty and agreement of the parties contained herein
or in any certificate, schedule or other document delivered before or at
the Closing shall survive the Closing.
11.15. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of law
principles.
11.16. Attorneys' Fees. Should an action be instituted by any of the parties
hereto in any court of law or equity pertaining to the enforcement of any of the
provisions of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover,
in additi on to any judgment or decree rendered therein, all court costs and
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses against the party at fault without joint
and several liability.
11.17. Construction. Each party to this Agreement and its counsel have
reviewed and revised this Agreement. The rule of construction that any
ambiguity shall be resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in
the interpretation of thi s Agreement.
11.18. Successors and Assigns; Assignment. All of the terms, covenants and
conditions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. No party hereto
shall be perm itted to assign its rights under this Agreement except with the
written consent of the other party. No assignment or transfer permitted
hereunder shall relieve any such assignor or transferor of any of its
obligations hereunder and any assignee or t ransferee shall assume in writing
all of the undertakings of assignor or transferor under this Agreement.
11.19. Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in
one or more counterparts, which may be delivered via facsimile
transmission.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement,
authorized as of the day and year first above written.
LAWTER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
/s/ John P. O'Mahoney
By John P. O'Mahoney
Its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
TERRA FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS
/s/ James W. Collins
By: James W. Collins
Its: Secretary and Treasurer
ESTATE OF DANIEL J. TERRA
/s/ James D. Terra
By James D. Terra
Its Executor
/s/ James D. Terra
JAMES D. TERRA, Individually
Lawter International, Inc.
One Terra Way
8601 95th Street
Kenosha Wisconsin 53142-7716
414/947-7300
Fax 414/947-7328
NEWS RELEASE For further information, please
contact:
Mr. John P. O'Mahoney
Chairman and CEO
LAWTER INTERNATIONAL AND ESTATE OF DANIEL J. TERRA
AGREE ON STOCK BUYBACK
Kenosha, Wisconsin, March 19, 1998 - Lawter International, Inc. (NYSE:
LAW) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with the
Estate of Daniel J. Terra for the repurchase by Lawter of the Estate's entire
holdings of Law ter Common Stock. The 11,503,130 shares, representing
approximately 25.4% of Lawter's outstanding Common Stock, will be purchased for
$11.375 per share, for a total purchase price of $130,848,000. The purchase is
expected to be completed by April 1 7, 1998, subject to certain customary
closing conditions and will be funded by a combination of debt and cash.
John O'Mahoney, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lawter, commented that,
"We believe this transaction will be beneficial to both parties. From the
standpoint of Lawter and its stockholders, other than the Estate, the
transaction is accretive to earnings per share. Moreover, it achieves a
restructuring of our capital base to reflect more appropriate leverage for our
company and does so in a transaction that does not reduce the real public float
in our shares. Finally, the market overha ng represented by the Estate's
holdings will be eliminated".
Lawter is a specialty chemical company, with 20 facilities in 15 countries
throughout the world. It is a major manufacturer and distributor of printing
ink vehicles, wax compounds and powders, and synthetic and hydrocarbon resins
to the graphic arts industry. Lawter also serves the industrial coatings,
adhesives and rubber industries.
This press release contains forward-looking statements which are not
historical facts. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to,
certain global and r egional economic conditions and factors detailed in the
Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
